Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Minileed 12-15-03, 06:48 PM	I'm still relatively new to DnD, but after a couple of months of playing, I took over as DM because the only experienced fellow in my group really wanted to play, and DMing looked like a lot of fun. I'm having a blast, but am noticing more and more that my players are probably hurting from their lack of experience. Here's the main tank in our party, and I'm wondering if I should allow them to reroll, or if they can be relatively effective from this point, if there are any suggestions / tweaks that could be made to really get more out of him. Human (Barbarian 5 / Fighter 3) HP 119 (rolled pretty well) Str 20, Dex 14, Con 13, Wis 10, Int 14, Cha 10 Feats : Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Weapon Specialisation (Greatsword), Improved Fortitude, Improved Initiative. +1 Mithril Fullplate, +1 Greatsword (undead bane), +1 rings of protection, basic other gear.
Minileed 12-15-03, 11:45 PM	Just wanted to add a bit more information... Since I'm the DM, I can pretty much decide what can and can't be used, but right now we're using the PHB, DMG, and I guess what are referred to as Splat books. (Complete Warrior is a book I still need to pick up, so I'm sure that would help me a lot right there. I played a bard my first go, so have Song and Silence instead). The majority of the fighting is done underground, so there's not much use for a mounted warrior type. I'm looking to see what the options are for an optimized tank are from the current stats. If it's already too far gone, then by all means let me know, but I'd love to know if there's still a shot at making this character work for the long haul.
Psifon 12-15-03, 11:47 PM	He needs one more level of fighter to qualify for specialization. The great cleave chain is good, I would lose Improved Fortitude and Improved Initiative. Going first is not the big advantage for fighters that it is for rogues and wizards, and your fortitude saving throws are quite good enough. I like the following feat chain: Combat Reflexes Combat Expertese Dodge Karmic Strike (Found in Complete Warrior) This is actually a nice progression for a greatsword fighter, because it lets you get attacks of oportunity every time you get hit (up to those allowed for combat reflexes). Your Dex is pretty good so with some gloves of dexterity you should have some fun. You can also exploit the combat reflexes by getting some kind of item that provides you with Enlarge Person on a regular basis. Even potions will do the job, but a vest of enlarge person is only 4000 gp if your DM will allow you to custom design magic items. This will make you large at will, and give you 10' reach. Nothing to write home about compared to what a spiked chain weilder can do, but you should be using up your allotment of AoO's on a fairly regular basis. This is not a truely opitimized build, but it should give you good damage output and you can have some fun with it. And it stacks nicely with great cleave.