Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Monch9 12-09-03, 05:05 AM	Hi Guys, (ES, Darius) With the coming out of the Complete Warrior Supplement, some new Classes came up that can add spice to your version of our favorite Dark Elf. For some old timers out there, there is now a Dervish Class feature that sounds like something out of the 2e Drizzt (see Dance of Death). For my version, I took out the Barbarian class. I now attribute the Hunter prowess to him using the Dervish Dance effect (I know some might not like it but you can add it to your version). Here’s the bare bones optimized Drizzt with Feats, class features and how it affects the overall effect. I tried to keep it within 18 levels (now at 17). Feats taken out from the FRCS version are Quick Draw and Combat Reflexes. Drizzt Stats Str 13, Dex 22, Con 15, Int 17, Wis 17, Cha 14 (only changed the Dex from the FRCS version bumped it +2) 1. Rgr 1: Track, Wild Empathy, Favored Enemy 1 (class features), Dodge 2. Rgr 1/Ftr 1: Weapon Focus (Scimitar) 3. Rgr 2/Ftr 1: Two-Weapon Fighting (class feature), Combat Expertise 4. Rgr 2/Ftr 1/Swb 1: Weapon Finesse (class feature) 5. Rgr 2/Ftr 2/Swb 1: Mobility 6. Rgr 2/Ftr 2/Swb 1/Drv 1: Dervish Dance, Movement Mastery, Slashing Blades (scimitars considered light), Blind Fight 7. Rgr 2/Ftr 2/Swb 2/Drv 1: Grace +1 (class feature) 8. Rgr 2/Ftr 3/Swb 2/Drv 1 9. Rgr 2/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 1: Weapon Specialization (Scimitar), Twin Sword Style (FRCS) 10. Rgr 3/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 1: Endurance (class feature) 11. Rgr 3/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 2: Fast Movement +5 (class feature) 12. Rgr 4/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 2: Animal Companion (class feature), Improved Initiative 13. Rgr 5/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 2: Favored Enemy 2 (class feature) 14. Rgr 6/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 2: Improve Two-Weapon Fighting (class feature) 15. Rgr 6/Ftr 4/Swb 2/Drv 3: Spring Attack (class feature), Improved Critical (Scimitar) 16. Rgr 6/Ftr 4/Swb 3/Drv 3: Insightful Strike (Int to damage for Weapon Finesse weapons) 17. Rgr 6/Ftr 4/Swb 3/Drv 4: Dance of Death (class feature) Ranger 6/Fighter 4/Swashbuckler 3/Dervish 4 Hit dice : 6d8+12 + 11d10+22 Movement : 35 Saves :Fort +15, Ref +18, Will +11 Initiative : +10 The Attack and Damage is now where the big changes are : He already has Weapon Focus/Specialization for Scimitar. Slashing Blades from the Dervish class makes scimitars light, Weapon Finesse from the Swashbuckler uses the DEX bonus for Att Adds Improve Critical (Scimitar) Insightful Strike from the Swashbuckler adds INT bonus to Damage (on top of STR) +22/+17/+12/+7 (1d6 +6/15-20) +22/+17 (1d6+5/15-20) The above are the Drizzt’s attack and damage rolls using two normal, non-magical scimitars. Thoughts anyone? Monch
Darius the Barbarian 12-09-03, 07:49 AM	Hi :) This is a nice version of Drizzt. Like I said on the boards right after getting CW, I'll be also including Dervish levels in my new writeup. I dropped Bbn levels as well since Dervish Dance seems to reflect Drizzt's Hunter state better than raw Barbarian rage. A few thoughts and comments: - 6 Ranger levels (even if we take the variant without spellcasting) are a bit much IMO - 6 levels just to get two TWF freebies actually BEFORE Drizzt even discovered the path of a Ranger of Mielikki (episode with Mooshie) don't really appeal to me. I would base Drizzt's TWF efficiency on Ftr feats, preferably - not on Rgr class features... but that's just my biased opinion right now :) I'd rather give my new Drizzt 2 Rgr levels. - Swashbuckler - hmm... :) I dunno, from the mechanical PoV, it's good for Do'Urden but flavor-wise I associate Swb with a skilled rapier guy, a duelist... Jarlaxle - possibly, Drizzt - not necessarily a good idea... Besides, there is one logical flaw here - you gave Drizzt Weapon Finesse BEFORE his scimitars became light (and thus, "finesseable") for him. That's why taking Swb on the path to Dervish seems a bit incoherent. - feats: nice selection, the only thing that isn't perfect in my eyes would be probably the lack of GTWF. Drizzt simply should have it IMO. Your writeup makes him lvl 17 and at lvl 12, he can already take GTWF. As for Twin Sword Style, since it won't stack with TWD anymore, I would reconsider it, possibly considering the path of TWD/ITWD/GTWD feats, should Drizzt become a higher level char in some campaigns or even evolve as an epic hero in the novels (unlikely). Just a thought. Anyway, a nice writeup, Monch! :thumbsup: My next stat block for Drizzt will also include Dervish levels instead of Bbn. BTW, it's so damn tempting to make Drizzt a Dervish 10, I think he deserves A Thousand Cuts... Too bad he could come up short in terms of feats in this case. Good job. Let's see the final writeup with gear now :)
Monch9 12-10-03, 01:42 AM	Darius, Originally posted by Darius the Barbarian Hi :) This is a nice version of Drizzt. Like I said on the boards right after getting CW, I'll be also including Dervish levels in my new writeup. I dropped Bbn levels as well since Dervish Dance seems to reflect Drizzt's Hunter state better than raw Barbarian rage. Thanks for the reply. A few thoughts and comments: - 6 Ranger levels (even if we take the variant without spellcasting) are a bit much IMO - 6 levels just to get two TWF freebies actually BEFORE Drizzt even discovered the path of a Ranger of Mielikki (episode with Mooshie) don't really appeal to me. I would base Drizzt's TWF efficiency on Ftr feats, preferably - not on Rgr class features... but that's just my biased opinion right now :) I'd rather give my new Drizzt 2 Rgr levels. I know it's a stretch, but I'm looking at Drizzt being a ranger (in heart/spirit). He was always point man in the scouting party. And he somehow has an affinity to animals even before Mooshie (remember the bear in the cave). So I sprinkled his ranger levels early on thinking that's how Zak trained him in and some things he was born with. - Swashbuckler - hmm... :) I dunno, from the mechanical PoV, it's good for Do'Urden but flavor-wise I associate Swb with a skilled rapier guy, a duelist... Jarlaxle - possibly, Drizzt - not necessarily a good idea... Besides, there is one logical flaw here - you gave Drizzt Weapon Finesse BEFORE his scimitars became light (and thus, "finesseable") for him. That's why taking Swb on the path to Dervish seems a bit incoherent. Again, the Zak angle. I'm seeing Zak being part Ranger part Swashbuckler as well and all fighter :). Drizzt initial training had him learning all kinds of weapons and moves. It's probable he had weapon finesse but didn't use it. (Other than flavor) I put one level of Swb early on to avoid the cross skills penalty (sneaky me) :). - feats: nice selection, the only thing that isn't perfect in my eyes would be probably the lack of GTWF. Drizzt simply should have it IMO. Your writeup makes him lvl 17 and at lvl 12, he can already take GTWF. As for Twin Sword Style, since it won't stack with TWD anymore, I would reconsider it, possibly considering the path of TWD/ITWD/GTWD feats, should Drizzt become a higher level char in some campaigns or even evolve as an epic hero in the novels (unlikely). Just a thought. Boy do I wish Drizzt was human (so I can get one extra feat). Anyway, I put in the Twin Sword Style since he always had it. Unless there's a better flavor in the PGTF (coming out next year), I'll just let him have it. Wish my version had GTWF, but I put in the Improved Critical instead since he seems to be better at killing with one blow than having multiple blows. Other feats that seems in character that I had to pull out were Quick Draw and Combat Reflex. Sigh :( Still trying to play within rules. Anyway, a nice writeup, Monch! :thumbsup: My next stat block for Drizzt will also include Dervish levels instead of Bbn. BTW, it's so damn tempting to make Drizzt a Dervish 10, I think he deserves A Thousand Cuts... Too bad he could come up short in terms of feats in this case. Good job. Let's see the final writeup with gear now :) I'll try, but caught up in work right now. Also, he now has a new toy (in the Lone Drow) that I might want to hold out till then. Once again, thanks for the inputs.
duncan_idaho 12-10-03, 03:11 AM	I'd probably still throw in the level of barbarian--I mean, when he gets mad, he REALLY gets mad...seems to be how he wins most of those fights with entreri..."Whatcha gonna do, when Do-Urden-mania runs wild all over you?" (with apologies to hulk hogan, circa 1985)
duncan_idaho 12-10-03, 03:12 AM	oh, and quick draw is an absolute must...
duncan_idaho 12-10-03, 03:14 AM	and consider some rogue...he does a little backstabbing, a lot of skulking, uncanny dodging and picks the odd lock...
Darius the Barbarian 12-10-03, 03:25 AM	His Hunter metamorphosis has evolved and it doesn't really look like primal rage now. It became more calculated, focused, controlled. I'm definitely against Bbn levels. Being a barbarian (at least in my campaign) is slightly more than just being able to rage. It's heritage, it's culture, it's a way of life. As for Rogue, it's a matter of skills. Ranger has many of "rogueish" skills as class skills so stealth and "light footedness" don't have to be related to Rogue. As for backstabbing, it was back in 2E but it's certainly debatable whether Drizzt sneak attacks his opponents or simply crits well and wins Init often... I'm not a fan of Rogue levels in his writeup, to be honest. Uncanny Dodge can be substituted with a warning scimitar, an ability that fits Twinkle perfectly, IMHO.
Maskanodel 12-10-03, 05:25 PM	Is the Dervish a PrC? Where can I find it?
Mirtek 12-10-03, 05:41 PM	Just a question: DId i miss anything? Since when are scimitars considered light weapons?
Monch9 12-10-03, 08:25 PM	Maskanodel, Yup, the Dervish is a new PRC that just came out of the new Complete Warrior Supplement (just recently released). In this book also is the Swashbuckler Base class. Mirtek, The scimitar being light is a class feature of the Dervish on level 1. It's called slashing blades. Monch