| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| Darish04-15-07, 09:26 PM | What would the best LA +0 race be for a melee character? I'm going to make a bashing character soon, and I would like to know what people think the best race is. |
| lifebleeder04-15-07, 09:30 PM | One word: Orc. :) |
| Nadaka04-15-07, 10:04 PM | Orc if all you care about is raw power. Human if you want versitility. Dwarf if you want to be a rock. |
| Enigmous04-15-07, 10:08 PM | Also, if you want to make a sneaky bashing guy, an elf. |
| cmrscorpio04-15-07, 10:57 PM | I second orc, but they have problems in sunlight. Races of Eberron has goggles that orcs can wear (that only cost 1sp!) that negate the light sensitivity, but impose a -1 penalty on Spot checks. |
| Pangeon04-15-07, 11:09 PM | One word: Orc. :) Two words: Water Orc. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#waterOrcs) :D |
| RobbyPants04-16-07, 09:46 AM | Orc if all you care about is raw power. Human if you want versitility. Dwarf if you want to be a rock. QFT. Orc was going to be my first suggestion, so at this rate, I'll third it (or whatever :P). These are all good suggestions depending on what you want. |
| Screams_of_the_Oak04-16-07, 09:49 AM | Kobald :D |
| The_Shaman04-16-07, 10:13 AM | As an addition, if you would think about an elf, make it a wood elf. +2 str for -2 intelligence isn't such a bad choice. |
| Jaxgaret04-16-07, 11:23 AM | Two words: Water Orc. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#waterOrcs) :D Yeah, that's about as good as it gets for a melee-er at LA +0. Water Orcs get rocked by Fireballs and Scorching Rays etc., though. |
| Mogarth_Warheart04-16-07, 11:50 AM | i like stone or was it earth dwarfs (i think there +0) |
| Cherubaddon04-16-07, 12:36 PM | Well, assuming you don't want to be bothered by light sensitivity: Neanderthal (Frostburn) Basically, a Neanderthal does everything a half-orc does, except better. He has an enhancement on strength and constitution, some bonuses on saves... well, I don't have my books right now, so if someone with the book could help me out... all I remember was that he is my favourite melee race. Hope it helps. Cherubaddon |
| itwasntme04-16-07, 12:40 PM | Elf are kinda week for a melee class sense they take a hit on Con Dex Str And Con need to be positive and not have any hits Orc for i smash you in the face Dwarf for i take all that damage look at you and laugh as it didnt even bring me down all that much and Human for oh you counter that ... i do this insteed then ... or this or maybe this? hmmm Orc is probly the win though +4 str -2 int cha and wis for a melee person the only negitive thing there was -2 wis (Will saves) Half orc is good -2 int and cha not realy needed for a melee person but hey will saves arnt to important eather you can improve it on other ways if your realy worried So ORC Human Dawrf thouse are my vote from best to worst on the top 3 melee race |
| Platstud04-16-07, 12:41 PM | i like stone or was it earth dwarfs (i think there +0) You mean Earth Dwarf (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#earthDwarves )? |
| BrutishCelt04-16-07, 12:42 PM | I'm gonna have to go with the Shaman on this one; the wood elf is one of my favorites for unleashing some pain, hate, and discontent in a toe-to-toe scenario. While the Con penalty nets you one less hp per level, the Dex bonus makes you that much harder to hit [always my preferred option]. Plus, if they try to run away or rush you with a mob of critters, the higher Dex paves the way for Combat Reflexes and - ultimately - the whirlwind attack + spiked chain combo of doom. |
| Infinitive04-16-07, 01:13 PM | There IS a little of the "What melee class are you going to use" question inherant here. If you're going standard Barbarian or Fighter, yeah, Orc is about the cream of the crop. Personally, though, I'm a fan of the elf subrace (I'm at work, and the name escapes me) that goes +2 dex +2 int -2 con -2 cha. Pair it with Swashucker and just pay for 14's in Str, Dex, Con, and Int, then use Cha as your dump stat and put a little (just enough to keep you off of a Will save penalty) into Wis. You get a good number of skill points per level and an additional source of base damage enhancement. Here's my favorite build based on that theory: Swashbucker 3/Ranger 2/Tempest or Master Thrower or Justicair (I love Ring of Blinking) Pick up Exotic proficiency with Warmace at level 1, and Oversized 2-weapon fighting at level 3 (with two of your first three levels spent in Ranger so you can qualify). It hurts the AC, but you were going Swashbuckler/Ranger anyway; your AC was never going to be high enough to be truly reliable. On the upshot, you're swinging, at level 6, with (no weapon bonuses figured in) +6/+6/+1 for 1d12+5 (or 4, for the OH swing). A less feat intensive version of this comes from playing a Dwarf and using Dwarven Waraxes (racial weapons are cool!). You get an additional feat to throw around; I usually go for Weapon Focus in that case. On the other hand, that's because I play Living Greyhawk mostly, and they just opened Weapon Specialization up to all classes. 1d10+7 unenhanced damage on a 1Her is cool, I hear. |
| The_Shaman04-16-07, 03:11 PM | If you're a dwarf and want to be taking WF, the substitution levels in Races of Stone are always nice. 1 level in fighter - and a fighter with a d12 HD - nets you a weapon focus with any axe, including the axe side of an urgrosh. That, and the shielded axe combat style is imo quite cool. |
| The_Basilisk04-16-07, 05:33 PM | If you go orc, take 1 or all 3 levels in orc paragon! no light sentitivity, fighter BAB, +2 str and a couple other things. |
| Jaxgaret04-16-07, 05:58 PM | If you go orc, take 1 or all 3 levels in orc paragon! no light sentitivity, fighter BAB, +2 str and a couple other things. Yep. Orc Paragon Barbarians are nice. Orc Paragon Barbarian Champion of Gwynharwyf Frenzied Berserkers are a sight to behold :) |
| Barloch04-16-07, 10:47 PM | I'm gunna have to throw in my vote for orc as well. Although for a measly +1 level adjustment you can play a goliath, which just frankly put orcs to shame. But theres always good ol' humans too and who doesn't love a bonus feat? Okay, well if you're going fighter feats are pry the least of your worry and that +4 str looks really nice. Take the str!!! |
| Gwenfloor04-17-07, 12:06 AM | What would the best LA +0 race be for a melee character? I'm going to make a bashing character soon, and I would like to know what people think the best race is. ORC!! |
| Reyemile04-17-07, 02:02 AM | To everyone who says Orc--if you can get away with it (and you need to get away with it, cause I'd never allow it in my games), the Water Orc is essentially strictly superior to a regular one. You get +2 to con, and all you give up is -2 to saves versus fire. You even get a swim speed as gravy; good luck swimming in your heavy armor, even WITH your strength bonus and racial bonus. |
| Qube04-17-07, 04:40 AM | You even get a swim speed as gravy; good luck swimming in your heavy armor, even WITH your strength bonus and racial bonus. with swim a class skill? not so difficult |
| NerdNumber104-18-07, 04:13 PM | Dragonborn (heart aspect) water orc +4, -2, +4, -2, -2, -2 You keep your swim speed but drop the fire penalties/bonuses, light sensitivity, darkvision (and maybe something else, haven't looked at the ork entry lately). You also gain a breath weapon, just in case you can't catch your opponent in heavy armor (If loosing darkvision is too much, take the mind aspect or take the wing aspect if you want to fly). Maybe this race goes a bit far... oh well :D |
| Argaud04-18-07, 05:47 PM | Be a rock: Dwarf. Be adamantine: Warforged. |
| doink121204-18-07, 05:58 PM | Here is a list thus far of good choices Orc Water Orc Wood Elf dwarf Earth Dwarf Warforged Human Personally given the choice I would go with Wood Elf the +2 STR and -2 Int makes them pretty formidable and there are alot of Elvish Melee PrCs lying around that make others jealous. A Warforged in action is a beautiful thing... DR at first lvl with a Adamantine body feat. And border line 20 AC. Orcs are fun to play... especially if you have a tendecency to grunt in public. Dwarves are dwarves. They can carry any load and run the same speed. They are tough. Not to mention all the bonus' against Goblinoids and Giants. |
| NerdNumber104-18-07, 06:15 PM | Here is a list thus far of good choices Orc Water Orc Wood Elf dwarf Earth Dwarf Warforged Human Personally given the choice I would go with Wood Elf the +2 STR and -2 Int makes them pretty formidable and there are alot of Elvish Melee PrCs lying around that make others jealous. A Warforged in action is a beautiful thing... DR at first lvl with a Adamantine body feat. And border line 20 AC. Orcs are fun to play... especially if you have a tendecency to grunt in public. Dwarves are dwarves. They can carry any load and run the same speed. They are tough. Not to mention all the bonus' against Goblinoids and Giants. What about my dragonborn water orc?:mad: +4,-2,+4,-2,-2,-2 stats, swim speed, no light sensitivity, and your choice of flight, a breath weapon, or keen senses. Isn't that enough? Sure, you lose some dexterity, but when you're in full plate, how much can it hurt. Anyway, you can use a breath weapon (5ft/level line of whatever energy you want) to help out with short to mid-ranged combat. Edit: I forgot to mention the nice bonuses when fighting dragons. This creature type is so iconic (some would cliche) that it is almost certain that a character will fight one at some point in their career. Also, dragons are widely used as big end challenges, so it will be more commonly helpful than some bonuses on enemies. Its just a little extra boost to the race. |
| Mogarth_Warheart04-18-07, 08:04 PM | You mean Earth Dwarf (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#earthDwarves )? Yeah them! |
| doink121204-21-07, 04:17 PM | When I said water orc i thought I implied the other one as well. Honestly Ive never heard of the the dragonborn water orc. Id be interested to know where it is from |
| Damior04-21-07, 05:43 PM | Thats just the Dragonborn from Races of the Dragon applied to a water orc. If you ask me, the elemental races from UA are completely unbalanced. Water Halflings caught my eye especially |
| Iry04-21-07, 11:47 PM | I vote Earth Dwarf Pro: +8 versus Bull Rush or Tripping while standing on the ground. +4 Appraise and Craft with Stone. +4 to Search with Stonecunning. +2 Strength and Constitution. +1 on Attack Rolls versus Air. Con: -2 Dexterity and Charisma. -2 on Saves versus Air (no, not Electricity or Cold. AIR.) Amusingly, many Air effects try to Bull Rush or Trip you :P |