Feat for a Dragon Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feat for a Dragon Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arkeas
10-30-07, 03:15 AM Hello, potential posters! I have an elven Dragon Shaman specializing in ranged combat (composite longbow currently). With character flaws I have Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot. I have just achieved third level, and find myself rather lacking with ideas for what feat to take. At fourth level I get my breath attack, so all of my future feats will be taken up by meta-breath feats and further archery feats, so I can't really start working up any new feat trees. I was thinking of proficiency with the Greatbow if I can find nothing else. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Lokathor
10-30-07, 03:56 AM Improved Rapid Shot ? (Complete Warrior)
Garonak
10-30-07, 04:30 AM Requires Manyshot and BA+6...

Start saving money for that Animated Heavy Mithral Shield +1 and take Shield Spec (and Shield Ward later on).
Lokathor
10-30-07, 04:59 AM Oh, right, damn. Better tell my ranger player that... or maybe just ignore it.

As for a feat, have you considered Shape Soulmeld? there's some handy soulmelds, even if you don't have any essentia.

You do qualify for Dilate Aura from Fiendish Codex 2. Double the range of an aura 1/encounter for Cha Mod rounds (minimum of 1). Useful if your party tends to get really spread out.
Tordak
10-30-07, 10:45 AM I think manyshot would be a good idea. Could be quite useful sometimes, especially if you want to stay away from enemies or if you get a bonus on one attack (for example the bonus from true strike or find the gap spells). Shot on the run requires too many other feats. Seeing how you're out of idea, heavy armor proficiencies is not forbidden for dragon shaman (but then again heavy mythril armor will do fine too). Don't forget to keep a feat for Double Draconic aura (requires character level 12th I think, Dragon Magic book). Seeing how your BAB isn't that high Weapon Focus with longbow is not a waste either.
Legdiwena
10-30-07, 11:33 AM Improved Flight when you get wings.
Mystyc
10-30-07, 11:41 AM I was actually about to post a thread with this exact question, so I'll just tack it on here.

I'm building a 6th-level human DS (gold totem) and am lacking feat ideas. I have Intimidating Strike and Frightful Presence locked in, but I still need another feat for level 1, and one for level 3. Obviously, I'll have Intimidate ranks, but no other skills chosen yet. I don't want to start any chains, since the upper-level feats are going to be metabreaths and other high-impact choices.

Improved Toughness and Improved Initiative are always on the table (and the OP might want to think about them) as being simple and reliable, but I would like at least one slot to be something that creates an actual action option (like Intimidating Strike, which gives me another choice of something to do in combat).
Lord QZip
10-31-07, 12:22 AM Mystyc, ever think about Trophy Collector (I think PHB2)? I'm making a Dragon Shaman similar to yours and he's going to get it. Basically you skin stuff you kill for money or Intimidate bonus vs that type of enemy and, for every one you're wearing, you get a cumulative will save bonus vs. fear effects. Maybe you'll have enough money to fill those slots with better stuff, but I think it could be a good idea anyway seeing your focus on Intimidate. Also, I doubt many people you've ever seen before take Craft(Taxidermy) so you could be an interesting oddity.

Also, you might want to try for Combat Panache later (Complete Warrior or PHB2 not sure which, it's a tactical feat). It gives you 3 options: 1 involving intimidate and 2 involving bluff. The biggest problem is getting the Perform ranks (unless your DM is totally cool and lets you get all the skills as class skills or allows you to get Knowledge/Perform/Profession skills based off of background instead of class). Does gold give you Bluff as a class skill? If not, then this'll be another hurdle...

There's some feat somewhere that allows you to quicken a breath weapon that I've heard about being mentioned for Dragon Shaman's. I want to find it, but I'm not having any luck.

Don't discount Skill Focus(Intimidate) or Presence off hand in that 1st level slot.
Mystyc
10-31-07, 12:37 AM Mystyc, ever think about Trophy Collector (I think PHB2)? I'm making a Dragon Shaman similar to yours and he's going to get it. Basically you skin stuff you kill for money or Intimidate bonus vs that type of enemy and, for every one you're wearing, you get a cumulative will save bonus vs. fear effects. Maybe you'll have enough money to fill those slots with better stuff, but I think it could be a good idea anyway seeing your focus on Intimidate. Also, I doubt many people you've ever seen before take Craft(Taxidermy) so you could be an interesting oddity.

Also, you might want to try for Combat Panache later (Complete Warrior or PHB2 not sure which, it's a tactical feat). It gives you 3 options: 1 involving intimidate and 2 involving bluff. The biggest problem is getting the Perform ranks (unless your DM is totally cool and lets you get all the skills as class skills or allows you to get Knowledge/Perform/Profession skills based off of background instead of class). Does gold give you Bluff as a class skill? If not, then this'll be another hurdle...

There's some feat somewhere that allows you to quicken a breath weapon that I've heard about being mentioned for Dragon Shaman's. I want to find it, but I'm not having any luck.

Don't discount Skill Focus(Intimidate) or Presence off hand in that 1st level slot.

Trophy Collector is actually pretty compelling. I hadn't even considered it. (I actually don't think I knew what it did.) I'm definitely going to think about it, even though I thought I had sorted out my choices.

I took Lokathor's advice and picked Shape Soulmeld in my other 1st-level spot to get Mantle of Flame, then switched from Human to Azurin for the point of essentia. With the Energy Shield draconic aura, it's 2d6+4 fire damage every time I get hit in melee. I then chose Goad for the last slot in order to force opponents to fry themselves. Thing is, it can only be used in limited scenarios, so I'm not positive it will be worth the payoff, but I also like that it gives me another choice of actions.

Gold's skills are Disguise, Heal, and Swim, so Combat Panache is out, although I do like the feat. And you are looking for Quicken Breath from the Draconomicon.
Arkeas
10-31-07, 12:56 AM Manyshot requires BAB +6. As for Shape Soulmeld: Sighting Gloves is mighty tempting. Currently it is between that and the shield suggestion. Anything else anyone can think of? Would getting track be completely useless? I already have Skill Focus (Survival) and max ranks thanks to my Bronze Dragon totem.
Lokathor
10-31-07, 08:24 AM Well then you could track quite a bit. It depends on how much your DM makes you track things.
Garonak
10-31-07, 09:09 AM Manyshot requires BAB +6. As for Shape Soulmeld: Sighting Gloves is mighty tempting. Currently it is between that and the shield suggestion. Anything else anyone can think of? Would getting track be completely useless? I already have Skill Focus (Survival) and max ranks thanks to my Bronze Dragon totem.

I wouldn't take track just as a feat, you're better of taking a lvl in ranger if you want track.

Just remember to take the Draconic Invocation class variant from Dragon magic at lvl 5 Dragon Shaman, you lose one from your max aura, but you gain a Least Draconic Invocation, See the Unseen and Draconic knowledge (or whatever its name is) is quite useful.
Lokathor
10-31-07, 10:06 AM But if he takes a level in ranger, his breath weapon and draconic aura get delayed a level.
jaelis
10-31-07, 10:31 AM Hello, potential posters! I have an elven Dragon Shaman specializing in ranged combat (composite longbow currently). With character flaws I have Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot. I have just achieved third level, and find myself rather lacking with ideas for what feat to take. At fourth level I get my breath attack, so all of my future feats will be taken up by meta-breath feats and further archery feats, so I can't really start working up any new feat trees. I was thinking of proficiency with the Greatbow if I can find nothing else. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Weapon Focus and Improved Init are never bad. If your dex reasonably higher than your Str, Weapon Finesse could be a good idea. Greatbow isn't nearly as good as Weapon Focus (longbow).
Tordak
10-31-07, 10:37 AM And Improved Initiative could be really good if you want to use your breath weapon quickly before enemies disperse or players get in the way.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arkeas 10-30-07, 03:15 AM	Hello, potential posters! I have an elven Dragon Shaman specializing in ranged combat (composite longbow currently). With character flaws I have Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot. I have just achieved third level, and find myself rather lacking with ideas for what feat to take. At fourth level I get my breath attack, so all of my future feats will be taken up by meta-breath feats and further archery feats, so I can't really start working up any new feat trees. I was thinking of proficiency with the Greatbow if I can find nothing else. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Lokathor 10-30-07, 03:56 AM	Improved Rapid Shot ? (Complete Warrior)
Garonak 10-30-07, 04:30 AM	Requires Manyshot and BA+6... Start saving money for that Animated Heavy Mithral Shield +1 and take Shield Spec (and Shield Ward later on).
Lokathor 10-30-07, 04:59 AM	Oh, right, damn. Better tell my ranger player that... or maybe just ignore it. As for a feat, have you considered Shape Soulmeld? there's some handy soulmelds, even if you don't have any essentia. You do qualify for Dilate Aura from Fiendish Codex 2. Double the range of an aura 1/encounter for Cha Mod rounds (minimum of 1). Useful if your party tends to get really spread out.
Tordak 10-30-07, 10:45 AM	I think manyshot would be a good idea. Could be quite useful sometimes, especially if you want to stay away from enemies or if you get a bonus on one attack (for example the bonus from true strike or find the gap spells). Shot on the run requires too many other feats. Seeing how you're out of idea, heavy armor proficiencies is not forbidden for dragon shaman (but then again heavy mythril armor will do fine too). Don't forget to keep a feat for Double Draconic aura (requires character level 12th I think, Dragon Magic book). Seeing how your BAB isn't that high Weapon Focus with longbow is not a waste either.
Legdiwena 10-30-07, 11:33 AM	Improved Flight when you get wings.
Mystyc 10-30-07, 11:41 AM	I was actually about to post a thread with this exact question, so I'll just tack it on here. I'm building a 6th-level human DS (gold totem) and am lacking feat ideas. I have Intimidating Strike and Frightful Presence locked in, but I still need another feat for level 1, and one for level 3. Obviously, I'll have Intimidate ranks, but no other skills chosen yet. I don't want to start any chains, since the upper-level feats are going to be metabreaths and other high-impact choices. Improved Toughness and Improved Initiative are always on the table (and the OP might want to think about them) as being simple and reliable, but I would like at least one slot to be something that creates an actual action option (like Intimidating Strike, which gives me another choice of something to do in combat).
Lord QZip 10-31-07, 12:22 AM	Mystyc, ever think about Trophy Collector (I think PHB2)? I'm making a Dragon Shaman similar to yours and he's going to get it. Basically you skin stuff you kill for money or Intimidate bonus vs that type of enemy and, for every one you're wearing, you get a cumulative will save bonus vs. fear effects. Maybe you'll have enough money to fill those slots with better stuff, but I think it could be a good idea anyway seeing your focus on Intimidate. Also, I doubt many people you've ever seen before take Craft(Taxidermy) so you could be an interesting oddity. Also, you might want to try for Combat Panache later (Complete Warrior or PHB2 not sure which, it's a tactical feat). It gives you 3 options: 1 involving intimidate and 2 involving bluff. The biggest problem is getting the Perform ranks (unless your DM is totally cool and lets you get all the skills as class skills or allows you to get Knowledge/Perform/Profession skills based off of background instead of class). Does gold give you Bluff as a class skill? If not, then this'll be another hurdle... There's some feat somewhere that allows you to quicken a breath weapon that I've heard about being mentioned for Dragon Shaman's. I want to find it, but I'm not having any luck. Don't discount Skill Focus(Intimidate) or Presence off hand in that 1st level slot.
Mystyc 10-31-07, 12:37 AM	Mystyc, ever think about Trophy Collector (I think PHB2)? I'm making a Dragon Shaman similar to yours and he's going to get it. Basically you skin stuff you kill for money or Intimidate bonus vs that type of enemy and, for every one you're wearing, you get a cumulative will save bonus vs. fear effects. Maybe you'll have enough money to fill those slots with better stuff, but I think it could be a good idea anyway seeing your focus on Intimidate. Also, I doubt many people you've ever seen before take Craft(Taxidermy) so you could be an interesting oddity. Also, you might want to try for Combat Panache later (Complete Warrior or PHB2 not sure which, it's a tactical feat). It gives you 3 options: 1 involving intimidate and 2 involving bluff. The biggest problem is getting the Perform ranks (unless your DM is totally cool and lets you get all the skills as class skills or allows you to get Knowledge/Perform/Profession skills based off of background instead of class). Does gold give you Bluff as a class skill? If not, then this'll be another hurdle... There's some feat somewhere that allows you to quicken a breath weapon that I've heard about being mentioned for Dragon Shaman's. I want to find it, but I'm not having any luck. Don't discount Skill Focus(Intimidate) or Presence off hand in that 1st level slot. Trophy Collector is actually pretty compelling. I hadn't even considered it. (I actually don't think I knew what it did.) I'm definitely going to think about it, even though I thought I had sorted out my choices. I took Lokathor's advice and picked Shape Soulmeld in my other 1st-level spot to get Mantle of Flame, then switched from Human to Azurin for the point of essentia. With the Energy Shield draconic aura, it's 2d6+4 fire damage every time I get hit in melee. I then chose Goad for the last slot in order to force opponents to fry themselves. Thing is, it can only be used in limited scenarios, so I'm not positive it will be worth the payoff, but I also like that it gives me another choice of actions. Gold's skills are Disguise, Heal, and Swim, so Combat Panache is out, although I do like the feat. And you are looking for Quicken Breath from the Draconomicon.
Arkeas 10-31-07, 12:56 AM	Manyshot requires BAB +6. As for Shape Soulmeld: Sighting Gloves is mighty tempting. Currently it is between that and the shield suggestion. Anything else anyone can think of? Would getting track be completely useless? I already have Skill Focus (Survival) and max ranks thanks to my Bronze Dragon totem.
Lokathor 10-31-07, 08:24 AM	Well then you could track quite a bit. It depends on how much your DM makes you track things.
Garonak 10-31-07, 09:09 AM	Manyshot requires BAB +6. As for Shape Soulmeld: Sighting Gloves is mighty tempting. Currently it is between that and the shield suggestion. Anything else anyone can think of? Would getting track be completely useless? I already have Skill Focus (Survival) and max ranks thanks to my Bronze Dragon totem. I wouldn't take track just as a feat, you're better of taking a lvl in ranger if you want track. Just remember to take the Draconic Invocation class variant from Dragon magic at lvl 5 Dragon Shaman, you lose one from your max aura, but you gain a Least Draconic Invocation, See the Unseen and Draconic knowledge (or whatever its name is) is quite useful.
Lokathor 10-31-07, 10:06 AM	But if he takes a level in ranger, his breath weapon and draconic aura get delayed a level.
jaelis 10-31-07, 10:31 AM	Hello, potential posters! I have an elven Dragon Shaman specializing in ranged combat (composite longbow currently). With character flaws I have Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot. I have just achieved third level, and find myself rather lacking with ideas for what feat to take. At fourth level I get my breath attack, so all of my future feats will be taken up by meta-breath feats and further archery feats, so I can't really start working up any new feat trees. I was thinking of proficiency with the Greatbow if I can find nothing else. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Weapon Focus and Improved Init are never bad. If your dex reasonably higher than your Str, Weapon Finesse could be a good idea. Greatbow isn't nearly as good as Weapon Focus (longbow).
Tordak 10-31-07, 10:37 AM	And Improved Initiative could be really good if you want to use your breath weapon quickly before enemies disperse or players get in the way.