Ideas Needed for a Seafarer Warblade NPC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ideas Needed for a Seafarer Warblade NPC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mollusk
02-24-08, 11:17 PM What's going on everybody?

I'm currently working on a Spaniard NPC of sorts. I'm reluctant to use the word pirate, as that phrase is just packaged with an array of preconceived ideas, but rather, perhaps describing Maldes (Mahldez) as a highwater renegade might be to his/my benefit. As far as combat, I've pictured him with his signature, wide-blade Cutlass, and a large Pike on his back.

Anyway, he's a lvl 14 Warblade, but I'm a bit lost as to where to take him as far as skills, but mainly feats and maneuvers. Yeah, I just don't know what discipline I want him to follow from the Book of Nine Swords. Stats are...

STR 18, DEX 16, CON 17, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 13

Basically, I'm putting it up to you guys to create the character, since I've got a lot of other things to take care of :D I did have a thought about having him leaping around in combat and slamming his pike down from above, which would be the Tiger Claw discipline, but that was just a thought. Please keep suggestions to the PHB and the Book of Nine Swords!

THANKS A LOT!
CryoSilver
02-24-08, 11:27 PM Well, you can't use Stone Dragon, obviously. And no two handed weapons; how can he climb the rigging with both hands full?
X0_Lt_0X
02-24-08, 11:35 PM Well, you can't use Stone Dragon, obviously. And no two handed weapons; how can he climb the rigging with both hands full?

I think his pike is on his back
CryoSilver
02-24-08, 11:39 PM And if someone attacks him while he's on the rigging?

Tiger Claw would be good for a cutlass/dagger setup. Use scimitar stats for the cutlass.
X0_Lt_0X
02-24-08, 11:59 PM And if someone attacks him while he's on the rigging?

Tiger Claw would be good for a cutlass/dagger setup. Use scimitar stats for the cutlass.

it doesnt take both arms to climb,
he can climb with one arm
and attack with his cutlass with the other.
Mollusk
02-24-08, 11:59 PM Just don't overthink this. Like having both hands available to climb... There's always situational things to work around that, and yeah, the pike is on his back.
CryoSilver
02-25-08, 12:01 AM it doesnt take both arms to climb,
he can climb with one arm
and attack with his cutlass with the other.

That was exactly the idea. But that doesn't work if he uses a two handed weapon.
X0_Lt_0X
02-25-08, 12:12 AM That was exactly the idea. But that doesn't work if he uses a two handed weapon.

is a cutlass a two handed weapon?
i wouldnt imagine so

if it was a two-handed weapon wouldnt he just get MASSIVE penalties?
Mollusk
02-25-08, 01:10 AM It's got to be one-handed. Even if it isn't, I would make it one-handed. That's just dumb otherwise.

Okay, but onto stuff that matters...

Discipline? FEATS? Maneuvers?
CryoSilver
02-25-08, 01:14 AM Iron Heart and Tiger Claw get my votes. Tiger Claw for attacks, Iron Heart for boosts and counters.

Sailors Balance, from Stormwrack allows you to move at normal speed across slick decks, and grants a bonus on Balance checks.
X0_Lt_0X
02-25-08, 01:22 AM PUT RANKS IN SWIM!!!
And Focus in Tiger Claw.
X0_Lt_0X
02-25-08, 01:26 AM I know you said to keep suggestions to PHB and ToB but I suggest you let us use suggestions from Stomwrack

In less you dont have it...

In which case, get it!!!
CryoSilver
02-25-08, 01:29 AM It may seem like an odd suggestion, but it has some historical precedent: don't feel you need ranks in Swim. The whole idea behind being on a boat is that you AREN'T swimming, and some considered it bad luck to even learn how to swim, as it was acknowledging that you might fall off the ship.

Just food for thought.
Mollusk
02-25-08, 01:38 AM The whole idea behind being on a boat is that you AREN'T swimming,

LAWL.

Yeah, thanks guys. You just kind of confirmed my thoughts, as I was leaning towards Tiger Claw and Iron Heart.

Umm, I just want him to be a badass in combat and have never played a WarBlade before... though, they don't seem too different from a typical fighter. Just with maneuvers of course.

Anyway, any person favorites for feats or maneuvers? Thanks much.
X0_Lt_0X
02-25-08, 01:45 AM :lightbulb

Weapon Focus might be a good feat :dancin:

:bounce: :bounce:
Mollusk
02-25-08, 02:21 AM Weapon Focus might be a good feat :dancin:

Really? I've never been too fond of it. :P

Yeah, you're right. That's always a solid option when in doubt. I'd probably do Focus>>>Spec>>>Greater Spec. The reqs. state things like you have to have a number of Fighter levels. Does a Warblade qualify?
runestar
02-25-08, 02:39 AM Yeah, you're right. That's always a solid option when in doubt. I'd probably do Focus>>>Spec>>>Greater Spec. The reqs. state things like you have to have a number of Fighter levels. Does a Warblade qualify?

Yes, he is treated as a fighter 2 lvs lower. But generally does not seem worth it. He is already very feat starved, and the weapon spec tree seems weak compared to gems like combat reflexes and power attack. You can't even get weapon supremacy unless you use abyssmal retraining or psychic reformation.
Old_School_Overlord
02-26-08, 07:57 PM I'm gonna say throw Diamond mind into the mix too - its got so much spanish fencing flavour you just can't not!

Crucial skills: Jump, tumble

Feats: Iron heart aura, stormguard warior, Power attack, Improved bullrush

prefered stance: Leaping dragon

Manuevers:
7th: swooping dragon strike, Avalanche of blades
6th: manticore parry, Moment of Alacrity
5th: Dancing Mongoose

use Avalanche to charge up combat rhythm, then kick in Alacrity so they don't get a chance to move elsewhere and destroy them with a massive full attack+ mongoose
Cartigan
02-26-08, 08:43 PM I'm currently working on a Spaniard NPC of sorts. I'm reluctant to use the word pirate, as that phrase is just packaged with an array of preconceived ideas, but rather, perhaps describing Maldes (Mahldez) as a highwater renegade might be to his/my benefit. As far as combat, I've pictured him with his signature, wide-blade Cutlass, and a large Pike on his back.
You want "Privateer." All the awesomeness of the pirate without the negative connotation.
Mollusk
03-01-08, 08:39 PM Thanks again for all the input guys.

Though, if anyone has the Tome of Battle, could you look at the character depicted on pg. 66? Coincidentally this is almost exactly how I picture my NPC... but with darker skin and hair.

What armor is he wearing on his arms, because that's about all the armor he has on...? stats?

Thanks.
InkBlot
03-02-08, 05:11 PM This guy?
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/tob_gallery/99677.jpg

He's also wearing armor under his tunic. Since it's brown I'm guessing it's either hardened leather or lacquered metal armor. If it's leather, then it's probably leather armor, but could be studded leather or hide. If it's lacquered metal, which I think is more likely given the Warblade's proficiencies and focus on Strength over Dex, then it's probably a breastplate but could be halfplate.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mollusk 02-24-08, 11:17 PM	What's going on everybody? I'm currently working on a Spaniard NPC of sorts. I'm reluctant to use the word pirate, as that phrase is just packaged with an array of preconceived ideas, but rather, perhaps describing Maldes (Mahldez) as a highwater renegade might be to his/my benefit. As far as combat, I've pictured him with his signature, wide-blade Cutlass, and a large Pike on his back. Anyway, he's a lvl 14 Warblade, but I'm a bit lost as to where to take him as far as skills, but mainly feats and maneuvers. Yeah, I just don't know what discipline I want him to follow from the Book of Nine Swords. Stats are... STR 18, DEX 16, CON 17, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 13 Basically, I'm putting it up to you guys to create the character, since I've got a lot of other things to take care of :D I did have a thought about having him leaping around in combat and slamming his pike down from above, which would be the Tiger Claw discipline, but that was just a thought. Please keep suggestions to the PHB and the Book of Nine Swords! THANKS A LOT!
CryoSilver 02-24-08, 11:27 PM	Well, you can't use Stone Dragon, obviously. And no two handed weapons; how can he climb the rigging with both hands full?
X0_Lt_0X 02-24-08, 11:35 PM	Well, you can't use Stone Dragon, obviously. And no two handed weapons; how can he climb the rigging with both hands full? I think his pike is on his back
CryoSilver 02-24-08, 11:39 PM	And if someone attacks him while he's on the rigging? Tiger Claw would be good for a cutlass/dagger setup. Use scimitar stats for the cutlass.
X0_Lt_0X 02-24-08, 11:59 PM	And if someone attacks him while he's on the rigging? Tiger Claw would be good for a cutlass/dagger setup. Use scimitar stats for the cutlass. it doesnt take both arms to climb, he can climb with one arm and attack with his cutlass with the other.
Mollusk 02-24-08, 11:59 PM	Just don't overthink this. Like having both hands available to climb... There's always situational things to work around that, and yeah, the pike is on his back.
CryoSilver 02-25-08, 12:01 AM	it doesnt take both arms to climb, he can climb with one arm and attack with his cutlass with the other. That was exactly the idea. But that doesn't work if he uses a two handed weapon.
X0_Lt_0X 02-25-08, 12:12 AM	That was exactly the idea. But that doesn't work if he uses a two handed weapon. is a cutlass a two handed weapon? i wouldnt imagine so if it was a two-handed weapon wouldnt he just get MASSIVE penalties?
Mollusk 02-25-08, 01:10 AM	It's got to be one-handed. Even if it isn't, I would make it one-handed. That's just dumb otherwise. Okay, but onto stuff that matters... Discipline? FEATS? Maneuvers?
CryoSilver 02-25-08, 01:14 AM	Iron Heart and Tiger Claw get my votes. Tiger Claw for attacks, Iron Heart for boosts and counters. Sailors Balance, from Stormwrack allows you to move at normal speed across slick decks, and grants a bonus on Balance checks.
X0_Lt_0X 02-25-08, 01:22 AM	PUT RANKS IN SWIM!!! And Focus in Tiger Claw.
X0_Lt_0X 02-25-08, 01:26 AM	I know you said to keep suggestions to PHB and ToB but I suggest you let us use suggestions from Stomwrack In less you dont have it... In which case, get it!!!
CryoSilver 02-25-08, 01:29 AM	It may seem like an odd suggestion, but it has some historical precedent: don't feel you need ranks in Swim. The whole idea behind being on a boat is that you AREN'T swimming, and some considered it bad luck to even learn how to swim, as it was acknowledging that you might fall off the ship. Just food for thought.
Mollusk 02-25-08, 01:38 AM	The whole idea behind being on a boat is that you AREN'T swimming, LAWL. Yeah, thanks guys. You just kind of confirmed my thoughts, as I was leaning towards Tiger Claw and Iron Heart. Umm, I just want him to be a badass in combat and have never played a WarBlade before... though, they don't seem too different from a typical fighter. Just with maneuvers of course. Anyway, any person favorites for feats or maneuvers? Thanks much.
X0_Lt_0X 02-25-08, 01:45 AM	:lightbulb Weapon Focus might be a good feat :dancin: :bounce: :bounce:
Mollusk 02-25-08, 02:21 AM	Weapon Focus might be a good feat :dancin: Really? I've never been too fond of it. :P Yeah, you're right. That's always a solid option when in doubt. I'd probably do Focus>>>Spec>>>Greater Spec. The reqs. state things like you have to have a number of Fighter levels. Does a Warblade qualify?
runestar 02-25-08, 02:39 AM	Yeah, you're right. That's always a solid option when in doubt. I'd probably do Focus>>>Spec>>>Greater Spec. The reqs. state things like you have to have a number of Fighter levels. Does a Warblade qualify? Yes, he is treated as a fighter 2 lvs lower. But generally does not seem worth it. He is already very feat starved, and the weapon spec tree seems weak compared to gems like combat reflexes and power attack. You can't even get weapon supremacy unless you use abyssmal retraining or psychic reformation.
Old_School_Overlord 02-26-08, 07:57 PM	I'm gonna say throw Diamond mind into the mix too - its got so much spanish fencing flavour you just can't not! Crucial skills: Jump, tumble Feats: Iron heart aura, stormguard warior, Power attack, Improved bullrush prefered stance: Leaping dragon Manuevers: 7th: swooping dragon strike, Avalanche of blades 6th: manticore parry, Moment of Alacrity 5th: Dancing Mongoose use Avalanche to charge up combat rhythm, then kick in Alacrity so they don't get a chance to move elsewhere and destroy them with a massive full attack+ mongoose
Cartigan 02-26-08, 08:43 PM	I'm currently working on a Spaniard NPC of sorts. I'm reluctant to use the word pirate, as that phrase is just packaged with an array of preconceived ideas, but rather, perhaps describing Maldes (Mahldez) as a highwater renegade might be to his/my benefit. As far as combat, I've pictured him with his signature, wide-blade Cutlass, and a large Pike on his back. You want "Privateer." All the awesomeness of the pirate without the negative connotation.
Mollusk 03-01-08, 08:39 PM	Thanks again for all the input guys. Though, if anyone has the Tome of Battle, could you look at the character depicted on pg. 66? Coincidentally this is almost exactly how I picture my NPC... but with darker skin and hair. What armor is he wearing on his arms, because that's about all the armor he has on...? stats? Thanks.
InkBlot 03-02-08, 05:11 PM	This guy? http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/tob_gallery/99677.jpg He's also wearing armor under his tunic. Since it's brown I'm guessing it's either hardened leather or lacquered metal armor. If it's leather, then it's probably leather armor, but could be studded leather or hide. If it's lacquered metal, which I think is more likely given the Warblade's proficiencies and focus on Strength over Dex, then it's probably a breastplate but could be halfplate.