Post/Author/DateTime	Post
underpantsgnome 01-22-04, 06:45 PM	I have created a concept of a half-orc for a new campaign. Basically, he would have been raised by orcs before leaving them becasue of their evil acts (he is CG). I want him to use a battleaxe and a handaxe, since shields would not behis style. He left the orcs so I figured he spent a bit of time alone in the wilderness, plus the two-weapon style, would make him a good candidate for a ranger. But also his orc nature would make him a barbarian. I probably will end up taking both classes in my first two levels, but the question is: which one first? If he is a barnbarian first then he would have to "learn" a new fighting style (int 8) since he couldn't take enoguh feats initially, but if hes a ranger first can he just "become" a barbarian, or would that level be more of an extension of existing abilities? What effect would that have on the illiteracy of a barbarian, would he firget how to read? Any help?
Mikes_Notions 01-22-04, 07:32 PM	If you want to multi-class, go Barbarian first. This makes sense in both a role-playing perspective (Ranger seems a bit more "trained" than the barbarian) and a min maxing perspective (you get your d12 hit die maxed out at first level. More hp+lower levels=good) However, going Ranger first would give you more skill points. Also, you could just go staight up Barbarian or staight up Ranger. Both could be cool. (Coolest Half-orc I ever played was a ranger) Have fun. Mike
Mikes_Notions 01-22-04, 07:34 PM	You would gain literacy if you took your ranger level. However, if you took your barbarian level second, you do not lose your ability to read. So it doesn't really affect you except for that first level. Mike
underpantsgnome 01-22-04, 08:06 PM	I agree, but taking ranger first would allow me to use two weapons at first level...rather then just using one until I take a ranger level...
Heron_Marked_Blade 01-22-04, 08:19 PM	Do you want to use two weapons at 1st level? Depending on your Str, you might be at a negative to hit when dual wielding. It's usually best to go with a two-hander at lower levels and then dual wield at higher levels. Your 8 int is going to hurt you no matter how you look at it, but it would hurt less if you took Ranger first. However, based on your background (it seems you're concerned about the roleplaying aspect), you would be a Barbarian first (in the village) and a Ranger when you moved out. That would make sense. Besides which, as Mikes_Notions pointed out, more hp @ low levels = good. I generally don't allow multiclassing into Barbarian at higher levels unless there's an extenuating circumstance. A Barbarian is a product of his wild upbringing, violent culture, and belief in unbridled anger as an appropriate response to opposition. It's something you come to as a result of a lifestyle. I'd suggest going Barbarian first, then multiclassing out of it.
Zorloff 01-23-04, 10:37 AM	I agree with everyone else that from a roleplaying perspective you should go Barbarian first and then on to Ranger. Why do you want to fight with two weapons at a lower level? Remember that you don't get the combat style (TWF feat) until you are a second level ranger and you will suck at it until you get the TWF feat. I would walk around with a great axe until that second level of ranger and then switch to the two weapons. Just my $0.02. As a side note, I just started playing an orc ranger who has gone the bow combat style...lovin it! Walks around with a +1 maul and a +1 bow built for strength (+5)! Edit: He's 7th level btw...
tarkin 01-23-04, 12:19 PM	The difference is hit points vs. skill points. Doing Barbarian then Ranger gives you more hitpoints (d8+12 - 16.5 average instead of d12+8 14.5 average) But doing Ranger first gives you a lot more skill points.
underpantsgnome 01-23-04, 05:07 PM	(he uses my ID) This is 3.0, not 3.5. Important fact he left out...