Character Creation Ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Creation Ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ChuckyD
12-05-03, 09:58 PM Hmm... Not sure if this is the right message board area but this looked good at the time of posting.

I am actually going to play in a game instead of DM! Hooray! I rolled up my character, the stats are:

15
14
13
12
12
11

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or character themes that have worked in the past with lower stat abilities. This may not seem low to some people, but usually the stats in the games I play in average around 15, so this is low.

The area we are starting in is mostly Elf controlled (Eastern part of the world), Dwarfs own the Western part, and the Southern part is littered with Human outposts and tribes of various humanoids.

Thanks in advance for the ideas.
ElFenrir
12-05-03, 10:11 PM Well, that's a good set of stats, actually. No minuses and five bonus-level! You definately have a good fighter there. But in the end, you play what you want. Of course, your spellcasting choices will be limited to your stats(to cast spell must have stat of 10+spell level). A fighter or a rogue would be a good choice with this set, I'd go one of those routes had I rolled these. Of course, the choice is up to you! Just figure out a concept, what race you can see them as and go from there.
ChuckyD
12-05-03, 11:00 PM I was leaning fighter, myself. Thanks for the backing, I'll pursue that.
Dauntless
12-06-03, 01:57 AM I'd lean toward rogue personally. Using a skill heavy class makes up for lower scores because the skills will still increase every level. Bard could be another viable option. I'd personally stay away from warrior-esque classes. Without one dominant score (str or dex) you can't get really good at anything. Wouldn't be as strong as the straight bashers, or as accurate as the dexmonkeys, etc.
KAPtain Braindead
12-06-03, 04:50 AM First of all, play what will fit into the party best. If the party has three fighter types, they may be short healers or magical types.
Race should also be considered, especailly with the racial attribute changes. Then make your choice on what will work best with the party. Feats and skills should be appropriate for your character class.

Next look at the weaponry your fellow party members carry. Are the fighters strong on hand-to-hand weapons, but weak on ranged attacks? Do not plan your weaponry for just one setting. A longbow does not work well in narrow passages with lots of twists and turns; but it is hard to beat in wide open grasslands (without casting spells).

Finally, have fun. You claim you usually stay on the other side of the screen. So use this time to relax and just have fun. No worrying about moving the story along, no concerns about special attacks.
TheJester from Winchester
12-06-03, 05:22 AM THOSE ARE DEFINATLY BARD STATS

why you ask

my 10th lvl bard has roughly those same stats

he is the best char ive played so far in 3.5 hes very proud of himself b/c he facinated a roper and a drow mage.
Simpi
12-06-03, 05:24 AM Originally posted by ChuckyD
Hmm... Not sure if this is the right message board area but this looked good at the time of posting.

I am actually going to play in a game instead of DM! Hooray! I rolled up my character, the stats are:

15
14
13
12
12
11

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or character themes that have worked in the past with lower stat abilities. This may not seem low to some people, but usually the stats in the games I play in average around 15, so this is low.

The area we are starting in is mostly Elf controlled (Eastern part of the world), Dwarfs own the Western part, and the Southern part is littered with Human outposts and tribes of various humanoids.

Thanks in advance for the ideas.

You could do quite much with those stats, even go for a fighter type. Both of these are humans but Dwarf/elf would not change too much.

You could try a trip fighter with these stats:

str: 15
dex:14
Int:13
Con:12
Wis: 12
Cha:11

Take combat expertise, improved trip and combat reflexes. Use Guisarme to save a feat from exotic weapon profiency (REAL MEN don't use chain:) ). This way you can be a supporting fighter, doing two AoO:s per turn and tripping enemies so others have easier time hitting them.

I would put first ability raise to str of course. Take levels as fighter and get in those bonus feats like Power Attack. Alternative is to take three cleric levels (Strenght and Destruction domains) to help you out with Enlarge & Bull strength, unless your magic user is willing to cast those spells on you.

You could also build a decent barbarian. Just switch Int & Cha since barbarian has few Cha skills and you don't really need Craft skills.

Archer type, ranger:

Dex: 15
Str:14
Con:13
Int:12
Wis: 12
Cha:11

Feats: Point blank shot, precise shot. Go for archer weapon style (Well duh!) at second level and then either go on as ranger or fighter, which ever you prefer. Few cleric levels won't hurt you, especially if you take some God who has war domain and favourite weapon Longbow (Like Phaulkon). Ran3/Cle3 allows you take templar level without using any of your feat slots and that way you get weapon specialisation without fighter levels.

Naturally you should invest for masterwork composite longbow (+2 str) as soon as you can. Put your first ability raise to either Dex or Con, whichever you think you need more.
Tasslehoff the Great
12-07-03, 02:38 PM It looks like those would be good stats for a true strike fighter/sorceror.

dex-15
str-14
cha-13
int-12
con-12
wis-11

Take one level of sorceror and then go as a warrior (or rouge?) class. Use a rapier with weapon finesse. Eh, who knows.
KAVU2002
12-07-03, 09:00 PM From a minmax perspective, druids are the best class for a character with low stats.

You don't need a high intelligence.
You don't need a high charisma.
You don't need a high strength or dexterity (because you gain the strength and dexterity of whatever you change into)
You don't need more than a 15 wis (because most of your spells are not things that your enemies will save against)
You do need a high constitution (because your hit points are based on your normal constitution, not your wildshape's constitution).
devinmdp
12-08-03, 08:54 PM The classes that I think need balanced stats are Paladins and Druids. I would consider either of those.

Paladins, you put your top score into Cha, your 12 into Wis, forget about Dex (you're wearing platemail) and Int.

Str 14
Dex 13
Con 12
Int 11
Wis 12
Cha 15

The Str gets you a nice +2 attack bonus and damage which will go to +3 in a pinch two handed. It also gives you enough strength to carry your heavy armour. Also, you want a Str of 13 to get Power Attack.

Dex 13 is nice because even Full Plate allows a max dex bonus of 1. Also, with a Dex of 13 you get Dodge which allows Mobility. These are two must have feats IMO. With that and heavy armour, you can basically charge right through blocking enemies and go for the BBEG or the Spellcaster.

Con 12 is not great (I'd prefer a 14), but at least you get a HP bump.

Int....who cares. You put your 3 points into Diplomacy, Sense Motive, and Knowledge Religion.

Wis 12 is enough to take you through 8th level. That'll let you bump your Cha to 17 and then you'll have to bump your Wis at 12th level to get 3rd level Paladin spells.

Cha 15 is decent to start. At 4th level this will go to 16, which is a fine +3 bonus, decent for your Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, and the Divine Feats if you take those (and you should!).

For a Druid, I'd switch Dex and Str and switch Wis and Cha.

Devin

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ChuckyD 12-05-03, 09:58 PM	Hmm... Not sure if this is the right message board area but this looked good at the time of posting. I am actually going to play in a game instead of DM! Hooray! I rolled up my character, the stats are: 15 14 13 12 12 11 I was wondering if anyone had any tips or character themes that have worked in the past with lower stat abilities. This may not seem low to some people, but usually the stats in the games I play in average around 15, so this is low. The area we are starting in is mostly Elf controlled (Eastern part of the world), Dwarfs own the Western part, and the Southern part is littered with Human outposts and tribes of various humanoids. Thanks in advance for the ideas.
ElFenrir 12-05-03, 10:11 PM	Well, that's a good set of stats, actually. No minuses and five bonus-level! You definately have a good fighter there. But in the end, you play what you want. Of course, your spellcasting choices will be limited to your stats(to cast spell must have stat of 10+spell level). A fighter or a rogue would be a good choice with this set, I'd go one of those routes had I rolled these. Of course, the choice is up to you! Just figure out a concept, what race you can see them as and go from there.
ChuckyD 12-05-03, 11:00 PM	I was leaning fighter, myself. Thanks for the backing, I'll pursue that.
Dauntless 12-06-03, 01:57 AM	I'd lean toward rogue personally. Using a skill heavy class makes up for lower scores because the skills will still increase every level. Bard could be another viable option. I'd personally stay away from warrior-esque classes. Without one dominant score (str or dex) you can't get really good at anything. Wouldn't be as strong as the straight bashers, or as accurate as the dexmonkeys, etc.
KAPtain Braindead 12-06-03, 04:50 AM	First of all, play what will fit into the party best. If the party has three fighter types, they may be short healers or magical types. Race should also be considered, especailly with the racial attribute changes. Then make your choice on what will work best with the party. Feats and skills should be appropriate for your character class. Next look at the weaponry your fellow party members carry. Are the fighters strong on hand-to-hand weapons, but weak on ranged attacks? Do not plan your weaponry for just one setting. A longbow does not work well in narrow passages with lots of twists and turns; but it is hard to beat in wide open grasslands (without casting spells). Finally, have fun. You claim you usually stay on the other side of the screen. So use this time to relax and just have fun. No worrying about moving the story along, no concerns about special attacks.
TheJester from Winchester 12-06-03, 05:22 AM	THOSE ARE DEFINATLY BARD STATS why you ask my 10th lvl bard has roughly those same stats he is the best char ive played so far in 3.5 hes very proud of himself b/c he facinated a roper and a drow mage.
Simpi 12-06-03, 05:24 AM	Originally posted by ChuckyD Hmm... Not sure if this is the right message board area but this looked good at the time of posting. I am actually going to play in a game instead of DM! Hooray! I rolled up my character, the stats are: 15 14 13 12 12 11 I was wondering if anyone had any tips or character themes that have worked in the past with lower stat abilities. This may not seem low to some people, but usually the stats in the games I play in average around 15, so this is low. The area we are starting in is mostly Elf controlled (Eastern part of the world), Dwarfs own the Western part, and the Southern part is littered with Human outposts and tribes of various humanoids. Thanks in advance for the ideas. You could do quite much with those stats, even go for a fighter type. Both of these are humans but Dwarf/elf would not change too much. You could try a trip fighter with these stats: str: 15 dex:14 Int:13 Con:12 Wis: 12 Cha:11 Take combat expertise, improved trip and combat reflexes. Use Guisarme to save a feat from exotic weapon profiency (REAL MEN don't use chain:) ). This way you can be a supporting fighter, doing two AoO:s per turn and tripping enemies so others have easier time hitting them. I would put first ability raise to str of course. Take levels as fighter and get in those bonus feats like Power Attack. Alternative is to take three cleric levels (Strenght and Destruction domains) to help you out with Enlarge & Bull strength, unless your magic user is willing to cast those spells on you. You could also build a decent barbarian. Just switch Int & Cha since barbarian has few Cha skills and you don't really need Craft skills. Archer type, ranger: Dex: 15 Str:14 Con:13 Int:12 Wis: 12 Cha:11 Feats: Point blank shot, precise shot. Go for archer weapon style (Well duh!) at second level and then either go on as ranger or fighter, which ever you prefer. Few cleric levels won't hurt you, especially if you take some God who has war domain and favourite weapon Longbow (Like Phaulkon). Ran3/Cle3 allows you take templar level without using any of your feat slots and that way you get weapon specialisation without fighter levels. Naturally you should invest for masterwork composite longbow (+2 str) as soon as you can. Put your first ability raise to either Dex or Con, whichever you think you need more.
Tasslehoff the Great 12-07-03, 02:38 PM	It looks like those would be good stats for a true strike fighter/sorceror. dex-15 str-14 cha-13 int-12 con-12 wis-11 Take one level of sorceror and then go as a warrior (or rouge?) class. Use a rapier with weapon finesse. Eh, who knows.
KAVU2002 12-07-03, 09:00 PM	From a minmax perspective, druids are the best class for a character with low stats. You don't need a high intelligence. You don't need a high charisma. You don't need a high strength or dexterity (because you gain the strength and dexterity of whatever you change into) You don't need more than a 15 wis (because most of your spells are not things that your enemies will save against) You do need a high constitution (because your hit points are based on your normal constitution, not your wildshape's constitution).
devinmdp 12-08-03, 08:54 PM	The classes that I think need balanced stats are Paladins and Druids. I would consider either of those. Paladins, you put your top score into Cha, your 12 into Wis, forget about Dex (you're wearing platemail) and Int. Str 14 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 11 Wis 12 Cha 15 The Str gets you a nice +2 attack bonus and damage which will go to +3 in a pinch two handed. It also gives you enough strength to carry your heavy armour. Also, you want a Str of 13 to get Power Attack. Dex 13 is nice because even Full Plate allows a max dex bonus of 1. Also, with a Dex of 13 you get Dodge which allows Mobility. These are two must have feats IMO. With that and heavy armour, you can basically charge right through blocking enemies and go for the BBEG or the Spellcaster. Con 12 is not great (I'd prefer a 14), but at least you get a HP bump. Int....who cares. You put your 3 points into Diplomacy, Sense Motive, and Knowledge Religion. Wis 12 is enough to take you through 8th level. That'll let you bump your Cha to 17 and then you'll have to bump your Wis at 12th level to get 3rd level Paladin spells. Cha 15 is decent to start. At 4th level this will go to 16, which is a fine +3 bonus, decent for your Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, and the Divine Feats if you take those (and you should!). For a Druid, I'd switch Dex and Str and switch Wis and Cha. Devin