[Character Pitch] A "Mighty Warrior" [Archive] - Wizards Community

[Character Pitch] A "Mighty Warrior" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MortalPlague
09-30-04, 08:59 AM This is a character I'm going to be playing in an upcoming campaign.

He wears little or no armor, and he's got a reasonably strong build, about strength 14. He's good looking, well-mannered, and very much the strong, leader-like warrior type. He's quick on his feet, and pretty tough overall. He wields a greataxe in combat with two hands, smashing down foes with focus and determination, always for the cause of justice. He always focuses himself before going into battle, collecting his mind and preparing himself physically. There's just one little twist...

You see, he's a sorceror. But he doesn't know it. The fun thing about the character is that he's actually wielding his arcane magic to cast simple spells like Magic Weapon, Mage Armor, and True Strike while he's "mentally preparing for battle", and that's what makes him a good warrior. If he runs out of spells for the day, well, he's "too exhausted from battles to focus properly". I'm also going to give him the toughness feat to help him take some of the damage thrown at melee characters.

Thoughts?
Sucineri
09-30-04, 09:05 AM Man, that's a hilarious idea! He is basically a charismatic heroic gladiator type and he thinks his power comes from his physical nature..yet he doesn't know it's because he is accidentally using magic powers he doesn't know he has? Brilliant! :)
Kialindo
09-30-04, 09:57 AM MortalPlague I think that is an awesome character concept and would definately reward you for the creative concept .... but at the same time make sure that you keep the spells you pick within the concept and make sure they are all "buff" type spells or at least spells with Target: Self or Touch ....

Have you thought about your spell list as you get further up in levels?
FunkyTrip
09-30-04, 10:26 AM Wouldn't use a battle axe though. A well mannered goodlooking gladiator should have a more sophisticated weapon. A sabre or a nicely ornamented longsword.
MortalPlague
09-30-04, 10:31 AM I must confess a little bit of min-maxing. I'd have taken bastard sword, but I don't want to spend my feat for exotic weaponry. To compensate for the fact that the guy is a little under par on the actual combat side of things, I wanted to give him a high-damage weapon like a greataxe or greatsword. And since I'd prefer to roll a d12 over 2d6, I went with the axe.

I have, actually considered the spells I'll pick with advancement. Bull's Strength and the other similar spells are great second level choices. For third level, there's always Haste, Keen Edge, and Greater Magic Weapon. Fourth level will be much tougher, but by the time he becomes a 8th level sorceror, I'm sure he'll have been shown the error of his ways, and will at least have some idea that he uses magic.
Ricky
09-30-04, 10:39 AM That's a really cool idea. But is this character a pure sorceror (no levels in anything else)? If so, how does he have proficiency in a martial weapon like greataxe?
MortalPlague
09-30-04, 10:43 AM That... is a very good point. An oversight on my part.

Maybe I will take bastard sword after all...
The Man from Uncle
09-30-04, 11:05 AM What a very very cool idea. That really is the excellant (and also perhaps worth stealing). There will undoubtedly by some mechanical problems with actually making it work (in terms of keeping your character in the dark), but you can build all that into your later character developement. If there are not some good prestige classes out there for this idea, there really should be.
amethal
10-01-04, 10:38 AM You could have him start out with a level of fighter and then multi-class into sorcerer. That would solve all your proficiency problems and give you some decent hit points.

It might dilute your theme, but on the other hand it would help to keep the other players in the dark. I think it can also be worked into your character - started off being trained as a fighter, was not particularly good at it, but since he started adventuring he has found that by "concentrating" he can really improve his combat skill.

Alternatively....

Will you be having a familiar? I'm not sure how you could "accidentally" pick up one of those without knowing it. (Childhood pet, maybe, which he has a very close "bond" with?)

If you are not going to have a familiar, ask your DM to replace your "find familiar" ability with a free martial weapon proficiency.

Any idea if you will be using wizard / sorcerer magic items?

Your character might well be amazed to learn that some other people can't read magical scrolls - "Look, let me show you. The writing makes sense if you concentrate really hard; of course its quite tiring, so I don't do it too often" <casts read magic>

This is a great idea. I will have to think about how it would work with a wilder (from Expanded Psionics handbook); it might be a sneaky way to introduce psionics into my campaign.
eudas
10-01-04, 12:09 PM 1) kudos on the excellent character concept.
2) you may want to try going with something of a Gish build. a "standard" gish build is something along the lines of ftr2/wiz5/spellsword3/eldritch knight 10. substituting sorcerer, you may look like something more like ftr2/sorc6/spellsword3/ek9, and it would be a perfect follow-up on your story *and* give you some excellent in-game power. (if i calculate correctly, BAB 16, CL17, 8th level spells.)

this is perfectly workable with your story... take clvl1=fighter1, then start using sorc levels... intersperse fighter2 in there somewhere as you head towards spellsword, and the realization that you can use magic... after that, head towards eldritch knight. very workable.

good char, and good luck!

eudas
Mordmorgan the Mad
10-01-04, 07:44 PM Have you considered asking your DM for a HD boost (to at least d6) in exchange for something else (like familiar, Spellcraft and maybe Knowledge (arcana) skills, etc.). It'd make for a better fit. :D
Nedlum
10-01-04, 10:26 PM I'd try the Battle Sorcerer varient from UA. One less spell known and spell per day per spell level, but BAB like a cleric, a d8, light armor prof and the ability to cast in it, and one light or one handed martial weapon prof. Also, you know Intimidate instead of Bluff.
TLomon
10-02-04, 12:34 AM Wow. Love the concept. Good job on putting it together.
Wil Harvey
10-02-04, 02:37 AM I'd try the Battle Sorcerer varient from UA. One less spell known and spell per day per spell level, but BAB like a cleric, a d8, light armor prof and the ability to cast in it, and one light or one handed martial weapon prof. Also, you know Intimidate instead of Bluff.

Exactly. This concept is just screaming battle sorcerer.

Also, I think it'd be absolutely if one spell you knew was something like magic missile or fireball, and at some point down the line, during one of your battle preparations, you accidentally launched that spell. Imagine the shock of your compadres.
MortalPlague
10-02-04, 03:35 AM Those are some very good ideas - particularly the battle mage. I haven't plotted out his progression in levels, and I really have no intention to. It'll really depend on how he pans out as a character.

Fighter as a starting class is something I was considering, but I'm not sure... it gives me the bonuses, but it feels like it would dilute the character's uniqueness. I may give it to him anyways, regardless- it fits the character's story and it would help him be a successful warrior.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MortalPlague 09-30-04, 08:59 AM	This is a character I'm going to be playing in an upcoming campaign. He wears little or no armor, and he's got a reasonably strong build, about strength 14. He's good looking, well-mannered, and very much the strong, leader-like warrior type. He's quick on his feet, and pretty tough overall. He wields a greataxe in combat with two hands, smashing down foes with focus and determination, always for the cause of justice. He always focuses himself before going into battle, collecting his mind and preparing himself physically. There's just one little twist... You see, he's a sorceror. But he doesn't know it. The fun thing about the character is that he's actually wielding his arcane magic to cast simple spells like Magic Weapon, Mage Armor, and True Strike while he's "mentally preparing for battle", and that's what makes him a good warrior. If he runs out of spells for the day, well, he's "too exhausted from battles to focus properly". I'm also going to give him the toughness feat to help him take some of the damage thrown at melee characters. Thoughts?
Sucineri 09-30-04, 09:05 AM	Man, that's a hilarious idea! He is basically a charismatic heroic gladiator type and he thinks his power comes from his physical nature..yet he doesn't know it's because he is accidentally using magic powers he doesn't know he has? Brilliant! :)
Kialindo 09-30-04, 09:57 AM	MortalPlague I think that is an awesome character concept and would definately reward you for the creative concept .... but at the same time make sure that you keep the spells you pick within the concept and make sure they are all "buff" type spells or at least spells with Target: Self or Touch .... Have you thought about your spell list as you get further up in levels?
FunkyTrip 09-30-04, 10:26 AM	Wouldn't use a battle axe though. A well mannered goodlooking gladiator should have a more sophisticated weapon. A sabre or a nicely ornamented longsword.
MortalPlague 09-30-04, 10:31 AM	I must confess a little bit of min-maxing. I'd have taken bastard sword, but I don't want to spend my feat for exotic weaponry. To compensate for the fact that the guy is a little under par on the actual combat side of things, I wanted to give him a high-damage weapon like a greataxe or greatsword. And since I'd prefer to roll a d12 over 2d6, I went with the axe. I have, actually considered the spells I'll pick with advancement. Bull's Strength and the other similar spells are great second level choices. For third level, there's always Haste, Keen Edge, and Greater Magic Weapon. Fourth level will be much tougher, but by the time he becomes a 8th level sorceror, I'm sure he'll have been shown the error of his ways, and will at least have some idea that he uses magic.
Ricky 09-30-04, 10:39 AM	That's a really cool idea. But is this character a pure sorceror (no levels in anything else)? If so, how does he have proficiency in a martial weapon like greataxe?
MortalPlague 09-30-04, 10:43 AM	That... is a very good point. An oversight on my part. Maybe I will take bastard sword after all...
The Man from Uncle 09-30-04, 11:05 AM	What a very very cool idea. That really is the excellant (and also perhaps worth stealing). There will undoubtedly by some mechanical problems with actually making it work (in terms of keeping your character in the dark), but you can build all that into your later character developement. If there are not some good prestige classes out there for this idea, there really should be.
amethal 10-01-04, 10:38 AM	You could have him start out with a level of fighter and then multi-class into sorcerer. That would solve all your proficiency problems and give you some decent hit points. It might dilute your theme, but on the other hand it would help to keep the other players in the dark. I think it can also be worked into your character - started off being trained as a fighter, was not particularly good at it, but since he started adventuring he has found that by "concentrating" he can really improve his combat skill. Alternatively.... Will you be having a familiar? I'm not sure how you could "accidentally" pick up one of those without knowing it. (Childhood pet, maybe, which he has a very close "bond" with?) If you are not going to have a familiar, ask your DM to replace your "find familiar" ability with a free martial weapon proficiency. Any idea if you will be using wizard / sorcerer magic items? Your character might well be amazed to learn that some other people can't read magical scrolls - "Look, let me show you. The writing makes sense if you concentrate really hard; of course its quite tiring, so I don't do it too often" <casts read magic> This is a great idea. I will have to think about how it would work with a wilder (from Expanded Psionics handbook); it might be a sneaky way to introduce psionics into my campaign.
eudas 10-01-04, 12:09 PM	1) kudos on the excellent character concept. 2) you may want to try going with something of a Gish build. a "standard" gish build is something along the lines of ftr2/wiz5/spellsword3/eldritch knight 10. substituting sorcerer, you may look like something more like ftr2/sorc6/spellsword3/ek9, and it would be a perfect follow-up on your story and give you some excellent in-game power. (if i calculate correctly, BAB 16, CL17, 8th level spells.) this is perfectly workable with your story... take clvl1=fighter1, then start using sorc levels... intersperse fighter2 in there somewhere as you head towards spellsword, and the realization that you can use magic... after that, head towards eldritch knight. very workable. good char, and good luck! eudas
Mordmorgan the Mad 10-01-04, 07:44 PM	Have you considered asking your DM for a HD boost (to at least d6) in exchange for something else (like familiar, Spellcraft and maybe Knowledge (arcana) skills, etc.). It'd make for a better fit. :D
Nedlum 10-01-04, 10:26 PM	I'd try the Battle Sorcerer varient from UA. One less spell known and spell per day per spell level, but BAB like a cleric, a d8, light armor prof and the ability to cast in it, and one light or one handed martial weapon prof. Also, you know Intimidate instead of Bluff.
TLomon 10-02-04, 12:34 AM	Wow. Love the concept. Good job on putting it together.
Wil Harvey 10-02-04, 02:37 AM	I'd try the Battle Sorcerer varient from UA. One less spell known and spell per day per spell level, but BAB like a cleric, a d8, light armor prof and the ability to cast in it, and one light or one handed martial weapon prof. Also, you know Intimidate instead of Bluff. Exactly. This concept is just screaming battle sorcerer. Also, I think it'd be absolutely if one spell you knew was something like magic missile or fireball, and at some point down the line, during one of your battle preparations, you accidentally launched that spell. Imagine the shock of your compadres.
MortalPlague 10-02-04, 03:35 AM	Those are some very good ideas - particularly the battle mage. I haven't plotted out his progression in levels, and I really have no intention to. It'll really depend on how he pans out as a character. Fighter as a starting class is something I was considering, but I'm not sure... it gives me the bonuses, but it feels like it would dilute the character's uniqueness. I may give it to him anyways, regardless- it fits the character's story and it would help him be a successful warrior.