Character Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Scarps
03-02-07, 07:28 PM Need advice, Any help is greatly appreciated!

My level 4 Hexblade died a gruesome death at our last session and I am given the option to be resurrected or create a new player. From a role playing standpoint, the whole group is chaotic good/neutral and we have very little gold. Since resurrection would wipe out the parties gold and the bonds at level 4 would not be nearly strong enough to over come the materialist lose, I think that it would be more realistic the party would not want to "waste" the resources. Now after more seasons, the bonds and money would be stronger and less of an issue and I believe a resurrection would be more "believable". Am I incorrect to feel this way? I have no objection to starting a new character and believe a death and loss would be more realistic, since adventuring is dangerous.

Our current party make up is Half-Orc Fighter, Elf Duskblade (archer mostly), halfling rogue, gnome wizard, dwarven cleric. My thoughts the party would need another melee character that could provide damage to help out our only front line longsword/shield fighter?

With this being said, I was thinking a Barbarian would be a good addition to the party. Using a two handed weapon, rage and skill points would be rather fun. I found out from a role playing standpoint, I am not strong with the charisma based character to interact with NPCs to get needed answers.

Any thoughts on suggested Class and Race?

I have never played a Barbarian and would there be any benefit to multi classing/prc? I thought maybe a rogue for the extra skill points and sneak attack (maybe 2 levels) but was not sure that would be worth the loss of BAB? Not sure Frenzied Beserker would be a good fit because of the downside.

Since the barbarian has so few feats, I was not sure since I do not want to make a mistake. Human for the extra feat but I do like the thought of Half-Orc.

I was thinking some of the following (any thoughts?):

1. Weapon Focus - Greatsword
1. Extend Rage

3. Extra Rage
6. Power Attack
9. Improved Critical
12. Leap Attack

Any other thoughts? As always thanks for the input - Scarps
Prator_the_Legendary
03-02-07, 08:05 PM Don't be an elf. Other than that, I have no racial advice. That and the fact that halfling barbarians are both possible and quite fun. Just use a bastard sword instead of a great one.

Dodge-mobility-spring attack makes for a good fighter that won't get hit as much. Whirlwind attack is not really that great. Great cleave is AWESOME.

Try to arrange your stats to complement those of the other fighter. If he's strength-based, go with constitution, and put your second highest score in dexterity. Reverse that if it's some other way.

Oh, and don't take poorly worded advice from random people you meet online.
jeffseadot
03-02-07, 10:56 PM It looks like you would be the survivalist of the party (unless the cleric is Farlanghn's, in which case she would have access to the travel domain and get survival as a class feat). From a practical standpoint, the party would need you to stay alive more than anybody else. In a wilderness setting, the group is depending on you. I would treat constitution as a priority. Focus your feats on abilities that incapacitate your opponents. Improved Trip is amazing and well worth Combat Expertise.

Your post had an interesting structure to it; you would ask a question in one paragraph and then proceed as if you had received a response from the board community before starting the next paragraph. After asking a question of opinion (do I get resurrected or do I start over?), your next paragraph continues on with your story as if we had all told you to start a new character. Anyhoo, you were unsure about what class to be and then started talking as if we had all told you to be a barbarian. My first instict, upon reading your group makeup, was for you to be a combat-centered bard. The highest stat doesn't need to be charisma for a bard; you can get along very well with a 14 base stat. If you put your best score into strength or dexterity and take feats based on finesse/intelligent combat, you could be a decent fighter and a great backup for everyone else in the party.
Scarps
03-03-07, 02:19 PM Thank you for your response, I feel my post was stating my thoughts and that I was just asking for others opinions to either support or oppose my thoughts. I really have not decided yet either way, since it will be a while before we play again. I am just leaning towards starting over as my personal role-play belief.

Thanks for the suggestions, again I was stating my thoughts in the post and just looking to gather input. I have my thoughts and just want to gather information before I make my decision.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Scarps
Scarps
03-10-07, 06:58 AM Well After spending a few days, I believe I decided to roll a Human Barbarian, since it looks like our group needs another melee character and it fits my style until I get more familiar with the game. Since a Barbarian is so limited on feats, I was hoping to get some ideas from the "experts"!

I was looking at

Weapon Focus - Greataxe
Power Attack

Extend Rage/Extra Rage?

Leap Attack
Improved Critical

Any other positive suggestions are welcome. Thanks Scarps
Can't wait for our next session to test him out! :P
Appollyon
03-10-07, 09:01 AM I'm sorry Scarps that I don't have the specific book nor name of feat, but there is a feat out there that lets you trade one of your rages/day at any time to add a bonus to your will save *for one time only*.

I think it might be out of the PHB II, and you probably wouldn't need it early on in your career, but it's a good idea to avoid some of the higher level will saves (confusion being one of the bad ones).

If you have a good con, reckless rage might be a consideration (more str /con on a rage, less ac). You'll take damage easier, but I always thought it was a good tradeoff as at higher levels, they're hitting you usually anyways.

Improved toughness should be considered I think as well.
FntsyWlkr
03-13-07, 12:56 PM I would have recommended making a more stylized cleric OR a beguiler.

But since you went Barbarian I would recommned taking Power Throw (which gives your STR bonus to thrown weapons), armor proficieny (DR/1), Shield specialization (+1 AC), and Close Quarters combat (you get AoO for any grapple check, and get to add the dmg to your check) ... in case you come up against any baddies that want to eat you.

... not that these are SMART decisions ... I just like 'em!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Scarps 03-02-07, 07:28 PM	Need advice, Any help is greatly appreciated! My level 4 Hexblade died a gruesome death at our last session and I am given the option to be resurrected or create a new player. From a role playing standpoint, the whole group is chaotic good/neutral and we have very little gold. Since resurrection would wipe out the parties gold and the bonds at level 4 would not be nearly strong enough to over come the materialist lose, I think that it would be more realistic the party would not want to "waste" the resources. Now after more seasons, the bonds and money would be stronger and less of an issue and I believe a resurrection would be more "believable". Am I incorrect to feel this way? I have no objection to starting a new character and believe a death and loss would be more realistic, since adventuring is dangerous. Our current party make up is Half-Orc Fighter, Elf Duskblade (archer mostly), halfling rogue, gnome wizard, dwarven cleric. My thoughts the party would need another melee character that could provide damage to help out our only front line longsword/shield fighter? With this being said, I was thinking a Barbarian would be a good addition to the party. Using a two handed weapon, rage and skill points would be rather fun. I found out from a role playing standpoint, I am not strong with the charisma based character to interact with NPCs to get needed answers. Any thoughts on suggested Class and Race? I have never played a Barbarian and would there be any benefit to multi classing/prc? I thought maybe a rogue for the extra skill points and sneak attack (maybe 2 levels) but was not sure that would be worth the loss of BAB? Not sure Frenzied Beserker would be a good fit because of the downside. Since the barbarian has so few feats, I was not sure since I do not want to make a mistake. Human for the extra feat but I do like the thought of Half-Orc. I was thinking some of the following (any thoughts?): 1. Weapon Focus - Greatsword 1. Extend Rage 3. Extra Rage 6. Power Attack 9. Improved Critical 12. Leap Attack Any other thoughts? As always thanks for the input - Scarps
Prator_the_Legendary 03-02-07, 08:05 PM	Don't be an elf. Other than that, I have no racial advice. That and the fact that halfling barbarians are both possible and quite fun. Just use a bastard sword instead of a great one. Dodge-mobility-spring attack makes for a good fighter that won't get hit as much. Whirlwind attack is not really that great. Great cleave is AWESOME. Try to arrange your stats to complement those of the other fighter. If he's strength-based, go with constitution, and put your second highest score in dexterity. Reverse that if it's some other way. Oh, and don't take poorly worded advice from random people you meet online.
jeffseadot 03-02-07, 10:56 PM	It looks like you would be the survivalist of the party (unless the cleric is Farlanghn's, in which case she would have access to the travel domain and get survival as a class feat). From a practical standpoint, the party would need you to stay alive more than anybody else. In a wilderness setting, the group is depending on you. I would treat constitution as a priority. Focus your feats on abilities that incapacitate your opponents. Improved Trip is amazing and well worth Combat Expertise. Your post had an interesting structure to it; you would ask a question in one paragraph and then proceed as if you had received a response from the board community before starting the next paragraph. After asking a question of opinion (do I get resurrected or do I start over?), your next paragraph continues on with your story as if we had all told you to start a new character. Anyhoo, you were unsure about what class to be and then started talking as if we had all told you to be a barbarian. My first instict, upon reading your group makeup, was for you to be a combat-centered bard. The highest stat doesn't need to be charisma for a bard; you can get along very well with a 14 base stat. If you put your best score into strength or dexterity and take feats based on finesse/intelligent combat, you could be a decent fighter and a great backup for everyone else in the party.
Scarps 03-03-07, 02:19 PM	Thank you for your response, I feel my post was stating my thoughts and that I was just asking for others opinions to either support or oppose my thoughts. I really have not decided yet either way, since it will be a while before we play again. I am just leaning towards starting over as my personal role-play belief. Thanks for the suggestions, again I was stating my thoughts in the post and just looking to gather input. I have my thoughts and just want to gather information before I make my decision. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Scarps
Scarps 03-10-07, 06:58 AM	Well After spending a few days, I believe I decided to roll a Human Barbarian, since it looks like our group needs another melee character and it fits my style until I get more familiar with the game. Since a Barbarian is so limited on feats, I was hoping to get some ideas from the "experts"! I was looking at Weapon Focus - Greataxe Power Attack Extend Rage/Extra Rage? Leap Attack Improved Critical Any other positive suggestions are welcome. Thanks Scarps Can't wait for our next session to test him out! :P
Appollyon 03-10-07, 09:01 AM	I'm sorry Scarps that I don't have the specific book nor name of feat, but there is a feat out there that lets you trade one of your rages/day at any time to add a bonus to your will save for one time only. I think it might be out of the PHB II, and you probably wouldn't need it early on in your career, but it's a good idea to avoid some of the higher level will saves (confusion being one of the bad ones). If you have a good con, reckless rage might be a consideration (more str /con on a rage, less ac). You'll take damage easier, but I always thought it was a good tradeoff as at higher levels, they're hitting you usually anyways. Improved toughness should be considered I think as well.
FntsyWlkr 03-13-07, 12:56 PM	I would have recommended making a more stylized cleric OR a beguiler. But since you went Barbarian I would recommned taking Power Throw (which gives your STR bonus to thrown weapons), armor proficieny (DR/1), Shield specialization (+1 AC), and Close Quarters combat (you get AoO for any grapple check, and get to add the dmg to your check) ... in case you come up against any baddies that want to eat you. ... not that these are SMART decisions ... I just like 'em!