Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KlauthFB 01-17-06, 05:26 AM	Okay folks, i need a new character for a straight-up 3.5 FR campaign. My DM isnt keen on the various complete/races books (which is fair enough as the sheer volume of abusable material has got out of hand imo) so it needs to be as core as possible, though most FR material is okay. We're starting at first level and i dont want a huge damage dealer or munchkin-build, otherwise id be posting on the CO board, i want a fresh idea, something a bit different without being overpowered using the core rulebooks where possible (and no ridiculous monster races please). Oh and not a spellcaster, probably a fighter-type. edit; i should mention any ideas should use a max of 2 prcs.. prefererably 1, no dipping for feats.. thanking any responses in advance Klauth
Rhomphaia 01-17-06, 12:10 PM	One idea I always thought would be cool is a halberdier. A fighter who specializes in a halberd and uses it to its fullest potential. I would personally recommend the following feats. Weapon Focus (halberd), and this entire chain of feats Combat Experise Improved Trip Also, if going off of a concept like this, I would personally allow the Spinning Halberd feat (from Complete Warrior). The feat has some stiff prerequisites, but gives you a small Dodge bonus and an extra attack (at a penalty) when making a full attack with a halberd. See if your DM might allow that idea. If not, then don't worry about it, as it will just allow more feat slots so you can take support feats like Iron Will and Lightning Reflexes. And trust me, Iron Will is invaluable for a fighter. Also, you can never really go wrong with a rogue that is built on the old, classic 1e and 2e thief. Go with skills like Climb, Decipher Script, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock and Use Magic Device. Round out where you think is necessary and you should have a pretty effective rogue.
Some_call_me_Tim 01-17-06, 12:55 PM	I think the strongest 'core' fighter type has got to be the Fighter/Dwarven Defender combo. Seven levels of fighter gets you plenty of feats to customize the build to you and your campaign. You can even take 8 levels to get Greater Weapon Focus if you want. Defensive Stance rocks. +2 to STR, +4 CON, +4 AC, and +2 to all Saves. Just plan ahead when take up you position. Even if you have to give it up it is only -2 to STR.
HermitIX 01-17-06, 01:58 PM	You could try a fighter that specializes in “crowd control” improved trip, improved disarm. You could try dual wielding a net & trident. It’s a classic weapon combo I haven’t seen played much. and stick to pure fighter, needless PRCs are a bad thing.
Rhomphaia 01-17-06, 02:30 PM	Here are a couple of fighting-type ideas to consider. They all involve a little spellcasting, but the focus is on fighting. Monk to Sorcerer to Dragon Disciple Take five or so levels in Monk, then a level or two in Sorcerer (to gain spells like Mage Armor, Shield and True Strike) then around level 10 or 11, just beef up into Dragon Disciple. The ability score bonuses and other advantages of this class will allow you to really shine with your Monk abilities. War Cleric Make a Cleric with the Strength and War domains. Then concentrate on buffs for spells. As far as overall effectiveness, you will have a good fighting type character with a couple of added bonuses. Be sure to concentrate on combat feats for this build, like Improved Initiative, Power Attack and Cleave. Fighter to Sorcerer to Fighter Make a Fighter, then take a couple of levels of Sorcerer (for Mage Armor, True Strike and Shield) then go back to Fighter. Take Power Attack as a feat. This will allow for a devastating combination that is used as follows. Mage Armor and Shield should be up before an encounter starts. Cast True Strike then step in and throw everything into a Power Attack with your greatsword, five foot step back the next round. Wash, rinse, repeat. I would suggest the Eldritch Knight as a PrC for this build, but since you wanted no casters, I thought to minimize that aspect of it.
Araciel 01-17-06, 03:13 PM	monk/fighter....come on, someone who can disarm and then use that weapon against you?? just cool! you could play a wandering monk, like in kung fu, cause thats what the monks are based on anyway, but you could have the character history something cool, like he used to be a LE zhent guard who was betrayed and accused of insubordination, so after narrowly escaping the region with his life, he travels on as a fugitive...after suffering these indignities and betrayals, he has realized the value of the path of good, and is now LG, forsaking his old life for one of a wanderer who helps those in need in distant lands... okay..sorry but i am now going to make this character
KlauthFB 01-18-06, 03:57 AM	thanks to everyone for the ideas, plenty of inspiration there! Rhomphaia, the halberdier idea is kinda cool, but im always put off by 10' only reach weapons, not sure quite why, it just seems a fairly unnatural combat technique, i might consider dwarven defender but im not a huge fan of dwarves.. though i could always reconsider that... My Dm generally allows most faerunian races (as long as they arent too OTT), so any ideas on which to go for folks?
Shaggy_Shaggs 01-18-06, 04:08 AM	10' reach weapons are a pain in the posterior if that's all you've got, but there's an easy way to threaten at 5' too: armor spikes. Give anyone who gets inside your halberd reach a big hug. :D
Rhomphaia 01-18-06, 04:12 AM	You're welcome for the advice. But I don't think the halberd is a reach weapon...The SRD and my PHB don't say anything about it. All they say is that you can trip with it and that you can set it for a charge.
Shaggy_Shaggs 01-18-06, 04:19 AM	You're welcome for the advice. But I don't think the halberd is a reach weapon...The SRD and my PHB don't say anything about it. All they say is that you can trip with it and that you can set it for a charge. :uh-huh: :OMG! Holy crap, you're right. I have no idea why this ISN'T a reach weapon, and every DM I know of treats it as a reach weapon, but by RAW, at least in 3.5, it's not. :thinks: ...........I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, yet.
Rhomphaia 01-18-06, 05:30 AM	Actually, most halberds shouldn't be reach weapons, as they are only about six or seven feet long. There is a longer version of the halberd, mosy commonly used by the Swiss, that was about ten feet long and would be a reach weapon. However, historically anyway, halberds were not terribly long. They were meant as close-quarters polearms.
Shaggy_Shaggs 01-18-06, 05:43 AM	Ahh, see I was thinking of that 8-10' can opener for unhorsing and dispatching armored cavalry. Though I'm not a historic weapons major, perhaps the weapon I'm thinking of is more myth than fact.
Rhomphaia 01-18-06, 05:56 AM	Well, it was used and did exist. Actually the version you were thinking of is closer to the original version of the halberd. It didn't do the job that a pike did as well as a pike did it and it was too long to effectively dismount opponents, so the pole was shortened and the halberd became an primarily anti-infantry weapon and a anti-cavalry weapon second. At the risk of going off on a tangent, the halberd was used extensivley with the pike. Formations would raise their pikes and horses would become impaled or entangled and men with halberds simply reached out and plucked the horsemen off their mounts. Off the battlefield, the weapon was prized for its versatility against men and animals. Stab with the pointy end, hook and drag or trip with the hook, and to finish them off, use the slashing blade. Overall, the halberd is only matched (maybe) by the lochaber axe in versatility among polearms.
Eital 01-18-06, 09:47 AM	that's correct. In fact, the "long-halberd" was used during the rise of the early firearms (for example, by Napoleon and company), and, along with the pike, it was used to keep the enemy away from the slow-recharging firemen. (btw: sorry, i'm not sure everything is properly spelled... I know history in spanish, translating it is a little dificult :p)
Rhomphaia 01-18-06, 10:10 AM	Now that I didn't know...I had thought the pike came along a bit earlier than the long halberd. Oh, and don't worry, you spelled everything correctly and even have good syntax and grammar too. English is a difficult language to learn. I am 28 and still learning, and it's MY native language.
serow_#R 01-18-06, 11:52 AM	ranger into horizon walker since u don't have access to the complete books, an archer ranger ought to be fairly useful both in and out of combat for pure fluff coolness, it's pretty hard to beat a ranger :D
KlauthFB 01-18-06, 04:24 PM	Ah should have mentioned a few things, its a city-based campaign (waterdeep most likely).Also, I do have access to complete and races books, but anything used from them is subject to a strict approval from my dm.
SilverFoxKnows 01-18-06, 05:09 PM	might I suggest the Rogue. You get enough skill points to tailor your character to the game. With a high Cha you could excel at info gathering, bluff, diplomacy and even intimidate. Or you could make a second story man- balance, tumble, climb, jump, use rope. A thuggish guy could make use of a higher Str, intimidate, chain shirt instead of leather. Core feats I would look at- improved initiative, dodge (to get mobility), point blank shot (so you can get precise shot and fire into melee), weapon finesse for a high Dex/ low Str kind of guy, power attack for a high Str thug, nimble fingers for a safecracker. Right now I'm playing a Dwarven Rogue who's turning out to be pretty fun. He's not a combat monster but I made him around the safecracker concept. He tries to be smooth (hair slicked back, beard groomed, clothes in nice shape) but just rubs people the wrong way (low Cha). Like a used car salesman, he says the right words but doesn't sound sincere.
KlauthFB 01-18-06, 05:36 PM	i might consider a rogue actually, hadnt considered that. Im also interested in playing a race thats a bit.. different, any suggestions for low if not 0-LA races? preferably FR-sources only
Elemental_Elf 01-18-06, 10:24 PM	Deep Imaskari seems interesting. Plus being from Underdark gives you a some really cool role play oppertunities. ---> http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20031003b As for a class, since you're in FR, I assume the Prc's in FRCS are legal. So why not go for a Harper Scout or the Guild Thief or one of the 3 classes with Divine in their name? Also as for the base class, Barbarian, Bard, Wizard and Rogue get my votes. :D
KlauthFB 01-19-06, 05:18 AM	Yup, most FR prcs are fine, Deep Imaskari look cool but do seem best-suited to wizards and as stated above, wizard is off the table... i may look at playing a potential Harper Agent..
Shaggy_Shaggs 01-19-06, 05:23 AM	If you're thinking rogue, and want a low-LA, non-PHB race, why not be a goblin? They're LA+0, favored class is rogue, and they're good at it. In addition to the size bonus on Hide checks they get a racial bonus on Move Silently checks, their base speed is 10' higher than the overdone halflings', and they get 60' darkvision. Also it's way fun playing a semisavage humanoid everyone expects to be stupid and pathetic, and outwitting or overpowering them depending on how you set your rogue up. :D They exist in like every setting too, don't they?
serow_#R 01-19-06, 05:54 AM	how's bout a goblin urban ranger? :D