Dragon Shaman Species and Feats help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragon Shaman Species and Feats help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DaveLSmall
07-28-06, 12:40 PM My friends starting up a new Campain,
were all making 1st Level characters, I want to try out a Dragon Shaman, and we can use any race up to an LA +1, and no templates.
(We dont get class levels if its LA+1 untill we levle up, and only get 1d4 HP if there isnt hitdie given)

were limited to PHB, PHB 2, DMG, DMG2, MM 1 thru 3
Complete Warrior, Divine, Arcane, Adventurer
Expanded Psionic and Dragonomican

I was thinking of using a Bugbear, but the ELC Is going to be murder on my experience and I wont get the level in dragon shaman for quite some time,
(anyone know what level everyone elsewill ge when I do level up?)

My other options Im leaning to are Hobgoblin or Gold Dwarf,

But Im clearly looking for sugestions

Id also like tips on Feats anyone might suggest,

My Stats are
Str 13
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 12
Cha 13

Thanks everyone, I'll apreciate anything help I can get
Salty_Boy
07-28-06, 02:49 PM Human, and use the bonus feat to get Heavy Armor Proficiency. Anything else and you're needlessly shooting yourself in the foot (which may be what you prefer, to each their own after all).
JayDubya
07-28-06, 03:14 PM Human, and use the bonus feat to get Heavy Armor Proficiency. Anything else and you're needlessly shooting yourself in the foot (which may be what you prefer, to each their own after all).

Meh, that's what mithral is for. Besides, a 1st level character can't even afford heavy armor. I'd say the bigger weakness is the Simple Weapon Proficiency only... so I'd agree with you on Human, but say he should pick up an Exotic Weapon Proficiency instead and get heavy armor made out of mithral later.

Want 2 handed with reach? Get a Dwarven Warpike or Greatspear. Or a lovely spiked chain.

Want ranged? Get a Greatbow, or if you strength's not as high, get a Great Crossbow.

Want a one-hander? A Dwarven Waraxe or Bastard Sword or Elven Thinblade or Warmace would be nice.

Don't be stuck with morningstars and light crossbows on a character that can't cast spells for offense. I mean yeah, breath is good, but you want something a little punchier than a club or a dagger when it's recharging. :yuck:
Salty_Boy
07-28-06, 03:48 PM Meh, that's what mithral is for. Besides, a 1st level character can't even afford heavy armor. I'd say the bigger weakness is the Simple Weapon Proficiency only... so I'd agree with you on Human, but say he should pick up an Exotic Weapon Proficiency instead and get heavy armor made out of mithral later.
Counterpoint: by the time the character can afford Mithral Heavy Armor he could have been wearing magical Full Plate for three levels, and with a Dex of only 12 that's a much better fit than even Breastplate.
KurenaiYami
07-28-06, 11:55 PM Dude. Kobolds. All hail the master race!!!

Not to mention the flavor thing. That's mostly just if you aren't min/maxing and want a character that's enjoyable to roleplay. Which is why I love the kobolds so~

May also have something to do with the BBEG of the first campaign I ever played in being a gnome...

Hate...gnomes...
Galahad the Pure
07-29-06, 10:59 PM EWP requires BAB +1.

The main question is what role are you going to take on in the party? You aren't going to be the star of the show with 3/4 BAB and simple weapons. You can still stick things out in melee, but you're also going to have a support role with your auras.

Look into the meta-breath feats from Draconomicon. Ability Focus from the MM too. Also, choose a line breath weapon so you don't catch your allies in the area of effect.

Also, heavy armor might be unnecessary since I believe you'll get natural armor bonuses.

Certain totem dragons give you Survival as a class skill. Consider taking Track for one of your feats. You even get free skill focus in it. That's only if it's your thing.

Kobold wouldn't be bad, nor would Halfling or Gnome. The bonuses to hit and AC will help out because your stats aren't terrific. Extra bonus if you go halfling, because +2 dex and +1 with thrown weapons could give you interesting offensive options. Of course, my personal preferences are Human. Stay away from Bugbears because the ECL won't be worth it. Catfolk might be a creative idea here, especially with the +4 Cha.

If you don't take Track, Improved Toughness might not be a bad choice for your level one feat. If you go halfling, take Weapon Finesse. If you do the thrown offensive, Quickdraw. I don't recommend a ranged offensive because its more feat intensive than you'd like.
danielinthewolvesden
07-30-06, 12:50 AM You want/need CHA and lost of it, so, I'd say Human.

Go with a longspear.

Feats? Improved Toughness. No doubt.

Combat reflexes?

There are some dragon breath feats in Draconomicon.
DaveLSmall
07-30-06, 01:33 AM Great adivce so far everyone :D

Its really helping

to clarify somethings, Im going to be playing a copper dragon shaman, so thats a line of acid for my breath Ill also be getting spider climb

stratigicly Im going to be combat support, watching the backs of the main combatants

Im really hoping to get my Con up to 18 so I can qualify for the metabreath feats

any race give a con and cha bonus?

were going to be running the Worlds Largest Dungeon, so there wont be anywhere to buy new armor, were stuck with what we find and we only have the starting package items going in. (so the longspear is an option which is good)

The DM decided to incorperate the flaw system, so I can get more feats, but at a cost...

So far Gold Dwarf is most apealing -dex +2 con and the darkvision will come in handy. also with the speed already at 20 I wont feel slowed down by armor speed peneties

Galahad, in one of the first RPGs I played my friend was a ranger whos animal compainion was a hampster that constantly spouted comunist propaganda, he had the commie hat and all. Good times.
Tetsubo
07-30-06, 04:17 AM Have you considered the Goliath? Or is that not allowed...?

I think that Human is the way to go. If Eberron were allowed I'd say take Warforged though.
Morrowner
07-30-06, 08:18 AM Sun Elf, anything Magic-Blooded, scaled back Aasimar, scaled back Feytouched. Basically anything without LA and a Charisma boost is money, even if there is a Constitution hit.
Galahad the Pure
07-30-06, 12:09 PM I think Gold Dwarf will be your best bet. +2 con makes Improved Toughness unnecessary. (unneccessary? unneccesary?)

Don't use a longspear though. Shield and Mace ought to do you fine. Shield Specialization from the PH2 would be good, as would weapon focus. I know using a shield isn't very sexy, but the extra defense will do you good.

From Level 6 on, you really want to cash in on the metabreath feats. I just read them over and there is enormous abuse potential there for a relatively low cost. (Needing to wait extra rounds to breathe again is only a problem if your enemy survives that long.)
danielinthewolvesden
07-30-06, 02:28 PM were going to be running the Worlds Largest Dungeon, so there wont be anywhere to buy new armor, were stuck with what we find and we only have the starting package items going in. (so the longspear is an option which is good)

The DM decided to incorperate the flaw system, so I can get more feats, but at a cost...

So far Gold Dwarf is most apealing -dex +2 con and the darkvision will come in handy. also with the speed already at 20 I wont feel slowed down by armor speed peneties

Yes, do the long spear thing. Don't specialize or waste a feat on any one weapon in TWLD. You do want darkvision- and good saves and scads of HP down there, however. It's a killer. So, dwarf, and Improved Toughness. Both.
DaveLSmall
07-30-06, 04:31 PM If anyones interested in what I finally decided on doing its this:

Im being a Gold Dwarf (-2dex,+2con)
Ive taken the feats
Improved Toughness (the higher my HP, the higher my 50% level for fast healing will be)
Sheild Specialization
and Power Attack,

Ive taken the Flaws Shakey(-2 on ranged attacks) and Murkey Eyed(worst of 2 rolls vs concealment)
to explain this in character Im going to be missing an eye (like Leela in Futurama, no depth perception)

Im not taking weapon focus because Im unsure what weapons we'll find in the dungeon for me to use

Im not using a longspear cause its a 2 handed weapon and I need a free hand for my sheild,

and Im taking metabreaths and ability focus when I got the prequisites. Ill probobly take a fighter level later on too if I need it

Thanks again everyone for your advice, it came in really handy.

I truely apreaciate it
TheOne
07-30-06, 05:34 PM If you want to dip, take barbarian, rage will up the DC of the breath weapon by 2, and give you martial weapons. I've seen, lingering, clinging and heighten breath feats mentioned a lot. Rage, breath a lingering, clinging, heightened breath, then wade into the middle of it and hit people with your breath on them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DaveLSmall 07-28-06, 12:40 PM	My friends starting up a new Campain, were all making 1st Level characters, I want to try out a Dragon Shaman, and we can use any race up to an LA +1, and no templates. (We dont get class levels if its LA+1 untill we levle up, and only get 1d4 HP if there isnt hitdie given) were limited to PHB, PHB 2, DMG, DMG2, MM 1 thru 3 Complete Warrior, Divine, Arcane, Adventurer Expanded Psionic and Dragonomican I was thinking of using a Bugbear, but the ELC Is going to be murder on my experience and I wont get the level in dragon shaman for quite some time, (anyone know what level everyone elsewill ge when I do level up?) My other options Im leaning to are Hobgoblin or Gold Dwarf, But Im clearly looking for sugestions Id also like tips on Feats anyone might suggest, My Stats are Str 13 Dex 12 Con 16 Int 12 Wis 12 Cha 13 Thanks everyone, I'll apreciate anything help I can get
Salty_Boy 07-28-06, 02:49 PM	Human, and use the bonus feat to get Heavy Armor Proficiency. Anything else and you're needlessly shooting yourself in the foot (which may be what you prefer, to each their own after all).
JayDubya 07-28-06, 03:14 PM	Human, and use the bonus feat to get Heavy Armor Proficiency. Anything else and you're needlessly shooting yourself in the foot (which may be what you prefer, to each their own after all). Meh, that's what mithral is for. Besides, a 1st level character can't even afford heavy armor. I'd say the bigger weakness is the Simple Weapon Proficiency only... so I'd agree with you on Human, but say he should pick up an Exotic Weapon Proficiency instead and get heavy armor made out of mithral later. Want 2 handed with reach? Get a Dwarven Warpike or Greatspear. Or a lovely spiked chain. Want ranged? Get a Greatbow, or if you strength's not as high, get a Great Crossbow. Want a one-hander? A Dwarven Waraxe or Bastard Sword or Elven Thinblade or Warmace would be nice. Don't be stuck with morningstars and light crossbows on a character that can't cast spells for offense. I mean yeah, breath is good, but you want something a little punchier than a club or a dagger when it's recharging. :yuck:
Salty_Boy 07-28-06, 03:48 PM	Meh, that's what mithral is for. Besides, a 1st level character can't even afford heavy armor. I'd say the bigger weakness is the Simple Weapon Proficiency only... so I'd agree with you on Human, but say he should pick up an Exotic Weapon Proficiency instead and get heavy armor made out of mithral later. Counterpoint: by the time the character can afford Mithral Heavy Armor he could have been wearing magical Full Plate for three levels, and with a Dex of only 12 that's a much better fit than even Breastplate.
KurenaiYami 07-28-06, 11:55 PM	Dude. Kobolds. All hail the master race!!! Not to mention the flavor thing. That's mostly just if you aren't min/maxing and want a character that's enjoyable to roleplay. Which is why I love the kobolds so~ May also have something to do with the BBEG of the first campaign I ever played in being a gnome... Hate...gnomes...
Galahad the Pure 07-29-06, 10:59 PM	EWP requires BAB +1. The main question is what role are you going to take on in the party? You aren't going to be the star of the show with 3/4 BAB and simple weapons. You can still stick things out in melee, but you're also going to have a support role with your auras. Look into the meta-breath feats from Draconomicon. Ability Focus from the MM too. Also, choose a line breath weapon so you don't catch your allies in the area of effect. Also, heavy armor might be unnecessary since I believe you'll get natural armor bonuses. Certain totem dragons give you Survival as a class skill. Consider taking Track for one of your feats. You even get free skill focus in it. That's only if it's your thing. Kobold wouldn't be bad, nor would Halfling or Gnome. The bonuses to hit and AC will help out because your stats aren't terrific. Extra bonus if you go halfling, because +2 dex and +1 with thrown weapons could give you interesting offensive options. Of course, my personal preferences are Human. Stay away from Bugbears because the ECL won't be worth it. Catfolk might be a creative idea here, especially with the +4 Cha. If you don't take Track, Improved Toughness might not be a bad choice for your level one feat. If you go halfling, take Weapon Finesse. If you do the thrown offensive, Quickdraw. I don't recommend a ranged offensive because its more feat intensive than you'd like.
danielinthewolvesden 07-30-06, 12:50 AM	You want/need CHA and lost of it, so, I'd say Human. Go with a longspear. Feats? Improved Toughness. No doubt. Combat reflexes? There are some dragon breath feats in Draconomicon.
DaveLSmall 07-30-06, 01:33 AM	Great adivce so far everyone :D Its really helping to clarify somethings, Im going to be playing a copper dragon shaman, so thats a line of acid for my breath Ill also be getting spider climb stratigicly Im going to be combat support, watching the backs of the main combatants Im really hoping to get my Con up to 18 so I can qualify for the metabreath feats any race give a con and cha bonus? were going to be running the Worlds Largest Dungeon, so there wont be anywhere to buy new armor, were stuck with what we find and we only have the starting package items going in. (so the longspear is an option which is good) The DM decided to incorperate the flaw system, so I can get more feats, but at a cost... So far Gold Dwarf is most apealing -dex +2 con and the darkvision will come in handy. also with the speed already at 20 I wont feel slowed down by armor speed peneties Galahad, in one of the first RPGs I played my friend was a ranger whos animal compainion was a hampster that constantly spouted comunist propaganda, he had the commie hat and all. Good times.
Tetsubo 07-30-06, 04:17 AM	Have you considered the Goliath? Or is that not allowed...? I think that Human is the way to go. If Eberron were allowed I'd say take Warforged though.
Morrowner 07-30-06, 08:18 AM	Sun Elf, anything Magic-Blooded, scaled back Aasimar, scaled back Feytouched. Basically anything without LA and a Charisma boost is money, even if there is a Constitution hit.
Galahad the Pure 07-30-06, 12:09 PM	I think Gold Dwarf will be your best bet. +2 con makes Improved Toughness unnecessary. (unneccessary? unneccesary?) Don't use a longspear though. Shield and Mace ought to do you fine. Shield Specialization from the PH2 would be good, as would weapon focus. I know using a shield isn't very sexy, but the extra defense will do you good. From Level 6 on, you really want to cash in on the metabreath feats. I just read them over and there is enormous abuse potential there for a relatively low cost. (Needing to wait extra rounds to breathe again is only a problem if your enemy survives that long.)
danielinthewolvesden 07-30-06, 02:28 PM	were going to be running the Worlds Largest Dungeon, so there wont be anywhere to buy new armor, were stuck with what we find and we only have the starting package items going in. (so the longspear is an option which is good) The DM decided to incorperate the flaw system, so I can get more feats, but at a cost... So far Gold Dwarf is most apealing -dex +2 con and the darkvision will come in handy. also with the speed already at 20 I wont feel slowed down by armor speed peneties Yes, do the long spear thing. Don't specialize or waste a feat on any one weapon in TWLD. You do want darkvision- and good saves and scads of HP down there, however. It's a killer. So, dwarf, and Improved Toughness. Both.
DaveLSmall 07-30-06, 04:31 PM	If anyones interested in what I finally decided on doing its this: Im being a Gold Dwarf (-2dex,+2con) Ive taken the feats Improved Toughness (the higher my HP, the higher my 50% level for fast healing will be) Sheild Specialization and Power Attack, Ive taken the Flaws Shakey(-2 on ranged attacks) and Murkey Eyed(worst of 2 rolls vs concealment) to explain this in character Im going to be missing an eye (like Leela in Futurama, no depth perception) Im not taking weapon focus because Im unsure what weapons we'll find in the dungeon for me to use Im not using a longspear cause its a 2 handed weapon and I need a free hand for my sheild, and Im taking metabreaths and ability focus when I got the prequisites. Ill probobly take a fighter level later on too if I need it Thanks again everyone for your advice, it came in really handy. I truely apreaciate it
TheOne 07-30-06, 05:34 PM	If you want to dip, take barbarian, rage will up the DC of the breath weapon by 2, and give you martial weapons. I've seen, lingering, clinging and heighten breath feats mentioned a lot. Rage, breath a lingering, clinging, heightened breath, then wade into the middle of it and hit people with your breath on them.