Fighter progression [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fighter progression [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fraser1986
03-17-05, 01:10 PM Im not sure whether to post on this or the character development/optimisation boards. Basically, im starting a new campaign with a fighter called Vall Dawnbringer. I liked the name and built the character around it. He's a human fighter, about 32 years old. His stats are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14, Wis 14 Ch 16
These stats are quite high but as you see they are probably not the way a fighter would traditionally prioritise them. The system used was the DM said to think of what you want your character to be like then assign stats that fit.

So Vall is a little older than most fighters, he's still stonger faster and tougher than your avarage man, but traditional fighters are probably stronger than him, he's not as young as he used to be. he is however, more mature and has always had a level headed sensibility. He realises he needs to use his head if he's to out fight these stronger "youngsters". As for his charisma, he was for a long time a prominent member of the town council and is respected and looked up to by many.

My basic question was this. I see him being a fighter for a good while yet, but after a while there comes a need to be able to do other things than deal damage out. What multi-class options would be useful for Vall to complement his fighting ability?
fallabel
03-17-05, 01:15 PM With those stats, I'd have made him a Paladin from the beginning.
Fraser1986
03-17-05, 01:18 PM Thats a good point, i forgot to mention he's neutral good. He likes to do whats best for his poeple and friends. If acting lawful achieves this then thats great but to him its poeple that matter, not laws
Vharuck
03-17-05, 01:40 PM Bard maybe. He can trick the younger fighters to help him win.
Arrowhen
03-17-05, 01:52 PM Yeah, I'd say bard as well, with his bardic "music" being oratory.
Fraser1986
03-18-05, 09:16 AM Sort of like a warrior poet? That could work well. Anyone know Duncan Idaho (spelling?) from Dune
MrkGrismer
03-18-05, 09:50 AM Yeah, but I don't know if your DM will want to have gholas (sp?) in his game... :D
steenan
03-19-05, 04:30 PM Yes, one level of bard is definitely a good idea - it gives you nice skill list to chose from (to take advantage of your high Int), a little "music" (old warrior's tales) and a little bardic knowledge (good to reflect the fact he have been to many places and listened to many stories).
You could also add one level of Ranger - it has some nice skills too, and also lets you use your high Cha for Animal Empathy.
Yoho1.5
03-19-05, 06:19 PM Bard is a good idea, this guy could Gish it up. Max your intimidate as a ftr, and then get some synergy with bluff ranks from the brd and demoralize every melee opponent. With some elven chain and the right brd spells (provided you pick up more brd lvls) and Combat Expertise you could get a good AC without risking ASF, or you could use a one brd level dip for wand use and go heavy armour and shield.

Use a reach weapon as you can Intimadate everyone that can see you and that you threaten in melee.
ftr1 Combat Expertise/Dodge/Skill Focus Intimadate
ftr2 Mobility
ftr3 Persuasive
ftr4 Spring Attack
ftr4/brd1 Bardic music/bardic knowledge/countersong/fascinate/inspire courage
ftr5/brd1 Whirlwind Attack
ftr6/brd1 Disarm or Improved Trip
thats all I got so far my son is nagging me for something I gotta go
The Livewire
03-19-05, 07:07 PM If your DM allows Unearthed Arcana, Human Paragon is right up your alley.

3 levels, d8 for HP. Average BAB, Will save good. You get 10 class skills (your choice) 4 skill points/level (7 with race and int). A bonus feat, one skill that's now considered a class skill for all your classes, and a two point ability boost (again, your choice of stat.)

So you're losing 1 point of BAB, 2 HP in exchange for almost double skill points in a custom skill list. You can max out those social skills and make your adaptive skill use magic device. This will allow you to continue your non standard fighter concept into higher levels "Look it's a fighter with a staff!" *Fwoom* "Yes, a staff of power."
ehrin
03-19-05, 08:56 PM cool idea... what you have there is a Gunnery Sargeant, or a Master Chief... a grizzled older vet, who know more about soldiering than a hundred officers, and uses his brains instead of his sword to get what he needs done. He can hold his end of any task, of course, because he knows the tricks of it, inside and out... how to do it best, easiest, when to exert, when to rest, etc..

The bard fits nicely... less focus on musical skills, more on simple oratory stuff: epic sagas, poems, bards tales, rowdy and bawdy stories, etc..
DM Denubis
03-19-05, 09:02 PM If you have access to a Miniature's Handbook, I suggest the Marshal. Nice, fun little class, and it may fit better than Bard. Basically, it's a more martial take on party support, and may reflect being a general of some sort. Generally, a nice class. Also, Diplomacy is a class skill, and they get a skill focus in it at first level for free.
Chimaera2000
03-31-05, 02:38 PM Actually, you don't even need the miniatures handbook. WoTC posted a preview of the miniatures handbook containing the marshal here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030906b).
GoofsterStud
03-31-05, 03:11 PM Im not sure whether to post on this or the character development/optimisation boards. Basically, im starting a new campaign with a fighter called Vall Dawnbringer. I liked the name and built the character around it. He's a human fighter, about 32 years old. His stats are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14, Wis 14 Ch 16
These stats are quite high but as you see they are probably not the way a fighter would traditionally prioritise them. The system used was the DM said to think of what you want your character to be like then assign stats that fit.

So Vall is a little older than most fighters, he's still stonger faster and tougher than your avarage man, but traditional fighters are probably stronger than him, he's not as young as he used to be. he is however, more mature and has always had a level headed sensibility. He realises he needs to use his head if he's to out fight these stronger "youngsters". As for his charisma, he was for a long time a prominent member of the town council and is respected and looked up to by many.

My basic question was this. I see him being a fighter for a good while yet, but after a while there comes a need to be able to do other things than deal damage out. What multi-class options would be useful for Vall to complement his fighting ability?

I know this isn't what your asking but my 2 cents.
Anointed Knight (Book of Exalted Deeds) It's a PRC but man it fits with this.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fraser1986 03-17-05, 01:10 PM	Im not sure whether to post on this or the character development/optimisation boards. Basically, im starting a new campaign with a fighter called Vall Dawnbringer. I liked the name and built the character around it. He's a human fighter, about 32 years old. His stats are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14, Wis 14 Ch 16 These stats are quite high but as you see they are probably not the way a fighter would traditionally prioritise them. The system used was the DM said to think of what you want your character to be like then assign stats that fit. So Vall is a little older than most fighters, he's still stonger faster and tougher than your avarage man, but traditional fighters are probably stronger than him, he's not as young as he used to be. he is however, more mature and has always had a level headed sensibility. He realises he needs to use his head if he's to out fight these stronger "youngsters". As for his charisma, he was for a long time a prominent member of the town council and is respected and looked up to by many. My basic question was this. I see him being a fighter for a good while yet, but after a while there comes a need to be able to do other things than deal damage out. What multi-class options would be useful for Vall to complement his fighting ability?
fallabel 03-17-05, 01:15 PM	With those stats, I'd have made him a Paladin from the beginning.
Fraser1986 03-17-05, 01:18 PM	Thats a good point, i forgot to mention he's neutral good. He likes to do whats best for his poeple and friends. If acting lawful achieves this then thats great but to him its poeple that matter, not laws
Vharuck 03-17-05, 01:40 PM	Bard maybe. He can trick the younger fighters to help him win.
Arrowhen 03-17-05, 01:52 PM	Yeah, I'd say bard as well, with his bardic "music" being oratory.
Fraser1986 03-18-05, 09:16 AM	Sort of like a warrior poet? That could work well. Anyone know Duncan Idaho (spelling?) from Dune
MrkGrismer 03-18-05, 09:50 AM	Yeah, but I don't know if your DM will want to have gholas (sp?) in his game... :D
steenan 03-19-05, 04:30 PM	Yes, one level of bard is definitely a good idea - it gives you nice skill list to chose from (to take advantage of your high Int), a little "music" (old warrior's tales) and a little bardic knowledge (good to reflect the fact he have been to many places and listened to many stories). You could also add one level of Ranger - it has some nice skills too, and also lets you use your high Cha for Animal Empathy.
Yoho1.5 03-19-05, 06:19 PM	Bard is a good idea, this guy could Gish it up. Max your intimidate as a ftr, and then get some synergy with bluff ranks from the brd and demoralize every melee opponent. With some elven chain and the right brd spells (provided you pick up more brd lvls) and Combat Expertise you could get a good AC without risking ASF, or you could use a one brd level dip for wand use and go heavy armour and shield. Use a reach weapon as you can Intimadate everyone that can see you and that you threaten in melee. ftr1 Combat Expertise/Dodge/Skill Focus Intimadate ftr2 Mobility ftr3 Persuasive ftr4 Spring Attack ftr4/brd1 Bardic music/bardic knowledge/countersong/fascinate/inspire courage ftr5/brd1 Whirlwind Attack ftr6/brd1 Disarm or Improved Trip thats all I got so far my son is nagging me for something I gotta go
The Livewire 03-19-05, 07:07 PM	If your DM allows Unearthed Arcana, Human Paragon is right up your alley. 3 levels, d8 for HP. Average BAB, Will save good. You get 10 class skills (your choice) 4 skill points/level (7 with race and int). A bonus feat, one skill that's now considered a class skill for all your classes, and a two point ability boost (again, your choice of stat.) So you're losing 1 point of BAB, 2 HP in exchange for almost double skill points in a custom skill list. You can max out those social skills and make your adaptive skill use magic device. This will allow you to continue your non standard fighter concept into higher levels "Look it's a fighter with a staff!" Fwoom "Yes, a staff of power."
ehrin 03-19-05, 08:56 PM	cool idea... what you have there is a Gunnery Sargeant, or a Master Chief... a grizzled older vet, who know more about soldiering than a hundred officers, and uses his brains instead of his sword to get what he needs done. He can hold his end of any task, of course, because he knows the tricks of it, inside and out... how to do it best, easiest, when to exert, when to rest, etc.. The bard fits nicely... less focus on musical skills, more on simple oratory stuff: epic sagas, poems, bards tales, rowdy and bawdy stories, etc..
DM Denubis 03-19-05, 09:02 PM	If you have access to a Miniature's Handbook, I suggest the Marshal. Nice, fun little class, and it may fit better than Bard. Basically, it's a more martial take on party support, and may reflect being a general of some sort. Generally, a nice class. Also, Diplomacy is a class skill, and they get a skill focus in it at first level for free.
Chimaera2000 03-31-05, 02:38 PM	Actually, you don't even need the miniatures handbook. WoTC posted a preview of the miniatures handbook containing the marshal here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030906b).
GoofsterStud 03-31-05, 03:11 PM	Im not sure whether to post on this or the character development/optimisation boards. Basically, im starting a new campaign with a fighter called Vall Dawnbringer. I liked the name and built the character around it. He's a human fighter, about 32 years old. His stats are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14, Wis 14 Ch 16 These stats are quite high but as you see they are probably not the way a fighter would traditionally prioritise them. The system used was the DM said to think of what you want your character to be like then assign stats that fit. So Vall is a little older than most fighters, he's still stonger faster and tougher than your avarage man, but traditional fighters are probably stronger than him, he's not as young as he used to be. he is however, more mature and has always had a level headed sensibility. He realises he needs to use his head if he's to out fight these stronger "youngsters". As for his charisma, he was for a long time a prominent member of the town council and is respected and looked up to by many. My basic question was this. I see him being a fighter for a good while yet, but after a while there comes a need to be able to do other things than deal damage out. What multi-class options would be useful for Vall to complement his fighting ability? I know this isn't what your asking but my 2 cents. Anointed Knight (Book of Exalted Deeds) It's a PRC but man it fits with this.