So I’m sure that this has probably been done a hundred times or more before but I enjoyed making it so this is my offering.
After making my unarmed Cleric that shot light at everyone I thought he’d make a fun Ironmanish character. In a world of warforged a steampunkish armoured adventurer may not stand out as much as you’d think.
He is a Cleric because the powers fit well but he really isn’t a healer and isn’t meant to be. I left one healing spell in but would consider dropping it all together.
As Stark would say, “Want healing? Go see a doctor.”
NOTES FROM THE SHEET
Rule wise Stark is a Light Cleric but thematically he is quite different. He doesn't consider himself to be a Cleric or Priest at all, but a great technical genius and that the Gnomish god of invention and things that explode is his muse, who he frequently prays to for guidance and inspiration.
So use appropriate fluff, DM willing, so that his spells seem to have a more technical than miraculous source.
His battle suit, which combines technology, magic and alchemy, is his greatest creation and he's certain that the Artisan Guilds are plotting to steal it's secrets. But Stark will never give them up, because he is the Irongnome!
Here is a copy of the Character Sheet.
okay... why Cleric? IronGnome should be more blasty than a typical cleric, even a Light Cleric; and IronGnome is all about the brains, not the faith. Think of it like this; there are 3 defining personality aspects of Tony Stark; Arrogance, Intelligence, Showmanship. There are 3 powers that define IronMan; Flying, a variety of weaponry, adaptability.
I can see working in showmanship to the cleric version of Stark, and as a Light cleric you can get weapons... but you will not get Fly as a spell and your adaptability will be limited because of the spell choices.
Making him a wizard would be more in line with the personality aspects of Tony Stark. Abjuration Ward will give him shielding; Mage Armor represents his suit. It will take him to Level 5 before he can get the Flight Suit working, but he will eventually develop all the things that make IronMan nearly as awesome as he thinks he is.
I thought Cleric because they both wear armour and their basic ranged attack is throwing radiant energy.
Rule wise I think the Light Cleric works, even if Cleric religious fluff doesn’t. As I said take the Cleric “stuff” and change the fluff. Shield of faith can be force generators adding to AC, Warding Flare, the suit shoots bright flares to dazzle the enemy.
Now he isn’t going to be Tony Stark, since he isn’t a rich billionaire. Perhaps he should be reworked to put showmanship skill in there though? Actually the recent incarnation of Tony Stark can be a bit rude and I thought a low charisma score might be fun to play.
I don’t think a wizard would work since the main thing about Ironman/gnome is the Armour. Magical Armour is more like a force field to my mind. Its a spell not a thing. A good compromise would be an Eldritch Knight who has armour and spells, but they don’t get spells until 3rd level where as Irongnome is a level 1 character. Also Ironman/gnome is a ranged blaster and Light Clerics shoot radiant damage from their cantrip at level one.
Also weapon variety is added through spells, including burning hands, as well as items like flasks of oil, ball bairings and mechanical gnomish devices from the PHB.
Flying is an issue. I don’t really like flaying as it can really mess up a DM’s plans <LOL>. Will give it some thought. Eldritch Knights don’t get flying till level 13 anyway so I don’t think it’s a big deal.
So its not the most powerful build for attack but I think it sounds kind of fun.
P.S. Love this comment... “all the things that make IronMan nearly as awesome as he thinks he is.“
I had made Iron Gnome, as part of my League of Faerun Avengers ages ago.
My version is Level 12 Character, with 10 levels of Warlock and 2 levels of Cleric.
Cleric of Knowledge and Fiend Tome Warlock, has lots of utility powers. Plus he can fly and has at will Levitation or Jump ( if you prefer).
Eldritch Blast with Repelling and Agonising Invocations, replicates the Repulsors from the Iron Man Suit.
Background as a Guild Artisan, specifically an Armourer.
My version has Iron Man with Intelligence of 12, Wisdom 13 and Charisma was higher. My concept was that he was a Gnome who was very convincing as an Artificer, dedicated to knowledge and formed a pact with a higher intelligence, an avatar of knowledge ( could be a fiend in disguise). His inventions come from Higher Intelligence and he is able to portray being smart, eloquently and smarter inventors are fascinated by him.
I have to say I thought about a warlock with eldritch blast.
Sounds like a fitting build.
Well... there is always the classic "Demon in a Bottle" story.
Demon in a bottle story?
Classic Iron Man story from '79. Iron Man v Hammer Industries & Alcoholism. It's not a literal demon, sure... but it's something.
You'r like a font of cool comic knowledge ;)