I've been invited to a level 20 campaign to replace the tank. I need help refining my character! I will describe my original build (which hasn't worked out) and what I'd like to do.
Campaign Material: All 3.5 and 3.0 books (not Dragon magazines)
Party composition: All Level 20
Monk/Souleater
Bard w/ Cleric Cohort (Level 18 cohort)
Warlock/Mage (prestige combo)
Spec's:
Level 20
+2 LA for free (I chose abherent limbs)
150k$ to spend
I have chosen Warblade 14/Bloodstorm Blade 4/Fighter 2
However, I am rethininking the number of feats needed to pull off the ranged/melee combo.
My role is to be the tank/fighter. Any suggestions for:
1) A 4 level class dip to replace bloodstorm blade?
2) How to make my current build fit my party role?
3) How to pump out the most damage with this combo?
4) Is there a 4-armed weapon? I did the damage calculations and wielding 2-2handed weapons causes much more damage than 4 1-handed weapons. So, if there's a 4-handed weapon (preferably with 4x crit modifier) let me know!!
That's it for now. Thanks in advance!!
1) A 4 level class dip to replace bloodstorm blade?
2) How to make my current build fit my party role?
3) How to pump out the most damage with this combo?
4) Is there a 4-armed weapon? I did the damage calculations and wielding 2-2handed weapons causes much more damage than 4 1-handed weapons. So, if there's a 4-handed weapon (preferably with 4x crit modifier) let me know!!
That's it for now. Thanks in advance!!
Per Savage Species, a two-handed weapon can have a longer grip than usual and be used in four hands without any problems. This will give you 2.5 times your Str bonus, but it doesn't increase your base damage at all.
If you are interested in doing multiweapon fighting though, your best bet is probably making a dip into Bloodclaw Master. 4 Tiger Claw weapons would give you a total of 4 times your Str bonus to damage plus the base damage of the weapons. (Since the 2nd level ability lets you retain your full Str bonus to off hand weapon attacks and removes the -2 penalty to attacks with Tiger Claw weapons.)
That should do fairly well on damage, outside of bonus from high multipliers on Power Attack. Blood in the Water stance, combined with Raging Mongoose, Time Stands Still, keen weapons, and haste should allow you to pick up 30 attacks pretty easily. With a 15-20 crit range, a fair number of those should crit and pick you up a +1 to attacks and damage. Adding in Bloodstorm Blade just means you can do that at a range of 50-150 feet, depending on whether you have the correct feats and magic properties on your weapons.
Warblade is a good lead into it.
4 arms + Quickdraw + Bloodstorm Blade + MWF + Brutal Throw = a lot of pain.
Warblade is a good lead into it.
Doesn't even need Quickdraw actually-- Bloodstorm Blades throw their weapons and then catch them all in one attack with Lightning Ricochet. You definitely want Brutal Throw though, it's always good to eliminate stat dependency.
Thanks for the information. However, as opposed to taking the bloodclaw class, wouldn't it be easier to use oversized TWF to obtain 1x str modifier to all offhands?
My current build uses that feat with MWF, and at one point in development combined that with Double Hit and Robilar's Gambit to respond to each attack with 4 counter attacks. However, I couldn't fit those feats, AND shocktrooper/leap attack, AND precise/point blank shot into a single level 20.
What are your thoughts on the exotic weapon master? Wielding a 1 handed weapon in two hands to get 2x Str modifier? That could work with two one handed weapons.
Any idea on a the class that increases crit modifiers? It changes a 4x to a 7x modifier. I think it's in the 3.0 Dungeonxxxx book. I'm not even sure it's 3.0.
Lastly, any optimization ideas for the warblade itself? Favorite stance/maneuver combos?
My current build revolved around:
Time Stands Still (two full attack actions)
+ Wolf Pack tactic (the stance that lets you move 5' every time you hit)
+ Crushing blow (+1 attack per strike)
Sigh. I am a bit lost.
I would use a swift action to throw as a melee attack (which allows me to use the Power attack feat).
As a full round action I could use Time Stands Still to get two full attack actions.
With the stance that allows 5' movement between attacks I could move around the field throwing weapons mercilessly, in case my original target died.
With oversized two weapon fighting I wielded 4 tiger skull clubs (4x mod) because it qualified for melee weapon mastery: bludgeoning AND piercing (+4 attack/damage).
With Crushing blow, each time I struck my attack increased by 1 for the round.
However, after discussing this build with my friends there are some weaknesses-
1) I don't have the feat space for point blank, precise or far shot
2) I can do much more damage using 2 2-handed weapons rather than 4 1-handed weapons after calculating in epic damage reduction (which we are VERY likely to encounter every battle).
So I am trying to revise- would it help to post my current feat selection?
Any item suggestions?
However, as opposed to taking the bloodclaw class, wouldn't it be easier to use oversized TWF to obtain 1x str modifier to all offhands?
What are your thoughts on the exotic weapon master? Wielding a 1 handed weapon in two hands to get 2x Str modifier? That could work with two one handed weapons.
Any idea on a the class that increases crit modifiers? It changes a 4x to a 7x modifier. I think it's in the 3.0 Dungeonxxxx book. I'm not even sure it's 3.0.
Lastly, any optimization ideas for the warblade itself? Favorite stance/maneuver combos?
My current build revolved around:
Time Stands Still (two full attack actions)
+ Wolf Pack tactic (the stance that lets you move 5' every time you hit)
+ Crushing blow (+1 attack per strike)
Sigh. I am a bit lost.
Oversized TWF doesn't change the Str multiplier on the weapon, it just lets you wield a one handed weapon without additional penalties. It does allow you to use Power Attack for a 1:1 return on your off hand weapon though.
Exotic Weapon Master isn't bad, particularly since you can change around your Exotic Weapon with Weapon Aptitude. I'm not sure that it adds much to this build though-- two bastard swords deal 2d10+4*Str at a -2 penalty. Two kukri deal 4d4+4*Str at your full attack bonus (equivalent to a -1 penalty because of the loss of BAB.)
Crushing Blow + an obscene number of attacks is going to build up a pretty decent attack bonus. If you want to use that and Oversized TWF combined with Power Attack, you should be in a decent position. It's hard to go too wrong with the martial adept classes, put together a list of what sounds interesting to you at each level and then plan it out to make sure you can qualify for each maneuver.
For changing the critical modifier on a weapon, the only class I can think of with that ability is Deepwood Sniper in Masters of the Wild. That was only for bows though I believe. It is possible that Disciple of Dispater in the Book of Vile Darkness had something like that as well though.
Any comment on the resin that creates magical weapons with a 4x modifier?
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031014a
Also, I don't know how effective this would be, but 2 Sunblades + 2 Bastard swords just sounds like a lot of damage.
Can you afford to lose two levels of Warblade? If so, two levels of Totemist grants an extra pair of arms via the Totem bind of Girallon Arms.
He gets +2 LA for free. He's not losing anything other than another template or race.
Warblade 13/Bloodclaw 1/Bloodstorm 4/Fighter 1/ Master thrower 1
*Our campaign doesn't assess multi-class exp penalties
Race: Human
Template: Abherent Limbs
Weapons: 4 Masterwork Kukri's per my previous link
[INDENT]1d4 + Str (from bloodclaw) + Keen (4x crit multiplier)[/INDENT]
Feats:
Power Attack
Robilar's
Combat Reflex
Improved/Greater MWF (multi-hands)
Point Blank/Precise/Weapon Focus (master thrower prereq)
Stormguard
Adaptive Learner (plan to take Chameleon for level 20-30)
For my master thrower trick I have taken trip shot
Here's my approach:
Go Last
Use Robilar's Gambit
Sacrifice all AoO's to give me +4 Attack/Damage per swing
1) Open with Time Stands Still for two full round attacks
Stance: +1 attack/damage cumulative if I crit
4 arms x (4x) critting keen kukri's
Use my swift action for either:
a) White Raven tactics- give the healer 2 full round actions that turn?
b) Girallon's Fleshreaper Windmill
c) Thunderous Throw (treat all throws as Str Melee attacks (allowing power attack))
I will attack my main target 8 times out of 26 first round to get the +20d6 from Girallon's, and then send my kukri's out to trip people and add on additional +20d6's. Initially my damage will be quite small, however with Robilar's Gambit and Stormguard AND the stance I should quickly increase my damage output.
Any ideas/Suggestions?
Feats:
Power Attack
Use my swift action for either:
c) Thunderous Throw (treat all throws as Str Melee attacks (allowing power attack))
I will attack my main target 8 times out of 26 first round to get the +20d6 from Girallon's, and then send my kukri's out to trip people and add on additional +20d6's. Initially my damage will be quite small, however with Robilar's Gambit and Stormguard AND the stance I should quickly increase my damage output.
Any ideas/Suggestions?
Kukri are light weapons, so Power Attack isn't going to work with them. If you are having no problems hitting or need a few big hits rather than many smaller you will likely need to switch over to two greataxes temporarily while using Power Attack. (This isn't technically mentioned in the Bloodclaw Master ability, but it is still a Tiger Claw weapon and was likely ignored because the developers didn't think of TWFing with two-handed weapons. :P)
Off hand, I probably wouldn't allow an automatic +20d6 for Girrallon's if I were DMing either-- if you picked up another 8 attacks on a separate person, then probably, but not if you only tagged them once after doing it to the first guy.
Dual-Greataxes is fun. I'm doing it in a game wiht a greataxe and aptitude (tiger claw) armor spikes ... yay!
Just go Thrikreen, a +1 LA if you strip the Psionic powers away. 2d8 HP, and your set!. They have great stats boosts, 4 arms with claws, 5 attacks including bite. What is their NOT! to love?
The 2 racial HD can seriously crimp a number of builds. Note that I am a HUGE Thri-Keen fan... but they do have a few drawbacks.
@OP: Let me again recommend Stormguard Warrior. It will jack your damage up tremendously. And if you can, drop a level of warblade for Bloodclaw... an extra +2 to hit is worthwhile, especially if you're planning on a lot of power attack.
Couple responses, couple questions, and I need some feedback on a new build.
The 2 racial HD can seriously crimp a number of builds. Note that I am a HUGE Thri-Keen fan... but they do have a few drawbacks.
I can't afford to lose 2 levels to pay for hit dice.
Dual-Greataxes is fun. I'm doing it in a game wiht a greataxe and aptitude (tiger claw) armor spikes ... yay!
Awesome- my only concern is: 1) What is the base crit range?
Because I can have the weapon made of the resin that makes it a 4x. All I care about is: Can I crit often?
Which brings me to my next point-
There's two feats that make use of crit- one that allows an additional attack every time you crit with unarmed attacks, and one that allows one additional attack when you Threaten a crit with light maces.
How can I combine either of these with my current build of:
Warblade 14/ Class XXX?
Lastly, for Girralon's, I was anticipating hitting 3 people 8 times (24 hits) and 2 additional people 2 times (26 total).
Just a couple more questions, and some further information.
My character goal is to become an illithid Savante (Prestige class from Savage species).
Since I cannot afford the 15 level dip in the Illithid race, AND I can't afford the 5 levels needed for the half-illithid template I have asked my DM to allow me to enter the class via the use of the brain mate graft, a good character story, and 10 levels in chameleon (level 20-30).
However, I have been reconsidering my overall design...
Any suggestions on how to enter the Illithid Savante early? Is it worth simply taking a 5 level adjust for the half illithid template and going in directly?
My party role is the tank- what class(es) should I take prior to entering the Illithid class?
Next question- given the Improved Rapid strike feat (draconomicon) how would I best design the 4 armed creature above to make use of this feat?
1) Taking 1 level in Bloodclaw master gives me claw attacks (Imp Rapid Strike).
Can I make a full attack with my wielded weapons (Kukri's) AND full attack with my claws?
If I instead go unarmed strike and take something like: Warblade 13/Bloodclaw 1/Kensai 2/Monk-like classes 4:
can I make a full attack with both my claws and hands (claws from shifting)?
Will my +2 enhancement bonus from Kensai apply to both claws and unarmed strikes?
How can this be optimized?
Any suggestions for monk like classes? For maxmixing claw and or unarmed strike damage?
I have decided to skip chameleon- I will try and enter Illithid Savante at 21.
In the mean time I am revising the warblade so that I can get everything "tanky" I want before then.
Warblade 14/ ???? 6
Any suggestions?
4 arms
Level 20
150k to spend
Right now we have the Kukri wielding Warblade/Tigerclaw/Fighter Combo.
Any others?
There's a feat in Savage Species that allows me to do different things with each pair of arms as a "partial action". Thus I could make a full attack with one set of arms, while casting with another set in the same round-
Any suggestions on how to use this to my advantage?
There's a feat in Savage Species that allows me to do different things with each pair of arms as a "partial action". Thus I could make a full attack with one set of arms, while casting with another set in the same round-
Any suggestions on how to use this to my advantage?
Partial actions are a 3.0 rule that was eliminated in 3.5. There is no real equivalent to the term in 3.5, so you'll need to check with your DM on how he wants to handle that (or if he wants to).