Advice Needed for 8th Level Tank - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Advice Needed for 8th Level Tank

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
runsuckerrun
Aug 07, 2009 18:00:15 Y'all,

I'm getting back into the game after a couple years away and need to build myself an 8th level character to join an existing game. The party is already reasonably balanced but a little light in melee combat ability so I'm going in with a tank. What I'm looking for are some suggestions for a starting tank build that will let me specialize/customize more once I learn the campaign and other characters.

Here are the parameters I'm working with:

The DM in the game is a sharp guy who will cut down one-trick-pony builds. I'll need decent attack/damage/save abilities along with a few different tricks.

Magic is expensive. We'll use the book prices but he likes to have all magic items made with "special ingredients" so it's not going to be easy to bling my way out of trouble for the most part.

The world in which we reside is neutral/evil and mostly populated with humans. No problems playing half-orcs or something a bit freakier. No good dieties are worshipped openly. The characters in the party are "neutral", but will lapse into evil to fit into the world.

Class dipping is encouraged and the DM pretty much allows anything from any book. I'm perfectly happy to trade one bonus for another. Was thinking about going for a level of tattoo'd monk for the three +2 save bonuses.

I would like to take several levels of dragon disciple (now or later). The world has a few evil dragons around who'll richly reward their human partners. So, getting a level or two with casting ability is needed.

I'll keep reading all the build threads for ideas, but anything you can add to kickstart my process would be helpful.

Thanks,

-RSR
#2
ninjarabbit
Aug 07, 2009 18:36:16 Hexblade4/paladin of tyranny4

Alternate Class Features:
Holy Warrior from Complete Champion, trade paladin spellcasting for feats
Dark Companion from PHB II

Feats:

1-Dreadful wrath if allowed, power attack
3-improved bullrush
6-shock trooper
Holy Warrior feat-divine might

Excellent saves and debuffing abilities with solid combat abilites
#3
felgoroth
Aug 07, 2009 20:09:37 Here's 2 pretty fun builds, the first is kind of a joke build just to make people mad but, it does allow you to add all your stats to your AC except Strength.
Human or Strongheart Halfling (before stat rolls) HAS TO BE CHAOTIC – Two Weapon
#4
Endarire
Aug 08, 2009 1:01:30 Locke Downe.
#5
tt30
Aug 08, 2009 6:43:11 Human
Barbarian1, Battle Sorcerer4(UA), Fighter1, Dragon Disciple2

Feats:
Human:Wolf Berserker(Unapproachable East page 45 or Combat Expertice if Faerun feats are not available)
Lvl1:Exotic Weapon Profiency:Spiked Chain
Lvl3:Improved Trip
Fighter1: Power Attack
Lvl6: Combat Reflexes,

Spells:
Lvl1:Enlarge
Lvl2:Wraith Strike

Trip everything and kill them with full power attack and wraith strike.
#6
nickresonance
Aug 08, 2009 11:13:09 If ToB is allowed, crusaders make for excellent tanks with the Devoted Spirit maneuvers/stances they have access to.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 runsuckerrun Aug 07, 2009 18:00:15	Y'all, I'm getting back into the game after a couple years away and need to build myself an 8th level character to join an existing game. The party is already reasonably balanced but a little light in melee combat ability so I'm going in with a tank. What I'm looking for are some suggestions for a starting tank build that will let me specialize/customize more once I learn the campaign and other characters. Here are the parameters I'm working with: The DM in the game is a sharp guy who will cut down one-trick-pony builds. I'll need decent attack/damage/save abilities along with a few different tricks. Magic is expensive. We'll use the book prices but he likes to have all magic items made with "special ingredients" so it's not going to be easy to bling my way out of trouble for the most part. The world in which we reside is neutral/evil and mostly populated with humans. No problems playing half-orcs or something a bit freakier. No good dieties are worshipped openly. The characters in the party are "neutral", but will lapse into evil to fit into the world. Class dipping is encouraged and the DM pretty much allows anything from any book. I'm perfectly happy to trade one bonus for another. Was thinking about going for a level of tattoo'd monk for the three +2 save bonuses. I would like to take several levels of dragon disciple (now or later). The world has a few evil dragons around who'll richly reward their human partners. So, getting a level or two with casting ability is needed. I'll keep reading all the build threads for ideas, but anything you can add to kickstart my process would be helpful. Thanks, -RSR
#2 ninjarabbit Aug 07, 2009 18:36:16	Hexblade4/paladin of tyranny4 Alternate Class Features: Holy Warrior from Complete Champion, trade paladin spellcasting for feats Dark Companion from PHB II Feats: 1-Dreadful wrath if allowed, power attack 3-improved bullrush 6-shock trooper Holy Warrior feat-divine might Excellent saves and debuffing abilities with solid combat abilites
#3 felgoroth Aug 07, 2009 20:09:37	Here's 2 pretty fun builds, the first is kind of a joke build just to make people mad but, it does allow you to add all your stats to your AC except Strength. Human or Strongheart Halfling (before stat rolls) HAS TO BE CHAOTIC – Two Weapon
#4 Endarire Aug 08, 2009 1:01:30	Locke Downe.
#5 tt30 Aug 08, 2009 6:43:11	Human Barbarian1, Battle Sorcerer4(UA), Fighter1, Dragon Disciple2 Feats: Human:Wolf Berserker(Unapproachable East page 45 or Combat Expertice if Faerun feats are not available) Lvl1:Exotic Weapon Profiency:Spiked Chain Lvl3:Improved Trip Fighter1: Power Attack Lvl6: Combat Reflexes, Spells: Lvl1:Enlarge Lvl2:Wraith Strike Trip everything and kill them with full power attack and wraith strike.
#6 nickresonance Aug 08, 2009 11:13:09	If ToB is allowed, crusaders make for excellent tanks with the Devoted Spirit maneuvers/stances they have access to.