Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 werty Apr 12, 2008 18:24:48	I was hoping for some help with an Ardent Dilettante character I am hoping to play in an upcoming Sandstorm campaign. All party roles are filled reasonably well, so I am going for a real jack of all trades character. We are starting at level 8, so I need a playable character from that point on. I was thinking something intelligence based, perhaps with a intelligence boosting race (so far fire elf seems like a good bet). For classes I was thinking Factotum 3/Archivist 2/Ardent Dilettante 3+ Suggestions so far? I am open to input and have a DM who is keen on optimization but tends to house rule against things that are cheesy (but then overlook them if they are clever). All books are open but we tend to avoid setting specific books like Eberron of Forgotten Realms (unless it's really great).
#2 Dictum_Mortuum Apr 12, 2008 19:02:22	check this out, it may give you ideas: http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14947022&postcount=59 Generally, don't give up caster levels. It's bad.
#3 werty Apr 13, 2008 0:16:21	That's a good point. Cloistered Cleric is good for the build, I guess. I don't really want to need Wisdom, but I guess it nets me more skill points at the end of the day. Going Fire Elf still seems like a pretty good idea for the build. First, fire resist 5 makes being in a desert easy; second, it fits the RP of a planar character. Having the Able-Learner feat looks like a good reason to go human, though. Hmmm... I just recently played a character with the Persistent DMM cheese and, although it is silly sick (and we all like that) I was kind of hoping to go in a different direction this time. What about Cloistered Cleric 1/ Elf Wizard 4/ Ardent Dilettante 3+ ? Gets the nifty generalist stuff and doesn't lose too many CLs. Also we use domains to get EWP and the elf gives us the Martial profs. Suggestions?
#4 vicen_korel Apr 13, 2008 0:48:54	In CW there is a feat, Improved weapon familiarity or some such that would open up racial exotic weapons some if that's something you need. I don't have sandstorm so I'm not sure what all you are searching for.
#5 davidwl Apr 13, 2008 3:02:33	The 3 levels of Factotum will cripple your casting for quite a long time. I'd actually recommend a Chameleon build instead. Your casting will be just as strong, and you will have a significantly more flexible build. Look at some of the links in my sig. Best, David
#6 werty Apr 13, 2008 17:06:21	I'd actually recommend a Chameleon build instead. I've actually read through your links before. Really impressive stuff. I'd considered going Chameleon, but I can't think of a good build that sees 10 levels of AD. Suggestions?
#7 davidwl Apr 13, 2008 21:58:14	I've actually read through your links before. Really impressive stuff. I'd considered going Chameleon, but I can't think of a good build that sees 10 levels of AD. Suggestions? The problem is that it is framed as a full caster, but it loses 2 CL - one because of the increasing pre-reqs, and 1 because of the 1st level. Really, a caster build that doesn't need CLs and does need feats is what you'd probably need to look for. I'm imagining something like Sublime Chord (because then you wouldn't lose too much because of the -2 CL) or Shadowcraft mage (because that really takes advantage of the extra feats). Or perhaps both. Perhaps a Bard/Caster, who uses the bonus feats to buff bardic music? Just a few thoughts. Best, David