Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zeltari_beyond Jan 01, 2010 20:34:47	I'd like a good bodyguard build for E6. Was thinking on something like Monk/Fighter/Swashbuckler but I'm somewhat undecided. What weapon? Kusari-gamas, Spiked Chain, some Glaivelike? Classes? I was considering Swashbuckler for the Int and Dex synergy. Race? I prefer to be human or some elf (perhaps Fire Elf?) Books? All 3.5, no Dragon magazines. Feats? Combat Reflexes, Hold the Line, Improved Trip, what more?
#2 phaedrusxy Jan 01, 2010 23:09:31	Ok, if you can convince your DM to add a couple of powers that make sense to two of the Ardent mantles, an Ardent/Crusader can make an awesome "bodyguard" and tank. You want to add Share Pain to the Guardian mantle, and Expansion to the Physical Power mantle. Both make perfect sense, and the online article talking about ardents suggests that DMs do this anyway, as the mantles are notoriously missing powers known at every level. If you can do that, this build should excel at this role: Human Crusader 4/Ardent 2 Progression: 1 Ardent 1 Practiced Manifester, Psicrystal Affinity 2 Crusader 1 3 Crusader 2 Combat Reflexes 4 Crusader 3 5 Ardent 2 6 Crusader 4 Martial Stance (Thicket of Blades) Other Feats to get later: Stone Power, Linked Power, Psionic Meditation, Stand Still, Extra Granted Manuever Mantles: Guardian, Freedom, Physical Power Powers: Vigor, Expansion*, Share Pain* Gear: Deep Crystal Guisarme, Steadfast Boots, Crown of the White Ravens (novice), Healing Belt (worn by psicrystal) Mantle Abilities: Guardian: Expend focus as immediate action to intercept a blow targeting an adjacent ally. You take damage instead of the ally. Freedom: +10' to movement when focuses. Expend focus for +ML to resist or escape a grapple. Physical Power: Expend focus to add +2 to Str, Con, or Dex for 1 round. Crusader Maneuvers (IL5, 6+1 known, 5 readied, 2 granted): Douse the Flames (WR1, Strike, Target cannot make attacks of opportunity for 1 round) Leading the Attack (WR1, if strike hits allies gain +4 morale to attack target till next turn) Charging Minotaur (SD1, manuever, charge attack bull rushes, does not provoke AoO) Stone Bones (SD1, strike, gain DR 5/adamantine if successful) Revitalizing Strike (DS3, 1 prereq, if strike successful, heal 3d6+IL to one ally w/in 10 ft) Vanguard Strike (DS1, Strike, Allies gain +4 bonus on attacks against target) White Raven Tactics (item granted)(WR3, boost, 1 swift action, 10 ft range, ally's initiative moved up to yours -1, can take a second turn) Stances Iron Guard's Glare (DS1 stance, enemies get -4 attack penalty) Leading the Charge (WR 1, stance, allies gain +1/IL damage on charges) Thicket of Blades (DS3, prereq 1 maneuver, all movement provokes, even 5' steps and tumbling) Use Share Pain to divert half the damage you take to your psicrystal, and then share a Vigor with it. This combo allows you to basically gain 10 temporary hit points per power point you burn on it. You'll also have Steely Resolve 10. So you should be extremely hard to kill via hit point damage even with minimal (1 round) buffing time. On top of that, you have manuevers, stances, and other psionic powers that make you an amazing bodyguard. The guardian mantle ability in particular is fantastic. You can trip, but you don't have Improved Trip. So it might not be exactly what you're looking for, but I think it should excel at playing the bodyguard role.
#3 phoenix00 Jan 02, 2010 10:08:08	Note cheesy options ahead but they are the best options Half Minotaur.  Str +12, Dex -2, Con +6, Int -2,Wis +2, Cha +0 Large Size, other goodies Loss due to 1 LA 25 point buy instead of 32.  The +12 in Str easily makes up for the loss 7 points.  From Dragon Magazine ------------------------------------------------ Meteor Hammer or Rope Dart From Dragon Magazine Exotic Weapon which gives you long reach which is 15ft reach.  Also since it is rope like it gains many spiked chain properties. ------------------------------------------------ You need Thicket of Blades thus at least 4 levels of Crusader Standstill is awesome.  You use Improved Trip or this.  If they are on the ground used the AoO that thicket of blades gives when they try to stand up to force them to standstill and not get up. Knockdown is awesome.  Do 10+ damage and you get a free Trip attack, succeed in the free trip and you get a free attack due to the Improved Trip feat.