Current party is reasonably well optimized, containing a Anthropomorphic T-Rex Fighter/Barbarian/War Hulk knock-backer and a Human Swift Hunter. They are level 10.
My biggest problem is that most optimized builds I see seem to be one-trick sorts, that set up a powerful combination of abilities and repeatedly use a devastating tactic or two to fulfill a single role very well. I would like to either fulfill multiple roles that are not present, or fill a broad role with multiple tactics... or both.
I'm not coming here completely empty-handed, however. My first instinct is to try a Psion, using a good array of offensive and utility powers. Egoist with Metamorphosis or Shaper with Astral Construct and other fun toys would be interesting. Egoist would get me the very nice Autohypnosis, which is never a bad thing. I've also heard interesting things about Factotum, but I would really need to research how to play one of those.
I would like to avoid prepared casters if possible, but if it turns out the best option for this is one, I can try it out. Last bit... No Druid, no way. I've played far too many of them, lately. :P
Just my thoughts I'm prolly just dumb though...
my first impression is that your party doesn't have any healer. if you don't mind playing a walking bandaid then role the healer class from Miniatures hand book I think. Take leadership and enturoge (I have no idea how to spell it, it's the one that gives you an extra cohort.) and maybe wild cohort so you can be an extra party all to your self.
Just my thoughts I'm prolly just dumb though...
Don't do this.
This thread is for you.
As to the OP, I'd say a wizard with a lot of control would be good in this situation, but if you don't want to play a prepared caster... A sorcerer could sub for wizard, I suppose, but your versatility would suffer. I like the idea of a psion, but as both of your party members will just be tossing out the damage, I'd shift your focus away from damage powers, perhaps taking just a few.
An artificer or cleric is also a very solid all-around character, but again, both of those have prepared spells... :/
Leadership sounds like a VERY good choice here, bringing your party up to 4. Make the cohort an artificer to make you all belts of healing and other assorted magic items. Or a wizard who prepares only utility spells so you don't really have to run him in combat.
Conjurer/Master Specialist/Recaster perhaps with Abrupt Jaunt and God-archetype spell-casting. You have a BSF and a glass-cannon already. I don't know much about Recaster, but I've read about it and it seems pretty nice. Take any other prestige class if you like after Master Specialist. If Faerun classes are open, Incantatrix of course.
I've been tinkering with a Factotum/Something/Iaijutsu Master build, but as you say, we already have the damage dealing department covered.
Leadership for an Artificer cohort sounds like a beautiful thing, and I could avoid having to worry about bringing him on adventures by having a stronghold somewhere for him to hang out and do his crafting. Definitely an option. I really don't relish the idea of actually playing two characters at once in combat.
So let me if I can wiggle this around a bit.
Lesser Tiefling (for bonus to Int and Dex, my GM might let me get away with a normal Tiefling and use LA buy-off, in which case Alter Self/Polymorph gets even sweeter)
Conjurer 2/MS 3/Incantatrix 5
Feats:
-Flaw) Noncombatant (who needs melee attacks, eh?)
+Flaw) Spell Focus: Conjuration
*1) Scribe Scroll
1) Extend Spell
*3) Skill Focus: Spellcraft
3) Kung-Fu Genius (because that Monk's belt is so tasty)
*5) Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
*6) Persistent Spell
6) Leadership
*9) (A metamagic feat)
9) (No idea)
Using the one magical location from Complete Scoundrel to obtain Iron Will prerequisite.
My choice of Metamagic might be way off, but I've heard a lot of nice things about Persistent Spell for free, and 3+Int Mod per day... yeah.
Human would probably be better (it usually is), but I like odd races. Eventually plan to go into Archmage after I get enough of Incantatrix.
I'll look for the God Wizard thread and see what joy I can glean from it. This is starting to sound like a reasonable idea, almost.
Would squeezing a level of Mindbender in there be worthwhile, maybe?
But for a differant build there was an award winning Biguiler/Swordsage/ Jade Phenix Mage(sp?) that was a triple threat Gish that looked fun.
Seriously consider going wizard5 for Spontaneous Divination. You can convert any wizard spell into a divination spell of the appropriate level. By the RAW, these spells needn't be in your book!
By RAW they don't even need to be wizard spells.
Another option would be a DMM Persistant Cleric, which allows you to easily be a tank and healer. Persistant Vigorous Circle lets you play healer without actually having to spend time being a heal bot, and Persistant Rightous Wrath of the Faithful makes you an awesome melee, while also pumping that T-Rex up.
JaronK