A: General Part
Section 1: Q&A
Section 2: Glossary, abbreviations, sources
B: Specific Classes
Section 3: Barbarian
Section 4: Bard
Section 5: Cleric
Section 6: Druid
Section 7: Fighter
Section 8: Monk
Section 9: Paladin
Section 10: Psionic
Section 11: Psywarrior
Section 12: Ranger
Section 13: Rogue
Section 14: Sorcerer
Section 15: Soulknife
Section 16: Wilder
Section 17: Wizard
Section 18: other “base”-classes
Section 19: other Archetypes
Appendix 1: Linklist (Optimization Library)
3.0 Build FAQ
Take a look at what you can achieve within the
The 3.5 CO Board Thread of World Records !
Q: What is the purpose of this FAQ/Handbook?
A: The purpose of the Build FAQ/Handbook is to provide a source for standard builds and concepts used in the min/max board.
The FAQ/Handbook uses a linked concept with most of the builds being featured in threads outside of the FAQ/Handbook. A good number of these threads were especially created for this.
The information provided in this FAQ/Handbook is essentially the building blocks used in many of the builds found in this forum.
This FAQ/Handbook is a place to start if someone is new to the min/max boards or just to min/maxing in general.
Q: How does the Min/Max Build FAQ/Handbook differ from the Min/Max Board FAQ?
A: The Board FAQ deals with defining the concept of min/maxing and discusses board etiquette. It does not contain any information on specific builds. The Build FAQ/Handbook contains specific character builds as well as dealing with the concepts of min/maxing.
Q: What criteria are used to determine what builds and information make it into the Build FAQ/Handbook?
A: This is largely subjective but there are common themes that continue to reoccur on this board. Many times there is a baseline for a particular build that is almost always mentioned. There are also builds and combos that are “tried and true”.
There has been quite some discussion about the content of the FAQ/Handbook as well as what the definition of a FAQ/Handbook-worthy build is.
Go on and resurrect such a thread, make up your own one or post your ideas as a reply, this text is in no way considered perfect.
Q: I totally disagree with stuff written here, what should I do?
A: Its fine to write a constructive reply to this thread. You can also deal with it in the linked thread of the section or contact me personally.
Q: Why isn’t each class or PrC given its own section? Why isn’t such and such a PrC or build listed?
A: There is an own section for each core-class
Listing all PrCs out there takes nearly as much space as this FAQ/Handbook, see the link-section for an useful collection.
Q: What books are considered "standard" for the builds list in this FAQ/Handbook?
A: The core-books as well as the FRCS.
The listed builds use all official WotC-material including dragon-magazine.
There are builds concerning 3rd party material, but they will not be part of this FAQ/Handbook
Q: Why aren’t Epic level builds listed?
A: It's tough to give generalized guidelines for epic level builds. This FAQ/Handbook will be concerned with 20-level builds as this is a quasi-standard on the boards. Epic builds have a vastly increased number of options so they are not covered in this FAQ.
Q: What is the format used to describe builds?
A: Builds are listed in two formats:
Short: core-classes X/PrCs X where X is the number of levels. The order is unimportant, its mainly for overview.
Long: A 20-level list with this format:
Characterlevel level class classlevel feat (special ability)
A: Glossary
This glossary explains terms that are common on these boards and my be needed to understand this build-FAQ as well as postings on this board in general.
The glossary is maintained in a thread by stembolt here, for additions, critique etc use this thread please.
Its also the right point to ask if you dont understand a word and its not listed here, i will add it then.
Build
- A 20 level listing of core class and/or prestige class levels that defines a character's career path.
Character Optimization
– Min/Maxing. This term is more or less exclusive to the Wizards boards. By definition it is exactly the same as min/maxing. This name change has less to do with constituents of the min/max board searching for a new name and more to do with the hatred, prejudice and churlishness of outsiders.
Cleric Archer
– A popular build/concept based around a Cleric who uses Archery combined with Buff spells.
Dip/One-Level-Dip
– Taking only one or a few levels of a 10 level prestige class. This is because either those first few levels were the only ones worth taking or because you want to combine them with one or more other prestige classes.
Epic Ready
– This implies that a build is prepared for epic level progression. Either it has 20 levels of a base class or 10 levels of a prestige class.
Expiration date
- also departure point. The level of a class or PrC where the last real benefits are gained. Depending on goal and point of view it can be different.
Examples: Holy Liberator3, Fighter2 or 4, Ranger3, 6 or 11
Gish
– this is originally a term for Githyanki fighter mages. JospehKell introduced it with his Gish-thread and it is now used for mage/fighters in general
Min/Max
– To minimize a characters weaknesses and maximize their strengths.
Min/Maxers
– one who min/maxes
Monkey
- as in “(blank)-monkey” Trip-Monkey, Skill-Monkey, Trap-Monkey, Sneak-Attack-Monkey for example. Used to describe something devoted to its qualifier word. For example a trip-monkey wants to be a good tripper in exclusion of almost all else.
Junk level - A level of a class not worth taking in and of itself. eg. Fighter level 5 offers no saving throw increases, no Bonus Feat. There is no reason to take it unless you plan on taking Fighter level 6 as well.
Multiple Attribute Dependency [MAD]
– A class or build that depends on several ability scores.
Munchkin – Another term typically equated with min/maxing by outsiders. Munchkin usually means a cheater and is used almost exclusively as a derogatory term.
Payoff
- Payoff is the power you get for a level of a certain class or PrC.
Powergamer – A character or player who attempts to make the most powerful character possible. To outsiders they are essentially the same as min/maxers to min/maxers there are subtle differences.
Prefix
- The core-class component of a build, what you need to qualify for a certain PrC
Primary spellcaster
- Spellcaster with full casterlevels. Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard.
Secondary Spellcaster
- Spellcaster with few non-casterlevels or inferior spellprogression. Bard, Gish, Arcane Trickster, Nar Demonbinder etc.
Single Attribute Dependency [SAD]
– A class or build that only needs one stat at the expense of all other attributes.
Sub-optimal
- A poor-fitting game mechanics used in a build intended to achieve a certain structured or tactical objective. I.e. a Barbarian/Wizard build.
Suffix
- The PrC-component of a build, complement to prefix.
Synergy
- Effective multi-component builds that become even stronger when combined with similar & compatible mechanics.
A synergy-effect is, for example, when you take two PrCs with similar prerequisites.
Tertiary Spellcaster
- A build that has its focal point on something else but can cast spells nontheless. Templar, Hexblade, Paladin etc.
Threat, Triple or Quadruple
- A single build that comprises archetype components of 3 or 4 of the roles in protoypical Iconic-4 party.
[i]
Barbarians as a type are about reckless offensive, they don’t pay much attention to civilized warfare and often neglect their defence.
Barbarians as a class can be found here(SRD)
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Barbarians major strength?
A: Barbarians are the most offensive class in the game. Their major advantage is rage combined with fast movement, later on they do also gain uncanny dodge and damage reduction. With a d12 HD and the con-bonus from rage a Barbarian does normally feature the highest hit points in the group.
Q: What is the Barbarians Major Weaknesses?
A: A lower AC due to rage, the limitation on medium armor and the rare use of shields.
Another weak spot is the bad will-save
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Barbarians have less feats then fighters. It is not very smart to try to build a Barbarian with long feat-chains or to use feats with only small benefits like weapon focus.
Barbarians should use their higher strength to their advantage when it comes to tactical feats.
It is important to cover the weak spots, otherwise the partys damage dealer is suddenly on the wrong side, being dominated.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Barbarian in a multiclass build?
A: Depending on the usefulness of uncanny dodge its either the first or the second level.
Rage and fast movement are the major features of the Barbarian.
The number of rages can be easily increased by the Extra Rage feat that gives a first level Barbarian the equivalent number to a 8th level one.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is the Complete Warrior, it features important Barbarian PrCs like Bear Warrior or Frenzied Berserker
b. Other Sources are Masters of the Wild and Sword and Fist as long as they feature non-updated material. Unapproachable East features the Runescarred Berserk, Races of Faerun the Battlerager and the Warrior Skald, the Book of Exalted Deeds the Champion of Gwynharwyv
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Barbarians need high stats in their body-attributes while they normally neglect the mind attributes.
i. Strength is the primary source of damage for a Barbarian. Its also useful for special actions like trip, bullrush etc.
ii. Dexterity helps with the low AC
iii. Constitution is the major attribute of a Barbarian. It determinates the number of rounds a rage lasts and the sheer number of hit points a Barbarian can have surprises friend and foe alike
iv. Intelligence is normally a dump-stat. with 4 skill points/level distributed to only 9 class-skills a Barbarian does not really need extra skill points.
v. Wisdom helps to balance the Barbarians low will-save
vi. Charisma is normally a dump-stat
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat are always a good choice for a Barbarian.
All races with a bonus to con and/or strength, like (half-) Orcs, are also favored choices.
IV. Skills
Intimidate can be a very good skill for a Barbarian, especially if you use the variant rule that allows strength as a linked attribute instead of charisma if its all about showing muscles.
Its good to have a few points invested in survival, would be shameful if your wilderness warrior dies of hunger because there is no inn nearby.
Listen is a good choice, if you hear your enemy you can charge him, better then the other way round.
V. Feats
Power Attack and Cleave are the standard Barbarian feats.
A very strong choice are, if available, the lodge-feats from UE, like Wolf Berserker (in conjunction with improved trip) fo a tactical buld or Snow Tiger Berserker for a TWF-charger.
Shock Trooper and Combat Brute are two interesting tactical feats from CW, the first works well in conjunction with Elusive Target (if you have a high enough dex and int)
VI. Deity
Depends on your choice, Barbarians does not gain any benefits or disadvantages
C) Builds
Iconic Min/Max Build: (by Funny Slaughter)
human barbarian5/fighter2/bear warrior10/warshaper3
Bards are the jack of all trades.
While a core Bard can do many things but eventually none right you can specialize your Bard in quite some directions.
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Bards major strength?
A: Versatility. The Bard features a load of skillpoints in a variety of skills, a wide array of arcane spells with a few clerical ones mixed
into, bardic knowledge as well as bardic music.
Q: What are the Bards major weaknesses?
A: A Bard can do many things, but unless you pay special attention he is outshined by a class spezialized in this area.
Arcane spellcasting limits him to light armor (if armor is used at all) and his weapon proficiencies are limited.
A d6 HD does
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: A Bard is no frontliner, its a bad idea to work a build around melee-feats.
If you have a big group a Bard should play his versatility to the max, but in a small one a Bard should concentrate on one of his
strengths.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Bard in a multiclass build?
A: Depends on the build, there are no levels with overwhelming abilities. Normally you break when you reached the required
skillranks or spells.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is still Song and Silence
b. Other Sources are Miniatures Handbook with the Marshal core class, Races of Faerun with the Warrior Skald, Complete Warrior with the War Chanter and the Book of Exalted Deeds with the Troubadour of Stars.
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Bards need Cha for spellcasting, other then this they do not have a preferred attribute, depends on your build
i. Strength is only useful if your Bard is a secondary fighter
ii. Dexterity helps with the low AC and is important if you focus on ranged attacks.
iii. Constitution is an important attribute for any character. If your Bard avoids the frontline you dont need a very high score here
iv. Intelligence is important if you want to focus on skills. With the wide array of class-skills its hard to have too many skillpoints.
v. Wisdom is normally a dump-stat
vi. Charisma is needed for many skills as well as for spellcasting
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Bard.
Elves and their additional weapon proficiencies are also a good choice, as usual there is the right elven race for every subtype you may want to play.
IV. Skills
Depending on your party, most Bards favor the social skills like bluff, diplomacy, gather information and perform.
Use magic device does greatly increase a Bards versatility with magic while different knowledge-skills take care of skillpoints that are left over.
V. Feats
Disguise spell, lingering song, requiem and subsonics are all great feats if you want to concentrate on Bardic Music.
Words of creation is an exalted must-have, nymphs kiss is not bad either.
VI. Deity
Depends on your choice, Bards does not gain any benefits or disadvantages
C) Builds
none so far, follows
D) Links
Handbook: Bard Handbook
CaoSlayers Guide to the Bard (i do not agree to all he says and like yekojs better but up to you)
Pon Telons Spell Guide to the Bard
Builds: 3.5 Bard thread
Snow Savants Bard Spellcaster Builds
Further links can be found in the [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213480
] optimization Library[/url]
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Clerics major strength?
A: Divine casting is the major power while domain features and turn undead can be very useful, too.
Q: What is the Clerics major weakness?
A: Weakness?
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Choosing a domain that grants level-dependant benefits (strenght for example) and running for a PrC is not a smart move. Even with Clerics being able to compete at the frontline they mostly rely on buffs, not on feats. With a few exceptions its a smarter move to enhance the casting capabilities instead of mimicking a fighter.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Cleric in a multiclass build?
A: First level, obviously, as Clerics do not get anything beyond this.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Complete Divine
b. Other Sources are Defenders of the Faith, Complete Warrior, Book of Vile Darkness, Book of exalted Deeds, Faith and Pantheons and the Players Guide to Faerun
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Clerics need Wisdom for spellcasting. Con is important for hitpoints and if you want to turn undead or power your feats with turning you need at least some charisma.
i. Strength is needed if you want to melee. 13 at least for power attack
ii. Dexterity is a dump-stat as you wear heavy armor
iii. Constitution is an important attribute for any character. If you plan to make up a frontlining Cleric you should put your points here.
iv. Intelligence is not that important if you dont have a skill-heavy build in mind.
v. Wisdom is prime for spellcasting.
vi. Charisma is needed for turning and divine feats, otherwise it can be dumped
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Cleric.
Dwarves (especially gold) and their relation to heavy armors make a good move becoming clerics
Half-Ogres can dominate the battlefield if you plan on buffing spells.
IV. Skills
Knowledge(religion) and Spellcraft are the two primary skills, complemented by Concentration and Heal.
V. Feats
Divine Metamagic is one interesting new feat from Complete Divine.
Extend is a very useful feat, even with Persistant being nerfed into uselessness
Divine Feats like Divine Might can be interesting if you dont plan to use your turning attempts on undeads.
Reach spell is needed if your party wants you to be an walking healing machine and you dont want to wait for the Hierophant-ability.
The new Initiate-Feats from PGtF are worth a look, too.
(I see some new followers of Mystra and Bane coming up)
VI. Deity
Now, thats a difficult task.
As we are on the min/max board here we chose a deity for their available domains, of course.
A few good combinations:
Fharlanghn(luck, travel)
Kord(luck, strength)
Olidammara(luck, trickery)
in the realms:
Gond(knowledge, planning)
Grumbar(metal, time)
Haela Brightaxe(luck, war)
Labelas Enoreth(elf, time)
Mask(darkness, luck)
Mystra(rune, spell)
Sheverash(elf, war)
Tymora(luck, travel)
take a look here for further opinions.
C) Builds
The evil Leader, by Funny Slaughter (with special thanks to Balthanon)
Human Cleric of Bane 6/Bane of Infidels 2(MotW)/Dreadmaster 10(F&P)
(two levels to be added, waiting for complete divine)
Druids are the defenders of nature. They have mighty divine spells in their repertoire, call powerful companions on their side and wildshape themselves into strong forms to join combat.
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Druids major strength?
A: There are several. Divine casting is the major power, but wildshape as well as their animal companion can be very powerful as well.
Q: What is the Druids major weakness?
A: A Druid normally suffers from a low AC because of his limited proficiencies and the missing ability to carry armor while wildshaped. With only medium BAB and HD Druids should avoid the frontline until they have powerful wildshape-forms and buff-spells in their repertoire.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: I would say multiclassing is a serious error in many builds. Druids are best taken straight unless you want to focus on a special aspect, in most cases you lose all the others then so its a hard descision.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Druid in a multiclass build?
A: Druids have a well balanced list of features so its hard to say. If you need many levels for a PrC Druid 8th is a good point, you get wildshape (Large) which covers many things.
If you just want a few levels Druid 15 or 16 is a breakpoint with wildshape(huge) resp. wildshape(elemental)
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is still Masters of the Wild
b. Other Sources are Complete Warrior with Natures Warrior and Warshaper, Book of Vile Darkness with the Vermin Lord, Book of exalted Deeds with the Lion of Talisid Unapproachable East with the Talontar Blightlord, the Players Guide to Faerun with the Divine Disciple and Defenders of the Faith with the Hospitaler and the Contemplative.
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Druids need Wisdom for spellcasting. Con is important for hitpoints
(short note: its still under debate if hitpoints change while in wildshape, this text assumes that it is not the case)
i. Strength is a dumpstat, just look out for your carrying maximum. Wildshape takes care about it otherwise.
ii. Dexterity is altered by wildshape anyway so all you need is to survive until then.
iii. Constitution is an important attribute for any character. If you plan to make up a frontlining Druid you should put your points here.
iv. Intelligence is not that important. Druids have 13 classskills, decide yourself how many above 4 you need to have maxed.
v. Wisdom is prime for spellcasting.
vi. Charisma is normally a dump-stat.
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Druid.
Gnomes make up great Druids due to their good ability-adjustments. With wildshape being independant from size being small helps a Druid.
IV. Skills
Knowledge(nature) and spellcraft are the two primary skills, complemented by concentration, survival and spot.
V. Feats
Natural spell is the feat of choice for almost any Druid.
Spellfocus(conjuration) and Augment Summoning strengthen the summoning-skills,
Rashemi Elemental Summoning (Unapproachable East) adds a template to summoned elementals.
Vow of Poverty adds nice possibilities for a Druid while Exalted Wildshape and Exalted Companion power the good Druids. (all BoED)
Dragon Wildshape (draconomicon) is an interesting feat as well.
VI. Deity
As long as you dont plan to pick up a PrC like Divine Disciple or Contemplative the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
none so far, follows
D) Links
Handbook: [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165279
]The Druid Handbook[/url], the updated druids handbook (3.5)
Builds: The 3.5 Druid Thread
Further links can be found in the optimization Library
Also look into Druidic Spell Combos
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Fighters major strength?
A: Feats. Loads of feats.
The Fighter is the only class that can follow several feat-paths and specialize in many forms of combat at once.
Q: What is the Fighters major weakness?
A: The classic weak spot is the Fighters will-save.
Other weak spots depend on the type of Fighter.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Not using the feats in advantage.
A Fighter should get feats other can not take as easily.
Feat-chains like whirlwind attack or the tactical feats from CW are good examples for this.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Fighter in a multiclass build?
A: The second level gives you the most bang for the buck, two feats in two levels are a good addition for nearly any fighting build.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Complete Warrior followed by Sword and Fist.
b. Other Sources are:
As Fighters can achieve many goals nearly any sourcebook has ressources that can be valueable for certain Fighter-types.
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
As frontliners Fighters have strength and constitution as primary attributes.
i. Strength: Melee damage, dont save too much here
ii. Dexterity: Depending on armor-type
iii. Constitution: Most important
iv. Intelligence: 13 is needed for Expertise, otherwise dump-stat
v. Wisdom: dont be too grasping here or your will-save will suffer
vi. Charisma: normally a dump-stat
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Fighter.
Dwarves make up the Fighter-race if its all about tanking, nice ability-mods and full movement in full armor.
IV. Skills
skills?
V. Feats
Depending on the type of Fighter.
VI. Deity
As a Fighter the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
fighter20 by snow savant:
the gatling chain gun
Hu= Jotenbrud
01= EWP: Chain (Combat Expertise)
02= (Imp. Trip)
03= Combat Reflexes
04= (Weapon Finesse)
05=
06= TWF (Imp. TWF)
07=
08= (Dodge)
09= Karmic Strike
10= (Mobility)
11=
12= Side Step (Double Hit)
13=
14= (Greater TWF)
15= Deft Opportunist
16= (Spring Attack)
17=
18= Knock-Down (Power Attack)
19=
20= (Hold The Line)
D) Links
Handbook: none so far
Builds: Sword n Board Fighter Thread
The Complete Warrior Build Thread
Further links can be found in the [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213480
] optimization Library[/url]
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Monks major strength?
A: Monks are fast, they dont need weapons and they have many options in combat, may it with feats or with their su-abilities-
Q: What is the Monks major weakness?
A: Monks suffer from MAD, multiple attribute dependency. With Wisdom, Dex, Con and Str they have four important attributes, nothing a low pointbuy or bad rolls can fullfill.
AC is also often a problem
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Using a Monk as a tank is not a good idea.
Monks should also take feats that benefit their strengths, not classic fighter-feats.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Monk in a multiclass build?
A: With two bonus-feats and three worthy abilities the second level has the best payoff.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Oriental Adventures (if allowed) followed by Complete Warrior
b. Other Sources are:
Sword and Fist, Book of Exalted Deeds
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
As an intermediate class the Monk needs nearly all attributes as high as possible
i. Strength: Melee damage, dont save too much here
ii. Dexterity: As Monks do not wear armor most of their career Dex is important for AC
iii. Constitution: Always important
iv. Intelligence: depending on your skills int can be low
v. Wisdom: Main-stat for special attacks, adds on AC
vi. Charisma: normally a dump-stat
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Monk.
Large races like Half-Ogre or Minotaur or templated (Half-Minotaur from dragon) make up great Monks.
Dwarves, Half-Orks and Woodelves can also have good success in the class.
IV. Skills
Tumble is mandatory. Spot and Listen are always good, Hide/Move Silently or Diplomacy/Sense Motive depend on your focus.
V. Feats
Improved Natural Attack (MM)
Ability Focus (MM)
Pain Touch (CW)
In general you should improve the many built-in oprions of the Monk
Vow of Poverty: Monks can greatly benefit from this since they dont need armor or weapons to excel
VI. Deity
As a Monk the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
Tactician Monk by mean_liar
Final BAB: +15
Final Saves: +12
non-OA, non-FR build
Monk 20
Monk1 Improved Unarmed Strike*, Stunning Attack*, Ability Focus (Stunning Attack), Dodge
Monk2 Combat Reflexes*
Monk3 Mobility
Monk6 Spring Attack, Improved Trip*
Monk9 Pain Touch
Monk12 Rapid Stunning
Monk15 Expert Tactician
Monk18 Improved Natural Attack
Monk20 -
Notes: By remaining mobile, this Monk attempts to disrupt the battlefield. Capable of entering tough-to-reach areas, he can deliver a very effective Stunning Attack to an important foe. Ideally this build would be accompanied by a Rogue (or some other Sneak Attacker), though any melee combatant would be aided by a Stunned/Nauseated opponent.
Sacred Monk, by neonsamurai
01 sacred vow, vow of poverty*, nymph's kiss**, improved unarmed strike*, stunning fist*
02 ki-shout*, intuitive strike**
03 fists of iron
04 touch of golden ice**, ki strike (magic)
05
06 nimbus of light**, improved trip*, power attack
07
08 holy radiance**
09 sunder
10 sanctify ki strike**, ki strike (lawful), exalted strike (good)
11
12 stigmata**, eagle claw attack (empty hand mastery)
13
14 holy ki strike**
15 fist of the heavens
16 exalted spell resistance**,
ki strike (adamantine)
17
18 quell the profane**, resounding blow
19
20 gift of faith**
* : bonus feat
**: bonus exalted feat
BAB: +15
Saves: Fort +12 Ref +12 Will +12
This build is for everyone who wants to play the wandering monk type of character who is protected just by his faith and inner balance. You won't need magic items, you won't need to eat and later you don't even need to breath anymore.
The various armor and ability bonuses synergize well with the multi ability dependency that every monk has to deal with, which results in a very good AC, good saves and high save DCs for your stunning fist ability.
All this gets even better when you face evil foes. Then all your exalted feats kick in, and you benefit from an outstanding spell resistance (14+character level) awesome damage (see the table above) and an insane stunning fist save DC of 10+ half character level +WIS mod +2
D) Links
Handbook/Builds: Mean_liars Monk thread features both
Further links can be found in the [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213480
] optimization Library[/url]
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Paladins major strength?
A: Paladins are the archetypical holy Warriors. They get a lot of special abilitiesto strengthen this part.
Paladins normally have the best saving-throws due to divine grace.
Q: What is the Paladins major weakness?
A: The lack of feats makes it hard to compete with other frontliners in the tactical department.
They do also suffer from MAD (mutiple attribute dependency)
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Trying to be a Fighter. Paladins should use their built-in features to gain power.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Paladin in a multiclass build?
A: The fifth level is optimal as you qualify for many PrCs, get two smites at a serious bonus and nearly all special abilities like turn undead, divine grace etc.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Defenders of the Faith
b. Other Sources are:
FRCS, Players Guide to Faerun, Complete Warrior, Sword and Fist
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
As a frontliner the Paladin needs Strength and Constitution. Charisma is additionally needed for saving-throws and special abilities.
i. Strength: Melee damage, dont save too much here
ii. Dexterity: Depending on armor-type, normally low
iii. Constitution: Most important
iv. Intelligence: normally dump-stat
v. Wisdom: if you play straight pay attention to paladin spells, otherwise you can save here
vi. Charisma: Get it high, your saving throws are a real advantage
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Paladin.
Dwarves, especially Gold, make up a good Paladin-race if its all about tanking, nice ability-mods and full movement in full armor.
Gnomes can be surprisingly good Paladins if you want to focus on a mount you can use everywhere.
Aasimar can also be worth it if you want to pay some ECL
IV. Skills
Diplomacy. Ride if you are mounted, Sense Motive if nobody else features it.
V. Feats
Power Attack
Extra Smite
Divine Might
Divine Shield
Mounted Combat
Ride-By-Attack
Spirited Charge
VI. Deity
As a Paladin the choice of a god is not influencing your power. You are a fighter for your god so be careful with your choice nontheless
C) Builds
The Defender of Good, by Funny Slaughter
Gold Dwarf Paladin5/Fighter2/Dwarven Defender10/Fist of Raziel3
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Psions major strength?
A: Augmentation. With augmentation a Psion can create a very versatile power list to have a power for any given situation. This means none of your powers become obsolete, and your 1st level power can be augmented to a 9th level power in quality. Also due to augmentation, you can make it very hard for someone to resist even a 1st level power.
Q: What are the Psions major weaknesses?
A: Burn-out. Burn-out is when a psion runs out of power points to manifest powers. Unlike Arcane and divine casters power points are much easier to blow through, esspecially with augmentation. You will need to learn when to fully augment your powers and when you should conserve them.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Multiclassing too much. Every level in psion not only gives you a higher cap to augment, but the number of power points you get are much more important.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Psion in a multiclass build?
A: If multiclassing, good break off points are the odd levels. The odd levels are where you gain a higher teir of powers known.
Q: Isn't the Psion just a wanna-be sorcerer?
A: The differences in the classes are enormous. Psions are limited in power points, not spells per day. Psion powers continue to be augmentable, while the automatic scaling of spells is capped. Strategies is both classes can be quite different.
Q: Isn't the psion broken? What's to stop me from spending my 343 power points at level 20 into one power making my enemies take 343d6 damage?
A: This is the most common mistake to people new to psionics. The number of power points spent on any given power at a time cannot be higher than you manifester level. The only thing that increases a psion's manifester level is the feat overchannel. While this question is not pertinent to Optimization, it is common enough of a question to note here.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Current only WotC book published for 3.5 Psionics is the Expanded Psionics Handbook
b. Mind's Eye articles also have several psionic PrCs and powers released for Psions
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Psion need Int most importantly because their ability to manifest powers is based off of it.
i. Strength is a dump stat. Psions have relatively no use for str.
ii. Dexterity is a third priority stat. It can be your second priority stat if you use psionic rays or other ranged touch attacks though.
iii. Constitution is your second most desired stat. With a d4 hd, and a poor will save, it covers one of the class' more prominent weak points. It also increases the psion's most valuable skill, Concentration
iv. Intelligence is the most important stat to the psion because it's the stat tied to his manifesting ability
v. Wisdom is relatively weak stat for psions since they already have a strong will save. Seers might want to have a higher wisdom because of their class skills.
vi. Charisma is another dump stat for psions, unless one is a telepath and wishes to make use of the telepath class skills.
III. Race
Humans are good for the bonus feat and the extra skill is never unwelcome.
Elans are very nice for their racial abilities, although it may limit your use of quickened and swift actions.
Also if grey elves are allowed in your campaign +2 int can help in the power point department.
IV. Skills
Concentration is more important to a psion than any other skill he possesses. It not only allows him to manifest powers in adverse conditions, but allows him to maintain a psionic focus more reliably, not provoke attacks of opportunity, and manifest his powers without a display. Knowledge (psionics) and Psicraft are also logical choices for Psions.
It's worth noting that Psions have different class skills based on their discipline
V. Feats
Psions gain bonus feats like a wizard, but have the choice to not get their psicrystal (the psionic version of a familiar) One really doesn't need to get it, but currently the only way to hold an additional psionic focus is through getting it. The following feats are common among psions:
- Psicrystal affinity + Psicrystal Containment = Ability to hold 2 focii
- Psionic Meditation = Ability to gain psionic focus as a move action, which allows you to apply a metapsionic feat once per round.
- Overchannel + Talented = Increase your manifester level for further augmentation capability.
- Extend power costs no additional power points to double the duration of your power. For many powers such as Inertial armor, this basically comes free for you because you'd be in a non-combat situation while manifesting it due it's already long duration. It also doubles the duration of powers such as temporal acceleration.
- [thread=298304]Empower Power[/thread] is the best damage boosting metapsionic feat in a majority of cases.
- Expanded Knowledge = Learn powers from another discipline, or psychic warrior powers. You can also research them if you DM allows, at the cost of Experience instead of a feat.
VI. Deity
Choice in your Psion's Deity is merely flavorful and has no mechanical effects on your character.
C) Builds
There are two common builds for Psions
- Pure psion, 20 levels.
- Psion10/Illithid Slayer 10. This build has the loss of one manifester level taking the feat Track, and putting 8 cross class skills into Knowledge (dungeoneering) netting the profit of full BAB and a d8 hitdie for 10 level. This results in 15 BAB and 19 manifester levels.
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Psychic Warriors' major strength?
A: Psychic Warriors have access to psionic powers and bonus feats. Some powers mimic some highly sought specials like Evasion and others. Psychic Warriors have the bonus feats and powers to really take advantage of Psionic Focus for such feats as Greater Psionic Weapon (4d6 damage) and Deep Impact (conclude a melee attack as a touch attack). The new self-contained Augment abilities in powers reduces the value of some metapsionic feats (Metaphysical Weapon has an augment that increases the duration by 60 times!).
Q: What is the Psychic Warriors' major weakness?
A: The Psychic Warriors have always needed a reserve of power points, but that reliance has been reduced-a lot. You only need at least 1 power point to get into a psionic focus. However, to get into psionic focus is a DC 20 Concentration check (ouch!).
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Well this class hasn't been out all the long, but I imagine that the most common mistake will be similar to what people do when they try to make a cleric: relying on a half-dozen powers. While the Psychic Warrior seems to be a "faster" class than the Cleric, it still has to manage its power points. Another mistake might be trying to abuse the "Hustle + Psionic Meditation" combo with a feat like Greater Psionic Weapon, it costs 5 power points to use Hustle, and since Greater Psionic Weapon only applies to one attack (even if you miss). If either of those aren't the most common mistake that is made, then it will probably be trying to have the Psychic Warrior only use Psionic feats and powers.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Psychic Warrior in a multiclass build?
A: I really don't seem a good reason to multiclass the psychic warrior, with the exception of the Elocator, Illithid Slayer, and Pyrokineticist (but only for a few levels of the Pyro). The Psychic Warrior just looks so strong.
Q: But what about the War Mind? Wouldn't four levels of War Mind be great for the extra attack?
A: Well the War Mind is like a GIANT step back for the Psychic Warrior. Sure the Sweeping Strike that the War Mind gets at level 5 is great, but loss to manifester levels is just awful. As to the extra attack, it is level 20, AND that fourth iterative attack is never useful, if your enemies are so weak that you can hit them with your fourth attack (unless you use Deep Impact, but then you have to ask yourself why you didn't just take Great Cleave or use it with Greater Psionic Weapon and Power Attack).
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
- You need the Expanded Psionics Handbook (XPH) and the three 3.5 Core Rulebooks. In a surprising twist, just about any source that helps a Fighter helps a Psychic Warrior, so check out the Complete Warrior.
II. Ability Scores
- Overview
Psychic Warriors are a lot like Melee Clerics (except for the Charisma for Turning).
i. Strength is the primary source of consistant damage for the Psychic Warrior (face it, not every foe is worth expending your Psionic Focus for).
ii. Dexterity is a potential dump stat. Psychic Warriors are a lot like Paladins in that they will definately tank on armor, if not also a shield.
iii. Constitution is great for a Psychic Warrior just as it is great for a Fighter.
iv. Intelligence can also be a dump stat for Psychic Warriors, unless you plan to go Combat Expertise for Improved Trip. But a Dex higher than 14 is probably a waste.
v. Wisdom is the attribute for the powers of the Psychic Warrior; the higher your Wisdom, the most power points you get (and it is a HUGE deal).
vi. Charisma is normally a dump-stat. Sure some Psionic Races bases their once/day power DC on Charisma, but you might have to cut corners somewhere.
III. Race
- Half-Giants are crazy good for Psychic Warriors despite their +1 Level Adjustment. They get the ability to wield weapons a size category up without a penalty. They also get 2 bonus Power Points per day. They also get +2 Strength and +2 Constitution. Half-Giants may use Stomp once per day.
- Maenad are maybe the best +0 Level Adjustment race for Psychic Warriors. They get 2 bonus Power Points per day, Energy Ray 1/day, and Outburst (-2 Int, -2 Wis, +2 Str for 4 rounds once per day).
- Human... for once, humans aren't the best. As a human Psychic Warriro you will find yourself with a lot fewer power points: if you don't use a feat on Psionic Talent, you will only have your bonus power points at level 1 (and you might need that power point to get into Psionic Focus).
- Half-Orc has the same problem as the Human. The bonus to Strength is great.
- Concentration should be at the top of your list.
- All other skills are more useful, if not mandatory.
V. Feats
- Psionic Meditation reduces the actions required to reach Psionic Focus from Full-Round to Move Equivalent.
- Psionic Weapon is one of the key Feat Trees for the Psychic Warrior. Psionic Weapon is something akin to the Paladin's Smite Evil ability, only it is strong from the get go, and to increase it you can just take Greater Psionic Weapon.
- Power Attack used to be a prerequisite for Psionic Weapon, it isn't any longer, but it is still a useful feat and feat-tree. It is important to not put all of your feats and abilities behind your power points and Psionic Focus.
VI Deity
C) Iconic Psychic Warrior:
Maenad Psychic Warrior 20 (Starting: Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8)
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Rangers major strength?
A: Great skillpoints and skills as well as free fighting styles make the Ranger strong.
With favored enemies, animal companion and some spells the Ranger does also bear great versatility.
Q: What is the Rangers major weakness?
A: Limited to light armor and with a d8 HD Rangers are not the optimal frontliners. As for all fighter-classes the will-save is also a weak spot.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Trying to be a tank. Rangers should set on their skills and features, acting as secondary fighter at best.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Ranger in a multiclass build?
A: Most common is the 2nd, you gain the first combat style (TWF or RS) as well as track.
If you need Endurance a 3rd level may be worth it.
The 6th level gives an dropping point for a more straight build while there are only very little benefits gained after 11th, you will rarely see a Ranger-build with more then 11 levels.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Masters of the Wild
b. Other Sources are:
Book of Exalted Deeds, Complete Warrior, Silver Marches
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Depending on the chosen fighting style constitution and strength or dexterity are the most important
i. Strength: Melee damage, dont save too much here
ii. Dexterity: Should be high due to light armor
iii. Constitution: Most important
iv. Intelligence: normally dump-stat, depends on your plans with skills
v. Wisdom: if you play straight pay attention to Ranger spells, otherwise you can save here
vi. Charisma: dump-stat
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Ranger.
For every type of Ranger there is a special elf race, especially wood elves are a good choice.
IV. Skills
Survival, spot and listen are mandatory for a Ranger as a scout and tracker. Hide and move silently can help while ride and handle animal can be useful depending on the use of an animal companion.
V. Feats
Depending on the chosen weapon style.
Extra Favored Enemy is a good choice as it improves your old ones as well.
VI. Deity
As a Ranger the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
Iconic Build: follows
Tricked out build:
The casting Ranger, by Funny Slaughter
Ranger2/Favored soul5/Harper Paragon10/Windwalker3
used sources:
miniHB (Favored Soul will be in the upcoming Complete Divine, too), BoED, PGtF, F&P
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Rogues major strength?
A: Skillpoints, you cant get more as with Rogue.
Sneak Attack is also a very strong feature of the class.
Q: What is the Rogues major weakness?
A: Limited to light armor and with a d6 HD Rogues should avoid going toe-to-toe. They do also have a low fort-save while the will-save is taken care of by Slippery Mind.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Building a TWF-Rogue with the highest stat not in constitution. Trying to substitute a Fighter is also a bad idea as a Rogue.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Rogue in a multiclass build?
A: 3rd level gives you skillpoints, 2d6 sneak and evasion. You can also add another (4th) level without losing a point of BAB if you like to have uncanny dodge.
If you take more levels you can just as good take some extra more to get the special abilities.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Song and Silence
b. Other Sources are:
Book of Exalted Deeds, Players Guide to Faerun, Miniatures Handbook and Complete Warrior
II. Ability Scores
i. Strength: Melee damage, dont save too much here
ii. Dexterity: Should be high due to light armor
iii. Constitution: Most important
iv. Intelligence: You cant have enough skillpoint as a Rogue
v. Wisdom: dump-stat
vi. Charisma: important for quite some skills, otherwise dump-stat
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Rogue.
Halflings, especially Deep Halflings (MM), are the archetypical Rogue-race, with full right.
Dwarves can make surprisingly good Rogues, too
IV. Skills
Search, Tumble and Use Magic Device are mandatory, Hide and Move Silently, Disable Device and the social skills are no bad choice either.
V. Feats
The classic Rogue-feats are Expert Tactitian, Flick of the Wrist and Quicker then the Eye.
Either the TWF or Spring Attack is a good addition for every fighting Rogue.
THE feat for you:
Darkstalker (Lords of Madness, p. 179). take a look. it's golden!
VI. Deity
As a Rogue the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
follows
D) Links
Handbook: Rogue Handbook
Builds: 3.5 Rogue Thread
3.5 breaking and entering thread: all about the rogue
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Sorcerers major strength?
A: Spells, and many of them
Q: What is the Sorcerers major weakness?
A: Like Wizards Sorcerers with their d4 HD are fragile and due to ASF limited to bracers or special magic light armors (means low AC). An unprepared Sorcerer in melee is a very short phenomenon, he is either dead or escaped with a rescue-spell
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Its not common over here, but maybe you dont know it: There is not much as bad as taking Sorcerer straight. The Class offers nothing but familiar-progression, means any single PrC that advances casting is better.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Sorcerer in a multiclass build?
A: None, never multiclass, simple as that.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Toma and Blood
b. Other Sources are:
Book of Exalted Deeds, Defenders of the Faith, Complete Divine, Players Guide to Faerun, Complete Warrior, Draconomicon
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Charisma powers your casting, Con allows you to survive a lucky blow
i. Strength: You can carry your pouch? Should be sufficient
ii. Dexterity: Not too low, but your AC will suffer anyhow
iii. Constitution: Dont save here
iv. Intelligence: normally dump-stat, depends on your plans with skills
v. Wisdom: dump-stat
vi. Charisma: Wish you the best
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Sorcerer.
Aasimar are a valueable choice, while the ECL+1 is hard to take the charisma-bonus is nice and especially being an outsider is more then good when you start casting alter- and polymorph- self.
As for every class there is an own elf race, star elf in this case
Gnomes do also make up good casters, small size is more a benefit then a drawback and some extra con is always good.
Halflings have dex instead of con, but small is small
IV. Skills
Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana). If you need concentration you normally made something wrong, but good to have maybe.
V. Feats
Depending on the type of Sorcerer, see the builds for details.
Take care to qualify for a PrC
VI. Deity
As a Sorcerer the choice of a god is not influencing your power, except for those planning to take Arcane Disciple
C) Builds
The Arcane Summoner, by Funny Slaughter
human Sorcerer5/Mage of the Arcane Order4/Thaumaturgist5/Sacred Exorcist6
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Soulknives' major strength?
A: The Soulknife isn't power point dependant like the other Psionic Classes. The Soulknife also has a d10 hit die (which seems weird).
Q: What is the Soulknives' major weakness?
A: The Soulknife has no psionic powers, only 2 power points per day (plus any bonus points from race or Psionic Talent Feat), gains no bonus points for a high attribute, and can't benefit from the Expanded Knowledge feat (you can't take a power 1 level lower than your maximum power known when you have no powers known).
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Two-Weapon Fighting (if not going melee in general). Again, the XPH hasn't been out long, but just looking at it, the biggest mistake will be people using the Psychic Strike incorrectly. The next mistake will be the Multiple Throw (worthless, if you have multiple attacks, you are better off using a move action to do one ranged Psychic Strike).
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Soulknife in a multiclass build?
A: Level 5, as not only do you now have Free Draw to manifest the mindblade as a free action, you also get Sculpt Mindblade to make it into a Longsword or Bastard Sword. After 5th, 9th looks like a good place (Bladewind seems to allow you use make a single attack against all adjacent foes, so perhaps you could Psychic Strike a group of foes within reach). However it seems like a good idea to get out of Soulknife for a meleer.
Q: You say that for a Melee Soulknife you should get out at level 5, but what about a Ranged Soulknife?
A: While a Melee Soulknife will probably go Pyrokineticist or War Mind for his or her 6th level, the Ranged Soulknife has much to gain from remaining a Soulknife. One Ranged Attack per round with all that Psychic Strike damage is good (Psychic Strike has no maximum range), and Far Shot will double the Mindblade Range increment from 30 ft. to 60 ft.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
- You need the Expanded Psionics Handbook (XPH) and the three 3.5 Core Rulebooks. The Complete Warrior would be useful for a Soulknife as well.
II. Ability Scores
- Overview
Soulknives fall into two groups (Range and Melee), a Ranged Soulknife is a lot like a Rogue (in combat at least) and a Melee Soulknife is almost in a class of its own.
i. Strength is important for Melee Soulknives.
ii. Dexterity is a attribute in .
iii. Constitution is great for a Soulknife as it is for every other class.
iv. Intelligence can be a dump stat.
v. Wisdom is important for Will Saves, and it is a DC 20 Will Save to manifest a Mindblade in a Null Psionics zone, also Psychic Warriors and War Minds use Wisdom for powers (and bonus power points).
vi. Charisma is normally a dump-stat. Sure some Psionic Races bases their once/day power DC on Charisma, but you might have to cut corners somewhere.
III. Race
- Xephs might be the best race for the Soulknife (and not just because it is their Favored Class). +2 Dex, -2 Str, Darkvision, +1 Racial bonus to saves against Powers, Spells, and Spell-like abilities. Their Burst ability is better than the level 1 power. It lasts 3 rounds, and it gets higher.
- Humans could make good Soulknives for all the normal reasons.
- Halflings and Elves can too.
- Concentration should be at the top of your list.
- All other skills are more useful, if not mandatory. Treat the Soulknife a lot like a Rogue for combat, the loss of Bluff makes this a poor Assassin.
- Point Blank Shot Tree for the Ranged Soulknife.
- Dodge tree for Agile Soulknive meleers heading towards Spring Attack.
- Power Attack is useful for more direct Soulknives.
- Psionic Weapon/Shot isn't all that good because the Move Action you use to get into Psionic Focus (which also requires a feat) only gets you 2d6 damage when your Psychic Strike does about as much (or more) damage. The only real reason to take it is if you get Hustle from some source.
VI Deity
C) Iconic Soulknives:
i. Xeph Soulknife 20 (Ranged) (Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 8)
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Wizards major strength?
A: Versatility when it comes to spells. You can have a variety of spells known and researched. With Int as primary attribute you will also have quite some skillpoints, given a PrC that takes care of a good skilllist.
Q: What is the Wizards major weakness?
A: Like Sorcerers Wizards with their d4 HD are fragile and due to ASF limited to bracers or special magic light armors (means low AC). An unprepared Wizard in melee is a very short phenomenon, he is either dead or escaped with a rescue-spell
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: Loosing casterlevels in any way is, with little exceptions, really bad.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Wizard in a multiclass build?
A: None, never multiclass, simple as that.
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is Tome and Blood
b. Other Sources are:
Book of Exalted Deeds, Defenders of the Faith, Complete Divine, Players Guide to Faerun, Complete Warrior, Draconomicon
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Intelligence powers your casting, Con allows you to survive a lucky blow
i. Strength: You can carry your pouch? Should be sufficient
ii. Dexterity: Not too low, but your AC will suffer anyhow
iii. Constitution: Dont save here
iv. Intelligence: Roll well or buy at least a 16
v. Wisdom: dump-stat
vi. Charisma: do you want to be nice? or effective?
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Wizard.
Aasimar/Tiefling are valueable if you cast alter- and polymorph- self a lot, otherwise the lost casterlevel is not worth it.
As for every class there is an own elf race, high elf in this case
Gnomes do also make up good casters, small size is more a benefit then a drawback and some extra con is always good.
Halflings have dex instead of con, but small is small
IV. Skills
Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana). If you need concentration you normally made something wrong, but good to have maybe.
V. Feats
Depending on the type of Wizard, see the builds for details.
VI. Deity
As a Wizard the choice of a god is not influencing your power, except for those planning to take Arcane Disciple
C) Builds
The Master of Creation, by Funny Slaughter
Human Wizard 5/Harper Mage 2/Loremaster 3/Techsmith 10
As there are:
The Favored Soul (Miniatures Handbook)
The Healer (Miniatures Handbook)
The Hexblade (Complete Warrior)
The Marshal (Miniatures Handbook)
The Mystic (Dragonlance)
The Ninja (Rokugan) pdf
The Samurai (Complete Warrior)
The Scout (Complete Adventurer)
The Swashbuckler (Complete Warrior)
The Warlock (Complete Arcane)
The Warmage (Miniatures Handbook)
Favored Soul:
With all good saves and spontaneous divine casting the Favored Soul is a very interesting Cleric-variation. WF at 3rd and Energy Resistance at 5th make it a pretty good base if you like the concept of spontaneous casting.
The biggest weakness is the missing domain-access, it’s nearly mandatory to enter PrCs like Divine Disciple or Contemplative to get it or take PrCs like Windwalker that give access to more spells known.
After 5th there are only very few abilities gained so it is a good idea to choose a PrC.
Turn undead is also missing, Sacred Exorcist or other PrCs can bring this into the mix.
The Favored Soul is also dependant on cha and wis to cast spells, not a good choice when using low pointbuy or with bad stats rolled.
The Healer (Miniatures Handbook)
A crippled Cleric specialized on healing. I never saw anybody using this class so nothing to say here.
The Hexblade (Complete Warrior)
A try on a Fighter/Mage base-class
The Casting ability is too weak to be of any real primary use, but good BAB, HD and some interesting abilities like arcane resistance at 2nd and mettle at 3rd can feature a good base for non-good fightertypes, especially Blackguards.
In my opinion straight Hexblade is quite weak, the abilities and spells gained do not outweigh the abilities of other classes so I recommend taking a few levels only. See below in the Fighter/Mage Section for more possibilities.
The Marshal (Miniatures Handbook)
A very interesting choice for a cohort or a Bard.
The Marshal features minor and major auras that grant special abilities to his allies. Since there can only be one of each active at any time it is best to choose the ones you need and stay with a few levels only.
The 2nd level offers one of each for example while the 4th gives “grant move action 1/day” which can be very useful in special situations.
The Mystic (Dragonlance)
Similar to the Favored Soul the Mystic grants spontaneous divine casting.
The Mystic is not bound to a certain god but features a single domain that he adds to his spells known. Its casting is based on wisdom only.
Since the class gains no abilities of any kind its even more forced into a PrC
The Ninja
With full BAB and useful abilities on the first few levels this class makes a great dip for any fighting-possessed rogue or a mobility-fighter.
Especially the first four levels grant good things with Speed of Darkness (int to initiative), uncanny dodge 1 and 2d6 sneak attack.
Rogue16/Ninja4 or other variations are an interesting base-only build.
The Samurai (Complete Warrior)
Why does WotC feels the need to publish not only one but a whole bunch of Samurai? You get EWP(bastard sword) at 1st and a limited TWF at 2nd, Kiai Smite 1/day may be nice, too, but the rest does not feel very appealing to me.
The Scout
a crossbreed of Ranger and Rogue, offers the skirmish-ability which is kind of sneak attack only when you move. with 8 skillpints/lvl at least a consideration for a character that intends to move a lot in combat (like dervish)
The Swashbuckler (Complete Warrior)
A very interesting crossbreed of Rogue and Fighter the Swashbuckler offers a full bucket of unique and powerful abilities.
The most interesting is insightful strike at 3rd (int to damage), but weapon finesse at 1st is also a good feature if you planned to take it anyhow.
There are some quite good abilities at higher levels and I consider it a well-rounded class that fits its niche quite well with insightful strike being near to overpowered.
The Warlock (Complete Arcane)
A Class with fery vew "Spells" but an unlimited supply of these, also a very potent ray-attack and some good class abilities.
If your DM loves epic days and a wizard has to fight with his quarterstaff for 3/4 of the encounters you will be teh man
Advice and furter analysis can be found in the Warlock Handbook by Tealgorthian
The Warmage (Miniatures Handbook)
While offering a few interesting abilities the spell selection of this Sorcerer-variant is really limited to blasting stuff and many of the abilities can be mimicked by PrCs
This mysterious topic should deal with old (AD&D) multiclass options that are now realized via PrCs or other ways.
As there are:
The Wizard/Rogue
The Cleric/Rogue
The Cleric/Mage
The Fighter/Mage
The Wizard/Rogue:
In fact there is not much space left by the Arcane Trickster PrC
You can find a pretty good thread about the arcane trickster [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95288
]here[/url]
As a Wizard/Rogue your main-question is thus how to get into the Arcane Trickster as effective as possible.
The Cleric/Rogue:
This one is a bit harder to pull off since there is no special PrC dealing with it. There are certain rather specific PrCs like the Strifeleader (F&P) and some tricks to get into the “Arcane” Trickster like my own [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57321
]here[/url]
In general it is much easier to combine one of the rogues features, the skills, with a cleric then to let a cleric gain sneak attack or a rogue divine spells.
The best way here is to play a human with nymphs kiss and an high intelligence and a PrC that grants a high number of skillpoints as well as a good selection of class-skills. Access to a domain like trickery or feats like versatile do also help.
Example PrCs are Harper Paragon (PGtF), Windwalker, Techsmith (both F&P) or Darkmask (Lords of Darkness)
The Cleric/Mage
With 3.5 there is now a standard solution, the Mystic Theurge.
It is a hard thing to be three casterlevels behind in each class so you should have a clear idea of what you want to do and what not.
If you leave certain abusive builds like Wizard/Ur-Priest/MT/TN out of the game a Mystic Theurge is not a powerhouse, but if you want to play one you may be looking for something else anyhow.
The Fighter/Mage
This one is maybe the most interesting Archetype.
Take a look here:
[URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150451
]the Comprehensive Gish Thread[/url]
Comprehensive Build Thread: The 3.5 Gish
so long some ads:
Psycho Dave: "Hey are those the pictures from GEN CON?"
Deviant Boy: "Yeah. Take a look, there was quite the crop of booth babes this year."
Asenath: "I'll say."
Me: "Let me see."
Weasly Crusher: "Are the rumors of a second edition of Dungeons and Dragons true?"
Asenath: "Yes they are."
Psycho Dave: "Why? Why would they mess with perfection?"
Blobert Smith: "As long as I can still play an Anti-Paladin or an Assassin I will continue to greet each role playing experience with a lessened sense of ennui."
Me: "Great pictures Asenath but this one is kinda out of focus and it almost looks like you're... like you're... GREAT HASTUR'S GHOST!"
Weasly Crusher: "Is that...are they... is she...?"
[...] (note to self: not an adult board here)
Me: "What the Hell this?"
Asenath: "Sorry, don't how those got in there. Those are from our private collection."
Deviant Boy: "But they were taken at GEN CON."
Me: "Yeah well you two should keep that stuff to yourselves."
Asenath: "Sorry to have offended you- but I am especially proud of this picture here-"
Me: "MY EYES!!!!!"
Deviant Boy: "Oh come on we are adults here."
Psycho Dave: "Wait a second. If she's there... and he's over there... who's taking this picture?"
Asenath: "Well we ended up having a kind of
with someone who worked for White Wolf."do you want to know more?
read more about the tactics used in builds within this thread and on the boards in general:
the 3.5 tactics compendium
gs
Funny
Originally posted by Funny Slaughter
- The Arachnomancer features as another example of adding spells to your list of spells known, a single level grants great benefits
I may be mistaken, but I don't think you add the spider spells to the list of spells known (it may have an errata, but i've never seen one). I'll quickly quote part of the Spider Magic feature:
Underdark - FRCS Campaign Acessory
Spider Magic: (...) Spider magic spells are added to the character's class lists of available spells, so that he may choose them whenenver he has the opportunity to acquire new spells of the appropriate level. He does not automatically learn them (in the case of a spellcaster who keeps spellbooks) or know them (in the case of a spellcaster who does not keep spellbooks).
By the way, nice work on the FAQ. We were really needing one for the 3.5e. I hope you keep the good work!
fusion!
seems that i should point this fact to snow who is steady advising it, i wasnt doublechecking anything so i am somehow reliant on people over here to find errors.
gs
Funny
Either way, looks like you're off to a good start.
Edit:
Most of your links are broken. Remove the extra http. (They're all good now)
Originally posted by rich2939
Largest number of posts by the same person in a row... ever...
Either way, looks like you're off to a good start.
Edit:
Most of your links are broken. Remove the extra http.
I think Master of the Squirrels had a twenty-post once... it was over at the game boards... where the posts don't add to your total and the 1 post per minute limit isn't enforced.
!!
THAT IS WHY MY POST COUNT WENT DOWN! THEY DELETED THAT BOARD! *shudder in fury* Oh well... Better get back to pushing the rock uphill.
i used copy&paste of course and there was a space that sneaked into the url. vB interpreted this and inserted an http so it was double.
fixed it
gs
Funny
-EE
(check my link)
isnt intended for powergaming instead it is a guide for those who dont have a clue of what to do with a bard.
Dwarves can move normally in heavy armor, they have some good abilities and with con+2 and dex-2 some very tankish ability adjustments, together with the favoured class fighter this draws a path.
The core dwarf's penalty is to charisma, not dexterity.
I've never seen you start a sentence with a capital letter until now.
normally i dont write my posts with word :D
The core dwarf's penalty is to charisma, not dexterity.
core? whats this?
course you are right, will correct this right now
gs
Funny
My suggestion is to tackle things one section at a time. Pick each section (of Chris’s FAQ not your FAQ) and ask for input from the community. Then edit all that info into a coherent mass. You should also read the 3.0 FAQ, it will teach you a thing or two about Min/Maxing (and FAQ writing).
PS- You are violating the CoC accidentally. You have links to the “Min/Max Vault.” The Web site in question does not have the OGL agreement posted (at least I can’t find it) and it reproduces copyrighted material. For Example: Forgotten Realms information. Now I am not going to Narc on you, but sooner or later someone will see.
It's like saying: "Persistent Spell is now +6! Damn! It's so crappy!". If you own FRCS material you will understand it, but if you don't you will have no clue!
If you do not post it you are allowed to use any copyrighted material (including the SRD) through the normal course of fair use.
We get away with it here only because this is the wizards site and they have the option of editing any material, at their discretion, that violates copyright. And since they are the rights holder they are allowed to say “ok here you are allowed to say this much.”
Even on a website with the ogl you should still have a reasonable amount of leniency, but there are limits. By its very nature a min/max site will exceed those limits. Remember we are not, for example, talking about a fan eberron site. We are talking about a site that reproduces significant rules content.
I've checked out the website in question-- to clarify, if a website is linked to and goes against our CoC, the link is removed. I've had to do it a couple of times on this board (unfortunately) so it does happen.
With the Min/Max vault though, it looks like quite the fuzzy line. I admit I'm not too familiar with licensing information which I realize I should be because of the number of times this issue comes up. So I'm going to do my homework and do some investigative work and Funny Slaughter (and others) I encourage you to do it as well. My first look through the Vault though is that while there is some info there that is against the OGL, it seems to be minor enough to fall into the Fair Use act so for now it stays. I hope my investigative work supports that. (If anyone has an issue with that, feel free to email me or contact my lead, WizO Paradox)
But I don't want to bog the FAQ down with info like this-- if anyone would like to futher discuss the OGL/ d20 licensing, the d20 General board is the place for it. If you wanted to have a discussion, create a thread there and link to it in this thread so that people could join in if they wanted but didn't have to wade through it to see the FAQ on min/max builds.
Game on!
In short it needs a lot of work. You could basically cut and paste Chris’s original FAQ and have a much better FAQ.
feel free to contact me personally or post some backgrounded critizism here. i took chris' FAQ as a base, but if i continued his system it just wont fit onto this board. there are loads of builds, PrCs, books and other things that were published by the time.
chris7476 sent me the drafts of his FAQ and after some time i decided to use another system. using the 3.5-build threads and external handbooks etc. was a great way to include much more information without bloating the text too much imo.
Pick each section (of Chris’s FAQ not your FAQ)
the main descision was to use another format.
and in fact i used a good part of the old text 1:1
and ask for input from the community
that is basically what this thread is for, getting input.
In short it needs a lot of work
in short: it needed a lot of work and there is, i admit, some more work to do. i have some ideas to expand the FAQ further and to add stuff, but i just came back from my tournee in russia where i spend two weeks and had no time to put work into the FAQ.
while i appreciate your general opinion i think your criticism is far to general .
just start nitpicking, this is what the thread is for, info like "ah, all crap" is not very helpful as you, as a respected FAQ-writer, should intrinsically know.
feel free to contact me personally (not only stembolt, all of you) if you want something changed without big discussion here, i will then use my personal judgement.
or post some new ideas or changes over here and i will decide upon the position of the community.
gs
Funny
while i appreciate your general opinion i think your criticism is far to general .
just start nitpicking, this is what the thread is for, info like "ah, all crap" is not very helpful as you, as a respected FAQ-writer, should intrinsically know.
Perhaps I should have been clearer. I originally intended to offer specific criticism on your FAQ however upon reviewing it I realized that it basically needed a complete teardown. If you are lovestruck with your own format I think that could be salvaged. That’s about it.
As for input you need to specifically ask for help. That way you can collate things together. For example start with a race or class you like and ask for input. Take the best ten comments and the best two builds and post that, then go on to the next. Writing a FAQ is not a simple under taking, no one expects you to write it fast or right the first time. But it can be done and you can do it.
Not to be derogatory or anything but this FAQ is essentially useless. If you want help you need to ask for it. I don’t want to write the build FAQ I do not have the time, but I am willing to help you.
My final piece of advice is a FAQ is for Frequently asked questions, not comprehensive discussion. You may actually be better off going for a more classical Q&A approach. Just answer the basics and don’t worry about advanced stuff. If the question is not frequently asked it is not a FAQ question.
Anyway, I suggest anyone who wants to offer suggestions to check out the formats of other FAQ's-- there is a plethora of them. Not just the FAQ maintainer either, I'd suggest that anyone interested check them out to give Funny S. some good ideas.
Finally- stembolt, you are exactly right about FAQ standing for frequently asked questions-- and on that note, I'd also like to suggest that more then just Funny S. get involved in collecting these questions. As the FAQ maintainer, it is his responsiblity to make sure they are collected, but that doesn't mean that others couldn't help out. Start other threads asking for suggestions for what the FAQ are about bards or halflings etc. To be as comprehensive as possible, you need as many opinions as possible.
Originally posted by stembolt
Not to be derogatory or anything but this FAQ is essentially useless. If you want help you need to ask for it. I don’t want to write the build FAQ I do not have the time, but I am willing to help you.
I found this FAQ pretty useful. This is the only place links to more specific build FAQs are kept, for example the Druid Handbook.
My final piece of advice is a FAQ is for Frequently asked questions, not comprehensive discussion. You may actually be better off going for a more classical Q&A approach. Just answer the basics and don’t worry about advanced stuff. If the question is not frequently asked it is not a FAQ question.
Perhaps it's wrong to name it a FAQ. But simple rules questions don't belong on this board, it is all about comprehensive discussion. And this is a Build FAQ, not a general FAQ. Look at the different Handbooks. What is wrong with a general discussion of a class in this 3.5 FAQ, en then linking to a more detailed sub-FAQ like the Druid Handbook?
gs
Funny
i renamed the whole project to Handbook instead of FAQ. never spend big thoughts on the name, chris named his one FAQ and had no questions and answers, like me.
Well then If you don’t want to write a FAQ don’t. You can name any thread on this board anything you like.
What I am hearing from you is that you do not want to write a FAQ. That’s perfectly fine. It is the FAQs that are sticky.
Now there are a number of arguments that could be made about why to keep this thread here but I want you to think of something. What makes your thread any different from anybody else’s thread? Why are your ideas at the top? If you are going to drop the pretense of being a FAQ then I think you need to give up your position.
FAQs are not the site for originality. Ideally a FAQ is entirely composed of old ideas woven together.
Originally posted by stembolt
Well then If you don’t want to write a FAQ don’t. You can name any thread on this board anything you like.
What I am hearing from you is that you do not want to write a FAQ. That’s perfectly fine. It is the FAQs that are sticky.
Now there are a number of arguments that could be made about why to keep this thread here but I want you to think of something. What makes your thread any different from anybody else’s thread? Why are your ideas at the top? If you are going to drop the pretense of being a FAQ then I think you need to give up your position.
FAQs are not the site for originality. Ideally a FAQ is entirely composed of old ideas woven together.
Stem, from what I gather, you are envious that Funny Slaughter got the honor to write the 3.5 FAQ.
-Jonathan
What I am hearing from you is that you do not want to write a FAQ
where exactly is your problem?
you wrote the CO-board-FAQ and it is sticky.
the build-FAQ is for a totally different purpose and does in no way interfere with your work.
renaming it to handbook shows my tribute to you as the one and only FAQ-writer, but it does not lower the helpfulness of the text i wrote.
What makes your thread any different from anybody else’s thread?
the original idea was a collection of basic builds as well as a compilation of useful information, good for beginners to learn and be amazed as well as for regulars to review a bit of information they know in existance but dont have the exact place ready.
Why are your ideas at the top?
its simple: they are not my ideas.
one of the reasons the name FAQ is not totally wrong is that the text features standards.
min/max- or CO-standards that are the common way on this board.
there are many people over here that have great insight regarding the rules and many of these insights are collected within. some were included by me, some are linked and outside of the main text because that is the system i want to use.
as a member of this community i contributed some stuff like the rogue3/barb2/fighter2-combo but i wrote the 3.5 build FAQ/Handbook to collect not only my own ideas but the ones of all the people over here.
its simple: this text is a way to counter the bazillions of "i found it!"
people new to CO will find the basic principles of CO after a time. its disappointing if they find out that somebody else discovered it some time ago, but that way they can put their energies into something new.
I think you need to give up your position.
what position? i dont know what you are talking about.
jonathan says:
that Funny Slaughter got the honor to write the 3.5 FAQ.
ok, its cool to read my name on the top of the board.
but in fact i did not get any honor, i was the only one that wanted to invest the work.
chris7476 does not have the time to update his text so i took over. there are no hundreds of volunteers who want to invest some weeks to compile something like this, it was just me...
Ideally a FAQ is entirely composed of old ideas woven together.
i dont disagree here.
i took all the old ideas, there is nothing unproved and new in the text, its all been written on the boards.
what i do think is that you are mixing up facts with fluff.
i try hard but i just cand find concrete criticism or suggestions how to make things better.
stembolt, reread the stuff you wrote and try to be a bit more factual and helpful.
your opinion about this FAQ/Handbook was quite clear, time to make it better then.
i will try to make my text better, correct errors and improve all that is possible, but i wont retreat it just because mr. stembolt dislikes it out of reasons he does not want to share with the community.
gs
Funny
If you can provide specific points on what to change and what is wrong, i am sure Funny would be most appreciated to listen to your suggestions. But right now you're not more or less than a barking dog.
And people tend to ignore barking dogs, or beat them with a stick ;)
I looked at Uberling’s format for Yekoj’s Druid handbook which is probably the shining example of good formatting on this board. I’ll post this stuff here rather than send you my ideas directly so others can suggest things or use them at their discretion.
Uberling's Druid Handbook Format
I. Introduction
II. Sources
III. Ability Scores
IV. Race
V. Skills
VI. Feats
VII. Deity
VIII. Spontaneous Summoning
IX. Recommended Spells
X. Animal Companion
XI. Wildshape
XII. Equipment
XIII. Prestige Classes
I would suggest the following basic format for each Specific Classes post:
I. Introduction & FAQ
II. Sources
III. Ability Scores
IV. Race
V. Skills
VI. Feats
VII. Deity
VIII. Equipment
IX. Special Topics
X. Prestige Classes
XI. Iconic Min/Max Build
XII. Links
Or with more detail:
I. Introduction & FAQ
a. Class Description (This should encapsulate what it is that makes this class special, short paragraph)
b. FAQ
i. What is the X’s Major Strength? ( X = the particular class)
ii. What is the Xs Major Weaknesses?
iii. What some important things I should consider if I take this class?
iv. What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
v. Etc. (Continue with other vital and frequently asked questions)
II. Sources
a. Most Important Source (List THE definitive source book when comes this class and state a few reasons why this is so.)
b. Other Sources (List other good source books when comes this class and state a few brief reasons why this is so.)
III. Ability Scores
a. Overview
i. Strength
ii. Dexterity
iii. Constitution
iv. Intelligence
v. Wisdom
vi. Charisma
b. Summary
IV. Race
V. Skills
VI. Feats
VII. Deity
VIII. Equipment
IX. Special Topics (This sections can discuss pertinent abilities or other info, for example Bards songs and lore)
X. Prestige Classes
XI. Iconic Min/Max Build (Show one solid build that covers the basics of what makes this class what it is.)
XII. Links (You only need to list one of each of these the Optimization Library will cover the rest)
a. Handbook (List ONE good CO handbook that features class.)
b. Builds (List ONE good CO thread that features class builds.)
I see the point of being brief and to the point if someone else has already made a good handbook you may as well link to it. However, I think this thread should still have some of the basic info in sort of a greatest hits collection type thing. Just my 2 cents.
Me likey.
Important terms:
- Gish (I suggest just copying the excerpt I quoted from Dungeon #100)
- SA: Sure most of us know it means Sneak Attack, but... yeah
- Holy Lib: "You got to be kidding me... a Holy Librarian?" Yeah, "lib" is the computer abbreviation for "Library."
- Countless others.
-Jonathan
Stem, from what I gather, you are envious that Funny Slaughter got the honor to write the 3.5 FAQ.
I’ll just assume that this is a joke, and treat it as such.
The big problem with people understanding me is that they assume that I have a problem with the post personally. I do not have any issues with the post or the poster other than its poor quality. That’s it. So the real issues here are:
1) This is not a FAQ and only FAQs get to be stickied.
2) We (as a community) do need a FAQ to help with newbies and repeats
As for specific criticism my suggestion is to tear the FAQ down to a clean slate. Then start with “what is the point of this FAQ.” After that I see three sections: Questions, Builds and Glossary.
Brevity is key. You need to work your way down to as little as possible. You want key info only and as brief as possible. That being said your information needs to be meaningful. Simply posting a bunch of builds is useless unless you include the notes on why that build is useful.
My FAQ was over 10 pages at one point and I cut it down to just over 6. 6 pages is really big (honestly I think it is too big I am trying to figure out how to cut it down even more). That is a really big post to expect a newbie to read.
With all that in mind I would start looking for the top asked for builds and the top questions.
As for the glossary remember that this is not a general glossary. The only terms you need are the ones dedicated to the COB. For example “cleric archer” “level break” and so forth.
Let me give a simple example (note that I do not think this qualifies for the FAQ because it is not frequently asked).
Q: Are sorcerers always at a level disadvantage over wizards in picking up a PrC?
A: There is at least one case where wiz and Sor are evenly balanced. That is the case of the Eldritch Knight. To qualify for EK you need to be either a wiz5 or a Sor6. The thing is that for any given level of EK you are going to get +1BAB and a level of spellcasting. Wiz/Sor 6 gives exactly the same thing and a boost to all saves. Thus any EK wannabe is going to take wiz6 anyway. Therefore Wiz and Sor are evenly balanced.
My final word of advice: Ask for help! My FAQ was put together out of over a dozen question threads and it has less than a tenth the technical complexity of a build FAQ.
I. Introduction
II. Glossary
III. FAQ
IV. Builds
V. Appendix
Expanded out to the 1st degree:
I. Introduction
II. Glossary
III. FAQ
IV. Builds
___a. Fundamentals
___b. Advanced Topics
___c. Iconic Min/Max Build
___d. Links
V. Appendix
___a. Optimization Library
Expanded out to the 2nd and fullest degree:
I. Introduction
___a. What is this FAQ is for?
___b. What is this FAQ not for?
II. Glossary
III. FAQ
IV. Builds
___a. Fundamentals
______i. Introduction
______ii. Sources
______iii. Race
______iv. Skills
______v. Feats
______vi. Equipment
______vii. “Special Topics”
______viii. Common Mistakes
___b. Advanced Topics
______ix. Prestige Classes
______x. “Special Topics”
______xi. Advanced Build Theory
___c. Iconic Min/Max Build
___d. Links
V. Appendix
___a. Optimization Library
-Jonathan
I know Glossaries are traditionally put at the end of books, but I think it should be put before builds, as a list of builds tends to get long, and fully described ones can go on for-near-ever.
I agree that the glossary should go probably right after the introduction. Particularly since the builds/questions will be using some of this specialized lingo.
Given that I have not seen any action towards improving things by the original FAQs author I think it is time to get the adventuring party started.
It's been *extreme* common knowledge in this Forum by every regular CO contributor that Funny has been working on compiling and writing this FAQ for months. Your level of strategic criticism regarding the Build FAQ sounds as if its publishing, structure, content, & sticky-status has caught you by complete surprise. I would hope that you (being a long-time regular and contributor) had been involved in giving your input on your criticisms at some earlier juncture. There was even invites to a support mailing list to help get contributions and suggestions - which would have been a perfect forum for you to express your mass-scale criticisms and ideas prior to its publishing.
No matter what kind of FAQ gets official sticky-status here on any of the boards, it will never make 100% of all the people happy 100% of the time. Especially since there are no correct ways of building FAQ framework. I have minor niggling structure issues with both yours and Funny's FAQ's. But overall, I think both of them are fabulous works and deserving of their positions at the top of our forum's page.
Nobody around here gets paid to invest their free hours to compile these forum board FAQ's. And the fact that we have selfless volunteers that do so should be cheered and supported.
Stem, if you are still serious about pushing for a mass overhaul of the Build FAQ's architecture, I think it would be best you evangelize this initiative via PM (to Funny) or the private mailing list. Especially since at the moment, you are by yourself in regards to this mass-scale criticism. Public comments and suggestions for content revisions to the Build FAQ should still be posted in this thread. Also, making this entire Build FAQ "simpler" to read and absorb might not be worth it. Character Optimization (or Min/Maxing) in and of itself is a hybrid form of quantitive and qualitative analysis. At its most effective, it's not for D&D beginners. CO entails the manipulation of class component minutae, the esoterics of combinatorial mechanics, and comprehensive gaming material from every single legal sourcebook available. To make a simpler, more beginner oriented Build FAQ would entail a severe watering down of CO options and methodologies. Yekoj's Handbooks made this issue poignantly clear.
I don't want you to think I'm bashing on you, Stem. It's all constructive criticism. And so far we've got some great feedback from the Wiz_O's and the CO community in general on all the FAQ's.
XO,
Snow
take a look at it and say if you like it.
i am also collecting help for the psionics-section, got some from the psionics-board and am planning to open this section as well, eventually with the new format if you like it.
updating the whole thread will take some time, i will delete the section 3 and, given time, also section 4 (i want to include this one into the class-sections).
the barbarian-section used about three hours, but a good part of it was the build, was made after an old one, including new sources from CW
updated the bard-section as well, but did not include a build
oh, and btw, snow reminded me:
take a look here for the help i got from this board.
seems that there are some people who missed this...
gs
Funny
Nothing will change the quality of Funny Slaughters FAQ with the possible exception of changing the quality of the FAQ. When I started commenting on this thread I asked myself “is it worth it?” “Do I care enough about the quality of this boards build FAQ to care?” The answer was a yes.
So I said something, and said something and nothing. Then I took it to the next level. All of a sudden people (and by people I mean snow savant and funny slaughter) react “wait here’s what I was doing blah blah blah.” You know what I am no threat to you. I just want what you want, a good FAQ. Why are you so afraid to listen to what people have to say?
So work with me and I will work with you. As I was told by WizOs a few times “FAQs are intended to be collective works of the boards population, not solo projects.”
Obviously there is room for improvement but compare the value of information given in the barbarian and bard posts with the cleric post. They are concise and useful, an easy introduction and a good refresher course.
The barbarian build though is not really a frequent build.
And it has a number of problems. Rogue 1 can’t take EWP. Besides, why would you want it? Not to mention you took a level of rogue first in a barbarian build (a build featuring the barbarian has one level of barbarian). I would stick with tried and true builds in a build FAQ.
The Soulknife section is on its way and you can expect the Wilder and Psions to be close on its tail.
-Jonathan
Another mistake might be trying to abuse the "Hustle + Psionic Meditation" combo with a feat like Greater Psionic Weapon, it costs 5 power points to use Hustle, and since Greater Psionic Weapon only applies to one attack (even if you miss).
A build optimized around this (ie Furious Charge, Reckless offense, combat reflexes, karmic strike, Reckless Charge, offensive precognition and metaphysical weapon with overchannel, etc), need not worry about this that much. The first hit will often hit. Especially in conjunction with things like Greater Powerful Charge, Battlejump, and augmented Psionic Lions Charge, where it doesn't matter if you don't get the hit all the time.
Hustle for Egoist is 5pp.
Hustle for PW is 3pp.
I disagree with the comment about humans not being the best, mostly. Starting off with less power points (usually 2), is not that big a deal. If you plan on going power crazy at low levels, PW is not the class for you. The trade off extra feat is invaluable for so many builds, and the extra skill is always nice, especially when looking at some of the prereqs for some of the prc's. The loss of 2 pps over the course of your characters career is not a major loss in the grand scheme of things.
I'm not fond of maenads, but they make nice PW's even if it's only for 4 rounds.
Autohypnosis also should be at the top of the list. It's uses are many and invaluable. Search is bizarrely on the PW list as well.
Expanded Knowledge is practically mandatory for the power Schism, please include it. Any PW would be almost crazy not to take it.
OverChannel and Talented are monumental for PW's, I'm sure you know why.
My Guide has well over 30 builds included in it (actually around 40 or so), not including the 3.0 section. It is always growing,and doubles as both a handbook and build guide.
Your look on Soulknife is quite interesting. A lot of conclusions you drew are identical to what me and my play group have determined. I believe you forgot to include it's role as a harrying unit, which it is very effective at. Once mult-throw is rewritten it will be excellent I'm sure. I like most of your builds though.
Overall, great job, and I can't wait to see more. Hope I shed some positive light on the subject, and as always I am more than willing to help.
-Slayer.
Originally posted by WyvernSlayer
A build optimized around this (ie Furious Charge, Reckless offense, combat reflexes, karmic strike, Reckless Charge, offensive precognition and metaphysical weapon with overchannel, etc), need not worry about this that much. The first hit will often hit. Especially in conjunction with things like Greater Powerful Charge, Battlejump, and augmented Psionic Lions Charge, where it doesn't matter if you don't get the hit all the time.
I merely said that trying to abuse Hustle every round adds up.
Hustle for Egoist is 5pp.
Hustle for PW is 3pp.
I know, I mixed it up (I put it as a 2nd level power on the Psychic Warrior, but kept looking at the Egotist). Unfortunately I didn't notice it until after I started work on the Soulknife, by which point Funny Slaughter had already gotten my email.
I disagree with the comment about humans not being the best, mostly. Starting off with less power points (usually 2), is not that big a deal. If you plan on going power crazy at low levels, PW is not the class for you. The trade off extra feat is invaluable for so many builds, and the extra skill is always nice, especially when looking at some of the prereqs for some of the prc's. The loss of 2 pps over the course of your characters career is not a major loss in the grand scheme of things.
That is your opinion, and you are right that 2 pp over the entire character's life is so close to nothing, it might as well not exist, but at low levels it is. Metaphysical Weapon has a pp of 1 for its 10 min/level duration. And if you use your only pp (from a 14+ Wisdom), you suddenly can't get into Psionic Focus, and then you can't use your Psionic Weapon. I stand by my analysis that the additional starting power points are worth it.
I'm not fond of maenads, but they make nice PW's even if it's only for 4 rounds.
Which is why I said Maenads might be the best +0 LA race for the Psychic Warrior (that and the bonus power points, and the Energy Ray 1/day). Half-Giants are also great Psychic Warriors.
Autohypnosis also should be at the top of the list. It's uses are many and invaluable. Search is bizarrely on the PW list as well.
Autohypnosis is nice. And Search is on the list (when Handle Animal is absent).
Expanded Knowledge is practically mandatory for the power Schism, please include it. Any PW would be almost crazy not to take it.
Crazy? Schism is 4th level right? That means level 15th feat... Extend Power might be more useful... (Extended Animal Affinity to boost Strength and Constitution might be better)
OverChannel and Talented are monumental for PW's, I'm sure you know why.
I know why. Every character has to cut corners somewhere, and that is two more feats.
-Jonathan
P.S.: For the record, FS put my name on the FAQs that were made.
That is your opinion, and you are right that 2 pp over the entire character's life is so close to nothing, it might as well not exist, but at low levels it is.
I am squarely in WyvernSlayers corner here. The 2 pp are really only worth it if you are not planning on taking a psi class.
That being said the more important thing here is untested unreviewed material has no place in the FAQ. By the time something makes it into the FAQ it should be a matter of course (maximize caster levels, don’t take fighter 3 unless you plan to take fighter 4 and so forth).
Expanded Knowledge- Schism may come in at 14th level, but it is invaluable. Try it, you'll like it.
Overchannel and talented may not be mandatory for every PW build but their usefuleness is so strong they should not be left out. Period. Even if you only took Overchannel it pulls it's weight in gold. You may have to cut corners with some builds, but in a lot of straight PW builds it is something of a given.
I am sorry if the text of my prior message came off cold sounding (proably due to lack of smilies ;) ), but such is the nature of the beast when doing things online sometimes. Like I said before, hope I shed some positive light on the subject!
I think i can just add your proposals to jonathans text, there is no question about these feats being useful and arguing if they are mandatory or not is useless as it is up for everybody to decide himself.
All the XPH-classes are fairly new and i anticipate some new tricks or ideas that may not be found yet.
I will update the text accordingly, of course.
gs
Funny
Originally posted by WyvernSlayer
I am sorry if the text of my prior message came off cold sounding (proably due to lack of smilies.
I didn't notice, for I was (and am still) in a GRRRREE-AT mood when I read it. *Jonathan gets slapped with a trademark infringement case
However, at level 1, unless you have a Wisdom of 18 or an additional source of power points, you can't use a Power without bankrupting yourself (and preventing you from entering Psionic Focus), so I think that having 2 or more additional power points per day is a pretty nice thing. Yes it is nice to be able to take Power Attack, Cleave, and Psionic Weapon at level 1 (if not overkill...)... wait... that would be nice...
-Jonathan
I wasn't trying to argue, just share some insight. :D
Great work so far guys, keep it up!
(link in my sig)
Cheers.
Added some builds, still some missing.
I also included the abbreviations, reply to the approbiate (and linked) thread if you have additions.
If somebody feels like presenting a build in a section feel free to contact me via mail or PM
oh, and take a look at the new wizard- and cleric builds, took me all night to complete them.
annoying birds are starting to make noise outside, time to get some sleep.
happy gaming,
Q: What is the Clerics major weakness?
A: Weakness?
But seriously, FS awesome job!
Peace,
Necrosnoop
gs
Funny
Originally posted by Funny Slaughter
**********Section 9: Paladin**********
[scroll down a bit]
VI. Deity
As a Fighter the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
Looks like you missed something when copy-and-pasting.
Looks like you missed something when copy-and-pasting.
thx for pointing it out.
the deity-doesnt-influence-you-at-all was the most copied section ever in the FAQ i think
gs
Funny
Section 1: Q&A
Rating (a 10 point scale 10 being the best) 3 (I know that that is a bit high but I need the downward range to work with)
First Pass: After all these mistakes are fixed we can go down to the next layer.
Q: What is the purpose of this FAQ/Handbook?
First off it is not a FAQ/Handbook it is simply a FAQ. Only FAQs are allowed to be sticky (in this case) calling it a Handbook is wrong (a handbook carries connotations that should not be used in this case, for example completeness comprehensiveness etc.)
Q: What criteria are used to determine what builds and information make it into the Build FAQ/Handbook?
If you are being subjective then you should stop writing immediately but since you are a non native speaker I will assume for a second you do not understand the term subjective. In the sense that you are using it it means the comparison is entirely internal and mental with no exterior criteria. That is of course anathema to min/maxing.
What this should be is the Frequently Asked or Submitted objectively superior optimal information.
Incidentally you then also actually need to use that criteria.
Q: Why isn’t each class or PrC given its own section? Why isn’t such and such a PrC or build listed?
Should read more like “why wasn’t (blank) given its own section” A: space consideration and not being something frequently asked should figure into the answer.
Q: What books are considered "standard" for the builds list in this FAQ/Handbook?
Absolutely 100% unequivocally wrong. The FRCS is not considered a core book and if anyone is familiar with the min/max board they would know how widely suspect any FR information is. I would hazard that the majority of DMs do not use FRCS.
Interestingly this question is already covered in my FAQ.
Q: Why aren’t Epic level builds listed?
Why not “why is (blank) not listed?” A: does not fit the criteria for the COB Build FAQ.
Some of the questions are unneeded or irrelevant for example
Q: I totally disagree with stuff written here, what should I do?
If people have made it this far, I think they understand the concept of the message board and how they work.
A: Glossary
Rating: unrated
The glossary is wrong. See my glossary thread for details.
B: Abbreviations
Rating: 0
Unnecessary, this is a COB build FAQ not a DnD FAQ. You may want to include it for the sake of abbreviations you intend to use. I assure you this is unnecessary. Just use the complete word.
i am not so much into psions so i would like it better if somebody else writes it.
gs
Funny
If need be, I could write a section on Psions, but I doubt I would have much to put in it at the moment.
10(base)+ 6(Dex of 14-15 and 4pt dex buff + dex gloves)+ 2(ring of pro)+ 2(Shield)+ 6(darkleaf) +5 (bark) = 31ac
EDIT: Nevermind, Magical Training lets you cast arcane spells. I was sleepy :P
its 3am over here, too
gs
Funny
anyspell officially resolved
the new dweomerkeeper (see the recent web-enhancement to CD) just requires arcane and divine casting, as a divine caster you can get arcane casting via the feat "magical training" from PGtF
gs
Funny
At level 1 (20 dex, 4 ranks in hide, +4 size bonus, +4 racial bonus) I have a +17 to hide!!!!
Also: the link to Necroscoop's library is broken - others may be as well.
Just my two cents on the psywar section. Which was, btw, awesome.
-EE
Optimization Library
-EE
Uh, that link isn't working either.
(Qaetar)
When are they finally going to fix this?
When or if? I don't know if they will fix it. Perhaps people will just have to fix their own links?
The links are still accessible, but it's a bit of a hassle:
Copy shortcut:
http://www.wizards.com/leaving.asp?url=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=213480&origin=
Stick only this part in the adress bar:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=213480&origin=
(hmm... both links are working... weird
)When or if? I don't know if they will fix it. Perhaps people will just have to fix their own links?
The links are still accessible, but it's a bit of a hassle:
Copy shortcut:
http://www.wizards.com/leaving.asp?url=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=213480&origin=
Stick only this part in the adress bar:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=213480&origin=
(hmm... both links are working... weird
Okay now I figured out how to get to my twinky goodness. Thanks.
Aramil
atm i dont have much time for anything, most things (including my books) are packed, next month it will be better...
gs
Funny
As Favored Souls can't prepare spells...
[b]Favored Soul:
The biggest weakness is the missing domain-access, it’s nearly mandatory to enter PrCs like Divine Disciple or Contemplative to get it or take PrCs like Windwalker that give access to more spells known.
Problem with the Windwalker PrC - they have to prepare spells from the air/travel domains which are added to their divine spell list.
As Favored Souls can't prepare spells...
now you really shocked me.
maybe you have a different version, in my printing of F&P is this text:
"Spells: Ability to cast divine spells [...]"
absolutely no trace of preparing spells, so where exactly did you get your information?
edit:
i found it. i think its debateable, it says "prepare as they were on your domain-list". domain-spells are added to the spells known if you are a spontaneus caster and as a spontaneus divine caster did not exist with F&P printed i would say its fair to adjust this accordingly.
otherwise you could go by the RAW in the other direction and say "yay, my favored soul can prepare spells now"
gs
Funny
Also, the quote is 'A windwalker can prepare any spell from Air or Travel domain as if it were on her divine spell list' - not domain-list. Favored Souls can't prepare spells from their divine spell list. Your interpretation of what should be done makes sense, but that's not by the RAW.
i found it. i think its debateable, it says "prepare as they were on your domain-list". domain-spells are added to the spells known if you are a spontaneus caster and as a spontaneus divine caster did not exist with F&P printed i would say its fair to adjust this accordingly.
otherwise you could go by the RAW in the other direction and say "yay, my favored soul can prepare spells now"
gs
Funny
In CD, the pretext of the prestiege classes, page 20:
If the noncleric is a spontaneous caster like a sorcerer or favored soul, then she may select a domain spell to add to her spells known whenever she would have an option to choose a new known spell. A sorcerer does not get to exceed his normal limit of spells known.
12= Side Step (Double Hit)
13=
14= (Greater TWF)
15= Deft Opportunist
Isn't entirely legal - sidestep has a req of 8 ranks of tumble, which a pure fighter can only buy cross-class by level 13. I'd suggest you swap this for deft opportunist, making it:
12= Deft Opportunist (Double Hit)
13=
14= (Greater TWF)
15= Side Step
All nice and legal. :D
Now where does "double hit" come from, exactly? Is it a 3.0 edition feat? Or a third-party feat?
gs
Funny
Be a doubly-flawed human or strongheart halfling so you can access DM(Persist) at L1. If practical, have 18 CHA so you don't need Extra Turning; otherwise, just wait 'til level 3.
L1 feats: Magical Training, Extend Spell, Persistant Spell, Divine Metamagic(Persistant)
3: Extra Turning (below 18 CHA)/Initiate of Mystra (at least 18 CHA)
6: Initiate of Mystra (if you lack it)/Improved Initiative
Other feat suggestions are Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Magic Arms & Armor, and Divine Might.
-EE
The link to the Optimization Library is actually pointing to the Other Archtypes section when I click on it.
should be fixed
gs
Funny
FS: Does greater anyspell still go on the mantle of spells? 15-minute casting time to prepare a spell isn't really something to make spont, right? Personally, I like limited wish for that slot.
thats right, the idea was pre-initiate of mystra. now you get greater anyspell as a normal spell, before this it was cool to switch from 1/day (domain) to unlimited. i'll change according to your idea
gs
Funny
just to add, i updated the cheater of mystra build to be fully compliant with the errata
Actually.. isn't Divine Favor maxed at +3 and Righteous Might +4 str with DR reductions? I know it's not technically part of the build, but it's listed in the description as benefits.
The Cheater of Mystra, by Neonsamurai and Funny Slaughter
human Cleric of Mystra 5/ Dweomerkeeper 10/Divine Disciple 5
Dweomerkeeper is from the Complete Divine Web enhancement.
Divine Disciple is from Players Guide to Faerun
[code]
1 Cleric1 (Magic/Rune) Magical Training, Extend Spell
2 Cleric2
3 Cleric3 Persistant Spell
4 Cleric4
5 Cleric5
6 Dweomerkeeper1 Divine Metamagic(Persistant)
Is this build valid? A item creation feat is a prereq for Dweomerkeeper and despite the fact the Cleric has the Magic domain, I don't see how that qualifies as being an arcane caster. I could be wrong on that, but most the threads I have read suggest that using the magic domain does not qualify for arcane casting requirements of classes and prcs.
The Cheater of Mystra, by Neonsamurai and Funny Slaughter
human Cleric of Mystra 5/ Dweomerkeeper 10/Divine Disciple 5
Dweomerkeeper is from the Complete Divine Web enhancement.
Divine Disciple is from Players Guide to Faerun
[code]
1 Cleric1 (Magic/Rune) Magical Training, Extend Spell
2 Cleric2
3 Cleric3 Persistant Spell
4 Cleric4
5 Cleric5
6 Dweomerkeeper1 Divine Metamagic(Persistant)
Is this build valid? A item creation feat is a prereq for Dweomerkeeper and despite the fact the Cleric has the Magic domain, I don't see how that qualifies as being an arcane caster. I could be wrong on that, but most the threads I have read suggest that using the magic domain does not qualify for arcane casting requirements of classes and prcs.
The rune domain gives you scribe scroll (an item creation feat), and Magical Training gives you the ability to cast arcane spells...
olothfaern: exactemundo
gs
Funny
How the hell can a Cheater of Mystra polymorph into a Planetar?
I assume it's "Greater Anyspell" or "Miracle-- used to cast arcane spells"..
If you read polymorph carefully, which I didn't when I posted the question, you see that it says that you can change into a creature of the same type or the ones on the list in the spell.
When you reach 5th lvl as a divine disciple you are a native outsider. As an outsider you can polymorph into other outsiders. :D
-EE
I assume it's "Greater Anyspell" or "Miracle-- used to cast arcane spells"..
Nope, draconic polymorph from the Draconomicon. Clr 5, works like polymorph with some extras I don't care to look up right now as I have a sandwich to eat.
Nope, draconic polymorph from the Draconomicon. Clr 5, works like polymorph with some extras I don't care to look up right now as I have a sandwich to eat.
I think it's a wiz/sor spell only. It grants your form +8 Str, +4 Con, and +3 or so to natural armor.
Extend power costs no additional power points to double the duration of your power. For many powers such as Inertial armor, this basically comes free for you because you'd be in a non-combat situation while manifesting it due it's already long duration. It also doubles the duration of powers such as temporal acceleration.
Extend power DOES cost additional power points to use. I don't know where you got this......
Thanks!
Zeb
I think it's a wiz/sor spell only. It grants your form +8 Str, +4 Con, and +3 or so to natural armor.
Yeah, you're right. Anyspell it is then...
in the first post, the Section 18 and Section 19 links both goto the Section 19 post.
Wasnt sure if you were aware of that yet.
Enjoy!
Am I right in thinking that a Cheater of Mystra in an antimagic field cast by Him/Her self has always about a 50% chance of there spell falling. This is due to caster level check!
11 + Caster Lever Vs Caster Level + D20
Say you were 12 level, this would work out as:-
23(11 + 12) Vs 12 + (D20 roll) needing at least 11 to pass..
This tells me that your spells are slightly more likely of fall than succeed, and with my rolls even more likely. Or am I missing something?
Still, the chance of failure is pretty rough unless your character is at very high level or has other means of caster-level supplementation. To this effect, go through the list of CL-enhancing spells and items and work out what's necessary for your particular character and how to get those boosts active.
There are more details for this tactic, but I'm pretty certain they belong in the actual thread for the Cheater of Mystra or can be found lurking throughout the Twice-Betrayer thread, rather than in the general FAQ.
The new CO Spotlight articles will be linked in the second section in the list of sourcebooks
gs
Funny
**********Section 10: Psions**********
Psion10/Illithid Slayer 10. This build has the loss of one manifester level taking the feat Track, and putting 8 cross class skills into Knowledge (dungeoneering) netting the profit of full BAB and a d8 hitdie for 10 level.
Error on the skills: Psions get all knowledges as class skills, just like wizards. Thus, only 4 ranks would be needed.
gs
Funny
-EE
**********Section 6: Druid**********
Druids are the defenders of nature. They have mighty divine spells in their repertoire, call powerful companions on their side and wildshape themselves into strong forms to join combat.
A) Q&A:
Q: What is the Druids major strength?
A: There are several. Divine casting is the major power, but wildshape as well as their animal companion can be very powerful as well.
Q: What is the Druids major weakness?
A: A Druid normally suffers from a low AC because of his limited proficiencies and the missing ability to carry armor while wildshaped. With only medium BAB and HD Druids should avoid the frontline until they have powerful wildshape-forms and buff-spells in their repertoire.
Q: What are the most common Min/Max mistakes for this class?
A: I would say multiclassing is a serious error in many builds. Druids are best taken straight unless you want to focus on a special aspect, in most cases you lose all the others then so its a hard descision.
Q: What are good Break-Offs when using the Druid in a multiclass build?
A: Druids have a well balanced list of features so its hard to say. If you need many levels for a PrC Druid 8th is a good point, you get wildshape (Large) which covers many things.
If you just want a few levels Druid 15 or 16 is a breakpoint with wildshape(huge) resp. wildshape(elemental)
B) Techniques:
I. Sources
a. Most Important Source is still Masters of the Wild
b. Other Sources are Complete Warrior with Natures Warrior and Warshaper, Book of Vile Darkness with the Vermin Lord, Book of exalted Deeds with the Lion of Talisid Unapproachable East with the Talontar Blightlord, the Players Guide to Faerun with the Divine Disciple and Defenders of the Faith with the Hospitaler and the Contemplative.
II. Ability Scores
a. Overview
Druids need Wisdom for spellcasting. Con is important for hitpoints
(short note: its still under debate if hitpoints change while in wildshape, this text assumes that it is not the case)
i. Strength is a dumpstat, just look out for your carrying maximum. Wildshape takes care about it otherwise.
ii. Dexterity is altered by wildshape anyway so all you need is to survive until then.
iii. Constitution is an important attribute for any character. If you plan to make up a frontlining Druid you should put your points here.
iv. Intelligence is not that important. Druids have 13 classskills, decide yourself how many above 4 you need to have maxed.
v. Wisdom is prime for spellcasting.
vi. Charisma is normally a dump-stat.
III. Race
Humans and their extra feat and skillpoint are always a good choice for a Druid.
Gnomes make up great Druids due to their good ability-adjustments. With wildshape being independant from size being small helps a Druid.
IV. Skills
Knowledge(nature) and spellcraft are the two primary skills, complemented by concentration, survival and spot.
V. Feats
Natural spell is the feat of choice for almost any Druid.
Spellfocus(conjuration) and Augment Summoning strengthen the summoning-skills,
Rashemi Elemental Summoning (Unapproachable East) adds a template to summoned elementals.
Vow of Poverty adds nice possibilities for a Druid while Exalted Wildshape and Exalted Companion power the good Druids. (all BoED)
Dragon Wildshape (draconomicon) is an interesting feat as well.
VI. Deity
As long as you dont plan to pick up a PrC like Divine Disciple or Contemplative the choice of a god is not influencing your power.
C) Builds
none so far, follows
D) Links
Handbook: [URL=http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165279
]The Druid Handbook[/url], the updated druids handbook (3.5)
Builds: The 3.5 Druid Thread
Further links can be found in the optimization Library
Also look into Druidic Spell Combos
Is the optimization library still up? Seems to be down given the broken links towards it.