Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 oatsmalone May 03, 2008 10:12:20	While the OP boards are not my usual fare, I have come to ye sages for assistance on this. While I normally don't worry about optimizing the things I play beyond my own humble means (I find that's typically enough, and I prefer to be the most ridiculous member of the party out of combat, not in it), a friend of mine is running a game in which he has asked us to, explicitly, power game the ever-loving **** out of our characters. It's a martial, no-magic campaign (although there will be enhanced, +X weaponry and armor, just no additional effects), but that means no casters. That said, I've decided to play a Wood Elf Crusader. We're starting at level 5. He's allowing us to use level buyoff if we have level adjustment (almost everyone but me does, since it's all of a 3000 xp cut to play a Goliath, etc.), though I'd be open to picking up something that fits the build (I'm sure there's things). We rolled stats (4d6, drop lowest, reroll ones, hello sweet babies). The stats I wound up with were (with boost to Con at lvl 4): Str 19 Dex 10 Con 18 Int 15 Wis 8 Cha 17 Ridiculous, I know. Considering that it's a no-magic game, I figured that I'd run into few Will saves, and so didn't mind trashing Wisdom. Fear effects are the only thing I can think of that might come up, and that will typically result in shaken (annoying, but doable) since my HD will hopefully be enough to avoid being frightened by, say, frightful presence. Do you think that's a fair assortment, or will I be better served with other allocation of stats? (Once again, I've been told to munch the hell out of this guy). Now, before I knew that we were *supposed* to munch, I allocated skills and feats. I maxed out Balance, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (history) and Ride. I picked up Goad and Devoted Bulwark, which are sub-optimal, of course, but I think I might hang on to Goad since I just kind of like it, and the crusader can easily fit it in his turn, considering most strikes are standard actions, and Goading is a move. Of course, if there are better ideas (which I'm sure there are), I am willing to change that, too. I picked up the Martial Spirit and Iron Guard's Glare stances. 1st Level Maneuvers: Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike, Douse the Flames, Leading the Attack 2nd Level Maneuvers: Tactical Strike, Foehammer 3rd Level Maneuvers: Revitalizing Strike Once again, not the best, but I have no experience with Crusaders. Fill me with your wisdom, Lords of OP. Now then, this character is intended to be the ultra-tank of the party (he has 61 hp, randomly rolled, at level five). How can I optimize this fellow to crack out the tank role? I mean, beyond what a Crusader already does. Also in the party: Feral Shifter Swordsage/Bloodclaw Master, Dark (Tome of Magic?) Xeph (not certain of class) speed demon & precision damage, Human Ranger/Scout, and Goliath Knight/Marshal (maybe).
#2 davethemagicweasel May 03, 2008 20:57:50	I'd suggest you start with the link in my sig. (also, the Crusader section has a link to T_G's diary of playing a low-level Elf Crusader)