Goals:
- Self-sufficient
- Has a fly speed (and uses it)
- shoots alot of arrows (obvious, no?)
- Has atleast a little utility outside of combat
Books Allowed:
Most all WotC books with the following exceptions:
- Unearthed Arcana
- Dragon magazine
- Incarnum
- Tome of Battle
Current Build:
Anthropomorphic Chordevoc (LA +1 bought off, Ranger favored class) Scout 10/Ranger 10
Stat roll: 4d6, reroll 1s and 2s; drop the lowest
Feats: Improved Skirmish, Swift Hunter, Plunging Shot, Rapid Shot, Point Blank Shot, Manyshot, Improved Rapid shot
The rest of the feats are pretty much open, but I don't know how much I like playing a generic Swift Hunter build.
I've never played anything but rogues and Druids, so this is somewhat new territory.
A soulbow build wouldn't be bad, but I'm not quite sure what would go into it. Meh, I can't really think of any creative builds.
Besides this everything goes. I know this is pretty limiting, but that's what my DM has given me. Let the brainstorming begin. :D
a) Mounted archer with flying mount
b) Fly spell (unlikely)
c) Wings with class ability
d) Wings with race
What do you want? Ranger with flying mount is plausable..
Thanks. :D
Edit: I've had a few ideas lately, besides the whole plunging shot idea. Would it be better to use something like a footbow, where I get more power per shot?
I should link your insolent butt to one of PI's replies about not being a McDonald's for builds.
Kidding. :P In all honesty, though, a base build shows good faith - that you've done the basic work all ready and are just asking for help (not for somebody else to build the character for you). It's a way of saying: "hey guys - give a brother a hand!" instead of "hey guys - I'm too lazy to make my own character - make it for me?"
:D Yeah, I understand what you mean. I'm not trying to sound helpless, but I've never tried building a ranged build before. If I had to choose, I'd want to play a Soulbow or.....
I've actually only seen two builds that haven't used the ToB: Swift Hunter and the Soulbow build from the previous thread.
Besides this, my race has been established (and confirmed by my DM, luckily) as the Anthro Chordevoc mentioned in said other thread. For those that missed it though, these are the stats: -2 Str, +2 Con, +6 Wis, -2 Cha
Small size
Awesome Looking Bird(Ex): Each creature within 60ft. of the Chordevoc that controls a "PC" must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or be dazzled by the awesomeness.
Blindsense 60ft.
Fly 30ft. Average
LA +1
Is weapons of legacy allowed?
Raptorans are ugly if you ask me... :D
And also, they don't get true flight until quite abit later than first level...I mean, what kind of optimizer would I be if I went for something balanced like the Raptorans? ;)
Do a Soulbow build with Thri Keen.
Thri Keen normally has 4 arms. Thus qualifies for multi weapon fighting. Has leadership and a warweaver ally. Warweaver casts at least 3 spells
Arms of Plenty (Lord of Madness): Gives you 2 extra arms/hands
Girallion's Blessing (Spell Compedium): Gives you 2 extra arms/hands
So you have 8 hands. Combine with the Splitting weapon enchantment on your arrows (through kensai, or some various other methods of getting that ability) and you will be doing a lot of arrows.
Assuming +9 BAB at level 12 we are talking about an attack routine like this
Primary Hand, 3 attacks (2 from bab, 1 from haste)
Hand 2, 2 attacks
Hand 3, 2 attacks
Hand 4, 2 attacks
Hand 5, 2 attacks
Hand 6, 2 attacks
Hand 7, 2 attacks
Hand 8, 2 attacks
total attacks=17. After Splitting that is 34 attacks.
While that's quite an impressive feat, I would prefer a race with a lower LA. 2HD and a +1 LA is kinda prohibiting, but that is definently the first build I've seen of that type. One question I have for this build though, is can you apply Kensai abilities to the mindbow?
Since you are probably gone for the night I will post my idea, and let others improve it.
Do a Soulbow build with Thri Keen.
Thri Keen normally has 4 arms. Thus qualifies for multi weapon fighting. Has leadership and a warweaver ally. Warweaver casts at least 3 spells
Arms of Plenty (Lord of Madness): Gives you 2 extra arms/hands
Girallion's Blessing (Spell Compedium): Gives you 2 extra arms/hands
So you have 8 hands. Combine with the Splitting weapon enchantment on your arrows (through kensai, or some various other methods of getting that ability) and you will be doing a lot of arrows.
Assuming +9 BAB at level 12 we are talking about an attack routine like this
Primary Hand, 3 attacks (2 from bab, 1 from haste)
Hand 2, 2 attacks
Hand 3, 2 attacks
Hand 4, 2 attacks
Hand 5, 2 attacks
Hand 6, 2 attacks
Hand 7, 2 attacks
Hand 8, 2 attacks
total attacks=17. After Splitting that is 34 attacks.
It takes 2 hands to use a bow, though I'm not sure of the foot bow? Please elaborate. Thanks.
Anthropomorphic Chordevoc(Tiny)
+1 LA
Fav Class: Ranger
+4 Dex
+2 Con
+6 Wis
-2 Cha
Fly 30'(average)
bonus Feat: Weapon Finnesse
thats Awesome.... i would suggest this:
Cloistered Cleric 1/ Soulknife 2/ Ranger 2/ Soulbow 8/ Cragtop Archer 3/ Pious Templar 1
:D
It takes 2 hands to use a bow, though I'm not sure of the foot bow? Please elaborate. Thanks.
Soulbow only needs 1 hand free to fire an arrow, this is unlike a normal bow. Thus each hand can fire mind arrows if you take twf or mwf.
this has the added benifit of helping for a Scouting/info gathering build:
Listen and Spot are Wis based.... so this build will be an Archery/Scouting machine:
Anthropomorphic Chordevoc
Cloistered Cleric 1/ Soulknife 2/ Ranger 2/ Soulbow 8/ Cragtop Archer 4
Domians:
Knowledge.... give up to get Knowledge Devotion feat
Elf............... Point Blank Shot
Time ........... Improved initiative
feats:
Wild Talent(bonus)
Weapon Focus(Mind Blade/Mind Arrow)(bonus)
Track(bonus)
Rapid Shot(bonus)
Zen Archery(bonus)
Far Shot(bonus)
Precise Shot(bonus)
Improved Rapid Shot(bonus)
Education
Improved Flight(average>Good)
Mountain Warrior
Improved Flight(good>Perfect)
TWF
Quick Reconoiter
Woodland Archer
nice fun character... who doesnt need much, but can add a lot to any situation... multi role, survivable,versatile..... even works with VOP
:D
About the one handed shooting, are you positive that the soulbow fires with one hand? If so, then that is a definent plus over just a regular footbow.
Lastly, an anthro Chordevoc is actually a small creature, since the template increases a tiny creature up one size (just like it did the bat or the owl)
Edit: I'm not sure if I've asked before, but can you apply a Kensai's abilities to a Soul weapon? If so, I'm gunna have to spend a little time fitting one or two levels of that into the build.
from Complete Psionic Excerpt,Soulbow (Chapter 2: Prestige Classes)
Mind Arrow (Su): As a free action, you can create a semisolid arrow composed of psychic energy distilled from your mind. If your base attack bonus is high enough to grant you multiple attacks, you can create multiple mind arrows as part of an attack. You must have one hand free to create and project a mind arrow.
The bolt is identical in all ways (except visually) to an arrow shot from a composite longbow. For instance, a Medium soulbow materializes an arrow that speeds toward the specified target, and if it hits, deals 1d8 points of damage (crit x3) plus extra damage equal to the soulbow's Wisdom modifier. Soulbows who are smaller or larger than Medium create mind arrows identical to arrows shot from composite longbows appropriate for their size, with a corresponding change to the arrow's damage (see Table 7-4 and Table 7-5 in the Player's Handbook). You gain the usual benefit to your attack roll from a high Dexterity bonus.
Whether a mind arrow hits or misses, it dissipates 1 round after being shot. A mind arrow is considered a magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
A mind arrow can be charged with a psychic strike as if it were a mind blade. If a soulbow has enough soulknife levels to have the knife to the soul ability, that ability also applies to her mind arrows.
You can use feats such as Point Blank Shot or Precise Shot in conjunction with a mind arrow (see bonus feats provided by the class for further guidance). You can also choose mind arrow for feats requiring a specific weapon choice, such as Weapon Specialization. Powers or spells that upgrade weapons can be used on a mind blade. Any feats previously requiring specific weapon choice (such as Weapon Specialization) for your mind blade also apply to your mind arrow, if applicable.
Your mind arrows improve as you gain higher levels. At 3rd level, a mind arrow gains a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls, and at 7th level the bonus improves to +2. These enhancement bonuses stack with previous enhancement bonuses gained earlier for your soulknife class levels. Likewise, these enhancement bonuses also improve your soulknife base attack bonus. If your return to your soulknife class progression, these mind arrow enhancement bonuses on attack and damage are cumulative bonuses on top of any new enhancement bonuses gained, and they benefit both your mind blade and mind arrows.
Even in places where psionic effects do not normally function (such as within a null psionics field), you can attempt to attack foes with mind arrows by making a DC 20 Will save. On a successful save, you can freely produce mind arrows for a number of rounds equal to your class level before you need to check again. On an unsuccessful attempt, you must wait 1 round before trying again while you remain within the psionics-negating effect.
forgot about the size increas with the template .... still Small is good for this... as it helps with Attack, AC, hide bonus
for this build Kensai is not very useful, Cragtop Archer is far better.... the Kensai should be able to apply his abilities to the Soulknife/Soulbow... but it is a gray area, some DMs dont allow it...
:D
Until later,
~Cy
If anyone has any ideas (besides a basic bat) then I am definently interested...
Edit: Just noticed that the Elysian Thrush is a magical beast...darn...
Pixie 3(buy off +1 LA)/ Cloistered Cleric 1/ Soulknife 2/ Ranger 2/ Soulbow 8/ Cragtop Archer 4
Domians:
Knowledge.... give up to get Knowledge Devotion feat
Elf............... Point Blank Shot
Time ........... Improved initiative
feats:
Dodge(bonus)
Weapon Finnesse(bonus)
Wild Talent(bonus)
Weapon Focus(Mind Blade/Mind Arrow)(bonus)
Track(bonus)
Rapid Shot(bonus)
Zen Archery(bonus)
Far Shot(bonus)
Precise Shot(bonus)
Improved Rapid Shot(bonus)
Education
Improved Flight(good>Perfect)
Mountain Warrior
TWF
Quick Reconoiter
Woodland Archer
Attributes: (pixie Racial= -4 Str,+8 Dex,+6 Int,+4 Wis,+6 Cha)
assuming 32 point buy:
10 Str(14-4)
22 Dex(14+8)
10 Con(10)
14 Int(8+6)
26 Wis(18+ 4+4 levels)
14 Cha(8+6)
without any items.... Add +4 Inherent(tome) Wis and +6 items to Dex,Wis,Con
will have 36 Wis.... Huge bonus to hit and damage and Spot and Listen
will have SR, DR10/cold iron, Greater Invisibliity
:D
Pixies as Characters
A pixie character exchanges its 1 HD of fey for its first class level.
Pixie characters possess the following racial traits.
–4 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +6 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +6 Charisma.
Small size. +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, –4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits 3/4 those of Medium characters.
A pixie’s base land speed is 20 feet. It also has a fly speed of 60 feet (good).
Low-light vision.
Skills: Pixies have a +2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks.
Racial Feats: A pixie receives Dodge and Weapon Finnesse as bonus feats.
+1 natural armor bonus.
Special Attacks (see above): Spell-Like Abilities: Caster level 8th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
1/day - lesser confusion (DC 14), dancing lights, detect chaos, detect good, detect evil, detect law, detect thoughts (DC 15), dispel magic, entangle (DC 14), permanent image (DC 19; visual and auditory elements only)
Special Qualities (see above): Damage reduction 10/cold iron, greater invisibility, spell resistance equal to 15 + class levels.
Automatic Languages: Common, Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnome, Halfling.
Favored Class: Sorcerer.
Level adjustment +4
but if you dont like that... try this:
Pseudodragon(2 HD +3 LA)
Cloistered Cleric 1/ Soulknife 2/ Ranger 2/ Soulbow 8/ Cragtop Archer 2
Pseudodragon
Tiny Dragon, Level Adjustment: +3
2 HD(d12)
Abilities: -4 Str, +4 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Wis
Speed: 15 ft. (3 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
+4 natural Armor
immunity to sleep and paralysis
darkvision 60 ft
low-light vision
spell resistance 19
Bonus Feat: Weapon Finesse
A pseudodragon has a body about 1 foot long, with a 2-foot tail. It weights about 7 pounds.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 14, initial damage sleep for 1 minute, secondary damage sleep for 1d3 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +2 racial bonus.
Blindsense (Ex): A pseudodragon can locate creatures within 60 feet by nonvisual means (mostly hearing and scent, but also by noticing vibration and other environmental clues). Opponents the pseudodragon can’t actually see still have total concealment against the pseudodragon.
Telepathy (Su): Pseudodragons can communicate telepathically with creatures that speak Common or Sylvan, provided they are within 60 feet.
Skills: Pseudodragons have a chameleonlike ability that grants them a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. *In forests or overgrown areas, this bonus improves to +8.
2 HD(d12)
Abilities: -4 Str, +4 Dex, +2 Con, +2 Wis
Speed: 15 ft. (3 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
+4 natural Armor
immunity to sleep and paralysis
darkvision 60 ft
low-light vision
spell resistance 19
Bonus Feat: Weapon Finesse
A pseudodragon has a body about 1 foot long, with a 2-foot tail. It weights about 7 pounds.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 14, initial damage sleep for 1 minute, secondary damage sleep for 1d3 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +2 racial bonus.
Blindsense (Ex): A pseudodragon can locate creatures within 60 feet by nonvisual means (mostly hearing and scent, but also by noticing vibration and other environmental clues). Opponents the pseudodragon can’t actually see still have total concealment against the pseudodragon.
Telepathy (Su): Pseudodragons can communicate telepathically with creatures that speak Common or Sylvan, provided they are within 60 feet.
Skills: Pseudodragons have a chameleonlike ability that grants them a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. *In forests or overgrown areas, this bonus improves to +8.
While the imagery is great, and if our party had a sorcer-.....you know what....our party ranger is soon to be a ranger/sorcerer...
Thanks Carnivore, now you've done it ~sarcasm....
Seriously though, I hadn't realized pixies were small creatures, I had always thought them tiny sized, hence the comment about d4s. Also, if my thoughts are correct, the poison scales with your Con...so...it would be a lot better than the DC 14 that's listed.
If our party wasn't at lvl 4 right now though...I would completely go for a pseudodragon character....
Hmm....then I remember monster classes.....and after that I also remember that I would have a maximum of 34 hp at 5th level.
/ramblings
Edit: Is the base DC for poisons 11, or is there some other source that the DC comes from other than Con and racial bonus, as from what I can tell the dragon would only have a Con of 12, plus the racial modifier of +2, making the end result DC 13.
Poison (Ex): Poison attacks deal initial damage, such as ability damage (see page 305) or some other effect, to the opponent on a failed Fortitude save. Unless otherwise noted, another saving throw is required 1 minute later (regardless of the first save’s result) to avoid secondary damage. A creature’s descriptive text provides the details.
A creature with a poison attack is immune to its own poison and the poison of others of its kind.
The Fortitude save DC against a poison attack is equal to 10 + 1/2 poisoning creature’s racial HD + poisoning creature’s Con modifier (the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
A successful save avoids (negates) the damage.
Also see Poison under Special Abilities.
thus the higher your Con is the better your DC for poison.... but Class levels do not help boost the DC, they supply HD from Classes not Racial HD
:D