Dwarf Crossbow specialist. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Dwarf Crossbow specialist.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mahatma87
Jan 13, 2009 5:32:53 I'm entering a campaign at level 2 and there is no healer in the group, so I have to do that for now. I've had a look at healing classes and chose cloistered cleric for the skill points and it fits in with the character background. The character is a crossbow specialist, inventor and craftsman who is trying to invent a repeating great crossbow for mass production for the Dwarf military. He's not much use in melee and I've chosen flaws to reflect this. I'm not sure if the DM will agree with the flaws but they do hamper me as they make me crap in melee and I only get d6 hit points from each level of cloistered cleric.

Stats are 18,16,14,14,11 and 10.

STR: 10
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 14
WIS: 16
CHA: 9

Flaws: Two from non-combatant (-2 to melee attack rolls), vulnerable (-1 to AC) and pathetic (-2 to an attribute which will be strength or charisma).

C/Cleric 1: Exotic weapon proficiency (great crossbow), Rapid reload (for the 1st flaw), Point blank shot (for the 2nd flaw)
Fighter 1: Precise shot (bonus feat) so I can shoot into combat while hiding.
C/Cleric 2: Should I get a metamagic feat here? Maybe reach spell so I can heal from 30ft to stay out of combat.
C/Cleric 3:
C/Cleric 4:
C/Cleric 5: Craft Magic Arms and Armour

Would this be considered beardy? The aim is to try and craft a repeating great crossbow (which hasn't been invented yet) by maxing out ranks in craft (armoursmithing) and craft (weaponsmithing). The rest of the skill points go into maxing Heal, Concentration, Knowledge (Religion) and a few others.
#2
lormador
Jan 13, 2009 7:54:04 Thou hast lost a caster level to gain a feat, and you have an open feat the next level that you're asking what to do with?

Ahem... save thy caster level, if you're intent on Precise Shooting just take the feat.
#3
jameswilliamogle
Jan 13, 2009 8:19:53 Yeah you don't need Rapid Reload until 7th level at the earliest, so wait on that.

Do you have access to Drow of the Underdark? There's several rather awesome feats for crossbows in there that aren't Drow specific (for example, there's one that gives Rapid Reload plus something else for Hand Crossbows).

One big question: will your DM allow you to qualify for feats if you only qualify temporarily for feats? You could do some stuff w/ Divine Power, for example, and some of the feats in PHB 2.

I've been thinking about builds for crossbow wielders myself, lately, and I'll try to post one later today.
#4
oprick
Jan 13, 2009 15:18:31 dont forget that some cleric domains grant feats (elf, for instance, though its obvious that this is inappropriate)

also: consider xbow sniper from the PHBII if you will get sneak attack
#5
zendu
Jan 13, 2009 22:43:01 I'd suggest higher cha and lower con. You are non-melee, a caster in full plate, and you are neglecting turning.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mahatma87 Jan 13, 2009 5:32:53	I'm entering a campaign at level 2 and there is no healer in the group, so I have to do that for now. I've had a look at healing classes and chose cloistered cleric for the skill points and it fits in with the character background. The character is a crossbow specialist, inventor and craftsman who is trying to invent a repeating great crossbow for mass production for the Dwarf military. He's not much use in melee and I've chosen flaws to reflect this. I'm not sure if the DM will agree with the flaws but they do hamper me as they make me crap in melee and I only get d6 hit points from each level of cloistered cleric. Stats are 18,16,14,14,11 and 10. STR: 10 DEX: 18 CON: 16 INT: 14 WIS: 16 CHA: 9 Flaws: Two from non-combatant (-2 to melee attack rolls), vulnerable (-1 to AC) and pathetic (-2 to an attribute which will be strength or charisma). C/Cleric 1: Exotic weapon proficiency (great crossbow), Rapid reload (for the 1st flaw), Point blank shot (for the 2nd flaw) Fighter 1: Precise shot (bonus feat) so I can shoot into combat while hiding. C/Cleric 2: Should I get a metamagic feat here? Maybe reach spell so I can heal from 30ft to stay out of combat. C/Cleric 3: C/Cleric 4: C/Cleric 5: Craft Magic Arms and Armour Would this be considered beardy? The aim is to try and craft a repeating great crossbow (which hasn't been invented yet) by maxing out ranks in craft (armoursmithing) and craft (weaponsmithing). The rest of the skill points go into maxing Heal, Concentration, Knowledge (Religion) and a few others.
#2 lormador Jan 13, 2009 7:54:04	Thou hast lost a caster level to gain a feat, and you have an open feat the next level that you're asking what to do with? Ahem... save thy caster level, if you're intent on Precise Shooting just take the feat.
#3 jameswilliamogle Jan 13, 2009 8:19:53	Yeah you don't need Rapid Reload until 7th level at the earliest, so wait on that. Do you have access to Drow of the Underdark? There's several rather awesome feats for crossbows in there that aren't Drow specific (for example, there's one that gives Rapid Reload plus something else for Hand Crossbows). One big question: will your DM allow you to qualify for feats if you only qualify temporarily for feats? You could do some stuff w/ Divine Power, for example, and some of the feats in PHB 2. I've been thinking about builds for crossbow wielders myself, lately, and I'll try to post one later today.
#4 oprick Jan 13, 2009 15:18:31	dont forget that some cleric domains grant feats (elf, for instance, though its obvious that this is inappropriate) also: consider xbow sniper from the PHBII if you will get sneak attack
#5 zendu Jan 13, 2009 22:43:01	I'd suggest higher cha and lower con. You are non-melee, a caster in full plate, and you are neglecting turning.