Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 CantripN Nov 14, 2007 8:29:40	Factotum 20 // Warblade 20[/FONT][/u] Brain over Brawn, indeed... [/SBLOCK] Level Progression HD: 20d12 BAB: 20 Fort: 12 (Con) Reflex: 12 (Int & Dex) Will: 9 (Wis) 6+ Skill Points, All Class Skills Inspiration (38) Maneuvers (K:13/R:7/S:4) 1st - IP (12), Font of InspirationWeb x 4, Battle Clarity (Reflex Saves), Cunning Insight (Attack, Damage, Saves), Cunning Knowledge (Skills), Trapfinding. 2nd - IP (13), Uncanny Dodge, Arcane Dilettante (1/Cantrip). 3rd - Adaptive StyleToB, Battle Ardor (Critical Confirmation), Brain over Brawn, Cunning Defense (AC), Arcane Dilettante (1/1st). 4th - Cunning Strike (SA), Arcane Dilettante (2/1st). 5th - IP (14), Ironheart AuraToB, Opportunistic Piety (Turn Undead/Lay on hands), Arcane Dilettante (2/2nd). 6th - Stormguard WarriorToB, Improved Uncanny Dodge 7th - Battle Cunning (Damage), Arcane Dilettante (3/2nd). 8th - IP (15), Cunning Surge (Standard Action), Arcane Dilettante (3/3rd). 9th - IP (20), Font of InspirationWeb, Combat Reflexes, Arcane Dilettante (4/3rd). 10th - Opportunistic Piety (+1), Arcane Dilettante (4/4th). 11th - IP (21), Battle Skill (Opposed Checks), Cunning Breach (DR,SR). 12th - Robilar's GambitPH2, Arcane Dilettante (5/4th). 13th - Blind-Fight, Cunning Dodge (Avoid Death), Arcane Dilettante (5/5th). 14th - IP (22), Arcane Dilettante (6/5th). 15th - IP (28), Font of InspirationWeb, Battle Mastery (AoO), Opportunistic Piety (+1), Arcane Dilettante (6/6th). 16th - Improved Cunning Defense (AC). 17th - IP (29), Iron Will, Arcane Dilettante (7/6th). 18th - IP (36), Font of InspirationWeb, Arcane Dilettante (7/7th). 19th - Cunning Brilliance (Class Features). 20th - IP (38), Stance Mastery, Opportunistic Piety (+1), Arcane Dilettante (8/7th).
#2 Dictum_Mortuum Nov 15, 2007 6:44:28	wow, factotum gestalt is a nightmare! Especially coupled with an intelligence based class. Great job, but how much inspiration do you need for a single combat? Aren't they recharged per encounter? This build can easily take out multiple opponents with so many actions (and blood in the water ^^). 38 inspiration is more than enough i think for the average encounter. Now imagine a factotum//wizard gestalt :P omg!
#3 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 7:28:55	Thanks! As usual, I tried to make it perfectly viable at any level. It even works as a Warblade 20, I reckon.
#4 tshern Nov 15, 2007 7:37:44	Darn simple and yet effective! Add a buttload of skills and I bet this guy can perform in social encounter, puzzles and just about anything in addition to combat.
#5 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 7:46:45	Darn simple and yet effective! Add a buttload of skills and I bet this guy can perform in social encounter, puzzles and just about anything in addition to combat. You're right, it can. He doesn't rely on anything except perhaps Stormguard Warrior for it's power. It's far from simple, though... It's elegant, yes, but it took quite a few hours to arrange the maneuvers. You wouldn't believe how frustrating it was to arrange so it works, what with so many high level maneuvers from 3 schools needing their requirements met; Take any one maneuver out and it falls apart.
#6 jameswilliamogle Nov 15, 2007 7:47:56	neat!
#7 tshern Nov 15, 2007 7:57:08	Yeah, I know the hell of maneuver selection and what I meant was that now when it is on paper, it looks simple. I have the same problem with picking spells, everything else is done in a matter of minutes, but spells just take forever. Moreover, you've got no prestige classes and everything is from a fairly small book selection. That's what I meant.
#8 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 8:08:34	I hear ya, bro. BTW, I'm still leery about Iron Heart Endurance... I'm not sure it's better than Lightning Throw, Lightning Recovery, White Raven Strike, Diamond Defense, Manticore Parry or Rapid Counter. It's to be considered...
#9 tshern Nov 15, 2007 8:14:11	So much to choose, so little room in the build...
#10 carnivore Nov 15, 2007 13:45:44	wow :OMG! awesome build ..... i really dont see any weaknesses ....... i dont like the Scimitar too much ... would rather see something else... but you need it for the manuvers .... still all in all a great build.... if you wanted .... you might look into this: Accurate(+1 bonus) Weapon enhancement(Drow of the Underdark) ...... gives +2 Competence to attack for the next attacks, if you miss Vampiric(+2 bonus)(MIC) ...does 1d6 extra damage that heals you .... with each hit .... makes a nice Complement to Bodyfeeder all in all ... that build kicks butt ..... good job :D
#11 archerpwr Nov 15, 2007 14:08:43	All told, very nice. Only thing I can think that would improve it is dropping knowledge devotion for another font or power attack. You only get 6+int skills per level and no generic bonuses to knowledge skills, so I' think you'd be better off spending those skill points elsewhere.
#12 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 14:19:37	All told, very nice. Only thing I can think that would improve it is dropping knowledge devotion for another font or power attack. You only get 6+int skills per level and no generic bonuses to knowledge skills, so I' think you'd be better off spending those skill points elsewhere. That had occurred to me, especially since Warblades get an Insight to damage with their Battle Cunning as well as on AOO attack and damage with Battle Mastery... And then I thought about Avalanche of Blades/Time Stands Still and how much missing on Strike of Perfect Clarity/Diamond Nightmare Blade would suck. I'm of two minds on this issue, same as on Robilar's Gambit, but I'd like to think the extra versatility is worth the loss of Inspiration Points; See, by level 16, you won't need to pay IP to get INT to AC, with Moment of Alacrity you wouldn't need to use Cunning Surge as much, and Channel the Storm is a nice boost (especially since you can generate DR for yourself to absorb the hits using Iron/Adamantine Bones and Cunning Surge). As for not having skill points... 1 point in each knowledge + Collector of Stories + Scary INT modifier + Take 10 + Cunning Knowledge as needed = at least +2 when you get it and more later on.
#13 archerpwr Nov 15, 2007 14:25:42	That had occurred to me, especially since Warblades get an Insight to damage with their Battle Cunning as well as on AOO attack and damage with Battle Mastery... And then I thought about Avalanche of Blades/Time Stands Still and how much missing on Strike of Perfect Clarity/Diamond Nightmare Blade would suck. I'm of two minds on this issue, same as on Robilar's Gambit, but I'd like to think the extra versatility is worth the loss of Inspiration Points; See, by level 16, you won't need to pay IP to get INT to AC, with Moment of Alacrity you wouldn't need to use Cunning Surge as much, and Channel the Storm is a nice boost (especially since you can generate DR for yourself to absorb the hits using Iron/Adamantine Bones and Cunning Surge). As for not having skill points... 1 point in each knowledge + Collector of Stories + Scary INT modifier + Take 10 + Cunning Knowledge as needed = at least +2 when you get it and more later on. Yes you could have 1 rank in each knowledge. In fact, you'd be highly likely to anyway for when you just need a knowledge check. The int would only add 13 or so at twenty. Isn't the bonus insight though? Not sure if a feat is worth a typed bonus.
#14 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 14:31:20	Except on AOOs (which this guy doesn't ever take), you don't get Insight to Attack with a Warblade. You get INT modifier as Insight to Damage when Flanking at level 7, but you never get the same for Attack. I'm hoping it's worth it, but no harm comes to the build from taking one more Font instead, I suppose. Once it's seen gameplay, we can see whether it needs the boost to attack and pick accordingly.
#15 aceon Nov 15, 2007 15:06:17	Nice build. Stupid question perhaps? Why is Avalanch of Blades any good? So you get iteritive attacks at -4, which go away as soon as you miss. So, no power attack and you are probably looking at one extra attack more than you would normally have, provided you don't miss with an earlier attack. How is this any better than a pouncing charge with an extra haste attack? I am not complaining...just I am obviously missing the trick here. thanks, Aceon
#16 archerpwr Nov 15, 2007 15:11:37	Nice build. Stupid question perhaps? Why is Avalanch of Blades any good? So you get iteritive attacks at -4, which go away as soon as you miss. So, no power attack and you are probably looking at one extra attack more than you would normally have, provided you don't miss with an earlier attack. How is this any better than a pouncing charge with an extra haste attack? I am not complaining...just I am obviously missing the trick here. thanks, Aceon Stormguard warrior. Combat ryhthm.
#17 CantripN Nov 15, 2007 15:34:26	Okay, upon further deliberation, I think I'll give up on Knowledge Devotion. It's only gonna get to +3 without spending any major resources, so I think Font is better. You're only getting the bonus to Attack, most of the time, anyway; A single AOO avoided with Robilar's Gambit is +4 Attack and +4 Damage which stacks, and Font basically powers your attacks anyway. BTW, carnivore, the reason for the Great Scimitar is that it while it does slightly less damage than a Falchion on average, it can be wielded in one hand with a -4 to attack, if needed. You can use a Scimitar for much the same effect, seeing as base damage hardly matters. An 18-20 weapon is required for Blood in the Water, though.
#18 crimsondeath Nov 15, 2007 16:35:53	Stormguard warrior. Combat ryhthm. And Blood in the Water with a Keen Great Scimitar.
#19 aceon Nov 15, 2007 16:43:55	Stormguard warrior. Combat ryhthm. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know about that but, oh... ( re-reads the feat ) ...those are touch attacks.:embarrass never mind.
#20 aceon Nov 15, 2007 16:55:30	And Blood in the Water with a Keen Great Scimitar. I wonder what that would be like with a Psi-warrior-> Psionic Weapon Master on the other side of the Gestalt. adding another 3.5 legal +2 to the threat range with Blood in the Water...what is that crit on a 10 or better? Or Arcane Duelist? And re-reading Blood in the water, that should continue to stack every round throughout the encounter!
#21 Omen_of_Peace Nov 15, 2007 18:15:34	Personally, I think I'd go Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 or Factotum 8/Chameleon 10/X 2 but the simplicity of your build is very nice. I just find the Factotum/Chameleon synergies too tasty.
#22 archerpwr Nov 15, 2007 18:19:40	Personally, I think I'd go Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 or Factotum 8/Chameleon 10/X 2 but the simplicity of your build is very nice. I just find the Factotum/Chameleon synergies too tasty. That cuts out one font and drops the skills by two for 9 levels. Not sure if we need the casting. Could be quite worthwhile though.
#23 CantripN Nov 16, 2007 1:54:14	That cuts out one font and drops the skills by two for 9 levels. Not sure if we need the casting. Could be quite worthwhile though. Of course, you could pick up a Font with your Floating Feat (and you should, really). However, Chameleon is tough to fit in effectively... You need to get to Factotum 11 for ignoring DR as soon as possible (which means you'll get few good abilities in due time), Cunning Dodge is really nice (and you wouldn't get it) and the uses of Cunning Brilliance are endless: (Steely Resolve, Mettle, Smite, Discipline Focus, Improved Evasion, Knight's Challenge, Bulwark of Defense, Improved Shield Ally, Insightful Strike, Weakening Critical, AC bonus, Skirmish, Sneak Attack, Blindsense, Hide in Plain Sight, Camouflage, Elude Touch, Rage, Damage Reduction, Flurry of Blows, Fast Movement, Diamond Soul, Crippling Strike, ANY FEAT and that's if you read it to only allow Base Classes, as I do...). In fact, you'll even be getting class features no one else does. For instance: The Knight's Challenge would allow you, at level 20, to just NOT DIE for a minute, as well as reroll will saves and gain morale bonuses to attack. Activate it after using Cunning Dodge to make sure you don't die. This alone makes Iron Heart Endurance a good idea. Diamond Soul would grant you SR of 10+Factotum Level. Flurry of Blows is 4 more attacks in your Time Stands Still. Fast Movement is +60' to speed. Damage Reduction is DR 5/-. Insightful Strike is INT to damage. Crippling Strike would allow you to apply a -2 STR with every Sneak Attack (which you get using Cunning Strike). Weakening Critical allows you to apply a -2 STR per critical hit, even on your Avalanche of Blades. Skirmish is +5 AC and +5d6 to damage. And you get to pick a Bonus Feat, just like the Chameleon, except you pick it as circumstance requires, because it's a Rogue Class Feature. I'd pick Knight's Challenge, Diamond Soul and Bonus Feat most days, which amounts to: Knight's Challenge: Fighting Challenge +4 (+4 Morale to Damage, Attack, Will) as a Swift Action, Test of Mettle (Enemies focus on you) DC 20+CHA as a Swift Action, Daunting Challenge (Enemies Shaken) DC 20+CHA as a Swift Action, Save every round against mind-affecting as a Free Action, Loyal Beyond Death at level 20 (Don't die). Diamond Soul: Spell Resistance 29/30. Bonus Feat: Pick a feat as needed. Font of Inspiration, Adaptive Style, Close Quarters Fighting, Defensive Sweep, Vatic Gaze, Insightful Reflexes, Staggering Strike, Giant Bane, Mage Slayer, Maximise Spell-like Ability, Martial Stance, Martial Study, Blade of Force, Clap of Thunder, Dimensional Jaunt, Animal Devotion, Chaos Devotion, Death Devotion, Destruction Devotion, Earth Devotion, Healing Devotion, Law Devotion, Plant Devotion, Protection Devotion, Sun Devotion, Travel Devotion, Water Devotion, Trickery Devotion, Font of Life, Spirit Sense and Good Karma are prime candidates.
#24 CantripN Nov 16, 2007 13:45:12	Hey, anyone think Adaptive Style is worth a feat, here? I'm worried about needing Iron Heart Focus, Iron Heart Endurance, IHS, WRT, Wall of Blades or some other maneuver and not having it ready... I'm thinking at level 3, since you simply cannot take Font a 5th time at level 3 as a Human/Azurin/Stongheart Halfling - you just don't have the Intelligence unless your race grants it; It's either that or a +2 INT race. I think I prefer the feat. Thanks to Factotum, you can even act while doing that once you're at level 11.
#25 CantripN Nov 17, 2007 13:46:19	Hump de bump... :P Update: Added Spells & Cunning Brilliance.
#26 CantripN Nov 19, 2007 8:21:00	Bumpity?
#27 JanusJones Nov 19, 2007 8:29:26	Awesomeness. I have no real suggestions. You have taken a solid, powerful pairing of classes with no glaring deficiencies and fine-tuned that pairing to make it phenomenal. Powerful and well-designed! Kudos!
#28 true_shinken Nov 19, 2007 10:15:00	Hey, anyone think Adaptive Style is worth a feat, here? I'm worried about needing Iron Heart Focus, Iron Heart Endurance, IHS, WRT, Wall of Blades or some other maneuver and not having it ready... I'm thinking at level 3, since you simply cannot take Font a 5th time at level 3 as a Human/Azurin/Stongheart Halfling - you just don't have the Intelligence unless your race grants it; It's either that or a +2 INT race. I think I prefer the feat. Thanks to Factotum, you can even act while doing that once you're at level 11. I don't think adaptive stryle is worth it in this build, really. Even if you have no maneuvers, you can recover them casting a melee touch spell with arcane dilettante and spending a swift action.
#29 CantripN Nov 19, 2007 10:41:39	I don't think adaptive stryle is worth it in this build, really. Even if you have no maneuvers, you can recover them casting a melee touch spell with arcane dilettante and spending a swift action. That's hardly the point. The point is to ADAPT, seeing as you have 7 readied maneuvers, but 6 more known. Say you're injured or facing someone with Spring Attack and thus need Iron Heart Endurance / Wall of Blades / Pouncing Charge? Or maybe your weapon got sundered, so you pick up Strike of Perfect Clarity and use an improvised weapon... With Adaptive Style, you can even make a Strike and then use Adaptive Style to recover everything. Besides, you must take something other than Font at level 3, so it's either that or Power Attack, probably.
#30 archerpwr Nov 19, 2007 13:41:31	That's hardly the point. The point is to ADAPT, seeing as you have 7 readied maneuvers, but 6 more known. Say you're injured or facing someone with Spring Attack and thus need Iron Heart Endurance / Wall of Blades / Pouncing Charge? Or maybe your weapon got sundered, so you pick up Strike of Perfect Clarity and use an improvised weapon... With Adaptive Style, you can even make a Strike and then use Adaptive Style to recover everything. Besides, you must take something other than Font at level 3, so it's either that or Power Attack, probably. Power attack is mandatory. Adaptive style is nice.
#31 CantripN Nov 19, 2007 13:51:24	Power attack is mandatory. Adaptive style is nice. I guess it depends on your play style. Me, I'm highly organized, yet unpredictable by choice to put foes on guard, usually. I like setting the terms, not reacting to them, which means I like assured results. Power Attack lowers your to-hit chances, and I find that I never use it, except when I'm making a Touch Attack, and even then for a low amount. Adaptive Style, on the other hand, would allow you to do what I like doing: Adapting and keeping the DM on his toes. It also lets you be Loyal Beyond Death and not die, since you can get Iron Heart Endurance and spam it, no matter what. Care to suggest another feat, though? Perhaps Robilar's Gambit should be tossed out for more Font (doubt it, since Channel The Storm is reliable, but still, it costs you 9 IP...)?
#32 archerpwr Nov 19, 2007 13:55:55	I guess it depends on your play style. Me, I'm highly organized, yet unpredictable by choice to put foes on guard, usually. I like setting the terms, not reacting to them, which means I like assured results. Power Attack lowers your to-hit chances, and I find that I never use it, except when I'm making a Touch Attack, and even then for a low amount. Adaptive Style, on the other hand, would allow you to do what I like doing: Adapting and keeping the DM on his toes. It also lets you be Loyal Beyond Death and not die, since you can get Iron Heart Endurance and spam it, no matter what. Care to suggest another feat, though? Perhaps Robilar's Gambit should be tossed out for more Font (doubt it, since Channel The Storm is reliable, but still, it costs you 9 IP...)? Melee characters tend to rely on power attack for damage output. Adaptive style would be good later on though. Robilar's Gambit would be nice with that stormguard warrior.
#33 CantripN Nov 19, 2007 14:01:05	Melee characters tend to rely on power attack for damage output. Adaptive style would be good later on though. Robilar's Gambit would be nice with that stormguard warrior. Meh. Without Heedless Charge, I just don't use it. I prefer reliability and getting my damage elsewhere.
#34 CantripN Nov 22, 2007 3:48:51	Old Set Maneuvers: 1 - Moment of Perfect Mind, Wolf Fang Strike, Stone Bones 2 - Douse the Flames 3 - Wall of Blades 4 - Wolf Fang Strike => Mountain Hammer 5 - Iron Heart Surge 6 - Stone Bones => White Raven Tactics 7 - Death from Above 8 - Douse the Flames => Emerald Razor 9 - Pouncing Charge 10 - Death from Above => Mountain Avalanche 11 - Iron Bones 12 - Mountain Hammer => Moment of Alacrity 13 - Avalanche of Blades 14 - Moment of Perfect Mind => Iron Heart Focus 15 - Diamond Nightmare Blade 16 - Emerald Razor => Adamantine Bones 17 - Time Stands Still 18 - Iron Bones => Quicksilver Motion 19 - Strike of Perfect Clarity 20 - Mountain Avalanche => Iron Heart Endurance Stances: 1 - Blood in the Water 4 - Punishing Stance 10 - Roots of the Mountain 16 - Stance of Alacrity
#35 connell_dup Jan 20, 2008 3:11:11	This is a really fantastic gestalt build, CantripN. Nice job!
#36 CantripN Jan 20, 2008 3:40:15	Thanks! :D
#37 netarious Jan 25, 2008 9:20:28	How are you qualifying for 4 feats at 1st level? Or are you getting those 4 x Font of Inspiration by some other method?
#38 CantripN Jan 25, 2008 9:21:57	1st, Human, Flaw, Flaw. I'm assuming anyone who allows Gestalt would allow Flaws.
#39 sinfire_titan Jan 25, 2008 10:36:03	Nice build. Stupid question perhaps? Why is Avalanch of Blades any good? So you get iteritive attacks at -4, which go away as soon as you miss. So, no power attack and you are probably looking at one extra attack more than you would normally have, provided you don't miss with an earlier attack. How is this any better than a pouncing charge with an extra haste attack? I am not complaining...just I am obviously missing the trick here. thanks, Aceon Factotums can prepare Wraithstrike 1/day. This alone makes the maneuver worth it. Then Stormguard Warrior comes into effect when you don't have it.
#40 absinken Mar 16, 2008 8:13:03	Has this build seen any actual playtime from the ground up? I'm thinking I might swipe it for a gestalt game if I come to it.
#41 archerpwr Mar 16, 2008 15:56:11	Has this build seen any actual playtime from the ground up? I'm thinking I might swipe it for a gestalt game if I come to it. I've used a varient of it. Same manuever and similar feat progression. Uses egoist rather than factotum. It's run fine in two encounters at level 3.
#42 blue_mage Mar 16, 2008 17:48:55	I know it has been a while since anyone has posted on this thread, but something struck me. How are you (or if anyone can answer this for me) getting 38 inspiration points. Even with the flaws, you should have 17 inspiration points. Thanks EDIT: I just reread font of inspiration (I don't know why I never caught that) sorry for wasting time
#43 CantripN May 02, 2008 17:49:14	Bumped because I realised something that bore mentioning... Having Adaptive Style + Cunning Surge allows you to refresh your maneuvers and use them again (2 Standard Actions can be used to complete a Full Round action). Effectively, this little bugger can spam his whole maneuver list a few times per round before running dry.
#44 tshern May 03, 2008 8:43:14	(2 Standard Actions can be used to complete a Full Round action). Source for this? Nice trick though, very nice...
Start/Complete Full-Round Action CantripN May 03, 2008 9:00:55	Source for this? Nice trick though, very nice... Start/Complete Full-Round Action The "start full-round action" standard action lets you start undertaking a full-round action, which you can complete in the following round by using another standard action. You can’t use this action to start or complete a full attack, charge, run, or withdraw. Seems useful enough with Cunning Surge...
#46 tshern May 03, 2008 9:03:11	Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. Given those limitations that's pretty much like written just for Factotum awesomesauce.
#47 phoenix00 May 14, 2008 3:27:15	Seems useful enough with Cunning Surge... reread the quote "which you complete the following round" puts a hamper on it, it doesn't work.
#48 peanutch May 15, 2008 11:49:07	I have played one and it was a lot of fun, but if you want a fun and challenging character go with factotum/archivist. I actually enjoyed it more than the warblade.
#49 CantripN Nov 25, 2008 3:56:30	New Ability to use: Unicorn Companion (Ex) - as the Healer (MH) class. Specifically: Lammasu - Casts as Cleric 11. Couatl - Casts as Sorcerer 11. Water Naga - Casts as Sorcerer 11 (Watery Environ only). Gynossphinx - 1/week, CL 18 - Symbol of Death, Symbol of Fear, Symbol of Insanity, Symbol of Pain, Symbol of Persuasion, Symbol of Pleep, Symbol of Stunning.
#50 fenrir423 Nov 25, 2008 20:22:23	The bit about using Cunning Brilliance to gain Fighter feats intrigues me. Can it be used that way?
#51 jaronk Nov 25, 2008 20:44:13	Yup. Any Ex ability, specially from the text or table, and the ability must be granted before level 15 but you gain the ability as though you had 19 or 20 levels in the class (a value equal to your Factotum level). If you'll look at the Fighter entry, you'll notice that in the text for the Fighter "Bonus Feats" is one entry, gained at level 1 (and then advanced after that). Thus, for one minute a Factotum could suddenly gain all the feats needed to be a tripper and charger, or an awesome archer, or whatever else. 11 bonus feats for a minute, picked off the Fighter list (if you're level 20... it's 10 at level 19). JaronK
#52 cathedralsquares Nov 25, 2008 23:13:24	If you use the fighter bonus feats to gain maneuvers then you get to keep the maneuvers, because they're know known maneuvers and not ones simply granted by the feat. They're added to the amount you have as a calls, granting you a nuts amount of maneuvers if you do it right.
#53 jaronk Nov 26, 2008 1:51:16	...no. If you gain manuevers via feats, then you have them only as long as you have the feats. Once you lose the abilities (due to the time duration running out) you no longer have the manuevers. You could, of course, use Fighter feats to gain manuevers while simultaneously using the Crusader's manuevers to have more manuevers for the duration of the ability if you wanted, but I don't see why you'd want to do that. JaronK
#54 karmme Mar 20, 2009 10:59:43	Sorry to bump an ancient thread but I'm playing a character a lot like this in an upcoming solo campaign. I'm starting at level 3 and I'm wondering what the best gear and flaw choices are. I was going with Mithril chain shirt Darkwood heavy shield and Masterwork Scimitar and Flaw(Vulnerable) -1 to AC and Flaw(Inattentive) -4 to spot and listen But I'm wondering if Flaw(frail) might be a better option since I'm getting +8 hp per level. Also, thinking about going with a 2-hander like the great scimitar mentioned above, but with the vulnerable feat that will make my AC 14. This can of course be fixed once per encounter with Wall of Blades [C] and Stone Bones [S] will help a lot too.
#55 emansdrawkcab Mar 20, 2009 11:05:34	I'd go with Poor Reflexes, as it really doesn't matter anyway, and you'll be saving with ease at level 3. INT to DEX based rolls...
#56 CantripN Mar 20, 2009 12:03:49	It doesn't add to Reflex, actually. In any case, never take Frail as a Flaw. Losing HP is too painful, no matter what. Your choises are okay, but I wonder why bother with Mithral. You don't have ASF, after all, right?
#57 true_shinken Mar 20, 2009 12:54:39	It doesn't add to Reflex, actually. In any case, never take Frail as a Flaw. Losing HP is too painful, no matter what. Your choises are okay, but I wonder why bother with Mithral. You don't have ASF, after all, right? +1 to CantripN Also, why are you spending so much money on defensive equipment and taking flaws that nerf your defenses?
#58 karmme Mar 20, 2009 13:02:02	Since he's a tank/skill-monkey/minor arcane role I wanted him to be able to use his skills without an armor check penalty. Do you think that's a waste? What else did I screw up? Edit: thinking about making him middle aged. Which is better Middle Aged: Str 13 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 18 Wis 10 Cha 10? or Young: Str 14 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 17 Wis 10 Cha 10? And warblade gives Int to reflex saves when you aren't flat-footed, but I can't see this character being described as having poor reflexes when he is likely to have a very high tumble and jump skill. The vulnerable flaw I explained as his being too tall and the inattentive is due to his being kind of bookish and absorbed by matters of the mind.
#59 CantripN Mar 20, 2009 13:17:23	Middle aged is -1 to all physical stats and +1 to all mental, not just STR and INT. I'm not sure which is better here, but I'd prefer to stay young in most cases, what with all 3 physical stats being useful, and CHA and WIS barely so. Oh, and you might want to change the maneuvers a bit, what with you being solo. White Raven Tactics isn't very useful when you have no allies, for instance.
#60 karmme Mar 20, 2009 18:38:39	I know it's -1 physical +1 mental but I have a 34 point buy so I could either go with 14 (6) 13 (5) 14 (6) 17 (13) 10 (2) 10 (2) ------ 34 OR 14 (6) 13 (5) 15 (8) 17 (13) 9 (1) 9 (1) ----- 34 with plus 1 to mental and -1 physical stats. I feel like that's a better option (except for the only having a +1 attribute bonus to strength) since it gives me 6 more skill points and a higher bonus to str/dex checks and skills earlier. The question then becomes whether to put the 4th level stat increase in str or int. As far as maneuvers go, I'm sure it's far from optimized for solo (or with one cohort) play, but in order to get the best maneuvers it seems like it's a pretty tight set. I can look through them, it would be cool if there were some sort of tree to visualize it.
#61 arogenith Mar 21, 2009 2:45:21	oh god, I can't believe no one mentioned this. Thank you for leaving me to remind you all of Gorillon Windmill Flesh Rip. You're making a class thats aiming for several attacks/round and pumping up damage with it? Err....on more then 1 successive attack in the same round on the same person, deal extra damage, 2 attacks =8d6 bonus, every attack after that increases it by 2d6, and its a swift action to activate. Not 100%, but might work even during combat rhythm, but probably not. You attacks don't deal damage, but after the last one, the fact that you hit them so many times makes them take damage...? Either way, I think its a must if you've got swifts floating around
#62 rashomon Mar 26, 2009 22:02:29	Hmm, what would this build lose by swapping in Swashbuckler 3 (for Int to damage) and Iaijutsu Master 1-2 (for Int to AC, CHA to initiative, and the ability to treat katanas as Finesse weapons)?
#63 Endarire Mar 26, 2009 23:45:09	I appreciate your efforts!
#64 innabinder Jul 05, 2009 14:29:10	Bumpeth.
#65 Endarire Sep 04, 2015 20:37:10	Saved by the grace of Christ!