Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 venshad Jan 26, 2009 4:54:59	Hi! We are beginning a really hardcore game in Forgotten Realms and I'd like some advise to my character. We have the option to use all Completes (except Psionics), the PHB, DMG and MM, Unearthed Arcana and PHBII. However, cheesy material will be cut off. Attributes are point-buy 32. HP is half at odd levels, half +1 at even levels and full at 1st level. I'm a human from Chessenta and my overall character sheet comes now: Human (Chessenta/Mulan) Fighter 6 (1-7/18-20) Kensai (8-17) Languages: Chessentan - Chondathan STR 16 Fort 5 + 3 = 8 DEX 12 Ref 2 + 1 = 3 CON 16 (20) Will 2 + 1 = 3 INT 12 (13) WIS 12 HP 10 + 18 + 10 + 18 + 6 = 62 CHR 08 AC 10 + 9 + 1 + 1 = 21 DR 3/Adamantine Attack 1 Bastard Sword +1 (+10/+5 Att / 1d10+5 Dmg) Attack 2 Long Spear, Masterwork (+10/+5 Att / 1d8+4 Dmg) Skills (4x2x4=32+20=52) Concentration 5 Ride 5 Diplomacy 5 (7th level) Craft 6 (Armorsmith and Weaponsmith) Feats 1- Combat Expertise 1- Arcane Schooling (PGF-Bard) 1- Power Attack* 2- Improved Bull Rush* 3- Improved Toughness 4- Improved Bull Rush* 6- Shock Trooper 6- Leap Attack* Item (283 gp) Adamantine Full Plate Mail +1 (6.500 gp) Adamantine Bastard Sword +1 (3.012 gp) Long Spear (Masterwork)* Artisan's Tools (Masterwork)(55 gp) Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Bard) (750 gp) Composite (+3) Longbow (400 gp) Ring of Protection +1 (2.000 gp) As you could see, I'm focusing in getting Kensai at 8th level. Some may argue that Kensai is cheesy. Maybe. Anyway, I need some advice about this character optimization regarding (1)Damage Output and (2)Hitpoints. Thanks for reading!
#2 natenate Jan 26, 2009 5:18:57	First of all, going Fighter 7/ Kensai is extremely sub-optimal. An immediately visible alternative would be to go Fighter 6/ Exotic Weapon Master 1/ Kensai, taking Uncanny Blow to get double your strength bonus to damage when using it two-handed. An even better idea would be to take at least one level of something that gets Concentration and Diplomacy as class skills to go something like Hexblade 1/Fighter 4/ Kensai, thus gaining your powerful magical weapon three levels sooner. You also don't have to buy a magical weapon starting out, since you'll be starting with your signature weapon. In any case, making a character who is only capable of swinging a sword and completely useless if he takes off or loses his equipment is never a good choice, especially in a "hardcore" game. Consider reviewing the class tier system and play a character who is at a power level more suited to the both the game and the rest of the party.
#3 erhnamdj Jan 26, 2009 5:43:57	What level are you starting and what does the rest of the party look like? Do you want to primarily deal damage with this character?
#4 leavantgardenoire Jan 26, 2009 5:48:21	You could also do something with your stats like 16 Str 12 Dex 16 Con 10 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha And take two levels of Paladin or its variants to get Diplomacy and Concentration as class skills and a small save bonus and other miscellaneous goodies. What's the rest of the party look like? If your DM's definition of a hardcore game can be played easily with, say, Rogue 20, then you should be alright, but if you've got a Shadowcraft Mage, a Druid/Planar Shepherd and a DMM Cleric as the rest of your party, and the encounters are designed to challenge such a party, you're going to feel utterly useless and very small. L'Avantgarde Noire
#5 rasmus_wagner Jan 26, 2009 5:54:50	With Leap Attack and Shock Trooper, you look like a fledling ubercharger. Some people might recommend Battle Jump, but your GM will not allow it (and will certainly not allow the ....overly generous..... interpretation of what it does that you might see around here). If you are going to focus on that, you'll need mobility, and non-AC defenses. I suggest scrapping your armor for something Displacer-y, and getting a cloak of transposition (MiC). A cleric dip for Travel Devotion might be in order, and it will give you the Concentration and Diplomacy ranks you need for Kensai. Also, needs more Lion Totem Barbarian (1 level). If you're using UA, ask about Level Adjustment buy-off. There are plenty of excellent races and templates for warrior characters. What's the point of the bastard sword?
#6 tytalus Jan 26, 2009 6:01:52	NateNate's advice is good. To explain: odd fighter levels are bad since they don't give you anything worthwhile. Please review the posting guidelines. You will get much better suggestions if you provide more information about your character: What level are you starting and what does the rest of the party look like? Do you want to primarily deal damage with this character? In addition: - What books can you use? - Does your group have any houserules? - Which part of your character build cannot be changed? Other than that, I'd recommend (assuming that you want to be a Kensai) - Crusader5/Kensai++ - Warblade4/Fighter1-2/Kensai++ With the ToB classes, you have many more fun things to do than just "move up and attack". Plus, their multiclassing mechanic makes it easy to add in a level or two every now and then to grab a few new maneuvers. Also, there's nice synergy for concentration checks between Kensai and some maneuvers.
#7 leavantgardenoire Jan 26, 2009 6:04:30	His book list is the third line in his post. All the Completes except Psionic, PHB, MM, DMG, UA, PHB2. L'Avantgarde Noire
#8 venshad Jan 26, 2009 6:24:29	Guys, thanks for the prompt replies! This group I'm in is a new one. I think I'm the younger (28). They are adept to the Roll Play Game, so interpretation is sub-optimal. Although the GM stands out brilliantly. I'll begin at 6th and I'm interested in a high damage output. When I said that the game is hardcore, I did so because we encountered some undeads with almost 200 HP each (EL 8), so it was almost a massacre (my fellow players doesn't know much of the rules, so a real optimization is discarded). Now I'm the only fixed character. Probably there'll be a Cleric, maybe a Rogue, a Wizard and something else. As stated before, excluding the GM, the group is not effective, so I want/need to be the tank and damage dealer. I've modified a bit my feat selection above, so I get the prereq. for Combat Brute. Thanks again!
#9 mister_crowley Jan 26, 2009 7:56:41	You're in full plate and you have leap attack? You realize you have to make a DC 15 jump check to get the benefit of that. Even maxing out ranks in Jump you're going to fail about half the time in full plate. My favorite fighter combo is 4 Fighter/1 Barbarian/5 Occult Slayer. Take Pounce alt class feature and whirling frenzy alt class feature for the barb and take feats as follows. 1. Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Greatsword), Power Attack, 2. Resolute (alt class feature out of Complete Divine) 3. Cleave 4. Weapon Specialization 6. Leap Attack Str 16 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8 Get some light armor (mithral breastplate works best) that way you can almost never fail on the leap attack and you get both attacks (or 3 attacks when raging) and you deal triple damage on your power attacks ;) Occult Slayer because of the good Will saves and the extra damage you deal vs spell casters (which are the bane of fighters in general)