Fighter that can survive any encounter - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Fighter that can survive any encounter

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
neox
Jul 14, 2008 1:59:54 Hello everyone, my group is starting a new campaign and I really don't know what I should play. My DM frequents these pages, so please forgive me if I don't give a very good description.

The campaign is a high point system, no campaign settings like eberron or faerun, no templates, no LA buyoff, starting lvl 2.

My DM is big on combat, and combat usually leaves us in a lot of pain, so I'm looking for a self-sufficient fighter-type character that can not only hold his own in combat, but also excel at kicking every kind of enemies buts. I'm trying to get this all done with class abilities, as gold is usually hard to come by in this DM's campaigns, so class abilities that grant powers would be really useful. That prestige class from tome of battle that can overcome DR is a perfect example.

I don't know the type of character I want to play, that's why I'd like to hear other people opinions on it. I'd like to avoid the crusader, I've played one before and found it boring, though a dip isn't out of the question.

Things I'd like to include on it are for sure are equipment:

Wraithful healing: this +3 weapon is my goal, healing half damage is amazing. I think a dual wielding character would work really well with this, but it would get expensive.

Starmantle Cloak: immune to non-magical weapons and half damage from magical ones on a successful reflex save. DO WANT!

I appreciate any builds anyone can suggest.
#2
jaronk
Jul 14, 2008 2:12:41 So, just go with Crusader? I mean, that's pretty much unkillable, and has lots of solid class abilities.

JaronK
#3
tytalus
Jul 14, 2008 8:35:19 Changeling(*) Crusader4/Warshaper4/Crusader++

All the crusader durability plus hefty stat bonuses, nice immunities, extra reach, fast healing. I suggest reach weapon and a lockdown build direction.

If you don't like crusader, replace with Warblade or Barbarian/Warblade (if you can find a way of dealing with the multiclass penalties). In the latter case, use the pounce [CC] and whirling frenzy [UA] variants.

Also fun is a Goliath(**) Crusader1/Fighter6/Crusader13 with the Dungeoncrasher alt. class feature. Smash people around and still get 9th level maneuvers. Again, replace crusader with warblade/barbarian for less durability and more smashing. Again, you need a way to deal with multiclassing penalties.

Alternatives are spellcasting fighters. Druid20, Cleric4/OrdainedChamp5/SacredExorcist10/X1 etc. can be played as fighters with special powers.

(*) They are not campaign-specific as they also appear in one of the Monster Manuals.
#4
dragonamedrake
Jul 14, 2008 23:38:15 If you want an off the wall Idea here are a few.

Monk2/Warlock3/Ur-Priest2/Sacred Fist10/Enlightened Fist3

Here is a link to the original idea http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-570843

Or you could go anything with Frenzied Berserker... as long as you have a healer in your group that watches your back you can go berserk and break stuff.

Just a few Ideas. I know those arent you typical fighters but they can hold up in a fight and do the same job.
#5
sjiggie
Jul 15, 2008 10:32:36 A while back I made a crusader who could stand his own in a fight and protect the other PC.

Its a human Crusader 20 with the following feats:
Flaw: Stone Power
Flaw: Extra Granted Maneuver
Human: Combat Focus
Level 01: Combat Reflexes
Level 03: Combat Stability
Level 06: Stand Still
Level 09: Combat Vigor
Level 12: Robilar's Gambit
Level 15: Defensive Sweep

With this setup and the class abilities of the crusader you can control everything in your reach. Opponents will create AoO for attacking you, not attacking you when in reach and when moving and with standstill you keep them from moving away from you.

Combat Focus, Stability and Vigor will give yo a bonus on Will saves, resist of bull rushes and the like and fast healing for a number of rounds. Most feats are from the PHBII

Focus on Devoted Spirit maneuvers to heal damage on yourself/party members

Sjiggie
#6
soulsword
Jul 15, 2008 16:37:23
I don't know the type of character I want to play, that's why I'd like to hear other people opinions on it. I'd like to avoid the crusader, I've played one before and found it boring, though a dip isn't out of the question.

I don't think that he wants all these crusader builds ...
#7
phaedrusxy
Jul 15, 2008 17:02:59 He could stay in his room at the Inn... while everyone else goes adventuring. He'd survive any encounter that didn't take place in his room, then.
#8
neox
Jul 15, 2008 17:06:33
I don't think that he wants all these crusader builds ...

lol thank you soulsword, but I don't mind these builds. I know the crusader is awesome, but I never considered the changelling/warshaper build, so I'm pleasantly surprised there.

I like Dragonamedrake's Ur-preist suggestion, but I don't know how well my DM will like me getting 9th level spells in a 10 level class, but we'll see.

Maybe I'll just have to accept everyone says I should be a crusader and go for a lock down build haha
#9
jaronk
Jul 15, 2008 17:18:44 Okay, so here's an option: Wild Shape Varient Ranger 5/Master of Many Forms 10/Warshaper 4/Nature's Warrior 1. The only downside is it basically doesn't use your stats at all... just pump your con as high as you can, and you might as well pump Int too and be all clever. Nature's Warrior gives fast healing which helps, but more importantly you'll have tons of natural armour and whatnot on your side.

JaronK
#10
rebel7284
Jul 16, 2008 10:18:55 Try this
#11
kilroo
Jul 16, 2008 20:59:53 Depending on how your DM views certain things, this could be fun...

Changeling

Ardent 2 (with Practiced Manifester)/Crusader 2/Duskblade or something 1
(adjust the order of the above to make your powers and maneuvers come out favorably)
/Warshaper 4/War Mind 8/Ardent +1/Crusader +2
(adjust the amount of War Mind to suit you)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 neox Jul 14, 2008 1:59:54	Hello everyone, my group is starting a new campaign and I really don't know what I should play. My DM frequents these pages, so please forgive me if I don't give a very good description. The campaign is a high point system, no campaign settings like eberron or faerun, no templates, no LA buyoff, starting lvl 2. My DM is big on combat, and combat usually leaves us in a lot of pain, so I'm looking for a self-sufficient fighter-type character that can not only hold his own in combat, but also excel at kicking every kind of enemies buts. I'm trying to get this all done with class abilities, as gold is usually hard to come by in this DM's campaigns, so class abilities that grant powers would be really useful. That prestige class from tome of battle that can overcome DR is a perfect example. I don't know the type of character I want to play, that's why I'd like to hear other people opinions on it. I'd like to avoid the crusader, I've played one before and found it boring, though a dip isn't out of the question. Things I'd like to include on it are for sure are equipment: Wraithful healing: this +3 weapon is my goal, healing half damage is amazing. I think a dual wielding character would work really well with this, but it would get expensive. Starmantle Cloak: immune to non-magical weapons and half damage from magical ones on a successful reflex save. DO WANT! I appreciate any builds anyone can suggest.
#2 jaronk Jul 14, 2008 2:12:41	So, just go with Crusader? I mean, that's pretty much unkillable, and has lots of solid class abilities. JaronK
#3 tytalus Jul 14, 2008 8:35:19	Changeling() Crusader4/Warshaper4/Crusader++ All the crusader durability plus hefty stat bonuses, nice immunities, extra reach, fast healing. I suggest reach weapon and a lockdown build direction. If you don't like crusader, replace with Warblade or Barbarian/Warblade (if you can find a way of dealing with the multiclass penalties). In the latter case, use the pounce [CC] and whirling frenzy [UA] variants. Also fun is a Goliath() Crusader1/Fighter6/Crusader13 with the Dungeoncrasher alt. class feature. Smash people around and still get 9th level maneuvers. Again, replace crusader with warblade/barbarian for less durability and more smashing. Again, you need a way to deal with multiclassing penalties. Alternatives are spellcasting fighters. Druid20, Cleric4/OrdainedChamp5/SacredExorcist10/X1 etc. can be played as fighters with special powers. () They are not campaign-specific as they also appear in one of the Monster Manuals.
#4 dragonamedrake Jul 14, 2008 23:38:15	If you want an off the wall Idea here are a few. Monk2/Warlock3/Ur-Priest2/Sacred Fist10/Enlightened Fist3 Here is a link to the original idea http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-570843 Or you could go anything with Frenzied Berserker... as long as you have a healer in your group that watches your back you can go berserk and break stuff. Just a few Ideas. I know those arent you typical fighters but they can hold up in a fight and do the same job.
#5 sjiggie Jul 15, 2008 10:32:36	A while back I made a crusader who could stand his own in a fight and protect the other PC. Its a human Crusader 20 with the following feats: Flaw: Stone Power Flaw: Extra Granted Maneuver Human: Combat Focus Level 01: Combat Reflexes Level 03: Combat Stability Level 06: Stand Still Level 09: Combat Vigor Level 12: Robilar's Gambit Level 15: Defensive Sweep With this setup and the class abilities of the crusader you can control everything in your reach. Opponents will create AoO for attacking you, not attacking you when in reach and when moving and with standstill you keep them from moving away from you. Combat Focus, Stability and Vigor will give yo a bonus on Will saves, resist of bull rushes and the like and fast healing for a number of rounds. Most feats are from the PHBII Focus on Devoted Spirit maneuvers to heal damage on yourself/party members Sjiggie
#6 soulsword Jul 15, 2008 16:37:23	I don't know the type of character I want to play, that's why I'd like to hear other people opinions on it. I'd like to avoid the crusader, I've played one before and found it boring, though a dip isn't out of the question. I don't think that he wants all these crusader builds ...
#7 phaedrusxy Jul 15, 2008 17:02:59	He could stay in his room at the Inn... while everyone else goes adventuring. He'd survive any encounter that didn't take place in his room, then.
#8 neox Jul 15, 2008 17:06:33	I don't think that he wants all these crusader builds ... lol thank you soulsword, but I don't mind these builds. I know the crusader is awesome, but I never considered the changelling/warshaper build, so I'm pleasantly surprised there. I like Dragonamedrake's Ur-preist suggestion, but I don't know how well my DM will like me getting 9th level spells in a 10 level class, but we'll see. Maybe I'll just have to accept everyone says I should be a crusader and go for a lock down build haha
#9 jaronk Jul 15, 2008 17:18:44	Okay, so here's an option: Wild Shape Varient Ranger 5/Master of Many Forms 10/Warshaper 4/Nature's Warrior 1. The only downside is it basically doesn't use your stats at all... just pump your con as high as you can, and you might as well pump Int too and be all clever. Nature's Warrior gives fast healing which helps, but more importantly you'll have tons of natural armour and whatnot on your side. JaronK
#10 rebel7284 Jul 16, 2008 10:18:55	Try this
#11 kilroo Jul 16, 2008 20:59:53	Depending on how your DM views certain things, this could be fun... Changeling Ardent 2 (with Practiced Manifester)/Crusader 2/Duskblade or something 1 (adjust the order of the above to make your powers and maneuvers come out favorably) /Warshaper 4/War Mind 8/Ardent +1/Crusader +2 (adjust the amount of War Mind to suit you)