Trying to design a Goliath mercenary (fighter) turned religious protector (holy liberator). Ok besides the things I mentioned everything else is open. I am trying to make this guy pretty much Fup anything evil especially undead and evil outsiders (demons/devils). I am THINKING, but open to new stuff and sugestions, some sort of holy aura type guy (nimbus of light and what ever the next feat that kills undead around you). Looking for a build effective for around 22-24 lvl with an obvious progresion. This is a no hold back build (except for maybe pun-pun). Thanks for the help in advance!
You'd be better of with hospitaler (Complete Divine) or ordained champion (Complete Champion) than holy liberator.
If you're starting at 22nd level, fighter 1 / cleric 8 / ordained champion 5 / hospitaler 8 would be all right. Your attack bonus is 2 lower than a straight fighter and you just barely get 9th level spells.
If you use tome of battle, warblade 1 / cleric 4 / ruby knight vindicator 10 / hospitaler 7 would be good. Your attack bonus is 1 lower than a straight fighter, you just barely get 9th level spells, and you can get maneuvers up to 8th level (using a different ordering than I gave).
If your DM is willing to rework the deities prestige classes are themed on, warblade 1 / cleric 4 / ordained champion 5 / ruby knight vindicator 10 / cleric +2 would be best. It's the same as above but with better class features.
I'm trying to stick with the part about starting as a mercenary. The fighter level in the first build isn't very helpful and the warblade level in the other builds requires 2 more feats than a crusader level would.
You'd be better of with hospitaler (Complete Divine) or ordained champion (Complete Champion) than holy liberator.
If you're starting at 22nd level, fighter 1 / cleric 8 / ordained champion 5 / hospitaler 8 would be all right. Your attack bonus is 2 lower than a straight fighter and you just barely get 9th level spells.
If you use tome of battle, warblade 1 / cleric 4 / ruby knight vindicator 10 / hospitaler 7 would be good. Your attack bonus is 1 lower than a straight fighter, you just barely get 9th level spells, and you can get maneuvers up to 8th level (using a different ordering than I gave).
If your DM is willing to rework the deities prestige classes are themed on, warblade 1 / cleric 4 / ordained champion 5 / ruby knight vindicator 10 / cleric +2 would be best. It's the same as above but with better class features.
I'm trying to stick with the part about starting as a mercenary. The fighter level in the first build isn't very helpful and the warblade level in the other builds requires 2 more feats than a crusader level would.
Crusaders could certainly be Mercenaries. As could Clerics. As could chicken farmers.
A Crusader may have a religious zeal, but, if I remember correctly,there were plenty of religious mercenaries employed in The Crusades. On both sides.
Presumably, he wants his character to have initially championed no cause or deity. Clerics and crusaders are both explicitly required to choose a cause or deity to champion. A member of either class could be a mercenary in a literal sense; he could accept money fight for a group he does not belong to. However, I doubt the strictly literal definition fully describes what the OP was looking for.
Presumably, he wants his character to have initially championed no cause or deity. Clerics and crusaders are both explicitly required to choose a cause or deity to champion. A member of either class could be a mercenary in a literal sense; he could accept money fight for a group he does not belong to. However, I doubt the strictly literal definition fully describes what the OP was looking for.
Crusaders do not need a Diety, nor do Clerics. Both can choose an ideal. Supremacy in battle could certainly be an ideal either aspires to. They could, later, actually find a diety that supports this cause, but in a more structured way, hence them joining the faith.
Backstory is simple enough.
Goliaths are incredibly competitive by nature. This one in particularly reveled in competition, enjoying fighting even at a young age. Eventually his brutal nature earned him exile. He traveled, selling his services as a mercenary, content to be causing as much death on the battlefield as he could. He devoted himself to becoming the deadliest warrior he could. In this pursuit he meets a cleric of Wee Jas, the Death God. Enamored by the Faith he becomes a follower, then a Cleric. Eventually he learns to mix his faith and his love of battle, joining the ranks of The Ruby Knights.
If you have the stats to support it, or your DM allows the stacking of Nightsticks, and you haven't planned out your feats too intensely you could go for the DMM-Persist stuff to really buff yourself up.
Crusaders do not need a Diety, nor do Clerics.
I am well aware that clerics and crusaders are not required to devote themselves to a deity. Since I said “cause or deity” in every instance, the fact that I realize this is quite obvious to anyone reading my post. What was the purpose of this sentence?
I will concede that dedication to “supremacy in battle” is likely to be in keeping with whatever the OP had in mind when he said “mercenary.” Of course, I've known some people to be really finicky about the flavors they'll use for certain classes.
Also, is the level adjustment going to be bought off?
He can by off the level at 3rd, this would give him 19-21 levels in which to catch up. Item Familiar is the easiest way to assure that this is done as quickly as possible. I will try to get around to posting a build this weekend if I have time.
*Trying to have a couple more lvls of fighter because the character is a weapon focused type (great axe).
*More mele focused then spell focused. (think paladin not cleric)
*NOT doing ToB.
*No lvl adjustmant buyoff (Regretfully)
* Definetly was not religious or have any sort of cause doing his merc time.
*Also any feats you can recomend would be nice as well.
I know that kills most of the builds you guys sugest but I am trying to do go with something that doesnt involve the ToB. Like I said I am looking for a guy focused on banishing EVIL things (undead/devils/demons) although still be a competent melee character.
Fighter 6 / Cloistered Cleric 1 / Pious Templar 4 /Knight of the Chalice 10/ Epic Knight of the Chalice 1
Must be Lawful Good to Knight of the Chalice, and Pious Templar have restricted you to be in the alignment of your deity, so 6 level of merc, some time in a monastery, then be the Blade (or axe) of your deity.
Edit: I just forget about the Adjustment of being a Goliath, now it's ok.
More mele focused then spell focused. (think paladin not cleric)
Don't let the ability to cast 8th level spells fool you, fighter 1 / cleric 4 / ordained champion 5 / hospitaler 10 / cleric 1 is very melee focused. Your base attack bonus is 1 behind a straight fighter. With the holy warrior feat, you can deal +8 damage on all attacks. Cleric gives you weapon focus. Ordained champion gives you diehard and 2 other bonus fighter feats of your choice. Hospitaler gives you 3 fighter bonus feats of your choice. You can sacrifice an 8th level spell as a swift action to gain DR 9/chaotic for 5 rounds. You can sacrifice an 8th level spell as a swift action to gain +9 damage for 5 rounds. (Those both work with lower level spells for lesser effect, but always for 5 rounds.)
Between the practically full base attack bonus, 6 selectable fighter feats, 2 pre-selected fighter feats, and reliable +16 damage per attack, I think it's unfair to describe this as “spell focused.”
@LordPhrofet: It's a variant from Unearthead Arcane, cleric works fine, but cloister cleric it's better option, nets you 3 domains, and more skill points.
