Help CO my Warforged Totemist please! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help CO my Warforged Totemist please!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
therabidyak
May 05, 2008 0:50:16 So, running a new game from the ground up. Campaign setting is set in the Forgotten Realms, and the only material I am not allowed to reference for information are Dragon Magazines. The starting basis for this character would be based around the following:

Warforged Totemist
Str: 14
Dex: 12
Con: 20
Int: 12
Wis: 10
Cha: 8

The game has began and these stats are going to be set in stone. Also, my first level feat has already been picked - I went with Adamantite Body, as we had no real 'tanks' in the group, which is comprised of myself, a wizard (going shadowcraft mage), a zen archery based cleric, and an elven scout looking to go OtBI.

Looking ahead, I am trying to find an optimal approach to take this build as a 'natural attacks' build that can hold it's own as a tank as well. I feel that the best defense is a good offense, however, so I'm looking to take natural attacks as far as I can with this. This is what I have thus far, loosely...

Level 3: Take Multiattack. Bind Girallon's Arms to my totem chakra and I'm working with 4 1d4 claw attacks and a 1d4 slam attack. Looking ahead, I'm thinking that taking Jaws of Death and/or Second Slam from the Warforged feat list (RoE) might not be a bad idea. Additionally, I plan to see about procuring a Horned Helmet for an additional gore attack. I can't decide if taking fighter levels would be worth it, or if there is another way to focus this idea - I do like the idea of a 4 level dip into fighter for the BAB bonus, and the bonus feats might not be terrible. If I decided to dip, the fighter sub. levels from RoE could come into play as well - I would be able to pick up second slam or Jaws of Death as a bonus feat for the 2nd level dip, should I choose the substitution path. I can't decide if the d12 hit die and extra feat are worth the loss of alternate bonus feats or focused totemist leveling, however.

Wall of text crits for 3k. Ugh.

Anyhow, this is what I am currently contemplating. As many natural attacks as are viable to stack, while maintaining a viable defense. Any suggestions, feedback, ect. would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching the forums for similar questions and answers, but haven't found what I seek, so I humbly submit my supplication to the CO veterans. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I definetly look forward to reading your replies!
#2
sinfire_titan
May 05, 2008 8:51:10 Screw Fighter. Barbarian or Warblade is the way to go. If Barbarian, Totem Rager. If Warblade, then just dip every few levels for the extra maneuvers. Seriously, the bonus feats are not worth it.

If flaws are allowed, your feats should look like this:

1st: Jaws of Death
Flaw: Dragontouched (Dragon Magic)
Flaw: Dragonic Tail (Races of the Dragon)
3rd: Multiattack
6th: Cobalt Rage (or Improved Multiattack)
9th: Second Slam (BAB +6, IIRC)

Everything else from that point on is gravy. If your DM does the right thing and rules that the Dragon Tail Soulmeld (not the Dragonic Tail feat) can be used with an attack action instead of a Standard action, the way it should be, then you will have 2 Tail slaps, 4 Claws, 2 Slams, a Gore, and a Bite. 10 Attacks.

Barbarian 2 for Lion-Totem variant from Complete Champion. If your DM allows you to have the Wolf-Totem variant from Unearthed Arcana too, then take it in place of Uncanny Dodge (which you can get+Evasion through Shape Soulmeld for the Impulse Boots). By RAW, there is nothing preventing you from taking both variants.

Cold Iron or Silver Tracery and a Ring of Adamantine Touch, with two Eternal Wands of Greater Magic Fang (CL 20th), and you are set for life.
#3
psionmage
May 05, 2008 9:59:37
Cold Iron or Silver Tracery and a Ring of Adamantine Touch, with two Eternal Wands of Greater Magic Fang (CL 20th), and you are set for life.

I'm AFB, but I thought eternal wands had hard-caps of level 3 spells and CL 6. so while you could get greater magic fang, it wouldn't be quite as effective.
#4
therabidyak
May 05, 2008 11:06:25 I'll be perfectly honest, Sinfire Titan is one of the CO regulars I was attempting to pay homage to with this build.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take flaws, as this char has already been generated. Is the XP hit worth dipping into Barb or Warblade? I'm thinking possibly, if it is possible to take an easy dip for one of the pouncebarb variants (Warforged favored class is Fighter, if I dip, I pay in XP or a burnt feat, but the extra survivability of the Warforged seemed worth it at chargen). I honestly don't know if I can figure out a way to get Dragontouched, but after a lengthy discussion, I think I've convinced him to let me quest for the Warforged component wings somewhere down the line (120 speed, perfect flight, with 2x 1d10 buffeting attacks -- disgustingly good!)

The first level is set in stone, the rest are mutable. After last session, we earned level 3, so I'm looking at another totemist level for 2, with an open slate from there.

Does anyone have experience with the open chakra feats? Would it be worth looking into opening some additional chakras with this in mind?

Thus far, 4x claw attacks, 2x wing attacks (d'oh, a tail would be nice!), the gore, the 2x slams, and the bite still puts me at 10 plus BAB attacks, which is still smexy, and I can use soulmelds to shore up the defenses where available. I'll do some more research and see if I can come up with any more fodder. I appreciate both of you taking the time to reply, and look forward not only to additional feedback by any passers-by, but to the continuing exploits of the Skarn Totemist, once Titan gets some more play time. His exploits are providing me with all kinds of fun ways to make the DM cry...

By the way, the dragon tail soulmeld....I don't recall seeing it in MoI - mind filling me in on which soulmeld provided it? I looked all through it and couldn't find a 'dragon tail' as such...

*ponders the awesomeness that is a full attack schedule with pounce with this build*

Lastly, does anyone have a suggestion or two for a way for me to count as a size class larger for determining my dice for natural attacks without nerfing my
current setup?
#5
ratpick
May 05, 2008 11:45:06 Well, since the earliest entry into Totem Rager (which you should take anyway if you're going for Barbarian/Totemist) is either Barbarian 2/Totemist 4, Barbarian 3/Totemist 3 or Barbarian 4/Totemist 2, XP penalties shouldn't be a problem.
#6
sinfire_titan
May 05, 2008 14:44:48
I'm AFB, but I thought eternal wands had hard-caps of level 3 spells and CL 6. so while you could get greater magic fang, it wouldn't be quite as effective.

I don't think so. IIRC, they work almost exactly like Wands, except they lack the massive amounts of charges.

I'll be perfectly honest, Sinfire Titan is one of the CO regulars I was attempting to pay homage to with this build.

:D

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take flaws, as this char has already been generated. Is the XP hit worth dipping into Barb or Warblade? I'm thinking possibly, if it is possible to take an easy dip for one of the pouncebarb variants (Warforged favored class is Fighter, if I dip, I pay in XP or a burnt feat, but the extra survivability of the Warforged seemed worth it at chargen). I honestly don't know if I can figure out a way to get Dragontouched, but after a lengthy discussion, I think I've convinced him to let me quest for the Warforged component wings somewhere down the line (120 speed, perfect flight, with 2x 1d10 buffeting attacks -- disgustingly good!)

XP penalties? You'll make up for them with the Totem Rager smackdown. The DM won't be able to hand out encounters fast enough! The fact that you are Warforged means that Rage Claws is soley to extend your negative HP cap and allow extra actions while in the Negatives.

The first level is set in stone, the rest are mutable. After last session, we earned level 3, so I'm looking at another totemist level for 2, with an open slate from there.

Three options: Warblade 2, alternating every two levels (maybe the DM will be nice and allow you to trat Warblade levels as Fighter levels for XP penalties, if only because of Weapon Aptitude. Doubtful, but it would be nice). Fighter 2/Spinemeld Warrior 10 and call yourself a death engine with TWFing and 7 natural weapons (with Soulborn and Totemist Melds to mix things up a bit). Or Totem Rager finishing with either Bear Warrior or Totemist.

Does anyone have experience with the open chakra feats? Would it be worth looking into opening some additional chakras with this in mind?

Well, according to CustServ, they only allow you to bind to new slots, not grant new Chakra binds period. THough that ruling completely contradicts the RAW, and is highly obscure. I don't think it is worth it myself. Double Chakra is manditory.

Thus far, 4x claw attacks, 2x wing attacks (d'oh, a tail would be nice!), the gore, the 2x slams, and the bite still puts me at 10 plus BAB attacks, which is still smexy, and I can use soulmelds to shore up the defenses where available. I'll do some more research and see if I can come up with any more fodder. I appreciate both of you taking the time to reply, and look forward not only to additional feedback by any passers-by, but to the continuing exploits of the Skarn Totemist, once Titan gets some more play time. His exploits are providing me with all kinds of fun ways to make the DM cry...

I love Eisin. He's such a freaking house.

By the way, the dragon tail soulmeld....I don't recall seeing it in MoI - mind filling me in on which soulmeld provided it? I looked all through it and couldn't find a 'dragon tail' as such...

The only other WotC printed source for Solmelds, Dragon Magic.

*ponders the awesomeness that is a full attack schedule with pounce with this build*

It sends chills down my spine every time I look at the build. Also, an interesting note is that you can be Lawful and keep Pounce.

Lastly, does anyone have a suggestion or two for a way for me to count as a size class larger for determining my dice for natural attacks without nerfing my
current setup?

Dread Carapace Shoulder Bind.
#7
therabidyak
May 05, 2008 20:14:04 Thanks, Titan! Once I see if I get to keep this character, I might start a CO diary of my own ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 therabidyak May 05, 2008 0:50:16	So, running a new game from the ground up. Campaign setting is set in the Forgotten Realms, and the only material I am not allowed to reference for information are Dragon Magazines. The starting basis for this character would be based around the following: Warforged Totemist Str: 14 Dex: 12 Con: 20 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 8 The game has began and these stats are going to be set in stone. Also, my first level feat has already been picked - I went with Adamantite Body, as we had no real 'tanks' in the group, which is comprised of myself, a wizard (going shadowcraft mage), a zen archery based cleric, and an elven scout looking to go OtBI. Looking ahead, I am trying to find an optimal approach to take this build as a 'natural attacks' build that can hold it's own as a tank as well. I feel that the best defense is a good offense, however, so I'm looking to take natural attacks as far as I can with this. This is what I have thus far, loosely... Level 3: Take Multiattack. Bind Girallon's Arms to my totem chakra and I'm working with 4 1d4 claw attacks and a 1d4 slam attack. Looking ahead, I'm thinking that taking Jaws of Death and/or Second Slam from the Warforged feat list (RoE) might not be a bad idea. Additionally, I plan to see about procuring a Horned Helmet for an additional gore attack. I can't decide if taking fighter levels would be worth it, or if there is another way to focus this idea - I do like the idea of a 4 level dip into fighter for the BAB bonus, and the bonus feats might not be terrible. If I decided to dip, the fighter sub. levels from RoE could come into play as well - I would be able to pick up second slam or Jaws of Death as a bonus feat for the 2nd level dip, should I choose the substitution path. I can't decide if the d12 hit die and extra feat are worth the loss of alternate bonus feats or focused totemist leveling, however. Wall of text crits for 3k. Ugh. Anyhow, this is what I am currently contemplating. As many natural attacks as are viable to stack, while maintaining a viable defense. Any suggestions, feedback, ect. would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching the forums for similar questions and answers, but haven't found what I seek, so I humbly submit my supplication to the CO veterans. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I definetly look forward to reading your replies!
#2 sinfire_titan May 05, 2008 8:51:10	Screw Fighter. Barbarian or Warblade is the way to go. If Barbarian, Totem Rager. If Warblade, then just dip every few levels for the extra maneuvers. Seriously, the bonus feats are not worth it. If flaws are allowed, your feats should look like this: 1st: Jaws of Death Flaw: Dragontouched (Dragon Magic) Flaw: Dragonic Tail (Races of the Dragon) 3rd: Multiattack 6th: Cobalt Rage (or Improved Multiattack) 9th: Second Slam (BAB +6, IIRC) Everything else from that point on is gravy. If your DM does the right thing and rules that the Dragon Tail Soulmeld (not the Dragonic Tail feat) can be used with an attack action instead of a Standard action, the way it should be, then you will have 2 Tail slaps, 4 Claws, 2 Slams, a Gore, and a Bite. 10 Attacks. Barbarian 2 for Lion-Totem variant from Complete Champion. If your DM allows you to have the Wolf-Totem variant from Unearthed Arcana too, then take it in place of Uncanny Dodge (which you can get+Evasion through Shape Soulmeld for the Impulse Boots). By RAW, there is nothing preventing you from taking both variants. Cold Iron or Silver Tracery and a Ring of Adamantine Touch, with two Eternal Wands of Greater Magic Fang (CL 20th), and you are set for life.
#3 psionmage May 05, 2008 9:59:37	Cold Iron or Silver Tracery and a Ring of Adamantine Touch, with two Eternal Wands of Greater Magic Fang (CL 20th), and you are set for life. I'm AFB, but I thought eternal wands had hard-caps of level 3 spells and CL 6. so while you could get greater magic fang, it wouldn't be quite as effective.
#4 therabidyak May 05, 2008 11:06:25	I'll be perfectly honest, Sinfire Titan is one of the CO regulars I was attempting to pay homage to with this build. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take flaws, as this char has already been generated. Is the XP hit worth dipping into Barb or Warblade? I'm thinking possibly, if it is possible to take an easy dip for one of the pouncebarb variants (Warforged favored class is Fighter, if I dip, I pay in XP or a burnt feat, but the extra survivability of the Warforged seemed worth it at chargen). I honestly don't know if I can figure out a way to get Dragontouched, but after a lengthy discussion, I think I've convinced him to let me quest for the Warforged component wings somewhere down the line (120 speed, perfect flight, with 2x 1d10 buffeting attacks -- disgustingly good!) The first level is set in stone, the rest are mutable. After last session, we earned level 3, so I'm looking at another totemist level for 2, with an open slate from there. Does anyone have experience with the open chakra feats? Would it be worth looking into opening some additional chakras with this in mind? Thus far, 4x claw attacks, 2x wing attacks (d'oh, a tail would be nice!), the gore, the 2x slams, and the bite still puts me at 10 plus BAB attacks, which is still smexy, and I can use soulmelds to shore up the defenses where available. I'll do some more research and see if I can come up with any more fodder. I appreciate both of you taking the time to reply, and look forward not only to additional feedback by any passers-by, but to the continuing exploits of the Skarn Totemist, once Titan gets some more play time. His exploits are providing me with all kinds of fun ways to make the DM cry... By the way, the dragon tail soulmeld....I don't recall seeing it in MoI - mind filling me in on which soulmeld provided it? I looked all through it and couldn't find a 'dragon tail' as such... ponders the awesomeness that is a full attack schedule with pounce with this build Lastly, does anyone have a suggestion or two for a way for me to count as a size class larger for determining my dice for natural attacks without nerfing my current setup?
#5 ratpick May 05, 2008 11:45:06	Well, since the earliest entry into Totem Rager (which you should take anyway if you're going for Barbarian/Totemist) is either Barbarian 2/Totemist 4, Barbarian 3/Totemist 3 or Barbarian 4/Totemist 2, XP penalties shouldn't be a problem.
#6 sinfire_titan May 05, 2008 14:44:48	I'm AFB, but I thought eternal wands had hard-caps of level 3 spells and CL 6. so while you could get greater magic fang, it wouldn't be quite as effective. I don't think so. IIRC, they work almost exactly like Wands, except they lack the massive amounts of charges. I'll be perfectly honest, Sinfire Titan is one of the CO regulars I was attempting to pay homage to with this build. :D Unfortunately, I won't be able to take flaws, as this char has already been generated. Is the XP hit worth dipping into Barb or Warblade? I'm thinking possibly, if it is possible to take an easy dip for one of the pouncebarb variants (Warforged favored class is Fighter, if I dip, I pay in XP or a burnt feat, but the extra survivability of the Warforged seemed worth it at chargen). I honestly don't know if I can figure out a way to get Dragontouched, but after a lengthy discussion, I think I've convinced him to let me quest for the Warforged component wings somewhere down the line (120 speed, perfect flight, with 2x 1d10 buffeting attacks -- disgustingly good!) XP penalties? You'll make up for them with the Totem Rager smackdown. The DM won't be able to hand out encounters fast enough! The fact that you are Warforged means that Rage Claws is soley to extend your negative HP cap and allow extra actions while in the Negatives. The first level is set in stone, the rest are mutable. After last session, we earned level 3, so I'm looking at another totemist level for 2, with an open slate from there. Three options: Warblade 2, alternating every two levels (maybe the DM will be nice and allow you to trat Warblade levels as Fighter levels for XP penalties, if only because of Weapon Aptitude. Doubtful, but it would be nice). Fighter 2/Spinemeld Warrior 10 and call yourself a death engine with TWFing and 7 natural weapons (with Soulborn and Totemist Melds to mix things up a bit). Or Totem Rager finishing with either Bear Warrior or Totemist. Does anyone have experience with the open chakra feats? Would it be worth looking into opening some additional chakras with this in mind? Well, according to CustServ, they only allow you to bind to new slots, not grant new Chakra binds period. THough that ruling completely contradicts the RAW, and is highly obscure. I don't think it is worth it myself. Double Chakra is manditory. Thus far, 4x claw attacks, 2x wing attacks (d'oh, a tail would be nice!), the gore, the 2x slams, and the bite still puts me at 10 plus BAB attacks, which is still smexy, and I can use soulmelds to shore up the defenses where available. I'll do some more research and see if I can come up with any more fodder. I appreciate both of you taking the time to reply, and look forward not only to additional feedback by any passers-by, but to the continuing exploits of the Skarn Totemist, once Titan gets some more play time. His exploits are providing me with all kinds of fun ways to make the DM cry... I love Eisin. He's such a freaking house. By the way, the dragon tail soulmeld....I don't recall seeing it in MoI - mind filling me in on which soulmeld provided it? I looked all through it and couldn't find a 'dragon tail' as such... The only other WotC printed source for Solmelds, Dragon Magic. ponders the awesomeness that is a full attack schedule with pounce with this build It sends chills down my spine every time I look at the build. Also, an interesting note is that you can be Lawful and keep Pounce. Lastly, does anyone have a suggestion or two for a way for me to count as a size class larger for determining my dice for natural attacks without nerfing my current setup? Dread Carapace Shoulder Bind.
#7 therabidyak May 05, 2008 20:14:04	Thanks, Titan! Once I see if I get to keep this character, I might start a CO diary of my own ;)