Help needed - optimizing 2 TWF builds [3.5, core] - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help needed - optimizing 2 TWF builds [3.5, core]

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Zireael
Feb 22, 2010 9:54:07 I need help in optimizing 2 TWF builds. CORE ONLY, as this is for CoCo Gladius.

Specifics here: community.wizards.com/coco/wiki/Zireael

The drow one is trickier for me. She goes double weapon, specifically the two-bladed sword as soon as I get the TWF. No ranger here, because it doesn't match her roleplaying wise. And I already lost 2 fights, so I hope I get an edge soon.
/I'm swapping that hand crossbow this week for a light crossbow/

The elven one starts this Thursday. TWF too, that's why I went Rgr2 etc. Right now it's longsword and dagger. I wonder if it would be better to switch to twin short swords. She's easier, that's why I've got a plan up to the level 11.

Thanks in advance,
Zireael
#2
darth_versity
Feb 22, 2010 12:46:20 Well your best weapon option is to use a longsword and short sword for minimum penalties and maximum damge. It would probably be better to take mostly ranger levels, allowing you to leave your Dex at 16 and raise your Str at every available chance.

I'd drop the fighter level if I we're you, consider taking a level of rogue instead. It gives an additional 1d6 damage with each weapon while flanking and a few extra skill points at first level. Just remember though that you are a glass cannon. Lower HP than a fighter and a weaker AC.

Good feats to take are Imp Init, Power Attack, Cleave and Great Cleave.

I'd also drop Weapon Focus as it only applies to one of your weapons. Stick with feats that offer more attacks (like cleave) unless you have plenty to spare.

Also ask what the main enemy will be as its always handy to have the main body of enemies as your favoured enemy.
#3
Zireael
Feb 22, 2010 13:12:21 Thanks. I could drop the Weapon Focus as soon as I get Zireael in Gladius. As long as I'm ECL 3, I've some room to manevuer. And sorry, my mistake, I've got a shortsword already.

Anything on the drow?
#4
Zireael
Feb 24, 2010 7:04:27 Waiting for help about SiNafay. Alignment changed to NE. That allows me to go Blackguard in the future. Or even Assasin.
#5
Zireael
Apr 29, 2010 2:58:22 A random idea running around my head. Psion (telepath) going into Thrallherd. Is it worth it to take 10 levels of Thrallherd or is 1 enough?
BTW. I need help with the gnoll gladiator. Don't know where to go with him. Goal: biggest damage and/or attack bonus.
#6
emoduck
May 01, 2010 9:29:32
A random idea running around my head. Psion (telepath) going into Thrallherd. Is it worth it to take 10 levels of Thrallherd or is 1 enough?
BTW. I need help with the gnoll gladiator. Don't know where to go with him. Goal: biggest damage and/or attack bonus.

Thrallherd is definitely worth taking to its conclusion. You're only giving up a two bonus psionic feats to get extra characters, not to mention getting the improved Psionic Dominate and Psionic Charm for free (if you didn't already take the powers - this does, of course, mean that you would get these powers later than you otherwise would by simply selecting them as part of your psion progression). Sacrificing two manifester levels for that is well worth it in my opinion.

For a gladiator, I'd look into using a whip (perhaps in the off-hand combined with a hard-hitting main weapon with TWF) or spiked chain and focus on tripping and disarming, but the gnoll's 2 HD on top of the LA rather hurts. I always like to ask the DM whether the racial HD can be nixed in favour of class levels, 'cause I think the gnoll deserves that. You could try looking into the Lasher PrC from Sword & Fist for some neat options with the whip - perhaps not as optimised as the spiked chain would be, but I like the whip's flavour better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Zireael Feb 22, 2010 9:54:07	I need help in optimizing 2 TWF builds. CORE ONLY, as this is for CoCo Gladius. Specifics here: community.wizards.com/coco/wiki/Zireael The drow one is trickier for me. She goes double weapon, specifically the two-bladed sword as soon as I get the TWF. No ranger here, because it doesn't match her roleplaying wise. And I already lost 2 fights, so I hope I get an edge soon. /I'm swapping that hand crossbow this week for a light crossbow/ The elven one starts this Thursday. TWF too, that's why I went Rgr2 etc. Right now it's longsword and dagger. I wonder if it would be better to switch to twin short swords. She's easier, that's why I've got a plan up to the level 11. Thanks in advance, Zireael
#2 darth_versity Feb 22, 2010 12:46:20	Well your best weapon option is to use a longsword and short sword for minimum penalties and maximum damge. It would probably be better to take mostly ranger levels, allowing you to leave your Dex at 16 and raise your Str at every available chance. I'd drop the fighter level if I we're you, consider taking a level of rogue instead. It gives an additional 1d6 damage with each weapon while flanking and a few extra skill points at first level. Just remember though that you are a glass cannon. Lower HP than a fighter and a weaker AC. Good feats to take are Imp Init, Power Attack, Cleave and Great Cleave. I'd also drop Weapon Focus as it only applies to one of your weapons. Stick with feats that offer more attacks (like cleave) unless you have plenty to spare. Also ask what the main enemy will be as its always handy to have the main body of enemies as your favoured enemy.
#3 Zireael Feb 22, 2010 13:12:21	Thanks. I could drop the Weapon Focus as soon as I get Zireael in Gladius. As long as I'm ECL 3, I've some room to manevuer. And sorry, my mistake, I've got a shortsword already. Anything on the drow?
#4 Zireael Feb 24, 2010 7:04:27	Waiting for help about SiNafay. Alignment changed to NE. That allows me to go Blackguard in the future. Or even Assasin.
#5 Zireael Apr 29, 2010 2:58:22	A random idea running around my head. Psion (telepath) going into Thrallherd. Is it worth it to take 10 levels of Thrallherd or is 1 enough? BTW. I need help with the gnoll gladiator. Don't know where to go with him. Goal: biggest damage and/or attack bonus.
#6 emoduck May 01, 2010 9:29:32	A random idea running around my head. Psion (telepath) going into Thrallherd. Is it worth it to take 10 levels of Thrallherd or is 1 enough? BTW. I need help with the gnoll gladiator. Don't know where to go with him. Goal: biggest damage and/or attack bonus. Thrallherd is definitely worth taking to its conclusion. You're only giving up a two bonus psionic feats to get extra characters, not to mention getting the improved Psionic Dominate and Psionic Charm for free (if you didn't already take the powers - this does, of course, mean that you would get these powers later than you otherwise would by simply selecting them as part of your psion progression). Sacrificing two manifester levels for that is well worth it in my opinion. For a gladiator, I'd look into using a whip (perhaps in the off-hand combined with a hard-hitting main weapon with TWF) or spiked chain and focus on tripping and disarming, but the gnoll's 2 HD on top of the LA rather hurts. I always like to ask the DM whether the racial HD can be nixed in favour of class levels, 'cause I think the gnoll deserves that. You could try looking into the Lasher PrC from Sword & Fist for some neat options with the whip - perhaps not as optimised as the spiked chain would be, but I like the whip's flavour better.