Help with a Lock Build - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help with a Lock Build

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
redcelt32
Aug 07, 2013 1:33:30
Hello! I need help with a build. I'm trying to do a Lockdown variant and I would like to get help with class and feat progression. That means things like Pounce are completely secondary at this point (I'm not asking for an ubercharger). Trip is definitely an option if Stand Still won't work.

The Book of Nine Swords is not allowed, so no Thicket stance or manuvers or classes from there. Psionics and Incarnum would be out as well if that makes any difference.

We are starting at 5th level. He uses a fairly generous rolling method, so I expect at least two 16+ stats and two more 14+ stats, but since we have not rolled yet, I don’t have specifics. Most races are probably permitted, including Goliath, but I'd like to keep the classes and feats closer to core so my GM doesn’t get grumpy. Party so far is a immaskari wiz, orc duskblade, a cleric, and a human bard.

I'm particularly wondering what weapon I should use, and if I should go Trip or Stand Still since I won't have Thicket, and if it's important that I Short Haft a Reach weapon, or just use a spiked gauntlet.

Personal preferences which don’t necessarily have to be considered, but would be nice are:

- Goliath or bugbear race. This is mostly for character background, so if it works out conveniently, then great.

- I would really prefer to use a polearm vs a spiked chain, once again for background reasons.

Thanks for your help!
#2
piggyknowles
Aug 07, 2013 6:45:27 Lockdown without ToB can happen, but it's tough. Knight and Earth Devotion are some of your best non-Thicket of Blades ways to lock down an area.

A pretty standard lockdown fighter with a cleric dip for Earth Devotion seems like a fine way to go, but you could do something fun with knight also, I'm sure. Goliath would work fine here.

I'd go with guisarme + spiked armor as my attack method of choice. The spiked chain is largely unnecessary if you have martial weapon proficiency.

For a knight build, would a goblin be a reasonable alternative to a bugbear? I'm just thinking of something small-sized so it can use a medium-sized mount. The Dex bonus won't hurt either, since you'll want to be making AoOs. Take Combat Reflex, Stand Still, maybe Imperious Command and Hold the Line for fun. Go ahead and pick up Power Attack too, and take the Spirited Charge line with your bonus feats. Stay on your medium sized mount, making Spirited Charges, drawing enemies to you with Test of Mettle, and locking them down with AoO + Stand Still. Get some fearsome armor and further lock them down with Imperious Command + Never Outnumbered to force everyone within 10' not immune to fear to start cowering.
#3
draco1119
Aug 07, 2013 12:45:19 Goliath Barbarian with Mountain Rage is best for a Lock build. Large size increases your natural Reach, so your polearm will threaten an area 50' across, instead of 25'.
#4
Maat_Mons
Aug 07, 2013 21:48:39
… Short Haft …

Don't use short haft. It doesn't allow you to threaten close and far squares at the same time.

You might consider exotic weapon proficiency with hellspear (Fiendish Codex II, p129) or duom (Arms and Equipment Guide, p7), but neither work with trip.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 redcelt32 Aug 07, 2013 1:33:30	Hello! I need help with a build. I'm trying to do a Lockdown variant and I would like to get help with class and feat progression. That means things like Pounce are completely secondary at this point (I'm not asking for an ubercharger). Trip is definitely an option if Stand Still won't work. The Book of Nine Swords is not allowed, so no Thicket stance or manuvers or classes from there. Psionics and Incarnum would be out as well if that makes any difference. We are starting at 5th level. He uses a fairly generous rolling method, so I expect at least two 16+ stats and two more 14+ stats, but since we have not rolled yet, I don’t have specifics. Most races are probably permitted, including Goliath, but I'd like to keep the classes and feats closer to core so my GM doesn’t get grumpy. Party so far is a immaskari wiz, orc duskblade, a cleric, and a human bard. I'm particularly wondering what weapon I should use, and if I should go Trip or Stand Still since I won't have Thicket, and if it's important that I Short Haft a Reach weapon, or just use a spiked gauntlet. Personal preferences which don’t necessarily have to be considered, but would be nice are: - Goliath or bugbear race. This is mostly for character background, so if it works out conveniently, then great. - I would really prefer to use a polearm vs a spiked chain, once again for background reasons. Thanks for your help!
#2 piggyknowles Aug 07, 2013 6:45:27	Lockdown without ToB can happen, but it's tough. Knight and Earth Devotion are some of your best non-Thicket of Blades ways to lock down an area. A pretty standard lockdown fighter with a cleric dip for Earth Devotion seems like a fine way to go, but you could do something fun with knight also, I'm sure. Goliath would work fine here. I'd go with guisarme + spiked armor as my attack method of choice. The spiked chain is largely unnecessary if you have martial weapon proficiency. For a knight build, would a goblin be a reasonable alternative to a bugbear? I'm just thinking of something small-sized so it can use a medium-sized mount. The Dex bonus won't hurt either, since you'll want to be making AoOs. Take Combat Reflex, Stand Still, maybe Imperious Command and Hold the Line for fun. Go ahead and pick up Power Attack too, and take the Spirited Charge line with your bonus feats. Stay on your medium sized mount, making Spirited Charges, drawing enemies to you with Test of Mettle, and locking them down with AoO + Stand Still. Get some fearsome armor and further lock them down with Imperious Command + Never Outnumbered to force everyone within 10' not immune to fear to start cowering.
#3 draco1119 Aug 07, 2013 12:45:19	Goliath Barbarian with Mountain Rage is best for a Lock build. Large size increases your natural Reach, so your polearm will threaten an area 50' across, instead of 25'.
#4 Maat_Mons Aug 07, 2013 21:48:39	… Short Haft … Don't use short haft. It doesn't allow you to threaten close and far squares at the same time. You might consider exotic weapon proficiency with hellspear (Fiendish Codex II, p129) or duom (Arms and Equipment Guide, p7), but neither work with trip.