Helph on building an effective lycanthrope roguish guy - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Helph on building an effective lycanthrope roguish guy

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
hasdrubal
May 29, 2008 8:01:25 I'm joining another gaiming group that will start a new campaign in a few weeks. The sources allowed by the DM are pretty large, but I want to restrict myself to the books I have, so that will be the PHB, PHB2, Complete series, Dungeonscape. We'll still be using 3.5E rules.

We start at level 5, non-PHB races are allowed, and there's no alignment restriction.

Ability scores are generated randomly, rolling 3d6 (re-rolling 1's and 2's) 7 times and keeping the 6 highest scores.

Party role: light infantry focusing on scouting skills (trapfinding, detection, stealth), helping tanks in combat by flanking opponents or taking care of spellcasters.
Race: Human
Template: afflicted lycanthrope template race as presented in the corresponding Web enhancement (see CO links).

Now comes the part where I need your help:
Were-animal class: I am considering the Dire Wolf (6-levels class) and the Dire Rat (1-level class) animal classes. On the one hand the Wolf has a nice skills selection and abilities scores increases, and takes a more martial route (more STR increase, large form, etc.). On the other hand the Rat would let me focus faster on Trapfinding skills and scouting.
Character class: Ranger (with the Trap Expert ACF) or Ninja? Ranger HD and BAB are better, the skills range offer a nice synergy with the Wolf class. Ninja offers a nice invisibility effect and increases AC, which would be welcome given the low HP. What's your pick and why?
Equipment: what would be your starting package of choice?

Many thanks for your help guys, your input will be much appreciated.

PS: I know there's a lycanthrope thread lying around, I just can't find it
#2
hasdrubal
May 30, 2008 8:07:42 Bump. Any advice would be much appreciated :D
#3
tdsaw111
May 30, 2008 12:04:23 Actually playing a Lycanthrope is a bad idea. LA+HD= crap.

I know the books I am about to mention are not in your list of ones you own but I would check with you DM about using them, if only for the race.

If you want to play a Lycanthrope-like character, take Shifter.

Shifters are from the Ebberon Campaign Setting, but Races of Ebberon, makes them playable in any campaign. They are essentially a race descended from Lycanthropes. They recieve LA/Racial HD, and are highly customizable. I would greatly recommend them over an Actual Lycanthrope.
#4
surreal
May 30, 2008 17:12:23 Lycans typically do poorly since the LA and animal hd don't offer you very much. At least a dire animal gives you full saves, but that's not enough. You will have terrible BAB and minimal skill points. You generally want the smallest hd possible so you can start picking up class levels.

There's a lycanthrope handbook in my collection (see sig) if you want to browse forms. That said, a dire rat isn't a bad choice. In fact, a dire rat ninja brings back fond memories of 1989.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 hasdrubal May 29, 2008 8:01:25	I'm joining another gaiming group that will start a new campaign in a few weeks. The sources allowed by the DM are pretty large, but I want to restrict myself to the books I have, so that will be the PHB, PHB2, Complete series, Dungeonscape. We'll still be using 3.5E rules. We start at level 5, non-PHB races are allowed, and there's no alignment restriction. Ability scores are generated randomly, rolling 3d6 (re-rolling 1's and 2's) 7 times and keeping the 6 highest scores. Party role: light infantry focusing on scouting skills (trapfinding, detection, stealth), helping tanks in combat by flanking opponents or taking care of spellcasters. Race: Human Template: afflicted lycanthrope template race as presented in the corresponding Web enhancement (see CO links). Now comes the part where I need your help: Were-animal class: I am considering the Dire Wolf (6-levels class) and the Dire Rat (1-level class) animal classes. On the one hand the Wolf has a nice skills selection and abilities scores increases, and takes a more martial route (more STR increase, large form, etc.). On the other hand the Rat would let me focus faster on Trapfinding skills and scouting. Character class: Ranger (with the Trap Expert ACF) or Ninja? Ranger HD and BAB are better, the skills range offer a nice synergy with the Wolf class. Ninja offers a nice invisibility effect and increases AC, which would be welcome given the low HP. What's your pick and why? Equipment: what would be your starting package of choice? Many thanks for your help guys, your input will be much appreciated. PS: I know there's a lycanthrope thread lying around, I just can't find it
#2 hasdrubal May 30, 2008 8:07:42	Bump. Any advice would be much appreciated :D
#3 tdsaw111 May 30, 2008 12:04:23	Actually playing a Lycanthrope is a bad idea. LA+HD= crap. I know the books I am about to mention are not in your list of ones you own but I would check with you DM about using them, if only for the race. If you want to play a Lycanthrope-like character, take Shifter. Shifters are from the Ebberon Campaign Setting, but Races of Ebberon, makes them playable in any campaign. They are essentially a race descended from Lycanthropes. They recieve LA/Racial HD, and are highly customizable. I would greatly recommend them over an Actual Lycanthrope.
#4 surreal May 30, 2008 17:12:23	Lycans typically do poorly since the LA and animal hd don't offer you very much. At least a dire animal gives you full saves, but that's not enough. You will have terrible BAB and minimal skill points. You generally want the smallest hd possible so you can start picking up class levels. There's a lycanthrope handbook in my collection (see sig) if you want to browse forms. That said, a dire rat isn't a bad choice. In fact, a dire rat ninja brings back fond memories of 1989.