The group I currently run with is a new group of optimizers. I sort of introduced a lot of them to it, so they generally don't go crazy, but there's a lot of wizard/focused specialist/archmage. Or cleric/radiant servant of pelor.
With that in mind I wanted to throw this idea out and see what you guys thought. I'd like to have him be able to stick around with the rest of the party.
Human Ex-paladin2/Marshal1/Rogue2/Hexblade4/Blackguard4/BoneKnight3/Ravager2/Warlock2
The idea is to be a hexblade type debuffer to saves and be ridiculous with saves myself. At 20 I get CHA x2 to saves and CHA x3 to saves vs. spells. I get evasion + mettle on top of the crazy saves.
I'll be giving -4 to saves constantly with Dark Companion Hexblade variant, with the ability to really go crazy with HexCurse, plus Ravager, plus Intimidate for -10 to a target's saves.
Would it be worth dumping Warlock2 and picking up Bone Knight 5?
Would the 2 feats from the Feat Rogue UA variant be worth the loss of Sickening Strike feat from Drow of the Underdark?
The idea is to have all the debuffling + be a mini-charger with a couple feats.
I'll post a detailed build soonish.
Human NE follower of Erythnul
48 point buy
STR 18
DEX 10
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 14
CHA 18 (23)
Flaws: Inattentive, Shaky
FeatRogue: Dreadful Wrath/Able Learner/PA/Imp. Sunder/Cleave
Marshal:
PaladinTyr1: Imperious Command (early entry?)
PaladinTyr2:
PaladinTyr3:
Hexblade: Combat Panache
Hexblade:
Hexblade:
Hexblade:Neraph Charge
Feat Rogue: Combat Brute
Blackguard:
Blackguard: Divine Might
Blackguard:
Blackguard:
Blackguard:Netherese Battle Curse (PGtF)
Bone Knight:
Ravager:
Ravager: Sickening Strike (For more debuffage, instead of -actions) Drow of the Underdark
Bone Knight:
Bone Knight:
18 BAB
Saves using Fractional
Fort: 21 (33) vs. spells 39
Reflex: 9 (21) vs. spells 27
Will: 13 (25) vs. spells 31
All with no CHA items
Features: Hexblade's Curse, Mettle, Dark Companion, Evasion, Minor Aura of Charisma (doubles my CHA checks), Aura of Fear 1/day, Pain Touch 1/day, Aura of Despair, Aura of Courage, Sneak Attack 2d6, Bone March, Summon Undead Steed, Master of the White Banner
8th level Blackguard spells
I still need to work out the skills, but with maxed Intimidate, Bluff, and Diplomacy I'll be a nice party face. Intimidate can be combined with Dreadful Wrath and any other fear magic items for fear stacking. I'll be able to use those fear magic items because of a maxed Use Magic Device.
Curses should be galore. I will talk my DM into allowing me Hexblade's Curse 1+CHA modifier per day. It's ridiculous otherwise. I can cannibalize my 1st level Hexblade spells for Netherese Battle Curse. Sickening Strike + Neraph's Charge will result for constantly sickened targets. (Thanks Wyvern)
Problems I see: Using Bone Knight casting for Blackguard seems like a waste. If my DM starts throwing undead and elementals at me, I'm pretty screwed. An alternate plan of action would be nice.
Instead of Ex-Paladin, what do you think of the UA variant evil paladins?
Paladin of Tyranny3/Hexblade4/Blackguard4/BoneKnight6/Any3
Important feats
Dreadful Wrath (PGtF) or Frightening Presence (Draconomicon) FEAR!
Power Attack
Cleave (Prereq)
Imp Sunder (Prereq)
Divine Might (Complete Warrior, Cha to damage)
Staggering Strike (Complete Warrior, sneak attacks stagger foe)
Neraph Charge
So...you move your Dark Companion over the foe you want to kill. Then you Hex them. Then you charge, triggering Dreadful Wrath or Frigthening Presence to add fear. As you close on your target, your Aura of Dispair covers them. Upon hitting, your foe is flatfooted thanks to Neraph Charge, allowing you to apply sneak attack. Staggering Strike triggers and your opponent has to make a save = your damage +~10-12 for all your debuffage. The wizard follows right behind you with a save vs death spell which autosucceeds because your foe's saves are crippled by your massive debuffage.
Look good?
Kudos if you do it with Grave Touched Ghoul from LM. They have a Paralysis attack that is Cha based. With all the penalties they suffer from your abilities, the save will be nearly impossible to make.
I gain all my ex-paladin abilities back when I hit bone knight. Which means the auras stack (aura of courage), I get my lay on hands ability back, I get divine grace.
Correct me if I'm wrong. I'll switch it.
Also, you DO get +cha to saves 3 times. Evil Pally gets Divine Grace, Blackguard gets Dark Blessing, and Hexblade gets their ability vs arcane spells. You shouldn't EVER fail a save...ever, and with Mettle from Hexblade, you will never be affected by partial fort/will effects either.
Uh. I just realized that I'm missing a level of paladin. I wouldn't have gotten aura of courage anyway, I needed to be Paladin3.
I'm going to take it off Bone Knight, it's the only place I can remove a level and still get it all to work. Take a look and tell me what you think for improvements.
EDIT: I just realized I could remove Marshal1. I like the CHA aura though, unless someone can convince me otherwise.
More thoughts. Marshal has a minor aura +CHA on damage rolls when charging. Better or worse then 2xCHA to CHA checks?
And yea...blackguard spells are kinda sucky. Paladins really got some amazing spells in Spell Compendium (RHINO'S RUSHDSGSDFGDFG!!!!!!) but Blackguards mostly got a lead plated shaft. Divine Sacrifice is a decent spell though. You don't have to continue your BG casting, but you aren't exactly losing a ton from Bone Knight, so why not leave it.
Dread Witch might be kinda fun, but thats taking the fear thing maybe a little toooooo far.
As far as elementals and whatnots. Aura of Dispair, Aura of Fear, Dark Companion, and IIRC, Hexblade Curse are all non-[Mind Affecting] and non-[Fear] subtype abilities, despite their names. Really, you are mostly a setup man, the vanguard of the assault, the lazer that paints the target, so that the heavy artilery that comes in behind you can drop DC40 (effectively) save vs death spells on your unassuming opponents. If you have a well built caster behind you, literally nothing should be able to survive.
You still have full BAB, Power Attack, and Divine Might, so you aren't exactly worthless in combat. Make with the hack crush swing chop stab and you should be fine.
Speaking of crush, if you could squeeze in a couple fighter levels and get Weapon Focus Greatclub, Improved Bull Rush and Three Mountains weapon style feat from Complete Warrior. Anyone hit twice by your Great Club must make a fort save DC 10 + 1/2 level + Str or be Nauseated for 1 round. Nauseated is crippling. No standard action. Rather feat intensive, but its a pretty slick deal. Plus, with a blunt weapon, you are eligable to receive Greater Mighty Wallop on your weapon from a friendly caster. Thats a HUGE weapon damage increase.
paladin of tyranny5/hexblade4/divine crusader1/bone knight10
The blackguard is overkill and it's costs you two crappy feats
I was really going for a hexblade type debuffer.