Hlp 5th Lvl Warblade (Underdark) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Hlp 5th Lvl Warblade (Underdark)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
angerland
Apr 04, 2008 15:42:24 Playing in an Underdark Campaign and we are startign at 5th lvl. may only be 4-5 sessions so my group is looking for poer gaming right from the start.

I am playing a 5th Lvl Human Warblade. My stats are:
Str=18, Dex 14, con 17, int 14, wis 13, cha 10....I rolled really well. The 4th level bump went to Dex. I figured that with only light and Medium armor another pip to AC wouldn't hurt.
Feats+ Power attack, Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword, Blade Meditation= Diamond Mind, Skill Focus Concentration (for insightful strike)

I am looking for help with Stances and Maneuvers from Diamond Mind and Iron Heart Primarily, with enough White Raven to get White Raven Tactics. I know that you don't want a lot of diversity with the few maneuvers that Warblades get. I do want Insightful Strike in the mix and the other Concentration based strikes etc...Honestly I get a little overwhelmed by all the different maneuvers and stances as far as juggling the numbers for maximum effect, thats where I need the help.

Background is that the character is a LN/LE escaped gladiator. Alignment is a bit more fluid in our game than in some others. Now I am out to take some vengeance on any drow I can. I have been playing him very Samurai-esque. We've done the Character creation background development game but since we didn't get into combat my stances and maneuvers haven't been used/decided quite yet.

For equipment I have a +1 Mithril Breastplate (stolen from the arena when I escaped), a +1 Razor sharp, serrated, Bastard Sword, and a Ring of the Dark Hidden (from MIC).

The rest of the party are: Halfling Rogue, Halfling warlock, Minotaur Druid (with agorophobia!), Dwarven two weapon fighter (MonkeyGrip & Dwarven Waraxes.

I appreciate any tips folks can offer!
#2
blargney_the_second
Apr 04, 2008 16:23:24 If you're going Diamond Mind, psionics are awesome. For feats, take Power Attack, Wild Talent, Psionic Weapon, and Psionic Meditation. Next level take Deep Impact.
-blarg
#3
angerland
Apr 05, 2008 19:04:40 No psionics for players in this game. We haven't used them in our games yet (not since we started up with 3.0 in 2000) and honestly we haven't missed them. Nothing wrong with them at all, just have had no experience with them.

The feats I have chosen are pretty much set. I really just need some direction with Maneuvers and Stances.
#4
blargney_the_second
Apr 05, 2008 19:26:06 If your Concentration check is good, Moment of Perfect Mind is really good. The fact that you don't auto-fail on natural 1s alone is amazing.

Emerald Razor combines wonderfully with Power Attack for boatloads of damage.

Since you only get one 3rd level maneuver and may not play the campaign long enough to get another, you'll have to choose between Insightful Strike and White Raven Tactics. WRT is unbelievably powerful - if your DM allows it and you want a potent character, you really should just take it.

Finally, consider taking Leading the Charge as a 1st level stance and Battle Leader's Charge as a 2nd level maneuver. Charging with +15 damage is nothing to sneeze at.
-blarg
#5
davethemagicweasel
Apr 05, 2008 20:11:21 For a start, link in sig (in particular the Disciple Focus section).

I wouldn't bother with Weapon Focus personally, not least coz I'd be looking to dip a Swordsage level or two and getting it free from there (get a couple of Diamond Mind maneuvers to help with prereqs, and also pick up useful utility stuff like Counter Charge, Shadow Jaunt, etc).

Anywho, re maneuvers and stances:

Start with Punishing Stance. It's a significant boost at low levels. With Steel Wind and Wolf Fang Strike (get some armour spikes to use the second attack) the bonus damage is excellent. Wall of Blades ia also excellent and scales very well (using it against touch attacks is great, or for when you've dropped your AC with Punishing Stance), then pick up Iron Heart Surge.

Iron Heart becomes less impressive as you level tho.

For Diamond Mind - take Steady Concentration (Races of Stone) to take 10 on Concentration checks, then boost the check as much as possible with magic items. If the party has a crafter then try and get multiple bonus types, boost your Con, every single point you can squeeze out.

Then take Moment of Perfect Mind. Your other 2 saves are decent as a Warblade so I wouldn't really bother (though I might take them for high levels with the aforementioned Swordsage dip for the no fail on 1s factor). Emerald Razor is good with Power Attack. Other than that the low level Diamond Mind ones are uninspiring imo.

So, overall I suggest switching to Swordsage 1 / Warblade 4 and replacing Weapon Focus with Steady Concentration. I know you lose a BAB, but 4 more readied maneuvers to fill with counters and boosts that will remain useful even while saving your Warblade slots for the big hitters is worth it imo.

So:

Warblade 1: Punishing Stance, Charging Minotaur, Steel Wind, Stone Bones
Warblade 2: Douse the Flames
Warblade 3: Wall of Blades
Warblade 4: Stance of Clarity, Swap Douse the Flames for Mountain Hammer
Swordsage 1: Island of Blades, Counter Charge, Emerald Razor, Moment of Perfect Mind, Shadow Jaunt, Sudden Leap, Wolf Fang Strike
(ready the bold ones)

As a general rule I'd say go for offence - Punishing Stance and let loose with the strikes (with counters to cover your back). But when you want to go Defensive you can switch to Stance of Clarity and use Stone Bones. Island of Blades is for helping the rogue set up sneak attacks, and Sudden Leap lets you pseudo-Spring Attack (and once you get iteratives it gets even better).

For the future:
Warblade 5: Insightful Strike (and get novice items for White Raven Tactics and Iron Heart Surge)
#6
morandirnailo
Apr 05, 2008 22:13:17 I know you said your feats are set, but I really, really have to push for taking Adaptive Style. Warblades already have a great recovery method, so you don't need it for that. It's invaluable because it allows you to completely change what maneuvers you have readied, thus increasing your flexibility. And it's an absolute necessity if you decide to take levels in Swordsage at some point, something I highly recommend.

As far as maneuvers and stances go, the others have that covered well so I won't add anything. You really should consider dropping Weapon Focus for Adaptive Style, though. WF is a waste of a feat slot.

Mor

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 angerland Apr 04, 2008 15:42:24	Playing in an Underdark Campaign and we are startign at 5th lvl. may only be 4-5 sessions so my group is looking for poer gaming right from the start. I am playing a 5th Lvl Human Warblade. My stats are: Str=18, Dex 14, con 17, int 14, wis 13, cha 10....I rolled really well. The 4th level bump went to Dex. I figured that with only light and Medium armor another pip to AC wouldn't hurt. Feats+ Power attack, Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword, Blade Meditation= Diamond Mind, Skill Focus Concentration (for insightful strike) I am looking for help with Stances and Maneuvers from Diamond Mind and Iron Heart Primarily, with enough White Raven to get White Raven Tactics. I know that you don't want a lot of diversity with the few maneuvers that Warblades get. I do want Insightful Strike in the mix and the other Concentration based strikes etc...Honestly I get a little overwhelmed by all the different maneuvers and stances as far as juggling the numbers for maximum effect, thats where I need the help. Background is that the character is a LN/LE escaped gladiator. Alignment is a bit more fluid in our game than in some others. Now I am out to take some vengeance on any drow I can. I have been playing him very Samurai-esque. We've done the Character creation background development game but since we didn't get into combat my stances and maneuvers haven't been used/decided quite yet. For equipment I have a +1 Mithril Breastplate (stolen from the arena when I escaped), a +1 Razor sharp, serrated, Bastard Sword, and a Ring of the Dark Hidden (from MIC). The rest of the party are: Halfling Rogue, Halfling warlock, Minotaur Druid (with agorophobia!), Dwarven two weapon fighter (MonkeyGrip & Dwarven Waraxes. I appreciate any tips folks can offer!
#2 blargney_the_second Apr 04, 2008 16:23:24	If you're going Diamond Mind, psionics are awesome. For feats, take Power Attack, Wild Talent, Psionic Weapon, and Psionic Meditation. Next level take Deep Impact. -blarg
#3 angerland Apr 05, 2008 19:04:40	No psionics for players in this game. We haven't used them in our games yet (not since we started up with 3.0 in 2000) and honestly we haven't missed them. Nothing wrong with them at all, just have had no experience with them. The feats I have chosen are pretty much set. I really just need some direction with Maneuvers and Stances.
#4 blargney_the_second Apr 05, 2008 19:26:06	If your Concentration check is good, Moment of Perfect Mind is really good. The fact that you don't auto-fail on natural 1s alone is amazing. Emerald Razor combines wonderfully with Power Attack for boatloads of damage. Since you only get one 3rd level maneuver and may not play the campaign long enough to get another, you'll have to choose between Insightful Strike and White Raven Tactics. WRT is unbelievably powerful - if your DM allows it and you want a potent character, you really should just take it. Finally, consider taking Leading the Charge as a 1st level stance and Battle Leader's Charge as a 2nd level maneuver. Charging with +15 damage is nothing to sneeze at. -blarg
#5 davethemagicweasel Apr 05, 2008 20:11:21	For a start, link in sig (in particular the Disciple Focus section). I wouldn't bother with Weapon Focus personally, not least coz I'd be looking to dip a Swordsage level or two and getting it free from there (get a couple of Diamond Mind maneuvers to help with prereqs, and also pick up useful utility stuff like Counter Charge, Shadow Jaunt, etc). Anywho, re maneuvers and stances: Start with Punishing Stance. It's a significant boost at low levels. With Steel Wind and Wolf Fang Strike (get some armour spikes to use the second attack) the bonus damage is excellent. Wall of Blades ia also excellent and scales very well (using it against touch attacks is great, or for when you've dropped your AC with Punishing Stance), then pick up Iron Heart Surge. Iron Heart becomes less impressive as you level tho. For Diamond Mind - take Steady Concentration (Races of Stone) to take 10 on Concentration checks, then boost the check as much as possible with magic items. If the party has a crafter then try and get multiple bonus types, boost your Con, every single point you can squeeze out. Then take Moment of Perfect Mind. Your other 2 saves are decent as a Warblade so I wouldn't really bother (though I might take them for high levels with the aforementioned Swordsage dip for the no fail on 1s factor). Emerald Razor is good with Power Attack. Other than that the low level Diamond Mind ones are uninspiring imo. So, overall I suggest switching to Swordsage 1 / Warblade 4 and replacing Weapon Focus with Steady Concentration. I know you lose a BAB, but 4 more readied maneuvers to fill with counters and boosts that will remain useful even while saving your Warblade slots for the big hitters is worth it imo. So: Warblade 1: Punishing Stance, Charging Minotaur, Steel Wind, Stone Bones Warblade 2: Douse the Flames Warblade 3: Wall of Blades Warblade 4: Stance of Clarity, Swap Douse the Flames for Mountain Hammer Swordsage 1: Island of Blades, Counter Charge, Emerald Razor, Moment of Perfect Mind, Shadow Jaunt, Sudden Leap, Wolf Fang Strike (ready the bold ones) As a general rule I'd say go for offence - Punishing Stance and let loose with the strikes (with counters to cover your back). But when you want to go Defensive you can switch to Stance of Clarity and use Stone Bones. Island of Blades is for helping the rogue set up sneak attacks, and Sudden Leap lets you pseudo-Spring Attack (and once you get iteratives it gets even better). For the future: Warblade 5: Insightful Strike (and get novice items for White Raven Tactics and Iron Heart Surge)
#6 morandirnailo Apr 05, 2008 22:13:17	I know you said your feats are set, but I really, really have to push for taking Adaptive Style. Warblades already have a great recovery method, so you don't need it for that. It's invaluable because it allows you to completely change what maneuvers you have readied, thus increasing your flexibility. And it's an absolute necessity if you decide to take levels in Swordsage at some point, something I highly recommend. As far as maneuvers and stances go, the others have that covered well so I won't add anything. You really should consider dropping Weapon Focus for Adaptive Style, though. WF is a waste of a feat slot. Mor