Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 turok124 Sep 04, 2008 23:52:38	I'm in a level 20 game where just about all the main party roles are taken, we have... Dwarf Barbarian (meatshield) Pixie Warlock-with a "fey" connection instead of demons (back up magic) Human Telepath ("magic") Human Dragonfire Adept (de-buffer) Halfling Rogue (skillmonkey) and a Human Cleric (healbot) I wanted to make a character that can help in any way. my ideas: -warblade: another meatshield and liberal use of dazing strike/disabling strike -lurk: using lurk augments for mental stat damage (wisdom damage for lower will saves) -druid: in case the cleric is gone for the weekend i want a character to have some fun with, whether it be a buffer, de-buffer, or an extra body.... any optimal choices to take for this group? Oh, and i have access to: core books XPH Draconomicon Lords of Madness Complete warrior/adventurer/divine/magic/psionic Races of destiny/wild Magic of Incarnum Tome of Battle Dragon Magic i hope i gave enough info to help... thanks in advance
#2 reis Sep 05, 2008 0:08:25	please post a more complete build idea of what you actually want to play
#3 turok124 Sep 05, 2008 0:18:32	well, i'm looking for more "party optimization" i guess. i'm just asking for a class and what to specialize, then i'll take care of the rest.. example: "be a druid and focus on summoning" or "an extra dragonfire adept would be helpful as an additional de-buffer" or whatever option would be best suited
#4 reis Sep 05, 2008 0:31:30	what kind of challenges are commonly present in the campaign?
#5 natenate Sep 05, 2008 1:40:33	Being level 20, you definitely want to make a full spellcaster. I think Druid would be a great choice, or maybe go with an Arcane Heirophant build (RotW) to have just about any spell you'd want available plus a powerful animal companion. Druid 3/ Wizard 3/ Mystic Theurge 4/ Arcane Heirophant 10 is a solid choice, and would definitely make up for any areas the rest of the party may be lacking in, especially since all of the current spellcasting consists of a limited list (psion) and a single Cleric. Pick your spells like a Batman Wizard, and use your druid spells for buffs, debuff/condition removal, offense and to make up what the Wizard list may lack. Sadly the Spell Compendium isn't available to you, though with the Completes you should have plenty of spells available to handle any situation. In case you don't know, this is the Batman Wizard.
#6 unundindur Sep 05, 2008 4:52:59	I agree with Nate
#7 carnivore Sep 05, 2008 5:03:00	I agree with Nate +1 :D
#8 empirate Sep 05, 2008 5:57:29	While full casters at 20 are nice and powerful, the party's also still missing a dedicated damage dealer. So why not make an arcane Gish, focusing on self-buffs and Arcane Striking for full PA? Also, get a Rod of Chaining and chain Dancing Blade for an awesome amount of virtual attacks/round. Take 20 colossal reach weapons (Spiked Chain is best, once again...), chain Greater Magic Weapon, and you're set to deal hundreds of damage every round.
#9 tshern Sep 05, 2008 6:02:23	They have only Cleric, Dragonfire Adept, Barbarian and Rogue. I think that will take care of the damage.
#10 brainpiercing Sep 05, 2008 6:50:10	So if this party has all the bases covered, why not just play something that's fun? Or do something that really helps them: Be a dwarfen defender. According to the first rule of fleeing from battle you don't have to be the fastest guy, you just have to be faster than the slowest guy in the party. That way, when the party has to flee from battle, YOU'll be the slowest, and they'll be able to get away. Then again... be a druid. Or a bard.
#11 tshern Sep 05, 2008 6:54:33	I'd make an arcane caster...
#12 empirate Sep 05, 2008 10:33:51	They have only Cleric, Dragonfire Adept, Barbarian and Rogue. I think that will take care of the damage. Ordinarily, I'd agree. But the OP specifically said they had a meatshield Barbarian, a debuffer Dragonfire Adept, a skillmonkey Rogue and a healbot Cleric. Those classes may have the potential to deal massive damage, but it sounds they're not played that way in this case. Hence my recommendation. Also, "play a full caster" seems to be the standard answer to the "what should I play?" question. Why not something other than a Druid20 or Wizard20, for a change? Playing a Dwarven Defender has its merits, but ultimately, I think it's not so much fun to be the one who can't run... or do anything else requiring movement. Bards are great fun, on the other hand!
#13 keithio Sep 05, 2008 11:44:18	+1 arcane heirophant, thats fun to play at high levels
#14 turok124 Sep 05, 2008 12:39:13	i think i'm a fan of the arcane heirophant idea with Batman Wizard suggestions. I can't believe i never thought of combining mystic theurge levels with arcane heirophant! i'm slacking.... thanks so much!
#15 carnivore Sep 05, 2008 14:52:51	you could also try a Chameleon Build: Human Rogue(Feat variant) 2/ Marshal 3/ Chameleon 10/ Master Thrower 5 or Warlock 10/ Chameleon 10 or Crusader 2/ Swordsage 2/ Warblade 1/ Chameleon 10/ Master of Nine 5 :D
#16 surreal Sep 05, 2008 16:12:46	Here's something I drafted up for a game that might get cancelled, so I'd like to see it get some use... Gnome Beguiler 4/Binder 1/Anima Mage 10/Shadowcraft Mage 5 Decent skills, nearly full casting, versatility through SCM, more versatility through binding.
#17 playswithfire Sep 05, 2008 23:45:22	Some stuff just for fun Bard/(Crusader or Warblade) with song of the White Raven (and Words of Creation if you can swing it); party buffer/tactician Warblade/Bloodstorm Blade/Master Thrower - chuck stuff at people and hit them often (weak spot from Master Thrower)
#18 dragonamedrake Sep 06, 2008 2:09:42	When your party has all its bases covered you can never have to many healers... A druid also makes a GREAT back up charcter for whatever the situation calls for. If you can get away with it go Planar Shepard... and if not Arcane Hierophant. Or just 20 druid... the druid class is one of those few base classes that can hold its own going a full 20 lvls without going into a prestige class.
#19 natzero Sep 06, 2008 10:27:07	imma have to agree with the chameleon build. even if its something as typical as rogue 10 / cha 10 or like bard 10 / cha 10 the class can literally help in any way, and change that way at any time. rogue is nice for the 5d6 u have as extra dmg and cha allows you to sneak better, cast divine, cast arcane, fight better, or hug trees harder. plus it must be fun to rp a cha, the types of personalities and quirks i can think of just off the top of my head have always made me want to play a cha. theres my 2 cp.
#20 keyes2k4 Sep 06, 2008 11:16:35	I seriously reccomend wizard. Your party has no direct damage dealer, which you can easily cover with a couple good spell choices. You're missing an arcane caster, which the wizard is the best at. You already have a meat tank, a skill monkey, and a diviner who is focused on healing, so you're golden. Normally I would say don't be a generalist wizard because specialist and focused specialist give you much more stuff you can do per day, but since you'll be the only person utilizing magic you may want to keep all of your schools, if not for the spells, maybe just so you can keep evocation.