The DM has created a campaign using gestalt characters, and because he doesn't want to make things overly complicated for the majority of the group, who are inexperienced, he is disallowing multiclassing away from the pre-generated characters
He also dislikes the phb2 retraining rules, so basically I cannot change my characters classes or existing abilities (feats or ACFs). We were randomly allocated characters, and I was given a level 1 Marshall/Sorceror with Master of Tactics, Wpn Focus(ray) and Spellcasting Prodigy.
Now, I'm not too happy with this, as I think the Marshall is really only good as a dip class, and I like designing my character myself, grr. But that's enough whinging, I'd like to try and see this as a challenge - what can be done to rescue this build?
It's not all bad news, as the DM has house-ruled the Marshall to give Full BAB advancement, so I could have the makings of a reasonable gish, and once I hit 4th level I can at least change some of my spell selections, which are always of vital importance in a Sorceror Build. Plus, the character has the following stats: Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 20. Sweet!!
Spells known: daze, read magic, disrupt undead, sleep, lesser acid orb. Oh yes, and a pseudodragon familiar!
For consideration, the rest of the party is: monk/psion, fighter/warmage, duskblade/cleric, druid/wizard and a warlock/fighter. Yes, we somehow failed to get any of the trapfinding/skill monkey characters he had generated. Guess we will be using summoned monsters to find those traps!
Here's what I'm currently planning...
Level 2 - I took Motivate Care as my major aura and the light cantrip.
Level 3 - Infernal Heritage or Improved Toughness if the DM objects, Mage Armor
Level 4 - Bladeweave, Sleep->Karmic Aura
Level 5 - Domain (CCh ACF) - War
Level 6 - Infernal Howl or Steady Concentration
Level 9 - Arcane Strike
Level 12 - Spell-casting Familiar?
Other prospective spells: mirror image, wraithstrike (with Full BAB, do I need it?), greater mage armor (will help the monk and druid too), legion of sentinals (use with Master of Tactics), vampiric touch, enlarge weapon
I don't think the campaign will carry on much past level 10, so I don't need to plan too far in advance, and PrCs are disallowed anyway.
My thinking with the War domain access is that the Wpn Focus(longsword) doesn't hurt, and I already have a mithril light shield that I would like to be able to magic. I suspect that Crafting will be disallowed so the ability to cast Magic Vestment, if only once a day is quite handy, rather than keep bugging the cleric. With Infernal Howl giving the ability to convert slots to sonic damage, I don't need to worry about learning direct damage spells and can concentrate on buffs and utilities. With all the spellcasters in the party, I don't think we will be short on area damage spells.
Not sure how to optimise the Marshal side of things though, other than pumping Cha obviously.
anyone got any thoughts please? To be specific, how can the pseudodragon familiar take advantage of the alter self spell? Is it worth taking the familiar buffing spells, or should I just try and get hold of a wand?
Thanks
Pump charisma. There are items that can boost marshal auras (no way to help your Marshall though).
Any spells or effects you generate that require a skill check should be hotness as you can boost those with an aura. Knowledge Devotion, say, since you'd add your CHA to those skills.
You'll eventually want the Motivate Casting or whatever aura that lets you add your CHA to SR checks. Motivate DEX is never bad to lead with (CHA to init rolls).
Motivate Casting is definately going to be my 3rd level Minor Aura, with so many casters in the group. I guess that makes Motivate Dex the one after that, although I was thinking about the bonus to confirm criticals.
I remembered that I was also thinking about using Evards Menacing Tentacles to get some use out of that 18 Str, and possibly the Holy Warrior feat at 9th level for another +4 to melee damage. Hmm, can I share Menacing Tentacles with my pseudodragon...? That's an amusing image, I'll have to check the book!
Edit: drat, I just remembered the damage dice is based on creature size, so I don't think that will work.