Looking to build a bodyguard for my... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Looking to build a bodyguard for my...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
veldan_rath
Jan 14, 2009 19:13:32 ...Dread Necromancer!

And no, I don't mean by creating a zombie or skeleton.

I'm taking Leadership at 9th Level and I want a tank between me and the opposition.

Our group only has 4 characters. A Goliath Fighter, a Human Rogue/Cleric/Shadowbane Stalker (the alignment restriction was lifted by the DM and the class is more focused to be a stealth agent for the deity), and an Elf Wizard.

The campaign is a mix of bloody combat and political intrigue so currently my character has to be cautious, and can’t have an army of undead following him around in the cities and towns (out in the wilderness however…)

So I am looking to bolster our number so the group is not too concerned with keeping me safe.

My character is a Human Necropolitan and I will be eventually prestige into Eldritch Thurge. My alignment is Neutral, and I’ve got a Quasit for a familiar. We are on the go quite a bit with no major base of operations.

I currently have a 20 Charisma (16 Base with a Cloak of Charisma +4). As I don’t recall if you have to use your natural Charisma for Leadership, my Base Score will be either a 12 or 14, then -2 for the Familiar and -1 for moving about. I have no idea what ‘Special Power’ actually means and what would qualify…

So at first blush my leadership score would be: 9 or 11.

Other than having my bodyguard have Tomb Tainted Soul, I was looking for thoughts for him/her/it.

The build has to use the Elite Stat Array and the DM is an even handed guy that has said I can use anything in the books. (My preference is to keep it somewhat simple and be aware of the fact the characters are gonna be out in public)
#2
viletta
Jan 14, 2009 19:28:18 "Special power" is a real DM discression thing. If you can talk your DM into letting assorted magic powers count, then you're good. Otherwise? Look for opportunities to gain plot powers to count.

I'd suggest a evil Cleric buffmonger. You can't get much tougher than that.
#3
NiteCyper
Jan 14, 2009 19:38:25 Maybe this will help.
I spotted him in the 'examples of overpowered casters' thread. I found him by googling 'gurth charnel touch examples of overpowered casters'.
#4
heliomance
Jan 15, 2009 14:48:44 Ask your DM if you can use the 3.0 source Sword and Fist. There's a class in there, the Devoed Defender, which is designed for being a bodyguard. It gets bonuses whenever protecting its charge, and things like being able to swap place with the charge to take a hit for it.

I'd recommend against an overpowered caster. If you get a cohort that's actually more dangerous than your main character, you'll start playing the cohort instead.
#5
phaedrusxy
Jan 15, 2009 15:30:28 If the link is still active, check out the Bodyguard threads in my sig. I agree about the Devoted Defender, but there are also ways to emulate what it does in 3.5 (I'm not that familiar with them, though...). I think you can make strong bodyguards with ToB, also, but again, I'm not that familiar with it...
#6
jameswilliamogle
Jan 15, 2009 15:52:50 Bodyguard 4 u (I've been working on one for a few hours since last night and today, also a DN):

Hexblade 4 / Paladin of Tyranny 3 / Ur-Priest 10 / Hexblade +X
any race
Fit in Bind Vestige and Improved Binding to bind Focolor

Advantages:
9th level divine spells which you'd have trouble accessing already
SUPERIOR debuffing abilities (-6 to adjacent enemies's saves, no save, -8 if he curses, slightly lesser penalties to their attack, AC, skill checks; take the PHB 2 dark companion ACF)
Full-Armor, Full-Martial, will have >+16 BAB by 20th, can self-buff
Fully in-line with RP issues (who better than an evil knight to serve an undead master?)
#7
heliomance
Jan 15, 2009 16:24:10 The above build requires being evil, which may or may not be a problem.

Knight 6 is a good thing to get into a bodyguard build, as it allows them to take half the damage dealt to an adjacent ally.
#8
NiteCyper
Jan 15, 2009 20:36:07 A useful feat for your bodyguard would be the 'Constant Guardian' feat from Drow of the Underdark, P.47(48).

Close Protection Officer.
#9
emansdrawkcab
Jan 16, 2009 1:46:44 Maquar Crusader, page 38 of Shining South. The iconic bodyguard class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 veldan_rath Jan 14, 2009 19:13:32	...Dread Necromancer! And no, I don't mean by creating a zombie or skeleton. I'm taking Leadership at 9th Level and I want a tank between me and the opposition. Our group only has 4 characters. A Goliath Fighter, a Human Rogue/Cleric/Shadowbane Stalker (the alignment restriction was lifted by the DM and the class is more focused to be a stealth agent for the deity), and an Elf Wizard. The campaign is a mix of bloody combat and political intrigue so currently my character has to be cautious, and can’t have an army of undead following him around in the cities and towns (out in the wilderness however…) So I am looking to bolster our number so the group is not too concerned with keeping me safe. My character is a Human Necropolitan and I will be eventually prestige into Eldritch Thurge. My alignment is Neutral, and I’ve got a Quasit for a familiar. We are on the go quite a bit with no major base of operations. I currently have a 20 Charisma (16 Base with a Cloak of Charisma +4). As I don’t recall if you have to use your natural Charisma for Leadership, my Base Score will be either a 12 or 14, then -2 for the Familiar and -1 for moving about. I have no idea what ‘Special Power’ actually means and what would qualify… So at first blush my leadership score would be: 9 or 11. Other than having my bodyguard have Tomb Tainted Soul, I was looking for thoughts for him/her/it. The build has to use the Elite Stat Array and the DM is an even handed guy that has said I can use anything in the books. (My preference is to keep it somewhat simple and be aware of the fact the characters are gonna be out in public)
#2 viletta Jan 14, 2009 19:28:18	"Special power" is a real DM discression thing. If you can talk your DM into letting assorted magic powers count, then you're good. Otherwise? Look for opportunities to gain plot powers to count. I'd suggest a evil Cleric buffmonger. You can't get much tougher than that.
#3 NiteCyper Jan 14, 2009 19:38:25	Maybe this will help. I spotted him in the 'examples of overpowered casters' thread. I found him by googling 'gurth charnel touch examples of overpowered casters'.
#4 heliomance Jan 15, 2009 14:48:44	Ask your DM if you can use the 3.0 source Sword and Fist. There's a class in there, the Devoed Defender, which is designed for being a bodyguard. It gets bonuses whenever protecting its charge, and things like being able to swap place with the charge to take a hit for it. I'd recommend against an overpowered caster. If you get a cohort that's actually more dangerous than your main character, you'll start playing the cohort instead.
#5 phaedrusxy Jan 15, 2009 15:30:28	If the link is still active, check out the Bodyguard threads in my sig. I agree about the Devoted Defender, but there are also ways to emulate what it does in 3.5 (I'm not that familiar with them, though...). I think you can make strong bodyguards with ToB, also, but again, I'm not that familiar with it...
#6 jameswilliamogle Jan 15, 2009 15:52:50	Bodyguard 4 u (I've been working on one for a few hours since last night and today, also a DN): Hexblade 4 / Paladin of Tyranny 3 / Ur-Priest 10 / Hexblade +X any race Fit in Bind Vestige and Improved Binding to bind Focolor Advantages: 9th level divine spells which you'd have trouble accessing already SUPERIOR debuffing abilities (-6 to adjacent enemies's saves, no save, -8 if he curses, slightly lesser penalties to their attack, AC, skill checks; take the PHB 2 dark companion ACF) Full-Armor, Full-Martial, will have >+16 BAB by 20th, can self-buff Fully in-line with RP issues (who better than an evil knight to serve an undead master?)
#7 heliomance Jan 15, 2009 16:24:10	The above build requires being evil, which may or may not be a problem. Knight 6 is a good thing to get into a bodyguard build, as it allows them to take half the damage dealt to an adjacent ally.
#8 NiteCyper Jan 15, 2009 20:36:07	A useful feat for your bodyguard would be the 'Constant Guardian' feat from Drow of the Underdark, P.47(48). Close Protection Officer.
#9 emansdrawkcab Jan 16, 2009 1:46:44	Maquar Crusader, page 38 of Shining South. The iconic bodyguard class.