Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 solis_bjorn Dec 25, 2010 20:05:00	Hi folks, So I have an idea in my head for the most part but not sure where I want to go with it - just looking for a fresh perpective on it. I'm about to play a 3.5 FR campaign starting at lvl 4 and I've decided on playing a Half-Giant Swift Hunter focusing on melee (DM said I should use the LA buyoff from UA and that would start me at level 3 but able to take 20 class levels eventually).  Any WotC books except ToB are allowed, but no dragon magazine or outside supplements.  So anyway here is what I have so far and what I'm looking at possibly - also before it's suggested, I do not want to change my race as I've already got the characters background flushed out and I like it. I'm sure there are plenty of more optimized options out there, but I'm just trying to optimize what I've got. Rolls; 18, 17, 17, 15, 13, 10 - not the best or worst of the group!  Add in Half-Giants stats of +2Str, -2Dex and +2Con I end up with; 20 Str, 15 Dex, 17 Con, 13 Int, 17 Wis, 10 Cha (I decided to keep a 17 in Wis and use the 15 for Con because all of the classes I'm using for this build have weak Will save progression and wanted that extra point!) So I know the first 6 levels are going to be: 1 barbarian / 2 ranger / 3 scout - taking Swift Hunter as my 6th lvl feat.  Don't know if I want to start level one off as the Barbarian for full d12 hit points or as a Ranger level for max skill points... Lvl 1: barb or ranger; feats (using 2 flaws): ewp(dwarven waraxe), weapon focus(dwarven waraxe) I know a lot of people don't like weapon focus but for TWF it helps offset the penalties a little and 1 open feat, can't decide between dodge, imp. initiative or iron will to boost that weak will some more.  Powerful build from Half-Giant lets me weild a Lrg D.Waraxe for 2d8 dmg! Lvl 2: barb or ranger - whatever I didn't take at 1 (barb will have whirling frenzy and Lion totem for pouncing full attack on charge - once skirmish damage gets added to the build this guy will be a charging monster! Lvl 3: ranger 2 - twf granted by ranger and 3rd lvl feat is oversized twf!  2 Lrg D.Waraxes for 2d8 each hit, main and offhand! Lvl 4-6 scout; 6th lvl feat is Swift Hunter of course. Now from here I'm lost.  I don't know if I want to progress further as mainly Scout for many, many class features or as mostly Ranger using the Shooting Star sub levels from Champions of Valor for increased spell casting benefits - though they'd come late in the game. If I go 1 barb / 5 scout / 15 ranger I get full skirmish progression, 4 fav enemies and two 4th level spells at level 20 - plus free TWF progression up to GTWF. If I go with 1 barb / 4 ranger (using complete champion's spell-less variant for free Imp. Favored Enemy and ITWF feats - this would come at level 8 as the progression would be 1 barb/2 ranger/3 scout/2 ranger and then finish off levels 9-20 as Scout.  Still get full skirmish progression, 4 favored enemies and a handful of neat scout class features plus a couple scout bonus feats throughout. I'm looking to use nearly every alternate class feature I can find to replace weak class components; whirling frenzy, lion totem, 1st favored enemy arcanist, IF I don't go the 15 shooting star ranger route which replaces the animal companion, I'd give it up on the primarily scout build for PHBII AFC that lets you flank an enemy you hit from any position. Are there any good AFCs to replace Wild Empathy or Endurance from the ranger?  Well, any opinions or advice to lean towards either build would be appreciated!  Thanks!
#2 ObsidianConspiracy Dec 25, 2010 20:58:10	Although it'll reduce your skirmish damage per hit have you considered Dervish? It gives you the ability to move between attacks, planting skirmish damage on quite a few opponents. Just an idea that I think would work quite well. Especially since you'll be dishing out damage, so the extra hits shouldn't go to waste.  As for replacements... I think there is a psionic ranger variant somewhere... which would let you get Enlarge... and go nuts with extra reach whilst skirmishing.  You'll also want Improved Skirmish. Can't argue with more damage
#3 solis_bjorn Jan 13, 2011 0:10:58	Thanks Obsidian, lot of views but you were the only response.  I did look at dervish (and found it funny that dodge and mobility are required to enter that PRC but then they give you spring attack-even if you dont meet the prerequisits lol  it's probably for the Dex and BAB but you should meet both of those as they are fairly low lol). I found a psionic ranger from a dragon magazine (which DM nix), not sure if that was the right one though. Planned on picking up Imp. Skirmish as my 9th lvl feat, me likey that feat. We actually started lower lvl, just did the lvl buyoff so only lvl 2 now but I still haven't decided if I want to go pure melee w/lots of scout lvls or spellcasting from lots of Shooting Star ranger lvls.  I did pick up Mystra as my patron deity and 1st favored enemy arcanist just in case though.