I've been trying to figure out how to represent two of my favorite characters as accurately as possible using 4e, and I'm running into some things that are bothering me. Obviously its hard to make a class based system fit any character from a book perfectly, but I'd like to see if there is a way to make these two sort of work.
The two characters are Haplo, from Weis and Hickman's Deathgate cycle, and FitzChivalry Farsser from Robin Hobb's Farseer series. The deffining trait of both of these characters is they have an animal as a companion. Fitz is effectively a Warg, and can communicate telepathically with his Wolf, see through his eyes, etz. Haplo's has a Dog, which appears mostly normal if incredibly intelligent, although it does have a few strange powers throughout the series.
Both characters are warriors, Fitz being a bit of a berserker. Fitz is also a well trained poisoner/assassin, and later on gets some training in courtly ettiquette & heraldry etc. Haplo is also a talented sorcerer of sorts, although primarily in combat magics, and has built in magical defenses. Neither is overly strong, although definitely not weak either. Both would be above average in Charisma, Dexterity, and for Fitz Constitution and Haplo Intelligence. Neither are exceptionally wise. Both characters are effectively Human.
So my problems: How to make a character that has a wolf/dog companion, has above average in most ability scores except wisdom, is a decent warrior, and has extra training in assassination for one and magical skills for the other. And how to have that character still be effective, especially given I'm thinking no stat starts higher than 16 and Wisdom is average (8-10).
Given this, I of course think Ranger or Hybrid Ranger. The only other animal companion type classes are Familiars (doesn't cover wolf/dog and is too bound to the spellcaster) and shaman, which doesn't fit at all.
Beastmaster Ranger requires Str. Also to be particulary effective, it requires wisdom secondary, which doesn't fit. Nor does fighting with two weapons or a huge two -handed weapon particularly, but I can work around it, as both use daggers and a versatile weapon (Battleaxe for Fitz and Spear for Haplo). Obviously Ranger covers the warrior part too, which is good.
Second is the assassin training (Fitz) / Magical arts (Haplo). To me that just cries out for Hybrid. The question is which class, and how to make it effective? Especially considering that my hybrid feat is almost certainly going to be Hybrid Talent (Beastmaster), which means I can't spend it for armor. So my AC will be low. Also I feel like I may be forced to take Master at Arms as my second feat so my attack rolls won't be too low.
IMHO this is overpowered at low levels but he was an asset to the group.
Haplo was a warrior, as all patryns, but he was based on magic..on Chelestra he practically got his butt handed to him - except in social 'combat.' Considering what the dog was though- a modified familiar makes sense.
It would be like trying to define the right character class for Charles Dickens' character Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol". Sure you could try to do it. However, he wouldn't really fit in the Forgotten Realms after you were done would he? I would instead define a character class I wanted to play as having miserly and bitter characteristics based on a lifetime of selfish choices made. The "feel" would be there without having to make everything match on the physical level.
I hope this helps.
I haven't really looked at the 4e Druid, but my instinct tells me that like the Shaman it won't fit for either character.
V_B, good point on Haplo, he's really a magician who knows how to fight with spear and knife enhanced by magic ... maybe I should go with pure warlock or sorcerer and just refluff an arcane familiar for Dog for Haplo. I'll have to think on it.
For Fitz, I'm thinking now I can probably get away with a hybrid Ranger | Rogue, and just stay away from beast powers that use Wis. It's a little low on AC, but it might work. And Fitz was constantly taking a beating.
Fitz-dndified:
Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 13
Human Ranger | Rogue
Feats: Hybrid Talent (Beastmaster), Master at Arms
Skills: Bluff, Endurance, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth, Streetwise, Theivery
At-will Powers: Circling Strike, Riposte Strike, Twin Strike
Gear: Battleaxe, Dagger, Leather Armor
AC 15, Fort 15, Ref 15, Will 12, 25 hps, 7 surges
Battleaxe +6 attack, Dagger +7 attack
Personally I go a very different direction from what you are doing. I would recommend instead of "forcing" a character build based on a figure in a story, you build your character based on the type of class you want to play, and define the personality any way you want.
Which is quite the opposite of finding the best way to express a concept.
My two cents: If the companion is as capable as the character, they may be another PC. The companion character rules are also an option.
Thanks Inarai, I didn't think about that. I'll review the DMG2's companion character rules when I get home.
The thing to look out for there is that the companion characters are generally closer in power (though not equal) to a PC - so they are going to impact encounter balance. However, it's probably the best way to go about this sort of thing, perhaps entirely because of that - the companion doesn't have to be balanced out into being a non-issue, and instead gets to be a meaningful addition.
level 1
FitzChivalry Farseer, Human, Ranger
Build: Beastmaster Ranger
Fighting Style: Beast Mastery
Human Power Selection: Bonus At-Will Power
Beast Companion Type: Wolf
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 18, Con 12, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.
AC: 15 Fort: 16 Reflex: 14 Will: 13
HP: 30 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 7
TRAINED SKILLS
Thievery +6, Heal +7, Dungeoneering +7, Endurance +5, Perception +7, Athletics +8, Acrobatics +6
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana, Bluff -1, Diplomacy -1, History, Insight +2, Intimidate -1, Nature +2, Religion, Stealth +1, Streetwise -1
FEATS
Human: Poisoner
Level 1: Beast Guidance
POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Predator Strike
Ranger at-will 1: Circling Strike
Ranger at-will 1: Marauder's Rush
Ranger encounter 1: Fox's Cunning
Ranger daily 1: Partnered Savaging
ITEMS
Battleaxe, Hide Armor, Adventurer's Kit, Footpads, Thieves' Tools, Climber's Kit
RITUALS
Raise Beast Companion
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You'd need to take AIP (heavy Blades) and use a glaive if you were interested in using the same weapon for both casting and melee combat.
Honestly though, quarter staff isn't that far off of a spear (just a pointy bit), and would work with both. With a feat (Staff Fighting), you can even Twin Strike with it and gain defensive. Add in hafted defense for a shield bonus! Definitely helps out the squishiness while remaining thematic.
As for Fitz... Ranger + a multitude of assassin/rogue poison feats/PPs and you are done. I dont even see the need to hybrid for that one.
And Rathyr, thanks, you made me realize I'm forcing it into Heroic, but appropriate PPs can make a lot work by growing into the character.
The Sorc Hybrid thing for some reason I thought you needed to spend the Hybrid Talent feat to get Str to AC (not just damage), and I needed that feat for Beastmastery. So that could work. But I'll check with the DM (it'll be a home game not organized), so refluffing a familiar as Dog may work just fine, in which case a warlock using Eldritch Strike or a Str based Sorc will do the job. But I'll mock up a Ranger | Sorc as well.
To be honest, this sounds a LOT more like a familiar or spirit than a beast companion. Canine Construct (Dragon 374) reskinned as a 'living' wolf should cover the desired theme, and you don't even need to get into hybriding to obtain it - multiclass will do.