Character Builds

[anomalylone]

yes you did , so i cant post it ...see my point. ;D

[Havokk]

The last server I played on I had a ranger and a sorceror. I got utterly sick of being beaten up so I thought, time for a tank.

On another server (0 - The Underdark) I started a Cleric with the idea of becoming a Dwarven Defender.

Here, I created Caiaphas Genharadar. I went for two weapons, kukris, for the sole reason I think they look cool (remembering Tomi Underhill). Originally my plan was to just be a Fighter. Then I got the idea of being a Weapon Master so I worked out a Fighter/Weapn Master idea.

Then I saw the epic builds on Bioware's site. The Kukri Master used the Champion of Torm and the Weapon Master prestige classes. These also gave me the idea of planning your build out in advance. Once I saw the prerequisites for the Epic Feats I realised that for some of them you *must* plan carefully in advance.

So, my plans for Cai are to end up Fi 8 / CoT 10 / WM 22.

At the end the nude stats look something like:
STR 26
DEX 15
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 10

AB +45/+40/+35/+30 (not counting Divine Might or Power Attack or anything like that)
Dmg 1-4 + 14 (13-20/x3)
AB +45/+40
Dmg 1-4 + 10 (13-20/x3)

Fort/Ref/Will 30 / 30 / 26

Maxed out Discipline and Heal skills, Tumble skill at 20 (which gives a +4 AC).

The feats at the end include Devastating Crit, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Weapon Spec (which a CoT can take), Epic Prowess, Great Cleave.

Advantage of this build:
Immense Attack Bonus.
Awesome Criticals.
Can wear Full Plate and have a really good AC (a big plus for me, I'm sick of DEX fighters having sucky AC).
Includes defensive feats like Expertise and Spring attack.

Disadvantages:
Relies on an edged weapon.
Relies on critical hits.
These two things mean that undead (immune to criticals and generally resistant to slashing) take longer to kill. However, Cai is not totally useless against them - he's still hitting often. He also has the option of whipping out a mace and shield and going at them with a base AB of 37 (IIRC).
So-so saves.
No spells. Cai relies on potions and items for buffing effects. He should never be without Aid potions, Stoneskin potions, Speed potions, etc.


I have also played a bit with Fi 10 / CoT 30. This loses 5 AB and critical range and critical multiplier from the WM but gains immense saving throws (42 / 38 / 32). If you build it right you can get Devastating Crit with *two* weapons, maybe kukris and warhammer. You can also spend feats on things like point Blank Shot and Rapid Shot and be good in melee and at range.

Making it a Fi 7 / R 3 / CoT 30 loses one from the final AB but gives you some Traps skills, two levels of Sneak Attack and the Evasion feat. I don't want to go for this because, frankly, halfling thieves are a lame cliche.

I'm still toying with whether to stay with CoT or to go Weapon Master. Attack Bonus or Saving Throws? I dunno. I'm also wondering if a Barbarian / Weapon Master would be fun.


Some things I've learnt from the process:

O/W Crit and Devastating Crit have an immense list of prerequisites. You have to carefully plan every Feat and every Stat increase.

The Epic Feats with immense Stat requirements (for eample, STR 25 for Dev Crit) mean that half your Epic Feats will be Stat increases. I look at the epic builds on the Bioware site, almost all of them have Epic Something V. One of the builds has, I think, Epic Wisdom IX!

Be very clear at the outset whether you want a STR fighter or a DEX fighter.


HTH
Craig

[Phoenix]

OK, everyone likes to post the raw builds, and that's good for comparison. However, you need to know the stats with current equipment on the isle. I like to compare any build in a PVP environment (all monsters are essentially a PC class with special immunities/spells).

For example, can you hit an 80 AC (not uncommon) with your weapon and buffs?

What is your AC with equipment? This is one problem with dual wielding, without a shield, you will be get more critical hits ->d-crits. Again, this is also PVP only, but with a lower AC, monsters will just plain hit you more as well.

Can you hit something with a little damage resist and do damage? 1d4+15=19max, 38 on a crit.

What's your fortitude save after items? DC50 for d-crit (at this time this is PVP only, not aware of a monster with it) is not impossible, and 48s are common. Can you survive that?

Will save is low, so you pretty much require immune to mind affecting.

[Havokk]

I only posted the raw build figuring that items are not a way to distinguish between characters. All of us have access to pretty much the same gear.

A character like Cai should always have, at all times
Bark Skin (AC +3 Natural)
Bless or Aid (AB +1, some other stuff I can't remember)
Bull's Str (AB +1 to +3)

Also, Cai is currently only 11th level. I have no idea what items are actually out there for high level characters. I'm looking forward to finding out.

I would expect/hope to have items of:
Cloak of Fortitude (AC +1 to ?, all saves +1 to ?)
Ring of Resistance (all saves +1 to ?)
Something of Haste
Something of Spell Resistance
Something with Elemental Resistance (Ring of Power gives this along with regeneration)
Something of True Seeing (to sort out all those beggars with Hide In Plain Sight!)

It would be nice to have a selection of kukris, each with different damage (sonic, fire, acid, etc).

Cai, being a dual wielder, misses out on shields, which means his AC could be 8 or more lower than someone with sword and shield. But also remember, he's a fighter, not a ranger. He can (and does) dual wield wearing full plate.

There is one free epic feat in my build, I'm thinking about taking Epic Will, just to get the poor Will save up.

After participating in the Friday Night Fight yesterday, it is clear to me that this is not a build for PvP. Nowhere near enough buffs.

Cheers
Craig

[Havokk]

Here's a question for you people with lvl 40 characters.

What items do you have?

What does a level 40 item do?

Give me something to aim for...

Cheers
Craig

[Phoenix]

The only reason I bring PvP into the mix is because that's what the monsters have to deal with, other PCs. So when they create a monster, if it too tough for the best PvPers, it'll take out most anyone. The PCs are the baseline for the monsters...

I wouldn't get the + to will save feat, as you will likely be wearing an immune to mind affecting item (golden circlet at low levels, and the truth helm at higher ones).

Havokk, there are lots of nice items out there that require lvl35+, too many to really list. Find me IG and I can show you some...

[W(ie-ei)rdness]

*Sigh* Somebody needs to crank up DCs on spells...

[addicted2rpg]

Race: Elf or human (stats vary a little in variety chosen)
Class: Bard

(elf version)
Str: 12
Dex: 18
Con: 12
Wis: 8
Int: 8
Cha: 16

Level 1 - 40 bard.

Skill preferences: performance. The rest doesn't matter.
If you take a higher int build or human, you may want to pickup hide/sneak and 1 level of SD.
(switch a feat for mobility, too)

Core Feats (the rest are optional)

- weapon finesse
- ambidexterity
- two-weapon fighting
- improved two weapon fighting.
- weapon focus in small weapon
- epic focus in the small weapon
- Curse Song
- Lasting Inspiration
- Greater Dex feats

All stat increases go to DEX. Cha always remains 16.

Optional: 3 levs of rogue for uncanny dodge (so your dex always adds your AC, instead of only when your are in combat)

Fighting Style:

Defensively, the fightin bard will have the same AC setup as a dex rogue. Equipment, and otherwise.

Offensively: Stands and fights with the following three in use:
1. Bard Song (only very-epic with #2)
2. Curse Song (only very-epic with #1)
3. Dirge spell aura

Diff AC/AB: 10/10 (+5 you bardsong, -5 opponent cursesong)

With yith an AC/AB difference of 10 you should whack your opponent all the time, and he should barely be hitting you. With the Dirge aura in action, his stats will go down the tubes. Although dispel will put an end to your Dirge action, a bardsong cannot be dispelled!! mauhahwahhwahaha

=)