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View Full Version : Impossible task... Min/Max this. D&D 3.5



ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:19 PM
So, I wanted to play something completely unconventional. My main character, the Transmuter 3/Master Specialist 4/Loremaster 1 died at the hands of a huge storm elemental... Blah.

But anyway, I want to have fun with this character before it dies. So, I have resolved to make a... Half Dragon Pixie!! Why? Because my party told me to make something different then my usual optimized wizard build.

So, I thanks to Level adjustment, I have one class level to work with. Now, this might be for fun, but I still like some optimization. So what can I do to make this character work, in any sort of regard? Is it hopeless? Please give me some feedback.

Oslecamo
2009-12-19, 08:22 PM
With just one HD, and if your optimized wizard bited the bullet, your half fairy dragon will die quickly.

You will just have too few HP. And any effect based on HD will instagib you.

Seriously reconsider taking just one template.

Flickerdart
2009-12-19, 08:23 PM
Barbarian (CChamp Spirit Lion Totem variant). It will give you HP that you desperately need, and Pounce for your natural weapon carnage. Then, focus on dive-charging stuff. You'll suck horribly, of course, but what did you expect? Alternately, go Rogue after the Barbarian, and you'll get SA damage on all your attacks. Still suck, though.

Kylarra
2009-12-19, 08:26 PM
I suggest just taking the pixie, being a warlock and pretending that you're secretly a lantern archon for S&G.

Krazddndfreek
2009-12-19, 08:27 PM
I would recommend not using Half-Dragon. It doesn't actually have Level Adjustment rules and is difficult for the DM to adjucate encounters that won't kill you instantly or encounters that are too easy. There's just nothing in the middle.

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:27 PM
I expected to suck. That is the point. XP

I was just curious how good of a piece of crap I could make with this piece of crap.

Flickerdart
2009-12-19, 08:28 PM
I would recommend not using Half-Dragon. It doesn't actually have Level Adjustment rules and is difficult for the DM to adjucate encounters that won't kill you instantly or encounters that are too easy. There's just nothing in the middle.
It's LA+3. What do you mean, it doesn't have rules?

Kylarra
2009-12-19, 08:29 PM
Actually here's a great solution.

Commoner 1.

Take chicken-infested flaw.

Proceed to make chickens larger than you appear out of nowhere (you're greater invis'd).

???

Profit.

Tyndmyr
2009-12-19, 08:33 PM
Id go with the barbarian or warlock ideas.

The idea of a half dragon pixie barbarian is just awesome. Effective...not so much, no, but awesome.

Raiki
2009-12-19, 08:34 PM
Okay. For this to work, you're going to have to play against most normal optimization rules. Casters are flat out. between your LA and racial HD, you would be...what?...7 caster levels behind? I don't remember honestly, I'm away from my books. Play to your strengths. You're always invisible and can fly.

Anyway. Here's what you do: Take a level of either Savant (Dragon Compendium) or Factotum (the only PC classes I know of that grant all skills as class skills). Max out Iajutsu Focus. Invest your WBL into a +1 Brilliant Energy Gnome Quickrazor (If you can afford it that is...again, away from books). You are now making flat-footed touch attacks that all deal +xd6 Iajutsu Focus damage. You will never go visible, so you always have a 50% miss chance. Remember that the 5ft step is your friend...especially when you 5ft step UP. (I think that pixies can hover, I don't remember perfectly though.)

Next Step: Get as many class levels that give sneak attack/sudden strike as possible. Multiclass shamelessly.

You're never going to have many hit points, so the first time those d% roll against you, you will explode. So remember to enjoy this character while you can.

That's all I got.

~R~

Edit: Holy crap...7 posts between starting and finishing this. I knew I took awhile, but that's a bit ridiculous.

Lycanthromancer
2009-12-19, 08:35 PM
Actually here's a great solution.

Commoner 1.

Take chicken-infested flaw.

Proceed to make chickens larger than you appear out of nowhere (you're greater invis'd).

???

Profit."ATTACK CHICKEN POWERS ACTIVATE!"

You could play a dread necromancer with Shape Soulmeld (necrocarnum circlet). You're invisible, and your undead critters are doing the work for you. If they're offed, just make some more.

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:35 PM
Maybe I'll make him a bard, just to round out the utter uselessness. XD

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:37 PM
Okay. For this to work, you're going to have to play against most normal optimization rules. Casters are flat out. between your LA and racial HD, you would be...what?...7 caster levels behind? I don't remember honestly, I'm away from my books. Play to your strengths. You're always invisible and can fly.

Anyway. Here's what you do: Take a level of either Savant (Dragon Compendium) or Factotum (the only PC classes I know of that grant all skills as class skills). Max out Iajutsu Focus. Invest your WBL into a +1 Brilliant Energy Gnome Quickrazor (If you can afford it that is...again, away from books). You are now making flat-footed touch attacks that all deal +xd6 Iajutsu Focus damage. You will never go visible, so you always have a 50% miss chance. Remember that the 5ft step is your friend...especially when you 5ft step UP. (I think that pixies can hover, I don't remember perfectly though.)

Next Step: Get as many class levels that give sneak attack/sudden strike as possible. Multiclass shamelessly.

You're never going to have many hit points, so the first time those d% roll against you, you will explode. So remember to enjoy this character while you can.

That's all I got.

~R~

Edit: Holy crap...7 posts between starting and finishing this. I knew I took awhile, but that's a bit ridiculous.

I like this. A lot. XD I'll do some research and see how this would be pulled off.

Raiki
2009-12-19, 08:37 PM
Maybe I'll make him a bard, just to round out the utter uselessness. XD

"Suck Suck Suck at everything ever"

Mongoose87
2009-12-19, 08:38 PM
This is easy. Be a Warblade. Once your initiator level is high enough, Iron Heart Surge away the effect of the LA on your ECL.

Raiki
2009-12-19, 08:39 PM
I like this. A lot. XD I'll do some research and see how this would be pulled off.

Well thank you. I must admit I stole a bit of the plan from a Kobold character I was making awhile ago. For added Ss and Gs, when you get high enough, take the underfoot combat and confound the big folk feats from RotW (or maybe RoS, I can never remember).

Myrmex
2009-12-19, 08:41 PM
It's LA+3. What do you mean, it doesn't have rules?

Probably looking at a 3.0 MM.

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:42 PM
One thing I should mention.. Do not give too many recommendations that rely on "Get your X level up" because I do not see him surviving very long. XD I just want to have some fun for the next encounter or two.

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:51 PM
If anyone has any other ideas, or think they can do better, speak up.

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 08:57 PM
Alright, so how about this... If I took out half dragon, and just used a pixie (LA 4), and had 4 class levels to work with.. What could I do to be powerful?

Foryn Gilnith
2009-12-19, 08:57 PM
Focus a lot on Use Magic Device. Use most of your WBL to buy scrolls, wands, etc. Use them and pretend to be a full caster. I reckon you can get a +15 modifier, +18 or higher if using Unearthed Arcana.

Mongoose87
2009-12-19, 09:01 PM
Alright, so how about this... If I took out half dragon, and just used a pixie (LA 4), and had 4 class levels to work with.. What could I do to be powerful?

The thing I said. :smalltongue:

Zaq
2009-12-19, 09:42 PM
With one HD, I feel like Vigor is almost a necessity... but I can't see a way to get your manifester level high enough for it to actually matter. What kind of WBL do you have? I think that your items will be the only things keeping you, you know, alive. Invisibility and size only go so far, and won't really protect against area effects. (Fireball may be hilariously unoptimized, but when you have only a scant handful of HP, it makes a difference.)

In terms of what you actually DO... yeah, I think that your options are minion mastery (summons, undead, or whatever) or party buffing (bard, marshal, etc. Draconic Aura, from Dragon Magic, would be nice, but I'm pretty sure your HD determines the effect).

Temet Nosce
2009-12-19, 09:43 PM
Alright, so how about this... If I took out half dragon, and just used a pixie (LA 4), and had 4 class levels to work with.. What could I do to be powerful?

Pixy, Half-Minotaur, Barbarian wielding a Greathammer with feats to let it wield one well over its own size. You know you want to do it.

Eldariel
2009-12-19, 09:47 PM
Pixy, Half-Minotaur, Barbarian wielding a Greathammer with feats to let it wield one well over its own size. You know you want to do it.

Pixie with Titan Bloodline much? Gargantuan Warhammer on a Pixie.

Harperfan7
2009-12-19, 09:51 PM
Way back before I ever got on the internet, my cousin wanted to DM an underdark campaign. So, we were all supposed to have LA races. I wanted to play a half-pyroclastic dragon/drow monk. It sounded like a great idea.

SurlySeraph
2009-12-19, 10:00 PM
Alright, so how about this... If I took out half dragon, and just used a pixie (LA 4), and had 4 class levels to work with.. What could I do to be powerful?

You could do a halfway decent Warlock or Rogue. Maybe Factotum, I'd have to double-check when it gets which abilities to say. As long as you're focused on ranged attacks from well outside everything's reach, you can function.

Dixieboy
2009-12-19, 10:04 PM
Pixie with Titan Bloodline much? Gargantuan Warhammer on a Pixie.

While it sounds awesome i doubt his DM would approve. :smallfrown:

ChrisDemilich
2009-12-19, 10:20 PM
While it sounds awesome i doubt his DM would approve. :smallfrown:

And let's not forget.. I did say this was a level 8 campaign. Use oversized weapon requires a much higher level.

Edit: Also, does anyone know the stats on the Gnome Quickrazor? And what book it's from?

Eldariel
2009-12-19, 10:36 PM
While it sounds awesome i doubt his DM would approve. :smallfrown:

See, sounding awesome is specifically why I think a DM might allow it; if for nothing else, then the awesome factor (though you gotta make a very, VERY strong Pixie to actually be able to carry a Gargantuan Warhammer). But meh.

The Razor is Races of Stone IIRC.

Optimystik
2009-12-19, 10:46 PM
Edit: Also, does anyone know the stats on the Gnome Quickrazor? And what book it's from?

1d3 slashing (small), 19-20/x2 crit, 45gp

Yes, it's in Races of Stone

Raiki
2009-12-20, 01:02 AM
1d3 slashing (small), 19-20/x2 crit, 45gp

Yes, it's in Races of Stone

That's all true, but the most important feature is that it can be both drawn and re-sheathed as a free action before/after each attack. This lets you "draw" the weapon every time you attack with it, which means that every time you attack a FF opponent you get Iajutsu Focus damage.

Also, you should look into an Item Familiar.

Again, my two coppers.

~R~

Krazddndfreek
2009-12-20, 01:15 AM
It's LA+3. What do you mean, it doesn't have rules?

*looks up Half-Dragon in MM*

The heck? I must have confused it for something else then... But the other parts of my argument still stands. Although I guess its true for pretty much anything with level adjustment.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2009-12-20, 07:45 AM
Warlock, Eldritch Glaive, Combat Reflexes.

Vizzerdrix
2009-12-20, 07:55 AM
Umm... If you want a half dragon pixie type, I'd like to point you to the Faen race out of Arcana Unearthed. Also I like Raiki's idea. And if you can get some way to animate your breath weapons (maybe UMD the spell?) that can give you a servant or guard to do your dirty work.

Friv
2009-12-20, 01:49 PM
I believe your best bet, using a half-dragon pixie, is to just say "screw it" and play a paladin.

Bear with me. As a paladin, you can dump most of your points into Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma. Your massive Intelligence bonus means you don't need any points there, your decent Wisdom bonus and Strength bonuses mean you don't need much there. Don't know if you're using point buy or rolling up, but there you have it. With some highly enchanted Mithral-studded leather (say +3, at 10k cost), a magic shield (heavy steel, +2, at a cost of 4,520) and a Ring of Protection +1 (2,000), you can be looking at an AC of 27+ Dexterity bonus, which will stop most people wanting to hit you even if they can get past your invisibility. If you ever reach Level 2 your saves will go through the roof, since your Charisma bonus will be in the +7 range. Plus invisible healbot, which is hilariously entertaining. And if you ever want to actually hurt someone, throw out your breath weapon.