strider24seven
2010-05-15, 05:36 PM
Ok, my friend wants to DM a quick test run for a solo character. So I thought of a Swift Hunter.
So it's 32-pt buy, with most books and some Dragon Mag allowed (only the issues the DM has, which is most of them). Starts ECL 8, ends probably around ECL 12-16, but the character may end up in a higher-level campaign later, so it should be playable up to level 20.
Race: Neraph
Alignment: Lawful Good
Stats: 14/14/14/14/14/10
Class: Monk 1/Scout 4/Mystic Ranger 15
Alternate Class Features: Favored Enemy (Arcanists)
Pertinant feats:
1-Stunning Fist (Monk Bonus)
1- Darkstalker
5- Swift Hunter (Scout bonus)
6- Ascetic Hunter
9- Sword of the Arcane Order
12- Nemesis (Arcanists)
I'd really like to get the Shooting Star Ranger sub levels, but I already give up my Animal Companion for Mystic Ranger, and I like Mystic Ranger better.
The general idea is to be as versatile as possible, while remaining fairly potent. This character has trapfinding, track, can detect arcanists. He also has a mean Stunning Fist and the BAB to use it. He has good spells (ranger and wizard). He can skirmish with a bow, thrown weapons, or his fists. He can switch between ranged and melee easily enough, and he is never without a weapon, but he can use all simple, martial, and monk weapons, and the annulat.
Things I've been thinking about:
Evasion- I get it at level 14 (Ranger 9), but I want it earlier so I can trade my Ranger version for Spell Reflection. I could take another Monk or Scout level, but I can't decide which. Monk nets me a feat (Combat Reflexes ftw), but Scout doesn't slow the Swift Hunter progression.
Vow of Poverty- I know it generally sucks, but since I would pump WIS and use simple and natural weapons with Intuitive attack, I really don't need many items except for a crossbow or a simple thrown weapon (which you CAN use with VoP), so I might actually get some use out of it. It reduces my versatility to get me some more oomph.
Flaws- I get have up to two, if I need extra feats
Combat Style- I could go anywhere with these. TWF gets me better melee, but Ranged gets me... well, better ranged attacks.
Wildshape Ranger Variant- Gets me extra cheese, but do I really need it if I can cast Alter Self/Polymorph from my Ranger slots with Sword of the Arcane Order and Outsider type from Neraph?
Travel Devotion- I thought about a Cloistered Cleric dip for the Knowledge, Travel, and Magic Domains, and trading Knowledge and Travel for the Devotion feats.
Prestige Classes- Most screw the Swift Hunter progression, but Stalker of Kharash looks interesting for Favored Enemy (Evil). If I go VoP, a dip in Shiba Protector might be in order.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? They're all welcome.
Note: Mystic Ranger is from Dragon Magazine 336 and is available online. (http://crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Classes-Base.pdf) Sword of the Arcane order is from Champions of Valor.
So it's 32-pt buy, with most books and some Dragon Mag allowed (only the issues the DM has, which is most of them). Starts ECL 8, ends probably around ECL 12-16, but the character may end up in a higher-level campaign later, so it should be playable up to level 20.
Race: Neraph
Alignment: Lawful Good
Stats: 14/14/14/14/14/10
Class: Monk 1/Scout 4/Mystic Ranger 15
Alternate Class Features: Favored Enemy (Arcanists)
Pertinant feats:
1-Stunning Fist (Monk Bonus)
1- Darkstalker
5- Swift Hunter (Scout bonus)
6- Ascetic Hunter
9- Sword of the Arcane Order
12- Nemesis (Arcanists)
I'd really like to get the Shooting Star Ranger sub levels, but I already give up my Animal Companion for Mystic Ranger, and I like Mystic Ranger better.
The general idea is to be as versatile as possible, while remaining fairly potent. This character has trapfinding, track, can detect arcanists. He also has a mean Stunning Fist and the BAB to use it. He has good spells (ranger and wizard). He can skirmish with a bow, thrown weapons, or his fists. He can switch between ranged and melee easily enough, and he is never without a weapon, but he can use all simple, martial, and monk weapons, and the annulat.
Things I've been thinking about:
Evasion- I get it at level 14 (Ranger 9), but I want it earlier so I can trade my Ranger version for Spell Reflection. I could take another Monk or Scout level, but I can't decide which. Monk nets me a feat (Combat Reflexes ftw), but Scout doesn't slow the Swift Hunter progression.
Vow of Poverty- I know it generally sucks, but since I would pump WIS and use simple and natural weapons with Intuitive attack, I really don't need many items except for a crossbow or a simple thrown weapon (which you CAN use with VoP), so I might actually get some use out of it. It reduces my versatility to get me some more oomph.
Flaws- I get have up to two, if I need extra feats
Combat Style- I could go anywhere with these. TWF gets me better melee, but Ranged gets me... well, better ranged attacks.
Wildshape Ranger Variant- Gets me extra cheese, but do I really need it if I can cast Alter Self/Polymorph from my Ranger slots with Sword of the Arcane Order and Outsider type from Neraph?
Travel Devotion- I thought about a Cloistered Cleric dip for the Knowledge, Travel, and Magic Domains, and trading Knowledge and Travel for the Devotion feats.
Prestige Classes- Most screw the Swift Hunter progression, but Stalker of Kharash looks interesting for Favored Enemy (Evil). If I go VoP, a dip in Shiba Protector might be in order.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? They're all welcome.
Note: Mystic Ranger is from Dragon Magazine 336 and is available online. (http://crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Classes-Base.pdf) Sword of the Arcane order is from Champions of Valor.