Amphetryon
2010-06-09, 02:30 PM
Believe it or not, I think it is possible, RAW, to build a viable Vow of Poverty Swiftblade with 9th level spells, including Gate (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/gate.htm), and a +17 BAB. This is probably silly, potentially abusive, and relies on the Dragonsblood Pool trick that DocRoc has highlighted before (See Trick #1 within the spoiler if you're unfamiliar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7637767&postcount=1)) to allow a spontaneous Divine caster to technically qualify as an Arcane caster, among other tricks.
Thoughtful input, commentary, and questions always welcome.
The concept:
Human Factotum (Dungeonscape) 1/Oriental Adventures Samurai 6/Trapsmith (Dungeonscape) 1/Apostle of Peace (Book of Exalted Deeds) 2/Swiftblade (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327) 10. On 32 points, STR 10 DEX 13 CON 13 INT 14 WIS 16 CHA 12 fulfills both Skill and Feat prerequisites.
The Factotum opening is obviously there for skill access. Oriental Adventures' version of the Samurai is needed for the Will save for Apostle of Peace. The OA Samurai also has access to two bonus feats, and a Daisho which is referenced as a 'pair of masterworked weapons.' I strongly suggest working with the DM to allow a double weapon, such as the Quarterstaff, as the character's Daisho. Bonus Feats are based on clan, with Crane, Lion, and Phoenix being the most synergistic with the rest of the concept for both crunch and fluff. The Trapsmith hack into Swiftblade (i.e., Haste is a 1st level spell on the short Trapsmith list) is relatively well-known in optimization discussions.
Apostle of Peace has an accelerated casting progression akin to the Sublime Chord off of a limited, primarily defensive and support-oriented list. Use Owl's Wisdom + Intuitive Attack with the Quarterstaff, and any enemies that aren't immune to subdual damage will be quickly brought unconscious. A large percentage of those that are not affected by subdual damage turn out to be undead or constructs, and are therefore fair game for you to use lethal force against by the terms of Vow of Peace.
Feat and Skill needs are somewhat intensive. I used the above array to get Midnight Dodge rather than the meh base version of Dodge, which can allow access to further Incarnum Feats later on, particularly those related to casting; Soultouched Spellcasting in particular deserves mention for adding to your ability to overcome SR and use Dispel Magic. Nymph's Kiss, and Intuitive Attack (use a Quarterstaff) are all solid choices for the non-essential bonus Exalted feats early on; Subduing Strike should be considered essential for an armed combatant with Vow of Peace.
Thoughtful input, commentary, and questions always welcome.
The concept:
Human Factotum (Dungeonscape) 1/Oriental Adventures Samurai 6/Trapsmith (Dungeonscape) 1/Apostle of Peace (Book of Exalted Deeds) 2/Swiftblade (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327) 10. On 32 points, STR 10 DEX 13 CON 13 INT 14 WIS 16 CHA 12 fulfills both Skill and Feat prerequisites.
The Factotum opening is obviously there for skill access. Oriental Adventures' version of the Samurai is needed for the Will save for Apostle of Peace. The OA Samurai also has access to two bonus feats, and a Daisho which is referenced as a 'pair of masterworked weapons.' I strongly suggest working with the DM to allow a double weapon, such as the Quarterstaff, as the character's Daisho. Bonus Feats are based on clan, with Crane, Lion, and Phoenix being the most synergistic with the rest of the concept for both crunch and fluff. The Trapsmith hack into Swiftblade (i.e., Haste is a 1st level spell on the short Trapsmith list) is relatively well-known in optimization discussions.
Apostle of Peace has an accelerated casting progression akin to the Sublime Chord off of a limited, primarily defensive and support-oriented list. Use Owl's Wisdom + Intuitive Attack with the Quarterstaff, and any enemies that aren't immune to subdual damage will be quickly brought unconscious. A large percentage of those that are not affected by subdual damage turn out to be undead or constructs, and are therefore fair game for you to use lethal force against by the terms of Vow of Peace.
Feat and Skill needs are somewhat intensive. I used the above array to get Midnight Dodge rather than the meh base version of Dodge, which can allow access to further Incarnum Feats later on, particularly those related to casting; Soultouched Spellcasting in particular deserves mention for adding to your ability to overcome SR and use Dispel Magic. Nymph's Kiss, and Intuitive Attack (use a Quarterstaff) are all solid choices for the non-essential bonus Exalted feats early on; Subduing Strike should be considered essential for an armed combatant with Vow of Peace.