JamesW
2011-02-18, 06:43 AM
Hello everyone! I've been using these forums for reference material for about two weeks now and have decided to finally make a post and see what everyone thinks about my current 3.5 d&d build for my Goliath character I plan to play in the future. I currently only have the build order up to level #. If you have an suggestions on how to improve the build, items, or classes please let me know.
The object of this character is to charge, shield bash, and trip my opponent then move onto the next target on the next round. Kind of a tank with crowd control.
Race: Goliath
LA: +1
Stats: Used a 32 point buy system. Str: 20, Dex: 10, Con: 16, Int: 14, Wis: 12, Cha: 10 I tried not to min-max the stats... sort of.. as you can see my lowest stats are 10s. I try to avoid neg mods when ever I can. The other stat line I was thinking about going with is this... Str: 18, Dex: 12, Con: 16, Int: 14, Wis: 12, Cha: 12. Both have their advantages.. I am just on the edge trying to decide on whether I want the dex and cha to both have positive modifiers or not. These stats are after the ability adjustments provided by the race Goliath.
Onto the build.
1st level
Class: Warblade
Reason: d12hd, It also gets me started into the manuvers early allowing me to extra abilities to avoid traps or just have fun playing.
Skills: Balance(4), Climb(1), Concentration(4), Intimidate(4), Jump(4), Swim(1), Knowledge Local(1), Tumble(4)
Feats: Battle Clarity(Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude, (lvl 1 bonus feat)Combat Expertise
Manuvers/Stance: Leading the Charge(Stance), Moment of Perfect Mind, Sudden Leap, Leading the Attack
Level 2: Class: Fighter, Fighter Bonus Feat: Improved Shield Bash, Maneuver: Battle Leaders Charge(if you round down to determine your total level to determine maneuvers then this will be next level.)
Level 3: Class: Fighter, Fighter Bonus Feat: Shield Charge, lvl 3 bonus feat: Improved Trip
Level 4: Class: Warblade, Manuver: Action Before Thought, Feat: Uncanny Dodge, +1 Str
Level 5: Class: Warblade, Stance: Leaping Dragon Stance, Manuver: not sure yet, Feat: Battle Ardor
Level 6: Class: Fighter, lvl 6 bonus feat: Shield Slam
Level 7: Class Fighter, lvl 4 fighter bonus feat: Shield Specialization
After this I'm not quite sure how I'm planning on building this character.
The idea behind this character is that I will be able to trip three people a combat, hopefully, while doing some decent damage and having fun.
First round, normal charge + trip. Then I can use Sudden Leap along with Leaping Dragon Stance to initiate a charge with a jump action that does not provoke a AoO(because I'm activating a maneuver as a swift action) then switch to leading the charge as a swift action to get that bonus on the shield bash. After this is done I can use Battle Leaders Charge, again with no AoOs against me because it is a maneuver. Charge again with a shield bash that does +10 damage. At anyone point in these charges I can use leading the attack to give my allies +4 to attack the target I just hit, or I can have MoPM or ABT in place to keep myself safe.
Later on I plan on getting Agile Shield Fighter, which is the only reason I picked up Shield Specialization.
I also have some questions. According to my research on the net I can use my shield to attack with and if I only use the shield to attack with I do not have to take a -mod on the attack roll because I wont be attacking with the weapon in my other hand. Is this thought process correct?
Also, I've looked everywhere I can think and I have been unable to find definitive rules on what a shield bash replaces. Can I then use a shield bash to trigger an attack made with my maneuvers from the Warblade class? Specifically the maneuvers that add +#d6 damage to the attack.
I've contemplated just running as a human. The bonus feat will help set everything up early, but I really like the bonuses from Goliath. Anyone have any other opinions about which race I should play? I'd like to have no LA if possible..
I eventually plan on having a heavy steel shield with bashing and a shield spike with some effects on it. I'm not sure what yet however. What would you recommend?
If I go with Goliath, their lore states that they don't like to cover up their markings because their are a sign of their destiny and who they are. Anyone know of a way I can get higher armor values without sacrificing role play appearance/value?
An ending thought. I'm not trying to make a character that kills anything in one hit. I'm trying to make a character that will be fun to role play, but also be able to back up his mouth if needed. I kind of visioned Maximus from the movie Gladiator when he was fighting the other gladiator in the brass armor. Sword and Board but made use of the shield a lot to disorient his opponent to get the advantage.
Thanks in advance!
The object of this character is to charge, shield bash, and trip my opponent then move onto the next target on the next round. Kind of a tank with crowd control.
Race: Goliath
LA: +1
Stats: Used a 32 point buy system. Str: 20, Dex: 10, Con: 16, Int: 14, Wis: 12, Cha: 10 I tried not to min-max the stats... sort of.. as you can see my lowest stats are 10s. I try to avoid neg mods when ever I can. The other stat line I was thinking about going with is this... Str: 18, Dex: 12, Con: 16, Int: 14, Wis: 12, Cha: 12. Both have their advantages.. I am just on the edge trying to decide on whether I want the dex and cha to both have positive modifiers or not. These stats are after the ability adjustments provided by the race Goliath.
Onto the build.
1st level
Class: Warblade
Reason: d12hd, It also gets me started into the manuvers early allowing me to extra abilities to avoid traps or just have fun playing.
Skills: Balance(4), Climb(1), Concentration(4), Intimidate(4), Jump(4), Swim(1), Knowledge Local(1), Tumble(4)
Feats: Battle Clarity(Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude, (lvl 1 bonus feat)Combat Expertise
Manuvers/Stance: Leading the Charge(Stance), Moment of Perfect Mind, Sudden Leap, Leading the Attack
Level 2: Class: Fighter, Fighter Bonus Feat: Improved Shield Bash, Maneuver: Battle Leaders Charge(if you round down to determine your total level to determine maneuvers then this will be next level.)
Level 3: Class: Fighter, Fighter Bonus Feat: Shield Charge, lvl 3 bonus feat: Improved Trip
Level 4: Class: Warblade, Manuver: Action Before Thought, Feat: Uncanny Dodge, +1 Str
Level 5: Class: Warblade, Stance: Leaping Dragon Stance, Manuver: not sure yet, Feat: Battle Ardor
Level 6: Class: Fighter, lvl 6 bonus feat: Shield Slam
Level 7: Class Fighter, lvl 4 fighter bonus feat: Shield Specialization
After this I'm not quite sure how I'm planning on building this character.
The idea behind this character is that I will be able to trip three people a combat, hopefully, while doing some decent damage and having fun.
First round, normal charge + trip. Then I can use Sudden Leap along with Leaping Dragon Stance to initiate a charge with a jump action that does not provoke a AoO(because I'm activating a maneuver as a swift action) then switch to leading the charge as a swift action to get that bonus on the shield bash. After this is done I can use Battle Leaders Charge, again with no AoOs against me because it is a maneuver. Charge again with a shield bash that does +10 damage. At anyone point in these charges I can use leading the attack to give my allies +4 to attack the target I just hit, or I can have MoPM or ABT in place to keep myself safe.
Later on I plan on getting Agile Shield Fighter, which is the only reason I picked up Shield Specialization.
I also have some questions. According to my research on the net I can use my shield to attack with and if I only use the shield to attack with I do not have to take a -mod on the attack roll because I wont be attacking with the weapon in my other hand. Is this thought process correct?
Also, I've looked everywhere I can think and I have been unable to find definitive rules on what a shield bash replaces. Can I then use a shield bash to trigger an attack made with my maneuvers from the Warblade class? Specifically the maneuvers that add +#d6 damage to the attack.
I've contemplated just running as a human. The bonus feat will help set everything up early, but I really like the bonuses from Goliath. Anyone have any other opinions about which race I should play? I'd like to have no LA if possible..
I eventually plan on having a heavy steel shield with bashing and a shield spike with some effects on it. I'm not sure what yet however. What would you recommend?
If I go with Goliath, their lore states that they don't like to cover up their markings because their are a sign of their destiny and who they are. Anyone know of a way I can get higher armor values without sacrificing role play appearance/value?
An ending thought. I'm not trying to make a character that kills anything in one hit. I'm trying to make a character that will be fun to role play, but also be able to back up his mouth if needed. I kind of visioned Maximus from the movie Gladiator when he was fighting the other gladiator in the brass armor. Sword and Board but made use of the shield a lot to disorient his opponent to get the advantage.
Thanks in advance!