Binder//Totemist optimaztion

[The Underlord]

So I am probably going to play one of these in a pbp so I want some optimaztion help(I have been trying to find synergies for an hour). 4 build specifications
1. No core classes aloud(part of the pbp rules)
2. I would prefer no dipping or prcing
3. I want to be good at melee(though, with some synergies, manticore belt soulmeld could persuade me to go ranged)
4. no homebrew or drag. magazine
So any ideas?

[Elric VIII]

You can use Psionic Vestiges (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070119a) and use the MoI Recharge Trick (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?action=printpage;topic=10262.0) to create a psionic battery and do some cool stuff.

[Getsugaru]

I'm working on a new version of the Binder that has access to more Vestiges total, but total Vestige lvl limit. If it goes over well, you could show it to your DM and see if he'll allow it. Link. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11866548)

What level are you starting at? Do you have a preferred race?

Also, what's pbp?

[The Underlord]

pbp=play by post. Level is probably 8-12. As far as races go, no core races, and depending on the dm, no variants on them.

To anyone else who wants to post. I am NOT looking for a more optimized class choice.

[Getsugaru]

If you do Binder 8, you can bind 2 Vestiges. I'd suggest Eurynome and Savnok, giving you the ability to summon a Large +1 Warhammer that you can wield in one hand w/o dificulty, and summon +1 Full Plate that you are automatically proficient with, among other abilities.

If you do Totemist 11 and take Double Chakra (totem) followed by Triple Chakra (totem), you can bind 3 chakras to your totem chakra while getting the effects of totem bind+1 other chakra bind power of the totem bound soulmeld. I'd suggest Phase Cloak, Blink Shirt, and Manticore Belt, granting you the ability Blink and Dimension Door like a Blink Dog, Phase in and out of the Ethereal Plane and have a Poisonous Bite like a Phase Spider, and Fly with Good Maneuverability and shoot a volley of Spines as a Ranged attack like a Manticore, plus some other soulmelds.

When you say no core books, do you mean no PHB, no MM, etc.?

Also, are templates allowed?

[The Underlord]

You do know // means gesalt right?
I would prefer no LA.

[Getsugaru]

You do know // means gesalt right?
I would prefer no LA.

Just means you can do both.

For race, unless variants of core races is allowed, you'll not be able to avoid LA.
EDIT: I'd suggest Changling, since you then qualify for Able Learner and another feat (the name of which I can't remember...) that make all skills class skills for you and makes you count as if you had 1 rank in each skill, respectively.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Well, you'll certainly be an interesting and flexible character.

You can, quite literally, change your class features every day. One day, you can be a ranged specialist, the other day you're a melee monster. The day after that? You're a stealthy rogue.

Imagine being able to have six natural attacks, Pounce, and being able to wear full plate on top of that...

Now imagine being able to stand back and fling spikes at people, only to vanish and appear elsewhere whenever someone tries to close with you.

Now imagine being a keen box-man, with the ability to dimension-door as a move action, and the ability to hide in plain sight...

Your character can literally do all of these, if not at once.

The possibilities are endless. The choice is yours.

[The Underlord]

Exactly HOW do I do it though.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Exactly HOW do I do it though.

Well, let's look at a fun attack build...

Bind Gorillian Arms to Chakra, and Sphinx Claws to hands. If you've got the spare bind, apply Totem to Shoulder for a damage increase.

Now tack onto that Ronove. Unarmed attacks considered to be Cold Iron and Magic for overcoming DR, you gain monk unarmed damage progression.

So, at Binder 8th level, thanks to the Shoulder totem avatar bind, you're doing 2d8 damage per attack, with four attacks.

Shall we tie that in with Paimon for Dance of Death? Or would you prefer Malphas for Sudden Strike?

Perhaps instead of Ronove, you bind Ipos, netting you only 1d8, but a lot less fast-talking involved with the GM about how monk natural attacks and claws work together. That'll also net you True Sight and Rend

How about Halphax for DR 10/Adamantine? Plus a Fort save or Lose 1 every 5 rounds, and some battlefield control and utility.

How about Dahlver-Nar? Natural armor bonus, and you can share your pain with an opponent.

Chupoclops gives you a Bite attack in addition to all the claws you get from Gorillon Arms, the ability to hit incorporeal, the ability to go ethereal, Pounce (so you free up the Sphinx Claws bind for something else), and Lifesense.

And, of course, Savnok lets you wear full plate while pounding on people with natural attacks.

All of these provide benefits to a melee type character, depending on what you want to do, and what you are more worried about.

Now then, Binding Manticore Belt to Totem nets you multiple ranged natural attacks. Now bind Totem Avatar to Shoulder for the damage increase.

Okay, so what works well with a ranged combatant? How about being able to Dimension Door out of trouble? Well, Blink Shirt really wants to be bound to Totem for that. But Tenebrous gives you Flicker, which gives you the ability to DimDoor every round! Anyone that boosts damage output per attack (Malphas's Sudden Strike ability, for example) is also good.

So now you want to be a scout? Well, my friend, here's what we can do for you:

Blink Shirt bound to Totem. Unlimited blinking around. Phase Cloak lets you go Ethereal.

Now let's add to this Otiax and Tenebrous, with the possiblity of Malphas. Have fun.

[Elric VIII]

If you do Totemist 11 and take Double Chakra (totem) followed by Triple Chakra (totem), you can bind 3 chakras to your totem chakra while getting the effects of totem bind+1 other chakra bind power of the totem bound soulmeld.

Where is Triple Chakra, I don't see it in MoI?

[Hiro Protagonest]

Where is Triple Chakra, I don't see it in MoI?

*looks it up*

It doesn't exist.

[Getsugaru]

Where is Triple Chakra, I don't see it in MoI?

I think it's in the Epic section; I remember seeing it somewhere. I think it's normally Epic, but plenty of DM's allow it on a Chakra that you've applied Double Chakra to, usually around level 12-15, depending on the DM. Most people say it shouldn't be Epic, as it isn't necessarily Epic game power; more towards just below 20th level power

[Hiro Protagonest]

I think it's in the Epic section; I remember seeing it somewhere. I think it's normally Epic, but plenty of DM's allow it on a Chakra that you've applied Double Chakra to, usually around level 12-15, depending on the DM. Most people say it shouldn't be Epic, as it isn't necessarily Epic game power; more towards just below 20th level power

It doesn't exist. I looked it up, both online and in the book.

[MeeposFire]

It doesn't exist. I looked it up, both online and in the book.

It sounds like one of those D&D wiki feats that look like its official but it is homebrew situations.