Build Critique

[sirpercival]

So, for an Eberron RHoD game I'm running with this character:

Dragonborn (wings aspect) Warforged Abjurer 3/Master Specialist 2/Runesmith 1

Str 10, Dex 10 (12), Con 18 (14), Int 19 (18), Wis 8 (10), Cha 8 (10)

Feats: Adamantine Body [1st], Collegiate Wizard [wiz], Spell Focus (Abjuration) [3rd], Skill Focus (Spellcraft) [ms], Iron Will [otyhole], Extend Spell [6th]

The racial requirement of Runesmith is being waived, and Adamantine Body is allowed to substitute for Heavy Armor Prof.

Equipment so far: Mwk Light x-bow, +1 quarterstaff of warning, +1 ghostwarding on the adamantine plating, lesser rod of extend, repair belt (like a healing belt but for warforged).

There are a lot of houserules... some relevant ones are:
a) no traits/flaws
b) crafting feats are given out for free, so I can swap Scribe Scroll out for Collegiate Wizard.
c) max hp, 32pb
d) WBL increased by 50% (!)

Thoughts? What other equipment should I get? Any particular spells I should focus on?

[Vowtz]

Dragonborn (wings aspect) Warforged...
RotD page 5

"Those willing to give themselves into Bahamut’s care
and act as his emissaries in the mortal realms become
his daughters and sons. Such humanoids give up all
their former racial identity and are born anew. They
become dragonborn."

MMIII page 190

"WARFORGED
Warforged, 1st-Level Warrior
Medium Construct (Living Construct)"

[sirpercival]

RotD page 5

"Those willing to give themselves into Bahamut’s care
and act as his emissaries in the mortal realms become
his daughters and sons. Such humanoids give up all
their former racial identity and are born anew. They
become dragonborn."

MMIII page 190

"WARFORGED
Warforged, 1st-Level Warrior
Medium Construct (Living Construct)"

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070112a

[Vowtz]

@sirpercival

Thanks, I didn't know that.

[MesiDoomstalker]

This Warforged Dragonborn has become a common issue as of late.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Get a Darkwood Heavy (Spiked) Shield, preferably +1, and get that enchanted as a +1 Warning weapon since you'll always be holding it. A +1 shield that's also a +2 equivalent weapon costs 9,000 gp; you could make it +1 Bashing, which makes it count as a +1 weapon, and add Warning for a total cost of only 6,000 gp instead, but future magical shield properties would be more costly.

If crafting feats are free, does that mean you get as many as you want, and get to make all of your gear for half price? If that's the case, take Item Familiar (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/itemFamiliars.htm) (Adamantine Plating) so you'll get a 10% XP bonus to spend on all that crafting, plus a bunch of other benefits, with no risk of it getting lost or destroyed.

[sirpercival]

Get a Darkwood Heavy (Spiked) Shield, preferably +1, and get that enchanted as a +1 Warning weapon since you'll always be holding it. A +1 shield that's also a +2 equivalent weapon costs 9,000 gp; you could make it +1 Bashing, which makes it count as a +1 weapon, and add Warning for a total cost of only 6,000 gp instead, but future magical shield properties would be more costly.

If crafting feats are free, does that mean you get as many as you want, and get to make all of your gear for half price? If that's the case, take Item Familiar (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/itemFamiliars.htm) (Adamantine Plating) so you'll get a 10% XP bonus to spend on all that crafting, plus a bunch of other benefits, with no risk of it getting lost or destroyed.

Thanks for the response! I'm going to stick with the quarterstaff since that lets me load two wand chambers, one for Nerveskitter (yay for +10 init!) and one for something else that's a swift or immediate action activation.

And, the full houserule on craft feats is: "Craft feats no longer grant a discount on the gold cost of an item, and no longer have an XP cost. They still cost the usual amount of time, but are granted automatically to anyone with a sufficient caster level."

So I don't get to craft stuff at half-price, but I don't worry about crafting XP. I was mostly talking about the Scribe Scroll requirement for Runesmith, since I gave away Scribe Scroll.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Wand Chamber (Weapon or Shield): A wand
chamber is a thin, cylindrical slot on the handle of a
weapon or the edge of a shield that can hold a single
wand. When a wand is loaded in the chamber, it is
considered ready and can be activated without having to
drop the weapon or shield. Changing the wand in the
chamber is a full-round action.
A weapon only has one handle, regardless of how many hands you put on it, same goes for double weapons. The shield will give you +3 AC for no drawback.

[Doc Roc]

There are some rate-reducing feats for crafting...? I mean, if you want to pursue it.

[Keld Denar]

A +1 shield that's also a +2 equivalent weapon costs 9,000 gp; you could make it +1 Bashing, which makes it count as a +1 weapon, and add Warning for a total cost of only 6,000 gp instead, but future magical shield properties would be more costly.

This is...not legal. It counts as a +1 weapon, but its not a +1 weapon. You have to put the +1 enhancement on the shield (as a weapon) before you put weapon enhancements on it.

The shield acts as a +1 weapon when used to bash. (Only light and heavy shields can have this ability.)


A single weapon cannot have a modified bonus (enhancement bonus plus special ability bonus equivalents) higher than +10. A weapon with a special ability must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus.

Bashing is only "effectively" a +1 enhancement bonus when the shield is used to bash. Its not a real +1 enhancement bonus.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

This is...not legal. It counts as a +1 weapon, but its not a +1 weapon. You have to put the +1 enhancement on the shield (as a weapon) before you put weapon enhancements on it.

Bashing is only "effectively" a +1 enhancement bonus when the shield is used to bash. Its not a real +1 enhancement bonus.

Good point; a +1 Darkwood Heavy Shield that's a +1 Warning weapon is still better than a Quarterstaff. Of course, a +1 Defending Warning/ +1 Defending Quarterstaff that you put Greater Magic Weapon on each day is pretty good in the higher levels.

Also note that since it's both a shield and a weapon, it could have a wand chamber in the edge of the shield and another in the handle you grip when using it as a weapon. That's even more legit than putting two wand chambers on a double weapon IMO. You can still add Defending and cast Greater Magic Weapon on it every day in the higher levels.

[sirpercival]

Hmm... my DM approved having two wand chambers in the quarterstaff, so I think that's probably the way to go.

But there's another problem with the shield anyway: I'm not proficient.

[faceroll]

Can't you wandchamber your shield?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

But there's another problem with the shield anyway: I'm not proficient.

A Darkwood Heavy Shield has an armor check penalty of zero, so there's absolutely no drawback to using one nonproficient.

[sirpercival]

Hm... I like it. But I also would not be proficient with the shield spikes if (god forbid) I needed to use it as an actual melee weapon...

Is it still better since my DM ruled in favor of 2 wand chambers in a quarterstaff?

[MesiDoomstalker]

Hm... I like it. But I also would not be proficient with the shield spikes if (god forbid) I needed to use it as an actual melee weapon...

Is it still better since my DM ruled in favor of 2 wand chambers in a quarterstaff?

Yup. Use all three chambers.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

The shield would be another +3 AC. Ask him about putting multiple wand chambers in the shield, especially considering it goes at the edge of a shield and those tend to have quite a lot of room around the edges. What would your second wand chamber even be?

You can move-action-draw a weapon and attack with it, if it comes to that. The bigger concern would probably be using your crossbow.

[sirpercival]

OK, updated build (feats got shifted around a bit due to more houserules):

Dragonborn (senses aspect) Warforged Abjurer 3/Master Specialist 2/Runesmith 1

Str 10, Dex 10 (12), Con 18 (14), Int 19 (18), Wis 8 (10), Cha 8 (10)

Feats: Adamantine Body [1st], Dragon Wings [flavor], Collegiate Wizard [wiz], Spell Focus (Abjuration) [3rd], Skill Focus (Spellcraft) [ms], Extend Spell [6th], Iron Will [otyugh hole]

The racial requirement of Runesmith is being waived, and Adamantine Body is allowed to substitute for Heavy Armor Prof.

An additional houserule I should mention: enchantments on armor & shields are half as expensive (not weapon enchantments).

Equipment so far: Mwk Light x-bow, +2 ghostwarding on the adamantine plating, +1 ghostwarding darkwood heavy spiked shield (+1 warning on the spikes), lesser rod of extend, repair belt (like a healing belt but for warforged), wand of nerveskitter in wand chamber on the shield.

I still have about 8k gold left.

[Keld Denar]

What weapon are you using? Your slam? It'll be fine for now, but you'll want iteratives once you start getting them.

[sirpercival]

Don't have a slam anymore, you lose it as a Dragonborn. This guy isn't really a gish, more of a support character, so iteratives are less useful, but I was going to use the shield spikes (I just noticed another houserule which says that training with a weapon or armor for a while gives you proficiency so there's that).

Honestly, though, if this guy is in melee he's doing something wrong. Being an abjurer doesn't give you a lot of offense w/o ER grenades, which I'm not doing.

[Keld Denar]

Well, even as an Abjurer, you are still a caster. Arcane Strike can give you offense (6th level feat). Wraithstrike + PA can give you offense. I like Whirling Blade + 2handed slashing weapon, and PA people from across the room.

That said, it looks like you are building into Incantatrix or Iot7V, what with the Otyuth Hole and the Skill Focus: Spellcraft.

[Basket Burner]

What weapon are you using? Your slam? It'll be fine for now, but you'll want iteratives once you start getting them.

He is a Wizard. I don't suspect his choice of weapon is especially important.


Equipment so far: Mwk Light x-bow, +2 ghostwarding on the adamantine plating, +1 ghostwarding darkwood heavy spiked shield (+1 warning on the spikes), lesser rod of extend, repair belt (like a healing belt but for warforged), wand of nerveskitter in wand chamber on the shield.

Level 6 wealth * 1.5 = 19,500 gold.

Crossbow: 375.
+2 Ghostward = 4,500 with the half cost houserule.
+1 Ghostward = 2,000 with the half cost houserule.
Darkwood heavy spiked shield = 567.
+1 warning on the spikes = 8,000.
Lesser Extend rod = 3,000.
Repair Belt = 750.
Wand of Nerveskitter = 750.
Wand Chamber = 100.

Total: 20,042/19,500.

Which is a far cry from 8k extra. Am I missing something?

[sirpercival]

SF: Spellcraft I get from Master Specialist, Iron Will in these rules gets me no-autofail-willsave-on-a-1.

I was thinking about Iot7V, but I'll probably run out of levels before it becomes useful.

I forgot about Wraithstrike, might have to use that. I may take 2 levels of Abjurant Champion after I'm done with Runesmith, so doing some gishery may actually work.

[sirpercival]

He is a Wizard. I don't suspect his choice of weapon is especially important.



Level 6 wealth * 1.5 = 19,500 gold.

Crossbow: 375.
+2 Ghostward = 4,500 with the half cost houserule.
+1 Ghostward = 2,000 with the half cost houserule.
Darkwood heavy spiked shield = 567.
+1 warning on the spikes = 8,000.
Lesser Extend rod = 3,000.
Repair Belt = 750.
Wand of Nerveskitter = 750.
Wand Chamber = 100.

Total: 20,042/19,500.

Which is a far cry from 8k extra. Am I missing something?

Yes. You are missing the fact that I multiplied by 1.5 and then thought I hadn't multiplied by 1.5 yet so I did it again. Can't you predict my stupidity?

EDIT: and isn't the spiked shield only 257? Or do I have to pay for masterwork twice?

EDIT: To fix this I'm removing the Lesser Extend Rod.

[Basket Burner]

Yes. You are missing the fact that I multiplied by 1.5 and then thought I hadn't multiplied by 1.5 yet so I did it again. Can't you predict my stupidity?

EDIT: and isn't the spiked shield only 257? Or do I have to pay for masterwork twice?

EDIT: To fix this I'm removing the Lesser Extend Rod.

Wooden shield = 7.
Darkwood = MW cost + 10 gold per pound * 10.
And then the spikes are 310 since they have to be MW too.

So 567.

[Keld Denar]

You have to pay the Masterwork cost to as a shield (150g) AND as a weapon (300g) in order to enchant it as both.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Make your armor +1 instead of +2, you save 2,500 gp, and you can keep your Lesser Rod of Extend.

[Seharvepernfan]

nerveskitter stacks with nerveskitter?!?

how are you getting past the spell failure?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

nerveskitter stacks with nerveskitter?!?

how are you getting past the spell failure?

He has a Warning weapon, which grants +5 initiative; it's like having Nerveskitter.

The Runesmith prestige class in Races of Stone takes care of spell failure.

[sirpercival]

Make your armor +1 instead of +2, you save 2,500 gp, and you can keep your Lesser Rod of Extend.

True, though it lowers my touch AC. But that's probably not as big a deal at level 6, and the lesser rod is probably better at this point.

Is there a better feat than Extend for level 6? I'm using a shield and armor so Shield and Mage Armor are unnecessary... what else would I be using it for, honestly?

I could get Improved Dragon Wings to get an actual flight speed, but I can also just cast Fly.

Thoughts?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

At first I was thinking you would need Reinforced Wings and Heavyweight Wings to be able to use those to fly. Then I realized that Adamantine Body doesn't add any weight carried to a character, and it only depends on encumbrance by weight and not armor worn. Plus since your Living Construct subtype still gives you immunity to fatigue and exhaustion, there wouldn't be any limit to how much time you spend flying, since the only drawback is fatigue and a prohibition from flying while fatigued. It really does look like that feat is 100% pure win for this character. You can also make a dive attack with your spiked shield, though still as a last resort.

I'd also recommend taking the Heart aspect instead of Mind, and use breath attack spells like Blinding Breath. Entangling Exhalation would also be a great choice, and there would almost never be any reason for you to resort to melee attacks.

[Basket Burner]

True, though it lowers my touch AC. But that's probably not as big a deal at level 6, and the lesser rod is probably better at this point.

Is there a better feat than Extend for level 6? I'm using a shield and armor so Shield and Mage Armor are unnecessary... what else would I be using it for, honestly?

I could get Improved Dragon Wings to get an actual flight speed, but I can also just cast Fly.

Thoughts?

Whatever you would use Extend for now you could use a cheap item for. Later, that might change. It depends on what sorts of spells you cast.

As for the breath weapon stuff, I'd imagine he figured as a caster he has no shortage of save or lose abilities and doesn't need special investment to get more of them.

[Keld Denar]

Doesn't Ghostward only increase your touch AC vs Incorp touches? Incorp touches are a subset of touch attacks in general, but not all touches are Incorp touches. You're touch AC would still be low when attacked by spells or other abilities like Wraithstrike or grapple attempts.

[Basket Burner]

Doesn't Ghostward only increase your touch AC vs Incorp touches? Incorp touches are a subset of touch attacks in general, but not all touches are Incorp touches. You're touch AC would still be low when attacked by spells or other abilities like Wraithstrike or grapple attempts.

Nope. It's in the MIC. Enchantment bonus applies to touch AC. You are thinking of Ghost Touch armor which is a lot weaker and entirely not worth it.

And he's a caster. He has no business worrying about being grappled.

[Keld Denar]

He doesn't have Abrupt Jaunt, so unless he's running Heart of Water or flying via Alter Self or Fly, grappling is a risk.

[Basket Burner]

He doesn't have Abrupt Jaunt, so unless he's running Heart of Water or flying via Alter Self or Fly, grappling is a risk.

At this level, there's Heart of Water, there's a cheap item that grants an Abrupt Jaunt like ability, there are Anklets of Translocation, and all of that is ignoring the possibility of him turning himself into a better grappler than the grappler.

Being grabbed, not something to worry about. Between that, the decent unbuffed AC of 22, and decent saves of 8 and 10 + the usual Wizard stuff if I recall correctly he should be fine against attacks.

No resistance item, but in one level a spell fixes that.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Ghost Ward only adds the armor/shield's Enhancement bonus to your touch AC, not the entire armor/shield bonus. If you had some extra feats I'd recommend picking up the psionic subtype and Heavy Armor Optimization to get Deflective Armor in RoS, which is actually one of the best reasons to use heavy armor at all. There's also Shield Specialization and Shield Ward, though that would require proficiency in the shield. I doubt you could cram those into this character, but you never know. Though it does make a Warforged Psion look amazing.

If armor and shield properties weren't half price, you would have been better off with a Ring of Protection. I'd still probably recommend just making both of them +2 with no special abilities, and saying screw touch AC until later, you'll probably be better off.

[Basket Burner]

Ghost Ward only adds the armor/shield's Enhancement bonus to your touch AC, not the entire armor/shield bonus.

That's exactly what I said.


If you had some extra feats I'd recommend picking up the psionic subtype and Heavy Armor Optimization to get Deflective Armor in RoS, which is actually one of the best reasons to use heavy armor at all. There's also Shield Specialization and Shield Ward, though that would require proficiency in the shield. I doubt you could cram those into this character, but you never know. Though it does make a Warforged Psion look amazing.

This could work, but at the same time he's a Wizard. He happens to have good AC at the moment, but it's still not worth effort.


If armor and shield properties weren't half price, you would have been better off with a Ring of Protection. I'd still probably recommend just making both of them +2 with no special abilities, and saying screw touch AC until later, you'll probably be better off.

Magic Vestment.