The Warblade

[leegi0n]

What's the best (most tactically efficient) way to build up a warblade? Say, level 14? Via fighter? Barbarian? Other PrC mixers?

never played one and want to create some NPC nasties within this class.

[Snowbluff]

I'd say go for the Eternal Blade PRC. Gives some great bonuses. You have to be an elf though.

If you are taking any other base classes, I'd say level those first so you can have higher level maves when you take warblade, due to the 1/2 initiator rule.


EDIT: Don't ever take more than 6 levels of a non initiator class, though, as it will prevent you form getting 9th level maneuvers. It will also keep you from getting the Eternal Blade capstone, which is top- notch imho. Might be a little strong versus non-magic PCs though.

[Keld Denar]

Warblades are awesomesause. They are versatile, and actually work with just about any combat style or tactic (other than archery, kinda, but even then, a little).

There are lots of "best" options, just depending on what you want to do. You can go straight Warblade14, or you can dip a few levels. Barbarian2 is common, as is Fighter2, or even Cleric1/X1 for the free domains.

It also works with whatever combat style you want. THF, TWF, SnB, reach weapons, etc. Whatever. It all works.

[leegi0n]

Warblades are awesomesause. They are versatile, and actually work with just about any combat style or tactic (other than archery, kinda, but even then, a little).

There are lots of "best" options, just depending on what you want to do. You can go straight Warblade14, or you can dip a few levels. Barbarian2 is common, as is Fighter2, or even Cleric1/X1 for the free domains.

It also works with whatever combat style you want. THF, TWF, SnB, reach weapons, etc. Whatever. It all works.



Yeah, I'm kinda thinking a Two Handed Fighter with a Greatsword or something of the like. Probably knock out a couple levels of fighter for the bonus feats.

[leegi0n]

What book is Eternal Blade in?

[Novawurmson]

What book is Eternal Blade in?

The only book with ToB material: The Tome of Battle :)

[Psyren]

Did you read the Warblade Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176968)? A handbook is usually the answer when you find yourself asking "what's the best way to build X?"

[leegi0n]

No, indeed. I had no idea such a book existed. Thank you. :smallbiggrin:

[HunterOfJello]

Warblade 14 is great. Other than that, your best bet is just the typical random dips such as:

Fighter 2
Rogue 2
Pyschic Warrior 2
Wizard 1
Cleric 1
Swordsage 1 or 2

[Tvtyrant]

Also, Totemist 2 for natural weapons. Mmm, Girallon claws.

[Draz74]

The very strongest option is probably a Glaive-wielding Charger build (Shock Trooper) with 1 level dipped in Pouncing Barbarian and 1 level dipped in something else, probably Fighter.

But like Keld said, you can make something almost as powerful with whatever fighting style you want.

[leegi0n]

Warblade 14 is great. Other than that, your best bet is just the typical random dips such as:

Fighter 2
Rogue 2
Pyschic Warrior 2
Wizard 1
Cleric 1
Swordsage 1 or 2

but what about the bonus feats from fighter, for example?

[navar100]

Dipping Crusader or Swordsage also works.

Crusader gives you armor and bow proficiency, synergy on Stone Dragon and White Raven prerequisites, and useful Devoted Spirit maneuvers. Thicket of Blades is a popular stance.

Swordsage hurts because of the HD and BAB hit, but if your Wisdom is decent you can get a little boost in AC. More important are the maneuvers known. You can use Swordsage for most of your counters since they are situational to focus your Warblade maneuvers for continual use and recovery. You also get synergy on prerequisites for Stone Dragon, Diamond Mind, and Tiger Claw maneuvers.

If not dipping Crusader for Thicket Of Blades at Crusader 2, whatever you do multiclass two levels before you reach Warblade 4 so you can get a 3rd level stance. The one flaw of the book is they screwed up stance accesses.

[Glimbur]

Also, Totemist 2 for natural weapons. Mmm, Girallon claws.

Strikes are standard actions, so the benefit of natural weapons is lessened. You can still boost up and full attack, and nothing says you have to use a strike every round. Other soulmelds can be helpful as well: Wormtail Belt gives nontrivial AC, there are ways to fly, and so on. Incarnate can also bring some goodies: you can get a magic weapon for free (Incarnate Weapon)! It even sort of gets better as you do, as essentia capacity is determined by hit dice.

[dgnslyr]

but what about the bonus feats from fighter, for example?

Eh, a warblade is not quite so desperate for feats, compared to other melee classes. Feats are nice, but the versatility of maneuvers makes feats less critical to being competent.

[Malachei]

Lockdown / battlefield control builds require a few feats. A two-level dip into Crusader can add Thicket of Blades.

[hex0]

Warmind works decent with Warblade. Factotum 3 for Brains over Brawn is nice too.

[Big Fau]

Strikes are standard actions, so the benefit of natural weapons is lessened. You can still boost up and full attack, and nothing says you have to use a strike every round. Other soulmelds can be helpful as well: Wormtail Belt gives nontrivial AC, there are ways to fly, and so on. Incarnate can also bring some goodies: you can get a magic weapon for free (Incarnate Weapon)! It even sort of gets better as you do, as essentia capacity is determined by hit dice.

Several strikes utilize the Full Attack routine though (TSS and Flashing Sun being two off-hand, although the latter is Desert Wind).

[Draz74]

Several strikes utilize the Full Attack routine though (TSS and Flashing Sun being two off-hand, although the latter is Desert Wind).

Dancing and Raging Mongoose also require full attacks, unless you're using the BG "Errata."

[Big Fau]

Dancing and Raging Mongoose also require full attacks, unless you're using the BG "Errata."

Well, they're boosts anyway.

[Emperor Tippy]

Dipping Factotum 3 can be useful as well, all skills as class skills plus Int to all Dex and Str checks (which includes Initiative) is very nifty and the 3/encounter ability to get a bonus equal to your Int mod on an attack, damage, or save roll.

[Morph Bark]

Just one thing: don't go Warblade 1/Fighter X/Warblade +X/PrCs. If you stack Warblade levels with Fighter levels for determining your effective Fighter level for bonus feats, your effective Fighter level will be 0 at character level 2.

And level 0 characters cannot take feats. :smallwink::smalltongue:

[Big Fau]

Just one thing: don't go Warblade 1/Fighter X/Warblade +X/PrCs. If you stack Warblade levels with Fighter levels for determining your effective Fighter level for bonus feats, your effective Fighter level will be 0 at character level 2.

And, again, fixed in the unofficial errata.

[Tokuhara]

I like combining Eternal Blade and Revenant Blade (Eberron) with a "Valetar" elf

[Big Fau]

I like combining Eternal Blade and Revenant Blade (Eberron) with a "Valetar" elf

It's "Valenar".

[Tokuhara]

It's "Valenar".

My bad. Dang typing too fast...

[hex0]

You could also Dip for Psychic Warrior and/or Warmind for psionic lion's charge instead of dipping Barbarian.

[Draz74]

Well, they're boosts anyway.
Ah, true. I missed that you were originally looking for strikes. Off the top of my head, I can think of several other strikes that are full-round actions, but not any more that explicitly use full attacks.


And, again, fixed in the unofficial errata.
Yep, that one is a good, common-sense fix. :smalltongue: