What would you do?

[SillyBee]

Lo' all.

Just a question for any helpful and knowledgeable people out there:

I will be taking part in a game of 3.5 D&D. All books are available, save for The Book of Nine Swords. We will be starting at 8th level. Core races only. 40 point buy. It will be myself and one other person playing under the GM. The GM has stated that he will ostensibly run an npc to help us, but I'd feel better if he doesn't have to focus on an npc, just running the game.

The other player is going Hellfire Warlock. I was thinking Druid/Planar Shepherd, but I've never been a big fan of Druid.

So, if you, mysterious person reading this, had the opportunity to play in this game, with the intent of making a competent team with a Hellfire Warlock that could take on multiple different obstacles and challenges...

What would you do? What would you play? Is Druid the only option, team-wise? The stats available kind of beg to be used for a MAD class...I just can't come to a decision.

HELP PLEASE!

[Captnq]

Well, I'd start with a spellcaster.

HERE (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=5044.msg73050#msg73050) is my big list of all the spellcasters and every PrC that adds to a spellcaster or gives you a new spell list.

Then you'll need some spells. the Spell Handbook is HERE (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=5044.msg72093#msg72093).

Then you'll need some weapons. The weapon handbook is HERE (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=9053.msg183871#msg183871).

That's where I'd start.

Now, It sounds like the other guy is the party thumper. So work on making the other guy who fixes everything else with a spell.

He's and evil guy, so that opens us up to...

1-5 Wizard: 5
6-7: Ur-priest: 2

Then go mystic theurge, prestige bard, maybe Fochlucan Lyrist. Mix and match to your hearts content. or hey, maybe get a little wierd and go with a Wu Jen or something. You'll be casting more spells then you know what to do with. Or go with Arcane Hierophant. Or...


I've been toying with Mystic Ranger lately. I so want to make a Mystic Ranger/Ur-Priest. HERE (http://www.uploadmb.com/dw.php?id=1380336827). It's not finished, but it's a rough draft of the Mystic Ranger handbook I was thinking of making.

So I'd go:

1-4 Mystic Ranger: 4
5: Wizard: 1
6-7: Ur-Priest: 1-2
8: Prestige Bard: 1
9-10: Arcane Hierophant: 2
11: Sublime Chord: 1
12-16: Arcane Hierophant:7
17-20: Ultimate Magus: 4

Should get my caster level up to about 40 and My spell list will be every Sorcerer/Wizard/Bard/Cleric.

But that's off the cuff. I'm sure I could squeeze it down a few levels. I leave the math to you.

[shadow_archmagi]

How about an Ardent/Incarnate going into, uh, Incarnum Manifester or whatever that dual progression PrC is?

[SillyBee]

Great ideas, guys!

Keep 'em coming!

[shadow_archmagi]

Artificers or Factotums both fit the bill for "Can do anything." Artificers are a bit more paperwork (and a bit more power) though. Both are Int based, which means successful knowledge and search checks, which is an important base to cover.

[HalfQuart]

Maybe a DMM Cleric? Is the Hellfire Warlock using any tricks do deal with the Con damage? If not, being able to cast Restoration (rather than relying on items) might be handy.

[Coidzor]

Any T1 caster, especially if both players take Wild Cohort as one of their 1st level feats and the DM rules that they can acquire new Wild Cohorts in the same manner as a Druid acquiring a new Animal Companion.

Archivist, Erudite(esp. Spell to Power variant), Wizard, Cleric, and Druid are all pretty adaptable for complementing a blasting focused character and setting up enemies for the warlock to knock them down. Artificer is pretty darn good, but a bit more fiddly due to crafting and downtime concerns, at least until they can get a Dedicated Wright homunculus and a portable hole or similar.


How about an Ardent/Incarnate going into, uh, Incarnum Manifester or whatever that dual progression PrC is?

Soul Manifester. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20060217a) It's largely Soul Caster with the serial numbers filed off and psionic terms bolted on in place of the arcane magic terms. Don't lose much for a 2 level dip on a wizard, though IIRC Anima Mage is probably better.