Gestalt Build Help

[Dming For Noobs]

So...

I`m running a Gestalt campaign starting at level 9 coming up. We have 4 members: a wizard//monk summoner, and cleric//dread necromancer necromancer, and a bard//crusader type for support. The last character is a melee brute. He enjoys playing fighter, but is interested in playing warblade. So what I need is some ideas on how to make him useful and powerful in a campaign of wizards and clerics. There is a problem. He wants to play a half Minotaur (http://www.realmshelps.net/monsters/templates/half-minotaur.shtml). So yeah, any and all ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance

[Xerlith]

Maybe Warblade//Factotum? Beginning at 8th level he'll be able to break action economy like nobody's business. the Half-minotaur template is not really synergistic (-2 int, int being one of the most important stats), but remember that LA is most often put only on one side of the gestalt.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104979

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Half-Minotaur is probably the strongest template available for a melee brute type, though it's widely considered to be too good for only a +1 LA. Considering it gives you the stat changes for a size increase (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#sizeIncreases) in addition to what's listed, that means going from medium to large you get Str +12, Dex -2, Con +6, Int -2, and +4 natural armor, in addition to everything else you get from Half-Minotuar, plus large size reach. Put it on a Water Orc (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#racesOfWater), and you've got Str +16, Dex -2, Con +8, Int -4, Wis -2, Cha -2 instead, still for only a +1 LA. If you treat the level adjustment like a class level and make it only take one side of the gestalt, it costs very little. Starting at level 9 though, I'd probably prefer for the +1 LA to take an entire level and start out with it already bought off (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm) for 3,000 xp instead.

For a build, go with something like the following, assuming the +1 LA is bought off already:
1. Fighter 1// Half-Orc Paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm#halfOrcParagon)* 1, Bravado, City Slicker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258440#30), EWP: Kusari-Gama, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Cleave
2. Fighter 2// Orc Paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm#orcParagon) 1, Dungeoncrasher
3. Zhentarim Fighter (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a) 3// Orc Paragon 2, Skill Focus: Intimidate, Knock-Back (RoS), Physical Prowess (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20061013a)
4. Fighter 4// Orc Paragon 3, Weapon Focus: Kusari-Gama
5. Zhentarim Fighter 5// Warblade 1, Menacing Demeanor**, Physical Prowess, Never Outnumbered skill trick (CS)
6. Fighter 6// War Hulk 1, Dungeoncrasher, Imperious Command (DotU)
7. Fighter 7// War Hulk 2, Physical Prowess
8. Fighter 8// War Hulk 3, Two-Weapon Fighting
9. Zhentarim Fighter 9// War Hulk 4, Weapon Specialization: Kusari-Gama, Physical Prowess
10. Warblade 2// War Hulk 5
11. Warblade 3// War Hulk 6
12. Warblade 4// War Hulk 7, Melee Weapon Mastery: Slashing
13. Warblade 5// War Hulk 8, Toughness, Combat Reflexes
14. Warblade 6// War Hulk 9, Toughness
15. Warblade 7// War Hulk 10, Toughness, Greater Weapon Focus: Kusari-Gama
16. Warblade 8// Binder 1
17. Warblade 9// Binder 2, Improved Initiative
18. Warblade 10// Binder 3, Greater Weapon Specialization: Kusari-Gama
19. Warblade 11// Binder 4
20. Fighter 10// Binder 5, Weapon Supremacy: Kusari-Gama
*An Orc with a half-creature template such as half-minotaur is technically half-orc, and should be able to take half-orc paragon.
**Menacing Demeanor is gained via the Otuygh Hole in Complete Scoundrel for a cost of 4,000 gp, again Orc plus half-template counts him as a half-orc.

Warblade class level (initiator level) maneuvers/stances known:
1 (3) Wolf Fang Strike, Wall of Blades, Leading the Attack; Hunter's Sense
2 (6) Iron Heart Surge
3 (7) Battle Leader's Charge
4 (8) Leading the Attack White Raven Tactics; Absolute Steel Stance
5 (9) Dancing Mongoose
6 (10) Wolf Fang Strike Pouncing Charge
7 (11) Manticore Parry
8 (12) Wall of Blades Iron Heart Endurance
9 (13) War Leader's Charge
10 (14) Battle Leader's Charge Swarming Assault or Clarion Call; Prey on the Weak
11 (15) Raging Mongoose

Starting equipment (36k WBL for ECL 9):
Otyugh Hole visit (CS) 4,000 gp
Feathered Wings Graft (FF) 10,000 gp
Gloves of the Balanced Hand (MIC) 8,000 gp
^ +2 Enhancement bonus to Dexterity added (MIC p234) 4,000 gp
+1 Large Kusari-Gama (DMG) 2,320 gp
^ Lesser Revelation Crystal (MIC) 1,000 gp
+1 Large Kusari-Gama (DMG) 2,320 gp
+1 Large Breastplate (DMG) 1,550 gp
^ Restful Crystal (MIC) 500 gp
Anklet of Translocation (MIC) 1,400 gp
Healing Belt (MIC) 750 gp
160 gp

Future Items:
Something from each category on this list (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187851).
Wrathful Healing on both weapons, from Enemies and Allies (costs a +2, get healed for half the total damage dealt per hit).
Speed on both weapons (DMG).
Enhancement bonus to Strength added to gloves (MIC p234).
Dark Chaos Feat Shuffle for all three instances of Toughness (FC1).

Make the Wizard or Cleric cast Greater Resistance on him every day. One of them should have Mass Resist Energy prepared each day as well, just in case.
Check out the Fear Handbook (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3809.0) and keep in mind that Imperious Command makes the Shaken effect from demoralizing last an additional round, so it can be escalated with subsequent intimidate checks as long as it's still in effect.

[Dming For Noobs]

That is impressive. I cant believe i never noticed war hulk, perfect for this character. Some stuff may be switched around, but good overall. (He REALLY like 2HF)

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

That is impressive. I cant believe i never noticed war hulk, perfect for this character. Some stuff may be switched around, but good overall. (He REALLY like 2HF)

You can switch it for a spiked chain, and swap out TWF for an earlier Combat Reflexes. But keep in mind that most of his damage will come from Knock-Back plus Dungeoncrasher, so more attacks means more damage. Later on he'll be able to hit every opponent in reach with every swing, including AoO's, so he can sweep everyone into the corner and smash them against the wall. If anyone tries to get away he gets an AoO that smashes the whole pile against the wall again. If there aren't any walls available he can fly overhead and dungeoncrash them against the ground.