PDA

View Full Version : Grappling and armor spikes



Shrew
2007-02-01, 10:27 AM
So, I have a concept to make a character that tries to grappling eveything and uses armor spikes to do damage while grappling. Any thoughts on the build that would work the best. Was thinking of starting with levels in monk, and then going to fighter.

Maclav
2007-02-01, 10:40 AM
Nothing special about armor spikes. Any light weapon will do. Grappling can be effective, for a while, in the right campaign. But there are just way way to many places where it is useless to be a viable 'generic' choice.

silvermesh
2007-02-01, 10:57 AM
not sure why you would bother with monk at all if you plan on using armor, and spikes as your damage source... unless you just REALLY want that +2 to all saves for being a first level monk?
I would go fighter, maybe a little barbarian for the rage strength...

Thomas
2007-02-01, 11:01 AM
Fighter/Reaping Mauler. There's enough related feats that taking fighter levels to start with is a good idea. (A monk doesn't get any advantage if you're using armor spikes; in fact, a monk's at a disadvantage, with lower BAB, no armor, and the MAD issue...) Make sure to check out the crazy armor/shield -spike-fighting tactical feat in the PHB2.

Edit: Specifics... make sure to take Clever Wrestling (CWar), at least. Improved Grapple, obviously. Earth's Embrace (CWar), Close-Quarters Fighting...

Amiria
2007-02-01, 11:11 AM
And also Jotunbrud (http://realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Jotunbrud,Rac) if your DM allows it.

AtomicKitKat
2007-02-01, 12:35 PM
Generally, Grappling gets harder the bigger/more grapple-focused your opposition gets. Reasons range from better HD(which will usually give them better BAB), larger size(size-bonus, might be partially countered by the various anti-Giant Feats), enormous Strength. Usually in combination with one another. It shines best against humanoid opponents, especially if you're taking the !magic Feats from Complete Arcane. Make sure you have an Archmage buddy cast a Silence spell with extremely tight radius(like 5 feet around you) on your armour, so that you can prevent Dimension Door from saving the enemy mage you just grabbed(after throwing yourself through his half-dozen Mirror Images). :)

oriong
2007-02-01, 12:39 PM
Also, it's a very good idea to be a half-giant or goliath, thats +4 to grapple modifiers right there, without the disadvantages of being size large, not to mention bonuses to strength.