Nishant
2014-03-09, 02:12 PM
Hey, I'm fairly new to D&D, only really having played on and off with my cousin out of state through email, texting, online, and the like. After reading a lot of the 3.5 books, core and not, as well as reading these forums for quite a while, I've finally found my home in some of the non-magic classes, but I want to learn how to play the more magic oriented classes, and round my skill set so that I might be a better DM when I start my own campaigns.
I'm not going for complete optimization in any class or otherwise, preferring role play to the former, but am no stranger to optimization either.
The general character creations rules we go by are;
-start at lv.5, 10, or 15
-LA buyout once per three levels.
-If a rare crossbreed (like Bastards and Bloodlines), you have to explain how it happened relative to the campaign setting and/or continuing story.
-roll 4 dice, pick three highest/ point buy (I always roll)
So far, I have two characters that I have built that fix my playstyle
My first character
Lv.10 Phrenic human rogue
10 str, 12 con, wis 16, dex 18, int 16, cha 20
He has dodge, exotic weapon-whip (for Indiana Jones esque skill trick), quick draw, rapid reload, and weapon finesse for his feats, as well as Improved evasion for his rogue special ability.
skills: Balance 13, bluff 13, climb 10, diplomacy 13, disable device 13, escape artist 13, hide 3, jump 10, move silently 13, open lock 13, search 13, sleight of hand 13, use magic device 13, use rope 3
The idea was to have a spy type character that had a way with words, and if things went sour, he'd jet out real fast. Personally my favorite character since I put a lot of thought into him, even though he is probably a mess of a character.
--Second character
Lv.9 <humanoid shapechanger homebrew, LA +4, granted shifting as Shifter as well as +2 str and +4 con, and some other abilities I'll list below>
Barbarian 8, Bear warrior 1
str 20, con 22, wis 15, dex 15, int 14, cha 16
Feats; Power attack, Endurance, Extra rage, Cleave
Skills: Climb 12, intimidate 12, jump 11, listen 12, ride 2, survival 12, swim 11
Racial features
Shift(su): As razorclaw shifter, +2 str when shifted; able to take shifter feats
+4 on swim checks, lowlight vision, hold breath 5 mins.x constitution
At any rate, I would like advice on how to streamline characters, as well as how to create/maintain a proper spell caster, arcane or otherwise. I tried Paladin once, but the code set me off because of how much it could be pressed without the Grey Guard prestige or the Shadowbane Inquisitor. If you aren't into spellcasting classes, other class recommendations are welcome.
Again, personally, I favor melee classes. I do however, recognize the insane power of the druid class, and I love wildshape. Master of Many Forms/Warshaper, anyone?
builds I still want to create;
A mounted character (Always fun; maybe mounted on a rhino or a dinosaur- becuase a T-rex or Triceratops would be freaking awesome)
General Wizard/sorceror/ etc.
A summoner-type build
Lone soldier/mercenary (Mostly role play fueled, but Fighter doesn't cut it, and I admit I'm not a huge fan of the combat forms of the Ranger. Warblade is pretty awesome, though.)
Berserker; I love barbarians, and I want to figure out a build that doesn't involve frenzied berserker or Bear Warrior. Alternate races for flavor and power recommended.
Psionics: I have the same issue with this class as I do with the spellcasting classes.
Thank you for your help! And I look forward to meeting you all here!(I just registered today)
I'm not going for complete optimization in any class or otherwise, preferring role play to the former, but am no stranger to optimization either.
The general character creations rules we go by are;
-start at lv.5, 10, or 15
-LA buyout once per three levels.
-If a rare crossbreed (like Bastards and Bloodlines), you have to explain how it happened relative to the campaign setting and/or continuing story.
-roll 4 dice, pick three highest/ point buy (I always roll)
So far, I have two characters that I have built that fix my playstyle
My first character
Lv.10 Phrenic human rogue
10 str, 12 con, wis 16, dex 18, int 16, cha 20
He has dodge, exotic weapon-whip (for Indiana Jones esque skill trick), quick draw, rapid reload, and weapon finesse for his feats, as well as Improved evasion for his rogue special ability.
skills: Balance 13, bluff 13, climb 10, diplomacy 13, disable device 13, escape artist 13, hide 3, jump 10, move silently 13, open lock 13, search 13, sleight of hand 13, use magic device 13, use rope 3
The idea was to have a spy type character that had a way with words, and if things went sour, he'd jet out real fast. Personally my favorite character since I put a lot of thought into him, even though he is probably a mess of a character.
--Second character
Lv.9 <humanoid shapechanger homebrew, LA +4, granted shifting as Shifter as well as +2 str and +4 con, and some other abilities I'll list below>
Barbarian 8, Bear warrior 1
str 20, con 22, wis 15, dex 15, int 14, cha 16
Feats; Power attack, Endurance, Extra rage, Cleave
Skills: Climb 12, intimidate 12, jump 11, listen 12, ride 2, survival 12, swim 11
Racial features
Shift(su): As razorclaw shifter, +2 str when shifted; able to take shifter feats
+4 on swim checks, lowlight vision, hold breath 5 mins.x constitution
At any rate, I would like advice on how to streamline characters, as well as how to create/maintain a proper spell caster, arcane or otherwise. I tried Paladin once, but the code set me off because of how much it could be pressed without the Grey Guard prestige or the Shadowbane Inquisitor. If you aren't into spellcasting classes, other class recommendations are welcome.
Again, personally, I favor melee classes. I do however, recognize the insane power of the druid class, and I love wildshape. Master of Many Forms/Warshaper, anyone?
builds I still want to create;
A mounted character (Always fun; maybe mounted on a rhino or a dinosaur- becuase a T-rex or Triceratops would be freaking awesome)
General Wizard/sorceror/ etc.
A summoner-type build
Lone soldier/mercenary (Mostly role play fueled, but Fighter doesn't cut it, and I admit I'm not a huge fan of the combat forms of the Ranger. Warblade is pretty awesome, though.)
Berserker; I love barbarians, and I want to figure out a build that doesn't involve frenzied berserker or Bear Warrior. Alternate races for flavor and power recommended.
Psionics: I have the same issue with this class as I do with the spellcasting classes.
Thank you for your help! And I look forward to meeting you all here!(I just registered today)