Greywander
2018-08-26, 10:04 PM
I had this idea pop into my head for a character that's a bit different from what I normally go for. Usually I'm all about utility and support, particularly casters, and combat is usually lower down on my optimization priorities.
Thematically, his basic goal in adventuring would be to seek out powerful warriors and challenge them to an honorable duel to prove his strength. But I want to eschew the stereotypical bloodthirsty warmonger archetype and make him polite, perhaps even jovial, possibly educated or wise, and maybe averse to violence outside the context of an honorable duel. He'd certainly avoid fighting noncombatants, and would even turn down a duel if it wasn't against a worthy opponent. I'd like to give him some personality that makes him interesting out of combat as well as in combat. Maybe give him a hobby via a tool proficiency.
He would also have an open mind when it comes to "honor", both to give him more character and to make him cooperate better with a party. For example, he might find the rogue's methods dishonorable by his own standards, but he would recognize that the rogue is operating off of a different set of standards, and still acts honorably within the rogue's own code (for example by remaining loyal to the party, even under duress or temptation). He might eschew traditional notions of Good and Evil, instead considering whether a person is Honorable or Dishonorable. He could probably get along fine with a Lawful Evil character that stayed true to their code of honor, and the moral code followed by most Good characters would be sufficient to act as a proxy for a code of honor. Speaking of, I'm not sure what his alignment would be; LN seems the best fit, but Ysgard seems like the more appealing afterlife for him (though Acheron or Celestia might be viable, too).
He doesn't fear death, but neither does he seek it. He has no compunctions against killing someone in a (lethal) duel, regardless of how nice of a person they might be. He may be inclined to kill people he views as dishonorable, particularly if they're making trouble for him (if they're no threat to anyone, he may let them go). Or maybe he likes to "mark" people he finds dishonorable, say, by cutting off one of their fingers.
I haven't fleshed out this concept, and I'm open to ideas for interesting things I could do with this character.
Mechanically, he seems like he would work best as a tank and damage dealer, optimized for one-on-one combat (lock down the strongest monster). He's definitely a martial class; a gish would be acceptable but would need to lean more toward the martial side than the caster side, e.g. more EK, less Bladesinger. Probably a Strength build, too, though I'm open to DEX options. Class-wise, the fighter seems to be the best fit, especially the Champion. Barbarian or paladin could also be options, and maybe monk or hexblade.
Multiclassing would also be an option. 11 levels in fighter get me that third attack, allowing me to combine it with other features like rage. Paladin 6 boosts my saving throws, though it requires a good CHA to be effective. Battlemaster fighter 3 would also be a good option if I decide to main a different class. I'm not sure when would be the best time to make any dips, though, and in general I'm not as familiar with martial classes.
Goliath seems like it would fit the fluff the best, though half-orc and dwarf also provide good racial features and could fit the fluff well. Half-orc seems like it was made for Champion fighters.
So maybe go fighter 5 (subclass?), then barb 1, then paladin 6, then barb (bear totem) 3, then finish off with fighter? Or would I want to get to fighter 11 as quickly as possible? Is a straight Champion a better way to go? I feel like the Champion doesn't offer enough tactical options; either I'm strong enough and I win or I'm not strong enough and I lose. I'd also kind of like to get the Compelled Duel spell, but it looks like I'll have to dip pally to get it.
I'm also not sure whether to go for sword-n-board or GWF. GWF feels more thematically appropriate, but SnB seems like a better option mechanically, as the damage isn't too different unless taking the accuracy penalty from the feat, and the extra AC from the shield is always helpful.
Fighters also get a lot of ASIs, though I'll get less if I multiclass or go with a different main class. Is it more important to get my CON to 20, or to get feats? Getting STR to 20 goes without saying.
Thematically, his basic goal in adventuring would be to seek out powerful warriors and challenge them to an honorable duel to prove his strength. But I want to eschew the stereotypical bloodthirsty warmonger archetype and make him polite, perhaps even jovial, possibly educated or wise, and maybe averse to violence outside the context of an honorable duel. He'd certainly avoid fighting noncombatants, and would even turn down a duel if it wasn't against a worthy opponent. I'd like to give him some personality that makes him interesting out of combat as well as in combat. Maybe give him a hobby via a tool proficiency.
He would also have an open mind when it comes to "honor", both to give him more character and to make him cooperate better with a party. For example, he might find the rogue's methods dishonorable by his own standards, but he would recognize that the rogue is operating off of a different set of standards, and still acts honorably within the rogue's own code (for example by remaining loyal to the party, even under duress or temptation). He might eschew traditional notions of Good and Evil, instead considering whether a person is Honorable or Dishonorable. He could probably get along fine with a Lawful Evil character that stayed true to their code of honor, and the moral code followed by most Good characters would be sufficient to act as a proxy for a code of honor. Speaking of, I'm not sure what his alignment would be; LN seems the best fit, but Ysgard seems like the more appealing afterlife for him (though Acheron or Celestia might be viable, too).
He doesn't fear death, but neither does he seek it. He has no compunctions against killing someone in a (lethal) duel, regardless of how nice of a person they might be. He may be inclined to kill people he views as dishonorable, particularly if they're making trouble for him (if they're no threat to anyone, he may let them go). Or maybe he likes to "mark" people he finds dishonorable, say, by cutting off one of their fingers.
I haven't fleshed out this concept, and I'm open to ideas for interesting things I could do with this character.
Mechanically, he seems like he would work best as a tank and damage dealer, optimized for one-on-one combat (lock down the strongest monster). He's definitely a martial class; a gish would be acceptable but would need to lean more toward the martial side than the caster side, e.g. more EK, less Bladesinger. Probably a Strength build, too, though I'm open to DEX options. Class-wise, the fighter seems to be the best fit, especially the Champion. Barbarian or paladin could also be options, and maybe monk or hexblade.
Multiclassing would also be an option. 11 levels in fighter get me that third attack, allowing me to combine it with other features like rage. Paladin 6 boosts my saving throws, though it requires a good CHA to be effective. Battlemaster fighter 3 would also be a good option if I decide to main a different class. I'm not sure when would be the best time to make any dips, though, and in general I'm not as familiar with martial classes.
Goliath seems like it would fit the fluff the best, though half-orc and dwarf also provide good racial features and could fit the fluff well. Half-orc seems like it was made for Champion fighters.
So maybe go fighter 5 (subclass?), then barb 1, then paladin 6, then barb (bear totem) 3, then finish off with fighter? Or would I want to get to fighter 11 as quickly as possible? Is a straight Champion a better way to go? I feel like the Champion doesn't offer enough tactical options; either I'm strong enough and I win or I'm not strong enough and I lose. I'd also kind of like to get the Compelled Duel spell, but it looks like I'll have to dip pally to get it.
I'm also not sure whether to go for sword-n-board or GWF. GWF feels more thematically appropriate, but SnB seems like a better option mechanically, as the damage isn't too different unless taking the accuracy penalty from the feat, and the extra AC from the shield is always helpful.
Fighters also get a lot of ASIs, though I'll get less if I multiclass or go with a different main class. Is it more important to get my CON to 20, or to get feats? Getting STR to 20 goes without saying.