Looking for a fluffwise fitting 3-4 Template Combo for a Player

[GrayDeath]

Yeah, that sounds ... less than fluffy, but give me a chance.

In out longrunning game one of the main Characters just got perma trapped", ergo we cant get him out of Baba Jagas claws (at the very least untilw e are close to Lvl 20). The player needs a new CHaracter, and the only limits our DM has stated are "needs templates and be unusual" as thats the reason for us all being stuck in that stupid wizards realm. And no use of Dragon Mag, the Warlock and other At Will Classes.

So: Given that 2 LA are ignored, and 2 more can be bought off (at Levels 5 and 10 respectively), what would you suggest for a flavourful, "cool" Template/Race Combo (at least 3)?
He is more interested in good fluff and raw power than cheese and "ideal solutions".

The previous Character was a Psion, but he wants something less complicated (Initiator is not wanted, Wilder he likes for example) and less fragile now.

Starting ECL is 12, so with +4 LA with our above rules he would hav eno LA; all more would count.

Now need to get back to playing., thanks in advance and see you guys later!

Edit: Class Suggestions that fit and are within the GM given "no more than 2 regular and 2 Prestige Classes" Rules are welcome as well.

[OgresAreCute]

Lolth-Touched (MMIV) Mineral Warrior (Underdark) Half-Ogre (Races of Destiny) adds up to +4 LA and gives a lot of strength and beefiness. The Knockback feat from Races of Stone and Dungeoncrasher Fighter from Dungeonscape would make a pretty simple build. Smacking people and sending them flying across the battlefield is pretty fun.

[Zaq]

Is there a particular direction you’re looking for said flavor to go?

[MisterKaws]

With +4 LA there's so much open I can't even know where to start.

So I'll just suggest Anthro-Squid Tauric-Squid. It's 18(Eighteen) tentacles!

[GrayDeath]

Well, the group otherwise consists of a CC focussed Pixie Arcane Hierophant and a Dark Shadowwalker Psionically enhanced Warforged Warblade/Rogue Gestalt with Telflammar Shadowlord in the build, so it shoudl keep up powerwise.

He prefers simple, powerful, characters, but dislikes one trick Ponies (like Dungeoncrasher or Supercharger builds etc).

As long as the fluff is inherently coherent, "cool" and not disgusting he is open for almost anything (his previous character is/was a half Illithid halfling^^).

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

HULK SMASH
Water Orc (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/elementalRacialVariants.htm#racesOfWater), Half-Goristro (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060630a), Fighter 9/ War Hulk 3.

He'll be large size, no fly speed, but a swim speed from Water Orc. Note the example creature goes from large to huge so the size adjustments will be different. Stats will be Str +20, Dex -2, Con +12, Int -2, Wis -2, Cha +0, he'll need at least 15 Cha at his current level, ideally 16. He'll have +7 natural armor, DR 10/Cold Iron, SR 22, immune to poison, acid/cold/electric/fire resistance 10, two slam attacks that each add 1.5x Str to damage, and a few spell-like abilities: Levitate 3/day, Fear 1/day, Spider Climb 1/day, See Invisibility 3/day, and something fitting to replace the standard half-fiend's Contagion and Blasphemy spell-like abilities. A Goristro has See Invisibility as a permanent special quality, so I think it's fitting to replace one of the 3/day spell-like abilities with it. I'd even consider swapping the Levitate and Spider Climb daily uses if it would be more useful for him.

Take the Dungeoncrasher ACF in Dungeonscape, Zhentarim Soldier (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a) substitution levels, Dead Levels (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20061013a), and trade Ride for Tumble as a class skill (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a). For his skills, of course you want to max out Intimidate and probably Jump, with at least 5 ranks in Balance and Tumble. Get the Never Outnumbered skill trick in CS, along with any other skill tricks that look useful such as Extreme Leap, Nimble Charge, and even Back on Your Feet if he has the ranks for it.

I'd get the Quick trait (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterTraits.htm#quick) for sure, and probably also Plucky. Say he visited the Otyugh Hole in CS to get Menacing Demeanor for 3,000 gp instead of spending a feat on it (prerequisite says half-orc, he's an orc-half-something and should count). A second Otyugh Hole visit for Iron Will is also helpful. If flaws are allowed, Bravado and No Time For Book Learning (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?258440-The-quot-Best-quot-Flaws#30) would be extremely fitting.

Despite his amazing slam attacks, they don't double power attack damage, so I'd actually give him a fitting weapon, a Greathorn Minotaur Greathammer (MMIV). Feats (with two flaws) should be EWP, Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Leap Attack, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Knock-Back, Improved Critical, Imperious Command, and Quicken Spell-Like Ability: See Invisibility. He'll also have Skill Focus: Intimidate from Zhentarim Soldier, and the above Otyugh Hole feats. If flaws aren't available, drop EWP and Improved Critical and just use fists.

Armor should be +1, Death Ward (MIC), Fearsome (DotU), Mithral Breastplate (Fearsome from Drow of the Underdark, it's a more recent version than MIC). Include a +1 Animated Heavy Steel Shield. His weapon (if he has one) should be +1, Valorous (UE), Sudden Stunning (DMG2), Adamantine Greathorn Minotaur Greathammer. Always include a Healing Belt and Anklet of Translocation. Also give him Armbands of Might with an enhancement bonus to Dex added (MIC p234), Necklace of Adaptation (possibly with an enhancement to con and/or natural armor added), Shirt of Wraith Stalking (MIC Wraith's Woe set) with a resistance bonus to saves added, Third Eye: Clarity, Feathered Wings graft, Ring of Anticipation.... I think I've covered just about all of the Necessary Magic Item effects (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?187851-3-5-Lists-of-Necessary-Magic-Items), but maybe get a Banner of the Storm's Eye and replace Third Eye Clarity with Third Eye Freedom if it's within budget.

He's basically just a hit them harder character who can also crowd control with Intimidate and Knock-Back. If he can knock them into a solid obstacle (such as the ground if he's flying above them) he'll deal an absurd amount of damage with Dungeoncrasher. He can swift-action Intimidate every round, and move-action Intimidate another opponent and still make a melee attack, or swift intimidate and full-round charge or full attack or Great Swing. If they level up he'll get Mighty Swing and be able to hit three adjacent opponents on a charge or AoO. Be sure he has rocks on hand if he needs them, maybe even include a Bag of Holding full of throwing rocks. If they upgrade their gear he'll want Wrathful Healing from Enemies & Allies on his weapon (+3 cost, he heals half of all damage dealt on any attack with the weapon).

[TheCount]

lets see.....

Feral Totemist, (may or may not use some stuff from the king of smack), 2 or 3 level of warshaper as well...

wel.. thats from the top of my head, though that would most likely be similar to the warforged shadowlord, so.. take it with a grain of salt.

Just for the peace of my mind, Feral IS good for every character, but especially for melees.

[noob]

spellstitched necropolitan ethergaunt.
Complete with wizard levels.

[GrayDeath]

Not helpful, seeing as a Psion was more complicated than he wanted. ;)

[noob]

Half golem something?
Half golem gives a lot of extra survivability and at no la cost (but at tremendous cost in mental stats and mobility and also some lower initiative and those can be really awful).
Then add up some template with utility(like flight or something)

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Not helpful, seeing as a Psion was more complicated than he wanted. ;)

How about a large size green guy who can do high-damage charge attacks, dungeoncrasher knock-backs, intimidate one or two opponents and make them cower for a round each turn and still get to make attacks? It's not exactly a one-trick pony but it should be simple enough for him.

[OgresAreCute]

It's kinda strange that he didn't like psion but likes wilder, seeing as psion isn't really more complex than wilder other than having more powers known. In a way, wilder is more complex since it has a class feature or two that isn't a bonus feat or manifesting. What's his stance on Sorcerers? What about partial spellcasters like bards, duskblades, paladins?

[GrayDeath]

Its not that he doesnt like Psion. he does, hence why he played one.
Its that he wants something less complicated and more tough NOW. ^^

And yeah, Wilder is less complicated, given that all you need to decide is full bosst or not, and it has far fewer powers.

Again, hes not looking for "simple" just for "simpler".

he has no compunctions about half Casters as long as they arent prepared Casters, but we dont need another Sorcerer in the Group (the Arcane Heirophant entered through Sorc).

[Lapak]

Is he looking for a simple BUILD or simple PLAY? For example, you said no initiators, but for a tough guy Crusader is straightforward and in play you basically get a short-list of possible actions handed to you each round, which makes them pretty easy to play. It's only in the choosing of maneuvers during the build that complicates things.

[Falontani]

Woodling LA 3 (la +1 with inevitable's la rules)
Feral LA 1
Shifter
Spirit Shaman
Moonspeaker

Your a less broken druid with powerful physical traits and a powerful link to the extraplanar.

Half-Farspawn LA +4
Changeling
Kaorti Thrall (modified fiendish template) LA +1
Take the feats racial emulation and Improved Weapon Familiarity. Now any weapon with your race in the name is considered a martial weapon. Wield Ribbon Weapons. Turn into a dwarf for ribbon dwarf weapons. Take a single warblade dip (not for initiator) to swap weapon feats around on a whim. Hop into exotic weapon master. Probably master of masks and feat Changeling Rogue as well. (So warblade 1, feat Changeling Rogue 6, exotic weapon master x, master of masks x) and you can be any warrior you want to be.

[Prime32]

Ghost (LA +5, reduced to +1) with the Malevolence and Telekinesis abilities, and 4 levels in Master of the Unseen HandCW.

Or a Doppelganger (4 HD, LA +4) with 4 levels each in WarshaperCW and MindspyCW (or 3 levels in the doppelganger adaptation of Cabinet TricksterRoE).

Or a SkulkRoD (2 HD, LA +1) with the DarkToM (+1), ChameleonSS (+1) and Vecna-BloodedMM5 (+1) templates, plus the DarkstalkerLoM feat.

Skulk grants +15 Hide, +8 Move Silently, some defences against divination and tracking, and the ability to move at full speed while hiding.
Dark grants +8 Hide, +6 Move Silently, Hide in Plain Sight, and +10ft speed.
Chameleon grants +10 Hide, +4 Move Silently, a climb speed, and a tongue that can deliver touch attacks from 10ft away.
Vecna-Blooded grants immunity to divination effects, and tells you the location and identity of anyone who tries using them on you. Also when you become one, everyone except Vecna forgets that you existed.
Put together, that's +32 Hide, +18 Move Silently, and counters for almost anything that could bypass it. Your stealth skills are so good that you can easily eat the -20 penalty and hide from someone while punching them in the face.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Less complicated, more tough.

How about a gish? Spend spells on self-buffs and boosting attacks.

Human, Human Paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm) 1/ Fighter 1/ Wizard 2/ Human Paragon 2/ Spellsword 1/ Incantatrix 4/ Abjurant Champion 1
Get a Fighter feat instead of Scribe Scroll (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizard), specialize in Transmutation with Enchantment, Evocation, and Necromancy as prohibited schools. Use the Otyugh Hole to get Iron Will for 3,000 gp instead of spending a feat on it.

Intelligence should be as high as possible, increased at every level-up, and at Human Paragon 3. Feats (Human, Human Paragon 2, two Fighter feats, two bonus metamagic, five from levels): Extend Spell, Persistent Spell, Invisible Spell, Combat Casting, Practiced Spellcaster, Item Familiar (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/itemFamiliars.htm), Skill Focus: Spellcraft, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, EWP: Greathorn Minotaur Greathammer, Improved Critical. His always-a-class-skill from Human Paragon should probably be UMD. If you can take flaws, also get Combat Reflexes and maybe Leap Attack.

His item familiar should have started as a Ring of Protection +1 (full price), which he upgraded to be a Ring of Freedom of Movement with a +1 Deflection bonus to AC added (MIC p234) (22k gp, 1600 xp total). It's an intelligent item which is treated as a construct, and constructs cannot be destroyed by disjunction. He should wear a gauntlet over it so opponents never have line of sight/effect to it and cannot target it directly, nor can it ever be slight of handed. It gets actions during combat and can activate its own abilities, he should further upgrade it with intelligent item special abilities. He should have invested every skill point possible into it so he can put the greatest return possible toward Spellcraft.

His spellcraft check should be as follows: 15 ranks, +15 Item Familiar Invest Skill Ranks, +2 synergy for Kn: Arcana, +3 for Skill Focus, and you'll need at least +6 for Int 22+. If you have Int 28+ you won't need Skill Focus. The DC to use Metamagic Effect is 18+(3x adjusted spell level), so Persistent Spell (+6) on your highest level spell (5th) is DC 51, you can take ten on the check and succeed every time. In two levels you'll get 6th level spells with a DC 54 to persist, you'll gain two skill ranks and get another +2 for invested skill ranks for +4 total, outpacing the DC increase as you gain each new level of spells. Cooperative Metamagic can be used to make a friendly caster's spells persistent with the same DC, or you may be able to use it on your own spells when not in combat as the action economy system only exists during initiative.

Daily buffs with Metamagic Effect: Persistent should include the following: Draconic Polymorph into a War Troll, Alter Self back into yourself (personal preference, you'll keep the physical ability scores), Shield (or Repelling Shield), Swift Fly, Wraithstrike, Bite of the Wereboar (replace with Bite of the Weretiger once 6th level spells are available), Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Ray Deflection, Dimension Jumper, and whatever else looks useful. Daily buffs cast normally or (Rod of) Extended should include the following: (Extended) Greater Magic Weapon, (Extended) Greater Mighty Wallop, (Extended) (Greater) Luminous Armor, Greater Resistance (replace with Superior Resistance once 6th level spells are available), (Extended) Dragonsight, Anticipate Teleportation, (Extended) Heart of Air/Water/Earth/Fire, and whatever else looks useful. He should also use Permanency for most/all of the "You can make the following spells permanent in regard to yourself" list, since spells cast and made permanent on yourself are not vulnerable to dispelling and the 10% xp bonus for the Item Familiar should make up for the xp cost of those.

Spells to have prepared include Nerveskitter, Web, Glitterdust, Haste, Heart of Water, Shrink Item, Dispel Magic, Mass Resist Energy, Celerity, Wall of Sand, etc. He should also get most/all of the Raiment of the Four set, and a Circlet of Rapid Casting with an enhancement to Int added (MIC p234).

[GrayDeath]

Is he looking for a simple BUILD or simple PLAY? For example, you said no initiators, but for a tough guy Crusader is straightforward and in play you basically get a short-list of possible actions handed to you each round, which makes them pretty easy to play. It's only in the choosing of maneuvers during the build that complicates things.

Because we already have an Initiator and the group wants to avoid stepping on any members individual Shtick as much as possible.