Brawls
2007-10-12, 05:01 PM
As the title states, I'd like some assistance with optimizing my current character.
Campaign setting is homebrewed and fairly low access to magic items (meaning you can't just go buy what you need/want most the time, and the DM reigns in access to magic to keep a degree of control over challenge levels). We play with all the Core books + many of the Complete books + Tome of Battle (new addition).
Character is a half-orc fighter level 6, Lawfull Neutral
Backstory is he served as an Aide de Camp for an Ogre Maji commander, learning a lot about discipline, tactics, and leadership. Following their defeat in the war, he was given the obligation to return the Ogre Maji's swords to his clan. He spent several years in a monastary laying low, until it was safer to travel. He has taken up as a sword for hire to raise funds for passage to the Ogre Maji's homelands. He has learned to two-weapon fight with the Ogre maji's katana wakasahi, and fight unarmed.
The campaign allowed for very high-powered stats (4d6 drop lowest, roll 7 stats drop lowest, roll 6 sets pick best).
With racial mods, his stats are:
Str: 20
Dex:15
Con:16
Wis: 14
Int: 13 (+1 at 4th level)
Chr: 11
I was originally looking at moving to the Kensai PrC. That, combined with his backstory have directed the following feat selection:
Improved Unarmed Fighting
Two-Weapon Fighting
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Katana)
Weapon Focus (Katana)
Weapon Specialization (Katana)
Combat Expertise
Power Attack
Skillwise, he is limited; however, the GM has allowed a lot of cross-class skills at cost b/c of his backstory. He has taken ranks in: ride, concentraqtion, diplomacy (per the Kensai requirements) + some intimidate, sense motive, knowledge, and survival.
As I said, I was looking at progressing to Kensai and using the Katana as his personal weapon (or whatever that class ability is called). Then I bought the ToB. Now I am going to multi-class with Warblade. Justification is his Ogre Maji commander was one and now that he has some combat experience coupled with his time among the Monks, the forms, exercises, and training are begining to come together for him. So, I am looking at the Diamond mind as a central discipline, as it synergizes with the 9 ranks in concentration he already has. Further, the mental overtones of the discipline matches well with his "smart fighter/tactician" concept.
Because of his 6 fighter levels, he will begin with access to 2nd level initate abilities. I am looking at Moment of Pefect Mind and the other boost that will let him replace his Will and Ref saves with a concentration check. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to take for other manuevers and stances. It would be nice to synergize with his TWF and/or his high strength. I like the fact that the Warblade could allow me to re-task Weap. Focus/Specialization on a new weapon. Also, does that ability allow me to re-task Exotic Weap. Prof. to a different exotic weapon?
So, I'd appreciate recommendations on ways to optimize his build, assuming I multi-class to Warblade. I'll entertain other PrCs, but I am fairly set on the Warblade. What disciplines, manuevers, stances, etc.? What other feats should I think about? He will continue to be the party fighter, so he has to be able to control the battlefield enough to protect the softies.
Thanks for your contributions,
Brawls
Campaign setting is homebrewed and fairly low access to magic items (meaning you can't just go buy what you need/want most the time, and the DM reigns in access to magic to keep a degree of control over challenge levels). We play with all the Core books + many of the Complete books + Tome of Battle (new addition).
Character is a half-orc fighter level 6, Lawfull Neutral
Backstory is he served as an Aide de Camp for an Ogre Maji commander, learning a lot about discipline, tactics, and leadership. Following their defeat in the war, he was given the obligation to return the Ogre Maji's swords to his clan. He spent several years in a monastary laying low, until it was safer to travel. He has taken up as a sword for hire to raise funds for passage to the Ogre Maji's homelands. He has learned to two-weapon fight with the Ogre maji's katana wakasahi, and fight unarmed.
The campaign allowed for very high-powered stats (4d6 drop lowest, roll 7 stats drop lowest, roll 6 sets pick best).
With racial mods, his stats are:
Str: 20
Dex:15
Con:16
Wis: 14
Int: 13 (+1 at 4th level)
Chr: 11
I was originally looking at moving to the Kensai PrC. That, combined with his backstory have directed the following feat selection:
Improved Unarmed Fighting
Two-Weapon Fighting
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Katana)
Weapon Focus (Katana)
Weapon Specialization (Katana)
Combat Expertise
Power Attack
Skillwise, he is limited; however, the GM has allowed a lot of cross-class skills at cost b/c of his backstory. He has taken ranks in: ride, concentraqtion, diplomacy (per the Kensai requirements) + some intimidate, sense motive, knowledge, and survival.
As I said, I was looking at progressing to Kensai and using the Katana as his personal weapon (or whatever that class ability is called). Then I bought the ToB. Now I am going to multi-class with Warblade. Justification is his Ogre Maji commander was one and now that he has some combat experience coupled with his time among the Monks, the forms, exercises, and training are begining to come together for him. So, I am looking at the Diamond mind as a central discipline, as it synergizes with the 9 ranks in concentration he already has. Further, the mental overtones of the discipline matches well with his "smart fighter/tactician" concept.
Because of his 6 fighter levels, he will begin with access to 2nd level initate abilities. I am looking at Moment of Pefect Mind and the other boost that will let him replace his Will and Ref saves with a concentration check. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to take for other manuevers and stances. It would be nice to synergize with his TWF and/or his high strength. I like the fact that the Warblade could allow me to re-task Weap. Focus/Specialization on a new weapon. Also, does that ability allow me to re-task Exotic Weap. Prof. to a different exotic weapon?
So, I'd appreciate recommendations on ways to optimize his build, assuming I multi-class to Warblade. I'll entertain other PrCs, but I am fairly set on the Warblade. What disciplines, manuevers, stances, etc.? What other feats should I think about? He will continue to be the party fighter, so he has to be able to control the battlefield enough to protect the softies.
Thanks for your contributions,
Brawls