Kronos
2007-10-15, 04:54 PM
Half-Dragon Thri-Kreen Fighter/Psychic Warrior/Barbarian
These guys are rather ridiculous; first, their total level adjustment equals +5, and they have a pair of racial hit dice, so if you want him to start with a class level, he has to be at least level eight.
But, that aside, he enjoys a very large number of cool bonuses. Lets start with their total ability modifiers, which are: +10 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, +0 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom and –2 Charisma.
Looking nice? Yes, but not worth the level adjustment? Well, we haven’t gotten to the good stuff yet.
Now we have to remember; these guys have four arms. This means, among other things, four bastard swords. Yes, I know about the big attack penalties; they almost expend all he gets from his strength bonus, but that’s four weapons throwing out something between 1d10+5/1d10+2/1d10+5/1d10+2/1d6+2* and 1d10+9/1d10+4/1d10+9/1d10+4/1d6+4* without any magic, whether from items or otherwise; sure, you can use short swords, if you prefer attack over damage… but I don’t (of course, that extra damage is sorta insignificant for things on this level, but I still prefer B Swords, if only for aesthetic reasons).
His attack (at ECL 8) would look something like this (assuming a base strength of fourteen) +6/+6/+6/+6/+3*; then you add his increased speed (which could mean 30 ft. in full plate or 50 ft. in light armor for barbarian) and his +7 natural armor (and those other things, like +30 jump, immunities, breath weapon, poison, Deflect Arrows, Hide check bonus, psi-like abilities and boost to racial hit dice and skills for being a half-dragon) and you have an incredible piece of cheese.
Now let’s look at the benefits from each class choice:
First is my favorite, the H-D T-K Fighter. Why? Because the bonus feats really help him pull it off; the exotic weapon proficiency (if your going with the B swords [or waraxes, or some other exotic weapon]), weapon focus, multi-weapon fighting, ability focus (if you really want to make use of his breath weapon and poison; if you don’t mind letting those abilities rot, then don’t bother), weapon specialization (+8 damage if all the attacks hit) and all that other stuff.
The Psychic Warrior is also a fine choice; however, the decreased attack is a killer, and in my opinion he just doesn’t get feats fast enough. Still, carefully picked psionic abilities might make up for that… but without the base attack bonus, you’ll end up with fewer swings than you could have.
And finally we have the barbarian. No bonus feats, but even greater strength from rage, and some (much needed) hit points, even faster and better jumper, dodging, trap sense and ultimately damage reduction. It’s a hard one, with the lack of feats, but cool nonetheless.
*The last one is his bite attack; also remember that it has poison.
A high constitution score is essential to pull this off, but if you get that, the only truly irritating things are his lack of base attack bonus (even if you don’t take psychic warrior) and the fact that you would have to begin at level seven minimum… but then, some good house rules should be able to tackle that fairly easily.
EDIT: And yes, I am fully aware that there is better cheese out there, but, besides not having an entirely large collection of supplements, I'd rather make something a good DM would give you a small chance of playing.
These guys are rather ridiculous; first, their total level adjustment equals +5, and they have a pair of racial hit dice, so if you want him to start with a class level, he has to be at least level eight.
But, that aside, he enjoys a very large number of cool bonuses. Lets start with their total ability modifiers, which are: +10 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, +0 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom and –2 Charisma.
Looking nice? Yes, but not worth the level adjustment? Well, we haven’t gotten to the good stuff yet.
Now we have to remember; these guys have four arms. This means, among other things, four bastard swords. Yes, I know about the big attack penalties; they almost expend all he gets from his strength bonus, but that’s four weapons throwing out something between 1d10+5/1d10+2/1d10+5/1d10+2/1d6+2* and 1d10+9/1d10+4/1d10+9/1d10+4/1d6+4* without any magic, whether from items or otherwise; sure, you can use short swords, if you prefer attack over damage… but I don’t (of course, that extra damage is sorta insignificant for things on this level, but I still prefer B Swords, if only for aesthetic reasons).
His attack (at ECL 8) would look something like this (assuming a base strength of fourteen) +6/+6/+6/+6/+3*; then you add his increased speed (which could mean 30 ft. in full plate or 50 ft. in light armor for barbarian) and his +7 natural armor (and those other things, like +30 jump, immunities, breath weapon, poison, Deflect Arrows, Hide check bonus, psi-like abilities and boost to racial hit dice and skills for being a half-dragon) and you have an incredible piece of cheese.
Now let’s look at the benefits from each class choice:
First is my favorite, the H-D T-K Fighter. Why? Because the bonus feats really help him pull it off; the exotic weapon proficiency (if your going with the B swords [or waraxes, or some other exotic weapon]), weapon focus, multi-weapon fighting, ability focus (if you really want to make use of his breath weapon and poison; if you don’t mind letting those abilities rot, then don’t bother), weapon specialization (+8 damage if all the attacks hit) and all that other stuff.
The Psychic Warrior is also a fine choice; however, the decreased attack is a killer, and in my opinion he just doesn’t get feats fast enough. Still, carefully picked psionic abilities might make up for that… but without the base attack bonus, you’ll end up with fewer swings than you could have.
And finally we have the barbarian. No bonus feats, but even greater strength from rage, and some (much needed) hit points, even faster and better jumper, dodging, trap sense and ultimately damage reduction. It’s a hard one, with the lack of feats, but cool nonetheless.
*The last one is his bite attack; also remember that it has poison.
A high constitution score is essential to pull this off, but if you get that, the only truly irritating things are his lack of base attack bonus (even if you don’t take psychic warrior) and the fact that you would have to begin at level seven minimum… but then, some good house rules should be able to tackle that fairly easily.
EDIT: And yes, I am fully aware that there is better cheese out there, but, besides not having an entirely large collection of supplements, I'd rather make something a good DM would give you a small chance of playing.