Rumble
2024-03-20, 02:21 AM
Hi guys, nice to meet y'all!
So, I've always liked the concept of the monk class, but unfortunately in 3.5 it sucks a lil'. Thus, for my Planescape campaign, I decided to create a swordsage character. My only problem is that the DM does not allow class variants, so I had to take 2 levels in monk and then start with swordsage.
I wanna start by saying that the campaign is pretty difficult: foes are tough in combat, and the other players are all optimizing lovely bastards that know every single rule (which makes me the noob in the party :biggrin:). Jokes aside, their characters are really insane, I just wish to keep up a lil'
I'm at a point where I don't know how to proceed to optimize my build, so I'm asking for your help.
My character is a zenythri (archetype: draconic creature) monk (first 2 levels) and swordsage 3 (the next 3) with the following stats:
STR 18, DEX 21, CON 13, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 10.
I've taken the following feats: Dodge, Stunning Fist, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Finesse,
Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus) on Setting Sun weapons, Adaptive Style.
The maneuvers I possess are: Mighty Throw, Counter Charge, Shadow Blade Technique, Cloak of Deception, Charging Minotaur, Mountain Hammer, Sudden Leap, Wolf Fang Strike.
Stances: Child of Shadows and Hunter's Sense.
Cool thing about my campaign is that we get a new feat every odd-numbered level (so 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and so on...). That's basically the only homerule we got, and aside that, our DM is pretty RAW on everything.
I can only take 4 classes (one of which is gotta be a prestige class. Since my character is a monk/swordsage, there's room for 1 base class and 1 prestige class more, or 2 prestige classes).
Every setting campaign handbook is not allowed (like Forgotten Realms handbook or Dragonlance handbook, for example) plus every psionic related thing and the following prestige classes:
- Dweomerkeeper (Complete Divine WE)
- Effigy Master (Complete Arcane)
- Dungeon Lord (Dungeonscape)
- Shadow Sentinel (Races of Destiny)
- Fiendbinder (Tome of Magic)
- War Hulk (Miniatures Handbook)
So, my question is: any idea, suggestion or tip on how should I proceed from here? I was thinking of continuing with swordsage for a few levels (I'm not sure how many yet), then possibly taking bloodclaw master (the array of feats related to TWF, combined with Raging Mongoose and Time Stands Still would allow me, at higher levels, to make a lot of hits in a full attack turn) and finally, once I've met the right requirements, master of nine.
However, other players have warned me about bloodclaw master and how this pc is possibly a scam (lol!), noting that the swordsage's BAB itself is pretty low for a melee. They said, and I quote: "Making 20 attacks is pointless if they all miss!". They kinda have a point lol
So, how can I proceed from here? Should I try to optimize my damage output as much as possible? Should I try to make a lot of attacks and crit fishing? Should I try master of nine ad get all the maneuvers? Should I try all of these things?
Thanks in advance!
p.s.: I wish to keep my "monk flavor" and stay unarmed, if that's possible.
So, I've always liked the concept of the monk class, but unfortunately in 3.5 it sucks a lil'. Thus, for my Planescape campaign, I decided to create a swordsage character. My only problem is that the DM does not allow class variants, so I had to take 2 levels in monk and then start with swordsage.
I wanna start by saying that the campaign is pretty difficult: foes are tough in combat, and the other players are all optimizing lovely bastards that know every single rule (which makes me the noob in the party :biggrin:). Jokes aside, their characters are really insane, I just wish to keep up a lil'
I'm at a point where I don't know how to proceed to optimize my build, so I'm asking for your help.
My character is a zenythri (archetype: draconic creature) monk (first 2 levels) and swordsage 3 (the next 3) with the following stats:
STR 18, DEX 21, CON 13, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 10.
I've taken the following feats: Dodge, Stunning Fist, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Finesse,
Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus) on Setting Sun weapons, Adaptive Style.
The maneuvers I possess are: Mighty Throw, Counter Charge, Shadow Blade Technique, Cloak of Deception, Charging Minotaur, Mountain Hammer, Sudden Leap, Wolf Fang Strike.
Stances: Child of Shadows and Hunter's Sense.
Cool thing about my campaign is that we get a new feat every odd-numbered level (so 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and so on...). That's basically the only homerule we got, and aside that, our DM is pretty RAW on everything.
I can only take 4 classes (one of which is gotta be a prestige class. Since my character is a monk/swordsage, there's room for 1 base class and 1 prestige class more, or 2 prestige classes).
Every setting campaign handbook is not allowed (like Forgotten Realms handbook or Dragonlance handbook, for example) plus every psionic related thing and the following prestige classes:
- Dweomerkeeper (Complete Divine WE)
- Effigy Master (Complete Arcane)
- Dungeon Lord (Dungeonscape)
- Shadow Sentinel (Races of Destiny)
- Fiendbinder (Tome of Magic)
- War Hulk (Miniatures Handbook)
So, my question is: any idea, suggestion or tip on how should I proceed from here? I was thinking of continuing with swordsage for a few levels (I'm not sure how many yet), then possibly taking bloodclaw master (the array of feats related to TWF, combined with Raging Mongoose and Time Stands Still would allow me, at higher levels, to make a lot of hits in a full attack turn) and finally, once I've met the right requirements, master of nine.
However, other players have warned me about bloodclaw master and how this pc is possibly a scam (lol!), noting that the swordsage's BAB itself is pretty low for a melee. They said, and I quote: "Making 20 attacks is pointless if they all miss!". They kinda have a point lol
So, how can I proceed from here? Should I try to optimize my damage output as much as possible? Should I try to make a lot of attacks and crit fishing? Should I try master of nine ad get all the maneuvers? Should I try all of these things?
Thanks in advance!
p.s.: I wish to keep my "monk flavor" and stay unarmed, if that's possible.