[3.5] Creating Alebeard Ironforge

[Mushroom Ninja]

Meet Alebeard
He likes ale. He has a beard. He forges iron into weapons and armor. He hates sissy elves. He bashes things with traditional dwarven weapons. He talks in a ridiculous pseudo-scottish accent. He is the world's most stereotypical dwarf.

But, what are Alebeard's stats? Classes? That's where we come in. We must create a build for the most stereotypical dwarf in the world.

Rules:
Alebeard Ironforge is a dwarf. Therefore he hates sissy elves and all that they stand for. Thus he will not do something a sissy elf would.

Things Sissy Elves Would Do (Commentary by Alebeard):

Spoiler

Show

• Cast spells
  - Spells are for sissises. Real dwarfs kill things with weapons. Which they forge. Out of Iron.
• Have ranks in Sissy skills
  - Dwarves don't use Tumble! They dodging hits is for elven cowards! Diplomacy?!?! Dwarfs use AXE not diplomacy!
• Use sissy kung-fu
  - Tiger Claw? Setting Sun? Desert Wind? Shadow Hand?!? Those are for elves! Dwarfs use the real stuff like Iron Heart and Stone Dragon.
• Take Dwarven Defender.
  - A class based around increasing defense? Sounds like the sort of thing an elf who's afraid to get hit would take! It's probably a trap anyway.

Things a real dwarf would do:

Spoiler

Show

• Use Dwarven weapons
• Engage in Melee combat
• Kill enemies in one blow
• Forge Iron!

So now we have our challange. We must create a 20-level build for Alebeard Ironforge in such a way that will make him proud. He must be powerful, but truly dwarfish. No sissy elf stuff allowed!

[woodenbandman]

Well, since we're using Dwarfy weapons, such as the urgrosh and the warpike and the waraxe, we'll need to take a level of Exotic weapon master, maybe 3. After all, a real dwarf learns the hell out of his weapon.

A real dwarf also doesn't waste feats on stuff he could get for free. So rather than waiting until 8th level to get that 3rd level stance, Alebeard ironforge takes 2 levels of Fighter. And none of those sissy "oh, I have a bonus feat." Alebeard Ironforge takes Dungeoncrasher and Improved Bull Rush, so he can crush those sissy elves against the side of a wall. And who avoids traps, when you can just ANNIHILATE THEM WITH YOUR AXE?

So your real dwarf ends up at the end with some 9th level maneuvers (the ones that matter, anyway) and 2x strength to damage on your dwarven weapons.

Something like Warblade3/Dungeoncrasher2/Warblade+2/Exotic Weapon Master3/Warblade +10.

[arguskos]

Well, since we're using Dwarfy weapons, such as the urgrosh and the warpike and the waraxe, we'll need to take a level of Exotic weapon master, maybe 3. After all, a real dwarf learns the hell out of his weapon.

A real dwarf also doesn't waste feats on stuff he could get for free. So rather than waiting until 8th level to get that 3rd level stance, Alebeard ironforge takes 2 levels of Fighter. And none of those sissy "oh, I have a bonus feat." Alebeard Ironforge takes Dungeoncrasher and Improved Bull Rush, so he can crush those sissy elves against the side of a wall. And who avoids traps, when you can just ANNIHILATE THEM WITH YOUR AXE?

So your real dwarf ends up at the end with some 9th level maneuvers (the ones that matter, anyway) and 2x strength to damage on your dwarven weapons.

Something like Warblade3/Dungeoncrasher2/Warblade+2/Exotic Weapon Master3/Warblade +10.

But, can he FORGE IRON?! That's the most Dorfish thing ever, and I see no indication he can do so, which makes me sad inside. He better take full ranks in Craft (iron forging) and carry around a Portable Forge (real item somewhere).

[Eldariel]

All the classes have Craft in class. That's about as far as you can take it without spellcasting (eww) or pseudo-casting like Artificer et al. You could go Battlesmith, but that's about Warhammers, not the Dwarven weapons like Axes. Besides, it sucks anyways.

I'd say this iconic Dwarf needs Deepwarden level 2. Dwarf blocks hits with his chest, not dodging.

[woodenbandman]

There's always Ironforged Soulmaster. The class that uses the SOULS OF YOUR ANCESTORS to FORGE IRON to make it STRONG AS ADAMANTINE. That's right, adamantine, not wussy elf mithral.

[Hadrian_Emrys]

+1 to somehow getting two in Deepwarden in there.

[The Glyphstone]

...Nothing in Stoneblessed prevents a dwarf from taking it. Can we get more Dorfy than spending three levels to obtain a CLASS FEATURE that makes him count as a Dwarf? He's two Dorfs for the price of one!

[arguskos]

...Nothing in Stoneblessed prevents a dwarf from taking it. Can we get more Dorfy than spending three levels to obtain a CLASS FEATURE that makes him count as a Dwarf? He's two Dorfs for the price of one!

This is the most Dorfy thing to have ever Dorfed. I approve!

Also, +2 Deepwarden and Ironforged Soulmaster.

[Eldariel]

If we're going for Dorfness, he'll be a friggin' Paragon, duh!

[Myshlaevsky]

Needs to be able to take Phobia: Carp as a flaw.

[Kylarra]

If we're going for Dorfness, he'll be a friggin' Paragon, duh!

Yeah 3 levels of Dorf Paragon

[The Glyphstone]

Anyone object to making him Gestalt? We're running out of levels here without going Epic.

[tonberrian]

Needs to be able to take Phobia: Carp as a flaw.

I don't know. I think fear is for elven sissies, not paragons of all that is Dorfy like Alebeard.

He needs a Belt of Dwarvenkind, and levels in Battlesmith. After all, Battlesmith lets you FORGE IRON and HIT THINGS with TRADITIONAL DORFY WEAPONS that you FORGED out of IRON!

[The Glyphstone]

I don't know. I think fear is for elven sissies, not paragons of all that is Dorfy like Alebeard.

He needs a Belt of Dwarvenkind, and levels in Battlesmith. After all, Battlesmith lets you FORGE IRON and HIT THINGS with TRADITIONAL DORFY WEAPONS that you FORGED out of IRON!

and of course, IN A CAVE.


However, no self-respecting dorf would resort to making things out of A BOX OF SCRAPS, would they?

[BRC]

and of course, IN A CAVE.


However, no self-respecting dorf would resort to making things out of A BOX OF SCRAPS, would they?

Actually they would, but first they would forge said scraps themselves, using nothing but two rocks. They would also forge an axe to cut down some trees, preferably they would do this in front of some pansy elves. They would use the wood from the trees to make the box, then they would forge the scraps, put them in the box.

[Glimbur]

There's always Ironforged Soulmaster. The class that uses the SOULS OF YOUR ANCESTORS to FORGE IRON to make it STRONG AS ADAMANTINE. That's right, adamantine, not wussy elf mithral.

Incarnate 4/Fighter 1/Iron Soul Forgemaster 10/ ?. More Incarnate?

This is a dwarf who can forge magic arms and armor without being a spellcaster. Focus on soulmelds that are extra dwarfy like Adamant Pauldrons, Incarnate Weapon, Strongheart Vest, and Vitality Belt. He will play a lot like an Incarnate. He could make his own magic warhammer out of iron or whatever, or be Good and make it out of soulstuff. The only trouble will be the killing things in one blow.

[sofawall]

I seem to recall Fistbeard Beardfist as being pretty dwarfy.

[Mushroom Ninja]

Anyone object to making him Gestalt? We're running out of levels here without going Epic.

I'm certainly not against it. Nor am I against seeing Alebeard go epic. Whatever maximizes his Dorf Powar.

What sort of things should he do with his feats? I'm always fond of the Leap-attack-Combat-brute-Shocktrooper combo, but there may be an even more Dorfish way to kill stuff.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

I seem to recall Fistbeard Beardfist as being pretty dwarfy.

Me too. Running everything off of Con and whatnot.

The current build I'm thinking of is Strongarm Ranger 3 with the Trap Expert ACF / Thug Fighter 4 / Deepwarden 2 / Fist of the Forest 3 / Deepwarden 5/Dwarf Paragon 3

With the feats:

Poison Healer: heals 5 + Con mod every time you save against a poison. According to the Arms and Equipment Guide, alcohol is a poison with a scaling DC based on how many drinks you have within an hour. Requires Great Fortitude, which is also a perequisite for Drunken Master.

Steadfast Determination: uses Con mod in place of Wis mod for will saves. Also, a natural one on a fort save no longer is an automatic failure. Great feat, and the preprequisite is Endurance, which you get from being a Ranger.

The prestige class Deepwarden gives good fort and will saves, d12 HD, 6 + Int mod skill points per level, the Track feat at level one, and Con to AC as a untyped bonus at level 2.

Fist of the Forest gives Con to AC in place of your Dex mod at level one, good unarmed damage, and some miscellanious abilities later on.

Dwarf Paragon caps off the build to capture the essence of Dwarfness, much in the same way that the cap of a soda bottle captures the delicious carbonation of the beverage within. (Those more concerned with power should use levels of Deepwarden in place of Dwarf Paragon though.)

Fans of the old build may find it here. It involves Drunken Master, which allows you to increase Con or Str when drinking alcohol for even more fun.

[Mushroom Ninja]

I seem to recall Fistbeard Beardfist as being pretty dwarfy.

While Fistbeard is very dwarfy, I wouldn't say he's exactly stereotypical since he beats sissy elves to death with his fists and beard rather than an axe/urgosh/hammer/etc.

His ale-powered face-beating, however, is basically as dorfish as one could possibly get.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

While Fistbeard is very dwarfy, I wouldn't say he's exactly stereotypical since he beats sissy elves to death with his fists and beard rather than an axe/urgosh/hammer/etc.

His ale-powered face-beating, however, is basically as dorfish as one could possibly get.

Read the post above. Zing!

[Mushroom Ninja]

Read the post above. Zing!

Yikes! My post got Edit-invalidated! I have been most thouroughly zingged.

[woodenbandman]

I posit that jumping is not Dorfy. Taking even a single rank of jump is unacceptable. And take levels of that ToB dwarf class, to make you more connected to stone and mountains.

How about like Warblade 15/that class5//incarnate5/Ironforged Soulmaster9/Exotic Weapon Master1/Incarnate +5.

[Mushroom Ninja]

I posit that jumping is not Dorfy. Taking even a single rank of jump is unacceptable.

Yeah, I was wondering about that. In the end (much as I hate to say goodbye to leap attack) I've got to agree with you. Jumping is too evasive. Too elfy. I suppose the real dorf way to charge into combat involves more bullrush.

[Elfin]

Anyone object to making him Gestalt? We're running out of levels here without going Epic.

Bah! Only sissy elves would need the best of two classes! A real dorfy dorf just goes epic!

How about making him a Warblade 10/Deepstone Sentinel 5/Dungeoncrasher 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1?
Simple and to the point.

[Kylarra]

Bah! Only sissy elves would need the best of two classes! A real dorfy dorf just goes epic!

How about making him a Warblade 10/Deepstone Sentinel 5/Dungeoncrasher 4/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1?
Simple and to the point.

I posit that a build without Dorfen Paragon is not Dorfy enough.

[The Witch-King]

I can't believe no one's said it yet.

I posit that the most dwarfish thing imaginable would be for Alebeard Ironforge to be able to drink beer, brew beer and kill people--ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

[sofawall]

You forgot forging things out of iron.

[Glimbur]

I can't believe no one's said it yet.

I posit that the most dwarfish thing imaginable would be for Alebeard Ironforge to be able to drink beer, brew beer and kill people--ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Alright, let's focus on cramming our enemies into casks so that they can ferment. Barbarian so we can Rage to up our grapple into... I hate to say Reaping Mauler but I'm far too lazy to work up a full build now.

[Hadrian_Emrys]

Fistbeard is the paragon of all things beard related, not of all things Dorf. A paragon of all things Dorf must be able to drink like a fish, craft all things Dorfy (such as all metal objects [even Mithral, as the crafting and appreciating the objects are not the same as actually using them] such as tankards, weapons, and armor), beat things to death with a hammer and/or axe (though a weapon that is both hammer AND axe is ideal), and generally endure all the things that sissy elfs avoid.

In order to accomplish this, certain options stand out as those that must be included (there are other options that fit into this catagory, I just wanted to get the listing started):

Classes:
Deepwarden 2 (the only good Dorf is a Dorf that can stand their ground)

Craft Skills:
Alchemy (ale and less important things)
Armorsmithing (Dorfs wear HEAVY armor)
Weaponsmithing (Dorfs hit things with weapons)


I'd also like to see the use of:

Domains:
Artifice (+4 competence bonus on craft checks and Conjuration-Creation spells are cast at +1 caster level)
Cavern (the bonus to notice unusual stone work is bumped to +4)
Competition (+1 to all opposed checks)
Craft (Conjuration-Creation spells are cast at +1 caster level, gain Feat: Skill Focus (craft of your choice)
Creation (Conjuration-Creation spells are cast at +1 caster level)
Dream (immunity to fear effects)
Feast (immunity to ingested poisons and diseases)
Metal (gain the feats: Martial Weapon Proficiency or Exotic Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus with your choice of hammer)
Pact (Appraise, Intimidate, and Sense Motives are class skills)
Passion (Rage for cleric level number of rounds per day as an SLA)
Pestilence (Immune to all diseases, though still able to carry)
Feats: Craft Wonderous Item