D&D 3E/3.5 Help me create "Fantasy Sherlock Holmes" in 3.5

Wraith Form · Mar 25, 2010

As the title suggests, I'd like to see how YOU would create Holmes using 3.5 rules. My DM's pretty open with books, so any WotC splat book is fair game. Other source books may be used with DM's approval.

This will be a 10th level character.

My DM's setting is significantly low-magic, so please use a minimum of magic items in your build. Likewise, this is a fairly standard fantasy world (not Eberron, not steampunk, nor are there firearms) so think low-tech.

Combat is certainly present, but takes a back seat to story--so your version of Holmes needn't be able to slaughter his enemies and trample their corpses underfoot. Social abilities will be (more) important.

I anticipate many of you will make this a multiclassed character; furthermore he does not need to be human.

So, how would you create Holmes? A cleric/thief? A cleric/bard? A monk/bard? Is there a prestige class you'd use? Back up your choices with an explanation of why you made those choices if you'd like!

Dannyalcatraz · Mar 25, 2010

SH is a man of intellect and rationality. He's also pretty charismatic. Given his addiction and his ego, though, he gets some points off on wisdom. So Int and Cha would be high, Wis would be no better than average.

On the physical side, I always picture him with a slim, athletic build- not strong, but agile and tough. I'd give him an average Str, slightly above average Con, and have Dex as his best physical attribute.

Wiz, as I recall, is the only class that has all KS as class skills, so that would seem to be the best starting point. In that case, I'd go with a Focused Specialist in Divination.

The Artificer, Rogue, Bard, Monk, Beguiler and the Savant (from DCv1) all have something they could bring to the table, as does the Akashic from (AU/AE).

Of those, I'd lean towards Rogue for skill points & combat or the Artificer or Savant for their abilities. Bards are too chaotic to reflect SH's self-control; Monks are too martial- SH can fight, but he's no warrior. Beguilers just don't feel right to me.

In a low magic world, I'd probably just go with Rogue for the only other base class I'd multiclass with- you get some OK fighting skills and you get skill points.

In a slightly higher magic world, I'd lean most heavily towards the Artificer, since its the "quasi-scientist" class.

Now, that all said, there is also something to the FocSpec Diviner multiclassing with a no-magic variant of an Urban Ranger. They are, after all, fairly skilled, and manhunters to boot.

Weapon choice: Rapier or Rapier and Dagger/Short Sword. If you want a bit more of the exotic to reflect SH's worldliness, sub Kukri for the off-hand weapon.

Armor: Light to Medium. Given that he's got spellcasting levels- and not in a class capable of casting in armor- either load up on spells without S components, take Still Spell, take Arcane Strike, or some combo of all of the above.

Wraith Form · Mar 25, 2010

Dannyalcatraz said:
(from DCv1)

Err, what is this book? I'll do a facepalm once you say it.

Dannyalcatraz said:
Now, that all said, there is also something to the FocSpec Diviner multiclassing with a no-magic variant of an Urban Ranger. They are, after all, fairly skilled, and manhunters to boot.

Nice.

Dannyalcatraz · Mar 25, 2010

DCv1 = Dragon Compendium v.1

Wraith Form · Mar 25, 2010

* facepalm *

As promised.

Wraith Form · Mar 25, 2010

I do actually want to play a 'consulting detective' character. I may not go whole-hog specifically on the Sherlock Holmes character, but you guys are giving me some pretty good ideas on how I might create his analogue.

Really, I'm looking for classes (core classes or PrCs) that would best suit a detective.

And if you wanted to throw one or two slightly cooler 'detectivey' magic items into the mix, knock yourself out.

Ahnehnois · Mar 25, 2010

Urban Ranger makes a lot of sense, or rogue of course. The best prestige classes are Watch Detective (Masters of the Wild; never updated to 3.5 to my knowledge) and Justiciar (CW). My game has an Urban Ranger to WD character who has abilities like what you're looking for.

radja · Mar 25, 2010

I'd go with a rogue with high int. as for a weapon: sherlock holmes always carried a swordcane so that would be the weapon of choice.

Dandu · Mar 25, 2010

Factotum.

Nedz · Mar 25, 2010

I think Bard would sort of work - it depends upon whether you wish to be true to Holmes in character, or just wish to make a good detective.

But Urban Ranger/Wizard(Diviner) should work well.

In terms of PRCs :
Your probably just too low at 10th for Exemplar, but it would be a useful target.
Master Inquisitive
Vigilante