Martial Arcanist Build

[Shin Okada]

How about Warblade 1/Wizard4/Spellsword1/Swiftblade9/Abjurant Champion5

To enter Spellsword you need BAB +4. Wablade1/Wizard4 need another +1 BAB.

 

[Binho]

The Swiftblade Handbook

That's awesome handbook! I didn't know it yet. I'm taking a look and I'll look the monk data base as well.

However, it also has the best channeling ability at just one level, in which you don't lose casting. As for not losing either with what you currently have I think you are out of luck. I think you really need to tell us what you want to make.

Just 1 level dip doesn't give the channeling ability.

How about Warblade 1/Wizard4/Spellsword1/Swiftblade9/Abjurant Champion5

I prefer to stay out of ToB (but it seems that side kick feat is welcome, because it does't need adaptations). I don't have the book and it would demand some time to learn all the new rules even if I manage to borrow it.

Next: do you have a roleplaying concept behind this character, or is your main goal to have an effective/optimized character.

Or, to put it differently, is there something in particular you want this character to do besides mixing the martial and arcane?

The concept would be the perfection of the body and mind. The character is adept of unarmed combat and believes that you can't rely on weapons always. The flavor of the PrC Swiftblade is good to see how the char would act in combat: strike quickly, before the target realize it. His fame comes from the style of combat: lightning fist. I want this char to strike with his punches many times, as much as possible, with light speed. Of course, it would be frustrating to have a character get his butt kicked all the time, that's why I want to have an effective/optimized character.

Have you considered Sorcerer instead of Wizard? If you take Ascetic Mage it will let you stack Monk and Sorcerer levels for certain monk features and you can use your Cha for AC.

Also, does Carmedine monk let you multiclass between wizard and monk?

You are right. Carmedine monk don't stack for bonus CA of monk and it doesn't allow to multiclass between wizard and monk. To correct this, I have to take straight monk 2 and, after that, start taking levels of wizard.
About the option to use sorcerer, I'll pass. Sorcerer are too weak compared to wizard. Also, I like a high INT, it gives skill points that suit this character and monk concepts.

 

[parinho7]

polymorph/shapechange into something to boost your physical stats

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Hmmm...this thread has me thinking.

One of my personal favorite things to do with martial arcanists is to have them be able to use one of the sorcerous heritage feats, meaning at least 1 level in some kind of sorcerer, of course. This lets them channel spell energy into an arcane damaging attack of some kind that doesn't suffer from ASF...meaning they can wear armor of any kind. No components needed, either.

However, parhino7's line about polymorphing/shapechanging gave me an idea for a new wrinkle.

How cool would it be for an unarmed combatant who knows his campaign world's equivalent to "Tiger Style Kung Fu" to be able to change into a large predatory cat and use his roar to damage his foes? (Kind of like Aslan's roar.) This would be done courtesy of Infernal Sorcerer's Heritage & Shout.

Similar fun to be had with a Druid/Sorc/M-T (or GeoM) who can shapechange into a large raptor and who breathes lightning- instant Thunderbird!

Or for a martial arcanist who becomes an acid-spitting Treant? Or whatever.

You could even go full retro and actually become a fire-breathing dragon.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

However, parhino7's line about polymorphing/shapechanging gave me an idea for a new wrinkle.

Are there any variants on the Bear Warrior that account for other animals?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Not off the top of my head...but HRing one shouldn't be too hard, I'd think.

 

[Dandu]

Are there any variants on the Bear Warrior that account for other animals?

As long as you kept the mechanics the same, there would be zero new balance issues.

 

[Binho]

Two builds

I've reading your replies and come to two builds, one based in Monk/Wizard and other based in Monk/Sorcerer, I'll post them as soon as I finish it.

 

[LiL KiNG]

I'll let others who know more tell you about the classes, my question for you though is do you have to worry about multiclass experience penalties?

...I wish our current group would just rule it out but it wasn't a unanimous vote - now every build I look at I check to see how bad leveling would hurt it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

my question for you though is do you have to worry about multiclass experience penalties?

We still use them.