Make Yet Another Mini Mighty

Last time I tried this we got some pretty good ideas, so let's try taking another whack at it.

The mini (hopefully) depicted below is from the 2004 Aberattions set of D&D Miniatures. But of course, it need not be a shaman. Perhaps a sorcerer or an avenger? I always liked it for an appearance that stood out quite uniquely from the long line of plate-and-shield warriors and bald-head mages that WotC couldn't stop churning out. The chief distinguishing feature is the feathered crow cloak (say that three times fast), complete with a giant crow head. The beast appears to have been born and bred just so it could be killed and converted into a cloak.

Let your imagination run wild...just as long as the final product is mighty!

Here's a kick ass Eagle (watcher) Shaman designed to turn the parties ranged attacks into weapons of mass destruction. The strengthening spirit feat gives really good healing for level one too. A highly tactical character.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Eagle Shaman, level 1
Human, Shaman
Companion Spirit: Watcher Spirit

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 11, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 11, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.


AC: 15 Fort: 13 Reflex: 14 Will: 16
HP: 25 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +6, Nature +9, Heal +9, Insight +9, Perception +9

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +3, Arcana, Bluff -1, Diplomacy -1, Dungeoneering +4, History, Intimidate -1, Religion, Stealth +3, Streetwise -1, Thievery +3, Athletics

FEATS
Human: Strengthening Spirit
Level 1: Resilient Spirit

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Voice of Battle
Shaman at-will 1: Watcher's Strike
Shaman encounter 1: Stormhawk's Fury
Shaman daily 1: Spirit of Grief's Shadow

ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Leather Armor
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

If ranged attacks don't feature heavily in the party here's a stalker shaman designed to rip shreds out of bloodied foes.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
shaman stalk human, level 1
Human, Shaman
Build: Panther Shaman
Companion Spirit: Stalker Spirit

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 11, Dex 10, Int 18, Wis 17, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 11, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 10.


AC: 16 Fort: 12 Reflex: 15 Will: 15
HP: 23 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 5

TRAINED SKILLS
Heal +8, Nature +8, Perception +8, Insight +8, History +9

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics, Arcana +4, Bluff, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering +3, Endurance, Intimidate, Religion +4, Stealth, Streetwise, Thievery, Athletics -1

FEATS
Human: Improved Initiative
Level 1: Implement Expertise (Totem)

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Claws of the Eagle
Shaman at-will 1: Voice of Battle
Shaman encounter 1: Twin Panthers
Shaman daily 1: Spirit of the Healing Flood

ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Leather Armor, Totem
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

I'm afraid the axe doesn't fit into either of these builds as it just doesn't work for Shamen in 4th edition. You could waste a feat to get proficiency in it if you wanted but even then, it would be pretty much useless. You could perhaps get away with saying your Shaman's Totem is in the shape/style of an axe. Actually, that's not a bad idea.

You could be a throwing-axe based Seeker, or Ranger.

Axe throwing Seeker is quite a nice idea. Sadly (arguably), not very kick ass right now (assumably unable new powers/feats come) and slightly hampered by needing to use a feat for hand axe proficiency but still a fun character. The ability to throw axes for ranged attacks and have a few axe melee attacks is probably the most entertaining feature. Here's about the best you can squeeze out of this scenario I think:

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
seeker , level 1
Human, Seeker
Seeker's Bond: Spiritbond
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Axe)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Hammer)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 12, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.


AC: 15 Fort: 14 Reflex: 13 Will: 16
HP: 24 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS
Heal +9, Nature +9, Athletics +8, Stealth +6, Perception +9

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +1, Arcana, Bluff -1, Diplomacy -1, Dungeoneering +4, Endurance +1, History, Insight +4, Intimidate -1, Religion, Streetwise -1, Thievery +1

FEATS
Human: Weapon Proficiency (Handaxe)
Level 1: Versatile Expertise

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Thorn Cloud Shot
Seeker at-will 1: Grappling Spirits
Seeker at-will 1: Guardian Harrier
Seeker encounter 1: Possessing Spirits
Seeker daily 1: Swarming Bats

ITEMS
Leather Armor, Adventurer's Kit, Handaxe (5)
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

Could do hybrid Seeker / hybrid (anything with military melee) to get there.

Seeker / Brawler Fighter could be funny, though might take til Paragon to get all the stuff you want.

I'd imagine Seeker / Ranger could work well though?

Wait, a seeker--a master of thrown weapons--can't throw an axe? What do they throw then?

Well, in that case, I guess seeker/avenger would do it.

It appears to be an oversight that they don't get proficiency with most throwing weapons... I'd not be surprised if you can convince your DM to just give handaxe for free. After all, it's basically a choice that reduces your damage in exchange for improved flavor.

Throwing Axes are actually quite nice, despite the low damage potential. Take a look at the Reaping Axe style feats: when you crit you knock them prone. Opportunity Attacks are then granted to any allies in range of the prone enemy when they try to stand up again. I'm playing a heal/support character who's a shaman/ranger hybrid who does just that with a pair of Handaxes and Twin Strike...working pretty well so far =]