A Character Not Needed

[cignus_pfaccari]

I don't know if this is the same, but isn't there a Shapeshifter prestige class in the Ranger/Barbarian/Druid splatbook that allows you to shapechange into any subtype of creature? Go for that one if he'll let you and you REALLY want a prestige class. *G*

It is, in fact, the same class, just renamed. I'm kind of also tempted to suggest he check with the DM again, because it's just so neat. It gets into Rudesylvania when added with that nice two-level* Warshaper PrC from CW.

The party above does scream a need for an arcane caster, but, then again, they've gotten this far without a good one. I think warmage would be a bad choice here, because that's even more damage on target, which they seem to have plenty of already with the melee types.

Hrm...bard or marshal would both be good choices, though they're both kinda boring. Warlock would be pretty neat, since you don't have any real role to fill and can just plink away with your eldritch blast if you want.

Brad

* - I can't really see a reason to take it past two levels.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Bard-Marshall suggestion here, too.

I LOVE the Marshall class ... to play. I so far haven't allowed it in any of my games.

I've frustrated a couple DMs with that class. The key isn't the Major auras, but the MINOR auras ... which run off your Cha and which you can get up to +5-+6 pretty easy.

The aura that gives your Cha bonus to damage when flanking ... add that to a summoner or tac-fighter and you're dishing out alot of extra damage per round.

I did that to Will saves in a Psionics-heavy campaign that more or less shut down the enemy Psions. Whole party with +5 to Will saves? Yes please.

I usually go Marshal 3/Clr X or Pal X or Bard X and focus on feats/abilities that work off of Charisma. Break Charisma. An insane-high Diplomacy check will also be quite dominant in the non-Combat portions of the game.

Marshal scares me, sometimes. It's a whole new ball game, and one that party doesn't have yet.

--fje

 

[smilinggm]

Looking over the rest of the party the major hole that I see is the lack of Psionics. I would strongly recomend that you Play a Psion of some flavor to plug this hole in the party's defenses. A Psion Telapath or a Kineticist is always a good choice. There are many good PrC's to choose from that will allow you to protect the party from most of the psionic foes out there. Plus a Psion is a good multi use character who can provide good tactical support for the party.

 

[DonTadow]

Looking over the rest of the party the major hole that I see is the lack of Psionics. I would strongly recomend that you Play a Psion of some flavor to plug this hole in the party's defenses. A Psion Telapath or a Kineticist is always a good choice. There are many good PrC's to choose from that will allow you to protect the party from most of the psionic foes out there. Plus a Psion is a good multi use character who can provide good tactical support for the party.

woahhhhh

Every dm doesnt allow psionics into his/her campaign. Best check with the dm. From the sounds of it, it doesnt sound like he does.

 

[William Ronald]

I've played with a group similar to this, and while I agree with those who suggest a bard, I'd really recommend either a single-class wizard, a warmage, or a single-class fighter. They haven't got anybody who's just a meat shield (the barbarian/fighter is somewhat, but not to the level of a single-class fighter), nor do they have a full-on spellcaster.

I'd especially suggest the wizard. I've seen a sorcerer/monk in action and they can be very cool, but they just don't have the magical firepower of a wizard. You can buff the other party members ('haste', anyone?), or rain fiery badness down on your enemies . And they will love you for being able to 'identify' stuff for them, which I suspect the sorcerer/monk won't do (you could even charge them for it if it doesn't cause in-game dissension).

Well, maybe a single class fighter or a single class wizard would be best. Perhaps an elf or a dwarf might work well with this group. Possibly the character could have a tie to other characters in the group.

I do like sniffles suggestion of a wizard. An elf or dwarf wizard might be an interesting choice, although human wizards do benefit from the bonus feat. Additionally, a wizard can write scrolls or use some of his extra feats for magic item creation (wands or potions might be a good choice.)

 

[Arc]

I'm another vote for Marshal. It's a damn useful class in large parties, and combines well with just about everything. Heck, if you're not sure what you want to be... be everything. Go Marshal / Chameleon and be able to switch up your style depending on the circumstances. Not being confined to a set role can be very useful in a party with well defined roles. Add Master Thrower whenever you have the chance to add some combat versatility. This WotC CharOp thread has some really good ideas for this sort of thing. See also this thread for chameleon ideas.

Or, if you're in the Barding mood... be a Sublime Chord. They're bards... but more bardy. Here is a good place to mine ideas from.

If you're thinking of the warlock idea, try a Psionic warlock. It requires a few books to be allowed, but playing a Xeph Warlock with Greater Psionic shot and Psionic Meditation can be loads of fun. Plenty of damage, and you still keep your versatility. Warlock also mixes well with Chameleon.

If Eberron is allowed, go artificer. It's an amazing class, and you can be an uberbuffer/masterblaster with proper application of Metamagic Item and a decent array of wands. Nothing like throwing around 20+ d6 of damage from wands of scorching ray, or having as many 24 hours buffs as you want.

Also fun: Lancer build. It defines the term "Death from Above". Feel like their cleric isn't picking up the slack? Try an Ur-Priest. At 10th level, they really come into their own. Bard 4 / Fighter 2 / Ur-Priest X is a great build for that level, and only gets better. Mixing it up with Mystic Theurge can add even more to the fun, but that's going to have quite a bit of power delay.

 

[smilinggm]

woahhhhh

Every dm doesnt allow psionics into his/her campaign. Best check with the dm. From the sounds of it, it doesnt sound like he does.

Just a humble suggestion. His DM has already veto'd his first choice, so he should start to think outside of the box. I agree that there are DM's who do not allow psionics, but until you ask you do not know.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Before you give up entirely on your idea, ask the DM precisely *why* he will not allow your prestige class of choice. If he simply says "because I don't like it" or "because I said so", take a walk and don't look back.

Whyever do something like that? Prestige classes are a tool of the DM, not a tool of the player. There is nothing that says any DM has to allow *any* prestige class.



On a more positive note, a 10th Druid would be an excellent choice. You've got some powerful offensive and defensive spells, tremendous flexibility through your wildshaping, plenty of summoned natures allies... Some people think that druids are, in fact, overpowered. Definitely worth a look.

Another good option might be an archer specialist if that niche hasn't already been covered. If the DM will give hints about useful favoured enemies then you could have a real ball with a ranger 10.

Cheers

 

[billd91]

Whyever do something like that? Prestige classes are a tool of the DM, not a tool of the player. There is nothing that says any DM has to allow *any* prestige class.

Why do that? Because it's supposed to be a cooperative game. Just because someone doesn't "like" something isn't a very good reason to shut the player's option down. If the prestige class doesn't fit in with the feel of the campaign, that's one thing. But if he just doesn't happen to like it, that's another. The DM should explain why he doesn't like it and either be willing to get over his own personal issues for the player or help the player adjust the concept or prestige class to not be so unlikeable.

 

[EvilGM]

I recommend Marshal or Bard as well. In large groups, these classes are devastatingly effective.