A question of the Battlesmith

[rowport]

Hey, Enforcer! I wondered if you might post here.

I am currently playing a Dwarven Fighter 1/Paladin 4/Pious Templar 3/Battlesmith 1/Hammer of Moradin 1. (And yes, I do suffer multiclass-itis. All my gaming buddies make fun of me for it.) I shamelessly admit that I dipped into Battlesmith for a level so that I could make some nifty items for myself and get the "One with the Hammer" ability. But, having done that, I am now very seriously considering taking at least Battlesmith 2, both because it is cool, and because I like the armor bonus. The reason that Battlesmith works so well with Hammer of Moradin is because the prerequisites synergize very well; they both require 10 ranks of Craft, which is a tough requirement, *especially* for a dwarven fighter-type... The problem with a non-cleric Battlesmith (as Enforcer already pointed out) is that if you want to Craft items yourself, you will be very limited in the abilities you can add.

From a pure roleplaying perspective, I think it is a very effective PrC. It speaks to traditional strengths of dwarven culture. I especially like it for my character, because one of his weaknesses as a Holy Avenger (pun intended) is his massive ego- to keep his humility he hones his skill at the forge.

 

[Prof Yeti]

And normally that would be something I was all over (since I prefer spellcaster/magic types). But with this particular character I was trying to step away from spells and such.

So can anybody recommend a good non-caster PrC for a dwarven ranger/fighter?

I have looked at Dwarven Defender (DMG) and Deep Warden (the excerpt from the D&D website), Stone Lord and Exotic Weapons Master (CWarrior), and Animal Lord (CAdventurer) and they are my fall back if nothing else hits what I am looking for currently.

But like I said this is my first non-spellcaster type in many, many years. So I really need some help from anyone who can give me another take on things.

 

[Prof Yeti]

Well my FLGS finally got in my copy of Races of Stone. So I am off to pick it up.

So thanks for the help.

 

[rowport]

Hiya, Prof. Yeti! I was thinking last night that Deep Warden seemed to fit your dwarven ranger bit pretty well. It looks like you already considered that one, though.

 

[Crothian]

Deep warden is the way I'm going with my dwarf. Not the most glamourious class but it is solid.

 

[Prof Yeti]

Like I said it has been forever since I played a straight fighter-type character. But I am kinda leaning toward the Animal (Wolf) Lord PrC. I am very much a fan of skills and it gives some pretty cool abilities while still handing out decent skill points.

But after looking at the Deep Warden I may try and take them both, eventually.