All Dwarf Party - Add a character (also, Barb Dwarf Movement disussion)

[Kwyn]

Hello.

My group and I are starting a new 3.5 campaign. We're all playing dwarves and the campaign will largely take place underground.

We play our D&D pretty straight. At this point, we're just using the 3.5 PH and DMG and avoiding prcs from other sources.

So, here's what we have.

Fighter (eventually Dwarven Defender)
Fighter/Cleric (Moradin - probably headed toward a 6f/14c give or take)
Cleric (Clangeddin)
Rogue
Wizard

The campaign will no doubt have loads of underdark type critters, probably bunches of undead and I doubt we get much opportunity to go back to civilization very often. We're pretty much gonna be living underground.

I realize this is pretty vanilla and as you can see we don't follow the quad class cherry picker philosophy, so I know I'm not giving you much fun stuff to go on. For instance, anyone in our campaigns in 3.0 who talked about taking a single level of ranger was usually given a hard time.

I was just kinda lookin for some neat ideas, suggestions where we might be weak or interesting concepts that may not have struck me.

I'm always the guy in our group who picks his class last and I always have trouble making up my mind. At this point, I'm leaning toward a barbarian. I'm pretty sure I won't be an arcane caster. Other than that, I'm undecided.

 

[Terwox]

well, if psionics are available, there's always the psychic warrior.

if you have if thoughts could kill and/or mindscapes, the psion is playable.

you could always play a wizard with a different specialization and opposed schools than the other wizard.

monk would be feasible, it's not like they need charisma... dwarf monk is odd, but it's certainly doable.

 

[Green Knight]

Despite your previous statement in your post, I suggest a Dwarf Ranger. Why? Well, first off, the 3.5 Ranger is not the 3E Ranger. Secondly, you're gonna be spending a lot of time out of contact with civilization, so a guy who can hunt food for you is a plus. Anyway, here're a couple of good reasons why to take a Ranger.

1. The list of enemies in the Underdark is less varied than a generic D&D game, which can occur anywhere, so your Favored Enemy ability will come into play more often.

2. At 4th level you'll get an Animal Companion, which is almost like another party member.

3. At 4th level you'll also gain access to the spell Longstrider, which'll allow you to add 10 feet to your movement for a couple hours depending on your level. So you'll be a pretty effective and mobile scout. That's just one of many useful spells which Rangers get (Like the Summon Nature's Ally spells, which'll give you reinforcements just when you need them).

4. Your tracking ability will undoubtedly be a lot of use in the game. Especially at later levels, when you can move at full speed without taking penalties, or can move at double speed, while taking lessened penalties.

5. You get 6 SP's per level, which means you'll almost have as many and as varied a number of skills as the Rogue, which'll make you very adaptable.

6. You'll get more attacks than the Fighter, if you go with the Two-Weapon Fighting combat style (The Archery style doesn't fit with a dwarf, IMO). Mix it in with cleave and great cleave, and you'll be dishing out an immense amount of attacks.

That's all I can think of at the top of my head. Hope that helps.

 

[The Cardinal]

I second the ranger idea: specialize in TWF and throwing axes, take aberrations, magical beasts, and drow as FEs.

 

[HammerFist]

After reading the initial post, I was thinking "Ranger" as well.

So, I third the Ranger suggestion.

 

[Mark Chance]

I'd go for bard. The party has the major bases covered, and bards are excellent support characters. Maybe pick up a few levels in diviner as well.

I ran a dwarven bard/diviner for a while. Good diplomatic character with useful information-gathering and ally-buffing abilities. All in all, he was an enjoyable character.

 

[Maldur]

Here are some old characters, they are 3.0 but pretty funny

Vladimir Boulderstorm: Male Dwarf Barbarian 1; CR 1; HD 1d12; hp 16/18; Int +1; Spd 20ft; AC 14; Atk +4 melee (1D10+5, RockFlail); Face/Reach 5ft by 5ft/5ft; SQ Dwarven traits, rage 1/day, fast movement, illiterate ; AL CG; SV Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 17, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 12; Skills climb +6, craft:stoneworker +5, intimidate +4, intuit direction +3, jump +6, listen +3; Feats Power Attack; Gear: Rock flail (heavy flail), hammer and chisel, Hide armour, 2 day rations, blanket

Vladimir Boulderstorm is a tribal berserker for the rockslide clan. His berserker ability was not discovered when he came of age, so he was like his father, uncles and brothers assigned to the granite mines. He was a strong lad, so he did much of the heavy lifting and hauling of rough stone. One-day goblins and a large troll attacked the mine. When Vladimir saw his uncle (twice removed on his mothers side) being ripped apart by the giant beast something snapped. His muscles bulged and with a mighty heave he started swinging the rock he was hauling up the mine. The next day he was found among the broken bodies of half dozen goblins and the crushed corpse of the troll. Still clutching his makeshift flail. He's been a berserker for the clan ever since.

Garg Stonesplitter: Male Dwarf Ranger 1; CR 1; HD 1d10; hp 14; Int +2; Spd 20ft; AC 15; Atk +4 melee (1d6+4, heavy pick), or +0/+0 melee (1d6 +3, 2 heavy picks), or +3 ranged (1d10, heavy crossbow); Face/Reach 5ft by 5ft/5ft; SQ Dwarven traits, two-weapon fighting, favored enemy: aberrations; AL CG; SV Fort +6, Ref +2, Will -1; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 18, Cha 3; Skills climb +7, hide +4, intuit direction +1, jump +5, listen +1, move silently +4, spot +1, swim +5, wilderness lore +1, languages: Common, Dwarven, Undercommon; Feats Quick Draw, Track; Gear: 2 heavy picks, heavy crossbow, 30 bolts, studded leather armor

Garg is a rat bastard. if something lives underground and needs dismembered, Garg's your dwarf. otherwise, you probably don't want him around. umber hulks have better table manners, illithids don't smell nearly as bad and even driders know when to keep their traps shut. Garg doesn't give a %$#@ what you think, anyway

 

[JoeBlank]

I just lost my dwarf Barbarian/Rogue (3/3), and was a very fun character. With a high Con, he had as many hit points as the single-class fighter-types, but had loads of skills, sneak attack and rage.

A dwarf Bard with a couple levels of Fighter would be fun. However, I think I have to agree with the Ranger suggestions, given the makeup of your group. The Bard's best contribution is back up healing, and you already have two clerics. Still, worth consideration if the wizard is not taking many illusion or enchantment spells.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Let me echo the dwarf ranger comments ... really fun character with TWF and throwing axes.

Here's another idea: dwarven barbarian/cleric of Haela Brightaxe (with War domain, uses a greatsword). Fun.

 

[Zulithe]

Threads like this REALLY make me want the 3.5e books

Damn you, WotC!