Building a Melee Machine

[Altamont Ravenard]

Hello all,

We'll be starting a new 3.5 campaign soon at 12th level. I've been mostly playing casters or sneaky characters, but I want to play a mean, lean, killing machine.

I drew up a basic half-orc STR monster that could deal 4d6 + 20 with his vicious greatsword, but then the DM told me that we could use basically any WotC book we wanted (including FR, excluding psionics, manual of the plane or Dragon magazines), so I tried to start over, but was a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities...

So, what would be your suggestions for a character built for doing melee damage? I was now thinking about a Goliath Barbarian / Fighter, but I'm sure people here will have better / more interesting suggestions...

Thanks in advance, and don't be afraid to go nuts (but no excessively monstrous combinations, please )

AR

 

[sfedi]

I'm not an expert but the way to go is a two handed weapon and power attack.

Other things are refinement

 

[Nightingale 7]

First order of business:Get a half-ogre,half-giant,or goliath.They are the most optimal races for pure melee smackdown.
Secondly:Grab a 2-handed weapon and learn the joy of Power-Attacking!Try using a reach weapon,like the spiked chain for extra efficiency.A half-ogre with a chain is a terrible thing to face(kudos to Joachim for Grimm )

Another choice is the traditional dwarf,but supplemented with the incredible Hammer of Moradin PrC.A Ftr 4/Clr 3/Hammer X can deal ridiculous damage with his warhammer.
Those are a couple of fast suggestions.Oh,and always try tro sprinkle a couple of Barb levels in your fighters!It is a good investment.

 

[Someone]

If you use savage species, you can´t go wrong with the anthropomorphic african elephant. Insane Str and natural armor bonuses, three monstrous humanoid hit die (so ou have full BAB and not bad saves) and only a LA of 2. I´m playing one in a Pbp, with just fighter levels, and it´s seriously overpowered.

 

[Guilberwood]

Another good option is to use a scythe, it's a two-handed weapon with a x4 critcal multiplier, if you use it with the weapon master prestige class, you can do an enormous amout of damage too

 

[Gort]

Half ogre barbarian. Sorted.

 

[argo]

I know it doesn't seem as exciting as the more exotic builds but you can't go wrong with a single classed fighter with a greatsword and Power attack, Greater WF, Greater WS and Imporved Crit. Try to max your strength out and see if you can sweet talk your GM into letting Improved Crit and Keen stack again (point out that you are forgoing all the crazy savage species builds in favor of this). At these levels you could easily be doing 50+ points of damage per hit on a critical. And you won't be useless against non-cirtable enemies since you will still be dealing something like 25 points per hit normally.

You'll even have enough feats left over to take Iron Will.

Hope that helps.

 

[Arc]

One issue of Dragon magazine should be the basis of pretty much any overpowered fighter build: Dragon #310, the variant fighter classes issue. Find the "kensai" alternate fighter class, which sacrifices a few bonus feats to gain +1 to attack and damage every 5 levels, and can get two feats as bonus feats that give a whole new meaning to the word broken. Rain of Blows allows for 1 extra attack (at highest mod) in a full attack action at -3 to all attacks, and Storm of Blows allows for 2 extra attacks (at highest mod) at -6 to all attacks. Take 6 or so levels of Kensai to start your build, get those feats, and then start into your build proper.

As far as general builds go, I recommend using a greatsword or similar weapon, and working to pump your to hit as much as you can. Power Attack and Storm of Blows necessitate as many increases to your attack bonus as you can (for great reward), so going human or half-orc is probably your best bet (for the BAB). I personally prefer the supercheese of Frenzied Berserker, but that requires a party dynamic that knows how to deal with one member who is an uncontrollable loose cannon (build for FB: Kensai 6/Brb 1/FB ?. Take that Brb level at 3rd or 4th level, so you can start picking up rage feats necessary for FB)

 

[Chris Nagle]

I don't know if this is possible but I would be tempted to do the following:

Half-Orge race (Savage Species)
+6 STR, -2 DEX, +2 CON, -2 INT, -2 CHA
Large size: -1 AC, -1 Attack, -4 Hide and 10ft Reach
Speed: 30 ft
Darkvision 60ft
Natural Armor +4
Gian Blood
Lang: Giant and Common
Favored Class: Barbarian
Level ADjustment +1


If allowed add Half-Dragon template from the Monster Manual

Speed: Half-dragon large or larger has wings and can flyu twice it's land speed with average maneuverability.
TYpe changes to Dragon
AC: Natural armour improves by +4
Attacks: Get 2 claws and bite depends on size
For large claws 1d6 Bite 1d8
Special attacks:
Breath Weapon based on half-dragon color
Abilites: +8 STR, +2 CON, +2 INT, +2 CHA
Level Adjustment +3


So for a Level Adjustment of +4 you get
Abilites:
+14 STR, -2 DEX, +4 CON
Natural AC +8
Land Speed 30ft
Fly Speed 60ft Average (Wings)
Creature Type Dragon
Darkvision 60ft
Large size: -1 AC, -1 Attack, -4 Hide and 10ft Reach
Natural Attacks: 2 Claws and 1 Bite
Damage Claws 1d6 and bite 1d8
Special attacks:
Breath Weapon based on half-dragon color


As you are character Level 12 you get to have 8 levels of classes.

Take 5 levels of fighter or barbarian then if possible 3 levels the prestige class War Hulk from the WoTC Miniatures Handbook.

War Hulk gets +2 STR per level as well as some other stuff like Mighty throwing (2d8 damage +STR ) with rocks while flying!

So you will will have +20 to STR and 10ft reach.
Get a reach weapon and you can fly 15ft above the ground using reach weapon 15ft away and most things cannot attack back!

I have something simlar and it rocks.

 

[Trainz]

If your DM is weary of monster builds (as I would), go with human, exotic weapon elven shortblade (CW), and go the two weapon fighting route. You have the feats to make this progression worthwile, will have gazillion attacks, and will crit on 15+. Granted, you won't be able to power attack (small weapon), but hey.

Then you will have to determine if you want to spend 3 feats for two-weapon defense, or 1 feat for improved buckler defense. It's a toss-up, depending on the amount of treasure you have. If you use the 3 two-weapon defense feats, you'll also need to get combat expertise and always combat expertise for 1.

If you decide to go this route and need help, email me and I'll detail the feat acquisition details to you, as well as the treasure buying thingie.

trainz at videotron dot ca