character concept, correction and criticism desired (anyone?)

[Diomeneus]

I know I've posted similar things, but this one is more complete and not just a sad attempt at a spartan. your welcome to suggest that i should get a returning shortspear rather then having quick draw (assume quick draw to be used for javelins). Two Weapon Pounce I wouldn't mind ditching either. No debates on whether TWF and agile shield fighter stack unless somebody gives me solid proof! Had enough of those debates, and i would still use the build without TWF if a more debate-less and decent alternative is provided. I wanted to take Penetrating shot but alas thrown weapons are not projectile weapons.

Tear it apart and tell me if i've done anything that would not work the way I think it does! woooo!

starting stats - level 20 stats (without magical items, but assume i will be getting +str,dex,con items)
Str 15 -> 18
Dex 16
Con 14 -> 16
Int 9
Wis 8
Cha 8
Items which will be used in general (or acquired during leveling)

Shortspear
large Steel Spiked Shield
Mithral breastplate (allows up to +5 dex bonus)
Multiple Javelins
Wondrous Items (Gloves of Dex (+4 max), Belt of Giant Strength, Amulet of Health, Cloak of Resistance)

1x3 Wep Focus (shortspear) TWF Improved Shield Bash
2 Shield Spec (large steel)
3 Agile Shield Fighter
4 Wep Spec (shortspear)
6x2 Point Blank Shot Quick Draw
8 Melee Weapon Mastery (Piercing)
9 Ranged Weapon Mastery (Piercing)
10 Greater Focus (shortspear)
12x2 Armor Spec (Breastplate) Greater Spec (shortspear)
14 Driving Attack
15 Two Weapon Rend
16 Two Weapon Pounce
18x2 Weapon Supremacy (shortspear) improved Two Weapon Fighting
20 Shield Block (Hereos of battle)

 

[Diomeneus]

i revised it slightly... nobody gonna suggest changes?

 

[Particle_Man]

You might want to fit Shield Ward in there somewhere (PHB II). Improves your Touch AC a lot if you have a magic shield, and also helps defend vs. grapples (and you are SOL in a grapple otherwise).

 

[Bagpuss]

I'd probably drop the Two Weapon stuff other than Agile Shield Fighter (assuming it doesn't stack, TWF is a feat that gives you nothing other than allowing you to get two other feats).

Then pick up Shield Ward, Shield Wall (assuming you are fighting with other Spartans not a great feat but thematic at least), and something else perhaps Power Attack (after all you are definately going to hit things and so you might as well lower your BAB to get some extra damage). Or maybe Shield Charge (nothing like a free shield bash and trip on a charge, especially since unlike most other trips there is no danger of being tripped back).

Also how are you getting Driving Attack at level 14 it isn't a Bonus Fighter Feat (they seem pretty clear about what they made bonus fighter feats and what they didn't in PHBII, it's not like they left it off just to save space). Just switch the order with Two-Weapon Rend and you are fine.

 

[silentspace]

I share Bagpuss's interpretation, and agree strongly with his suggestions.

I'd add in Formation Expert somewhere.

 

[Bagpuss]

That's the one I was forgetting, the problem with that and Phalanx Fighting which both seem to suit a Spartan build is neither suits the shortspear (one handed throwing weapon).

 

[silentspace]

Formation expert has the shortspear as one of its listed weapons.

Phalanx Fighting limits you to light weapons, for a Roman Legionnaire flavor.

 

[Particle_Man]

I guess one question you have to ask is:

Are you a lone Spartan (I don't mean party of one, but are you the only Spartaaaaaaan/meelee type in your party)?

or

Are you a part of a Spartan phalanx (which actually didn't happen in the movie - there was lots of "lone fighter kicking Persian ass" despite how they talked)?

That can help decide things like Shield Wall, Phalanx Fighting, etc.

 

[Diomeneus]

this wasnt' actually suppoed to be a spartan

just a spear using shield bashing warrior... thanks for the slip with teh level 14 driving attack, that was a mistake. My only issue with power attack is that It is a major peeve of mine to take feats where i know i'm only using it to half of its effectiveness (one handed power attack).

 

[wildstarsreach]

I know I've posted similar things, but this one is more complete and not just a sad attempt at a spartan. your welcome to suggest that i should get a returning shortspear rather then having quick draw (assume quick draw to be used for javelins). Two Weapon Pounce I wouldn't mind ditching either. No debates on whether TWF and agile shield fighter stack unless somebody gives me solid proof! Had enough of those debates, and i would still use the build without TWF if a more debate-less and decent alternative is provided. I wanted to take Penetrating shot but alas thrown weapons are not projectile weapons.

Tear it apart and tell me if i've done anything that would not work the way I think it does! woooo!

starting stats - level 20 stats (without magical items, but assume i will be getting +str,dex,con items)
Str 15 -> 18
Dex 16
Con 14 -> 16
Int 9
Wis 8
Cha 8
Items which will be used in general (or acquired during leveling)

Shortspear
large Steel Spiked Shield
Mithral breastplate (allows up to +5 dex bonus)
Multiple Javelins
Wondrous Items (Gloves of Dex (+4 max), Belt of Giant Strength, Amulet of Health, Cloak of Resistance)

1x3 Wep Focus (shortspear) TWF Improved Shield Bash
2 Shield Spec (large steel)
3 Agile Shield Fighter
4 Wep Spec (shortspear)
6x2 Point Blank Shot Quick Draw
8 Melee Weapon Mastery (Piercing)
9 Ranged Weapon Mastery (Piercing)
10 Greater Focus (shortspear)
12x2 Armor Spec (Breastplate) Greater Spec (shortspear)
14 Driving Attack
15 Two Weapon Rend
16 Two Weapon Pounce
18x2 Weapon Supremacy (shortspear) improved Two Weapon Fighting
20 Shield Block (Hereos of battle)

Here was a character that started but died at 3rd level. I had more fun with him even though he was considered suboptimal. He was a myrmidon who had been in the army for seven years and had just been matriculated out. His starting age was 25. Swahbuckler was important for some abilities, SW=Swashbuckler. This would have been tha way that I would have gone. Something I would have gone for was a Belt of Magnificence out of the miniature handbook. This would have given +2/4/6 to every stat thereby freeing up other slots for other useful magic items.

1 F1x3 Quick Draw, Combat Expertise, Improved Initiative
2 f2 Weapon Focus Shortsword
3 sw1 Weapon Finesse, Acrobatics
4 f3
5 f4 Weapons spec Shortsword
6 SW2 Grace but irrelavant, Weapon Focus Shortsword
7 SW3 Insightful strike
8 f5
9 f6 Improved Shield Bash, Agile Shield Fighter
10 f7
11 f8 Greater Weapon Focus
12 f9 Dodge
13 f10 Mobility
14 f11
15 f12 Greater weapon Focus, Spring attack
16 f13
17 f14 Bounding assault
18 f15 Rapid Blitz
19 f16 Improved Critical

Male Human Fighter, Tarmedon Paracles
Align LN Race Human
Init +6 Senses Spot +1 Listen +1
Languages Common, Orcish
Hair Sandy Blonde Ht 70” Wt 170#
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AC 18 Touch 12 Flat-footed 16
HP 12, vii
Fort +4 Ref +2 Will +1
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee Shortspear (+3 to hit, 1d6+2, Crit 20 x2)
Shortsword (+3 to hit, 1d6+2, Crit 19-20 x2)
Rngd Shortspear (+3 to hit, Range 20/40/60/80/100, 1d6+2, Crit 20 x2)
BA +1, Grppl +3
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Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 13, Chr 8
Special Qualities Get +1 Skill point per level and +4 SK Pts 1st level, Bonus Feat
Feats Quick Draw, Combat Expertise, Improved Initiative
Skills (16) Climb 4/+6, Swim 4/+6, Jump 4/+6, Intimidate 4/+3, Search 0/+1, Tumble 0/0