Creating a Bodyguard What can you contribute..

[RayneBlythewood9]

I have a 6th level non-combative character who just took Leadership and decided to create a Bodyguard for him. I think the character will be headed for the Dwarven Defender PrC. The stats that I have for the character are 17,17,12,12,10,6.

I have a few ideas for him, but wanted to get any other suggestions that may help or make him a better/ cooler bodyguard.

I gave him 3 Racial levels in Dwarf and 1 level in fighter.
He would get +4 to con for dwarf and possibly another point at 4th level.
I gave him +1 fullplate, +1 Large Steel shield and a Dwarven Waraxe.
I was thinking of creating a ring of Shield Other for the character. Perhaps once or twice per day. That's pretty much what I've got. Other than a little flavor for the storyline of what been going on.

Let me know what you think... all suggestions all welcome and appreciated.
Thanks

 

[shilsen]

Do you specifically want suggestions for making him a more effective Dwarven Defender or other options too? If it's the latter, a cleric might be a good bodyguard too. Combines both combat ability and spells (esp. healing and protection), which I think are very helpful in a bodyguard-type character. A paladin also works in that area, but whether that would work in this specific instance depends on the nature of the character being guarded.

 

[Dinkeldog]

You could also look at devoted defender instead of dwarven defender. The former makes for a better bodyguard, with the "switch places" ability and all.

 

[Saeviomagy]

You could also look at devoted defender instead of dwarven defender. The former makes for a better bodyguard, with the "switch places" ability and all.

Devoted defender is great, although being from sword and fist, your DM might not allow/know it. There is a PC in the miniatures handbook that fills the same niche and is 3.5, I believe it's called the tactical fighter.

Oh, and get him a shield of missile attraction.

 

[KerlanRayne]

Class: Dwarf 3rd / Fighter 1st

Statistics
Str 17 (+3 Mod) = 17
Dex 12 (+1 Mod) = 12
Con 22 (+6 Mod) = 17 (+2 racial, +2 Dwarf, +1 level)
Int 10 (+0 Mod) = 10
Wis 12 (+1 Mod) = 12
Cha 04 (-3 Mod) = 06 (-2 racial)

HP: 46 (Average)
AC: 23 (Base 10, +9 Armor, +3 Shield, +1 Dex)

Attacks:
+7 Melee, Dwarven Waraxe, 1d10+3, 20/x3

KerlanRayne

 

[Sejs]

Tower Shields and Devoted Defender levels.

"Oop we switch places so your attack now targets me, aaaand I have 100% cover from my shield."

Being a good grappler is also very handy for those non-thick 'o combat bodyguarding situations. Can't go around in full plate at a fancy dinner party after all. I mean what would the neighbors think?


As for eventual magic items for the bodyguard - ring of sustenance (less sleep is a wonderful thing), and bracers of armor +1 with as much fortification as you can afford (no sneakin up and stealthing the bodyguard...uh..ing.)

Oh, and for the stats - 17 in Con, 17 in wisdom. I'd strongly considder putting his first attribute advancement into wisdom to bring it to a nice, round 18 and then leave it at that.

 

[FCWesel]

There's a DRAGON magazine with alternate takes on the base classes. It's issue 310, page 32. "Specialist Fighters". Basically it's treated the same way a specialist wizard is, only they have fighter themes built into specialist packages.

There's Bodyguard, Commander, Corsair, Exoticist, Fencer, Horseman, Kensai, Knight, Pugilist. Note that these aren't the classes listed in UA, these are simply slight alterations (give and take) to the core Fighter class.

I hade a player who did the Bodyguard for a game and he later took the Devoted Defender PRC. Worked out well.

 

[Shallown]

MAke sure to give him some javelins and a spiked gauntlet so he can help fight a little while still bodyguarding you. He can hit people as they move in toward you. You may also want to consider going for a two handed reach weapon that will allow him more territory control to protect you and not worry about shield AC. WIth the fullplate and other buffs he should do fine. Let him be the hit point sink with a shield other which you can cast (I'm in this game so I know) off a scroll or wand. Then you can heal him if you need to using UMD. MAybe a glaive with hold the line and improved trip putting a 12 into intelligence. This may be thinking down the road.

So you think the GM is going to nix the group face man NPC?

later

 

[RayneBlythewood9]

Thanks for the replies...

As far as I can see everyone has strengthened my earlier ideas. I do need to get my hands on the complete warrior and see if their is anything in their that can help. But i figured fighter would help this guy get more feats to defend. Unfortunately only 3.5 material is legal so no sword and fist, but maybe i could talk him into a feat from it.
I have got him equipped with a bunch of stuff, but i'm thinking armor and reach weapon will be the better version and of course the spiked guantlet.

Can anyone figure out what a ring of shield other would run?
With an activation of 1 or 2 times per day?

Thanks