Dragonrider, Mounted Archer

[Lanfear]

yeah, i thoughtabout that before, but after talking to our cleric, we came to the conclusion, that a paladin suits very well to his cleric. We will be a good team.

the EXP-penalty will not be a problem, as we dont use this rule. on the other side, we focus heavily on straight character concepts, so we do not prefer Multiclassing over multiple classes just to get the bonuses from everywhere. Thats why i have a bad feeling when thinking about taking fighter levels just for the feats.

if i go with the dragon Cohort, i have to use one feat, as with Dragon Steed now. but i´m losing the Paladin Spell-list (i still have to compare the spell lists of paladin and ranger), and you stated correctly, that i will not be able to use the paladin spell list for wands.

the other thing is, i´m not quite sure if its shiny if i change the concept from the glowing proud paladin ranger to the mud-creeping sniper style. well, it might be cool for the halfling outrider, but what thinks a shiny silver dragon of this when it comes to the question of if he wants to serve such a creature ^^


I just finished my riding dog, maybe you want to have a look

 

[Lanfear]

maybe i should just skip the paladin part, change from silver to green, chaotic evil, take some levels in assassin and specialize in poisons

*joking*

 

[irdeggman]

maybe i should just skip the paladin part, change from silver to green, chaotic evil, take some levels in assassin and specialize in poisons

*joking*

Poisons won't generally have an affect on undead ; )

But things always get complicated when you have a complex character concept in mind and then even worse when you try to plan out his entire advancement.

When I do a new character I make up is personality and key motivations and "concept" but allow of growth and change as the character progresses. I do look ahead at any prestige classes that might fit the concept so that I can "plan" to meet the prerequisites.

But if you lock yourself in too tightly a lot of the fun goes away, especially since the story is supposed to unfold as time goes on (and it changes based on what the "party" does).

Always remember that your character should never be able to do everything - all PCs have "niches" to fill in the party and that is one of the design concept sof 3.5 - that the party works together and not independently.

I have played with some great role-players who have trouble with the "niche" concept and attempt to have their PC do everything thus taking away the spotlight from those who focused on certain things.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Oh and don't forget the multiclass xp penalty since ranger, paladin nor fighter are "favored classes" for a halfling. 20% xp penalty for each that is more than 1 level from the highest one - so could be a 40% penalty.

If he does Ranger 4 / Pal 5 / Outrider 10, he'll never face an xp penalty as long as he handles the first few levels wisely (and picks up Devoted Tracker ASAP to be able to continue alternating his levels in Pal and Ranger). At level 20, he'll either have to go into Ranger 5, which at least gives a favored enemy, or dip a prestige class. Wild Plains Outrider is only a 3 level prestige class. I'd need to check the requirements, but it would probably work to finish off the build.




As for Half-Dragon, again. There are feats to become dragon-blooded, racial draconic variants for all of the core races, and cheaper LA templates to become a dragon. From Races of the Dragon and Dragonomicon, is the Draconic template. LA +1, gives dragonblood subtype, minor features like claws and tough skin, +2 str, con, and cha, weak claw attacks, and some other stuff. Is there any particular reason you have to use the Half-Dragon template? Draconic means you had a dragon as an ancestor.

Feats: You want PBS and Precise Shot early, I don't see the need for breath weapon feats, and certainly not early. Really, you've got enough stuff to focus on without adding a breath weapon to the mix. Don't take weapon focus unless it's required for something. You'll have good dex and full BAB, you won't have problems hitting. Unless the DM actually lets you encounter or see enemies from hundreds/thousands of feet away on a regular basis, don't get Far Shot. You might want Ride-by Attack and Spiritual Charge with a lance for backup weapon. Just to have the ability to melee if necessary. And outrider works nearly as well for helping a melee mounted character as a ranged one. Since you'll never see ranger 11, consider Improved Precise Shot. It helps for firing into grapples and in areas of concealment, well worth a feat, IMO. Improved Rapid Shot (C.Warrior) to get rid of the -2 on Rapid Shot is nice, but not really needed. I've always liked Woodlands Archer tactical feat (Races of the Wild) for any archer, though. Finally, the Serenity feat (C.Champion) will let all your paladin stuff be based on wisdom instead of charisma, making you less multiple ability dependent and synergizing with ranger a little better.

 

[Darklone]

Some new ideas... you have some pally levels. What about Devoted Performer, bards songs, Bow of songs and Divine Might? You'll get twice your Cha bonus plus bard song (+5 or +6) to damage, and Cha bonus plus bard song to hit. Rapid Shot is a must, haste items too. Since you're multiclassed, you'll have 6 shots per round with +25 to damage per arrow... not counting weapon or strength bonuses. Only problem: Sooner or later you'll run out of turn and bardic music attempts.

 

[irdeggman]

Unless the DM actually lets you encounter or see enemies from hundreds/thousands of feet away on a regular basis, don't get Far Shot.

Remember that Far Shot doubles the range of thrown weapons and since the feat is not weapons specific it applies all of the time. So with a dagger or handaxe as a backup melee weapon, it could still be handy.

But yes I agree with the other possibilities. Far too many ways to go to focus on both ranged weapons and breath weapons, IMO.