Dwarven Axe-thrower... how?

[Reaper Steve]

So, I'm starting to empathize with the people who can't build their 'dream character.'

Here's what I want, but can't figure out how to make effectively: a dwarf that wields two axes or hammers, one or both of which is of the throwing variety.

I love that throwing axes and warhammers are heavy thrown and therefore use STR for basic attacks. However, if I go the ranger route, all of the characters ranged powers will use DEX. I feel like I'd be giving up the benefit of the weapon if I chose powers that used DEX instead of STR.

The rogue route isn't even an option as those weapons aren't compatible with the rogue powers.

Fighters pretty much don't get any ranged powers.

Does anyone have a workaround through multiclassing, or maybe just a different perspective?

Here's hoping 'Martial Power' will have a class build for the character that likes thrown weapons or some other new option that makes this directly viable.

 

[abyssaldeath]

I think for something like that you would have to work with your DM. If I were the DM I would allow you to swap ability mods for your ranger powers. All str mods are now Dex and all Dex are now Str.

 

[ki11erDM]

Your DM needs to let the heavy throwing weapon rule override the range Dex for range attack rule. I personally think it already does this with no DM intervention but most here don’t seem to think that way… *shrug*

 

[Reaper Steve]

I was looking through the PHB... maybe ranger TWF build is perfect for this guy.
There are plenty of powers that are melee or ranged. If I focus on those, then I have a very flexible ranger in that he doesn't have to use actions to swap weapons to use the same power in a different manner. For example, a ranger with a bow would have to spend a free action to drop it and a minor action (maybe two?) to draw his two swords to use his power in melee. My dwarf doesn't have this problem. If fact. giving him Quickdraw would let him be a hacking/throwing machine gun.

I would like it if the heavy thrown property trumped the powers' DEX vs. AC attacks, but I don't think that's the case. I think a there should be a feat that would allow for it though. Then again, evidently a ranger that uses a crossbow overcomes the 'load minor' property when using a power, so it stands to reason that 'heavy thrown' could still be honored when using a power...

 

[SableWyvern]

Then again, evidently a ranger that uses a crossbow overcomes the 'load minor' property when using a power...

Nearly. He has to have a loaded weapon before he can use the power. The power then allows him as many free reloads as he needs to get off the specified number of shots. After he's finished attacking, the weapon needs reloading again.

 

[Master Witch]

I personally would make a dwarven ranger that focuses on dex. Either style ranger works as you seem to be looking at a short range brawler that throws weapons. (5/ 10 squares) The only time the str would come in would be on attacks with a basic range attack. As far as I can see the only good time to use basic attacks would be opportunity attacks and you would not use range attacks for those anyway. Get a couple magic handaxes or throwing hammers so they come back to you like boomerangs and your set. (See thrown weapons page 232 PH)

 

[Mort_Q]

What's wrong with a TWF Ranger that uses basic ranged attacks when appropriate?

It's not that bad, considering all the other cool stuff a TWF can do, and that all magic weapons are, by default, returning weapons.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Here's what I want, but can't figure out how to make effectively: a dwarf that wields two axes or hammers, one or both of which is of the throwing variety.

I love that throwing axes and warhammers are heavy thrown and therefore use STR for basic attacks. However, if I go the ranger route, all of the characters ranged powers will use DEX. I feel like I'd be giving up the benefit of the weapon if I chose powers that used DEX instead of STR.

First up - it's only really a benefit to use str instead of dex for a thrown weapon if you have a significantly better strength than dex.

That's not necessarily the case for a ranger - a melee ranger does well boosting his dex as well as str. So you're not actually losing anything with a high-str, high-dex ranger who uses throwing axes or hammers, except for the fact that they have access to much better thrown weapons.

Next up - IIRC, throwing axes/hammers are worse than the default rogue weapons (they're +2/1d6, like a sling with crap range). As a DM, I'd allow a player to choose them as his default rogue weapon without a second thought.

 

[On Puget Sound]

I'm not sure I would rule that a weapon's standard stat overrules a power's stat. If you do it for heavy thrown rangee attacks, consistency ("the hobgoblin of little minds", I know) would also turn all cleric WIS-based, or paladin CHA-based, weapon attacks into STR attacks because that's what the weapon normally uses.

As a DM, I'd simply say that if you want to build an axe-thrower, STR and DEX will both be important and should probably be your two primary stats (not a bad idea for a ranger anyway). Your dwarven bonuses to CON and WIS will still be quite useful for HP, surges, will defense, ranger skills and WIS-based power bonuses.

Bending the rules for each character concept to allow it to be "optimized" rather than "workable" is not necessary, nor IMO a good idea.
STR 16
CON 14
DEX 16
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 10
should work fine.
Dwarven Weapon Training is the obvious first feat, and Quick Draw should probably be the second.

 

[Klaus]

I was looking through the PHB... maybe ranger TWF build is perfect for this guy.
There are plenty of powers that are melee or ranged. If I focus on those, then I have a very flexible ranger in that he doesn't have to use actions to swap weapons to use the same power in a different manner. For example, a ranger with a bow would have to spend a free action to drop it and a minor action (maybe two?) to draw his two swords to use his power in melee. My dwarf doesn't have this problem. If fact. giving him Quickdraw would let him be a hacking/throwing machine gun.

I would like it if the heavy thrown property trumped the powers' DEX vs. AC attacks, but I don't think that's the case. I think a there should be a feat that would allow for it though. Then again, evidently a ranger that uses a crossbow overcomes the 'load minor' property when using a power, so it stands to reason that 'heavy thrown' could still be honored when using a power...

I don't think there's need of a feat. The "Heavy Thrown" quality overrides the power description, in the "exception-based design" notion 4e is built around. Go nuts.

And keep in mind that all thrown magic weapons return to the wielder's hand after the attack is resolved.