Dwarven Lumberjack

[Evilhalfling]

If you are going to use sunder, make sure to get and admantium axe - you will be the envy of every lumberjack in the forest. Its like a fantasy chainsaw.
I had a miner with an admantium pick and his tunneling rate was double that of a normal pick.

 

[Imruphel]

Interesting concept.

I would drop the idea of including any druid levels as I can't imagine a druid being a professional treelopper!

 

[Tonguez]

Lol great minds!

My latest character concept is also a Dwarf Lumberjack. I wanted a Dwarf who weilded throwing axes so went for Dwarf Ranger and the axe theme just suggested - the Zerhackers the dwarf clans who spend their time in the alpine forests harvesting the spars and lumber required for building the mines.

ergo Prof Seige Engineer, Climb etc are all good extra's to take, along with the various combat feats (including point blank shot for those throwing axes)

 

[Stormrunner]

r.e. "Toughness blech" - I seem to recall that Improved Toughness (+1 hp/hit die) counts as Toughness for prerequisite purposes. Can anyone confirm this?

Other fun feats:
Kiai Shout ("TIIMMBEEEEEERRRRRRRRR!!!")
Axespike (get your DM to agree you can use your climbing bootspikes instead of armor spikes)
Mountain Warrior (gives extra bonuses when you have "higher ground" - which you probably will have if you're fighting from the branches)

I love the concept.

 

[smootrk]

Let me get a checklist of sorts for the ideas. I like the Fighter & Ranger Progression offered but the exact feat choices will vary based upon allowance of the alternate Ranger Weapon sytle choice... either Strongarm (Power Attack, Sunder, Great Cleave), or Two Weapon (Two Weapon, Imp. Two Weapon, Greater Two Weapon). I will take Strongarm if allowed with Greataxe as my chosen weapon for the focus/specialization, otherwise the two weapon ranger style will be my default with Urgosh as the weapon for the focus/specialization.

Skills
1. Climbing Ranks (f)
2. Perform Chant or Sing (1 or 2 ranks for flavor) (cc)
3. Profession Siege Engineer Ranks (r)
4. Profession Lumberjack (r)
5. Knowledge Nature (r)
6. Craft Carpentry ? (f)
7. Knowledge Archetecture/Engineering (cc)
8. Balance

Feats although exact choices will vary with Ranger Weapon Style Choice
1. Weapon Focus (Urgrosh or Greataxe)
2. Power Attack
3. Weapon Specialization
4.

Variant Rules or Additional Thoughts
1. Ranger Weapon Sytles (Strong Arm variant, or Two Weapon)
2. Synergy Bonus for Climbing trees
3. Climbing Kit is a must
4. Adamantine Weapon ASAP
5. Synergy Bonus for Balance Checks on Logs in Water

Does anyone know of any other PRC choices that might work with the concept? The 2 offered don't seem to mesh in my mind. I have a flexible DM, so non-wotc are possible. So far I picture the concept as very Paul Bunyon... like the Brawny paper-towel man with a beard. Flannel Shirt, Suspenders... the works.

I really appreciate the input of the 'power gamer types' even if I don't typically try to chart out the progress of my characters in this way. It helps to have a roadmap to character development.

 

[Percivellian]

You should have a serious balance check modifier for log rolling!

 

[smootrk]

You should have a serious balance check modifier for log rolling!

Another good idea for a synergy bonus with ranks of Profession Lumberjack.

 

[smootrk]

Interesting concept.

I would drop the idea of including any druid levels as I can't imagine a druid being a professional treelopper!

I somewhat agree that the typical druid tree hugger does not make sense. Certainly not the kind that works towards a balance in nature. I thought he/she might have druid insight to nature in order to exploit/harvest the best nature has to offer.

Much like a commercial fisherman knows alot about fish, fish environments, etc. to maximize hauls. Or an expert hunter has intimate knowledge on the game he/she hunts. One of the reasons that some of the best Forest Rangers (real world) come from a hunter background.

All that aside, I think the Ranger aspect has a bit more to offer anyway, and is not necessarily tied to a philosophy of conservation/balance. My specific character concept certainly does not give a rat's a** about conservation of the forests. He would likely be at odds with the traditional druids of a region. His motivations are merchantile, and based on getting the lumber back to other dwarven clans who do more mining, smithy, stonework and the like. But please, this is not necessarily my personal opinion on environmental issues... he is just a character archetype I am working on.... so no thread hijacks on environmental issues...

 

[IamTheTest]

Knowlege(nature) seems like it should fit better than any other Knowlege skill. There are footspikes in Races of the Wild, though I dont think they exactly fit...it might be a start. Also Wildwood Armor seems like it could fit thematically and mechanically for a fighter/ranger type.

 

[smootrk]

Knowlege(nature) seems like it should fit better than any other Knowlege skill. There are footspikes in Races of the Wild, though I dont think they exactly fit...it might be a start. Also Wildwood Armor seems like it could fit thematically and mechanically for a fighter/ranger type.

You are right. Knowledge Nature is a must, and I see potential for synergy bonuses (from prof. lumberjack ranks) when dealing with trees and/or treelike beings, coupled with the Ranger Foe of Plants, should make this individual very knowledgeable about his particular environment.

As for foot spikes, I have not read about them specifically, but the climbing kit in PHB seems to include those in the kit. The Wildwood armor seems promising as well, but I will likely try to make a version of it with a decidedly dwarven flair, but ultimately he will likely be lightly armored anyway to take advantage of the Ranger capabilities.

Any other thoughts out there for a flannel shirt wearing, dwarven lumberjack with witty sayings like "Hey, hoser. Do ye have any beer, aye?"