Experts Help!

[Dindae]

Didn't know where else to search!
In dire need of professional help!

What's the case?
I'm starting to play a bit of an anckward session with friends from another town on skype.
We just recently decided to put myself also into the game.
The DM (A close friend of mine), since having no other PC, but, one who is currently an NPC, decided to give me this one, since the whole team would love to see me in (and I would really much enjoy it, since they are great team )
But, alas, there is a problem.
They are playing by 4ed, and I got a crazy character (actually all of the PC are pretty much crazy...like I said, anckward session)
-a doppelganger arcanist with fighting skills (basically a sword mage, or something close to it)
And now I beg you guys, to Help! ^^
Since I have no idea what class should we use for the character (4ed arcane-fighting...if possible) and was wondering if we could just apply the template from the monsters manual with no problems...
Oh, and yes...there is no problem with the character being owerpowering, since it must be so because of the story...

Anyhow, you may delete the post, or place it somewhere else on the forum (since I thought this is the best place to start off), I won't mind.

But please, help.

P.s. the greatest help is needed upon the question of class for the doppelganger char.(single fight/arcane class)

Big thanks in front!

 

[the Jester]

4e actually has a swordmage class. It sounds exactly like what you're looking for. It's in the Forgotten Realms book, or on the D&D Insider Character Builder.

Good luck, and good gaming!

 

[Dindae]

Jester thank you so much!
But, just for every case, is there another one like the similar swordmage class?
Because the swordmage focuses more on fighting then on spellcasting. (and I think the DM was hinting something more towards the arcane powers of the char...)
Perhaps there exists another one with the reversed order? More epmhasis on spellcasting then on fighting?

Anyhow, Thanks a lot, and GB!

 

[fissionessence]

You could use the hybrid rules [scheduled to appear in PH3] [previewed in D&D Insider] to create a dragon sorcerer|fighter or something like that. You would have some ranged spells and some melee attacks.

~

 

[aco175]

I have looked at the hybrid rules and cant wait to play them. The rules allow you to multiclass similar to older editions, rather than what is presented in the PHB.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Another option would be using the 4e standard multi-classing rules. They don't give you as much access to the second class as hybrid does, but they are in the PHB, which could be an advantage if you don't have access to DDI.

For example you could build a Doppleganger Warlock with a multi-class in rogue. Using the Sneak of Shadows feat (PHB p208) you get the Thievery skill and you can use Sneak Attack once per encounter. Warlocks also have the Shadow Walk class feature, which is pretty useful for rogues. Martial Power also has the Ruthless Efficiency feat, which gives you Stealth and the Ruthless Ruffian class feature (which can actually be a pretty decently useful thing with the right implement I believe).

There are also things like Pact Daggers which are good items for a Warlock/Rogue combo.

You can take power swap feats if you want as well and get various rogue powers. Specialize in using the Rapier (you can get a pact rapier) if you want to play with a more substantial weapon than dagger. A mage's weapon could also be a good choice.

Doppleganger is an NPC class which is in the back of the Monster Manual. It isn't theoretically designed for PCs, but it will work fine.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

The easy way to be a doppelganger? Play a Changeling; they're in the Eberron Players' Guide.

For class? Either go Swordmage, or do a multiclass/hybrid build.

 

[Dindae]

Thank u all so much! ^^
Hm. But, now that I think of it...I think I'll stick to the swordmage class. It will make it a lot easier...it is actually all about RP-ing, not Hack/Slash -ing.

And as for the race choice...I think I will have to discuss that with the DM. Since shapechangers can only alter their faces/bodies...not their armours (btw. I find them better suited for the purpose of the swordmage - who is actually a bounty hounter), but I think, the DM had a doppelganger in mind, since from the thing he mentioned, this NPc could change his whole apperance, including, robes and armour..
And with that I have a question (The last one ^^).
For instance, I am a doppelganger with a studded leather and a scimitar in hand.
I shapechange to an arcane scholar of candlekeep. Or to an gythanki illithid slayer. Or to a druid of the order of the radiant heart. (my fav classes ^^)
What happens with my scimitar and studded leather at hand?
I mean, they can't dissapear, that's obvius...does that mean, that only my "apperance" changes, similiar to an invisibility spell. - i cannot be seen, but i retain all of my characteristics? In this case, I cannot be seen as an doppelganger in studded leather and a scimitar in hand, but i am seen as an illithid slayer with a scimitar in hand? Or with a studded and a scimitar?
But where is the difference then from the shapechanger from eberron and the doppelganger?

I mean...what happens with the equipment if I alter my looks from Tom Bombadill to a Warforged paladin?

 

[Flipguarder]

Thank u all so much! ^^
Hm. But, now that I think of it...I think I'll stick to the swordmage class. It will make it a lot easier...it is actually all about RP-ing, not Hack/Slash -ing.

And as for the race choice...I think I will have to discuss that with the DM. Since shapechangers can only alter their faces/bodies...not their armours (btw. I find them better suited for the purpose of the swordmage - who is actually a bounty hounter), but I think, the DM had a doppelganger in mind, since from the thing he mentioned, this NPc could change his whole apperance, including, robes and armour..
And with that I have a question (The last one ^^).
For instance, I am a doppelganger with a studded leather and a scimitar in hand.
I shapechange to an arcane scholar of candlekeep. Or to an gythanki illithid slayer. Or to a druid of the order of the radiant heart. (my fav classes ^^)
What happens with my scimitar and studded leather at hand?
I mean, they can't dissapear, that's obvius...does that mean, that only my "apperance" changes, similiar to an invisibility spell. - i cannot be seen, but i retain all of my characteristics? In this case, I cannot be seen as an doppelganger in studded leather and a scimitar in hand, but i am seen as an illithid slayer with a scimitar in hand? Or with a studded and a scimitar?
But where is the difference then from the shapechanger from eberron and the doppelganger?

I mean...what happens with the equipment if I alter my looks from Tom Bombadill to a Warforged paladin?

Imposter’s Armor Level 6+
In the blink of an eye, this metal armor can fade into rags or
robes, providing the perfect disguise for any situation.

Armor: Chain, Scale, Plate
Enhancement: AC
Power (At-Will ✦ Polymorph): Minor Action. You can
transform this armor into a normal-looking set of clothes.
While in clothes form, the armor does not provide an
armor bonus, but neither does it impose an armor check
penalty or speed reduction. You can add this armor’s
enhancement bonus to any Bluff check made to attempt
to disguise your appearance. You can change this armor
back into its true form as a minor action.


Summoned Armor Level 6+
One need never worry about being caught unarmored while
possessing this extraordinary armor.
Armor: Any
Enhancement: AC
Power (At-Will): Minor Action. You banish this armor
to a secure extradimensional location. At any point in
the future, unless you are wearing armor, you can use
another minor action to recall the armor. The armor
appears on you as though you had donned it normally.

Dynamic Weapon Level 6+
This weapon transforms into any other melee weapon that its
wielder desires.
Weapon: Any melee
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus
Power (Encounter ✦ Polymorph): Minor Action. Change the
weapon into a different weapon from any melee category
(simple, military, or superior). This effect lasts until the end
of the encounter, or until you end it as a minor action.

Cloaked Weapon Level 8+
This naturally invisible weapon becomes visible when it hits.
Weapon: Any
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus
Property: This weapon is invisible to everyone but the
creature possessing it. As the wielder of the weapon, you
gain combat advantage with melee attacks made using
the weapon until you successfully hit, at which point the
weapon becomes visible to everyone.
A cloaked weapon turns invisible again after being
sheathed for a short rest (5 minutes).

 

[Dindae]

Excellent!
Great data Flipguarder!
By implementing this items on to a shapechanger will permit my character to have "full" shapechange abilities, without compromising his race features. Superb!
And since I'm starting as an 11lv. char, the item restriction won't pose a problem also!

Thank you all for the quick and thorough help!