front-liner for a new campaign.

[krupintupple]

long story short, some dorm-mates from last year are up for a campaign. we figured we'd play as much as possible, lest school bring an untimely stop to things, as it usually does.

a friend texted me and said that the group so far is a very blastery sorcerer, a warlock and a cleric geared towards summoning. i've been 'suggested' to try a fighter (probably optimized toward defence), a duskblade or a psy-warrior.

we'll be starting at 2nd with double normal funds (worried much?), but i'm wondering the pros and the cons of each and what enworld would pick. doug's a fair DM, and is known for trying to incorporate all elements of the game, so there may actually be a downside to a STR18, INT6 stereotype warrior dude.

 

[blargney the second]

What sources are allowed, what is the stat generation method, and what's your preferred playstyle?
-blarg

ps - At first blush I'd go with an aura-generating melee warrior, but there are many ways to go about that depending largely on your answers to the above questions.

 

[krupintupple]

What sources are allowed, what is the stat generation method, and what's your preferred playstyle?
-blarg

i'll answer as best i can: he said we can use the usual suspects (PHB, XPB), all of the complete books, the PHB2 and the Eberron Campaign setting, since he felt it had some 'psionicy' stuff in it. he hasn't exactly banned forgotten realms, but we've not many of the books - they're in alaska until january, don't ask - and he's really only said a direct "No" to the tome of battle.

Stat generation is 28 point buy, or roll 4d6 six times, dropping lowest. arrange as needed.

Preferred playstyle is about as close as you can get to a front-liner, without actually being the main front-liner, but with a healthy dose of the unusual. typically, i enjoy playing characters that can be the sterotype, such as the hulking warrior, but with the added twist of a 'few tricks here and there' - which drew me to the duskblade/psy-warrior.

 

[roguerouge]

Try the knight. It's ability to force tactics on the opposition means that it, unlike most front line fighters, can actually be competent at battlefield control.

 

[green slime]

2nd Level? You can't go very wrong, no matter what you do.

I'd be inclined to play a human fighter.

Power Attack, Weapon Focus Great Sword or Scythe, Combat Expertise +1 more feat (Luck of Heroes, from FRCS, if you can get it).

28 point buy

Str: 17 (13 points)
Dex: 13 (5 points)
Con: 13 (5 points)
Int: 13 (5 points)
Wis 8
Cha 8

Intelligence for the skill points, and Combat Expertise: you don't get skill points retroactively for raising your stat. You do get extra hp should you raise your Con....

Skills:
Tumble
Swim
Jump
Climb
Balance

 

[blargney the second]

Have you considered dragon shaman? The auras would mesh nicely with the cleric's summons, and d10 hp is certainly adequate for taking hits.

Possible "help your buddies, hinder your enemies" build option: dragon shaman/wolf totem barbarian (for Imp Trip). Take Combat Reflexes and Stand Still for feats.
-blarg

 

[Runestar]

A crusader would have been the perfect tank, but too bad, ToB is banned.

Note that a fighter makes a fairly poor tank, namely because it has very few ways of forcing an enemy to want to deal with it over another PC. Consider a spiked chain tripper, though it can be a little tricky to play.

 

[green slime]

A crusader would have been the perfect tank, but too bad, ToB is banned.

Note that a fighter makes a fairly poor tank, namely because it has very few ways of forcing an enemy to want to deal with it over another PC. Consider a spiked chain tripper, though it can be a little tricky to play.

At 2nd level, the only thing forcing the enemy to deal with the fighter is the fact the fighter is constantly whacking people around the head with his great sword, while the mage is busy missing with his crossbow...

 

[Runestar]

At 2nd level, the only thing forcing the enemy to deal with the fighter is the fact the fighter is constantly whacking people around the head with his great sword, while the mage is busy missing with his crossbow...

You mean besides the fact that the wizard has fewer hp, lower AC, and the potential to shut down combat with a single application of sleep? The fighter can do lots of damage, that I do not dispute, but if you hoping for some sort of 4e'esque defender tank, a conjurer generally does the job better (though you will need to be at least 5th lv before it kicks off).

 

[green slime]

You mean besides the fact that the wizard has fewer hp, lower AC, and the potential to shut down combat with a single application of sleep? The fighter can do lots of damage, that I do not dispute, but if you hoping for some sort of 4e'esque defender tank, a conjurer generally does the job better (though you will need to be at least 5th lv before it kicks off).

But of course the wizard has a big sign rotating around his head, reading "arcane spell caster".

How many of the enemy combatants at second level are going to read that sign?