Give me a concept, watch me build it!

[I'm A Banana]

I don't promise it'll be thourough, but it'll be better than I did in the thread on modding that inspired this.

So I accept the challenge. Give me a character concept. I'd tell you how I'd do with a minimum of adding new classes. I'll work only with the core, but I don't promise not to toss in a few 'feat suggestions' or 'prestige class suggestions' that most DM's could probably work into decent feats and PrC's no problem.

Challenge me. If I can't do it without adding a new class, I'll readily admit it.

[NOTE: Swashbuckler-style I concede is a needed D&D class...and by that I mean a Dex-based front-line warrior who focuses on mobility]

 

[Imperialus]

a lightly armed and armoured horseman. Possibly with a bit of mounted archery thrown in. Most the focus on light HTH hit and run tactics though.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Go ranger or Barbarian, depending on what kind of horseman you want. Rangers would be better at archery, Barbarians would be better at kickin' butt. Multiclass for both. Make the horse your animal companion, for extra goodies.

 

[SpuneDagr]

I've seen this done to death, but here goes.
A Final Fantasy-style Dragoon, complete with super-human jump powers.

 

[I'm A Banana]

SHAMELESS SELF-PLUG



Otherwise, this is a Mod situation.

If you don't want the whole FF-style package, I'd go with a Fighter, but without bonus feats, limited in weapons to martial spears, and instead with the Dragoon's jump progression...You could also do the jump progression as feats (a feat that gives you +1d6 damage when you jump-attack), for even less of a mod.

 

[RangerWickett]

A Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Willow-esque witch, who has to spend about a minute casting any given spell, but can try to do crazy things like bind infernal demons even if she's only 1st or 2nd level.

A halfling with magical powers that let her fight with the strength of a giant and use weapons bigger than her own body.

A pacifist priest who cares nothing about harming others. He learns magic to dissuade and paralyze foes without injuring them.

 

[I'm A Banana]

With long-term casting is iffy, at best, in a power sense, but is pretty easy to do, if the DM's cool with it.

You could use an adpet. Compose a limited spell list, and rule that casting time is always at least one minute. In exchange, give them access to higher-level spells at lower level, and less of them. Something like on a two-for one basis (two first level spells = one second level spell, etc. on the way up)...probably want a max-out point, but it's not needed. I'm not that familiar with Buffy, so I don't know if there's other quirks I'd need to prepare for...

The halfling could be done with a cleric. Buffs himself a lot (divine power, bull's strength, etc), and with new feats that allow them to use weapons bigger than usual (something like Monkey Grip). Perhaps a worthy enough candidate for a PrC that grants things like extra reach, and enhanced 'size categories' (though they're really no bigger than Small, still).

The pacifist is easier. Of course, Exalted Deeds has stuff on it, but I'd do it as a monk, perhaps multiclassed with cleric or bard (the music is actually lecturing). In this way, you can opt to do subdual damage with all your attacks instead of regular damage with no penalty...so you won't kill them, and won't permanently hurt them. If violence at all is against you, I'd go with straight cleric/bard. That should give you enough guards and charms and illusions to be the bane of anything that wants to hurt you.

 

[rbingham2000]

The Book of Exalted Deeds has the Vow of Nonviolence, which means you've taken a vow never to harm any person or other humanoid creature. To use a real-world example, I can see a Catholic priest or similar person taking this kind of vow.

If you want to go further, the book also features the Vow of Peace, an extension of the Vow of Nonviolence which means you've vowed never to harm ANY living creature, great or small. To use another real-world example, I can see a Buddhist monk or similar person taking this kind of vow.

Either of these would be appropriate for your pacifistic priest, and if you want to go the prestige class route, I direct you to the Apostle of Peace, which is also in the Book of Exalted Deeds. Also included in the book is a section on how to play such a character, called "Waging Peace."

As for classes to go for, I would second the cleric or the bard.

 

[Morpheus]

I'm not that familiar with Buffy...QUOTE]

Blasphemy!

 

[Ashy]

How 'bout that concept *I* gave ya?