Gwendilyn, 7th level character (title change)

[Herobizkit]

I don't have the time or inclination to post the full character, especially since he's not overly min/maxed. But; Monk 4 / Rogue 6...

Yup, that's exactly what I did for a one-shot adventure that was supposed to be a campaign. I also made him a halfling, gave him Two-Weapon Fighting, and used a pair of sai.

If my math was correct (Can't remember it now...), I could get 5 attacks a round using my sai with flurry of blows; my intent was to make him the ultimate disarming machine.

Coupled with a pair of boots of speed, my little kung-fu hero would run into battle, tumble past all the mooks, charge the spellcaster and beat him senseless. With an amulet of natural weaponry or some such, my fists became +2 weapons, and I used said weapons to pummel some minor vampire sorcerers into dust.

Coupled with my grossly high saves, they couldn't touch me.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

(hypothetical)

Gwindylin didn't do very well through 1st level. Not very well at all.
Gwindylin came from an exalted nation, with exalted rulers and exalted peoples. Now out in the world of Kill or Be Killed, she proved a reluctant warrior and an annoying moralist. And she could not pull her weight in combat, because of that -2 to hit and her -1 to AC. Her archery skills did not offset the problem, since she had to fight toe-to-toe with many, many monsters.
It wasn't a pretty picture. Indeed, it was a downright ghastly picture (two-handed fighting: -4 attack. Oversized weapon penalty: -2 attack (even with the Monkey Grip feat, I believe.) Flaw penalty: -2 attack. That's -8 to all melee attacks. Even one-handed only, she was at -4 to hit. Gwyndilyn wasn't hitting the broadside of a barn with a large longsword in both hands.)

Yet here she is, at 2nd level (a small miracle, no?) She is sadder but wiser. She is no longer an exalted-wanna-be. She still cries after battles, but the long term trauma to her psyche has eased. And she fights one-handed now (giving her at least a remote chance of hitting the foe.)
She might make a passable warrior yet. Maybe. Right now, she is leveling as a wizard.

The DM has allowed that her attack bonus penalty has dropped from -2 to -1, due to many terrible wounds sustained, many harsh experiences, and an altered mindset. Her -1 to AC remains unchanged.

Note that Gwindylin has lost one point of charisma (and dropped one point in many skills as a result.)
That is due to scarring. Gwindylin is badly scarred, her beauty and grace destroyed by the hits of too many monsters she was unable to successfully hit and damage in time to stop them from hurting her.

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Lady Gwindylin of Varnaith, Bladesinger in Training

- Type: medium humanoid (elf, grey elf subtype)
- Description: 7 feet, 180 pounds, lithe and slender, long black hair, grey eyes, pale skin
- Character level 2, class level fighter 1st / mage 1st, alignment neutral good
- Abilities: strength 15, dexterity 17, constitution 13, intelligence 20, wisdom 11, charisma 11
- Base saves: Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +2
- Adjusted saves: Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +2
- Hit dice (hit points) : 1d10+2 and 1d4+2 (17 hit points)
- Armor class: 18, touch 13, flat footed 14 (+1 dodge where applicable)
- Initiative: +4 (+4 dex)
- Speed: 30 feet (6 squares), space/reach: 5 feet/5 feet
- BAB/grapple: +1/+1
- Attacks: large longsword melee -2 or -6 (2d6+3 19-20/x2), large short sword melee -2 (1d8+3 19-20/x2), composite longbow ranged +5 (1d8 20/x3, ri 100 ft), large darts ranged +2 (1d6+2 20/x2, ri 20 ft)
- Special attacks: attacls with large weapons
- Special qualities: summon familiar, elf traits (+2 int, -2 con, +2 racial to saves (enchantment/charm), racial immunity (sleep), low-light vision, racial martial weapon proficiencies (longsword, rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, composite shortbow), racial skill bonuses (+2 listen, +2 search, +2 spot), racial detection (secret doors), racial languages common and elven, favored class wizard)

- Primary skills: climb +2 (4 ranks, str +2, breastplate -4), concentration +5 (4 ranks), craft +9 (4 ranks, int +5), handle animal +4 (4 ranks, cha +0), intimidate +4 (4 ranks, cha +0), jump +2 (4 ranks, str +2, breastplate -4), knowledge - arcana +7 (2 ranks, int +5), ride +8 (4 ranks, dex +4), spellcraft +9 (4 ranks, int +5), swim -2 (4 ranks, str +2, breastplate -8)

- Other skills: appraise +5 (0 ranks, int +5), balance +0 (0 ranks, dex +4, breastplate -4), bluff +0 (0 ranks, cha +0), diplomacy +0 (0 ranks, cha +0), disguise +0 (0 ranks, cha +0), escape artist +0 (0 ranks, dex +4, breastplate -4), forgery +5 (0 ranks, int +5), gather information +0 (0 ranks, +0 cha), heal +0 (0 ranks, wis +0), hide +0 (0 ranks, dex +4, breastplate -4), intimidate +0 (0 ranks, cha +0), listen +2 (0 ranks, wis +0, racial +2), move silently +0 (0 ranks, dex +4, breastplate -4), perform +0 (0 ranks, cha +0), search +6 (0 ranks, int +5, racial +2), sense motive +0 (0 ranks, wis +0), spot +2 (0 ranks, wis +0, racial +2), survival +0 (0 ranks, wis +0), use rope +4 (0 ranks, dex +4)

- Feats: combat expertise, dodge, monkey grip, two-weapon fighting, scribe scroll
- Drawbacks: noncombatant (-1), vulnerable

- Spells known:
- 0 level: all the 0 level spells in the PHB
- 1st level: charm person, color spray, summon monster one

- Spells memorized:
- 0 level: daze, dancing lights, light
- 1st level: charm person, color spray, summon monster one

- Items: breastplate, large longsword (2), large short sword, longbow, quiver and 20 arrows, 10 large darts, backpack, spellbook, other items

 

[monboesen]

The DM has allowed that her attack bonus penalty has dropped from -2 to -1, due to many terrible wounds sustained, many harsh experiences, and an altered mindset. Her -1 to AC remains unchanged.

IMO its a bad idea to wash out penalties that already have been countered by a bonus (an extra feat in this case). You might as well flat out allow more feats in that case. And to me it seems counter intuituve for a fighter to have those drawbacks. Why (or een how) would she be a fighter if she is basically completely unsuited.

Note that Gwindylin has lost one point of charisma (and dropped one point in many skills as a result.)
That is due to scarring. Gwindylin is badly scarred, her beauty and grace destroyed by the hits of too many monsters she was unable to successfully hit and damage in time to stop them from hurting her.

Charisma has nothing to do with beauty or grace. It's your force of personality. Plenty of people who are not considered beutiful have powerful charisma, are generally well liked and can easily influence people.

Feats: combat expertise, dodge, monkey grip, two-weapon fighting, scribe scroll

Monkey grip is a bad feat for this character. Power attack will be far better. Allows for extra damage by reducing your chance to hit. Just like monkey grip. Only you have more options and is opens up for other nice feats, like cleave.

Two weapon fighting is definately not the way to go for a bladesinger. Bladesingers need one hand free to cast spells and most of their class abilities comes with the following requirement "When wielding a rapier or longsword in one hand and nothing in the other, ...."

As Bladesingers will naturally go for high intelligence I find that the swashbuckler class from the same book is a better choise for fighter levels in a bladesinger build.

Like this

Swashbuckler 3/Wizard 2/Elf paragon 3

Lady Gwindylin of Varnaith, Bladesinger in Training

- Type: medium humanoid (elf, grey elf subtype)
- Description: 7 feet, 180 pounds, lithe and slender, long black hair, grey eyes, pale skin
- Character level 8, class level swashbuckler 3rd / mage 2nd/ elf paragon 3rd, alignment neutral good
- Abilities: strength 15, dexterity 18, constitution 14, intelligence 22, wisdom 11, charisma 12
- Base saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +4
- Adjusted saves: Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +4
- Hit dice (hit points) : 3d10+6, 1d4+2, 3d8+6 (51 hit points)
- Armor class: 18, touch 13, flat footed 14 (+1 dodge where applicable)
- Initiative: +4 (+4 dex)
- Speed: 30 feet (6 squares), space/reach: 5 feet/5 feet
- BAB/grapple: +5/+7
- Attacks: rapier +10 (1d6+2 (+6 precision) 18-20/x2), composite longbow ranged +9 (1d8+2 20/x3, ri 100 ft)
- Special attacks: spells
- Special qualities: summon familiar, elf traits (+4 int, -2 con, +4 racial to saves (enchantment/charm), racial immunity (sleep), low-light vision, racial martial weapon proficiencies (longsword, rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, composite shortbow), racial skill bonuses (+2 listen, +4 search, +4 spot), racial detection (secret doors), racial languages common and elven, favored class wizard)

-Skills: Balance (6 ranks), Concentration (4 ranks), Perform (2 ranks), Perform (2 ranks), Tumble (6 ranks). Unspent skillpoints: Swashbuckler 34 points, Wizard 3 points, Elf paragon 21 points.

- Feats: 1/Dodge, 3/Combat expertise, 6/Combat casting, Weapon finesseb, Weapon focus (rapier)b,

-Spells: As a 3rd level wizard.

From here on she is all ready to take Bladesinger levels.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

What book is the swashbuckler out of, monboesen? I can't find the class.

 

[Elephant]

Complete Warrior.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Thank you very much, Elephant. I'll have a look.

EDIT: I did not understand at all. I realize that now. The swashbuckler is a new CLASS, not a PrC. The hexblade, likewise, is a new class. Thanks much. New classes make for a horse of a different color, as it were.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

I'm going to make Gwendilyn a short, slender, frail elf again. And once more, she has the flaws frail and meager fortitude. Being a grey elf simply doesn't agree with her, as it were.

I'll start Gwendilyn off at 1st level. This is a good idea, in my opinion, for the good reason that I have YET to create a 1st level character that is actually correct by the rules.

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Lady Gwendilyn of Varnaith, Bladesinger in Training

- Type: medium humanoid (elf, grey elf subtype)
- Description: 4 feet 10 inches, 70 pounds, frail beauty, long raven dark hair, grey eyes, milky skin
- Character level 1, class level swashbuckler 1st, alignment neutral good
- Abilities: strength 11 , dexterity 15, constitution 10, intelligence 20, wisdom 15, charisma 17
- Base saves: Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +0
- Adjusted saves: Fort -1, Ref +2, Will +2
- Hit dice (hit points) : 1d10-1 (9 hit points)
- Armor class: 15, touch 13, flat footed 12 (+1 dodge where applicable)
- Initiative: +2 (+2 dex)
- Speed: 30 feet (6 squares), space/reach: 5 feet/5 feet
- BAB/grapple: +1/+1
- Attacks: rapier melee +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2), kukri melee +3 (1d4, 18-20/x2), shortbow ranged +3 (1d6, 20/x3, 60 ft), darts ranged +3 (1d6, 20/x2, 20 ft)
- Special attacks: none
- Special qualities: elf traits (+2 int, -2 con, +2 racial to saves (enchantment/charm), racial immunity (sleep), low-light vision, racial martial weapon proficiencies (rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, composite shortbow), racial skill bonuses (+2 listen, +2 search, +2 spot), racial detection (secret doors), racial languages common and elven, favored class wizard)

- Primary skills: balance +5 (3 ranks, dex +2), bluff +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), climb +3 (3 ranks, str +0), craft +7 (2 ranks, int +5), diplomacy +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), escape artist +5 (3 ranks, dex +2), jump +3 (3 ranks, str +0), perform - dancer +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), perform - singer +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), sense motive +5 (3 ranks, wis +2), swim +2 (2 ranks, str +0), tumble +5 (3 ranks, dex +2), use rope +4 (2 ranks, dex +2)

- Other (untrained, vital) skills: concentration +0 (0 ranks, con +0), gather information +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), heal +2 (0 ranks, wis +2), hide +2 (0 ranks, dex +2), listen +4 (0 ranks, wis +2, racial +2), move silently +2 (0 ranks, dex +2), perform - other +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), search +7 (0 ranks, int +5, racial +2), spot +2 (0 ranks, wis +2, racial +2), survival +0 (0 ranks, wis +2)

- Other (untrained, possibly vital) skills: appraise +5 (0 ranks, int +5), disguise +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), forgery +5 (0 ranks, int +5), handle animal +6 (4 ranks, cha +3), intimidate +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), ride +2 (0 ranks, dex +2)

- Feats: combat expertise, dodge, improved initiative, weapon finesse - rapier
- Drawbacks: frail, vulnerable

- Items: leather armor, rapier, short bow, 10 darts

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Lady Gwendilyn of Varnaith, Bladesinger in Training

- Type: medium humanoid (elf, grey elf subtype)
- Description: 4 feet 10 inches, 70 pounds, frail beauty, long raven dark hair, grey eyes, milky skin
- Character level 4, class level swashbuckler 3rd / wizard 1st, alignment neutral good
- Abilities: strength 11, dexterity 15, constitution 10, intelligence 21, wisdom 15, charisma 17
- Base saves: Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3
- Adjusted saves: Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5
- Hit dice (hit points) : 10-1 and 2d10-2 and 1d4-1 (20 hit points)
- Armor class: 12, touch 12, flat footed 10 (+1 dodge where applicable)
- Initiative: +6 (+2 dex, improved initiative +4)
- Speed: 30 feet (6 squares), space/reach: 5 feet/5 feet
- BAB/grapple: +3/+3
- Attacks: rapier melee +5 (1d6+5, 18-20/x2), kukri melee +5 (1d4+5, 18-20/x2), shortbow ranged +5 (1d6, 20/x3, 60 ft), darts ranged +5 (1d6, 20/x2, 20 ft)
- Special attacks: spells, see sq below
- Special qualities: spells, summon familiar, weapon finesse (ex), grace +1 (ex), insightful strike (ex), elf traits (+2 int, -2 con, +2 racial to saves (enchantment/charm), racial immunity (sleep), low-light vision, racial martial weapon proficiencies (rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, composite shortbow), racial skill bonuses (+2 listen, +2 search, +2 spot), racial detection (secret doors), racial languages common and elven, favored class wizard)

- Primary skills: balance +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), bluff +8 (5 ranks, cha +3), climb +3 (3 ranks, str +0), concentration +4 (4 ranks, con +0), craft +7 (2 ranks, int +5), diplomacy +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), escape artist +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), jump +3 (3 ranks, str +0), knowledge - arcana +6 (1 rank, int +5), perform - dancer +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), perform - singer +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), sense motive +6 (4 ranks, wis +2), spellcraft +7 (2 ranks, int +5), swim +2 (2 ranks, str +0), tumble +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), use rope +4 (2 ranks, dex +2)

- Other (untrained, vital) skills: gather information +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), heal +2 (0 ranks, wis +2), hide +2 (0 ranks, dex +2), listen +4 (0 ranks, wis +2, racial +2), move silently +2 (0 ranks, dex +2), perform - other +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), search +7 (0 ranks, int +5, racial +2), spot +2 (0 ranks, wis +2, racial +2), survival +0 (0 ranks, wis +2)

- Other (untrained, possibly vital) skills: appraise +5 (0 ranks, int +5), disguise +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), forgery +5 (0 ranks, int +5), intimidate +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), ride +2 (0 ranks, dex +2)

- Feats: combat expertise (1st), dodge (1st), improved initiative (1st), combat casting (3rd), weapon finesse - rapier (swashbuckler 1st), scribe scroll (wizard 1st)
- Drawbacks: frail, vulnerable

- Spells per day:
0 level: 3
1st level: 3 (1 base, int +2)
- Spells memorized:
0 level: resistance, daze, disrupt undeadx2
1st level: expeditious retreat, mage armor, shield

- Spells known:
0 level: all PHB spells
1st level: expeditious retreat, mage armor, shield

- Items: rapier, kukri, short bow, 10 darts, spellbook

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Lady Gwendilyn of Varnaith, Bladesinger in Training

- Type: medium humanoid (elf, grey elf subtype)
- Description: 4 feet 10 inches, 70 pounds, frail beauty, long raven dark hair, grey eyes, milky skin
- Character level 7, class level swashbuckler 3rd / wizard 1st / paragon 3rd, alignment neutral good
- Abilities: strength 11, dexterity 15, constitution 10, intelligence 23, wisdom 15, charisma 17
- Base saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +4
- Adjusted saves: Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +6 (enchantment/charm +4)
- Hit dice (hit points) : 10-1 and 2d10-2 and 1d4-1 and 3d8-3 (30 hit points)
- Armor class: 12, touch 12, flat footed 10 (+1 dodge where applicable)
- Initiative: +6 (+2 dex, improved initiative +4)
- Speed: 30 feet (6 squares), space/reach: 5 feet/5 feet
- BAB/grapple: +5/+5
- Attacks: rapier melee +7 (1d6+6, 18-20/x2), kukri melee +7 (1d4+6, 18-20/x2), shortbow ranged +7 (1d6, 20/x3, 60 ft), darts ranged +7 (1d6, 20/x2, 20 ft)
- Special attacks: spells, see sq below
- Special qualities: weapon finesse (ex), grace +1 (ex), insightful strike (ex), spells, summon familiar, elfsight (ex), resist enchantments (ex), weapon focus (ex), ability boost (ex), elf traits (+2 int, -2 con, +2 racial to saves (enchantment/charm), racial immunity (sleep), low-light vision, racial martial weapon proficiencies (rapier, longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, composite shortbow), racial skill bonuses (+2 listen, +2 search, +2 spot), racial detection (secret doors), racial languages common and elven, favored class wizard)

- Primary skills: balance +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), bluff +8 (5 ranks, cha +3), climb +3 (3 ranks, str +0), concentration +5 (5 ranks, con +0), craft +8 (2 ranks, int +6), diplomacy +6 (3 ranks, cha +3), escape artist +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), hide +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), jump +3 (3 ranks, str +0), knowledge - arcana +7 (1 rank, int +6), knowledge - architecture and engineering/dungeoneering/geography/history/local/nature/nobility and royalty/religion/the planes/all others +6 (0 ranks, joat, int +6), listen +9 (5 ranks, wis +2, racial +2), move silently +7 (5 ranks, dex +2), perform - dancer +5 (2 ranks, cha +3), perform - singer +5 (2 ranks, cha +3), sense motive +7 (5 ranks, wis +2), spellcraft +9 (3 ranks, int +6), spot +11 (5 ranks, wis +2, racial +4), swim +2 (2 ranks, str +0), tumble +8 (6 ranks, dex +2), use rope +4 (2 ranks, dex +2), use magic device +2 (0 ranks, joat, cha +2)

- Untrained skills: appraise +6 (0 ranks, int +6), decipher script +6 (0 ranks, joat, int +6), disable device +6 (0 ranks, joat, int +6), disguise +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), forgery +6 (0 ranks, int +6), gather information +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), handle animal +3 (0 ranks, joat, cha +3), heal +2 (0 ranks, wis +2), intimidate +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), open lock +2 (0 ranks, joat, cha +2), perform - other +3 (0 ranks, cha +3), profession - all +2 (0 ranks, joat, wis +2), ride +2 (0 ranks, dex +2), search +10 (0 ranks, int +6, racial +4), sleight of hand +2 (0 ranks, joat, dex +2), speak lanuage +0 (0 ranks, joat), survival +0 (0 ranks, wis +2)

- Feats: combat expertise (1st), dodge (1st), improved initiative (1st), combat casting (3rd), jack of all trades (6th), weapon finesse - rapier (swashbuckler 1st), scribe scroll (wizard 1st), weapon focus - rapier (paragon 2nd)
- Drawbacks: frail, vulnerable

- Spells per day:
0 level: 4
1st level: 4 (2 base, int +2)
2nd level: 3 (1 base, int +2)
- Spells memorized:
0 level: resistance, daze, disrupt undeadx2
1st level: expeditious retreat, mage armor, shield, true strike
2nd level: invisibility, protection from arrows, fox's cunning

- Spells known:
0 level: all PHB spells
1st level: expeditious retreat, mage armor, shield, true strike
2nd level: invisibility, protection from arrows, fox's cunning

- Items: rapier, kukri, short bow, 10 darts, spellbook

 

[monboesen]

power attack

Requires Strength 13.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Thanks. I'll change it right now.