The thing about both of the missing characters is that each took minor mechanics (and/or optional rules) and made them into the PC’s focal point/shtick.
One was a high Dex Githzerai Monk (or Ftr/Monk?) that used a polearm as a monk weapon (Dragon Feat) with Combat Reflexes & various polearm feats to become a true master of controlling the battlefield. He’d get all kinds of attacks of opportunity as opponents closed, retreated or simply passed too close. In some combats, his damage per round exceeded that of the barbarian he was fighting alongside (and behind).
I used a similar build at a convention with a human PC, with the additional wrinkle that she had potions of Enlarge. She was the utter bane of the dragon we faced in that scenario.
The other was a Sorcerer who had “Paladin-friendly” stats. He used a maul & scale mail- both without proficiency- and instead of CASTING spells, he channeled them via the Draconic Breath feat. Absolute nuthouse glass cannon build. HE was the reason I assembled a database of spells without somatic components.
