Help: 5th Level Fighter Build - New Player - Child

[PaulJohn]

Good morning,

I'm going to run my six year old son through a small adventure (maybe more if he enjoys it), and I'd like some advice on building a good balanced 5th Level fighter.

I'm thinking about 3-4 combat encounters, 1 trap (just to give him that flavor), and a puzzle or two (possibly as a way to unlock a door), plus some role-playing encounters.

I'm choosing a fighter for him because I don't want him to have too many choices about what to do until he's played at least a little.

I'm thinking of maxing out spot and search checks so that he'll be likely to notice the trap.

Maybe even a skill focus feat in one of those skills.

I'd prefer it if any feats or magic items would be 'always on', so that I can write up his sheet and not have him need to change modifiers on the fly.

Also, I want to let him keep this same character if we do more adventures, so I'm trying to think of a way to get him some healing without just handing him a bunch of potions that he has to remember to use.

I may have some more thoughts to add, but would like to see what others have to say.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[JoeBlank]

My son just turned 7 last week, and has played a fighter for a while now. He even named the guy Regdar.

I think he has weapon focus and another "always on" type feat, as you mention. The PC is only 2d level. I suggest starting at first level, rather than 5th. Much less complicated. Although 1st level PCs are fragile, it is easy for DaddyDM to fudge a little.

Will he be adventuring solo? Maybe send along a friend who can disarm the trap, and has a few healing potions.

 

[Jack99]

As the poster above me suggested, I would have him start at 1st level. If he is 6, I assume he cant read, but he can recognise numbers?

 

[DM-Rocco]

You do know that the old AD&D books recommend the game for ages 10+ don't you

Seriously, I would start him at first level, even if the adventure is designed for 5th level characters. You are taking a beginning player and giving him options for a mid level fighter. Maybe in AD&D I might have considered starting a new player at 2nd or 3rd level, but in D&D with so many options and game mechanics, I would start him at first level.

This will give your son a stronger sense of accomplishment and when he gets older and you, or another DM, tries to make him start at first level, he will not enjoy it as much because he has an expectation of beginning at 5th level.

I hate starting at first level, but it is something that everyone should do at one time in their life. You should start your son at first level not only because it is the right thing to do but also because it will make the game easier to understand and thus he will get more enjoyment out of the game.

That's my advice, scale the adventure to fit the 1st level player rather than scaling the beginning PC to fit the adventure..

 

[Jack99]

Either way, at 5th level, a human fighter has what, 6 feats.

1. Weapon Focus (whatever)
1. Power Attack (make him use it as all or nothing for easier handling)
1. Skill focus (Listen)
2. Improved Initiative
3. Skill focus (Spot)
4. Weapon Specialisation

There, not too much to think about except power attack, and most 6 year old should be able to understand the simplied mechanic (if you want to hit the monster really hard, you miss more easily)

About the healing, give him a ring of fast healing, there is no need to "use" that.

Cheers

 

[monboesen]

1. Weapon Focus (whatever)
1. Power Attack (make him use it as all or nothing for easier handling)
1. Skill focus (Listen)
2. Improved Initiative
3. Skill focus (Spot)
4. Weapon Specialisation

I would go with this list with the sole change of replacing Power attack with Improved Unarmed Strike for those times where he wants to headbutt or the likes.


But I concur with the above posters who recommend starting at 1 level. Much easier and you just fudge some rolls to keep him alive.


I also recommend the actual experience to be full of description and light on mechanics. With a 6 year old as a PC even a goblin should be a mysterous and dangerous creature.

 

[DM-Rocco]

I also recommend the actual experience to be full of description and light on mechanics. With a 6 year old as a PC even a goblin should be a mysterous and dangerous creature.

That is the great thing about players who have never played before. Everything is a mystery. He hasn't read the MM yet. Once you go down the road of starting him at 5th level, much of that mystery he could have experienced at 1`st level will have vanished forever.

 

[Nifft]

Is this a solo adventure? If so, I recommend a skill-heavy class instead, like Ranger. Solo adventures are great for PCs who can avoid encounters rather than those who are forced to axe their way through.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Quartz]

I agree with going for Improved Unarmed Strike. As for the Skill Focus feats, can you take a Skill Focus in something that isn't a class skill?

 

[rgard]

As others have said...I would start him at 1st level. Actually, you might want to start him with a pre-gen character and walk him through combat. Have the pre-gen kill some stuff then get killed too. Having your first pc die can be disheartening...mitigate it with a pre-gen? Not as much personal investment.

After that roll up the real character.