Help me build: Jayne Cobb

[BASHMAN]

So I have been watching a lot of Firefly lately (hulu is so great) and have decided to make a character to emulate Jayne Cobb. What build should I go with?

1. Human Great-Weapon Fighter, w/ bastard sword (appropriate enough-- plan to make it a viscious bastard sword later on)

2. Human Ranger w/ 2 Bastard Swords-- then I can be a double bastard.

3. Human Brutal Scoundrel Rogue w/ crossbow & knife.

4. A multiclass from these 3 choices.

What exploits should I pick for each? The Fighter has the problem of only having 2 decent at-will exploits for 2-handed user (sure strike is okay to pop a minion with a high AC, but I'd rather use cleave to get 2).

Is there a race other than human that works good? Monster Manual races are fine (and probably more appropriate).

What feats & exploits are especially appropriate?

 

[Ahglock]

So I have been watching a lot of Firefly lately (hulu is so great) and have decided to make a character to emulate Jayne Cobb. What build should I go with?

1. Human Great-Weapon Fighter, w/ bastard sword (appropriate enough-- plan to make it a viscious bastard sword later on)

2. Human Ranger w/ 2 Bastard Swords-- then I can be a double bastard.

3. Human Brutal Scoundrel Rogue w/ crossbow & knife.

4. A multiclass from these 3 choices.

What exploits should I pick for each? The Fighter has the problem of only having 2 decent at-will exploits for 2-handed user (sure strike is okay to pop a minion with a high AC, but I'd rather use cleave to get 2).

Is there a race other than human that works good? Monster Manual races are fine (and probably more appropriate).

What feats & exploits are especially appropriate?

I'd say playing Jayne Cobb is all about his personality and nothing about the build. If I wanted his build to be similar to Jaynes role in the show I think the closest would be a defender so probably fighter. If I were playing d20 modern I'd go with tough hero. Since he was somewhat DPS focussed I'd go two handed weapon focussed fighter.

 

[Brain]

I think the Brutal Scoundrel rogue fits Jayne fairly well.

something like this:
Human
Str 16
Con 13
Dex 18 (with human +2)
Int 8
Wis 11
Cha 10

at wills:
Deft Strike
Riposte Strike
Piercing Strike

enc 1: Torturous strike

daily 1: Easy target

Feats:
Backstabber
Quick Draw

 

[Nifft]

So I have been watching a lot of Firefly lately (hulu is so great) and have decided to make a character to emulate Jayne Cobb. What build should I go with?

Which gun rules are you using?

Cheers, -- N

 

[BASHMAN]

Which gun rules are you using?

Cheers, -- N

No guns-- probably a hand crossbow though...

 

[Nifft]

No guns-- probably a hand crossbow though...

No guns = no Vera = sad Jayne.

Cheers, -- N

 

[BASHMAN]

Hmmm... For races maybe Gnoll or Bugbear works. Shifter is okay too I guess.

 

[BASHMAN]

something like this:
Bugbear Rogue 1 (Brutal Scoundrel)

Str 18
Con 13
Dex 18
Int 8
Wis 11
Cha 10

AC: 16 Ref: 16 Fort: 14 Will 10 Init: +4

at wills:
Deft Strike
Riposte Strike
Piercing Strike

enc 1: Torturous strike
enc Race: Predatory Eye

daily 1: Easy target

Skills:
Thievery +9
Athletics +9
Stealth +11
Intimidate +7
Perception +5
Streetwise +5

Feats:
Backstabber

Weapons: Shuriken (throwin' knives) d8 dmg!
Dagger (guttin' knife) d6 dmg

Feat Progression:
2. Student of the Sword (Endurance Skill)
4. Novice Power (Armor Piercing Thrust)
6. Toughness
8. Accolyte Power (Unbreakable)
10. Adept Power (Victorious Surge)

Paragon Path: Dagger Master

 

[theNater]

When I think of Jayne Cobb fighting, I think of the barfight at the beginning of The Train Job, most notably the moment he bursts out of the door with three guys on him and proceeds to lay about him with a barstool. The punishment he's got to be taking(even if they're only minions, he's holding off three while Mal and Zoe are fighting one each) says defender hit points to me, which says start with fighter.

He's a very aggressive combatant, so power selection probably wants to focus on damage, rather than the various healing and positioning options available. So, Steel Serpent Strike, Brute Strike, Dance of Steel, Rain of Steel, anything that brings up the offense.

That same aggression makes a good smattering of striker powers entirely reasonable. Rangers have a handful of abilities that work with any weapon, so you can pick up a couple that can still function with the big sword and can make the shots impressive when he engages in "gun"play. Hunter's Bear Trap and Shadow Wasp Strike are a couple of good early candidates here.

Given how Jayne seems to feel about the niceties of formal combat, the pit fighter paragon path strikes me as extremely fitting.

 

[BASHMAN]

This is a fighter build for him

Strength 18 (+4) Intelligence 8 (-1) Wisdom 11 (+0)
Constitution 13 (+1) Dexterity 18 (+4) Charisma 10 (+0)
Fortitude 16 Reflex 14 Will 10
Cobb Unaligned Bugbear Fighter 1
HP: 33 (16) Surge: 8hp OOOOOOOOOO Armor Class: 17

Racial Abilities: +2 STR & DEX, low-light vision, speaks: Common & Goblin, +2 Intimidate & Stealth, Oversized (can use weapons 1 size larger), Predatory Eye encounter power

Class Features: Combat Challenge, Combat Superiority (+2 to OA & stop movement), Great Weapon Fighter: +1 hit w/ 2h weapons

Feats: Toughness

Skills: Athletics +9, Endurance +6, Intimidate +7, Stealth +6,

Attacks:
Lg. Heavy Flail +7 hit, 2d8+4 dmg, CRIT 20 dmg
Lg. Dagger +8 hit, 1d6+4 dmg, CRIT 10 dmg, Range 5/10
Lg. Longbow +7 hit, 1d12+4 dmg, CRIT 16 dmg, Range 20/40
Lg. 2H Improvised Weapon +5 hit, 2d4+4 dmg, CRIT 12 dmg

At-Will Powers:
Reaping Strike +7 hit, 2d8+4 dmg, Miss = 4 dmg
Cleave +7 hit, 2d8+4 dmg, Adjacent foe takes 4 dmg

Encounter powers:
Preditory Eye: Minor- +1d6 dmg to target on next attack for 1 turn if Combat Advantage
Steel Serpent Strike: +7 hit, 4d8+4 dmg & enemy is slowed & cannot shift 1 turn, CRIT 36
Daily Powers:
Brute Strike: Reliable, +7 hit, 6d8+4 dmg, CRIT 52

Equipment: Lg. Heavy Flail, Hide Armor, 3 Lg. Daggers, Lg. Longbow, Quiver & 20 Lg. Arrows, Backpack, Bedroll, Flint & Steel, Belt Pouch, 10 days rations, 50’ rope, Waterskin, 10 torches