Help with Dwarven weaponsmith character

[DMaple]

I got a bit of uncertanity over how to develop my new character.

To fill you in on the background, I wanted to design a Dwarven weaponsmith that could manufacture magical weapons, armour and other magic items. He wants to be able to use them himself and not be too shabby in melee combat, he's a dwarf after all and doesn't want to give up his noble fighting heritage.

He started as a Apprentice Fighter/Wizard using mainly spells that have no somatic components (Flare, True Strike). As a bright spark he uses tactics rather than just brute strength in combat.

His prefered weapon is a Guisarme and he has Combat Reflexes and Expertise at the moment. My intention is to gain Improved Trip either at 3rd CL level or 2nd Fighter Level.

He is now 1/1 and is considering his next step as a 3rd level character. With the intention to get Craft Wonderous Armour at 6th CL, and Craft Arms and Armour as his bonus 5th level Wizard feat. You can see availble feats are getting taken up really quickly.

I was wondering what route he should take. Hence the Poll.

Before you vote consider that he wants to get to atleast 4 level as a Fighter to Weapon Specialise in his Guisarme. But also needs to keep his access to spell levels decent so he can craft powerful magical weapons. Hence he won't be taking all 10 levels of Spellsword even if he switched to the class as it would mean lossing too many spell levels. At most it will be a 20% reduction in spell failure rate more likely 15%.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Ironically the bladesinger (from the web enhancement) is better at casting in melee than the spellsword, IMHO.

Were it me, I'd give up on spellsword and just go for the fighter-mage split. You need too many feats to pull of what you are trying and the Spellsword will just interfere.

 

[jdfrenzel]

Were it me, I'd give up on spellsword and just go for the fighter-mage split. You need too many feats to pull of what you are trying and the Spellsword will just interfere.

What he said.


--- John

 

[Umbran]

Or, you could just be a cleric. A goodly number of the proerties of arms and armor can be made just as well with divine magic.

 

[DMaple]

Yeah the more I thought about how this character might develop the more I thought the Spellsword although initially looking like a good idea din't really add anything useful but really lead to a lose of spell levels and feats.

I'll think I'll level as a Figther next get Still Spell and Improved Trip then level up as a Wizard until Figther 2/Wizard 5.

He already has plans for the first item he is going to make, a magical replacement hand for his father. Who living under an Orc/Zentarim occupation force has just had his right hand cut off for aiding in his son's escape.

Not sure what spells would be needed to make it though. Mage Hand would be too weak since he works as a blacksmith. Animate Object probably the most apporiate spell is a Cleric spell for some strange reason, so that's out.

Hmmm.

 

[DMaple]

Or, you could just be a cleric. A goodly number of the proerties of arms and armor can be made just as well with divine magic.

Ah problem is he is already a Wizard.

 

[MythandLore]

Ah problem is he is already a Wizard.

OH! MAN!
You mest up, oh well.
I have a Dwarven weaponsmith as my character and he's a strait Cleric of Moradin.
Craft Domain gives you a free skill focus even.
It's really sweet!
Uses weapons well and He can wear whatever armor he wants.
I even have a "hammer of the weaponsmith" that gives +10 on his check. (great item - get one)
If your going wizard, forget the spellsword, you don't need the armor use if your trying to make items, besides a strait wiz gets lots of bonus creation feats he can use to make items.

You should Give up on Armour and rely on magic for protection because Dwarfs shouldn't be casting spells me lad, give up those strange ways.

 

[DMaple]

As a matter of pride he wants to wear the stuff he makes. I wanted to see how flexible D&D was in creating a dwarven Fighter/Wizard, see if he could overcome the armour problem.

Relying on spells for defense would make him too much like an elven F/W and may the spirits of my fore-fathers strike me down before I ever follow the path of the tree-huggers.

 

[DWARF]

Sorry lad, when it comes to a Dwarf making and then wearing his own armor, gotta be a cleric of Moradin!

 

[Chun-tzu]

The Book of Eldritch Might II has an armor quality that negates all arcane spell failure. And since you're already proficient in heavy armor, as a fighter, you're all set.