help with my 1st level character

[RogueJK]

I like Gargoyle's suggestion of a Skald. Take one or two levels of Barbarian, with the rest of your levels as a Bard. This way, you can take advantage of your good Intelligence and Charisma, and when you need to get into melee combat, you can rage, which will give you a respectable Strength score of 14. You'll normally only be able to rage 1/day, and only for 6 rounds, but the Extra Rage and Extended Rage feats from Masters of the Wild will certainly help with this. Try to get these as soon as possible.

You might consider eventually taking a few levels of Spellsword, so that you can wear a decent suit of armor without any chance of spell failure. If you take 3 levels of spellsword, you could wear a Mithril Breastplate with no chance of arcane spell failure. You'd have to take a level of Fighter or Cleric, or waste a feat on Heavy Armor Proficiency, in order to fulfill the requirements for the Spellsword, though.

I'd try for something like a Human Barbarian1/Fighter1/Bard4/Spellsword4 with a Mithril Breastplate.

Just be sure to get a strength-enhancing magic item as soon as possible.


So, start off as a 1st-level Human Barbarian with the Extra Rage feat and a Greatsword. You'll be a decent melee fighter while raging.

 

[Terry Wogan]

Miho is right. If you call yourself Terry Wogan, a bard must you be... Just don't sing. Especially not the "Floral Dance". Please.

I think we just lost our non-UK audience here

ummm, yeh, definetely lost the americans, but maybe some swedish ex-eurovision song contestants get the joke............maybe not

 

[Zerovoid]

If you really want to be front line fighter, I suggest being an elf, and going for the Bladesinger prestige class, so you can at least get some use out of your intelligence with the AC boost and the spells.

Bard is a good option, since they tend to be short on skill points, but not with 17 Int.

Personally, I say just make what you want, and screw the party. Use that high intelligence and make a wizard. If you play your character right, chances are good that someone else well kick the bucket before you do. Make someone else be the meatshield if you don't want to.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Think of the others

I really like the skald idea, but since it's already been mentioned, then I advocate taking a cue from one of the other party members, the Pirate.

With your High Int, I'd go for the Duelist prestige class (Int bonus=AC). Let your pirate friend be the tough/sneaky guy, and you can be the charming/dashing guy.

Start as an Elf bard, and get Expertise. Then just keep going until you're able to qualify for Duelist.

Bards are clever, get good spells, can fight, can sing, good stuff.

-Z

 

[Someguy]

A Mithral Breastplate is light armour...

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

Go psion (int based). Get astral constructs to fight for you and then go with the new Wizards online prestige class (constructor I think). The constructs from that kick ass and if you have If Thoughts Could Kill the new psion is nice.

Get a bunch of mind affecting spells to mess up the enemy tanks, as you have a good charisma. Be human and multiclass fighter so you can wear full plate (no spell faliure).

 

[Doc Century]

Like many others have mentioned, your party needs a tank. Well, with those stats you ain't it. But...you can substitute for the tank at times and not even have to wade into combat (hopefully) by making a Wizard specialized in Conjuration.

Summon, summon, and then summon some more. Sure, the first couple Monster Summoning spells aren't that impressive, but they get more and more powerful, allowing you to create and control a lot of muscle and claw (or tentacle and suction, or whatever). Plus, there are some good feats out there that allow you to improve the effectiveness of your summoned creatures.

Make sure you have some protective spells on you (fly and invisibility don't hurt either), then unleash that army!

 

[RogueJK]

A Mithral Breastplate is light armour...

And...?

(I think I'm missing your point.)

[Edit] Okay, I think I see what you are referring to. The Heavy Armor Proficiency isn't for the Breastplate. It's a requirement for the Spellsword prestige class. Barbarians and Bards only have Light and Medium Armor Proficiency, so he'd have to spend a feat on the proficiency, or take a level of Fighter or Cleric.

I edited my previous post to prevent further confusion. [/Edit]

 

[Noldor Elf]

(Deleted Post)

 

[Noldor Elf]

You can even full the need of the tank in your group. With Mind over Body feat (Int instead of Con for hit points) you're going to get enough hit points to stand in melee.

After a second thought I would suggest Female Moon Elf Paladin for some reasons:
- You can aim for having Unicorn as a mount (traditionally only for female)
- Good CHA means good saves
- Your DEX is not going to be too poor => decent AC
- One boost to your WIS and you can cast all Paladin Spells available

Ask Weapon Finesse feat as bonus (Just like fighter's extra level or those magical items) (Light Lance for example, it can be finessed)