How to make an "Indiana Jones" type character

[Ero Gaki]

I'm gonna be playing in an Eberron game soon, and I think it would be really neat to play an Indiana Jones type character. Does anyone have any ideas on how to pull this off with it being a cheesy carbon copy of Indiana Jones? So far, I'm thinking a ranger with levels in Extreme Explorer.

Any ideas?

 

[Corlon]

get a few levels in lasher for the second hand ability

 

[Whimsical]

If I wanted to do this character justice, I may just create an entirely new base class just for this. Otherwise, my multiclass processor just went into overload. The generic classes from the Unearthed Arcana book would be a good starting point. Start with Expert, then throw in a level of warrior and perhaps spellcaster here and there.

Interestinly enough, a pure Bard may do. Just have him have a decent STR and spend a good amount of skill points on physical skills (which the bard has a lot of as class skills). And they are proficient in whip!

 

[two]

I'd "just" use the base bard class as well, but throw out all the spellcasting.

In return, get the following non-magic benefits:

-- Good fort save (all good saves a la monk)

-- Evasion (level 2), Improved Evasion (level 8)

-- Bonus "skill focus" feats every other level

-- Expanded skill list (as Rogue)

-- Uncanny Dodge (level 4)

-- AC bonus (as monk progression)

-- Reroll 1ce day (as luck domain)

-- Bonus vs. fear saves (+2)

-- Whip Tricks? (custom)

Something like that. All non-magical abilities... good saves all around and excellent skill user. Grab a whip. Get into the crypt. Explore.

 

[Klaus]

Keith Baker said that if he had to make up Indy, he'd be a Bard/Extreme Explorer with NO ranks in Perform.

 

[Goolpsy]

mix a ranger/rogue/fighter

sneak attack, uncannydodge.. some feats.. d8...

 

[azmodean]

Instead of starting with a bard and adding monk abilities, why not start with a monk and replace the magical monk abilities with a focus on skill abilities and rework the flurry of blows as a light weapon use system (whip)?

 

[argo]

I'll also throw my hat in for a straight Bard (or mostly straight Bard, maybe one or two levels in Ftr). The Bardic Knolwedge ability certainly fits Professor Jones as does the wealth of skill points, two good saves, light armor and medium BAB (Indy was handy in a fight but frequently met thugs who were better). Of course we never see Indy sing or play a lute but every time his theme music comes up in the background he certainly seems to get inspire courage! So maybe talk to your DM about handwaving the need to actually perform in character (but not the need to spend ranks in Perform as that is a balance issue). The spellcasting doesn't really fit but then that is more a problem with the nature of the world you are playing in (magical fantasy) than the class.

As for the whip, as much as I love the Lasher class a character really should be able to do whip tricks without needing a PrC. Talk to your DM and see if you cant' work out something; maybe use Perform [whip tricks] and work out some DC's for things like grabing an object or securing the whip to a tree branch to swing from?

Hope that helps.

 

[Turhan]

There are some good bits to a bard, but I think I'd do first level Rogue, then one level of bard, and then all rogue with emphasis on the knowledge skills for history, etc. and/or give a couple levels of expert (even though I don't think that is as good as straight rogue). (At this point I am afraid of the min/max problem creeping in by factoring in expert levels. But let's face it, Indy really is min/maxed in a couple spots.)

I'd allow none of the bard magic stuff and compensate with a little better Fort save. After all, Indy is resilient as all git out.

I see Indy as basically a rogue who had a "skill/talent" for archaeology (due to his dad) and a first rate education. I'd give at least 2 bonus languages (no matter his INT score). I don't think he is as persuasive as a straight bard would be, though he is quite charismatic.

I've wanted to play an Indy type character or the Brendan Fraser character from Mummy in a near-modern game for some time. Sadly, I'm the primary DM and I just love my late-middle ages Sherwood Forest Campaign too much to switch. Maybe I can talk one of my players into DMing us in a Mummy type game.

Good luck Ero Gaki! I envy you. Play it like you mean it!

 

[Mistwell]

I know that not everyone has access to it, but Monte Cook has said that he had Indy in mind as one of the models for his Akashic class in Arcana Unearthed/Evolved. I think an Akashic makes a great Indy type character. Baring that, I would go for rogue/exemplar.