I'm going to make a "Tome of Battle" character. Swordsage? Warblade? Advice?

[aboyd]

Thanks StreamOfTheSky! I'm attaching the character, as a PDF. I got the PC up to 4th level. I am not done with him yet -- HeroForge did some funky things like grant the character heavy armor proficiency, and I couldn't ready my "other" maneuver (from the feat). But I think it's mostly done. He's going toward a chargey, disarm-ish build (thus his unusual weapon, it lends a +2), maybe doing leap attacks in the future.

I don't actually like all the charging he can do. Mechanically it's fine, but the fluff for the skills states that he's "leading the charge" and such. It sounds very charismatic, but my build had no points left to increase charisma.

Hmm. Actually... I had set his strength to 18 initially, to get the +4, so that when he used a 2-handed weapon he would get a +6 to damage. But since I changed him to use 1-handed weapons, the +4 isn't necessary anymore. I could drop him to a +3. Then I would have some points for charisma. Hmm.

EDIT: OK, file is attached....

EDIT2: Grrr... page 2 of HeroForge's character sheet is only showing 1 of my 2 selected Stances, and says I'm a level 3 initiator, even though I have 4 levels in warblade. I'm going to keep at it and post another sheet later.

 

[kitcik]

HeroForge is a little buggy for 4th level warblades (yes, specifically that class AND level).

It computes the number of readied maneuvers incorrectly (3 instead of 4). I can tell you where to fix it tomorrow.

The stances should work though - make sure you are in the correct (latest) version.

I also have never experienced any issues around armor proficiency.

The initiator calc may be off - I never look at it since it doesn't actually do anything in the program (obviously, you know you are a 4th level initiator). It will still let you select the stances and maneuvers you actually qualify for.

 

[aboyd]

I found a nice way around the problems -- I have a copy of the previous release of HeroForge (6.0.2.1) and it works mostly great. It still says "proficient in ALL armors" (warblades only can do light & medium). However, everything else worked! I have my 6 maneuvers (5 from class, 1 from feat) and 2 stances. I adjusted my strength down and my dex up, so that Punishing Stance wasn't so... punishing. And I took the feat to use the scourge, so that I got my full to-hit bonus with it.

Overall, this looks like a really good warblade, to me! I'm busily making 3x5 cards now, with each maneuver/stance on it. I figure doing the whole "lay out your selections and put the others away" system would indeed work best for a completely new player.

Thank you guys for the tips! This is great!

Oh, and the new warblade is attached.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Your hp seems low for 3d12+16 (first d12 is maxed)...hmm...average hp 34.5, nevermind. I would drop cha to 10 and raise con to 14, especially if you're planning to use Concentration.

You forgot +2 synergy for jump and tumble from each other, respectively. Also missing tumble's synergy to balance...you may want to double check synergies in general, you seem to be missing a lot.

It's hard to read your maneuvers section, I'm gonna translate it into my system...

Maneuvers (IL 4; 5 6 known, 4 readied):
1 Sapphire NM Blade (DM, S)
1 Steel Wind (IH, S)
1 Wolf Fang Strike (TC, S)
1 Charging Minotaur (SD, S) [gained from Martial Study]
2 Mountain Hammer (SD, S)
2 Disarming Strike (IH, S)

Stances:
1 Punishing Stance (IH; -2 AC for +1d6 melee damage)
1 Leading the Charge (WR; Allies w/in 60 ft deal +IL damage on a charge)


You...have absolutely nothing but strikes. Can work I guess. I'd suggest dropping Wolf Fang Strike and adding Sudden Leap (you need WFS to get Sudden Leap, but can consider it the maneuver you swapped at 4th level for another 2nd level maneuver). I also don't think Sapphire NM Blade will be terribly good for you; you could drop it, save the feat on Martial Study, and get some other feat if you prefer. Or just get a different 1st level maneuver. Moment of Perfect Mind to cover your poor will save could be good.

Also, since you're doing a disarm focus, keep in mind. You cannot use combat maneuvers like disarm on martial strikes, unless the strike specifically lets you (like the Disarming Strike you have). Other than those, you'd need regular melee attacks if you want to disarm. Or you could on AoOs. Just making you aware.

Are you sure there's no other feats you want? Like, Improved Initiative...you can just grab that as your Warblade bonus feat next level...

 

[aboyd]

You forgot +2 synergy for jump and tumble from each other, respectively. Also missing tumble's synergy to balance...you may want to double check synergies in general, you seem to be missing a lot.

0_o

I was going to say, "Nah, it's fine, HeroForge automatically calculates that, so it's all in there somewhere," but then I looked and it's really really NOT. I think it will be easy to just hack those formulas to include the bonuses.

Thanks for spotting that bug, along with all the other good feedback. I tried to give you karma but it says I have to spread it around first. But it's been like a year since I gave you any!

(Some things don't make sense.)

 

[kitcik]

HeroForge DOES automatically calc synergies, and particularly I know the Jump/Tumble synergy works (in my current character right now). It sounds like you are on a borked copy of HeroForge.

EDIT: Or maybe you are trying to run it on something other than EXCEL 2003? If so, it gets screwed up.

To fix the readied maneuvers calc, go to the Maneuvers and STances page, unhide the columns between I & IR, go to cell BK21, edit the formula and add +IF(WblLvl=4,1,0)

The calc will now work for all levels. Rehide the columns and proceed.

In re-looking at mine, it IS calculating the initiator level correctly as well. And I am multi (triple) classed, so it is figuring all that in.

I really have found only that one bug related to ToB and very few overall (there is the known Ranger bug of course, which you can find the fix for over the internet). I think you should recheck your HeroForge and EXCEL versions.

EDIT2: I rechecked all the other bugs you mentioned in the thread, and the only one I found was the armor one. Unhide the "Class Info" sheet, go to cell O49, hit delete. Rehide the sheet.