Martyr-esque class?

[CrimsonWineGlass]

I've decided that, just for something different, I'm going to try and play a Martyr or a character who is fanatical about killing undead, willing to give his life to kill a measly skeleton, a hunter of undead type thing. Could somebody please list off classes that focus on the slaying of undead. Normally, this would be easy, pop open complete divine and grab one of the 8 choices. Unfortunately, I want to avoid a religious character at all costs (with this one at least). Any class suggestions?

 

[Sejs]

I've decided that, just for something different, I'm going to try and play a Martyr or a character who is fanatical about killing undead, willing to give his life to kill a measly skeleton, a hunter of undead type thing. Could somebody please list off classes that focus on the slaying of undead. Normally, this would be easy, pop open complete divine and grab one of the 8 choices. Unfortunately, I want to avoid a religious character at all costs (with this one at least). Any class suggestions?

The problem there is the fact that most of the anti-undead stuff deals with positive energy, and positive energy is almost exclusivly the perview of the divine.

For a start, however?

Monk. Ability to self heal, good saves such that you can shrug off most of the special effects of the undead, immunity to disease (a common feature when dealing with rotting corpses). Pick up a ghost touch staff for use against incorporeal undead, and maybe the Versatile Unarmed Strike feat for zombies.

Or, you could go Ranger/Monk. Lawful Good or Neutral, grim and focused on the destruction of the undead. Have your animal companion be a tracking hound or the like for the classic feel. Favored Enemy (Undead) and a few feats that augment it such as Improved Favored Enemy and that one that lets you sense the presence of your FE within a certain range.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If you're going to knock off the divine....

Psions, PsyWars, Ardents, Divine Minds all can handle undead- the latter 2 are psionic versions of the cleric and paladin, after all. PrCls like Illumine Soul or Pyromancer are especially well equipped to handle them. The latter can simply start burning them up, the former can channel psionic power laced with Positive energy.

Warmages do pretty well, since they specialize in blowing stuff up.

A Kensai (CW PrCl) could potentially do well if properly equipped.

Incarnates & Soulborns are also pretty good at handling undead with their soulmelds.

Actually, any warrior type can do OK if he has an Undead Bane, Holy, or Disruption weapon.

 

[Thurbane]

How about a Fighter/Wizard who focuses on spells that harm the undead, and weapons that are effective against them in combat?

 

[Kurashu]

Defintely PsiWar or Warmage. Ranger with FavEnemy(Undead) would be a good second choice. Make you sure you pick up a few feats from Libris Mortis. Enduring Life and Lasting Life are good for those pesky negative levels, Unquenchable Flame of Life will help avoid those levels and other affects those nasties have. Vampire Hunter will let you take out vampires more easily (detect them and immune to their gaze); Ghost Scarred gives a +2 to saves, attacks, and damage against incorporeal undead.

And for a twist, Graft Flesh will let you turn the arm you just sliced off that zombie against his kin in the furture.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As I recall, there is also an anti-undead PrCl in MoI.

 

[Kularian]

Well, if you can get your DM to waive the Turn Undead Prereq, the Hunter of the Dead PrC in the Complete Warrior is pretty much what you're looking for. Maybe replace turn undead with favored enemy: Undead? Anyway, here's a summary of the class abilities:

d8 Hit Die
Full BAB
Good Fort, Bad Reflex/Will
Detect Undead at will, Smite Undead (similar to paladin smite evil, only undead instead), apply wis modifier twice to will saves vs undead, undead killed by you are dead forever, cannot be energy drained by undead, etc

Some divine spellcasting in there, but if you can work out the details with your DM, I think it'll work nicely.

Because turning undead is a prereq, they gain extra turning attempts and a move that uses turning attempts to deal damage. But they could easily be replaced with Improved Favored enemy and an ability that lets you crit undead. Just some thoughts.

Also, though I don't have it on hand, the 3.0 PHB makes a reference to an alternate fighter that uses the rogue's weapon/armor proficiency, saves and skills, (but keeps the BAB and Hit die,) and has the sneak attack only apply to undead creatures. At least, I think it does...

</ramble>

 

[CrimsonWineGlass]

Thanks, the ideas so far are getting the gears working.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You might also scour the pages of Book of Exalted Deeds, Book of Vile Darkness, Heroes of Horror, Ghostwalk, and Libris Mortis. WARNING: You really want to be careful with those books- some of the stuff is pretty powerful if removed from the context of other things within them.

The first thing that springs to mind are the Sacred Vow feat/VoP/Exalted Feats. You'll find that Vow of Poverty is a pretty controversial feat on these boards, but it and subsequent Exalted feats would do a good job of building an anti-undead PC...and may just be what you're looking for.