min/maxers Come one, Come all!!!

[Azazu]

Hi all,

I'm about to start play in a new campaign, we will be running throught the RttToEE. I am going to be playing a fighter type. This is what i need help with. I want to make a really effective fighter. Frontline guy.

My stats are as follows:
S 17 D 14 C 16 I 14 W 13 C 14

I will be 5th level to start.

I cant pick my magic items, just feats skills, weapons etc.

The 17 strength would include the 1 point from 4th level.

Take your best shot

Thanks in advance.

 

[da chicken]

Personally, I like to Min/Max around a character concept, but that's just me. Also, I don't like to take multiple presige classes.

First, I'd swap Int with Wis. A Fighter-type never needs more than 13 Int (Expertise), and the +2 to Will saves alone is great in your campaign. Because you're asking for a min/max, I'll make the assumtion you can swap abilitites. I'll also assume you have a 4 player party total, and the other 3 members are a Cleric, a Wizard, and a Rogue.

I will assume you can take PrC, and you can take any PrC in the D&D supplements. I will also assume your DM will let you take the Cosmopolitan feat from FRCS, which allows you to take a non-exclusive skill as a class skill and gain a +2 bonus.

Option 1: The Holy Liberator (DotF PrC) - This is a very defensive oriented PC. This PC just doesn't fail saves, and can't be hit in combat. A bastion of hp which your enemies cannot hope to assault. You're going to be fighting an evil temple, so that means lots of evil clerics. You're not an explosive Fighter, but you can fight all day long if necessary.

Race: Human
Alignment: CG
Abilities: S 17, D 14, C 16, I 13 W 14, Ch 14
Class: Ranger 1/Fighter 5
Progression:

   Class      (F)eats & (S)kills
1. Ranger 1   F: Cosmopolitan (Diplomacy), Weapon Focus (Longsword)
              S: Place 4 ranks each in Diplomacy, Spot, Listen,
              Wilderness Lore, Concentration, and any one other.
              Favored Enemy: Doesn't matter, try Orc or Devils
2. Fighter 1  F: Expertise; S: Spend 1 skill point in Diplomacy, the 
              others in either Wilderness Lore, Concentration, or Spot
3. Ftr 2      F: Lightning Reflexes, Blind-Fight
4. Ftr 3
5: Ftr 4      F: Weapon Specialization (Longsword)

Desired/Probable Equipment: Chainmail +X, Longsword +X, Large Shield +X. Dispite the Ranger level, resiste the urge to dual-wield. Sword & board is esential for a tank, IMX. You should save up for a Cloak of Charisma +X to buy as soon as you hit 7th level. It is more valuable to you than a Cloak of Resistance because protection from evil will stack with it.

Future levels:
6-16: Holy Liberator
6: Iron Will or Mobility (you could even climb to Whilwind Attack).
8: +1 Str
9: Improved Crit(Longsword) or Lvl 6 leftover.


Alternately, you could go for a Human or Half-Elven Paladin (Expertise, Lightning Reflexes, and Blind-Fight for feats, take Iron Will at 6th), but you'll have problems going through RttToEE I think.

 

[Caliban]

Doesn't anyone make their own characters anymore?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

2Caliban:
Considering the number of Board Members and comparing it to the number of threads like this, I assume that there are still some gamers that make their characters on their own.

2the matter:
Oh, and don`t resist the "urge" to dual wield. Take the shield expert feat, and fight with a Longsword (or Bastard sword) and a Shield with Shield Spikes.

If you want to use your high INT (and I wouldn`t swap the scores if you want to have some skill points. Consider "multiclassing" with Ranger or Rogue at the first to gain more skill points and add some options to your character. Hide/Move Silently, Wilderness Lore, Spot, Listen, Diplomacy, Bluff or whatever. Nothing becomes more boring than a straight fighter who can only kill enemies... IMHO) to use the Expertise Feat Chain, consider switching the weapon to Flail, so you benefit from Improved Disarm / Trip / Knockdown.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Darklone]

I hate those dualwielder with spiked shield. Same stuff as thousands of spiked chain guys.

They are boring.

 

[Azazu]

One or Two

So what are your thought on either going with a one handed weapon and a shield, or a two handed weapon???

thx

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

2Darklone:
You will love my Ranger-Fighter. He uses a Spiked Chain and has the Shield Expert Feat. (Country & Western, so to say)Unfortunately, I only use the Spiked Chain.

2Azazu:
Many seem to think that the Extra Damage from Two-Handed Fighting gives more benefits than the AC from the Shield.
I think, take whatever you like more.
(And if you are a coward that doesn`t like to get hit, take the Shield route... )

 

[Conaill]

Re: One or Two

So what are your thought on either going with a one handed weapon and a shield, or a two handed weapon???

Sword and shield is much more versatile. You can always drop the shield and wield the sword two-handed when needed. Or you can hold something else in your off-hand, like a torch, a rope (fighting while climbing!) or even a party member. Not to mention the fact that you're much more likely to find magical longswords than greatswords.

Yes, the greatsword will do 2.5 points of damage more on average, but the shield will give you +2 to AC (and more if enchanted). It's like having some extra points of Expertise/Power Attack to play with, allowing you to trade off AC versus damage.

Plus it's a lot more believable if you start doing any mounted combat. I played a greatsword wielding fighter for a while, and while there's no official rules against using a greatsword from horseback, it did somewhat strain the believability of the character.

In my opinion, the only good reasons for taking a two-handed weapon are (1) character reasons: you may just want to play a big brute barbarian with a greatsword or greatclub and no armor to speak off, or (2) because the specific 2-handed weapon gives you special extras (like spiked chain, various reach weapons, etc.)

 

[Azazu]

So what feats and weapon combos have been most effective for you all??

 

[trimeulose]

Hmm an interesting topic and We have this to go on-

Stats 16,16,14,14,14,13 +1

Conail prefers one handed weapons and would like to use a shield.

Why is Azazu asking all the questions? I'ld like a character concept to move in on. Or at least something along the lines of preferences in combat.

Some starters

one or two handed

magic abilities or +X to att/dam

mithral or adamantine

light, medium, or heavy armor

Intimdate or tumble

fight to death or run away

pepperoni or extra cheese

first in line or wait until AoO is gone from enemy to move in

get hit more but deal more damage to enemy or get hit less but less damage to enemy

horseback, wagon rider, or chariot

Do you see yourself as the leader of the group?

Do others see you as the leader of the group?

Should others see you as the leader of the group?



Sorry I couldn't help you at this Juncture, but it wouldn't be prudent. So I'm na gan do ih. I'ld like to help you but I got nothing to go on.