min/maxers Come one, Come all!!!

[Al]

Two-weapon fighting probably isn't the way to go. In terms of damage, you're only dealing 1 point more than greatsword-man (On Hand: d8+Str; Off-Hand: d6+Str/2 vs 2d6+Strx1.5) and you're hitting less often. Not to mention the AC (due to light/med armour requirement) and bonus feat you've foregone (assuming you ranger multi).

No, the best way to go is Spiked Chain man. Improved Trip, Knockdown, Expert Tactician etc.

If that's too cheesy, you may simply be better off with an archer. Archers can use Rapid Shot to dish out a very decent amount of damage. Using bucklers, their AC is respectable (especially as they have usually have a high Dex). Point-Blank Shot and Precise Shot are very useful indeed.

You'll want Improved Initiative, and a level in rogue. +1d6 sneak attack doesn't sound much, but it definitely is. Not to mention a nice boost to your skills. Order of the Bow Initiate is a very powerful prestige class: aim for it.

The 'meat-cleric' is only really valuable when Persistent Spell becomes a realistic option. Otherwise, you spend the critical early rounds of combat just beefing yourself up. But once Persistent is around, go overboard. Divine Favour, Shield of Faith, Greater Magic Weapon, Aid, Prayer, Bless, Recitation, etc. etc.- it's very easy to become more powerful than the average fighter.

 

[Darkness]

Five levels? Easy - play an ogre!


Of course, Dragon Magazine #293 and other sources might have increased an ogre's ECL...

 

[RogueJK]

Of course, Dragon Magazine #293 and other sources might have increased an ogre's ECL...

Yep... they're ECL +8 now.

 

[Thanee]

If that's too cheesy, you may simply be better off with an archer. Archers can use Rapid Shot to dish out a very decent amount of damage. Using bucklers, their AC is respectable (especially as they have usually have a high Dex). Point-Blank Shot and Precise Shot are very useful indeed.

The 'meat-cleric' is only really valuable when Persistent Spell becomes a realistic option. Otherwise, you spend the critical early rounds of combat just beefing yourself up. But once Persistent is around, go overboard. Divine Favour, Shield of Faith, Greater Magic Weapon, Aid, Prayer, Bless, Recitation, etc. etc.- it's very easy to become more powerful than the average fighter.

The buckler's AC should not count during the round in which you fire your bow, so it's not really that good (still useful).

Clerics need Extend Spell only to get most of their buffs up and running all day long. Persistent Spell is only needed for those with duration measured in rounds (Divine Favor being the obvious choice).

I think a single class cleric with some combat feats (Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Critical, ... or Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, ...) and Extend and Persistant Spell is really very powerful!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Mr.Binx]

When making a fighter, I normally avoid weapon focus and weapon specialization in lieu of using the two feats for something else unless I'm running out of things to spend feats on. The chances that you are going to find a really badass magic weapon that you have chosen to specialize in (especially for exotic weapons) is not very likely. Of course, you can always pay someone to build one for you (which requires oodles of platinum). If you do specialize in something funky, you can always ask the wizard/cleric in the party keep Greater Magic Weapon prepared for you or see if you can't get enough dough to buy some adamantite to smith that baby.

 

[trimeulose]

You could try for exotic weapon master. At fifth level every exotic weapon you pick up is perfect for you. You get proficiency, weapon focus, and weapon specialization with every exotic weapon you use. That way you can split the magic items btwn you and the rest of the group. You get all the exotic weapons and the group decides who keeps the martial and simple weapons.


Might be useful for those long trips away from home to the tomb.

Pre req

BaB +4
feats: exotic weapon proficiency (any three)
special: ability to rage

Its in MoW if you wanna use it.

 

[Al]

The buckler's AC should not count during the round in which you fire your bow, so it's not really that good (still useful).

Clerics need Extend Spell only to get most of their buffs up and running all day long. Persistent Spell is only needed for those with duration measured in rounds (Divine Favor being the obvious choice).

I think a single class cleric with some combat feats (Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Critical, ... or Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, ...) and Extend and Persistant Spell is really very powerful!

Bye
Thanee

Why doesn't the buckler AC count when you are using your bow. PHB p.105 'You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty.' If this is an errata, I'm grateful. Otherwise, I don't see where you're coming from.

Clerics can get by with Extend Spell, but the best combat spells are the short-duration ones. A top-level Divine Favour can give you a +6 bonus to hit and damage. Other very powerful (and short-duration) buff/utility spells include Bear's Heart (DotF), Shield of Faith, Invisibility Purge, Prayer (doesn't stack with DF, but gives your allies a boost), Recitation, Bless, Divine Power, Righteous Might and Spell Resistance. An assault cleric with all of these plus the long lasting ones (Magic Vestment, Endurance, Bull's Strength, GMW et al.) is a truly formidable foe!