Multi-classing on way to Divine Crusader

[SpiderMonkey]

Hi, all.

I posted this over at WotC's forums, but I thought I'd post here, too.

I'm going to play for the first time in a really long time, and I've got a concept nailed down. The DM is having us do a house-ruled point buy system for character creation that's very generous, so the whole "multi-ability syndrome" isn't really an issue.

I'm trying to limit myself to the Complete X splatbooks, Unearthed Arcana, and Player's Handbook II. Basically, no setting specific books or template madness.

What I've got is a human Barbarian 1/Ranger 1/Fighter 1/Paladin of Freedom (UA variant) 4/Divine Crusader (CD) X of Kord

He'll have a strong charisma, so the feats I'm looking at are Divine Might, Extra Smiting, Extra Rage, Leadership, Weapon Focus (to qualify for DC), and Power Attack. I'll probably look at Practiced Spellcaster and/or Spontaneous Healer later on (to get rid of spells in the Strength Domain like "Magic Vestment").

I'm still not sure if I'm going for a level of Ranger for the Track and favored enemy bits, or do two levels of Fighter instead. What do you think?

I think I have an empty feat slot or two in there relatively early (before I go for the Pally feats). Suggestions?

Some potential problems: LOW Will feat early on; though this should even out when the Divine Grace kicks in, and then become good when the Divine Crusader levels kick in. LOW Reflex save. Whatcha gonna do? Low AC. Somewhat 1-dimensional (i.e. buff, destroy, eat cake, done).

Concept-wise, I'm going for the untamed savage becoming civilized and religious. I have thought about simply taking a few levels in Divine Crusader and then taking a + divine caster level prestige class, but I haven't really found any that I particularly like.

Basically I'm looking for a brick/meatshield with a little bit of buff casting and social abilities. I really like the notion of going into a rage and then laying some power-attacked smites down.


Suggestions? Comments?

 

[moritheil]

I'm still not sure if I'm going for a level of Ranger for the Track and favored enemy bits, or do two levels of Fighter instead. What do you think?

I think I have an empty feat slot or two in there relatively early (before I go for the Pally feats). Suggestions?

Ranger 2 if you don't need the fighter level. More skills. Also, take ranger first so you get more skills at first level.

 

[Quartz]

Looks cool. I presume the level of Ranger is there for the Reflex save? You might try something like Mk 2 / Bar 2 / Ftr 2 / PoF 4 / DC 10 instead. This gets you Evasion and Uncanny Dodge.

I wouldn't take 10 levels in Divine Crusader unless you're allowed to take the Bonus Domain feat. Instead, take 2 levels then switch to another prestige class that give you extra domains. Or switch after 5 levels if you're after Weapon Specialisation. If you can take extra domans, consider dropping 1 level of paladin and getting the Glory domain.

 

[Sitara]

Take combat reflexes to boost AC. It can be a lifesaver in case you are ever caught without armor on. (ambshed while camping)

Take the divine charge class ability variant from phb II; it replaces mount class ability and is extremely powerful. Using divine charge, smite , powerattack AND rage in the same round on the same foe you will be able to take something down with one hit a lot of the time. You may also want to consider taking quickdraw feat with this build, if you take divine charge and maye the rapid assault feat (tome of battle).

 

[SpiderMonkey]

Take combat reflexes to boost AC. It can be a lifesaver in case you are ever caught without armor on. (ambshed while camping)

Take the divine charge class ability variant from phb II; it replaces mount class ability and is extremely powerful. Using divine charge, smite , powerattack AND rage in the same round on the same foe you will be able to take something down with one hit a lot of the time. You may also want to consider taking quickdraw feat with this build, if you take divine charge and maye the rapid assault feat (tome of battle).

After looking at the divine charge ability, I decided "Yup." So here's how the build stands:

Barb 1/Ftr 1/Paladin of Freedom 5/ Divine Crusader X

Feats: Extra Rage, Weapon Focus, Power Attack, Extra Smiting, Leadership, Divine Might

I'm really happy with it. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with skills so that they don't suck. I'm thinking of focusing on Concentration, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive, none of which I'll have as class skills throughout the build.

 

[Kat']

If you can find space for an extra useless feat, namely True Believer, you could get one level of Pious Templar, which opens a new spell list and above all grants you the amazing Mettle ability.

 

[moritheil]

If you can find space for an extra useless feat, namely True Believer, you could get one level of Pious Templar, which opens a new spell list and above all grants you the amazing Mettle ability.

It's not 100% useless - it's useful 1/day

 

[Sitara]

Whoops, when I said combat reflexes,i meant combat expertise. Oh and maybe also take the sacred vengeance feat (burn a turn to get +2d6 against undead per melee attack)

ALso, make sure with your gm your game will have the scope for the leadership feat.