Need help designing a 9th Level combat monster

[Daermon]

I recently put together a Sor1/Mnk4/Dragon Disciple 4 as a grappler.

That sounds....well, pretty cool actually. How effective was he though? Able to go toe to toe against someone with two or three times the hit points?

Also, while I'm here, could someone explain this whole gestalt character thing to me. I may be able to sell it to my GM, provided I can get a good grasp on how it works.

Because that sounds like something I'd be happier with.

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, one reason is to do something different. I've never played a successful grappler before. The second reason is because everyone in this game is a magic user of some type or another (and half of them are as good in melee - if not better - than a Fighter would be at comparable levels), that I want to be as bare bones as it is possible to get in D&D and still be a contender. And I like playing underdogs.

Have you seen the grappling PrC in the Complete Warrior?

For underdogs, I play Bards.

 

[Daermon]

Have you seen the grappling PrC in the Complete Warrior?

Umm..... I have now. How in hell did I miss that?

For underdogs, I play Bards.

I said underdog. I didn't say suicide.

 

[Jdvn1]

Umm..... I have now. How in hell did I miss that?

IIRC, fifth level ability is a save-or-die grapple. I don't remember the specifics, though.

I said underdog. I didn't say suicide.

No, no, "challenge" is the term. You can make a decent Bard with the Complete books. Some of the Races books are nice too.

 

[Daermon]

IIRC, fifth level ability is a save-or-die grapple. I don't remember the specifics, though.

Yeah. Pretty damn cool, too. Except that it goes off Wisdom. Gah.

No, no, "challenge" is the term. You can make a decent Bard with the Complete books. Some of the Races books are nice too.

I'll have to take your word on that.

Besides, I want to make a build without magic using, if possible.

 

[Jdvn1]

Yeah. Pretty damn cool, too. Except that it goes off Wisdom. Gah.

Well, for a Monk that's not bad.

I'll have to take your word on that.

Besides, I want to make a build without magic using, if possible.

Bards don't rely on magic anyway. The DCs for their spells aren't good for that sort of thing. Or are you not using Rangers and Paladins either?

 

[Daermon]

Bards don't rely on magic anyway. The DCs for their spells aren't good for that sort of thing. Or are you not using Rangers and Paladins either?

Not unless I have to. Like I said, over-abundance of magic in the game.

Of course, if I have no other choice, I have no problem being a magic-y type.

 

[Hypersmurf]

That sounds....well, pretty cool actually. How effective was he though? Able to go toe to toe against someone with two or three times the hit points?

No idea Never got a chance to play him.

Also, while I'm here, could someone explain this whole gestalt character thing to me. I may be able to sell it to my GM, provided I can get a good grasp on how it works.

Er, probably not going to happen, since there are already other characters. A gestalt character is sort-of like superpowered multiclassing. You effectively go up a level in two different classes each time you level.

Generally, either everyone's gestalt, or everyone isn't.

-Hyp.

 

[Daermon]

Er, probably not going to happen, since there are already other characters. A gestalt character is sort-of like superpowered multiclassing. You effectively go up a level in two different classes each time you level.

Generally, either everyone's gestalt, or everyone isn't.

-Hyp.

Well, I am roughly 5 levels below the next lowest PC (I had to miss some sessions). I may be able to squeeze one in.

Okay, probably not. But I can dream.

 

[Nellisir]

Without doing the numbers, I'd lean towards a Fighter 9 or Monk1/Fighter8 with the Kobo feat chain on pgs 60-61 of Way of the Open Hand. The F9 could have the entire chain; the M/F would be one away, I think. Both would have additional feats remaining.

Anything less than a d10 for hit points makes me very nervous in melee combat. There's just nothing for soaking up damage in combat than a big pile of hit points.
Cheers
Nell.

Edit: After glancing at the monk, I'd do monk1/fighter8. Unarmed strike and Improved grapple, plus the save boost, are worth the -1 BAB and single lower hit die. Take it as your 2nd-level class and get the full 10 hit points at first level fighter. Take Kobo Ichi-Kai Novice at 1st level - you get a +2 bonus to a single unarmed attack on a full attack action, which is all you'll get for the first 6 levels anyways (except via flurry of blows). Weapon Focus (unarmed strike) wouldn't be bad. You should still have room for Weapon Specialization later on, even getting the Kobo feats ASAP.