Need help with Expedition to Castle Ravenloft character

[tecnowraith]

I need some with a character concept for Expedition to Castle Ravenloft. My Half-orc Barbarian died last game and I need to create a new character. Arcane and Divine is covered we have rogue and straight fighter and DM suggest another combat warrior for survival and damage. Looking to play another warrior that can survive better. Barbarian is out, not wanting to play paladin or no power attack feat. Any suggestions for this concept?

 

[evilbob]

So you're basically looking for a full-BAB, tanking class that's not from the PHB...

Maybe a Duskblade? They have wicked burst damage capabilities, and can still do well at range. They're a little underpowered in the Ravenloft level range of 6-10, though.

Some people like the Marshal - I think they give bonuses to others. Does anyone know if the Knight is any good?

Maybe go with a fighter but use radically different styles? Maybe using Book of Nine Swords or something like that?

Hmm...

 

[justfisch]

I DM'ed EtCR, and you should get some ability to shrug off negatie levels and other nasty undead effects. What level are you able to play? There are a couple of feats in EtCR that let you avoid neg. levels. There is also a pretty cool cleric/thief prestige class in the minitures hand book, I think it is called Undead Stalker or something like that.

cheers,
j

 

[blargney the second]

I'm having a LOT of fun playing a warforged warblade. Warforged are immune to energy drain, so that'd presumably be a useful trait. Take Adamantine Body to effectively have full plate with a class that doesn't give that proficiency.

A Swift Hunter (scout/ranger) would probably do good things. Pick undead as favored enemy and you can skirmish them all day long and force them to not take full attacks against you. Heck, warforged with Mithral Body would still be pretty decent.
-blarg

 

[RigaMortus2]

Are you allowed non-Core books? Are you allowed the Tome of Battle? Because we are actually playing EtCR as well, and we have a Swordsage and Crusader, and the Crusader is just kicking butt. I'd recommend one!

 

[Bad Paper]

That's funny, because I had three PCs die in EtCR: a swordsage, a crusader, and a warblade.

Actually, the warblade wound up dominated, along with two others, so I guess he's technically still alive.

Yes, after losing eight PCs, we "lost" EtCR. It's over.

My recommendation for a PC is a cleric of Pelor.

 

[RigaMortus2]

That's funny, because I had three PCs die in EtCR: a swordsage, a crusader, and a warblade.

Actually, the warblade wound up dominated, along with two others, so I guess he's technically still alive.

Yes, after losing eight PCs, we "lost" EtCR. It's over.

That is not very reassuring for me to hear! We actually did not start EtCR module yet, as it is set for 6th lvl characters. We are only 3rd level and doing some side quests to build up to the module, so not you scare me

My recommendation for a PC is a cleric of Pelor.

We have one of those too. Except, we created a deity specific for the setting (basically, he is the same as Pelor, just w/ a different name). He is called Elshing (if you move the "h" in front of the "E", you'll reveal the mystery behind Elshing's name... ) We have creative players

 

[justfisch]

Just a little more advice. EtCR is tough, and I ended up dominating or killing the whole party. Strahd is a genius and if played as such by your DM he will strike when you are on your heels realling from some other nasty encounter.
have plenty of healing power and ability drain/level drain healing. Also, I can not stress this enough, get everyone under some type of protection from evil spell or ability to protect against the domination effect. This has been the downfall of every party I have DM'ed against Strahd (first addition, a retooling of the adventure for 2nd addition and now third addition) It is Strahd's bread and butter, his montra. he is a control freak, that's his MO, if you can take that away from him, you have a chance at winning.

Just one more hint, seek out unworthy or unusual allies in the castle and the surrounding lands. A good diplomacy could gain you a lot of help...

cheers and good vampire hunting!
j

 

[blargney the second]

If you take the Shape Soulmeld feat from Magic of Incarnum, you can shape Planar Ward to gain immunity to possession, charms, and compulsions.

 

[szilard]

I'm not too familiar with EtCR, but I assume it involves a lot of undead.

This means many Will and Fort saves that you don't want to lose. It also means that you don't want to be touched.

Some potentially effective builds for this (excluding paladin):

*The ranged warblade - it is a tricky, but powerful build. Diamond Mind gives you the potential for great saves.
*Monk - all good saves. mobility. good touch AC.
*Ranger (archery), possibly mixed with something else.
*Cleric.

I'd avoid Knight - they're meant to go toe-to-toe and tend to have lousy touch ACs. Bad combination. Duskblade could be OK. Does a Hexblade's curse work on undead? Mettle would be nice...

-Stuart