Need help with staff-wielder

[arnon]

Hi people,

I want to build a character whom while a fighter, was not educated in all the fine aspects of warfare. in other word, has gorwn on a farm/village (such a cliche...)

two things I want to do:

1. Want to make a variant fighter. If I wanted to have a fighter that is only proficient with simpe weapons, and light armor. what do you think he should gain for these disadvantages.

2. Find a PrC for a Quarterstaff wielding fighter. I saw a couple but did not really like them. If one does not exsist then I guess I'll have to create one. would sure appreciate your help.

 

[Gort]

Although you want a house rule, I was considering this kind of fighter about a week ago.

I feel that ranger with the two weapon fighting path would give you something close to what you're after. After all, quarterstaves can be used as double weapons, you get light armour proficiency, and some stuff to make up for it. (Including Shep, your loyal dog from the farm, some simple village magics to ward off the evil eye, and a whole bunch of skills that a big strapping outdoorsy farmer lad should know)

On a staff prestige class, I can't say I've ever seen one, though.

 

[Plane Sailing]

There is a staff fighting prestige class in the product "Master of Arms" by Second World publications (I think). The samples on their website give you a list of all the quarterstaff feats which you can gain in the prestige class (all the prestige classes in the book are designed around lists of feats to support DM's who just want to include the feats).

You could be a high Dex fighter who uses quarterstaff, gains the two weapon chain, the power attack and cleave and great cleave chain (for the big two handed sweeping strokes which reap your enemies like wheat), the weapon focus and weapon specialisation chain for additional damage. The expertise chain for improved trip and improved disarm are also quite iconic quarterstaff feats.

i.e. you can have a nice versatile fighter - he won't be doing the most damage on the block compared to the two handed sword wielders but he'd be fun to play.

Another option is to start the chap off with a level of monk, lower dex and higher strength. He's not an oriental mystic type at all, but he gains the game mechanics of (a) being a great brawler and (b) getting flurry of blows with the quarterstaff)

If you wanted to arrange with the DM for something that is even more dramatic you could consider something like:

a fighter with *no* weapon proficiencies apart from quarterstaff, but he gains the monk flurry of blows feature including the progression at 7th/11th/whatever in compensation.

 

[Tetsubo]

Maybe a House Feat that lets the staff do one damage die greater, ie it becomes a 1d8/1d8 weapon. Maybe even increase the Critical multiplier to x3. That would make the staff a more viable weapon. It would also reflect the intense training that the character has put into the staff. I would make the Improved Critical Feat be a prereq.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Trade the 2nd-, 8th- and 12th- level feats for Flurry of Blows, Improved (no penalty) Flurry, and Greater (two extra attacks) Flurry, all as the monk class features.

With 2-weapon fighting and the flurries, you get, at 20th level with Greater Weapon Focus and a Strength of 20, you get a full attack routine of:

+25/+25/+25/+25/+20/+20/+15/+15/+10

You can do better with some exotic special monk weapons, but nine attacks, four of which are made at your highest BAB, is nothing to scoff at, even when each blow deals only 1d6+9 damage before magic.

 

[Dogbrain]

Want to make a variant fighter. If I wanted to have a fighter that is only proficient with simpe weapons, and light armor. what do you think he should gain for these disadvantages.

If, that is IF, the D&D/D20 rules are properly designed and not a kludge, all you would have to do is give the character five or six additional Feats at first level to "make up" for the loss of Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shield, and the martial weapons (the last worth up to two Feats). Progress as a fighter therefrom.

 

[arnon]

but he gains the monk flurry of blows feature including the progression at 7th/11th/whatever in compensation.

I like the idea of the flurry of blows added to the class. you think it will be a fair trade for the loss of martial weapons and most armor?
Will adding a better reflex save unbalance it too much?

Maybe a House Feat that lets the staff do one damage die greater, ie it becomes a 1d8/1d8 weapon. Maybe even increase the Critical multiplier to x3

The man will actually be using a Bladestaff (we get an exotic weapon for free ) so if I want I can make more damage, though I much more see him as one who Trips and Disarms his opponents, he is not to appear a danger to the people around him...
...just a simple farmer with a straw hat, nothing to see...

Thanks for the ideas guys, I will of course run them by my DM. But he, like me, likes atypical characters.
I'll let you know what we agree on, but it will take some time since the game will start only in a month or so.

arnon

 

[Agamemnon]

If, that is IF, the D&D/D20 rules are properly designed and not a kludge, all you would have to do is give the character five or six additional Feats at first level to "make up" for the loss of Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shield, and the martial weapons (the last worth up to two Feats). Progress as a fighter therefrom.

Oh, don't be ridiculous. D20 is as far from "properly designed" and "logical" as a system CAN be.

 

[arnon]

You could be a high Dex fighter who uses quarterstaff, gains the two weapon chain, the power attack and cleave and great cleave chain (for the big two handed sweeping strokes which reap your enemies like wheat), the weapon focus and weapon specialisation chain for additional damage. The expertise chain for improved trip and improved disarm are also quite iconic quarterstaff feats.

i.e. you can have a nice versatile fighter - he won't be doing the most damage on the block compared to the two handed sword wielders but he'd be fun to play.
QUOTE]

This is what I had in mind, once I though him up.

but on second though, I'm not so sure about the Flurry of Blows. will have to think about it.

arnon

 

[Evilhalfling]

There is a thug class from complete warrior, (bad name) which I call a fencer,
who trades heavy armor for 4+ skill points per level, and a few extra class skills.
I like the idea of starting as a 2nd level ranger to account for a farm up bringing.