New Character Help

[tankiller]

I'm going to start a new 3.5 campaign this Sat and was looking for some character ideas. I was thinking either a monk or a multiclass monk/rogue. I don't need an OP class just something competitive with the rest of the party. We will have 5 party members a cleric, a bard, a beffy melee class (he hasn't decided on which one yet), me and then one undecided. Most of the party has never played before so we are limited to Ph 1&2, Coplete, MM, and dmg.

I havnt decided on anything 100% yet and am open to any and all suggestions that you guys might have to offer.

Other info u might need:
We use group initiative so improved initiative is useless.
We also don't use spell components.

Thank you in advance.

 

[xigbar]

I'm going to start a new 3.5 campaign this Sat and was looking for some character ideas. I was thinking either a monk or a multiclass monk/rogue. I don't need an OP class just something competitive with the rest of the party. We will have 5 party members a cleric, a bard, a beffy melee class (he hasn't decided on which one yet), me and then one undecided. Most of the party has never played before so we are limited to Ph 1&2, Coplete, MM, and dmg.

I havnt decided on anything 100% yet and am open to any and all suggestions that you guys might have to offer.

Other info u might need:
We use group initiative so improved initiative is useless.
We also don't use spell components.

Thank you in advance.

It depends on what the other player does, partly. Your group lacks a full arcance caster, which will kill you later. While you do have a Bard, if the other player fills the arcane spot, a Scout (Complete Adventuer) might be nice, giving you some of the fast movement of the Monk, and the skills of a Rogue, and a more reliable method of dealing extra damage than a Rogue. A Swift Hunter build is powerful, but not overpowered, in my opinion.

 

[Greenfield]

I think Xigbar's touched on something important. I faced this at the beginning of our current campaign. For mechanical reasons, I had no idea what anyone else was going to run, and mine was the last character to join the party.

My solution was to prepare three characters, let the party meet *all* of them "at the bar" (i.e. at or near party introduction), and then make a joint decision as to which one they wanted/needed.

The others became potential NPCs for the DM to use if he so chose.

I made a Ranger, a Rogue, and the Bard I ended up playing.

So put together your Monk, your Rogue/Monk, and maybe a Wiz or Sorcerer. Then, when you have a better idea what the others have, you can fill in the blanks.

(Note: It doesn't hurt to have a little melee overkill, so if it were me I'd prep a Ranger or Scout as well.)

 

[Jackinthegreen]

Can't go wrong with a Wizard since spells are very versatile. If you get two wizards in the party make sure to get different spells of course.

 

[Dandu]

A monk will not keep up with a cleric or bard unless they are played poorly.

On the other hand, most people play them poorly.

 

[tankiller]

First off thank you for all the fast replies.

I think I will prepare a couple characters and have them at the ready. I talked to the beffy melee guy and he did have a wizard as a back up incase the 5th player wants to go that path. We are the 2 with the most knowledgable it the game so that should work out fairly well.

If there are any other ideas or suggestions plz feel free to add I could use the advice.

 

[tankiller]

A monk will not keep up with a cleric or bard unless they are played poorly.

On the other hand, most people play them poorly.

Chances are the cleric will become a dedicated healer without alot of combat and they will both be played by first time players so I would say poorly will probaly happen.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

What do you WANT to be?

 

[kitcik]

What do you WANT to be?

He wants to be a swordsage using the unarmed strike variant, but ToB is out...

 

[Dandu]

What do you WANT to be?

All that he can be.