Planning character progression
- Thread starter BraveSirRobin
- Start date
I agree with Darklone. Improved Initiative is *maybe* the most useful of all feats, but doesn't fit the barbarians slow but powerful image. As for weapon focus, my players quickly found out that taking it at first level was not a good idea. Wait until you find a good magical weapon to use. A longsword +3 makes little sense to use if you've spent feats on focus and specialization (I know barbs cant select this one, just as a general thought).
For your reference, the following low level spells have no S component and can therefore be cast in armour with no chance of arcane failure:
0: Flare, Light
1: Feather Fall, Hold Portal, True Strike, Ventriloquism
2: Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Darkness, Knock
A couple of points on your character:
Level 2:
Disrupt Undead doesn't do much damage (d6), you might want to take a utility Cantrip instead. Use an arrow when you want to do d6 ranged attacks.
Mage Armour: Forget it. Continue using armour with your chain shirt for the moment. Since True Strike has no S component, you can cast that without failure.
Level 8:
The first level spell is Change Self, which is purely an illusion. It allows you to pretend to be a different type of humaniod. You probably did want the 2nd level Alter Self (can give you gills, fins, wings, etc), but can't take it here.
Level 9:
I'm not a big fan of Great Cleave. Keep track of about how often you actually would have gotten a second or further attack off of cleave. If it isn't very often, pick a different feat.
Level 12:
Consider taking Blur instead of Mirror Image. At this level, you are going to be facing opponents that can very quickly take out 3-4 images. It is doubtfull the spell would last more than one round. The Blur doesn't require S components, and can be cast on other people.
Level 15:
As mentioned, you are limited to a 2nd level spell with the Extra Spell at this level. GMW probably wouldn't be that great anyways, you are only going to get +2 out of it.
Things to consider:
Get Blindfight and use the Darkness spell. When outnumbered, you turn out the lights and depend on your Listen skill (class skill for Barb) to find your enemies. You will only fail concealment checks 25% of the time, whereas hopefully they will fail them more often. With your Uncanny Dodge, you don't give a bonus to hit you when blind either.
Have you looked at the SpellBlade PrC from Tome & Blood? It would allow you to reduce the Arcane Failure chances to zero for the same average hit points as 1 Barb / 1 Sorc level. You would have to use up a feat to get Heavy Weapon proficiency. You would be giving up Barbarian levels though, so it would reduce your number of Rages/day and you would most likely miss the Damage reduction.
0: Flare, Light
1: Feather Fall, Hold Portal, True Strike, Ventriloquism
2: Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Darkness, Knock
A couple of points on your character:
Level 2:
Disrupt Undead doesn't do much damage (d6), you might want to take a utility Cantrip instead. Use an arrow when you want to do d6 ranged attacks.
Mage Armour: Forget it. Continue using armour with your chain shirt for the moment. Since True Strike has no S component, you can cast that without failure.
Level 8:
The first level spell is Change Self, which is purely an illusion. It allows you to pretend to be a different type of humaniod. You probably did want the 2nd level Alter Self (can give you gills, fins, wings, etc), but can't take it here.
Level 9:
I'm not a big fan of Great Cleave. Keep track of about how often you actually would have gotten a second or further attack off of cleave. If it isn't very often, pick a different feat.
Level 12:
Consider taking Blur instead of Mirror Image. At this level, you are going to be facing opponents that can very quickly take out 3-4 images. It is doubtfull the spell would last more than one round. The Blur doesn't require S components, and can be cast on other people.
Level 15:
As mentioned, you are limited to a 2nd level spell with the Extra Spell at this level. GMW probably wouldn't be that great anyways, you are only going to get +2 out of it.
Things to consider:
Get Blindfight and use the Darkness spell. When outnumbered, you turn out the lights and depend on your Listen skill (class skill for Barb) to find your enemies. You will only fail concealment checks 25% of the time, whereas hopefully they will fail them more often. With your Uncanny Dodge, you don't give a bonus to hit you when blind either.
Have you looked at the SpellBlade PrC from Tome & Blood? It would allow you to reduce the Arcane Failure chances to zero for the same average hit points as 1 Barb / 1 Sorc level. You would have to use up a feat to get Heavy Weapon proficiency. You would be giving up Barbarian levels though, so it would reduce your number of Rages/day and you would most likely miss the Damage reduction.
Zhure
First Post
from the MoTW splatbook, I recommend thinking about the Greater Resiliency feat. It gives you +1 to your DR. The prerequisite is having a class with the DR feature... so a Barb 1 can take it.
I think that's the only prerequisite. For a Barb/Sorc, it's great to take 1 less damage off of all non-energy attacks.
Greg
I think that's the only prerequisite. For a Barb/Sorc, it's great to take 1 less damage off of all non-energy attacks.
Greg
BraveSirRobin
Explorer
Wow, thanks guys those were great suggestions. I made a bunch of them already up above.
I am thinking of changing the initial feats as some have suggested but I am still thinking about it.
I am thinking of changing the initial feats as some have suggested but I am still thinking about it.
The intent was not to have 1st level barbarians take it as a 1st level feat. It will be in the errata along with the 9x/day limit on shapechanging healing, no limit/full stackability of forsaker ability bonuses and a revision of SR stacking for forsaker and foe hunter. Too bad everyone getting fired is going to delay the errata release an extra 3-6 months.
Dr. Zoom
First Post
You still have a level 3 spell with Extra Spell. It has to be 2nd level or lower. 
I will throw my hat in with those who suggest power attack and cleave at 1st level, although your selection is just as good. It comes down to flavor and style. I would take improved initiative at 3rd level and drop weapon focus altogether in favor of extended rage or instantaneous rage.
I will throw my hat in with those who suggest power attack and cleave at 1st level, although your selection is just as good. It comes down to flavor and style. I would take improved initiative at 3rd level and drop weapon focus altogether in favor of extended rage or instantaneous rage.
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