Powerful Halfling character?

[Shin Okada]

A thread regarding Halfling and 2h weapon have let me think about this. I like Halflings. My first OD&D character was a Halfling. And now in 3e, we have great opportunity for Halflings. They can become any class. Still, I see not so many Halflings other than Wizards and Sorcerers here. It seems (at least seems) hard to make good Fighter or Ranger due to their low strength and size (cannot use large weapons). Even Halfling rogues are rare here, as they are small and not good for taking position for sneak attack, and they do not have low-light vision nor dark vision.

Halfling characters have great potential of role playing. Still, it is very hard for a not so effective character to join in combat-heavy campaign, or to survive official modules (especially those created by Monte).

So guys, would you please give me some idea to create powerful Halfling character except for Wizard/Sorcerer? I usually play with 32 pts buy and only play within core rule. But prestige class can be OK if you think that is the only way.

 

[mzsylver]

Even Halfling rogues are rare here, as they are small and not good for taking position for sneak attack, and they do not have low-light vision nor dark vision.

what?!?! halflings STILL make the best rogues. they can always be better than humans and elves at Climb, Hide, and Move Silent because of their racial bonuses. granted, the get less skill points than humans, but their racial bonuses make up for this until a higher level... AND they get a Dex Bonus.

plus they're the best at avoiding traps! halfling bonus to all saves + dex bonus.

hence, halflings make the best rogues. burn one level on fighter after the first to get weapon finesse & take the rest of your feats to qualify for Shadowdancer. take 2 levels of that for the most broken ability ever (Hide in Plain Site) and Darkvision. bam!

most of my characters are rogues & wizards or wizard/rogues and ive found the halfling race to work out very well.

good luck! hopefully someone will post some sorta of smack down barbarian fighter halfling creation...

 

[Crothian]

Actually, from what I've seen Halflings are one of the better PHB races.

 

[Artoomis]

Halflings make excellent paladins - they can be mounted inside.

 

[DM with a vengence]

A halfling Ftr/Rog specializing in throwing weapons can deal obscene amount of damage. Compared to humans, halflings have a net +3 to a thrown dagger (+1 racial, +1 Dex mod, +1 size) and the -1 to damage, while painful, isn't really that bad.

Instead of getting a bunch of highly magical weapons, buy one magic one (backup), a bunch of mundane ones and a wand of Greater Magic Weapon and have your spellcaster magic them up before adventuring.

Feats:
Point Blank Shot (1)
Rapid Shot (Ftr 1) (2)
Weapon Focus (Ftr 2) (3)
Precise Shot (3)
Weapon Specialization (Ftr 4)
Far Shot (6)
Improved Initiative (9)

If starting from first, take 1 level of Rogue for skills, then 4 of Fighter for weapon Specializtion, and then continue with a few more level of Rogue for sneak attack.

And if you're playing and FR, take Strongheart Halfling for the extra feat, and have a whirling engine of death by level 6.

 

[Michael Tree]

Halflings also make great druids. Wild Shape isn't dependent on the size of the druid, nor are any of the other abilties. In addition, because of their small size, halflings can potentially use wolves and tigers as mounts, even underground, and have great bonuses on stealth skills.

 

[Skullfyre]

IMC we have a halfling paladin
He may not be the strongest, but thanks to the size of his mount and his riding skills(max ride skill plus dex and minimum handle animal for synergy as well as a military saddle.) and feats(spirited charge and such) he is quite good at in and out attacks. Nothing like the warcry of him as he charges down the corridor with his lance towards the enemy

 

[reapersaurus]

Halflings make excellent paladins - they can be mounted inside.

dumb question, but aren't MOST races mounted inside?

except for the barbaric ones....

 

[jollyninja]

it might look strange, but the halfling fighter using a dwarven waraxe with two hands and wearing platemail can be every bit as good at the job as a dwarf. their ac will allways be one better, thier attacks the same as the dwarf, they get a saving throw bonus, bonus to hurled weapons only damage and hit points take a drop from dwarf to halfling.

i say this as someone who never plays halflings. i enjoy smashing things way to much to play a halfling but when Gronk can not smash, it's nice to have a halfling handy, the thought of them flying after you kick them is priceless, and bolsters you for another attempt to smash.

 

[jontherev]

Well, I never...! My halfling rogue/wizard/ranger/fighter/temple raider of Brandobaris(house rule change from Olidammara) has the most hit points (we have no pure fighters), highest ac, and highest saves in the party. Note, I had a good background written up, and we play a high magic and powergaming type of campaign. I've had some serious luck finding magic items that are perfect for my pc, like rings of blinking and invisibility and a belt of dwarvenkind. Until I had that belt, it was a real pain running around with light on my daggers...kinda hard to hide. Unfortuneately, around 50% (could be higher) of the stuff we fight is immune to crits or is undead, so my sneak attack is kinda neutered somewhat. Still, I was getting 4 attacks per round at 8th level with expert tactician. Yeah, those are only +1 daggers, but it adds up. Usually, it would be 3 attacks due to blinking though. Anyway, I think you get my drift that halflings are the strongest race and elves should bow before their vast superiority.