Quick help needed - most powerful 3rd lvl build

[vancouver_dndplayer]

I am new to these forums and they look great! I've been playing 3.5 for 1.5 years and tomorrow night in lieu of our normal campaign we're doing a battle-to-the-death in which the four of us eachl bring a 3rd level character and duke it out. This is my chance to Power Game like nobody's business (normally we have a lot of rp in our campaigns), so what's best out there?

The creation rules are that we all get pretty good stats (three or so 13s and some 10s) and we get 2,700 gold to buy whatever we want from the DMG.

I was going to create a 1/1/1 half-orc figher/barbarian/cleric, but suddenly I realized that I could create a 3rd level wizard and buy a couple of wands of magic missile (1st level), a dozen scrolls of mirror image, a dozen potions of cure light wounds. I could cast mirror image and then take magic missile potshots at everybody. I could see a downside in that an area of effect spell could wipe me out, but if everyone else is only 3rd level, what's the possibility of that?

Anyway - any other super-great 3rd level character build ideas out there?

Thanks!

 

[blargney the second]

Potion of fly + druid 3 + produce flame = FUN.

 

[Arkhandus]

Ummm. Dwarven Crusader (Book of Nine Swords) 3, with Potions of Fly and Cure Moderate Wounds? Survivability and melee a$$kickery for the win?

 

[TheGogmagog]

Seems like a job for a warlock, hide and blast. I haven't checked what they have acess to at that level but it seems it could work. Potion of fly seems to be popular, and protection from arrows would be good.

 

[Ilium]

Seems like a job for a warlock, hide and blast. I haven't checked what they have acess to at that level but it seems it could work. Potion of fly seems to be popular, and protection from arrows would be good.

I think a warlock at that level could have Darkness and Devil's Sight (to see through his own darkness). Toss on a blast invocation like Sickening, and maybe a level of rogue for Sneak Attack damage. You'd be doing 2d6 with each attack and be very hard to hit.

 

[Darklone]

If you go warlock, don't multiclass. You'll do 2d6 anyhow

Pack some potions of Cure Moderate wounds and boost your Con somehow. Then blast away.

 

[Daedrova]

For a battle between just four 3rd level combatants, I don’t see that just doing moderate damage (2d6) a round albeit continually would be all that powerful.
A Barbarian or Fighter will out damage you (greatsword plus Str and 1/2, and have more hp, etc. and can easily make up for deficits with potions himself.

How well would Sickening Blast actually work? (I don’t have access to Warlock rules)

Specifically compare to Scorching ray doing 4d6 each round. And Evoker with 14 Int can do this three times himself before having to use a scroll or wand.
Make Dex as high as possible of course for the ranged touch attack; and perhaps Weapon Focus – Ranged Touch.
I don’t see many other feats being crucial; but the greater probability of acting first by taking Improved Init seems worthwhile.
(I completely agree that taking potions/scrolls of mirror image, cure, etc. are vital for survivability)

Will you be using point buy? You said “good ability scores” but “three 13s and 10s” is pretty weak. Can you get exact scores? That will definitely help determine what you can do.

Also, will your DM allow you to purchase a wand with fewer charges at a proportionately lower cost?

Do you know what kind of “arena” this will be in? Will characters know they are going into combat and be aware of each other’s presence? Will they start a certain distance from one another?

 

[vancouver_dndplayer]

I forgot to mention that it's core rulebooks only. Just PHB and DMG (and MM for summoning). Warlock would be unavailable.

I'm really considering a 3rd level wizard with a boatload of scrolls and wands of magic missile.......

 

[Ilium]

Ok. Core rules only changes things pretty drastically.

Darklone: D'oh! Of course you're better off going straight warlock in this case. I'm being dumb.

A wizard with scrolls is certainly a viable option. As Daedrova says, scorching ray has lots of bang for the buck. A wand of magic missiles will do a very reliable 7 points a round if you can stay away from your opponent. Hmm.

Expeditious Retreat might keep you out of melee while still allowing you to cast. Combined with Protection from Arrows and you can pretty much laugh at warrior-types, if the arena design is favorable. Then just plink away with your Magic Missile wand.

Remember to have Shield prepared/on a scroll in case you face another mage.

 

[Ruslanchik]

Ftr 2/ Barb 1, either human or half-orc would kill. Go greatsword and shred.