Request comments on this Dragon Disciple build, please

[Wolfix]

I'm building a 10th level character that will participate in 1 on 1 Arena battles against other players, and I was thinking of going for the Dragon Disciple class. I'm not sure it's the best choice for fighting against other powergamed min/maxed characters, but I've always wanted to play one the first time I layed eyes on it so I figure 'what the hell, why not'.

Anyway, my objective is to build one that is a spiked chain wielding tripper/grappler/disarmer/general fighter type of guy. The strength increases should help with that, along with some potions of enlarge. We get about 50k gold to spend, and use the 3 core books only with an awesome 50! point buy.

So here's what I was thinking: Sorcerer 1/Fighter 2/Monk 2/DD 5. Not sure on the race yet though, probably human. High scores in Str and Dex, medium score in Con, 13 Int, 11 or 12 Cha and low Wis. For feats I was thinking about EWP (Chain), WF (Chain), Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, Improved Grapple (monk), Improved Disarm, Power Attack, ...? He's have pretty good fort & will saves, but his bab wouldn't be that great (+6).

Any advice?
I do have some questions btw you guys might be able to answer:
-Would I have to drop my chain in order to grapple?
-Does trip work against flying characters?

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I'd put some some points in WIS to take advantage of the monk AC bonus.

You need to make a touch attack to start a grapple. This would mean that you need at least 1 hand free to start a grapple.

I don't know about trip vs. flying opponents.

Your BAB will indeed be sub-par. I'd go for pure fighter, or fighter/barbarian... the extra STR and CON from the rage can't hurt.

Going for multiple specialties (ie trip & grapple) is probably a bad idea, IMO, because you don't have that many levels to work with.

Also, I'd think about what competition you might face. Someone will surely make a wizard or a sorcerer, with access to very good mobility spells and dispel magic; you'll need quite a few potions. Someone will probably make some kind of dual-wielding sneak attack monster; you'll need something that gives concealment (potion of blur).

Will you have prep rounds? I'd take that info into account when desinging the character and picking magic items.

Hope this helps

AR

 

[Wolfix]

Thanks for the reply!

You make some good points... perhaps it would indeed be wise to focus more on 1 thing, like Improved Trip. Then I could leave out the monk levels (won't take Improved Grapple) and replace them with barbarian levels which would grant me an extra bab plus rage. Won't have as good saves though but that should be ok I think.

As to the competetion I face, you are correct about potion shopping. But I hadn't thought about that much yet as I was wondering about the build itself a lot . We would have 2 prep rounds to prepare, so that gives each character time to buff up a bit or active some items. I need to start looking for what items I'm going to buy...

I think I'll make a seperate post about the tripping vs flying creatures, that seems a worthy enough question.

 

[Diirk]

How about bard 4/paladin of freedom 2/dd ?

It delays entry into DD by 1 level, but you get 2nd level bard spells, cha bonus to saves etc.