sorcerer/dragondisciple/psion

[kigmatzomat]

He is still missing his 3rd attack (and will be for 2 more BAB) and his attack bonus is 'very' low for a primary fighter.

Actually, he already has 3 attacks around via +16 claw, +16 claw, +11 bite. I'm not sure about the mixing of natural and hand-held weaponry in 3.5 but I think this character could get +14/+9 sword, +9 claw, +9 bite, with claw & bite counting as off-hand, secondary attacks.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Actually, he already has 3 attacks around via +16 claw, +16 claw, +11 bite. I'm not sure about the mixing of natural and hand-held weaponry in 3.5 but I think this character could get +14/+9 sword, +9 claw, +9 bite, with claw & bite counting as off-hand, secondary attacks.

Secondary natural weapons, not "off-hand, secondary attacks." You've otherwise got it largely correct.

 

[ARandomGod]

Generally, it's not a good idea to multiclass two spellcasters unless you're going for a PrC that gains you spells for both (i.e. Mystic Theurge).

And, um... I'd like to point out that even then it's not actually a GOOD idea.

Although I don't know about the Cerebromancer. But the MT, no, that one's not really for a main character.

DD is mainly a fighter class. It requires the sorc (or spontanious arcane casting at any rate). There could be a reason to dip into psionics as well for a primary fighter, and I'm assuming he's doing something like that. He wants to be a fighter with a few magical abilities. Which could turn out very good if done properly.

Claw Claw Bite from Dragon Disciple can be very good. Get armor spikes for your martial weapon, and you get your full BAB progression, and an added Claw Claw Bite as secondary natural attacks (all at -5 to hit). That would be +16/+11 BAB based attacks and +11/+11/+11 secondary attacks. And that's not bad.

Now assume that instead of psion 1 sorc 4 he's going sorc 1 and psion 4... and he's got some interesting psionic power trick up his sleeve (isn't there a vampiric claw power somewhere in there? Gaining life back every attack does sound like a fun trick to me).

 

[kigmatzomat]

Secondary natural weapons, not "off-hand, secondary attacks." You've otherwise got it largely correct.

I run 3.0 so I wasn't sure if it counted as two-weapon fighting in 3.5. That means the DD would get +16/+11 sword, +11 claw, +11 bite.

Hmmm, add the "multiweapon fighting" feat that changes secondary natural weapon penalty to -2 instead of -5 and you have +16/+11 sword, +14 claw, +14 bite. This is still about +5 behind a dedicated fighter but it's not shabby for a 2nd line fighter that only spent 1 feat. The utility spells and psi powers used during any movement should make up for a lot of it.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Yep. Note that he does only get to apply .5 of his Strength bonus to damage with his secondary natural attacks, even with the Multiattack feat (which is the one you're thinking of).

 

[caroak]

I don't know the sotry of his character, but he has the background, so I'm asking it to him an dI'll post it for you.
Seems like he wouldn't have many trouble, he's strong and can cast some spells and power for like backup?
Anyway, today I'm going to see him using that character, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[kigmatzomat]

The character will be fine in most fights but the only time he may have a problem is when the group is fighting a single BBEG that is >2CR above their level. He'll have to either pull back and spend 1-3 rounds activating self-buff powers or just wade in and pray for 20s. I saw something similar in my last game when the 2nd tier combatants were unable to connect with the dragon I forced them to hunt.

 

[caroak]

when the group is fighting a single BBEG that is >2CR above their level.

what does that mean?

 

[kigmatzomat]

3.x has challenge ratings for creatures. A typical encounter for a party of 4 characters should have the same CR as the average character level. (e.g. four 10th level characters vs. one CR10 creature is a "normal" encounter). The "normal" encounter difficulty goes up if you have more than 4 players, down if you have less.

An encounter 1-2 levels above the party's "normal" CR is challenging but not particularly likely to kill any characters or be completely unaffectable by most character builds. At Encounters 3-4 levels above "normal" CR you have the possibility of a creature with lots of immunities (high SR or flat out magic immunity, like golems) or possibly ACs that are too high for most of the group to hit with any regularity.

The problem probably won't show up when you fight groups b/c they won't be as tough individually.

 

[ZR]

I agree that the DD can work out as a poor option if you are dreaming of being a powerfull spellcaster or the party tank but..

I play a 21st level DD. In his original game he was battle sorcorer 11/DD10. The new DM did not like the BS class so now he is Warmage11/DD10.

With practiced spellcaster he casts as 15th level. With multiattack he has 5 attacks. Heeps of HP's , by far the most in the party. MULTI ATTACK and IMPROVED MULTIATACK

Warmage has a heep of no SR spells, such as all the orb type spells. With 11 5th level spellslots I can cast a lot of metamagic spells.

With lower AC opponents I cause a lot of damage...with higher AC opponents I start using orbs or sililar (touch spells that in my case deal 15d6+7 ...save or be stunned etc)

My AC is like 40/44.

.......In summary I am a versatile character that is effective in a range of circustances. With the DD class added you also find that you have a "casting stamina" that sees you dishing it out after a lot of party casters are starting to weaken.

If I were a standard caster I would have some protection, spells like mirror image....heroism....firesheild etc...etc..