Suggestions on Barbarian/Sorc going to Dragon Disciple

[Archer]

If you are going the trip route, don't stop at improved trip, go on to knockdown because its not worth the risk of getting tripped to get a touch attack instead of melee attack.

There is an armor ability that reduces spell failure to 0%. Rage mage drops spell failure 10%.

 

[bret]

There is an armor ability that reduces spell failure to 0%. Rage mage drops spell failure 10%.

As I recall, someone told me Rage Mage is from Dragon magazine, so it is unlikely the GM would approve it.

Where is the reduced Arcane Failure enchantment for Armor?

We are restricted pretty much to Forgotten Realms, the core books, the class splat books, and the Sea Farer's book from Legend's and Lairs.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Well, I don't want to start this either, but as I recall, the text you're referring to is only in some strange illegal pdf version of the PH (repaginated and edited by some third party) and Sage Advice (it's certainly not in my version (2nd printing) or in the erratta). While the Sage's suggestion may be more balanced, it's not the letter of the rulebooks. Which is why I suggested that he ask his DM how shield will work in this particular campaign. . . . It's a matter of good planning like asking whether or not Harm has a will save (and if casting it is an evil action) before you prepare it.

This starts again? There ARE PHBs that tell that shield spells don't negate AoOs. As well as errata and Sage advice and heck who else all say: It does NOT negate AoOs. If you use this, it's a houserule.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Re: Re: Shield

As to the spell failure for a large shield--you're right that it's 15% if you're using it. However, it's 0% if it's on your back/not in use. What my character usually does is cast the shield spell (10% spell failure from his armor) and then ready his large shield and move into melee range. At that point, the spell failure is largely irrelevant because he doesn't usually need to cast spells other than true strike (which is verbal only and consequently doesn't suffer from spell failure).

You are right, I was inconsistent.

I'm imagining a fair amount of archery in the game, but intending to be a capable Melee fighter. The shield spell is very useful for Melee, when you usually would not have cover.

I'll have to think about the Expertise/Trip route. I'm currently running a fighter with Trip and found it to be less than satisfying. It seems to me that you have to build the character specifically for this feat in order to take good advantage of it.

I'm not going to be taking a lot of Sorcerer levels. The character is mostly a Barbarian/Dragon Disciple and I want it to be a capable front line fighter. I'm seriously questioning if I would ever go beyond 4 levels of Sorcerer.

Once again, thanks people for the comments.

Dragon Disciple is definitely a good way to go if you're looking at the trip feat chain. With the strength and size increases, and a trip weapon (flails or guisarm for instance), you'll almost always succeed in tripping ordinary opponents.

 

[bret]

I think I'll skip the trip chain. Too many feats and it isn't really the style of fighting I was looking for in this character.

The bonus for size large would definately make the feat more useful, I just don't think it is the direction I want to take this character.