The Dark Knight Returns: Building Batman

[Brace Cormaeril]

Here's my hang-up. Swinging from grappling hooks, like the Brachiation feat... how would rule a character who wished to swing through the streets of Waterdeep like Batman?

 

[Drowbane]

Here's my hang-up. Swinging from grappling hooks, like the Brachiation feat... how would rule a character who wished to swing through the streets of Waterdeep like Batman?

Magicial grappling hooks made by an Artificer (FR PrC) that mimic the Fly spell?

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I think class-wise the character should be at least a 10th level Martial Rogue in order to gain Improved Evasion.

Skills to Consider: (Culled from the DC Heroes Sourcebook)
Balance
Bluff
Climb
Diplomacy
Disable Device
Disguise
Escape Artist
Forgery
Gather Information
Hide
Intimidate
Jump
Knowledge (GOTHAM CITY, History)
Listen
Move Silently
Open Locks
Profession (Detective)
Search
Sense Motive
Spot
Tumble

Feats to Consider:
Combat Expertise
Dodge
Improved Initiative
Improved Unarmed Strike
Improved Grapple
Iron Will
Lightning Reflexes
Mobility
Power Attack
Quick Draw
Roof Walker (Cityscape)
Roof Jumper (Cityscape)
Run
Spring Attack
Stunning Fist
Urban Tracking (Cityscape)

You mentioned Brachiation, which is a good choice.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Batarang

[b]                                           Range
Exotic Weapon  Dmg(S)  Dmg(M)  Critical  Increment  Weight  Type[/b]
Batarang        d3      d4        x2      60 feet    1 lb.  Bludgeoning or Slashing

 

[Hawken]

I'd say make a Jump check, some fixed DC, that lets him travel maybe 2-3 times the length of the rope in a single swing. Maybe make a Tumble check to change/alter direction of the swing (such as going around a corner).

As for classes, the following, in no particular order:

Aristocrat 3/Monk 4/Rogue 9/Fighter 4.

He wouldn't have Improved Evasion because he's taken damage from explosions. He might not take much, maybe because of his armor though. I think he'd have Improved Uncanny Dodge instead.

He would have Favored Enemy Human--he planned how to take out his fellow Justice Leaguers if they went bad.

Now, as for stats, I think it'd be something close to:

Str 16
Dex 17
Con 20
Int 20
Wis 18
Cha 14

 

[Claudius Gaius]

Well Four Colors to Fantasy was set up to provide a "hero" class that was compatible with... er... I think it was 3.0 settings. Celerity/New Movement Mode/Flight (Specialized: Only when there is open space and tall items to swing from, half cost) would cover it in Eclipse, and its compatible with 3.0 and 3.5.

Now if you wanted to duplicate the "classical" batman, give him an ongoing, area-effect, idiocy field that affects everyone else. I mean, there he was, surrounded by superhuman intellects and incredible geniuses, and every time some minor problem comes up, everyone else looks blank and says "What shall we do Batman?!"

 

[Whimsical]

I envision Batman as a gestalt fighter||rogue.

 

[Klaus]

There are many interpretations of Batman and many ways to build him. If you go by Batman Begins, he'd be a Rogue (from his world-travelling days)/Monk (from his ninja training), with the Ascetic Rogue feat and some feat to allow him to wear light armor and still gain the monk's abilities. Might replace some levels of Rogue with Urban Ranger.

If you go by the classic comics version and use d20 Modern, he'd a Dedicated Hero/Smart Hero/Fast Hero/Martial Artist/Infiltrator.

 

[Shadeydm]

Batman = DMPC it is the simplest answer.

 

[Slaved]

http://www.enworld.org/showpost.php?p=3587276&postcount=48

That was my say on the matter not too long ago!