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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arkhandus" data-source="post: 3434480" data-attributes="member: 13966">Yep, Rhun's right.  Since the weapon's damage is not listed as "slashing and piercing" two separate applications would be applied separately; one when the weapon is used for a slashing attack, and the other when it's used for a piercing attack.  And the DM may find it abusive otherwise, anyhoo.Ellie: OK, thanks for chiming in.  It's always easier to first assume the DM is just a happy sadist, like most, than to assume the players are just newbies or incompetant.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />  Sounds like the group needs Sarge to give 'em all a round military beating into shape.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" /> .....and the Spiked Chain is better anyway for his needs.  Tripping and disarming bonuses, reach, the ability to hit adjacent foes despite the chain's long reach, and decent damage.  Martial polearms don't give as many of the advantages needed to make this character as effective as he needs to be at battlefield control.....and I already suggested Dragon Shaman in the first place, just with the caveat that I don't think the DM's using Player's Handbook II.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />   A dwarf in this game would start at 4th-level in dragon shaman possessing Str 10, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 8, and Cha 14 (plus one ability boost for 4th-level, likely put into Charisma), a short breath weapon that deals 2d6 damage with a Reflex save of DC 17 for half, a special ability based on his dragon totem, a skill focus bonus feat, and four draconic auras for the party, like Vigor (fast healing), Toughness (damage reduction), Energy Shield (damage to any foe that hits the party in melee without a manufactured reach weapon), and either Influence (social skill boosts) or Senses (listen/spot and initiative boost, IIRC).  Don't remember if the auras would be +1 or +2 at 4th-level though (I think they go up to +2 at 5th-level or so?), though Energy Shield's neat in its damage being double the bonus.  The Power aura isn't much use unless your gang has a high rate of attacks.The Charisma matters for when he gets his healing ability at 6th-level (I think 6th?), since it's similar to a paladin's Lay on Hands but a bit different.  The breath weapon DC is based on Constitution and level.  Of course this dragon shaman won't be strong on offense on rounds his breath weapon's 'recharging', with only a BAB of +3 and no Strength bonus, but that just means he has to get into flanking positions for another +2 on attacks, take Weapon Focus in the Longspear (reach weapon!) for another +1, and make sure to start with his money invested in a +1 magic weapon or at least a masterwork weapon.  Choose the dragon totem based on needs; with the environments you've been in I would guess a dragon totem with a line-shaped breath weapon is best but I dunno; the special ability from 3rd-level DS is based on totem and should be a factor in deciding what dragon totem is most useful to the character.  This PC will not be a skills guy, definitely not; but the Influence aura and 2nd-level Skill Focus could help a tad with that anyhoo.  8 Int means 4 skill points for 1st-level, and 1 SP/level after that, sadly.  Probably focus on one skill to be fairly good at (depending on totem, since that determines what skills the SF feat at 2nd-level can be applied to).But this dragon shaman will be one tough S.O.B.  Assuming max 1st-level HP and half max from each level after, he'd have 45 HP at 4th, along with his auras providing a bit of fast healing or damage reduction when needed.  These will also cut down on the rest of the party's healing expenditures as well, and keep everyone alive longer (and entering each battle at 50% health or better).  If he takes Armor Proficiency (Heavy) as a 1st-level feat, then at 4th he could start out in masterwork full plate (may as well have it ready for later enhancements by a friendly/caster-for-hire mage or priest with the right feat) or +1 magical full plate (if he doesn't spring for a magic weapon instead at first); his AC won't be good, but at least this would make it 19 if he also gets a masterwork heavy shield (also ready for later enhancements).  With Weapon Focus (Longspear) as his 3rd-level feat, he'd be set.  Oh, and of course he should be carrying a light crossbow, some bolts, and have armor spikes on his full plate.  Or at least a spiked gauntlet.</blockquote>

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