Warblade builds

[CCH_LLC]

So after all of the great advice in this thread and talking with the GM, and reading some books I have decided to go with a warblade for the upcoming Temple of Elemental Evil campaign. I am using the same stats I rolled for the Beguiler so we have a 17, 15, 14, 14, 13, 12 to work with which isnt shabby at all. I will be starting at 5th level, and will have 9k gold, from what I read in the Bo9S its better to specialize in one school of combat, and I was thinking Iron Heart, but on other forums I have seen builds with several schools used.

So if anyone has any neat builds for a 5th level warblade I would love to see them, all Wizards books are availible, but dragon magazine is basically out because its hard to check. Also my friend is looking to join the game, but he has no experience with RPG's so if someone can think of an easy to play character that he could learn the ropes with that would be spectacular.

Additional info: so far party consists of a Cleric, a Monk, and maybe a Fighter/Barb.

 

[blargney the second]

Here's the build that I'm seriously enjoying at the moment.

Race: dragonborn warforged with the flight option
Classes (in order): warblade, divine mind (freedom mantle), fighter, warblade all the rest
Feats (in order): adamantine body, power attack, psionic weapon, deep impact, improved flight, flyby attack, psionic meditation

Diamond Mind does the heavy lifting here - it's killer when combined with good Con, psionics, and flight. Sprinkle in some of the maneuvers from the other schools that mesh well, and you're laughing.

I'd put your stats like this:
Str 17, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 12
After racial mods you'd get:
Str 17, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 11, Cha 10
-blarg

 

[Nifft]

You should take a look through the WotC Gleemax CharOpt forum. This thread is just one.

In general, consider:

- Stance progression. It may be better to delay your 2nd stance by taking two levels of another class between Warblade 3 & 4, so that you can choose a 3rd level stance at character level 6 instead of choosing a 1st level stance at character level 4.

- Tactical feats. You probably want either Stormguard Warrior or Clarion Commander. The former is awesome because it allows you to turn a lot of attacks into a few BIG attacks; the latter is cool because it gives you a combat use for Diplomacy & Intimidate, and makes your party's Rogue(s) kill stuff dead.

- Strikes. You won't have as many Swift actions as everyone else, so limit the number of Counters & Boosts you select. Otherwise you risk being unable to use them.

Cheers, -- N

 

[CCH_LLC]

I am afraid I neglected to campaign specific material is out, so while I am a fan of warforged, I wouldnt want to try and shoehorn one into Greyhawk.

 

[blargney the second]

You could switch the warforged for dwarf with very similar results. Dragonborn with flight is still good on a dwarf.

 

[Darklone]

...Sprinkle in some of the maneuvers from the other schools that mesh well, and you're laughing.

For fun, laughter and efficiency, I'd go Warblade1/bard4 with Song of the White Raven. Get some of the usual Inspire Courage boosters and take care you have enough hitpoints... You can play an extremely efficient archer with that build or a very good polearm fighter... I've even saw TWF builds working that way.

 

[Slaved]

The Temple of Elemental Evil is not a very forgiving place! I would suggest taking the Combat Form feats from the Players Handbook 2.

If you can the Halfling Subrace that trades its +1 to all Saving Throws for a Bonus Feat would be nice so that you can take Shape Soulmeld from Magic of Incarnum to get Lucky Dice.

Even if you are unable to do that though you could still be a Halfling and put it to good use! Stonefoot Stance gives you a big boost against Creatures that are larger than yourself. The various Throwing Maneuvers allow you to take an Enemy out of Formation and put it in the middle of your party where it will be quickly destroyed!

It looks like you could start off with a 22 in Dexterity even! Your chance to throw creatures and your Touch Armor Class and even your normal Armor Class will be very good as a Halfling!

The viscious Halfling stands in the front of the party. Counter Charge and Stonefoot Stance make him very hard to attack easily. Combat Focus and a high Dexterity and a good Fortitude Save and a high Touch Armor Class renders much magic of this level less than useful!

Oh no! I just realized that the Warblade does not get Setting Sun! Is it possible to use a Swordsage instead??

 

[moritheil]

For fun, laughter and efficiency, I'd go Warblade1/bard4 with Song of the White Raven.

It's quite good. Take your bard levels first, though.

 

[CCH_LLC]

I would clarify that I am probably going to go human, and my main goal with this character is someone who can move in and do obscene amounts of damage. I dont really want to mullticlass, but I can see myself taking a level or two of fighter if it makes sense. I really appreciate all of the advice so far though.

 

[Nifft]

It's quite good. Take your bard levels first, though.

If he does that, he can't have Song of the White Raven.

I don't think it's necessarily worth taking Bard first. The hit point difference is significant.

Cheers, -- N