I recently learned of the stonelord archetype, and I liked it quite a lot more than the average paladin. I'm thinking this could make an excellent tank, so I'm looking to make a cool build.
Race: Dwarf
25 pt build
Str 16 Dex 13 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 12
Weapon: Dwarven double waraxe
1 Power Attack
2
3 Cleave
4 +1 Dex
5 Hard Headed
6
7 Steel Soul
8 +1 Str
9 Dented helm
10
11 Cleave Through
12 +1 str
13 Cloven Helm
So, the idea is that the high AC and DR, combined with the "helm" feats, will allow him tremendous defense. I was wondering if the "spell resistant" racial trait would be worth it (which would free up the feat slot where i put steel soul). Power attack+cleave would allow him to attract the attention of as many enemies as possible. I would probably also give him a quickdraw shield of some sort, as well as the dwarven boulder helmet.
I think this would be a great build for a stereotypical bard, as it would fit with the "defender" stereotype. I'm looking for ways to make it a better dwarf (both mechanically and flavor-wise). Traits, racial traits, etc.
Edit: I think I'll also try to stick with dwarven weapons. The dorn dergar could also fit AND make him more useful.
Stonelords still get LoH, so would it be weird for them to have fey foundling? Would definitely help tankishness. Glory of old trait would be fitting too and helpful (+1 trait bonus on saving throws against spells, spell-like abilities, and poison).
I doubt the helm feats are worth it, you still have spell casting so use the heck out of Hero's Defiance ;)
If you want to go s&s perhaps get all the shield slam feats. I don't know if the bonus from stonestrike works with the shield slam bullrushes, but if it does you'd be awesome at it.
It shouldn't be forgotten the stonelord gets no spellcasting.
I'll have to think about the Reach+AOO. Personally, I think that works best for a high-dex build; without combat reflexes and the dex to go with it, it's a fairly limited power.
I'm also a bit dubious about using mercies, seeing how little charisma the character can get. Maybe with a circlet of persuasion? It would seem pretty useful.
BTW, I like the glory of old trait, it fits with the flavor and the style of play I'd want to go with the character.
Oreads would probably be mechanicaly good, but I'm still going for very much of a stereotypical dwarf.
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I actually didn't mean mechanically, even though it is. An Oread is partly made of stone, he should be allowed to be a Stonelord, simple as that.
Anyway,
Your Cha isn't awful, have you considered the Str to Cha Intimidate feat and Cornugon Smash? Anything you hit gets further driven back, plus thematically you look more of a terrifying barrier.
I have worked out a few intimidate builds before. It could be useful. But "terrifying" isnt exactly what I'm going for.
I'm going to have to post one of my intimidate builds eventually, I'm never quite sure how useful the could be.
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Cleave is best suited if you take the feats further on in the chain (reducing the situational aspect).
Antagonize feat is great for a tank, especially with defensive stance who can't move. Pump Intimidate/Diplomacy for the best use.
Probably going to want Quick Draw+Dwarven Longhammer for a pretty freakin nice reach weapon, also, yeah Dorn Dergar with feats is great too.
The SR trait will only be marginally useful, as it means that a non-elven caster without the spell pen. feats has to roll very low to penetrate. If they have greater/norm. spell pen, or are elves (or both), they will be rolling 1's. Stick with Hardy and take Glory of Old trait.
The two "helm" feats might be worth getting rid of. Stonelords are pretty resistant to crits naturally. I'd probably go for lunge in that case.
What are the "dorn dergar" feats BTW? Weapon focus doesnt seem terribly useful, but are there specific feats (beyond lunge) that are particularly useful?
Fortification is of limited use, since it doesnt stack with the natural abilities of the stonelord. A displcement causing item would be terribly useful, mirror image less so (since I want to get hit as often as possible).
To lone knave: I intentionally ignored those feats for something more generalized. Then again, it does act as a cheap form of whirlwind attack. I'll consider it for an alternate build.
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You are a Dwarf with great saves and stats anyway, you may be able to get away without the standard Cloak of Resistance.
In that case the minor cloak (continuous Blur) is 24k and the full Displacement cloak is 50k.
They do seem very expensive. At that price and level, things that have True Seeing start popping up and it becomes less useful.
How are considering using your Earth Elemental?
Ive been wondering how to use the elemental myself; it's a summon far lower than your CR anyway. Maybe as a flanking buddy?
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The Earth Elemental has three main features. It is pretty tough, it has Tremorsense, and it can Burrow and Earth Glide.
At even the most basic, Small level:
Burrow/Earth Glide can be used for
-Scouting round corners and under doors
-Sneaking behind enemies and emerging to hit
-Getting past traps
All of this with Stealth +7.
Tremorsense means you can do this stuff in magical darkness.
It is strong so it can flank and fight.
An odd benefit for a Dwarf is that it has a rank in Appraise, so it can Aid Another at such checks.
The list goes on, but you get the picture that it is very versatile. Suffice to say, it is far better than any mount for any practical applications aside from charging which would be weird for a Stonelord anyway.
I was thinking I might lower his wisdom to give him +2 in intelligence. The extra skill point would be very valuable, so as to allow me to use intimidate and diplomacy for the antagonize feat.
Well, I've started looking at armor. The "obvious" choice is the usual celestial full plate, but I'm wondering if there's something else more interesting. Maybe the mithral full plate of speed, to "charge" into the fray?
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The dwarven dorn-dergar is a Two-handed weapon that can change between a normal or reach weapon and the feat Darting Viper allows you to switch as a swift action preserving your full-attack.
Well, I was checking up on the antagonize feat, and apparently it's viewed as irredemably broken (from the intimidate side). Apparently, the wording used to "force" you to attack in melee? THe wording seems to have been changed so that that it's any effect on YOU (IE, spell, ranged, etc), so is it still considered broken? Edit: After reading up on the feat, and seeing the opposition to it, I think I'll forget the intimidate part, there's just too much nastiness surrounding it. I'll put my skills elsewhere. I thought I had finally found a way to keep the enemy of the squishies in a group (I'll admit I looked at the feat from a mechanical standpoint, assuming it could only be used in full combat) but there is potential for out of combat abuse, so I'll try to avoid a build that intentionally pisses off the DM.
However, are there actual ways to "protect the squishy party members". Enemies have a tendency to go for the wizards/sorcerers in the games I've played, and I dont see any realistic way to "tank" them, beyond the whole reach+AOO stuff (although that's more like interdiction than tanking).
BTW saddest panda, thanks for the "darting viper" feat. I was looking for stuff like that. I also found chain-flail master... Makes a tempting acquisition... I could sword and board with a variable reach weapon... oh, it's so very tempting. It's too bad I cant get the dex to qualify for chain-flail master though.
Little wonder about the elemental companion: it says you have to add the "celestial" template, and I cant quite figure out how it's damage resistance works:
-For a large earth elemental, does it get it's traditional DR 5/- + 5/evil
(so, one DR that cant be overcome, and one that can be overcome by EVIL) or
-DR 10/evil ? This one would arguably be weaker than the alternative, since it removes DR 5/-
This is all assuming DR stacks (which may not be the case).
Other little note: If I wanted to get a celestial mithral weapon, how much does enchantment cost? +3000 for every "+1" worth of enhancement? Fluff-wise the material seems perfect, but I'm not clear on pricing (same goes for cold iron). (Edit: found my answer for the cost, not for DR)
bump
I'll admit, at first I just saw it as "Ooh, a way to get aggro, sweet", but then I saw like 100 threads saying it subverted free will more than dominate and I was like woh... I really thought the ability would be strictly limited to combat, but apparently some folks are more creative than me.
In any case, I'll keep if for the moment, focus on the diplomacy aspect (spend a lot of time in battle screaming "Ye spineless coward, ye couldnt hit me if ye tried"). I might not want combat expertise though. Yes, it boosts AC, but is it worth it? I really dont know.
Well, I've started looking at armor. The "obvious" choice is the usual celestial full plate, but I'm wondering if there's something else more interesting. Maybe the mithral full plate of speed, to "charge" into the fray?
Some form of enchanted Stoneplate would certainly be fitting.
I think I'll stick with the full stonlord build. It looks like a nice build though XmorsX.
The Earth Elemental has three main features. It is pretty tough, it has Tremorsense, and it can Burrow and Earth Glide.
I really would not call something with about 13hp tough in a level 5 enviroment.
The stoneservant just gets his normal HD. As that is only 2 it doesn't get much from being celestial in its small form. At least no DR.
About armor: As dwarves don't get slowed by armor I'd use a full plate or stone plate and add the nonmagic armor upgrade vital guard. Slow and steady helps with this speed reduction, too so it has little drawback and after some levels is really cheap for what it does.
The Stonelord I played used a platemail with vital guard and the helmet that increases AC for crit confirmation rolls. He was nearly uncrittable. Dwarven boulder helmet I think it is called.
Presumably you could get boon companion to boost the elemental.
For a paladin mount, sure, but this is a fixed progression. Per say, I dont think I have any control over it's feats/skills powers etc...
I'm FAQ-ing it as well, but I dont think they'll allow more than an elder elemental...
I would like more progression control on the earth elemental, but I think it's unlikely. It is significantly weaker than a mount, but again, I dont see this changing soon.
I checked around on a number of threads, but apparently, there hasnt been any news on the subject. The elder elemental is still fairly strong, but not for the level you get it at (unfortunately). However, I beleive it's legit to treat it like a summon rather than an mount (for the question of mount death). Honestly, I think it's too fragile to treat otherwise.