Sub_Zero |
The group I'm in will be switching GM's, and the person taking over has never GM'd before. To help them out, we are sticking to the Core rule book only for feats/builds. The only exception is traits, which we can grab from elsewhere (this is for the Jade Regent campaign).
This defeats some of the more complicated characters I was hoping to play, so I figured I'd make a dwarven Barbarian who focuses on sustainability. I want this character to be the GM's whipping boy. My goal is to ensure that the GM can always throw attacks against my character, and I'll trudge along.
With that said, the GM will also allow max hp for the first 3 levels, which will help my character out.
I normally heavily min/max my characters, but I don't want to be too OP for this particular campaign, so instead I thought I'd focus on making a really solid tank. I want my defense to be high so that I can reliably take the punishment that the GM dishes out.
Build:
20 Point Buy, Dwarven Barbarian 10
Stats:
strength- 18 (16 start, with bonus added at levels 2,4)
Dex- 12
Con- 18 (16+ racial)
int- 8
wis- 12 (10+racial)
chr-8 (10-racial)
traits:
- glory of old
- childhood crush
feats:
1 toughness
3 power attack
5 weapon focus (dwarven waraxe)
7 iron will
9 heavy armor proficiency
Rage Powers:
2 superstition
4 no escape
6 renewed vigor
8 clear mind
10 improved damage reduction
Saves:
Fortitude:21
Reflex:14
Will:16-reroll
hp: 151/171 (GM gives us max HP first 3 levels, plus belt of stubborn resolve)
I figure with this many hp, really good saves, and decent AC (mithril fullplate), I should be as sustainable as can be.
I can also switch between using a large dwarven waraxe 2-handed, and using a dwarven waraxe with shield when needed.
sunbeam |
I'd drop Heavy Armor Proficiency. And Weapon Focus too honestly.
In their place I'd take Steel Soul (would still take Iron Will. Saves, particularly Will can NEVER be to high), and Extra rage power.
Also, you will get all kinds of people telling you what I am about to tell you is dumb, but it is the way I do it.
I would take Lightning Reflexes and Great Fortitude as well. Even though you would have Steel Soul, Glory of Old, Superstition, and a Cloak of Resistance.
Saves just can't be too high, ever.
Skull |
I am assuming you made a typo and meant Strength increases at levels 4 and 8.
Superstition is a rage power people either love or hate. Personally I wouldn't want it. Especially without raging vitality to keep you alive.
I was actually looking at making a tough as nails Dwarven barbarian with a heavy shield and a dwarven waraxe. I always feel bad when I squish a rather tough enemy with one good swing with a two handed weapon.
I would also not take weapon focus or Heavy armour proficiency. You would loose your fast mevement in heavy armour and mithril is not worth getting with that dex.
Stats wise I would start with less Str. around 15, and also look at 13 dex.
I find it kind of sad that you are sticking to Core only, as there are some really nice rage powers and archtypes for barbarians in the other books :P
Sub_Zero |
I am assuming you made a typo and meant Strength increases at levels 4 and 8.
Superstition is a rage power people either love or hate. Personally I wouldn't want it. Especially without raging vitality to keep you alive.
I was actually looking at making a tough as nails Dwarven barbarian with a heavy shield and a dwarven waraxe. I always feel bad when I squish a rather tough enemy with one good swing with a two handed weapon.
I would also not take weapon focus or Heavy armour proficiency. You would loose your fast mevement in heavy armour and mithril is not worth getting with that dex.
Stats wise I would start with less Str. around 15, and also look at 13 dex.
I find it kind of sad that you are sticking to Core only, as there are some really nice rage powers and archtypes for barbarians in the other books :P
You're right, that was a typo. It was supposed to be 4,8 not 2,4.
I wouldn't lose the fast movement since mithril fullplate counts as medium. (i just need the proficiency), and dwarves don't care about the movement decrease from medium armor, so I should be fine. I could push back the heavy armor when money becomes less of an issue, which is definitely an option.
I agree about not using other books. I'm hoping as time goes by they'll open up other sources, and I can tweek my build then, but for now, I'm focusing on making due with just the core rule book.
Upon reflection, your right, a dwarven waraxe and shield fits my build better anyways. I also won't need weapon focus to help offset the penalty anymore.