I've been mulling over a character concept for a rather atypical bard. I'd like him to focus on two things: mounted combat and throwing weapons.
Specifically, I'd like him to be mounted on some large creature, use war drums for his bardic music, and have throwing axes as his weapon of choice. (He would hail from a barbaric culture).
I was thinking of using Leadership to get the mount, but the feat stipulates that it cannot attract a mount with an intelligence of less than 4, and I'd be more interested in dire animals with this character. Are there any options around this, or should I just work with my DM to make an altered version of Leadership that works the way I want? (I'm not interested in the followers, anyway- just the mount).
As for the physical combat, I'd like to be able to chuck as many throwing axes as possible in a round. Rapid shot only works for bows and crossbows and the like, as far as I can tell, so I was thinking about Two-Weapon Fighting along with Quick Draw. Is this the best way to go for this combat style? I'd also look into other feats, such as Arcane Strike, but haven't given them much thought yet. Right now, I'm just wondering how to best pull off the core idea of throwing a lot of axes.
I have no idea what level I'd start this character at, or even if I'll get to use him. I've already got a wizard who will start at level one (the campaign begins in a couple weeks), but I just got this idea for another PC and was thinking about keeping it as a possible replacement character (since 1st level wizards always have a foot close to the Bucket That Is Often Kicked).
Specifically, I'd like him to be mounted on some large creature, use war drums for his bardic music, and have throwing axes as his weapon of choice. (He would hail from a barbaric culture).
Skip the drums, or make them a secondary performance style, and stick with oratory (war chants). That way your hands are freed up. If you do go with the drum, then maybe use a light hammer as your weapon of choice, and say you use it as your drum stick when not attacking with it.
I was thinking of using Leadership to get the mount, but the feat stipulates that it cannot attract a mount with an intelligence of less than 4, and I'd be more interested in dire animals with this character. Are there any options around this, or should I just work with my DM to make an altered version of Leadership that works the way I want? (I'm not interested in the followers, anyway- just the mount).
Animals, even exotic ones, can often be purchased. See if your DM has the Arms and Equipment Guide, it is 3rd edition but it has some prices for creatures that could still be useful. For example, a Dire Boar has a price of 475 gp (after training).
Alternatively you could see if you can take the Wild Cohort feat:
Linky
Which basically gives you an animal companion for a feat (I dislike that it is better than the ranger's animal companion).
Or see if your DM will allow you to use my homebrew rules for upgrading animals:
Improving Animals Linky
Basically the idea is that use "magical concontions" [magic steroids] and training to make animals tougher.
As for the physical combat, I'd like to be able to chuck as many throwing axes as possible in a round. Rapid shot only works for bows and crossbows and the like, as far as I can tell,
You are thinking of Manyshot, that only works with arrows. Rapid shot works fine with any kind of ranged attack assuming you can fire them off fast enough. For example, a light crossbow normally can't be used with Rapid Shot because you can only fire one bolt a round (reload time is a move action), but if you had Rapid Reload, then you can fire at the same speed as a bow and so Rapid Shot would be fine. Likewise if you wanted to use throwing axes, you'd need Quick Draw to be able to draw and "fire" at the speed to get more than one shot off a round. But if you have that, then Rapid Shot if fine.
so I was thinking about Two-Weapon Fighting along with Quick Draw. Is this the best way to go for this combat style? I'd also look into other feats, such as Arcane Strike, but haven't given them much thought yet. Right now, I'm just wondering how to best pull off the core idea of throwing a lot of axes.
Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, AND Two-Weapon Fighting. Rapid Shot lets you fire off an extra shot with your on-hand, while TWF allows you to get an extra shot with your off-hand. That means you can get 2 extra shots (or more as you take the improved versions), of course the penalties stack for those. I would say if you are going to take a throwing weapon approach then take TWF first as it is good for throwing and melee, while rapid shot will only be good for throwing.
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It sounds like fun. As usual I can provide nothing whatsoever in rules advice, but ...
...or should I just work with my DM to make an altered version of Leadership that works the way I want?
My advice, go to the DM First and then begin looking together for a solution.
It always surprises me that so many folks see the DM as the last resort: a begrudging, well I couldn't find what I wanted in the rules so I guess I have to propose something to the DM. How unfortunate.
For many years now I've been the guy teaching folks who've never played or played once "years ago but had a bad experience." And everyone of these gamers come to me with their PC concepts and we go from there, TOGETHER.
And just as assuredly, folks who play regularly hear about my group and ask to join. And E V E R Y ONE of them builds a complete PC first and then comes to the game to show it to me.
I dunno, maybe this should've gone in your Rants Thread. Unfortunately, one of my rants is Threads that go on for hunnerds of posts.
Have fun!
-W. E. Ray
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My advice, go to the DM First and then begin looking together for a solution.
It always surprises me that so many folks see the DM as the last resort: a begrudging, well I couldn't find what I wanted in the rules so I guess I have to propose something to the DM. How unfortunate.
For many years now I've been the guy teaching folks who've never played or played once "years ago but had a bad experience." And everyone of these gamers come to me with their PC concepts and we go from there, TOGETHER.
Our group couldn't agree with you more. If you have a character concept, bring it to the DM. Work with him/her over the concept that you have and see what can be done to bring it into the game.
There is another interesting *Bard* concept posted out there. Many options for different types of bards. We are working to setup at least one of the options presented there for our game.
It sounds like fun. As usual I can provide nothing whatsoever in rules advice, but ...
...or should I just work with my DM to make an altered version of Leadership that works the way I want?My advice, go to the DM First and then begin looking together for a solution.
It always surprises me that so many folks see the DM as the last resort: a begrudging, well I couldn't find what I wanted in the rules so I guess I have to propose something to the DM. How unfortunate.
For many years now I've been the guy teaching folks who've never played or played once "years ago but had a bad experience." And everyone of these gamers come to me with their PC concepts and we go from there, TOGETHER.
And just as assuredly, folks who play regularly hear about my group and ask to join. And E V E R Y ONE of them builds a complete PC first and then comes to the game to show it to me.
I dunno, maybe this should've gone in your Rants Thread. Unfortunately, one of my rants is Threads that go on for hunnerds of posts.
Have fun!
-W. E. Ray
Oh, yes, I have talked to the DM about it and the various options out there. But, since it's just an idea for a possible replacement character at this point, and the actual campaign hasn't even started yet, we haven't put a whole bunch of serious thought into it. It's just on my mind so I'm fishing around for build suggestions.
Style trumps actual practicallity here, so I'm definitely keeping Perform (percussion) as part of the concept, as well as throwing axes (rather than hammers). Besides, Quick Draw with said throwing weapons would negate a lot of the concern over whether I have a free hand or not. Pursuing so many attacks in a round will lower each individual attack's bonus. Perhaps some barbarian levels would be called for to offeset this, and give me an option when the bard's out of magic.
For many years now I've been the guy teaching folks who've never played or played once "years ago but had a bad experience." And everyone of these gamers come to me with their PC concepts and we go from there, TOGETHER.
And just as assuredly, folks who play regularly hear about my group and ask to join. And E V E R Y ONE of them builds a complete PC first and then comes to the game to show it to me.
Seems that makes sense to me. If you don't know how to design a character you would naturally seek out the aid of the DM. But if you are an experienced player, you don't need the extra help unless you hit a problem. Now DMs of course should lay out the details of what is and is not acceptable in their game prior to the creation of a character, but I would find it strange if experienced players came to me, as the DM, and expected me to hold their hand through the character creation process.
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DMs of course should lay out the details of what is and is not acceptable in their game prior to the creation of a character.
Well, yeah, no argument there. But we were talking about divergent character concepts, not cookie cutter PCs. Nonetheless, your point is well made.
I would find it strange if experienced players came to me... and expected me to hold their hand through the character creation process.
Wow, I never thought of it like that. Very true.
-W. E. Ray
Well, yeah, no argument there. But we were talking about divergent character concepts, not cookie cutter PCs. Nonetheless, your point is well made.
Sorry, what I meant is a DM should say what resources are available for character creation. Core only? Complete series? Any Book? From within those restrictions many experienced players would enjoy seeing how best to make a concept before going to apply for DM fiat. Heck as a DM sometimes I like to see what I can do. I've made NPC "paladins" with only using NPC classes (multiclassed aristocrat and adept). For some, creating new things is a last resort. For some, being creative with combining already made items is more desirable than making new ones (that sounds like being creative by being less creative, don't it? well I hope you know what I mean).