I started another thread, but now as a result of that my plan for building my character has changed. Do you think that a ranger/druid/sorcerer is a good idea, or would it be better if I went with a ranger/monk/sorcerer?
I think the former is a more useful and varied combination, while the latter seems a more focused combat character. What kind of character do you want?
I think a good pair of questions to ask is: "What do I want my character to be able to do in combat?" and "What do I want my character to be able to do out of combat?"
Without knowing the answer to those questions, it's hard to make a recommendation.
I'm looking to do a build that is similar to Dar from the Beastmaster t.v. series.
The biggest problem with this character is that you won't have any high attributes. You need wisdom for the druid, cha for the sorc and probably dex for the ranger. If you are any kind of melee combatant you can't really scrimp on con or str either.
I think you are going to end up a with a character that can do everything but nothing well enough to be useful.
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I'm looking to do a build that is similar to Dar from the Beastmaster t.v. series.
With that in mind, I'd say go for straight ranger, straight druid, or a combination of just those.
From the sounds of it, Dar doesn't have much magic. I'm not familiar with the series, but just a little bit of reading mentions that he got his affinity for animals from a divine demon, but not that he has any 'magic' abilities.
Straight ranger gives you a pretty good assortment of features that all correlate to what Dar seems to be all about. I'd recommend looking up Treantmonks Guide to Rangers and considering the "Switch Hitter" build he recommends. With that, you get decent ranged with whatever type of weapon you think fits the flavor (although bows are the best mechanically) and it recommends going for a 2h weapon, which could be Dars club.
Favored enemies would definitely be the types of enemies that Dar tends to fight most often, the animal companion, track, and wild empathy fit perfectly with the character you're basing it on.
On top of all that, it's generally really not worthwhile to multiclass martial and spellcasting classes, especially when you can get the full flavor without doing so.
Multiclassing with Monk would really stunt you. Most of the class features don't seem to fit as well as Ranger, and some of them go directly against my limited vision of Dar. Specifically the character doesn't seem Lawful, more Neutral Good than anything, so that monk requirement would be a detriment. You also wouldn't be able to FOB with a Greatclub, which seems like it'd be the most appropriate weapon.
Going with Sorcerer would give you a few useful spells but not enough to be worth it unless it REALLY fits the character or unless you invest a lot (most) of your levels in the class.
Ranger/druid wouldn't as bad, but unless Dar has the ability to shapeshift I can't see it adding enough to be worth the power loss.
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The biggest problem with this character is that you won't have any high attributes. You need wisdom for the druid, cha for the sorc and probably dex for the ranger. If you are any kind of melee combatant you can't really scrimp on con or str either.
I think you are going to end up a with a character that can do everything but nothing well enough to be useful.
There is always weapon finess.
I'm looking to do a build that is similar to Dar from the Beastmaster t.v. series.With that in mind, I'd say go for straight ranger, straight druid, or a combination of just those.
From the sounds of it, Dar doesn't have much magic. I'm not familiar with the series, but just a little bit of reading mentions that he got his affinity for animals from a divine demon, but not that he has any 'magic' abilities.
Straight ranger gives you a pretty good assortment of features that all correlate to what Dar seems to be all about. I'd recommend looking up Treantmonks Guide to Rangers and considering the "Switch Hitter" build he recommends. With that, you get decent ranged with whatever type of weapon you think fits the flavor (although bows are the best mechanically) and it recommends going for a 2h weapon, which could be Dars club.
Favored enemies would definitely be the types of enemies that Dar tends to fight most often, the animal companion, track, and wild empathy fit perfectly with the character you're basing it on.
On top of all that, it's generally really not worthwhile to multiclass martial and spellcasting classes, especially when you can get the full flavor without doing so.
Multiclassing with Monk would really stunt you, because they use their Monk leve as their BAB for FOB...which means you would basically not be using FOB. The character doesn't seem Lawful, more Neutral Good than anything, so that monk requirement would be a detriment.
Going with Sorcerer would give you a few useful spells but not enough to be worth it unless it REALLY fits the character or unless you invest a lot (most) of your levels in the class.
Ranger/druid wouldn't as bad, but unless Dar has the ability to shapeshift I can't see it adding enough to be worth the power loss.
SO OFF TOPIC
Please don't spread the falacy that a level 6 character (6 monk) FOB BAB is higher than a level 20 character(5 monk/15 fighter's) FOB BAB. You use your full BAB for non-monk classes and add your monk level to that BAB, then apply penalties for TWF.
Other than that your post is very accurate. Ranger can easily fill the role of beastmaster with no cross-classing. You can spec. in handle animal and animal spells to charm/speak with others and make lots of friends and have one primary companion.
I'm looking to do a build that is similar to Dar from the Beastmaster t.v. series.With that in mind, I'd say go for straight ranger, straight druid, or a combination of just those.
From the sounds of it, Dar doesn't have much magic. I'm not familiar with the series, but just a little bit of reading mentions that he got his affinity for animals from a divine demon, but not that he has any 'magic' abilities.
Straight ranger gives you a pretty good assortment of features that all correlate to what Dar seems to be all about. I'd recommend looking up Treantmonks Guide to Rangers and considering the "Switch Hitter" build he recommends. With that, you get decent ranged with whatever type of weapon you think fits the flavor (although bows are the best mechanically) and it recommends going for a 2h weapon, which could be Dars club.
Favored enemies would definitely be the types of enemies that Dar tends to fight most often, the animal companion, track, and wild empathy fit perfectly with the character you're basing it on.
On top of all that, it's generally really not worthwhile to multiclass martial and spellcasting classes, especially when you can get the full flavor without doing so.
Multiclassing with Monk would really stunt you, because they use their Monk leve as their BAB for FOB...which means you would basically not be using FOB. The character doesn't seem Lawful, more Neutral Good than anything, so that monk requirement would be a detriment.
Going with Sorcerer would give you a few useful spells but not enough to be worth it unless it REALLY fits the character or unless you invest a lot (most) of your levels in the class.
Ranger/druid wouldn't as bad, but unless Dar has the ability to shapeshift I can't see it adding enough to be worth the power loss.
Good stuff, The one thing that led me to sorcerer is that Dar can see through the eyes of his hawk companion. In the RAW that means it has to be an arcane familiar, and since Dar doesn't realy strike me as the book reading time, sorceer with the arcane bloodline seemed like a better fit.
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I'd be glad to come up with what I think would be a decent build for that kind of character if you could post, say, what you think would be the most important and least important stats for Dar.
He's supposed to be noble and fearsome, but how would you describe his style of fighting and his style of social interaction?
Is he cunning, wise, intelligent, devious, sassy, etc?
From the sounds of it, he wouldn't have any mental dump stats, and as a melee fighter you really don't want to dump any physical stats, which gets you kind of stuck with mediocre stats all around.
Assuming 20 point buy, you'd end up with something like:
Strength 16 (after +2 for being a human)
Dexterity 14
Constitution 13
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 13
Charisma 12
Good stuff, The one thing that led me to sorcerer is that Dar can see through the eyes of his hawk companion. In the RAW that means it has to be an arcane familiar,...I'm looking to do a build that is similar to Dar from the Beastmaster t.v. series.With that in mind, I'd say go for straight ranger, straight druid, or a combination of just those.
From the sounds of it, Dar doesn't have much magic. I'm not familiar with the series, but just a little bit of reading mentions that he got his affinity for animals from a divine demon, but not that he has any 'magic' abilities.
Straight ranger gives you a pretty good assortment of features that all correlate to what Dar seems to be all about. I'd recommend looking up Treantmonks Guide to Rangers and considering the "Switch Hitter" build he recommends. With that, you get decent ranged with whatever type of weapon you think fits the flavor (although bows are the best mechanically) and it recommends going for a 2h weapon, which could be Dars club.
Favored enemies would definitely be the types of enemies that Dar tends to fight most often, the animal companion, track, and wild empathy fit perfectly with the character you're basing it on.
On top of all that, it's generally really not worthwhile to multiclass martial and spellcasting classes, especially when you can get the full flavor without doing so.
Multiclassing with Monk would really stunt you, because they use their Monk leve as their BAB for FOB...which means you would basically not be using FOB. The character doesn't seem Lawful, more Neutral Good than anything, so that monk requirement would be a detriment.
Going with Sorcerer would give you a few useful spells but not enough to be worth it unless it REALLY fits the character or unless you invest a lot (most) of your levels in the class.
Ranger/druid wouldn't as bad, but unless Dar has the ability to shapeshift I can't see it adding enough to be worth the power loss.
You will need 13 levels of sorcerer to get scry on familiar. You may talk to your GM about subbing a spell/ability off the ranger list in return for this ability at the appropriate ranger level(13ish)
You will need 13 levels of sorcerer to get scry on familiar. You may talk to your GM about subbing a spell/ability off the ranger list in return for this ability at the appropriate ranger level(13ish)
True. However, Empathic link, while it doesn't literally let you see through your familiars eyes, seems like a reasonable substatute.
I'd be glad to come up with what I think would be a decent build for that kind of character if you could post, say, what you think would be the most important and least important stats for Dar.
He's supposed to be noble and fearsome, but how would you describe his style of fighting and his style of social interaction?
Is he cunning, wise, intelligent, devious, sassy, etc?
From the sounds of it, he wouldn't have any mental dump stats, and as a melee fighter you really don't want to dump any physical stats, which gets you kind of stuck with mediocre stats all around.
Assuming 20 point buy, you'd end up with something like:
Strength 16 (after +2 for being a human)
Dexterity 14
Constitution 13
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 13
Charisma 12
Dar has always struck me as being blunt and rather up front, but his natural Charisma lets him get away with it. His fighting style seems very beast-like, uncontrolled and brutal. Maybe a level or two in barbarian. However, he is noble and trustworthy and all that crap. I almost veiw him as Tarzan meets Captain America.
I agree with the above, however if you really want to multiclass (particularly for wildshape), I'd suggest heavy on the Druid, but with Ranger stats (bare minimum Wisdom to cast your spells), and do just a two level dip (maybe a 1:4 ratio of ranger:druid).
Also you might check with your DM about Magic Rating (just search d20srd.org for it) - which lets you stack your ranger caster level (or sorcerer) with Druid, for purposes of duration, range, etc.
You will need 13 levels of sorcerer to get scry on familiar. You may talk to your GM about subbing a spell/ability off the ranger list in return for this ability at the appropriate ranger level(13ish)True. However, Empathic link, while it doesn't literally let you see through your familiars eyes, seems like a reasonable substatute.
Well, I can see that point. However you could just use speak with animals and rangers get that as soon as they get their pet.
Really for beastmaster you might consider straight druid. Having a main companion and your "summons" could be friendly animals you've met in the area. Dar's club could be shillelagh which will help make up for your low BAB.
Really play whatever you want and think you will have fun with, just really think hard about weird multiclassing. You probably won't have much fun if you're a level 9 melee guy and you have 3 BAB, your companion has 2 BAB, and your familiar has 1 BAB, and you have no high level magic to back it up.
I understand why the idea of using an animal familiar would appeal for a Beastmaster template, but as it has already been said Dar didn't use any magic ability other than his animal empathy and seeing through his companions eyes. He wasn't particular to ranged weapons, and used a scimitar in melee or fought hand to hand. He was also particularly unarmored through the whole film. It could be argued that he has the most in common with a fighter or barbarian.
I would probably go pure ranger and try to tailor my stats and skills to focus on animal handling and animal empathy. Then as spells came into play focusing on ones that are animal based. Maybe a homebrewed psionic or innate magic ability. There was an actual Beastmaster kit in the Ranger's handbook from 2nd Edition. If you could track that book down it might be possible to transfer to 3.5 rules.
I still think he needs some levels in monk or barbarian to allow him to survive as a unarmored combatant.
I dont know if your DM allow 3.5 stuff, but an arcane heirophant(I know its spelled wrong), from Races of the Wild might be worth looking at.