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Hello all! I have recently joined a game and I need some constructive criticism. I am starting off at level 5 human with the 20 point buy. What I want to do is have some versatility but through and through some heavy combat prowess. I am leaning towards paladin or monk (I have the monk already created). My problem is building my paladin. I have read Thalins guide (TY Thalin), but was wondering if a two-handed/composite longbow build would work. Why? Because I feel if I go into just TH or Range I am not going to be as versatile.
My thinking is I am not really taking any feats that would make one hit more often the other (Weapon focus). Damage is not my priority, being able to hit and damage is (doing a crap ton of damage would be nice though). Maybe Power attack and Deadly aim? Should I just go two-handed weapon build and carry a bow and just leave it as that, no feats to enhance it and just pray smite/weapon bond will be enough to boost it when the need for range presents itself?
I am doubtful because I am afraid of the high stat requirements needed for it.
I think along the same terms of treantmonk as in, i only optimize to be effective to the group. Flavor is done through roleplaying. With this said I don't need any responses based on flavor or roleplaying. Thanks in advance to everyone!
A THF build needs 1 feat, Power Attack. Taking this in addition to the archery feats is not a bad move.
1 Power Attack
H Point blank
3 Rapid
5 Precise
7 Many
9 Deadly Aim
This build wants a high 17 dex for manyshot. I say pick up rapid before precise because A. you can suck a -4 to hit sometimes, and B. if enemies have hit melee you will probably be pulling out your melee.
for stats:
str 16 (14 +2 human)
dex 16 (+1 lvl 4)
con 12
wis 8
int 10
cha 14
You could tank your wis or int more, but I wouldn't personally.
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It's not impossible per se, but making Str and Dex and Chr all primary HURTS. You can tank out int/wis, but that's leaving you with a low Con.
Str: 19 (20)
Int: 7
Wis: 7
Dex: 16
Con: 10
Chr: 15
You may not like the low Con, but it is a cost associated with 3 primaries. Having free-action heal "on tap" makes it worth it.
Save the 16K quickly for a Str/Dex/Con +2 item;
I'd use his feat list above, except switch to QuickDraw at 9 so you don't lose actions switching weapons. Deadly aim will be a bit meh; your dex will lag a little and rapid shot is better (especially smiting), so you'll need your to hit. You still do d8+5 + bow damage per hit.
Stay in heavy armor, and look for that Mithril Full Plate one day to take advantage of your high dex. Get a good strength bow and you'll deal out some heavy damage from range, and your 20 str + animal companion should make you the highest mid-level damaged in the party.
For a switch build like this, I would strongly consider using the weapon option for your divine bond. You have both a two handed weapon, and a comp longbow that you have to enchant. The weapon based divine bond will let you boost which every weapon you happen to be using.
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Above lower Chr by 1 to 14; overbought character. The str will do you more good than the chr; you'll get a headband and have +3 to all stats.
Animal vs Weapon is going to depend on how long you are going and when you want to shine. From about 1 - 10, the Animal companion is better, at 11-13 it's a push, and from 14 and up the weapon becomes far superior. At the stage you are at a "better" (summonable) druid companion will trump any weapon bonus; companions are insane at low levels.
Human is a must.
We have a Cleric, Rogue and a Ranger.
As far as the role I would most likely end up in melee. I just want the option of doing decent ranged damage.
In that case focus on melee, take deadly aim and rapid shot somewhere along the lines but dont stack up on ranged feats. Instead i would focus on being able to shift your stats
For instance you could use an elven curveblade, and get weapon finesse, then you can limit your need of strength.
1. Exotic Weapon proficiency Elven curveblade
Weapon Finese
3. Power attack
5. Deadly aim
Then you can focus your stats a little more.
Something like
Str: 14
Dex: 18(16 +2 human)
Con: 12
Int: 8
Wis: 8
Cha: 16 (15 +1 at level 4)
You give up some damage in melee but you can make that up by eventually taking some critical feats for the curveblade, (improved crit, crit focus and things like bleeding critical).
Kolokotroni's stats are good. I'm going to try something, not everything in my post is 100% sure to be allowed by RAW from what I know (I'll let you know).
I'd go for those :
STR:14
DEX:18 (16+2 Human)
CON:12
INT:8
WIS:8
CHA:16 (15 +1 at level 4)
Feats :
1 - Weapon Focus (Falchion)
H - Power Attack
3 - Cleave
5 - Great Cleave
I'd equip myself with a +1 Throwing Falchion of returning. (Well, if your DM allows... "Returning" is a property for throwing weapons, so adding it might be controversal by RAW, though it was allowed in previous versions of D&D.)
This build focuses on melee, and the weapon focus is also relevant for your ranged attacks. Also, with cleave... I believe the wording of the feat allows for a throw that touches adjacent opponents (Featuring a weapon thrown slashing in a definite path).
Great Cleave
Prerequisite : Str 13, Cleave, PowerAttack, base attack bonus +1
Benefit : As a standard action, you can make a single attack at your full base attack bonus against a foe within reach. If you hit, you deal damage normally and can make an additionnal attack (Using your full base attack bonus) against a foe that is adjacent to the first and also within reach. If you hit, you can continue to make atacks against foes adjacent to the previous foe, so long as they are within your reach. You cannot attack an individual foe more than once during this attack action. When you use this feat, you take a -2 penalty to your AC until your next turn.
So basically;
- If your DM fits close-ranked fodder, you can annihilate a platoon in a single turn of flying falchion mess if you're lucky enough. Good for taking care of BBEG followers quickly, for example.- I chose falchion for its greater threat range compared to the greatsword. Toggle if you wish.
- Elven Curveblade would be cool... and definitely more effective at higher levels considering a DEX build. We were sorta short on feats so I didn't bother. An elven paladin with a curveblade could go for Weapon Finesse instead of the Weapon Focus from my build to great extents, but that's not the actual case.
- Enjoy.
Human is a must.We have a Cleric, Rogue and a Ranger.
As far as the role I would most likely end up in melee. I just want the option of doing decent ranged damage.
My favorite character was a human paladin. He was part of a AD&D 2E party of 4, that consisted of an elven ranger/cleric (would have had a archery focus), a human wizard (loved fireball), and a halfling rogue. Dangerous group.
Like you, I was pretty much the melee heavy weight, but wanted to be able to use a bow with decent ability. So, I would do the following.
Stats
Str: 16
Dex: 12
Con: 15 (+2 human)
Int: 10 (I hate negative adjustments)
Wis: 10 (I hate negative adjustments)
Cha: 15 (14 +1 at level 4)
Melee Weapon
Either greatsword (for better damage) or falchion (better critical) for melee (plus any desired magical qualities, keen and holy are good)
Ranged Weapon
For ranged, use a composite longbow or composite shortbow, which allows you to add your strength for damage. You can also use them while mounted. To improve your attack bonus you could add seeking to the bow.
Feat
1. Power Attack
3. Cleave
5. Great Cleave
After 5th level, focus on the Vital Strike feat tree.
If you're going to be the power house meleeist, focus on it, and use low level magic to buff your archery attacks. You are a paladin, a hard hitter and defender of those under your protection.
Frankly, Jason and his gang need to come up with more feat options, especially for two-handed weapons and reach weapons like spears and lances. Hopefully the APG will do that.
Quite similar to the build I am going for with my paladin. I plan on being the party face, and lead the liberation army in our campain, so I pushed for 18 cha, and 14 str & dex, but as long as you have Str and Dex13+, you are golden.
1: Power Attack, Cleave
3: Deadly Aim
5: Great Cleave
7: Lunge
9: Vital Strike
11: Improved Vital Strike
13+ Not decided yet, likely focus on extra mercy if I feel the need.
I am going to be the only capable melee fighter in the party, so I need to focus more on tearing stuff apart at close quarters. I am gunning for Vital Strike, since I like to have some mobility so I can interpose myself between baddies and squishies, and we don't have a dedicated wizard, meaning no Haste for a good while. And I like lunge, since it keeps those pesky big brutes from trying to do maneuvers on me without consequence for not having the right feats.
I would go for leadership, but we houserule that leadership is a result of in-game events, and not something that happens mechanically.
@Elghinn Lightbringer: Agree on the lack of two-hander options. What happened to overhead strike and whatnot from the alpha playtest, I wonder?
