Many of you know me, and some of the crazy high-level builds I come up with. However, I am often asked how capable my builds are at low levels and, truth be told, they usually aren't all that great starting up.
I'm looking for low-level (5th or less) high-powered (for its level) builds. Does anybody know any? Though I prefer high level games, the fact of the matter is I (and most everyone else I hear it told) play more low level games than high ones. Kudos to you if you present one that stays powerful throughout the remainder of its career.
I want to get that sense of power and accomplishment early on if possible. I'm tired of trudging through those first five levels before I feel like I can accomplish something cool. Can anyone help me?
I hope to use this thread to build, compile, or link to such builds, not just for me, but for every fun-loving min/maxer out there.
Four months and nothing!?
Come on guys. I know that low levels aren't all THAT bad!
The homebrew area does not get a lot of traffic, and if you bump the post in the afteroon it is more likely to get a response.
What do you call low level? I am assuming 1st to 7th level, but I might be wrong.
Zen Archer Monk? They are front-loaded with a ton feats and nice little abilities like using Wisdom for attack rolls. (And AC, CMD, Ki Pool, Will Saves, and Perception checks)
A druid with an animal companion? At early levels, that companion can seem like having two characters. I assume the same could be said of a summoner.
For a more specific build... How about...
A Monk 1, Paladin 2, Synthesist X. Dump physical stats to max mental stats, use aging, then you add Wisdom to AC, Charisma to saves, and other good stuff. Use the Master of Many Styles archetype so you can pick up the snake style feats and dodge even more attacks.
...probably some other stuff I'm forgetting, but that's what I remember about this character that my GM told me about. xP
But yeah, the build doesn't age well as I think spells like Dismissal screw you over pretty hard.
I think the most powerful class at that level is probably some variation of fighter/barbarian. Good Str and Con, power attack. If you want you could be an ass-kicker with a two handed weapon (bonus for reach weapon) , or become almost unhitable with a tower shield and some full plate.
It is tough at lower levels because magic is a very limited resource, consumable items are still fairly pricey, and permanent magic items are almost all off limits. If you come up with some way to nova, you'll be lucky if you can pull it off 1/day.
I'm playing a cleric that got extra channel at first level, and being able to channel 5-6/day is VERY good healing at lower levels.
If you want to expand it to things that end up below a CR 5, a moorlock with 2 levels of monk is about the most powerful combo I have come up with.
I have a Maneuver Master 2/Synthesist 2 that's pretty out of this world for its level - would probably be even stronger as a Monk 1/Synthesist 3. Quadruped w/ Pounce + Flurry of Maneuvers + Dragon Style allows me to get 3 attacks and a maneuver in almost every turn. The ability to charge so frequently (from Dragon Style) effectively gives me an 80 ft movement speed, too. Typical high Synthesist HP, Perception of +20, and AC is easily 25+. First build I've ever played that feels overpowered enough to be problematic.