
Emergent |
I'm about to start a Reign of Winter campaign, and I find myself having difficulty getting my character built - I'm essentially a newbie. I played a little 3.5, but really the last time I gamed regularly 2nd ed was in its prime.
I'm not that interested in super optimization, but I'm in danger of gimping myself without some help (you should see the magus build I tried first. . .). Party has a druid (whom I hope will be healing some) and a couple of rangers.
I've decided on Fighter with the Viking archetype.
Here's what I've got (20pt buy, Human(Ulfen)):
STR 18
DEX 12
CON 15
INT 10
WIS 8
CHA 13
Skills: Animal Handling, Intimidate, Swim
Feats: Power Attack, Toughness(?), (?)
Traits: Shield Bearer, Ice Walker
I can't decide between Battleaxe, Longsword or Scimitar (the last leading to critical feats).
I'm short on a philosophy behind him, but I think it comes down to using a shield, but still seeking as much damage as I can. I went with low dex because I don't see much value in it besides AC. A bit higher CHA in hopes of taking a level or two of Savage Skald.
I see online guides suggesting getting two handed fighting (edit: I meant two weapon fighting sword/board), but that seems like a lot of investment to get one extra attack with a shield. If you think it's a good idea, can you explain why? I don't get it.
I have some backstory for him and he's a reasonably bright guy who (gleefully) makes poor choices, so I'd rather have lower WIS than INT, though I know that has some drawbacks.
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your constructive and destructive criticism.

DrDeth |

Vikings didn’t use scimitars or even anything close. They mostly did sword, axe or spear with a shield, the shield being either med or heavy. They never wore more than chainmail. Shielded Fighter might be a good archetype.
Feats are good.
I dunno about Ice walker. How about Veteran of Battle or Fortified Drinker or Armor Expert;
See if the DM will give you a benefit for dropping heavy armor prof.
That being said a Viking is also a good Barbarian.

FuriousPhil |

I'm not an optimization player, but I've been looking at building some martial characters with the same theme, from looking at the Linnorm Kings campaign setting book.
The biggest drawback of taking a penalty in Wisdom is how it will affect your already poor Will save. If you are only keeping the Charisma high due to something down the line, I would maybe question that - although I like to play 'pure' classes so YMMV.
I would take Toughness as a feat, and probably Weapon Focus. A battleaxe fits the theme well, and the critical multiplier is devastating, but less likely to come up. You'll probably want to extend the utility of your shield by taking related feats down the road.
It's too bad you already have a couple rangers - the Blackraven Scout (Lands of the Linnorm Kings p 55) seems really cool in a 'take the black' kind of way. Of course, there's nothing preventing an able bodied fighter to be on a special mission for them or something.
Good luck with your game and your character.

Wasum |

Viking with scimtar sounds actually pretty funny. Already considered a Rapier?:P
I'm not sure what you meant but you have to decide between THF and TWF. Sword and Bord only gets worth it if you combine it with TWF. Usually TWF is easier to pull off, does more damage and also has some other advantages, so I'd go for that, maybe using a big hammer or greataxe.
Combine Fighter (or even ranger) and Barbarian to fit the concept - guess thats the way I'd go.
You could go Ranger/mammoth rider as well, could be neat and fit the concept - riding on a giant tiger or wolf.
from an optimization view:
dump cha, increase will (12 at least) get trait that adds to will save and make con/dex 14/14.

Makarion |

You could go against the grain and make a Viking paladin. Sacred Shield is a solid archetype, and although sticking with medium armour will acerbate your multi-attribute dependency, you'll still have a decent AC. The low wisdom is likewise less of a problem as a paladin.
Before racial modifiers:
Strength 14
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 8
Cha 15
You can put your racial +2 in Charisma or Strength, as you like. You could (although I would argue against it) lower Wisdom to 7 and increase a 14 or 15 by one point.

Emergent |
First, sorry about the "two handed fighting" error. I meant two weapon fighting. It's corrected in the OP.
There are guides suggesting go with sword/board and two weapon fighting, but they don't make sense to me. This isn't surprising since I don't know anything, but I thought it could be clarified.
Also, to be clear, I'm a fighter with the Viking archetype. I could take a second archetype, but probably won't.

Emergent |
Vikings didn’t use scimitars or even anything close.
It's true. And yes, Wasum, I considered a rapier hah. They don't fit his theme well, but I could see a feat path with them that makes sense to me (improved crit, crit focus, etc.). I'm not sure which feats are best for the Battleaxe, but I'll keep looking.
Thank you everyone for your replies.

Wasum |

Ok, then just go with viking archetype.
I'd buy
18
14
15
10
12
7
to qualify for raging vitality (guess thats why you put 15 con as well).
Then, THF is probably stronger for your build. maybe you could consider fighting with a twohanded shield - this would really rock actually with that archetype.
sword and board sucks because your damage is so low noone will ever care for you. if you go TWF you can use the shieldbash-chain to deal good damage (and bullrushes) with your shield. that can be really strong - especially when you're using two shields - but seriously that looks stupid!
THFing a Shield would just be the way to go for me - that could be pretty awesome.

DrDeth |

DrDeth wrote:I dunno about Ice walker. How about Veteran of Battle or Fortified Drinker or Armor Expert;I love Veteran of Battle and Fortified Drinker. I'll see if I can work one or both in.
Both are nice but since they are both faith traits, you can have only one by RAW. Fortified Drinker (and a skin of mead, what else?) does help with the poor will saves.

![]() |

I'm playing an Ulfen Half-elf Shielded Fighter in Legacy of Fire right now, so a scimitar would not be totally out of the question ;) However, I have strong story reasons for wielding a longsword as my main weapon with my round heavy shield in the other hand.
Traits: Viking Blood (this goes well with my Intimidate checks), Shield Bearer (like you!)
Feats:
CL1 SHIELD FOCUS
CL2 IMPROVED SHIELD BASH
CL3 WEAPON FOCUS (LONGSWORD)
CL4 WEAPON SPECIALIZATION (LONGSWORD)
CL6 SHIELD SLAM
CL7 COVERING DEFENSE
CL8 GREATER SHIELD FOCUS (currently at this level)
CL9 COMBAT REFLEXES
CL10 ENFORCER (giving an extra kick to Intimidate)
CL11 SHIELD MASTER
CL12 GREATER SHIELD SPECIALIZATION
CL11 BASHING FINISH
CL12 GREATER WEAPON SPECIALIZATION (LONGSWORD)
Anytime you see one specifically about shielding or longsword enhancement, it is almost in the minimum level requirement needed.

Emergent |
Thanks Radiarch, some great ideas there.
I think I'm starting to see what's up here. My problem with going with TWF sword/shield is that you have to increase dex and spend a bunch of feats so that you get one extra attack with a shield. That didn't seem worth it.
But I wasn't including the free bull rush with every slam. . .
Little things like that could make a big difference.