Hi everyone!
I'm making a build for a one shot pure pve fight against some unknown colossal monster, probably the Tarrasque. Our DM wants to challenge me and my friends into a one-time epic battle at level 20 and I decided to make a Half Orc Barbarian/Mammoth Rider riding a Triceratops ❤️
I'm pretty happy with my build so far but I'd like advice both on eventual alternative feats choices and, especially, on additional equipment. I have a lot of spare gp to spend and have no idea what I could add!
Also, still thinking about the feats for the Triceratops. Not sure if I should go for Overrun and Charge Through (apparently there are some minions to fight other than the beast) or do something completely different. The whole concept is to do ride by attack with pounce or charge directly and pounce both me and the mount for max damage.
ORCUCA, TAMER OF GIANTS
Half Orc Mounted Fury Elemental Kin Barbarian (Fav. - 10) - Mammoth Rider (10)
RACIAL TRAITS
Darkvision 60ft
Sacred Tattoo +1 luck bonus to all saves.
Shaman Enhancement +2 racial bonus to Spellcraft and +2 untyped bonus to one of animal companion's ability scores.
Medium size, normal speed
Languages Orcish, Common, Giant
RAGE POWERS
Ferocious Mount
Lesser Beast Totem
Beast Totem
Greater Ferocious Mount
Greater Beast Totem
FEATS
Mounted Combat
Ride-By Attack
Boon Companion
Spirited Charge
Power Attack
Furious Focus
Lightning Reflexes (bonus)
Skill Focus (Ride)
Wheeling Charge
Iron Will (bonus)
Indomitable Mount
Fighting Frenzy (Teamwork)
EQUIP
ARMOR AND WEAPONS
Total cost: 138,045
+5 Mammoth Lance
Cost: 74,210 gp (32,210 base + 42,000 enhancement)
+3 Mammoth Hide
Cost: 11,665 gp
+2 Dragonslayer Shield of Heavy Fortification
Cost: 52,170 gp (7,170 base + 45,000 heavy fortification)
WONDEROUS ITEMS
Total cost: 430,600 gp
Ring of Evasion
Cost: 25,000 gp
Ring of Protection +5
Cost: 50,000 gp
Cyclops Helm
Cost: 5,600 gp
Cloak of Displacement, Major
Cost: 50,000 gp
Scarab of Protection
Cost: 38,000 gp
Belt of Physical Might +6 (Str and Con)
Cost: 90,000 gp
Boots of Speed
Cost: 12,000 gp
Manual of Gainful Exercise +5
Cost: 137,500 gp
Bag of Holding Type I
Cost: 2,500 gp
Portable Hole
Cost: 20,000 gp
MOUNT’S EQUIPMENT
Total cost: 132,470
+3 Mammoth Hide
Cost: 11,770 gp (120 huge hide barding + 11,650 Mammoth Hide total minus 15 gp of humanoid base hide armor)
Horsemaster’s Saddle
Cost: 12,000 gp
Amulet of Mighty Fists +5
Cost: 100,000 gp
Headband of Fortune’s Favor
Cost: 7,700 gp
Budget used: 700,115 gp
Available: 179,885 gp
Available: 179,885 gp
|
No GM will allow you the use of Cyclop's Helm, for obvious reasons. Shame on you for sneaking it in your build :P
Take Amplified Rage instead of Furious Focus, and pass it to your mount by using a Horsemaster's Saddle. This way, both you and your mount will get a +4 bonus on Str and Con while raging.
The trait Community Minded will extend the duration of the rage bonuses for both you and your mount by 2 rounds after the rage is ended (although you'll still be fatigued), essentially triplicating your rounds of rage.
You can get Mounted Combat and Skill Focus[Ride] with a single level dip into Dragoon Fighter.
I don't get why you have picked the Beast Totem rage powers, since you seem to be focusing on hit and run while charging.
Thanks for your suggestions! ❤️
So, I forgot to mention that the DM has allowed literally everything which is Paizo, so Cyclop's Helm would actually be ok! Hopefully
As for the Amplified Rage combo, I asked and he said no, cause me and mount are not adiacent
As for the beast Totem, it's because of pounce. It works with Ride by Attack AND it works also without it (so if both me and mount charge directly). It gives me a potential of 8 attacks with haste on my, which is quite cool for a mounted combat character!
Oh, forgot two things: the DM said no traits/flaws allowed and also I can't dip in any other class due to the requirements for pounce being barbarian level 10
Ferocious Beast is a better rage power than Ferocious Mount as it'll let you keep your animal's rage going even when you're no longer adjacent -- and you'll want that to keep Amplified Rage up.
Actually amplified rage wouldn't work because the mount has the benefits of the great, but doesn't actually have the feat.
The feat called out "ally who has the feat".
One solution. There is also a ring iirc.
|
One solution. There is also a ring iirc.Actually amplified rage wouldn't work because the mount has the benefits of the great, but doesn't actually have the feat.
The feat called out "ally who has the feat".
The MOUNT gaining the benefits is different than it having the feat.
It will still benefit from the amplified rage, but the RIDER wont since the mount doesn't have the feat. For the rider to benefit it needs to grant the mount the feat, not just give it the benefits of the feat
One solution. There is also a ring iirc.Actually amplified rage wouldn't work because the mount has the benefits of the great, but doesn't actually have the feat.
The feat called out "ally who has the feat".
The MOUNT gaining the benefits is different than it having the feat.
It will still benefit from the amplified rage, but the RIDER wont since the mount doesn't have the feat. For the rider to benefit it needs to grant the mount the feat, not just give it the benefits of the feat
Ring actually grants the feat. Might need to give the mount the extra item slot feat though.
Consider hunter instead of barb? Hunter AOO puree is a significant damage dealer. The animal companion tempest guide
|
|
Ring actually grants the feat. Might need to give the mount the extra item slot feat though.One solution. There is also a ring iirc.Actually amplified rage wouldn't work because the mount has the benefits of the great, but doesn't actually have the feat.
The feat called out "ally who has the feat".
The MOUNT gaining the benefits is different than it having the feat.
It will still benefit from the amplified rage, but the RIDER wont since the mount doesn't have the feat. For the rider to benefit it needs to grant the mount the feat, not just give it the benefits of the feat
But the mount doesn't meet the prerequisites (orc or half orc) so it still doesn't work. It has to either be labeled as a bonus feat (which ignore prereqs) or has to be able to ignore prereqs
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Gray Warden already mentioned the solution up-page: a Horsemaster's Saddle shares Teamwork feats. That, plus Ferocious Beast, will have both rider and mount raging at +8.
Not sure if pounce is worth the long trip to barb10, however; tuck Paired Opportunists into the mix and you can generate a HUGE amount of AoOs, both proactively (i.e., off your actions), and defensively.
~ ~ ~
Option: reduce barbarian levels from 10 down to 6 or 4 or even only 2; take at least 3 levels of Hunter [Primal Companion archetype], picking up Outflank at Hunter2 and a Teamwork feat + Hunter's Tactics (to share all Teamwork feats with companion) at Hunter3. Other levels can into Fighter to pick up feats (the Drill Sergeant and Dragoon archetypes are good here, as they'll grant three feats in the first two levels). You'll want to pick up Extra Rage one or twice, depending on how many barbarian levels you swap out.
Hunters Tactics obviates the need for the Horsemaster's Saddle, and there won't be any arguments about prerequisites sharing Teamwork feats.
At the beginning of combat, channel the "Increased Damage" and "+5 reach" evolutions into your companion via Hunter Primal Companion. For your animal, choose one of the megafauna with horns or tusks. Buy Furious/Fortuitous Tuskblades for it.
Shared Teamwork feat goody list: Amplified Rage, Outflank, Pack Flanking, Paired Opportunists, Precise Strike
Rider's other feats: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Extra Rage, Boon Companion, (any AoO-generating maneuver mechanism that can be deployed as an attack action within a full-attack).
Mount's feats: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Greater Bull Rush, Quick Bull Rush
The way it works: your or your mount's first attack will be an AoO-generator; you will both then trigger more AoOs from each other in an escalating barrage with Fortuitous weaponry.
Note: this mechanic requires high dexterity to pull down a massive number of AoOs every turn, so don't short it. (If you take only two of barbarian, you will find the Savage Technologist archetype attractive; it stacks with Drunken Brute for move-action potion consumption.)
Gray Warden already mentioned the solution up-page: a Horsemaster's Saddle shares Teamwork feats. That, plus Ferocious Beast, will have both rider and mount raging at +8.
Not sure if pounce is worth the long trip to barb10, however; tuck Paired Opportunists into the mix and you can generate a HUGE amount of AoOs, both proactively (i.e., off your actions), and defensively.
~ ~ ~
Option: reduce barbarian levels from 10 down to 6 or 4 or even only 2; take at least 3 levels of Hunter [Primal Companion archetype], picking up Outflank at Hunter2 and a Teamwork feat + Hunter's Tactics (to share all Teamwork feats with companion) at Hunter3. Other levels can into Fighter to pick up feats (the Drill Sergeant and Dragoon archetypes are good here, as they'll grant three feats in the first two levels). You'll want to pick up Extra Rage one or twice, depending on how many barbarian levels you swap out.
Hunters Tactics obviates the need for the Horsemaster's Saddle, and there won't be any arguments about prerequisites sharing Teamwork feats.
At the beginning of combat, channel the "Increased Damage" and "+5 reach" evolutions into your companion via Hunter Primal Companion. For your animal, choose one of the megafauna with horns or tusks. Buy Furious/Fortuitous Tuskblades for it.
Shared Teamwork feat goody list: Amplified Rage, Outflank, Pack Flanking, Paired Opportunists, Precise Strike
Rider's other feats: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Extra Rage, Boon Companion, (any AoO-generating maneuver mechanism that can be deployed as an attack action within a full-attack).
Mount's feats: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Greater Bull Rush, Quick Bull Rush
The way it works: your or your mount's first attack will be an AoO-generator; you will both then trigger more AoOs from each other in an escalating barrage with Fortuitous weaponry.
Note: this mechanic requires high dexterity to pull down a massive number of AoOs every turn, so don't short it. (If you take only two of barbarian, you...
OMG I'M ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH THIS IDEA!
It sounds pretty epic tbh and avoids the stupid amulet of mighty fists which is way too expensive for my taste. I only have a couple of additiobal questions: do you think I should ditch the charger archetype for the Triceratops? I took it mainly to give him barding for the mammoth hide bonus to charge damage, but I could do without it and rely on mounted combat to protect him from attacks. I fear that overall both me and mount will be way more vulnerable like this, although with the savage tech rage giving dexterity AC will increase on the mount too.
Second question is: mammoth lance is amazingly strong on a mount with strength around 50, but if i keep it it'll be harder to balance characteristics well enough.
Last question: any advice on the best AoO generator? If I understood this correctly, pretty much every single point of dex modifier will be an attack done at maximum BAB when I start the sequence with paired opportunist right?
|
|
Gray Warden already mentioned the solution up-page: a Horsemaster's Saddle shares Teamwork feats. That, plus Ferocious Beast, will have both rider and mount raging at +8.
That doesn't actually work. The mount doesn't have the feat, it gains the bonus. So it gets 8 str but the rider doesn't
It calls out gains the benefits of the teamwork feat. Doesn't grant the feat or count as having the feat to provide the benefit. It just benefits.
Honestly it's worth just going into hunter to stop this teamwork feat conversation
Plus hunters aspects are about as good as barbarian rage+ more versatile + aspect to enormous mount enhancing spells+ the ability to give your mount skirmish ranger tricks.
|
|
I won't disagree. Plus still get martial weapon proficiency.
I'm playing a dwarf hunter now with a pet, and while I'm not riding him, he's doing just fine as party tank. Share spells and compel hostility has been amazing.
Downsides? Lack of BAB. Lack of rage powers. (Though once again animal focus for full minutes a day for both you and pet will be like sharing rage)
Upsides? Vast amount of focus to choose from. Spells, chosen from druid and ranger list but using level 6 casting means you can do ranger spells ar a level better than druids. Sharing those spells with a pet. Even personal ones or human only ones. Sharing teamwork feats that you gain for free.
Now I will say with pack flank and the like you can gain a +4 while mounted, making up for the lack of hit. But yeah you won't have the BAB so power attack would suffer. As will qualifying for a few feats earlier.
But it'll save you a fortune on magic slots trying to share these abilities.
But if you go half orc, you could dip a touch into barbarian and take rage and use that teamwork feat and it WOULD count as sharing it for you both. Maybe good for a boss fight a day.
Just a thought
You could also VMC barbarian if allowed.
I'd use the hunter archetype that allows for multiple companion, but that's personal preference
I only have a couple of additiobal questions: do you think I should ditch the charger archetype for the Triceratops?Ditch the Triceratops for an Arsinoitherium (AKA "furry rhino") -- it's four higher in both Str and Con. (And a plusher ride if going bareback!). Charger is a good archetype.
Second question is: mammoth lance is amazingly strong on a mount with strength around 50, but if i keep it it'll be harder to balance characteristics well enough.At 20th, the 30k cost is chump change; at 10th/12th or so, it's prohibitively expensive, and your character's strength w/belt will likely match the mount's without its own belt. The main problem with that particular lance is (1) it's a lance and not a fauchard (yes!yes!yes!), and (2) you'll be wanting to put Furious, Fortuitous, and possible Keen and possibly Leveraging on your stick. That'll be spendy enough as it is.
Last question: any advice on the best AoO generator?Greater Trip for you, Quick Bull Rush + Greater Bull Rush for the mount.
.If I understood this correctly, pretty much every single point of dex modifier will be an attack done at maximum BAB when I start the sequence with paired opportunist right?
That's why it's the most powerful combat feat in the game.
Other tidbits:
* Opalescent White Pyramid ioun stone in a wayfinder grants martial proficiency + weapon focus in an exotic weapon of your choice.
* Commanders Helm will give you another Teamwork feat (which you'll then share via Hunters Tactics).
* Fortuitous should be your mount's AoMF's first enhancement. (With +2 from that, +4 from Outflank/Pack Flanking, +4 from shared Amplified Rage, there is very little that you can't hit.)
Fortuitous must be on melee weapons.Amulets won't work.
I'd meant to write Furious in the AoMF (that's where that +2 came from). Put Fortuitous/Keen on the Tusk Blades.