Avatar of the Forge Dwarf Bard12/RDD10/Fighter18........Playable from 1-40, PvP or PvM
This build is a variation of the Half-orc Embassy of Destrucion. Cin had created a "High Saves Meleer"(Favored of Moradin) which was a Rogue/Fighter/CoT, and his saves were excellent. Inspired, I took it to task to create a RDD meleer that came close. It also has appeal in light of the 1.66 fixes for those seeking to captialize on Implosion, Death Attack, etc... He attempts to aim for high saves across the board without having to sacrifice AB, AC or damage, and still maintain a modest amount of hitpoints. Also, it seems that in any RDD build I play, my saves never seem to be good enough, and I'll find my character hiding in a corner from fear while the rest of the party is trying to battle the Ancient Dragon. It seemed that taking 18 levels of Cot instead of Fighter would make his Saves obscene, but he loses offensive punch.
Feat selection is tricky, as you have to take most of your combat-related feats on all fighter bonus feat levels, and reserve General Feats for Saves and Great Strengths. Great Axe was chosen merely for it's keen potential, x3 modifier, but the build can easily shift to Warhammer/Shield motif at the expense of losing only slight base damage. Actually the AC potential from going with a tower shield might be preferential in this situation.
Also, I forsook Devastating Critical. He should fare well against such attacks, and his damage output is still good enough in low to modest magic environments that he should be able to dish out a decent amount of damage. For those looking for a Dev Crit build, seek from the other list of 8,000. If you want this build with Dev Crit, do the following: push 4 fighter levels to Epic and take 8 RDD in pre-epic. Drop Great Fort and Iron Will(RDD high saves), and you will have an 8/8/4. He loses just 1 AB this way. However, taking those 4 fighters in Epic allow you to keep all the feats you have, as well as picking up Overwhelming and Dev Crit. There are a number of ways to level this build, but leveling priority was decided on what feats could be obtained, and skill dumps were considered second. Also, as soon as build goes into Epic he shoots straight for RDD 10 for the immunities.
This is not a min/max build, and should be playable in any environment. ___________ Dwarf 12Bard/18Fighter/10Red Dragon Disciple Alignment: Any non-lawful
These saves are very high for not having Monk, CoT, Pally or Blackguard levels anywhere in the build. _____________ Other Features: Can self buff with Improved Invisibility, Warcry, Bulls Strength, Bard Song, Wounding Whispers Fire & Paralysis Immunity Can cast all spells in Full Plate Blindfighting & Knockdown to take out Spellcasters ____________________
Nice build Grizz. I'm liking these non-Dev Crit builds lately. It's somehow... freeing. Those saves are spectacular for a build without the classes you mentioned.
Also, it's refreshing to see a levelling scheme that's not rushing to get those RDD levels as soon as possible and not obsessed with topping Tumble asap as well (something of which I'm guilty). Nice build, looks very playable; me helm's off to ye! _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 06/20/05 17:42:49 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
Nice build Grizz. I'm liking these non-Dev Crit builds lately. It's somehow... freeing. Those saves are spectacular for a build without the classes you mentioned.
Thanks, Cin. He would be a good compliment to Moradin's Favored: a pair of dwarven SoBs running around and never failing saves, and just choppin the crap out of everything. It would be a great tandem. Both rogue and bard skills....I see great things yet to come.
What's nice is that the saves still have plenty of room inthe cap before they hit the ceiling. However, it seems that they are high enough that, unless you're rolling autofail 1's, there's no need for any Saving Throw magic items in your gear. It will become very clear what items he will need to survive encounters, and be the war machine he was born to be.
Quote: Also, it's refreshing to see a levelling scheme that's not rushing to get those RDD levels as soon as possible and not obsessed with topping Tumble asap as well (something of which I'm guilty). Nice build, looks very playable; me helm's off to ye!
The only thing that I would be in a rush for would be to get the immunites at 10th RDD. The ability bonuses at that point, though helpful, aren't lifesaving. At the loss of 1AB, I think it's probably wiser to take 4 more RDD in pre-epic, and tus go Bard4/Ftr8/RDD8, and so be perched at 22nd level for your Xmas surprise, and then still be in line for EWF/EWS at 24th. Actually, that is a much better plan, especially for ground-uppers and mod-runners like me who multiplay. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Quote: Posted 06/20/05 17:42:49 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din Also, it's refreshing to see a levelling scheme that's not rushing to get those RDD levels as soon as possible
I usually rush RDD for the INT bonus. I guess it's a pretty weak argument, but I always end up wanting more skills than I can get.
Quote: Posted 06/21/05 12:27:17 (GMT) -- pulse cap
Quote: Posted 06/20/05 17:42:49 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din Also, it's refreshing to see a levelling scheme that's not rushing to get those RDD levels as soon as possible
I usually rush RDD for the INT bonus. I guess it's a pretty weak argument, but I always end up wanting more skills than I can get.
Admittedly, I am too, but it's the difference of Lvl 15 vs 26. 11 skill points are always welcome in any build, but will make little difference in a build like this. Probably just get your UMD up a couple ranks higher or allow you to max out Discipline.
I actually like that 9th level when I start with a 12 Int and I want to get IKD or ImpExp in pre-epic. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Quote: Also, it seems that in any RDD build I play, my saves never seem to be good enough, and I'll find my character hiding in a corner from fear while the rest of the party is trying to battle the Ancient Dragon.
As a second level spell, take clarity. It isn't as good as mind blank, it only lasts a round per level instead of a turn and you take a point of damage for each effect it removes, but it does make you immune to mind spells.
Quote: Base Damage = 1-12+25, 17-20/(x3)
That should be 19-20 (18-20 with a keen axe). This is the problem I have with the small critical range weapons. In the hand of a weapon master they are probably the best choice because the 2 point range increase affects these weapons more than the other weapons. For non weapon-masters a larger critical range will probably translate into a larger number of critical hits. So damage wise you'll probably do better with a larger range weapon. Perhaps a greatsword (It is a weapon for one the Dwarven gods) or a heavy flail?
Other than what I've mentioned, a nice solid build. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
As a second level spell, take clarity. It isn't as good as mind blank, it only lasts a round per level instead of a turn and you take a point of damage for each effect it removes, but it does make you immune to mind spells.
Clarity is a handy spell, but one that i don't care to place 2nd level spell resources into. I prefer to get it in a bottle. The dragon fear is just one example. There are many. I recall in a long drawn out battle with a host of Rakshasa Sorcerers, I was getting my butt handed due to their explosive evocation spells that blasted me to kingsom-come. Of course, our whole party got waxed and were it not for the Monk, we all would have died....
Quote: That should be 19-20 (18-20 with a keen axe). This is the problem I have with the small critical range weapons. In the hand of a weapon master they are probably the best choice because the 2 point range increase affects these weapons more than the other weapons. For non weapon-masters a larger critical range will probably translate into a larger number of critical hits. So damage wise you'll probably do better with a larger range weapon. Perhaps a greatsword (It is a weapon for one the Dwarven gods) or a heavy flail?
Are you sure about that, Mith? Must be my Math again. x20 with keen would be 19-20, and then with Improved Crit it would double to 17-20. Or does Improved Crit not also double keen? In which case, it would top out at 18-20.
Quote: Other than what I've mentioned, a nice solid build.
The only thing that I would be in a rush for would be to get the immunites at 10th RDD. The ability bonuses at that point, though helpful, aren't lifesaving. At the loss of 1AB, I think it's probably wiser to take 4 more RDD in pre-epic, and tus go Bard4/Ftr8/RDD8, and so be perched at 22nd level for your Xmas surprise, and then still be in line for EWF/EWS at 24th. Actually, that is a much better plan, especially for ground-uppers and mod-runners like me who multiplay.
Hey Grizz, Could you post the level up and which feats to take where for the version you mention above. I really like this build and I'm looking to try playing it through some modules or possibly online and don't want to mess up the leveling. I like the idea of getting Rdd 10 sooner like you mention above.
Thanks!!! Mano _________________ A Man of War who treads the world's roads alone, as I do, must be quick. Long ago I learned to strike swiftly and without scruple. I trouble no man without cause, but one who attacks me had best resolve himself to die!
Quote: Posted 07/14/05 14:40:43 (GMT) -- ManOWarr
Hey Grizz, Could you post the level up and which feats to take where for the version you mention above. I really like this build and I'm looking to try playing it through some modules or possibly online and don't want to mess up the leveling. I like the idea of getting Rdd 10 sooner like you mention above.
Thanks!!! Mano
Here you go Mano. Rebuilt with the same design in mind. And he still maintains a 45AB and does even more damage with a 38 Strength. I lowered the Dex to 10 at the expense of 1 to AC and 1 to Reflex save, but he can Cat's Grace all day long. Also, a 38 Strength makes for a nice even 50 Strength when fully buffed. The only feats dropped were Still Spell (not really needed in this build anyway), and Great Cleave. One could also drop two Great Strengths in Epic to pick up Overwhelming and Dev Crit, or a more practical Toughness and IKD.
By the way, this forum is generating quite a bit of builds lately. Nice to see the community is still a buzz after all these years and NWN2 just on the horizon.
1Bard1, LoH 2Fighter1, Weapon Focus 3Fighter2, Knockdown, Power Attack 4Fighter3, Str17 5Fighter4, Wpn Specialization 6RDD1, Cleave 7Bard2 8RDD2, Str20 9RDD3, Lightning Reflexes 10RDD4 11Fighter5 12Bard3, Curse Song, Str23 13Fighter6, Improved Crit 14Fighter7 15RDD5, Iron Will 16Fighter8, Blindfighting, Str24 17Bard4 18RDD6, Great Fortitude 19RDD7 20RDD8, Str25 21RDD9, Great Str I 22RDD10 23Bard5 24Fighter9, Great Str II, Str32 25Fighter10, EWF 26Fighter11 27Bard6, Great Str III 28Fighter12, EWS, Str34 29Fighter13 30Fighter14, Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes 31Fighter15 32Bard7, Str35 33Fighter16, Epic Will, Epic Prowess 34Fighter17 35Fighter18, Armor Skin 36Bard8, Epic Fortitude, Str 36 37Bard9 38Bard10 39Bard11, Great Strength IV 40Bard12, Str38 _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Awesome!!!! Thanks Grizz!!! _________________ A Man of War who treads the world's roads alone, as I do, must be quick. Long ago I learned to strike swiftly and without scruple. I trouble no man without cause, but one who attacks me had best resolve himself to die!
