The Gothic Berserker
by Deborah "Tyr"

The Gothic Berserker is playable level 1-40 PvM/single-player, but every good bard is welcome in PvP, too.

Concept: Goths (known to Rome as "civilized beserkers"), were fiercely loyal to their King, of Norse-mix beliefs, and thought to originate from Scandinavia (immigrating from Scot-Denmark/Scandza/Icelandia). They settled the Rhine, and eastward, constantly battling the Romans (whom they eventually defeated).

This character is based somewhat on Jormunrek of the Volsungasaga, the King of Goths, and also Volker of Alzei, "who was a vassal to Burgundian princes. Volker was exceptional warrior, . . . (and) knew how to play the fiddle, so he was nicknamed the Minstrel or the Fiddler." For more information about these fascinating tales, of legendary heroes, battles and song, see: http://www.timelessmyths.com/


Overview - Barbarian(12), Bard(16), Fighter(12)

Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good Preferred, but any non-lawful
Hitpoints: 560 (640 Rage / 660 Rage + Song)

Final Stats:
STR: 16 (26)
DEX: 8
CON: 15 (18)
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 14 (15)

Saving Throws:
Fort: 28 (30) (+2 Raging)
Will: 19 (24) (+2 Raging)
Reflex: 17 (21)

Saving Throw Bonuses: Spells: +9 , Traps: +2
Other: Barbarian Speed, Damage Reduction


COMBAT STATISTICS (mundane great sword):
Base (BAB, Naked): 29,
AB: +41/+36/+31/+26 (non-buffed) / AB: +54-plus (Self-Buffed Only, No Equipment)
Other Modifications: Curse Song (+5 AB), Taunt (+2 AB), (or, AB +61-plus, adjusted).

Damage (Mundane Great Sword):
2-12, +8 (crit. 17-20/x2) (15-20 w. Keen Edge)
+15 damage (Self-Buffs Only, No Equipment)
• Haste: extra attack = double damage


DEFENSIVE STATISTICS (AC):
• Sleeping Naked: 19
• Mundane Armor: 30 (non-buffed) / 45-plus (Self-Buffed Only, No Equipment)


Final Skills (271):
Concentration 40(44)
Discipline 43(51)
Perform 43(44)
Spellcraft 43(45)
Taunt 43(44)
Tumble 40(39)
UMD 19(20)
* Bard Song: +4 to All Skills


SPELL CASTING:
• Bard Spells: Level 5*
o SR 16 + 1d20

o Bard Spell Casting per Day (or rest period):
o 1st Level – 5 Spells (Protection, Grease, Balagarn’s Horn, Mage Armor, +1 More)
o 2nd Level –5 Spells (Eagle’s Splendor, Bull’s Strength, Owl’s Wisdom, Cat’s, +1)
o 3rd Level – 3+ Spells (Haste, Greater Magic Weapon, Keen Edge) *
o 4th Level – 3+ Spells (War Cry, Improved Invisibility, Cure Critical Wounds) *
o 5th Level – 2+ Spells (Ethereal Visage, Greater Dispelling) *

• These are the MINIMUM number of spells available to you, and does not factor in any cha-boosting item whatsoever, apart from your own spell repertoire (e.g., Eagle’s); accordingly, it is highly probable that you will enjoy more spells. Extend Spell’s also included in the build, extending the effects of various spells, for your casting enjoyment and pleasure.
• Also Skilled in the Use of Magical Devices (UMD)/Spellcraft,
* BARD TOYS: Oh, almost forget: can use all those great harps, flutes, lich lyrics, ...




OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:

* Combat AB: at “the Cap” (+12 STR):
+47 (non-buffed); +60-plus (Self-Buffs Only); +67-plus (as adjusted for enemy -AC)


Bard Songs/Curse Songs are plentiful & lingering:
• Bard Song: Inspires self and all allies in area of effect (30’ area), as follows:
o +2 AB, +3 Dam., +2 Fort, +3 Will, +2 Reflex, +4 Skills, +5 AC, +20 HPs (temp.)
• Curse Song: Weakens all enemies within area of effect (30’ area), as follows:
o -2 AB, -3 Dam., -2 Fort, -3 Will, -2 Reflex, -4 Skills, -5 AC, and -20 HPs (damage)




WHAT FOLLOWS is the EPIC PATH of the GOTHIC BERSERKER, during the first 40 levels of his/her career:

01: Fighter(1): toughness, iron will, weapon focus
02: Fighter(2): power attack
03: Barbarian(1): cleave
04: Fighter(3): CON+1, (CON=16)
05: Barbarian(2): {Uncanny Dodge I}
06: Bard(1): lingering song
07: Fighter(4): weapon specialization
08: Fighter(5): STR+1, (STR=17)
09: Bard(2): extra music
10: Barbarian(3)
11: Bard(3)
12: Fighter(6): STR+1, extend spell, knockdown, (STR=18)
13: Barbarian(4)
14: Fighter(7)
15: Fighter(8): still spell, improved knockdown
16: Bard(4): STR+1, (STR=19)
17: Fighter(9)
18: Fighter(10): great fortitude, Blind Fight
19: Barbarian(5)
20: Fighter(11): STR+1, (STR=20)
21: Fighter(12): epic weapon focus, epic weapon specialization
22: Bard(5)
23: Bard(6)
24: Barbarian(6): CON+1, epic prowess, (CON=17)
25: Bard(7)
26: Barbarian(7)
27: Barbarian(8): armor skin
28: Bard(8): STR+1, (STR=21)
29: Bard(9)
30: Barbarian(9): great strength I, (STR=22)
31: Bard(10)
32: Barbarian(10): CON+1, (CON=18)
33: Bard(11): great charisma I (CHA=15)
34: Barbarian(11)
35: Bard(12)
36: Barbarian(12): STR+1, great strength II, (STR=24)
37: Bard(13)
38: Bard(14)
39: Bard(15): great strength III, (STR=25)
40: Bard(16): STR+1, (STR=26)



Skills Progression :

01: Concentration(4), Discipline(4), Save(12),
02: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(15),
03: Discipline(1), Taunt(5), Save(16),
04: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Save(18),
05: Discipline(1), Taunt(2), Save(22),
06: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(9), Spellcraft(4), Taunt(2), Tumble(6), Save(5),
07: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(8),
08: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(11),
09: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(4), Tumble(4), UMD(5),
10: Discipline(1), Save(6),
11: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(2), Tumble(2), UMD(4),
12: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(3),
13: Discipline(1), Taunt(6), Save(3),
14: Discipline(1), Save(7),
15: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Save(9),
16: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(5), Spellcraft(4), Tumble(5),
17: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(3),
18: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(6),
19: Discipline(1), Taunt(2), Save(10),
20: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Save(12),
21: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(15),
22: Discipline(1), Perform(6), Spellcraft(4), Taunt(5), Tumble(5), Save(1),
23: Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(4), Tumble(2),
24: Discipline(1), Taunt(1), Save(5),
25: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(4), Tumble(2), UMD(1),
26: Discipline(1), Taunt(3), Save(3),
27: Discipline(1), Taunt(3), Save(6),
28: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(3), Tumble(3), UMD(1),
29: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), UMD(3),
30: Discipline(1), Taunt(3), Save(3),
31: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(2), Tumble(3),
32: Discipline(1), Taunt(3), Save(3),
33: Concentration(3), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(3), Tumble(1),
34: Discipline(1), Taunt(2), Save(4),
35: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(2), Tumble(3), UMD(1),
36: Discipline(1), Taunt(2), Save(4),
37: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(2),
38: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
39: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
40: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(1), Tumble(1).

Tip: Bard Ability-Stat Boosts (2nd Level Spells) are very long-lasting (1 hr/level). Thus, make sure to buff yourself before adventuring (and/or after resting), and you’ll basically enjoy these buffs all day long.

Edited playability. Grim
Edited starting stats and feat choices on author's request, edited title to include new account name - Kail Pendragon

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 06/11/06 09:29

Note: Just thought I'd mention, in terms of the classes chosen, that this would seem to be the very first one of its kind. A new breed of hero, so to speak, although based on timeless legends.

Special thanks are in order, and especially to Mith, for some helpful info in regards to a different character I designed, but which was nevertheless pertinent (and very much appreciated). As always!

I look forward to all of your great thoughts, comments, etc., and do hope you enjoy this character (and the Norse history lesson).

Edited By Robert Tyr on 06/08/06 19:05

Quote: Posted 06/08/06 18:38:39 (GMT) -- Robert Tyr

Damage (Mundane Great Sword):
2-12, +8 (crit. 17-20/x2) (15-20 w. Keen Edge)
+15 damage (Self-Buffs Only, No Equipment)
• Haste: extra attack = double damage


DEFENSIVE STATISTICS (AC):
• Sleeping Naked: 19
• Mundane Armor: 30 (non-buffed) / 45-plus (Self-Buffed Only, No Equipment)


Actually, unbuffed AC will be 27 if you want to use Greatsword. Theoretically 30 though, with big-board and single-hander.

It's cool builds, I like Bardarians. The barbarian removes two of the bards greatest weaknesses, namely no uncanny, and few hitpoints. Uncanny isn't really an issue here though. I want to say that I am a fan or Terrifuying Rage in Bardarians though. (Which requires 15 levels of Barbarian. )

Cool build again Robert or Deborah. Or Roborah and Debert. what do I know. You have quite an energetic way in your builds, and certainly adds your own style. Kudos again.

Rock on.
_________________
Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
Quote: Posted 06/08/06 21:48:26 (GMT) -- Grimnir77

It's cool builds, I like Bardarians. The barbarian removes two of the bards greatest weaknesses, namely no uncanny, and few hitpoints. Uncanny isn't really an issue here though. I want to say that I am a fan or Terrifuying Rage in Bardarians though. (Which requires 15 levels of Barbarian. )

Cool build again Robert or Deborah. Or Roborah and Debert. what do I know. You have quite an energetic way in your builds, and certainly adds your own style. Kudos again.

Rock on.

LOL. Why thank you, Sir Master of Norse Lore. Very much appreciate your compliment, indeed!

As to the name thing, actually, I'm wanting to change that: long story, registered under a character name, at the time wasn't posting....blah, blah, blah. then, Robo, huh? That might work, too (cute!).

About the AC - indeed, folks are gonna have to choose, great point and thanks. (shield + sword for a bit more AC, and ie. longsword dam, or no shield with 2-hander = more damage; I'd recommend the great sword, but that's just me Thanks, Grimm.

Btw, can't take all the credit on this one; must once again thank Mith for assistance on another character, (that one has Terr Rage Ah, but found out that it only lasts 1d3 + *con mod. and not the 1d6 plus as advertised; oh, well. So, here, I went Bard (me thinks I've a thing for singing knights Wanted to do something a bit different, and couldn't resist when no other builds using these class combos showed up.

Anyway, thanks also goes out to everyone who took the time to comment on prior builds, including of course you Grim - all the great comments, etc. I've received have been very helpful (and isn't it nice to know I'm paying attention?!

Tyr, (as in Tyr, Deborah Tyr

Edited By Robert Tyr on 06/08/06 22:31

You could optimize your starting attributes by dropping either STR or CON to 15 and raising CHA to 14
_________________
"...
C'est un pays plus nu que la terre polaire
— Ni bêtes, ni ruisseaux, ni verdure, ni bois!

Or il n'est pas d'horreur au monde qui surpasse
La froide cruauté de ce soleil de glace
Et cette immense nuit semblable au vieux Chaos;
..." Hey, Finn: good to see you! Ask, and you shall receive.... LOL

Seriously, was supposed to be 14, but since I needed to make an edit anyway, and on great advice from Sir Kail on this, it's up to 15. No boosts, no items, no buffs nor anything else; all shiny and clean, with full spell access, as a "civilized beserker" should be, and optimizing thus the bard (another version optimizes barbarian

(Mith, Kail, do take a bow guys, and you, too, Finn, the learning is just so good here