Playable level 1-40, PvM or PvP

The Gothic Champion
by Deborah Wattier

This is a variation of an earlier character, inspired by our very own Grim, who likes to see Terrifying Rage in Barbarians, so here it is. Unlike the other build, which was/is the first of its kind in terms of the class combo selected (and based upon a legendary character upon whom Germanic hero stories are made), this build is a rager, but not the first of its kind. There are four other builds on the pulse cap which utilize the same class-combo, being different as to the level split.

Concept: We may think of this build, the Gothic Champion, as a noble beserking warrior leading up to the period before the break in their camp, the Visigoths to the West, and Ostragoths to the East. It was believed that the later did not ransom off their captives or retain them as slaves, as was quite common throughout the region, but sacrificed them to their g*ds instead. It is believed that, in addition to Odin, the Goths worshipped in particular a variation of Tyr (then the war god, who at some later point became associated with justice). For this, the Goths were feared by all who opposed them, and especially the Hunns, with whom they constantly fought, and making the terrifying rage feat in this version appropriate

And now, without further adieu:

The Gothic Champion:
Barbarian(15), Bard(15), Champion of Torm(10)

Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good Preferred, but any non-lawful
Hitpoints: 530 (610 Rage / 616 Rage + Song)

Final Stats:
STR: 16 (26)
DEX: 8
CON: 16 (18)
WIS: 8
INT: 13
CHA: 13 (16)

Saving Throws:
Fortitude: 35 (36) (+5 Divine Wrath) (+2 Raging)
Will: 22 (26) (+5 Divine Wrath) (+2 Raging)
Reflex: 25 (29) (+5 Divine Wrath)

Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +8, Traps: +3
Other: Barbarian Speed, Damage Reduction


COMBAT STATISTICS (mundane great sword):
Base (BAB, Naked): 29, AB: +41/+36/+31/+26 (non-buffed)
AB: +52-plus (Bard Buffs Only) / AB: +59 (Bard Buffs, Raging + Divine Wrath)
Other Modifications: Curse Song, Taunt, Improved Knockdown, Terrifying Rage, ...(north of AB +65

* Rage Duration: 5 to 8 Rounds (*Con-Mod. + 1d3)
* Divine Wrath Duration: 4 to 5 Rounds (*Cha-Mod. + Eagle’s)


Combat Damage (Mundane Great Sword):
2-12, +8 (crit. 17-20/x2) (15-20 w. Keen Edge)
+15 damage (Self-Buffs Only, No Equipment)
+5 Divine Damage
Haste: extra attack = double damage


DEFENSIVE STATISTICS (AC):
• Sleeping Naked: 19
• Mundane Plate Armor: 27 (non-buffed) / 41-plus (Self-Buffed Only, No Equipment)
Note: A shied would add +3 to AC, but this character doesn’t really need a Shield

SPELL CASTING:
• Bard Spells: Level 5
o SR 15 + 1d20
Also Skilled in the Use of Magical Devices (UMD)/Spellcraft, and BARD TOYS!


FINAL SKILLS (238)
Discipline 41(49)
Intimidate 42(45)
Perform 22(25)
Spellcraft 39(40)
Taunt 41(44)
Tumble 40(39)
UMD 13(16)
Bard Song: Adds +3 to All Skills

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:

* Combat AB: at “the Cap” (+12 STR):
+47 (non-buffed); +65-plus (Self-Buffs Only); +70-plus (as adjusted for enemy -AC, etc.)

* Terrifying Rage DC: 45 (+3), +1d10 (or, DC 49 to 59)


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, +2 Will, +2 Reflex, +3 Skills, +4 AC, +16 HPs (temp.)
• Curse Song: Weakens all enemies within area of effect (30’ area), as follows:
o -2 AB, -3 Dam., -2 Fort, -2 Will, -2 Reflex, -3 Skills, -4 AC, and -16 HPs (damage)



WHAT FOLLOWS is the EPIC PATH of the GOTHIC CHAMPION:

01: Barbarian(1): Armor Proficiency Heavy, weapon focus
02: Barbarian(2): {Uncanny Dodge I}
03: Barbarian(3): Knockdown
04: Barbarian(4): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Barbarian(5)
06: Bard(1): Curse Song
07: Barbarian(6)
08: Barbarian(7): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Bard(2): Lingering Song
10: Champion of Torm(1)
11: Barbarian(8)
12: Barbarian(9): STR+1, extend spell, (STR=19)
13: Champion of Torm(2): power attack
14: Barbarian(10)
15: Champion of Torm(3): still spell, {Smite Evil}
16: Champion of Torm(4): STR+1, improved knockdown, (STR=20)
17: Barbarian(11)
18: Barbarian(12): Blind Fight
19: Barbarian(13)
20: Champion of Torm(5): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Champion of Torm(6): great strength I, epic weapon focus, (STR=22)
22: Barbarian(14)
23: Bard(3)
24: Champion of Torm(7): STR+1, great charisma I, (STR=23), (CHA=14)
25: Champion of Torm(8): epic prowess
26: Bard(4)
27: Champion of Torm(9): great strength II, (STR=24)
28: Bard(5): CHA+1, (CHA=15)
29: Bard(6)
30: Bard(7): epic fortitude
31: Bard(8)
32: Bard(9): CON+1, (CON=17)
33: Bard(10): great charisma II, (CHA=16)
34: Bard(11)
35: Bard(12)
36: Bard(13): STR+1, great constitution I, (STR=25), (CON=18)
37: Bard(14)
38: Bard(15)
39: Barbarian(15): terrifying rage
40: Champion of Torm(10): STR+1, armor skin, (STR=26)

Skills Progression :

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

hand of god -- edited the feats
Edited title to include new account name - Kail Pendragon

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 06/11/06 09:33

A couple of suggestions:

1. Drop your int to 12 and raise your CHA to 14. This will free up an epic feat, but you will not be able to take improved knockdown, which is fine because you didn't take curse song. Take curse song pre-epic and take blind-fight on improved knockdown feat.

2. Drop two CoT levels and take another Barbarian and Bard level. The extra Bard level lets you get a better bard song/curse song (good for another +1 to AC on the bard song and -1 to opponent's AC on the curse song) an extra level 2 spell and a level 6 spell if you buff your charisma. The extra barbarian level lets you take terrifying rage at at a lower level, since you can take the last barb level at level 40. You lose +1 to all your saves, a feat and your divine wrath is weaker. So you can determine whether it is worth it or not.

Other than that it seems like a good build. Actually, for a build that increases three attributes, I'm surprised that it is as good as it looks.
_________________
Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do. Hey, Mith: really nice to see you! And glad to hear you like this fellow (you know, your teachings are in here

as to the curse song. . . EGADS, you're right; it should be - at level 6, then, dropping extra music and taking lingering song at level 9. Thanks for pointing out the error; will have that immediately rectified! (and that's what I get for posting so late at night .... ARRRR).

Will be back ....

(thanks, Mith; and sorry to all for that). OK, error/typo corrected, i.e. curse song . . . whew! LOL (again, sorry about that guys; but it's been fully rectified by the "hand of god" (thanks, Finn)

Mith . . . you know, you keep this up, and I'm giving you full "coach credit" (thanks); here's the thought - mind fog, -10 to your foes's will saves, yes? I didn't factor that in the DC or anything for terrifying rage (although some would say I should Ah, but we work up to terr. rage, plus have that mind fog, in this build, we gets there That was the purpose of bringing in the bard here (well, that and those great bard buffs too, plus the fact that bards are just plain fun

COT adds the balance; brings up the saves and adds feats that otherwise wouldn't be there (and would in any event need to be filled with save-boosting feats, but no such need due to the COT). Your point, re: dropping COT levels for extra bbn/bard and potentially enabling this character to take terr.rage earlier is valid, but so too is your point that it may not be worth it. For balance, and like you, I don't think that it is, especially in PvM/single-player. Plus, COT adds healing ability, smiting AB + sonic damage, etc (none of these COT abilities, other than the divine wrath ability whatsoever, is factored in/listed whatsoever, but it's there

Ah, but where it would def. be worth dropping a couple levels of COT, and I'll trust that you'll agree, is in a party experience: ie., bring up the bard unless, of course, there are even higher level bards present in the party, in which case bring up the barbarian Very good points, Mith! And totally agreed. Thank you: you're a great coach!

~ Deborah Tyr

Edited By Robert Tyr on 06/11/06 03:35

Quote: Posted 06/11/06 03:05:54 (GMT) -- Robert Tyr

OK, error/typo corrected, i.e. curse song . . . whew! LOL (again, sorry about that guys; but it's been fully rectified by the "hand of god" (thanks, Finn)

Mith . . . you know, you keep this up, and I'm giving you full "coach credit" (thanks); here's the thought - mind fog, -10 to your foes's will saves, yes? I didn't factor that in the DC or anything for terrifying rage (although some would say I should Ah, but we work up to terr. rage, plus have that mind fog, in this build, we gets there That was the purpose of bringing in the bard here (well, that and those great bard buffs too, plus the fact that bards are just plain fun

COT adds the balance; brings up the saves and adds feats that otherwise wouldn't be there (and would in any event need to be filled with save-boosting feats, but no such need due to the COT). Your point, re: dropping COT levels for extra bbn/bard and potentially enabling this character to take terr.rage earlier is valid, but so too is your point that it may not be worth it. For balance, and like you, I don't think that it is, especially in PvM/single-player. Plus, COT adds healing ability, smiting AB + sonic damage, etc (none of these COT abilities, other than the divine wrath ability whatsoever, is factored in/listed whatsoever; OK, THE WHOLE SONIC DAMAGE THING, A WHOLE WHOPPING AMAZING 10 (LOL), HEY, BUT IT'S THERE (and now you know why I didn't bother to make mention of it

Ah, but where it would def. be worth dropping a couple levels of COT, and I'll trust that you'll agree, is in a party experience: ie., bring up the bard unless, of course, there are even higher level bards present in the party, in which case bring up the barbarian Very good points, Mith! And totally agreed. Thank you: you're a great coach!

~ Deborah Tyr

Edited By Robert Tyr on 06/11/06 03:44