I figured I would complete the triumvirate of spellswords with this entry. It's pretty tough, the 38 AB is kind of low, but it buffs up to 46 and with a taunt it's effectively a 52. It manages a fair AC with plus 5 equipment, and has pretty good hitpoints. As a spell caster it's pretty strong too. It has full wizard spell casting, with enough levels and spell penetration to get past item based SR. It is also pretty much immune to any dispells other than a Mordenkainen's Disjunction or Holy Sword. I manages to have epic warding. The spell foci in evocation were chosen to give it chance to do extra damage against strength based melee builds, and it can help with spells like fire brand and chain-lightning. This build should do best in low to mid-magic settings where devastating critical is banned.
Advantages -Level 9 wizard spells. He has enough levels to avoid being dispelled by anything other than a Mordenkainen's Disjunction or Holy Sword. With spell penetration he can also bypass item based spell resistance. -Epic Warding. Coupled with the damage shield spells, his enemies will take more damage than he does while pounding on him. -Okay AC. It isn't spectacular but a 60 AC with +5 equipment is better than average for an armor wearer. He can also cast bigby's interposing hand and use expertise to raise it higher. -Good taunt skill. A 50 taunt should be as higher than an opponents Concentration barring a epic skill focus in that skill, so he should be able to lower an opponents AC. -Good damage per hit. He averages 38 points of damage a hit with just mundane equipment and buffs. -Good Hitpoints for a spellsword. He has over 400 hitpoints. -Maxed out UMD.
Disadvantages -Low Base Saves. Thanks to the dwarfs +2 bonus to spell saves and a high spellcraft he has okay saves vs. spells. His base reflex and will saves are horrible. He can use mind blank to help the will save, but the reflex save is just bad. -Low AB. A 38 is okay for a spellsword, but kind of low for a melee build. He does have taunt and a couple of buffs to help out. If all else fails, he can always cast true strike. -XP penalty at level 39. Not really a problem but it should be mentioned. -Low Spell DCs. There are plenty of spells that can be cast without DCs.
Weave Warrior
Race Dwarf
Alignment Any non lawful
Base Attributes STR 16 DEX 8 CON 18 INT 16 WIS 8 CHA 6
Attribute Bonuses Levels 4 and 8 increase intelligence Levels 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 increase strength
Final Level Distribution Bard 1 Fighter 13 Wizard 26
AC 17 (no buffs, no equipment) 28 (full plate, tower shield) 46 (+4 to Dexterity, full plate, tower shield, haste, mage armor, shield, shadow shield) 60 (+4 to Dexterity, +5 full plate, +5 tower shield, +5 Ring of Protection, +5 Boots of the Sun Soul, Haste, Mage Armor, Shadow Shield) 65 (As above in expertise mode)
Final Saves (Vs. Spells) Fortitude 24 (35) Reflex 17 (28) Will 19 (30)
Skillpoint Distribution Level 1: Concentration 4, Discipline 4, Lore 4, Save 8 Level 2: Concentration 1, Discipline 1, Lore 1, Save 10 Level 3: Concentration 1, Lore 1, Spellcraft 6, Save 7 Level 4: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Lore 1, Save 8 Level 5: Concentration 1, Discipline 1, Lore 1, Save 10 Level 6: Concentration 1, Lore 1, Spellcraft 3, Save 10 Level 7: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Save 12 Level 8: Concentration 1, Discipline 1, Save 16 Level 9: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 3, Save 18 Level 10: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Save 21 Level 11: Concentration 1, Discipline 1, Save 25 Level 12: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 3, Save 27 Level 13: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 31 Level 14: Concentration 1, Discipline 3, Save 33 Level 15: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 2, Save 36 Level 16: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Save 39 Level 17: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 2, Save 42 Level 18: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Save 45 Level 19: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 2, Save 48 Level 20: Concentration 1, Discipline 2, Save 51 Level 21: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 2, Save 54 Level 22: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 58 Level 23: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 62 Level 24: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 66 Level 25: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 70 Level 26: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 74 Level 27: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 78 Level 28: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 83 Level 29: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 1, Save 88 Level 30: Concentration 1, Discipline 10, Save 84 Level 31: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 2, Save 88 Level 32: Concentration 1, Save 94 Level 33: Concentration 1, Save 100 Level 34: Concentration 1, Save 106 Level 35: Concentration 1, Save 112 Level 36: Concentration 1, Save 118 Level 37: Concentration 1, Save 124 Level 38: Concentration 1, Save 130 Level 39: Concentration 1, Discipline 9, Perform 5, Taunt 42, Tumble 40, UMD 42 Level 40: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 6 _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
Edited By FinneousPJ on 07/24/06 09:39
Nice, the Bard level raises your power quite nicely at the end. I'd probably go with Ftr 14/Bard 2/Wizard 24 personally, Bard1 at 21 and Bard2 at 40. Human, BTW Despite the loss of CON I'm positive it would be better playable. Good job anyhow. _________________ "With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom." Star Wreck
I really like it, it's strong, dunno if the DCs make the cut, but spells are decent anyway and the buffed power is very good too (try Tenser's Transformation).
As a non-taunting guy (me), because I rarely taunt, if by any chance you give up taunt, you could change it for Great STR and take another GSTR from GINT (net +1 damage and AB at 1 DC loss and minor slots) or Epic Prowess (net +1 damage)... just a thought, although I don't think you will do it
A question, seriously, why Illusionist with focuses on Evocation? makes no sense to me... I think I'm mistaking something on the Magic Schools...
Spell focus in a school and Schools of Specialization have nothing to do with each other in NWN.
Illusion specialty loses you the ability to cast Enchantment spells and gets you an extra spell per spell level per day. It has no effect on the Focus in Evocation spells.
Nifty build Mith. Always nice to see a spellsword variant. _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
Nice, the Bard level raises your power quite nicely at the end. I'd probably go with Ftr 14/Bard 2/Wizard 24 personally, Bard1 at 21 and Bard2 at 40. Human, BTW Despite the loss of CON I'm positive it would be better playable. Good job anyhow.
This was my first thought as well. But then you get a nice XP penalty from the first bard until the end.
I was just looking at a similar build recently. Both of my own design and one which used fighter 12, hs 2, wizard 26.
very nice mith, as usual. i would love to hear a good yarn about this one... pretty please, if you have time?
-cs _________________ "Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."
Christian caught the reason for this level distribution right away; to avoid the long XP penalty from taking the second bard level earlier.
I realized that this wasn't going to be a huge AB build, and wizards only have greater magic weapon, bull's strength and true strike to buff AB, so I went for a high taunt. Unless a build has a spell casting class, virtually none of them take concentration so it does work fairly well and it alieviates the AB problem a bit. Plus, with epic warding and the damage shields up, you aren't exactly suffering when you use it. For the most part, against something you can't hit you can use magic and against something you can't use magic against you can go medieval on his arse.
I found the spell focus in evocation helped against strength based melee builds (19 to 20 reflex save vs. spells at level 40). I suppose it doesn't do that much. You could drop it for lightning reflexes and improved initiative instead. Though a +2 to reflex saves helps build about as much as spitting in the desert.
When I think about it, I think taking lightning reflexes and improved initiative would be better feat choices. Perhaps one of the mods, would be so kind as to make the change for me.
I am working on a story for an assassin build I've been working on. I'm worried it's a bit too dark, it has the protagonist blinding, deafening and muting a defeated opponent. I'm going to PM it to the mods before I post the build. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
I am working on a story for an assassin build I've been working on. I'm worried it's a bit too dark, it has the protagonist blinding, deafening and muting a defeated opponent. I'm going to PM it to the mods before I post the build.
Ooh, I like the sound of that!
On the Bard2 issue, I've played many builds with XP penalty and I don't think it's that big an issue (depending on environment I suppose). Sure, you'll level up slower, but you still level up and the rules are the same for everyone. _________________ "With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom." Star Wreck
I found the spell focus in evocation helped against strength based melee builds (19 to 20 reflex save vs. spells at level 40). I suppose it doesn't do that much. You could drop it for lightning reflexes and improved initiative instead. Though a +2 to reflex saves helps build about as much as spitting in the desert.
When I think about it, I think taking lightning reflexes and improved initiative would be better feat choices. Perhaps one of the mods, would be so kind as to make the change for me.
Done. _________________ "With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom." Star Wreck
Mith: lookin' good! A very nice series you've got! OK, yer point on the AB.... true, low for a warrior but ok with yer IKD; yer an epic wiz afterall, nice startin' point for that (w. IKD & bein' buffable and all (& you've IKD ) Lots of great spells to choose from, nice assortment of skills, and some neat other tricks incl. bard versatility (bard, yeppers...er., not gonna say it....must not say it...sorry, ... can't seems to help it: BARD TOYS! Doh! I saids it
As to tauntin', yeah, it's a great skill to have, especially against the big tough melee guys; most out there will focus on their disc., but true enough, not their concentration and esp. not in a dev crit environments (& ain't it grand So, taunt works here, a nice choice for you; obviously, against those who train concentration, taunt don't work so good However, in light of the odds of meleers skilling in concentration (most simply don't), takin' taunt over one AB point, esp. when you're a spellsword and can buff anyway, seems to makes sense; also, fits the concept of what to me looks like a "warlock" (ie, the taunting type ) -- a well rounded build, and me likes it!
Nice, Mith (but hey, where's that great story of yours to go with this build?!! ~ Tyr
ps. that assassin comin' up...sounds delightful!
Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/24/06 21:36
Quote: Illusion specialty loses you the ability to cast Enchantment spells and gets you an extra spell per spell level per day. It has no effect on the Focus in Evocation spells.
Damn it, think! just like in BG... (talking to myself) just re-checked the descriptions, as I though Darkfire and GWM were Enchantment, so it would be impossible to work that way, but my mistake... sorry for the ranting.
Thax, you are just soooo amazin' on all those details, btw - you know that? (thank you and uh, can I like hire you or something to mark me students
Seriously, I'm not a wiz expert at these high levels or anything (call me a pally-bard-and/or drake kinda gal, sorta a melee/singin' and/or slash and/or smitin' type, but hey, me's a learnin' um, seems to me, on this one, why not go general school....ok, you lose the extra spell(s) but so what; really, you got IKD (and don't forget about those bard toys )
Either way, neat concept, and folks, the learnin' here (to both Mith and Thax, you know ya both taught me lots Ah, those poor players out there that don't gets our knowledge and brain-stormin', pity em folks,I mean, really: don't be mean to em when you knock or slay or taunt or sling or what have you 'em; rather, smile nice while realizin' they just don't know better - then take em out
Whatever you wind up doin' here, Mith, a decent and oh so very fun lookin' build, with tons of neat stuff, appearin' to be nicely balanced and all, and looks like it'd be a ton of fun
Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/25/06 03:26
Deborah, you overestimate IKD. You mean Knockdown, type: improved right? With a lowish AB IKD ain't really that good, it lowers an already low AB and it is easier to resist. It might be good vs caster types, that's about it. You write as if IKD is the solution for an already low AB, it is not, it just makes it worse.
Oh, and how can IKD compensate for 1 less spell pr level? You got me confused, girl, but then again girls sometimes have that effect on me.... _________________ I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.
I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience.
Grim:
Me point on IKD, this being an epic caster, was just that, poifect against caster types (to the extent that melee warriors without arcane abilities don't tend to skill in concentration to avoid taunt (yet focus in disc to avoid a knock), the reverse is generally true of casters so far as they train concentration (hence, resist taunt) but not disc to avoid ie a knock, so that even with this character's unbuffed AB, IKD should work nicely against a caster, and give him a chance vs. melee warriors (of course, gots to land a hit first, and where all those nice buffs come in Having both taunt and IKD, plus buffs, the Weave should be okay me thinks
As to the school specialization, I was rambling on perhaps, but me wonders why a wiz would do this. One of the things I like about Wiz class is that they have so much diversity in terms of spells, as compared to ie sorcerers. Spealization gets ya one extra spell/level in your chosen school, which is nice, but the cost is that the opposite school so to speak is entirely prohibited, such that (if I understand it right), there's no casting anything from the prohibited school, not even from a scroll, and once you choose to specialize (thus cut yerself off from the opposite school), there's no going back. Just wanting to make sure I understand the rules right, and also musing if it was worth it, that's all. I mean, sure, if there's nothing at all of interest in the prohibited school, then I can see where 1 extra spell from the school you really want might obviously be a good thing; otherwise, since there's no better DC or anything notwithstanding the specialization, only the extra spell per se . . .
(just bein' curious that's all; either way, and again, me likes this build, yet was thinking that being a "generalist" might work out here too, no?
As to the school specialization, I was rambling on perhaps, but me wonders why a wiz would do this. One of the things I like about Wiz class is that they have so much diversity in terms of spells, as compared to ie sorcerers. Spealization gets ya one extra spell/level in your chosen school, which is nice, but the cost is that the opposite school so to speak is entirely prohibited, such that (if I understand it right), there's no casting anything from the prohibited school, not even from a scroll, and once you choose to specialize (thus cut yerself off from the opposite school), there's no going back.
You get an extra slot pr spell-level. Any spell. Does not have to be an illusion one. You miss out on enchantment spells, which most people don't use anyhow, so that's why they go illusion school. They feel it comes almost without cost. And do not underestimate the extra oomph from having an extra spell each level in a spell-blade, especially since auto still always comes in late. Grim out. _________________
Quote: Posted 03/06/06 18:56:45 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ Trollborn Asgardian by the master of the Norse legends, Grimnir himself!
Despite the loss of CON I'm positive it would be better playable. Good job anyhow.
pretty please, if you have time? 
I saids it 
So, taunt works here, a nice choice for you; obviously, against those who train concentration, taunt don't work so good 
However, in light of the odds of meleers skilling in concentration (most simply don't), takin' taunt over one AB point, esp. when you're a spellsword and can buff anyway, seems to makes sense; also, fits the concept of what to me looks like a "warlock" (ie, the taunting type ) -- a well rounded build, and me likes it! 
