Let it be known that I don't attempt iconic builds, but rather, iconoclasstic ones. I've done a bit of research on this, and I think I am safe in saying that this is the strongest Halfling in the world. It's a timeless classic Dragon Disciple template that doesn't break any new ground, other than an exploration that a Bard/Ftr/Rdd is a potent combination no matter what race. This is the strongest Halfling possible, who 2-hands a Bastard sword, and who can lay down some serious damage while still being balanced in AC, saves, skills, and abilities. Technically, he is not the "strongest" since it is possible to get a "41" strength, but the end result is the same.
The name "Bullroarer" was a nickname given to old Bandobras Took, a Hobbit who had defeated a goblin/worg invasion in Tolkien mythology, and who had, in one stroke, knocked the head clean off the Goblin chieftain (to which it is further reported that this inspired the invention of Golf). Legend states that he was the only Hobbit tall enough to ride a horse. In his honor.... _________
The Bullroarer: The Strongest Halfling in the World
Race: Halfling Alignment: Any non-lawful Playable: 1-40, PvM, all environs
Advantages Heavy Damager Strong AC 16th level Bard/Curse song Self-buff w/2 Metamagic Options Scroll cast Divine/Arcane spells Strong Skill Set No XP Penalty
Disadvantages Bard Powers delayed until Epic Reflex Save low (but not bad considering Spellcraft) Can't access 6th level Bard Spells (no great loss) RDDs are banned in some environments Floopy Wings ____________
Other builds with the same split: Mith's Irksome Wonder and Shadow's Tendorizing Tenor (a dualwielder). All fine builds.
Who was that who said "they can't all be juggernauts of destruction"?
Yikes.. looks damn scary to me. I certainly don't want this little ankle biter chasing me with his cleaver.
Think I may have to try this one out a bit.
AC is always an issue for me, when going with a large weapon, just preference I guess, but you cover it somewhat with the RDD and small stature.
Nice job Grizz
I'd probably use a Scimitar with this guy, since that's the only two-handed weapon with 18-20 crit range (and is not a two-handed weapon for most PCs, obviously). Halflings and gnome get a little treat with Scimitar.
Interesting build, sir dwarf _________________ "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
Another Halfling of Doom! Yey!
Well done GD, show 'em there are good reasons to show some respect to the small folks. They ain't all furry and sweet. Nay.
My only suggestion, after doing some math, is to go with Scimitar. You always (against all ACs) get a higher damage output (apart crit immunes of course) especially with a keen weapon. More importantly, it would free up one feat slot for Lingering Song.
Cheers, Kail _________________ Heavy metal Or no metal at all Whimps and posers Leave the hall!
..and unfortunately with the advent of cloaks, Wings are no longer an issue.. ...I miss Wings...
Great. A halfling that can lift and throw a small house.
Nice work. I would echo the scimitar suggestion, except for the fact that bastard swords look way cooler. _________________ CATS!
Wow, a Mini Monster!
I don't think I ever considered a 40 strength build for a Halfling. Somehow this just seems so wrong. Watching this guy just obliterate anything in it's path is going to be one of those guilty pleasures. _________________ In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God. Yes, Father. The Almighty says don't change the subject; just answer the &%$#@& question.
my thoughts echo highlander's. a halfling with a 40 strength is something i nevered considered. it would be rather frightening to be tied into a pretzel by a halfling.
Bull-roarer indeed, Griz. But what of young Pippin and Merry, who were to try to compete to surpass Bull-roarer as Bilbo was to surpass the old Took?
-cs
Quote: Posted 09/30/06 13:57:09 (GMT) -- avarielo
Nice work. I would echo the scimitar suggestion, except for the fact that bastard swords look way cooler.
I thought so as well, so I opted for style over substance. I also took it in order to use any weapon in the game. In testing though, I actually took Battle Axe and Lingering Song, and was watching those x3 Crits float above the combat spectacle. Either way, I wanted to take the biggest,largest possible weapon and place it in the hands of the smallest, slimmest, shortest, tiniest creature possible.
To be truly an iconoclast, make your Halfling a female with the lithe model type. When the party says, "Cool, a Rogue! Can ya pick some locks?" you can unsheathe that hand-and-a-half sword and say, "No way. I'm the tank." They'll laugh at you at first, but I guarantee that after the first battle, they'll be asking "Uhh, so, what are you exactly?" _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
To be truly an iconoclast, make your Halfling a female with the lithe model type. When the party says, "Cool, a Rogue! Can ya pick some locks?" you can unsheathe that hand-and-a-half sword and say, "No way. I'm the tank." They'll laugh at you at first, but I guarantee that after the first battle, they'll be asking "Uhh, so, what are you exactly?"
That statement right there is the single best reason to play this build. That would be pure 24 carat gold! _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Big fan of the strength-based halfling. Made a 40 strength Barbarian/Bard/RDD halfling a while ago. Totally agree that bastard sword looks much cooler than anything else in this build.
However, I haven't read 'The Hobbit' in a few years now, but as far as I can remember, ol' Bull-Roarer used a club, didn't he? Sorry if I'm wrong.
Kurth
Hm. I made build somewhat similar. It was Bard/Rogue/RDD though, with slightly higher DEX and rapier for weapon. And light armour. It worked very well, except a few minor troubles in around lvls 10-15. So I cannot see why this contradiction of reality should not work well. And I agree to the Bastard sword. Your best build in quite a while, though perhaps not the most powerful.
Excellent! _________________ Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
Quote: Posted 09/30/06 09:37 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ
I'd probably use a Scimitar with this guy, since that's the only two-handed weapon with 18-20 crit range (and is not a two-handed weapon for most PCs, obviously).
Ah. Untrue, methinks. Rapier springs to mind here.
Kurth
Quote: Posted 10/11/06 22:42 (GMT) -- K U R T H
Quote: Posted 09/30/06 09:37 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ
I'd probably use a Scimitar with this guy, since that's the only two-handed weapon with 18-20 crit range (and is not a two-handed weapon for most PCs, obviously).
Ah. Untrue, methinks. Rapier springs to mind here.
Kurth
True, but Scimitar is better for this character, as he can cast Keen Edge on it. _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
To be truly an iconoclast, make your Halfling a female with the lithe model type. When the party says, "Cool, a Rogue! Can ya pick some locks?" you can unsheathe that hand-and-a-half sword and say, "No way. I'm the tank." They'll laugh at you at first, but I guarantee that after the first battle, they'll be asking "Uhh, so, what are you exactly?"
A halfling that's worth the mark of the dwarf -- great work, Dwarflord! .... but why'ze ya wanna go and cover up those wings for; since s/he ain't got a beard, might as well enjoy those wings!
Edited By TyrTemplar on 10/12/06 06:17
Is there a particular advantage to using a halfling instead of a gnome in this build? I mean, excluding the theme.
Edited By Ariel Thomas on 10/12/06 09:51
Quote: Posted 10/12/06 09:50 (GMT) -- Ariel Thomas
Is there a particular advantage to using a halfling instead of a gnome in this build? I mean, excluding the theme.
Gnome would receive: +40 hp (starts with 16 Con) -1 Will Saves (loses "Lucky") -2 Reflex (Dex8 and Loses "Lucky" -1 AC (starts with Dex8 instead of 10) +2 saves vs. mind-affecting spells couple other gimmicks which are negligible Less socially acceptable
Of course, one can still start attributes the way they are now, and basically trade "Lucky" for +2 Mind affecting spells. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Quote: Posted 10/12/06 09:50 (GMT) -- Ariel Thomas
Is there a particular advantage to using a halfling instead of a gnome in this build? I mean, excluding the theme.
Gnome would receive: +40 hp (starts with 16 Con) -1 Will Saves (loses "Lucky") -2 Reflex (Dex8 and Loses "Lucky" -1 AC (starts with Dex8 instead of 10) +2 saves vs. mind-affecting spells couple other gimmicks which are negligible Less socially acceptable
Of course, one can still start attributes the way they are now, and basically trade "Lucky" for +2 Mind affecting spells.
Hm, I was thinking of keeping the original attributes and casting cat's grace to get the +2 for Dex, since it wears full plate anyway. (Though I suppose you only get the full +2 50% of the time from Cat's Grace) Are 40 extra HP not worth the -1 to saves?
Grizzled, thanks for the help with my newbie soloing career I'm trying out two of the builds you suggested and seeing how that goes. However I keep coming back to this build. Could you post how you would turn this into a Strongest Halfling in the World with Dev. Crit?
I can't shake the idea that a 40 strength Halfling, with dev. crit and 2-handing a Scimitar, would be silly fun to play. I keep picturing him wading through a throng of orcs and lopping of their heads one swing at a time
--- Chumgeyser ---
It's actually a pretty simple conversion from what I can see, though I am certain someone would correct me if I am wrong.
Toss out Exotic Weapon Prof for Power Attack, Toughness for Cleave, and Extend Spell or Still (probably Extend, as Bard Buffs are fairly long lasting with 16 levels and the ones that aren't wouldn't even last an extra combat with Extend) for Great Cleave. Shuffle the feats a bit so WF comes earlier.
Next, at level 24 takes Overwealming Cirt, at 25th take Devastating Crit, then take Epic WF at level 27. If you really really want 40 STR, you can trade Epic Prowess + Armor Skin for these two, though it's not recommended.
Frankly, this guy doesn't even need Dev Crit, though, it should carve though enemies snickerty snap.
Excellent! Thanks Ariel. You're probably right that this guy doesn't need dev. crit. but it seems like a good build to have dev. crit. what with the lopping off of orcs heads and all.
Hmm I think Peter Jackson should make a movie about Bullroarer. Knowing Jackson he would want to stay pretty true to the story so Bullroarer would most likely be knocking orcs heads off with a big hammer
...I miss Wings... 
Great. A halfling that can lift and throw a small house. 
Big fan of the strength-based halfling. Made a 40 strength Barbarian/Bard/RDD halfling a while ago. Totally agree that bastard sword looks much cooler than anything else in this build.
