Dragon Rider (the “Magical Blade”) By Deborah “Tyr” Templar
Dragon Blade (the “Mighty Rider”) By Deborah “Tyr” Templar
Concept: Dragon Blades were an elite fighting force, comprised of combat warriors who actually rode and fought upon dragons; the pair, rider and dragon, were dedicated to the preservation and defense of a far away land, somewhere in the desert. It is said the bond between dragon and his/her rider is a strong and magical one. It is also said that, in time, the bond grows between a rider and his/her dragon, such that they begin to “see” and “think” as one, and that each of the pair eventually take on many characteristics of the other. It is widely believed all Dragon Blades (and their dragons) died out during the time of the dragon wars.
They are wrong: a few survived.
Character: This character is a “magical” variant, if you will, of my original Dragon Blade, and this variant asks: Want more magic in your step and bard song/curse song power in your rider? Then this, the second of three characters in my latest Dragon Blade series, may be your ticket! Inspired by Grim (whose helpful comments and review are graciously acknowledged), this dragon rider comes complete with level 5 spell access, very good (and highly buffable) AB, and a terrifying rage DC 58-67+
Others in the Rider Series: If you want more might/raging power instead of magic, then you be seeking the Mighty Rider, Click Here , To see the original Dragon Blade, a cool H/S’er who kicks off this latest series, with links therein also to the 11 other cool builds, being “others of the species” using this class combo, albeit different in terms of the level split (and foci), Click Here
And now, without further adieu, please meet:
DRAGON RIDER (the “Magical Blade”) – Barbarian(16), Red Dragon Disciple(10), Bard(14)
Race: Human Alignment: Any Non-Lawful (Theme: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, or Chaotic Evil)
* Armor/Weapon Note: In light of Bard Buffs/Song, I recommend using i.e., bastard sword or katana (dealing 1-10 damage (as compared to a big knife’s 2-12), while allowing (unlike the big knife) shield use, as desired; weapons, however, are a matter of personal choice, so feel free to switch out for another of your own choice, and/or pick up heavy armor prof. instead.
ii) Mundane Bastard Sword: 1-10+19 (crit:17-20/x2) (Keen:15-20/x2) (-6 one-handed/shield) +4 Greater Magic Weapon +3 Bard Song +4 Raging (-1 if one-handed/shield used) +2-3 Bard Bull’s (-1 if one-handed/shield used) +2 War Cry
Other: - Bard Spells (i.e., Wounding Whispers, Bard Summons, etc.) - Dragon Breath: 6d10 (60 Total) Fire Damage, Cone Effect - Fully trained in the art of UMD
V. Defense Vitals:
AC (naked): 23 +5 Mundane Breastplate* +3 Tower Shield -- 31 +2 Curse Song (lowers enemy AB, thus effectively raising your AC) +3 Bard Song +4 Bard Haste +2 Bard’s Cat’s +4 Mage Armor -- AC 46 (-2 raging) (self-buffs only; does not include magical equipment/UMD)
* Armor Note: full plate (heavy armor prof.) would add +3 AC (or, AC 49)
Other: Bard Spells: i.e., Improved Invisibility, Ethereal Visage (self-concealment), etc. Fully trained in the art of UMD Barbarian Terrifying Rage: i.e., enemies can’t hit you when they’re terrified
Also, fully trained in the art of UMD and enjoys the full use of Bard Toys; to see and select your bard spells, click here: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Bard
VIII. Other
- Bard Song: +2 AB, +3 Dam., +1 all-saves, +3 AC, +2 all-skills, +16 hps self and allies - Curse Song: Exact opposite effect on all enemies’ within area of effect
Edited typo and miscalculations to AC - Grimnir
Edited By Bromium on 10/12/07 20:11
Still glad you're hacking away, TyrTemplar. The build itself is good, and reminds me of Xylophone's Metal Siren, only without the EDR, but works as is. Is there some kind of <gasp> Eragon theme cooking here? _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Quote: dealing 1-10 damage (as compared to a big knife’s 2-12)
I'd say you should forget the little Katana/Bastard sword and be a mean killing machine with a big sword (or rather, axe if you prefer), you could change Exotic Proficiency for Blind-Fight, a must have on melee builds. Remember big knife also gives 1.5 STR damage bonus, I consider pretty much any build with a base STR score above 30 should use a two handed weapon to take advantage of it, and now your effective in-battle STR will be above 40! really consider the two handed weapon.
Aye, it's a nice build.
Thanks, Dwarflord, Thax; appreciate your kind words, & good to see you, too!. Yeah, Xylo's (all of 'em really) is really cool, each being unique, w. this one delaying drake for BAB(AB), & nothing (I assure you) to do w. the film; me, been tamin' & ridin' dragons since, well, er, let's just say awhile...but this ones' more about bard in the mix, as compared to my orig. rider, having thus a much, much better song & buffs, in exchange for only -1 BAB (& what the heck, haven't done a series in a while so...(and we've Grim to thank for that, folks
Don't know if you guys have checeked out what they did to bard in nwn2, but *sigh* ... so nice for me to see all those great buffs and song again (and great to see you guys posting, too). And Thax, indeed! A mean killing machine, eh? (love your style-does this mean Claw reconsidered?!!
Yeah, could easily switch out for big knife or great axe or, since BF's not *really* neces. here (has detection- ie., listen 66+ (amplify, song, curse), plus see invis., grt'r dispel, etc.); so, if you *really* wanted to be mean, could pick up scythe (w. str., bard keen & buffs to make it worthwhile). Options, options, and your ideas be awesome (thanks!). Of course, if goin' PvE, different story: BF more important, in which case big knife ... or big axe ... or ...
