Slashing and Avenging with the Roar of a Lion PvP and PvM (1-40)

LIONHEART (Wildwood Crusader)
By (in alphabetical order) Deborah “Tyr” Templar, Grimnir77, and Tattoed Monk


Concept: The King who Roared

Quote:  Lionheart, being Richard I (or King Richard), a noble knight and gallant soldier, and rightful ruler of England who was also a crusader; he left his kingdom temporarily in the care of his relative, John (Sorcerer King, Wildwood Prince: Click Here ) while he sought answers and justice to alleged crimes committed abroad, meanwhile leaving his own kingdom open to crimes committed against his subject by John and his own system of Sheriffs (and especially the Sheriff of Nottingham, Wildwood Tyrant: Click Here ).

Controversial yet charming, Lionheart endured much back-stabbing and constant threats, which he faced with the pride and persistence of a lion. He also enjoyed many an exciting adventure, was extremely well educated, and able to converse in many languages, but his true passion was that of a soldier, excelling in military matters from a very young age; his main concern at all times was that of his kingdom’s national security (and thus the comfort of his subjects), which was constantly under threat from foreign powers. For the people, then, Lionheart endured much personal hardship, including being kidnapped and held against his will by foreign powers. He had loyal supporters such as Robin Hood, (as a “true-to-life” plate-wearing knight, in Wildwood Warrior: Click Here , or in accordance with the tales, as an archer, in the Wildwood Outlaw: Click Here ) and his merry band of the woods, including Alan A. Dale, the Wildwood Minstrel: Click Here , Will Scarlett, the Wildwood Mercenary: Click Here , and last but by no means least, the infamous Lady Marian, a high borne intelligent noble who cared deeply about her people, Click Here (Wildwood Maiden).

Lionheart was able to escape his ordeal, no worse for the wear, being bent and determined on nothing more than returning to his throne and rescuing his kingdom from the evil forces who had taken over during his absence. England, he vowed, would be freed from her nightmare, and her enemies would suffer the full extent of his divine wrath. He was, after all, Lionheart, and his enemies would hear him roar.

The Build:
While not the first melee’r to combine ranger/paladin in some form or fashion (there being four in spirit, all nice PvM builds and worthy of mention (ranger? paladin? really, what’s not to love!), to which links to all are below); this is the first of its kind, according to the pulse, to combine Ranger bane (vs. all player races) w. the whole range of paladin buffs, incl. holy sword, and is therefore quite unique; further, and in addition, we add a double weapon focus, incl. the two-bladed sword (for double bangs on all of your buffs, including the holy sword), hence nothing short of powerful damage output – i.e., w. 6 apr (7 hasted), Lionheart dishes up to 330 damage (about 400 vs. evil) per round (even more hasted), while dispelling buffs on – and quickly slicing through – enemies like there’s no tomorrow.

In between “power modes” (during which defense is not an issue when dual-wielding, since most enemies simply don’t live long enough to hurt you), he enjoys the bastard sword, which enables plate use (for AC, and can also equip a shield if desired, hence a nice defense as any other str-based melee build, only with more options, such that neither offense nor defense has been overlooked). Coupled with nice saves (bolstered by paladin immunities, the full range of ranger and paladin spells, and divine grace) and also decent/good HPs, Lionheart is a solid warrior. The main draw-back of this build is that he is a warrior/melee’r–hence, no access to UMD; while this may be frustrating to some (in terms of versatility), it is not really a draw back per se, so far as Lionheart has innate casting (ranger + pally, and entitlement also therefore to all pal/ranger scrolls), can bolster his own saves, and has a really nice AB/damage all his own (which he also can self-buff). As such, Lionheart is a solid melee’r, in all environs, and nothing short of divinely powerful when buffed. Without further ado, please meet:



LIONHEART (Wildwood Crusader)
Ranger(25), Paladin(15)
Human, LG

STR: 17 (30)
DEX: 8
CON: 12
WIS: 14
INT: 13
CHA: 10

01: Paladin(1): Weapon Proficiency Exotic, knockdown
02: Paladin(2): {Smite Evil}
03: Ranger(1): weapon focus: bastard sword, favored enemy I, {Dual Wield}
04: Ranger(2): STR+1, (STR=18)
05: Ranger(3)
06: Paladin(3): weapon focus: two-bladed sword
07: Ranger(4)
08: Ranger(5): STR+1, favored enemy II, (STR=19)
09: Ranger(6): blind fight
10: Ranger(7)
11: Ranger(8)
12: Ranger(9): STR+1, power attack (or expertise)* {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}, (STR=20)
13: Ranger(10): favored enemy III
14: Ranger(11)
15: Ranger(12): improved critical: bastard sword
16: Ranger(13): STR+1, (STR=21)
17: Ranger(14)
18: Ranger(15): improved critical: two-bladed sword, favored enemy IV
19: Ranger(16)
20: Ranger(17): STR+1, (STR=22)
21: Ranger(18): epic weapon focus: two-bladed sword
22: Ranger(19)
23: Ranger(20): favored enemy V
24: Ranger(21): STR+1, bane of enemies, (STR=23)
25: Paladin(4)
26: Paladin(5)
27: Paladin(6): epic weapon focus: bastard sword
28: Paladin(7): STR+1, (STR=24)
29: Paladin(8)
30: Paladin(9): epic prowess
31: Paladin(10)
32: Paladin(11): STR+1, (STR=25)
33: Paladin(12): great strength I, (STR=26)
34: Paladin(13)
35: Paladin(14)
36: Ranger(22): STR+1, great strength II, (STR=28)
37: Ranger(23): favored enemy VI
38: Ranger(24)
39: Ranger(25): great strength III, favored enemy VII, (STR=29)
40: Paladin(15): STR+1, (STR=30)

Hitpoints: 440 (448 aid)

Saving Throws
Fort: 24 (29 w. aura, eagles, resist.; PvA: 31 vs. Evil; death ward (death magic, etc.)
Will: 18 (23 w. aura, eagles, resist.; PvA: 25 vs. Evil, immune to mind-effects/spells)
Reflex: 15 (22 w. aura, eagles, resist., cats; PvA: vs. 24; freedom; prot. v. elements)

Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +2

Other:
Paladin Immunities (fear, disease), Divine Grace (enh. w. cha.), Paladin and Ranger Spells (and scrolls), incl. self-healing/curing powers and resistances), Lay-on-Hands, etc.


Combat Vitals:

BAB: 30
AB (naked): 44, +2 Bane: 46 (melee) (-2 dual-wield)

A. Attack Bonus – Mundane Weapon:
46 AB
+2 Bull’s
+3 (Aid, Bless, Prayer)
+5 Divine Favor
+5 Holy Sword (or, GMW)
--
61 AB, +6 Taunt, or: AB 67 (combat) (-2 dual-wield)
+3-4 Smite Bonus (Aura, Eagle’s) vs. Evil, or: AB 71 (self buffed)

• Capped AB (assuming +12 str, cha., and weaponry):
o Combat: 72 + taunt: 78 AB, add +6 Smite Bonus: 84 AB (-2 dual wield)

• Other Available: +5 GMW, +3 Blade Thirst


B. Damage:

i) Mundane Bastard sword
1-10+15 (crit: 17-20/x2) (-5 one handed/w. shield)
+3 Bull’s (-1 one-handed/shield)
+1 Prayer
+3 Deafening Clang
+5 Divine Favor
+5 Holy Sword (ON Hit: Dispel Magic), and +1d6 vs. Evil
+6 FEs, and +2d6 Bane
+5 power attack (-5 ab)
--
Combat (Totals): 46-65, xs 4 apr or: 184-260 (haste: 230-325 damage/round)
vs. Evil (1+d6): 47-71, xs 4 apr, or: 188-284, +15 smite (haste: 235-355, +15 smite)
--
Other: Bless Weapon, +2d6 vs. Undead (add +8-24 dam. to round totals (haste: +10-30)



ii) Mundane Two-Bladed Sword:

Main-Blade: 1-8+10 (crit: 17-20/x2)
+2 Bulls
+1 Prayer
+3 Deafening Clang
+5 Divine Favor
+5 Holy Sword, and +1d6 Divine v. Evil
+6 FEs, and +2d6 Bane
+5 Pow.Attack (-5 ab)
--
+2d6 vs Undead (Bless Wea.)
--
+15 Smite (v. Evil)

Off-Blade: 1-8+5 (crit: 17-20/x2)
+1 Bulls
+1 Prayer
+3 Deafening Clang
+5 Divine Favor
+5 Holy Sword, and +1d6 divine vs. Evil
+6 FEs, and +2d6 Bane
+5 Power Attack
--
Bless Weapon: +2d6 vs. Undead

Damage (Double Avenger):
• Combat Totals (Per Round): 228-330 (haste: 268-387)
o Main Blade (40-57), xs 4 apr, or: 160-228 (haste: 200-285)
o OFF Blade (34-51), xs 2 apr, or: 68-102

• vs. Evil: 234-366, +15 smite (haste: 275-429, +15 smite)
o Main (41-63, xs 4 apr: 164-252, +15 smite / hasted: 205-315, +15 smite
o Off (35-57, xs 2 apr: 70-114)

• vs. Undead: per round totals, add another (main: 8-48 (haste: 10-60) + Off: 4-24). Or: 12-72 (haste: 14-84)


o Note: Calculations do not factor in any crits, nor include any magical equipment (Self-Buffs Only). What, An Evil Sorcerer w. Ep.Warding?


Other: Ranger Spells, i.e. entangle (slows enemies), animal companion; deadly traps (for more info on traps, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Trap#Notes


Defense Vitals:

13 AC (naked)

* Leather:
+3 Studded Leather
+2 Cat’s
+1 prayer
+3 mundane shield
--
22, +2 vs. Evil (Prot.v.Align.): 24 AC (-3 dual-wield) (self-buffs)

* Plate:
+8 Mundane Plate
+2 Cat’s
+1 prayer
+3 mundane shield
--
27, +2 vs. Evil (Prot.v.Align.): 29 AC (self-buffs)

* Leather or Plate: assuming +5 items, dex and haste: 54 AC
* Note: if took expert., then add +5 AC to all of the above fig. while in this mode (-5 AB)


Spell Casting:

* Paladin(4)
Level 1: 3 spells / Level 2: 2 spells / Level 3: 1 spell / Level 4: 1 spell
To see and select your paladin spells, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Paladin

* Ranger(4),
Level 1: 4 spells / Level 2: 4 spells / Level 3: 3 spell / Level 4: 3 spell
To see and select your ranger spells, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Ranger )


Skillpoints: 222
Concentration 43(44)
Disable Trap 1(4)
Discipline 43(53), +2 bull’s
Heal 2(4)
Set Trap 31(30), +2 Cat’s, +4 one.w,
Spellcraft 9(10)
Taunt 43(43), +4 aura, eagle’s
Tumble 20(19)


Other Paladin/Ranger melee types

Forest Order Of The Tiny Blade (Ranger 17 / Paladin 18 / Harper Scout 5)
-- christian.schnabel, Click Here

Mighty Warrior of the North (Ranger 21 / Paladin 15 / Harper Scout 4)
-- FinneousPJ, Click Here

The Avenging Ranger (Paladin 9 / Ranger 26 / Harper Scout 5)
-- lendorallen, Click Here

Undead Hunter (Ranger 21 / Paladin 15 / Fighter 4)
-- Mithdradates, Click Here
_________________
“Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it: and this I know, my lords, that where law ends, tyranny begins!” ~ William Pitt (Lord Chatham) to the British House of Lords (January, 1770)

Edited By TyrTemplar on 06/18/07 05:03

Heh, we could've gotten ourselves better saves by moving a point from CHA to INT without losing much. 43 skillpoints, some into Spellcraft. Ah well. It's always like this, innit?
_________________
We are sons of Odin, and the fire that we burn inside
is the legacy of warrior-kings who reign above in the sky
I will lead the charge, my sword into the wind
Sons of Odin fights to die and live again Indeed, it is! ARRR

Yeah, drop cha 1, and even out int. instead, 43 more skill points for upping spellcraft so that we get another +2 all saves vs. spells (in fact, if pump in 12 cross-train points, for a total 21(23), w. 23 points left-over for pumping heal or as you want, w. the ability thus to pick up yet another +1 all-saves vs. spells w. something as simple as a potion or other int. item, for a total +5 vs. spells: not too shabby at all!

Another avenue some may prefer, in light of ranger's innate stealth boosting abilities (though spellcraft is preferable, this is Lionheart afterall, and those deadly traps are always nice/practical), is to detrain traps and drop spellcraft down to +1 all saves, and train stealth (hide, m/s) instead - add cats, one.w., camou., trackless, etc. and ... In a few of the Hood tales, it was said that Lionheart disguised as the Black Knight met Robin in the woods, where they laid their plans for storming the castle at night under cover of darkness (hence, stealth/took their enemies by surprise), and fully prevailed.

As to what we'd lose, well, nothing really at all: 1 point of taunt, but so what really: 43(42) w. +6 FEs = 48 (instead of the current 49), bring on +2 Aura and another 3 eagle's (assuming roll/picking up on the straggler), for adj. 53, being the exact same as now, so zero loss. Same is true of div.grace effects (i.e., picking up on the straggler, so no loss there in terms of buffs either). Only thing in fact it would effect would be equip't/capping out our cha. which would cap out div.grace (and smite ab bonus) at +5 instead of +6, but heh, so what: this is, afterall, a bonus (not counting towards the +20 caps), so def. more skills wld be better (for spellcraft keeping traps, highly suggested, or if you want, dep. of preferences etc. players are free to go the sneaky route instead ... heh heh

Either way, and yeah, Grim, totally right and bang on, as there's no such thing as too many skills (and just so nice to see on a paladin, too!!!

Really hope everyone's enjoying the Wildwood series, and slash/smite/roar on ~ Tyr (on behalf of the Wildwood Gang)
_________________
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing" -- Edmund Burke, Philosopher and Politician (1729-1797)

Edited By TyrTemplar on 06/20/07 12:56