Luke felt confident. He had been on trial and he was aquitted. Surely, someone with his style of combat had been killing innocents and guards alike, but he had an alibi for most of them. Of course being the king’s personal bodyguard helps a lot, as you’re amongst people most of the times. He felt confident. He was sharpening his Kukri’s as he heard commotion down the hall. Alert for danger he sheathed his kukri’s and went to see what is was about. In the dim hallway he saw some women looking startled out of a window. He went there and saw why they were so upset. The guards in the garden looked like nothing more than a bloody mess. He had seen it before. It was how he left his enemies behind usually, with their internal organs flooding the battlefield and their heads a good few meters from their body.
It was time. The time had come that the unkown warrior with similar style had come to challenge him. Luke, the bodyguard of the king, the Kukri Master of the empire. He went to the throne hall. He had been off-duty, yet his first priority was off-course to protect the king.
He went in to see the king nervously sitting on his throne. “They say he has come, Luke, the Warrior from the darkside. He has come for me!”. Luke was about to comfort him with his words as a side door opened. In came a large character. Muscles like a tiger’s. Wings like a dragon’s. He was wearing a black mask. Luke felt certain that if he was to bargain with this character over his kukri’s, he’d have to pay a high price. Not that it really mattered.
“No king, I did not come for you, I came for Luke. Face me!”
A short battle began. First the dragon started singing. This surprised Luke very much. Next the winged, black masked character, taunted him with words and laughs, making him drop his guard. And as the character drew closer, and the singing continued, Luke, however, felt confident. But alas, he knew how to block the first few blows, but eventually one came through. He watched in horror as this time HIS internal organs flooded the battlefield. With his dying breath he managed to ask: “How did you beat me? Who are you?”
“Luke,”, the character said, breathing heavily behind his mask,” I am your father!”

Come to the dark side, we have cookies!


Similar builds, by pulscap’s new search engine, these are the builds with at least 20 fighter lvls. Even some that have 2 kukri’s (as an option). I’m still posting my build, because it has a certain perspective and that is comparing it to the kukri master of the epic character’s builds page. When examining that particular build, I felt that a FtrBrdRdd should do better, especially in a low-magic environment, due to being able to self buff. Besides that, my build gets UMD, so even in a high magic environment he has more options. So, first the similar builds, with special attention to Cinnabar Din’s Master of resistance, which opened my eyes to the possibilities of a Ftr/Brd/Rdd. I have been playing around with the lvl’s, choice of race and more, to finally come up with my own build.

The Great Wyrm (Brd 10 / RDD 10 / Fig 20)
-- aquamoeba
Draco the Tempest (Fig 26 / Brd 4 / RDD 10)
-- blixen71
Master of Resistance (Fig 22 / Brd 8 / RDD 10)
-- Cinnabar Din
The Dualist (Fig 24 / Brd 8 / RDD 8)
-- Cinnabar Din
Whirling Dever (Fig 28 / Brd 2 / RDD 10)
-- gorche
Versatile Draconic Warrior (Fig 22 / Brd 8 / RDD 10)
-- Jennalee
Dragoon Cavalier (Fig 29 / Brd 1 / RDD 10)
-- Sarlak
The Draconic Warrior (Fig 28 / Brd 2 / RDD 10)
-- SlimReaper
Dragon Warrior (Fig 28 / Brd 2 / RDD 10)
-- Spooky222
Munchkin the Dwarf Dragon Wannabe (Fig 28 / Brd 2 / RDD 10)
-- Xylophone

And now for my own build, I had PvM in mind, but he shouldn’t do bad in PvP either, yet I have not tested this. Besides, if you’re playing in a dev crit environment, you shouldn’t be surprised to be dev critted yourself, which can be a pain with your fortsave as it is. I found him playable throughout his career, although the first ten levels or so, he faced some toughies, due to his low strength. Not that by level twelve his strength-score is 20, which is ok for any fighter-build (IMHO).


Human
Any non-lawful

FTR 22/Bard 8/RDD 10

STR 13 (38)
DEX 15
CON 14 (16)
INT 14 (16)
WIS 10
CHA 11 (13)

Lvling Guide

1) FTR 1 Luck of heroes, Exotic WP, WF:kukri
2) FTR 2 two weapon fight
3) FTR 3 amidexterity
4) BRD 1 (STR 14)
5) BRD2
6) FTR 4 Weapon spec.:kukri, blind fight
7) BRD6

8 ) RDD 1 (STR 15)
9) RDD 2 Knockdown (STR 17)
10) RDD 3
11) RDD 4 (STR 19)
12) FTR 5 Improved crit: kukri (STR 20)
13) FTR 6 Improved two-weapon-fight
14) FTR 7
15) FTR 8 toughness, improved Knockdown
16) FTR 9 (STR 21)
17) BRD 4
18) FTR 10 Power att, cleave
19) FTR 11
20) FTR 12 great cleave (STR 22)

21) FTR 13 Great Str I (STR 23)
22) BRD 5
23) FTR 14 Overwhelming crit: kukri
24) FTR 15 Great Str II (STR 25)
25) FTR 16 Dev. Crit: Kukri
26) RDD 5
27) BRD 6 Great Str III (STR 26)
28) RDD 6 (STR 27)
29) RDD 7 (CON 16)
30) RDD 8 Great STR IV (STR 28)
31) RDD 9 (INT 16)
32) RDD 10 (STR 33 CHA 13)
33) BRD 7 Great STR V (STR 34)
34) FTR 17
35) FTR 18 Epic Weapon Foc: kukri
36) FTR 19 Great Str VI (STR 36)
37) FTR 20 Epic Weapon Spec.:kukri
38) FTR 21
39) FTR 22 Great Str VII (STR 37), Epic Prowess
40) BRD 8 (STR 38)

You might notice a strange place to take my first bard lvl, but this is because I’ve played this build through the OC and taking three fighter lvl’s first means you gain a half-plate at the end of the prelude, if played through other modules I would suggest taking bard at 2nd lvl. Also I’ve taken My 7th lvl of bard at 33 as opposed to 32, because this will give you a Cha score of 13 (from RDD 10), meaning you can pick your 3rd lvl spells at lvl 33 as opposed to 40.

In fighting abilities, I differ from the Kukri Master (KM). He gains expertise (which I find fairly useless) spring att (but look at my tumble score) and Whirlwind att. I on the other hand gain KD and IKD as special combat maneuver, which I find very useful and blind-fight, which is a huge advantage IMHO.

Skill distribution:

Discipline: 43 (57)
Tumble 40 (42)
Lore 8 (19)
Search 20 (23)
Spellcraft 43 (46)
UMD 43 (44)
Perform 14 (15)
Taunt: 29 (30)

Skillpoints: 240


HP: max: 512(520 with Bard song) (KM: 640)

Naked AC:----AC (KM):
10---------------10
+8 (tumble)----+4 (tumble)
+2 dex----------+2 dex
+4 RDD--------+2 Armor skin
------------------+1 dodge
AC: 24 --------KM AC: 19
With full plate:
AC: 31 ---------KM AC: 26

So my AC is higher, plus I get the Dragon Abilities, immune to fire, paralysis and sleep. To further help my defenses, I have access to UMD with a total score of 45 when buffed with eagle’s splendor, allowing use of items with a value of 1,400,000 (alignment) 1,800,00 (race) or 2,200,000 (class) or lower.

AB with mundane kukri’s
28 BAB--------30 BAB
+ 14 STR------+8 STR
+ 1 WF---------+1 WF
+ 2 EWF-------+2 EWF
+ 1 EP ---------+1 EP
-2 dual wield----2 dual wield
------------------+5 WM boni
AB: 44 ---------KM AB: 45

So he is only one AB short of a WM heavy build, BUT my character gets to buff himself, with Bard Song (+2 ab), Bull’s strength (at least +1) and Greater magic Weapon (+2) for an AB of 49 (self-buffed), which is higher than the Kukri Master can achieve by himself and lastly, my build can use taunt to lower the opponents AC to a maximum of -6

Damage output (mundane kukri’s):

1d4-----------------------1d4
+14 Str ------------------+8 str
+6 WS/EWS--------------+6 WS/EWS
=21-24 -------------------=15-18

But again: I can buff, so my damage after buffing will be (e.g.)
+2 bard song
+2 GMW
+1 Bull’s
For an average of 26-29 damage. This will give my build a greater edge against crit immune monsters/players.

Damage output on a crit hit (mundane kukri)
21-24--------------------15-18
x 2------------------------x 3
44-48--------------------45-54
+1-6 overw. Crit------+2-12 ov crit
45-54--------------------47-60
After buffing:
26-29
x 2
52-58
+1-6
53-64--------------------(still)47-60

So even though the Kukri Master, get’s a x3 multiplier, my build still gets a higher damage output on a critical hit. However, this will rapidly change the higher the magic weapons available! Furthermore notice that the Kukri Master does not have the ability to make his weapons keen, yet my build does, making his crit range 12-20 (after buffing) as opposed to 13-20 for the Kukri Master. And don’t forget my higher (buffed) AB (especially with taunt), so I’ll likely hit more crit’s than he does, even if we obtain keen kukri’s, which would give him a 10-20 crit range.

Now, what you’ve been waiting for: the dev crit DC:
My build:------10+20+14 = 44 (at least 45 buffed)
KM:------------10+20+8 = 38

So even though he claims to have mastered the Kukri I beat his DC by far and can be buffed. With his own fort save of 30, he needs to roll 15 or higher, to prevent me from killing him. On the other hand if he succeeds in critting me, I’ll have to roll a (38-28=)10 or higher. The odds are in my favor when I confront him, especially considering my higher AC and his lower AB and my ability to Taunt him good.

Saves (singing )(vs. spells) KM:
Fort: 27 (28)---(37)------------30
Refl: 22 (23)---(32)------------29
Will: 23 (24)---(33)------------20

So, my reflex and fort are lower, but my will save is higher. Furthermore, mine are better against spells. Any saving throw boosting item is welcome though, as is an item giving evasion.

So here is my first build on the guild, I think it’s better than the Kukri Master. Feel free to comment. Now if they only hadn’t closed down the Epic Character Builds forum I might have mine posted there ...

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 05/30/09 19:10

Have you made this build just to see if you could outperform the kukri master?
_________________
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 ehmm wel sorta. I off course playtested it, as is required, if that is your concern. I find it more fun to play as well. What about doing it this way?
(i changed only the stats and the ORDER of feats)

Quote: Posted 05/30/09 18:30 (GMT) -- Mr Longshadow

FTR 22/Bard 8/RDD 10

STR 16 (40)
DEX 15
CON 12 (14)
INT 12 (14)
WIS 09
CHA 12 (14)

Lvling Guide

1) FTR 1 Luck of heroes, Exotic WP, WF:kukri
2) FTR 2 two weapon fight
3) FTR 3 amidexterity
4) ftr4 wpsec (s17)
5) BRD1 [lore
6) ftr 5 blind fight
7) BRD2
8 ) RDD 1 (STR 18)
9) RDD 2 Knockdown (STR 20)
10) RDD 3
11) RDD 4 (STR 22)
12) bard 3 Improved crit: kukri (STR 23)
13) ftr 6 itwf
14) FTR 7
15) FTR 8 toughness IKD
16) FTR 9 (STR 24)
17) bard 4
18) FTR 10 Power att, cleave
19) FTR 11
20) FTR 12 great cleave (STR 25)

21) FTR 13 OC: kuk
22) FTR 14 DC: KUK
23) bard5
24) FTR 15 Gr st 1 (27)
25) FTR 16 ewf: Kuk
26) RDD 5
27) BRD 6 gr str 2 (28)
28) RDD 6 (STR 29)
29) RDD 7 (CON 14)
30) RDD 8 Great STR 3 (STR 30)
31) RDD 9 (INT 14)
32) RDD 10 (STR 35 CHA 13)
33) BRD 7 Great STR 4 (STR 36)
34) FTR 17
35) FTR 18 ews: kuk
36) FTR 19 gr st 5 (38)
37) bard8
38) FTR 20 epic prowess
39) FTR 21 Great Str 6 (STR 39)
40) ftr 22 epic toughness 1(STR 40)


I lost one gr str, but added 2 str overall.

When you are making a build like this, many want to get DC as soon as possible. It is gotten at lv 22.

I twinkd the order to get ewf early. Taking after lv 30, imho, is a waste. I know you have tons of str, but ab is ALWAYS fun, especialy if you can get it.

I lost 40 hp cuz of the -2 con vs your version, but i made up with epic toughness, so -20 hp overall.

I HATE wasted skills, and starting with 13 str and 10 wis!! what? The shuffle there is to make it more balanced. I would use Dis, tumble, umd, and maybe concentrate or spellcraft, depending on environment, hence the reduction in intelligence.

in the end, it is the same build. I just changed the order of classes and feats to make it more playable overall from lv 1 to 40. The way you have it, it is almost like you take ewf and ews as afterthoughts, which they really shouldnt be.
_________________
Quote: Posted 06/23/04 21:16 (GMT) -- Anuis

Suolucider, Blitz 04, avado, Quisition, Boourns, ... welcome to the guild! Anuis


Makes me feel OOLD!!
Quote: Posted 05/30/09 18:30 (GMT) -- Mr Longshadow

So here is my first build on the guild, I think it’s better than the Kukri Master. Feel free to comment. Now if they only hadn’t closed down the Epic Character Builds forum I might have mine posted there ...

WHAT! We got closed down??? dude, this IS the epic character builders forum! Where do you think those builds came from? Go through the builds there and see the names of those builders. They are ALL illums here, the guys that STARTED our guild.

You do realize that the Kuk master was done by Torias, right? Torias pointed me here way back when and then he retired! IT is OOOOLLLLLDDD!! older than me!

You seem to have missed one little thingy.. he has a better crit range. So, while everything else is pretty well equal, he will crit 10% more often. hmm..

btw, who cares about saves! And dude, of course you have better ac, you use Bard AND rdd! dah!

I like your spirit though. Next time, make sure you pick on a build that was done in 1.69, not 1.00! I know it doesnt seem like much, but LOTS has changed since (i just have visions of you comparing a dragon to Puff, which is illegal, iirc). BTW, before you go pickin on THOSE builds, you should know that THOSE builds are there cuz they CAUSED bioware to FIX certain things. THOSE builds are great, not cuz they are only great, but cuz they changed the game, literally! Why are you starting with 15 dex but only 13 str/11 cha? Couldn't you do 14/14/12 and then add a point of Dex at level 4? Avado,
Your starting stats will not work... I count a cost of 31.

I think you would want Wis 8. Also, prereq for improved knockdown is Int 13.
Quote: Posted 05/31/09 11:10 (GMT) -- Anguishedcry

Avado,
Your starting stats will not work... I count a cost of 31.

I think you would want Wis 8. Also, prereq for improved knockdown is Int 13.

typo fro wisdom. I changed some stuff then changed things again and forgot wisdom. I know there is alot about IKD, but really, who needs it? IF you are human and you are fighting something bigger than you, WHY would you want to take it to the groung? (imagine coming across a bigfoot and saying to yourself, "I think ill try to tackel him!!... NOT). For me the intelligence spent isnt worth the ab loss. You could just lower WIS to 8 and INT to 13 to start with 15 STR (net +2), which still leaves enough INT for IKD and you won't lose any HP. Skill-wise, you take more stuff than you need anyway.

It's tough to compare any Dev Critter to a Weapon Master, but I'd say you shouldn't focus so much on besting those old builds, I've never seen anybody here gloating the builds over there are godly.
_________________
"My name is Thaxll'ssyllia, but you simians may refer to me merely as "Sir", if you prefer a less... syllable intensive workout."

Edwin Odesseiron - Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Edited By Thaxll'ssyllia on 05/31/09 19:55

Quote: Posted 05/30/09 18:59 (GMT) -- Mr Longshadow

ehmm wel sorta. I off course playtested it, as is required, if that is your concern. I find it more fun to play as well.

I had no concern, I was just curious. But since that was the (only) aim of your build, why you didn't go heavier on bard is beyond me. Going Fighter14/Bard16/RDD10 (oh yeah, it's been done many times), dropping dual-wielding over shield and whammo. You wouldn't even be seeing the kukri master in your rearview mirror anymore. If you must dual wield, then I'm not sure if you get enough feats for it in that version, but that's easy to check.

*edit* LoH, Toughness and IKd at least are all expendables right there. That's already 6 fighter shaven off already, so I bet it can be done.
_________________
Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG

Edited By Grimnir77 on 06/01/09 15:31