I'm trying to tweak a DwD/BG build for the Epic Builds forum, and I'm really torn on my last 6 levels. Any tips are welcome. The build is centered around the use of Blackguard and Dwarven Defender, so please do not suggest alternate classes for those two. The fighter class and just about everything else is fair game. I think the fighter feats are pretty necessary.

Levels 1 - 34

Race Dwarf
Alignment LE

Starting

Str 16 (21)
Dex 14
Con 10
Wis 8
Int 12
Cha 14 (26)


Leveling

1 Ftr 1: PA, Cleave
2 Ftr 2: Dodge
3 Ftr 3: Toughness
4 Ftr 4: Exotic Weapon Prof*, STR=17
5 Ftr 5
6 Ftr 6: WF, WS
7 Ftr 7
8 DwD 1: STR=18
9 DwD 2: Knockdown
10 BG 1
11 BG 2
12 BG 3: Divine Might, CHA=15
13 DwD 3
14 DwD 4
15 BG 4: Divinie Shield
16 DwD 5: CHA=16
17 DwD 6
18 DwD 7: Improved Crit
19 DwD 8
20 DwD 9: CHA=17
21 DwD 10: Great Cha I (CHA=18)
22 DwD 11
23 DwD 12
24 DwD 13: Great Cha II (CHA=19), CHA=20
25 DwD 14: EWF
26 Ftr 8: EWS
27 DwD 15: Great Cha III (CHA=21)
28 DwD 16: CHA=22
29 DwD 17
30 DwD 18: Great Cha IV (CHA=23), Armor Skin
31 DwD 19
32 DwD 20: CHA=24
33 DwD 21: Great Cha V (CHA=25)
34 DwD 22: Epic Prowess

* - Potentially another feat
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So I'm not sure if I should take 6 levels of Blackguard or 5 more levels of Dwarven Defender and 1 Level of Blackguard.

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35-40 Blackguard (5-10)

Pros
- +2d6 more Sneak Attack
- More Damage when using Smite Good (+6 more)
- A few extra spells (Inflict Wounds x2, Summon Fiend)

Cons
- One less epic feat
- Fewer HPs (MAX 486)
- 3 Fewer Defensive Stances per day (Total 11)
- Lower Dw Defender Damage Resistance (15/-)

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OR
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35-39 Dwarven Defender (23-27), 40 Blackguard (5)

Pros
- One more epic feat (Epic Toughness or Epic Energy Resistance)
- 3 More Defensive stances per day (Total 14)
- More MAX HP (496 or 516 w/ Epic Toughness)
- Higher Dw Defender Damage Resistance (18/-)

Cons
- Only 1d6 Sneak Attack
- Only 4 Bonus Damage from Smite Good
- Lose a few crummy spells

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These things don't really change:

Take 3 more STR and 1 more CHA using standard feats and stat boosts:

Ending Abilities Scores
Str 21
Dex 14
Con 10
Wis 8
Int 12
Cha 26


Skills - 129 Total Points
Concentration 40
Discipline 40 (45)
Hide 5
Taunt 39 (47)

AC 22 in Mundane Chainmail w/ Tower Shield, +1 Dodge Bonus v. Target

AB +39/+34/+29/+24 with mundane chosen weapon (Dwarven Waraxe?)

Turn Undead 11x/day

Buffs
Bull's Strength (+2-5 STR)
Defensive Stance (+2 STR, +4 CON, +4 AC, +2 Saves)
Divine Might (+8 Dmg)
Divine Shield (+8 AC)

Saves
Fort 33
Reflex 26
Will 26

Edited By Ythaniel on 03/21/06 06:24

My vote would be for the extra DD levels. The summon fiend ability will not be of use to you at your high level. Taking Epic Energy Resistance Fire will help counter any Flame Blade put against you. Make sure to max out that Disc in your last few levels. Nice build. Thanks Bromium. I'm leaning towards the DwD levels more and more. Good suggestion with the energy resistance: fire. I took one last level of Blackguard to be able to max out the Taunt skill, btw. Since you have 21 str at lvl 40, you take one point down in str at the start giving you 15 str. Then I would put 2 points into con instead.
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Be realistic... Perhaps a 3'rd class with tumble, UMD and evasion, like a rogue or assassin? Perhaps monk for the speed boost? Taking 4 monk preepic gives you a great unarmed attack rate, and a big save boost across the board as well as evasion at the cost of one little point of AB. I posted the build here about a month ago, sorry for not posting that before.

Darkwall Defender