Hey, all,
So, I'm tentatively looking at joining up with a new campaign, for the first time in a while. I don't know too much about the campaign as of yet (and before I officially join, I'm going to sit down and watch them for part of a session, so I can get a feel for the game). However, according to the DM, it has a good mix of intrigue and combat, and traverses a lot of different terrain. Right now they're in the middle of a campaign arc that is pretty wilderness and survival focused, which will probably continue to be the case for four or five more sessions, depending on how long various encounters take.
He said that in-combat, he couldn't think of any glaring weaknesses with the party, but they sometimes had issues out of combat. The rogue who does all of their scouting and trapfinding is apparently quite good at finding and disabling traps, but less good at keeping himself alive while doing so. Also, apparently the cleric is the only character with Charisma worth a damn or anything close to resembling social skills.
Anyhow, my thought was to play a knowledge-monkey style character, preferably with a healthy dose of social skills, that could also assist the party rogue somehow in scouting. I don't plan to worry so much about actually finding and disabling magic traps, but if I can focus on being an extra set of (possibly magical?) eyes and ears, and assist him in other ways, that would be fine.
Also, I have no idea what tier game this is, or how much they focus on optimization. I'd like a character that can, with a few minor tweaks, fit into any style of game - if it turns out they're a well-oiled machine, I don't want to bog them down, but if they could use some work, I'd like to support them without outshining them. After all, I'm the outsider here!
I'll be going in at level 3, possibly level 4, depending on where they are in the game. Most 3.5 books are OK, but nothing setting specific or third party, and nothing Exalted/Vile. He hasn't gotten back to me yet on point buy.
I played an Archivist in my last campaign, so I don't want to go that route again, and I don't think I really feel like playing a Cloistered Cleric, Beguiler, or Factotum - the other obvious choices. In my head, I have a character concept that is heavily fey-influenced, vaguely magical without being a full caster, and focused on knowledge and maybe divination to help aid in scouting without stepping on the rogue's toes. I also want a very charismatic character.
Anyhow, I think I have it narrowed down to two potential characters. I'd love any advice on builds for these, or suggestions as to which I should go with.
1. The Bard
CONCEPT: Human, Bardic Sage variant from UA (one extra spell known at each level, and bonus to Bardic Knowledge, but requires some Int for casting and music only lasts 3 rounds after the song ends). Having an Intelligence of 16 is good for a skill-monkey anyhow, so it's an easy trade-off. Possibly even single-classed for my whole career. Focuses on divination and buffing almost exclusively - combats will mostly aid, sing, and buff. Also takes on general utility, and heavy diplomacy. Judicious use of charming outside of battle to bring in extra allies during combat.
BUILD: Starting as Human, Bardic Sage 4. Continuing in sage levels for whole career, with the following feat progression:
1- Melodic Casting, Lingering Song
3- Obtain Familiar
6- Ability Focus (Suggestion)
9- Improved Familiar
12- Captivating Melody
15- Disguise Spell
18- Ability Focus (Mass Suggestion)
Would love a Quasit familiar, but if that's a little too evil for the campaign, a Pseudodragon is always fun for Blindsense and Telepathy.
THOUGHTS/CONCERNS: It's a clean build and I like the idea a lot. My only problem is that its main ways of being really effective and not a fifth wheel (diplomacy, UMD, and out-of-combat enchantment to bring in extra allies during a game) are pretty campaign and DM-dependent.
2. The Archer
CONCEPT: An archer/scout, still a big knowledge monkey, who uses Knowledge Devotion and some minor buffs to stay relevant in combat, and focuses on skills and minor divination out of combat. Possibly also uses bardic music. Definitely still a solid Charisma, but perhaps not as focused as the first build.
BUILD: Start as Human, Bard 1/Ranger 3. Eventual goal is Ranger 9/Bard 2/Fochlucan Lyrist 9. (Will have to learn druidic before level 11, but that shouldn't be too hard for a charismatic sort who can sort of pass as a druid anyhow). Feat progression would be...
1- Point Blank Shot, Able Learner
2- Track (R)
3- Rapid Shot (R), Knowledge Devotion
4- Endurance (R)
6- Precise Shot
8- Manyshot (R)
9- Melodic Casting
12- Practiced Spellcaster (Bard)
15- Improved Precise Shot
18- Woodland Archer
THOUGHTS/CONCERNS: This one could actually be a lot of fun - one point shy of full BAB, 6+Int skills for my entire career, full Ranger casting (nothing to write home about, but some solid archery buffs in there, plus Commune With Nature to fill the divination flavor), and some bardic casting and music tossed in for good measure. That being said, I have absolutely no idea how I would break down the character's stats, and skills strike me as being trouble-some. Fochlucan Lyrist has a lot of hefty skill requirements, which would barely leave anything left over for the knowledges plus scouting/diplomacy skills for the whole first part of my career even with all those skill points. So if I go with this build, thoughts on where to go with point buy and how to make the skills reasonable would be much appreciated...
Thanks in advance!