Author Topic: Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt  (Read 2303 times)

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Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt
« on: April 23, 2011, 02:09:57 AM »
I'm joining a play by post game with some odd character creation rules explicitly intended to produce unusual characters; potential party members (multiple groups are being formed) will include a psudodragon telepath//"something sneaky", a sorcerer/binder//warlock, and a psion//psychic warrior.  Most of the power classes are heavily nerfed, and magic items will be a little hit-and-miss in terms of availability, which led me to my class choices.  General power level seems to be pretty high, but the outright overpowered stuff is either already scratched or is likely to be so when noticed--overall I have freedom to be highly effective, but want to avoid anything that will make other players cry.

While the Incarnate and Warblade are set in stone, I can mix in multiclassing if so desired; I've considered both Fighter and another initiator to mix in with Warblade, and prestige classes are wide open.  Thirty six point buy means that I don't have to overly worry about having three important stats and another two useful, and starting level is eighth.

The other variants in use are:

- Taint (from Heroes of Horror)
- Psionics are different (Completely different)
- Traits (From Unearthed Arcana)
- Flaws (From Unearthed Arcana)
- Alignment restrictions scrapped; classes with them tweaked

Technically LA buyoff is allowed, but only from base class and not templates, so it's unimportant.  I'm Lawful Evil, and the DM allows me to choose whether I gain Lawful or Evil benefits from Incarnate Avatar and Incarnate Weapon at the time I meld them, which is incredible flexibility.

The book list in use is pretty broad, but lacks Eberron.  I can request other sources, but don't intend to do so unless the flavor is extremely strong.


- PHB
- PHB2
- Expanded Psionics Handbook
- Complete Series
- Monster Manuals 1-3
- Heroes of Horror
- Libris Mortis
- Dragon Magic
- Lords of Madness
- Fiendish Codex 1 (anything that refers to Daemon Lords refers to Helllords)
- Fiendish Codex 2 (anything that refers to Archduke refers to Helllords)
- Tome of Magic
- Tome of Battle
- Magic Item Compendium
- Magic of Incarnum


Where I'm a little overwhelmed is picking feats; I'm not sure whether to focus on Incarnate or Warblade.  The Warforged feat that grants immunity to precision damage and critical hits is tremendously appealing, since I intend to be primarily a heavy damage melee specialist, but I'm not sure about Adamantine Body versus focusing on retributive attacking and not suffering much from the lowered AC.

Any advice or information needed?  

Sinfire Titan

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Re: Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2011, 03:07:10 AM »
...Taint is in effect? Has the DM nerfed it in any way, or is it as Heroes of Horror suggests?

Psionics are Different is also active...


I hate to be the one advocating this, but you really should play a Psion/Warblade instead of Incarnate. Alternatively, attempt to enter the Warmind PrC (XPH), to mix in Manifesting so you have a panic button.


If you stick with the Incarnate, focus more on your Warblade half than on the Incarnate. You should pick up Bonus Essentia and Expanded Soulmeld Capacity, but leave the rest of your feats for the Warblade. Alternatively, consider Crusader over Warblade, and become the tank to end all tanks.


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Zaxter

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Re: Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2011, 03:31:29 AM »
Pretty sure I looked at applying to this same game. Didn't finish my application before posts started showing up, though.

Anyway, Incarnates can get by with very little feat support, or can shine if you dedicate your entire build to it. In gestalt, I tend to think of Incarnum classes as support to your other side, so as Sinfire suggested, I'd just spend your level 6 feat on Bonus Essentia, pick up Expanded Soulmeld Capacity somewhere along the way, and focus the rest on Warblade stuff. Not sure where to go as far as the Warforged feats.

You might consider a dip into Crusader for the Martial Spirit stance. That combined with the Therapeutic Mantle soulmeld should make you and your party pretty hard to keep down.

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Re: Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2011, 05:22:53 AM »
Taint is full Heroes of Horror version, but the DM would probably remove me from the game if I were to try and abuse it for infinite feats, and I'd deserve it for attempting to break a campaign.

Psionics are different is...odd.  Arcane magic and Psionics lack transparency, while Divine magic has transparency with both.  Using either Arcane magic or Psionics has the potential to cause taint.


I was thinking of dipping into Crusader, but I'm not used to building Warblades--I am much more familiar with Crusader tanks.  How much of a dip would be worthwhile, and is it really worth the cost if my character's focus is more on personal formidability?

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Re: Need advice for Warforged Incarnate/Warblade gestalt
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2011, 04:58:55 PM »
Taint is full Heroes of Horror version, but the DM would probably remove me from the game if I were to try and abuse it for infinite feats, and I'd deserve it for attempting to break a campaign.

Psionics are different is...odd.  Arcane magic and Psionics lack transparency, while Divine magic has transparency with both.  Using either Arcane magic or Psionics has the potential to cause taint.


I was thinking of dipping into Crusader, but I'm not used to building Warblades--I am much more familiar with Crusader tanks.  How much of a dip would be worthwhile, and is it really worth the cost if my character's focus is more on personal formidability?

Enough to get 2 stances (almost typed Stands there...) would make the Crusader dip worthwhile (provided you do it at the mid-levels). Otherwise, just 1 is enough.


Taint-wise, you really should consider some (it makes sense for an LE character), and the bonus feats can't hurt you (any penalties can be negated via magic items/soulmelds).


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