Author Topic: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping  (Read 6642 times)

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Caedrus

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A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« on: November 17, 2008, 11:04:22 PM »
Greetings all.

I have decided to undertake a small guide to the benefits of dipping into a base class.

The idea is to create a guide for improving a (base) class with a one (or at most two) level dip into another base class; not to get entry into a Prestige class, but to improve the first (base) class.

Examples:

Cleric + Monk Dip = Unarmoured Cleric with Wisdom to AC.
Sorceror + Paladin 2 dip = Charisma to Saves.
Paladin + Cleric (Charm Domain) dip = +4 to Charisma 1/day.

So, please excuse the appearance while I make things pretty. I thought you might like to know about it in case you wanted to contribute. Or do you think it's a little too basic an idea?

Regards

C.
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Caedrus

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2008, 11:04:42 PM »
This space, she is reserved.
Goodnight, Gentlemen; and Thank You.

Bozwevial

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008, 11:24:23 PM »
I think it's a good idea. Here's one while it's still at the front of my mind.

Archivist+Cloistered cleric dip=free Knowledge Devotion

skydragonknight

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008, 11:26:54 PM »
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1003217

Feel free to port the monster and/or improve it. I don't think DM or the other contributers(myself included) would object, and I think it's be good to have one with links to the posts instead of the current one where you have to dig to find the class you want, unless it's Cleric.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2008, 11:30:21 PM by skydragonknight »
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InnaBinder

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2008, 11:34:10 PM »
(Lion Totem) Barbarian + Totemist 2 = Dimension Door Charging FTW.
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Callix

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2008, 11:48:39 PM »
Rogue + Swordsage dip: +2d6 Sneak Attack or continual flanking, a teleportation maneuver, and many other goodies.
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Smudgy

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2008, 12:21:19 AM »
Well, there's always the Fighter dip...

Note: Only take these dips if your build really needs some feats, handle with caution!

1 Level Dip
Pros
- +1 BAB
- +2 Fort Save
- 1 Fighter Bonus Feat
- Simple and Martial Weapon Proficiencies
- Proficiencies With All Armor and Shields
Cons
- Low Amount of Skills
- Poor Reflex and Will Saves
- No Other Class Abilities

2 Level Dip
Pros Same as above except
- +2 BAB
- +3 Fort Save
- 2 Fighter Bonus Feats
Cons Same as above.

Substitutions:
- Trade Ride Skill for Tumble Skill (cityscape)
- Dungeoncrasher: Trade 2nd Level Feat for +2 to Saves and AC vs. traps, +5 untyped bonus on Str checks to break doors, walls, etc... In addition, you can bullrush foes into things to deal 4d6 + x2 Str mod.
- Zhentarim Soldier: Gain Bluff and Diplomacy as Skills. Free Skill Focus (Intimidation) at 3rd level. (Requirements: Must be a member of the Zhentarim, but who pays attention to that.)
- Hit and Run Tactics: Trade your Heavy Armor Proficiency for +2 to initiative and add you Dex mod to damage against flat footed foes.
- Something better than 2 levels of Fighter. Seriously, have you look at the Warblade, or perhaps the Psychic Warrior?

That should cover it I think...
« Last Edit: November 18, 2008, 07:19:26 PM by Smudgyhandsman »

Ubernoob

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2008, 12:26:21 AM »
Don't forget hit and run tactics (DotU) for fighter dips!
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woodenbandman

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2008, 01:25:06 AM »
Druid + Cloistered Cleric1 + Planning + Undeath = DMM persistent goodies. Works starting at level 7, if human and/or flaws. You can even start out with cleric. You can also pick up divine spellpower for CL 25 Shapechange at 18th level...

Factotum dip to gain all skills as class skills and take able learner...

Totemist + Barbarian 1 Dip = Pounce (don't do if you're going all the way to 20 in the game)

Rogue with Monk Dip and Ascetic Rogue feat. Fixes the dead level problem at Rogue 20 and makes you a ninja.

ChristopherGroves

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008, 01:57:18 AM »
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1003217

Feel free to port the monster and/or improve it. I don't think DM or the other contributers(myself included) would object, and I think it's be good to have one with links to the posts instead of the current one where you have to dig to find the class you want, unless it's Cleric.

And we all know Cleric 1 is an *awesome* dip.

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2008, 02:51:17 AM »
Binder 1 - bind Naberius, heal 1 pt ability damage/round.  Great for hellfire warlocks.
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Callix

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2008, 03:26:41 AM »
Binder 1 - bind Naberius, heal 1 pt ability damage/round.  Great for hellfire warlocks.
Or foe antone using Chosen of Evil or Insane Defiance.

Good way to boost save DCs too. Cast them on a Defiant party member, and they give the new target -4 to its save.
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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2008, 04:02:32 AM »
I think it's a good idea. Here's one while it's still at the front of my mind.

Archivist+Cloistered cleric dip=free Knowledge Devotion
And, ummm, Turn undead?

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Straw_Man

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2008, 04:49:08 AM »
I think it's a good idea. Here's one while it's still at the front of my mind.

Archivist+Cloistered cleric dip=free Knowledge Devotion
And, ummm, Turn undead?

Still a good dip.
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Callix

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2008, 05:20:20 AM »
I think it's a good idea. Here's one while it's still at the front of my mind.

Archivist+Cloistered cleric dip=free Knowledge Devotion
And, ummm, Turn undead?

Still a good dip.
Turn Undead -> Divine Metamagic. Archivist dipping Cloistered Cleric is standard if you're not Good and so can't take Sacred Exorcist.
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Emy

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #15 on: November 18, 2008, 07:33:10 AM »
This isn't exactly a normal dip, but if you're planning on spending most of your levels on classes that have a decent SP per level, starting off as a

Factotum 1
with Able Learner

gets you all skills as class skills forever.

If you're a neutral Cleric, dipping Dread Necromancer will let you get Turning and Rebuking -- twice the fun for DMM and such.

katans

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #16 on: November 18, 2008, 10:00:55 AM »
How about bringing in some structure to the whole thing? May I be so bold as to suggest the following:

Class X - Major benefit, minor benefit - Particularly profitable to class X (reason, if not obvious) - also profitable to ..

Example:

Paladin 2 - CHA to saves - Sorcerer - any CHA-based class

Of course, one could design different entries for the same dip, given that different classes may profitate differently from the same dip. A good example is Monk 1/Cleric X and Monk 1/Swordsage X:the Cleric wants Wis to AC, the Swordsage wants free IUS and Stunning Fist. Which would give, from the start with a few additions from me:

Barbarian, Lion totem 1 - Rage, Pounce - melee classes
Binder 1 - Naberius vestige (heal 1 pt. ability damage/round) - Hellfire Warlocks
Cleric 1 (General) - Turn/Rebuke Undeab - spellcasters (Divine Metamagic) - access to Divine feats
Cleric 1 (Charm domain) - 1/day +4 CHA - Paladin, Sorcerer, Hexblade - any CHA-relying class
Cleric, Cloistered 1 - all Knowledges as class skills - Archivist (Knowledge devotion) - various access to prestige classes (War Mind comes to mind)
Dragon Shaman 1 - Presence aura, Senses aura, Vigor aura - support characters
Dread Necromancer 1 - Rebuke Undead - Cleric
Duskblade 3 - Arcane Attunement (Detect Magic SLA), Arcane Channeling - access to Arcane Strike, Spring Attackers
Fighter 2 - Bonus Fighter feats - martial builds
Hexblade 2 - Arcane Resistance (CHA to saves vs. magic) - CHA-based classes
Hexblade 3 - as above, plus Mettle - Paladin of Tyranny, Paladin of Slaughter
Knight 3 - Bulwark of Defense (threatened area counts as difficult terrain) - melee control builds
Marshal 1 - Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Motivate Charisma - Diplomacy-based characters
Monk 1 - Saves boost, WIS to AC - Cleric, Druid, Psychic Warrior
Ninja 1 - Trapfinding, WIS to AC - as Monk 1. Note that Ki Power virtually grants you +2 on Will saves
Paladin 2 - Divine Grace (CHA to saves) - Sorcerer
Psychic Warrior 2 - Bonus feats, WIS-based manifesting - martial builds
Ranger 1 - Track, minor saves and skill boosts - Druid, Scout
Ranger 2 - As above, plus Combat Style - various combat builds
Scout 1 - Skirmish, Trapfinding - Lurk - Druid
Swashbuckler 3 - Weapon Finesse feat, INT to damage - Warblade, Lurk - Rogue, INT-based gishes
Swordsage 2 (general) - Wis to AC in light armor - Cleric, Druid, Psychic Warrior, Ranger
Swordsage 2 (character level 4+) - Assassin's Stance, Shadow Jaunt - Rogue, Soulknife
Warlock 2 - Detect Magic at will, Eldritch Blast, See the Unseen, Spiderwalk - Sneaky characters
Warlock 4 - as above, plus Deceive Item - Rogue - any class with UMD
Wilder 2 - Elude Touch (CHA to Touch AC), CHA-based manifesting - Paladin - CHA-based classes
Wizard, Abrupt Jaunt 1 - INT/day teleport 10' as immediate action - Duskblade, Warblade, Beguiler - any class that doesn't dump INT

Treantmonklvl20

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #17 on: November 18, 2008, 10:14:29 AM »
Fighter X/Lion Totem Barbarian 1/Wizard (conjurer) 1 with Abrubt Jaunt from PHB II - Unblockable pounce charger!
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ChristopherGroves

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #18 on: November 18, 2008, 10:17:18 AM »
Caedrus, I'll bring over some of my posts from 339 and you can start a new index in your first post.

RobbyPants

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Re: A rough guide: Base Class Dipping
« Reply #19 on: November 18, 2008, 12:20:59 PM »
In addition to Rebuke Undead, Dread Necro 1 gives you Charnal Touch, which can get you unlimited healing with Tomb Tainted Soul early in the game.
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