Air Born combat

[Vinom]

I'm considering making a winged character, and I'm debating between the "ranged well above melee range" or the "swoop and pwn melee combat" styles, can anyone offer some experiance in the matter?

[Sinfire Titan]

I'm considering making a winged character, and I'm debating between the "ranged well above melee range" or the "swoop and pwn melee combat" styles, can anyone offer some experiance in the matter?

Totemist 20, Manticore Belt bound to Totem and Waist chakras. Rain down spiky down in the form of 8-16 ranged attacks that deal 1d6+1/2 Str+Skirmish damage (if you have it). All in one Standard action.


I'd say Ranged is the better option, chief.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Battle Jump would work for a melee type that charges upon its enemies from above IIRC.
Also, a Dragonborn with the Wings aspect works nicely for diving charge attacks due to the damage multiplier.

This ofcourse would mean a charger of sorts, so Lion Totem Barbarian 1 for Pounce is a must.
Add on some charging feats (Power Attack, Improved Bull Rushed and Shock Trooper, maybe Deep Impact if you dip Psychic Warrior) and you've got yourself a melee dive-bomber.

[Vinom]

I'm thinking Dragonborn Raptoran, breathe and wings.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Do Raptorans get the Charge damage multiplier Dragonborn get as well? I don't have RotW handy at the moment. If not, I'd go with a Dragonborn Water Orc with the Wing aspect if you go the dive-attack route.

[Vinom]

They get the double damage on dives with piersing, if thats what you mean.

[BowenSilverclaw]

That's what I was talking about

In that case, see if you can squeeze in Entangling Exhalation (Races of the Dragon) for some limited battlefield control with your Dragonborn Breath Weapon

[Vinom]

In that case, see if you can squeeze in Entangling Exhalation (Races of the Dragon) for some limited battlefield control with your Dragonborn Breath Weapon

The problem with that is that when I'm in the air, my straight line breathe weapon can hit 1 maybe 2 targets, and it would be more effective just to drop a spiked net on them.

[Sinfire Titan]

In that case, see if you can squeeze in Entangling Exhalation (Races of the Dragon) for some limited battlefield control with your Dragonborn Breath Weapon

The problem with that is that when I'm in the air, my straight line breathe weapon can hit 1 maybe 2 targets, and it would be more effective just to drop a spiked net on them.

There's a feat that lets you shift between a Line and a Cone.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Yeah, if you expect to face multiple opponents frequently you'd need Flyby Attack, Flyby Breath and Strafing Breath (the latter two are in one of the DragonLance books, not exactly sure which one, don't have them at hand at the moment) if you want to tie up a group of opponents with Entangling Exhalation in one breath.

EDIT: Got a name and/or location for that feat, Sinfire Titan?

[Vinom]

Then the DM would be forced to calculate the spread of the cone over the ground, which would be a headache for him, and delay combat for minutes if I'm not using my breathe weapon straight down.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Yeah, I see your point. Strafing Breath is pretty clear about it's area of effect though, so if you've got the feats to spare you might want to look into that.

[Vinom]

Thing is, this is going to be a primary Martial Cleric, maybe dipping fighter or ranger

[Sinfire Titan]

Yeah, if you expect to face multiple opponents frequently you'd need Flyby Attack, Flyby Breath and Strafing Breath (the latter two are in one of the DragonLance books, not exactly sure which one, don't have them at hand at the moment) if you want to tie up a group of opponents with Entangling Exhalation in one breath.

EDIT: Got a name and/or location for that feat, Sinfire Titan?

Draconomicon, in the Monstrous feats section (around page 70).

[BowenSilverclaw]

Yeah, if you expect to face multiple opponents frequently you'd need Flyby Attack, Flyby Breath and Strafing Breath (the latter two are in one of the DragonLance books, not exactly sure which one, don't have them at hand at the moment) if you want to tie up a group of opponents with Entangling Exhalation in one breath.

EDIT: Got a name and/or location for that feat, Sinfire Titan?

Draconomicon, in the Monstrous feats section (around page 70).

Thanks

Too bad it's a Metabreath.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Thing is, this is going to be a primary Martial Cleric, maybe dipping fighter or ranger

Then I'd just stick to Entangling Exhalation for tying up big threats and pick up some charging feats for your other feat slots.

[Vinom]

Actual, my first two/three feats are going in to flying ehancement, so I can fly with good manuverability in heavy armor with a heavy load.

[Sinfire Titan]

Actual, my first two/three feats are going in to flying ehancement, so I can fly with good manuverability in heavy armor with a heavy load.

Don't do that. Mithral Breastplate is actually better than Full Plate, and is light armor. You can afford not having a high AC by using the right spells/abilities. Or by just never getting attacked.

Seriously, those feats are a major trap.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Agreed with Sinfire. Mithral Chain Shirt with Dastana and Chahar-Aina (both from OA) is even better for armor
As far as maneuverability goes, Pectoral of (Greater) Maneuverability (Draconomicon) is your friend .

[Vinom]

Agreed with Sinfire. Mithral Chain Shirt with Dastana and Chahar-Aina (both from OA) is even better for armor
As far as maneuverability goes, Pectoral of (Greater) Maneuverability (Draconomicon) is your friend .

I must admit, those are great items, but this is a character to be played from 4th lvl, not tossed into an arena at 20th lvl.