Author Topic: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai  (Read 2926 times)

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SwordDisciple

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Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« on: August 18, 2009, 10:18:37 PM »
Firstly some declarations
  • This is not a Samurai Class only build..
  • Gold is coming as per PHB2 levels as far as I'm aware..
  • It is not supposed to be the strongest melee build out there..
  • This WILL be played very shortly and the max level it will get to is 18th (unless it is used again later)..
  • This has been built as such for flavour reasons first and to be efficient second.. But I do want to max its abilities..

It came from an idea while playing a Samurai Jack game and I think it will play well but I want to see what others think of it, so please be candid and share your opinions. Whether or not I incorporate those ideas into what I have done thus far will depend on how well I like those ideas  ;)

Without further delay:

Gekijou the Wanderer - Unarmoured Samurai
Human with Shadow Template (LA+2 bought off at 6th & 9th as per rules)


Ability Scores: ( rolled - and yes I rolled awesome :) )
Str:   20   (13, +1 Level +6 Item)
Dex:   24   (17, +1 Level, +6 Item)
Con:   16   (16)
Int:   28   (18, +3 Tome, +1 Level, +6 Item)
Wis:   12   (12)
Cha:   26   (16, +3 Tome, +1 Level, +6 Item)

HP(@18th level): 179

AC(@18th level): 47, Touch: 40 plus concealment

Initiative: +24

Saves:
Fort: +19
Refl: +22
Will: +7

1. Monk:         Carmendine Monk, Improved Initiative, Bonus - Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Blow, Dodge, Mobility, Flaws - Inattentive, Shaky
2. Monk:         Combat Reflexes
3. Factotum:      Great Fortitude
4. Samurai:      Bonus - Exotic Weapon Prof(Bastard Sword)
5. Fighter:      Bonus - Power Attack
6. Fighter:      Weapon Focus(Bastard Sword), Bonus - Quick Draw
7. FOTF:
8. Factotum:
9. Iajutsu Master:      Elusive Target
10. Iajutsu Master:
11. Iajutsu Master:
12. Iajutsu Master:   Close Quarters Fighting, Bonus - Skill Focus(Iajutsu Focus)
13. Iajutsu Master:
14. Iajutsu Master:
15. Iajutsu Master:   Robilars Gambit
16. Iajutsu Master:
17. Iajutsu Master:
18. Iajutsu Master:   Freezing the Lifeblood, Bonus - Combat Expertise

Skills of Note:
[spoiler]
+15 Balance
+15 Escape Artist (Plus benefits from Easy Escape)
+40 Hide            
+15 Intimidate
+16 Jump            
+41 Move Silently      
+30 Iajutsu Focus (meaning at least +5d6+35 damage)
+20 Spot             
+23 Tumble[/spoiler]

Skill Tricks:
[spoiler]
Acrobatic Backstab:   Tumble through Opponents Space to treat as flat footed
Back on your Feet:      Back to feet from prone as immediate action, no AoO's
Clarity of Vision:      Swift DC 20 Spot to pinpoint invisible creatures
Easy Escape:      Circumstance bonus on Escape Artist
Never Outnumbered:   Demoralize multiple enemies
Nimble Charge:      Run across treacherous surfaces without Balance Check
Shrouded Dance:      move action for DC 20 Hide. If succeeded, concealment until start next turn
Spot the Weak Point:   DC = AC of opponent. Next attack is touch attack
Up the Hill:      Up slope at normal speed

Most of these are to emulate the Indomitable Samurai[/spoiler]

Magic Items:
[spoiler]
Head:      Headband of Intellect +6         
Face:      
Throat:      Umbral Collar of Natural Armour +2      
Shoulders:   Cloak of Charisma +6         
Torso:      Shirt of Wraith Stalking         
Arms:      Bracers of Armour +5         
Hands:      Gauntlets of Dextrous Ghostfighting Dex +6   
Rings:      Protection +1 & Ring of the Darkhidden            
Waist:      Giant Str +6            
Feet:      Boots of Sidestepping         

Hewards Hand Haversack
Scabbard of Keen Edges         
Tome of Clear Thought
Tome of Leadership and Influence
Katana +1, Wounding, Stunning Surge
GreatAxe +1, Fleshgrinding

Gold Spent:  438,000gp[/spoiler]

The Good Bits of the build:
[spoiler]
Int to AC x2
Con to AC x1
Dex to AC x1
Cha to each Iajutsu Damage Dice
Combat Expertise for further increase to AC
Evasion
Hide in Plain Sight
Improved Movement
Shadow Blend
Resistance to cold
DR 5/Magic
Fast Healing 2
Mirror Image 1/day
Plane Shift 1/day[/spoiler]


Gekijou is an average sized, well built man who wears a Gi and weapons obviously placed strategically about his person. He tends to carry his enchanted Katana & enchanted Axe across his back, and his mundane Katanas/Longbow/Bags of Marbles in his Handy Haversack which is situated at his belt for easy reach to those weapons. His manner is that of a well spoken yet intense individual, who offers and demands respect from others.

If Gekijou expects battle his Katanas and Marble Bags are removed from his Haversack and secured to different parts of his body for easy access.

Gekijou's preferred battles take place in darkness to take advantage of the concealment granted by his Shadow Blend. Full concealment means his opponent/s should be flat footed and thus subject to his Iajutsu Focus technique, which he uses by quick drawing his mundane Katanas and striking, dropping each weapon after it has struck home. If the enemy is still standing, he will take up his enchanted blade and fighting defensively at first, building in offense as the Wounding quality of his sword takes hold.
If forced to fight in the open vs many opponents he prefers to get amongst them, scattering marbles around with Mirror Image up, using Shrouded Dance to gain concealment, Diverting Defense to force opponents to hit each other, and striking back at other attacks via Robilars Gambit. His Fleshgrinding Axe is used against a singular opponent so he can cause damage with it and keep his opponent occupied while the Axe assists in increasing damage output.

Gekijou has the option of retreating to the plane of Shadow if well outmatched, and other options during battle but above will be his normal course of action.

So ideas? Comments please?
« Last Edit: August 20, 2009, 11:24:12 PM by SwordDisciple »

ninjarabbit

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2009, 11:37:53 PM »
I'd suggest using one of the variant monks from Unearthed Arcana/SRD. I like the overwhelming attack monk that gives you power attack and improved bullrush, which sets you up nicely for shock trooper.

SwordDisciple

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2009, 01:10:25 AM »
Yes I did look at those, but it dropped Combat Reflexes out and I would have to get it later.. And I'm not sure how Shocktrooper would add to this build?

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2009, 10:59:17 AM »
I'd suggest using one of the variant monks from Unearthed Arcana/SRD. I like the overwhelming attack monk that gives you power attack and improved bullrush, which sets you up nicely for shock trooper.
Yes I did look at those, but it dropped Combat Reflexes out and I would have to get it later.. And I'm not sure how Shocktrooper would add to this build?
Cobra Strike gives Dodge and Mobility, so you could drop Stunning Fist and pick up a new feat.

I have an older but similar build that I made here: http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=346.0
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

SwordDisciple

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2009, 07:00:01 PM »
Nice :) I like that build!!

Did you play this?

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2009, 07:20:28 PM »
Nice :) I like that build!!

Did you play this?

Nope...  :( I've made tons of characters that I've never gotten to play. These days, I only have free time in small chunks, not in blocks big enough to play in table-top games. I play in a few PbPs, and that's it.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

SwordDisciple

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2009, 07:38:01 PM »
PbP's?

I like the idea of Swashbuckler Int to damage, but three levels of this seems a bit rough over the course of my 18 levels.. Hence FOTF for the increase in Unarmed Damage and Con to AC.

How do you find the items I've chosen?

I used 440,000gp as per the PHB2 so there are a few items I'd like to throw in but can't

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2009, 07:39:58 PM »
PbP = Play by Post (i.e. online games, played on forums). The items look good, at a glance.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

kalaskaagathas

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2009, 07:44:58 PM »
SwordDisciple, would you mind posting a CO Diary with this build, once you play him?  I'd be interested in seeing how he plays.

SwordDisciple

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2009, 07:54:30 PM »
Sure thing kalaskaagathas  :D

I'll hopefully be playing shortly, as the DM has asked us to get our character idea's ready. The adventure name is unknown to me but I've been told it will go from 2nd level to 18th, with xp to spare for eliminating LA. I'm new to Brilliant Gameologists, so is there a specified place to post a CO Diary?

@ PhaedrusXY, thank you for your input. I'll look into these PbP's but I too have limited free time, with the wife deciding much of what we do when we do have free time  :scared

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #10 on: August 19, 2009, 07:58:02 PM »
@ PhaedrusXY, thank you for your input. I'll look into these PbP's but I too have limited free time, with the wife deciding much of what we do when we do have free time  :scared
I feel your pain. :D PbPs are nice because I can "play" whenever I have a free moment by just posting to the threads occasionally. It is a lot less time consuming than sitting down for hours to play a "real" game. Of course, they are as slow as molasses, though...
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Midnight_v

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2009, 02:22:14 AM »
Where... no.
What are the Marbles for? Where is that from?
\\\"Disentegrate.\\\" \\\"Gust of wind.\\\" \\\"Now Can we PLEASE resume saving the world?\\\"

Negative Zero

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2009, 02:25:22 AM »
Arms and Equipment Guide, IIRC. Forces whoever walks on them to make a Balance check. Rogues use them like Grease, to force Balance checks and ergo flat-footedness.

GawainBS

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2009, 05:45:20 AM »
Have you considered swapping Monk with Swordsage and/or Warblade? It really jacks up the efficiency and it doesn't cut in the flavour. Manouvres are awesome, and it's possible to add Dex to damage, while it would shore up that awful Will save.

Midnight_v

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2009, 06:09:42 AM »
Have you considered swapping Monk with Swordsage and/or Warblade? It really jacks up the efficiency and it doesn't cut in the flavour. Manouvres are awesome, and it's possible to add Dex to damage, while it would shore up that awful Will save.
Hmm... loses int to Ac? What else?
\\\"Disentegrate.\\\" \\\"Gust of wind.\\\" \\\"Now Can we PLEASE resume saving the world?\\\"

GawainBS

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2009, 06:40:46 AM »
Have you considered swapping Monk with Swordsage and/or Warblade? It really jacks up the efficiency and it doesn't cut in the flavour. Manouvres are awesome, and it's possible to add Dex to damage, while it would shore up that awful Will save.
Hmm... loses int to Ac? What else?

Gets replaced with WIS to AC. You have to be pretty anal to rule that the Swordsage AC *only* applies to light armour. If your DM is lenient, he might even let Carmendine Monk apply to Swordsage. (It's RAW, yes, but so is Punpun. ;))

Midnight_v

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #16 on: August 21, 2009, 06:45:18 AM »
Have you considered swapping Monk with Swordsage and/or Warblade? It really jacks up the efficiency and it doesn't cut in the flavour. Manouvres are awesome, and it's possible to add Dex to damage, while it would shore up that awful Will save.
Hmm... loses int to Ac? What else?

Gets replaced with WIS to AC. You have to be pretty anal to rule that the Swordsage AC *only* applies to light armour. If your DM is lenient, he might even let Carmendine Monk apply to Swordsage. (It's RAW, yes, but so is Punpun. ;))
Fair enough.
\\\"Disentegrate.\\\" \\\"Gust of wind.\\\" \\\"Now Can we PLEASE resume saving the world?\\\"

SwordDisciple

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2009, 10:50:45 AM »
Yes I did think of swordsage for the build, however when talking to the DM he wasn't happy about stretching Carmendine Monk to Swordsage. Therefore I would lose Int to Dex, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist and Combat reflexes

Great Idea though!!

As for Marbles (pg 24 Arms and Equipment), it's a way of forcing opponents to make a DC 15 Balance check to avoid being Flat-Footed or even fall to the ground :D

Negative Zero

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Re: Help me with this Unarmoured Samurai
« Reply #18 on: August 21, 2009, 04:16:05 PM »
Yes I did think of swordsage for the build, however when talking to the DM he wasn't happy about stretching Carmendine Monk to Swordsage. Therefore I would lose Int to Dex, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist and Combat reflexes

Great Idea though!!

As for Marbles (pg 24 Arms and Equipment), it's a way of forcing opponents to make a DC 15 Balance check to avoid being Flat-Footed or even fall to the ground :D

Actually, their balance check is irrelevant to flat-footedness. Whenever you make a Balance check, you're flat-footed unless you have at least 5 ranks.