I am also a newbie playing among veteran Mix/Maxers, and I've been thinking about playing a knight based character in a campain my friend is about to start. As such, I fear that I may be following an RP concept to a relatively nerfed character in comparison to the Factotoms and Psy warriors that the rest of the group will be composed of... Hopefully, those of you on this board might be able to spot any potential flaws in my build and also be able to suggest a post lvl10 progression for me.
What I am aiming for is a Good aligned 1)Human Sheild, 2) BattleField controller 3)Passive Enhancer. We are banned from using tier1 and tier2 classes, and any class with a full caster progression.
I don't know the point buy, so I can only offer my attribute priority, and I don't know what feat-grant schedule is either, so I'll assume it 1/3 levels. Large races may be banned, Good characters only. All Non-third party books. Assuming Flaws are allowed. Here's what I have so far...
Human (For Favored Class:Any) with a Draconic Template
CHA>DEX>STR>CON>INT>WIS
1:Marshal (MH) Feats:EWP(Spiked Chain), Human Bonus:Combat Reflexes, flaw<Shakey>=>Martial
Training(Vanguard Strike), Flaw<Inattentive>=>Martial Stance:(Thicket of Blades),
Bonus:Skill Focus=Diplomacy, <Minor Aura>
2:Marshal <Major Aura>
3:Dragon Shaman (PHBII26) <Dragon Aura>,Stand Still
4:Knight <Fighting Challenge>
5:Knight <Bonus:Mounted Combat>
6:Knight <Bulwark of Defense>,Animal Cohort <or> leadership
7:Knight <Test of Mettle>,
8:knight <Bonus:Ride-by-Attack>,Vigilant Defender
9:Squire of Legend (CC111)<Paragon:Orcus>,<Speak with Animals>, (Open Feat?)
10:Squire of Legend <Lesser Restoration>
11:Squire of Legend <Grant 10 energy resistance to ally>
So, I plan to lock down the field and have my teammates either attack with reach or stand right next to me so I can protect them. I use Test of Mettle to bring them and lock them down, and on my turn, I'd like to be able to trip them. (Can I get Improved Trip without Expertise and 13 int?) My Auras will be +CHA to Trip/BullRush/Disarm, +1 Damage from Marshal, and +1 to Damage from Dragon Shaman. I also intend to get Steadfast boots so I can set against charges with a spiked Chain. If I get surrounded, I plan to use my high CHA and Intimidate skill to demoralize using the Never Outnumbered Skill trick.
I'm also considering taking 9 levels of Mythic Exemplar, Reikhardt(CC 86) for it's aura-like abilities, but it seems like it's just a high cost, weaker bard. (Can't take any bard levels, as it's Chaotic pre-req conflicts with knight.)
Besides two or three items and CHA, what are alternative strategies for keeping my Knight Challenge DC's up?
I'd also like to find ways to increase my reach, but I'm race limited by favored classes.
Lastly, what's a good way to get water breathing for this character? Is another two levels in Dragon Shaman worth that, or is there a better way?
Thank you for your suggestions in advance.