Sword and Board Tank- 3.5e

[kinv]

So my friend whos playing D&D wants to just be impossible to kill, ATM he's a level 2 human Fighter, From what I can tell Crusaders are the best damage soaks in D&D so I suggested multi-classing into that, What are the best options for him to be the best damage sponge he can be? The rest of the group is, 2nd Fighter, Wizard, ranger, Rogue, Cleric. We have access to almost all the books.

[Endarire]

I agree with Crusader because of Shield Block and Shield Counter.  Fighter2/Cleric1/Crusader2/Ruby Knight Vindicator2 is a viable concept.

[woodenbandman]

Purely from a mechanical efficiency standpoint Cleric and Druid are probably the hardest to kill with the least amount of effort on their part, but Crusader's a close second.

How about a Totemist? There's that soulmeld for granting yourself extra hitpoints, and you can give yourself the diehard feat via incarnum as well. Plus you use constitution for almost everything.

[kinv]

I showed him crusader today so he's probably just gonna go full on crusader or crusader/fighter hybrid. Any suggestions on the combination? or feats/skills/maneuvers?

[Littha]

I showed him crusader today so he's probably just gonna go full on crusader or crusader/fighter hybrid. Any suggestions on the combination? or feats/skills/maneuvers?

dont take the fighter levels unless you have a desperate need of feats.

[Freshums]

There's also this
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4227.0

[snakeman830]

I showed him crusader today so he's probably just gonna go full on crusader or crusader/fighter hybrid. Any suggestions on the combination? or feats/skills/maneuvers?

dont take the fighter levels unless you have a desperate need of feats.

You want 2 Fighter levels early on (preferably between Crusader 1 and Crusader 2).  Crusaders always want more feats and those 2 levels will fix the stance progression of the Crusader.

[Saxony]

Eternal Blade can be entered at level 10, and its level 10 ability is pretty darn game breaking. It grants an extra turn as an immediate action (meaning it can be used at any time during the round, even when its not one's turn). The other abilities granted by Eternal Blade are also pretty cool. It's a full BAB class and grants maneuvers as a Crusader, but has access to Devoted Spirit, Diamond Mind, Iron Heart, and White Raven (the schools with the best maneuvers, like Time Stands Still, Iron Heart Endurance, Strike of Righteous Vitality, White Raven Tactics, and White Raven Hammer to name a few off the top of my head).

You have to stay in it for all ten levels for its best ability and it can be entered at level 10. The biggest requirement is 10 BAB (which isn't a problem for a Crusader/Fighter). Technically one has to be an elf, but most DMs don't care about it. There are some classes which work better than Eternal Blade, but the class is good in lots of situations.

[altpersona]

necropolitain, you cannot kill that which is not alive.

hth.

[Littha]

necropolitan elf is actually probably quite good considering...

[snakeman830]

Being Undead is a flat-out BAD IDEA if you want to tank.  The one thing you cannot afford to do as a tank is to lose out on hit points.

[kinv]

You want 2 Fighter levels early on (preferably between Crusader 1 and Crusader 2).  Crusaders always want more feats and those 2 levels will fix the stance progression of the Crusader.

He actually atm is a lvl 2 fighter about to turn lvl 3 and was going to reroll to crusader because he doesn't like his fighter, should he just stick to fighter and go crusader from 3 -> 20, what extra feats should he be picking up?

[snakeman830]

Combat Reflexes is one that you definitely want, Stand Still being another.  He won't threaten a huge area, but what he does threaten he can lock down so tight that Fort Knox looks easy.

[PhaedrusXY]

Being Undead is a flat-out BAD IDEA if you want to tank.  The one thing you cannot afford to do as a tank is to lose out on hit points.

Eh, it depends on how many undead boosting effects the DM will let you layer on yourself during your "creation". If you can be animated by a specialist necromancer with Corpse Crafter and Nimble Bones at a Desecrated altar dedicated to an evil deity... you'll be fine.

[kinv]

I'm assuming his first 4 feats (normal+Fighter+Human+lvl 2) should be Stand Still, Combat Reflexes, X, X. First level of crusader should be Extra Maneuvers? Then what? Also what should the extra 2 feats He'll get from fighter be?

[Fluffles]

I'm assuming his first 4 feats (normal+Fighter+fighter+Human+lvl 3) should be Stand Still, Combat Reflexes, X, X. First level of crusader should be Extra Maneuvers? Then what? Also what should the extra 2 feats He'll get from fighter be?

Iron Heart Aura, and EWP (Spiked Chain) should be thrown in there, along with Extra Granted Maneuver with your first level of crusader.

[Rebel7284]

I was going to suggest EWP spiked chain too, but then I noticed the fact that he wants to play sword and board.  Perhaps EWP: Spinning Sword from Secrets of Sarhlona?  Dungeoncrasher instead of the second feat?

[Fluffles]

Ah, in that case EWP (Kusari-Gama) is a mighty fine 1 handed weapon

[fuinjutsu]

What is his alignment?  If NG or LG, try incarnate. Vitality belt is a MASSIVE boost to your HP at higher levels.  And Theraputic Mantle + Martial Spirirt = up to 15 damage healed on self for every hit on the enemy.  Booyah!

[juton]

If you are going to dip Cleric/Druid I highly recommend Ordained Champion. Not just for the regular reasons (but those too) but because at level 3 you get unlimited channel spell, which synergizes well with sword and board because you're not relying on power attack for damage.