We are starting a new campaign from level 1 in our group. Most likely the campaign ends at level 10, at most 12 and then we start a new one with 1st level chars.
So I've come up with a couple of builds that might be fun to play. One is a pure melee and the other one is a gish.
Party size will be 4. The others have planned to be 2 druids and 1 cleric.
Books allowed: PHB, DMG, MM1, PGtF, PHB2 (general and fighter related feats only) and Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (races only).
House rules and limitations:
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PrCs forbidden: Incantatrix, Hathran, Red wizard, Initiate of X
Feats forbidden: natural spell, leadership
All templates are out.
Spells forbidden (including sla, su, ex):
All flying and magical movement related spells are out (e.g. fly, air walk, teleport, dim door, levitate) (expeditious retreat, telekinesis, plane shift and gate are ok, also real wings are ok)
Alter self, polymorph, shapechange and similar are out (wild shape is ok and perhaps lycanthropy as well)
Extradimensional spaces are out (e.g. rope trick)
Circle magic is out
Items forbidden:
All items which would give a forbidden spell effect (e.g. bag of holding, flying carpet)
Dust of sneezing and choking
Starting money is 900 gp.
28 point buy (or roll the dice)
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I've made two variations of the gish. I'm aiming for melee gish so I could tank and give some magical mayhem at the same time.
Human gish: Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 5
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28 point buy: str 14, dex 12, con 14, int 16, wis 10, cha 8
Wizard summon familiar (Toad +3 hp), scribe scroll, <militia (PGtF)>, <combat expertise>
Wizard
Wizard <improved trip>
Wizard +1 INT
Wizard <quicken spell>
Eldritch Knight (DMG) <power attack>, <cleave>
Eldritch Knight (DMG)
Eldritch Knight (DMG) +1 INT
Eldritch Knight (DMG) <improved initiative>
Eldritch Knight (DMG)
BAB: +7/+2, CL 9, HP 54.5, Fort +7, Ref +3, Wil +5
It uses militia to qualify for EK. Extra feat and skill points from human are great.
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Sun Elf gish: Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 5
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28 point buy: str 14, dex 12, con 14, int 16, wis 10, cha 8
Racial adj: str 14, dex 12, con 12, int 18, wis 10, cha 8
Wizard summon familiar (Toad +3 hp), scribe scroll, <otherworldly (PGtF)>
Wizard
Wizard <combat expertise>
Wizard +1 INT
Wizard <quicken spell>
Eldritch Knight (DMG) <power attack>, <improved trip>
Eldritch Knight (DMG)
Eldritch Knight (DMG) +1 INT
Eldritch Knight (DMG) <cleave>
Eldritch Knight (DMG)
BAB: +7/+2, CL 9, HP 44.5, Fort +6, Ref +3, Wil +5
It uses otherworldly (outsider type goodies) to qualify for EK. Suffers from -2 con.
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I can see some problems with these builds, i.e. MAD and lowish AC. Especially not having alter self and polymorph hurts a lot.
Would transmuter specialist wizard could be better (ban evo, necro/ench) than generalist?
Increasing STR instead of INT?
Change cleave to something else like brutal strike (PHB2) or steadfast determination (PHB2)?
One race alternative (for militia feat) is a halfling. I suppose strongheart halfling is the best option. That would yield better AC and extra feat. -2 STR +2 DEX..
What do you reckon, is this path to failure or a viable route?
Then the melee build. Basically the aim is for pure melee build with some versatility.
Human raging walker: Barbarian 1/Fighter 1/Barbarian 4/Horizon Walker 2/Divine Champion 3
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28 point buy: str 16, dex 14, con 14, int 10, wis 10, cha 10
Barbarian Fast movement, illiteracy, 1/rage, <education (PGtF)>, <power attack>
Fighter <weapon focus>
Barbarian Uncanny dodge, <endurance>
Barbarian Trap sense +1, +1 STR
Barbarian Rage 2/day
Horizon Walker (DMG) Terrain mastery (Desert) (fatigue immunity), <cleave>
Horizon Walker (DMG) Terrain mastery (Underground) (60-foot darkvision)
Divine Champion (PGtF) Lay on hands, +1 STR
Divine Champion (PGtF) <improved initiative>, sacred defense +1, <brutal strike (PHB2)>
Divine Champion (PGtF) Smite infidel
BAB +10/+5, CL 0, HP 82.5, Fort +14, Ref +4, Wis +2
Hmm.. He is illiterate but educated. Education and endurance pave the way for the Horizon Walker. Fatigue immunity is a great counter for fatigue from rage. Darkvision is always splendid. Divine champion is there mainly because of the feats.
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How does this build sound?
I've also considered going for cleric (lesser aasimar), druid or a full caster wizard.
Tips and optimizations appreciated, thanks in advance.