Author Topic: Survivalist  (Read 7340 times)

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SpaceLlama

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Survivalist
« on: May 31, 2011, 06:02:24 PM »
In the newest campaign I'm playing in, I had a character concept that I thought would be fun to roleplay. He's a Mul Survivalist. Sort of like a Bear Gryls/Survivor man sort of character. Always knows what to do, all about getting through extreme situations. I love his name and background, and I think he'll be fun to play. The problem I'm coming across is, frequently I'll come up with a character idea that's fun to roleplay, but when it comes to mechanics and combat, sucks.

For instance:

The best classes for this survivalist seem to be like ranger or scout.

But as a Mul, my bonuses are to Con and Str.

My character uses simple weapons that can be made easily in nature (spears, bows), but I'm scared those will leave me without a good damage option.

I was hoping I could get some starter advice on what might be some good classes or feats that could take advantage of stats, but still create the character I want to roleplay. We have a lot of extra feats in this game, if that helps.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Solo

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2011, 06:09:27 PM »
Barbarian, with a ton of ranks in Survival.

Also, leadership for a crew of cohorts that will document your endeavors.

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sir_argenon

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2011, 06:13:56 PM »
horizon walker

Petruchio

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2011, 06:17:05 PM »
Factotum, ranger, scout or a rogue or barbarian w/ survival ranks. All of them give options for decent damage with improvised weapons from nature. The craft skill also assists with this, crafting a simple wooden spear should be simple enough, and be an effective carrier of sneak attack or skirmish damage. Crafting snare and traps would also be  consistent with the character concept as well.

SpaceLlama

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2011, 06:21:51 PM »
My brother thought that crafting snares and traps might be good for the character too. I'll have to check into that and see what sort of things can be done with traps and snares in and out of combat.

Mixster

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2011, 06:31:17 PM »
Couldn't you build a hood with loads of survival ranks? He can easily make a longspear the deadliest weapon on the planet.
Monks are pretty much the best designed class ever.

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Lycanthromancer

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2011, 07:40:13 PM »
Totemist/warblade, totemist/factotum, or totemist/wilderness rogue?
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Nunkuruji

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2011, 07:54:42 PM »
Just be BEAR Gryls

Wildshape Ranger

Throw in some poison crafting if you'd like

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Gavinfoxx

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2011, 07:57:37 PM »
Well, um, I would say Bear Grylls's main skills happen to be with the fact that he is a British Commando.

Not just the survivalist thing.  The infiltrator/elite military unit thing... How would you guys stat out a stealth based / deep behind enemy lines / special ops sort of character?

Just a thought.

Also, isn't there a barbarian build that happens to use the Survival skill for like, EVERYTHING?
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X-Codes

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2011, 08:07:04 PM »
Swift Hunter.  Ranger gets Survival, Knowledge (Dungeoneering), Knowledge (Nature), and can even get Knowledge (The Planes) if he takes a Planar Ranger sub-level.  I recommend 8th level for that.  While we're at it, pick up Knowledge Devotion for Knowledge (Arcana) and take the mage hunter ACF from CM.

altpersona

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2011, 08:58:07 PM »
wizard?/COD?
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dark_samuari

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2011, 09:45:37 PM »
Well, um, I would say Bear Grylls's main skills happen to be with the fact that he is a British Commando.

Not just the survivalist thing.  The infiltrator/elite military unit thing... How would you guys stat out a stealth based / deep behind enemy lines / special ops sort of character?

Just a thought.

I tend to go with a Mystic Ranger 6 with Sword of the Arcane Order (focusing on very utility-orientated spells).

ninjarabbit

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2011, 11:58:21 PM »

Also, isn't there a barbarian build that happens to use the Survival skill for like, EVERYTHING?

There's a barbarian ACF called trapkiller that lets you use your survival check (at a -5 penalty) to find traps and you can smash the trap to bits.

Alternatively I'd go with steadfast determination and completely max out your con score.

Dawnmor

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2011, 10:58:10 PM »
Bear Grills *or however its spelled* was actually a Straight ranger.  He wasnt a Barbarian, he had no mystical powers AT ALL!, So if you want to stick close to him as possible, he is a Ranger, Grab the I think PHB2 variantion that trades spells for feats, and your set.  Bear was more along the lines of an Archer Ranger with no spell casting as you can get.  He had no animal companion but he did have a working knowledge of nature.......

As for those who think he was a Barbarian? What the heck are you thinking?, have you even SEEN! his show? and you think hes a barbarian? I dont remember him killing his crew when he came across a situation that made him VERY! mad!.

Solo

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2011, 11:07:11 PM »
What an entertaining post.

"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down!"

The Legend RPG, which I worked on and encourage you to read.

Demelain

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2011, 10:05:57 PM »
Bear Grills *or however its spelled* was actually a Straight ranger.  He wasnt a Barbarian, he had no mystical powers AT ALL!, So if you want to stick close to him as possible, he is a Ranger, Grab the I think PHB2 variantion that trades spells for feats, and your set.  Bear was more along the lines of an Archer Ranger with no spell casting as you can get.  He had no animal companion but he did have a working knowledge of nature.......

As for those who think he was a Barbarian? What the heck are you thinking?, have you even SEEN! his show? and you think hes a barbarian? I dont remember him killing his crew when he came across a situation that made him VERY! mad!.


It would certainly make the show better.

Bozwevial

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2011, 10:55:44 PM »
he had no mystical powers AT ALL!
Neither does a barbarian.

Solo

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2011, 10:57:33 PM »
Actually, the ranger's the one with magic spells, which would actually support the Barbarian hypothesis.

"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down!"

The Legend RPG, which I worked on and encourage you to read.

Havok4

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2011, 11:44:48 PM »
He is actually most likely an expert with maxed out survival, climb and similar skills.

SorO_Lost

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Re: Survivalist
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2011, 11:58:23 PM »
Really he is a level 3 commoner. All noobs are commoners and level 6 is when skills break the realistic realm.

But last time I checked, our trees didn't eat people and wolves in arctic regions didn't have super freezing breath. Better make him a ranger. There are ACF that let you ditch spellcasting, though why not keep it? It's not like Bear can track a toad over rock, from two days ago, and it rained last night, but you'll be able to anyway. Toss some woodsy spells in, it'll be ok.
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[spoiler]Tiers break down into who has spellcasting more than anything else due to spells being better than anything else in the game.
6: Skill based. Commoner, Expert, Samurai.
5: Mundane warrior. Barbarian, Fighter, Monk.
4: Partial casters. Adapt, Hexblade, Paladin, Ranger, Spelltheif.
3: Focused casters. Bard, Beguiler, Dread Necromancer, Martial Adapts, Warmage.
2: Full casters. Favored Soul, Psion, Sorcerer, Wu Jen.
1: Elitists. Artificer, Cleric, Druid, Wizard.
0: Gods. StP Erudite, Illthid Savant, Pun-Pun, Rocks fall & you die.
[/spoiler]