A little assistance would be sweet

[Fusecase]

Hello all, I've been trolling here for about half a year now and I've finally come to a situation that I would like some help on.

Im joining a game that the other four players already have their class/role picked and I'm not certain as how I want to fit in. The current party is a dragon rider (damage, and he will do it well), an evil cleric (mook swarm, egotistical prick), an ardent (He mentioned having so many save or dies, dumbass), and a good incarnate (Tank, I'm helping this build personally so I don't die when the tank fails).

My problem is we are kinda lacking in a couple of areas, and I'm torn between a DFA (Using the breath for control and not damage) or just swallowing my pride and playing the GODDAMNED BATMAN again (like I've had to do because no other player in the group can figure out that caltrops out does burning hands )...

So heres the options open:
Core 3.5
Completes
Races
Draconomicon
Dragon Magic
Libris M.
Heroes of Horror
Sands.
Frost. (I think)
SpC
MIC (I think)

Level: 5
I'm working with stats of: 20, 18, 13, 11, 11, 9
10k starting gold.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who helps.

[awaken DM golem]

I'm not seeing a healer or a trapfinder.
I am seeing a few bad healers or trapfinders.
If the Ardent can get a pp recharge set-up cleared through the DM, he could be the out of combat healer with the 1st level Touch power, and the Astral Construct trapspringer. But that's a big if, and a change of concept.

So, why not be a Kobold Cleric with Kobold Domain for the trapfinding.
And throw in a level of Wizard or Sorc with Precocious Apprentice.
Wiz more skills; Sorc more face. Then take the doubling class.
And be the heally/trappy/goddambatman.
Leadership for an Artificer to make you cool stuff.

[fil kearney]

Is the evil cleric not going to healbot while his thralls swarm?

If you are all allowed to grab necro template for neg energy healing; go DN, and be a great support for the evil cleric, allow tank and minion healing in the same neg e bursts. 

that would be great team synergy.... er, except for the whole good incarnate, and the dragon rider. 


Well, if that doesn't fly  :rolleyes then maybe going artificer.  gives you trapfind, arcane, and cleric tools... wands et al. can make sharing healbot duties with evil cleric more tolerable, and allow you to be more versatile... depending on how yer DM deals with crafting rules (eh.  that gets sketchy.)

[Rebel7284]

I say stay with batman.  If you're worried about your HP/armor, drop a feat on combat casting and take Abjurant Champion for 5 levels.  Quickened Dispel Magic is nice.

[carnivore]

heres something thats loads of fun .... ECL 5

Pixie Rogue(feat variant) 1

Attributes:(Stat array 20, 18, 13, 11, 11, 9)

7 Str(11 -4 Racial)
30 Dex(20 +8 Racial+ 2 gloves)
18 Con(18)
19 Int(13 +6 Racial)
15 Wis(11 +4 Racial)
15 Cha(9 +6 Racial)

Flaws:
Slow
Vulnerable

Feats:

[Omen of Peace]

I would go DFA: your fun matters. I assume you know of it, but just in case: look for Janus Jones' DFA Handbook.

With Con 20 you should be pretty resilient.

[Fusecase]

Okay, so there is a new guy joining in and the ardent is changing class. I know the new guy is going focused specialist conjurer with divine disciple for the healing domain, and I think the ardent was going DFA...

Well thats just great. I'm thinking Swift Hunter. Its got the skills to pick up the slack the group has, and a fun way to deal with combat.

Oh and it turns out that 18 is a freakin 19...
So I'm thinking
Scout 4/ Ranger 1
Str 11
Dex 20 (19+1 level)
Con 13
Int 20
Wis 11
Cha 9

Starting with a +1 Con and Wis item, ring of sustenance, Heward's HH, Ring of Pro +1, and the like.

[carnivore]

i still say you would be better off  with Pixie Rogue.... Attack @ +12(Rapier)(Longbow), AC 22 with nothing on, Flight, Greater Invisibility, DR, SR.....  in virtually all aspects you can beat Scout 4/ Ranger 1

 

[Fusecase]

What if there are no flaws? I like the build and will run it by the dm, but I am pretty certain he won't include that.

And btw, is the pixie supposed to only go by weapon damage, because there is no SA on that.

[Callix]

@Carnivore: HP and BAB would be the obvious losses. You're still seven levels from your next iterative attack, whereas Scout 4/Ranger 1 needs only 1 level of Ranger for an iterative attack. Also, if your job is to skillmonkey, losing four ranks in all skills hurts. With +8 Dex, +6 Int, they're permanently a point behind any small, Dex-boosting race in all Dex, Cha and Int based skills except Hide and Search. Even with the racial boosts, they only break even on Spot and Listen. In short, if you want a skill-based build, avoid LA you can't buy off. Pixie rogue is a cute build, but it's not a skills-based build, which Swift Hunter can do easily, as well as damage.

Frankly, pixies are better at PvP than adventuring. In parties that aren't all pixies, their ability to hide, fly, and single-handedly win melee encounters isn't really fun for other players.