Optimizing a Spirit Shaman/Knight of the Raven

[bkdubs123]

Before we start, yes of course it doesn't have nearly the optimization options as a Cleric or Druid, or as an arcane gish character. That's not the point. A friend wants to play one, and alongside a Warblade and Rogue his character is less likely to overshine them when compared to a Cleric or Druid, which is a plus. He wants to be a support melee character with some buffing capability, and some crowd control capability.

I'm here asking the min/maxers for advice on feat selections and spells. The build is most likely going to be Spirit Shaman 6/KotR 6, and probably won't have any variation on that unless something really amazing is suggested by someone here. Feel free to reference anything from literally any book you can think of. Oh, and thanks in advance.

[Kuroimaken]

Knight of the Raven is from where now?

If he wants to be a support melee guy, his best options begin with enhancing what others do as well. What's the general strategy of his party? That kind of dynamics can have a big effect on how to buff.

Also, may I suggest levels in War Weaver?

[bkdubs123]

KotR is from Expedition to Castle Ravenloft. It's the 100% better divine version of the EK.

The other two party mates are both two-weapon blenders. The Rogue is a Lightning Mace/Telling Blow crit build, the Warblade is a Lion Totem dip pouncer. In all likelyhood they won't need buffed much.

[Kuroimaken]

So best to focus on the fun personal buffs, then.

Since Spirit Shaman uses the druid's spell list, his best bet would be to focus on natural attacks, particularly the Bite of X series. From then onward the advice is usually the same... Improved Natural Weapon, focusing on items that grant him better uses of natural attacks, that sort of thing. If he can get himself a slam attack, get him an item of greater mighty whallop.

[bkdubs123]

Yep, okay, that's what I thought would be solid, and what we're doing.

He's Kenku (2 primary claws) and he'll be making liberal use of the Bite spells as well as Necklace of Natural Weapons and probably Wallop.

Anything else for him?

[Kuroimaken]

I confess that I don't really have much in terms of experience with feats/spells improving natural weapons specifically. Size increases tend to help a lot with that but I don't know any specific druid spells to work with that.

Maybe look up Savage Species or MM for interesting feats?

[Operation Shoestring]

Why KotR?  it doesn't seem to give him anything that synergizes with being a natural weapon melee-er.

Except maybe turn undead? (I forget if KotR gives that or not)

A fanged ring would probably help, if it's allowed.   Listening lorecall can be very fun if you need to fight in the dark.  many people consider it marginal, but I love the flavor and effect of that spell.

[bkdubs123]

Except maybe turn undead? (I forget if KotR gives that or not)

That and full BAB (and the raven is kind of a badass).

A fanged ring would probably help, if it's allowed.

It isn't. As far as Listening Lorecall, I think most times he would probably just cast some sort of light based spell. I dunno. Then again, I won't knock the spell, I don't know what it does.

[Operation Shoestring]

Except maybe turn undead? (I forget if KotR gives that or not)

That and full BAB (and the raven is kind of a badass).

A fanged ring would probably help, if it's allowed.

It isn't. As far as Listening Lorecall, I think most times he would probably just cast some sort of light based spell. I dunno. Then again, I won't knock the spell, I don't know what it does.

Casting a light spell tends to make you a target, though.

Is the raven an animal companion or a familiar?  there are tricks you can pull with those.

What do you plan to use turning for?  LAw devotion?

I like L lorecall because i just love the flavor of having hearing so awesome it functions as blindsense.

[bkdubs123]

Is the raven an animal companion or a familiar?  there are tricks you can pull with those.

Sadly it's neither. It's a special thing all it's own, similar to a companion/familiar, just not given either status . But it does get other really nifty abilities.

What do you plan to use turning for?  LAw devotion?

He's currently using it for Divine Metamagic as the Spirit Sham doesn't suffer any increased casting time for metamagicking spells.

I like L lorecall because i just love the flavor of having hearing so awesome it functions as blindsense.

That is pretty slick.

[Ivory Knight]

Since Kenku are small:
"Wildrunner"(SpC) -> Being Large and Fast is useful, you can further enhance by casting Bite of the X on Top of it and finally one of the other Charakters could use it for Mounted Combat or Archery

It seems Knight of the Raven doesn't grant Martial Weapon Prof.
Found no easy Way, to fix this for a Spirit Shaman, but Spear and Shortbow aren't too bad.
Sizing and the Bow adjusting for new Strenghscore would be nice, alternatively just keep a Large Composite Shortbow(+4 Str for Centaur)

[Operation Shoestring]

Kenku are small-ish (and should really get slender build like kobolds do, given how skinny they are), but they are medium creatures.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040912b&page=4

Huh, they get a penalty to STR, not COn as I remembered.  Liking them much better now.

[Ivory Knight]

OK, so Kenku are medium and I should read the MM(3, IIRC), before I post
The Claws are not worth mentioning tough, most Spells will give him better Natural Weapons than that.

And Wildrunner IS a good Spell, used it to good effect on my Elf Druid(coupled with Bow of Elvenkind+Sizing Enchantment and Bite of the Wererat for Dex).