DavidWL's Random Build Archive

[DavidWL]

Here's an update on my chameleon multi-threat, assuming a looser rule-set (LA Buyoff, Flaws, Psychic Reformation).  Added Quor Bred (+4 Int, 2 reformable feats, Int to DCs, a few other perks).  Added Heirophant for Supernatural Transformation(Miracle).  Added 2 levels of bloodlines.  Added Initaite of mystra.

A Skill monkey Casting Chameleon

Race: Quor Bred Illumian (Naen-Hoon), Good/Neutral, Old age at 18th level, Intermediate Air Bloodline, taken at 2nd and 3rd. (costing 3K exp).

Build: Factotum 1/Generic Spellcaster(Divine) 1/Generic Spellcaster(Arcane) 1/Chameleon 10/Hieorphant 1/Generic Spellcaster(Divine) +2/Factotum 2-3/Crusader 2

Feats:

Code:

Level Name Source Psychic Reformation at 12th level
1 Able Learner Level
1 Keen Intellect Flaw
1 Academic Priest Flaw
1 Hostile Mind Template Extra Slot
1 Mental Resistance Template Extra Slot
2 Insightful Reflexes Class
3 Spell Mastery Class
3 Uncanny Forethought Level
4 Improved Initiative Bloodline Persistent Spell
6 Leadership Level
9 Planar Touchstone Level
12 Sanctum Spell Level
12 Weapon Finess Bloodline Extra Slot
15 Supernatural Transformation Level
18 Initiate of Mystra Level
20 Flyby Attack Bloodline

Leadership = Dvati Fiend of Possession / Corruption
Planar Touchstone (Catalogues of Enlightenment = planning -> Extend)
Supernatural Transformation (Miracle)

Stats: ~D6.5 HD + CON, 11 Maxed Skills.  Init: +39.  BAB: 12.  Saves: F: 32  R: 31  W: 36.
-- Assuming Arcane and Divine Focus chosen, and Demand Fortitude & Motivate Dex with cohort.  This is before most equipment and before magic.  167 HP including Con, 261 Skill points including Int and racial bonus

Attributes , Int = 54!:

Code:

Assume a 32 point buy.

Stats Value (Cost) Age Wish Equip Quor Boodln Other Total  
STR: 11 (3) -3   6.00 14  
CON: 14 (6) -3 6.00 1.00 18  
DEX: 12 (4) -3   6.00 1.00 16  
INT: 17 (13) 2 5 6.00 4.00 20 54  
WIS: 14 (6) 2 1 2 6.00 -4.00 -2 17  
CHA: 8 0 2 6.00 -2.00 14

Int: 17 (attribute) + 2 (age) + 5 (book) + 6 (item) + 5 (levels) + 6 (chameleon) +4 (Fiend of Possession) +4 (Template) +3 (Fiend of Corruption) +2 Codex Anathema = 54

Rules Notes:

• Extra Slot – Advances Chameleon casting.  Using planar touchstone to qualify for the higher-level slot (Extra Slot: “up to one level lower than the highest level spell you can currently cast”).  (Catalogues of Enlightenment: “Once per day you may cast a spell from the cleric domain you had chosen as though you had prepared the spell normally.  You must be of sufficient character level to cast the spell and have Wisdom equal to the spell level + 10.”).  I first saw this here.
  
• Assumes Generic Spellcaster (Arcane) can qualify for the spell mastery feat.
• Uses the "Spell-Like Ability" of the Heirophant combined with the Supernatural Transformation feat to get Miracle as a Supernatural ability twice per day.
• Uses Psychic reformation to: 1)  Turn the templates and bloodline bonus feats into useful things, and 2)  delay feats to times that are more useful.
• Bloodline to have early qualification for Chameleon, making him more powerful sooner, also giving +2 to level-dependent abilities

Key Points:

• 3 Extra Slots w/ Planar Touchstone and Sanctum Spell => 9th level spells as a Chameleon
• 54 Int, Academic Priest, Quor Bred Template => lots of bonus spells per day both arcane and divine, amazing Arcane and Divine spell DCs
• Aura of Perfect Order [Stance]=> Take 11 on any skill check, save, caster level check, etc.  It makes him an even more impressive skill monkey, caster, and much tougher.  Once/rnd.
• Uncanny Forethought => spontaneously cast any spell known at the cost of a move action 22 times per day (~ all 8th and 9th level spells, both arcane and divine).
• 54 Int, Factotum 3, Keen Intellect => +22 (at least) to all but Charisma skills (which the Fiend of possession focuses on).
• Spell-like ability + Supernatural Transformation => at the cost of 1 9th level divine slot, can cast 2 Miracles as supernatural spells once per day.  Note that this allows for emulation of psychic reformation, so that we can swap feats as needed to use item crafting as needed.
• Iniatiate of Mystra => Never unprepared
• Naen hoon -> cast 1 extended persistent spell per day
• Base CL = 2*(10 Chameleon + 2 bloodline) + 1 heirophant = 25
• Factotum 1: Cunning Insight: 3 times per encounter add Int to save, attack or damage
• Quorbred: Closed Mind:  level check of 40 to effect by divination
• Quorbred: Power Resistance 31
• Quorbred: Disruptive Strike: DC 42 vs. unable to use spells/psionics/spell-likes when hit

Cohorts:

ritual of alignment, otherworldly, dvati
dvati +1/marshall 3/XXX 5/fiend of possession 5/fiend of corruption 1/crusader 2/
loyalty's reward

• Motivate Dex
• Demand Fortitude

Other Details

Maneuvers (5 maneuvers, 2 stances)

• Devoted Spirit: Aura of Perfect Order (6th) - Stance
• Devoted Spirit: Defensive Rebuke (3rd) - Boost
• Devoted Spirit: Martial Spirit (1st) – Stance
• White Raven: Covering Strike(4th) - Boost
• White Raven: White Raven Tactics (3rd) - Boost
• White Raven: Douse the Flames (1st) - Strike
• Stone Dragon: Charging Minotaur (1st) - Strike

Extra Granted maneuver would also be nice.  This could happen with a combination of a Martial Study feat generated with the spell Heroics, and/or the Chameleon's floating feat.

Skill Tricks

• Conceal Spellcasting
• False Theurgy
• Swift Concentration

Skills

• Max Concentration
• Max Use Magic Device
• Max Spellcraft
• Max Religion
• 5 Ranks in many skills for synergy
• 1 Rank in skills that require training to use
• Skills that are prereqs to Skill tricks are taken to that level

Equipment Sketch - most items selected from Bunko's Bargain Basement.  Right now ~ 175K gold over budget.

Head      

• Admirals Bicorne (Stormwrack, 50k) +5 unnamed bonus to Charisma rolls, +5 leadership, +5 Profession (sailor), +2 morale bonus to attacks, saves and skill checks, amplify your voice 100’.

Torso      

• Vest of the Archmagi (MIC, 200K) +8 AC, +5 Saves, 3 extra 9th level spells previously prepared.

Waist      

• Belt of Magnificence (Miniatures Handbook, 200K)

Misc

• Tome of Clear Thought + 5 (DMG 137,500gp)
• Manual of Bodily Health +1 (DMG 27,500gp)
• Manual of Understanding +1 (DMG 27,500gp)
• Codex Anathema

In Ancestral Relic (?):

• Iron Heart Vest – (ToB, 3,000 + 3,000) Iron Heart Surge, Absolute Steel
• Crown of White Raven (ToB, 15,000) – Order Forged From Chaos
• Mask of the Undying (Faiths of eberron, 22,000 gp) – undead immunities
• Mask of lies (Arms and Equip, 17k) Change self at will and continuous undetectable alignment and +5 bluff
• Ring of Sustenance (DMG, 2,500 gp) immunity to eating and drinking and only need 2 hours of sleep a day.
• Ring of Freedom of Movement. (DMG, 40,000 gp)
• Ring of Evasion (DMG, 25,000 gp)
• Rod of Metamagic – greater extend (DMG 24,500 gp)
• Heward's Fortifying Bedroll (Complete Mage, 3,000 gp) Allows casters to regain spells with only one hour of sleep, rather than the usual 8.
• Hewards Handy Haversack (2000 gp) Holds less than a Bag of Holding, but also costs less, and the retrieval function is very valuable.
• Survival pouch (Races of the Wild, 5,000 gp)
• Tooth of Savnok (Tome of Magic, 2000 gp)
• Stone of good luck (DMG, 20,000 gp) +1 luck bonus on saving throws, ability checks, and skill checks.
• Monks Belt (DMG, 13000 gp) Wears AC and unarmed damage is treated as a monk of five levels higher
• Boccobs Blessed book (DMG, 12,500 gp)
• Belt of Battle (MIC, 12,000 gp)

Carried

• Quiver of Ehlonna (1800 gp) Nice for arrows, nicer for wands and staves.
  Eternal Wand (MIC 159, 460-10,900gp) – Lets you use a 0-3rd lvl spell twice a day.
  Belt of Many Pockets (Complete Arcane, p. 147, 11,000) Provides 64 miniature bags of holding around your waist

Weapon
A +1 Eager Spellstrike / +1 Warning Defending quarterstaff costs 36.600 gp and gives you a huge amount of bonuses (assuming magic weapon, greater is casted on both heads).

• +5 bonus to AC which stacks with all others.
  
• +5 bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities (it has no type, so assume that it stacks with all others).
• +7 bonus to initiative checks. (actually +5 insight and +2 unnamed).

Yet to Be Done:
Equipment, tactics by Level

Feedback/thoughts welcome!
Are feats taken at the right levels?  Is there a way of fitting in persistent madness?

Best
David[/list][/list]

[Dictum Mortuum]

Look what i found!

            * * *     Wizards Community Thread  * * *

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Thread : CO Build: The Ranger
Started at 10-21-07 05:16 PM by Dictum Mortuum
Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=941812
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[Post 1]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 05:16 PM
Thread Title : CO Build: The Ranger

I am working on a wild-shaping ranger 20 build and i'd like to share my progress so far for extra thoughts on the matter. At low levels it is really difficult to play with, but after wild shape is acquired, things get easier. At 6th level the problem is more or less fixed, with 12 hours of wild shaping available.

Attributes: (assuming 28 point buy)

 Str: 8 
 Dex: 8
 Con: 16 (8 + 8 points)
 Int: 14 (8 + 6 points)
 Wis: 21 (8 + 8 points + 5 levels)
 Cha: 10 (8 + 2 points)

Alternative Class Features:

 Wild Shape progression, lose Combat Style.
 Shooting Star substitution levels.
 Arcane Hunter.
 Trap Expert, lose Track.
 Voice of the City, lose Wild Empathy.

Feats:

 1st level: Track
 3rd level: Darkstalker
 6th level: Natural Spell
 9th level: Sword of the Arcane Order
 12th level: Dragon Wild Shape
 15th level: Minor Shapeshift
 18th level: Practiced Spellcaster

Skills:

 Disable Device
 Knowledge (Nature)
 Search
 Survival
 Hide/Move Silently
 Listen/Spot

Tricks:

 Eternal Wand [Heroics] grants a bonus fighter feat, preferably a martial study for shadow jaunt, shadow garrote or mountain hammer according to the situation. Power attack (while wild shaped probably), combat expertise and improved unarmed strike are options, too. Depending on your DM's point of view, you can cast arcane spells through sword of the arcane order and gain the spell failure chance or cast only divine spells. In the second case you can take the magical training regional feat and fix the problem.
 Dragon Wild Shape into Ambush Drakes, Dweomervore City of Splendors: Waterdeep or the great Incarnum Dragon that has the ability to shape soulmelds from the soulborn () list. For early levels, after consulting the Druid's handbook, i found out that the Baboon can help offset some penalties and the great Legendary Ape combat form. Another interesting dragon is faerie dragon with a huge amount of spell-like abilities.
 Minor Shapeshift requires you only to be able to cast 4th level spells (^^) and you can prepare a polymorph spell through sword of the arcane order. Since you are not really using your swift actions and most of the feat's abilities are great to a ranger, this seems like a good addition.

Roles:

 Trapfinder
 Support melee combatant or even main, but probably at higher levels only.
 Spy/Scout/Tracker wild shape, darkstalker, track, skill selection.
 Mini - caster and wand user mainly for healing, but some DMs may let you use arcane spells you can prepare (say, only from your spellbook, if you maintain one).
 Minor tanking abilities (temporary HP battery and a wild-shape form with high natural armor bonus).

All books are allowed. Suggest anything that you think that improves the character, though i really want to keep it ranger-heavy and add no swift hunter to the mix. Is natural spell really needed? What about soulborn soulmelds? Which do you consider the best for this build?

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[Post 2]
Author : KIDS
Date : 10-21-07 05:27 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I would strongly suggest that you take Zen Archery as 1st level feat as else you will be absolutely useless before you get wildshape. I have a feeling that with your wisdom it would help a lot. Otherwise, Dragon Wildshape is an awesome thing, that's a good catch!

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[Post 3]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 10:28 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I would strongly suggest that you take Zen Archery as 1st level feat as else you will be absolutely useless before you get wildshape. I have a feeling that with your wisdom it would help a lot. Otherwise, Dragon Wildshape is an awesome thing, that's a good catch!

hey very nice! i guess i should start out with intuitive attack or zen archery according to the weapons i use and retrain later.

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[Post 4]
Author : archerpwr
Date : 10-21-07 10:30 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

hey very nice! i guess i should start out with intuitive attack or zen archery according to the weapons i use and retrain later.

Ranger
A ranger might forgo training in weapon combat in exchange for the ability to take animal form and move swiftly through the woodlands.

Gain
Wild shape (as druid; Small or Medium animals only), fast movement (as barbarian).


How are we dealing with this?

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[Post 5]
Author : Treantmonklvl20
Date : 10-21-07 10:31 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

The one thing about the Ranger wildshaping variant is you are limited in size (Medium if I remember) - which will limit you greatly at higher levels.

have you considered PrC'ing into MoMF?

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[Post 6]
Author : snizor
Date : 10-21-07 10:34 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Natural Spell doesn't seem worth it for a ranger, at least not at lvl 6.
A two level dip into MMF would get you large size. I'm doing something similar for a Wildshape Ranger focused on Aberrant Wildshape (LoM).

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[Post 7]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 10:35 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

How are we dealing with this?

I didn't really understand :S, rangers can't use weapons if they have no combat style?

The one thing about the Ranger wildshaping variant is you are limited in size (Medium if I remember) - which will limit you greatly at higher levels.

have you considered PrC'ing into MoMF?

That's not a problem, dragon wild shape limits you to medium, too.

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[Post 8]
Author : archerpwr
Date : 10-21-07 10:36 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

That's not a problem, dragon wild shape limits you to medium, too.

Forgot about that.  Question has been answered.  I'm stil wondering why no MoMF though.  WS ranger is typically used exclusively for MoMF builds.

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[Post 9]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 10:49 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Forgot about that.  Question has been answered.  I'm stil wondering why no MoMF though.  WS ranger is typically used exclusively for MoMF builds.

Well i don't think that MoMF really helps this, as it doesn't progress spellcasting and hits the skills. If you don't use it as a dip, it eats more feats, too, as it needs able learner to keep your skills at normal ranks.
Also since with one feat i gain the capstone ability (or better? depends) of the MoMF prestige class, it's really not that helpful.

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[Post 10]
Author : archerpwr
Date : 10-21-07 10:51 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Well i don't think that MoMF really helps this, as it doesn't progress spellcasting and hits the skills. If you don't use it as a dip, it eats more feats, too, as it needs able learner to keep your skills at normal ranks.
Also since with one feat i gain the capstone ability (or better? depends) of the MoMF prestige class, it's really not that helpful.

I actually prefer the first 3 levels, extraordinary abilities (7), and aberations.  Dragons kinda suck for thier HD.

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[Post 11]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 10:54 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I actually prefer the first 3 levels, extraordinary abilities (7), and aberations.  Dragons kinda suck for thier HD.

they are not that bad (since you get their extraordinary and supernatural abilities with dragon wild shape ;-))

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[Post 12]
Author : archerpwr
Date : 10-21-07 10:58 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

they are not that bad (since you get their extraordinary and supernatural abilities with dragon wild shape ;-))

I still think this could be done better with a druid with dips or with MoMF.

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[Post 13]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-21-07 11:02 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I still think this could be done better with a druid with dips or with MoMF.

anything can be done better with druid, cleric or wizard

Anyway, any other suggestions on the build? I don't really want to use MoMF, i am happy with animal + dragon forms.

What about suggested soulborn soulmelds?

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[Post 14]
Author : archerpwr
Date : 10-21-07 11:17 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

anything can be done better with druid, cleric or wizard

Anyway, any other suggestions on the build? I don't really want to use MoMF, i am happy with animal + dragon forms.

What about suggested soulborn soulmelds?

Impulse boots and bluesteel bracers are the only ones that are that good with such low essentia capacity.

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[Post 15]
Author : ninjarabbit
Date : 10-21-07 11:31 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I'd suggest a level or two of ninja along with able learner. The ninja level(s) let you not have to take trap expert so you could keep track. This will really help your AC.

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[Post 16]
Author : Elephant Jack
Date : 10-26-07 04:51 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Very nice build, Mr. Mortuum!

I don't know which feat to drop, but Knowledge Devotion might be a decent addition (you've got plenty of skill points and a high Int) to this character.

EJ

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[Post 17]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-26-07 05:37 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Very nice build, Mr. Mortuum!

I don't know which feat to drop, but Knowledge Devotion might be a decent addition (you've got plenty of skill points and a high Int) to this character.

EJ

actually, the build is race - independent, so you can grab human that nets you an extra skill point per level to spend on knowledges.

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[Post 18]
Author : BloodDragon
Date : 10-26-07 05:41 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I would strongly suggest that you take Zen Archery as 1st level feat ... -snip-

DM- If your into/allowed Dragon Mags, there is a Ranger variant that allows you to add your Wis to your AC in Light/No armor much like a monk.

Check out crystal keep. Ranger of the Moon and Star or something along those lines.

Edit: Moonwarded Ranger. Hmn... You lose "Combat Mastery" (but keep Combat Style & Improved Combat Style), I'm not sure this would work with the Wild Shaping Variant. Guess there is always a Monks belt.

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[Post 19]
Author : Aramas
Date : 10-26-07 07:31 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Attributes: (assuming 28 point buy)

 Str: 8 
 Dex: 8
 Con: 16 (8 + 8 points)
 Int: 14 (8 + 6 points)
 Wis: 21 (8 + 8 points + 5 levels)
 Cha: 10 (8 + 2 points)


Your stats are wrong.  It takes 10 points to buy a 16 not 8.  Stat points are 1 for 1 up to 14.  15 and 16 are 2 for 1.  17 and 18 are 3 for 1.

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[Post 20]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-26-07 07:33 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Your stats are wrong.  It takes 10 points to buy a 16 not 8.  Stat points are 1 for 1 up to 14.  15 and 16 are 2 for 1.  17 and 18 are 3 for 1.

the stats are correct, just change the 8 points in 10 points.

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[Post 21]
Author : ed209
Date : 10-27-07 08:11 AM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

... If you're going with the Sword of the Arcane Order feat, and are allowed to use Dragon Magazine, I recommend the Mystic Ranger. (issue 336) Slowed ability advancement, loss of shields, martial melee weapons, and animal companion gain you improved and accelerated spellcasting; 5th level spells by 10th level. Plus, you should be able to apply the Wildshape variant as well...

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[Post 22]
Author : Ander Spectacular
Date : 10-27-07 11:24 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I don't understand the point of your build really.  Can you explain why you think this progression is the most optimized for your needs? 

MoMF would be vastly superior to this for wildshaping.
Rogue would be superior to this for trapfinding/sneaking.
Druid would be vastly superior to this for spellcasting.

What are you optimizing in this build?  As far as I can tell you have limited wildshape capability(especially for combat forms), ranger spellcasting(is that ever really worth it?), and you essentially trade away all of the signature ranger abilities for ACFs.  Practiced Spellcaster as an 18th level feat is very far from optimal as well.

So what is your intention with this build?  Are you trying to be wildshape focused?  I just cannot see how this build gives you the best results.  As an FYI, Ranger5/MoMF7/Warshaper3/virtually anything 5 would be a far better usage of wild shape ranger to gain wildshape abilities.  As it is, it just looks like you wanted to toss Dragon Wildshape in on a Ranger and see what happened.
-AS-

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[Post 23]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 10-28-07 02:10 AM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

MoMF would be vastly superior to this for wildshaping.
Rogue would be superior to this for trapfinding/sneaking.
Druid would be vastly superior to this for spellcasting.

MoMF loses spells, requires a feat to continue your skills, you lose skill points and all that for extra wild shape forms. While you get a great feat at level 12 that grants you the capstone ability of MoMF (dragon wild shape) even more optimized (as you get both the supernatural and extraordinary abilities of the form you choose). I don't think that trading ranger levels is any better in this particular case.

Why rogue is superior for trapfinding and sneaking :S ? They get the same class skills right?

Druid is superior than nearly anything, is that a reason for all players to play only druids, clerics and wizards?

What are you optimizing in this build?  As far as I can tell you have limited wildshape capability(especially for combat forms), ranger spellcasting(is that ever really worth it?), and you essentially trade away all of the signature ranger abilities for ACFs.  Practiced Spellcaster as an 18th level feat is very far from optimal as well.

This build combines a number of great features, such as:

 Full BAB
 6+int skill points
 Wild Shape
 Spells (arcane and divine)

While it may not be as optimized as a full caster, but it is definitely better than the average melee combatant.

I don't think changing in a incarnum dragon, shadow dragon, faerie dragon, ambush drake or legendary ape is "limited".

I think that ranger spellcasting is ok with sword of the arcane order. Also minor shapeshift can be fueled with the previous feat and that's not bad either (since your swift actions are generally left unused).

What are the ranger's signature abilities? Combat Style? I would trade combat style for wild shape most of the times.

So what is your intention with this build?  Are you trying to be wildshape focused?  I just cannot see how this build gives you the best results.  As an FYI, Ranger5/MoMF7/Warshaper3/virtually anything 5 would be a far better usage of wild shape ranger to gain wildshape abilities.  As it is, it just looks like you wanted to toss Dragon Wildshape in on a Ranger and see what happened.
-AS-

If i wanted to be wild-shape focused, i would have used a boring MoMF build. The build you provide is sure better in wildshape, but what about skill points? Spells?
You pay a lot of attention to wild-shape, but you fail to notice that the build combines darkstalker, sword of the arcane order, minor shapeshift and dragon wild shape, which all are great even separately.

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[Post 24]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 12-21-07 12:06 AM
Thread Title : Mystra's Assassin

A ranger in service of Mystra, who focuses on using his divine skills to track down spellcasters that threaten the weave intrigues me. Of course, i don't propose that this is a lockdown version, although it does have some anti-spellcasting abilities. The build is playable at 6th level and after, when wild shape abilities are gained.

Ranger 1   Track, Darkstalker
Monk   1   Stunning Fist, Improved Unarmed Strike
Ranger 2   Ascetic Hunter
Ranger 3
Ranger 4
Ranger 5   Extra Wild Shape retrained to Natural Spell
Ranger 6
Ranger 7
Ranger 8   Sword of the Arcane Order
Ranger 9
Monk   2   Combat Reflexes
Ranger 10  Dragon Wild Shape
Ranger 11
Ranger 12
Ranger 13  Minor Shapeshift
Ranger 14
Ranger 15
Ranger 16  Practiced Spellcaster
Ranger 17
Ranger 18

Class Features:

 Lawful Neutral
 BAB 19.
 CL 13.
 Wisdom to AC.
 Unarmed Damage 2d10.
 Favored Enemies +10 Arcanists/+2 four others.
 Woodland Stride.
 Evasion.
 Hide in Plain Sight

Alternative Class Features:

 Wild Shape progression, lose Combat Style.
 Shooting Star substitution levels.
 Arcane Hunter.
 Trap Expert, lose track
 Voice of the City, lose Wild Empathy.
 Planar Ranger (to get your spells work on fiendish/celestial versions of animals).
 Planar Ranger substitution level at 13, lose camouflage.
 Spell Reflection (you gain evasion from ranger, so no need for two instances of this ability).

With an enemy spirit pouch that applies to arcanists (hopefully the DM will allow this) you got a stunning fist DC for arcanists equal to 31+
You are adept at tracking enemy spellcasters (or leading assassin squads) even at other planes (planar ranger level), especially with the huge bonus from your favored enemy.
Defensive abilities include evasion, spell reflection and wild shape. Trapfinding is there to thwart magical traps of enemy casters.
When offensive on high levels, tactics involve changing into a dragon shape that provides spell resistance or a shadow dragon to debuff your target. Keeping up your hit points with the temporary hit point battery of minor shapeshift.

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[Post 25]
Author : jameswilliamogle
Date : 01-08-08 03:39 PM
Thread Title : Re: Mystra's Assassin

Mageslayer seems very flavorful for that, and is ridiculoulsly useful.  I don't know what you'd replace it for, though...  Maybe Minor Shapeshift?  That's a ridiculously good feat, but there's so many swift-action spells on the Ranger list... I dunno...

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[Post 26]
Author : Ander Spectacular
Date : 01-08-08 03:52 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Still not sure what you are trying to optimize with this.  With all those ranger levels shouldn't you have Swift Hunter?  Its a nice build, but not one that is very powerful, sort of like an unoptimized bard..
-AS-

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[Post 27]
Author : Person_Man
Date : 01-08-08 08:05 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Instead of Dragon Wild Shape, you may wish to go with Aberration Wild Shape from Lords of Madness.  It's a lot more versatile, in my opinion.

If you can fit in two levels of Stalker of Kharash or Harper Paragon, you'll get Favored Enemy (Evil).  This opens up all sorts of fun:

Favored Power Attack: Comp Warrior: 2:1 ratio on your Power Attack against your Favored Enemies.

Wise to Your Ways: Ghostwalk: Add your Favored Enemy bonus to saving throws against the standard extraordinary, spell-like, and supernatural abilities of your Favored Enemy. 

Nemesis: Book of Exalted Deeds: Pinpoint the square of any Favored Enemy within 60 feet, and an extra +1d6 damage against Evil Favored Enemies.  This is a great option for Arcane Hunters too, since it essentially gives you a superior version of Blindsense.

Stalker of Kharash even progresses spellcasting, making it a good fit for a Ranger with Sword of the Arcane Order.  The down side is that you lose HD of Wildshape.  It's a tough call.

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[Post 28]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 02-03-08 01:47 AM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

most of these feats are accessible by heroics. Swapping practiced spellcaster for nemecis may work, but it'll require you to be lawful good and you probably won't be able to be a mystra follower.
Dragon wild shape is plain broken abberation wild shape IIRC requires another feat.

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[Post 29]
Author : Tshern
Date : 02-03-08 02:04 AM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

You probably want to buy Mantle of the Beast from Complete Champion. Swift action wildshaping and gives +1 enhancement bonus to your attack and damage when using natural weapons.

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[Post 30]
Author : Elephant Jack
Date : 02-05-08 05:57 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

I'm considering to play a similar character at expedition to the demonweb pits... the longer I look at this concept, the more I come to the conclusion, that "Sword of the Arcane Order" isn't really needed.

You can use eternal wands without this feat and one feat to get some once or twice per day arcane spells is a bit expensive. Much more interesting would be a decent way to get Use Magic Device as a class skill, per Apprentice (spellcaster) for example.

For plain combat I second the idea of using Aberration Wild Shape... some enlarged grell is a decent grappler with tons of natural attacks and a reach of ~20 ft plus paralysis.

[1] Apprentice (spellcaster)
[3] *open*
[6] Natural Spell
[9] Aberration Wild Shape
[12] Dragon Wild Shape

This would be a very basic setup. If I'd have access to savage species, I'd definitively get Assume Supernatural Ability for use with Aberration Wild Shape.

Ah, btw: Trapkiller prevents you from taking the 8th shooting star sub-level - both require you to give up "swift tracker". I'd take trapkiller for 9/10 of my characters.

I'd really like to get some ideas for itemization... which items need a wilding clasp?

EJ

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[Post 31]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 02-05-08 07:01 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

i can say that i have included sword of the arcane order only for the minor shapeshift bomb . Generally, every feat he has is great.
I don't know if natural spell is worth it. If using the starting build, dragons can speak so you won't probably have any problem with that.
Anyway, the point to this is to create a functioning build that can fill different roles in the party, without taking MoMF, which i don't enjoy.

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[Post 32]
Author : Elephant Jack
Date : 02-05-08 09:41 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Well, until now I always thought the ranger spelllist did include some kind of polymorph spell (like the aspect of ... spells from SpC). The Minor Shapeshift feat is indeed a nice reason to include Sword of the Arcane Order.
Anyway, the point to this is to create a functioning build that can fill different roles in the party, without taking MoMF, which i don't enjoy.
That's the reason why I like your build - it has lots of elegance and is indeed able to fulfill many roles in a party.

Nevertheless, Apprentice (spellcaster) would be a good addition.

EJ

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[Post 33]
Author : Dictum Mortuum
Date : 02-05-08 10:25 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Nevertheless, Apprentice (spellcaster) would be a good addition.EJ

of course, getting UMD as class skill is great.

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[Post 34]
Author : PhaedrusXY
Date : 02-05-08 11:21 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Well, until now I always thought the ranger spelllist did include some kind of polymorph spell (like the aspect of ... spells from SpC). In 3.0, Polymorph Self was on the ranger list. I was quite ****** when they took it off with the revision. I got over it, though.

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[Post 35]
Author : Shrympscampi
Date : 02-06-08 10:16 PM
Thread Title : Re: CO Build: The Ranger

Nice build.

I, also, like the apprentice (spellcaster) feat.  What preferred ranger spell would you take?

I am in process of building a goblin ranger(wildshape) 5, Stonedeath assassin 2, Daggerspell shaper 2 and this thread has been very helpful.

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Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-24-08 10:03 AM.

[DavidWL]

An old build I made where we assumes that the Chameleon's casting of haste can meet the special prereq of the swiftblade.  (It may be that planar touchstone (catalogues of enlightenment (time domain ) ) ) would also function...  Barring that, a 1 level dip in Trapsmith would do the trick - just swap out a level of fighter and re-order a bit.

Human Dark Creature with LA buyoff (or full-day Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis instead of Dark Creature Template)

Classes:
Feat Rogue 2/Cobra Strike Monk 2/Human Paragon 3/Chameleon 2/Swiftblade 9/Fighter 2

Alternative Class Features:
Spell Reflexion instead of evasion for Monk
2 Fighter Feats instead of sneak attack for Rogue

Total Feats: 7 (levels) +2 (feat rogue) +1 (human Paragon) +2 (fighter) + 1 floating (chameleon) + Dodge (Monk) + Mobility (Monk) + Spring Attack (Swiftblade) + Bounding Assault (Swiftblade)

Feat Choices:

• Skillmonkey:

   

• Able Learner
• Dark Stalker

 

• Defensive:

   

• Combat Expertise (w/ other free feats) => Word Given Form (p218, ToM)
• Karmic Strike
• Sidestep
• Combat Reflexes

 

• Offensive:

   

• Shot on the run
• Woodland Archer
• Point Blank Shot
• Rapid Shot
• Many Shot
• Greater Many Shot

 

• 1 floating feat from Chameleon

Perks:

Very Effective Archer: BAB = 16. Takes a standard action to attack, gets 4 attacks from Greater manyshot, Can move before and after from Shot on the run, and can do it while hiding from Woodland Archer. Also has full access to all of the ranger spells.

Amazing with Hide: Can hide extremely effectively with Darkstalker, Word Without Form for Total Concealment from 1 opponent, and Hide in Plain Sight and hide bonuses from Dark Creature Template

Great Skill Access: Has full skill access from Rogue + Human Paragon, many skill points from the focus on intelligence, has these skills as class skills forever from Able Learner. Trapfinding.

Very Strong Defensively: Has a 50% miss chance vs. all, and if missed with spells, then the spells rebound via Spell Reflexion. Evasion. Total concealment vs. opponent who is the target of a dodge bonus. Can use Karmic Strike and Sidestep to attack in response to attacks as well as avoid full attacks.
Strong and Flexible Caster: Casting = Chameleon 10 for arcane casting => 20 CL, Any 6th level arcane spell.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I don't think it really changes much in the final build, but the Quorbred template gives a -2 Wis and -4 Cha that aren't accounted for in the most recent Chameleon multithreat.

[X-Codes]

Just what we need, another thread necromancer.

[DavidWL]

I don't think it really changes much in the final build, but the Quorbred template gives a -2 Wis and -4 Cha that aren't accounted for in the most recent Chameleon multithreat.

Thanks Nebuchadnezzar - updated.  - Best, David

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Just what we need, another thread necromancer.

]

I just liked the build, man. I'm sorry you were put out.

[DavidWL]

Frank & K
http://code.google.com/p/awesometome/downloads/detail?name=Tome0.7rev95.pdf

Notes to self / class summary: (Some cool things to play)

adjusted monster: CR ~= level - 1
- Elemental Weird w/ Astral Projection is awesome for winning the knowledge game.  14th level

Fighter - 10 cool bonus feats, great chasis (HD, skills, saves), starting at 7th: immediate action interrupts + extra immediate actions.  "The uberman + ~lockdown"

Samurai - Bonus combat feats, at 8th: attack magic, ignore defenses (DR, Hardness, spells granting AC, Armor, etc.), very powerful attacks of opportunity. "Powerful in combat / well-rounded"

Ninja - free surprise round + amazing initiative, powerful invisibility effects, powerful attacks vs. flatfooted (eventually all people are flatfooted), a range of Ex/Su abilities that duplicate spells.  "Random Coolness"

Thaumaturge - cast anything spontaneously, a little metamagic goodness, few spells per day.  Make it a doubly for staying power?  (Anima Mage, Arcane Archer, etc.?).  Cha Focused Thamaturge + Anima Mage = nice.

Conduit of the lower planes - 5 spheres in 10 levels.  Magic and Oracle = awesome.  5 levels for Expert "Magic Sphere", for example ...

Prestige classes = awesome
- many powerful magical ones that are transformational, metamagic multiplying, or arcane/combat
- Enlightened Disciple of Wel Hung Temple (like Sohei, but earlier access to coolness - p208).  Faster version of Sohei ... very cool.  If "Enlightenment: We Are All Connected" were your only class feature in a game you would be effective.

Feats of special note:
Danger Sense / Alerness /
Blitz / Dreadful Demeanor / Frightful Presence
Insightful Strike = wisdom attacking
Mage Slayer
Two Weapon Fighting
Expert Counterfeiter (make free scrolls @16) / Item Master (don't use consumables w/ roll)
ghost step/ Stealthy

Some Build Sketches:
* Sohei 5/ Enlightened Disciple of Wel Hung Temple 10/Conduit of the Lower Planes 5 (Sphere = Magic) - coolness + magic
* Elemental Weird 14/Conduit of the Lower Planes 6 (Sphere = Magic) - wins the knowledge game
* Fighter 15/Conduit of the Lower Planes 5 (Sphere = Magic) - ultimate generalist