Being Bane: A Guide To Cracking Small Men

[Solo]

I do use Warshaper in a few builds. Haven't explicitly mentioned it in the prestige class section, though. will probably talk about it in the Bear Warrior description, though.

[Solo]

Solo, care to do a revamp of the Hood guide for BG?

I can't do that, but I can give you something amusing to put in it.

"No. No. No no no no no no no. No I will not, Endarire, you Hood-whoring jerk. I have had about enough of you plugging your awesome battle jumping build, the likes of which would put Mario to shame in terms of enemies crushed under its boots. I will not help you spread the magnificence of the "death from above" style of fighting, since not only would it be encouraging you to keep plugging your spectacular Hood build at every opportunity, but also because it will detract from my work, and I never help the competition no matter how great their ideas may be. You'll find no kind words nor sympathy from me for your elegant combat vaulter, so why I suggest you pack up and leave now before I give you a real tongue lashing."
-Solo, on Hoods

[ShneekeyTheLost]

If I may humbly suggest my (as of yet unfinished) Incredible Hulk build? If the optimizers on the board would be so kind as to help me finish it off, that would be nice. I kind of hit a couple of speed-bumps putting the thing together, but I think the overall chassis works well for the concept.

Bruce Banner
"Don't make me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry..."

CG/Male/Strongheart Halfling/ Monk (Overwhelming Attack style) 2/Stoneblessed3/Crusader1/Barbarian1/Hulking Hurler2/War Hulk10/FB1
Init +Dex, Senses: Listen +, Spot +,
Languages Common, Terran, Goliath
------------------------------------------------
AC 18, touch 18, flat-footed (13)
hp ( HD)
Fort +, Ref +, Will +
------------------------------------------------
Speed20 ft. ( squares)
Melee
Base Atk +8 (+15 unarmed), Grp +
Atk Options Full attack: 6d8+16, or 6d8+48 on a charge) +25/+25/+20/+15 or Throw: 8d6+41 (+25)
Combat Gear
Supernatural Abilities
-----------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 6, Dex 20, Con 16 (20 after level-points applied), Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 (38 point buy)
SQ
Feats Power Attack (monk bonus), Improved Bull Rush (Monk bonus), Point Blank Shot (racial bonus), (1st level feat open), Weapon Focus (rocks) (3rd level), Cleave (6th level), Intimidating Rage (9th), Destructive Rage (12th)
Skills
Possessions Necklace of Natural Attacks +1 Skillful, Valorous; Monk's Belt

Offensive capabilities:
Pounce + PA/Shock Trooper/FB/Leap Attack + Flurry + Attacking every opponent within reach as an attack action = lots of hits per turn at lots of damage.
Hulking Hurler for... well... I don't abuse Cancer Mage, or tauren template, but everyone know what HH is for.
Shards of Granite lets him bypass DR of opponents, making constructs and other high-DR opponents with obscure or complicated weaknesses whimper in fear

Defensive capabilities:
Stone Power allows him to negate the first 10 damage per round, this is applied after DR, as it is temp hit points that are refreshed every round
Various Stone Dragon strikes for additional DR
Other methods of DR which can be obtained via throwing WBL at the problem
Martial Spirit stance lets him heal 2 points per blow landed on an opponent. Considering how many blows he's got, this is significant
Various Devoted Spirit maneuvers for spot healing
Evasion from Monk2
Cloak of Displacement, Lesser and +5 to all saves to negate sneak attacks and boost saves. 20% miss chance also helps cut down on the number of hits received

So it really doesn't matter that his AC is going to literally be negatives when he charges, because he's got better things to mitigate damage with than AC.

Battlefield Control capabilities
Intimidating Rage + Never Outnumbered. I don't think I can squeeze Imperious Command into this build, it's too feat-starved as it is
I don't think I can fit Improved Trip into the build, but with as many attacks as he is cranking out, it would be... exceedingly useful. Knockback also would work, since there's no way he's going to not 'proc' it if he can find a way to squeeze it in.

So, would anyone care to help me flesh this bad boy out and add Big Mean Green to the list of "Nerdy Finger Waggler Crushers"?

[dark_samuari]

While I typically approach The Incredible Hulk with psionics this is a pretty traditional (and well) style of constructing the green, mean machine.

The one issue I would perhaps inquiry towards is what can this character do when not in combat. While the Incredible Hulk is important, there is also Bruce Banner.

Focus on giving your build a Bruce Banner aspect (perhaps some ranks in heal?).

[ShneekeyTheLost]

With a high Int score, he's got access to a larger than normal skill selection. Ranks in Profession (Scientist) or Knowledge (Biogenetics) would be appropriate.

[dark_samuari]

With a high Int score, he's got access to a larger than normal skill selection. Ranks in Profession (Scientist) or Knowledge (Biogenetics) would be appropriate.

But this character is for Dungeons & Dragons, not d20 Modern.

Regardless profession is an awful skill.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Do we now have two competing barbarian handbooks?

[Solo]

If you can call the other one "competition".

[Flay Crimsonwind]

It does lack your style.

[Vistella]

Complete Champion Errata:
Page 46 – Totem Manifestation –
Lion Totems [Substitution]
The second sentence should read, “As
a standard action, you can roar,
requiring every creature within a
30-foot radius to succeed on a Will
save (DC 10 + 1/2 your barbarian
level + your Str modifier) or be
shaken for a number of rounds equal
to your barbarian level.”

that basicly means no more pounce for barbs, no?

[weenog]

Complete Champion Errata:
Page 46 – Totem Manifestation –
Lion Totems [Substitution]
The second sentence should read, “As
a standard action, you can roar,
requiring every creature within a
30-foot radius to succeed on a Will
save (DC 10 + 1/2 your barbarian
level + your Str modifier) or be
shaken for a number of rounds equal
to your barbarian level.”

that basicly means no more pounce for barbs, no?

Nope.  Pounce isn't from Totem Manifestation, it's from Spiritual Totem (the 1st-level ability that replaces fast movement).  Totem Manifestation is the 7th-level ability that replaces damage reduction, and in Lion's case it reads

Lion Totem: If you select the lion as your spiritual totem, he rewards you with the ability to loose a powerful and intimidating roar.  When you roar, every creature within a 30-foot radius must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 your barbarian level + your Str modifier) or be shaken for a number of rounds equal to your barbarian level.  This ability can be used once per day, and you gain an additional use per day at each level at which your damage reduction would increase (10th, 13th, 16th, and 19th levels).

All the errata is doing is specifying what action type it takes to roar.

[Vistella]

ah, whoops, ok, my bad

didnt read closely enough

[Rymosrac]

Lt. Commander Worf: Of course, our tricorders will be useless from now on.
Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax: There you go again - looking for the cloud in the silver lining.
Lt. Commander Worf: I am not complaining. I look forward to walking through the jungle without a map and no idea what lies ahead.
Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax: Well, the funny thing is, you probably are.
-Star Trek, The Next Generation

<nerd>
I like how you think Jadzia Dax was in The Next Generation.
</nerd>

[Solo]

Fuck you.

[Rymosrac]

umad?


Ontopic: Almost as hilarious and exponentially more useful than the truenamer guide. Solo got moves. What are the odds you'd want to add useful templates to the races section? There's a few gems hidden away like proto-creature from bestiary of krynn (dragonlance) that are absolutely golden for barbarians.

[A_Shadow_of_Life]

Lt. Commander Worf: Of course, our tricorders will be useless from now on.
Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax: There you go again - looking for the cloud in the silver lining.
Lt. Commander Worf: I am not complaining. I look forward to walking through the jungle without a map and no idea what lies ahead.
Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax: Well, the funny thing is, you probably are.
-Star Trek, The Next Generation

<nerd>
I like how you think Jadzia Dax was in The Next Generation.
</nerd>

Being Bane: A Guide to Cracking Small Men

Though I must say, you have a flare for words Solo, sometimes it is slightly difficult to search through the words and hunt down straight out information on races. (Suggestion: Flavor followed by technical information would be extremely appreciated good sir!)

[Solo]

Suggestion: go to the Barbarian Information Compilation for that.

[A_Shadow_of_Life]

Also, Battle Blessing does -not- make your casting Charisma based. It allows you to cast your Paladin spells as swift actions.

BATTLE BLESSING
You can cast spells more quickly than usual in the heat of battle.
Prerequisites: Ability to cast paladin spells.
Benefit: You can cast most of your paladin spells faster than normal. If the spell normally requires a standard action, you can cast it as a swift action. If it normally requires a full round to cast, you can cast it as a standard action. Spells with longer or shorter casting times are not affected by this feat.

EDIT:
Brawndo the Thirst Mutilator: It’s like a monster truck you can pour into your face. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to crush a human skill with your fists? Well, wonder no longer, because Brawndo TASTES how that would FEEL! Made with 100% concentrated RAGE!

Where is this?

[Solo]

Also, Battle Blessing does -not- make your casting Charisma based. It allows you to cast your Paladin spells as swift actions.

Do we even have that in the feats list?

[A_Shadow_of_Life]

You mentioned it in the Prestige Classes area

Champion of Gwynharwyf [BoED]: Just walking the road of a Barbarian does not mean abandoning your deities. On the contrary, the life of strife can bring you closer to your deity than a life of service ever could. Champions are Barbarians elevated by their deities to be their champions and fight in the forefront of the battle of deities manifesting itself on the material world once again. Such is certainly worth something. Let us scan the costs:

Prerequisites: Two feats; Knight of Stars and Righteous Wrath. 9 ranks in Intimidate, and BAB +6. Hefty entry price, but mayhap there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Chaotic Good alignment is likewise required.

Class features: Barbarian saves, skills, HD, BAB and everything else. This is all too familiar for us already. To the more unique part:

Detect Evil: Like a Paladin, you can detect the presence of evil creatures. This will help you in your struggle for a better world by beating the crap out of things.

Rage: You continue to advance as if a Barbarian. Most excellent.

Smite Evil: Like a Paladin, you learn to imbue a strike per day with divine energy dealing grievous wounds to the wicked. You gain only few uses overall, maxing out at 3 on level 9. As this is Charisma-based, you’re unlike to make much use of it anyways, although the extra damage is always worthwhile. Nevertheless, this is a minor ability and should be treated as such.

Spells: Now this is a reason to choose the path of a divine champion; you learn to cast a small number of divine spells to better thwart the evil Wizards’ magic and to hit them in the head even harder! This is Wisdom-based, which is definitely doable as Wisdom is already useful anyways and you only need 14 for your highest level magic. Their magic protects and enhances their combat ability, so you must still do the attacking, but your god can empower your strikes.

Furious Casting: This is what the class is all about; in spite of the Rage, you can use magic! Truly wonderful ability, and granted on level two.

Divine Grace: Like a Paladin, you can use your Force of Will to protect you from harmful magic. Unless you use the Battle Blessing [CC] feat to cast based on Charisma though, you’re unlike to have enough for relevant bonuses. As a bonus though, Charisma-focused Champion makes for a mighty intimidater too.

Damage Reduction: Over the span of 10 levels, you get 5/- DR. This is actually a big better than the standard Barbarian-ability and can be sometimes helpful due to the relatively fast progression. Don’t rely on this to keep you alive though.

Resist Enhancement: Further defenses for your mind; it never hurts to be more secure against enhancements. This is on character level 9 too so you get it way before it becomes trivial.

Fearsome Fury: This adds perfectly to the Intimidate-combo! You get an effective extra Intimidate vs. everyone! Imperious Command it up and you have a bunch of opponents most definitely cowering in your feet! Truly an ability worth taking the class for.

Energy Resistance: So yes, you get a resistance to an energy type on 5 and it improves on 10. Free bonuses never hurt anyone.

Immunity to Charm and Compulsion: Free immunities never hurt anyone.

Verdict: Yes! For a charismatic Barbarian, or one interested in spellcasting, this is a wonderful class. Nobody else would even be interested, so in short, this rocks! More than 8 levels is probably a waste, though.