Pimp my Ride (Build Help)

[Zym]

Looking for build input, mainly not sure on Feats I may have missed (misplaced) or should definately take or where to go beyond 15th (was trying to get into Mystic Theurge but looks bleak).
As a general note we practice Stoptimization (basically don't go too far).
Probably too much to read over but for those willing here goes....(and thanks in advance).

Set-up/Gen Rules:
Point Buy: 36 (Min 8/Max 18 (before Racial/Template Adj))
Max Classes: 4 (Base Class/Paragon/PrC)
No: Alternate Class Features/Variant Classes/Savage Progressions/Racial Subs/Adaptations/LA Buyoff
Starting Factors: Enslaved - No Gear
Variant Spells: The PC may gain “Unusual (non-core book lists)” Spells at a rate of ½ related Stat Mod only at each new "Spell" Level gained. This statement includes Powers, Invocations, etc.
Starting Level: ECL 3
Campaign: Underdark (cant play Drow/Druegar, some other Non-Underdark Race exclusions)
Notes: Poison Use and Creating Mindless Undead are not Evil Acts (BoVD)

Build Stub: Warlock 1/Cleric 1/Necropolitan

Build Plan: Cleric 3/Warlock 2/Eldritch Disciple 10 - Not sure after this - would like to boost Clr/Wrl abilities as much as possible

Unnamed ATM: Necropolitan; Hellbred (spirit) Wrl1/Clr1: CR 2; ECL 2; Size M; HD 2d12; hp 24; Init +1; Spd 30 ft; AC 11, touch 11, FF 10; Grapple +1; Atk: +1 melee (1d3 + 1, Unarmed), +4 ranged touch

Special Qualities: Evil Exception, Hellbound, Infernal Aspect (spirit), Darkvision 60' ft., Resist Control, Turn Resistance, Undead Traits (Necropolitan), Unnatural Resilience

Alignment: CN

Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +7;

Stats: Str 12, Dex 12, Con 0, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 16. (Starting: 12/12/8/14/18/14; -2 con. +2 Cha from Hellbred)

Languages spoken: Infernal, Undercommon

Domains: Undeath, Spell

Skills: Concentration +7, Craft (Other) +5, Diplomacy +4, Knowledge (Planes) +6, Knowledge (Religion) +7, Spellcraft +5, Use Magic Device +7

Feats: Devil's Favor (Racial Bonus), Extra Turning (Domain Undeath), Improved Toughness, Mortalbane, Zen Archery.

Flaws: Light Senstivity, Short Attention Span

Traits: Nimble (-1 Fort/+1 Will saves), Graceful (-1 Fort/+1 Ref)

Special Abilities: Aura, Bonus Languages, Darkvision, Domain Spell, Domain Undeath, Eldritch Blast, Evil Exception, Graceful, Hellbound, Infernal Aspect (Spirit), Invocations,

Warlock Invocations: 1--Spiderwalk invocation.

Clr Spells: - Standard PHB Clr 1

Possible Feats:
Improved Turn Resistance (LM)
Spellcasting Prodigy  (FRCS)
Improved Toughness (CW)
Enervate Spell (LM)
Life Bond (LM)
Fell Animate (LM)
Lifesense (LM)
Divine Metamagic (CD)
Extend Spell (PHB)
Persistant Spell (CA)
Empower Turning (CD)
Quicken Turning (CD)
Improved Turning (PHB)
Divine Vigor (CD)
Battle Caster (CA)
Divine Energy Focus (GW)
Knowledge Devotion (CC)

[Sohala]

Cleric 1/Warlock 1/Cleric +3/Eldritch Disciple 5/Legacy Champion 6/Eldritch Disciple +4 sound okay?

[dark_samuari]

What are you hoping to accomplish with this type of build/character?

[emaNsdrawkcaB]

Warlock 4/ Cloistered Cleric 1/ Ur-Priest 2/ Eldritch Disciple 8/ Hellfire Warlock 3/ X 2?

Simple, not overpowered, I hope you like.

[dark_samuari]

Only four classes allowed though, so that build won't fly.

[Zym]

What are you hoping to accomplish with this type of build/character?

Well I'm kind of expermenting.

Would like to have some control of undead for speedbumps in combat and guards during downtime. Some blasting via Warlock and Cleric (will have Anyspell with the Spell Domain and will prob grab Domain Spontaneity). Not being the party prime healer but able to help out, having ranged EB heals via the Eldritch Disciple.

I'll need to bolster my self for defense and healing (via inflicts) as we tend to be short a dedicated healer in  the party. There will prob be a decent # of combats with enemy clerics around, so jacking up my Turn Resistance untill I can get Life Ward.

Optimal goal is maxing Clr for 9th lvl spells and trying to get warlock above 6d6 EB. At 15th I'll have a caster level of 12th Clr and 11th Wrl. That will leave me with 6th lvl spells and a 6d6 EB and 5 open levels. I've looked at a few PrCs that I could sneak in to that would boost Divine Casting or Arcane Casting (or a choice of one or the other). But I want to make sure I'm not missing an angel that could nab me 9th Clr Spells and 16th eff Warlock level (as much EB and Invocations would be great).

Thanks for the replies. 

 

[dark_samuari]

Have you considered a simple build of Warlock/Ur-Priest/Eldritch Disciple?

[Sohala]

As a general note we practice Stoptimization (basically don't go too far).

Made me think no to the Ur-Priest, but who knows.

[PhaedrusXY]

Can you use Divine Metamagic (Heighten) to early qualify for a Reserve feat? If so, you could use that instead of Warlock for your unlimited blasting, and avoid losing caster levels.

I know warlock is cool, but as far as making a strong character, you're just losing too much by sacrificing those caster levels. You can use the Divine Magician alternate class feature to add wizard spells to your list from the divination, necromancy, and (I forget) schools to expand your repertoire.

[Hallack]

I think the other Divine Magician school is Abjuration but I am not positive.

[emaNsdrawkcaB]

Only four classes allowed though, so that build won't fly.

Fine.

Warlock 5/ Cloistered Cleric 1/ Ur-Priest 2/ Eldritch Disciple 8/ Hellfire Warlock 3/ Warlock 2

Fixed.

[PhaedrusXY]

I think the other Divine Magician school is Abjuration but I am not positive.

That's correct. It just slipped my mind for a minute (no old age jokes, please ).

[emaNsdrawkcaB]

In the event that you do use the Divine Magician option, this might be of some use.

[Zym]

As a general note we practice Stoptimization (basically don't go too far).

Made me think no to the Ur-Priest, but who knows.

Ya no Ur-Priest, mainly because its requires Evil and we can't be Evil (looks like I missed that note) but the Ur-Priest is pretty far out there anyhow. and won't fly balance wise either.

[Dragonamedrake]

As a general note we practice Stoptimization (basically don't go too far).

Made me think no to the Ur-Priest, but who knows.

Ya no Ur-Priest, mainly because its requires Evil and we can't be Evil (looks like I missed that note) but the Ur-Priest is pretty far out there anyhow. and won't fly balance wise either.

Two things. The evil part is fluff you can talk over with your DM. If you read an Ur-Priest can also be the follower of a forgotten or dead god who cant grant spellcasting any longer. Heck make it a forgotten drow god that was good or something. Ur-Priest in the build I suggest below isnt overpowered. You wont recieve caster lvls before a normal cleric would recieve them. Even though you will have both the abilities of a warlock and a cleric, you cast less spells then a cleric, and your warlock SLA's are more limited. And lets not forget your still limited by the action economy. You cant use both the same round. It just makes you more flexible and have more endurace in dungeon crawls but your power lvl wouldnt be any highter then a straight Cleric 20.

Warlock 3/ Incarnate 1/Ur-Priest 2/ Eldritch Disciple8/ Hellfire Warlock 3/Warlock 3

Abilities:
Invocations as Warlock 17 (1 Dark)
Cleric Spells as Ur-Priest 10 (9th level cleric spells)
Rebuke Undead
14d6 Hellfire blast (No Con Penalty due to Strongheart Vest soulmeld from Incarnate)

If your looking for a more basic build try...

Warlock 9/Ur-Priest 2/Eldritch Disciple 9
Abilities:
Invocations as Warlock 18 (2 Dark Invocations)
Cleric Spells as Ur-Priest 10 (9th level cleric spells)
Rebuke Undead
BAB +13

If your dm wont allow Ur-Priest then I would suggest either going full warlock or full cleric.

[Zym]

Ok a bit more reading and some DM discussion and I have a no budge on the Alignment: Evil of the Ur-Priest. Kinda of a shame as in this particular build it wouldn't be too overpowering IMO.

Anyhow, I'm back to Clr3/Wrl2/ED10/Unsure.

I was thinking about the Dwoemerkeeper but I don't think warlock can quailfy me for "can cast arcane spells" prereq. I know the CA reference says they don't meet "can cast X level of spell" and can meet "Caster level X" or can cast X spell (if they can emulate) but not sure where a reference like the one for the Dwomerkeeper falls.

I can't use alternate classes or features so Cloistered/Divine Magician is out. No Hellfire either as Im Necropolitan and no con to drain.

I'm compiling a list of full progression PrCs of +1 prev spellcasting (and maybe just +1 divine since I really want to hit 9th spells for cleric) and trying to filter them down by prereqs and use. Biggest problem I see is as mentioned loss of clr caster lvl....I get 9th spells at 20th....and we don't play epic, so it really hurts the build to lose caster levels. Sorta looking at pure cleric/PrCs builds atm too.

Thanks for the input so far! 

[emaNsdrawkcaB]

If you''re turned off of Warlock, PhaedrusXY mentioned this trick earlier...

Can you use Divine Metamagic (Heighten) to early qualify for a Reserve feat? If so, you could use that instead of Warlock for your unlimited blasting, and avoid losing caster levels.

[Zym]

Can you use Divine Metamagic (Heighten) to early qualify for a Reserve feat? If so, you could use that instead of Warlock for your unlimited blasting, and avoid losing caster levels.

I know warlock is cool, but as far as making a strong character, you're just losing too much by sacrificing those caster levels. You can use the Divine Magician alternate class feature to add wizard spells to your list from the divination, necromancy, and (I forget) schools to expand your repertoire.

Oops sorry I missed replying to this one.

I will be taking DMM (not sure if I want Heighten or Persist or perhaps take it 2x) but yes a solid suggestion, particularly now that I'm pondering dumping warlock and still want a constant blast. As levels scale out the DMM (Heighten) Reserve will (I believe) outshine the Warlocks blast I can generate.

I'm haven't crunched the numbers vs numbers on Reserve vs EB, but even without eldritch essences I think I can still be fairly diverse with Reserve blasts. I'll miss out on the Eldritch Disciples Healing Blast but if I can squeeze in the Reach Spell feat it might be just as viable (tho I lose considerable distance).

Again, thanks for the thoughts and input.

Blasted decision making!  

[Dawnmor]

Zym: If I were you, I would go something along the lines of Warlock 1, Cleric 3, ED 1, Warlock XXX, Hellfire Warlock 3, Grab that Vest that heals ability damage by shaping a soul meld.

Grab the first level ability called ((HEALING BLAST)), now you can heal as much as your Eldritch blast can do in damage.  So you can turn your 12d6+ EB from a damage dealer to a Healing blast, Equal to the same amount of damage your EB can do......Best race for this is Pixie or if your a human guzzler, then go human.

Pixie, human, Strongheart Halfling, are the best races for this.  BUT! if you really want to have some fun, go to Oriental adventures and grab the race called ((Hygenoal)) or however you spell the shapeshifting race?,  Grab the one that allows you to go and change into a bird, a Eagle or Hawk just NOT the crane!.  But do that and fly around shooting people from the air and heal. 

[Zym]

Hellfire warlock is out as I'm going Necropolitan (but its tempting to remain alive just to give it a whirl.)

As I stand atm the build is going:

Clr4/Wrl 1/ED 10/MT 5
9th lvl spells/7d6 blast with Least/Lesser/Greater/Dark Invocations

S: 10 D:12 C:0 I:12 W:18 C:16

1st lvl feats: Magical Training/Alternate Spell Source/Zen Archery and Mortalbane (w/2 Flaws and 2 Traits) -  Still tinkering with build progression of feats and skills.

Mainly will be blasting and using undead speedbumps with a back up healer role (as I will be focused on Inflicts to heal myself and minions). I will be gathering (as soon as we free ourselves and get some cash) several of the items that boost EB damage.

As we are going to be stumbling around the Underdark, I'm going with Spiderwalk, not as cool as Flying but I've already played a Divebombing Halfdragon (well 2 campaigns ago) so I'm up for walking a previously untrod path. Besides I feel the whole wall crawling thing kinda fits with the creepy necro undead thing.

Thanks for the input.