Soulguard with planar turning?

[tfunke]

Hi all, making a good build has never been one of my strong suits, so advice welcome please.
I'm looking to make a 'soulguard' (cleric is probably closest) that has planar turning. Problem is, planar turning requires an insane 25 Wis & Cha.
Fortunately, I will be using XP rewards from my building efforts to level the character up above the lower levels, so I can avoid the (most likely) painful lower levels of a build like this.

I realize the character isn't going to be a great melee build and probably not very intelligent either, but hey, that's all part of the fun.

Any advice on how best to achieve this? (PM if you prefer)

Thanks.

[tfunke]

Whoops, I read the wrong information source.
Luckily for planar turning, you only need 25 charisma, not 25 wisdom as well.

[NegInfinity]

Err... so the problem is to have 25 cha and wis as a cleric?

You CAN do that.

Aasimar, CLR 30, start with...

Str 11, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 19.

Put all points into wisdom.

At levels 21..27 pick Great Charisma 6 times.
At level 28 you'll have 25 cha and 25 wis and you'll be able to pick two feats on level 29.

The thing is, such low (str/con) stats are most likely quite horrible for a cleric.

Are you sure it requires 25 in BOTH cha and wis?

Because:
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Planar_Turning

[tfunke]

Are you sure it requires 25 in BOTH cha and wis?

Because:
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Planar_Turning

I read an old source. Nwn2 originally had 25 wis/cha as pre-reqs, but the wisdom got removed on update 1.23. So that helps give the character more leeway. Since it is charisma only, perhaps a favored soul would be a better match? (do they get turning as well?)

[NegInfinity]

Are you sure it requires 25 in BOTH cha and wis?

Because:
http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Planar_Turning

I read an old source. Nwn2 originally had 25 wis/cha as pre-reqs, but the wisdom got removed on update 1.23. So that helps give the character more leeway.

A cleric with "Evil" domain will get planar turning for free. So that's the other option.

For BGTSCC it means Auril, Bane, Beshaba, Bhaal, Gargauth, Loviatar, Malar, Mask, Myrkul, Shar, Talona, Talos, Umberlee and others.

Some of those can be interesting.

[tfunke]

Haha was just about to type that. Soulguards aren't evil, so I have to go the planar turning route, sadly Otherwise getting it at 1st level would be awesome.

[Tsidkenu]

Might be better to make a level 30 CHA paladin then?

If you do go the cleric route it would be a shame to invest so heavily in Charisma and not also receive all the yummy bonuses to turning that a class such as Morninglord of Lathander would also give you. Obviously that has to fit your RP idea and it may not, but all those free bonus turning feats would really make a build aiming for Planar Turning useful in any other area containing undead or outsiders.

Maybe you could try somthing like Cleric 11/Morninglord 10/Hierophant 6/Paladin 3?

On the hierophant levels you can take a few of the turning or healing based bonus feats. That kind of build doesn't really need more than 30 CL from hierophant spell power as it is not going to be a DC caster; you'll be a buff & bash cleric mostly.

The paladin dip is purely for CHA to saves and martial proficiency. Nothing else. It could be dropped for 3 or 4 levels of Divine Champion for a few extra fighter-based feats if you don't like that kind of cheese or don't want to invest in an RP heavy class such as paladin (even if its only a dip).

[Steve]

Can a "soulguard" be Neutral? Or possibly Lawful Neutral:

Those of this alignment view regulation as all-important, taking a middle ground betwixt evil and good. This is because the ultimate harmony of the world--and the whole universe--is considered by lawful neutral creatures to have its sole hope rest upon law and order. Evil or good are immaterial beside the determined purpose of bringing all to predictability and regulation. It is the view of this alignment that law and order give purpose and meaning to everything. Without regimentation and strict definition, there would be no purpose in the cosmos. Therefore, whether a law is good or evil is of no import as long as it brings order and meaning.

Considering Outsiders range the entire spectrum in their alignments, your toon's purpose could simply be to "guard the gates" of the Prime from the Planar realms. That actually could be some damn interesting RP, since Good and Evil are secondary to the Toon's self-determined ideas of order and meaning.

Also, some of the Deities that grant the Evil Domain also support Neutral-based aligned PCs. So though it may be a slight stretch, one can justify the Character.

But I'd also like to say that it is plain stupid that only the Evil domain grants Turn Outsider.

[ragnarok1983]

Can a "soulguard" be Neutral? Or possibly Lawful Neutral:

Those of this alignment view regulation as all-important, taking a middle ground betwixt evil and good. This is because the ultimate harmony of the world--and the whole universe--is considered by lawful neutral creatures to have its sole hope rest upon law and order. Evil or good are immaterial beside the determined purpose of bringing all to predictability and regulation. It is the view of this alignment that law and order give purpose and meaning to everything. Without regimentation and strict definition, there would be no purpose in the cosmos. Therefore, whether a law is good or evil is of no import as long as it brings order and meaning.

Considering Outsiders range the entire spectrum in their alignments, your toon's purpose could simply be to "guard the gates" of the Prime from the Planar realms. That actually could be some damn interesting RP, since Good and Evil are secondary to the Toon's self-determined ideas of order and meaning.

Also, some of the Deities that grant the Evil Domain also support Neutral-based aligned PCs. So though it may be a slight stretch, one can justify the Character.

But I'd also like to say that it is plain stupid that only the Evil domain grants Turn Outsider.

Right!? Cuz it's not like "Good" domain gods want to turn devils/demons or anything.

[ragnarok1983]

And tfunke... love the concept/challenge. Definitely a unique challenge/character and I haven't heard of one on the server yet.

[tfunke]

Thanks for the tips. You've all basically got it already, because most of what is said above is what I've gone with. I've actually just gone ahead and made it now before reading above. He's level 18.

Character is lawful-neutral (soulguards are usually LG, or LN) -i prefer the non-zealot route.
I went with cleric/hierophant (for as described above, the healing and improved turning abilities granted by hierophant class).

In the past I have made powerbuilds, so I'm quite happy to have some serious flaws in my new toon (low str/dex and int).

Feel free to use the concept of a soulguard, if you find it intriguing. The more the merrier

Soulguards are openly opposed to the practices of the devils and are especially outraged by their foul bargains with mortals and their stealing of souls. They go to great lengths to protect those beset by the power of the Baatezu. Soulguards are almost always paladins or clerics, but they can also be druids or favored souls. Soulguards always have the alignment of either Lawful-good or Lawful-neutral.

If anyone does like the idea of trying this, let me know. We could align our backstories so that perhaps we know each, and/or are part of the same sect/church. -I'm still trying to decide on my characters backstory.

[Beachgamer]

This is a very interesting class. I didn't know it existed actually but very similiar mission/goal for my future PC. Kinda like a planar guardian type. Ive been reading Exalted Deeds quite a bit to fully flesh out the RP concept and for some inspiration. Haven't decided on a class or race yet but will definately look for your PC once I do. Good luck! This sounds great!