"Mad Gnome" build help. Please?

[Chronatosis]

Long story short, I'm still pretty new to D&D as a whole. I'm no where near knowing how to build characters in any way, shape, or form. (Though I would like to get to that point eventually.)

I found a build on the Nwn2db site that looked interesting called the "Mad Gnome". I'm aware of the server rule that makes that specific build illegal because it only has 1 point in bard. I then tweaked it ever so slightly to add 2 more bard levels.
A comment on the tweak build turned up that I have no idea how to address:

Not a great level split here. On BG can't you take divine feats on any level once you already have turn undead? Or is that K feature not implented?

F12/Bb11/Bd4/BG3 would get greater rage and be able to cast heroism spells: +3 to AB.

If you're not interested in greater rage you may as well cut barbarian right back - do something like F20/Bb3/B4/BG3

I'm so confused. I tried tweaking the build further to implement his F12/Bb11/Bd4/BG3 suggestion, but that would cost me either Divine Might or Divine Shield. The combination of those 2 seem to outshine the benefits of greater rage + heroism. Is there something I'm misunderstanding? How could this build be better changed if he's right?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[chad878262]

You may want to look at some of the custom changes we have... Barbarian gets really good benefits for talking at least 20 levels, something to consider over a complex split.

That said, why don't you post the kind of character you're interested in and we can make some suggestions for level applies to get what you want. Are you just trying for melee high damage with some defense or is there an RP angle to fighter/barbarian/bard/cleric (or blackguard)? There are far better ways to get damage than that split.

[Chronatosis]

In all honesty, the reason I picked this build was because I wanted a high damage, melee based gnome character. Having a little defense would be nice as I don't always have someone to play with, and the penalty for dying on this server made me quit playing for awhile.

As far as rp; the more I played her and fleshed her out, I grew attached to the way I was heading with her. She acts kind and friendly in general, but she is prone to random bouts of rage. i.e. She raged after a friendly character had taken damage from another character's cast by accident. It nearly killed her friend. When she saw another caster (npc) harming her friend, she raged. Other than that, I hadn't really planned what direction I wanted to go. I normally just wing it. Though I did like having the possibility of turning the good character into an evil one if/when I wanted to explore that side of D&D.

[chad878262]

You may be better off going barbarian 20 / Fighter, divine champion or anointed knight 10.

[chad878262]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?263050

This one will have DR, Epic Rage, Power Attack with a Shortsword, solid AC and solid saves. Should be quite survivable 1-30.

EDIT: fixed the link.

[Chronatosis]

Chambordini, that actually sounds like it would be insanely fun! Really liking the fighter, frenzied berserker, and breach gnome idea. I'd definitely like to see that fleshed out!

As far as the shield goes, I'd personally prefer not to use one. If I don't, I just want to be sure I'd be able to survive.

[Rudolph]

Chambordini is talking about something like this:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?200024

Or perhaps this (though Expose Weakness is a very strong feat on this server and should not be missed if it is feasible, really):

http://nwn2db.com/build/?199958