Bear warrior question

[Teaboar]

Hello,

I'm interested in the bear warrior class, but I'm also a bit confused how the bear warrior rage works. I first assumed that when I use the rage I turn into a bear similar to druid wild shape. That being said, when I loaded my build into JEGs training module, I do in fact stay in human form during the rage, and keep the bonuses of my weapon if I'm wielding one. So now I'm curious if this is a bug on the training module, or if this is working as intended?

In the BG wiki the description reads: "Bear Form: A bear warrior who goes into a rage will automatically transform into a bear.". The rage bonuses are described like this "Black Bear: +8 strength, +4 constitution, +2 dexterity, +2 natural armor, +2 Will saves, and Fast Regen +2 . All claw and bite attacks have +2 enchantment. 20 base AC." All of this sounds to me like I will be turning into a bear, and that I need to invest into unarmed skills if I want my weapon focus / specialization / mastery feats to work during rage. Then again, at least in JEGs training module this does not seem to be the case. Could someone clarify how the rage actually works on this server? Thank you in advance.

[Tsidkenu]

It's a bug in JEGS because it's not quite running all of the server's scripts properly (and never really has). The character does actually polymorph into a brown bear on BGTSCC.

As for how weapon enhancements interact with those mechanics, just wait for Akroma to come and post since he's tested the class the most.

[Teaboar]

Thank you for the clarification. That's good to know. Since I change into a bear, I'm curious if I retain the damage reduction from feats like Perfect self in bear form? Also, does feral trance/stance (both used in the wiki) stack with the bear warrior rage?

[Valefort]

Hello, yes and yes.

[Teaboar]

Thank you for the reply. Although I just realized that being both a monk and a barbarian might be a bit tricky on this server.

[Akroma666]

Self proclaimed bear warrior expert here, what version of jegs are you running?

Also which rage did you use? The standard rage does not trigger bear form. The bear warrior transformation actually comes from the bear form feat you need to hotbar.

Any other questions, feel free to PM me.

[Teaboar]

Self proclaimed bear warrior expert here, what version of jegs are you running?

Also which rage did you use? The standard rage does not trigger bear form. The bear warrior transformation actually comes from the bear form feat you need to hotbar.

Any other questions, feel free to PM me.

Hello,

This is the version that I'm running: JEGS_BG_May_2017. Also, I did use the bear form from the feat list, and it still didn't work. I did come up with a build that seems fairly solid, but now I'm uncertain what class I want to play again. Currently I'm trying to make a pure monk, but it seems impossible to get the ab high enough.

[Valefort]

If you reach around 40 AB on monk, items taken into account, you're good to go.

[Teaboar]

If you reach around 40 AB on monk, items taken into account, you're good to go.

Really? Is 40 ab enough for epic zones and bosses?

[Akroma666]

Monk over the bear?! What is this blasphemy?!

[chad878262]

If you reach around 40 AB on monk, items taken into account, you're good to go.

Really? Is 40 ab enough for epic zones and bosses?

Monks can get Expose Weakness after all. And they get stealth skills so even without HiPS your first strike can rob the opponent of DEX and Dodge AC. Sure, you might want to carry some heroism/greater heroism pots around, maybe even bless/aid for boss fights, but 40 is certainly enough in epics so long as you have Expose Weakness. If you want to have a comfortable AB I feel like ~45 is the target for a non-HiPS, non-Feint based PC, but 40 is close enough that potions can be used to compensate when needed with little to know effort or pains.

[Teaboar]

Monk over the bear?! What is this blasphemy?!

Haha, I just didn't feel like my final build was very lore friendly is all. The 'Play Your Sheet'-rule came to mind and I started thinking how the heck I would explain any of my build choices. The steep experience penalty for the epic levels wouldn't be so nice either. There's no question that the bear warrior would be the more powerful build though. The ab alone is at least 10 points higher for the bear than that of my monk.

EDIT: Fair enough chad. I did plan my build around Expose Weakness, so maybe I will give it a go. I actually didn't plan to spend points on hide though. Based on what I've read it requires such a heavy investment in gear, and I would just prefer to go with something more simple.

[chad878262]

Monk over the bear?! What is this blasphemy?!

Haha, I just didn't feel like my final build was very lore friendly is all. The 'Play Your Sheet'-rule came to mind and I started thinking how the heck I would explain any of my build choices. The steep experience penalty for the epic levels wouldn't be so nice either. There's no question that the bear warrior would be the more powerful build though. The ab alone is at least 10 points higher for the bear than that of my monk.

EDIT: Fair enough chad. I did plan my build around Expose Weakness, so maybe I will give it a go.

FYI, while Monk 30 is perfectly viable, I would suggest looking at M26/F4, M25/SD5 or maybe even M20/C3/SF7. All bring something to the table that M30 lacks. Either higher AB and damage from Weapon Focus, Specialization and Melee Mastery (Unarmed), HiPS and Epic Dodge or Divine Power and some other buffs as needed. M26/F4 I think would be the same RP as M30, but would add 1 BAB, 3 total attack bonus (1 from 4 fighter levels, 2 from Melee Mastery) and 4 damage (2 from Weapon Specialization, 2 from Melee Mastery). Your level 1 Fighter Feat can be Weapon Focus, level 2 can be something you would take on any level, 4 weapon specialization and then take melee mastery as a feat somewhere pre 20.

[Akroma666]

Monk over the bear?! What is this blasphemy?!

Haha, I just didn't feel like my final build was very lore friendly is all. The 'Play Your Sheet'-rule came to mind and I started thinking how the heck I would explain any of my build choices. The steep experience penalty for the epic levels wouldn't be so nice either. There's no question that the bear warrior would be the more powerful build though. The ab alone is at least 10 points higher for the bear than that of my monk.

EDIT: Fair enough chad. I did plan my build around Expose Weakness, so maybe I will give it a go. I actually didn't plan to spend points on hide though. Based on what I've read it requires such a heavy investment in gear, and I would just prefer to go with something more simple.

Want build help? Send it my way.. happy to help.

[Teaboar]

FYI, while Monk 30 is perfectly viable, I would suggest looking at M26/F4, M25/SD5 or maybe even M20/C3/SF7. All bring something to the table that M30 lacks. Either higher AB and damage from Weapon Focus, Specialization and Melee Mastery (Unarmed), HiPS and Epic Dodge or Divine Power and some other buffs as needed. M26/F4 I think would be the same RP as M30, but would add 1 BAB, 3 total attack bonus (1 from 4 fighter levels, 2 from Melee Mastery) and 4 damage (2 from Weapon Specialization, 2 from Melee Mastery). Your level 1 Fighter Feat can be Weapon Focus, level 2 can be something you would take on any level, 4 weapon specialization and then take melee mastery as a feat somewhere pre 20.

Thank you for the advice. I have experimented with different monk builds on nwn2db and I agree that they become stronger if you dip into other classes. Still, I wanted to make a pure monk build and I think I will just make another build entirely if I can't get it to work.