Sorcerer/Paladin/EK/ASoC

[Charraj]

Hi! With 100% RCR coming up, I have been messing around with builds that I will probably never play. Builds like this!
http://nwn2db.com/build/?294696

I have never been a great builder, so pls help.

I know the AB will be sub-par, even with buffs. So how does Tenser's mesh with EDM?

Is this build going to be terribad, okay, or the best thing since sliced bread?

(To explain the ability distribution, this build would use STR +3 gloves, Ring of the Knight for bonus Toughness feat, and CHA +3 Heirloom of Asenath ring.)

Thanks for any advice!

[Sun Wukong]

Caster level of 29 should be fine enough.

Your build has the BAB of 22, thus Tenser's Transformation should give your character +8 AB at the expense of your spellcasting ability.

Thus you would be looking at the AB of...

22 (BAB)
+ 5 (Greater Magic Weapon)
+ 7 (Strength modifier with +3 or +4)
+ 4 (Greater Heroism)
+ 1 (Haste)
+ 8 (Tenser's Transformation)
= 47

47 AB is respectable. Your EDM boosted first flurry of attacks will land on most mobs on the server. Second flurry of Attacks is likely to land as well. You can afford to turn on Power Attack for some extra damage.

The build you have presented is pretty much the good old fashioned BGTSCC Gish.

As for offensive spells, it is best to pick ones that do not offer a save, such as Missile Storms, Ice Storm, Magic Missile, Orb of Some Element, Polar Ray, Acid Fog... Elemental Shield and Death Armor can be good additions as well.


Oh, and if you are more into polymorphing arcanists, there are some custom feats that will make that choice better than it has ever been.

[chad878262]

It will absolutely work and is actually what Tenser's is made for. So long as you don't get below ~CL28 and BAB21 such a build will do fine. Tenser's being up does leave you vulnerable since you can't cast spells and it does eat a LOT of good spell slots (you will need around ~5 level 7 slots or ~10 level 6 slots or some combination thereof). I would not prioritize IPA since in many situations you will want to land more hits to apply EDM damage whereas IPA will likely make you miss attacks 4 and 5 instead of just 5 (or 3, 4 and 5 instead of just 4 and 5). So feel free to leave IPA off your feat list, especially since you really can't afford to drop anything. I recommend using a Heavy Shield and a Scimitar since applying Keen will allow you to have a higher crit range and heavy shield won't impact your AB in a negative way. More crits when EDM is up are a very good thing. There is also an Epic Scimitar that adds Blunt damage which will crit as well.

Note that you do not need 14 DEX (though I realize you will have Ring of the Knight.) There are only so many good 2nd level spells and since you have odd STR And CHA, taking Cat's Grace should not be an issue. That extra 2 points could be utilized to either give you 1 more skill point per level or 1 more HP per level. Or if you wanted to you could drop CON to 11 and DEX to 12, which would allow you to start STR 1 point higher... Use the Belt of Growth instead of Ring of Knight (loses 30 HP due to no Toughness). This gains you an Epic Feat though, which could allow you 1 Epic Spell, ability to land on even STR or CHA for +1 AB/Damage or +2 rounds/damage per use of EDM. Or, even though it isn't an epic feat you would be able to fit in taking Divine Shield for an extra AC boost. As I said, IMO it's fine as is, but there are some options you could consider if you so choose.

Finally, consider finding a crafter that can provide you with Paladin Wands... +4 STR/CHA that stacks with your items and lasts for ~5 minutes would be pretty good to use right before activating EDM to take on a boss. Short duration +2 AC might be good in the absence of Divine Shield and their is that level 1 Paladin spell that grant's toughness for 1 hr/level should you chose to go with the above option to lower DEX/CON and gain an epic feat. Then, of course there is holy sword and lawful sword which can make you an absolute beast of damage dealing goodness (Note that Lawful Sword is minute/level...)

Whatever you decide, enjoy it!

[Charraj]

Thanks for the input!

I edited the build. I am now waffling between having 22 CHA or taking an epic spell (probably Greater Ruin or Epic Gate). How big is the difference between 14 or 16 damage/rounds of EDM? What's a good epic spell for a build such as this?

...And why in the world would a Helmite paladin be an arcane gish?? >_<;

[Sun Wukong]

Also note that you can purchase Emerald Boots that come with +3 Dodge, Extra Turning, and +3 Charisma.

And you could just roll a follower of Azuth instead of Helm.

I edited the build. I am now waffling between having 22 CHA or taking an epic spell (probably Greater Ruin or Epic Gate). How big is the difference between 14 or 16 damage/rounds of EDM? What's a good epic spell for a build such as this?

The difference between 14 and 16 Divine Damage per hit? Not all that big since divine damage is rarely if ever resisted. I the difference only shows up with critical hits, and most EDM builds on the server do fine with just 14.

Thus you can be free to pick your epic spell. I might lean in favour of Epic Ruin, but I guess some summon would work fine as well. I think Dragon Knight is another choice, since you can get some dragon fighting by your side instead of some winged outsider.

Anyhow, if you really like the idea of having summons...

Then perhaps the following build could serve you better:

Paladin 5/Sorcerer 10/Eldritch Knight 10/Thaumaturge 5... It has caster level of 28 and BAB of 22, and you would have access to a host of summons and Divine Shield for the extra AC.