Melee PC

[JIŘÍ]

Peeking back after many months, could someone point me hints on some capable platemail and shield meleer?

Or even something with dex, but without obscure looking builds. Otherwise i am forced to dust off favored soul as simplest route.

Race elf or drow. Thanks.

[Theodore01]

Man at Arms 30 or Man at Arms 26/Blackguard4 with EDM.
Any Barbarian 20/x is also quite strong.

[Hoihe]

Peeking back after many months, could someone point me hints on some capable platemail and shield meleer?

Or even something with dex, but without obscure looking builds. Otherwise i am forced to dust off favored soul as simplest route.

Race elf or drow. Thanks.

If elf.

Swashbuckler12/duelist7/fighter4/weaponmaster 7

Get 20 int, rest dex.

Buy +4 int helm from thayans
+4 dex bracer from DA.

Pick rapier.

You're looking at 47 AC with the +3 shield rapier before CE/ICE or Athkatlan active. AC in the 50s if you have either.

Due to deadly defence, you will always want to have CE active, so minimum 50 AC realisitcally speaking.

You crit a almost every 2nd hit.

You can drop fighter 4 for swash 16. Less AB, but more value for your crits.

[JIŘÍ]

MaA looks interesting, i have dismissed it before, no idea why.

Should i invest into charisma? Or just pump out full out strenght.

[JIŘÍ]

Peeking back after many months, could someone point me hints on some capable platemail and shield meleer?

Or even something with dex, but without obscure looking builds. Otherwise i am forced to dust off favored soul as simplest route.

Race elf or drow. Thanks.

If elf.

Swashbuckler12/duelist7/fighter4/weaponmaster 7

Get 20 int, rest dex.

Buy +4 int helm from thayans
+4 dex bracer from DA.

Pick rapier.

You're looking at 47 AC with the +3 shield rapier before CE/ICE or Athkatlan active. AC in the 50s if you have either.

Due to deadly defence, you will always want to have CE active, so minimum 50 AC realisitcally speaking.

You crit a almost every 2nd hit.

You can drop fighter 4 for swash 16. Less AB, but more value for your crits.

I have been trying something similar in past, i will put this into shelve for later once i také better look around if ever .

[JIŘÍ]

Do i still need fighter as pre requisities for weapon focuses, melee mastery etc when taking it on man at arms?

[Theodore01]

Yeah, fighter is still required.

Cha affects most key abilities from MaA, so sure it's useful.

[JIŘÍ]

Yeah, fighter is still required.

Cha affects most key abilities from MaA, so sure it's useful.

Increasing charisma lowers AB and damage…(no other source to také than STR ) and without fighters feats, there is no way to make up for it?

[Bobthehero]

Which is why EDM is recommended (via either paladin or blackguard), with it, my MaA can actually match the damage of my Frenzied Berzerker/Weapon Master when that PC is using his shield, while having like 10 more AC, and the abilitiy to fear things.

[Theodore01]

Challenge gives up to +6 to damage, all the fighter feats give +8.
But yeah, the EDM version is recommended.

[JIŘÍ]

Paladin requires LG and BG evil. I see your point and if i go with evil drow i would pick BG.

Is there any good supplement for BG in case i would go CG elf?

[Bobthehero]

It goes up to +12 with all fighter feats (Wpn Spec, Greater, Epic and Wpn Mastery in the relevant category) while giving you +6 AB

[chad878262]

As stated, M@A26/BG4 or M@A 30 are both quite strong sword and board builds. B20 is fantastic, with B20/DC10, B20/DC6/AK4 or B20/AK10 being likely the best builds. Another option would be to go Cavalier Paladin as can come quite close in offense and defense to the M@A builds thanks to Paladin spells. Might have slightly less AC, but in return will have better saves/immunities (cuz spells). Really any paladin (besides crusader) makes a very good sword and board build.

[JIŘÍ]

What is B, DC and AK?

[Bobthehero]

Barbarian , Divine Champion and Anointed Knight