[3.5] Optimizing a support character

[Risada]

I was invited to join a group, which means tampering with a new character. Here is the rules for character generation:

Level: 5
Books: any (campaign setting: FR) -> it's possible to negotiate for feats from the other campaign books
Stats: 16 15 14 13 12 10 - must use this array
No LA Buyoff allowed
Everyone gains a bonus regional feat at 1st level.
Starting GP: 400 gp

The group currently is:

Half orc fighter 5
Aasimar Favored Soul 4
Elf Wiz 4/Sorc 1
Elf Scout 4/Ranger 1
Human Barbarian 1/Fighter 4
Elf Rogue 3/Fighter 2
Elf Rogue 3/Swashbuckler 2

The group does not optimize as a whole, and the DM screams "overpowered" to stuff like Daring Outlaw and Swift Hunter.


Considering the group above, I am thinking on taking a support role, so I don't break the game in half by using BFC with a Wizard, for example.

I considered War Weaver, but I will be unable to put everyone in the Tapestry in the early levels. My next idea is Bard, or some mix between Bard and Paladin (using those substitution levels from Champions of Valor).


Below are a few ideas I'm playing with:

Human Bard 5 (Bardic Knack ACF)
Stats:  Str 13 Dex 15 Con 14  Int 12 Wis 10 Cha 16 (+1 from 4th at Dex or Cha?)
Regional: Luck of heroes (any other suggestion here? Perhaps a way to get Intimidate as a class skill?)
1: Jack of All Trades
H: Lingering Song
3: Melodic Casting

Notable Equipment: chain shirt (100 GP), shortbow, rapier, masterwork horn (100 GP)

Next feat is either Haunting Melody or Doomspeak (I'm hanging with the second one), then the other one at 9th. Other feats to consider are Versatile Spellcaster and Extraordinary Concentration. Sould I try to ask the DM to allow Heartfire Fanner, or just stick with bard all the way?


Lesser Aasimar Paladin of Freedom 5 (Harmonious Knight ACF, Divine Spirit ACF)
Stats:  Str 15 Dex 12 Con 14  Int 10 Wis 13 Cha 16 (+1 at Cha?)
Regional: Dreadful Wrath
1: From Smite to Song
3: Power Attack

Notable Equipment: What kind of stuff should I go here? Sword and board? Best armor I can get is Breastplate...

Next feat is ... I have no idea. Maybe Initiate of Milil? Also, Should I take one level (or more, if I want Inspirational Boost spell) in Bard? Also, thinking on a few divine feats (devotion) to take. Battle Blessing at 12 is fine, or it should come earlier? (9 will most likely be Parcticed Spellcaster)


Human Factotum 5
Stats:  Str 10 Dex 15 Con 14 Int 16 Wis 12 Cha 13 (+1 at Int?)
Regional: Luck of heroes (any other suggestion here?)
1: Able Learner
H: Font of Inspiration
3: Font of Inspiration

Notable Equipment: chain shirt (100 GP), longbow, rapier

Next feat is Font of Inspiration. Aiming to go Chameleon with this one. Should I go at least 2 levels in Chameleon to grab the floating feat ASAP, or stick to 8 to get Cunning Surge before going with Chameleon? Also, what other feats I can take here?


And feel free to throw in any tips for good items I can get with the paltry sum of 400 gp...

[Unbeliever]

I'd say Bard or Factotum.  There seem to be a lot of bruisers in the party, so the melee thing, and thus the Paladin, is kind of spoken for.

I'd actually probably suggest the Factotum.  It's a fun, deep class.  And, also, looking over the OP these are not optimized folks.  That's more than fine.  But, that means that a pretty solidly built Bard can throw the DM -- the buffs and debuffs can have a serious impact that he or she wouldn't adequately anticipate. 

The Factotum will have a smaller footprint if you will.  And, I find it reasonably easy to explain:  he's like a roguish jack of all trades who can spend points to succeed at something in the clinch. 

[Dawnmor]

Kobold Sorcerer Dragonheart mage , you atleast wont run out of spells or options, then toss in Dragon feats that stack with one another for added benefit, choose stalwart sorcerer from CM, and Battle sorcerer from UA.

Concentrate on CC or Buff type spells, or something depending on your prefered play style.

[Noliar]

Other Support options include Marshal (MHB) or Dragon Shaman (PHB II). I'd suggest Dragon Shaman - your group is mostly run face first into trouble types and one Favored Soul to fix them. The healing everyone up to half HP for free with the vigour aura would be invaluable. The other auras can be pretty good too at the right time. None of the class abilities are earth shattering but it's a useful grab bag of tricks.

[Meangineer]

Since you have a whole team with a lot of melee fighters, and that you want to be a support-type of player, you might want to consider Marshal as an option.

If you consider the version from WotC (miniature handbook p.11-13):

-Medium BAB and 2 good saves;
-d8 life and 4+int skills;
-Martial weapons, all armors and all shields but tower;
-Granting auras, a good way to give nice bonus in a 60ft radius to all allies (and some draconic auras can be used with it);
-Granting move-actions to allies near for tactical purposes (kinda neat from a time-economy perspective).

If you really intend to be a support, it can be enough. Otherwise, you might want to multiclass.
If the general concept reaches you, but that you find auras kinda inflexible, than you might want to try another type of marshall...

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Marshal_3.5e_Class

I know it's homebrewed, but I a good hard look at it with the Class Construction Engine ranks, its just a little below the other classes in term of raw power. However, for a support, THIS is a real support:

-Medium BAB and 2 good saves;
-d8 life and 4+int skills;
-Martial weapons, all armors and all shields but tower;
-A system of Battle Order Points based on charisma to grant a large spectrum of bonuses to your allies (bonus move/standard/full action, a little rescue healing and temporary hp giving, abilities to make your allies do debuff attacks, etc.). Each ability takes some BOP to do and their limited number forces you to really play like a strategist/support.

In a nutshell, playing such a Marshal in combat is like playing Valryria Chronicles (for those who know). Since the special abilities of the class don't have any designated feats to enhance them (like the smite, rage or rebuke), you are free to optimize your character from there as you wish:

For a band leader/spokesperson, take some level of bard, leadership, and boost your social skills.
For a melee sergent, take some AoO feats and a reach weapon to help your melee friends.
For a ranged lieutenant, take some bow feats, of dip in a blaster-magic class.
For a corporal strategist, dip in a ToB for the White Raven Tactics and abuses the time-economy even more.
The possibilities are endless!

I tried the class as Zhuge Liang / Sun Tzu character, focusing on range and survival (since I had 6 Str/Dex/Con and 18 Int/Wis/Cha) and it was awesome!

[Risada]

I will check with the DM for the bard or the factotum. While dragon shaman would be good, someone already tried playing that before, and got shot down by the DM. As for the Dragonwrought Kobold Sorcerer.... I'd rather not.

Marshal... while good, I would want to play this one...