Hello,
Main Point of Post:I am seeking information and advice on my current maneuver progression. In addition, I am curious as to which 5 maneuvers I should ready for combat.
This character will be joining the party at an ECL of 14.
I'm loosely following the BladeSinger 3.5e Optimized build found at dandwiki. I plan on my character playing a lute instead of singing. In addition, I somewhat followed Keld Denar's two weapon kukri build's maneuver progression plan found at Giantitp.
The other additional PCs in the party are: (1) A tripper who uses a whip; (2) Sorcerer; (3) Druid; (4) Monk; (5) Archer; and some weird (6) Factotum/Chameleon build.Character: ECL 14 - Bard [4] Warblade [10]
Final Build: ECL 14 - Bard [4] Warblade [16]
I will be using a two-handed weapon (Greatsword). Feats:• Dragontouched
• Draconic Heritage (Battle - Force)
• Power Attack
• Dragonfire Inspiration
• Song of the White Raven
• Song of the Heart
• Iron Heart Aura
• Words of Creation
• Stormguard Warrior
• Combat Reflexes
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I picked maneuvers that fit well with the character's idiosyncrasies and qualities. I know I don't have to have every little feat/maneuver etc. match up with the backstory, but I'd like for everything to make sense thematically and conceptually.
The ideas I have in mind for the character are: he's sharp-witted, observant and mentally focused; disciplined and loyal; transitions between maneuvers/stances etc. with fluidity and natural order (an instinctual ability that involves presence and awareness)
He's not really a leader or combatant who unleashes his inner feral rage to attack. That being said, he is dragontouched and therefore dragonblooded, but I've implemented it in such a way where it affects his musical prowess and not his civility or combativeness. I may be totally off on this for the sake of DND Lore (I'm still learning the lore and how it effects each race), so any input would be nice. I liked the flavor of this for his backstory.
That being said, I didn't include the following maneuvers even though they are very effective: Raging Mongoose, Pouncing Charge, War Master's Charge etc. Pretty much, I am staying away from any maneuver that involves the character to play or act in a "leader" type role or unleash feral rage or animal acts, I've decided to leave out.
I've chosen maneuvers that align thematically and conceptually with the character. In addition, I made choices that utilize the effects of Stormguard Warrior and Robilar's Gambit.
Current Maneuver Progression:[table="width: 600, class:head alt2, align: left"]
| ECL | IL | Maneuver Gained | Maneuver Lost | Stance |
| 1 | 0 | NA | NA | NA |
| 2 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| 3 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| 4 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| 5 | 3 | Sapphire Nightmare Blade (DM), Rabid Wolf Strike (TC), Sudden Leap (TC)
| NA | Punishing (IH) |
| 6 | 4 | Leading the Attack (WR) | NA | NA |
| 7 | 5 | Moment of Perfect Mind (DM) | NA | NA |
| 8 | 6 | White Raven Tactics (WR) | Leading the Attack (WR) | Tactics of the Wolf (WR) |
| 9 | 7 | Wall of Blades (IH) | NA | NA |
| 10 | 8 | Iron Heart Surge (IH) | Sapphire Nightmare Blade (DM) | NA |
| 11 | 9 | Pouncing Charge (TC) | NA | NA |
| 12 | 10 | Dancing Mongoose (TC) | Rabid Wolf Strike (TC) | NA |
| 13 | 11 | Moment of Alacrity (DM) | NA | NA |
| 14 | 12 | Flanking Maneuver (WR) | Pouncing Charge (TC) | Hearing the Air (DM) |
| 15 | 13 | Avalanche of Blades (WR) | NA | NA |
| 16 | 14 | Quicksilver Motion (DM) | Sudden Leap (TC) | NA |
| 17 | 15 | Diamond Nightmare Blade (DM) | NA | NA |
| 18 | 16 | White Raven Hammer (WR) | Flanking Maneuver (WR) | NA |
| 19 | 17 | Time Stands Still (DM) | NA | NA |
| 20 | 18 | Mountain Tombstone Strike (SD) | Diamond Nightmare Blade (DM) | Stance of Alacrity (DM) |
It'd be nice if I could fit in Lightning Recovery (IH) and/or Iron Heart Focus (IH) for more counters and the added synergy with Stance of Alacrity (DM), but I don't think it's possible.
I feel as though this progression fits well with backstory I've written for the character. Is it the most optimized? Most likely not... I'm probably gimping myself with the build, but I feel as though it will do fine into the later levels. ECL 14 should still be fine -
I can ready the following 5 maneuvers for combat: Dancing Mongoose (TC); Wall of Blades (IH); Iron Heart Surge (IH); White Raven Tactics (WR); and Sudden Leap (TC).
I've worked through different variations of the maneuver progression, and I've realized that most of the maneuvers stay relatively the same up to ECL 14. I can always make changes as the campaign progresses along.
Question 1: Am I totally gimping myself by trying to better align my character's maneuver progression to his backstory? Or, is it relatively solid? If not, I'm open for suggestions and have no problem switching some stuff around.
Edit: Spelling.
