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Author Topic: Thematic Builds  (Read 7457 times)

Offline Yuukale

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Thematic Builds
« on: January 28, 2012, 01:16:20 AM »
Hey guys, I had this idea and I thought someone here might get interested. How about gathering in a place (topic?) some racial thematic builds according to the way you envision them. For example: dwarves are often associated with tough armored fighters and pious clerics. elves are known for their arcane mastery and guerrilla archers. halflings are ghostly thieves, and so on...

Notices that I'm not asking for a build, the point here is an exercise both in optimization (given racial and theme-coherence constraints) and character creation. Surely one's elven archmage will differ from another's.

What do you think? It's not going to be top-notch optimization, but perhaps many players that come here looking for a character to play in a new game, might find this useful, cuz these builds will often play to common expectations.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2012, 01:22:47 AM by Yuukale »
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Offline NiteCyper

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 04:21:25 AM »
Protean human: Factotum/Chameleon
Illusive, shadow gnome: Dark templated Illusionist/Shadowcraft Mage
Magical, lithe elf: Mystic Ranger, Sword of the Arcane Order, Wildshape variant, Elf Ranger RSL (don't know if compatible, but that's where idea started)
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Offline KellKheraptis

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2012, 08:25:57 AM »
Quote from: NiteCyper on January 28, 2012, 04:21:25 AM
Protean human: Factotum/Chameleon
Illusive, shadow gnome: Dark templated Illusionist/Shadowcraft Mage
Magical, lithe elf: Mystic Ranger, Sword of the Arcane Order, Wildshape variant, Elf Ranger RSL (don't know if compatible, but that's where idea started)

I can take over the Mystic Ranger, akin to bkdub's Elf class, and also I'm working on the Mystic Knight, which is the paladin form of Mystic Ranger, minus the stick up the ass and single alignment (i.e. Mystic Knights exist for Pelor, Pelor as his real self, St. Cuthbert, Vecna, etc).  And of course the elven Mystic Knights are part of the Swords.  Now to craft the Affiliation...and tie them in with the Harpers...
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Offline Yuukale

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2012, 11:05:32 AM »
just throwing some more concepts needing supporters:

Tanky dwarf
Human Assassin (perhaps covered by the factotum/chameleon already... dunno if this is what you meant)
Human blast-a-lot sorcerer
Elven master of the nature (animal control/elemental spells)
Orc raging barbarian
Orc shaman
Half-elf trickster bard
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Offline BrianTheBrain

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2012, 09:44:42 PM »
Halflings make pretty good comic bards.
And from psionic races, it's hard to go wrong with an elan gish egoist.
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Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2012, 10:04:53 PM »
Gnome Illusionist of course.
Elf Scout/Ranger.


Some of the archetypes are revealed in a race's favored class though.  Dwarf?  Fighter.  Elf?  Wizard.  Orc?  Barbarian.  Centaur?  Ranger.
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Offline BrianTheBrain

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 01:45:02 AM »
Actually, speaking of psionic races, I could never really narrow down the best class for Maenad, but well honed barbarian, austere psy-war, and sea faring ranger would be excellent choices. Also, monk.
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Offline Yuukale

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2012, 01:39:23 AM »
out of curiosity, how would you guys build an elven champion of corellon? fluff-wise, I suppose he'd be part of his city's elite corps - leader of his king's personal guard. Said king would also have a group of wizards(wiz/archmage?) to counsel and maintain the city's mythal...

how would these guys be built?
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Offline Kasz

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2012, 05:33:43 AM »
To get started it might be worth combing the handbooks of each class and seeing if they have a build that 'fits' the archtype. Like checking the Barbarian handbook for a build that uses Orc, and voila, ask for permission and then paste in the example build to a list giving credit.

Link to the handbooks for each class as well, so players can be aware of what changes are viable, or an option for thematic effect. i.e. choices that aren't bad but are not optimal.

Changeling -> Rogue is quite archetypal, or the famed Recaster Wizard.
Warforged -> Warforged Juggernaut
Wood Elf -> Druid
Half-Minotaur -> Barbarian
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Offline RobbyPants

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2012, 09:02:49 AM »
Here are some ones I've played or would like to play:

Half orc shapeshift druid (PHB II variant). Pretty decent at low levels with VoP, although this will hurt you as you gain levels.

Human sorcadin (paladin/sorcerer with spellsword, abjurant champion, and sacred exorcist to blend the two as smoothly as possible).

Warforged tanky scholar (cloistered cleric likely going church inquisitor. Has Adamantine Body feat).
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Offline Yuukale

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2012, 03:44:36 PM »
so... I liked Kasz's idea... Would you guys contribute with builds if I started an "Archetypes Handbook" ? 'Cause I'm not well-versed in optimization enough to post away builds (I have one myself, a bit messy tho).
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Offline BrianTheBrain

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2012, 11:44:21 PM »
Well, it shouldn't be too hard to make an optimized build for a lot of these archetypes. The fact that most of them are common pairings means even some light  Googling will get you a bunch of information on them. That said, I'd love to put together a few psionic builds. I've already got an idea for an Elan monk/ardent.
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Offline Yuukale

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2012, 01:56:03 AM »
So, before starting the handbook thread, lemme gather some of the concepts here and ask which races and combinations I'm missing:


Human

(click to show/hide)

Dwarves:

(click to show/hide)

Half-elf

(click to show/hide)


Elves

(click to show/hide)

Gnomes

(click to show/hide)
Half-Orcs

(click to show/hide)

Halfling

(click to show/hide)

Other Races (need lots of help filling this)

Githzerai

(click to show/hide)


I know there are tons of other races, but I'm not quite aware of them and whether there's a quick concept association. Later I'll add to this post links to handbooks and threads. thanks for the help guys =D
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2012, 08:59:32 AM »
Gnomish Artificer
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Offline Kremti

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2012, 11:43:39 AM »
And don't forget Warforged Artificer too  :P

-K
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Offline midnight_v

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2012, 12:37:47 PM »
Humans can be anything buuut....

Human "fighter" with 2-handed sword is the most common build and in every party in every story.

So yeah him.

Drow elf... something...
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Offline gorfnab

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2012, 04:47:04 PM »
Beguiler (Shining South) Beguiler (PHBII)  :p
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Offline Agrippa

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Re: Thematic Builds
« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2012, 03:02:10 AM »
How about Emperor Elric, can you get a thematic build out of that?
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