Author Topic: Core 3 books only best builds?  (Read 6857 times)

Offline SuperThunderCat

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Core 3 books only best builds?
« on: May 05, 2013, 06:51:47 PM »
Starting a new campaign and DM decided its time for a high optimization game with a twist. Only core 3 books while we are more than likely gonna be subjected to the most outlandish monsters he can find. So I turn to this board in the hope that the advice will be more than just play a wizard. If that is honestly the best option I feel the need to say that my DM won't generally let me just get free spells in town. So what are you guys and gals opinions on 3.5 D&D core gameplay? Starting at level 5 and probably going to maybe 15 tops.

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2013, 07:42:24 PM »
Druid or cleric will probably be your best bets if you can't get access to enough versatile spells as a wizard.  Druid 20 with Natural Spell will pretty much be all your need really.

Offline SuperThunderCat

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2013, 09:49:35 PM »
Naturally as soon as I post info it gets changed. -_- through drawing out of a hat my DM selected some splat books for us to use. He got the FR campaign setting, Lords of darkness, and Paionic Handbook. Game is now running from level 1 to post epics so a playable build for all levels would be appreciated. Party as of the moment already has a cleric, Druid, and a sorcerer so is like as little overlap as possible. Preferably an Arcane spellcaster if melee is just an awful route with my available choices.

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2013, 10:27:22 PM »
The original Psionic Handbook, or the Expanded Psionic Handbook?  Hopefully the latter since it's an update to the original and is 3.5.  If it's the latter you could probably manage with a psion if you want to be a caster type, or psychic warrior if you want to be in melee.  Keep in mind cleric and druid can do melee better than the psychic warrior though.

I can't comment much on the Faerun stuff since I have little experience with it.  However, Strongheart Halfing is an excellent race choice due to the extra feat instead of a +1 luck bonus to saves.

Edit:  Looking at the FRCS, I'd probably recommend going Runecaster if you end up being a divine caster.  It's a great class, especially for clerics.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2013, 10:41:01 PM by Jackinthegreen »

Offline SuperThunderCat

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2013, 10:41:48 PM »
I've been had.. He asked me which I wanted it to be and I knew already he wasnt gonna give me what I wanted so I said the original and he said then have it then -_- I do like the idea of a psion though. How do they play and how complicated is it to play with them?

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2013, 11:39:30 PM »
Playing a psion is in some ways more complicated than typical casters, and in some ways less.  Because it's based on power points and not spell slots, there's much more flexibility with what you do with your powers, but like a sorcerer you're stuck with the powers you pick so you'd better choose wisely.  You'll probably want a calculator or spare sheet of paper to track your power points as you use them, but it's simpler to do that than tracking all the spells and slots, especially versus a prepared caster who has to choose which spells to prep for the day.

One of the key things people forget about psionics is the character can only spend up to their manifester level in power points on a power.  At least level, that means you'll usually only be able to spend 1 PP on a power, so the powers scale similarly to spells and won't get out of hand.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2013, 01:02:56 AM »
The 3.0 psionics handbook? It was awful. I'd suggest not bothering with anything from it. Tell him you were just joking, and you want to use the 3.5 Expanded Psionics handbook. That, or play a wizard/incantatrix with persistent spell, both of which I think are in the FR campaign setting... Lords of Darkness also has the Smoking weapon property, which is hands down one of the absolute best for anyone, even if you never plan on using the weapon to actually fight with. :P
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Offline linklord231

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2013, 03:42:05 AM »
Tell your DM you goofed, and didn't realize that the original Psionics Handbook is 3.0 and is 100% incompatible with 3.5 (this is actually true - the basic mechanic changes so much that it's unrecognizable). 
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline Solo

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2013, 03:43:43 AM »
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2013, 08:05:36 PM »
carnivore posted lots of Core only builds,
both here and at brilliantgameologists.

There should be a Core only build collection
either around here, there, or at wotc old C.O.
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Offline JohnnyMayHymn

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2013, 10:26:04 PM »
The Emperor
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Offline zook1shoe

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2013, 12:48:39 AM »
Yeah the original psionics is messed up, but not really incompatible with 3.5, only its been updated.

lords of darkness has one of my FAVORITE PrCs out there... The Zhentarim Skymage
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Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2013, 06:11:16 PM »
Rogue 1 / Wizard or Sorc X
... is the better Rogue build.

Monk 1 or 2 (though probably not 2) / Druid X
... is the better Monk build.

iirc - Fighter 1 / Sorc 6 / EK 10 / whatever
... but there are particulars to it.
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Offline linklord231

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2013, 06:15:38 PM »
Yeah the original psionics is messed up, but not really incompatible with 3.5, only its been updated.

What I meant was that 3.0 psionics is incompatible with 3.5 psionics, not necessarily that 3.0 psionics is impossible use in an otherwise 3.5 game (though it shouldn't be).
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline Endarire

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2013, 07:40:07 PM »
Red Wizard Handbook

And note that 3.5's DMG has this class.  It's the most recent printing.

Finally, does your GM want you in his game?  His constant changing of his mind and seeming trying to deny you the builds you want because you want them smacks of spite.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2013, 07:44:37 PM by Endarire »

Offline SuperThunderCat

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2013, 08:38:08 PM »
Alright I'm loving the zhentarium sky mage a lot. Wizard plus a mount? Can do. And me and the dm get along fine he's just sort of a douche in general though. What else can you do though?

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #16 on: May 09, 2013, 12:33:06 AM »
lords of darkness has one of my FAVORITE PrCs out there... The Zhentarim Skymage
Oh yeah, that one can be crazy awesome. I'd forgotten that was in that book. Zeus and Blue was an entrant in a PvP arena game I built a character for once. Zeus was a wizard flying around on his pet dragon (Blue). Was one of the nastier builds... The mount can easily wind up as powerful as the character, and their share spells goes both ways (so the dragon can share spells on YOU! :P).
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Offline SuperThunderCat

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #17 on: May 09, 2013, 09:22:17 PM »
Well first game is tomorrow and I still don't have a build ready haha. I have my stats at least. 18 18 11 10 12 13. I like the sky Mage idea though. What kind of level by level build is recommended for one?

Offline Mithril Leaf

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Re: Core 3 books only best builds?
« Reply #18 on: May 10, 2013, 03:15:50 AM »
Zhentarim Skymages are generally best as simple wizard 5/ zhentarim skymage 5/ Maybe some abjurant champion or IotSV?