Buffy-verse PC builds and thoughts

Starting this thread so that we can discuss PC options for Brad's upcoming vampire campaign.

As far as party optimization, the Radiant Mafia group does amazing damage.

Basically 1-2 of the PCs have the ability to give monsters radiant vulnerability. These PCs need to have high initiative so that they go before the monsters and before the other PCs (or the other PCs need to wait until vulnerability is in place).

Once vulnerability is in place the PC use radiant attacks (the more the merrier).


http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/24911673/Radiant_mafia_group_build!?pg=1

Similar things can be done with other elements though cold is probably the next easiest theme to accomplish (wintertouched/lasting frost/frost weapon).


Another tactic not usually available is to use powers, classes, and items that boost damage from several different attribuites.

A test build (Human, Sorcerer, Lyrandar Wind-Rider) that I used previously did 1d10+41 damage with an at At-Will power at 11th level.

This character was able to add CharMod+DexMod+DexMod+ConMod in addition to several other static modifiers from feats and items.


So I guess we need to descide on what route we want to take.

I was hoping to play a melee striker (monk) specializing in unarmed attacks but this pretty much rule out energy based themes for my PC.

Reposting from the other thread my ideas for builds so far.

Dragonborn Barb MC fighter for striker/defender
Dragonborn Paladin for defender/striker
Dwarf Battlemind|Fighter for defender/striker
Human Artificer|Warlord for Leader/Striker
Human Warlord|Sorcerer for Leader/Striker

The first is a polearm wielder who stacks mods to attack/damage and dazes/prones people he hits. The Dwarf BM|Fighter is similar to this. Radiant does work in these builds I believe but I don't give any vulnerabilities, I would just give extra damage.

The Paladin would be built around Divine Sanction and the great mark punishment due to high off stats. I think that Paladins can give radiant vulnerabilities.

The leader builds are both highly concentrated around going first and helping team hero go first as well. Not sure that either of these has a way to grant radiant vuln.

Sample Sorcerer from above...

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Sorcerer, level 11
Human, Sorcerer, Lyrandar Wind-Rider
Build: Storm Sorcerer
Spell Source: Storm Magic
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Staff)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Human Power Selection: Bonus At-Will Power
Arcane Admixture Power: Acid Orb
Background: Arcane Student Who Saw Too Much, Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 21, Con 21, Dex 23, Int 21, Wis 21, Cha 25.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 20, Con 20, Dex 20, Int 20, Wis 20, Cha 20.


AC: 22 Fort: 23 Reflex: 24 Will: 27
HP: 87 Surges: 11 Surge Value: 21

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +15, Arcana +15, Athletics +15, Diplomacy +17, Intimidate +17, Nature +15

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +11, Bluff +12, Dungeoneering +10, Heal +10, History +10, Insight +10, Perception +10, Religion +10, Stealth +11, Streetwise +12, Thievery +11

FEATS
Human: Burning Blizzard
Level 1: Primal Sharpshooter
Level 2: Dual Implement Spellcaster
Level 4: Weapon Focus (Light Blade) (retrained to Arcane Admixture at Level 11)
Level 6: Versatile Expertise
Level 8: Mark of Storm
Level 10: Superior Implement Training (Quickbeam staff)
Level 11: Primal Eye

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Storm Walk
Primal Sharpshooter: Thorn Cloud Shot
Sorcerer at-will 1: Lightning Strike
Sorcerer at-will 1: Acid Orb
Sorcerer encounter 1: Bedeviling Burst
Sorcerer daily 1: Howling Tempest
Sorcerer utility 2: Spatial Trip
Sorcerer encounter 3: Ice Dragon's Teeth
Sorcerer daily 5: Thunder Leap
Sorcerer utility 6: Swift Escape
Sorcerer encounter 7: Spark Form
Sorcerer daily 9: Howling Hurricane
Sorcerer utility 10: Narrow Escape

ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Shimmering Cloth Armor (Basic Clothing) +1, Eagle Eye Goggles (heroic tier), Wavestrider Boots (heroic tier), Gauntlets of the Ram (heroic tier), Siberys Shard of the Mage (heroic tier), Cloak of Distortion +2, Quickbeam staff of Ruin +3, Distance Dagger +3
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

Acid Orb (Acid/Thunder damage)
+18 to hit vs Ref
+41 damage (average DPR is 38.25)

Hmmm...seems like I gravitate toward the same things...I'll give one of the two Warlord builds a shot, unless someone else really wants to be the leader. I know I'd probably like the dwarf fighter too.

Teramotos wrote:I'll give one of the two Warlord builds a shot, unless someone else really wants to be the leader.

Didn't you say you wanted to get away from playing leaders?

I'm looking at a Genasi Wizard or Wiz/Sw-Mage or Warlock

I'm going to sacrifice power for flavor on my build, at least at first level. After that I'll attempt to optimize him.

Ross wrote:I'm going to sacrifice power for flavor on my build, at least at first level. After that I'll attempt to optimize him.

I don't know if you've already looked at it but you may want to take a look at the Hybrid Handbook.

Lots of good information on hybrids and several tips/tricks.

One thing to note is that hybrid strikers can only deal their striker damage with specific powers. A hybrid rogue can only sneak attack with rogue power so it doesn't work on charging, melee basic, ranged basic, or powers from your other class.

It's kinda odd since a character that took a rogue multiclass feat can sneak attack once per encounter but use any power they know (as long as they have combat advantage).

Will take a looks. Been thinking about going full assassin actually. Still playing with it. Regardless I'm keeping the vampire heritage.

This is Stuart posting for Art, who's sitting next to me. Argot just got posted in "People Places and Things", Art's question for people is that his AC seems low, even after switching to Hide instead of Plate, what can he do to raise his AC ?

Stu,

First thing I noticed was that his stats looked low for a level 22 in the Buffy-verse.  Starting stats are 20 across the board and you have only 18s.

Next you didn't choose a epic destiny.  That will usually give at least a +2 to your primary stat and possibly a +2 to another.  I chose Unyielding Sentinel for the amazing level 26 power and the very nice roll 2 dice for all saving throws.  It also gives a +2 str and +2 con.

If you can fit it in you can take armor specialization feat to get a +1 feat bonus.

If you take a different epic destiny that ups dex as well as str then you can get another +1 (To AC and Reflex)

Also I don't believe he was using it this last game but a Dwarven Defender gets a +1 AC if he is adjacent to an ally.  The ally gets the +1 AC as well.

I use a shield to gain a +2 AC as well. Argot uses a greataxe so that isn't possible but it is another way to get extra AC.

Side notes:
Don't take Lightning Reflexes, Great Fortitude, or Iron Will as they are the same as the Superior feats that came later but the Superior ones give really nice bonuses that the earlier feats lack.

You should also try to fit in Axe Expertise as it is a great feat for a greataxe wielder.

Dwarven weapon training and Weapon Focus(Axe) do similar things and don't stack so you will only pick up a +1 damage from the Weapon Focus.  Still might be worth it but it is also something to look.


I might not have gotten everything in the character builder but this is what I came up with.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Defender, level 22
Dwarf, Fighter (Weaponmaster), Dwarven Defender, Unyielding Sentinel
Build: Great Weapon Fighter
Fighter Option: Combat Superiority
Fighter Talents Option: Two-handed Weapon Talent
Stalwart Guardian Option: Strength
Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
STR 30, CON 26, DEX 26, INT 22, WIS 22, CHA 22

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
STR 20, CON 20, DEX 20, INT 20, WIS 20, CHA 20


AC: 39 Fort: 43 Ref: 38 Will: 36
HP: 171 Surges: 17 Surge Value: 42

TRAINED SKILLS
Athletics +26, Endurance +28, Streetwise +22

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +19, Arcana +17, Bluff +17, Diplomacy +17, Dungeoneering +19, Heal +17, History +17, Insight +19, Intimidate +17, Nature +17, Perception +19, Religion +17, Stealth +19, Thievery +19

POWERS
Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack
Dwarf Racial Power: Dwarven Resilience
Fighter Attack: Combat Challenge
Fighter Attack 1: Knockdown Assault
Fighter Attack 1: Wicked Strike
Fighter Utility 2: Pass Forward
Fighter Attack 5: Dizzying Blow
Athletics Utility 6: Mighty Sprint
Fighter Attack 7: Bloody the Field
Fighter Attack 9: Terrifying Impact
Fighter Utility 10: Fighter's Grit
Dwarven Defender Attack 11: Press Forward
Dwarven Defender Utility 12: Forge Fire Heart
Fighter Attack 13: Giant's Wake
Fighter Utility 16: Iron Warrior
Fighter Attack 17: Mountain Breaking Blow
Fighter Attack 19: Strike of the Watchful Guard
Dwarven Defender Attack 20: Keystone Collapse
Fighter Utility 22: Martial Supremacy

FEATS
Level 1: Dwarven Weapon Training
Level 2: Superior Reflexes
Level 4: Superior Fortitude
Level 6: Superior Will
Level 8: Weapon Focus (Axe)
Level 10: Fighter Weapon Specialization
Level 11: Armor Specialization (Hide)
Level 12: Danger Sense
Level 14: Opportunity Sidestep
Level 16: Fleet-Footed
Level 18: Punishing Axe
Level 20: Overwhelming Critical
Level 21: Axe Mastery
Level 22: Cleaving Axe

ITEMS
Vicious Greataxe +5 x1
Amulet of Protection +5 x1
Distance Handaxe +3
Iron Armbands of Power (paragon tier) x1
Dwarven Boots x1
Helm of Vision Unclouded x1
Dwarven Throwers x1
Belt of Endurance (heroic tier) x1
Winged Stalkerhide Armor +5 x1
====== End ======