Character Creation Thread

[Sandman]

I made a rudimentary Barbarian, but I need advice regarding feats and skills.

Tantallon Dirle

Human Male Barbarian

Chaotic Good

Str: 16 +4 melee, +3 damage
Dex: 14 +3 missile, +2 AC, +2 Reflex save
Con: 16 15hp, +12 per level
Int: 10 20 skill points, +5 per level
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Sandman
I made a rudimentary Barbarian, but I need advice regarding feats and skills.

Tantallon Dirle

Human Male Barbarian

Chaotic Good

Str: 16 +4 melee, +3 damage
Dex: 14 +3 missile, +2 AC, +2 Reflex save
Con: 16 15hp, +12 per level
Int: 10 20 skill points, +5 per level
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

If you like the raging aspects of a Barbarian, consider taking one of these feats:

Extra Rage
You rage two more times per day than you otherwise would.

Extended Rage
Each of your rages lasts an additional 5 rounds beyond its normal duration.

Other good early feats for Bbn: Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative.

As for Skills, I'll repeat what I posted earlier in this thread for korn469:

Originally posted by dejon
Skills to consider for a typical Barbarian:

Climb, Jump, Swim - a raging Barbarian doesn't usually want to let an enemy get away, even if they climb a tree, jump a chasm, cross a river, etc.

Wilderness Lore, Intuit Direction - for when the impulsive Barbarian gets separated from the group, he can find his way back.

Intimidate - Scare the pants off people so they'll tell you what you want to know. (Ask DM if you can use your STR modifier for Intimidate checks rather than CHA - you're a brute, not a smooth talker)

Listen - Always good to have advance notice of something coming.

[korn469]

dejon

are the extra rage and extended rage in the phb? and can you take them from the start?

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by korn469
dejon

are the extra rage and extended rage in the phb? and can you take them from the start?

Nope, they're in the Masters of the Wild supplement (for Barbarians, Druids, and Rangers). And yes, you can - the only requirement is the ability to rage.

Btw, there is also Destructive Rage, Instantaneous Rage, and Intimidating Rage in that book, but I wouldn't recommend them for early feats.

[korn469]

dejon,

what do those feats do? I may take one later on if they are good

also every three levels you get an extra feat as a barbarian right?

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by korn469
dejon,

what do those feats do? I may take one later on if they are good

also every three levels you get an extra feat as a barbarian right?

Destructive Rage
While you're raging, you gain a +8 bonus on any Strength checks you make to break open doors or break inanimate, immobile objects.

Instantaneous Rage
Your rage begins at any time you wish, even when it's not your turn or when you're surprised. You can activate your rage in response to another's action after learning the result but before it takes effect. Thus you can gain the benfits of rage in time to prevent or ameloriorate an undesirable event. For example you can gain the additional hit points that rage grants just before a blow that would otherwise cause you to fall unconscious, or better your chances of making a successful saving throw against an incoming spell.

Intimidating Rage
While you are raging, you designate a single foe within 30 feet of you who must make a Will save (DC=10 + one half your character level + your Charisma modifier) or become shaken for as long as you continue to rage and the target can see you. (A shaken creature suffers a -2 morale penalty on attack rolls, saves, and checks.) A target who makes the save remains immune to the intimidating effect of your rage for one day. Creatures immune to fear and those with no visual senses are immune to this effect.

The way the DC for Intimidating Rage is built, I wouldn't suggest it before 6th level. Instantaneous Rage is for very specific scenarios, so leave it until upper levels when you're out of ideas for feats. Destructive rage is good for non-wilderness campaigns (more doors and objects), but there are many feats more important at early levels.

Yes, a Bbn gets just normal feat progression (every three levels). If you're human, you get an extra feat at first level.

[Sandman]

OK, with regards to feats, I'll take extra rages (since I only start with one) and Power Attack, since it sounds nice.

For skills; Whatever it takes to be literate, and I'll have climbing, wilderness lore, intuit direction and listen as well, please.

Armour: medium ringmail or something like that. The best armour I can get basically. A nice big shield would be good as well.

Weapon: I'm thinking crushing here. I don't want to scrape so low as a club or a hammer, but I'm not a ponce with a flail or a staff either. A mace or morningstar preferably.

Some sort of ranged weapon would be nice, just to take advantage of my highish dex. A sling, maybe? Or would a bow be more up my street?

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Sandman
OK, with regards to feats, I'll take extra rages (since I only start with one) and Power Attack, since it sounds nice.

For skills; Whatever it takes to be literate, and I'll have climbing, wilderness lore, intuit direction and listen as well, please.

Armour: medium ringmail or something like that. The best armour I can get basically. A nice big shield would be good as well.

Weapon: I'm thinking crushing here. I don't want to scrape so low as a club or a hammer, but I'm not a ponce with a flail or a staff either. A mace or morningstar preferably.

Some sort of ranged weapon would be nice, just to take advantage of my highish dex. A sling, maybe? Or would a bow be more up my street?

Skills look good. 4 ranks in each and two for literacy leaves you 2 points left.

Here's a suggested equipment list:

Morningstar (8gp, 8lbs, 1d8 damage)
Shield, large, wooden (7gp, 10lbs, +2 armor)
Sling & 20 bullets (2 sp, 10lbs, 1d4 damage)
Studded leather armour (25gp, 20lbs, +3 armor)
2 potions of Cure Light Wounds (@50gp, cures 1d8 HP)

140gp, 2sp 48 lbs

You're probably thinking "Leather armor"?!? Here is why:
-as "Light" armour, it doesn't slow down your 40ft Bbn speed
-it weighs less than most Medium armour, so you're less likely to go over your light load carrying capacity, which would also slow you down
-it costs less than Scale Mail, so you can afford two curing potions instead of one (as a speedy front-line unit, you'll need them)
-the shield adds +2 armor anyways

[Felch]

What has been put together so far? Like, who is finished, and when do we start?

[Zylka]

I don't understand how to make character stats...

[Sandman]

Originally posted by dejon
Skills look good. 4 ranks in each and two for literacy leaves you 2 points left.

Here's a suggested equipment list:

Morningstar (8gp, 8lbs, 1d8 damage)
Shield, large, wooden (7gp, 10lbs, +2 armor)
Sling & 20 bullets (2 sp, 10lbs, 1d4 damage)
Studded leather armour (25gp, 20lbs, +3 armor)
2 potions of Cure Light Wounds (@50gp, cures 1d8 HP)

140gp, 2sp 48 lbs

You're probably thinking "Leather armor"?!? Here is why:
-as "Light" armour, it doesn't slow down your 40ft Bbn speed
-it weighs less than most Medium armour, so you're less likely to go over your light load carrying capacity, which would also slow you down
-it costs less than Scale Mail, so you can afford two curing potions instead of one (as a speedy front-line unit, you'll need them)
-the shield adds +2 armor anyways

Okay, I'm vaguely undecided as regards to armour class versus speed, but studded leather sounds okay, so I'll go with it for now. A total AC of 3 is reasonably solid.

Morningstar and shield sound fine, I take it that the wooden shield won't break any time soon. The sling should be good for softening up opponents, killing flying things, hitting switches etc.

I'll spend the two remaining skill points on use rope, regardless of the penalties. Maybe buy a rope as well?

Looks good, thanks dejon. I'll organise this into a more detailed character profile in a while.

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Sandman

Okay, I'm vaguely undecided as regards to armour class versus speed, but studded leather sounds okay, so I'll go with it for now. A total AC of 3 is reasonably solid.

Morningstar and shield sound fine, I take it that the wooden shield won't break any time soon. The sling should be good for softening up opponents, killing flying things, hitting switches etc.

I'll spend the two remaining skill points on use rope, regardless of the penalties. Maybe buy a rope as well?

Looks good, thanks dejon. I'll organise this into a more detailed character profile in a while.

Your AC with those choices would be 17 (10 base, +2 dex, +3 armor, +2 shield).

Shield types just respond to spells differently. Wood is susceptible to a Warp Wood spell, and metal is susceptible to Heat Metal. Sure, the wood has a lower break object DC, but I've never seen that come into play.

Rope

You're welcome.

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Felch
What has been put together so far? Like, who is finished, and when do we start?

I'm not sure. A few people have completed characters - maybe 5? When I get some more time (this evening, perhaps), I'll go through this thread and do a summary of who we have.

I bumped the organization thread this morning, but it's fallen down again.

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Zylka
I don't understand how to make character stats...

Here is a link to Victor's original Character creation guide. If you need help after reading that, we're here to help.

[Sandman]

Tantallon Dirle (pronounced tan-talon dirl)
Human Male Barbarian
Chaotic Good
21 years 6 months
6 foot 190lbs
Level 1
0 exp
15hp

Stats

Str: 16 +4 melee, +3 damage
Dex: 14 +3 missile, +2 AC, +2 reflex save
Con: 16 15hp, +12 per level, +5 fort save
Int: 10 20 skill points, +5 per level
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Feats: Extra Rage, Iron Will
Speed: 40ft
Rages: 3 (1+2)
Armour: 17 (10+2+2+3)
Initiative: 2
Carrying Capacity: Light, 77lbs, medium, 153lbs, heavy, 230lbs

Saves

Fortitude: 5 (2+3)
Reflexes: 2
Willpower: 2 (Iron will)

Skills

Wilderness survival: 4
Climb: 4
Listen: 4
Intuit direction: 4
Swim: 2
Literacy: 2

Weapons: Morningstar 1d8 8lbs
Sling 1d4, 20 bullets, 10lbs

Armour: Studded leather +3 10lbs
Large wooden shield +2 20lbs

Other: 2 potions of cure light wounds 1d8
Hunting Knives, 3lbs
Bedroll, 3lbs
Explorers outfit, 2lbs
Mess Kit, 3lbs

Weight: 59lbs

Rage stats (I think):

Duration: 8 (3+5)
Str: 20 +6 melee, +5 damage
Con: 20 17hp, +14 per level, +7 fort save
Willpower: 4 (2+2)

Winded stats:

Str: 14 +3 melee, +1 damage
Dex: 12 +2 missile, +1 AC, +1 Reflex save

Distinguishing features: Brilliant white tattoo on the right side of the face, short cropped brown hair, full complement of fingers and toes, no visible scars.

Nicknames: Whiteface, Iron Tan

Quotes: "Food, drink, air, honour."