Post by Yojimbo on Apr 19, 2009 0:02:53 GMT
Eight Legged Master
2 Barbarian/8 Fighter/30 Weapon Master
Weapon Masters can make good damage dealers and tanks with their high AB and Strength. They can make for good disablers too with high enough AB you can land Disarms and Knockdowns however with this open sub you won't quiet reach it. This build has two race choices but the guide will focus on the Drider form notes at the end will give pointers on modifications for the Derrzagon. Drider will benefit from the ability to use a large weapon one handed and equip a shield and the Derrzagon will get better starting stats. I skip dual wielding/double weapon but it is doable though I would suggest using the Derrzagon for that type of build.
Sub-race choice:
Drider
I chose Drider because of the large size and the extra point of strength as well as Blind Fight for free. I looked at many races and this just seemed to be the best for the design I had in mind. Derrzagon is a good alternative as I mentioned before and you will find those notes at the end of this guide.
Class choices:
-Barbarian (Brb): I splash in Barbarian for two reasons the first is that it has Intimidate as a class skill so you save yourself 4 skill points by using Barbarian. The second reason I use it is that 2 levels will give you the useful Uncanny Dodge skill. You can also go for Rogue and get Evasion instead and if you give up one level WM I believe you can still get Uncanny Dodge.
-Fighter (Ftr): Weapon Master is a feat heavy prestige class so you need all the feats you can get. With Fighter levels you can make sure you get all your required feats in a timely fashion. I can't see a way to do this without using fighter.
-Weapon Master (WM): The primary class goes without saying that it is here and why. The WM has great damage output it has increased attack bonus, damage, and critical hits with its feats.
The tables below will guide you through the leveling process notes on it can be found at the end of each section. Items which have a note at the end of their section will be marked with a *. Before we start I will highlight a few of the benefits this build takes advantage of.
Please note that Tumble uses base ranks only.
Starting Stats:
Sub-race Edits:
New Character Notes:
You must re-log for the size change to take effect and use large weapons one handed
The Fire vulnerability can be reduced by drinking the blood of a powerful dragon
Pre-Epic:
Epic:
Epic Notes:
You do not get anything more than the standard NWN benefits of Overwhelming Critical but it is required for Devastating Critical.
You have no WM feats left at level 39 all you have to take is Epic Toughness.
Legendary:
Legendary Notes:
Tumble will reach maximum effective ranks with 60 at lvl 57
I took Epic Will because that is the lowest save otherwise but this is something of a free feat.
Final Stats:
AB & AC is calculated with only +12 gear and +2 from CW/CA
Saves are given with +12 gear
Final Notes:
I chose to go with a Halberd but for a Drider variant any Large weapon is doable might need to shuffle feats and delay WM for about 2 levels if you go for exotic weapon proficiency. I wouldn't try dual wielder with the Drider the AC isn't very good and you will have to squeeze in two more Dexterity plus the 3 dual weapon feats. Getting the blood of one of the powerful dragons as early as possible will help as it can reduce the fire vulnerability.
HG Enhanced(HGE) Notes:
If you download and install the HGE HAK you have some additional options for WM bonus feats. To make best use of this make the changes listed below.
Derrzagon Notes:
Starting Stats:
Sub-race Edits:
You have 16 INT after edit so level 4 ability point changes to STR. You have 14 starting CON so you can drop Great Constitution I & II on levels 36 (WM 26) and 39 (WM 29). This gives Derrzagon and advantage for going the double weapon or dual wielding route over the Drider. You will lose 61 skill points I would most likely drop Craft Weapon because of the classes already high AB. You can also use a vial of dragon blood for some feats I believe Mobility is one and I know Cleave is available from a vial of blood giving you another open feat.
2 Barbarian/8 Fighter/30 Weapon Master
Weapon Masters can make good damage dealers and tanks with their high AB and Strength. They can make for good disablers too with high enough AB you can land Disarms and Knockdowns however with this open sub you won't quiet reach it. This build has two race choices but the guide will focus on the Drider form notes at the end will give pointers on modifications for the Derrzagon. Drider will benefit from the ability to use a large weapon one handed and equip a shield and the Derrzagon will get better starting stats. I skip dual wielding/double weapon but it is doable though I would suggest using the Derrzagon for that type of build.
Sub-race choice:
Drider
"Drider" - requires Half-Elf (changes Appearance) STR +1, INT -1, Wis +2, CHA -2, free feat: Blind Fighting, Diamond Body, 50% vulnerable fire, increases character size to large, able to walk on quicksand, speaks Drow, speaks Undercommon, knows Drow Sign Language
I chose Drider because of the large size and the extra point of strength as well as Blind Fight for free. I looked at many races and this just seemed to be the best for the design I had in mind. Derrzagon is a good alternative as I mentioned before and you will find those notes at the end of this guide.
Class choices:
-Barbarian (Brb): I splash in Barbarian for two reasons the first is that it has Intimidate as a class skill so you save yourself 4 skill points by using Barbarian. The second reason I use it is that 2 levels will give you the useful Uncanny Dodge skill. You can also go for Rogue and get Evasion instead and if you give up one level WM I believe you can still get Uncanny Dodge.
-Fighter (Ftr): Weapon Master is a feat heavy prestige class so you need all the feats you can get. With Fighter levels you can make sure you get all your required feats in a timely fashion. I can't see a way to do this without using fighter.
-Weapon Master (WM): The primary class goes without saying that it is here and why. The WM has great damage output it has increased attack bonus, damage, and critical hits with its feats.
The tables below will guide you through the leveling process notes on it can be found at the end of each section. Items which have a note at the end of their section will be marked with a *. Before we start I will highlight a few of the benefits this build takes advantage of.
Listen
- Increases your chances of hitting concealed enemies. Up to a skill of 60, the enemy concealment drops to (Concealment ** (1 + (Listen skill / 60))). With a skill above 60, the enemy concealment drops to (Concealment ** (1.5 + (Listen skill / 120))).
- A Listen skill of 60 is equivalent to having the Blind-Fight feat in reducing enemy concealment, and skill and feat do not stack. '**' is the exponentiation operator.
- If the above sounds too complex, remember that effective enemy conceal will be shown in-game.
- Being deafened halves your effective listen skill - after all other calculations
Craft Armor
- Now grants +1 AC per 40 points.
Craft Weapon
- Now grants +1 AB per 40 points when wielding a weapon.
Parry
- Reduces damage taken from critical hits. The total damage taken is reduced by 1% per 2 points of Parry skill above 20, to a maximum of 50% with a skill of 120.
- A skill of 100 or higher grants immunity to Assassin Mortal Strike.
Tumble
- AC bonus is now capped at 12 - (PM + RDD AC bonuses), with a minimum cap of 6.
- If you have 5 points of AC from RDD levels, for example, the most AC you can get from Tumble ranks is 7.
- The 2 base AC from level 1 of Pale Master do not count in this calculation.
- Tumble can lower the duration of some knockdown attacks. If there is a chance of this, you will see a Tumble check when you are being knocked down.
Overwhelming Critical
- Now adds +1 to critical hit threat range for the weapon chosen in addition to the normal effect.
- If you have the Weapon Master Ki Critical feat, the threat range expansion will not work for any weapon.
Devastating Critical
- Now adds +1 to critical hit multiplier for the weapon chosen instead of the normal effect.
Ki Reflection
- Characters with weaponmaster as their control class who do not belong to a quasiclass and have at least 40 base Strength may acquire a Ki Reflection ability. When toggled on, Ki Reflection drains one use of the Ki Damage power every 15 seconds while providing critical hit immunity. The user may turn Ki Reflection off by using the power again.
Additional Skill Options
- Legendary Weapon Masters may raise Craft Armor, Craft Weapon, and Parry as class skills in legendary levels.
Epic Superior Weapon Focus
- Epic Superior Weapon Focus grants a bonus +1 AB with Weapons of Choice at Weapon Master level 29, and a further +2 AB bonus with those weapons at Weapon Master level 30.
Superior Weapon Focus
- Superior Weapon Focus grants a bonus +1 AB with Weapons of Choice at Weapon Master 10.
Whirlwind Attack
- For characters with weaponmaster as their control class, Whirlwind and Improved Whirlwind improve at character level 41. When using either one, the weaponmaster will perform a second set of attacks, seperate from the whirl, in which the weaponmaster will automatically attempt a Ki Damage attack on every enemy in range. Every enemy hit by the weaponmaster will suffer an extra 2d20 points of slashing damage for every 4 legendary levels the weaponmaster has. Only one use of the Ki Damage feat is used up per whirl, no matter how many enemies are hit.
- Increases your chances of hitting concealed enemies. Up to a skill of 60, the enemy concealment drops to (Concealment ** (1 + (Listen skill / 60))). With a skill above 60, the enemy concealment drops to (Concealment ** (1.5 + (Listen skill / 120))).
- A Listen skill of 60 is equivalent to having the Blind-Fight feat in reducing enemy concealment, and skill and feat do not stack. '**' is the exponentiation operator.
- If the above sounds too complex, remember that effective enemy conceal will be shown in-game.
- Being deafened halves your effective listen skill - after all other calculations
Craft Armor
- Now grants +1 AC per 40 points.
Craft Weapon
- Now grants +1 AB per 40 points when wielding a weapon.
Parry
- Reduces damage taken from critical hits. The total damage taken is reduced by 1% per 2 points of Parry skill above 20, to a maximum of 50% with a skill of 120.
- A skill of 100 or higher grants immunity to Assassin Mortal Strike.
Tumble
- AC bonus is now capped at 12 - (PM + RDD AC bonuses), with a minimum cap of 6.
- If you have 5 points of AC from RDD levels, for example, the most AC you can get from Tumble ranks is 7.
- The 2 base AC from level 1 of Pale Master do not count in this calculation.
- Tumble can lower the duration of some knockdown attacks. If there is a chance of this, you will see a Tumble check when you are being knocked down.
Overwhelming Critical
- Now adds +1 to critical hit threat range for the weapon chosen in addition to the normal effect.
- If you have the Weapon Master Ki Critical feat, the threat range expansion will not work for any weapon.
Devastating Critical
- Now adds +1 to critical hit multiplier for the weapon chosen instead of the normal effect.
Ki Reflection
- Characters with weaponmaster as their control class who do not belong to a quasiclass and have at least 40 base Strength may acquire a Ki Reflection ability. When toggled on, Ki Reflection drains one use of the Ki Damage power every 15 seconds while providing critical hit immunity. The user may turn Ki Reflection off by using the power again.
Additional Skill Options
- Legendary Weapon Masters may raise Craft Armor, Craft Weapon, and Parry as class skills in legendary levels.
Epic Superior Weapon Focus
- Epic Superior Weapon Focus grants a bonus +1 AB with Weapons of Choice at Weapon Master level 29, and a further +2 AB bonus with those weapons at Weapon Master level 30.
Superior Weapon Focus
- Superior Weapon Focus grants a bonus +1 AB with Weapons of Choice at Weapon Master 10.
Whirlwind Attack
- For characters with weaponmaster as their control class, Whirlwind and Improved Whirlwind improve at character level 41. When using either one, the weaponmaster will perform a second set of attacks, seperate from the whirl, in which the weaponmaster will automatically attempt a Ki Damage attack on every enemy in range. Every enemy hit by the weaponmaster will suffer an extra 2d20 points of slashing damage for every 4 legendary levels the weaponmaster has. Only one use of the Ki Damage feat is used up per whirl, no matter how many enemies are hit.
Please note that Tumble uses base ranks only.
Starting Stats:
Level 1 | Brb (1) | STR: 16 DEX: 14 CON: 12 WIS: 8 INT: 16 CHA: 8 | Blooded | CA: 4 CW: 4 Discipline: 4 Intimidate: 4 Parry: 4 | Any Non-Lawful Alignment |
Sub-race Edits:
STR: 17 WIS: 10 INT: 15 CHA: 6 | Large Size* | Blind Fight Diamond Body | 50% Fire Vulnerability* | Speaks Drow and Undercommon Knows Drow Sign Language |
New Character Notes:
You must re-log for the size change to take effect and use large weapons one handed
The Fire vulnerability can be reduced by drinking the blood of a powerful dragon
Pre-Epic:
Level 2 | Ftr (1) | Dodge | Concentration +5 CA +1 CW +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 3 | Ftr (2) | Mobility Expertise | Concentration +1 CA +1 CW +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 4 | Ftr (3) | INT +1 (16) | Concentration +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 5 | Ftr (4) | Spring Attack | Concentration +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 6 | Ftr (5) | Weapon Focus | Concentration +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 7 | Ftr (6) | Whirlwind Attack | Concentration +1 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 8 | WM (1) | STR +1 (18) | Weapon of Choice | Discipline +1 Listen +11 |
Level 9 | WM (2) | Improved Critical | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 10 | WM (3) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 11 | WM (4) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 12 | WM (5) | STR +1 (19) | Power Attack | Discipline +1 Listen +1 |
Level 13 | WM (6) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 14 | WM (7) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 15 | WM (8) | Cleave | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 16 | WM (9) | STR +1 (20) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 17 | WM (10) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 18 | Brb (2) | Iron Will | Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +11 | |
Level 19 | Ftr (7) | Concentration +10 Discipline +1 Parry +1 | ||
Level 20 | Ftr (8) | STR +1 (21) | Great Cleave | Discipline +1 Parry +1 |
Epic:
Level 21 | WM (11) | Epic Reflexes | Discipline +1 Listen +3 | |
Level 22 | WM (12) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 23 | WM (13) | Epic Weapon Focus | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 24 | WM (14) | STR +1 (22) | Great Strength I (23) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 |
Level 25 | WM (15) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 26 | WM (16) | Epic Prowess | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 27 | WM (17) | Great Strength II (24) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 28 | WM (18) | STR +1 (25) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 29 | WM (19) | Armor Skin | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 30 | WM (20) | Great Strength III (26) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 31 | WM (21) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 32 | WM (22) | STR +1 (27) | Overwhelming Critical* | Discipline +1 Listen +1 |
Level 33 | WM (23) | Great Strength IV (28) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 34 | WM (24) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 35 | WM (25) | Devastating Critical | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 36 | WM (26) | STR +1 (29) | Great Constitution I (13) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 |
Level 37 | WM (27) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | ||
Level 38 | WM (28) | Epic Toughness I* | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 39 | WM (29) | Great Constitution II (14) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 | |
Level 40 | WM (30) | STR +1 (30) | Discipline +1 Listen +1 |
Epic Notes:
You do not get anything more than the standard NWN benefits of Overwhelming Critical but it is required for Devastating Critical.
You have no WM feats left at level 39 all you have to take is Epic Toughness.
Legendary:
Level 41 | WM (31) | CA +38 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +21 | ||
Level 42 | WM (32) | STR +1 (31) | Legendary Skill Affinity Tumble | CA +1 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 |
Level 43 | WM (33) | CA +1 CW +21 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +46 | ||
Level 44 | WM (34) | STR +1 (32) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 45 | WM (35) | Legendary Weapon Focus | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 46 | WM (36) | STR +1 (33) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 47 | WM (37) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | ||
Level 48 | WM (38) | STR +1 (34) | Legendary Will | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 |
Level 49 | WM (39) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | ||
Level 50 | WM (40) | STR +1 (35) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 51 | WM (41) | Epic Skill Focus Listen | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 52 | WM (42) | STR +1 (36) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 53 | WM (43) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | ||
Level 54 | WM (44) | STR +1 (37) | Power Critical | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 |
Level 55 | WM (45) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | ||
Level 56 | WM (46) | STR +1 (38) | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1 | |
Level 57 | WM (47) | Greater Weapon Focus | CA +1 CW +2 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 Tumble +1* | |
Level 58 | WM (48) | STR +1 (39) | CA +1 CW +3 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 | |
Level 59 | WM (49) | CA +1 CW +3 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 | ||
Level 60 | WM (50) | STR +1 (40) | Epic Will* | CA +1 CW +3 Discipline +1 Listen +1 Parry +1 |
Legendary Notes:
Tumble will reach maximum effective ranks with 60 at lvl 57
I took Epic Will because that is the lowest save otherwise but this is something of a free feat.
Final Stats:
Weapon Master 50 Barbarian 2 Fighter 8 | STR: 40 DEX: 14 CON: 14 WIS: 10 INT: 16 CHA: 6 | Concentration: 20 CA: 63 CW: 47 Discipline: 63 Listen: 63 Parry: 63 Tumble: 60 | AB: 107 | AC: 127 | Fortitude: 55 Reflex: 56 Will: 59 |
AB & AC is calculated with only +12 gear and +2 from CW/CA
Saves are given with +12 gear
Final Notes:
I chose to go with a Halberd but for a Drider variant any Large weapon is doable might need to shuffle feats and delay WM for about 2 levels if you go for exotic weapon proficiency. I wouldn't try dual wielder with the Drider the AC isn't very good and you will have to squeeze in two more Dexterity plus the 3 dual weapon feats. Getting the blood of one of the powerful dragons as early as possible will help as it can reduce the fire vulnerability.
HG Enhanced(HGE) Notes:
If you download and install the HGE HAK you have some additional options for WM bonus feats. To make best use of this make the changes listed below.
Level 9 | WM (2) | Swap Improved Critical for Great Fortitude |
Level 32 | WM (22) | Swap Overwhelming Critical for Improved Cricital |
Level 35 | WM (25) | Swap Devastating Critical for Overwhelming Cricital |
Level 32 | WM (22) | Swap Epic Toughness I for Devastating Cricital |
Derrzagon Notes:
"Dwarf - Derrzagon"- requires Dwarf DEX +2, INT +2, WIS -2, CHR -2, SR18, free feats: Blind Fight, resist acid 5/- resist fire 5/-, speaks Undercommon
Starting Stats:
Level 1 | Brb (1) | STR: 16 DEX: 14 CON: 14 WIS: 12 INT: 14 CHA: 6 | Blooded | Discipline: 4 Intimidate: 4 Listen: 4 | Any Non-Lawful Alignment |
Sub-race Edits:
DEX: 16 WIS: 10 INT: 16 CHA: 4 | Blind Fight | DR: Fire 5/- DR: Acid 5/- | SR: 18 | Speaks Undercommon |
You have 16 INT after edit so level 4 ability point changes to STR. You have 14 starting CON so you can drop Great Constitution I & II on levels 36 (WM 26) and 39 (WM 29). This gives Derrzagon and advantage for going the double weapon or dual wielding route over the Drider. You will lose 61 skill points I would most likely drop Craft Weapon because of the classes already high AB. You can also use a vial of dragon blood for some feats I believe Mobility is one and I know Cleave is available from a vial of blood giving you another open feat.