Post by johannhowitzer on Jul 5, 2007 6:08:09 GMT
This build is the result of a "dare" I received while on a Web run tonight. I was reminiscing on a build I made on another server once upon a time, a server that used the standard NWN rules, of course. Said build succeeded in dual-wielding Bastard Swords, by exploiting the Ranger's wonderful Dual Wield and ITWF feats to skip the DEX requirement. Of course, such a build would be nothing more than a nostalgic dream on this server... or would it? During the Web run, I threw out the idea of a smiter paladin built to dual-wield Bastard Swords, and of course no one believed it was possible.
Note that this is not really meant to be a serious build meant to thrive in the Hells, it is built purely for the coolness factor. While you may survive there, you will probably need to switch to a shield and heavy armor; HOWEVER, this is of course always possible, and donning such equipment makes this build nearly on par with my recent contribution, the Arm of Jormungandr. Meanwhile, you will be able to succeed in combat at lower-level areas, probably even Ssithrak and Dachy runs, using the uber-cool dual blades of terror! Anyone who's ever wanted to build a toon that could tote around two huge swords and whack stuff with a vengeance, this is the build for you! Anyone who doesn't care about having a little fun on the side and wants to spend all his time munchkining in the Hells for uber loot can stay away.
I am building this using the Baseborn Titan, but once again, the Hound Archon is a better choice if you have it.
Baseborn Titan, Lawful Good
Starting abilities / subrace:
STR 14 / 16
DEX 10 / 10
CON 14 / 14
INT 10 / 8
WIS 12 / 14
CHA 16 / 18
Leveling and feats:
1. Ranger --- Weapon Proficiency (exotic), Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
2. Paladin
3. Paladin --- Power Attack
4. Paladin (CHA)
5. Paladin
6. Paladin --- Divine Might
7. Paladin
8. Paladin (CHA)
9. Paladin --- Improved Critical (bastard sword)
10. Paladin
11. Paladin
12. Paladin (CHA) --- Toughness
13. Paladin
14. Paladin
15. Paladin --- Blind Fight
16. Paladin (CHA)
17. Paladin
18. Paladin --- Extend Spell
19. Paladin
20. Paladin (CHA)
21. Paladin --- Epic Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
22. Monk
23. Ranger
24. Paladin (CHA) --- Great Charisma I
25. Ranger
26. Ranger
27. Paladin --- Great Smite I
28. Ranger (STR)
29. Ranger
30. Paladin --- Great Smite II, Great Smite III
31. Ranger
32. Ranger (STR)
33. Paladin --- Great Smite IV
34. Ranger
35. Paladin
36. Paladin (STR) --- Great Smite V, Great Smite VI
37. Monk
38. Paladin
39. Paladin --- Great Smite VII
40. Paladin (STR) --- Great Smite VIII
Legendary levels:
42 - CON, Armor Skin
44 - CON
--- NOTE: Read Enchantment book before level 45! ---
45 - Legendary Spell Focus (enchantment)
46 - STR
48 - STR, Great Smite IX
50 - STR
51 - Great Smite X
52 - STR
54 - STR, Epic Prowess
56 - STR
57 - Legendary Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
58 - STR
60 - STR, Great Charisma II
Skills: dump 40 in Tumble at monk levels, max Taunt, and the rest (a little less than the max) in Discipline.
Again, to make the build as playable as possible at LLs, eight Great Smites had to be taken before level 41 to capitalize on the resulting STR bonus. While the RDD ability score bonuses are not present here as in the other build, Epic Weapon Focus is taken much earlier, and the way I'm building this, I'll end up with a lot more Taunt skill much earlier too, resulting in almost the same net AB before dual-wielding penalties kick in. Taunt is practically necessary to make enemies hittable with any consistency while dual-wielding, which is why I prioritized it over Discipline. Ending abilities:
40 / 60
STR 20 / 40
DEX 10 / 10
CON 14 / 16
INT 8 / 8
WIS 14 / 14
CHA 25 / 30
Note the level 40 ability scores... except for CHA, they are all unbearably low, especially for a strength tank. At 60, though, once again the build redeems itself with a fairly respectable STR and CHA, and a subpar but playable CON; in fact, the STR spikes to 28 at level 41. The WIS synergy between Paladin and Ranger isn't really a consideration, as you only reach 2nd-level Ranger spells, though Cat's Grace can be helpful at early levels.
Hope you all enjoy this build! Frankly, I think this beats my earlier dual-bastard-sword build... the inclusion of Paladin makes up for a little lack of AB through Taunt, as well as tacking on some nice Divine damage. Self-GMW +14 on two weapons, plus dual Bless Weapons?? I pity the poor undead who comes across this monster! Too bad I had to postpone the last Ranger level (for ITWF) until level 34 to make the build self-buffable at low levels. The GMW just HAS to keep up... unless you'd rather rely on ally spellcasters to buff you until late epic.
Comments? Spare me the pointing out of the flaws in this build, I know them already. Only suggest changes if they maintain the spirit of the build. Also remember, you can don some heavy armor and a shield to turn this into a slightly-weakened version of my other smiter paladin.
Is this not nifty? I know it rocks my socks.
Note that this is not really meant to be a serious build meant to thrive in the Hells, it is built purely for the coolness factor. While you may survive there, you will probably need to switch to a shield and heavy armor; HOWEVER, this is of course always possible, and donning such equipment makes this build nearly on par with my recent contribution, the Arm of Jormungandr. Meanwhile, you will be able to succeed in combat at lower-level areas, probably even Ssithrak and Dachy runs, using the uber-cool dual blades of terror! Anyone who's ever wanted to build a toon that could tote around two huge swords and whack stuff with a vengeance, this is the build for you! Anyone who doesn't care about having a little fun on the side and wants to spend all his time munchkining in the Hells for uber loot can stay away.
I am building this using the Baseborn Titan, but once again, the Hound Archon is a better choice if you have it.
Baseborn Titan, Lawful Good
Starting abilities / subrace:
STR 14 / 16
DEX 10 / 10
CON 14 / 14
INT 10 / 8
WIS 12 / 14
CHA 16 / 18
Leveling and feats:
1. Ranger --- Weapon Proficiency (exotic), Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
2. Paladin
3. Paladin --- Power Attack
4. Paladin (CHA)
5. Paladin
6. Paladin --- Divine Might
7. Paladin
8. Paladin (CHA)
9. Paladin --- Improved Critical (bastard sword)
10. Paladin
11. Paladin
12. Paladin (CHA) --- Toughness
13. Paladin
14. Paladin
15. Paladin --- Blind Fight
16. Paladin (CHA)
17. Paladin
18. Paladin --- Extend Spell
19. Paladin
20. Paladin (CHA)
21. Paladin --- Epic Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
22. Monk
23. Ranger
24. Paladin (CHA) --- Great Charisma I
25. Ranger
26. Ranger
27. Paladin --- Great Smite I
28. Ranger (STR)
29. Ranger
30. Paladin --- Great Smite II, Great Smite III
31. Ranger
32. Ranger (STR)
33. Paladin --- Great Smite IV
34. Ranger
35. Paladin
36. Paladin (STR) --- Great Smite V, Great Smite VI
37. Monk
38. Paladin
39. Paladin --- Great Smite VII
40. Paladin (STR) --- Great Smite VIII
Legendary levels:
42 - CON, Armor Skin
44 - CON
--- NOTE: Read Enchantment book before level 45! ---
45 - Legendary Spell Focus (enchantment)
46 - STR
48 - STR, Great Smite IX
50 - STR
51 - Great Smite X
52 - STR
54 - STR, Epic Prowess
56 - STR
57 - Legendary Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
58 - STR
60 - STR, Great Charisma II
Skills: dump 40 in Tumble at monk levels, max Taunt, and the rest (a little less than the max) in Discipline.
Again, to make the build as playable as possible at LLs, eight Great Smites had to be taken before level 41 to capitalize on the resulting STR bonus. While the RDD ability score bonuses are not present here as in the other build, Epic Weapon Focus is taken much earlier, and the way I'm building this, I'll end up with a lot more Taunt skill much earlier too, resulting in almost the same net AB before dual-wielding penalties kick in. Taunt is practically necessary to make enemies hittable with any consistency while dual-wielding, which is why I prioritized it over Discipline. Ending abilities:
40 / 60
STR 20 / 40
DEX 10 / 10
CON 14 / 16
INT 8 / 8
WIS 14 / 14
CHA 25 / 30
Note the level 40 ability scores... except for CHA, they are all unbearably low, especially for a strength tank. At 60, though, once again the build redeems itself with a fairly respectable STR and CHA, and a subpar but playable CON; in fact, the STR spikes to 28 at level 41. The WIS synergy between Paladin and Ranger isn't really a consideration, as you only reach 2nd-level Ranger spells, though Cat's Grace can be helpful at early levels.
Hope you all enjoy this build! Frankly, I think this beats my earlier dual-bastard-sword build... the inclusion of Paladin makes up for a little lack of AB through Taunt, as well as tacking on some nice Divine damage. Self-GMW +14 on two weapons, plus dual Bless Weapons?? I pity the poor undead who comes across this monster! Too bad I had to postpone the last Ranger level (for ITWF) until level 34 to make the build self-buffable at low levels. The GMW just HAS to keep up... unless you'd rather rely on ally spellcasters to buff you until late epic.
Comments? Spare me the pointing out of the flaws in this build, I know them already. Only suggest changes if they maintain the spirit of the build. Also remember, you can don some heavy armor and a shield to turn this into a slightly-weakened version of my other smiter paladin.
Is this not nifty? I know it rocks my socks.