Savage Arm (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

From D&D Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Introduction[edit]

In the savage lands of the world, many frightening and awe-inspiring fighters roam, instilling fear in travelers. Not all of these vicious barbarians use weapons, which makes them more frightening. After all, if he doesn't have a sword to drop, you can't catch him without his mightiest weapon - his fists

References[edit]

Player's Handbook: Barbarian and Fighter; Complete Warrior: Swashbuckler, Reaping Mauler, Frenzied Berserker, and Clever Wrestling, Destructive Rage, and Intimidating Rage feats

Game Rule Components[edit]

Spells, Powers, Soulmelds, Stances, etc.[edit]

none

Items[edit]

Enchanted gauntlets will increase your damage, and shouldn't be neglected. A Monk's Belt and Bracers of Armor are indispensable. Items that increase one of the four stats listed below are also helpful.

Progression[edit]

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Strength is the most important attribute, because it's your main source of damage until you can afford magic items. High dexterity is important, as you'll be wearing at most light armor to qualify for many of your class features, and you get Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat. Constitution is important because it affects how long you can rage and frenzy. Wisdom is important because it affects the DCs for the Reaping Mauler's sleeper lock and devastating grapple class features.

Race (Templates): The progression given here is for a human character. For other races, see the side notes. Keep in mind, though, that you need to be small or medium size to qualify for the clever wrestling feat. Starting Racial Traits: one extra feat, four extra skill points, and any favored class.

ECL Class/HD/LA Base
Attack Bonus
Saving Throws Feats Class
Features
Special
Fort Ref Will
1st Barbarian 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Improved Unarmed Strike, Clever Wrestling Fast Movement, illiteracy, rage 1/day none
2nd Barbarian 1, Swashbuckler 1 +2 +4 +0 +0 none Weapon Finesse(bonus feat) put 2 ranks each in escape artist and tumble
3rd Barbarian 1, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1 +3 +6 +0 +0 power attack fighter bonus feat(get cleave) put 1 more rank each in escape artist and tumble
4th Barbarian 2, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1 +4 +7 +0 +0 none Uncanny Dodge put 2 more ranks each in escape artist and tumble
5th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1 +5 +7 +1 +1 none Trap sense +1 none
6th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 1 +6/+1 +9 +3 +1 Destructive Rage Improved Grapple, Mobility none
7th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 2 +7/+2 +10 +4 +1 none Adept Wrestling +1 none
8th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 3 +8/+3 +10 +4 +2 none counter grapple, sleeper lock none
9th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 4 +9/+4 +11 +5 +2 Intimidating Rage Adept Wrestling +2 none
10th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 4, Frenzied Berserker 1 +10/+5 +13 +5 +2 none Frenzy 1/day, Diehard (Bonus Feat) none
11th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 1 +11/+6/+1 +13 +5 +2 none Devastating Grapple none
12th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 2 +12/+7/+2 +14 +5 +2 your choice Supreme Cleave none
13th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 3 +13/+8/+3 +14 +6 +3 none Frenzy 2/day none
14th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 4 +14/+9/+4 +15 +6 +3 none Deathless Frenzy none
15th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 5 +15/+10/+5 +15 +6 +3 go nuts Frenzy 3/day, improved power attack none
16th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 6 +16/+11/+6/+1 +16 +7 +4 none Inspire Frenzy 1/day none
17th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 7 +17/+12/+7/+2 +16 +7 +4 none Frenzy 4/day none
18th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 8 +18/+13/+8/+3 +17 +7 +4 if you'd like Greater Frenzy, inspire frenzy 2/day none
19th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 9 +19/+14/+9/+4 +17 +8 +5 none Frenzy 5/day none
20th Barbarian 3, Swashbuckler 1, Fighter 1, Reaping Mauler 5, Frenzied Berserker 10 +20/+15/+10/+5 +18 +8 +5 none Inspire frenzy 3/day, tireless frenzy, supreme power attack none

Other Components[edit]

This is a fairly straightforward build. There aren't any special components.

Highlights[edit]

This build exploits class abilities to be able to gain maximum levels in both Reaping Mauler and Frenzied Berserker before epic levels. To do this, you need to take a level in one class at 6th level. You can't take a Frenzied Berserker level until 7th level, and to take a Reaping Mauler level by 6th level, you need to get a level in a class that has escape artist and tumble as class skills and has a good base attack bonus. Swashbuckler is the only class I've found like that.

Munchkin-Size Me[edit]

Use the class levels above. Make sure you have the feats and skill points you need, and to take a Reaping Mauler level by 6th level, and a Frenzied Berserker level by 11th level.

Side Notes[edit]

This build is great for unarmed fighters who also like barbarians. You also get a godly fortitude save.

Limitations[edit]

Your - will - saves - SUCK!! That's a major downside to this build, so you need to work on compensating for this. Also, your reflex saves aren't too good either.

DM Counters[edit]

Anything that requires a will save. :(

Miscellaneous[edit]

The above advancement assumes that you are a human, or another race that gains a bonus feat at first level. If you're a creature of another race, (like orc, which makes more sense than a human Savage Arm) you need to substitute one of your barbarian levels for another level in fighter, which will give you another bonus feat.


You could take some flaws and/or some of the generic classes from the Unearthed Arcana. This would allow you to use any race you would like.



Back to Main Page3.5e HomebrewOptimized Character Builds

Home of user-generated,
homebrew pages!


Advertisements: