Scary and Dangerous (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
From D&D Wiki
Introduction[edit]
This build requires you to be Evil, no two ways around it. However, if you're able to use this build, I promise this to be a fun build. Note; I said fun, not powerful. While it may be strong, I don't expect this to be any good other than the fact that it has certain points in it where it gets strong and others were it tapers a little. This focus' around being scary and hitting things very hard.
References[edit]
Dragon Magazine #356, Book of Vile Darkness (BoVD), Five Nations (FN), Complete Champion (CC), Player's Handbook (PH), Complete Divine (CD)
Game Rule Components[edit]
Spells, Powers, Melee[edit]
With this class, you're very versatile. You have nearly full casting, with your highest level spell being an eighth level spell. You're also a decent melee combative, able to take on most foes with your Divine Metamagic. However, you're also freightening, as one of the skills you should major in should be Intimidate, as it will be very high with or without ranks. (But I would slap some ranks into it, just because.)
Personally, I use Expansion with some PP dumped into it so I can scare smaller folk easier (+4 size bonus for every size catagory larger than the opponent. -4 against anyone who's X sizes larger than you are.) and swing a Huge sized Greatsword, and I use Skate so I can move faster along the ground. Heavy armor makes you pretty slow, so +15 movement for 2 minutes, or 2 rounds, is pretty good. As long as the ground is flat.
Items[edit]
As many Nightsticks as possible, Reliquary Holy Symbol, Circlet of Persuasion, Wand of Nerve Skitter. +4 Wisdom, either by Persisted Owl's Wisdom or Periapt or Belt of Magnificence so you can cast your eighth level spell. Once you get these essential items, find some that will be beneficial, like an item for flying or spell negation. Armor and Weapon enchantments are up to your discretion. However, it is preferred you use a Greatsword and Animated Shield.
Progression[edit]
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): 16 Str, 10 Dex, 12 Con, 10 Int, 14 Wis, 15 Cha
Race (Templates): Human (Templates may be applied at your discretion.
Starting Traits: Unnatural Aura for Intimidation Goodness.
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | 1d8 | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Persist, Law Devotion, DMM Persist [Flaw], Tomb Tainted Soul [Flaw] | Turn/Rebuke Undead | |
| 2nd | 2d8 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | None | None | |
| 3rd | 3d8 | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Animal Devotion | None | |
| 4th | 4d8 | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | +1 Cha | ||
| 5th | 4d8/1d8 | +3 | +6 | +1 | +4 | Bonus Feat (Intimidating Strike) | ||
| 6th | 4d8/2d8 | +4 | +7 | +2 | +5 | Willing Deformity | Bonus Feat (Power Strike) | |
| 7th | 4d8/2d8/1d10 | +4 | +9 | +2 | +5 | Bonecraft Armor, Paladin Conversion, Rebuke Undead | ||
| 8th | 4d8/2d8/2d10 | +5 | +10 | +2 | +5 | Bone March, Skeletal Steed, +1 Cha | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (5th) | |
| 9th | 4d8/2d8/3d10 | +6 | +10 | +3 | +6 | Willing Deformity [Teeth] or Imperious Command | Master of the White Banner | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (6th) |
| 10th | 4d8/2d8/4d10 | +7 | +11 | +3 | +6 | Improved Bonecraft Armor | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (7th) | |
| 11th | 4d8/2d8/5d10 | +7 | +11 | +3 | +6 | Fill the Ranks 1/Day | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (8th) | |
| 12th | 4d8/2d8/6d10 | +8 | +12 | +4 | +8 | Willing Deformity [Teeth] or Imperious Command (Whichever one you didn't pick last time) | Bonecraft Weapon, +1 Cha | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (9th) |
| 13th | 4d8/2d8/7d10 | +9 | +12 | +4 | +8 | Improved Bonecraft Armor | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (10th) | |
| 14th | 4d8/2d8/8d10 | +10 | +13 | +5 | +9 | Exoskeleton of Undeath | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (11th) | |
| 15th | 4d8/2d8/8d10/1d10 | +11 | +16 | +4 | +8 | Maximize Spell | Aura of Evil, Detect Good, Smite Good 1/Day | |
| 16th | 4d8/2d8/8d10/2d10 | +12 | +17 | +4 | +8 | Divine Grace, Deadly Touch, +1 Str | ||
| 17th | 4d8/2d8/8d10/2d10/1d6 | +12 | +17 | +4 | +10 | Bonus Domain, Divine Health | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (12th) | |
| 18th | 4d8/2d8/8d10/2d10/2d6 | +13 | +17 | +4 | +11 | Mastery of Day and Night | Slippery Mind | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level 13th) |
| 19th | 4d8/2d8/9d10/2d10/2d6 | +13 | +17 | +5 | +12 | Death Strike 1/Day | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (14th) | |
| 20th | 4d8/2d8/10d10/2d10/2d6 | +14 | +18 | +5 | +11 | Improved Bonecraft Armor, +1 Str | +1 Divine Spellcasting Level (15th) | |
Other Components[edit]
Your Class levels are as follows (Cleric 6/Psychic Warrior 2/Bone Knight 8/Paladin of Tyranny 2/Contemplative 2). Just as a reminder, you may put these in any order you want when leveling up, just as long as it makes sense. My personal route is Cleric 4, Psychic 2, Bone Knight 8, Paladin 2, Contemplative 2, and the Rest of Bone Knight for 2 Final Levels.
Highlights[edit]
This build can make you Hella scary and very good in combat, both ranged spell casting and debuffing, and close combat. At the higher levels, you can get 60+ Intimidation checks, which can outmatch most minions and Lieutenants.. (Don't try to intimidate the BBEG, or PAGG (Pious Adventuring Good Guy), it won't work.) Your +14 BAB at level 20 might look like it sucks, but just persist Divine Power on yourself, you'll be as right as rain.
Munchkin-Size Me[edit]
I have no clue.
Side Notes[edit]
<- overview of additional info about this build ->
Limitations[edit]
Dispel Magic is the bane of this class. You're also slow unless you expend your Animal Devotion to get either Hawk's Flight or Cheetah's Sprint, but you'd be giving up +8 Strength.
DM Counters[edit]
<- If needed, tricks for the DM (provided they allow this build) to keep the abuse to a minimum. ->
Miscellaneous[edit]
<- Any other side notes that don't fit in the above sections. ->
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Optimized Character Builds
