Random Choice: Cavalier (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

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Introduction

I randomly selected a prestige class to work with for an optimization thought experiment. Here's what I came up with. This is the Cavalier. The stereotypical knight in shining armor, saving the princess and slaying the dragon. Restricted by morals, he defends the weak and kills the evil.

References

SRD- Paladin Player's Handbook II- Knight Complete Warrior- Cavalier

Game Rule Components

Spells, Powers, Soulmelds, Stances, etc...

Items

<- items used in this build ->

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str-15 Con-14 Dex- 12 Int- 10 Wis- 8 Cha- 13

Race (Templates): Arctic Dwarf

Starting Racial Traits:

ECL Class/HD/LA Base
Attack Bonus
Saving Throws Feats Class
Features
Special
Fort Ref Will
1st Paladin 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Weapon Focus (lance) Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/day Ride 4, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4
2nd Paladin 2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Divine Grace, Lay on Hands Ride 5, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 1
3rd Paladin 3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Power Attack Aura of Courage, Divine Health Ride 6, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 2
4th Paladin 4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Turn Undead Ride 7, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 3
5th Paladin 5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Smite Evil 2/day, Special Mount Ride 8, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 4
6th Paladin 5, Knight 1 +6 +4 +1 +3 Martial Study (choose later) Fighting Challenge +1, knight's challenge, knight's code Ride 9, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 5
7th Paladin 5, Knight 2 +7 +4 +1 +4 Mounted Combat (knight bonus) Shield Block +1 Ride 10, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 6
8th Paladin 5, Knight 3 +8 +5 +2 +4 Bulwark of Defense Ride 11, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 7
9th Paladin 5, Knight 4 +9 +5 +2 +5 Ride-By Attack Armor Mastery (medium), Test of Mettle Ride 12, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 8
10th Paladin 5, Knight 5 +10 +5 +2 +5 Spirited Charge (knight bonus) Vigilant Defender Ride 13, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9
11th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 1 +11 +7 +2 +7 Special mount, mounted weapon bonus (lance) +1, Ride bonus +2, courtly knowledge Ride 14, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft .5
12th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 2 +12 +8 +2 +8 Martial Stance Deadly charge 1/day. mounted weapon bonus (sword) +1 Ride 15, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 1
13th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 3 +13 +8 +3 +8 Burst of speed Ride 16, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 1.5
14th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 4 +14 +9 +3 +9 Deadly charge 2/day, Ride bonus +4 Ride 17, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 2
15th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 5 +15 +9 +3 +9 Mage Slayer Mounted weapon bonus (lance) +2 Ride 18, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 10, Spellcraft 2
16th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 6 +16 +10 +4 +10 Deadly charge 3/day, full mounted attack, mounted weapon bonus (sword) +2 Ride 19, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 11, Spellcraft 2
17th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 7 +17 +10 +4 +10 Ride bonus +6 Ride 20, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 12, Spellcraft 2
18th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 8 +18 +11 +4 +11 Stand Still Deadly charge 4/day Ride 21, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 13, Spellcraft 2
19th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 9 +19 +11 +5 +11 Mounted weapon bonus (lance) +3, Ride bonus +8 Ride 22, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 14, Spellcraft 2
20th Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 10 +20 +12 +5 +12 Unstoppable charge 5/day, mounted weapon bonus (sword) +3 Ride 23, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 15, Spellcraft 2

Other Components

Not really any other components, except that this build uses a lance and charging to deal good damage.

Highlights

This build is focused on mounted combat. Its Cavalier levels stack with its Paladin levels for determining the special mount, thus getting a level 15 special mount. Its ranks in Ride and Handle Animal help with mounted combat, as does its lance specialty. This build can deal up to 4 times normal lance damage with a charge, even more on a critical. It has the ability to make a full attack after a move on the mount, keeping the movement up on the build. Mage Slayer helps with threatening mages, and it has the option to choose any Martial Maneuver and Stance (your choice, helps to spice up the melee options.)

Munchkin-Size Me

If some feats were shifted around, other special abilities and such could be added through different feat choices.

Side Notes

That variety of dwarf was only chosen because it grants bonuses to Strength and Constitution. Other races are just as viable.

Limitations

When mounts cant be used easily, this build is severely restricted.

DM Counters

This build is pretty balanced for melee, and the paladin/knight codes restrict the build enough as it is.



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