Thri-kreen Dervish (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction

Deep in the desert live the mysterious Thri-Kreen, insect nomads. Seven-foot four-armed Mantis Warriors are terrifying on the face of it, but the deadly Thri-kreen dervish is frightening even to others of his race.

References

Player's Handbook Version 3.5

Oriental Adventures

Unearthed Arcana

Expanded Psionics Handbook

Optional: The Walking Lands (WL) (http://www.wakinglands.com/htm_files/the_classes_page.htm)

Game Rule Components

This build requires non-lawful alignment.

Race and Templates

Thri-kreen.

Classes

This build uses the Berserker (WL, but substainally the same as the Barbarian of the PHB).

Feats

Deflect Arrows

Improved Initiative

Multiweapon Fighting

Fast Healing

Dodge

Mobility

Spring Attack

Cleave

Traits

Aggressive (+2 initiative, -1 AC)

Quick (base speed +10ft., -1 hp per level)

Flaws

Murky-eyed (role miss chance for concealment twice)

Shaky (-2 to ranged attacks)

Spells, Powers, Items

Gythka (deep crystal): 1d10/1d10

Chatkcha (deep crystal): 1d6 (20ft.)

Miscellaneous

This build makes use of several optional rules from Unearthed Arcane including the use of traits, the use of flaws, and a variant rule for a barbarian's rage ability.

This build also makes use of the "monster class" rules. The build takes four levels of Thri-kreen over the course of its development in lieu of LA.

The Berserker is substantially identical to the Barbarian, with the following exceptions; instead of trap sense, the Berserker gains "frentic reflexes" which make it harder to avoid his or her attacks of opportunity. Use the Barbarian exactly as written in the PHB, if desired, and for "Berserker" read "Barbarian."

The Thri-kreen deverish uses the Whirling Rage variant described on page 66 of UA (+4 Str., +2 AC, +2 Reflex saves, may chose to make +1 attack with -2 penalty to all attacks).

Progression

Initial scores (28 point buy):

Thri-kreen

At ECL 1: Str: 16 Int: 6 Wis: 16 Dex: 16 Con: 14 Cha: 4

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Feats	Special
1st	Thri-Kreen 1	Multiweapon Fighting, Deflect Arrows, Improved Initiative,	Thri-kreen base traits, natural armor +1,
2nd	Thri-Kreen 2		+2 Dex, natural armor +2
3rd	Thri-Kreen 3	Dodge	natural armor +3, Psi: chameleon 3/day, know direction 3/day
4th	Thri-Kreen 4		poison bite, psionic displacement 1/day, metaphysical claw 1/day
5th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 1		Rage, Fast Healing
6th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 2	Mobility	Uncanny Dodge
7th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 3		Frenetic reflexes (withdraw)
8th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 4		Rage 2/day
9th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 5	Spring Attack	Improved unncanny dodge
10th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 6		Frenetic reflexes (leaving)
11th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 7		Damage reduction 1/—
12th	Thri-Kreen 4 /Berserker 8	Cleave	Rage 3/day

Highlights

Base speed is 60ft. (Thri-kreen 40 + 10 (Quick) + 10 (Berserker/Barbarian)).

The build's AC is helped by the +3 natural armor.

Thri-kreen have a racial bonus of +30 to Jump checks, and the build adds a speed bonus of +12.

Thri-kreen are able to charge their deep crystal weapons for an additional 2d6 damage on their next successful hit (or until one minute has passed: cost of 2 power points.)

Munchkin-Size Me

Lose the deep crystal weapons.

Side Notes

Limitations

Clearly not the character you want as the party's ambassador. Armor is not really in the character of this build, and in addition it wastes the Thri-kreen natural armor bonus, but the player does not have a lot of feats with which to improve it.

DM Counters

I love flaws, but allowing them gives 2 extra feats at first level, which goes a long way to making this build possible.

Miscellaneous

This is a very simple and satisfying character to play; a child of the desert, uncomfortable in civilization; a hunter, a tracker, and in battle, a fearless and deadly attacking machine.

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