Melee theurge (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction

This character uses self buffs and blends arcane and divine magic to deal a ridiculous amount of damage.

References

Player’s handbook Phb

DM guide DMG

Spell compendium SC

Dragon magazine (#325) DrM

Oriental Adventures OA

Races of the wild RotW

Complete warrior CW

Unearthed Arcana UA

Dragonicom Drag

Complete Divine CD

Complete mage CM

Game Rule Components

Spells

You must have Polymorph self to change into a bamboo spirit folk (oriental adventures pag 14) to get the trackless step racial ability at lvl 11. It's a requirement for the Arcane Hierophant prestige class.

Advised spells: False life, Divine favor, Righteous might, Dragonic polymorph (Drag), Heart of earth (CM), Heroes feast, Lesser holy transformation (SC), Greater visage of the deity (SC) , Shapechange, Superior resistance (SC) .

Items

None

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Get Int and Wis as high for spellcasting. Get Cha high for extra turning checks. The rest are dump stats. Consider aging for higher non-physical stats.

Race Human or strongheart halfling (you will need the extra feat)

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Lvl 1 cleric	+0	+2	+0	+2	Extend spell, Persistent spell, divine metamagic	Choose planning domain (SC) for free extend spell feat, turn undead	Max out knowledge arcane and knowledge religion
2nd	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 1 Wizard	+0	+2	+0	+4	<- feat(s) ->	Scribe scroll, gain animal compagnion instead of familiar (see UA pag 58)	Max out knowledge arcane and knowledge religion
3rd	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 2 Wizard	+1	+2	+0	+5	Alternate source spell	<- class features gained ->	Max out knowledge arcane and knowledge religion
4th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard	+1	+3	+1	+5	<- feat(s) ->	<- class features gained ->	with alternate source spell you can cast you’re arcane spells as divine spells and vice versa. So meet the requirements for mystic theurge.
5th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 1 Mystic theurge	+1	+3	+1	+7	<- feat(s) ->	<- class features gained ->	<- other stuff ->
6th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 2 Mystic theurge	+2	+3	+1	+8	arcane strike	<- class features gained ->	Burn spells to get attack bonus. Use false life and cure spells for HP.
7th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 3 Mystic theurge	+2	+4	+2	+8	<- feat(s) ->	<- class features gained ->	<- other stuff ->
8th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 4 Mystic theurge	+3	+4	+2	+9	<- feat(s) ->	<- class features gained ->	You made it! Use polymorph self to change into an hydra and arcane strike to power your attacks.
9th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 5 Mystic theurge	+3	+4	+2	+9	extra turning	<- class features gained ->
10th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 6 Mystic theurge	+4	+5	+3	+10	<- feat(s) ->	<- class features gained ->	<- other stuff ->
11th	Lvl 1 Cleric/Lvl 3 Wizard/Lvl 6 Mystic theurge/ Lvl 1 Arcane hierophant	+4	+5	+3	+10	<- feat(s) ->	Companion familiar, ignore arcane spell failure	Persist dragonic polymorph. Choose bamboo spirit folk for required trackless step.

Other Components

The goal is to buff yourself as much as you can taking the best spells from both arcane and divine levels. The Alternate source spell feat is the star of this build. It helps you access the Mystic theurge prestige class early by changing a 2nd lvl wizard spell into a 2nd lvl divine spell. It also allows you to cast arcane spells as divine spells so you can persist them with divine metamagic. And it allows you to burn divine spells with the arcane strike feat by turning them into arcane spells first.

You can get trackless step by polymorphing into an bamboo spirit folk. But the requirement for arcane hierophant does read: Trackless step as CLASS feature. The trackless step requirement was clearly a mistake because Arcane Hierophant was also meant for rangers who don’t have trackless step. So your DM might be lenient.

Highlights

Basically you can remold your character by taking different spells and persisting them with divine metamagic. You can fight better than most fighters with almost full divine and arcane spell progression.

Munchkin-Size Me

This build is already munchkin. Twelve headed hydra and arcane strike for massive damage. Wraith strike and power attack. Strength domain and hydra. Use lesser holy transformation to get the outsider type use persistent dragonic polymorph into an outsider at lvl 9!!

Side Notes

<- overview of additional info about this build ->

Limitations

At low levels, low hp, low BAB, low saves, no armor. However, you can easily survive by casting spells. If you want a build that starts out stronger and finisher weaker. Take three lvls of cleric and one lvl battle sorcerer. You won’t be able to progress to arcane hierophant as fast but you will be stronger and you’ll only need to worry about high wis and high cha and you won’t have to carry around a spellbook. It’s my personal favourite.

Also you must dismiss your familiar when you enter the arcane hierophant class, but you can attract a new familiar within a year and a day. When you choose a animal companion it will be relatively weak.

DM Counters

Limit spell selection. Seriously limit the arcane strike feat. Add a code of conduct to the build: No magical items that have not been created by the melee theurge. This works well with the self-buff theme of the build. Antimagic field, dispel magic, blindness, etc.

Miscellaneous

I hope I didn’t forget anything. You may edit it I made a mistake. :)

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