User:Franken Kesey/Hermes (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

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Author: Franken Kesey (talk) Date Created: 5/18/10 Status: started Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Introduction

The god of Speed - nothing less!

References

Balanced Character Wealth by Level (3.5e Variant Rule)

Feat Purchasing (3.5e Variant Rule)

Original Race Rebuilding (3.5e Variant Rule)

• Traits:
  • Sligh Build: Whenever you are subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as Hide), you are treated as one size smaller if doing so is advantageous to you. You are also considered to be one size smaller when "squeezing" through a restrictive space. You can use weapons designed for a creature one size smaller without penalty. However, your space and reach remain those of a creature of their actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category.
  • Small: Your size decreases to Small. Apart from your size modifier changing for things such as attack, AC, hide, special attacks, and so on, you do not get any bonuses to ability scores from your decreased size. Your speed also decreases to 20'.
• Flaws:
  • Clumsy: Reduce your AC by one.

Game Rule Components

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str8, Dex15, Con12, Int14, Wis10, Cha13

Starting Traits and Flaws:

• Traits:

1. Aggressive: +2 bonus on initiative checks. -1 penalty to Armor Class.
2. Quick: Your base land speed increases by 10 feet. -1 hit points gained at each level.

• Flaws:

1. Shaky: −2 penalty on all ranged attack rolls.

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Class Features	Feats	Special
									Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Tenken 1	8	15	12	14	10	13	+1					Variant Weapon Focus (3.5e Feat)(Ezurian Saber), Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency	Start with a Ezurian Saber
2nd	Tenken 2	8	16	13	14	10	13	+2
3rd	Tenken 3	8	17	14	15	11	14	+3					Quick Draw
4th	Tenken 4	9	18	15	16	11	14	+4
5th	Tenken 5	7	20	12	16	11	14	+5
6th	Tenken 6	8	22	14	17	12	15	+6/+1					Improved Initiative
7th	Iaijutsu Master 1	8	22	14	17	12	15	+6/+1				Blade Artist, Defensive Sheathe, Iaijutsu Focus, Iaijutsu Strike, Weapon Bond
8th	Iaijutsu Master 2	8	23	14	18	12	15	+7/+2				Flowing Blade
9th	Iaijutsu Master 3	9	24	15	19	13	16	+8/+3				Sheathe Unbloodied, Shunpo	Spring Attack
10th	Iaijutsu Master 4	9	25	15	20	13	16	+9/+4				Dance of Blades
11th	Iaijutsu Master 5	9	25	15	20	13	16	+9/+4				One Strike, Two Cuts
12th	Zodiac Knight 1	10	27	16	22	14	17	+10/+5					Cleave	Buy a Steambolt Minigun
13th	Zodiac Knight 2, Iaijutsu Master 6	10	27	16	22	14	17	+11/+6/+1				Strike from the Void
14th	Zodiac Knight 3	10	28	17	22	14	17	+12/+7/+2
15th	Zodiac Knight 4, Iaijutsu Master 7	11	29	18	23	15	18	+13/+8/+3				Razor Wind, Sharpened Reflexes	Reckless Offense
16th	Zodiac Knight 5	11	30	18	24	15	18	+14/+9/+4
17th	Zodiac Knight 6, Iaijutsu Master 8	11	30	18	24	15	18	+15/+10/+5
18th	Zodiac Knight 7	12	32	19	26	16	19	+16/+11/+6/+1					Great Cleave
19th	Zodiac Knight 8, Iaijutsu Master 9	12	32	19	26	16	19	+17/+12/+7/+2
20th	Zodiac Knight 9	12	33	19	27	16	19	+18/+13/+8/+3
21th	Zodiac Knight 10, Iaijutsu Master 10	13	34	20	28	17	20	+19/+14/+9/+4					Epic Weapon Focus

Class Features of Note

Tenken

Shukuchi (Ex): When unarmored, a tenken may strike with the shukuchi—a flurry of ridiculously fast strikes—at the expense of accuracy. When doing so, he may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a –2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. The resulting modified base attack bonuses are shown in the Shukuchi Attack Bonus column on Table: The Tenken. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the tenken might make before his next action. When a tenken reaches 5th level, the penalty lessens to –1, and at 9th level it disappears. A tenken must use a full attack action to strike with the shukuchi, and the technique can only be used when he is wielding a single melee slashing weapon. The shukuchi may only be used with a primary weapon. As such, the shukuchi cannot be used when fighting with two weapons or a double weapon.

The tenken's ability to use the shukuchi improves at 11th level. In addition to the standard extra attack he receives, he also gains another extra attack at his highest base attack bonus.

AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the tenken adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his Armor Class. In addition, he gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five tenken levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level). These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the tenken is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears any armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load. The Wisdom bonus also does not stack with any other class that offers a Wisdom bonus to AC (such as the monk).

Fast Movement (Ex): A tenken is fast. Very fast. He gains a bonus to his speed, as shown on Table: The Tenken. A tenken in armor or carrying a medium or heavy load loses this extra speed.

Superior Finesse: A tenken automatically gains the Weapon Finesse feat with any weapon that is considered a one-handed slashing weapon for him in addition to any normal weapons to which Weapon Finesse can be applied. If another feat (such as Exotic Weapon Proficiency) is required to wield the weapon in one hand, then that feat must be taken first.

A tenken compensates for his lack of physical strength by striking a target’s vital areas with amazing quickness, wielding his weapon with the precision of a scalpel. A tenken can choose to add his Dexterity modifier to his damage rolls instead of his Strength modifier. If he uses his weapon in two hands (which is permissable so long as he is able to wield the weapon normally in one hand) he deals one and a half times his Dexterity modifier in damage.

This ability does not stack with any other ability that adds the characters Dexterity modifier to attack or damage rolls.

Iaijutsu Master

Iaijutsu Focus: After drawing a weapon, the iaijutsu master gains an extraordinary focus as all his attention descends upon the target of his strike. At first level upon drawing his weapon, the iaijutsu master gains a number of Iaijutsu Points equal to 1d4 + his Charisma or Wisdom modifier divided by four + his class level. He may use these to power his various abilities, but they only apply to the next melee attack he makes which gains a +1 bonus to attack. This bonus increases by one every three class levels hence (at levels 4, 7, and to a maximum of +4 at level 10). Any leftover Iaijutsu Points disappear at the end of his turn. Iaijutsu Points may only be spent on an attack which uses the iaijutsu master's bonded weapon.

Iaijutsu Strike (Ex): Faster than the eye can see, the Iaijutsu Master whips out his weapon and coats it with the blood of his opponents in attacks of truly superhuman speed. At first level after drawing his weapon, the iaijutsu master may spend a number of Iaijutsu Points up to his class level + 2. He adds an extra 1d6 damage to the attack immediately made after drawing the weapon for each Iaijutsu Point spent.

One Strike, Two Cuts (Ex): The draw, a single slash, and the sheathe--and yet two slices appear from where only one strike occured! At fifth level, after drawing his bonded weapon, the iaijutsu master's may make a second attack after his first. Any effects that affected the first strike (including any effects from Iaijutsu Strike, Flowing Blade, or any other abilities he possesses from other classes, feats, or equipment) affect the second attack as well. This second attack does not have to be against the same target as the first.

Strike from the Void (Ex): The void begins to fill the iaijutsu master as he draws the blade, allowing him to cut deeper into his enemies with barely a thought; in fact, few thoughts cross his mind as he watches blood spray before the blade crawls back into its sheathe, almost by instinct. At sixth level, the iaijutsu master may add his Charisma or Wisdom modifier to every die of damage done with Iaijutsu Focus.

Razor Wind (Su): A strain of the blade--and suddenly it's free, letting loose a blinding wind that flies free to rend the flesh of its foes even beyond the material weapon's reach. At seventh level, the attack with which the iaijutsu master gains iaijutsu focus with can reach opponents as far away as 100' from the Iaijutsu Master as long as it's made with his bonded weapon, though every 10' the attack roll takes a penalty of -1 (for a maximum of -10 at 100' range). Apart from the extended reach, this attack still counts as a melee attack for all intents and purposes.

Sharpened Reflexes (Ex): As the movements become more instinctual, the iaijutsu begins to act without thinking, allowing his body to move on its own. At seventh level, the iaijutsu master cannot be surprised and may roll initiative even during surprise rounds during which he would normally be surprised.

Flowing Water (Ex): Men can offer the resistance of cornstalks against the iaijutsu master's movement as he flows between them leaving only sprays of blood in his wake. At level nine, the iaijtusu master may move up to twice his speed as a full-round action and make a single attack against every foe he threatens during his movement, though only once per foe. He gains a +4 dodge bonus against attacks of opportunity provoked by his movement when using this ability.

Strike with no Thought (Ex): The iaijutsu master's body has reached such heights that at times it moves as though it were seperate from him--its own living thing. Once per encounter at level ten, the iaijutsu master may take an immediate action to immediately take a turn. While his initiative doesn't actually change, he gains a full round's worth of actions at that point

Zodiac Knight

Increased Existing Class: At 2nd level and every level after, you gain the effects as if you leveled in whatever previous class you entered with. That means fighters still gain an increase in effective fighter level (and bonus feats if applicable), barbarians still get increases and improvements to rage, and casters still gain spells and caster level increase, simply at a slower rate.

Zodiac Spirit (Su): At every level a zodiac knight can select a new spirit which he channels from the stars. Focusing on the nature of this spirit he can gain various supernatural powers. Calling a zodiac spirit takes 5 minutes, in a ritual involving drawing a summoning circle (with chalk, in the dirt, or some other means of marking), and meditating without interruption. The spirit appears briefly and enters the zodiac knight, who gains some manifestation visible on their body. The manifestation can be suppressed as a move action, but the benefits of the spirit are not available unless manifested. Spirits hang around for 24 hours before they must be re-summoned, and you may change your spirit selection up to Wis + 1/day (minimum 1). The numerical bonuses granted are always equal to your spirit bonus.

Libra the Scales (Su): You channel the spirit of the scales, knowing how to balance offense and defense. You can choose to gain your spirit bonus as an insight bonus to either attack or AC, and can toggle your choice as a swift action. If you are ever flatfooted you lose this bonus.

Manifestation: You appear to be in very sharp contrast, either "lighter" or "darker" depending on your current stance. The appearance flips when toggled.

Pisces the Fishes (Su): You channel the spirit of the linked fish, chaotically going in all directions at once. With each hit, you deal an additional 1d4 damage per spirit bonus as chaotic energy surges from you. In addition your weapons are considered chaotic aligned for the purpose of bypassing damage reduction.

Manifestation: You constantly appear to be vibrating erratically. It provides no miss chance, however.

At level 21: Tenken 6/ Iaijutsu Master 10/ Zodiac Knight 10

Highlights

At level 21:

• Ability Scores: Str 13, Dex 34, Con 20, Int 28, Wis 17, Cha 20
• HP: 20d8+61(132)
• AC: 51 = 10(Base) +12(Dex), +7(Shielded in Life) +10(Natural - +10variant (5 armor enhancement)) +8(Dodge - 5variant, +1dodge, +2mobility), +1(Armoured in Life) -1(Traits/Flaws - -1aggressive), +1tenk -4reckless offense.
• Speed: 110' (40' base, +10' Quick, +30' Tenken, +30' Iaijutsu Master)
• Initiative +20:
• BAB: +19/+14/+9/+4 (+42)
  • Attack rolls(with +3Speedy +1Keen +2Flaming +2Frezzing- +2Shocking Ezurian Saber): +61/+61/+56/+51/+46 (+5weapon focus variant, +2reckless offense, +2epic weapon focus, +10weapon enhancement, +12Dex, +1size, +10 average roll)
• Saves: fort+16, ref+25, will+17

Average DPR, of 3 rounds Vs. AC 40=896 (see below)

Tactics

Attack routine: Vs. AC 40.

Round 1:

• Using Pisces the Fishes(birth), and Libra the Scales Zodiac Spirits.
  • One Strike, Two Cuts-Flowing Blade(Stunning-Iaijutsu Strike(from the Void), with Speedy -Flaming-Frezzing-Shocking Ezurian Saber.
    • 20 power attack swap
      • 2/2 hit(no crits)=392 (2x((1d10+18(dex)+2(tree), +6d6+10(enhancments), +20power attack) +12d6+60iaijutsu strike(from the void) +7d4Pisces).
• Using Pisces the Fishes(birth), and Libra the Scales Zodiac Spirits.
  • Shukuchi, with Speedy -Flaming-Frezzing-Shocking Ezurian Saber.
    • 15 power attack swap
      • 4/4 hit(2 crits)=504 ((1d10+18(dex)+2(tree), +6d6+10(enhancments), +10(power attack), +7d4(Pisces))x6.

Average DPR=896

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Round 2: Steambolt Minigun

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Round 3:

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Round 4: repeat

Average DPR=1707 (of 3 rounds)

Side Notes

This build rolls over at 2nd, synergysing at 8th, becoming optimal at about 9th level.

Absolutely nothing in thing build is wizard, and it uses only 1 homebrew feat.

Limitations

Tricks for the DM (ordered by least to most of a detriment)

1.Fight fire with fire (i.e. use monsters with high manoeuvrability, and spread out)

Spreads him thin

1 monster could get away to summon more.

2.Low HP - but hight AC.

3.Ridiculously high AC monsters:

AC 52-62: halves damage.

AC above 68: build is destroyed! (he in fact cannot hit anything at all!)

---- {{3.5e Optimized Character Builds Breadcrumb}} [[Category:3.5e]] [[Category:User]] [[Category:Optimized Character Build]]