Limb Manifesto (3.5e Guide)
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Limb Manifesto
“Four arms! what is this ridiculousness?” they say. But ever wonder how to get more?
Classes
There has yet to be any classes in canon that directly grant limbs. And most prestige classes require at least five levels in another class. What to do with these five levels? Besides the specific ranking that needs to be done for prestige class requirements (see below); if you can, classes that grant extra hit die per attack are always good as are feat granting classes.
Body Sprouter
Puts limbs on other creatures at a slow rate.
Prestige Classes
Abomination
The abomination prestige class requires at least five prior levels; and gives one arm at first, another at fifth, and a “Meat Hook” (essentially a very powerful whip attack, but can only be done once per hour) at sixth. There is no reason to level above sixth if wanting more limbs. Abominations gain the least amount of limbs than any other on this page, and are only of value to players who want to be more the shield than the sword of the party.
Nataraja
A note on prerequisites: Intelligence must begin at 14 total (after racial adjustment) to receive enough ranks for prerequisites. (It may be best to select a race that does not penalize Intelligence.) Even with a score of 14, almost all your ranks will need to be spent in either: Balance, Perform (Dance), Knowledge (Religion), or Tumble – handicapping skill checks in the more beneficial skills, at least until fifth level. But only requires one feat, no racial requirement, and has a very open alignment restriction.
The nataraja prestige class gives one arm at first, a second at fourth, a third at seventh, and a fourth at tenth. The nataraja has a lot of deflection and defense abilities, but at sixth level it also gives 1d6 damage to all attacks. The trance is also nice for increasing attack rolls. As far as damage is concerned: the nataraja gives little after level seven (only on more arm at tenth); thus, it may be more economical to select another prestige class or feat granting class after seventh.
Sivatar
The sivatar is very similar to the nataraja, in that it acquires 4 arms (also at first, fourth, seventh, and tenth levels); but it requires: three feats, at least one level in a divine spellcasting class, and six prior levels (instead of five). Oddly, it is much easier to meet the requirements (you can also completely tank Intelligence). The sivatar class gives a lot of highly useful bonus feats, and a divine spellcasting progression, whereas one can gain the spell dopple arms (giving two more temporary arms). This is one of the few that should be fully ranked in, and by far the most powerful limb granting prestige class.
Starspawn Host
Only for the purpose of having a complete guide is the starspawn host prestige class mentioned here. Starspawn hosts can grow a rather weak tentacle at first, second, and every two thereafter (up to 6 at 10th). But the classes focus does not involve gaining limbs. Noting that the prerequisite (yes only one), is rather easy to acquire; the class lends itself to being taken after another limb granting class – to get just a few more.
Races
Brachyura
four arms, +8Strength; but has +2LA.
Coloth
four arms, and no LA or HD.
Qua-Vel
four arms; but secondary weaker and +1LA.
Skandar
four arms, +6Strength, stackable Rage ability; but has HD.
Ortal-ya-jit
four arms; but -2Strength and +1LA,
Wastecrawler
six arms; but has +2LA and HD.
Feats
Extra Arms
Requires the Product of Infernal Dalliance feat, but otherwise a very clean and easy way to get two more arms every six levels.
Tail Feat Combo
If you combine the fiendish feats (will also require Product of Infernal Dalliance) Extra Legs and Constricting Fiend, you are granted a tail, with a very impressive constricting attack.
Sting of the Scorpion
Sting of the Scorpion is another tail granting feat, that has a Constitution modified poison attack.
Other
Chimera Bloodline
The Chimera bloodline gives a number of heads (depending on strength of bloodline). If you’re not a fan of the bloodline concept, do not even check it out. Otherwise, it is most certainly worth two levels.
Shiva
The shiva build is made as an example of how to balance many limbed characters. This build’s goal is to gain the maximum amount of limbs, while maintaining damage (i.e. not just a lot of limbs, but a lot of limbs that can hit). At 20th level the shiva build has sixteen arms, and an average damage per round of 2,482.08!
