Hero of Time (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Author: Ghostwheel (talk) Date Created: July 21st, 2009 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

Low - Moderate - High - Very High

Rate this article Your rating for this article: Favor Like Neutral Dislike Oppose Submit | Cancel Discuss this article

Introduction

“

Hey! Listen!

”

The Hero of Time excels as an adventurer, insightful in his knowledge of both combat and puzzles. (Based loosely on Link from the Zelda series.)

References

• Dungeonscape
• Player's Handbook 2
• Complete Champion
• Tome of Battle
• Complete Scoundrel

Game Rule Components

Skill Tricks

• Pick up Collector of Stories to help with the Int check for Knowledge Devotion.

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): (Assuming 32 Point Buy) 16 14 14 16 8 8

Race (Templates): Fire Elf is best, but regular Elf also works

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Factotum 1	+0	+0	+2	+0	Power Attack	Inspiration, Cunning Insight, Cunning Knowledge, Trapfinding
2nd	Warblade 1	+1	+2	+2	+0		Battle Clarity, Weapon Aptitude
3rd	Fighter 1	+2	+4	+2	+0	Knowledge Devotion, Weapon Focus
4th	Warblade 2	+3	+5	+2	+0		Uncanny Dodge
5th	Warblade 3	+4	+5	+3	+1		Battle Ardor
6th	Warblade 4	+5	+6	+3	+1	Font of Inspiration
7th	Warblade 5	+6	+6	+3	+1	Ironheart Aura
8th	Warblade 6	+7	+6	+4	+2		Improved Uncanny Dodge
9th	Warblade 7	+8	+7	+4	+2	Stormguard Warrior	Battle Cunning
10th	Warblade 8	+9	+8	+4	+2
11th	Warblade 9	+10	+9	+5	+3	Combat Reflexes
12th	Eternal Blade 1	+11	+11	+5	+3	Font of Inspiration	Blade Guide, Eternal Training 1/day
13th	Eternal Blade 2	+12	+12	+5	+3		Guided Strike
14th	Eternal Blade 3	+13	+12	+6	+4		Armored Uncanny Dodge, Eternal Training 2/day
15th	Eternal Blade 4	+14	+13	+6	+4	Robilar's Gambit	Eternal Knowledge
16th	Warblade 10	+15	+13	+6	+4
17th	Eternal Blade 5	+16	+13	+6	+4		Eternal Training 3/day
18th	Eternal Blade 6	+17	+14	+7	+5	Font of Inspiration	Defensive Insight
19th	Eternal Blade 7	+18	+14	+7	+5		Eternal Training 4/day
20th	Eternal Blade 8	+19	+15	+7	+5		Tactical Insight

At level 20: Factotum 1 / Fighter 1 / Warblade 10 / Eternal Blade 8

Possible Homebrew Equipment

The equipment presented here is not needed for the build, but is a flavorful addition to bring the character closer to the concept.

• Bunny Hood
• Gale Boomerang
• Hero's Tunic
• Zora Armor

Highlights

• Similar to Link, this character is good at a great number of things. He can add his Factotum level to skills, giving him a wide array of options in almost any situation. With all the puzzles he needs to figure out, Link needs this high Intelligence, and this intelligence is channeled into the different abilities he gains. Finally, he gains a spiritual companion who can be as annoying or snarky as the player wishes, making for interesting roleplaying.
• At level 12, you gain a Blade Guide. (Navi or Midna, for example.)
• Int mod can be added to:
  • Attack and damage twice (Eternal Training, Cunning Insight)
  • Damage when flanking or catching foes Flat-footed (Battle Cunning)
  • AC (Defensive Insight)
  • Knowledge checks (Cunning Knowledge gives 1, Eternal Knowledge gives your Int mod + 9, and Collector of Stories another +5 for a total of Int x2 + ranks + 15, adds to attacks through Knowledge Devotion)
  • Reflex Saves twice (Battle Clarity, Cunning Insight)
  • Critical Confirmation rolls (Battle Ardor)
• Use Robilar's Gambit in combination with Stormguard Warrior to gain a bonus to attack and damage whenever an enemy attempts to attack you. (Capitalize on this with Power Attack.)
• Shore up that low Will save by picking up Moment of Perfect Mind.
• Access to level 9 maneuvers by level 18; Combat Rhythm + Time Stands Still + Raging Mongoose followed in the next round by Diamond Nightmare Blade can be very devestating.

Further Optimization

• If using Flaws, pick up Font of Inspiration twice more.

Limitations

• Usual melee counters (difficult terrain, illusions, AC, etc)
• The "ultimate combo" mentioned above requires a round to set up.

DM Counters

• Defenses apart from AC (illusions, concealment, etc)

Variants

• The last level of Warblade can be replaced by levels of Eternal Blade for another use of Eternal Training.
• Take Insightful Reflexes instead of one of the Fonts of Inspiration to add Intelligence once more to Reflex saves, replacing Dexterity.
• Switch the level of Fighter for another level of Factotum and take Weapon Focus instead of Font of Inspiration.
• If you're uncomfortable with the penalty to Constitution, become a Dragonborn (RotD).
• Switch a level of Warblade for Factotum to gain Cunning Defense (Intelligence to AC).
• Replace Font of Inspiration with Stand Still and get Thicket of Blades to lock foes next to you.
  • Also consider getting Defensive Sweep (PHB2) to cause foes who are adjacent to you to take an AoO whether they move or not.
• If using Fractional BAB, replace the level of Fighter with a level of Swordsage and delay it until level 5 for level 2 maneuvers.

Miscellaneous

• UMD a wand/scroll of Aspect of the Wolf (Spell Compendium) to gain the wolf form in Twilight Princess.

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Character Optimization

Ghostwheel's Homebrew (310 Articles)

Ghostwheelv