Low Level Nova (3.5e Optimized Build)

Author: Ghostwheel (talk) Date Created: August 31, 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

An example of a low-level nova-er, dealing 20d6+12 damage at level 3.

References

• Player's Handbook 2
• Complete Adventurer
• Expanded Psionics Handbook
• Spell Compendium

Spells

• Blade of Blood
• Shocking Grasp
• True Strike

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): (Assuming 32 Point Buy) 18 12 14 14 8 8

Race (Templates): Maenad

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Duskblade 1	+1	+2	+0	+2	Power Attack	Arcane Attunement, Armored Mage (Light)
2nd	Duskblade 2	+2	+3	+0	+3	Combat Casting
3rd	Duskblade 3	+3	+3	+1	+3	Psionic Weapon	Arcane Channeling

Optional Feats include...

• Improved Buckler Defense (CW)
• Arcane Strike (CW)
• Battle Caster (CA)
• Versatile Spellcaster (RotD)
• Knowledge Devotion (CC)
  • If you do take this, pick up the Collector of Stories skill trick (CS)
• Shock Trooper (CW) with Leap Attack (CV)
  • If you pick up Leap Attack, think about also picking up the Extreme Leap skill trick (CS) to move even farther
  • Combat Brute (CW) for the next round after charging
• Greater Psionic Weapon (XPH)
• Deep Imapct (XPH)

Items

• Triple Weapon Capsule Retainer
• Quickspark/Quickflame/Quickfrost Weapon Capsules
• Potion of Divine Sacrifice
• Deep Crystal Greatsword

Highlights

Tactics

• Prep: Drink a potion of Divine Sacrifice
• Round 1: Cast True Strike, move close to your foe.
• Round 2: Cast Blade of Blood, sacrificing 5 HP. Attack your foe with a Channeled Shocking Grasp. Power Attack for -3 to get +6 damage. Take 10 damage from Divine Sacrifice. Expend your 2 PP to activate Deep Crystal.

Damage Potential

• 2d6 (Greatsword) + 2d6 (Psionic Weapon) + 3d6 (Triple Weapon Capsule) + 3d6 (Channeled Shocking Grasp) + 3d6 (Blade of Blood) + 6 (Two-handed Str) + 6 (Power Attack) + 5d6 (Divine Sacrifice) + 2d6 (Deep Crystal) = 20d6+12 or 82 damage on average

Further Optimization

• Not really much to add at this low of a level.

Limitations

• Low HP
• Uses up 2-3 spells (depending on whether you cast True Strike first)

DM Counters

• Usual non-AC defenses apart from concealment (True Strike penetrates concealment)
• Mobility after True Strike has been cast

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Character Optimization

Ghostwheel's Homebrew (311 Articles)

Ghostwheelv