Best Arcane Tank (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction
This aims to be a simple, mage, tank build.
References
PHB1, Complete Warrior
Game Rule Components
Spells, Powers, Soulmelds, Stances, etc...
Items
Mithril full plate, no matter what price is, just get it.
32 point build character
This can be lv7 AC for this class 20(70%) spell fail chances (not too high, and it will drop soon) don't cast with tower shield, cost only move action to sheat him back, or free action drop if you are in rush, play him smart:)) mithril +1, tower shield +1, Shield (lv. 1 spell, provides deflection bonus to AC),+1 dex, shield spec. AC= 9 + 5 + 4 +1 + 1 +10 = 30 (buff dex to gain aditional +2 to AC) Average HP 45 - 55, with dwarf template 55 - 65
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): STR 14, DEX 12, CON 16, WIS 10, INT 16, cha 8
Race (Templates): 3e Race::Any (dwarf for munchkins)
Starting Racial Traits:
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Wizard 1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | weapon focus | 1st lv spellcaster | if human, take and quick draw |
| 2nd | Wizard 2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | 2nd lv spellcaster | ||
| 3rd | Wizard 3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | shield specialization, | 3rd lv spellcaster | |
| 4th | Wizard 4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | 4th lv spellcaster | ||
| 5th | Wizard 4/Fighter 1 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +4 | shield proficiency | proficiency with all weapons and armors | |
| 6th | Wizard 4/Fighter 2 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | quick draw, shield ward | ||
| 7th | 3e Final Class Progression::Wizard 4/Fighter 2/Spellsword 1 | +5 | +6 | +1 | +6 | -10% arcane spell fail chance | +1 of spellcasting level | |
Other Components
Class now on build itself, go for spellsword and max him, after that take some good mage prestiege, or go on with standard mage.
Highlights
Alot benefits, you can be in full palate and act like tank, use some stackable buffs, and have like 30AC at early levels with very low chances of arcane spell failure, few more levels of spellsword and you ignore spell failure from full mithril plate. Your caster level is a bit dumb, but you can be extream good buffer, utility,and (with well prepared spells) range DPS.
Munchkin-Size Me
Get all stats high, since this build use most of them, and you will be awesome. You also may find out that spiked chain is funny, just add it to build instead quick draw.
Side Notes
Go for tower shield and bastard sword. If caught by suprise use him two-handed and retreat. Othervise follow those steps: any kind of stackable magic protection (mage armor etc), buff your con/str/dex or (if enemyes are far away) unleash hell on them, last before entering combant should be draging your tower shield and go melee, with good TH bonus and strenght you will be a decent melee fighter able to sustain alot of hits, and dodge even more of them. One you have netered melee forget about spellcasting, use your spell only for range target, it's risky to remove tower shield.
Limitations
if your start gold can afford full mithir plate, or if you can get one.
DM Counters
Don't allow dwarf to keep [their] hp low, poor reflex saves makes them vulnerable to fireball; but he can sustain few of them.
Miscellaneous
Level it only to lv 5, almost all spell, with decent spell-casting :)
CORRECTION: YOU CAN'T TAKE SHIELD SPECIALIZATION WITHOUT SHIELD PROFICIENCY!
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