Sword Golem: Kensai Evasion Juggernaut

[geoffhanna]

Sword Golem: Evasive Kensai Juggernaut
Lawful Good Warforged Male
 8 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Rogue (16th level) 
12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Rogue (20th level)

What this build is all about:

• Top shelf greatswording
• Good intimidation
• Evasion
• Reasonably self-reliant
• Not a cookie-cutter
• Effective at end game

I have no idea what this means: "You are a devoted follower of the Lord of Blades, and your faith has been rewarded. Activate this ability to become a juggernaut of destruction for 60 seconds." This is the description of the Faith II WF-only enhancement. It sounds really cool. I want some

This build trades some raw power for paladinhood and the Bladesworn Juggernaut transformation. I am kind of pleased with how a lot of this turned out but am concerned that I may be spread too thin, especially:

• Lower HP than I wanted
• Lower AC than I wanted

[Edit] As discussion has progressed it became apparent that AC was not going to be enough to help and it is no longer part of the build. Whether there will be enough HP (and what to do about it if not) remains a core question.

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             17                    24
Dexterity            11                    12
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                6                    6
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1

[Edit: thanks to several suggestions I dropped WIS by 4 and added them to CHA]

All of the increases went to STR. I have more tomes available but only the INT needs to be consumed right away.

I am ending all of the stats on even numbers. I think +2 tomes will be fairly easy to get and +4 will exist: even numbers will be the way to go?

Hit Points:   
300 base
 60 CON item
 30 GFL
 45 greensteel
 20 minos legens (? depends on change ?)
===
455

Spell Points: 25 
BAB:          19\19\24\29\29\34 (? 6th attack ?)

Hit points seem only barely reasonable.

 F   R   W
 0 - 3 - 0   rogue   2
 5 - 2 - 2   paladin 6
 8 - 4 - 4   fighter 12
 2 - 2 - 2   aura
 6 - 6 - 6   CHA
 0 - 4 - 0   DEX
 5 - 0 - 0   CON
 0 - 0 - 6   force of personality
 5 - 5 - 5   resistance item
31  26  25   beholder saves

[Edit] Inspired by Jay's awesome breakdown, I reworked the saves. Considering this is without any bard songs or buff spells I think it looks pretty good. I am not including head of good fortune because I am hoping to have a bloodstone in that slot.

To Hit                        Damage
 19 BAB (unarmed)             3d6 base greensteel 
  8 str                         8 str
  3 str (item)                  3 str (item)
  4 str (power surge)           4 str (power surge)
  2 kensai I & II              10 power attack
  5 base greensteel             4 wpn spec/grtr wpn spec 
 -7 power attack                2 greatsword spec I & II
  1 faith II                    4 kensai I & II
  2 wpn focus/grtr wpn focus    2 WF power attack
                                5 base greensteel 
 ==                            ==  
 37                            53.5

These numbers are both low because I do not know the exact adds given for two-handed fighting. In PnP I think it is damage x1.5 and if so the damage will go up 7.5 (+37.5/61)

Crits will only be x2 but will be +6 to confirm and +10 pre-multiplier damage and another +6/+6 if I include a bloodstone (+50.5/77). I think I will crit for average of 154?

I have no idea what effect the Juggernaut thing will have on these numbers. I assume there will be some impact. And I also have not included any tomes but I will have access to them.

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Intimidate            5                    20
Jump                  7                    15
Use Magic Device      5                    20

Feats
Level  1 (Rogue)   Force of Personality
Level  3 (Paladin) Two Handed Fighting 
Level  6 (Paladin) Power Attack 
Level  9 (Fighter) Cleave
Level  9 (Fighter) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Level 10 (Fighter) Great Cleave
Level 12 (Fighter) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Level 12 (Fighter) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Level 14 (Fighter) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Level 15 (Fighter) Toughness
Level 16 (Fighter) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Level 18 (Fighter) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Level 18 (Fighter) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Level 20 (Fighter) Quickdraw? Dodge? Another Toughness?

It really is all about the greatsword.

[Edit] swapped out Mithril Body, swapped in Force of Personality
[Edit] took Imp Crit:Slash at 9 instead of 10, pushing back greater cleave from 9 -> 10.

Rogue Enhancements
Rogue Dexterity I

Warforged Enhancements
Warforged Damage Reduction I
Warforged Brute Fighting II
Warforged Healer's Friend II
Warforged Power Attack I
Warforged Constitution II

Paladin Enhancements
Follower of the Lord of Blades
Bladesworn Transformation
Paladin Courage of Good I
Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Paladin Resistance of Good I
Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Paladin Exalted Smite I
Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Paladin Charisma II

Fighter Enhancements
Fighter Attack Boost III
Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Fighter Kensai II
Fighter Greatsword Master II
Fighter Armor Mastery I
Fighter Greatsword Specialization II
Fighter Toughness III
Fighter Strength III

I wonder if I spent too many enhancements screwing around with paladin auras instead of drilling into more toughness and intimidate. OTOH they are also the only thing I can change so I don't really care if I get them perfect the first time.

This build created with the help of
Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.96 
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Thanks Ron!

[geoffhanna]

This is my first shot at a WF build so I am certain I missed big obvious things.

Have at me

[geoffhanna]

I failed to include Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude. Hmm I will need to carve 6Ap out of something. I wonder if WFGWA will be more effective at agro management than WF Brute Fighting?

[QuantumFX]

I failed to include Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude. Hmm I will need to carve 6Ap out of something. I wonder if WFGWA will be more effective at agro management than WF Brute Fighting?

You might also be interested in what the Warforged Juggernaut PrE brings you.

[BlackSteel]

keep in mind if u're interested in the WF juggernaught pre enhancement; it'll likely have addy body as a prereq.

[TreknaQudane]

keep in mind if u're interested in the WF juggernaught pre enhancement; it'll likely have addy body as a prereq.

Which won't allow evasion.

[TreknaQudane]

Why not scrap Wisdom all together, put the points towards constitution or another stat, and take Force of Personality as a feat to augment your will save? The downside.. you need 13 Cha to do so.

[geoffhanna]

I've updated the first post by reducing WIS, adding it to CHA, swapping Mithirl Body for Force of Personality, and then reworking the saves part.

I think the saves are pretty decent now. Here's a repeat from the edited first post:

 F   R   W
 0 - 3 - 0   rogue   2
 5 - 2 - 2   paladin 6
 8 - 4 - 4   fighter 12
 2 - 2 - 2   aura
 6 - 6 - 6   CHA
 0 - 4 - 0   DEX
 5 - 0 - 0   CON
 0 - 0 - 6   force of personality
 5 - 5 - 5   resistance item
31  26  25   beholder saves

And a HUGE thanks to jay for providing the template for the saves breakdown.

I feel like the selected enhancements are still a little squidgy and kind of all over the place. My THF barb is much more focused, has half as many enhancements but each at greater levels. On the other hand this is a more complex build.

[Tanka]

Drop Rogue Dex 1, get a +1 Dex tome. Voila, 12 Dex. And frees up 2AP for anything else.

If you're THF, your AC isn't gonna be worth a hoot. Why Armor Mastery?

[Jay203]

i wouldn't completely plan out the APs until the PrEs are finalized
just make sure you have the feats required to take the PrEs, everything else can wait
one thing is for sure though, make sure you work Exhalted smite and divine sacrifice into your build
+1 to crit multiplier is just plain out awsome =)

[Jay203]

oh, and drop the dex and pump more into con
if you're not gonna have high ac, you gotta have more hp to make up for it =P

[Tanka]

I make do with 430 on Tanka. Dex is important for Ref saves, which you want to be making. 12 Dex is minimum there.

[binnsr]

Bah! I say. Bah!

While waiting to find out if I have a job this morning, I had a thought about how fun a Kensai Juggernaut might be.. I just finished writing it up and posting it over on House T, then hop over here to see if Eladrin has made his weekly stop and find this post.

Nearly Identical, if I read your build right..

[EinarMal]

Bah! I say. Bah!

While waiting to find out if I have a job this morning, I had a thought about how fun a Kensai Juggernaut might be.. I just finished writing it up and posting it over on House T, then hop over here to see if Eladrin has made his weekly stop and find this post.

Nearly Identical, if I read your build right..

Yeah it is a good combination, I posted a TWF halfling version a bit ago 12 Ftr/6 Pally/2 Rogue.

I second the exalted smite/sacrifice comment it is awesome for burst DPS when you want something to go down fast.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=168761

[geoffhanna]

Bah! I say. Bah!

While waiting to find out if I have a job this morning, I had a thought about how fun a Kensai Juggernaut might be.. I just finished writing it up and posting it over on House T, then hop over here to see if Eladrin has made his weekly stop and find this post.

Nearly Identical, if I read your build right..

Hey maybe I finally got one right

[Jay203]

[code][center]

Rogue Enhancements
Rogue Dexterity I

Warforged Enhancements
Warforged Damage Reduction I
Warforged Brute Fighting II
Warforged Healer's Friend II
Warforged Power Attack I
Warforged Constitution II

Paladin Enhancements
Follower of the Lord of Blades
Bladesworn Transformation
Paladin Courage of Good I
Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Paladin Resistance of Good I
Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Paladin Exalted Smite I
Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Paladin Charisma II

Fighter Enhancements
Fighter Attack Boost III
Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Fighter Kensai II
Fighter Greatsword Master II
Fighter Armor Mastery I
Fighter Greatsword Specialization II
Fighter Toughness III
Fighter Strength III

I wonder if I spent too many enhancements screwing around with paladin auras instead of drilling into more toughness and intimidate. OTOH they are also the only thing I can change so I don't really care if I get them perfect the first time.

i'd take out damage reduct I, courage of good I, healer's friend II, bulwark of good I, and Armor mastery I and take rogue improved trap sense I, Divine Sacrifice I, Warforged Construct Thinking I and II, more WF Power attack, and also racial toughness!

[Tanka]

i'd take out damage reduct I, courage of good I, healer's friend II, bulwark of good I, and Armor mastery I and take rogue improved trap sense I, Divine Sacrifice I, Warforged Construct Thinking I and II, more WF Power attack, and also racial toughness!

With both Cha 22 (with a +6 item) and FoP, he won't need Construct Thinking.

And Trap Sense? Really? Waste of a point.

[Jay203]

With both Cha 22 (with a +6 item) and FoP, he won't need Construct Thinking.

And Trap Sense? Really? Waste of a point.

more useful than 1/adamantine, +1 will save vs fear, +1 max dex on composite plating, and +1 ac to his not-worth-mentioning-ac

[Tanka]

more useful than 1/adamantine, +1 will save vs fear, +1 max dex on composite plating, and +1 ac to his not-worth-mentioning-ac

Less useful than HF2, IMO.

[Jay203]

Less useful than HF2, IMO.

debate-able depending on cleric's ability =P

but i think we all agree that armor mastery is a waste of 2 AP :P
come to think of it, he needs the AP for hunter of the dead!