Paladin of Sorrow (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction
The goal of this build is to create the most powerful caster possible, without using infinite loops. To do this, we use the Prestige Paladin, a Dragonwrought Kobold, a full casting base class, and a slightly overpowered prestige class.
References
SRD Heroes of Horror Libris Mortis Races of Dragon Dragons of Eberron Complete Divine Complete Arcane
Game Rule Components
Items
Nightsticks would be helpful.
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str: 12 Dex: 14 Con: - Int: 14 Wis: 8 Cha: 18
Race (Templates): Dragonwrought Kobold (Necropolitan, Child of Eberron)
Starting Racial Traits: -4 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution
Flaws: Noncombatant, Vulnerable
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Dread Necromancer 1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Dragonwrought, Eldritch Corruption (taint bonus), Extend Spell (flaw), Apprentice (wizard) (flaw) | Spontaneous Spellcasting from Dread Necromancer and Druid spell lists, Rebuke Undead | 4 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Knowledge (religion and nobility), 4 ranks in Spellcraft |
| 2nd | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 1 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Detect Evil, Good Domain Access | 1.5 ranks in Ride (cross-class) | |
| 3rd | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 2 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Mounted Combat | 1.5 ranks in Ride | |
| 4th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 3 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | 1 rank in Ride, 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana) | ||
| 5th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Air Domain, Grow Wings | 3 ranks in Knowledge (arcana) | |
| 6th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 5 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Extend Spell | 1 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft | |
| 7th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 6 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft | ||
| 8th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 7 | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Detect Chaos, Law Domain | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft | |
| 9th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 8 | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Persistent Spell | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft | |
| 10th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 9 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft | ||
| 11th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Detect Thoughts, Cleric spell list access | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft. | |
| 12th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 1 | +6 | +5 | +4 | +7 | Divine Metamagic: Persistent Spell | Detect Evil, Smite Evil, Turn Undead | 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft |
| 13th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 2 | +7 | +6 | +4 | +7 | Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Special Mount | 1 rank in Profession (gambler) | |
| 14th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 3 | +8 | +6 | +4 | +8 | Aura of Courage, Divine Health | ||
| 15th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4 | +9 | +7 | +5 | +8 | Sword of the Arcana Order | Remove Disease 1/week, Access to Sorcerer/Wizard spell list | |
| 16th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1 | +10 | +8 | +5 | +9 | 10% Armor reduction | ||
| 17th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 1 | +10 | +8 | +5 | +9 | Spin Fate | ||
| 18th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 2 | +11 | +8 | +6 | +10 | Open feat | Fickler finger of fate | |
| 19th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 3 | +11 | +9 | +6 | +10 | Spin Destiny | ||
| 20th | Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 4 | +12 | +9 | +6 | +11 | Resist Fate, Deny Fate | ||
Build Explanation
Dread Necromancer
The Dread Necromancer is a spontaneous spellcasting class, with a spell list focusing on Necromancy. It can spontaneously cast all spells on its spell list. This build adds spells to the spell list, to increase the spellcasting ability.
Child of Eberron
The Child of Eberron draconic archetype adds the Druid spell list to the character's spellcasting list. Which then gets spontaneously cast.
Necropolitan
This template is used for the Taint benefits. Since the character is treated as undead, he gets a depravity score of around 10, which is moderate, giving a bonus feat. This feat is used for Eldritch Corruption, which increases effective spell level by 2 in exchange for 2 Constitution damage to an ally. Which qualifies for Rainbow Servant.
Rainbow Servant
This prestige class gives several domains, and at tenth level, the entire Cleric list. Which gets added to the Dread Necromancer list. Also, contrary to the class's table, this is a full casting prestige class.
Prestige Paladin
This prestige class not only increases your Dread Necromancer casting, but counts as paladin levels, which allows you to qualify for Sword of the Arcane Order. This feat allows you to cast sorcerer/wizard spells in Paladin spell slots, which is your Dread Necromancer spell slots.
Fatespinner/Mindbender
These are here for fun. To actually take a level of Mindbender, you'll have to break the paladin code, turn Lawful Neutral, then cast atonement afterwards.
Munchkin-Size Me
Tack on the Magic-Blooded template and some Dragon stuff and you're good.
Side Notes
This build requires a couple of alignment shifts, which could go weird.
Limitations
Paladin's Code applies to this build.
DM Counters
Antimagic Field renders this build nearly unusable.
Miscellaneous
Many people consider this build greatly overpowered.
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