Random Choice: Cavalier (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction
I randomly selected a prestige class to work with for an optimization thought experiment. Here's what I came up with. This is the Cavalier. The stereotypical knight in shining armor, saving the princess and slaying the dragon. Restricted by morals, he defends the weak and kills the evil.
References
SRD- Paladin Player's Handbook II- Knight Complete Warrior- Cavalier
Game Rule Components
Items
<- items used in this build ->
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str-15 Con-14 Dex- 12 Int- 10 Wis- 8 Cha- 13
Race (Templates): Arctic Dwarf
Starting Racial Traits:
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Paladin 1 | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Weapon Focus (lance) | Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/day | Ride 4, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4 |
| 2nd | Paladin 2 | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Divine Grace, Lay on Hands | Ride 5, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 1 | |
| 3rd | Paladin 3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Power Attack | Aura of Courage, Divine Health | Ride 6, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 2 |
| 4th | Paladin 4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Turn Undead | Ride 7, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 3 | |
| 5th | Paladin 5 | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Smite Evil 2/day, Special Mount | Ride 8, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 4 | |
| 6th | Paladin 5, Knight 1 | +6 | +4 | +1 | +3 | Martial Study (choose later) | Fighting Challenge +1, knight's challenge, knight's code | Ride 9, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 5 |
| 7th | Paladin 5, Knight 2 | +7 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Mounted Combat (knight bonus) | Shield Block +1 | Ride 10, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 6 |
| 8th | Paladin 5, Knight 3 | +8 | +5 | +2 | +4 | Bulwark of Defense | Ride 11, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 7 | |
| 9th | Paladin 5, Knight 4 | +9 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Ride-By Attack | Armor Mastery (medium), Test of Mettle | Ride 12, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 8 |
| 10th | Paladin 5, Knight 5 | +10 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Spirited Charge (knight bonus) | Vigilant Defender | Ride 13, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9 |
| 11th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 1 | +11 | +7 | +2 | +7 | Special mount, mounted weapon bonus (lance) +1, Ride bonus +2, courtly knowledge | Ride 14, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft .5 | |
| 12th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 2 | +12 | +8 | +2 | +8 | Martial Stance | Deadly charge 1/day. mounted weapon bonus (sword) +1 | Ride 15, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 1 |
| 13th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 3 | +13 | +8 | +3 | +8 | Burst of speed | Ride 16, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 1.5 | |
| 14th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 4 | +14 | +9 | +3 | +9 | Deadly charge 2/day, Ride bonus +4 | Ride 17, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 9, Spellcraft 2 | |
| 15th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 5 | +15 | +9 | +3 | +9 | Mage Slayer | Mounted weapon bonus (lance) +2 | Ride 18, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 10, Spellcraft 2 |
| 16th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 6 | +16 | +10 | +4 | +10 | Deadly charge 3/day, full mounted attack, mounted weapon bonus (sword) +2 | Ride 19, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 11, Spellcraft 2 | |
| 17th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 7 | +17 | +10 | +4 | +10 | Ride bonus +6 | Ride 20, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 12, Spellcraft 2 | |
| 18th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 8 | +18 | +11 | +4 | +11 | Stand Still | Deadly charge 4/day | Ride 21, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 13, Spellcraft 2 |
| 19th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 9 | +19 | +11 | +5 | +11 | Mounted weapon bonus (lance) +3, Ride bonus +8 | Ride 22, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 14, Spellcraft 2 | |
| 20th | Paladin 5, Knight 5, Cavalier 10 | +20 | +12 | +5 | +12 | Unstoppable charge 5/day, mounted weapon bonus (sword) +3 | Ride 23, Knowledge (royalty and nobility) 4, Handle Animal 15, Spellcraft 2 | |
Other Components
Not really any other components, except that this build uses a lance and charging to deal good damage.
Highlights
This build is focused on mounted combat. Its Cavalier levels stack with its Paladin levels for determining the special mount, thus getting a level 15 special mount. Its ranks in Ride and Handle Animal help with mounted combat, as does its lance specialty. This build can deal up to 4 times normal lance damage with a charge, even more on a critical. It has the ability to make a full attack after a move on the mount, keeping the movement up on the build. Mage Slayer helps with threatening mages, and it has the option to choose any Martial Maneuver and Stance (your choice, helps to spice up the melee options.)
Munchkin-Size Me
If some feats were shifted around, other special abilities and such could be added through different feat choices.
Side Notes
That variety of dwarf was only chosen because it grants bonuses to Strength and Constitution. Other races are just as viable.
Limitations
When mounts cant be used easily, this build is severely restricted.
DM Counters
This build is pretty balanced for melee, and the paladin/knight codes restrict the build enough as it is.
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