Dragoon (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Author: Ghostwheel (talk) Date Created: February 20, 2010 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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File:Fft-dragoon-male.jpg

"The rush of the wind and the pull of the ground; I never wanted anything more than this."

Introduction

Death from above! Drop down upon enemies with your spear for fairly massive damage.

References

• Unearthed Arcana
• Unapproachable East
• Player's Handbook 2
• Races of the Wild
• Book of Exalted Deeds
• Complete Warrior
• Complete Adventurer
• Oriental Adventurers
• Magic Item Compendium

Game Rule Components

Progression

Race (Templates): Raptoran

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Scout 1	+0	+0	+2	+0	Battle Jump, Sacred Vow, Leap of the Heavens	Skirmish (+1d6), Trapfinding
2nd	Psychic Warrior 1	+0	+2	+2	+0	Power Attack
3rd	Scout 2	+1	+2	+3	+0	Improved Bull Rush	Battle Fortitude +1, Uncanny Dodge
4th	Scout 3	+2	+3	+3	+1		Fast Movement +10', Skirmish (+1d6/+1 AC), Trackless Step
5th	Scout 4	+3	+3	+4	+1	Expeditious Dodge
6th	Psychic Warrior 2	+4	+4	+4	+1	Leap Attack, Mobility
7th	Scout 5	+4	+4	+4	+1		Evasion, Skirmish (+2d6/+1 AC)
8th	Scout 6	+5	+5	+5	+2		Flawless Stride
9th	Scout 7	+6	+5	+5	+2	Shock Trooper	Skirmish (+2d6/+2 AC)
10th	Scout 8	+7	+5	+6	+2	Spring Attack	Camouflage
11th	Scout 9	+7	+6	+6	+3		Skirmish (+3d6/+2 AC)
12th	Scout 10	+8	+6	+7	+3	Vow of Obediance	Blindsense 30'
13th	Vassal of Bahamut 1	+9	+8	+7	+3		Imperious Aura, Platinum Armor
14th	Scout 11	+10	+8	+7	+3		Battle Fortitude +2, Fast Movement +20', Skirmish (+3d6/+3 AC)
15th	Scout 12	+11	+9	+8	+4	Improved Skirmish, Improved Buckler Defense
16th	Blade Dancer 1	+12	+9	+10	+4		Acrobatics (+10), Leap of the Clouds, Fast Movement
17th	Blade Dancer 2	+13	+9	+11	+4		Enchanted Blade I
18th	Blade Dancer 3	+14	+10	+11	+5	Bounding Assault
19th	Blade Dancer 4	+15	+10	+12	+5		Ride the Wind, Fast Movement
20th	Blade Dancer 5	+16	+10	+12	+5		Acrobatics (+20), Acrobatic Attack

Final progression: Scout 12 / Fighter 2 / Vassal of Bahamut 1 / Blade Dancer 5

Items

• Boots of Landing

Highlights

• Strength: 34 (+12) = 18 (Base) + 6 (Item) + 5 (Level) + 5 (Tome)
• Dexterity: 18 (+4) = 14 (Base) + 4 (Item)
• AC: (Before Shock Trooper) 43 = 10 (Base) + 13 (+5 Platinum Armor) + 4 (Dexterity) + 6 (+5 Buckler) + 5 (Amulet of Natural Armor) + 5 (Ring of Deflection)
• Speed: 90' = 70' (Battle Dancer) + 20' (Scout)
• Jump Check: +112 = 23 (Ranks) + 20 (Acrobatics) + 10 (Racial) - 1 (ACP) + 30 (Magic) + 2 (Synergy) + 28 (Speed) which will allow you to easily leap 30' high
• Attack: +35 = 12 (Strength) + 2 (Charge) + 16 (BAB) + 5 (Magic)
• Damage: 1d8 (Spear) + 3d6 (Skirmish) + 2d6 (Improved Skirmish) + 3d6 (Falling Damage) + 18 (Strength) + 64 (Power Attack via Shock Trooper and Leap Attack) + 5d6+5 (Magic) = 1d8+13d6+87 (142 on average) x2 (Battle Jump) = 284 x2 (Bounding Assault) = 568 Damage

Tactics

• Bounce between foes, jumping high and crashing down upon them
• Run away from them with Bounding Assault, rinse and repeat

Further Optimization

• Valorous Weapon for double damage
• Halberd of Vaulting (Arms and Equipment Guide)
• Find a way to gain pounce to full attack on each charge, increasing the damage dramatically
• Piercer Cloak (MIC) will increase your damage by 2d6 three times per day

Limitations

• Low Will save
• Very cramped quarters

DM Counters

• Concealment, cover, mobility, illusions, etc
• Target that low Will save

Variants

• Powerful Charge, Speed of Thought, Up the Walls, and Martial Study (Moment of Perfect Mind) can all substitute instead of Improved Buckler Defense

Note

This build assumes that you may enter Blade Dancer with access to psionic powers rather than spells.

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