Small-sized tankers?

Remove all ads!

Ok, I'm making preparations for my game (my first actually). I'm almost done dividing the roles (artillery, healing, summoning, etc.) but I still need a trap-disarming, lock-picking character. However, I could also use a secondary tanker. I also kinda wanted to use another demi-human, so I wound up with a halfling fighter/rogue.

Is this wise, considering weapon restrictions for a smaller race? Or are there enough powerful weapons that a mini-tank like this character could use?

Could a (gnome) bard serve as an effective tanker-rogue?

 

You shouldn't have any trouble enchanting your own.....but you are going to be losing out in both the damage and mobility departments. That said, Co8 adds some enchantable kukri's back to the game......

 

A full rogue definitely isnt needed for this game. I had great success with a rogue(2)/wizard. The wizards high intelligence is perfect for picking locks.

 

A full rogue is good though - Sneak attack is very potent in this game, much more so than in the real-time 3E games.

 

If you're looking for a multi-class nonhuman rogue who can tank with the best of them, I'd go with a dwarf or half-orc, and multi to either fighter (for a dwarf) or barbarian (for a half-orc.) You can easily get away with only 2-3 levels of rogue, but if you can live without the fighter's bonus feats, the half-orc with about an even split in levels will rock. Just make sure to keep the disarm traps, search, and lockpick skills maxed - use the skill-boosting feats (like nimble fingers) to bump them early and the traps and locks will not be much of a problem. Focus in reach or two-handed weapons to take advantage of the half-orc's strength bonus, and he will deal tremendous amounts of damage, especialy when raging...

 

I played my first game with a full rogue. The rouge could definitely do some damage with sneak attack. However, I became frustrated with how often the rogue died. He would flank to the back of the enemy and then get crushed by a later wave. What tactic do you use to keep your rogue alive.

 

Hmmm....I had a halfling rogue through my entire Ironman campaign, and he never died. I usually just kept him back but close enough to sneak attack and use his ring o' invisibility. I never had any trouble.

I focused all his feats on archery and mobility (dodge, mobility, spring attack, PBS, precise shot, etc...)

 

I think my problem is solved. My druid (half-orc) can tank like there's no tomorrow, dual wielding scimitars. For trap-disarming I stuck with my first option, the halfling rogue that I just started to multi with fighter levels. He's also the main arrow-slinger.

So far it seems like I've got enough tanking power between my dwarven cleric, the druid and maybe even my buffed-up sorcerer.

Thanks for the tips people.

Anyone ever played one of the small folk as a primary fighter?