Horizon Walker PrC

[pbd]

I am currently in a campaign playing a fighter. He is human, about to reach 5th level, and planning on going the Two weapon fighting/two weepon defense route. I am thinking of multiclassing into ranger for leel 5 and 6 and then into the Horizon Walker PrC. My only misgivings are that he is currently the group's main front line fighter and I am worried that going this route will lessen his front line abilities. Mostly I wory about HP and AC, since he will have to go with light armor (he will take TWC for ranger 2nd level and won't be able to use medium or heavier armor with TWF/TWD). He has a 16 dex so the armor thing isn't too terrible, but we are playing in a pretty low magic campaign and he can't rely on that to bolster his defense too much (Basically just saying "get a ring of protection +5 and amulet of natural armor +4" ain't gonna cut it).

I am wondering if people have used the Horizon Walker PrC (It fits his personality very well) and what they think as to the front line potential from it. Also, it almost seems a little underpowered and I am wondering what the feelings on that are. I am most likely going to go this route and I am just looking for some input/opinions on the PrC.

pbd

The Horizon Walker PrC is in the SRD and can be viewed there.

 

[mikebr99]

I personally don't like the HW at all.... I guess, if you are looking forward to planar hopping for the rest of your life, some of that stuff might come in handy.

But 6 levels, just to dim. door isn't worth it...

I'd say, if you want to stay the front line fighter... stay in your class, and look at a more martial PrC... or multi-class with just the Ranger.


Mike

 

[pbd]

I actually think the class itself looks pretty cool; I like the regular terrain bonusses it gives. I am mostly looking for peoples experiences with it in regard to how it effects the character (do you find the bonusses against monsters to be helpful etc.). Also, possibly any tweaks you might have made to the class...

Much thanks,
pbd

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Con-boosting items, magical mithral breastplates, and defending weapons can take care of the hit points and AC problems if you can manage to get ahold of them (you said low magic, so I doubt it). Other than that, try and get spring attack?

I've played a Ranger/Horizon Walker two weapon fighter and my AC rivaled that of the rest of the group (of course, he had lots of magic items and was 11th level). With the right choices for terrains, he can be very effective both in and out of combat (terrain mastery desert and underdark are definately worth picking up).

I found it to be a viable class.

 

[Piratecat]

Since this is technically character optimization, I'm going to slide it into Rules so your question can get the tender loving care it deserves.

 

[Capellan]

Playing an HW because it looks like fun and fits the character (as you are planning to do) is the best possible reason. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't do our best to twink it out, en route

With your DEX, a chain shirt gives +7 AC (4 armour, 3 DEX) whereas even full plate is only +9 (8 armour, 1 DEX). You'll lose the option of a shield, but that's true whether you TWF as a ranger or a fighter.

Consider Combat Expertise as a feat. It lessens your potency in attack, but can help notch up your AC in tight spots. You've already thought of two-weapon defence

I'd recommend at least 3 levels of Ranger (unless you already have the Endurance feat). Consider going to 4th, if you have a WIS of 12 or better. That gets you an animal companion and one 1st level spell per day. Getting a hawk and speak with animals = great scouting. Getting up to the spellcaster levels also means you can use wands of cure light wounds: a useful back-up ability for any fighter!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Getting up to the spellcaster levels also means you can use wands of cure light wounds: a useful back-up ability for any fighter!

A 1st level ranger can use a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

-Hyp.

 

[pbd]

Playing an HW because it looks like fun and fits the character (as you are planning to do) is the best possible reason. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't do our best to twink it out, en route

With your DEX, a chain shirt gives +7 AC (4 armour, 3 DEX) whereas even full plate is only +9 (8 armour, 1 DEX). You'll lose the option of a shield, but that's true whether you TWF as a ranger or a fighter.

Consider Combat Expertise as a feat. It lessens your potency in attack, but can help notch up your AC in tight spots. You've already thought of two-weapon defence

I'd recommend at least 3 levels of Ranger (unless you already have the Endurance feat). Consider going to 4th, if you have a WIS of 12 or better. That gets you an animal companion and one 1st level spell per day. Getting a hawk and speak with animals = great scouting. Getting up to the spellcaster levels also means you can use wands of cure light wounds: a useful back-up ability for any fighter!

Acutally, he already has combat expertise and endurance as feast. I use the CE a lot and am glad I went for it.

Spells are not an issue, he has the wisdom, but isn't a spell caster; just doesn't want to do it. As for animal companion, there is already a Dire bat and 2 wolves in the group, so we don't need any more animals I think. Maybe at some point but not soon.

As for the AC stuff, you make a good arguement, he has a 16 dex now and will probably add to it at elvel 8 and 12 so he can get the improved TWF etc. feats. I am also thinking about trading levels between HW and Fighter once I get to HW 4. This would give some extra feats and HP. I definately want to get the underground, plains, and desert terrains ASAP though

Thanks for your input.
pbd

 

[Korak]

Well, if you're considering barbarian levels, then the immune to fatigue ability is always nice. Overall, I like 2 levels of HW, for immune to fatigue and darkvision. It's certainly not the best melee PrC out there, but it isn't horrible.

 

[Saeviomagy]

With your DEX, a chain shirt gives +7 AC (4 armour, 3 DEX) whereas even full plate is only +9 (8 armour, 1 DEX). You'll lose the option of a shield, but that's true whether you TWF as a ranger or a fighter.

Que? Since when does TWF entail giving up a shield? Just use the shield (preferably a spiked shield) as your off-hand weapon (or even as your primary weapon). Even if you don't have improved shield bash, you can use this to improve your AC when you cannot get the benefit of your second attack (which is any time you move and then attack, remember?)

My money would be on TWF with improved shield bash over two weapon defense anyday. Enhancement bonuses to armour (or shield bonus) are one of the cheapest forms of AC.