Dragoon build ( i need help )

[Fenux]

i really would like to RP a dragoon and was wondering what kind of build you all would suggest for this idea. any idea will help me out like your suggestions as to which weapons to use ( halberd or spear ) i really want it to be for RP but with functionality i dont want a sitting duck or a laughable dmg dealer. any help will be appreciated.

[broncoblitz]

Isn't that what Red Dragoon disciple is for?

[sirius]

Well, I'm not sure about in the D&D context, but dragoons were infantry that rode between various fronts of a battle on horseback, they were essentially mounted infantry. And they had rifles.

Since you mentioned spears and halberds, I'll assume you mean a spearman of some kind, or a lancer. In which case, it's a very simple fighter build focusing on your chosen weapon (Weapon focus, improved critical etc. etc.), and if you want some nice crits, you'll probably have to go Fighter/Weapon master. As to the exact levels of each, someone more knowledgable will be able to help you out there.

[Mon-da-oth]

Do you mean a Pikeman? Dragoons used rifles.

[SnorriHT]

Dragoons were traditionally cavalry trained to fight as infantry. As they are multi-role troop type, perhaps this would be a good basis for your character?

A Fighter who is good at archery but then can also dish out the pain with a two-hander would be an asset to any party.

The other decision is maximising DEX or STR? A high dex would allow more of a scouting type of Dragoon, but perhaps wouldn't be able to take the hits in heavy combat. STR would allow your character to do more damage, overcome DR more easilt, as well as carry more loot.

Dragoons were also renowned for their hardiness, so perhaps grabbing Toughness feat, as well as having a high CON could represent this.

There seems to be a lack of pure fighters on Das2, and I reckon a whirlwind capable fighter wielding a Halberd would be a really cool idea. Also since a dragoon is unlikely to use a shield, the Luck of Heroes and Dodge feats would be good to boost armour class.

But in the end, choose whatever you want to play, and which will be fun for you

[Mon-da-oth]

substitute a crossbow in place of the gun and use a spear and/or sword as your weapons.

[papaya taco]

I think he meant a Final Fantasy-style Dragoon. You know, wielded a spear, Jumped to deal double damage after a turn (but left your party high and dry until then)?

...Yeah I didn't really like their Jump ability.

I'd recommend a mostly-Fighter build, probably with some Weaponmaster thrown in. End build should be something like Fighter 12 / Weaponmaster 7 / (anything you want) 1.

Be sure to get all the focus-related feats to your spear, and the specialization ones too - fighter 8 will let you pick Greater Weapon Focus, and Fighter 12 will let you pick Greater Weapon Specilization. Picking up Monkey Grip might be a good idea so you can wield a shield with your spear when you need to (your attack should be high enough so that you'll still be able to hit things), but I'd recommend avoiding a tower shield since that'd be a further to-hit penalty.

[Fenux]

ya sorry for not being clear enough i ment the FF type dragoon even though the fighter ranger build does seem interesting. i was thinking of something like brd1/fgt4/rdd10/wm5 but im not really good at building from scratch.

[StormRunner]

I have returned...

[Depheant]

Fenix!

[sirius]

FOR VENGEANCE!

[ErictheRed]

ya sorry for not being clear enough i ment the FF type dragoon even though the fighter ranger build does seem interesting. i was thinking of something like brd1/fgt4/rdd10/wm5 but im not really good at building from scratch.

This is basically the current favourite melee build around if you poke around the official forums (though some do FB 5 instead of WM 5). From the looks of it, it doesn't seem like you need to be good at designing a build to play this; it looks powerful enough on its own! Take Luck of Heros, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Knockdown, Power Attack, Cleave....really, is there any "designing" involved?

The one thing I'd recommend is being a Human and taking Able Learner, which would make good use of your 1 level of Bard. I'm shamed to admit that I started a RDD build like this, but got bored at 7th level and haven't played it since. It seems quite powerful, if you max Use Magic Devices, that is.

[broncoblitz]

Any person that uses a build that requires a 1 dip level of Bard better have eyes in the back of their mellon.

[ErictheRed]

Any person that uses a build that requires a 1 dip level of Bard better have eyes in the back of their mellon.

Yeah, I personally think it's a really cheesy build. The funny thing is, my first character here was a pure bard, but I only got him to level 6 or 7 before I started playing Turin (Druid) full time; I mostly wanted a character that could solo better, because I didn't know what I was doing back then. About a month ago, I gave this cheese Bard/Fighter/RDD build a try, but found it too cheesy and kind of boring to play (I'm not saying it isn't powerful, but I like more abilities like spells, music, dealing with locks/traps, etc). So in the past couple of weeks I've played my bard again, and got him up to level 9. You know what? I don't think the pure bard is any less powerful than this "uber" melee build; you just have to know how to play him right. It takes a little more thought and finesse, a little more strategy in a fight, but I think the pure bard is every bit as powerful, a whole lot more versatile, and a lot less cheesy.

Long live bards! I'll probably start playing one more in the future.

[Rask]

I think this person is thinking of the traditional Final Fantasy incorrect rendition of the dragoon, which is basically a glorified pikeman in silly armour that jumps really high for no apparent reason.