Melee Arcanist (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction
This is a build for any character who wishes to mix nicely melee fighting and arcane spellcasting
References
Core WotC
Game Rule Components
Player's Handbook (3.5e), Dungeon Master's Guide (3.5e), Complete Warrior and Complete Mage.
Spells, Powers, Soulmelds, Stances, etc...
To deal damage pick touch spells over aoe ones.
Items
Weapons: Any rapier will do it, but if u can get nice ones, that's better
Armor: Nevermind, you will start using light ones, but later on, you will dump it
Misc: Anything that increases AC, Int, Dex and Str
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments)
Str: At least 12
Dex: As much as u can 16+
Con: At least 12
Int: At least 15
Wis: Nevermind
Cha: Nevermind
Race (Templates): Elf
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Spells | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Swashbuckler 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Dodge | Weapon finesse | |
| 2nd | Swashbuckler 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Grace | ||
| 3rd | Swashbuckler 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Weapon focus (rapier) | Insightful strike | |
| 4th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Familiar, School spealization, Scribe spell scroll | Caster lvl 1, Spells 3/1 | |
| 5th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Caster lvl 2, Spells 4/2 | ||
| 6th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Combat casting | Bonus feat (Combat expertise) | |
| 7th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | Blade singer combat style | Caster lvl 3, Spells 4/2/1 | |
| 8th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 1, Abjurant champion 1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | Abjurant armor, Extended abjuration | Caster lvl 4, Spells 4/3/2 | |
| 9th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 1, Abjurant champion 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 9 | Arcane strike | Swift abjuration | Caster lvl 5, Spells 4/3/2/1 |
| 10th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 2, Abjurant champion 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | Minor spellsing | ||
| 11th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 3, Abjurant champion 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | Caster lvl 6, Spells 4/3/3/2 | ||
| 12th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 4, Abjurant champion 2 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 11 | Anything you think you need | Haste song (lvl 2) | |
| 13th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 4, Abjurant champion 3 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 11 | Caster lvl 7, Spells 4/4/3/2/1 | ||
| 14th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 4, Abjurant champion 4 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 12 | Arcane boost | Caster lvl 8, Spells 4/4/3/3/2 | |
| 15th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 4, Abjurant champion 5 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 12 | Anything you think you need | Martial arcanist | Caster lvl 14, Spells 4/4/4/3/2/1 |
| 16th | Swashbuckler 3, Wizard 2, Fighter 1, Bladesinger 5, Abjurant champion 5 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 12 | Caster lvl 15, Spells 4/4/4/3/3/2 | ||
Other Components
Fot lvls 17+ u can choose any class u want, but I suggest Eldritch Knight
Highlights
This class mixes a high base attack, with a decent spellcasting power at high caster lvl, while taking the most advantage of your Int stat to increase melee damage, AC and DC for spells.
When using Wraithstrike, always use combat expertise -5/+5
Always preparing a Spectral weapon spell.
Side Notes
HP: 9d10 + 2d4 + 5d8
Limitations
The exp penalty for having so many classes hits hard, but this build will prove it's worth
DM Counters
DISARM him