Grapplemancer (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Author's Note: "Who wants a hug?"

Contents 1 Introduction 2 References 3 Game Rule Components 4 Spells 4.1 Progression 4.1.1 Items 5 Highlights 5.1 Grapple Check 6 Tactics 7 Munchkin-Size Me 7.1 Limitations 7.2 DM Counters

[edit] Introduction

A wizard that's so much better at grappling than any "traditional" grappler it blows them out of the water.

[edit] References

• Lords of Madness
• Races of the Wild
• Spell Compendium
• Stormwrack
• Expanded Player's Handbook

[edit] Game Rule Components

[edit] Spells

• Enlarge Person
• Fearsome Grapple
• Babau Slime
• Balor Nimbus (Optional)
• Bladeweave (Optional)
• Polymorph (Later on)

[edit] Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): (Assuming 32 Point Buy) 16 14 14 16 8 8

Race (Templates): Human

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Wizard 1	+0	+0	+0	+2	Improved Grapple, Improved Unarmed Strike	Summon Familiar: Octopus
2nd	Wizard 2	+1	+0	+0	+3
3rd	Wizard 3	+1	+1	+1	+3	Aberration Blood (Flexible Limbs)

[edit] Items

• Psionic Tattoo of Grip of Iron

[edit] Highlights

[edit] Grapple Check

3 (Strength) + 1 (BAB) + 3 (Octopus Familiar) + 4 + 1 (Enlarge Person, Str bonus) + 2 (Aberration Blood) + 4 (Fearsome Grapple) + 4 (Improved Grapple) + 4 (Grip of Iron) = +26

[edit] Tactics

Use Babau Slime and Balor Nimbus, both in Spell Compendium, to deal damage. Bladeweave will daze your grappled opponents (also Spell Compendium). Bladeweave is a swift action spell, and Fearsome Grapple is an immediate action spell, which basically means you go nuts.

[edit] Munchkin-Size Me

Once you hit level 7, you can apply all your grapple bullshit as a Remorhaz.

If you're willing to wait until level 6 to get Aberration Blood, you can pick up the Elvish alternate racial wizard variant in Races of the Wild to double the bonus that Octopus gives you to grapple checks.

[edit] Limitations

• Low HP
• You set a couple feats on fire.

[edit] DM Counters

• Ranged attacks
• Multiple attackers
• Sneak attackers

It's important to note that none of these are really counters to the build because you can just change your spell configuration around, or prepare a few different spells or scrolls each day, and be a normal wizard that powers through all the opposition anyway.

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