Paladin of Sorrow (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction

The goal of this build is to create the most powerful caster possible, without using infinite loops. To do this, we use the Prestige Paladin, a Dragonwrought Kobold, a full casting base class, and a slightly overpowered prestige class.

References

SRD Heroes of Horror Libris Mortis Races of Dragon Dragons of Eberron Complete Divine Complete Arcane

Game Rule Components

Items

Nightsticks would be helpful.

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str: 12 Dex: 14 Con: - Int: 14 Wis: 8 Cha: 18

Race (Templates): Dragonwrought Kobold (Necropolitan, Child of Eberron)

Starting Racial Traits: -4 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution

Flaws: Noncombatant, Vulnerable

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Dread Necromancer 1	+0	+0	+0	+2	Dragonwrought, Eldritch Corruption (taint bonus), Extend Spell (flaw), Apprentice (wizard) (flaw)	Spontaneous Spellcasting from Dread Necromancer and Druid spell lists, Rebuke Undead	4 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Knowledge (religion and nobility), 4 ranks in Spellcraft
2nd	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 1	+1	+0	+0	+3		Detect Evil, Good Domain Access	1.5 ranks in Ride (cross-class)
3rd	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 2	+1	+1	+1	+3	Mounted Combat		1.5 ranks in Ride
4th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 3	+2	+1	+1	+4			1 rank in Ride, 1 rank in Knowledge (arcana)
5th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 4	+2	+1	+1	+4		Air Domain, Grow Wings	3 ranks in Knowledge (arcana)
6th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 5	+3	+2	+2	+5	Extend Spell		1 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft
7th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 6	+3	+2	+2	+5			1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft
8th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 7	+4	+2	+2	+6		Detect Chaos, Law Domain	1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft
9th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 8	+4	+3	+3	+6	Persistent Spell		1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 2 ranks in Spellcraft
10th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 9	+5	+3	+3	+7			1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft
11th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10	+5	+3	+3	+7		Detect Thoughts, Cleric spell list access	1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft.
12th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 1	+6	+5	+4	+7	Divine Metamagic: Persistent Spell	Detect Evil, Smite Evil, Turn Undead	1 rank in Knowledge (arcana), 1 rank in Spellcraft
13th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 2	+7	+6	+4	+7		Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Special Mount	1 rank in Profession (gambler)
14th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 3	+8	+6	+4	+8		Aura of Courage, Divine Health
15th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4	+9	+7	+5	+8	Sword of the Arcana Order	Remove Disease 1/week, Access to Sorcerer/Wizard spell list
16th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1	+10	+8	+5	+9		10% Armor reduction
17th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 1	+10	+8	+5	+9		Spin Fate
18th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 2	+11	+8	+6	+10	Open feat	Fickler finger of fate
19th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 3	+11	+9	+6	+10		Spin Destiny
20th	Dread Necromancer 1, Rainbow Servant 10, Prestige Paladin 4, Spellsword 1, Fatespinner 4	+12	+9	+6	+11		Resist Fate, Deny Fate

Build Explanation

Dread Necromancer

The Dread Necromancer is a spontaneous spellcasting class, with a spell list focusing on Necromancy. It can spontaneously cast all spells on its spell list. This build adds spells to the spell list, to increase the spellcasting ability.

Child of Eberron

The Child of Eberron draconic archetype adds the Druid spell list to the character's spellcasting list. Which then gets spontaneously cast.

Necropolitan

This template is used for the Taint benefits. Since the character is treated as undead, he gets a depravity score of around 10, which is moderate, giving a bonus feat. This feat is used for Eldritch Corruption, which increases effective spell level by 2 in exchange for 2 Constitution damage to an ally. Which qualifies for Rainbow Servant.

Rainbow Servant

This prestige class gives several domains, and at tenth level, the entire Cleric list. Which gets added to the Dread Necromancer list. Also, contrary to the class's table, this is a full casting prestige class.

Prestige Paladin

This prestige class not only increases your Dread Necromancer casting, but counts as paladin levels, which allows you to qualify for Sword of the Arcane Order. This feat allows you to cast sorcerer/wizard spells in Paladin spell slots, which is your Dread Necromancer spell slots.

Fatespinner/Mindbender

These are here for fun. To actually take a level of Mindbender, you'll have to break the paladin code, turn Lawful Neutral, then cast atonement afterwards.

Munchkin-Size Me

Tack on the Magic-Blooded template and some Dragon stuff and you're good.

Side Notes

This build requires a couple of alignment shifts, which could go weird.

Limitations

Paladin's Code applies to this build.

DM Counters

Antimagic Field renders this build nearly unusable.

Miscellaneous

Many people consider this build greatly overpowered.

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