Opinions requested

[Norbane]

Hey folks;

I can't help it, butterfingers has inspired me a bit with his posting in the past. I'm near-finished with my current game (fighter->druid) and am ready to start on another one. Gonna be a tiny with maxxed proficincies in slings. Now comes the questions;

Dwarf or Halfling? I'm aware of the bonus halflings get to slings, so that's definetely attractive, but how do their saving throws compare to a stout dwarf? Also, it's inevitable that sooner or later I'll have to pick up a hand-weapon and go to work, which brings me to my next question;

After maxxing slings, should I put proficiency points in Two-handed weapon style and halberds (or spears or 2h swords), or single-weapon style and short swords. I like the idea of my little giant swinging a weapon twice as big as he is, but I also like the idea of the swiftness of a short sword. Only problem with swords is that it'd be tempting to dual wield, but too much of a pain in the butt with having to switch out the sling manually and all. So where should my leftover proficiencies go, and how many should I be throwing in each category? (note, I don't know whether it's better to have more slots in the category of weapon type, or the weapon itself that I'll be using, eg two handed weapon style or halberd)

Sorry if this is confusing, but I'm getting kinda worked up about it. I appreciate the info you whiz's have to bestow.

Norbie

[Angelousss]

i'd play a dwarf, not really traditional weapon for a dwarf but maybe he's a little odd. From a pure powergamer stand point. Slings give str. bonuses and you can get 19 con with a dwarf.
I believe all the little races get the same bonuses but could be wrong

[Butterfingers]

Halflings and Dwarves both get awesome saving throw bonuses from their con. That said, they come out the same no matter 18 or 19 con.

Halflings have a little less strength, but, better dex. Dwarves get more con, but, lose out on chr and dex.

A Halfling will get better THAC0 from both dex and racial bonuses, as Halflings get +1 hit and damage from slings. Lower strength is a useless point, as there are many strength enhancing items in the game.

As for weapons, I have always thought Mazzy with a halbred was the most hysterical thing I have ever seen in SoA. What was not so funny was the way she ripped things to pieces with Dragon's Breath.

That said however, if you are using a sling, take advantage of a shield. Go for single handed weapons perhaps, but, instead of just swords, be different. Think of those Savage Stouts in the Planar Sphere, and go for flails and slings. You will be a skull popping kneecap smashing menace.

[Norbane]

You're thinking halfling then, butters?

So would my points best be pumped into sword/shield or simply flail category?

I plan on surrounding my warrior with a good party, as follows;

Myself
Mazzy (either with halberd or silver sword)
Korgan (axes, no doubt)
Viconia (maces probly)
Edwin
Jan

Normally I'd settle with Imoen, but I want as many tinies as I can get in my party.

[Xero279]

Deffnatly go with Halflings. They get their bonus with slings, and get awesome saving throws.

Max out sling, shord and shield style, and maybe.. fails or something. then you can be different (not using swords), and use the FoA. Halfings are very good.

Xero

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Xero279: Deffnatly go with Halflings. They get their bonus with slings, and get awesome saving throws. Max out sling, shord and shield style, and maybe.. fails or something. then you can be different (not using swords), and use the FoA. Halfings are very good. Xero

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Flails fit well with the halfling motif (the flail originated as an agricultural tool); the FoA in ToB rocks, and if you are playing a fighter then you will want to do Nalia's keep early (thus getting access to FoA early). Warhammer fits more with the dwarf, so no Crom Faeyr. One of the big advantages of the sling is that you can use a shield with it; you lose shots per round but get better defense. Use that to your advantage and use a shield. Thus, no halberds, spears, etc. Technically, you can use a long sword, but it should be two-handed for halflings (they didn't do that, but if you are sticking in character, then avoid using long swords). Short swords aren't that good, and neither are daggers (though there is a really good throwing dagger in the Underdark). Clubs are mediocre. Thus, I would go with the flail as my weapon. If you need some more places to put slots, then definitely go with sword and shield style (extra AC against missiles always helps), but it is not necessary. Thus, my starting weapons (level 7 fighter assumed, staying within character):

Sling +++++
Flail +

Move the flail up from there, then just choose a weapon (mace or short sword, probably) as the next weapon when you max out flail. If you find you are getting pelted by missiles, don't be so quick to put slots in sword and shield; go buy the reflection shield from Ribald, and that will solve your problem. Besides, if you max out dexterity (which you should, since you are describing your character as a slinger), then you should have a wickedly high AC, especially since you will still be able to put on heavier armor. You definitely do not want to take the berserker or kensai kits (disables your character's strengths), so if you take a kit at all it would be wizard slayer (major restrictions to magic item use, including no healing potions). Fighter kits suck if you want to use ranged weapons, so go with a pure fighter.

[Butterfingers]

A slight correction.

Hammers are a traditional Halfling weapon, not just Dwarves. Halflings mostly use farm implements for weapons. Flails, (Used for threshing grain) scythes, hammers, (Though not a footman's hammer, a mallet is a mallet) axes, pretty much what ever is just lying around. Tallfellows can use a longsword or a bastard sword quite well infact, one handed, while a Stout would find it a bit difficult since most longswords would be longer then they are tall. Twould be awkward.

[SixOfSpades]

Originally posted by Nerull: ....if you take a kit at all it would be wizard slayer (major restrictions to magic item use, including no healing potions).

If you have ToB installed, Wizard Slayers can use Healing Potions, Antidotes, and Elixirs of Health. They're still royally screwed out of just about everything else, however.