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15:13, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Posted by RedTeamPyro
RedTeamPyro
member, 88 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 01:36
  • msg #1

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Alright, so, i've been thinking about joining another D&D 5e game and i wanted to try something new. I've noticed that i've been making characters who take on "party leader" or "party strategist" roles, and things of the like. Also, i wanted to try making a mercenary or bodyguard-like character.

So, the idea that i had was a Lizardfolk Barbarian that would take on the role as someone's personal bodyguard, mercenary, "muscle", etc. He wouldn't be super intelligent, probably around average or a little less, but competent enough to do his job word for word, with efficiency. His focus would be in strength, dexterity, and constitution; and his only obligation is to the person he's working for. Someone who leaves the talking to their client, and handles the action, normally having no qualms over what the task might be. For example, if his client said that they wanted someone to stop looking at them funny, he'd be the one to re-arrange said person's face for them.

It's likely, and more compatible that said person is in the party, so i'll have to talk to them before the game starts to establish a little bit on the backstory interactions between the two; such as, deciding whether or not he's just a random hired guard, or someone who has obligation to them for one reason or another.

So, RPoL, what do you think? Is it possible? I was going to go straight to "Wanted: GMs", but i wanted to see your guys thoughts on it first. Additionally, since Lizardfolk aren't exactly in the Player's Handbook as one of the default playable races, and it's likely there would be qualms with me playing one with some GMs.

In addition, i wanted to see if there were any criticisms.

Thanks,
-RedTeamPyro
Nintaku
member, 469 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 01:55
  • msg #2

Is this viable? (Character idea)

I'm kinda confused about what you're asking.

"Is it possible to play a bodyguard to another PC?" Absolutely.
"Is it possible to play a lizardfolk PC?" That depends on whether the GM allows it.
"Is it possible to rearrange someone's face on command?" Isn't that what D&D heroes do?

Now, my only thought here is that Fighter might be a more appropriate class. Traditionally, Barbarians are wild people, the folk who live outside of society and tend not to touch it if they can avoid it. City folk are too clean and boring and such, though they tend to make good booze. I don't often see the fluff describe them as follower types, taking orders from city folk. Fighters, on the other hand, tend to more often include those trained mercenary types who can follow orders and get in some good thug action.

Even so, all that is just from my readings of what the classes are expected to be in terms of the fluff and has nothing to do with anything, being just one interpretation. Mechanically, both are perfect for what you just described. Really, it's hard to tell what here doesn't seem possible. You just described in detail a perfect PC. Heck, even the bit about being a lizardfolk can be worked with by the GM. That's fodder for plenty of storytelling and drama.

What is it you saw that made you question the concept?
RedTeamPyro
member, 89 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 02:03
  • msg #3

Is this viable? (Character idea)

My main concern was playing a lizardfolk as a race, and playing a barbarian class with the concept.

While i know a fighter would make more sense at a few points, the enrage ability and making-most-out-of-less (armor) deal intrigues me. Plus, i'd like to get the most out of using a two handed weapon, and as mentioned before, not that much armor. Additionally, i thought that being a Barbarian might be fitting (especially with enrage) in synergy with how Lizardfolk are and fight. They can be more animalistic at times, and using that bite of theirs is worked into their combat style.

Additionally, i've not solidified him being a mercenary. I actually wanted to try to go for some form of obligation he has to an individual, but i brought up the mercenary point just in case that couldn't work.
locojedi
member, 108 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 02:17
  • msg #4

Is this viable? (Character idea)

There is a lizardfolk supplement over on DMsGuild, and many DMs are fine with non-PHB stuff if they can see it (and its free). Some DMs only have the Basic rules or the three core books and don't want to deviate from them just because it's more crap to keep track of. But if you present a cool character concept like this and provide a link to the lizardfolk supplement, I can't see why a reasonable DM wouldn't bite.  After all, it's not Pathfinder... ;-) (Sorry couldn't help myself...)

As for Barbarian, the rage issue would be a double-edged sword. A bodyguard needs to be in control to a changing situation, fluid, and fluff-wise, many barbarians are a toggle. However, the no-armor mechanics work great for what you have in mind, as well as two-handed weapons, so I don't see any issues if you just work out the narrative in a clever way.

Good luck!
RedTeamPyro
member, 90 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 02:26
  • msg #5

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Alright, thanks. I appreciate the input; as always
Nintaku
member, 470 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 02:33
  • msg #6

Is this viable? (Character idea)

With all that in mind, one thing I might suggest would be actually going that Fighter route. It's possible to do a low-armor two-handed Fighter, and the animalistic fighting style would be narration. It could be a style honed over years of dedicated practice, honoring his ancestors and how they survived centuries of terrible landscape, invasion, and beasts. You'd get the benefit of not losing control of yourself as well as the benefit of being the best there is at what you do.
RedTeamPyro
member, 92 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 02:37
  • msg #7

Is this viable? (Character idea)

I don't believe fighters get anything useful for having less armor; and if they do, i'm sure Barbarians make the most out of less armor and two-handed weapons. Additionally, the whole "enrage" deal would pretty much be triggered by either someone legitimately enraging him, or in most cases, the person he serves "letting go of the leash". I'm sure i can find a way to work this into legitimacy; if i weren't confident i could, i wouldn't go for it.

As for the fighting style bit, it wouldn't be anything honed at a cultural or religious regard, or something like that (I'm not saying that all he knows how to do is swing a stick). If anything, he's trained himself in restraint; he's more of a berserking type, after all, and sometimes, especially when working under someone, controlling your desire to utterly pulverize someone is useful.
This message was last edited by the user at 02:38, Mon 22 Aug 2016.
Flint_A
member, 519 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 12:14
  • msg #8

Is this viable? (Character idea)

I just want to ask, why "less armor" if you're a bodyguard? This sounds more like a hired muscle or thug. The kind fat merchants hire to break a few kneecaps, and merchants don't tend to be adventurers. If you're going to be guarding some sort of squishy caster, than staying alive is much more important than damage. They'll handle the damage. Especially some of the maneuvers under the Commander Archetype would be immensely useful for a guard.

Now, if you really want to play a barbarian who's hired by another adventurer, I'd suggest being a guide. If the quest is taking you into the wilderness and the person who hired you is a city wizard who hasn't stepped out of his tower before, getting a tough barbarian makes sense for him. You've got aggressiveness, nature skills, possibly even intimidate to deal with any "uncivilized" folk you come across.
RedTeamPyro
member, 93 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 13:26
  • msg #9

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Lizard folk naturally compensate for less armor with their racials. I don't have the PDF right now 'cause I'm on my phone, but when I get home I'll make a reply to tell you. Anyways, im sure lizard folk can also make an extra attack or something along those lines their their bite. In addition, the race itself doesn't seem to actually use full suits of armor and things that you'd see a knight having, on a culteral level.

Anyways, as for what you said about him being a guide, he pretty much is someone's muscle; that's the plan for him. He does what the person he works for asks, no questions asked (assuming it's befitting his role). Heck, he probably try to avoid talking much at that.  He is not going to be a nature guide, though. I'll leave that to the ranger (just messing with you Rangers). Sure, he might be able to make a helpful comment or observations, but the focus of the job is to do the dirty work. And by job, I was hoping to more go for obligation. I don't really want him to be a mercenary, but if there's nothing I can do to help it, so be it.
RedTeamPyro
member, 94 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 23:35
  • msg #10

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Alright. I got the information on the PDF that's related to lizardfolk.

According to this it says that, when not wearing armor, your AC is 13 + dexterity modifier.

That's useful, right? Removes the need for armor, thus allowing me to use the movement speed boost that barbarians get. Plus, the rage is quite useful for when his master/mistress decides to "let go of the leash".
swordchucks
member, 1274 posts
Mon 22 Aug 2016
at 23:41
  • msg #11

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Remember that in 5e anything that changes your AC calculation changes the whole thing.  You can't combine two of them unless your DM houserules to allow it.  So you could either get the normal barbarian bonus to AC from Con or you can get the Lizardman thing, but not both.
Flint_A
member, 521 posts
Tue 23 Aug 2016
at 00:38
  • msg #12

Is this viable? (Character idea)

So if your Con's lower than +3, than the lizardfolk AC's better. The barbarian's d12 should make up for not having a huge Con though.
RedTeamPyro
member, 95 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Tue 23 Aug 2016
at 00:53
  • msg #13

Is this viable? (Character idea)

There's a fair chance that the Lizardfolk natural AC will be better than the Barbarian's AC, but it's a fifty fifty chance that i'm willing to bet on. Plus, it makes sense for Lizardfolk to be barbarians and wear less armor.

Constitution isn't the main focus, but it's got third place on the ability score priority. So, i imagine that this should work, assuming i've not left out any variables. All i have to do now is find a 5e game
swordchucks
member, 1275 posts
Tue 23 Aug 2016
at 01:30
  • msg #14

Is this viable? (Character idea)

I only comment on the calculation thing because it's a very different method for things than previous editions.  It's one or the other, not both.

Though... my experience with barbarians has been that con is secondary and that every single one of those HP counts due to the relatively lower AC.
RedTeamPyro
member, 96 posts
So edgy he cant cut paper
Idon'tknowwhattoputhere
Tue 23 Aug 2016
at 01:35
  • msg #15

Is this viable? (Character idea)

Hm, good point. I wanted to keep my Dexterity and Strength up, but then again since Blackscale Lizardfolk have a +2 racial strength boost, i can probably save my higher rolls for constitution and do the math there. I also have a racial proficiency with mauls, but i don't think weapon training will be of utmost concern with a Barbarian.

Thanks for reminding me about the whole constitution deal. That could of ended badly should i of been ignorant of it.
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