This build leverages the Thri-Kreen’s multiple arms and dexterity, combined with scout abilities. At level 1, the character gets Deflect Arrows and Dodge, enhancing both offense and defense.
Stat Block Level 1:
Insectoid Warlord[1]: male, Thri-Kreen Scout 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (psionic); HD 10; hp 10; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; Grp +3; Atk shortsword +3 melee (1d6+3); Full Atk 4 shortswords +3 melee (1d6+3); SA Skirmish +1d6; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to sleep, +2 racial bonus on Hide, Jump, Listen, and Spot checks, naturally psionic, multiple limbs; AL LN; SV Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +2; Str 16, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration +8; Deflect Arrows, Dodge. Special Attacks and Qualities: Skirmish +1d6 – This grants an extra 1d6 damage when the character moves before attacking. Naturally Psionic – Thri-Kreen has 1 power point.
Possessions: Chainshirt, four shortswords.
At level 5, the Insectoid Warlord[1] scout shines with unparalleled agility and offensive power. With dual-wielded shortswords and superior Dexterity, expect rapid, skirmishing melee attacks. The build capitalizes on the Thri-Kreen’s natural abilities and incredible speed to outmaneuver opponents.
Stat Block Level 5:
Insectoid Warlord[1]: Male, Thri-Kreen Scout 5; CR 7; Medium Monstrous Humanoid; HD 5d8+10; hp 32; Init +5; Spd 40 ft.; AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +4; Grp +7; Atk Shortsword +9 melee (1d6+3/19-20) or Shortbow +9 ranged (1d6+3); Full Atk 4x Shortsword +9 melee (1d6+3/19-20); SA Skirmish +1d6/+1, Improved Multiattack; SQ Battle Fortitude +1, Uncanny Dodge, Trapfinding, Fast Movement; AL CN; SV Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration +8, Mobility, Spring Attack, Iron Will. Special Attacks and Qualities: Skirmish (+1d6/+1), Improved Multiattack (use of multiple weapons efficiently in combat).
Possessions: Four Shortswords, two Shortbows, a Chainshirt.
At level 10, the Scout-Insectoid Warlord[1] boasts impressive mobility and offensive capabilities. This Thri-Kreen Scout can deliver relentless attacks while avoiding direct confrontations. The character benefits from defensive feats like Dodge and Deflect Arrows, supplemented by psionic abilities gained from the levels in Psychic Warrior and Elocater.
Stat Block Level 10:
Insectoid Warlord[1]: male, Thri-Kreen Scout 2/Psychic Warrior 2/Elocater 6; CR 10; Medium Humanoid (Psionic); HD 4d8+8 plus 6d6+12; hp 66; Init +5; Spd 40 ft.; AC 24, touch 16, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +6; Grp +9; Atk Shortsword +11 melee (1d6+3/crit 19-20) or Shortbow +12 ranged (1d6+3/crit x3); Full Atk 4 shortswords +11 melee (1d6+3/crit 19-20) or 2 shortbows +12 ranged (1d6+3/crit x3); SA Skirmish +2d6/+1 AC; SQ Battle Fortitude +1, Trapfinding, Uncanny Dodge, Trackless Step, Scorn Earth, Sidestep Charge, Opportunistic Strike +2; AL Neutral; SV Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +8; Str 16, Dex 22, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration +10, Knowledge (Psionics) +6, Psicraft +6; Dodge, Deflect Arrows, Mobility, Spring Attack, Iron Will, Weapon Finesse, Multiweapon Fighting.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Skirmish (extra damage and AC when moving), Battle Fortitude (bonus to Fortitude saves), Uncanny Dodge (retain Dexterity to AC), Trackless Step (leave no trail), Scorn Earth (ignore difficult terrain), Sidestep Charge (opponent charging misses), Opportunistic Strike (bonus to attack).
Possessions: Four shortswords, two shortbows, chainshirt.
The Insectoid Warlord[1] is a Thri-Kreen with a focus on melee skirmishing. At level 15, the character can make up to 9 melee attacks per round with 27d6 damage potential. Enhanced mobility through two 5-foot steps per round and Psionic capabilities make it versatile and powerful.
Stat Block Level 15:
Insectoid Warlord[1]: male, Thri-Kreen 2/Scout 6/Psychic Warrior 2/Elocater 5; CR 15; Medium monstrous humanoid; HD 2d8+4 plus 6d8+12 plus 2d8+4 plus 5d6+10; hp 75; Init +9; Spd 40 ft.; AC 23, touch 15, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +10; Grp +12; Atk +17 melee (1d6+2/18-20/x2, shortsword x4); Full Atk +17/+17/+17/+17/+12/+12/+12/+12/+7 melee (1d6+2/18-20/x2, shortsword x4); SA Multiweapon Fighting, Skirmish +2d6/+1; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., Sleeping Immunity, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Battle Fortitude +1, Trapfinding, Uncanny Dodge, Trackless Step, Weapon Finesse, Sidestep Charge, Scorn Earth, Opportunistic Strike +2, Dimension Step, Flanker; AL CN; SV Fort +13, Ref +17, Will +7; Str 16, Dex 24, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration 8, Jump +9, Climb +9; Deflect Arrow, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Iron Will, Weapon Finesse, Multiweapon Fighting, Improved Multiweapon Fighting, Combat Reflexes, Stand Still.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Skirmish +2d6/+1: gains an extra 2d6 damage and +1 AC when moving at least 10 ft.; Psionics (manifester level 4): 3 daily powers.
Possessions: Four Shortswords, two Shortbows, Chainshirt.
This Thri-Kreen build is designed for devastating skirmish attacks with high mobility and a flurry of strikes. At level 20, it utilizes multiweapon fighting, psionic powers, and excellent dexterity to output significant damage each round, providing versatility and strength in various combat scenarios.
Stat Block Level 20:
Insectoid Warlord[1]: male, Thri-Kreen Scout 2/Psychic Warrior 2/Elocater 10/Scout 6; CR 20; Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Psionic); HD 2d8+2d8+10d6+6d8; hp 138; Init +5; Spd 50 ft.; AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +14; Grp +18; Atk Four Shortswords +19 melee (1d6+3/19-20) or Two Shortbows +20 ranged (1d6/x3); Full Atk Four Shortswords +19/+19/+19/+19/+14/+14/+14/+14 melee (1d6+3/19-20) and Two Shortbows +20/+15 ranged (1d6/x3); SA Skirmish +2d6/+1; SQ Psionic Abilities, Flawless Step, Capricious Step, Uncanny Dodge, Trapfinding; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +15, Ref +18, Will +14; Str 16, Dex 26, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration 8, Mobility, Dodge, Deflect Arrows, Spring Attack, Iron Will, Weapon Finesse, Multiweapons Fighting, Improved Multiweapons Fighting, Sidestep Charge, Combat Reflexes, Stand Still.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Four Arms, Two 5 ft steps in one round, Dimension Step, Opportunistic Strike.
Possessions: Four Shortswords, Two Shortbows, Chainshirt.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1-5: The character starts as a Thri-Kreen Scout, focusing on mobility and skirmish tactics. Skills like Skirmish and Trapfinding enhance stealth and damage output. Feather in the cap at this stage is Uncanny Dodge, giving defense against surprise attacks.
Levels 6-10: Transition into the Psychic Warrior and then Elocater. This stage introduces Psionic abilities and expanded movement with Sidestep Charge. Multiweapon Fighting increases attack options, while Skirmish further enhances damage.
Levels 11-15: Elocater class takes center stage. Gain unique abilities such as Opportunistic Strike and Transporter, which boosts battlefield positioning. Improved Multiweapon Fighting enhances offensive capabilities, making attacks devastating.
Levels 16-20: Mastery of the Elocater role with polished skills like Accelerated Action and Flawless Step. This phase caps mobility and tactical versatility, reinforcing the character’s unstoppable presence on the battlefield with the ability to control space and tempo effectively.
Core Abilities & Features
This unique build is primarily centered around the Thri-Kreen race, granting it a natural advantage in combat with its four arms. Their four-armed prowess allows wielding two shortbows or four shortswords, enabling unparalleled attack versatility and damage potential. Coupled with Improved Multiweapon Fighting, this build can perform up to nine attacks per round, ensuring it excels in the chaotic throes of melee.
This powerhouse build is also sustained by a carefully selected class sequence: 2 levels of Thri-Kreen, followed by 6 levels of Scout, 2 of Psychic Warrior, and finally 10 in Elocater. The Scout levels amplify combat mobility, with Skirmish bonuses increasing both damage and AC after moving. When combined with Spring Attack and an elevated base speed, tactical repositioning becomes seamless. Moreover, abilities like Uncanny Dodge and Trackless Step enhance survivability and stealth, cementing the build’s skirmisher roots.
The Psionic elements imbued through Psychic Warrior levels add layers of adaptability. The introduction of Weapon Finesse makes Dexterity the go-to ability for attack rolls. Elocater, an elegant choice here, imparts abilities like Sidestep Charge and Dimension Spring Attack, which augment combat movement strategies, allowing sudden bursts or evasive maneuvers. Capricious Step and Flawless Step strip enemies of advantageous positioning by removing terrain restrictions, maintaining a relentless offensive. All these elements culminate in an Insectoid Warlord[1] capable of seizing battlefield opportunities and blanketing it in a relentless flurry of attacks.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Chainshirt
Provides a good balance of armor class and mobility, essential for a skirmisher’s movement and defense.
Four Masterwork Shortswords
Maximize your multi-attack potential early on with increased hit chance, preparing for future enhancements.
L6-10
Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Improves your defenses as you face tougher opponents, keeping you agile yet protected.
Two Shortbows with Masterwork Arrows
Maintain ranged attack capabilities, further enhancing skirmish effectiveness.
L11-15
Bracers of Blinding Strike
Boosts initiative and attack speed, facilitating efficient strike counts, crucial for skirmish damage output.
Belt of Giant Strength +4
Increases melee damage potential, complementing your multi-weapon strikes.
L16-20
Cloak of Displacement, Minor
Grants a miss chance on attacks against you, which is pivotal during prolonged engagements.
Boots of Speed
Enhances movement capabilities and provides additional attacks per round with Haste.
Combat Scenarios as an Insectoid Warlord
Dungeon Crawls:
In close quarters, the Insectoid Warlord[1] can leverage the Skirmish and Battle Fortitude to outmaneuver foes. With four arms and superior mobility, shifting between targets and disarming traps is a breeze.
Open Fields:
The ability to take two 5-foot steps per round keeps the Thri-Kreen out of reach, maximizing the impact of nine potential strikes each round. The Scout’s mobility enhances the effectiveness of opportunistic attacks.
Ambushes:
Sidestep Charge and the dimension-stepping abilities of the Elocater class allow quick repositioning out of an ambush. The Multiweapons Fighting feat ensures the immediate return of multiple attacks post-surprise.
Defensive Stands:
By utilizing Defensive Stands, such as the chain shirt and Dart’s Thri-Kreen dexterity, the Warlord[2] stands resilient. Combine Combat Reflexes with Opportunistic Strike for high control over enemy positioning.
Urban Encounters:
Cityscapes demand tactical agility. Transporter powers and spring attacks make for seamless movement through alleyways. Attacks focus on crowd control, using Weapon Finesse to target specific combatants while evading others.
Weaknesses & Counters
Weakness
Counter
Low Charisma, affecting potential interactions with NPCs
Use Psionic Charm to influence creatures despite low Charisma.
Vulnerability to Magic due to moderate Wisdom
Acquire a Cloak of Resistance (+1 to +5 bonus on saving throws) to bolster defenses.
Limited attack range with primary focus on melee combat
Equip Shortbows for long-range engagements.
Poor ability to withstand prolonged battles due to modest Constitution
Utilize Psionic Powers like Body Adjustment to recover hit points during combat.
Potential inability to handle swarms or area-based threats
Employ Area-of-Effect Weapons such as alchemist’s fire to deal with multiple foes
Roleplaying the Insectoid Warlord
As an Insectoid Warlord[1], the Thri-Kreen Scout embodies a unique cultural background desperately seeking its place in humanoid society. Their innate curiosity and alien visage give room for intriguing character development. Picture their first encounter with a bustling city, filled with unique customs and structures unknown to them. Embrace this drive to explore through vibrant descriptions of how the character perceives the world, whether it’s marveling at human architecture or puzzling over a bard’s song.
With their four arms and intense skirmishing prowess, the Warlord[2] often remains the center of a chaotic battlefield. Highlight the duality of their external calmness and internal primal instincts. For example, when the enemy forces close in, describe their precise movements—an instinctual dance of death combined with strategic mindset. Let war cries or non-verbal cues become a distinct part of their interactions, offering deeper insight into their thoughts, especially in high-stress situations.
Its unique four-arm advantage allows wielding multiple weapons simultaneously. This gives an unparalleled attack versatility. Coupling with Improved Multiweapon Fighting, nine attacks per round is possible. This build is a testament to maximizing offensive capabilities. The combination of Scout and Psychic Warrior classes enhances combat mobility. The inclusion of Elocater adds psionic versatility. Together, they create a formidable and adaptable force.
Start with Thri-Kreen for their racial benefits. Focus first on multiclassing with Scout to capitalize on skirmishing. Trapfinding and Mobility are key skills in early levels. Add Psychic Warrior when superior movement is desired. Finish with Elocater for psionic elevation and movement strategies. Ensure to train in relevant feats like Weapon Finesse and Sidestep Charge. These choices ensure a strong foundation for battlefield agility and prowess.
The Warlord[2] can struggle with charisma-based interactions. Using Psionic Charm helps navigate these social challenges. Poor wisdom makes the Warlord[2] prone to magical attacks. Consider acquiring a Cloak of Resistance to bolster defenses. To address melee focus, equip Shortbows for ranged combat. Utilize Body Adjustment to compensate the moderate constitution. Finally, use Area-of-Effect Weapons against swarm threats.
The Warlord[2] thrives in various combat scenarios. In dungeons, maneuverability makes it adept at trap handling. In open fields, its speed ensures multiple strikes remain effective. Urban encounters are minimized with tactical agility and Transporter powers. During defensive stands, dexterity combines with Opportunistic Strike to exert control. Use these strengths and pair strategies to the scenario for effectiveness.
Defense forms the crux of balancing the Warlord[2]’s offensive nature. Uncanny dodge offers resilience against unexpected attacks. With Trapfinding, the Warlord[2] identifies hazards swiftly. A chain shirt paired with dexterity enhances resistance. Combat Reflexes increases response to shifting situations efficiently. This role draws upon the Warlord[2]’s skirmisher traits. It emphasizes the necessity of blending attack with survivability in combat.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
As the Gorilla was slaughtering the troops, the commander, a tall thri-kreen jumped into action, it’s four shortswords in hand, landing nine strikes in but a few seconds, forcing the beast to fall back.
–“Leave them alone. If you want an opponent, you have one right here beast.”
The gorilla roared and charged at the Thri-Kreen with force, who sidestepped it’s charge and started unleashing a true flurry of strikes.
The titanic battle continued for a long time, and as the city’s scouts watched from a safe distance, they relayed the information to their commander that they would need reinforcement against that second group.
Race
Thri-Kreen
Class
2/Scout 6/Psychic Warrior 2/Elocater 10(2 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 16/Dex 20/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 6
Skills
Concentration 8
Equipment
Four Shortswords, two shortbows, a chainshirt.
Goal
Having four arms and the ability to take two 5′ steps in one round lets you skirmish in melee for 9 attacks per round with improved multiattack. With the shortswords, we are looking at 27d6 of damage each round before any bonuses. Yeah, your damage is competitive alright. Add to that all your Thri-Kreen goodies and your Psionic powers and you are a highly versatile, and strong opponent capable of tackling several types of enemies with few problems.
The old man was weaving his net on his porch, looking up at the magnificent castle up the hill. His young sons playing with their wooden swords.
One screamed, “No, I am the Warlord!” This evoked a smile from the old man.
“Pa’ tell us about the Warlord of the Castle again. Is it true that she is fair, yet a great warrior?” The other, younger of his sons, piped up.
The old man sat back and took a long, thoughtful, draw on his pipe.
“Oh yes son. She is. I saw her once. She is as fair, as she is strong. She is the strongest warrior in the realm, the peak of what a human can ever achieve.”
He stopped, and remembered, when the village ten years ago was attacked by roaming bandits. It was common then, normal even.
He himself was about to be slain, when he saw the imposing figure walk past him. At the time he thought he was done for, but he looked up, and saw her.
She was standing alone against wave upon wave of bandits. Nearly overwhelmed by the tides she was, he then heard the sound of a hundred men at arms. All of them arriving to the help of the young warlady, standing as a wall of shields.
And as his sons dreamed to one day become warlords themselves, the old man continued to wistfully grin. As he remembered how he had once instructed her on how to use a sword and an axe in tandem…
Longsword, Shield, and the best armor you can afford.
Goal
You are everything a human fighter should aspire to be. You are not only a strong melee fighter, but also the paragon of what being human means. With the ability to fight in a variety of styles, you are also a true leader of men with your own private army of devoted followers. Even your own castle, as you stand as the stalwart defender of the innocents. You can dart across the battlefield, attacking various key targets while always keeping an eye on the battlefield as a whole, ready to intercept any problem at a moment’s notice.
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