Comparing Totemist Builds reveals unique strengths and weaknesses for strategic choices.
Criminal-Lord excels in charisma, but risks against law enforcement highlight weaknesses.
Soul-Shaping-Master is versatile with soulmelds, but struggles in anti-magic environments.
Shadow-Disciple maneuvers with stealth, yet falters without shadow environments for protection.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Build Name
Strengths
Weaknesses
Criminal-Lord
High charisma for persuasion, excellent with underworld connections.
Vulnerability to law enforcement; relies heavily on charisma-based skills.
Soul-Shaping-Master
Unmatched in creating and manipulating soulmelds; versatile in abilities.
Can be over-reliant on soulmelds; limited against anti-magic zones.
Shadow-Disciple
Exceptional stealth skills; access to shadow magic such as Shadow Walk.
Weak in direct confrontations; dependent on shadows for effectiveness.
Swamp-Horror
Immune to swamp-based hazards; powerful nature-themed spells.
Limited mobility on non-swamp terrain; weaker against fire-based attacks.
Warrior-Shaman
Balanced combat and spellcasting abilities; access to spiritual guidance.
Split focus can lead to jack-of-all-trades, master of none situation.
Criminal Lord
The Criminal-Lord combines a Totemist’s natural weapon proficiency with the tactical prowess of a Monk, creating a versatile build that shines in both combat and social interactions. This hybrid class excels at skirmishing, utilizing Monk and Yakuza defensive skills, making it a master of adaptability.
Its major strength lies in its unparalleled versatility; from melee to stealth missions, it can adapt to any battlefield situation.
A low Intelligence score may hinder skill usage and versatility in knowledge-based checks.
Utilizing the Chameleon Tattoo enhances stealth capabilities, perfect for surprise attacks or evasions.
Soul Shaping Master
The Soul-Shaping Master[1] focuses on blending the combat prowess of a Warforged with the mystical abilities of a Totemist. By level 3, it wields over 10 natural weapon attacks, allowing significant early game damage potential.
The Totemist’s ability to bind various Soulmelds creates unmatched versatility and strength with natural weapons.
With a lack of conventional equipment, the build can struggle with flexibility in gear-dependent situations.
Achieving Double Chakra (Totem) at level 9 enhances the number of active melds, maximizing combat options.
Shadow Disciple
The Shadow-Disciple is a shapeshifting hunter, capable of formidable ambushes using its Primeval Form to bring raw power into combat. The build’s ability to wear the skins of its victims adds a terrifying layer of stealth and deception.
The Shadow-Disciple boasts a blend of physical enhancements and stealthy maneuvers, allowing it to dominate battles through surprise and raw transformations.
A notable weakness is the potential vulnerability due to flaws like Murky Eyed and Shaky, which can hinder the shadow-disciple’s perception and ranged attacks.
While in Primeval Form, the build can transform into a monstrous ankylosaurus with claws and fangs, offering a dramatic power spike to quickly overwhelm foes.
Swamp Horror
Delving into the murky depths of the Swamp-Horror build leads you to a monstrous totemist capable of delivering swift and relentless natural attacks, leaving foes drowning in despair. Combining improved underwater capabilities with a relentless barrage of attacks, it embodies an aquatic terror unmatched in melee skirmishes.
Ample natural attacks paired with spines as manufactured weapons maximize your offensive potential.
The build suffers in situations where grappling and melee are ineffective, like against flying opponents or enemies with high mobility.
Use soulmelds or magic items for underwater breathing, enabling seamless ambushes and tactical retreats underwater.
Warrior Shaman
The Totemist-Criminal Lord[2] combines the versatile power of Soulmelds with the stealth and mystique of the Yakuza, creating a deadly social chameleon. Masters of skirmishing and information-gathering, this build intimidates foes both in and out of combat.
Flexibility in combat and social settings. With Monk abilities enhancing unarmed strikes and defensive tattoos from the Tattooed Monk, this build can adapt to various situations seamlessly.
Low Intelligence limits skill diversity, and two Flaws (Inattentive, Murky Eyed) can create significant vulnerabilities in perception and awareness.
Utilize the Chameleon Tattoo for unparalleled stealth. It grants you invisibility, allowing you to infiltrate enemy territory or escape from tricky encounters unscathed.
FAQ
What defines a Totemist build in D&D 3.5?
A Totemist build centers around tapping into soulmelds. These are ethereal constructs granting powerful abilities. Through natural affinity with magical beasts, a Totemist can emulate their traits. This involves binding soulmelds to chakras, enhancing physical capabilities or gaining special powers. A strong Totemist focuses on versatility, customizing abilities for each challenge faced.
The Soul-Shaping Master[1] thrives on creating diverse soulmelds for different challenges. By optimizing their meldshaping progression, they redefine their powers daily. This adaptability ensures their usefulness across various situations. They provide support, offense, or defense as required. Such flexibility is indispensable in an unpredictable D&D environment.
Can the Shadow Disciple[3] Totemist effectively operate without shadows?
The Shadow Disciple[3] loses some effectiveness without shadows nearby. They rely on shadow magic to surprise or control foes. Operating in bright or crowded areas can be challenging for them. However, creative players could use magic or equipment to generate shadows. This workaround ensures that a Shadow Disciple[3] remains viable in most environments.
Why is the Warrior-Shaman Totemist considered a balanced build?
The Warrior-Shaman seamlessly blends combat prowess with shamanistic casting. This dual capacity enables them to adapt roles as needed. They fight on the frontlines while providing magical support to allies. Their spirit guidance aids in navigating complex tactical decisions. Versatility remains this build’s defining strength in D&D campaigns.
Swamp Horrors wield remarkable powers within swampy locales. They leverage immunity to swamp hazards and nature-themed spells. However, on non-swamp terrains, their options narrow somewhat. Fire and mobility-focused evasion become threats. Choosing their battleground wisely is crucial to maintaining their effectiveness.
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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?
The hulking, almost draconic shaped warforged turning his eyes to the ruins of the once great Free City. Burned to the ground overnight. He too had heard the rumors. Its people managed to flee by sea or by land, and now thousands were without home. His gaze towards the space below him and his position atop the hill, some of these people had come back to the charred ruins, trying desperately to salvage anything valuable.
He watched them silently, these humans would always surprise him by their raw willpower, their drive to just keep moving forward. The warforged vowed in that moment that from this point onward, none would touch them. His eyes focused on a young father and his young child as they dug through the ruins of a structure.
Race
Warforged
Class
Totemist 20
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 10/Con 19/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 11
Skills
Listen, Spot, Survival, Knowledge(Nature)
Equipment:
Nothing
Flaws
Murky Eyed, Shaky
Goal
Incarnum has some interesting stuff going on, able to shape raw soul energy into temporary “magic items” of sort, and binding them to the different chakras. Totemists especially specialize in emulating various beasts. So here we are, with a draconic warforged with over 10 different natural weapons attack by level 3, making you able to out damage pretty much any other character until the mid levels, and even then you more than hold your own. Also, you are a living dragonbot, so that’s pretty cool.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Totemist
13
Dragontouched, Jaws of Death, Dragon Tail
Wild Empathy, Illiterate
2
Totemist
1d8+4
–
Totem Chakra Bind(+1 Capacity)
3
Totemist
1d8+4
Multiattack
Totem’s Protection
4
Totemist
1d8+8
–
+1 Con
5
Totemist
1d8+5
–
Chakra Binds(Crown, Feet, Hands)
6
Totemist
1d8+5
Improved Unarmed Strike
Totem Chakra Bind(+1 Meldshaper level)
7
Totemist
1d8+5
–
–
8
Totemist
1d8+5
–
Rebind Totem Soulmeld 1/Day, +1 Con
9
Totemist
1d8+5
Double Chakra(Totem)
Chakra Binds (Arms, Brow, Shoulders)
10
Totemist
1d8+5
–
–
11
Totemist
1d8+5
–
Totem Chakra Bind(Double Bind)
12
Totemist
1d8+17
Expanded Soulmeld Capacity
Rebind Totem Soulmeld 2/Day, +1 Con
13
Totemist
1d8+6
–
–
14
Totemist
1d8+6
–
Chakra Binds (Throat, Waist)
15
Totemist
1d8+6
Second Slam
Totem Chakra Bind (+2 Capacity)
16
Totemist
1d8+6
–
Rebind Totem Soulmeld 3/Day, +1 Con
17
Totemist
1d8+6
–
Chakra Binds (Heart)
18
Totemist
1d8+6
Power Attack
–
19
Totemist
1d8+6
–
–
20
Totemist
1d8+26
–
Totem Embodiment, Rebind Totem Soulmeld 4/Day, +1 Con
The two sisters argued in a corner of the room while the two brothers sat in silence. Each observed the two women awkwardly as they fought. They had failed to save the Free City, though they did manage to escape to the Kingdom’s Capital alive, a true hive of scum and villainy.
–“How did you expect me to predict that Io’s cult would intervene so heavily in this?” The sister in ranger attire threw her finger in her sister’s face. She standing tall as her sister sat on the side of the bed. The two gave an uncertain glare – one another, both almost simultaneously gave a defeated sigh before the upright sister’s posture began to slump. She took a seat next to her twin, defeated.
–“Look, I am sorry, okay? It’s just…I knew many of those people”.
As the silence grew in the room, a knock surprised all four of them. A woman, in a sleeveless shirt, covered with tattoos opened the door. This in spite of being locked prior, the woman stepping in and pressed her back up against the doorframe.
–“Awww, look at the wolfies crying their heart out to each other in front of the two gentlemen silently trying to stay out of their way”. The woman teased, and looked to the brothers before continuing. “Adorable, really.”
The four of them rose rapidly, ready to fight this intruder. Whoever she was, clearly knew too much. Before they could act, though, she rose both hands in the air.
–“Hold on before you attempt to skewer me into pieces. I am not your enemy. I know who you are and who your enemy is. I am merely an information broker, and it just turns out that your enemy is an arsehole who owes me money”…
Race
Human
Class
Totemist 5/Monk 1/Yakuza 4/Tattooed Monk 10
Ability Scores
Str 16/Dex 15/Con 15/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 10
Skills
Bluff 10, Gather Information 10, Hide 7, Knowledge(Religion) 8
Equipment
Darts, a Shortsword
Flaws
Inattentive, Murky Eyed
Goal
If Totemists are so great with natural weapons, and that you can cumulate all these with iterative unarmed strikes, then surely, a Monk combination would be absolutely terrifying right?
Well, it turns out that the answer is “yes, actually”. Between Tattoos, Soulmelds, and Monk abilities, and with the absolutely insane defensive abilities of a Yakuza, you are not only a strong social character and scout, but an absolute pain on the battlefield, capable of skirmishing, skillmonkeying and being useful both in melee, ranged, at various distances, making you a top tier jack of all trades character.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Monk
10
City Slicker, Cosmopolitan(Bluff), Able Learner, Endurance, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple
The group of survivors gathered around the campfire and brushed themselves off from the dust, dirt and rubble covering them. After a hard day of roaming through the ruins, scavenging and uncovering what, and who they could. The people shared a heartwarming veggie soup and pieces of bread as they began to rest for the evening. One of the women wept, as she caressed a burnt doll she’d found during the day. The silence outside of that; heavy. So many lives were lost that day.
As they ate, none realized that the enemy was still present, among them, wearing the skin of a sobbing woman, ready to take her primeval form and massacre them all in moments…
Race
Neraph
Class
Totemist 7/Mortal Hunter 3/Primeval 10 (Worships an Elder Evil)
Yes, you are a skinwalker. Neraphs are slaad-like beings from limbo, and you in particular are a vicious representative of the species. With the ability to shape a variety of soulmelds to augment your physical prowesses, your deformities that stay between forms, your ability to steal the skin of your victims and the ability to transform into a cave ankylosaurus, but with claws and a teeth filled maw is just downright extremely violent.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Totemist
11
Alertness, Mortalbane, Track, Willing Deformity
Wild Empathy, Illiterate
2
Totemist
1d8+3
–
Totem Chakra Bind (+1 Capacity)
3
Totemist
1d8+3
Endurance
Totem’s Protection
4
Totemist
1d8+3
–
+1 Con
5
Totemist
1d8+3
Deformity(Hands)
Chakra Bind (Crown, Feet, Hands)
6
Totemist
1d8+3
Self-Sufficient
Totem Chakra Bind (+1 Meldshaper Level)
7
Totemist
1d8+3
–
–
8
Mortal Hunter
1d10+11
–
Mortal Hunting +1, Mortal Skin(Humanoid), +1 Con
9
Mortal Hunter
1d10+7
Toughness, Boost Spell-Like Ability
Detect Mortals
10
Mortal Hunter
1d10+4
Deformity(Mouth)
Mortal Hunting +2
11
Primeval
1d10+4
–
Primeval Form (Cave Ankylosaurus) 1/Day, Animal Empathy
-“Was going through the swamp absolutely necessary?” Asked the woman in plate armor, in tow of her friend and his daughter. The thick slush from the water poured from the man’s boot as they sat atop the now drier gravel and stone.
The young warrior shaman turned to her with a smile, as he patted out the rest of the muck.
–“It’s the shortest route to the capital, right?”. The daughter groaned and removed her sock to wring it out. The answer was obvious, but she still much preferred the trek around the marsh.
–“Yeah, right. I get that, but be aware, these marshes are haunted by more than just annoying insects”. She said cryptically, as she eyed the surroundings.
–“What do you mean?”The old barbarian asked and turned to face her.
A grin on her face, she darted forward with her blade drawn. Suddenly, a handful of spines clattered against the blade and her armor. She parried what spines she could. It was certain that if she hadn’t stepped in, the barbarian’s throat would have been pierced. And spines that long, no doubt would have left him gagging on his own blood before long. It wasn’t but a second later, a hulking man-like beast rose out of the water, and lurched forward. Another volley of spines were in the air.
–“This, I mean this”. She replied calmly.
Race
Skarn
Class
Totemist 7/Spinemeld Warrior 8/Scaled Horror 5
Ability Scores
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 16/Int 10/Wis 12/Cha 8
Skills
Hide 5, Move Silently 5, Swim 5 Equipment: A Chainshirt
Flaws
Shaky, Murky Eyed
Goal
And here we are, the culmination of adding as many natural attacks as possible, some of them (spines) acting as manufactured weapons for the sake of our attack action, adding rend to the mix, and with Improved Grab and any magic item/soulmeld allowing breathing underwater, you are the perfect amphibious melee striker, capable of attacking well over ten times per round, grabbing an opponent, and then walking back underwater, drowning your target while rapidly turning them into grounded meat.
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