This Level 1 Cleric Ruby Templar[1] build is designed for maximum versatility and power, even in its nascent stage. It features the Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric with initial specialization in mounted combat. With abilities centered around Turn Undead and domains that enhance mental and magical capacities. The focus is on establishing a solid foundation for future explosive power progression with spells and combat maneuvers.
Stat Block Level 1:
Unnamed Ruby Templar[1]: male, Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric 1; CR 1; Medium Undead; HD 1d12; hp 12; Init 0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk Longsword +2 (1d8+2) or Heavy Steel Shield Bash +0 (1d4+2); Full Atk Longsword +2 (1d8+2) or Heavy Steel Shield Bash +0 (1d4+2); SA Turn Undead; SQ Undead traits, Mind domain, Magic domain; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +5; Str 15, Dex 10, Con -, Int 13, Wis 17, Cha 14.
Possessions: Longsword, Heavy Steel Shield, basic clerical vestments.
At level 5, this character is a divine powerhouse. As a Ruby Knight Vindicator, it can use Divine Recovery to refresh maneuvers as swift actions. It has access to the powerful Battle Blessing feat to cast Paladin spells quickly. Despite low Dexterity, it can compensate with high Wisdom for spell power.
Stat Block Level 5:
Unnamed Ruby Templar[1]: male, Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric 3/Ruby Knight Vindicator 2; CR 5; Medium undead (augmented humanoid); HD 5d12; hp variable; Init +0; Spd 20 ft.; AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +4; Grp +6; Atk Longsword +6 melee (1d8+2); Full Atk Longsword +6 melee (1d8+2); SA Turn Undead, Domains(Mind, Magic); SQ Aura of Good, Armored Stealth, Divine Recovery, Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold, undead traits; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +7, Ref +1, Will +7; Str 15, Dex 10, Con —, Int 13, Wis 17, Cha 14.
Divine Recovery allows one refreshed maneuver as a swift action, making available combat options vastly more flexible.
Possessions: Longsword, Heavy Steel Shield, Full plate armor, additional equipment as funds allow.
Our Ruby Templar[1], at level 10, has exceptional casting speed and is a formidable force on the battlefield. Thanks to Battle Blessing, the build reaches spellcasting peaks where practically any spell can be cast quickly. Through Sword of the Arcane Order, this character gets access to both Cleric and Sorcerer/Wizard spell lists, giving them a great deal of versatility. Additionally, Divine Impetus improves the character’s fighting skills by enabling more quick actions with Rebuke Undead.
Stat Block Level 10:
Ruby Templar[1]: male, Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric 3/Ruby Knight Vindicator 5/Prestige Paladin 1/Ruby Knight Vindicator 1; CR 10; Medium Undead (Augmented); HD 10d12; hp 70; Init +0; Spd 20 ft.; AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +9; Grp +11; Atk +13 melee (1d8+2/19-20, longsword) or +11 ranged; Full Atk +13/+8 melee (1d8+2/19-20, longsword); SA Turn Undead, Smite Evil; SQ Undead type, Divine Recovery, Divine Fury, Divine Impetus, Armored Stealth; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +10; Str 15, Dex 10, Con -, Int 13, Wis 18, Cha 14.
Turn Undead (3/day), Smite Evil (1/day), ability to cast spells as swift actions, access to Wizard/Sorcerer spell list through Sword of Arcane Order, fuel Divine Impetus with Rebuke Undead uses.
Possessions: Longsword, Heavy Steel Shield, Full Plate armor, Cloak of Resistance, Belt of Magnificence, Nightsticks.
At Level 15, this Hellbred Necropolitan character excels as a fearsome melee combatant with the ability to cast both Cleric and Wizard spells rapidly due to the synergy of Swift Actions through Battle Blessing and Sword of the Arcane Order. Maintaining dominance in combat, they utilize high BAB and extensive use of undead minions via Bone Knight abilities. Persist and Divine Metamagic spells bolster defenses and offense, making the character nearly impervious and capable of overwhelming foes.
Stat Block Level 15:
Hellbred Necropolitan: male, Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric 3/Ruby Knight Vindicator 6/Prestige Paladin 1/Bone Knight 5; CR 15; Medium Undead (Augmented Humanoid); HD 15d12; hp 135; Init +0; Spd 20 ft.; AC 25, touch 11, flat-footed 25; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk Longsword +19 melee (1d8+5); Full Atk Longsword +19/+14/+9 melee (1d8+5); SA Turn/Rebuke Undead, Smite Evil, Battle Blessing, Sword of the Arcane Order, Divine Impetus; SQ Bonecraft Armor, Armored Stealth, Paladin Conversion, Skeletal Steed; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +13; Str 15, Dex 10, Con -, Int 13, Wis 19, Cha 14.
Turn and Rebuke Undead to fuel Divine Impetus for additional Swift Actions. Persist Spell extends powerful spells across days. Bonecraft Weaponry and Armor enhance melee capabilities and resilience.
Possessions: Bloodstone Spell Storing Longsword storing Vampiric Touch x2, Heavy Steel Shield, Full Plate, Belt of Magnificence, Cloak of Resistance, Nightsticks.
This Level 20 Ruby Templar[1] is a powerhouse, blending the divine with martial prowess. With full casting capability, the dual spell lists of Cleric and Wizard/Sorcerer, and the ability to cast them swiftly, you become a formidable force on the battlefield. Utilize Bonecraft Armor for additional stealth, while your mounts and undead cohorts ensure control over the battlefield. Persisted magic like Greater Ironguard and Wraithstrike make you nearly invulnerable, and through Divine Impetus, cast up to 20 spells per round.
Stat Block Level 20:
Unnamed: male, Hellbred Necropolitan Cleric 3/Ruby Knight Vindicator 10/Prestige Paladin 1/Bone Knight 6; CR 20; Medium Undead (Augmented); HD 20d12; hp 130; Init +0; Spd 20 ft; AC 33, touch 11, flat-footed 33; Base Atk +20; Grp +25; Atk +29 melee (1d8+5/17-20, Bloodstone Spell Storing Longsword) or +25 ranged; Full Atk +29/+24/+19/+14 melee (1d8+5/17-20, Bloodstone Spell Storing Longsword); SA Turn Undead, Rebuke Undead, Divine Recovery, Smite Evil 1/Day; SQ Bonecraft Armor, Bonecraft Weapon, Detect Evil, Divine Impetus, Divine Fury, Armored Stealth, Fill the Ranks, Magic Domain, Mind Domain; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +18, Ref +9, Will +18; Str 15, Dex 10, Con -, Int 13, Wis 21, Cha 14.
Divine Recovery, Smite Evil 1/Day, Divine Impetus allows use of Rebuke Undead attempts to gain additional swift actions.
Possessions: Bloodstone Spell Storing Longsword, Heavy Steel Shield, Bonecraft Full Plate Armor, Belt of Magnificence, Cloak of Resistance, Nightsticks.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1-5: Begin as a versatile Cleric focusing on developing core abilities and expanding skill set, including Turn Undead and initial domain selections of Mind and Magic. Feat prioritization includes Mounted Combat for strategic mobility during battles and Martial Study/Stance to introduce martial maneuvers.
Levels 6-10: Transition into a Ruby Knight Vindicator and later Prestige Paladin, elevating combat prowess with Battle Blessing allowing swift action spell casting. Introducing Sword of the Arcane Order expands spell capability, blending elements of wizardry with clerical abilities, enabling unprecedented flexibility in encounters.
Levels 11-15: Further mastery of Ruby Knight Vindicator powers unlocks Divine Impetus for additional swift actions, boosting tactical options significantly. At Bone Knight levels, integrate Bonecraft Armor for enhanced defenses and bone-themed capabilities, including leadership via Rebuke Undead and tactical restructuring with Persist Spell.
Levels 16-20: Achieve formidable status as Bone Knight, employing a summoned Skeletal Steed for unparalleled mounted combat. Mastery over necromantic enhancements allows for widespread influence over undead and the acquisition of superior gear like Bonecraft Weapon for offensive superiority, with Divine Metamagic enabling complex spell casting strategies.
Core Abilities & Features
The Ruby Templar[1] build is a powerhouse of divine and arcane magic, armored for combat, and skilled in undead manipulation. Central to its prowess is the ability to cast spells as Swift Actions, thanks to Battle Blessing, which transforms your spellcasting into a rapid-fire barrage. This advantage is amplified by the feats Sword of the Arcane Order, granting access to both Cleric and Wizard spell lists, and Divine Impetus, allowing multiple Swift Actions per turn by exploiting Rebuke Undead uses. Nightsticks fuel this further, meaning you can chain more spells each round than any opponent could anticipate.
As a Ruby Knight Vindicator, the build thrives on its combination of martial and magical features. Its Divine Recovery and Divine Fury abilities enable continual combat engagement, enhancing both offensive and defensive maneuvers. The invocation of Persistence through Persist Spell and Divine Metamagic further accentuates long-term battle strengths, allowing emulations of spells like Greater Ironguard to render the user nearly invincible.
Intimidatingly versatile, the build benefits from its mixed class lineage, merging the divine power of a Cleric with the robust benefits of a Bone Knight. By converting Paladin spells to Cleric equivalents, the build gains Rebuke Undead capabilities and the deadly proficiency of Bonecraft Armor. Maneuvering through combat and bolstering numbers with Fill the Ranks or leading spectral armies illustrates the blend of necromantic agility and mounted prowess fully equipped with a Skeletal Steed. This resultantly allows the Ruby Templar[1] to stand as a formidable foe against powerful adversaries, potentially leading a necromantic charge or dismantling enemy defenses by sheer presence and spellcraft.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Longsword, Heavy Steel Shield, Full Plate
Basic essential equipment for defense and melee combat.
L6-10
Bloodstone Spell Storing Longsword
Allows storage of Vampiric Touch spells, enhancing offensive capabilities while regaining HP in combat.
L11-15
Bonecraft Armor and Weapon
Armor and weapons crafted from bones provide unique benefits.
L16-20
Belt of Magnificence
Belt boosts all ability scores greatly enhancing your combat, casting, and leadership skills.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls:
Utilize stealth advantages and minimize armor penalties. Deploy Persisted spells like Greater Ironguard for effective damage mitigation. With Divine Metamagic, maintain a buffer against traps and lurking foes.
Open Fields:
Leverage Mounted Combat with your Skeletal Steed. Swift Action casting allows bombardment of offensive spells: Empowered Vampiric Touch or Wraithstrike. Use Divine Impetus to get multiple rounds of action.
Ambushes:
React swiftly with Battle Blessing and Sword of the Arcane Order. Counter-surprise with spells or summon undead reinforcements. Maintain position using Armored Stealth to reposition undetected.
Defensive Stands:
Fortify positions with Persisted Barrier spells. Invoke Rebuke Undead to strengthen undead followers. As adversaries press, exploit Divine Impetus to cycle defensive and offensive spells rapidly.
Urban Encounters:
Employ Bonecraft Armor for inconspicuous armor use. Hidden spells can be useful; trigger them with Swift Actions. Remain adaptable, manage encounters by swiftly summoning or withdrawing as needed.
Weaknesses & Counters
Weakness
Counter
Low Dexterity
Improve equipment with a Belt of Magnificence to enhance Dexterity and other attributes.
Constitution Score
Utilize the Amulet of Health for temporary boost, paired with Praise the Ruby Vindicator for undead resilience.
Flaws (Shaky, Murky Eyed)
Employ Clear Mind maneuver to mitigate effects in critical saves and True Seeing spell to overcome blurry vision.
Dark Vision Required due to Hellbred
Always carry Everburning Torch or cast Daylight in case of magical darkness.
Potential Mana Burnout
Fetch additional Nightsticks to maintain spells and ensure unlimited Swift Actions when necessary.
Roleplaying the Ruby Templar
Adopting a Ruby Templar[1] role is akin to accepting a heavenly paradox. You are a living contradiction as a Hellbred Necropolitan—both undead and a redeemed soul. Imagine your character seeking atonement by service and a holy crusade, driven by an unrelenting need to prove their value to their celestial sponsors.
Meditate on Redemption
Your character might constantly grapple with internal struggles, their Hellbred nature reminding them of past misdeeds. However, with divine guidance lighting your path, every battle fought in the name of good pushes you closer to salvation. This allows for rich storytelling through solo prayers or intense dialogues with allies, revealing layers of your character’s evolving morality.
Embrace the Battle Blessed
With abilities like Battle Blessing, your swift divine interventions can turn the tide. In character, exude an air of calm omnipotence, akin to a knight anointed by celestial will. Imagine your allies staring in awe as you swiftly invoke protective wards and offensive blasts, balancing sheer might with divine grace.
Lead the Armies of Light
You are a martial leader in addition to being a spellcaster. Fill the Ranks, rally skeletons with passionate speeches, and invigorate the undead with purpose against dark forces are just a few of the Bone Knight abilities. Your heart is dedicated to good causes, supporting a paladin’s admirable pursuit of justice, despite your intimidating exterior.
Navigate Power and Responsibility
Wielding the overwhelming power of swift spellcasting from dual spell lists, your character might occasionally wonder if their divine gift comes with a cost. Use this as a basis for deep roleplay moments—perhaps feeling the weight of life-altering decisions, knowing every action reverberates in both the mortal realm and the afterlife.
Themes of Power and Redemption
The ideas of redemption and great strength are embodied in the Ruby Templar[1] structure. Discuss these topics in conversations, particularly when you have some alone time to think back on your path from darkness to light. Remind yourself and others that with courage and willpower, even the most damned souls may become shining examples of virtue.
FAQ
How does the Ruby Templar[1] benefit from Battle Blessing?
Casting divine spells is a quick action made possible by Battle Blessing. This skill transforms your spellcasting into quick, strategic movements. Imagine using your blade to quickly heal allies. In battles that move quickly, it offers you an advantage. Divine Impetus increases the advantage by permitting several quick actions in a single turn.
What makes the Ruby Templar[1] stand out in combat?
The Ruby Templar[1]’s strength lies in its dual spell lists. Combining Cleric and Wizard spells gives immense flexibility. You can adapt to diverse battle scenarios with spells and combat prowess. Swift-action spellcasting lets you react instantly. Bone Knight features add intimidation and defense. This blend makes you a versatile and formidable opponent.
Why is Rebuke Undead important for the Ruby Templar[1]?
Rebuke Undead powers your swift actions through Divine Impetus. It allows commanding undead allies and turning them against enemies. Nightsticks boost the uses of Rebuke Undead. This lets you chain spells and actions effectively. It amplifies your necromantic influence and strategic options. Rebuke Undead is crucial for maintaining combat strength.
How does the Ruby Templar[1] handle ambushes effectively?
Swift reaction is key, using Battle Blessing for swift-action spells. Summon undead to surprise foes and reposition with Armored Stealth. Utilize Sword of the Arcane Order for diverse spell options. You can turn the tide quickly, counter-surprising attackers. This way, you maintain control even when caught off-guard.
How does one integrate roleplaying as a Ruby Templar[1]?
Embrace duality as a Hellbred Necropolitan seeking redemption. Your character battles internal struggles while serving celestial patrons. Roleplay zeal and conflict through prayers or dialogues. Showcase divine interventions with calm confidence. Balance your fearsome exterior with noble quests for justice.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Ruby Templar!
Why not try playing with a Ruby Templar[1] in your next game session? Do you think the Ruby Templar[1] could be the best build in D&D 3.5? Visit our community at Stellar Dragons Discord.
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 Templar stood alone at the gates of the besieged monastery. These foul heretics were coming in waves trying to get past him.
He had swore an oath to stand his vigil against any trespasser to this most holy site. So he stood, wave after wave breaking on his shield.
Their evil sorcerers had tried to curse him, yet his will was unflinching. Through his unwavering faith he rebuked their dark magic.
But as steadfast as he was, he was alone. The heretics were innumerable in their camp – and he would falter eventually at this rate, which would leave bare the innocents to who-knew-what evils. No, the Order would send reinforcements in time…
In a dreamlike moment, he looked beyond the valley where those evildoers had made camp. And on the horizon stood a beautiful woman, he stared warily. She was clad in somber armor, riding a pale horse. As he blinked in disbelief, she was gone.
“No time for daydreaming,” he said to himself loudly.
That’s when he noticed. The camp in the valley was oddly quiet. The waves ceased.
He went down to investigate, it was as if the mists had devoured all the heretics. The camp was still there, but they were gone. Beyond the structures, only the strong smell of roses floated in the air, and black petals laid on the ground.
Those petals were as a soft blanket which muffled the Templar’s footsteps…
A Longsword, a Heavy Steel Shield, a Holy Symbol and the best armor you can afford.
Goal
You are neither a Paladin nor a Blackguard, but you stand strongly somewhere between the two.
Loyal towards your Deity, you can shrug off effects that could end virtually anyone else. Although you can only cast a limited amount of spells, your list is surprisingly good.
Your ability to deal damage is decent, but what you really are is a battlefield controller. Between Goad, Stand Still, your Knight’s Challenges and Bulwark of Defense, you are a tank’s tank.
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