Alienist, Familiar and Alertness [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alienist, Familiar and Alertness [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Randallw
08-17-07, 11:30 PM I was figuring out the rules for an Alienist and saw you need Alertness. Having a familiar gives you Alertness as long as it is near by. I wonder what would happen if the Alienist lost his familiar. Would he instantly lose the prestige class or is it only important to initially qualify?. It'd be interesting if the secret to defeating the Alienist was to target his familiar.
Treantmonklvl20
08-18-07, 04:08 PM I was figuring out the rules for an Alienist and saw you need Alertness. Having a familiar gives you Alertness as long as it is near by. I wonder what would happen if the Alienist lost his familiar. Would he instantly lose the prestige class or is it only important to initially qualify?. It'd be interesting if the secret to defeating the Alienist was to target his familiar.

Hmmm...he might indeed.

Just when I thought the Alienist PrC couldn't get any worse...
Randallw
08-18-07, 10:11 PM It's bad is it? What's wrong with it, if you don't mind explaining?

I like far realm stuff and I wanted to make use of it.
malignor
08-19-07, 01:21 AM Take the feat. Problem solved.
There are alot of prestige classes that require an unoptimized feat to qualify.

The class is fun. I've played it. It's worth the feat.
Fireclave
08-19-07, 02:13 AM Take the feat. Problem solved.
This is the best answer. Especially since your familiar only grants you Alertness only while it is within arms reach.
Randallw
08-19-07, 02:21 AM I suppose taking the feat does make the most sense. I was thinking of a Toad familiar just to keep in a pocket since it's only use is to add 3 HP. Wouldn't do anything but sit in there so it's always within arms reach.
Treantmonklvl20
08-19-07, 09:56 AM It's bad is it? What's wrong with it, if you don't mind explaining?

I like far realm stuff and I wanted to make use of it.

Sorry, didn't get a chance to respond right away.

The alienist can look really good as a summoning class on the surface. Full casting progression - templates added to summoning creatures.

However it is not so good once you look closely.

The template it adds to creatures is only to creatures that would have had the Celestial or Fiendish template. It's basically an even trade.

Here's the pathetic part. All the creatures that can be summoned with SM spells that don't have the Celestial/Fiendish template (which are some of your most useful summons - elementals, Devils, Archons, Demons, Other outsiders) cannot be summoned at all.

So it is a class that is supposed to specialize in Summon Monster, but nerfs it.

If you are really liking the flavor of the class - well - it is still quite playable - however, it is significantly less versitle than even a straight conjurer summoner.

If you really want to focus on summoning - go either Malconvoker, Master Specialist, or Thaumaturgist.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Randallw 08-17-07, 11:30 PM	I was figuring out the rules for an Alienist and saw you need Alertness. Having a familiar gives you Alertness as long as it is near by. I wonder what would happen if the Alienist lost his familiar. Would he instantly lose the prestige class or is it only important to initially qualify?. It'd be interesting if the secret to defeating the Alienist was to target his familiar.
Treantmonklvl20 08-18-07, 04:08 PM	I was figuring out the rules for an Alienist and saw you need Alertness. Having a familiar gives you Alertness as long as it is near by. I wonder what would happen if the Alienist lost his familiar. Would he instantly lose the prestige class or is it only important to initially qualify?. It'd be interesting if the secret to defeating the Alienist was to target his familiar. Hmmm...he might indeed. Just when I thought the Alienist PrC couldn't get any worse...
Randallw 08-18-07, 10:11 PM	It's bad is it? What's wrong with it, if you don't mind explaining? I like far realm stuff and I wanted to make use of it.
malignor 08-19-07, 01:21 AM	Take the feat. Problem solved. There are alot of prestige classes that require an unoptimized feat to qualify. The class is fun. I've played it. It's worth the feat.
Fireclave 08-19-07, 02:13 AM	Take the feat. Problem solved. This is the best answer. Especially since your familiar only grants you Alertness only while it is within arms reach.
Randallw 08-19-07, 02:21 AM	I suppose taking the feat does make the most sense. I was thinking of a Toad familiar just to keep in a pocket since it's only use is to add 3 HP. Wouldn't do anything but sit in there so it's always within arms reach.
Treantmonklvl20 08-19-07, 09:56 AM	It's bad is it? What's wrong with it, if you don't mind explaining? I like far realm stuff and I wanted to make use of it. Sorry, didn't get a chance to respond right away. The alienist can look really good as a summoning class on the surface. Full casting progression - templates added to summoning creatures. However it is not so good once you look closely. The template it adds to creatures is only to creatures that would have had the Celestial or Fiendish template. It's basically an even trade. Here's the pathetic part. All the creatures that can be summoned with SM spells that don't have the Celestial/Fiendish template (which are some of your most useful summons - elementals, Devils, Archons, Demons, Other outsiders) cannot be summoned at all. So it is a class that is supposed to specialize in Summon Monster, but nerfs it. If you are really liking the flavor of the class - well - it is still quite playable - however, it is significantly less versitle than even a straight conjurer summoner. If you really want to focus on summoning - go either Malconvoker, Master Specialist, or Thaumaturgist.