Post/Author/DateTime	Post
solbergb 01-04-08, 01:53 PM	My sorceress just hit the top level she's likely to achieve in her campaign and I thought some people might find it interesting to see a breakdown of what she did for the party with her unusuall spell mix, level by level. Listed below is the build, and in the spoilerblocks a breakdown of what I consider each category of effect an "arcane caster" is supposed to bring to the table. I enjoyed the character and she was generally well received when I played her. She certainly never felt inferior to wizards, warmages or sorcerers with a more "normal" spell mix, instead she felt she complemented them. She played in the Living Greyhawk setting, and adventured all over the Flaness and the outer planes. Physically, she played in both northern and southern California, Oregon, Washington, Ottowa (Canada), Oklahoma, Kansas and online with players around the world, especially Australians and Great Britain+Netherlands. She experienced a lot of variation in playstyle and rules decisions and worked pretty well everywhere. Sometimes she was the only caster, sometimes she was one of many arcane casters (one table was 4 wizards and 2 sorcerers! That was great fun) All noncantrip spells except the divinations, limited wish and lesser dragonshape are tied into a theme where she adapted and deconstructed a handful of "Vetha" spells from the Rhenee tradition. As an example, according to Olivia, Solid Fog is what happens when you aim Evards Tentacles at an area without a surface or tell it to not attach to surfaces that exist. Arcane sight and analyze dwoemer represent her geeky study of her own magic, learning spells not natural to her in order to study and break down her own spells. Limited wish represents her "figuring out" how everybody else does magic. Lesser dragonshape is the result of 2 months of study of draconic magic notes and her familiar pestering her the entire time to learn that spell so it could "have fun" in future battles. Anyway here she is. Feel free to ask about any part of her build or how she played. Olivia Lusoschenko, Human Telekenetic Sorceress (Sorcerer8/Fatespinner4/Ruathar3) 28 point buy, Human. Max hitpoints, round up on hit dice (d4=3, d6=4) Str 8 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 16 L1, Sor1: ac 12 hp6 f2 r2 w1 slots 54 Familiar: Hawk Feats: Eschew Materials, Enlarge Spell Cantrips: Read Magic, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Open/Close L1: Unseen Servant, Tenser's disc Equipment of note: Alchemical items, many L1 scrolls Key skills: kn arcane, bluff, open lock, disable device, craft trapmaking direct damage: flasks oil (self or hawk), 4 scrolls magic missile area direct damage: gallon jug of oil+torch on tenser's disk, dismiss disk (8 point splash) battlefield control: open/close cantrip, scroll obscuring mist debuffing: tanglefoot bag (self or hawk), scroll ray of enfeeblement, scroll truestrike+disarm mobility: very light, slow party members on tenser's disc self-defense: 30' movement, careful use of positioning, cover, prone vs ranged attacks divination: hawk spot, read magic; pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: Scrolls: enlarge person, magic weapon, prot evil utility: tenser disk, unseen servant, mage hand on demand. Prestidigitation (clean/dry/color/flamefinger). Unseen servant+torch to simulate dancing lights L2, Sor2: ac 12 hp11 f2 r2 w2 slots: 65 Cantrip: dancing lights Equipment added: wand of enlarge person Key skills: kn arcane,bluff, general social skills, craft trapmaking, open lock, disable device, direct damage: flasks oil, acid, holy water, 4 scrolls magic missile area direct damage: gallon jug of oil+alch fire on tenser's disk, dismiss disk (9 point splash) battlefield control: open/close cantrip, scroll obscuring mist, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: tanglefoot bag (self or hawk), scroll ray of enfeeblement, scroll truestrike+disarm mobility: light riding horse, Slow (or blind) relatively light party members on tenser disk. self-defense: 30' movement, careful use of positioning, cover, prone vs ranged attacks, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: hawk spot, read magic, scroll comp languages, pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: magic weapon, prot evil, grease (grapple defense) utility: tenser disk, unseen servant, mage hand, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (clean/dry/color). L3, Sor3: ac 12 hp16 f3 r3 w2 slots: 66 Feat: Sculpt Spell (CA) L1: Magic Missile Equipment added: four L2 scrolls Key skills: kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, craft trapmaking, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely alchemicals area direct damage: gallon jug of oil+alch fire on tenser's disk, dismiss disk (9 point splash) battlefield control: open/close cantrip, scroll obscuring mist,web, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: tanglefoot bag (self or hawk), scroll ray of enfeeblement, glitterdust,command undead mobility: light riding horse, Slow (or blind) party members on tenser disk. self-defense: 30' movement, careful use of positioning, cover, prone vs ranged attacks, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: hawk spot, read magic, scroll comp languages, see invisible, pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: magic weapon, prot evil, grease (grapple defense) utility: tenser disk or unseen servant at all times while awake; mage hand, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L4, Sor4: ac 12 hp21+9 f3 r3 w3 slots: 674 Dismiss Hawk familiar, statbump cha Cantrip: Mending L2: False Life Equipment added: gloves of arrow snaring Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, craft trapmaking, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely alchemicals area direct damage: gallon jug of oil+alch fire on tenser's disk, dismiss disk (9 point splash) battlefield control: open/close cantrip, scroll obscuring mist,web, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: tanglefoot bag , scroll ray of enfeeblement, glitterdust, command undead mobility: light riding horse, Slow (or blind) party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: read magic, scroll comp languages, see invisible, pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: magic weapon, prot evil, grease (grapple defense) utility: tenser disk or unseen servant at all times while awake; mage hand, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L5, Sor5: ac 12 hp26+10 f5 r5 w5 slots 675 L1: Grease L2: Swift Fly Equipment added: vest of resistance+2 Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, craft trapmaking, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely alchemicals area direct damage: gallon jug of oil+alch fire on tenser's disk, dismiss disk (9 point splash) battlefield control: sculpted grease, open/close cantrip, scroll obscuring mist,web, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: grease, tanglefoot bag , scroll ray of enfeeblement, glitterdust, command undead mobility: swift fly, light riding horse, Slow (or blind) party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: read magic, scroll comp languages, see invisible, pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: magic weapon, prot evil utility: tenser disk or unseen servant at all times while awake; mage hand, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L6, Sor6: ac 12 hp31+11 f6 r6 w6 slots 6764 Feat: Chain Spell (CA) Cantrip: Repair Minor Wounds (SC) L3: Shadow Binding (CA) Equipment Added: 2 L3 scrolls Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely chain mage hand+alchemicals area direct damage: rarely chain mage hand+alchemicals (splash) battlefield control: sculpted grease, open/close (normal or chained), scroll obscuring mist,web, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: shadow binding, grease, tanglefoot bag , scroll ray of enfeeblement, glitterdust, command undead mobility: swift fly, light riding horse, Slow (or blind) party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: read magic, scroll comp languages, see invisible, pick up small objects with mage hand. If it can't move them, they're magic. buffing: grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: prot evil, circle prot evil, circle invisible utility: unseen servant 24x7; tenser disk, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L7, Sor7: ac 12 hp36+12 f6 r6 w6 slots 6775 L1: feather fall L2: gust of wind L3: arcane sight Equipment Added: Cloak Cha+2, Hat Disguise, scroll dim door Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely chain mage hand+alchemicals area direct damage: gust wind (swarms) battlefield control: sculpted grease, sculpt gust wind (fog removal), open/close (normal or chained), scroll obscuring mist,web, smokestick+unseen servant debuffing: shadow binding, gust wind (small/swarms) grease, tanglefoot bag , scroll ray of enfeeblement, glitterdust, command undead mobility: swift fly, feather fall, scroll dim door, light riding horse, Slow party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: arcane sight, read magic, scroll comp languages, see invisible buffing: grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: prot evil, circle prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; unseen servant 24x7; tenser disk, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L8, Sor8: ac 12 hp46+13 f7 r6 w7 slots 68764 Acquire Bat Familiar, statbump cha Cantrip: Message L1 replace unseen servant with guided shot (SC) L3 retrain shadow binding with servant horde (SC) L4: evards black tentacles Equipment Added: Amulet Health+2, wand detect secret doors Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, open lock direct damage: magic missile, rarely chain mage hand+alchemicals area direct damage: gust wind (swarms) battlefield control: evards tentacles, sculpted grease, sculpt gust wind (fog removal), open/close (normal or chained), scroll obscuring mist, smokestick+servant horde debuffing: grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, scroll glitterdust, command undead mobility: swift fly, feather fall, scroll dim door, light warhorse, Slow party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: arcane sight, read magic, bat(blindsense), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: chain grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: prot evil, circle prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; servant horde 24x7; tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L9, Fs1: ac12 hp55+14 f7 r6 w9 slots 68775 Feat: Leadership L2: whirling blade L3: greater magic weapon (+2) L4: ottiluke's resilient sphere Equipment Added: adamantine sickle, ring counterspells Equipment Removed: most L1 and half of L2/L3 scrolls Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, general social skills, slight of hand, open lock direct damage: magic missile, whirl blade on targets with SR, rarely chain mage hand+alchemicals area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped) gust wind (swarms) battlefield control: evards tentacles, sculpted grease, sculpt gust wind (fog removal), ottiluke's sphere (protecting innocents/injured), open/close (normal or chained), scroll obscuring mist, smokestick+servant horde debuffing: grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, scroll glitterdust, command undead mobility: swift fly, feather fall, scroll dim door, light warhorse, Slow party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, ring counterspells (evards), gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: arcane sight, read magic, bat(blindsense), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW on main party weapons, chain grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; servant horde 24x7; tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L10, Fs2: AC12 hp61+15 f8 r7 w11 slots 687764 Cantrip: Light L5: telekenesis Equipment Added: Heward Haversack, Vest+3, Wand Glitterdust triple weapon capsule retainers for whirl blades ammunition & alchemicals for telekenesis Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff,slight of hand, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+alchemicals or GMW2 size large bolts; rarely magic missile or whirling blade area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped) + weapon capsule retainers, gust wind (swarms) battlefield control: evards tentacles, sculpted grease, sculpt gust wind (fog removal), ottiluke's sphere (protecting innocents/injured), open/close (normal or chained), scroll obscuring mist, smokestick+servant horde debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust, scroll command undead mobility: swift fly, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, scroll dim door, light warhorse, Slow party members on tenser disk. self-defense: false life, ring counterspells (evards), gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: arcane sight, read magic, bat(blindsense), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW on main party weapons, chain grease (grapple defense), wand of enlarge person. Scrolls: prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; servant horde 24x7; tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L11, Fs3: AC12 hp67+15 f10 r9 w12 slots 687775 L2: Levitate L3: Phantom Steed L4: Solid Fog L5: Wall of Force Equipment Added: Heward Haversack, Vest+3, Wand Glitterdust Equipment Removed: Wand of enlarge burned out Key skills: concentration, kn arcane, spellcraft, bluff, slight of hand, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+alchemicals or GMW2 size large bolts; rarely magic missile or whirling blade area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped) + weapon capsule retainers, gust wind (swarms) battlefield control: wall force,solid fog, evards tentacles, sculpted grease, sculpt gust wind (fog removal), open/close (normal or chained) debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust, scroll command undead mobility: phantom steeds, swift fly, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, scroll dim door, rarely tenser disk for slow party members self-defense: false life, ring counterspells (evards), gloves arrow snaring, scroll mage armor (rarely) divination: arcane sight, read magic, bat(blindsense), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW on main party weapons, chain grease (grapple defense), Scrolls: enlarge person, prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; servant horde, tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L12, Ru1: AC17 hp74+15 f11 r12 w15 slots 6887764 Feat: Rapid Metamagic, statbump str Retrain Leadership for Quicken Spell L4: Swap ottiluke's sphere for mass unseen servant (Races of Destiny) L6: Analyze Dwoemer Equipment Added: Cloak Cha+4, Vest Resist+4, Dragon Mask Crimson Dragonhide Bracers, Dimension Stride Boots, Wand Mage Armor Equipment swapped: cold iron dagger for mithril longsword Equipment removed: ring of counterspells Key skills: concentration, spellcraft, kn arcane, bluff, slight of hand, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+alchemicals or GMW3 size large bolts; quicken magic missile or whirl blade (rarely cast 2x instead of tk) area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped+quickened), gust wind (normal/sculped+quickened) (swarms) battlefield control: wall force,solid fog, evards tentacles, quicken sculpted grease, quicken sculpted gust wind, quicken open/close debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), quicken grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust mobility: phantom steeds, swift fly, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, scroll dim door, rarely tenser disk for slow party members self-defense: false life, dimension stride boots, crimson dragonhide bracers (nat armor+1,resist fire5), wand of mage armor divination: arcane sight, analyze dwoemer, read magic, bat(blindsense), dragon mask (see invis), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW3 (normal/chained) on all party weapons, wand mage armor Scrolls: prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; servant horde, tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L13, Ru2: AC22 hp94+15 f12 r13 w16 slots 6887775 Retrain "Fly, Swift" (SC) for "Swim" (SC) Retrain Servant Horde (SC)for Greater Mage Armor (SC) L4: Aerial Alacrity (Races of Wild) L5: Overland Flight L6: Disintegrate Equipment Added: amulet health+4, mithril buckler+1 glamered, chest of holding type 1, 15 size large greatswords, scroll knock Equipment swapped: gloves arrow catching for gloves dexterity+2 Equipment removed: all scrolls L1-2 except comp languages and prot evil Wand of mage armor is burned out Key skills: concentration, spellcraft, kn arcane, kn planes, bluff, slight of hand, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+alchemicals or GMW3 size large bolts (rarely chain GMW3 on size large greatswords); quicken magic missile or whirl blade (rarely cast 2x instead of tk). Never used disintegrate on a creature. area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped+quickened), gust wind (normal/sculped+quickened) (swarms) battlefield control: disintegrate (10x10x10 cubes blown out, wall force,solid fog, evards tentacles, quicken sculpted grease, quicken sculpted gust wind, quicken open/close debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), quicken grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust mobility: phantom steeds,overland flight, aerial alactricty, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, swim (quickened or chained), scroll dim door, rarely tenser disk for slow party members self-defense: false life, greater mage armor, dimension stride boots, crimson dragonhide bracers (nat armor+1,resist fire5), mithril buckler+1 divination: arcane sight, analyze dwoemer, read magic, bat(blindsense), dragon mask (see invis), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW3 (normal/chained) on all party weapons, greater mage armor, Scrolls: prot evil, circle invisible utility: hat of disguise; mass unseen servant, tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). L14, Ru3: AC22 hp102+15 f13 r13 w16 slots 68887764 Retrain Enlarge Spell for Silent Spell L7: Limited Wish Equipment Added: cloak cha+6, ring of alertness Equipment removed: all level 3+ scrolls Key skills: concentration, spellcraft, kn arcane, kn planes, bluff, slight of hand, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+alchemicals or GMW3 size large bolts (rarely chain GMW3 on size large greatswords); quicken magic missile or whirl blade (rarely cast 2x instead of tk). Never used disintegrate on a creature. area direct damage: whirl blade (normal/sculped+quickened), gust wind (normal/sculped+quickened) (swarms) battlefield control: disintegrate (10x10x10 cubes blown out, wall force,solid fog, evards tentacles, quicken sculpted grease, quicken sculpted gust wind, quicken open/close debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), quicken grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust mobility: phantom steeds,overland flight, aerial alactricty, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, swim (quickened or chained), rarely tenser disk for slow party members, rarely lim wish for dim door, plane shift or teleport self-defense: false life, greater mage armor, dimension stride boots, crimson dragonhide bracers (nat armor+1,resist fire5), mithril buckler+1 divination: arcane sight, analyze dwoemer, read magic, bat(blindsense), dragon mask (see invis), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW3 (normal/chained) on all party weapons, greater mage armor. Rarely lim wish to remove harmful condition. Scrolls: prot evil utility: hat of disguise; mass unseen servant, tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). Rarely lim wish for odd utility spell L15 Fs4 AC23 hp109+15 f14 r15 w18 slots 68887775 Feat: Still Spell L5: Cyclonic Blast (SC) L6: Lesser Dragonshape (Dragon Magic) L7: Control Weather Equipment Added: Vest Resist+5, gloves dex+4, ring of enduring arcana (Complete Mage), headband conscious effort (MIC), death ward upgrade on buckler (MIC), horn of good/evil, armband of reduction (Arms & Equipment Guide), Equipment Removed: weapon capsule retainers & capsules all alchemicals except holy water, chaotic water, tanglefoot bag Key skills: concentration, slight of hand, spellcraft, kn arcane, kn planes, bluff, general social skills, open lock direct damage: tk+GMW3 size large bolts (rarely chain GMW3 on size large greatswords, holy water, chaotic water); quicken magic missile or whirl blade (rarely cast 2x instead of tk). Never used disintegrate on a creature. area direct damage: cyclonic blast (normal or sculpted);'rarely whirl blade (normal/sculped+quickened) or quickened, sculpted gust wind battlefield control: disintegrate (10x10x10 cubes blown out, wall force,solid fog, evards tentacles, quicken sculpted grease, quicken sculpted gust wind, quicken open/close. rarely control weather ahead of time debuffing: tk (grapple or violent thrust to disarm via will save), quicken grease, guided shot+tanglefoot bag, wand glitterdust mobility: phantom steeds,overland flight, aerial alactricty, feather fall, TK violent thrust light party members, swim (quickened or chained), rarely tenser disk for slow party members, rarely lim wish for dim door, plane shift or teleport self-defense: false life, greater mage armor, dimension stride boots, crimson dragonhide bracers (nat armor+1,resist fire5), mithril buckler+1 death ward. Sometimes headband of conscious effort+armband of redution+horn good/evil instead of had disguise+dragonhide bracers. Rarely lesser dragonshape for temp hitpoints. divination: arcane sight, analyze dwoemer, read magic, bat(blindsense), dragon mask (see invis), wand detect secret doors, scroll comp languages buffing: GMW3 (normal/chained) on all party weapons, greater mage armor, lesser dragonshape on familiar. Horn good/evil. Rarely lim wish to remove harmful condition. utility: hat of disguise; mass unseen servant, tenser disk, message, mending, dancing lights,light on demand. Prestidigitation (color), sculpted prestidigitation (clean/dry/soil). Rarely lim wish for odd utility spell If I was to play her to 20, she'd take the L9 sorcerer (L8 slots, +1 reflex/fort save) and then 4 levels of master of the unseen hand. Her theme doens't require any more spells than she already has, although she could make good use of L8 spell slots for metamagic. The improvements to TK Unseen Hand provides once it caps at 15 items do fit her theme. I shudder to think of the havoc she could cause full attacking with those size large greatswords with BAB=caster level. I actually have no idea what the L8 spell would be. Maybe dimensional lock. That spell is just fun combined with battlefield control (quickened evards or solid fog+dim lock = half my L8 slots gone but sooo..nice). The level 18 feat would be practiced spellcaster.
Caligula 01-04-08, 03:05 PM	This is one of the best analytical posts I have ever read. You have indeed my compliments, Solbergb! :clap:
Nightshade 01-04-08, 04:50 PM	Ummm... look at your L1 ability scores. You said 28 point buy but I only count up 24. I thought it looked low. Maybe it should be CHA 16?
solbergb 01-04-08, 06:45 PM	Ummm... look at your L1 ability scores. You said 28 point buy but I only count up 24. I thought it looked low. Maybe it should be CHA 16? Doh! You're right, I've gone back and fixed it. 16 is correct for starting cha. If you look at the spell slots, the numbers listed are only possible with starting cha of 16.
Graazzt 01-05-08, 04:55 PM	Very interesting och very smart usage of spells and equipment! Since I have never even looked at the sorcerer class I have a few questions. What is the feat rapid metamagic? I couldn't find it anywhere. Did you mean rapid metabolism? Then what did you need 15 large greatswords for? I checked out the whirling blade, but as far as I understood, you only could use one weapon with it on each spell. What is TK Unseen Hand? Then why take a stat bump of strength? I know you had only 8 from start, but why do you need 9 for instead of boosting charisma or some other more important stat? What did you do with the leadership feat? I know you get some kind of followers with the feat, but since you obviously had an idea with everything you did with the character, I am curious. :-)
copperwyrmling 01-05-08, 05:29 PM	Very interesting och very smart usage of spells and equipment! Since I have never even looked at the sorcerer class I have a few questions. What is the feat rapid metamagic? I couldn't find it anywhere. Did you mean rapid metabolism? Then what did you need 15 large greatswords for? I checked out the whirling blade, but as far as I understood, you only could use one weapon with it on each spell. What is TK Unseen Hand? Then why take a stat bump of strength? I know you had only 8 from start, but why do you need 9 for instead of boosting charisma or some other more important stat? What did you do with the leadership feat? I know you get some kind of followers with the feat, but since you obviously had an idea with everything you did with the character, I am curious. :-) Rapid Metamagic is from Complete Mage and allows sorcerers to avoid the normal increase in casting time for spontaneously metamagicked spells. TK is Telekinesis, which is what she needs the 15 large greatswords for ;) The stat-bump to Str was probably because the campaign she plays in ends when you hit L16, so she'll never get her fourth stat-bump from levels, and there's not much point in having an odd stat - except for Str, where having Str 9 gives you better carrying capacity and stops you from being insta-killed by greater shadows (which do 1d8 Str damage).
solbergb 01-06-08, 08:21 PM	Strength 9 was because she was carrying a buckler, two weapons, a bunch of magic items that weighed 1-2lb in body slots, a 5lb heward haversack, 9lb of size large bolts...it adds up. She had a much easier time staying under light load with 9str than 8. The fact that she coughed up to get a mithril longsword when she could have had a steel +1 longsword for free from the ruathar level should be a hint of how razor-edge her burden limit is. Until level 15, she also had issues with the 120lb limit on the haversack. She had a hard time carrying enough splash weapons and backup ammo in the haversack (plus waterskin, food, clothing etc) while staying under 120lb. Once she got cyclonic blast and no longer needed acid/alch fire/oil her extradimensional space weight limits eased up quite a bit. This is doubly true with her 15lb chest of holding, and now that she sometimes reduces herself. She's still light load without the chest, medium with it, in both size medium and size small forms. Someday she may get a belt of strength+4 just so she can carry the chest without burden. Usually she lends it to the BDF, since it just needs to be in the party, not necessarily on her. Note that her dex is high enough that medium (or higher) load reduces her AC and it also interferes with the "Swim" spell. She's got access to a book of charisma+1 that she'll buy before level 16, to combine with the level 16 statbump. It isn't entirely an artifact of the campaign - she'd end at 20 with a +5 charisma book anyway. She'd have to put a statbump somewhere else anyway, and it was helpful right from level 12. With Leadership, I took a support bard, one built to dramatically improve melee or magical capabilities of other party members. This turned medeocre characters into strong, weak into medeocre. Also it was easy to play and didn't take spotlight away from other players. Even her skill mix was stuff like gather information and disguise, things that help the party but are kind of boring from a spotlight perspective. By level 12, especially with quicken spell, Olivia was powerful enough to not need a cohort when she got a weak party. Quite often when she was level 13-14, her party was hideously unbalanced but I only had to bust out the size large greatswords once....when the party was like this facing EL17 challenges: Olivia (L14) Bard (sublime chord) 13 (mostly tossed orbs after doing support stuff) Bard (seeker of song) 13 (mostly did cone of cold or fire refrains after support stuff) Cleric? About 13-14....mostly healed himself after getting injured. Sometimes buffed Arcane trickster ~14. (mostly tossed orbs and self-buffs) fighter 5. Yes, level 5. It was better than not playing. We buffed the snot out of him and gave him a gem of earth elemental summoning. This party had literally no offense worth mentioning at level 14, most party members did 40-50 a round tops. So I used the swords. Even in a party like this I felt a little bad about doing 170-190 damage each time I took an action....although against the elder xorns it was more like 90-100 points due to DR. Mostly the swords stay packed and Olivia contents herself with doing 90-100 points of damage with the arrows or ~75 points with the holy water in the rare rounds where she focuses on offense. Part of why I did so much damage in that one table was the enemies had AC in the low 20s and Olivia had so many to-hit buffs from bard+cleric that she was 5-6 points above her normal attack mods, so I was really rolling only for crits and nat 1s. Master of the Unseen Hand is a Complete Warrior PRC for telekenetic characters. It gives no caster levels so it is not something to take until after you've decided you have all the spells and spell slots you need.