Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Iarmeister 04-02-07, 06:54 PM	Okay...I admit it: I'm NOT playing a TMNT character for Dnd. That said...I have a question and would love to hear some opinions...I'm going to be playing a Human Swordsage5 in an upcoming Eberron campaign. My original idea was to mix in the deceptive movements/footwork (read: Stances) from Setting Sun and Tiger Claw, with strikes and boosts from the other 4 disciplines. At 9th level, he will multi-class into Mo9 (avoiding the BAB penalty hit). My quandry is really that I have a strong character concept for my Ssage to utilize Nunchaku as his primary weapon. But I also realize that Nunchaku aren't necessarily the 'best' damaging weapons AND they require a feat for a Ssage to use. The other option is for my character to use a Katana (I know this sounds waaaay too fanboy-ish, but please bare with me), as my friend painted a wicked looking Reaper miniature for me. I really like the maneuvers I've chosen and the difference between the two concepts only means changing one maneuver (swapping out Mountain Hammer for Emerald Razor). But, I also cannot help but think that playing a Katana wielding Warblade is a better concept, and I'm sold on playing a Ssage... So...any help or thoughts on this matter? I greatly appreciate all constructively helpful input. So, thank you in advance!
periscope 04-02-07, 07:00 PM	If you have access to the MM3 you could use a Flind Bar (basically its a metal nunchuka that deals more damage and requires an Exotic Proficiency). I personally prefer the warblade and crusader to the swordsage myself (I cant roleplay a monastic or monkish character).
Iarmeister 04-02-07, 07:30 PM	Will have to check out the Flind Bar after work tonight and see what it does. MM3, you say? Do they count as Nunchaku, or are they seperate all together? I guess the unwritten question I have is whether or not it's a viable option for a non-monk character (Read: a character w/o FoB or Decisive Strike) to use nunchaku?
MerlintheTuna 04-02-07, 07:32 PM	Grab a light mace, call it a nunchaku, and call it a day. If you're not using Weapon Finesse, give the flail the same treatment. If you decide to go the katana route, use a longsword rather than the masterwork Bastard Sword if you want to save yourself a feat. After all, Sometimes you see a weapon in a movie or read about one in a book, and you want your character to use that weapon. If it’s not on the weapon list in Chapter 7, try to find a weapon on the list that seems equivalent. A katana (samurai sword), for example, is not on the weapon list, but you could equip your character with a katana and just treat it like a masterwork bastard sword.Alternatively, you could treat it like a falchion. Or an elven ____blade if you want to blow a feat on it. Or a greatsword.
periscope 04-02-07, 07:35 PM	thats your decision. If your a munchkin, i doubt you would touch the nunchuka instead of the spike chain with the feat that lets you add your dex and str to damage if your in a shadowhand stance. If your a roleplayer and you want the character to use the nunchuka, have him use the nunchuka, its your character and you'll chuck if you want to! I think the flind bar is a weapon in its own right, not an offshoot of a nunchuka. If you have your character use the nunchuka or flind bar, make sure he yells "COWABUNGA" at least once:D
MerlintheTuna 04-02-07, 07:54 PM	...So your idea of being a good roleplayer is doing exactly what the book says, except for the parts where it suggests adding your own flavor? That's... nice.
periscope 04-02-07, 08:25 PM	...So your idea of being a good roleplayer is doing exactly what the book says, except for the parts where it suggests adding your own flavor? That's... nice. ???? He's your character. If you want hm to use the chucka use it, its not going to make that big a difference. Will you be using 1 or 2 chucka's?
Iarmeister 04-02-07, 09:17 PM	???? He's your character. If you want hm to use the chucka use it, its not going to make that big a difference. Will you be using 1 or 2 chucka's? I was thinking of using only one nunchaku, but acquiring the Combat Expertise and Deadly Defense (Complete Scoundrel) feats at later levels?? Thoughts?
periscope 04-03-07, 11:54 AM	what does deadly defense do exactly (without breaking copyright)? I dont have complete scoundrel.
Iarmeister 04-03-07, 01:50 PM	Deadly defense allows you to deal an additional +1d6 damage when using a light weapon in conjunction with taking at least a -2 with Combat Expertise, or Fighting Defensively. Not sure if that's only allowable with a light weapon, but I'm certain how the feat works in all other areas. The combat expertise ~ deadly defense makes sense to me for a Ssage, as Ssage's are really limited with what armor they wear. And this is especially so with my character, Azure Clouds, as I've taken the Adaptation advice and given him the monk's Unarmed Strike ability/progression in lieu of Light Armor Proficiency (a worthless proficiency anyway, imo).
periscope 04-03-07, 02:17 PM	Deadly defense allows you to deal an additional +1d6 damage when using a light weapon in conjunction with taking at least a -2 with Combat Expertise, or Fighting Defensively. Not sure if that's only allowable with a light weapon, but I'm certain how the feat works in all other areas. The combat expertise ~ deadly defense makes sense to me for a Ssage, as Ssage's are really limited with what armor they wear. And this is especially so with my character, Azure Clouds, as I've taken the Adaptation advice and given him the monk's Unarmed Strike ability/progression in lieu of Light Armor Proficiency (a worthless proficiency anyway, imo). not so, considering you can get full plate in a light variety, and you can get more out of it than a flat armor bonus (fire resistance, fortification, spell resistance). Sure you can get some of those without armor but they'll take up a slot you could use for other stuff (wearing a ring of fire resistance takes up a slot for the ring of protection/regeneration/sustenance/jump/etc.) For those questioning where you can make full plate light, i defer you to the underdark book under armor enchantments. The halfweight property (i believe a +3 or less property) reduces any armor to the light category. Combine with mithral for the increased Dex and lower armor check penalty and you can do cartwheels inside the full plate (not sure if its possible to do this with the mountain plate from Races of Stone but could be interesting).
TheOinodaemon 04-03-07, 02:24 PM	Go for the chucks. They don't do the most damage but I think the idea of an unarmored guy with stick held together by rope wailing on people is awesome. Of course it also depends on the rest of your group, if the rest of your group is causing massive amounts of pain you will quickly fall behind, which may be frustrating.
crimsonwolf 04-03-07, 02:24 PM	...So your idea of being a good roleplayer is doing exactly what the book says, except for the parts where it suggests adding your own flavor? That's... nice. *scooby doo* rew roh you would aboustly have a heart attack then with how many houserules we put are games... Rember look at the second paragraph of players handbook and the dmg. Basicly it says.. ALL THESE THINGS ARE GUIDELINES AND CAN EASILY BE CHANGED TO THE DMS DISGRESSION THESE BOOKS ARE MENT TO BE THE SKELATON SYSTEM OF HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME ALL OR NONE OF THEM HAVE TO APPLY TO YOUR WORLD. bascily roleplaying is exactly that you pick and choose waht you want and how to do it. Rember the dm and the players is what D&D is not some rulebook that is only a tool to help the dm and players hav ea refernce and a usable system.
Iarmeister 04-03-07, 03:16 PM	not so, considering you can get full plate in a light variety, and you can get more out of it than a flat armor bonus (fire resistance, fortification, spell resistance). Sure you can get some of those without armor but they'll take up a slot you could use for other stuff (wearing a ring of fire resistance takes up a slot for the ring of protection/regeneration/sustenance/jump/etc.) For those questioning where you can make full plate light, i defer you to the underdark book under armor enchantments. The halfweight property (i believe a +3 or less property) reduces any armor to the light category. Combine with mithral for the increased Dex and lower armor check penalty and you can do cartwheels inside the full plate (not sure if its possible to do this with the mountain plate from Races of Stone but could be interesting). Good advice, but I dislike the idea of this particular character wearing full-plate. Perhaps if I were playing a Crusader, but I'm really trying for the wuxia element. Ever read the Storm Riders comic out of Hong Kong? Nie Fong ("Wind") is one of my favorite protagonists in any genre, and I'm looking to emulate some of his martial arts. His style is called the Deity of Wind Kick, so it's a very mobile, kick oriented style that he uses parallel to his legendary sword: Snowy Sabre. Don't ask me how the 'chucks came in my characters concept, but I really like the idea of using them and am actually leaning towards those rather than the katana.
Iarmeister 04-03-07, 03:18 PM	Go for the chucks. They don't do the most damage but I think the idea of an unarmored guy with stick held together by rope wailing on people is awesome. Of course it also depends on the rest of your group, if the rest of your group is causing massive amounts of pain you will quickly fall behind, which may be frustrating. Well, I think I'm the only one playing a fully classed Martial Adept, so I think the chucks combined with the Sublime Way maneuvers will allow me to keep up quite well. And, yea, the visual I get of my character swinging away at opponents with Nunchaku is pretty visceral!
Iarmeister 04-03-07, 03:19 PM	*scooby doo* rew roh you would aboustly have a heart attack then with how many houserules we put are games... Rember look at the second paragraph of players handbook and the dmg. Basicly it says.. ALL THESE THINGS ARE GUIDELINES AND CAN EASILY BE CHANGED TO THE DMS DISGRESSION THESE BOOKS ARE MENT TO BE THE SKELATON SYSTEM OF HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME ALL OR NONE OF THEM HAVE TO APPLY TO YOUR WORLD. bascily roleplaying is exactly that you pick and choose waht you want and how to do it. Rember the dm and the players is what D&D is not some rulebook that is only a tool to help the dm and players hav ea refernce and a usable system. Well said, mate. My group actually tries to utilize as few house-rules as possible, as we found that when we were playing 2e there were so many it was often hard to keep track of them all. That said, the one house-rule we agree on is the use of Action Points, regardless of whether we play in Eberron or not.