Barbarians and the Ghost template [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarians and the Ghost template [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback
08-10-05, 12:43 AM In a current campaign, my Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker was killed off by a friend who just turned traitor. He finished the battle by casting a lethal Disintegrate at my character. Therefore, normal rez spells (which are in short supply as is) won't work. Due to this, I'm weighing whether or not to apply the ghost template to my character (assuming the DM ok's it, which I think he will).

My question involves how the change in subtype, and the loss of a CON score specifically, would affect him. Without CON, do my rages/frenzies only last 3 rounds, or would I replace Constitution with Charisma or something? Second question - since he would be incorporeal, would his Strength stat basically count for nothing? I ask because at the moment, my Strength is 20 and Constitution is 18. None of my other stats rise above 13. In fact, Dexterity and Charisma are 12 and 11, respectively.

So to sum up, would applying the ghost template to my barb still allow him to fight nearly as effectively as in life, or am I better off waiting for a true ressurrection?
Gilean
08-10-05, 02:49 AM Undead, so constitution becomes -. Rage lasts for 3 rounds, though there are a few feats that can increase this (in MotW and probably CW).
As ethereal/incorporeal creature, strength matters only when fighting other ethereals.
From optimisation viewpoint, it probably isn't worth it. A ghost touch weapon would help, if you have one, though.
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback
08-10-05, 11:45 AM Where does it say that Strength doesn't apply to my attacks when I manifest? I can't actually find that anywhere.

Out of curiousity, let's say my Barb had a Ghost Touch weapon in life. So now as a ghost he has one. Does he still use his Strength score if he manifests and attacks something on the Material plane?
Kuraito
08-10-05, 12:52 PM Ghosts with ghost touch items are just as effective as they were in life. Having ghost touch means your attacks are pretty much considered corpreal. Also, some of our equipment become ghost touch when youy become a ghost (Atleast in 3.0, pretty sure in 3.5 to.) The Cha/Con thing is something to ask the DM, I think it makes sense and I read something similar on Wizards main site, forget where though. But the big thing to remember is once you do this, theres no going back. Becoming Undead means no coming back, ever. I vote wait, as this decision is unchangable without Divine (DM) intervention.
Rny2
08-10-05, 01:02 PM interesting
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback
08-10-05, 01:10 PM Well, the whole reason I am even considering becoming a ghost is this:

In our campaign, I was becoming buddies with a Drow Sorcerer. After the last big plotline finished, our characters split up for a while. Then we came back together for what probably was the last adventure for the Drow's player. Long story short, he takes us to his hometown (someplace having to do with adamantine and spiders) and plans to sacrifice us to Loth (sp?). Basically, epic battle ensues. My Barb/Frenzied Berserker is literally chasing the Sorcerer across a huge banquet hall taking TONS of damage from AoO's (but not caring, ala Deathless Frenzy). 2 of the group members basically run away, which was probably a smart choice, while the other 2 were captured.

Right before Frenzy would wear off, he Disintegrates me. The only equipment I had on was a Cloak of Resistance and a +1 Unholy Greatsword. I had just chucked the Greatsword, so it survived.

With all this in mind, both my character (and myself) are quite shaken. If he were to come back as a ghost, It would be to seek revenge.

Heck, I'm not even sure if there will BE another adventure. The two deserters are planning on breaking the two captured players out of captivity, but there's little hope for me beyond a true resurrection. I can assume that my ashes will be thoroghly destroyed, or at least scattered.

Sorry for the long backstory, but I simply cannot bring myself to discard this character and just create a new one. I've become attached to my crazy dwarf barb, and I don't plan on giving up on him if I can help it.

Any other ideas besides the Ghost template?
Enterik
08-10-05, 04:49 PM In a current campaign, my Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker was killed off by a friend who just turned traitor. He finished the battle by casting a lethal Disintegrate at my character. Therefore, normal rez spells (which are in short supply as is) won't work.

I thought ghosts need mortal remains to house their equipment, etc. If the Barbarian was disintegrated, there are no mortal remains. It seems like you might not even have the option.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback 08-10-05, 12:43 AM	In a current campaign, my Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker was killed off by a friend who just turned traitor. He finished the battle by casting a lethal Disintegrate at my character. Therefore, normal rez spells (which are in short supply as is) won't work. Due to this, I'm weighing whether or not to apply the ghost template to my character (assuming the DM ok's it, which I think he will). My question involves how the change in subtype, and the loss of a CON score specifically, would affect him. Without CON, do my rages/frenzies only last 3 rounds, or would I replace Constitution with Charisma or something? Second question - since he would be incorporeal, would his Strength stat basically count for nothing? I ask because at the moment, my Strength is 20 and Constitution is 18. None of my other stats rise above 13. In fact, Dexterity and Charisma are 12 and 11, respectively. So to sum up, would applying the ghost template to my barb still allow him to fight nearly as effectively as in life, or am I better off waiting for a true ressurrection?
Gilean 08-10-05, 02:49 AM	Undead, so constitution becomes -. Rage lasts for 3 rounds, though there are a few feats that can increase this (in MotW and probably CW). As ethereal/incorporeal creature, strength matters only when fighting other ethereals. From optimisation viewpoint, it probably isn't worth it. A ghost touch weapon would help, if you have one, though.
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback 08-10-05, 11:45 AM	Where does it say that Strength doesn't apply to my attacks when I manifest? I can't actually find that anywhere. Out of curiousity, let's say my Barb had a Ghost Touch weapon in life. So now as a ghost he has one. Does he still use his Strength score if he manifests and attacks something on the Material plane?
Kuraito 08-10-05, 12:52 PM	Ghosts with ghost touch items are just as effective as they were in life. Having ghost touch means your attacks are pretty much considered corpreal. Also, some of our equipment become ghost touch when youy become a ghost (Atleast in 3.0, pretty sure in 3.5 to.) The Cha/Con thing is something to ask the DM, I think it makes sense and I read something similar on Wizards main site, forget where though. But the big thing to remember is once you do this, theres no going back. Becoming Undead means no coming back, ever. I vote wait, as this decision is unchangable without Divine (DM) intervention.
Rny2 08-10-05, 01:02 PM	interesting
fuzzyrabbitstrikesback 08-10-05, 01:10 PM	Well, the whole reason I am even considering becoming a ghost is this: In our campaign, I was becoming buddies with a Drow Sorcerer. After the last big plotline finished, our characters split up for a while. Then we came back together for what probably was the last adventure for the Drow's player. Long story short, he takes us to his hometown (someplace having to do with adamantine and spiders) and plans to sacrifice us to Loth (sp?). Basically, epic battle ensues. My Barb/Frenzied Berserker is literally chasing the Sorcerer across a huge banquet hall taking TONS of damage from AoO's (but not caring, ala Deathless Frenzy). 2 of the group members basically run away, which was probably a smart choice, while the other 2 were captured. Right before Frenzy would wear off, he Disintegrates me. The only equipment I had on was a Cloak of Resistance and a +1 Unholy Greatsword. I had just chucked the Greatsword, so it survived. With all this in mind, both my character (and myself) are quite shaken. If he were to come back as a ghost, It would be to seek revenge. Heck, I'm not even sure if there will BE another adventure. The two deserters are planning on breaking the two captured players out of captivity, but there's little hope for me beyond a true resurrection. I can assume that my ashes will be thoroghly destroyed, or at least scattered. Sorry for the long backstory, but I simply cannot bring myself to discard this character and just create a new one. I've become attached to my crazy dwarf barb, and I don't plan on giving up on him if I can help it. Any other ideas besides the Ghost template?
Enterik 08-10-05, 04:49 PM	In a current campaign, my Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker was killed off by a friend who just turned traitor. He finished the battle by casting a lethal Disintegrate at my character. Therefore, normal rez spells (which are in short supply as is) won't work. I thought ghosts need mortal remains to house their equipment, etc. If the Barbarian was disintegrated, there are no mortal remains. It seems like you might not even have the option.