Class this Figure! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Class this Figure! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ravade
10-12-07, 10:45 PM Allright. Here is the deal guys. I am pretty old-school when it comes to D and D. I find a figure - and then an attitude, and then make a sheet based on that. But I have run into abit of a block.

This guy (http://www.reapermini.com/products/03046_G.jpg) is painted in purple robes, with the sash thing in front blue and gold, with the flames a nice shade of red, yellow and the like, with the faces in the flames black eyes, and white teeth. Dark tanned skin, and grey hair. And I pained him all nice and pretty this way, but I balk when it comes to a concept! He has a spell book, so I was thinking some sort of prepared caster, but I think I want a 'power spec' when it comes to designing how I want to level him.

The challenge is this. Name any basic class, or prestige class that you feel would fit this character. I've done core for years, and am looking for something -away- from the base book, and I have access to every book you can think of (And if I don’t, I will get it). And if you would be so rockin' as to possibly include some feats that are powerful for that particular build, that would be rockin' too! I look forward to hearing comments - I will check this every day and reply to anyone that answers with questions, comments of my own, and so forth. The campaign starts in a week - so I look forward to the help!

As to the campaign, it will be based in the Eberron world, though the ST is not above ‘fudging facts’ for prestige classes, feats, and the like, that come out of different genres.
windscar18
10-12-07, 10:58 PM Warlock with a *****in' looking eldritch blast. Hellfire Warlock maybe?

Either that, or an arcane caster with a serious case of demonology.
JulesCARV
10-12-07, 11:05 PM Perhaps archivist (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20051007a&page=3), from Heroes of Horror?
Ravade
10-12-07, 11:20 PM Warlock with a *****in' looking eldritch blast. Hellfire Warlock maybe?

Either that, or an arcane caster with a serious case of demonology.

Looking back at that, It does look seem like a warlock of some kind. But I seriously cant get into the class. For whatever reason, I look at it, and go 'gimped sorcerer'. And as to the demonology arcane caster, that seems cool too, but I cant find any source material to make that concept relivant. Do you know any books with demon stuff I can peek in?
alchemyprime
10-12-07, 11:25 PM Besides quite a few Dragons, I'd say... Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, Manual of the Planes, and about any monster book.
bahamut920
10-13-07, 03:37 AM Maybe an evil fire Elemental Savant (Complete Arcane) with Corrupt Spell (Complete Divine)? Of course, he'll need to be at least 7th level for that, and have two metamagic feats (Energy Substitution and the aforementioned Corrupt Spell). Or, since we're already talking an evil character here, maybe Violate Spell (Book of Vile Darkness instead of/in addition to Corrupt Spell...

The hellfire warlock beefs up the warlock's eldritch blast a bit with hellfire damage added to the mix, so if you're worried about the warlock's power, the hellfire warlock might make that less of a concern. The hellfire damage does have its price, though; 1 Constitution damage every time you choose to add it to your eldritch blast, so you might want to carry around an item capable of healing that damage...
Darth Sephiroth
10-13-07, 10:21 AM An Illusionist would also work for simplicity, perhaps even with the Illusionist wizard variant from Unearthed Arcana and then Master Specialist.
The_Shaman
10-13-07, 10:31 AM It can also be a conjurer or binder, caught in the act. Considering that you want a prepared caster, I'd say probably conjurer in the act of summoning a demon or an elemental.
InkBlot
10-13-07, 11:34 AM Looks like a psion invoking a particularly nasty tulpa, to me.
danielinthewolvesden
10-13-07, 03:14 PM DragonFireAdept is very similar to a Warlock, but more fun to play.

edited to add: when dealing with a Newb, I sometime use this system. I let them pick a fig that they like and I design their PC from there.
Kesthol
10-14-07, 12:40 AM I'd be tempted to say Wizard (Istari). But, since I don't feel like stating out Saruman:

I like the Conjurer (Wizard) alternative class features in Unearthed Arcana. And I might say that the two small-sized elementals have the Evil subtype.

The other main option is (evil) Druid (maybe using the UA no-armor variant) / Wizard (Conjurer) / Mystic Theurge (optional).

Or you could design a new "Elementalist" class--essentially a wizard, sans familiar and bonus feats, casting prepared (arcane) spells, drawn from a somewhat restricted list based on the energy type associate with the chosen element (fire, air (lightning), earth (acid), water (cold)) (force and sonic might also be options). The spell list would have both druidic and wizard/sorcerer spells on it. I would be strongly tempted to give the class a good will save and a good fort save (earth and water (and force)) or a good reflex save (fire and air (and sonic)). I would also make Energy Substitution and Energy Admixture features of this class.
Dracomorph
10-14-07, 01:59 AM I would make him a Pyrokineticist with cool robes. (XPH, pg. 151)

Why are my favorites always the ones who like to burn things?
Salla
10-14-07, 02:16 AM I'll second Hellfire Warlock.
Ravade
10-14-07, 09:55 AM Warlock with Hellfire Blast Three votes in.
Archivst from Heroes of Horror
Elemental Savant with Corrupt Spell
Illusionist
Conjuror/Binder got two votes in
Psion
Dragonfire Adept
Wizard (Ishtari? What is that?)
Pyrokineticist

My questions are as follows
Hellfire Warlock. Is this type of warlock, like a PRC, or just a Warlock with Hellfire Blast (some kind of modification of Eldridch Blast?)

And which out of these are PRC's, and which one of these are base classes? I am interested in a prestege class, and I can take up to level 8 at creation. So let the ideas run wild.
Dracomorph
10-14-07, 03:56 PM Pyrokineticist is a prestige class that's really easy to qualify for.
It's in the SRD, and the XPH.
JulesCARV
10-14-07, 10:40 PM Hellfire warlock (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061207a&page=3) is a prestige class from Fiendish Codex II. Of course, warlocks don't typically have prayerbooks/spellbooks like archivists, chemeleons, wizards, and wu jens, but the book isn't too prominent on that figure.
Ravade
10-15-07, 11:06 PM Any other ideas? So far, the Warlock/Hellfire Warlock idea seems like the best one.

I'm interested in having a character that can deal gobs of damage, while still remaining dark, and broody. All Ralistin like, yanno?
Saiyamantis
10-17-07, 01:55 AM You might be interested in the Hellbred, from Fiendish Codex 2. They're resurrected humanoids tainted by the Nine Hells, torn between salvation and damnation. Oh, and they can toss around corrupted and vile spells without worrying about an alignment change.
RobbyPants
10-17-07, 11:15 AM The challenge is this. Name any basic class, or prestige class that you feel would fit this character. I've done core for years, and am looking for something -away- from the base book, and I have access to every book you can think of (And if I don’t, I will get it). And if you would be so rockin' as to possibly include some feats that are powerful for that particular build, that would be rockin' too!
Perhaps you want something that's mostly a prepared caster, with a bit of flavor. How about the Ultimate Magus from Complete Mage? The basic idea is it's a mix of a prepared caster and a spontaneous caster with some other perks. Normally, optimizers would want to steer clear of a class that slows your casting progression, but with a little trick with the Practiced Spellcaster feat, you can make a 20th level PC that only loses 2 wizard levels, and receives 9 spontaneous caster levels and a slew of abilities as compensation.

The Basic Build:
Now, to synergize and use Int as your casting class for both classes, start as a Wizard/Beguiler. Take your first level as beguiler (mostly for the extra skill points and partially for a couple extra HP), and take the Practiced Spellcaster feat. If you want to wait, this can be taken at level 3, but you must have it before level 6. Take your next four levels of wizard. This will qualify you for the class.

The Practiced Spellcaster Trick:
The UM PrC progresses one or two classes in caster level. At levels 1, 4, and 7, the class with the lowest caster level (important later ;)) is advanced. All other levels advance both. Now, some see it as a typo or an oversight, but as written, the class with the lowest caster level is advanced at those three levels. By taking Practiced Spellcaster and applying it to Beguiler, your Beguiler's caster level will be as high or higher than your Wizard's caster level until after level 4 of the PrC, which means you can advance Wizard at levels 1 and 4, but you have to advance Beguiler at level 7. What does this all mean? You only lose two Wizard caster levels throughout your entire career. Win!

Metamagic Goodies:
Aside from advancing two casting classes, the UM PrC also gives you some cool abilities for applying metamagic feats without raising the spell level. You can (within certain restrictions) use spell slots from one class to apply a metamagic feat to a spell from the other class with no increased spell level! For example, when high enough level, you could apply the Empower Spell feat (normally +2 level cost) to a Wizard spell by burning through a 2nd level Beguiler spell, as opposed to increasing your Wizard's spell level.

Other Tricks/Ideas:
Once you've finished with the PrC, take another PrC for five levels that will continue to advance your Wizard's casting at full progression. You may also consider playing a specialist wizard instead of a generalist Wizard. I'd suggest playing a Conjurer, barring Evocation and Enchantment as your prohibited schools. Also, if you're a Conjurer, you can take the Immediate Magic class feature from PHB II by giving up your familiar. In exchange, you get the ability to get several 10 foot teleports (read: life-savers) per day as an immediate action (meaning you can do it when it's not your turn!).

Anyway, hopefully this was helpful and not too confusing. This type of build can combine nice uniuqe flavor of a mage who strives to ultimately control magic through any means with some pretty powerful game mechainics. Enjoy! :D
Randmc
10-18-07, 09:28 AM Take a look at the Nar Demonbinder from Unaproachable East. I think he looks like a demonbinder caught in mid-summon.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ravade 10-12-07, 10:45 PM	Allright. Here is the deal guys. I am pretty old-school when it comes to D and D. I find a figure - and then an attitude, and then make a sheet based on that. But I have run into abit of a block. This guy (http://www.reapermini.com/products/03046_G.jpg) is painted in purple robes, with the sash thing in front blue and gold, with the flames a nice shade of red, yellow and the like, with the faces in the flames black eyes, and white teeth. Dark tanned skin, and grey hair. And I pained him all nice and pretty this way, but I balk when it comes to a concept! He has a spell book, so I was thinking some sort of prepared caster, but I think I want a 'power spec' when it comes to designing how I want to level him. The challenge is this. Name any basic class, or prestige class that you feel would fit this character. I've done core for years, and am looking for something -away- from the base book, and I have access to every book you can think of (And if I don’t, I will get it). And if you would be so rockin' as to possibly include some feats that are powerful for that particular build, that would be rockin' too! I look forward to hearing comments - I will check this every day and reply to anyone that answers with questions, comments of my own, and so forth. The campaign starts in a week - so I look forward to the help! As to the campaign, it will be based in the Eberron world, though the ST is not above ‘fudging facts’ for prestige classes, feats, and the like, that come out of different genres.
windscar18 10-12-07, 10:58 PM	Warlock with a *****in' looking eldritch blast. Hellfire Warlock maybe? Either that, or an arcane caster with a serious case of demonology.
JulesCARV 10-12-07, 11:05 PM	Perhaps archivist (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20051007a&page=3), from Heroes of Horror?
Ravade 10-12-07, 11:20 PM	Warlock with a *****in' looking eldritch blast. Hellfire Warlock maybe? Either that, or an arcane caster with a serious case of demonology. Looking back at that, It does look seem like a warlock of some kind. But I seriously cant get into the class. For whatever reason, I look at it, and go 'gimped sorcerer'. And as to the demonology arcane caster, that seems cool too, but I cant find any source material to make that concept relivant. Do you know any books with demon stuff I can peek in?
alchemyprime 10-12-07, 11:25 PM	Besides quite a few Dragons, I'd say... Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, Manual of the Planes, and about any monster book.
bahamut920 10-13-07, 03:37 AM	Maybe an evil fire Elemental Savant (Complete Arcane) with Corrupt Spell (Complete Divine)? Of course, he'll need to be at least 7th level for that, and have two metamagic feats (Energy Substitution and the aforementioned Corrupt Spell). Or, since we're already talking an evil character here, maybe Violate Spell (Book of Vile Darkness instead of/in addition to Corrupt Spell... The hellfire warlock beefs up the warlock's eldritch blast a bit with hellfire damage added to the mix, so if you're worried about the warlock's power, the hellfire warlock might make that less of a concern. The hellfire damage does have its price, though; 1 Constitution damage every time you choose to add it to your eldritch blast, so you might want to carry around an item capable of healing that damage...
Darth Sephiroth 10-13-07, 10:21 AM	An Illusionist would also work for simplicity, perhaps even with the Illusionist wizard variant from Unearthed Arcana and then Master Specialist.
The_Shaman 10-13-07, 10:31 AM	It can also be a conjurer or binder, caught in the act. Considering that you want a prepared caster, I'd say probably conjurer in the act of summoning a demon or an elemental.
InkBlot 10-13-07, 11:34 AM	Looks like a psion invoking a particularly nasty tulpa, to me.
danielinthewolvesden 10-13-07, 03:14 PM	DragonFireAdept is very similar to a Warlock, but more fun to play. edited to add: when dealing with a Newb, I sometime use this system. I let them pick a fig that they like and I design their PC from there.
Kesthol 10-14-07, 12:40 AM	I'd be tempted to say Wizard (Istari). But, since I don't feel like stating out Saruman: I like the Conjurer (Wizard) alternative class features in Unearthed Arcana. And I might say that the two small-sized elementals have the Evil subtype. The other main option is (evil) Druid (maybe using the UA no-armor variant) / Wizard (Conjurer) / Mystic Theurge (optional). Or you could design a new "Elementalist" class--essentially a wizard, sans familiar and bonus feats, casting prepared (arcane) spells, drawn from a somewhat restricted list based on the energy type associate with the chosen element (fire, air (lightning), earth (acid), water (cold)) (force and sonic might also be options). The spell list would have both druidic and wizard/sorcerer spells on it. I would be strongly tempted to give the class a good will save and a good fort save (earth and water (and force)) or a good reflex save (fire and air (and sonic)). I would also make Energy Substitution and Energy Admixture features of this class.
Dracomorph 10-14-07, 01:59 AM	I would make him a Pyrokineticist with cool robes. (XPH, pg. 151) Why are my favorites always the ones who like to burn things?
Salla 10-14-07, 02:16 AM	I'll second Hellfire Warlock.
Ravade 10-14-07, 09:55 AM	Warlock with Hellfire Blast Three votes in. Archivst from Heroes of Horror Elemental Savant with Corrupt Spell Illusionist Conjuror/Binder got two votes in Psion Dragonfire Adept Wizard (Ishtari? What is that?) Pyrokineticist My questions are as follows Hellfire Warlock. Is this type of warlock, like a PRC, or just a Warlock with Hellfire Blast (some kind of modification of Eldridch Blast?) And which out of these are PRC's, and which one of these are base classes? I am interested in a prestege class, and I can take up to level 8 at creation. So let the ideas run wild.
Dracomorph 10-14-07, 03:56 PM	Pyrokineticist is a prestige class that's really easy to qualify for. It's in the SRD, and the XPH.
JulesCARV 10-14-07, 10:40 PM	Hellfire warlock (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061207a&page=3) is a prestige class from Fiendish Codex II. Of course, warlocks don't typically have prayerbooks/spellbooks like archivists, chemeleons, wizards, and wu jens, but the book isn't too prominent on that figure.
Ravade 10-15-07, 11:06 PM	Any other ideas? So far, the Warlock/Hellfire Warlock idea seems like the best one. I'm interested in having a character that can deal gobs of damage, while still remaining dark, and broody. All Ralistin like, yanno?
Saiyamantis 10-17-07, 01:55 AM	You might be interested in the Hellbred, from Fiendish Codex 2. They're resurrected humanoids tainted by the Nine Hells, torn between salvation and damnation. Oh, and they can toss around corrupted and vile spells without worrying about an alignment change.
RobbyPants 10-17-07, 11:15 AM	The challenge is this. Name any basic class, or prestige class that you feel would fit this character. I've done core for years, and am looking for something -away- from the base book, and I have access to every book you can think of (And if I don’t, I will get it). And if you would be so rockin' as to possibly include some feats that are powerful for that particular build, that would be rockin' too! Perhaps you want something that's mostly a prepared caster, with a bit of flavor. How about the Ultimate Magus from Complete Mage? The basic idea is it's a mix of a prepared caster and a spontaneous caster with some other perks. Normally, optimizers would want to steer clear of a class that slows your casting progression, but with a little trick with the Practiced Spellcaster feat, you can make a 20th level PC that only loses 2 wizard levels, and receives 9 spontaneous caster levels and a slew of abilities as compensation. The Basic Build: Now, to synergize and use Int as your casting class for both classes, start as a Wizard/Beguiler. Take your first level as beguiler (mostly for the extra skill points and partially for a couple extra HP), and take the Practiced Spellcaster feat. If you want to wait, this can be taken at level 3, but you must have it before level 6. Take your next four levels of wizard. This will qualify you for the class. The Practiced Spellcaster Trick: The UM PrC progresses one or two classes in caster level. At levels 1, 4, and 7, the class with the lowest caster level (important later ;)) is advanced. All other levels advance both. Now, some see it as a typo or an oversight, but as written, the class with the lowest caster level is advanced at those three levels. By taking Practiced Spellcaster and applying it to Beguiler, your Beguiler's caster level will be as high or higher than your Wizard's caster level until after level 4 of the PrC, which means you can advance Wizard at levels 1 and 4, but you have to advance Beguiler at level 7. What does this all mean? You only lose two Wizard caster levels throughout your entire career. Win! Metamagic Goodies: Aside from advancing two casting classes, the UM PrC also gives you some cool abilities for applying metamagic feats without raising the spell level. You can (within certain restrictions) use spell slots from one class to apply a metamagic feat to a spell from the other class with no increased spell level! For example, when high enough level, you could apply the Empower Spell feat (normally +2 level cost) to a Wizard spell by burning through a 2nd level Beguiler spell, as opposed to increasing your Wizard's spell level. Other Tricks/Ideas: Once you've finished with the PrC, take another PrC for five levels that will continue to advance your Wizard's casting at full progression. You may also consider playing a specialist wizard instead of a generalist Wizard. I'd suggest playing a Conjurer, barring Evocation and Enchantment as your prohibited schools. Also, if you're a Conjurer, you can take the Immediate Magic class feature from PHB II by giving up your familiar. In exchange, you get the ability to get several 10 foot teleports (read: life-savers) per day as an immediate action (meaning you can do it when it's not your turn!). Anyway, hopefully this was helpful and not too confusing. This type of build can combine nice uniuqe flavor of a mage who strives to ultimately control magic through any means with some pretty powerful game mechainics. Enjoy! :D
Randmc 10-18-07, 09:28 AM	Take a look at the Nar Demonbinder from Unaproachable East. I think he looks like a demonbinder caught in mid-summon.