Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Baalzamon 10-06-03, 12:38 PM	I posted this elsewhere, but I'd like the perspective of this board on it too for roleplay purposes, So I've edited it a bit to focus on the character developement aspects instead of build strategys ----------------------------- I'm going to be in a campaign with 2 PC's only, and it will be heavy on the roleplaying and light on the hack and slash. My friend is a druid, and he will likely be of the summoning, wildshaping, firestorm nuking fury of nature variety. So since that should take care of meat shields and direct damage, I decided to go for a utility/roleplay route. Not so much social skills mind you, but for the type of character I would have fun playing. So the bard and rogue dont have to be the only way to go although they are still an option. So I figure if hes going to be the embodyment of natures fury, I would like to be more of a mystical wise character, or maybe a specialty class like paladin, bard or ranger. So I've gotten stuck on a few ideas and I cant quite make up my mind. 1> spellcaster Druid A different form of druid would work well with my friends fighting druid. I like to call this the "old guy with a staff" druid. The only problem is that the druid spell list doesnt really have a lot that catches my eye for this purpose. If its not buff, summon, heal or fire, its usually just a flashy weather effect or a cool divination/transmutation. I'm looking for a bit more in the way of general purpose spell effects if I'm going to focus on spellcasting. And I figure, If I'm going to play a druid like a mage, why not just play a mage and roleplay him like a druid :) hence: 2> Wizard who acts like a druid I have considered a wizard who roleplays a connection to the land. knowledge nature etc. Sorceror doesnt have the versatility I want. Think of him as a gandalf style classic wizard, social skills, knowledge and all. You know, the type who has a personality that extends beyond his books and his fireball spell. I would like him to act like a druid in most respects. Polymorph spells, a few elemental spells, and lots of utility like web, spider climb etc. I would choose spell mastery a few times to make sure I have the basics down so I dont rely on my spellbook, and also for roleplay reasons. hes going to be a more rugged wizard and will not be likely to spend much time in the library reading or the lab making items. I would also consider specializing. maybe transmutation. Whatever gives him a more primitive style. He is the wizard for a non civilized world. 3> Nature cleric Not a big fan of this one, but I'm sure someone would have mentioned it. I dont really like clerics. maybe its just me. 4> Travelling bard. a good class for my purposes. The spell list is more limited but specialized, and the music is handy. I wouldnt want a singing pansy or a warrior skald, but probably more of a rangerly bard. It would be really nice if he knew more spells or could at least cast more/day. I dont like him as much as the wizard because he doesnt have the option to switch to battle spells for different days the way the wizard can, and I'm not a fan of the musical magic idea. He also doesnt have a lot outside illusion, buffs and enchantment. I like the skills on this character, and he sort of fits the personality I'm going for. 5> Paladin. (without the full plate and charging) I could aslo see myself playing a half elf paladin, or maybe a ranger who multi's to paladin(ranger5/paladin15 or something). I like the 3.5 paladin, and would have fun playing it. It would also have some good roleplay with the Neutral good druid. And I like the idea of divine protection and being a holy warrior. I'd go for more of a foot soldier(horse is for long distance travel) and spread my skills around a bit. I'm sure I'd have a half decent intelligence and stay away from the classic paladin in favour of the hunter of evil paladin(hence ranger aspect). 6> Ranger I've played so many that I am getting sick of them. I love them so much that I always end up playing one anyway, even after posts like this. If anyone has any good ideas for a ranger/wizard, ranger/bard, ranger/druid or something, I'd like to hear them though. -------------------------------------- Anyway, as you could probably tell, I am leaning towards the wizard, but still serious about the others. Feel free to give comments on any. Just keep in mind that no matter what I decide on I want the character to have a travelling, wilderness loving attitude, and his style and spells should reflect that at least a little bit. Even a paladin for me would wear lighter armor and get some wilderness skills for example. I would never play a full plate greatsword cleric with War and Strength as his domains, or a rogue with nothing but city skills. As for the game itself, I dont worry about "needing a rogue for traps" or a cleric for something or a fighter for whatever. The game will work around any shortcomings we may have. we are playing for the fun with the characters, not the power.
Morka 10-06-03, 02:59 PM	While a Sorceror might be a better idea for a druid compagnon(natural spellcasting), a wizard is not so bad. However, you shouldn't have a full spellbook (that imply some visits in city to purchase scrolls). You could become an Elemental savant to become an Elemental, it is a good "nature" choice. Or perhaps multiclass to a cleric/druid, and become a geomancer. Since you are being almost alone in nature, I would avoid "social" classes like bards & paladins.
Baalzamon 10-06-03, 04:15 PM	You misinterpret my meaning by the wilderness theme. I did not mean that we would both be loners who hide in the forest. I mean it more in the outdoorsy travelling sense. We wouldnt get caught up in an urban setting for long, but would certainly pass through a lot of places. Probably a lot of frontier style low civ. areas, but not necessarily deep forest. I dont want to be crazy animal man, I just want to be rugged and versatile, with a reverance for nature. The sorceror sort of makes more sense RP wise, but unfortunately his spells known take too long and just plain suck. If he had spells/day like a wizard in exchange for a few more spells known per level I'd play one. I'd rather have a spellcaster who has a wide array of different themed spells than a caster who has like 1 spell for his highest level but can cast it 6 times per day. However, you shouldn't have a full spellbook (that imply some visits in city to purchase scrolls) The spellbook will not be full, but it will have a lot of the type of spells I want. I might specialize just so I'm not tempted to take more spells than I need. I would have to look and see which spells would make the most sense to ban.
Gingerbread Guy 10-06-03, 04:53 PM	Hiho, I'd go for a fairly nature-loving Elven paladin. Paladins are great stand-alone characters that usually succeed without many allies. Wear light armor like Leather and what not, and make good use of a Longsword/Longbow/buckler combination. As a steed, try an Asperi for a mount, or have him invent a Dire Stag or something cool. Even some kind of small dragon would rock. I also like the idea of a nature-loving Monk. Monks and Druids tend to get along pretty damn well, being all into cosmic and natural crap. ^_^ ~Ginger
Trydan 10-07-03, 03:35 AM	Here are some ideas that might help, if you are playing alongside a druid (and you like rangers!) Rogue/Ranger - Starts as a rogue (lots of skill points) and then ends up going out of the city, where he picks up the ranger class/skills/etc. The basic idea here is a wilderness scout. Lots of sneaking, backstabbing, etc. and knows how to move about in the woods very quietly. Ranger/Sorcerer - this is the spell caster for outdoors. Think of him as the one standing atop mountain peaks casting fireballs and lightning bolts about like a crazed storm giant mage. Mostly sorcerer, but throw in a level of two of ranger for the skills, HPs and favoured enemy. If you can get high enough to cast it, Tenser's Transformation with a dual-wielding Sor/Rgr can be nice. Ranger/Bard - A good roleplaying combination for the forest-messenger. Also good for the character who might go it alone at times. Note that I'd steer away from Rgr/Clr, Rgr/Drd, etc. With a Druid in the party, you wont need that much more divine magic, and some arcane/fighting/stealth would be what is required to pad-out the party. In fact, why note try a three classes (e.g. Rog/Rgr/Sor). I guess it depends on how high in level your campaign takes you. but with a high level campaign, it could be good.
PhaedrusXY 10-07-03, 06:07 AM	A ranger/bard or ranger/sorcerer sounds like it would match what you're talking about and be fun. If it is allowed in the game you'll be playing in, the Master of the Yuirwood might be a cool Prestige Class for you. It's in the Unnapproachable East book.
Baalzamon 10-07-03, 09:10 AM	We arent really using a lot of splat books, especially ones I dont have :) I completely agree with those ranger multiclasses, except for the sorceror ones. I would choose wizards istead for a couple reasons 1) I'd rather have a high int and dump charisma 2) faster acess to high level spells = more ranger levels In fact I am looking at making a ranger wizard, but more on the ranger side. I want him to be more of a ranger who picks up some arcane spellcasting. I would play full wizard otherwise. The bard works well with the ranger too, but I just dont think its my style, and he lacks a lot of spells that I want, which also inclines me to play a wizard. I guess I'm stuck between a ranger with a bunch of support magic, or a full wizard with everything.
Trydan 10-07-03, 09:14 AM	I'm stuck between a ranger with a bunch of support magic, or a full wizard with everything. At what level do you start? What level do you anticipate reaching? These could swing the balance one way or the other, when you take into account spell levels, etc. Of course, regardless of which way you go, you'll have an interesting character development question to answer. Either: [list=1] How did the ranger learn about wizardry, or What on earth is a wizard doing out in the winderness. [/list=1] Both of these are interesting, and could prove to be a lot of fun.
Baalzamon 10-07-03, 10:52 AM	At what level do you start? What level do you anticipate reaching? These could swing the balance one way or the other, when you take into account spell levels, etc. We start at level 1, and most of our leveling will be roleplaying for the first few levels. I have no idea how high we will go, but I want to play something that works during all levels, not a build that sucks untill you reach level 20 and get the uber broken power. This is why I am avoiding prc's because I dont want to spend 5-7 levels chasing pre-reqs and then another 5-10 waiting for special powers that may never come. I just want to be a versatile character that fills his role. How did the ranger learn about wizardry, or What on earth is a wizard doing out in the winderness. Well, its understandable for an elf or something to have a minor wizard multiclass, and to be a ranger as well. Think of him as the mage with wanderlust and love of the forest. And If I played a pure wizard he would just be a variant in that hed be more into the travelling to learn than into the libraries and cities.
Poukis 10-07-03, 05:59 PM	although the post moved a bit i will answer to the begining question... since it will be only the two of you i would suggest a character that contains the word "bard"... I think that a bard is a great class if you are: -playing alone or with a very small party, since he is a bit of everything and you don't have most of it -playing in a very big party since you already focused on the "main" things and you just want a little boosting in everything... Anyway... From what i read i like the ranger/bard most... But since you don't want charisma, it's out of the question... Now about the ranger/wizard... I must admit that i like it and i tried to play one once, I must say that he is a little unbalanced and needs a lot of attention when you are creating him... If you want a reason why a wizard goes into the wilderness, it could be that he just wants to be alone and study magic but can't imagine himself being "imprisoned" in a big lonely tower and instead he chooses to be a hermit... At least that could be how he started... Poukis
Baalzamon 10-07-03, 08:19 PM	Youn played a ranger/wizard? what would you say was the major problem, and do you have any advice to play a good one? The ranger bard is not completely out either
Baalzamon 10-08-03, 12:05 AM	I'd go for a fairly nature-loving Elven paladin. Paladins are great stand-alone characters that usually succeed without many allies. I was actually thinking about this a bit today, specifically taking it one step further and going ranger/paladin. The alignment can fit if you want it to, and the ranger with the right favoured enemies can make a nice demon hunter, and all round wandering paladin. He could also put his tracking skills to work as a holy avenger style paladin that chases evil to the ends of the earth etc. If you where my DM, would you let me multiclass freely? I for one never really agreed with the paladin restrictions. As long as you are maintaining the code I see no reason why a variant paladin couldnt continue to advance in his gods good graces.
Baalzamon 10-08-03, 12:30 AM	although the post moved a bit i will answer to the begining question... since it will be only the two of you i would suggest a character that contains the word "bard"... I think that a bard is a great class if you are: -playing alone or with a very small party, since he is a bit of everything and you don't have most of it -playing in a very big party since you already focused on the "main" things and you just want a little boosting in everything... Anyway... From what i read i like the ranger/bard most... But since you don't want charisma, it's out of the question... Call me stubborn, but I still dont like the bards spell list. Great class otherwise. the ranger and bard each take up an aspect of the skills spectrum(Stealth/wilderness and social/magic/knowledge) that is needed for those who dont want pure rogue. Thats why I'm so fond of the ranger.. My alignment is a little bit lawfull good personally and that comes through in my roleplaying a lot. I tend to play no nonsense type characters who dont "sneak around" in social situations(sneaking around in the bushes is another story). Thats why the bard and rogue dont suit me much. So I think in the end it will come down to the powerfull but outgoing wizard who likes being an adventurer rather than a bookworm, or the paladin who has travelled a lot in his life and knows that the true battle against evil takes place on the frontiers where the innocent are most vulnerable.
Poukis 10-08-03, 05:00 AM	The bad thing about playing a ranger/wizard is that you must have a character that is expected: -To fight and -To cast powerfull spells But since you progress as a wizard your attack is a bit woeful and since you progress as a ranger your nice spells are delayed... That's the problem I had... And of course there is this other thing... Let's say that you will have an intelligence of 18, that means a +4 modifier. In 3,5 edition you'll get 10 skill points per level for the ranger and 6 for the wizard... And most of your ranger skills are cross-class for the wizard... I would let you multiclass to a ranger or a druid if you were a paladin for a deity of nature... I don't know if you're playing on Forgotten Realms but if you do, you could go for Mielikki... She doesn't officially have a paladin order but you could be the enlightened one!
Baalzamon 10-08-03, 09:26 AM	I would let you multiclass to a ranger or a druid if you were a paladin for a deity of nature... I don't know if you're playing on Forgotten Realms but if you do, you could go for Mielikki... She doesn't officially have a paladin order but you could be the enlightened one! LOL no we are not playing on the realms, and probably neither of us will bother with a patron. The bad thing about playing a ranger/wizard is that you must have a character that is expected: -To fight and -To cast powerfull spells I see what you mean. I wasnt planning to chuck fireballs or anything, but whats the use of defensive spells even when you're crippling your warrior to do it. I think any wizard I make will be single class.
Poukis 10-08-03, 07:05 PM	That's what I think about wizards too... If I were you I would go for the paladin/ranger... Since you are two you must have a "face", and what better than a paladin? I would go for ranger levels because it's my favorite class! :D Tell us what you decided...
Baalzamon 10-08-03, 07:48 PM	I would go for ranger levels because it's my favorite class! Tell us what you decided... mine too :)