Adding Class Skills to Spirit Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Adding Class Skills to Spirit Shaman [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FiestFan
02-17-06, 01:06 PM I'm attempting to build a Strongheart Halfling Spirit Shaman 16/Sacred Exorcist 1/Contemplative 3 to fill the Healing and Undead control role in a party of Fighter, Scout, and Wu-jen. This is my first attempt at the Spirit Shaman. Stats were placed as STR 10 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16 before mods - before mods because I recognize I may have to make this as a Human, if it's too unweildy as a Hin. My concerns are:

1) Is there any way to allow this character, as a Strongheart Halfling, to gain the requisite ranks in KReligion to take Sacred Exorcist at level 8, and Contemplative at level 11?

2) Once I qualify for Sacred Exorcist - regardless of level - could I then use Divine Metamagic, or does the Spirit Shaman's peculiar interactions with metamagic disallow them Divine Metamagic, even if they meet the other prerequisites?
Xahr
02-17-06, 01:42 PM 1) Yes, there is a feat in one of the books called Education. It grants all the knowledge skills as class skills. Though I'm not sure which book.

2) Yes, you could use Divine Metamagic, and your well advised to do so. You will have high Charisma to boost the DC of your spells, and that means more turning attempts.

Just remember to pick up a domain with some nice spells. Haste is a good bet, from either the Celerity or Travel Domain. Probably also in some other Domains.

Actually, I'm playing a Spirit Shaman right now, and he is damn awesome. He has taken the Spontaneous Summoner, and the Spontaneous Healer. This makes up for the lack of spells.

Don't forget to use you'r ability to have a Spirit concentrate on a spell.

Cheers!

Xahr
FiestFan
02-17-06, 06:00 PM 1) Yes, there is a feat in one of the books called Education. It grants all the knowledge skills as class skills. Though I'm not sure which book.

2) Yes, you could use Divine Metamagic, and your well advised to do so. You will have high Charisma to boost the DC of your spells, and that means more turning attempts.

Just remember to pick up a domain with some nice spells. Haste is a good bet, from either the Celerity or Travel Domain. Probably also in some other Domains.

<snip>
Don't forget to use you'r ability to have a Spirit concentrate on a spell.

Cheers!

Xahr
1) Thanks! I knew it was there, I just couldn't remember the name of the Feat. Lucky for me this is a Realms game. :)
2) I sure hope my DM agrees. Any FAQ on this matter?

My domain is going to be Renewal, as I'll be paying homage to Selune. The party will be glad of the spell selections, I think.

So, that makes this character look like:
Spirit Shaman 7/Sacred Exorcist 1/Spirit Shaman 8-9/Contemplative 1-3/Spirit Shaman 10-16.
STR 8 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16.
FEATS:
1) Education, PBShot
3) Precise Shot
6) ???
9) Divine Metamagic
12) Extra Turning
15) ???
18) ???
Naphal
02-18-06, 09:48 AM So how do you enjoy playing the spirit shaman? My Druid just suffered painfully, and I was looking to roll one of these? I was thinking Spontaneous Healer, and some exalted feat for starters.

What kind of advantages/disadvantages does this class have? Since I will probably only be rolling to level 2 or 3, I'm just curious the roll you play, and the skills you use?

Thanks.
Xahr
02-18-06, 11:28 AM 1) No problem :D

2) Not as far as I know. Not very good at finding, and reading the FAQ. But I would be surprised if it states that you can't. Most likely it won't mention it.

As you will be having a high Knowledge Religion, I suggest taking Spontaneous Healer at level 6 or so. This will remove the need to retrieve Healing spells.

Naphal concerning Spirit Shaman:

Well firstly, you will be able to throw spells out for a very, very long time. My character is level 7, with following feats: Spell Focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning, Spontaneous Summoner, Spontenoues Healer. This might not be very optimized as a lot of people think that summoning is weak. I believe it is awesome, at least in the game I'm playing. I usually summon 1D3 Dire Wolves (This far i have always made 3 of, thanks to some lucky "dicing"). With Augment summoning this becomes wuite powerful. The party consists of a Conjurer, me and a Wilder controlled by the DM. I will usually throw out a summoning spell, and he will haste them. BANG, dead enemies.

Just the other day we we're up against a very interesting encounter. A winter Wolf Half-Fiend, a Half-Red-Dragon Fighter, and a Vampire. This was an encounter of about 10-11. Our DM was quite certain that we would retreat, but one SNA IV took care of that. 3 Dire wolves, then Haste, and only the Vampire was standing. He retreated then.

As you can guess, Spirit Shamans are quite capable. Not sure about level 1 and 2, though. Never played this character from there. Started at level 5.

No ideas about Exalted Feats, don't have the book.

Cheers!

Xahr!
Naphal
02-18-06, 12:14 PM So, as a Spirit Shaman, I would want to focus my attributes (32pt buy system) on the spell characteristics, Wisdom and Charisma, and less on str and dex, etc??

I'm trying to get as much info as I can, cause I'm going to roll him tomorrow. Any good skills or tactics you can recommned would be awesome.
Xahr
02-18-06, 02:30 PM Well, it depends on your group. If you are going to be the healer, buffer etc, then you need high casting, probably 16 and 16 in them. I placed a high one in Dex, a little in Con and made Str a dump stat.

Do you know what role you should play in your party?
Naphal
02-18-06, 03:04 PM I'll give you sone backdrop. We are a large group, 10 or so, often together, and often split into two, sometimes even 3. The only other close to a healer is a favoured soul, so I will be doing a lot of that. The world is a dark one, ruled by a dark Lord. I know the DM has been using the MIdnight second edition book, but since I've only been playing for about 6 months, I have no idea what that is about.

The rules the lord has put forth are basically no weapons or armour allowed, no traveling, no hording food, and no arcane magic, or practicing of faith (divine magic). Of course the heros break these rules, but must be careful. Everytime a divine spell is cast, the DM rolls percentile. If we are unlucky, within a turn or two, a fell appears and goes after the caster. Being a wraith, he is damn hard to hit without magic, and does str damage. As my Druid found out, when you hit 0 str, you become one of them, and turn on your friends. (and I found I was still rooting for him to win!).

So there you have it. Any advice is appreciated. Like I said, I figured spont. healer was important, and I will take something exalteed as well, since I just spent $40 on the book!
Xahr
02-19-06, 04:32 AM Well, the Wraith thingy seems quite dangerous. But, fear not! This is what the Spirit Shaman excels at fighting. At level 2, as far as i remember, you gain an ability called Blessing of the Spirits. It's virtually a permanent Protection from Spirits. Not only does this make you immune to most domination attempts, it also makes you untouchable by spirits. And hey, the Wraith is a spirit.

I strongly suggest that you play the Spirit Shaman. It is fun, and there is a lot of possibilities withing the class.

I just reincarnated my elf friend as a Drow :D
Naphal
02-19-06, 08:50 AM Ya, it sounds like a fun class to play, and might be very good in this world. Spirit Shaman it is!
FiestFan
02-19-06, 09:09 AM So, that makes this character look like:
Hin Spirit Shaman 7/Sacred Exorcist 1/Spirit Shaman 8-9/Contemplative 1-3/Spirit Shaman 10-16.
STR 8 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16.
FEATS:
1) Education, PBShot
3) Precise Shot
6) ???
9) Divine Metamagic
12) Extra Turning
15) ???
18) ???

Any suggestios for other feat choices?
Xahr
02-19-06, 10:51 AM Hmm.. The feats are a little tough. As I mentioned, the different Spontaneous feats are very good. You might be able to convince your DM to let Chastise Spirits count as Turn undead, as it is almost the same, just a Spirit Shaman version.

If you wan't to summon, Rashemi Elemental SUmmoning from Unapprocchable East is something i've heard is good, though i have never seen it :D

Also Greenbound summoning should be good for the same usage.

My character summoned alot, so i used Augment summoning.

Cheers!

Xahr!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FiestFan 02-17-06, 01:06 PM	I'm attempting to build a Strongheart Halfling Spirit Shaman 16/Sacred Exorcist 1/Contemplative 3 to fill the Healing and Undead control role in a party of Fighter, Scout, and Wu-jen. This is my first attempt at the Spirit Shaman. Stats were placed as STR 10 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16 before mods - before mods because I recognize I may have to make this as a Human, if it's too unweildy as a Hin. My concerns are: 1) Is there any way to allow this character, as a Strongheart Halfling, to gain the requisite ranks in KReligion to take Sacred Exorcist at level 8, and Contemplative at level 11? 2) Once I qualify for Sacred Exorcist - regardless of level - could I then use Divine Metamagic, or does the Spirit Shaman's peculiar interactions with metamagic disallow them Divine Metamagic, even if they meet the other prerequisites?
Xahr 02-17-06, 01:42 PM	1) Yes, there is a feat in one of the books called Education. It grants all the knowledge skills as class skills. Though I'm not sure which book. 2) Yes, you could use Divine Metamagic, and your well advised to do so. You will have high Charisma to boost the DC of your spells, and that means more turning attempts. Just remember to pick up a domain with some nice spells. Haste is a good bet, from either the Celerity or Travel Domain. Probably also in some other Domains. Actually, I'm playing a Spirit Shaman right now, and he is damn awesome. He has taken the Spontaneous Summoner, and the Spontaneous Healer. This makes up for the lack of spells. Don't forget to use you'r ability to have a Spirit concentrate on a spell. Cheers! Xahr
FiestFan 02-17-06, 06:00 PM	1) Yes, there is a feat in one of the books called Education. It grants all the knowledge skills as class skills. Though I'm not sure which book. 2) Yes, you could use Divine Metamagic, and your well advised to do so. You will have high Charisma to boost the DC of your spells, and that means more turning attempts. Just remember to pick up a domain with some nice spells. Haste is a good bet, from either the Celerity or Travel Domain. Probably also in some other Domains. <snip> Don't forget to use you'r ability to have a Spirit concentrate on a spell. Cheers! Xahr 1) Thanks! I knew it was there, I just couldn't remember the name of the Feat. Lucky for me this is a Realms game. :) 2) I sure hope my DM agrees. Any FAQ on this matter? My domain is going to be Renewal, as I'll be paying homage to Selune. The party will be glad of the spell selections, I think. So, that makes this character look like: Spirit Shaman 7/Sacred Exorcist 1/Spirit Shaman 8-9/Contemplative 1-3/Spirit Shaman 10-16. STR 8 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16. FEATS: 1) Education, PBShot 3) Precise Shot 6) ??? 9) Divine Metamagic 12) Extra Turning 15) ??? 18) ???
Naphal 02-18-06, 09:48 AM	So how do you enjoy playing the spirit shaman? My Druid just suffered painfully, and I was looking to roll one of these? I was thinking Spontaneous Healer, and some exalted feat for starters. What kind of advantages/disadvantages does this class have? Since I will probably only be rolling to level 2 or 3, I'm just curious the roll you play, and the skills you use? Thanks.
Xahr 02-18-06, 11:28 AM	1) No problem :D 2) Not as far as I know. Not very good at finding, and reading the FAQ. But I would be surprised if it states that you can't. Most likely it won't mention it. As you will be having a high Knowledge Religion, I suggest taking Spontaneous Healer at level 6 or so. This will remove the need to retrieve Healing spells. Naphal concerning Spirit Shaman: Well firstly, you will be able to throw spells out for a very, very long time. My character is level 7, with following feats: Spell Focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning, Spontaneous Summoner, Spontenoues Healer. This might not be very optimized as a lot of people think that summoning is weak. I believe it is awesome, at least in the game I'm playing. I usually summon 1D3 Dire Wolves (This far i have always made 3 of, thanks to some lucky "dicing"). With Augment summoning this becomes wuite powerful. The party consists of a Conjurer, me and a Wilder controlled by the DM. I will usually throw out a summoning spell, and he will haste them. BANG, dead enemies. Just the other day we we're up against a very interesting encounter. A winter Wolf Half-Fiend, a Half-Red-Dragon Fighter, and a Vampire. This was an encounter of about 10-11. Our DM was quite certain that we would retreat, but one SNA IV took care of that. 3 Dire wolves, then Haste, and only the Vampire was standing. He retreated then. As you can guess, Spirit Shamans are quite capable. Not sure about level 1 and 2, though. Never played this character from there. Started at level 5. No ideas about Exalted Feats, don't have the book. Cheers! Xahr!
Naphal 02-18-06, 12:14 PM	So, as a Spirit Shaman, I would want to focus my attributes (32pt buy system) on the spell characteristics, Wisdom and Charisma, and less on str and dex, etc?? I'm trying to get as much info as I can, cause I'm going to roll him tomorrow. Any good skills or tactics you can recommned would be awesome.
Xahr 02-18-06, 02:30 PM	Well, it depends on your group. If you are going to be the healer, buffer etc, then you need high casting, probably 16 and 16 in them. I placed a high one in Dex, a little in Con and made Str a dump stat. Do you know what role you should play in your party?
Naphal 02-18-06, 03:04 PM	I'll give you sone backdrop. We are a large group, 10 or so, often together, and often split into two, sometimes even 3. The only other close to a healer is a favoured soul, so I will be doing a lot of that. The world is a dark one, ruled by a dark Lord. I know the DM has been using the MIdnight second edition book, but since I've only been playing for about 6 months, I have no idea what that is about. The rules the lord has put forth are basically no weapons or armour allowed, no traveling, no hording food, and no arcane magic, or practicing of faith (divine magic). Of course the heros break these rules, but must be careful. Everytime a divine spell is cast, the DM rolls percentile. If we are unlucky, within a turn or two, a fell appears and goes after the caster. Being a wraith, he is damn hard to hit without magic, and does str damage. As my Druid found out, when you hit 0 str, you become one of them, and turn on your friends. (and I found I was still rooting for him to win!). So there you have it. Any advice is appreciated. Like I said, I figured spont. healer was important, and I will take something exalteed as well, since I just spent $40 on the book!
Xahr 02-19-06, 04:32 AM	Well, the Wraith thingy seems quite dangerous. But, fear not! This is what the Spirit Shaman excels at fighting. At level 2, as far as i remember, you gain an ability called Blessing of the Spirits. It's virtually a permanent Protection from Spirits. Not only does this make you immune to most domination attempts, it also makes you untouchable by spirits. And hey, the Wraith is a spirit. I strongly suggest that you play the Spirit Shaman. It is fun, and there is a lot of possibilities withing the class. I just reincarnated my elf friend as a Drow :D
Naphal 02-19-06, 08:50 AM	Ya, it sounds like a fun class to play, and might be very good in this world. Spirit Shaman it is!
FiestFan 02-19-06, 09:09 AM	So, that makes this character look like: Hin Spirit Shaman 7/Sacred Exorcist 1/Spirit Shaman 8-9/Contemplative 1-3/Spirit Shaman 10-16. STR 8 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 16 CHA 16. FEATS: 1) Education, PBShot 3) Precise Shot 6) ??? 9) Divine Metamagic 12) Extra Turning 15) ??? 18) ??? Any suggestios for other feat choices?
Xahr 02-19-06, 10:51 AM	Hmm.. The feats are a little tough. As I mentioned, the different Spontaneous feats are very good. You might be able to convince your DM to let Chastise Spirits count as Turn undead, as it is almost the same, just a Spirit Shaman version. If you wan't to summon, Rashemi Elemental SUmmoning from Unapprocchable East is something i've heard is good, though i have never seen it :D Also Greenbound summoning should be good for the same usage. My character summoned alot, so i used Augment summoning. Cheers! Xahr!