Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Larthos 11-12-06, 03:58 AM	My regular group is going to start playing in the Xen'drik Expiditions campaign, and we are making Cabal of Shadows characters since it is the first time that the RPGA has allowed evil characters (it will also be our first times ever playing evil characters). I need a little help with my build. I know what I want, but not quite how to do it so I figure since you guys love optimizing I would ask your advice. I am looking at a NE druid/wiz/arcane heirophant. Since XE uses the super nerfed wildshape rule I don't think I will be wildshaping to go into melee much like I would with a druid normally so I am not really concerned with the debate on if an arcane heirophant gets wildshape if he isn't already 5th level druid. The campaign is a 25 point buy. Honestly, I would have prefered sorcorer levels instead of wizard since that is what I would envision a druid/arcane caster to be RP wise, but I think that would be a little to much against both caster progressions. Right now my build looks like this (forgive any mistakes, I havn't verified everything for accuracy yet) NE Human STR 10 DEX 13 CON 14 INT 14 WIS 14 CHA 8 1. Druid spell focus (conj), augment summoning 2. Druid 3. Druid Natural Bond 4. Wizard 5 Wizard 6 Wizard Practiced spellcaster (druid) 7 Arcane Heirophant 8 Arcane Heirophant 9 Arcane Heirophant Skill Focus (handle animal) 10 Beastmaster 11 Arcane Heirophant 12 Arcane Heirophant Practiced Spellcaster (wizard) 13 Arcane Heirophant 14 Arcane Heirophant 15 Arcane Heirophant Feat ???? 16 Arcane Heirophant 17 Arcane Heirophant 18 Druid Feat??? 19 Druid 20 Druid Again since this is a new campaign we have no clue how long it will last, but I like to plan for the full ride anyway. Also as much as I would like to have the versatility that Natural spell offers I can't see myself wildshaping enough under the nerf rules to worry about being able to cast in wildshape. From what I have so far I guess you can tell that I like my animal companion, and that I like to summon. I also understand that it is probably not an optimal build to try to optimize, but I have the idea of what I want to play I just need help implementing it. I know that the build could use a lot of work, and would apprieciate any input that you have to offer.
ksbsnowowl 11-12-06, 07:45 AM	You like to summon? Check out the Summon Elemental [Reserve] feat from Complete Mage. Free, virtually unlimited summoning...
Radijs 11-12-06, 08:18 AM	If you're not too concerned about when you begin taking levels in Arcane hierophant I suggest taking a few levels in Mystic theurge. This will provide you with a few more caster levels and lets you get both level 9 druid and wizard spells at level 20 The build looks something like this: Druid3/wizard3/Mystic theurge 3/Arcane hierophant10/Mystic theurge +1. 25 point buy is going to hurt you pretty hard since you'll have to invest in a good wisdom score, a good intelligence score and a good Constitution score as well. Wildshaping can take care of dexterity but only after level 10. A possible stat array could be 8/11/14/15/15/8 before level modifiers. You'll be fairly limited in your wildshape choices. I would recommend small forms with high dexterity scores to boost your AC and ranged touch attacks (small gives a +1 size bonus to both of these.)
Ryd 11-12-06, 10:24 AM	Or take the Unearthed Arcana Variant Druid. That would give you AC-Bonus(as Monk with Wis to AC), Favored Enemy(as Ranger), Track(as Ranger), Fast Movement (as Monk)....instead of Wildshape and Armor Proficiency
Larthos 11-12-06, 06:07 PM	Thanks for the help guys. I think I know what I am going to do now.