Archivist: Can it tank? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Archivist: Can it tank? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mythSSK
12-05-05, 01:44 AM I’m more than a little curious regarding the Archivist class from Heroes of Horror, and was considering having one as my next character. I don’t own the book – a friend does – so I have access to it if I decide I want to play one, but right now I can’t actually look. I’d like to ask a question. Seeing as the Archivist more or less has access to all of the clerics spell list, how well can it ‘tank’? As well as a cleric? Has anyone thought of any cool melee-based Archivist builds?
FeceMan
12-06-05, 11:21 AM I’m more than a little curious regarding the Archivist class from Heroes of Horror, and was considering having one as my next character. I don’t own the book – a friend does – so I have access to it if I decide I want to play one, but right now I can’t actually look. I’d like to ask a question. Seeing as the Archivist more or less has access to all of the clerics spell list, how well can it ‘tank’? As well as a cleric? Has anyone thought of any cool melee-based Archivist builds?
Archivist has a d6 HD and Wizard BAB progression. So, unfortunately, no, it cannot tank.
WombleHunter
12-06-05, 11:35 AM Except for the usual Cleric ways, of course. And Druid spells on top.
Vestigial_Thumb
12-06-05, 11:53 AM Archivist has a d6 HD and Wizard BAB progression. So, unfortunately, no, it cannot tank.
Oh, yes it can. But, unfortunately it's going to suck at it. Big time!
Prominence
12-06-05, 12:32 PM In the beginning, an archivist tanks about as good as a rogue with worse dex and better armor. both are d6 HD, dex/armor, etc.

In the mid levels (4-10) everything pulls ahead of you, since atleast the wizard has very easy access to blink, etc.

Later levels, you'll probably have splashed sacred exorcist into your build, having the ability now to divine meta:persist - and then you are second to the druid probably. As you now have polymorph any object (trickery domain divine spell) polymorph (adept if I'm not mistaken), righteous might, divine power, etc.

I don't think it's worth trying to specialize in though.
fnord
12-06-05, 01:09 PM At higher levels, yes, if you go DM: Pesistant. Depending upon the sources you have, almost every good buff is available to you.

Be very careful of dispels and MDJ, though, as they can ruin your day even more than a DM: Persistant cleric's.
colm_l
12-06-05, 01:23 PM Archivist 3/Church inquisitor 4/Sacred exorcist 3/Windwalker (or FoR) 10

So yes - However you're going to be feat starved.

A pure Archivist - not so much
MysteryGilgamesh
12-06-05, 01:24 PM It can tank far better than a cleric ever could, due to the fact it has pretty much every spell in print.

A skillful weapon negates the low BAB, solving that problem in a way if Persistant DP isn't available. Having a decent con (14ish) makes up for the lower HD easily. From there, it's all buff spells. The party ones are the best, as they help you and your buddies at the same time, making everything better. Haste, Mass Aid, and Prayer are just a few easy to get buff's, and translate to a nice all around bonus for everyone, including you. Personal buff's include the normal cleric regalia (DF, DP, RM), plus Polymorph. DM: Persistant is the best for these, but definatly not needed, Quicken will work fine (though use higher slots, but eh, who cares, you don't need'em for every fight).

On average, you'll only be about 20 HP behind a lvl. 20 cleric, which is a negligable difference at best, and will likely be more than made up for by a simple Polymorphing into a war troll/firbolg/etc.
Taliesin52
12-06-05, 01:35 PM It can tank far better than a cleric ever could, due to the fact it has pretty much every spell in print.

A skillful weapon negates the low BAB, solving that problem in a way if Persistant DP isn't available. Having a decent con (14ish) makes up for the lower HD easily. From there, it's all buff spells. The party ones are the best, as they help you and your buddies at the same time, making everything better. Haste, Mass Aid, and Prayer are just a few easy to get buff's, and translate to a nice all around bonus for everyone, including you. Personal buff's include the normal cleric regalia (DF, DP, RM), plus Polymorph. DM: Persistant is the best for these, but definatly not needed, Quicken will work fine (though use higher slots, but eh, who cares, you don't need'em for every fight).

On average, you'll only be about 20 HP behind a lvl. 20 cleric, which is a negligable difference at best, and will likely be more than made up for by a simple Polymorphing into a war troll/firbolg/etc.

I have to agree. The amount of crazy buffing the archivist can do is insane. He is a bit M.A.D., but polymorph can help with that, especially when combined with all of the other buffs out there.

I especially like the one dark knowledge ability that allows you (and your allies) to do 1d6-3d6 extra damage per attack on the designated foes. Another great buff that is partywide.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mythSSK 12-05-05, 01:44 AM	I’m more than a little curious regarding the Archivist class from Heroes of Horror, and was considering having one as my next character. I don’t own the book – a friend does – so I have access to it if I decide I want to play one, but right now I can’t actually look. I’d like to ask a question. Seeing as the Archivist more or less has access to all of the clerics spell list, how well can it ‘tank’? As well as a cleric? Has anyone thought of any cool melee-based Archivist builds?
FeceMan 12-06-05, 11:21 AM	I’m more than a little curious regarding the Archivist class from Heroes of Horror, and was considering having one as my next character. I don’t own the book – a friend does – so I have access to it if I decide I want to play one, but right now I can’t actually look. I’d like to ask a question. Seeing as the Archivist more or less has access to all of the clerics spell list, how well can it ‘tank’? As well as a cleric? Has anyone thought of any cool melee-based Archivist builds? Archivist has a d6 HD and Wizard BAB progression. So, unfortunately, no, it cannot tank.
WombleHunter 12-06-05, 11:35 AM	Except for the usual Cleric ways, of course. And Druid spells on top.
Vestigial_Thumb 12-06-05, 11:53 AM	Archivist has a d6 HD and Wizard BAB progression. So, unfortunately, no, it cannot tank. Oh, yes it can. But, unfortunately it's going to suck at it. Big time!
Prominence 12-06-05, 12:32 PM	In the beginning, an archivist tanks about as good as a rogue with worse dex and better armor. both are d6 HD, dex/armor, etc. In the mid levels (4-10) everything pulls ahead of you, since atleast the wizard has very easy access to blink, etc. Later levels, you'll probably have splashed sacred exorcist into your build, having the ability now to divine meta:persist - and then you are second to the druid probably. As you now have polymorph any object (trickery domain divine spell) polymorph (adept if I'm not mistaken), righteous might, divine power, etc. I don't think it's worth trying to specialize in though.
fnord 12-06-05, 01:09 PM	At higher levels, yes, if you go DM: Pesistant. Depending upon the sources you have, almost every good buff is available to you. Be very careful of dispels and MDJ, though, as they can ruin your day even more than a DM: Persistant cleric's.
colm_l 12-06-05, 01:23 PM	Archivist 3/Church inquisitor 4/Sacred exorcist 3/Windwalker (or FoR) 10 So yes - However you're going to be feat starved. A pure Archivist - not so much
MysteryGilgamesh 12-06-05, 01:24 PM	It can tank far better than a cleric ever could, due to the fact it has pretty much every spell in print. A skillful weapon negates the low BAB, solving that problem in a way if Persistant DP isn't available. Having a decent con (14ish) makes up for the lower HD easily. From there, it's all buff spells. The party ones are the best, as they help you and your buddies at the same time, making everything better. Haste, Mass Aid, and Prayer are just a few easy to get buff's, and translate to a nice all around bonus for everyone, including you. Personal buff's include the normal cleric regalia (DF, DP, RM), plus Polymorph. DM: Persistant is the best for these, but definatly not needed, Quicken will work fine (though use higher slots, but eh, who cares, you don't need'em for every fight). On average, you'll only be about 20 HP behind a lvl. 20 cleric, which is a negligable difference at best, and will likely be more than made up for by a simple Polymorphing into a war troll/firbolg/etc.
Taliesin52 12-06-05, 01:35 PM	It can tank far better than a cleric ever could, due to the fact it has pretty much every spell in print. A skillful weapon negates the low BAB, solving that problem in a way if Persistant DP isn't available. Having a decent con (14ish) makes up for the lower HD easily. From there, it's all buff spells. The party ones are the best, as they help you and your buddies at the same time, making everything better. Haste, Mass Aid, and Prayer are just a few easy to get buff's, and translate to a nice all around bonus for everyone, including you. Personal buff's include the normal cleric regalia (DF, DP, RM), plus Polymorph. DM: Persistant is the best for these, but definatly not needed, Quicken will work fine (though use higher slots, but eh, who cares, you don't need'em for every fight). On average, you'll only be about 20 HP behind a lvl. 20 cleric, which is a negligable difference at best, and will likely be more than made up for by a simple Polymorphing into a war troll/firbolg/etc. I have to agree. The amount of crazy buffing the archivist can do is insane. He is a bit M.A.D., but polymorph can help with that, especially when combined with all of the other buffs out there. I especially like the one dark knowledge ability that allows you (and your allies) to do 1d6-3d6 extra damage per attack on the designated foes. Another great buff that is partywide.