Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ShadowWarrior 02-21-07, 09:11 PM	Okay, so my goal is to make a character that is a master of making various magical items and traps of both mundane and magical variety. The build I have so far is this: The build I've decided upon is a bit further down.
Caelic 02-21-07, 09:13 PM	Well, just a question: why not the Artificer class, given that "master of magical items and traps" is exactly what it's designed to do? This seems a little like trying to reinvent the wheel, unless you're in a situation where Artificer simply isn't allowed.
Think0028 02-21-07, 09:25 PM	Exactly what Caelic's saying. However, if you're SPECIFICALLY avoiding Artificer, I'd go straight wizard who happens to max out Craft (Trapmaking). All the creation feats, and you're a master of traps and magic items. Effigy Master, if you feel like making some cheap and easy golems.
ShadowWarrior 02-21-07, 09:26 PM	Except Artificer can't get me into Effigy Master which is very nice for the + class level to Effective Caster Level for crafting effigies (essentially allowing one to make stronger effigies than a normal character). If it wasn't for that I would have gone with a near pure Artificer. The ninja is there for the level three ability Use Poison (which let's him safely make a variety of annoying traps and prior to becoming a spellcaster allows him to do something against living opponents.
Think0028 02-21-07, 09:28 PM	If you're only avoiding Artificer so you can get into Effigy Master, don't. Artificer is so much raw uber that it completely and totally outclasses all of the Effigy Master's abilities. 25 HD Effigies do not outclass Level 20 Artificers. Metamagic Item, one infusion alone, outclasses 25 HD Effigies. (Free metamagic is always a warning sign.) Sure, they can be good bodyguards, but so can a Wall of Force. Worrying about poison? Make your homunculus do it.
ShadowWarrior 02-21-07, 09:34 PM	I actually don't own ECS so I don't know exactly how Artificer's work, and I don't know anyone who could fill me in. All I know about the class is what's allowed to be stated on the boards.
Think0028 02-21-07, 09:37 PM	Now that is a perfectly valid and logical and downright complete reason to avoid Artificer. I reiterate my point of Wizard 15/Effigy Master 5. You'll still be effective and you don't lose more than 1 CL. Unlike your current build, which loses 6 CL. That's no more than 7th level spells, and that's bad.
ShadowWarrior 02-21-07, 09:47 PM	So something like: 1 Wizard : Scribe Scroll, Skill Focus (Craft [trapmaking]), Skill Focus (Craft [metalworking]), Exceptional Artisan (noncombatant flaw), Spellcasting Prodigy (slow flaw) 2 Wizard : 3 Wizard : Extraordinary Artisan 4 Wizard : Int increase 5 Wizard : Craft Wondrous Item 6 Wizard : Legendary Artisan 7 Wizard : 8 Wizard : Int increase 9 Wizard : Craft Magic Arms and Armor 10 Wizard : Craft Construct 11 Wizard : 12 Wizard : Craft Contingent Spell, Int increase 13 Wizard : 14 Wizard : 15 Wizard : Craft Staff, Practiced Spellcaster 1 Effigy Master : Int increase 2 Effigy Master : 3 Effigy Master : Spell Mastery (Sleep, Knock, Repair Serious Damage, Summon Monster IV, Teleport, and Mage's Lucubration) 4 Effigy Master : 5 Effigy Master : Int increase
Think0028 02-21-07, 09:49 PM	Something like that. I'd instead move Effigy Master down so you could gain the benefits earlier, but there are possible reasons to delay it. Depends what level you're starting at and where you're going.
ShadowWarrior 02-21-07, 11:42 PM	I'm not exactly sure but would the benefits of Practiced Spellcaster and the Effigy Master's class ability stack for making my mechanical servants. The difference isn't that major (24 HD as opposed to 25 HD), I just want some clarification.
Bengal 02-21-07, 11:53 PM	I've never seen any DM argue that Artificer DOESN'T qualify you for effigy master. Does yours?
ShadowWarrior 02-22-07, 12:03 AM	Effigy Master requires that you have Simulacrum on one of your spell lists. From my meager understanding of the Artificer they don't have a spell list at all, which would make them unable to qualify.
deathwishjoe 02-22-07, 12:20 AM	you might also want to try something like the following warlock 12/chameleon 2/effigy master 5/ assassin 1. this should work although the use of chameleon to qualify for the class with simulacrum in its spell lists is a bit questionable but I believe it qualifies technically anyways. the floating feat chameleon 2 gives you will work for any craft item feat except craft construct which requires two specific crafting feats to be had allready. I believe craft arms and armor and craft wonderous item. assassin gives you poison use like you wanted and able learner will let you keep up skills that you loose access to in other classes. warlocks dont loose quite as much by loosing caster levels like wizards and sorcerers do. yeah warlock levels can be nice but your more then effective otherwise as well as dark invocations < 9th level spells.
ShadowWarrior 02-22-07, 12:51 AM	Does anyone know if petrification effects (such as from a Drakestone Golem's breath weapon) affect objects?