Best Controller [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Controller [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sarlax
01-13-05, 11:01 PM What's the best way to build a character who specializes in controlling others? I'm looking at ways to gain the best out of Diplomacy, Charm, Dominate, Suggestion, Leadership... anything that can get a PC a lot of minions/thralls/slaves.

Here are some resources I'm considering for the moment:

• Mother Cyst (Libris Mortis 28, Feat, requires caster level): This feat gives a caster access to two key spells: Necrotic Cyst (2nd) and Necrotic Tumor (7th). To gain use of the latter spell, you must first cast Necrotic Cyst (Fortitude/instant). If they fail, they can then be affected by the other cyst spells. Necrotic Tumor allows you to gain permanent control of a creature that fails a Fortitude save. It functions like Dominate except that subjects can’t resist. Only Dispel Magic, etc. can save such a victim.
• Half-Vampire Template (Libris Mortis 107, any humanoid or monstrous humanoid): The key ability in this template is the unlimited use of the Charm Monster gaze (similar to vampire’s dominate gaze). There’s also a +2 Charisma bonus and a host of other abilities.
• Sorcerer: By specializing in enchantment (and possibly illusion) spells, a sorcerer could make for a nice controller. It also enjoys a nice synergy from Charisma.
• Psion (Telepath): As sorcerer.
• Cerebremancer (prestige class, XPH): A solid possibility for a multiclass Enchanter/Psion (Telepath).
• Charm Domain (cleric domain, Player’s Guide to Faerun): this domain allows you to boost your Charisma as a free action for a minute by +4, not to mention that it gives most of the “control” spells.
• Tyranny Domain (cleric domain, Player’s Guide to Faerun): This domain doesn’t offer many control spells, but its granted power is to increase any cast compulsion spell DCs by +2.

Those are just some initial ideas. What other possibilities exist?
catharz
01-13-05, 11:36 PM You seem to be forgetting Thrallherd. I would place a thrallherd or a wizard with the Mother cyst feat at the top of the list.
Ramses III
01-13-05, 11:49 PM There's always Mindbender, too. I've never liked the class though: IMO it lets magic encroach too much on what I would rather see as psionic territory.
Eidolon Faer
01-14-05, 01:12 AM Have you considered the Diplomacy God route?

Sure, it doesn't necessarily give you slavish meat-shields, but the ability to turn an enemy army into your best pals with a skill check is not one to be overlooked.

I've seen several combinations of Bard, Virtuoso (from Song & Silence), Evangelist (from Complete Divine), and Emmisary of Someoneorother (from Exalted Deeds) that can reasonably expect to own any kingdom they enter within a period of 72 hours.

For example, a Bard 7 / Evangelist 5 can quite readily expect a +50 modifier on Bluff checks. That's better than Mass Suggestion. Sadly, he has only about a +25 on his Diplomacy, but that's why he takes up Virtuoso next...

If I recall correctly, the Disciple of Asmodeus is also an interesting spellcaster with some controller abilities. Check out the Book of Vile Darkness.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sarlax 01-13-05, 11:01 PM	What's the best way to build a character who specializes in controlling others? I'm looking at ways to gain the best out of Diplomacy, Charm, Dominate, Suggestion, Leadership... anything that can get a PC a lot of minions/thralls/slaves. Here are some resources I'm considering for the moment: • Mother Cyst (Libris Mortis 28, Feat, requires caster level): This feat gives a caster access to two key spells: Necrotic Cyst (2nd) and Necrotic Tumor (7th). To gain use of the latter spell, you must first cast Necrotic Cyst (Fortitude/instant). If they fail, they can then be affected by the other cyst spells. Necrotic Tumor allows you to gain permanent control of a creature that fails a Fortitude save. It functions like Dominate except that subjects can’t resist. Only Dispel Magic, etc. can save such a victim. • Half-Vampire Template (Libris Mortis 107, any humanoid or monstrous humanoid): The key ability in this template is the unlimited use of the Charm Monster gaze (similar to vampire’s dominate gaze). There’s also a +2 Charisma bonus and a host of other abilities. • Sorcerer: By specializing in enchantment (and possibly illusion) spells, a sorcerer could make for a nice controller. It also enjoys a nice synergy from Charisma. • Psion (Telepath): As sorcerer. • Cerebremancer (prestige class, XPH): A solid possibility for a multiclass Enchanter/Psion (Telepath). • Charm Domain (cleric domain, Player’s Guide to Faerun): this domain allows you to boost your Charisma as a free action for a minute by +4, not to mention that it gives most of the “control” spells. • Tyranny Domain (cleric domain, Player’s Guide to Faerun): This domain doesn’t offer many control spells, but its granted power is to increase any cast compulsion spell DCs by +2. Those are just some initial ideas. What other possibilities exist?
catharz 01-13-05, 11:36 PM	You seem to be forgetting Thrallherd. I would place a thrallherd or a wizard with the Mother cyst feat at the top of the list.
Ramses III 01-13-05, 11:49 PM	There's always Mindbender, too. I've never liked the class though: IMO it lets magic encroach too much on what I would rather see as psionic territory.
Eidolon Faer 01-14-05, 01:12 AM	Have you considered the Diplomacy God route? Sure, it doesn't necessarily give you slavish meat-shields, but the ability to turn an enemy army into your best pals with a skill check is not one to be overlooked. I've seen several combinations of Bard, Virtuoso (from Song & Silence), Evangelist (from Complete Divine), and Emmisary of Someoneorother (from Exalted Deeds) that can reasonably expect to own any kingdom they enter within a period of 72 hours. For example, a Bard 7 / Evangelist 5 can quite readily expect a +50 modifier on Bluff checks. That's better than Mass Suggestion. Sadly, he has only about a +25 on his Diplomacy, but that's why he takes up Virtuoso next... If I recall correctly, the Disciple of Asmodeus is also an interesting spellcaster with some controller abilities. Check out the Book of Vile Darkness.