Best Planar Template(s)? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Planar Template(s)? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Knightwolfe
11-22-06, 04:01 AM At some point in the relatively near future, my group will be starting a Planar campaign - one which involves plane-jumping to various worlds and of course the applicable adventuring in the "in-between."

With that in mind, our DM has told us that he will allow - nay, encourage - us to take any LA up to a +3 to our characters with absolutely no penalty. Effectively, he'll erase any LA up to 3.

I was hoping the minds here could help me choose a planar-related template that is not only very efficient and optimized, but also unique in certain ways. I always play characters that are a little out of the ordinary.

If it's something that has Hit Dice, but is still very cool, please advise me of it as well; I don't mind playing a non-caster character if the creature is cool enough.

Thanks for any help!
hogarth
11-22-06, 08:36 AM Phrenic (+2 LA) incarnate construct (-2 LA) maug (2 HD, +3 LA)?
Knightwolfe
11-22-06, 10:09 PM Okay, I'll definitely check those out.

Phrenic = Planar Handbook?
Incarnate Construct = ?
Maug = ?
LogicNinja
11-22-06, 10:23 PM Okay, I'll definitely check those out.

Phrenic = Planar Handbook?
Incarnate Construct = ?
Maug = ?

Phrenic (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/phrenicCreature.htm), from the XPH.
klode_me
11-23-06, 12:41 AM Incarnate is from Savage Species.

Vladimir cheers
FriendlyFrog
11-23-06, 02:49 AM And Maugs are from Fiend folio.

Does your DM allow you to lower a higher LA by 3, or is +3 the maximum you can take? A Sylph (MMII and the update booklet) would be an excellent race if that's the case. It would become a +2 LA, 3 outsider HD race with small size, spells as Sorcerer of level 4 + racial HD [(7, with an ECL of only 5!), 90 ft. fly speed with good maneuverability, Invisibility at will, Spell resistance and good racial ability modifiers.

The best thing about them is that they progress with outsider HD, technically like taking a PrC that gives you d8 HD, all good saves, Fighter BAB 8 + Int skill points per level, and +1 spell casting progression.
BreakfastNinja
11-23-06, 08:04 AM You might also see this (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/unbodied.htm) -- for an Unbodied, +4 LA 4 HD creature which... well, I read it, basically, as Psion starting material.

Telepath, with all the Unbodied benefits of Incorporeality, "An unbodied is harmed only by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, powers, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source, except for force effects or attacks made with ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid objects, but not force effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural armor, armor, and shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects work normally against them. An incorporeal creature always moves silently and cannot be heard with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be."

...

Neat concept.

[note forseeable "no equipment"] :P
Kurama Youko
11-23-06, 09:14 AM in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2..
bluelighter0
11-23-06, 09:46 AM in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2..

Seconded. Shadow Creature is good, even if you have to play with the LA. Getting it for free? Awesome on a bun.

~Blue
Romtos
11-23-06, 10:58 AM in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2..

Would be stupid to not use the last +1 LA.
And what is the source of shadow creature? :)
Tyco3110
11-23-06, 11:01 AM Lords of Madness, the updated version of the template
Kurama Youko
11-23-06, 11:39 AM Well with the +1 LA left over I suppose you could take a nice LA+1 Race, like Half Giant, Golitah, Catfolk or any of the Planetouched LA+1 races.
Tyco3110
11-23-06, 12:41 PM Hmm How about Shadow Golaith Barbarian / Frenzied Beserker

The Fast Healing from the Shadow Template counters the nonlethal from Fenzy Ability
Kurama Youko
11-23-06, 01:10 PM ^ That sounds great.
Tyco3110
11-23-06, 01:18 PM Although, Fast Healing heals non lethal first
bluelighter0
11-23-06, 06:11 PM Unless I'm remembering wrong, Fast Healing, like Magical Healing, heals an equal amount of leathal and non-leathal damage at the same time.

If the Frenzied Berzerker path isn't your cup of tea (if, for example, you don't enjoy killing your teammates, which would be weird.) I would suggest a Shadow Catfolk Rogue or Ninja or Scout, with the Shadowfolk Pounce ability. Give that in anything other than daylight, you've got total concealmeant (and are thus treated as an invisible attacker), being able to charge up to someone and rip their face off via sneak attack/sudden strike/skirmish is always enjoyable.

~Blue
Tyco3110
11-23-06, 06:57 PM Quoted from the d20SRD.org

Fast Healing
A creature with fast healing has the extraordinary ability to regain hit points at an exceptional rate. Except for what is noted here, fast healing is like natural healing.

At the beginning of each of the creature’s turns, it heals a certain number of hit points (defined in its description).

Unlike regeneration, fast healing does not allow a creature to regrow or reattach lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached.

A creature that has taken both nonlethal and lethal damage heals the nonlethal damage first.

Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation.

Fast healing does not increase the number of hit points regained when a creature polymorphs.

the bit in red is what i mean
Nifft
11-23-06, 07:29 PM Yeah. Shadow Creature for the win (and for +2 LA).

For your last +1 LA, consider what your role will be.

Mineral Warrior (Underdark) is hard to beat for a melee guy.

Tiefling would be okay for a Wizard or Rogue, and is very in-theme for a planar game, so consider it for some roles.

If Tome of Magic is in your allowed book list, and you are not considering a spellcaster, take a look at what you get from a Dark Karsite. Similar to what you'd get from a Dark Drow, but better Con.

For the whole +3, consider a Grig or Nixie (Sprite). DR 5/cold iron is nice, the stat boosts are fantastic, and you get the Fey type without any icky Fey hit dice.

Cheers, -- N
Knightwolfe
11-24-06, 02:16 AM Thanks for all the replies guys, and happy Thanksgiving. I was out eating all day. :D

I love the Shadow Template, but another member of the group is already taking it and I don't want to overlap with him. The grig looks cool.

I was thinking a Half-Air Elemental Lupin might be fun...or a Half-Rakshasa Lupin!
Endarire
11-24-06, 02:26 AM What about half-planar or shadow dragon?

-EE
n00b_Minion
11-24-06, 10:02 AM Dude chek out the lolth touched in mm4
and also the feral creature in savage species
they r cool and LA of +1

they can become really good fighters and u can cast with wisdom wich is cool if u play druid or psychic warrior.
FallFromGrace
11-24-06, 02:02 PM How about the Saint template from the Book of Exalted Deeds? It's pretty awesome at a LA of +2.

If you want to make a caster character with an "out of the ordinary" background, you could make a Saint (BoED) Deathtouched (Dragon #313) cleric. A champion of goodness with shameful roots...

Or a Saint Deathtouched Magic-Blooded (Dragon #306) Sorcerer.

:)
Rhaynin
11-24-06, 02:22 PM For a sneaky character, the Dark Template at a +1 LA is a steal. Hide in Plain Sight, +8 racial bonus to hide, +6 move silently, +10ft unnamed movement speed bonus and some more!
Knightwolfe
11-24-06, 04:15 PM Good stuff folks, I'm compiling all these. :D

What about half-planar or shadow dragon

What are these from?
Endarire
11-24-06, 05:09 PM Draconomicon has shadow dragon and planar dragon listings, but it would take some extrapolation to stat out their half-dragon versions.

-EE
FriendlyFrog
11-24-06, 05:17 PM Draconomicon has shadow dragon and planar dragon listings, but it would take some extrapolation to stat out their half-dragon versions.
The book actually has rules on how to make half-shadow dragons.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Knightwolfe 11-22-06, 04:01 AM	At some point in the relatively near future, my group will be starting a Planar campaign - one which involves plane-jumping to various worlds and of course the applicable adventuring in the "in-between." With that in mind, our DM has told us that he will allow - nay, encourage - us to take any LA up to a +3 to our characters with absolutely no penalty. Effectively, he'll erase any LA up to 3. I was hoping the minds here could help me choose a planar-related template that is not only very efficient and optimized, but also unique in certain ways. I always play characters that are a little out of the ordinary. If it's something that has Hit Dice, but is still very cool, please advise me of it as well; I don't mind playing a non-caster character if the creature is cool enough. Thanks for any help!
hogarth 11-22-06, 08:36 AM	Phrenic (+2 LA) incarnate construct (-2 LA) maug (2 HD, +3 LA)?
Knightwolfe 11-22-06, 10:09 PM	Okay, I'll definitely check those out. Phrenic = Planar Handbook? Incarnate Construct = ? Maug = ?
LogicNinja 11-22-06, 10:23 PM	Okay, I'll definitely check those out. Phrenic = Planar Handbook? Incarnate Construct = ? Maug = ? Phrenic (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/phrenicCreature.htm), from the XPH.
klode_me 11-23-06, 12:41 AM	Incarnate is from Savage Species. Vladimir cheers
FriendlyFrog 11-23-06, 02:49 AM	And Maugs are from Fiend folio. Does your DM allow you to lower a higher LA by 3, or is +3 the maximum you can take? A Sylph (MMII and the update booklet) would be an excellent race if that's the case. It would become a +2 LA, 3 outsider HD race with small size, spells as Sorcerer of level 4 + racial HD [(7, with an ECL of only 5!), 90 ft. fly speed with good maneuverability, Invisibility at will, Spell resistance and good racial ability modifiers. The best thing about them is that they progress with outsider HD, technically like taking a PrC that gives you d8 HD, all good saves, Fighter BAB 8 + Int skill points per level, and +1 spell casting progression.
BreakfastNinja 11-23-06, 08:04 AM	You might also see this (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/unbodied.htm) -- for an Unbodied, +4 LA 4 HD creature which... well, I read it, basically, as Psion starting material. Telepath, with all the Unbodied benefits of Incorporeality, "An unbodied is harmed only by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, powers, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source, except for force effects or attacks made with ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid objects, but not force effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural armor, armor, and shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects work normally against them. An incorporeal creature always moves silently and cannot be heard with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be." ... Neat concept. [note forseeable "no equipment"] :P
Kurama Youko 11-23-06, 09:14 AM	in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2..
bluelighter0 11-23-06, 09:46 AM	in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2.. Seconded. Shadow Creature is good, even if you have to play with the LA. Getting it for free? Awesome on a bun. ~Blue
Romtos 11-23-06, 10:58 AM	in my opinon the shadow creature template is the best. It's customizable and continously pays off as you gain more levels and its only a LA+2.. Would be stupid to not use the last +1 LA. And what is the source of shadow creature? :)
Tyco3110 11-23-06, 11:01 AM	Lords of Madness, the updated version of the template
Kurama Youko 11-23-06, 11:39 AM	Well with the +1 LA left over I suppose you could take a nice LA+1 Race, like Half Giant, Golitah, Catfolk or any of the Planetouched LA+1 races.
Tyco3110 11-23-06, 12:41 PM	Hmm How about Shadow Golaith Barbarian / Frenzied Beserker The Fast Healing from the Shadow Template counters the nonlethal from Fenzy Ability
Kurama Youko 11-23-06, 01:10 PM	^ That sounds great.
Tyco3110 11-23-06, 01:18 PM	Although, Fast Healing heals non lethal first
bluelighter0 11-23-06, 06:11 PM	Unless I'm remembering wrong, Fast Healing, like Magical Healing, heals an equal amount of leathal and non-leathal damage at the same time. If the Frenzied Berzerker path isn't your cup of tea (if, for example, you don't enjoy killing your teammates, which would be weird.) I would suggest a Shadow Catfolk Rogue or Ninja or Scout, with the Shadowfolk Pounce ability. Give that in anything other than daylight, you've got total concealmeant (and are thus treated as an invisible attacker), being able to charge up to someone and rip their face off via sneak attack/sudden strike/skirmish is always enjoyable. ~Blue
Tyco3110 11-23-06, 06:57 PM	Quoted from the d20SRD.org Fast Healing A creature with fast healing has the extraordinary ability to regain hit points at an exceptional rate. Except for what is noted here, fast healing is like natural healing. At the beginning of each of the creature’s turns, it heals a certain number of hit points (defined in its description). Unlike regeneration, fast healing does not allow a creature to regrow or reattach lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. A creature that has taken both nonlethal and lethal damage heals the nonlethal damage first. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation. Fast healing does not increase the number of hit points regained when a creature polymorphs. the bit in red is what i mean
Nifft 11-23-06, 07:29 PM	Yeah. Shadow Creature for the win (and for +2 LA). For your last +1 LA, consider what your role will be. Mineral Warrior (Underdark) is hard to beat for a melee guy. Tiefling would be okay for a Wizard or Rogue, and is very in-theme for a planar game, so consider it for some roles. If Tome of Magic is in your allowed book list, and you are not considering a spellcaster, take a look at what you get from a Dark Karsite. Similar to what you'd get from a Dark Drow, but better Con. For the whole +3, consider a Grig or Nixie (Sprite). DR 5/cold iron is nice, the stat boosts are fantastic, and you get the Fey type without any icky Fey hit dice. Cheers, -- N
Knightwolfe 11-24-06, 02:16 AM	Thanks for all the replies guys, and happy Thanksgiving. I was out eating all day. :D I love the Shadow Template, but another member of the group is already taking it and I don't want to overlap with him. The grig looks cool. I was thinking a Half-Air Elemental Lupin might be fun...or a Half-Rakshasa Lupin!
Endarire 11-24-06, 02:26 AM	What about half-planar or shadow dragon? -EE
n00b_Minion 11-24-06, 10:02 AM	Dude chek out the lolth touched in mm4 and also the feral creature in savage species they r cool and LA of +1 they can become really good fighters and u can cast with wisdom wich is cool if u play druid or psychic warrior.
FallFromGrace 11-24-06, 02:02 PM	How about the Saint template from the Book of Exalted Deeds? It's pretty awesome at a LA of +2. If you want to make a caster character with an "out of the ordinary" background, you could make a Saint (BoED) Deathtouched (Dragon #313) cleric. A champion of goodness with shameful roots... Or a Saint Deathtouched Magic-Blooded (Dragon #306) Sorcerer. :)
Rhaynin 11-24-06, 02:22 PM	For a sneaky character, the Dark Template at a +1 LA is a steal. Hide in Plain Sight, +8 racial bonus to hide, +6 move silently, +10ft unnamed movement speed bonus and some more!
Knightwolfe 11-24-06, 04:15 PM	Good stuff folks, I'm compiling all these. :D What about half-planar or shadow dragon What are these from?
Endarire 11-24-06, 05:09 PM	Draconomicon has shadow dragon and planar dragon listings, but it would take some extrapolation to stat out their half-dragon versions. -EE
FriendlyFrog 11-24-06, 05:17 PM	Draconomicon has shadow dragon and planar dragon listings, but it would take some extrapolation to stat out their half-dragon versions. The book actually has rules on how to make half-shadow dragons.