Artificer Iron Man... How would you do it? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Artificer Iron Man... How would you do it? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MonkeyLad
03-07-07, 07:05 PM Was reading the artificer stuff on here and it got me thinking. A couple people have said you could make IRON MAN as an Artificer. My thing is, I just don't see it. So how would you make an Iron Artificer IF:

(a) you wanted to be able to use the metmagic spell trigger and metamagic spell completion abilities with the build (since IMHO they're the best part of being an artificer).

(b) you don't want to carry weapons/wands/staffs/scrolls etc.. I guess you can make "gauntlets" that act like staffs or whatever mechanistically if the DM allows it but Iron Man doesn't carry a lot of stuff, so neither would this guy.

and

(c) you were trying not to be tooooooo hokey
Romulus LoneWolf
03-07-07, 07:39 PM Step One, 2 Levels of Fighter so he can use all armor and martial weapons. Take feats focusing on unarmed combat.

Step Two, get a suit of Full Plate Adamantine Armor; enchant with +5 to AC, every Greater Elemental Resistance, Heavy Fortification, Invulnerability and Spell Resistance. Look into additional enchantments for breathing without air, or use a Helm of Underwater Action.

Step Three, add Belt of Giant Strength +6, and Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Winged Boots, Eyes of the Eagle, Ring of Ram and Ring of Telekinesis.

That should be sufficient for simulating an Iron Man lookalike just using Magic Items from the DMG.
Kinger
03-07-07, 07:49 PM Um... I was under the impression Iron Man was just a regular guy (compared to, say, the X-men, Spiderman, or Hulk) underneath his high-tech armour suit thing. That indicates to me that carrying a lot of stuff is kinda necessary. Plus, what kind of artificer doesn't carry a lot of stuff?

Now, I'm no Iron Man expert. I can't say I've read any of the comics, seen any cartoons (if there even are any), or what-have-you. I know more about Iron Man by Black Sabbath, and even that knowledge is limited. What I know I've gleaned from a general interest in pop culture. So here goes.

There are two options here, I think, for the Iron Artificer.

The first, using a Warforged, fits Iron Man (and War Machine) as far as game mechanics goes. IM doesn't spend a lot of time whipping gadgets out of a utility belt like a D&D human would have to. A Warforged can have all his nifty toys made as Components, bypassing that mechanic in some cases.

The second, using anyone but a Warforged, fits Iron Man's flavor. IM was a guy in a suit, not a robot, after all. Give him a set of armor with all sorts of extras tacked on (energy resistance, damage reduction, as big an AC bonus as possible). Mithral over Adamantine, probably, because I don't recall IM to be much of a lumbering brute, so we gotta keep that armor light (or at least reduce movement penalties).

So, a Warforged with Mithral Body or a human in Mithral Full Plate would probably work best for the basis.

IM flies, does he not? This is easily accomodated with either wings of flying or another item that grants a Fly effect. The "wings" descriptions are really just flavor, so they could be jet engines for all it matters.

IM blows the everliving crap out of stuff with blasts of energy. A Warforged IM would possess a Wand Sheath with some nasty damage spell in it (Scorching Ray, Magic Missile, or even Lightning Bolt or something similar, I'd expect). A Human IM would have to rely on a Wand in hand. Both would likely utilize a Wand Bracelet (from Magic of Eberron) to grant easy access to alternate wands. Both would probably utilize blast-without-wielding wonderous items like Circlets of Blasting, too.

IM's proficiency with forcefields (I think?) would be represented best by simply having a Ring of Protection +X, I'd think.

Finally, to accomodate IM's armor-enhanced physical traits, Gloves of Dexterity, a Belt of Giant's Strength, and perhaps an Amulet of Health would go a long way.

As for a weapon, I'd expect Spiked Gauntlets (or a Battlefist in Forgey's case) would serve best. I don't recall any images of Iron Man swinging a sword or mace or anything, so punching would work best. As an added bonus, when using Spiked Gauntlets or slams your hands are effectively free, meaning you won't need to put away or drop your weapon to pull out a wand, like you would with a spear or morningstar. Put a few nasty effects on them (shocking burst? keen?) and you're set.

That's how I'd do it, anyway.
Romulus LoneWolf
03-07-07, 07:59 PM Didn't even think of checking Magic of Eberron.. Bracelet of Wands works great, as do the Cannith Goggles.
Dragom
03-07-07, 08:38 PM Step Three, add Belt of Giant Strength +6, and Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Winged Boots, Eyes of the Eagle, Ring of Ram and Ring of Telekinesis.

The belt and the guantlets don't stack. Otherwise... Wait, Wouldn't a fighter fit the build better with a more standard Aritificer equiping him?
Kinger
03-07-07, 09:58 PM I'd say it's hard to get the zap-aspect of Iron Man without the wands/spells, of which Fighters have none. But a Fighter/Artificer rather than straight Artificer might work best of all, now that you mention it. All he needs is to be able to make a DC 20 UMD check reliably, and he can use any wand he wants.
Edymnion
03-09-07, 07:24 AM I've long said that all you need to make a battlesuit character in D&D is mithril full plate that boosts all of your physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con sounds about right), and has the same effect as an ioun stone of adaption to replicate the life support systems. Thats it, boom, you're done, power armor.

For Iron Man, just stick some Boots of Flying on his feet, and Dungeonscape has some rules on slotting a wand into a weapon, just use that to slot a wand into the back of a gauntlet, and you're good to go.
War Machine, you just make an Arbalester homunculi and have it sit on your shoulder the whole time. :D
Hand of Vecna
03-14-07, 03:19 PM Um... I was under the impression Iron Man was just a regular guy (compared to, say, the X-men, Spiderman, or Hulk) underneath his high-tech armour suit thing.
He was. Not anymore. Now he's got Extremis (a modified Techno-Organic Virus) coursing through his system, giving him the ability to control his armor from 100 miles away, interface with communciations systems (including satellites and cell phones), grants him a slight healing factor, and he can store parts of the armor in the hollow spaces in his bones.

So, not so much Fighter/Artificer as Fighter/Artificer/Renegade Mastermaker ;)
OneWinged4ngel
03-14-07, 03:36 PM I've long said that all you need to make a battlesuit character in D&D is mithril full plate that boosts all of your physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con sounds about right), and has the same effect as an ioun stone of adaption to replicate the life support systems. Thats it, boom, you're done, power armor.

For Iron Man, just stick some Boots of Flying on his feet, and Dungeonscape has some rules on slotting a wand into a weapon, just use that to slot a wand into the back of a gauntlet, and you're good to go.
War Machine, you just make an Arbalester homunculi and have it sit on your shoulder the whole time. :D

Dang, you got it first.
Romulus LoneWolf
03-14-07, 04:12 PM He was. Not anymore. Now he's got Extremis (a modified Techno-Organic Virus) coursing through his system, giving him the ability to control his armor from 100 miles away, interface with communciations systems (including satellites and cell phones), grants him a slight healing factor, and he can store parts of the armor in the hollow spaces in his bones.

So, not so much Fighter/Artificer as Fighter/Artificer/Renegade Mastermaker ;)

How about we stick to classic Iron Man?
AllWillFall2Me
03-14-07, 06:13 PM HAs anyone here considered an Artificer/Warlock to replicate the blasts?
I understand that flavorwise, it's not quite right, but it seems to me to be a better adaptation of the blast effect.
Edymnion
03-14-07, 07:03 PM HAs anyone here considered an Artificer/Warlock to replicate the blasts?
I understand that flavorwise, it's not quite right, but it seems to me to be a better adaptation of the blast effect.I like the wands in that the suit can "run out of power". If he gets into a really long and drawn out fight, he will have to ration his shots, or be ready to change out "battery packs" to "recharge" his blasters.
goblin_pride
03-15-07, 06:56 AM Pretty much anything could be made if you spend enough time and money on it. One thing I do know is that table 7-33 in the DMG is gonna be your best friend in making an Iron Man clone in Eberron. Things like gauntlets made with a unlimited use-activated Scorching Ray get bloody expensive, however they are possible if you read the item creation chapters of the DMG.
Edymnion
03-15-07, 08:32 AM Things like gauntlets made with a unlimited use-activated Scorching Ray get bloody expensive, however they are possible if you read the item creation chapters of the DMG.And if your DM allows it. Remember, those are guidelines, and they're in the DMG for a reason.
goblin_pride
03-15-07, 08:37 AM And if your DM allows it. Remember, those are guidelines, and they're in the DMG for a reason.

True enough there. But as a DM it gives you a pretty good idea how to do it as an NPC as well. And that alone should have your players quaking in their boots.
Kinger
03-15-07, 05:24 PM You're kidding, right? I'd expect your players would, rather than quake, plot amongst themselves how to off your NPC so as to steal his kick-ass gear.
AllWillFall2Me
03-15-07, 06:26 PM Well, of course, but first they have to get past the very gear they want to take. When I see a villain with a mega weapon, my first thought isn't "Oooh, wait'll I get my hands on that!" It's "How do I avoid taking that to the face?"
Once you overcome the infinite rays, then you can use them. But don't count your world-domination plans before they hatch.
Kinger
03-15-07, 07:09 PM I'm just saying, don't ever ever give an enemy something you wouldn't want your players to have. EVER. Because they WILL get it.

This is referring to items, weapons, etc, not plot devices. Giving the BBEG a doomsday device is fine as long as the PCs can't turn around and use it themselves. Unless that was the plan all along, of course.
goblin_pride
03-15-07, 11:45 PM I'm just saying, don't ever ever give an enemy something you wouldn't want your players to have. EVER. Because they WILL get it.

There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it.
DyloniusFunk
03-16-07, 12:30 AM There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it.

That's fine for a Dalkyer-only +5 longsword for your final BBEG, but don't be surpised if your players get annoyed when every lacky they fight is an orc and has +3 Orc/cleric-only weapons
wolffman007
03-16-07, 01:12 AM There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it.

gotta love racial emulation

hehe
sooperspook
03-16-07, 03:30 AM Re: Repulsor Ray. how about slotting a Blast Rod into the wand bracers? Wouldnt that work?

Also, you can add multiple magic effects to a single item, sometimes a little more expensive, sometimes a little cheaper.
Joni-san
03-18-07, 11:09 AM Great opening or greatest opening? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xyDyDfOlHc)
Edymnion
03-18-07, 03:30 PM Well, of course, but first they have to get past the very gear they want to take.Bottom line though is that it will only come down one of two ways in the end. Either you have a TPK, or the party beats the badguy and gets the chance to take his stuff.That's fine for a Dalkyer-only +5 longsword for your final BBEG, but don't be surpised if your players get annoyed when every lacky they fight is an orc and has +3 Orc/cleric-only weaponsThats what Rogues, Artificers, and Changelings with Racial Emulation are for. UMD to fake your race, or take Racial Emulation for whatever group the uber-weapon-of-doom requires.
Mugen_
03-18-07, 03:33 PM Wow... this is probably one of the best PC build ideas i've heard in quite a while. I think I might injoy playing a build like this. Now all you need is a good background for the PC.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MonkeyLad 03-07-07, 07:05 PM	Was reading the artificer stuff on here and it got me thinking. A couple people have said you could make IRON MAN as an Artificer. My thing is, I just don't see it. So how would you make an Iron Artificer IF: (a) you wanted to be able to use the metmagic spell trigger and metamagic spell completion abilities with the build (since IMHO they're the best part of being an artificer). (b) you don't want to carry weapons/wands/staffs/scrolls etc.. I guess you can make "gauntlets" that act like staffs or whatever mechanistically if the DM allows it but Iron Man doesn't carry a lot of stuff, so neither would this guy. and (c) you were trying not to be tooooooo hokey
Romulus LoneWolf 03-07-07, 07:39 PM	Step One, 2 Levels of Fighter so he can use all armor and martial weapons. Take feats focusing on unarmed combat. Step Two, get a suit of Full Plate Adamantine Armor; enchant with +5 to AC, every Greater Elemental Resistance, Heavy Fortification, Invulnerability and Spell Resistance. Look into additional enchantments for breathing without air, or use a Helm of Underwater Action. Step Three, add Belt of Giant Strength +6, and Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Winged Boots, Eyes of the Eagle, Ring of Ram and Ring of Telekinesis. That should be sufficient for simulating an Iron Man lookalike just using Magic Items from the DMG.
Kinger 03-07-07, 07:49 PM	Um... I was under the impression Iron Man was just a regular guy (compared to, say, the X-men, Spiderman, or Hulk) underneath his high-tech armour suit thing. That indicates to me that carrying a lot of stuff is kinda necessary. Plus, what kind of artificer doesn't carry a lot of stuff? Now, I'm no Iron Man expert. I can't say I've read any of the comics, seen any cartoons (if there even are any), or what-have-you. I know more about Iron Man by Black Sabbath, and even that knowledge is limited. What I know I've gleaned from a general interest in pop culture. So here goes. There are two options here, I think, for the Iron Artificer. The first, using a Warforged, fits Iron Man (and War Machine) as far as game mechanics goes. IM doesn't spend a lot of time whipping gadgets out of a utility belt like a D&D human would have to. A Warforged can have all his nifty toys made as Components, bypassing that mechanic in some cases. The second, using anyone but a Warforged, fits Iron Man's flavor. IM was a guy in a suit, not a robot, after all. Give him a set of armor with all sorts of extras tacked on (energy resistance, damage reduction, as big an AC bonus as possible). Mithral over Adamantine, probably, because I don't recall IM to be much of a lumbering brute, so we gotta keep that armor light (or at least reduce movement penalties). So, a Warforged with Mithral Body or a human in Mithral Full Plate would probably work best for the basis. IM flies, does he not? This is easily accomodated with either wings of flying or another item that grants a Fly effect. The "wings" descriptions are really just flavor, so they could be jet engines for all it matters. IM blows the everliving crap out of stuff with blasts of energy. A Warforged IM would possess a Wand Sheath with some nasty damage spell in it (Scorching Ray, Magic Missile, or even Lightning Bolt or something similar, I'd expect). A Human IM would have to rely on a Wand in hand. Both would likely utilize a Wand Bracelet (from Magic of Eberron) to grant easy access to alternate wands. Both would probably utilize blast-without-wielding wonderous items like Circlets of Blasting, too. IM's proficiency with forcefields (I think?) would be represented best by simply having a Ring of Protection +X, I'd think. Finally, to accomodate IM's armor-enhanced physical traits, Gloves of Dexterity, a Belt of Giant's Strength, and perhaps an Amulet of Health would go a long way. As for a weapon, I'd expect Spiked Gauntlets (or a Battlefist in Forgey's case) would serve best. I don't recall any images of Iron Man swinging a sword or mace or anything, so punching would work best. As an added bonus, when using Spiked Gauntlets or slams your hands are effectively free, meaning you won't need to put away or drop your weapon to pull out a wand, like you would with a spear or morningstar. Put a few nasty effects on them (shocking burst? keen?) and you're set. That's how I'd do it, anyway.
Romulus LoneWolf 03-07-07, 07:59 PM	Didn't even think of checking Magic of Eberron.. Bracelet of Wands works great, as do the Cannith Goggles.
Dragom 03-07-07, 08:38 PM	Step Three, add Belt of Giant Strength +6, and Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Winged Boots, Eyes of the Eagle, Ring of Ram and Ring of Telekinesis. The belt and the guantlets don't stack. Otherwise... Wait, Wouldn't a fighter fit the build better with a more standard Aritificer equiping him?
Kinger 03-07-07, 09:58 PM	I'd say it's hard to get the zap-aspect of Iron Man without the wands/spells, of which Fighters have none. But a Fighter/Artificer rather than straight Artificer might work best of all, now that you mention it. All he needs is to be able to make a DC 20 UMD check reliably, and he can use any wand he wants.
Edymnion 03-09-07, 07:24 AM	I've long said that all you need to make a battlesuit character in D&D is mithril full plate that boosts all of your physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con sounds about right), and has the same effect as an ioun stone of adaption to replicate the life support systems. Thats it, boom, you're done, power armor. For Iron Man, just stick some Boots of Flying on his feet, and Dungeonscape has some rules on slotting a wand into a weapon, just use that to slot a wand into the back of a gauntlet, and you're good to go. War Machine, you just make an Arbalester homunculi and have it sit on your shoulder the whole time. :D
Hand of Vecna 03-14-07, 03:19 PM	Um... I was under the impression Iron Man was just a regular guy (compared to, say, the X-men, Spiderman, or Hulk) underneath his high-tech armour suit thing. He was. Not anymore. Now he's got Extremis (a modified Techno-Organic Virus) coursing through his system, giving him the ability to control his armor from 100 miles away, interface with communciations systems (including satellites and cell phones), grants him a slight healing factor, and he can store parts of the armor in the hollow spaces in his bones. So, not so much Fighter/Artificer as Fighter/Artificer/Renegade Mastermaker ;)
OneWinged4ngel 03-14-07, 03:36 PM	I've long said that all you need to make a battlesuit character in D&D is mithril full plate that boosts all of your physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con sounds about right), and has the same effect as an ioun stone of adaption to replicate the life support systems. Thats it, boom, you're done, power armor. For Iron Man, just stick some Boots of Flying on his feet, and Dungeonscape has some rules on slotting a wand into a weapon, just use that to slot a wand into the back of a gauntlet, and you're good to go. War Machine, you just make an Arbalester homunculi and have it sit on your shoulder the whole time. :D Dang, you got it first.
Romulus LoneWolf 03-14-07, 04:12 PM	He was. Not anymore. Now he's got Extremis (a modified Techno-Organic Virus) coursing through his system, giving him the ability to control his armor from 100 miles away, interface with communciations systems (including satellites and cell phones), grants him a slight healing factor, and he can store parts of the armor in the hollow spaces in his bones. So, not so much Fighter/Artificer as Fighter/Artificer/Renegade Mastermaker ;) How about we stick to classic Iron Man?
AllWillFall2Me 03-14-07, 06:13 PM	HAs anyone here considered an Artificer/Warlock to replicate the blasts? I understand that flavorwise, it's not quite right, but it seems to me to be a better adaptation of the blast effect.
Edymnion 03-14-07, 07:03 PM	HAs anyone here considered an Artificer/Warlock to replicate the blasts? I understand that flavorwise, it's not quite right, but it seems to me to be a better adaptation of the blast effect.I like the wands in that the suit can "run out of power". If he gets into a really long and drawn out fight, he will have to ration his shots, or be ready to change out "battery packs" to "recharge" his blasters.
goblin_pride 03-15-07, 06:56 AM	Pretty much anything could be made if you spend enough time and money on it. One thing I do know is that table 7-33 in the DMG is gonna be your best friend in making an Iron Man clone in Eberron. Things like gauntlets made with a unlimited use-activated Scorching Ray get bloody expensive, however they are possible if you read the item creation chapters of the DMG.
Edymnion 03-15-07, 08:32 AM	Things like gauntlets made with a unlimited use-activated Scorching Ray get bloody expensive, however they are possible if you read the item creation chapters of the DMG.And if your DM allows it. Remember, those are guidelines, and they're in the DMG for a reason.
goblin_pride 03-15-07, 08:37 AM	And if your DM allows it. Remember, those are guidelines, and they're in the DMG for a reason. True enough there. But as a DM it gives you a pretty good idea how to do it as an NPC as well. And that alone should have your players quaking in their boots.
Kinger 03-15-07, 05:24 PM	You're kidding, right? I'd expect your players would, rather than quake, plot amongst themselves how to off your NPC so as to steal his kick-ass gear.
AllWillFall2Me 03-15-07, 06:26 PM	Well, of course, but first they have to get past the very gear they want to take. When I see a villain with a mega weapon, my first thought isn't "Oooh, wait'll I get my hands on that!" It's "How do I avoid taking that to the face?" Once you overcome the infinite rays, then you can use them. But don't count your world-domination plans before they hatch.
Kinger 03-15-07, 07:09 PM	I'm just saying, don't ever ever give an enemy something you wouldn't want your players to have. EVER. Because they WILL get it. This is referring to items, weapons, etc, not plot devices. Giving the BBEG a doomsday device is fine as long as the PCs can't turn around and use it themselves. Unless that was the plan all along, of course.
goblin_pride 03-15-07, 11:45 PM	I'm just saying, don't ever ever give an enemy something you wouldn't want your players to have. EVER. Because they WILL get it. There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it.
DyloniusFunk 03-16-07, 12:30 AM	There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it. That's fine for a Dalkyer-only +5 longsword for your final BBEG, but don't be surpised if your players get annoyed when every lacky they fight is an orc and has +3 Orc/cleric-only weapons
wolffman007 03-16-07, 01:12 AM	There's also the option of making the item limited to a specific class/race combo, it comes out 30% cheaper for the NPC to make and should be able to restrict your PCs from using it. gotta love racial emulation hehe
sooperspook 03-16-07, 03:30 AM	Re: Repulsor Ray. how about slotting a Blast Rod into the wand bracers? Wouldnt that work? Also, you can add multiple magic effects to a single item, sometimes a little more expensive, sometimes a little cheaper.
Joni-san 03-18-07, 11:09 AM	Great opening or greatest opening? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xyDyDfOlHc)
Edymnion 03-18-07, 03:30 PM	Well, of course, but first they have to get past the very gear they want to take.Bottom line though is that it will only come down one of two ways in the end. Either you have a TPK, or the party beats the badguy and gets the chance to take his stuff.That's fine for a Dalkyer-only +5 longsword for your final BBEG, but don't be surpised if your players get annoyed when every lacky they fight is an orc and has +3 Orc/cleric-only weaponsThats what Rogues, Artificers, and Changelings with Racial Emulation are for. UMD to fake your race, or take Racial Emulation for whatever group the uber-weapon-of-doom requires.
Mugen_ 03-18-07, 03:33 PM	Wow... this is probably one of the best PC build ideas i've heard in quite a while. I think I might injoy playing a build like this. Now all you need is a good background for the PC.