Help with "Slingificer" build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help with "Slingificer" build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mfloyd3
08-02-07, 09:01 AM Hi All --

I have never played an artificer, but was interested in rolling one sometime. I read the Artificer's handbook, and was duly impressed by the sound advice. The Archerficer build (an artificer who specializes in a ranged weapon) looked intriguing, but somehow I got it in my head it might be fun to play an artificer who uses a sling. This is likely not a truly optimal build, but it might make for nice flavor (my picture is of a goblin artificer who incorporates trash and scrap into most of his gadgets, so the sling somehow plays better to the image).

In any case, I wanted to share some thoughts on the possibility for a "Slingificer," and solicit advice from the group.

Cons to the sling:
-Low damage, low range increment. The sling is inferior to the crossbow on both counts.

-Requires a move action to reload, and Rapid Reload feat does not apply. I don't know if there's a rapid reloadesque feat for the sling in any of the supplements, but most GMs would probably allow one as a house rule. If the GM does not approve it, the whole concept is likely vastly inferior to any other ranged build, as multiple attacks at higher levels become impossible. For the rest of the discussion, I'm going to assume some accommodation can be reached on this.

Pros to the sling:
-Lightweight and easy to carry. You can carry multiple slings with you, so you are never disarmed, whereas for bows you have to wait for that special quiver (forgotten the name) that lets you tuck spares away. Invest cross-class in some sleight of hand, and you can hide it on your body against a search.

-Easy to improvise. Left for dead in the Mountains of Really Evil Stuff? Ask your ranger to let you have the skin from the rabbit he just killed with his bare hands, and roll that Craft skill. Then grab some rocks.

-Magic Stones. First level infusion that's complete in one round. In an emergency situation, get 3 shots with a +1 weapon without blowing an action point. Maybe not a major edge, but useful for that daelkyr ambush when you left the byeshk at home.

-Handedness. A sling takes two hands to reload, but only one to fire. Strap on that light shield and fire without penalty -- Eat that, crossbowman!

-Strength damage. This is the biggie. Strength damage never applies with the crossbow, and composite bows are only optimal at the strength for which they were designed. You take a penalty if your strength drops below that level, and any higher buffs are wasted. But the sling lets you use as much STR as you want, and if you can get a 14 strength you are already outdamaging the light crossbow on average. So quaff that potion, read that scroll, put on those silly gloves and *waste* that giant that your DM so provocatively named Goliath. Also, having those strength buffs will be handy when Goliath gets into melee combat to express his displeasure.

Re: Character optimization, I foresee two strategies. The first is to go high DEX and look for strength buffs, the second would be to go mid-range with both STR and DEX.

Remember that the +1 halflings get with slings give them a real edge as artificers.

Build-wise, you should probably more or less follow the criteria laid out for the archerficer in the Artificer's handbook, but I'd welcome anyone else's thoughts on ways to modify that.
Zylo_Drizzt
08-02-07, 04:11 PM well why not go for a throwficer. I mean most of the things you mentioned would still apply but you get rid of the no more than one attack thing and maybe convince your DM to allow you to make new infusions that allow you to summon more daggers and some more infusions to do more stuff with a dagger like let you throw it further or something.
TiwazTyrsfist
08-02-07, 08:25 PM In some book (possibly Arms & Equipment) there's a special sling designed for throwing glass bottles.

Increases your range incriment for throwing, and counts as a sling for weapon feats.
RuckusFox
08-03-07, 12:58 PM I also helped with making a PEACH class on the main D&D forums for an Alchemist. Such use of an Alchemist's Gun increases the range increment...but...you are right, slings are a bit more concealable and easy to come by. =P And you -can- use shields with them. Bah...silly Artificers.
ZappoHisbane
08-05-07, 10:20 AM well why not go for a throwficer. I mean most of the things you mentioned would still apply but you get rid of the no more than one attack thing and maybe convince your DM to allow you to make new infusions that allow you to summon more daggers and some more infusions to do more stuff with a dagger like let you throw it further or something.

I'd prefer a sling simply because you can enhance a sling, and have it pass that enhancement on to the ammunition. Every stone slung can be +3 Flaming Burst or whatever. With thrown weapons it's one-and-done. While you could spend extra cash on the Returning property, you're still stuck with only one attack per round and you have to stand around waiting for it to come back to you.

Plus there's the versatility of being able to enchant the ammunition separately. Yes, like bonuses will overlap (a +1 stone fired from a +2 sling just gets +2), but it's a great way to tailor energy damage to the situation at hand. Especially if you're an artificer. Spend all your cash on adding generic bonuses like Merciful, Seeking, Thundering, etc. Then use your infusions to add energy damage or Bane when necessary. Also keep a small supply of adamantine, byeshk, cold iron & silver bullets handy. Jack of all trades. :)

PS - While I'm here, can someone tell me real quick what P.E.A.C.H. stands for?
Rechan
08-05-07, 07:31 PM PS - While I'm here, can someone tell me real quick what P.E.A.C.H. stands for?

Please Evaluate and Critique Helpfully.
nightside_samurai
08-05-07, 07:39 PM Please Evaluate and Critique Helpfully.

I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly?
Rechan
08-05-07, 08:05 PM I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
yewshadow
08-05-07, 08:13 PM I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly?

I think its Please Eviscerate and Critisize Harmfully :-P
Edymnion
08-06-07, 12:03 PM Its "I'm not a whiney little loser that just wants you to tell me how great I am. I actually want to get help making this idea into a balanced and workable game mechanic." Its just that PEACH is so much easier to type than INAWLLTJWYTTMHGIAIAWTGHMTIIABAWGM. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mfloyd3 08-02-07, 09:01 AM	Hi All -- I have never played an artificer, but was interested in rolling one sometime. I read the Artificer's handbook, and was duly impressed by the sound advice. The Archerficer build (an artificer who specializes in a ranged weapon) looked intriguing, but somehow I got it in my head it might be fun to play an artificer who uses a sling. This is likely not a truly optimal build, but it might make for nice flavor (my picture is of a goblin artificer who incorporates trash and scrap into most of his gadgets, so the sling somehow plays better to the image). In any case, I wanted to share some thoughts on the possibility for a "Slingificer," and solicit advice from the group. Cons to the sling: -Low damage, low range increment. The sling is inferior to the crossbow on both counts. -Requires a move action to reload, and Rapid Reload feat does not apply. I don't know if there's a rapid reloadesque feat for the sling in any of the supplements, but most GMs would probably allow one as a house rule. If the GM does not approve it, the whole concept is likely vastly inferior to any other ranged build, as multiple attacks at higher levels become impossible. For the rest of the discussion, I'm going to assume some accommodation can be reached on this. Pros to the sling: -Lightweight and easy to carry. You can carry multiple slings with you, so you are never disarmed, whereas for bows you have to wait for that special quiver (forgotten the name) that lets you tuck spares away. Invest cross-class in some sleight of hand, and you can hide it on your body against a search. -Easy to improvise. Left for dead in the Mountains of Really Evil Stuff? Ask your ranger to let you have the skin from the rabbit he just killed with his bare hands, and roll that Craft skill. Then grab some rocks. -Magic Stones. First level infusion that's complete in one round. In an emergency situation, get 3 shots with a +1 weapon without blowing an action point. Maybe not a major edge, but useful for that daelkyr ambush when you left the byeshk at home. -Handedness. A sling takes two hands to reload, but only one to fire. Strap on that light shield and fire without penalty -- Eat that, crossbowman! -Strength damage. This is the biggie. Strength damage never applies with the crossbow, and composite bows are only optimal at the strength for which they were designed. You take a penalty if your strength drops below that level, and any higher buffs are wasted. But the sling lets you use as much STR as you want, and if you can get a 14 strength you are already outdamaging the light crossbow on average. So quaff that potion, read that scroll, put on those silly gloves and waste that giant that your DM so provocatively named Goliath. Also, having those strength buffs will be handy when Goliath gets into melee combat to express his displeasure. Re: Character optimization, I foresee two strategies. The first is to go high DEX and look for strength buffs, the second would be to go mid-range with both STR and DEX. Remember that the +1 halflings get with slings give them a real edge as artificers. Build-wise, you should probably more or less follow the criteria laid out for the archerficer in the Artificer's handbook, but I'd welcome anyone else's thoughts on ways to modify that.
Zylo_Drizzt 08-02-07, 04:11 PM	well why not go for a throwficer. I mean most of the things you mentioned would still apply but you get rid of the no more than one attack thing and maybe convince your DM to allow you to make new infusions that allow you to summon more daggers and some more infusions to do more stuff with a dagger like let you throw it further or something.
TiwazTyrsfist 08-02-07, 08:25 PM	In some book (possibly Arms & Equipment) there's a special sling designed for throwing glass bottles. Increases your range incriment for throwing, and counts as a sling for weapon feats.
RuckusFox 08-03-07, 12:58 PM	I also helped with making a PEACH class on the main D&D forums for an Alchemist. Such use of an Alchemist's Gun increases the range increment...but...you are right, slings are a bit more concealable and easy to come by. =P And you -can- use shields with them. Bah...silly Artificers.
ZappoHisbane 08-05-07, 10:20 AM	well why not go for a throwficer. I mean most of the things you mentioned would still apply but you get rid of the no more than one attack thing and maybe convince your DM to allow you to make new infusions that allow you to summon more daggers and some more infusions to do more stuff with a dagger like let you throw it further or something. I'd prefer a sling simply because you can enhance a sling, and have it pass that enhancement on to the ammunition. Every stone slung can be +3 Flaming Burst or whatever. With thrown weapons it's one-and-done. While you could spend extra cash on the Returning property, you're still stuck with only one attack per round and you have to stand around waiting for it to come back to you. Plus there's the versatility of being able to enchant the ammunition separately. Yes, like bonuses will overlap (a +1 stone fired from a +2 sling just gets +2), but it's a great way to tailor energy damage to the situation at hand. Especially if you're an artificer. Spend all your cash on adding generic bonuses like Merciful, Seeking, Thundering, etc. Then use your infusions to add energy damage or Bane when necessary. Also keep a small supply of adamantine, byeshk, cold iron & silver bullets handy. Jack of all trades. :) PS - While I'm here, can someone tell me real quick what P.E.A.C.H. stands for?
Rechan 08-05-07, 07:31 PM	PS - While I'm here, can someone tell me real quick what P.E.A.C.H. stands for? Please Evaluate and Critique Helpfully.
nightside_samurai 08-05-07, 07:39 PM	Please Evaluate and Critique Helpfully. I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly?
Rechan 08-05-07, 08:05 PM	I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly? Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
yewshadow 08-05-07, 08:13 PM	I thought it was Please Examine and Critique Honestly? I think its Please Eviscerate and Critisize Harmfully :-P
Edymnion 08-06-07, 12:03 PM	Its "I'm not a whiney little loser that just wants you to tell me how great I am. I actually want to get help making this idea into a balanced and workable game mechanic." Its just that PEACH is so much easier to type than INAWLLTJWYTTMHGIAIAWTGHMTIIABAWGM. :D