Best Item to protect the mind [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Item to protect the mind [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ustauk
12-08-06, 02:22 PM I'm running a pure Dwarven fighter right now, currently level six, and when we get back session in Januray I'll have 2000 gold to play with from some nice items we auctioned off from a wizard's tomb. He's got a decent Wisdom score (14), but I find the biggest chink in his armour was still being charmed/dominated mentally. He has a large amount of hit points and good armour to soak up regular damage, so I'm less worried about that. Anyways, what's the most cost effective to use an item to help protect his head? Would it be better to get a ring or gauntlets or boots, etc. to boost his wisdom score, or is there a specific lower level spell the item could run that would be of greater help? Thanks.
CreepingCharly
12-08-06, 02:37 PM Potions of Protection from Evil would protect against mind control from evil casters. Or you could try an x/day item, but you and your DM would have to work that one out.

My :twocents:
--Charly
Ustauk
12-08-06, 03:03 PM Potions of Protection from Evil would protect against mind control from evil casters. Or you could try an x/day item, but you and your DM would have to work that one out.

My :twocents:
--Charly
I like that idea. I wouldn't mind something to help me if I get jumped, but the potions are a good idea. I might end up getting the potions and something to boost my wisdom score.
Tony Vargas
12-08-06, 03:33 PM IIRC, the protection from alignment spells block mind control effects (and hedges summoned critters) regardless of alignment, so the potion is a decent idea (the AC and save bonus aplies only to the apropriate alignment). The same spell should be kept on hand by your caster buddies in case you're caught unprepared, too. But, always remember that they only suspend control, they don't cancel the effect! A potion or scroll version is also likely to be easily dispelled.

With a 14 WIS, you already have a decent WILL save (+4, plus a dwarven bonus vs magic - which virtually all mind-control is). Iron WILL would further boost that, though, if you already choose your feat for character level 6, you'll have to wait for 9th for it. The Combat Focus feat from PHII, OTOH, is a fighter-bonus feat, and also gives a +2 WILL save (though not all the time) - and the preq is WIS 13+, so you qualify - plus, if you take two more '
Combat Form' feats, the bonus doubles. There's another feat in there (Indomitable Soul, IIRC) that allows you to roll your WILL save twice vs mental control and take the higher result.

Standard DMG items don't leap to mind. Cloaks of Protection are more cost-effective than WIS-boosters, and help your REF & FORT saves, as well. That's about it.
Ustauk
12-08-06, 06:08 PM IIRC, the protection from alignment spells block mind control effects (and hedges summoned critters) regardless of alignment, so the potion is a decent idea (the AC and save bonus aplies only to the apropriate alignment). The same spell should be kept on hand by your caster buddies in case you're caught unprepared, too. But, always remember that they only suspend control, they don't cancel the effect! A potion or scroll version is also likely to be easily dispelled.

With a 14 WIS, you already have a decent WILL save (+4, plus a dwarven bonus vs magic - which virtually all mind-control is). Iron WILL would further boost that, though, if you already choose your feat for character level 6, you'll have to wait for 9th for it. The Combat Focus feat from PHII, OTOH, is a fighter-bonus feat, and also gives a +2 WILL save (though not all the time) - and the preq is WIS 13+, so you qualify - plus, if you take two more '
Combat Form' feats, the bonus doubles. There's another feat in there (Indomitable Soul, IIRC) that allows you to roll your WILL save twice vs mental control and take the higher result.

Standard DMG items don't leap to mind. Cloaks of Protection are more cost-effective than WIS-boosters, and help your REF & FORT saves, as well. That's about it.

As long as I have time to kill the b*&tards who're are trying to control me, Protection from Evil should do nicely. I'll just have to ask the party cleric to keep that one handy. The trouble is when you get ambushed by Vampire Spawn you may not have a chance to drink that potion or have it cast on you :) Hopefully having the potions on me will allow me to protect myself if the cleric gets mezzed, and vice versa.

Does Dwarven magical resistance work with against supernatural abilities, like a Vampire Spawn's dominate person ability?

I grabbed Combat Focus last level (6), and am wishing I'd grabbed iron will instead of improved sunder too. I may still get it down the road. I'll look up that Indomitable Soul feat as well later.

I assume you mean a Cloak of Resistance? I couldn't find a cloak of protection in the SRD. Having a +1 bonus to all saving throws would be handy.

Thanks for the advice.
Tony Vargas
12-08-06, 06:54 PM Does Dwarven magical resistance work with against supernatural abilities, like a Vampire Spawn's dominate person ability?AFAIK supernatural = magical, yes.

Also between Combat Focus, the Dwarven bonus, and your WIS, you have what, a +8 vs the spawns DC 13. +8 darn good for 6th level.

Also, against gaze-attackers, it can be worth it to just avert your eyes and take the miss chance - especially if you have Blindfight.

I grabbed Combat Focus last level (6), and am wishing I'd grabbed iron will instead of improved sunder too. Nod. With a fighter, it's often good to keep a careful eye out for non-bonus feats you might need, since you only get them every third level, rather than every-other - tempting as it often is to double-up on combat feats at levels like 6 or 12.

I assume you mean a Cloak of Resistance? Yes. I'm sorry... it was called a 'Cloak of Protection' for a long time, y'know...
Bopple
12-08-06, 07:24 PM Dwarven racial resistance can only be used against spells and spell-like abilities.
CreepingCharly
12-11-06, 01:03 PM Supernatural abilities aren't spell or spell-like...

--Charly
Nezkrul
12-11-06, 04:05 PM i know its not in your price range, but a Mindblank spell is the best protection. An item with its effect is Cowl of Warding, in the Magic of Faerun pg 156.
NyMpHoMaNiAc_FaNtAsIA
12-11-06, 04:12 PM If you liked the idea of Protection from Evil, how about buying a Horn of Goodness / Evil?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ustauk 12-08-06, 02:22 PM	I'm running a pure Dwarven fighter right now, currently level six, and when we get back session in Januray I'll have 2000 gold to play with from some nice items we auctioned off from a wizard's tomb. He's got a decent Wisdom score (14), but I find the biggest chink in his armour was still being charmed/dominated mentally. He has a large amount of hit points and good armour to soak up regular damage, so I'm less worried about that. Anyways, what's the most cost effective to use an item to help protect his head? Would it be better to get a ring or gauntlets or boots, etc. to boost his wisdom score, or is there a specific lower level spell the item could run that would be of greater help? Thanks.
CreepingCharly 12-08-06, 02:37 PM	Potions of Protection from Evil would protect against mind control from evil casters. Or you could try an x/day item, but you and your DM would have to work that one out. My :twocents: --Charly
Ustauk 12-08-06, 03:03 PM	Potions of Protection from Evil would protect against mind control from evil casters. Or you could try an x/day item, but you and your DM would have to work that one out. My :twocents: --Charly I like that idea. I wouldn't mind something to help me if I get jumped, but the potions are a good idea. I might end up getting the potions and something to boost my wisdom score.
Tony Vargas 12-08-06, 03:33 PM	IIRC, the protection from alignment spells block mind control effects (and hedges summoned critters) regardless of alignment, so the potion is a decent idea (the AC and save bonus aplies only to the apropriate alignment). The same spell should be kept on hand by your caster buddies in case you're caught unprepared, too. But, always remember that they only suspend control, they don't cancel the effect! A potion or scroll version is also likely to be easily dispelled. With a 14 WIS, you already have a decent WILL save (+4, plus a dwarven bonus vs magic - which virtually all mind-control is). Iron WILL would further boost that, though, if you already choose your feat for character level 6, you'll have to wait for 9th for it. The Combat Focus feat from PHII, OTOH, is a fighter-bonus feat, and also gives a +2 WILL save (though not all the time) - and the preq is WIS 13+, so you qualify - plus, if you take two more ' Combat Form' feats, the bonus doubles. There's another feat in there (Indomitable Soul, IIRC) that allows you to roll your WILL save twice vs mental control and take the higher result. Standard DMG items don't leap to mind. Cloaks of Protection are more cost-effective than WIS-boosters, and help your REF & FORT saves, as well. That's about it.
Ustauk 12-08-06, 06:08 PM	IIRC, the protection from alignment spells block mind control effects (and hedges summoned critters) regardless of alignment, so the potion is a decent idea (the AC and save bonus aplies only to the apropriate alignment). The same spell should be kept on hand by your caster buddies in case you're caught unprepared, too. But, always remember that they only suspend control, they don't cancel the effect! A potion or scroll version is also likely to be easily dispelled. With a 14 WIS, you already have a decent WILL save (+4, plus a dwarven bonus vs magic - which virtually all mind-control is). Iron WILL would further boost that, though, if you already choose your feat for character level 6, you'll have to wait for 9th for it. The Combat Focus feat from PHII, OTOH, is a fighter-bonus feat, and also gives a +2 WILL save (though not all the time) - and the preq is WIS 13+, so you qualify - plus, if you take two more ' Combat Form' feats, the bonus doubles. There's another feat in there (Indomitable Soul, IIRC) that allows you to roll your WILL save twice vs mental control and take the higher result. Standard DMG items don't leap to mind. Cloaks of Protection are more cost-effective than WIS-boosters, and help your REF & FORT saves, as well. That's about it. As long as I have time to kill the b*&tards who're are trying to control me, Protection from Evil should do nicely. I'll just have to ask the party cleric to keep that one handy. The trouble is when you get ambushed by Vampire Spawn you may not have a chance to drink that potion or have it cast on you :) Hopefully having the potions on me will allow me to protect myself if the cleric gets mezzed, and vice versa. Does Dwarven magical resistance work with against supernatural abilities, like a Vampire Spawn's dominate person ability? I grabbed Combat Focus last level (6), and am wishing I'd grabbed iron will instead of improved sunder too. I may still get it down the road. I'll look up that Indomitable Soul feat as well later. I assume you mean a Cloak of Resistance? I couldn't find a cloak of protection in the SRD. Having a +1 bonus to all saving throws would be handy. Thanks for the advice.
Tony Vargas 12-08-06, 06:54 PM	Does Dwarven magical resistance work with against supernatural abilities, like a Vampire Spawn's dominate person ability?AFAIK supernatural = magical, yes. Also between Combat Focus, the Dwarven bonus, and your WIS, you have what, a +8 vs the spawns DC 13. +8 darn good for 6th level. Also, against gaze-attackers, it can be worth it to just avert your eyes and take the miss chance - especially if you have Blindfight. I grabbed Combat Focus last level (6), and am wishing I'd grabbed iron will instead of improved sunder too. Nod. With a fighter, it's often good to keep a careful eye out for non-bonus feats you might need, since you only get them every third level, rather than every-other - tempting as it often is to double-up on combat feats at levels like 6 or 12. I assume you mean a Cloak of Resistance? Yes. I'm sorry... it was called a 'Cloak of Protection' for a long time, y'know...
Bopple 12-08-06, 07:24 PM	Dwarven racial resistance can only be used against spells and spell-like abilities.
CreepingCharly 12-11-06, 01:03 PM	Supernatural abilities aren't spell or spell-like... --Charly
Nezkrul 12-11-06, 04:05 PM	i know its not in your price range, but a Mindblank spell is the best protection. An item with its effect is Cowl of Warding, in the Magic of Faerun pg 156.
NyMpHoMaNiAc_FaNtAsIA 12-11-06, 04:12 PM	If you liked the idea of Protection from Evil, how about buying a Horn of Goodness / Evil?