Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tengu 07-26-07, 07:56 PM	I am considering constructing a character that focuses on charming and dominating (rather than simply killing the bad guys). I can’t decide on how best to make this guy. I looked at sorcerer (obviously with a high charisma) or it could be a cleric with the dominate domain (and maybe also with magic doman to give access to a charm wand) or a wizard or a bard… I am looking for ideas on Class, Race, Feats and Spells. Thanks,
Alpha_Nerd 07-26-07, 07:59 PM	Beguiler might be a good option. Character focued on enchantment/illusions that also has a good skill list and trapfinding.
jstorrie 07-26-07, 09:22 PM	Sorcerors will be the best, here, given that many Charm/Domination effects require opposed Charisma checks; Beguilers are okay, if you want skills, but really if you want skills you should go with Bard. Bard 8 / Mindbender 7 is pretty fun, and your +2 bardsong means that you're still a powerful contributor to the party even when you don't have someone to charm or chat up. If you go this route, make sure you have enough Int to deal with Mindbender's 2 skill points per level. Bards do make good enchanter casters because they get a few spells at interesting levels–the Charm series they get mostly at one spell level lower, as well as the Confusion and Dominate series. You might want to do something like– Human, N Str 10 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 16 1 Bard: Spell Focus: Enchantment, Improved Initiative 2 Bard 3 Bard: Craft Wondrous Item 4 Bard 5 Bard 6 Bard: Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment 7 Bard 8 Bard 9 Mindbender: Leadership 10 Mindbender 11 Mindbender 12 Mindbender: Ability Focus (Eternal Charm) 13 Mindbender 14 Mindbender 15 Mindbender: Ability Focus (Dominate) Deny the temptation to go into Mindbender early; it'll delay Inspire Courage +2, without which you'll have trouble contributing well in combat if you run into situations where your mind-controlling is no help. I think one of the nice things about something as simple as Bard/Mindbender is that you can make it thematically appropriate for almost any region–Bakluni corrupt vizier type, Rhennee curse-slinging trickster, Olman witch-doctor, Suloise demagogue, etc. Watch out for regions that outlaw mind-affecting effects, though–or at least be prepared to Bluff the heck out of guards a lot.
Banor 07-26-07, 10:16 PM	...at least be prepared to Bluff the heck out of guards a lot. Aint that the specialization of this character ? "If you play a warrior get ready to swing this battle axe a lot" :) Joking apart the build jstorrie post is excellant, Bard 8 make you a very good support grabbing most of the spell you need along with good skill points. It's a solid Face and can do good in combat via your dominate and stuff, if there is no pupets avaliable, turn on your buffing abilities and go cover some flank :)
jstorrie 07-26-07, 10:47 PM	One thing to note is that Eternal Charm isn't as potent in LG mods as it would be in a home game, since you need to pick up a new 'pet' each mod–and often the hostiles will be ones you can't take into town with you, if the mod is based around an urban centre at all. But when it works, it works well. Ogre buddies ain't no small thing.
Nerax 07-28-07, 05:07 PM	I am considering constructing a character that focuses on charming and dominating (rather than simply killing the bad guys)....or it could be a cleric with the dominate domain (and maybe also with magic doman to give access to a charm wand).... Thanks, For the Greyhawk Ruins story arc I am looking to do something to this effect also: Human Cleric of St. Cuthbert w/Domination and Law (Think Judge Dread) Affiliations of the Church of St. Cuthbert and the Nightwatch (I am the Law!) Str 11 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 12 Wis 17 Cha 8 1 Cleric, SpF Ench(Domain), GSpF Ench, Domain Sponteneity Domination 2 Cleric 3 Cleric, ? (Extra Turning) 4 Inquisitor, +1 Wis, Inquisition Domain 5 Inquisitor 6 Inquisitor, ? Highten Spell 7 Inquisitor 8 Inquisitor, +1 Wis 9 Inquisitor, ? 10 Inquisitor 11 Inquisitor 12 Inquisitor, ? 13 Inquisitor 14 ? Cleric 15 ? Cleric My other option is to go: Human Cleric of Myrhiss with Domination and Community. (Think 60's flower power or Chong from "That 70's Show") Affiliations ? Str 10 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 9 Wis 17 Cha 12 1 Cleric, SpF Ench(Domain), GSpF Ench, Domain Sponteneity Domination 2-15 Cleric all bumps to Wis and all Skills to Concentration and Kn Religion Any thoughts on either of these two builds?
jstorrie 07-29-07, 04:13 AM	The 12/12/12/17 is a pretty inefficient way to build. I'd stick with 16 Wis for a generalist cleric or 18 for a dedicated caster. Clerics can wear heavy plate instead of fullplate and go with 10 Dex.