Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JohnduBois 01-13-08, 11:41 AM	Hey all, I'm considering Leadership for my Greyhawk Ruins paladin (Church of St. Cuthbert and Nightwatch). I originally considered a lizardfolk, but realized that would be a crap cohort for a tank. I'm currently considering the following: 1. LG trapfinding rogue with some of the Dungeonscape options 2. Cleric of St. Cuthbert, possibly with the Spontaneous Domain Casting feature from PHB2 (still unsure on domains - probably Strength and Inquisition, as the paladin is a very "law enforcement" style character). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
MwaO 01-13-08, 03:27 PM	You could try a variant on my Favored Beguiler of Pelor: 1: Well-Read, Arcane Disciple(X) 3: Arcane Disciple(Y) The only problem is that St. Cuthbert doesn't have healing domain, so it lacks the cool ability to function in all major non-BDF slots. But Glitterdust/Silence as spells known are very useful. Strength gives you Enlarge Person, Bull's Strength, and Magic Vestment, Good gives you Protection from Evil, Aid, and Magic Circle. Which is a reasonably nice grouping of buffs to add to a Beguiler's spell list. Now for that ability to heal... A Beguiler 4 could have: 7 ranks in UMD 5 ranks in Spellcraft 5 ranks in Decipher Script With stats of: Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 10, that equals +11 for purposes of reading scrolls. While you won't always be able to read a scroll of CLW, you can do it 50% of the time... Anyway, that lets you at least passably cover the major roles that might be missing in a given party. If you could tolerate a follower of Al'Akbar, you could get the Healing Domain instead of Strength, which would let him cast Cure Moderate when necessary... Plus, as a Beguiler with a 16 Int and a 13 Wisdom, you'll have pretty good spot/listen/sense motive/etc... scores.
DerekSTheRed 01-13-08, 08:11 PM	Instead of the trapfinding rogue, you could use the alternate class feature of the ranger to get him trapfinding instead. You give up track for disable device and the trap finding ability. If you're doing a human cohort, you could presumably start him at 3rd level with PBS, precise, and track (no longer a bonus feat), and have a cohort to find tracks, find and disable traps, then do plenty of range attacks in the back during combat. If you give him his own CLW wand he can also be the back up healer in case you go down and no one else has a potion. Derek
magebeast 01-13-08, 09:42 PM	If you run with a melee heavy group, Bards are pretty cool.
JohnduBois 01-14-08, 12:17 AM	Instead of the trapfinding rogue, you could use the alternate class feature of the ranger to get him trapfinding instead. You give up track for disable device and the trap finding ability. If you're doing a human cohort, you could presumably start him at 3rd level with PBS, precise, and track (no longer a bonus feat), and have a cohort to find tracks, find and disable traps, then do plenty of range attacks in the back during combat. If you give him his own CLW wand he can also be the back up healer in case you go down and no one else has a potion. Derek This is something very tempting, especially since, as you stated I can get Track back. What would probably solidify it is if I could get access to Consecrated Harrier somehow... a retributive Ranger of St. Cuthbert just sounds cool... The next question, of course, is "do I want a mediocre animal companion or do I want to flank people by righteously shooting them in the face?"
JohnduBois 01-14-08, 12:19 AM	If you run with a melee heavy group, Bards are pretty cool. I agree - quite strongly - that bards are cool, but for a paladin, I think you really need a Lawful Good cohort (even if the rules don't say it - I'm not sure if they do or not). That inability to be Lawful shuts bards down.
magebeast 01-14-08, 02:19 AM	I agree - quite strongly - that bards are cool, but for a paladin, I think you really need a Lawful Good cohort (even if the rules don't say it - I'm not sure if they do or not). That inability to be Lawful shuts bards down. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to be, but if you want your Paladin to have a LG cohort that's cool then.
boolean 01-14-08, 04:51 AM	The class description is pretty clear: A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good. Even if you're not a paladin, being the same alignment helps, avoiding a -1 penalty to your Leadership score. For a Lawful Good bard, take one level of paladin and the Devoted Performer feat.
JamesMaissen 01-14-08, 11:49 AM	For a Lawful Good bard, take one level of paladin and the Devoted Performer feat. Yeah, but that really eats into the effectiveness of the cohort. He would be essentially down 3 levels as well as costing a feat. -James
magebeast 01-14-08, 01:26 PM	The class description is pretty clear: Even if you're not a paladin, being the same alignment helps, avoiding a -1 penalty to your Leadership score. For a Lawful Good bard, take one level of paladin and the Devoted Performer feat. Psh quote the rules at me why don't you. Anyway I agree with James that's a pretty rough way to get into Bard - eat a level and a feat for it. A Marshal maybe?
Lomiat 01-18-08, 10:23 PM	I think Uncle Albert should take a CN Snow Elf rogue/fighter as his cohort... But assuming he doesn't go for that, maybe a LG cleric of St. Cuthbert, headed for Church Inquisitor (if you can get access). Or just take the Inquisition domain. Bringing your 5th-level Cohort (at PC level 7th) level who keeps dispelling the bad guys' buffs at (avg) CL 8 - or CL 10 if you get an elf who can use Elven Spell Lore - might be a lot of fun. Plus, s/he would be an Inquisitor, smiting evil in all the hard-to-find places right alongside Uncle Al.