Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cycloptic_squirrel 04-15-08, 04:46 PM	My support cleric's cohort just hit 9th, and so far I'm very happy with her. I'm a little undecided what to do for the last four levels though, so I'm looking for suggestions. This is where she stands now: Delphanie Reasharem - Human Female Str 16(20), Dex 10, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12(14) 1. Bard - Combat Expertise, Improved Trip 2. Knight - 3. Knight - Mounted Combat, Proficiency: Spiked Chain 4. Knight - Bulwark of Defense 5. Bard - 6. Fighter - Weapon Focus: Spiked Chain, Skill Focus: Use Magic Device 7. Bard - 8. Exotic Weapon Master - Flurry of Strikes 9. Bard - Power Attack spells: Inspiration Boost, Feather Fall, Focusing Chant; Swift Fly, Harmonic Chorus Max ranks in Spot, UMD, Knowledge (planes), and working on Gather Info Basically she stands in the front with a high AC, locking people down with the Bulwark and sometimes trips. She tries to fit in a bardsong before dealing out 3 attacks a round (4 when hasted), though the damage per attack isn't high as I'd like it to be. Her UMD is up to 23 (27 for scrolls), allowing her to usually prebuff with False Life and Longstrider; occasionally she pulls out a scroll of Holy Sword, though I think she might start pulling out a Righteous Might instead. The leader can craft a 2nd level memento magica, so the cohort should be able to cast Harmonic Chorus in the morning and still be able to Swift Fly later in the day. At this point the cohort can do pretty much everything I want her to (except get some more equipment on her), so I'm at a bit of a loss at what to do next. My first thought was to grab a level of Spellsword or two to boost the casting a touch. Perhaps mix in more levels of EWM for the other abilities. I've also briefly considered taking more bard so as to reach Hymn of Praise before retirement, but with access to a Strand of Prayer Beads, I'm not sure the Hymn is going to be useful enough to justify the hit in BAB and HP. One oddball thought I had was to dip into rogue and max her search ranks. That would allow her to at least search for traps and the sneak attack could be nice. But the hit in BAB and HP... Unless I find something better, I think I'm just going to take three more levels of fighter for the Weapon Specialization and Mastery. Then take level 13 in something else. Spellsword maybe. I'd also like some opinions on feats. At some point I'm going to trade out Skill Focus, and I have at least one more at 12th. Inspire Spellpower might work. I've also considered Combat Reflexes combined with Gloves of Dexterity for an extra AoO, though it wouldn't work well with enlarge person. Close Quarters Fighting would be nice, though I never seem to have enough AoOs in the first place. I have access but am unsure of both Parrying Shield and Quick Recovery (LoM). If nothing else, Obtain Familiar might be an option; I've always found a familiar to be incredibly useful asset. Any input would be appreciated.
TWG_Prometheus 04-15-08, 05:49 PM	It looks like they're at an XP penalty due to Knight 3 and Fighter 1...does that even do anything to cohorts in LG? I like the plan to go more into Fighter. It'll cost them in skill points, but they're a cohort after all. More importantly, cohorts need to keep up as much as they can with their primary role in order to survive, especially if they're a tank cohort. Melee Weapon Mastery and Weapon Specialization are your best bet to fix the low damage output. If you go that path, then you don't have a feat free at 12th since it'll be taken up by Weapon Specialization. You'd still have a fighter bonus feat at Fighter 2. Combat Reflexes will give them at least one more AoO, or you could go for Improved Toughness since HP are a sore spot with any cohort.
kinevon 04-15-08, 11:10 PM	Another level of EWM to get the exotic trip, another +2 to tripping can't hurt. I presume, from the table in the DMG on page 106, that your character has at least a +4 on their Leadership score, so the cohort can go to 13th when your PC is 15th? Otherwise the level cap is a bit lower. Improved Disarm might be a useful option, since your cohort can disarm with the spiked chain...
Timlagor 04-16-08, 10:32 AM	I'd get gloves +4 (PC might buy/craft these) and Combat Reflexes. Cat's Grace is also an option whenever you have Enlarge Person. Spiked Chain without Combat Reflexes really does seem wasteful. I'd also tke both levels of EWM for the +2 to trip and the AoOs through cover (soft cover is the bane of reach weapons) The xp penalty does affect the gp gained from ARs and will help prevent the cohort accidentally gaining a level before the master if it's played a lot. It's generally a good idea to give more details about the PC whose cohort it is and the parties you usually play in.
cycloptic_squirrel 04-18-08, 12:18 AM	I misread the part about XP, but now that I look back at the LGCS, I do take the hit to gold and XP, though that only means I get 40% of full instead of 50% - not a big deal especially when the wealth resets every level. I shouldn't have a problem with my leadership score; I'd have to look through my favors, but I know I get at least +1 from an AR, the leader's charisma is 14, and I can always don a cloak of charisma if it comes to that. As for the leader herself, she's a bard 1/cleric 5/raidiant servant of Phyton 5, with Sun, Plant, and Good domains. I plan on retraining the Good domain for Purification after I craft a Strand of Prayer Beads. Generally prays for support spells, usually opens with a Recitation or a Righteous Wrath. Hasn't done a lick of damage herself, nor does she intend to. Diplomacy and Sense Motive are high. Most of her wealth is invested in items for the cohort (animated tower sheild, belt of strength +4, adamantine scimitar). She's been casting Magic Vestment on the cohort's armor in the mornings; she'll probably cast GMW with the Harmonic Chorus coming into play. Parties are random, as I don't really have a standard group I adventure in, though there is a bard/marshal that I play with on a semi-regular basis.