Celestial Strike Teams [Archive] - Wizards Community

Celestial Strike Teams [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
NekuraKage
12-14-06, 04:02 AM Hello,
I'm trying to design a celestial strike team sort of groups to face up against an evil party. Are there any suggestions as to how to compose a 3-5 celestial group so as to be an effective party?

I've allowed the PC's all WOTC material, so it is only fair that the celestials stick to the same. I'm looking for a mid to high EL(Not sure how to define mid to high, I mainly mean I don't want an answer of 'send 5 Solars!') on the celestials, since I figure I will just have them wait to fight the party until it is high enough.... The goal here is mainly form and tactics.

Suggestions?

Thanks in Advance
runestar
12-14-06, 04:59 AM What EL are you looking at? I can't see celestials setting ambushes or using overly sneaky tactics. Astral devas seem okay at cr14. maybe a few hound archon paladins?:P
Lazzmaniandevil
12-14-06, 05:36 AM If you have Fiend Folio, maybe devas...
CzarGarrett
12-14-06, 08:45 AM Well, I'd ask what general group of celestials?

LG, CG, or NG?

Each alignment has its own general group of celestials, which would make it easier to determine the specifics of a strike team.

Something that also plays into this thought pattern- Why are these celestials attacking them? Just because they're evil doesn't mean squat.
NekuraKage
12-14-06, 11:47 AM I was primarily looking at LG ones(Archons and LG Angels), because they have been sacking temples of LG gods, and leaving bloody messes, and along the course of things, stole some holy relics. This is why I used the term strike team, because recovery of these items is paramount.

Notes:

A. The items are all of personal size(ie no massive things that would require a cart to haul them)

B. For important/boss/recurring encounters, I match EL's not CR's(though I use CR's the rest of the time). EL is addressed in my OP. I expect the players to run once they're attacked, and try to formulate a plan, so I am expecting atleast 2-3 encounters, maybe more.
DarkWarriorKarg
12-14-06, 12:21 PM Use class levels & give 'em personality.

1- Paladin Hound Archon (Leader)
2- 1/2 Celestial Sacred Harrier (knows the people, track down the culprits, fly, give support)
3- Aasimar Clerical-type, for support
4- Aasimar Wizard
5- Aasimar Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker (the Holy Terror) :D
jakelslang21
12-14-06, 07:18 PM well you could have like a few Lupinals (2), They are NG but that does not stop them from being lawful in their decisions. It also has a good aura ability to keep the foes off-balance
NekuraKage
12-14-06, 09:40 PM On this same topic, what are the general celestial tactics and/or group compositions? They strike me much more like the sort of planar group to send squads, rather than armies to do something, or the sort to mobilize others(such as mortals) to accomplish what is needed.
Shemeska the Marauder
12-15-06, 12:20 AM On this same topic, what are the general celestial tactics and/or group compositions? They strike me much more like the sort of planar group to send squads, rather than armies to do something, or the sort to mobilize others(such as mortals) to accomplish what is needed.

If we're talking about on the planes, the celestials in general don't make overly large, blatant moves outside of the upper or neutral planes, because they don't want to present themselves to the fiends as larger threats. The celestials do not send armies to the lower planes, and they haven't for eons, not since the archons had their heads handed to them by the fiends in their one and only attempt to become involved in the Blood War.

The Guardinals will occasionally send small groups of their kind on various tasks, though lupinals will typically operate in small packs (like mortal wolves).

Eladrin are unique in that they will not travel to the prime material without disguising their true form, and it ties in with their respect for freedom and the ability of mortals to choose their fates for themselves rather than be forced into certain modes of thought and action by overbearing celestial interference (which is how they sometimes view archon or aasimon involvement on the prime material). If they allow themselves in their true form to be seen they are forced to return to Arborea and cannot leave the confines of the plane for a lengthy period of time.

Its also worth noting that it's atypical for celestials of different alignment to work together, and virtually nonexistant for Eladrins and Archons to cooperate with one another.
NekuraKage
12-15-06, 11:25 PM Eladrin are unique in that they will not travel to the prime material without disguising their true form, and it ties in with their respect for freedom and the ability of mortals to choose their fates for themselves rather than be forced into certain modes of thought and action by overbearing celestial interference (which is how they sometimes view archon or aasimon involvement on the prime material). If they allow themselves in their true form to be seen they are forced to return to Arborea and cannot leave the confines of the plane for a lengthy period of time.

I guess I'm asking what that overbearing interference is, when presented in the form of force of arms. This is beyond a celestial just showing up and asking good mortals to do it from a standpoint of being more good(Diablo Tyriel style).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
NekuraKage 12-14-06, 04:02 AM	Hello, I'm trying to design a celestial strike team sort of groups to face up against an evil party. Are there any suggestions as to how to compose a 3-5 celestial group so as to be an effective party? I've allowed the PC's all WOTC material, so it is only fair that the celestials stick to the same. I'm looking for a mid to high EL(Not sure how to define mid to high, I mainly mean I don't want an answer of 'send 5 Solars!') on the celestials, since I figure I will just have them wait to fight the party until it is high enough.... The goal here is mainly form and tactics. Suggestions? Thanks in Advance
runestar 12-14-06, 04:59 AM	What EL are you looking at? I can't see celestials setting ambushes or using overly sneaky tactics. Astral devas seem okay at cr14. maybe a few hound archon paladins?:P
Lazzmaniandevil 12-14-06, 05:36 AM	If you have Fiend Folio, maybe devas...
CzarGarrett 12-14-06, 08:45 AM	Well, I'd ask what general group of celestials? LG, CG, or NG? Each alignment has its own general group of celestials, which would make it easier to determine the specifics of a strike team. Something that also plays into this thought pattern- Why are these celestials attacking them? Just because they're evil doesn't mean squat.
NekuraKage 12-14-06, 11:47 AM	I was primarily looking at LG ones(Archons and LG Angels), because they have been sacking temples of LG gods, and leaving bloody messes, and along the course of things, stole some holy relics. This is why I used the term strike team, because recovery of these items is paramount. Notes: A. The items are all of personal size(ie no massive things that would require a cart to haul them) B. For important/boss/recurring encounters, I match EL's not CR's(though I use CR's the rest of the time). EL is addressed in my OP. I expect the players to run once they're attacked, and try to formulate a plan, so I am expecting atleast 2-3 encounters, maybe more.
DarkWarriorKarg 12-14-06, 12:21 PM	Use class levels & give 'em personality. 1- Paladin Hound Archon (Leader) 2- 1/2 Celestial Sacred Harrier (knows the people, track down the culprits, fly, give support) 3- Aasimar Clerical-type, for support 4- Aasimar Wizard 5- Aasimar Barbarian/Frenzied Berserker (the Holy Terror) :D
jakelslang21 12-14-06, 07:18 PM	well you could have like a few Lupinals (2), They are NG but that does not stop them from being lawful in their decisions. It also has a good aura ability to keep the foes off-balance
NekuraKage 12-14-06, 09:40 PM	On this same topic, what are the general celestial tactics and/or group compositions? They strike me much more like the sort of planar group to send squads, rather than armies to do something, or the sort to mobilize others(such as mortals) to accomplish what is needed.
Shemeska the Marauder 12-15-06, 12:20 AM	On this same topic, what are the general celestial tactics and/or group compositions? They strike me much more like the sort of planar group to send squads, rather than armies to do something, or the sort to mobilize others(such as mortals) to accomplish what is needed. If we're talking about on the planes, the celestials in general don't make overly large, blatant moves outside of the upper or neutral planes, because they don't want to present themselves to the fiends as larger threats. The celestials do not send armies to the lower planes, and they haven't for eons, not since the archons had their heads handed to them by the fiends in their one and only attempt to become involved in the Blood War. The Guardinals will occasionally send small groups of their kind on various tasks, though lupinals will typically operate in small packs (like mortal wolves). Eladrin are unique in that they will not travel to the prime material without disguising their true form, and it ties in with their respect for freedom and the ability of mortals to choose their fates for themselves rather than be forced into certain modes of thought and action by overbearing celestial interference (which is how they sometimes view archon or aasimon involvement on the prime material). If they allow themselves in their true form to be seen they are forced to return to Arborea and cannot leave the confines of the plane for a lengthy period of time. Its also worth noting that it's atypical for celestials of different alignment to work together, and virtually nonexistant for Eladrins and Archons to cooperate with one another.
NekuraKage 12-15-06, 11:25 PM	Eladrin are unique in that they will not travel to the prime material without disguising their true form, and it ties in with their respect for freedom and the ability of mortals to choose their fates for themselves rather than be forced into certain modes of thought and action by overbearing celestial interference (which is how they sometimes view archon or aasimon involvement on the prime material). If they allow themselves in their true form to be seen they are forced to return to Arborea and cannot leave the confines of the plane for a lengthy period of time. I guess I'm asking what that overbearing interference is, when presented in the form of force of arms. This is beyond a celestial just showing up and asking good mortals to do it from a standpoint of being more good(Diablo Tyriel style).