Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kaminton 05-11-04, 06:08 AM	One of the NPC parties in my campaign (who the PCs know and meet on a semi-regular basis) is going to run into some vampire trouble. The plot calls for two survivors, while the rest are turned into either vampire or spawn. I've already decided that the paladin is not going to survive (the survivors will talk about his heroic last stand that lets them escape). The other members of this NPC party are a cleric, a rogue, and a wizard. Which of these would make the most interesting vampire opponent? I'm currently setting it up so that the BBEG vampire leaves the area on other business, leaving his new lieutenants to carry out his plans. This vampire, who the PCs will face (much) later, is a sorceror. As a side note, the paladin meets all the requirements for a blackguard except the peaceful contact with an evil outsider part, which can be arranged by the BBEG... so that's the way he'll be headed since all paladin abilities go poof. Also, the PCs (and the NPCs for that matter) don't know it's a vampire (the NPC cleric will, uh, blow his knowledge (religion) roll for plot reasons) yet... all they know is they fought a powerful arcane spellcaster. Opinions, and any particular reasoning? Any class features/tactics of interest that I should be taking advantage of here? Estimated starting level will be 5 or 6.
Will Brandiman 05-11-04, 07:40 AM	A vampire rogue is certainly an opponent worth fearing. The awesome racial bonus on stealth skills plus the extra feats and stats make him into an uber-rogue. Add in the alternate form, gaseous form, domination etc and he's very hard to evade. Not to mention that a sneak attack with a slam, contact poison and energy drain involves lots of damage, a couple of fortitude saves etc. Very nasty!
ChaoticGod 05-11-04, 01:40 PM	double post
ChaoticGod 05-11-04, 01:48 PM	Since your BBEG is a sorceror I would eliminate the wizard just so things don't seem redundant later. Both the cleric and the rogue can become very powerful as vampires. A vampire rogue can be a deadly shortbow sniper. Gaseous form allows him to set up easily and shoot the PC cleric with a poisoned arrow for sneak attack damage. This will of course be in the woods with plenty of difficult terrain and concealment. Once spotted the vamp simply steps behind a tree and turns gasoeus again moving upward to set up his next ambush. And since the only save that really matters to the undead is Reflex a rogue is again a good choice. A vamp with a good Bluff can ready an action to go gaseous the next time he is hit, no matter his true hp left. This will put the players off guard when after a few rounds of Fast Healing the vamp ambushes them again. A vampire cleric can spontaneously heal himself or combine his Inflicts with his energy draining slam attacks. One of a cleric's main weaknesses, lack of mobility, is completely covered by vampiric abilities. Hold Person can turn the PC on watch into a mute midnight snack to be followed by the sleeping PCs. A high Cha vamp can do this with Dominate but he has to show himself to attempt it. If you prefer the cleric can combine Children of the Night with a pack of zombies to attack the PCs while he casts support spells from the darkness. Its a tough choice. If the vamp is going to attack the PCs I would say the Rogue. If the vamp is going to be the defender I would say the Cleric.