Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WinterPsionic 03-28-07, 12:26 AM	Ok so I just got a Chimera as a companion and I get to give it a feat, any recommendations? I was think maybe Flyby but it doesn't seem like it would help all that much with just a single site. For those of you familiar with the template it's actually a Dungeonbred chimera so that eliminates a few feats(outside the norm, namely Improved Natural Attack and Endurance).
RavenGraygem 03-28-07, 02:48 PM	Actually, Flyby Attack might be a good choice. I can't remember where I saw it, but there's a feat tree that's based on Flyby Attack. One (possibly the last) feat in the series lets creatures with breath weapons conduct flying strafe attacks. You might also want to look up feats that beef up said breath weapon.
WinterPsionic 03-28-07, 10:51 PM	I looked into the Metabreath feats but with the Breath Weapon being capped at 3D8 I don't see it being a very major part of combat, I was thinking Quicked Breath or whatever it's called so I can breathe as a free action but outside of that I'm not sure that's the route to go.
RavenGraygem 03-29-07, 01:52 PM	Well, barring anyone else posting, I'll spend some time today looking up feats for your chimera, and I'll post a list as well as sources tomorrow :D .
WinterPsionic 03-29-07, 07:57 PM	Well, barring anyone else posting, I'll spend some time today looking up feats for your chimera, and I'll post a list as well as sources tomorrow :D . Thanks it would be appreciated, I already dug through SS and the MMs as well as Races of Dragon, Dragonomicon and Dragon Magic but nothing seemed to scream "useful".
RavenGraygem 03-30-07, 01:52 PM	Alrighty, here goes. Just keep in mind that most of these are from 3.0 materials, so they might be changed or even nonexistant in 3.5. Flight is the chimera's biggest asset (assuming that template still allows it to do so), and you should take advantage of that. Flyby Attack [MM I, Masters of the Wild] Attack a target in-flight and keep moving. Improved Flight [Masters of the Wild] Up the flying ability by one category. Snatch [MM I, Masters of the Wild] You can latch on to a target with a natural attack, hurt it, and even drop from a height if you can fly :D . Wingover [MM I, Masters of the Wild] Turn on a copper piece while in-flight. Now, for the some fun with that breath weapon. Ability Focus [Don't know where I found this one] Ups the DC of an Su or Sp ability. Flyby Breath [Dragonlance Campaign Setting] You can use your breath weapon in-flight more efficiently. Strafing Breath [Dragonlance Campaign Setting] You can use your breath weapon in-flight and extend the area it affects. Also, because the chimera has the Scent SQ and enough intelligence to speak Draconic, it can track targets and tell you what it finds. Also makes for a handy point-beast, sniffing out ambushes if the wind is right. I know there are more feats that might suit it, but my supply of books is limited, so the above is pretty much all I could find. But some other ideas include training your new friend to be a mount, and doing some mounted combat stuff with it. Heck, it might even be able to carry you in-flight, in which case there are a couple of prestige classes specializing in flying mounts out there that you might want to look into (Zhentarim Skymage from Magic of Faerun springs immediately to mind). Since I don't know about that template you're using or what it adds/subtracts from the chimera, my advice is is limited to what I've given. But bear in mind, the chimera is a limited beast. Its only real assets are flying, dragon breath, size, and claws/bite. Select feats that enhance and take advantage of those areas as much as possible, rather than feats that branch off into other areas. Of course, all this is contingent on your being able to advance its HD and select new feats for it as you adventure, heh. And finally, tell me how it works out. I'm really curious here.
WinterPsionic 03-30-07, 08:32 PM	Well there are 2 big things that I should point out: 1. My character is on a suicide mission to destroy the Zhentarim 2. The template reduces the Chimera to size category Medium and since my character is borderline Medium-Large it makes riding a little difficult. Another problem is that my first companion was a Worg and there's no way I can get the Chimera's skills anywhere near his in terms of tracking. So the Chimera will mainly be a tank, then again my DM does some whacky things(for example I entered the Ruins as a Male Xeph Soulknife, I exited them a Hermaphrodite Drow Soulknife) so who knows...
RavenGraygem 03-30-07, 10:14 PM	1. My character is on a suicide mission to destroy the Zhentarim. Yeah..... that kind makes it a little suspicious when you show up at the local Zhentarim recruiting station :D . Then I guess your chimera would be best suited as airborne fire-support, laying waste to your enemies from on high. Also, consider these few, vague ideas. 1) Pack "animal" - A little demeaning, but a Medium chimera can follow you darn near anywhere, won't spazz around most monsters like a horse or mule might, and can act as a pretty nifty anti-theft deterrent, what with three heads and all. 2) Air-borne scout - Really, this one is almost obvious. Give it some minor magical trinket that allows for telepathic communication, then send it upward. 3) Invest in magical goodies for your chimera. It might be a little pricey, but nothing has the capacity to cement loyalty like bribery :P . Items that improve the natural attacks and armor of the chimera are tops, but there are some other goodies out there it could use. I'm oddly devoted to making your chimera all it can be, heh.
WinterPsionic 03-31-07, 02:15 PM	I'm oddly devoted to making your chimera all it can be, heh. Thanks! :D I actually invest quite a lot in my pets, fortunately I had a Cleric at the time but my poor puppy(Worg...Puppy...what's the difference to a Werewolf?) got his paw chopped off, otherwise I would've had to pay the blasted temple clerics to regenerate it. Otherwise I'm constantly trying to figure out what I can get them, I'm thinking some Bracers of Armor might be a good start for both of them, and maybe Collars of Protection. Then we can work on the offensive/support goodies.
RavenGraygem 04-02-07, 04:59 PM	You might want to check out Tome & Blood and Masters of the Wild, if you can find copies. Both offer advice on protection, items, and so for animals (familiars and companions, respectively).
WinterPsionic 04-02-07, 05:44 PM	You might want to check out Tome & Blood and Masters of the Wild, if you can find copies. Both offer advice on protection, items, and so for animals (familiars and companions, respectively). I've got em both, but the character this was for got killed last night so unfortunately all this work went to waste :weep: Maybe I'll roll up a new one and go with a Normal Chimera.
RavenGraygem 04-02-07, 07:46 PM	Well that sucks. Consider this, however, as alternative, if your DM is willing. Your deceased character awakens to find himself in a very unfamiliar place, with odors he's never smelt before and an oddly distorted sense of vision. Suddenly, he realizes he has a head to his left and one to his right, and both head are familiar to him..... he's mysteriously been brought back to life as the middle head of his former chimera companion. You'd have your mental scores (Int, Wis, Cha), but the chimera's physical scores, and possibly some of your former class levels. Roleplay challenges include figuring out how and why you're now the middle head, dealing with two other heads that likely have their own agendas, and time-sharing a single body with the aforementioned heads.
WinterPsionic 04-03-07, 02:21 AM	I'll run it by him but seeing as how my soul was probably torn asunder by Torrim(sp?) after slaying an entire temple of his clergy I don't think it's gonna fly :P that and my party would probably killed me as soon as I showed up, regardless of form.