Chameleon PrC Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Chameleon PrC Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
zeroparadigm
02-18-08, 02:36 AM So this is sort of a bizarre question...

I have a Rogue/Exemplar/Human Paragon/Chameleon who's around 15th level or so.

He's actually a fairly simple character, with the exception of the freaking levels in Chameleon.

Here's the question: How do you best keep track of a character class that can change what you do with your character do dramatically?

I keep a small book of photocopies of the pages from the PHB that detail the abilities that he mimics, as well as the different feats that he can use his floating feat for.

I also have a base character sheet that has his normal stats, and then I use a spreadsheet on my laptop or as a printout that details his abilites based on how he is using his chameleon abilities at any given time.

This works, but it is a pain in the junk. I typically use DM Genie to keep track of my characters, but not a freaking chameleon - the record-keeping method has yet to be invented that can hold this beast.

Does anyone have any ideas on what some other methods of keeping track of a character that requires this much information might be?

Also, I'll add I've never played a character with this much versatility before, and it's really, really cool. Though this is not a character for you if you dislike a lot of work on behind the scenes mechanics just to figure out your own bonuses and abilities.

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

Z
DeathlessJuan
02-18-08, 01:42 PM Well, how you keep track of the character's abilities really depends on how you play. It can be rather difficult to keep track at times, but I find the best way to keep track is to list all the abilities on one sheet (ie, just the names, uses per day, etc) and to create a seperate sheet to reflect using the focuses.

Examples:
I keep detailed lists of the combinations I use with the Chameleon and only include those lists when I actually use the focuses. I have a list for arcane, divine, combat, stealth and wild. Once I get to lvl 7+, I combine Arcane/Combat, Arcane/Divine, Stealth/Wild and Wild/Combat.

Changing on the fly simply means detaching a page from the bunch and putting the right page in. The stat boost that you get (+6 @ lvl 10) can be tricky to keep track of, but I have no trouble keeping up with it.
Carpe Diem
03-08-08, 10:54 PM I played a Chameleon, and I'm planning on playing another soon. I would go as far as to say it is my favourite class in the entire game and some advice: don't be a Doppelganger. It sounds like a good idea, but it isn't.

I played a heavily social campaign and I printed out multiple copies of my front character sheet. On each page, I had a different name, stats and abilities depending on who I was impersonating at the time. It's much easier to have a few personae that you rotate between, or creating a persona to match each of your Aptitudes. This way you only need one character sheet per aptitude until you get the double boon, where if I recall correctly you need 10 different character sheets to cover each possible Aptitude combination.

Next task is to draw up a personal spell list for your divine spells and one for your arcane spells. The arcane spells should be easy, only learn stuff you would use and you're set. Keep a copy of PHB and Spell Compendium (SpC) handy if you must. I hand-typed every spell I might use, but I didn't own SpC at the time. It might be a good idea to type them anyhow just so you have it handy.

Then make a list of all the typical uses for your floating feat are, and then organize them based on Aptitude (Combat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain), Power Attack; Magic: Craft Magic Arms & Armor, etc.) so that you will know which feat you will want to use when you choose your Aptitude at the beginning of the day.

For Ability Boon, manually apply it to your character sheet each day. Much easier than making hundreds of combinations. I left it on Charisma all the time.

Now, plug all that into a 1/2" binder. Use dividers for each category as required, with extra categories for your equipment or whatever as required. The trickiest part at this point is leveling up, which you can't feasibly do on the fly. I suggest getting an editable character sheet, or printing your Excel Spreadsheet and use it as a character sheet. This way you only need to change your stats once, and it will automatically update all your other stats.

Personally, I used the 4 page character sheet. Printed two copies of the spell page and 10 of the first page and that meant there was less to update when I leveled up. If you make a spreadsheet for your first page, then you've really cut down on your time. Print that off when you level up, update your other pages as required, update your spell list and you're really done. I know it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but that's the price you pay for the versatility.
ciaran
03-09-08, 03:14 AM I wanted to throw this in. I'm not saying it is an issue in your game, just saying.

The class ability to cast any spell from a divine class list does not allow you to any spell from the druid, cleric, ranger or paladin, etc. list at whim. You pick one list. And many cleric domain spells do not actually appear on the cleric spell list.
Carpe Diem
03-09-08, 07:55 PM I wanted to throw this in. I'm not saying it is an issue in your game, just saying.

The class ability to cast any spell from a divine class list does not allow you to any spell from the druid, cleric, ranger or paladin, etc. list at whim. You pick one list. And many cleric domain spells do not actually appear on the cleric spell list.

False. It allows you to prepare any spell that appears on a class list. So it's up to your DM how liberal that is, but it doesn't say anything about choosing one and sticking to it.
DeathlessJuan
03-10-08, 12:04 PM False. It allows you to prepare any spell that appears on a class list. So it's up to your DM how liberal that is, but it doesn't say anything about choosing one and sticking to it.

This I agree to. The ability lets you learn any divine spell (which can be from any list) but you must prepare your spells like a cleric. Which means no spontaneous casting. Same goes with the arcane spells. No where does it say it has to be from one list.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
zeroparadigm 02-18-08, 02:36 AM	So this is sort of a bizarre question... I have a Rogue/Exemplar/Human Paragon/Chameleon who's around 15th level or so. He's actually a fairly simple character, with the exception of the freaking levels in Chameleon. Here's the question: How do you best keep track of a character class that can change what you do with your character do dramatically? I keep a small book of photocopies of the pages from the PHB that detail the abilities that he mimics, as well as the different feats that he can use his floating feat for. I also have a base character sheet that has his normal stats, and then I use a spreadsheet on my laptop or as a printout that details his abilites based on how he is using his chameleon abilities at any given time. This works, but it is a pain in the junk. I typically use DM Genie to keep track of my characters, but not a freaking chameleon - the record-keeping method has yet to be invented that can hold this beast. Does anyone have any ideas on what some other methods of keeping track of a character that requires this much information might be? Also, I'll add I've never played a character with this much versatility before, and it's really, really cool. Though this is not a character for you if you dislike a lot of work on behind the scenes mechanics just to figure out your own bonuses and abilities. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! Z
DeathlessJuan 02-18-08, 01:42 PM	Well, how you keep track of the character's abilities really depends on how you play. It can be rather difficult to keep track at times, but I find the best way to keep track is to list all the abilities on one sheet (ie, just the names, uses per day, etc) and to create a seperate sheet to reflect using the focuses. Examples: I keep detailed lists of the combinations I use with the Chameleon and only include those lists when I actually use the focuses. I have a list for arcane, divine, combat, stealth and wild. Once I get to lvl 7+, I combine Arcane/Combat, Arcane/Divine, Stealth/Wild and Wild/Combat. Changing on the fly simply means detaching a page from the bunch and putting the right page in. The stat boost that you get (+6 @ lvl 10) can be tricky to keep track of, but I have no trouble keeping up with it.
Carpe Diem 03-08-08, 10:54 PM	I played a Chameleon, and I'm planning on playing another soon. I would go as far as to say it is my favourite class in the entire game and some advice: don't be a Doppelganger. It sounds like a good idea, but it isn't. I played a heavily social campaign and I printed out multiple copies of my front character sheet. On each page, I had a different name, stats and abilities depending on who I was impersonating at the time. It's much easier to have a few personae that you rotate between, or creating a persona to match each of your Aptitudes. This way you only need one character sheet per aptitude until you get the double boon, where if I recall correctly you need 10 different character sheets to cover each possible Aptitude combination. Next task is to draw up a personal spell list for your divine spells and one for your arcane spells. The arcane spells should be easy, only learn stuff you would use and you're set. Keep a copy of PHB and Spell Compendium (SpC) handy if you must. I hand-typed every spell I might use, but I didn't own SpC at the time. It might be a good idea to type them anyhow just so you have it handy. Then make a list of all the typical uses for your floating feat are, and then organize them based on Aptitude (Combat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain), Power Attack; Magic: Craft Magic Arms & Armor, etc.) so that you will know which feat you will want to use when you choose your Aptitude at the beginning of the day. For Ability Boon, manually apply it to your character sheet each day. Much easier than making hundreds of combinations. I left it on Charisma all the time. Now, plug all that into a 1/2" binder. Use dividers for each category as required, with extra categories for your equipment or whatever as required. The trickiest part at this point is leveling up, which you can't feasibly do on the fly. I suggest getting an editable character sheet, or printing your Excel Spreadsheet and use it as a character sheet. This way you only need to change your stats once, and it will automatically update all your other stats. Personally, I used the 4 page character sheet. Printed two copies of the spell page and 10 of the first page and that meant there was less to update when I leveled up. If you make a spreadsheet for your first page, then you've really cut down on your time. Print that off when you level up, update your other pages as required, update your spell list and you're really done. I know it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but that's the price you pay for the versatility.
ciaran 03-09-08, 03:14 AM	I wanted to throw this in. I'm not saying it is an issue in your game, just saying. The class ability to cast any spell from a divine class list does not allow you to any spell from the druid, cleric, ranger or paladin, etc. list at whim. You pick one list. And many cleric domain spells do not actually appear on the cleric spell list.
Carpe Diem 03-09-08, 07:55 PM	I wanted to throw this in. I'm not saying it is an issue in your game, just saying. The class ability to cast any spell from a divine class list does not allow you to any spell from the druid, cleric, ranger or paladin, etc. list at whim. You pick one list. And many cleric domain spells do not actually appear on the cleric spell list. False. It allows you to prepare any spell that appears on a class list. So it's up to your DM how liberal that is, but it doesn't say anything about choosing one and sticking to it.
DeathlessJuan 03-10-08, 12:04 PM	False. It allows you to prepare any spell that appears on a class list. So it's up to your DM how liberal that is, but it doesn't say anything about choosing one and sticking to it. This I agree to. The ability lets you learn any divine spell (which can be from any list) but you must prepare your spells like a cleric. Which means no spontaneous casting. Same goes with the arcane spells. No where does it say it has to be from one list.