Post/Author/DateTime	Post
drtompki 10-01-07, 02:06 PM	I had the notion of creating a bounty hunter in the vein of Vampire Hunter D, but the half-vampire template that I found in the Lubris Mortis to be extremely pitiful for something that is supposed to have most of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of vampires (I take this to mean the ability bonuses, any resistances, and the draining ability only). In order to avoid arguments over what is official and what is not, I would like to use something that is actually in a WotC book rather than a homebrew. Considering that, am I stuck with that pitiful template?
The_Shaman 10-01-07, 03:59 PM	Well, considerin that vampires come with a nice hefty +8 to their LA, and even spawn carry a +4, getting even most of their good points and none of the bad ones will not net you a +2 race, period. With the exception of a few crazily overpowered templates and a few more crazily underpowered ones, you get what you pay for. Dragon Magazine had another half-vampiric race, the Katane, but I don't think it's that much better - and it's another +2 IIRC. The rest is class levels. I think it's there that you want to be creative.
drtompki 10-01-07, 05:44 PM	Oh, I was actually shooting for something slightly more potent than +2.
Paradox_of_Life 10-01-07, 08:57 PM	Regardless, it is the class levels you take that you should be focusing on.
Count Arioch the 28th 10-01-07, 08:59 PM	Oh, I was actually shooting for something slightly more potent than +2. You'll be pitiful. It's class levels, not what LA race you are. As a matter of fact, LA has the opposite effect: it makes you weak.
Wall 10-01-07, 09:06 PM	I had the notion of creating a bounty hunter in the vein of Vampire Hunter D, but the half-vampire template that I found in the Lubris Mortis to be extremely pitiful for something that is supposed to have most of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of vampires (I take this to mean the ability bonuses, any resistances, and the draining ability only). In order to avoid arguments over what is official and what is not, I would like to use something that is actually in a WotC book rather than a homebrew. Considering that, am I stuck with that pitiful template? The LM Half-Vampire wasn't intended to be a super "all strengths no weaknesses" kinda dhampir. It obviously wasn't supposed to be the vampire sensing conmen that I recall dhampirs to actually be, either (but that's easy enough. They make it a feat.) BUT somewhere on this site is a template called the "Vampire Lord." It increases the vampire's capabilities and takes away most of the weaknesses... I guess you could just change the flavor and call it a dhampir? EDIT: And here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20021018a) it is. It's 3.0, but that shouldn't be much trouble to update.
Hanzo187 10-01-07, 09:10 PM	They're right. You should focus more on class levels. However, you should also remember that D did have some of the weaknesses of the vampires: he was weakened in sunlight (though he didn't combust), he suffered sun sickness every few years (read book 3 if you want to know of that), and he was still vulnerable to a stake to the heart. The Ability Mods should probably be +2 or +4 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Con, and +2 Cha. That can always be changed, of course. As for racial abilities, the only thing I ever noticed that was supernatural about D (besides his look and heritage) was he was very strong against magic (Spell Resistance?), he healed fast, and was extremely strong-willed and perceptive (High Wis, maybe Iron Will). Don't forget, though, that D was unique among even Dhampirs because he is the son of Dracula, who is considered a god among vamps.
Paradox_of_Life 10-01-07, 09:43 PM	And you could always take the vampire bloodline.
drtompki 10-02-07, 03:20 PM	You'll be pitiful. It's class levels, not what LA race you are. As a matter of fact, LA has the opposite effect: it makes you weak. In a way, that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am not trying to build D, but rather the roleplaying experience that such a character represents. If I want power, I'd beg my DM to let me be a gesalt character.
Crimson_red 10-02-07, 05:50 PM	Edit: Sorry if I come off a little sarcastic, its not my intent, I really am looking for a reasoned respons. So to clarify, you want a half-vampire template with many/most/all of a vimpire's strengths none/few/some of there weaknesses, and you don't mind if the LA gimps it to pitifulness... But it can't be as pitiful as the Half-Vampire Template from LM. Question: Can you tell us how the LM template fails convey the RP experience you want? Admittedly I like the template... but its been so long since I read it I'd have a hard time saying why at the moment... if your interested in my reasons I 'd be happy to brush up on it though.
drtompki 10-03-07, 12:47 AM	Edit: Sorry if I come off a little sarcastic, its not my intent, I really am looking for a reasoned respons. So to clarify, you want a half-vampire template with many/most/all of a vimpire's strengths none/few/some of there weaknesses, and you don't mind if the LA gimps it to pitifulness... But it can't be as pitiful as the Half-Vampire Template from LM. Question: Can you tell us how the LM template fails convey the RP experience you want? Admittedly I like the template... but its been so long since I read it I'd have a hard time saying why at the moment... if your interested in my reasons I 'd be happy to brush up on it though. I'm looking for something more along the lines of +3 or +4, not the +8 that actual vampires get. I figure that between losing the undead type (and all the immunities that come with it), the dominate ability, the command creatures of the night, and the alternate form and replacing the susceptibility to sunlight with some sun-sickness susceptibility (make some sort of Fort save) should put the template in the desired range without making it too off-setting. Basically, I would like to have something that is much more difficult for the commoner to discern from the real deal. It is easier to play the anti-hero if the masses confuse you for something truly nasty.