Brains and Spellcasting... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Brains and Spellcasting... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Meep222
12-15-07, 04:26 AM I'm building a Dread Necro for level 10, just wondering aboot the feats. Is it worth it to take Eschew Materials as a Dread Necro, or is it a shot in the foot (yes, I know most of my spells don't require spell materials, and the ones that do usually require expensive ones, just trying to compare the cost of keeping up all the materials of the low cost ones to a feat). Secondly, if I take Undead Leadership, do any of the normal modifers for Leadership apply? And how would they affect mindless undead?
Meep222
12-18-07, 03:56 PM Bump? I'd like some advices? Any would be welcome.
Rebel7284
12-18-07, 04:01 PM Spell component pouches are very cheap. The feat is near useless for many spellcasters unless your DM has a fettish for getting you thrown into prison completely naked and itemless.
LSMFT
12-18-07, 04:25 PM Regarding Eschew Materials, it is as Rebel said, though it does also come in handy when grappled or when your pouch melds into your form when polymorphed.

As far as Undead Leadership goes, it says you "attract followers and a cohort as if you had taken the Leadership feat." It goes on to give bonuses you'd apply to your score if those followers and cohort are undead, but makes no exclusionary statements about any others. So, as written, all the other modifiers are in place.

Now, why a mindless creature would care or even know that you were renown for "fairness and generosity" is beyond me. I can see a DM modifying this to something more suitable, but, as written, the bonuses and penalties are still there.
Sinfire Titan
12-18-07, 05:11 PM I'm building a Dread Necro for level 10, just wondering aboot the feats. Is it worth it to take Eschew Materials as a Dread Necro, or is it a shot in the foot (yes, I know most of my spells don't require spell materials, and the ones that do usually require expensive ones, just trying to compare the cost of keeping up all the materials of the low cost ones to a feat). Secondly, if I take Undead Leadership, do any of the normal modifers for Leadership apply? And how would they affect mindless undead?

Why take Undead Leadership to control more Mindless undead when you have Control Undead and Rebuke?

Don't bother with the Eschew Materials feat. You won't need it, as you can just cast a spell that doesn't require material components.
Bloodsoul
12-18-07, 07:11 PM Well, if you ever hit Epic, Eschew Materials is a prerequisite for the very nice Ignore Material Components Feat.
Meep222
12-18-07, 11:06 PM Why take Undead Leadership to control more Mindless undead when you have Control Undead and Rebuke?
'Cause, it's more undead I can control without risking them deciding to leave? Or attacks me? That and if I eventually get to epic levels, I'll have more than 600 undead just from leadership (sure they're mostly little ones, but I can always raise more).

Otherwise, thanks fer the advice.
Sinfire Titan
12-19-07, 02:08 AM 'Cause, it's more undead I can control without risking them deciding to leave? Or attacks me? That and if I eventually get to epic levels, I'll have more than 600 undead just from leadership (sure they're mostly little ones, but I can always raise more).

Otherwise, thanks fer the advice.

Good Idea:

Undead Mastery [Divine][Epic]
Prerequisites

Cha 21, ability to rebuke or command undead.
Benefit

You may command up to ten times your level in HD of undead.

Bad Idea: Not taking Tomb-Tainted Soul as your first feat. There is no excuse short of lack of material that allows this.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Meep222 12-15-07, 04:26 AM	I'm building a Dread Necro for level 10, just wondering aboot the feats. Is it worth it to take Eschew Materials as a Dread Necro, or is it a shot in the foot (yes, I know most of my spells don't require spell materials, and the ones that do usually require expensive ones, just trying to compare the cost of keeping up all the materials of the low cost ones to a feat). Secondly, if I take Undead Leadership, do any of the normal modifers for Leadership apply? And how would they affect mindless undead?
Meep222 12-18-07, 03:56 PM	Bump? I'd like some advices? Any would be welcome.
Rebel7284 12-18-07, 04:01 PM	Spell component pouches are very cheap. The feat is near useless for many spellcasters unless your DM has a fettish for getting you thrown into prison completely naked and itemless.
LSMFT 12-18-07, 04:25 PM	Regarding Eschew Materials, it is as Rebel said, though it does also come in handy when grappled or when your pouch melds into your form when polymorphed. As far as Undead Leadership goes, it says you "attract followers and a cohort as if you had taken the Leadership feat." It goes on to give bonuses you'd apply to your score if those followers and cohort are undead, but makes no exclusionary statements about any others. So, as written, all the other modifiers are in place. Now, why a mindless creature would care or even know that you were renown for "fairness and generosity" is beyond me. I can see a DM modifying this to something more suitable, but, as written, the bonuses and penalties are still there.
Sinfire Titan 12-18-07, 05:11 PM	I'm building a Dread Necro for level 10, just wondering aboot the feats. Is it worth it to take Eschew Materials as a Dread Necro, or is it a shot in the foot (yes, I know most of my spells don't require spell materials, and the ones that do usually require expensive ones, just trying to compare the cost of keeping up all the materials of the low cost ones to a feat). Secondly, if I take Undead Leadership, do any of the normal modifers for Leadership apply? And how would they affect mindless undead? Why take Undead Leadership to control more Mindless undead when you have Control Undead and Rebuke? Don't bother with the Eschew Materials feat. You won't need it, as you can just cast a spell that doesn't require material components.
Bloodsoul 12-18-07, 07:11 PM	Well, if you ever hit Epic, Eschew Materials is a prerequisite for the very nice Ignore Material Components Feat.
Meep222 12-18-07, 11:06 PM	Why take Undead Leadership to control more Mindless undead when you have Control Undead and Rebuke? 'Cause, it's more undead I can control without risking them deciding to leave? Or attacks me? That and if I eventually get to epic levels, I'll have more than 600 undead just from leadership (sure they're mostly little ones, but I can always raise more). Otherwise, thanks fer the advice.
Sinfire Titan 12-19-07, 02:08 AM	'Cause, it's more undead I can control without risking them deciding to leave? Or attacks me? That and if I eventually get to epic levels, I'll have more than 600 undead just from leadership (sure they're mostly little ones, but I can always raise more). Otherwise, thanks fer the advice. Good Idea: Undead Mastery [Divine][Epic] Prerequisites Cha 21, ability to rebuke or command undead. Benefit You may command up to ten times your level in HD of undead. Bad Idea: Not taking Tomb-Tainted Soul as your first feat. There is no excuse short of lack of material that allows this.