Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zalakhiel 05-19-07, 03:17 AM	I have created a BBEG for my PCs. He is a Human lvl 12 Fighter/lvl 10 Blackguard, and I would like to know if the feats I have given him will give him an edge against their party (Human Cleric, Gray Elf Wizard, Human Fighter, Halfling Rogue, Dwarf Ranger, Human Duskblade). Feats: Weapon Focus (Greatsword), Weapon Specialization (Greatsword), Greater Weapon Focus (Greatsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (Greatsword), Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Sunder, Endurance, Diehard, Steadfast Determination, Melee Weapon Mastery (Slashing), Combat Expertise, Improved Combat Expertise, Extra Smite, Epic Weapon Focus (Greatsword). What do you guys think? He also carries a +4 Keen, Ghost Touch, Brilliant Energy Greatsword and a +3 Ghost Touch Animated Red Dragonscale Shield. Finally, he wears a +2 Ghost Touch Red Dragonscale Armor of Heavy Fortification. If there is something I could add or remove, please tell me so. I want to make this fellow as optimized as possible. Thanks in advance! :)
runestar 05-19-07, 08:05 AM	High lv fighter npcs tend to suck for their cr. That guy is going down fast, and I am not sure if any amount of optimization can save him...:(
Zalakhiel 05-19-07, 03:11 PM	That is why I have given him an edge in terms of ability scores (Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 18 for starting ability scores, put the 5 ability increases in Str and give him a +5 inherent bonus to Str, a +4 to Con and Cha, and a +2 to Wis and Dex), and his Fiendish Servant is a Nessian Hell Hound. He also has a +6 Belt of Giant Strength, a +4 Amulet of Health, a +4 Cloak of Charisma, a +2 Periapt of Wisdom, a +4 Ring of Protection, a +3 ring of Resistance (as the Cloak of Resistance), Googles of True Seeing, a Darkskull and a Mantle of Epic Spell Resistance. Finally, he carries a talisman that gives him control over a small battalion of Lich Sorcerers. But apart from these, are the feats ok? I want him to deliver the most harsh punishment on the PCs, and they are likely to encounter him at lvl 18 or so.
Ubasrawr 05-19-07, 03:16 PM	Have a BBEG cleric as his support with death ward spell readied or already cast. This will prolong the battle for quite some time before the party is able to save or die him to death.
AtmaWeapon 05-19-07, 03:19 PM	That is why I have given him an edge in terms of ability scores (Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 18 for starting ability scores, put the 5 ability increases in Str and give him a +5 inherent bonus to Str, a +4 to Con and Cha, and a +2 to Wis and Dex), and his Fiendish Servant is a Nessian Hell Hound. He also has a +6 Belt of Giant Strength, a +4 Amulet of Health, a +4 Cloak of Charisma, a +2 Periapt of Wisdom, a +4 Ring of Protection, a +3 ring of Resistance (as the Cloak of Resistance), Googles of True Seeing, a Darkskull and a Mantle of Epic Spell Resistance. Finally, he carries a talisman that gives him control over a small battalion of Lich Sorcerers. But apart from these, are the feats ok? I want him to deliver the most harsh punishment on the PCs, and they are likely to encounter him at lvl 18 or so. That's a heck of a lot of gear to give the PCs when they slaughter him. And honestly, I'd personally rule as a DM that you cannot sunder with a Brilliant Energy weapon. It makes no sense from a logical standpoint. 2 words though: Locked Gauntlet. Nuff 'said. Hmm, the things I could do with a batallion of lich sorcerers.
Zalakhiel 05-19-07, 04:12 PM	Concerning the brilliant energy weapon, it is his signature weapon. He also carries 2 masterwork greatswords in case he loses his primary weapon, and he has a lot of scrolls of Greater Magic Weapon to cast on them. He also has 2 Heal scrolls, just in case. The idea of having a cleric along is very good. But concerning the Lich battalion, what are your thoughts? Is this too much? I gave this guy all this aid because the party includes 6 members instead of the typical 4, and they rolled 5d6 for their ability scores, discarding the 2 worst results per ability. The Improved Sunder could be removed, yes. But what would do? Improved Trip? I also considered Improved Feint, but Bluff is not a class skill for the Blackguard... :(
Ubasrawr 05-20-07, 01:58 AM	Take Bull Rush or Overrun. They are quite good. Push the wizard into on of his own ally and you have a prone wizard. Or push the cleric into his ally or against a wall and he will be prone by default. Overrun your enemy and force them prone. Being prone is quite nasty and if they try standing up you get an AOO. That way your Blackguard can control the battelfield, while your battalion of liches deal the nasty damage or effects.
Rerecros 05-20-07, 03:29 AM	The idea of having a cleric along is very good. But concerning the Lich battalion, what are your thoughts? Is this too much? I gave this guy all this aid because the party includes 6 members instead of the typical 4, and they rolled 5d6 for their ability scores, discarding the 2 worst results per ability. It is a bit much. Lich's are designed to be BBEGs, usually midlevel evil spell casters proforming some evil ritual to make themsleves to makethemselves immortal, not cannon-fodder. A Lich Cleric Cohort and a battalion Deathlocks (Libris Mortis) is a much better idea. Though for an evil cleric to be useful to him, he should take tomb-tainted soul, or become a necropolitan (both in Libris Mortis).
Zalakhiel 05-20-07, 09:35 AM	I just saw the Necropolitan and the Deathlocks and they are very good indeed! Thank you for the info. Also, I think I will forgo the Improved Combat Expertise for Improved Trip. If I succeed, I get an attack at the tripped foe, who is denied his Dexterity modifier to AC (thus I can Sneak Attack him). :P