Half ?/Half Dragon Paragon Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Half ?/Half Dragon Paragon Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
cdmonish
03-24-04, 03:13 PM I'm about to start a higher level campaign with an orc having the half dragon template applied (we can purchase LA off over the course of the adventures).

Given that a half-dragon is similar in name (not power) to the other half-races (orc and elf), I was surprised the half-dragon paragon didn't have the ability to also advance in his other half (granted this might not occur often enough to publish in a book).

So, simple question: Would a half Orc/half Dragon only be able to take levels in the half-dragon paragon? Or, could he take levels in the Orc paragon instead? Or, in the most extreme, anyone's thoughts on allowing progression in both the orc and half-dragon paragon? (BTW, I wouldn't even consider advancing in the half-dragon paragon as there aren't too many synergies. He'll have no sorcerous levels and the half-dragon doesn't add a stat boost).

Thanks for any thoughts
Krelios
03-24-04, 03:37 PM Well first of all, there's a key distinction between Half-Orc/Half-Dragon and Half Orc/Half-Dragon. I'll assume that this character is a Half-Orc that has had the Half-Dragon template added...

He should be allowed to take either the Half-Dragon Paragon class or the Half-Orc Paragon class, but not both. If he decides to take the Half-Orc Paragon class, then he would advance in that as normal (ignoring his half-dragon heritage), so he could choose to focus on Human or Orc heritage from there.
Kastas
03-24-04, 03:46 PM Although it might not be a very advantageous combination, I'd have no problem with an orc half-dragon taking levels in both the orc paragon and half-dragon paragon classes. Neither are overpowered, as far as I can tell, so there shouldn't be any balance issue. From an in-game standpoint, this doesn't seem much stranger to me than, for instance, advancing first as a half-orc and then as an orc. Then again, paragon classes didn't make much sense to me to begin with.
baoban sith
03-24-04, 03:53 PM I don't remember seeing that about half-dragons, which is not to say that it's not the case. I frankly don't see anything wrong with a half-elf/half dragon wizard1/halfelf paragon3/human(or elf)paragon3)halfdragon paragon3/wizard prestige class 7 It frankly wouldn't be that strong a build.
baoban sith
03-25-04, 12:37 AM Of course, a clerical variant would not be bad
cdmonish
03-25-04, 12:35 PM I actually like the half-elf/human combination, given there are no classes specified for the spellcasting increase and you can gain a net of +4 to any ability (actually using a half-elf/human paragon on my way to the Ocular Adept from F&P, trying to find anything to max the charisma). The other thing that seems almost powerful in a social setting campaign is the +2 to all other "charisma-based skills" half-elves gain. I'm not sure how many skills that amounts to offhand, but I would wager more than four/five.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cdmonish 03-24-04, 03:13 PM	I'm about to start a higher level campaign with an orc having the half dragon template applied (we can purchase LA off over the course of the adventures). Given that a half-dragon is similar in name (not power) to the other half-races (orc and elf), I was surprised the half-dragon paragon didn't have the ability to also advance in his other half (granted this might not occur often enough to publish in a book). So, simple question: Would a half Orc/half Dragon only be able to take levels in the half-dragon paragon? Or, could he take levels in the Orc paragon instead? Or, in the most extreme, anyone's thoughts on allowing progression in both the orc and half-dragon paragon? (BTW, I wouldn't even consider advancing in the half-dragon paragon as there aren't too many synergies. He'll have no sorcerous levels and the half-dragon doesn't add a stat boost). Thanks for any thoughts
Krelios 03-24-04, 03:37 PM	Well first of all, there's a key distinction between Half-Orc/Half-Dragon and Half Orc/Half-Dragon. I'll assume that this character is a Half-Orc that has had the Half-Dragon template added... He should be allowed to take either the Half-Dragon Paragon class or the Half-Orc Paragon class, but not both. If he decides to take the Half-Orc Paragon class, then he would advance in that as normal (ignoring his half-dragon heritage), so he could choose to focus on Human or Orc heritage from there.
Kastas 03-24-04, 03:46 PM	Although it might not be a very advantageous combination, I'd have no problem with an orc half-dragon taking levels in both the orc paragon and half-dragon paragon classes. Neither are overpowered, as far as I can tell, so there shouldn't be any balance issue. From an in-game standpoint, this doesn't seem much stranger to me than, for instance, advancing first as a half-orc and then as an orc. Then again, paragon classes didn't make much sense to me to begin with.
baoban sith 03-24-04, 03:53 PM	I don't remember seeing that about half-dragons, which is not to say that it's not the case. I frankly don't see anything wrong with a half-elf/half dragon wizard1/halfelf paragon3/human(or elf)paragon3)halfdragon paragon3/wizard prestige class 7 It frankly wouldn't be that strong a build.
baoban sith 03-25-04, 12:37 AM	Of course, a clerical variant would not be bad
cdmonish 03-25-04, 12:35 PM	I actually like the half-elf/human combination, given there are no classes specified for the spellcasting increase and you can gain a net of +4 to any ability (actually using a half-elf/human paragon on my way to the Ocular Adept from F&P, trying to find anything to max the charisma). The other thing that seems almost powerful in a social setting campaign is the +2 to all other "charisma-based skills" half-elves gain. I'm not sure how many skills that amounts to offhand, but I would wager more than four/five.