Post/Author/DateTime	Post
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-22-05, 03:41 PM	My wife decided that she would once again rise to the challenge of the DM's chair. This is going to give me a rare opportunity, I GET TO BE PLAYER!!!!!!! :w00t: :cheer: :dancin: Now this leaves me with one slight problem: over the years of DMing I have come up with a few concepts that I want to play. These are concepts that I could not manifest as NPCs because either they were good guys, or I wanted to develop them in the way only a PC could. The problem is that I can only play one of them, and I don't know which I want the most. So here they are in no particular order: 1) Monk/ranger/order of the bow initiate. Basically he started out in a jungle war, similiar to Vietnam only in DnD standards, were he became evil and nasty. Then one day on a patrol he encountered a wise monk who taught him discipline and a better way. Now he uses the martial arts that the monk taught him to atone for past war crimes. 2) Wild elf gypsy. I thinking it would be cool to do something like a gypsy -- someone who travels around never really calling anywhere home, and takes the stories of the road and her music with her as she goes. For the build I was thinking that I would use a scout 10/dervish 10. 3) Jedi wizard. We are doing a Faerun campaign and I was thinking about maybe doing a LN/LG wizard who worships Mystra and dedicates his/her life to the responsible use of magic and maintaining balance in the Weave. Using my magic powers only for the search of truth and its defence, etc. For the build I would go wiz 5/incantatrix 10. 4) The duelist. I wanted to play a cocky half-drunken finnesse fighter. He is arrogant and selfish, but means well and tries to do the right thing. Prolly fighter2/swash buckler 3. Most likely an elf. 5) The road warrior. I wanted to play a biker-type mean sort of prick, but he always defends the weak and rights wrongs etc, etc. He is just plain ruthless and mean towards bullies and the like. Kinda like a Punisher-meets-Ghost-Rider type thing. I was thinking fighter or ranger with the mounted archery feats. Maybe a druid going into tempest. Although a warlock would fit in style-wise. 6) Ninja. Because ninjas are cool. Here's the thing though: my wife is new to the DMing arts and I do not want to over powergame her game, nor do I want to outshine the other players. What I want is to make a decent charater with good survivablity and a concept that is going to be fun to play. Any advice is appreciated.
Wookie1120 07-22-05, 04:38 PM	I like your first one. seems like a good solid character concept, nothing too far out there that's gonna screw up your wife or make your compatriates(sp) feel worthless. IMHO
REvil74 07-22-05, 05:04 PM	The role-player in me says go Wild Elf Gypsy because it will be both fun for you and skills will be helpful for the group. The five-year-old in me says ninja because he thinks ninjas are cool too...
Light of Day 07-22-05, 05:49 PM	They all sound fairly solid but not overpowered. They all sound pretty fun to play as well. My suggestion? You've numbered the concepts 1-6... these numbers happen to coincide exactly with those on the faces of a d6. Coincidence? Probably, but that's besides the point. The only thing I really have to say is... 2) Wild elf gypsy. I thinking it would be cool to do something like a gypsy -- someone who travels around never really calling anywhere home, and takes the stories of the road and her music with her as she goes. For the build I was thinking that I would use a scout 10/dervish 10.Something about this just screams "bard" to me, and not just the fact that the word "music" is in there. I dunno, maybe I just like the idea of gypsy bards...
Dragonsblood 07-22-05, 06:02 PM	Find out what the other players want to make first. Then pick the archtype that fits best with them. IE if they have a wizard, cleric, and rogue, you should play number 1, 4, or 5.
EvilDuck 07-22-05, 06:36 PM	1) Monk/ranger/order of the bow initiate. Basically he started out in a jungle war, similiar to Vietnam only in DnD standards, were he became evil and nasty. Then one day on a patrol he encountered a wise monk who taught him discipline and a better way. Now he uses the martial arts that the monk taught him to atone for past war crimes. Monk and archery really don't mesh well. I'd drop the monk and just go OotBI, using the Order as your "wise man repenter" thing. 2) Wild elf gypsy. I thinking it would be cool to do something like a gypsy -- someone who travels around never really calling anywhere home, and takes the stories of the road and her music with her as she goes. For the build I was thinking that I would use a scout 10/dervish 10. Bard. Most definitely bard is what you're thinking of here. And hey; everyone can use a bard. 3) Jedi wizard. We are doing a Faerun campaign and I was thinking about maybe doing a LN/LG wizard who worships Mystra and dedicates his/her life to the responsible use of magic and maintaining balance in the Weave. Using my magic powers only for the search of truth and its defence, etc. For the build I would go wiz 5/incantatrix 10. Well, if you're gonna be the party arcanist, then the party will prolly expect you to be the blaster, so don't be so stingy with the magic. Otherwise, seems good. Can't go wrong with incantatrix. 4) The duelist. I wanted to play a cocky half-drunken finnesse fighter. He is arrogant and selfish, but means well and tries to do the right thing. Prolly fighter2/swash buckler 3. Most likely an elf. Sounds cool, but he'd be cooler if he was a human. Elves just don't seem like the race to get drunk and act cocky. Of course, I hate elves, but that isn't the point. 5) The road warrior. I wanted to play a biker-type mean sort of prick, but he always defends the weak and rights wrongs etc, etc. He is just plain ruthless and mean towards bullies and the like. Kinda like a Punisher-meets-Ghost-Rider type thing. I was thinking fighter or ranger with the mounted archery feats. Maybe a druid going into tempest. Although a warlock would fit in style-wise. Nothing splits up the party like a single mounted character among a bunch of non-mounted ones. 6) Ninja. Because ninjas are cool. That they are. Which ninja would you be using? Here's the thing though: my wife is new to the DMing arts and I do not want to over powergame her game, nor do I want to outshine the other players. What I want is to make a decent charater with good survivablity and a concept that is going to be fun to play. Any advice is appreciated. "Powergame" is a subjective term. A barbarian doing 25 damage per hit might be powergaming among a group of sixth-level characters, but at 16th level, it's fairly normal. Also, the amount of powergaming is determined by you. If you end up playing an incantatrix, you could definitely powergame by persisitificating every single buff cast upon you and your companions. Whether you actually do that or not is up to you...
REvil74 07-22-05, 08:00 PM	Be a pirate. Pirates are cooler than ninjas.
EvilDuck 07-22-05, 08:06 PM	Be a pirate. Pirates are cooler than ninjas. You shut your mouth. You shut your mouth and never open it again!... If you're reading this, the ninja hasn't come to kill you yet. Kenji might be a little late, he had to drop his daughter off at daycare.
JezzTheLame 07-22-05, 08:31 PM	no start with ninja and go prestige dread pirate, (can you do that? I don't know about AL problems or not). Pirate-Ninjas, think about, or think about it before it makes your brain explode and ooze out your ears.
AramilWindwalker 07-22-05, 08:32 PM	Be a ninja pirate(ninja/Dread pirate, both available in CAdv)
REvil74 07-22-05, 10:47 PM	Ignore them. Just be a pirate. lol Actually, Ninja pirate might be a pretty cool idea. Instead of daylight raids, maybe at night you take a small craft, sneak onboard with a few clan members and silently kill the crew, take the loot and sail away after you get back to your brig of war.... yes, ninja pirate...
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-23-05, 02:52 AM	Monk and archery really don't mesh well. I'd drop the monk and just go OotBI, using the Order as your "wise man repenter" thing. I was hoping to do a martial artist woodsmen type thing. As for meshing them together I was thinking Acetic hunter form the CV would do that... Bard. Most definitely bard is what you're thinking of here. And hey; everyone can use a bard. Yaa my, the DM said the same thing. i was going for a scout becuase it worked thematically, and helper with the combat out put. (skirmish) Well, if you're gonna be the party arcanist, then the party will prolly expect you to be the blaster, so don't be so stingy with the magic. Otherwise, seems good. Can't go wrong with incantatrix. Yaa i figured that and a blaster doesn't work with the concept. i would be leaning more towards buffing and crowd controll. Sounds cool, but he'd be cooler if he was a human. Elves just don't seem like the race to get drunk and act cocky. Of course, I hate elves, but that isn't the point. I concure. i wanted elf for the Improved weapon fimilairity feat in the CW, but I'll just spend an extra human feat on the other profeicency (elvin light/thin blade) Nothing splits up the party like a single mounted character among a bunch of non-mounted ones. True that. maybe I can convince them that horses are a good thing. That they are. Which ninja would you be using? Complete adventurer. DM won't allow anything else other then the complete cycle core and FR books. Although one player got her toOK a prestige class from the RoS. I want a tactical feat from the RoW she said yes, but i kinda wanna keep it in approved material. "Powergame" is a subjective term. A barbarian doing 25 damage per hit might be powergaming among a group of sixth-level characters, but at 16th level, it's fairly normal. Also, the amount of powergaming is determined by you. If you end up playing an incantatrix, you could definitely powergame by persisitificating every single buff cast upon you and your companions. Whether you actually do that or not is up to you... it is not so much the other players i am concerned about, ( all decent powergamers save a couple of padiwans that i figured i would train in the ways of the force) i really don't want her to have to deal with an unstoppable juggernuaghter. This will only be her third ever time DMing and i want it to be successful. (that way i get to play more characters and not DM all the time) Mind you it is hard not to constantly think up mechanical benefets and how to develop them fully. Also i am looking for a well rounded character and not a one power wonder.
EvilDuck 07-23-05, 04:04 AM	I was hoping to do a martial artist woodsmen type thing. As for meshing them together I was thinking Acetic hunter form the CV would do that... You misunderstood when I said mesh. The monk is more melee-oriented, which would kinda clash with the whole archer thing. Yaa my, the DM said the same thing. i was going for a scout becuase it worked thematically, and helper with the combat out put. (skirmish) However, bard would fit the concept best, with the singing and dancing and such. And if you want combat help, pick up the Arcane Strike feat from CW. Yaa i figured that and a blaster doesn't work with the concept. i would be leaning more towards buffing and coward controll. Clerics are better at buffs than wizards. And what do you mean by coward control? I concure. i wanted elf for the Improved weapon fimilairity feat in the CW, but I'll just spend an extra human feat on the other profeicency (elvin light/thin blade) Sounds better. Your Con won't take a hit, and you'll get more skill points Treu that. maybe I can convince them that horses are a good thing. Keep in mind that your wife prolly won't have mounts in mind when she's making the dungeon. Complete adventurer. DM won't allow anything else other then the complete cycle core and FR books. Although one player got her toOK a prestige class from the RoS. I want a tactical feat from the RoW she said yes, but i kinda wanna keep it in approved material. If you wanna keep the material in check, that's totally fine. However, the CAdv ninja isn't that great of a class, as it suffers from MAD(Multiple Attribute Dependency) and is surpassed by the rogue in all areas. it is not so much the other players i am concerned about, ( all decent powergamers save a couple of padiwans that i figured i would train in the ways of the force) i really don't want her to have to deal with an unstoppable juggernuaghter. This will only be her third ever time DMing and i want it to be successful. (that way i get to play more characters and not DM all the time) Mind you it is hard not to constantly think up mechanical benefets and how to develop them fully. Understandable. Also i am looking for a well rounded character and not a one power wonder. Bard.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-23-05, 01:52 PM	You misunderstood when I said mesh. The monk is more melee-oriented, which would kinda clash with the whole archer thing. I understand. I was thinking of using the unarmed as a combat secondary weapon, for when i get into mellee, palour forbid. Also i thought the martial training and the search for personal perfection meshed really well with the order of the bow thing. I actually was planning on going monk 9 ranger 11 for this character. then i read the flavour text for the Order of the bow PrC. However, bard would fit the concept best, with the singing and dancing and such. And if you want combat help, pick up the Arcane Strike feat from CW. Yaa bard would work a lot better for this. I think It will become a human bard. This is gonna be a coin toss over it and the order build. Clerics are better at buffs than wizards. And what do you mean by coward control? crowd controll, sorry :embarrass Mostly hold person/ hold monster type spells. along with a few blastards spells, the force (telepathy), and chain lightening. I'm almost thinking a sorcer may work well for this build... Sounds better. Your Con won't take a hit, and you'll get more skill points Agreed. I just always play humans. (witch isn't very often becuase I mostly DM) I was kinda hoping for something different, but it doesn't really matter much. Keep in mind that your wife prolly won't have mounts in mind when she's making the dungeon. You are wise my freind. This is a cool concept, but i think I'll save it for an NPC. If you wanna keep the material in check, that's totally fine. However, the CAdv ninja isn't that great of a class, as it suffers from MAD(Multiple Attribute Dependency) and is surpassed by the rogue in all areas. But MAD is my specailty, and person favourite. Although i agree with you, the rogue is a more versilitile class. I wanted the hole sneak around in PJs ninja feel. And I could do that better with a rogue and a ring of invisibility. Bard. Why do you say that?
EvilDuck 07-23-05, 02:04 PM	I understand. I was thinking of using the unarmed as a combat secondary weapon, for when i get into mellee, palour forbid. Also i thought the martial training and the search for personal perfection meshed really well with the order of the bow thing. I actually was planning on going monk 9 ranger 11 for this character. then i read the flavour text for the Order of the bow PrC. If you're concerned about melee, get a greatsword. Yaa bard would work a lot better for this. I think It will become a human bard. This is gonna be a coin toss over it and the order build. Remember: If it lands on its edge, you must be a Cheater of Mystra. crowd controll, sorry :embarrass Mostly hold person/ hold monster type spells. along with a few blastards spells, the force (telepathy), and chain lightening. I'm almost thinking a sorcer may work well for this build... Ah, gotcha. Agreed. I just always play humans. (witch isn't very often becuase I mostly DM) I was kinda hoping for something different, but it doesn't really matter much. Eh, who needs the other races? You are wise my freind. This is a cool concept, but i think I'll save it for an NPC. It's always nice to take good ideas for PCs and use them as bad guys. But MAD is my specailty, and person favourite. Although i agree with you, the rogue is a more versilitile class. I wanted the hole sneak around in PJs ninja feel. And I could do that better with a rogue and a ring of invisibility. That you could... Why do you say that? Bard is pretty much the definition of versatile and avoidance of specialization, and it has the added bonus of not being overpowered.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-23-05, 05:20 PM	Bard is pretty much the definition of versatile and avoidance of specialization, and it has the added bonus of not being overpowered. Yaa i always the rogue filing this roll though. Mind you the bard comes in close second. I just always saw the rogue as better becuase of the more skill points and better ablities.
EvilDuck 07-23-05, 05:48 PM	Yaa i always the rogue filing this roll though. Mind you the bard comes in close second. I just always saw the rogue as better becuase of the more skill points and better ablities. However, the rogue doesn't have spells. The bard is great as a secondary caster and a heal-bot in addition to his other talents.
Siduakal 07-23-05, 06:09 PM	You shut your mouth. You shut your mouth and never open it again!... If you're reading this, the ninja hasn't come to kill you yet. Kenji might be a little late, he had to drop his daughter off at daycare. Yea.. Play a Ninja -> Dreadpirate! Arrrgh me sneaky!
Ze_Mighty_Vegetable 07-23-05, 06:14 PM	2 ideas... 1): Ask your wife wich character she think would fit better in her campain. As she is new to DMing, you would be helping her by making her choose wich (not necessarily only one) give her the most ideas for plot-hooks and such. 2): Check what the others are making. Then, pick a build that's gonna fit with the others. Be very carefull to stay at their power-level (DON'T go for that little teeny-weeny bit of extra power... what's teeny-weeny for you might not be for the rest of the group...) That way, everybody's the same powerlevel, easing the task for the DM. To be sure you don't powergame too much (since you stated it as one of your goal), ask 2 persons if your PC's overpowered: the DM and a fellow player (don't choose the uber-munchkin of the group, as he's gonna find a tarrasque-slayer to be a puny amateur). It's the only real way to determine if you are balanced. After spending much time in thought and character design, there's no way you're gonna be impartial when evaluating your build. I know I'm not.
Siduakal 07-23-05, 06:19 PM	Another idea.. Pick your two favorites Get Leadership feat as one Cohort the other.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-24-05, 02:11 PM	The quarter of fate hath decided it, I shall be playing the Ranger monk. I decided that i would post its stat blocks here. One at 3rd, we start at third level, and one at tenth level. The build I entend to use will go something like this ranger 4/ monk 6/ order of the bow initiate 10. I will be asuming DMG standard gold for gear value. 3rd level human female (ranger 1/monk2): HD:3d8 +6 AC: 16= 10 +1 armour +3dex +2 wisdom (touch 15/flat footed 13) Init: +3 SvS: +7/+7/+5 BA/GrP: +2/+3 SpD: 30ft AL: LG Full Atck: Great bow +6 (d10+1/20/X3) Unarmed +3 (d6+1) Flurry +1/+1 (d6+1) Special atck: Flurry of blows, unarmed strike Special Qual: Wild empathy, Favoured enemy (Drow/orcs/Yanty, undecided at this piont), Evasion Feats: Exotic weapon proficiency Great bow, piont Blank shot, Acetic hunter (CV), Stuning fist, deflect arrows, Track, Skills:Craft Bow making 5, Hide 9, Move sil9, Survival 6, Listen 8, Spot 8, Knowledge geo 4, Knowledge relegion 2 Able: Str11 (12) Dex17 Con15 Int10 Wis15 Cha10 Gear: Belt of gaints str +1 (DM approved) Bracers of Armour +1, Master work Mighty composite great bow (+1 str), 100 arrows, dagger, Back pack, bedroll, Signal wistle, Sunrod X5, Travellers outfit, Dog (guard), 204.1gp 10th level human female (ranger 4/monk6): HD:10d8 +20 AC: 22= 10 +2 armour+6dex+2 wisdom+2 monk bonouse (touch 20/flat footed 16) Init: +6 SvS: +11/+15/+10 BA/GrP: +8/+9 SpD: 50ft AL: LG Full Atck: Great bow +16/+11 (d10+1+d6 cold/20/X3) Rapid shot +14/+14/+9 (d10+1+d6 cold/20/X3) Unarmed +9 (2d6+1) Flurry +8/+8/+3 (2d6+1) Special atck: Flurry of blows, unarmed strike Special Qual: Wild empathy, Favoured enemy (Drow/orcs/Yanty, undecided at this piont), Evasion Still mind, Ki strike magic, Slow Fall 30 ft, Purity of body, Animal companion (1st level ranger spells) Feats: Exotic weapon proficiency Great bow, piont Blank shot, Acetic hunter (CV), Stuning fist, deflect arrows, Track, Rapid shot, Endurance, Deflect Arrows *, Weapon focus great Bow, Improved trip*, Precise shot Skills:Craft Bow making 5, Hide 24, Move sil24, Survival 12, Listen 15, Spot 15, Knowledge geo 4, Knowledge relegion 2, Tumble +10 Able: Str12 Dex18 (22) Con15 Int10 Wis15 Cha10 Gear: Bracers of Armour +2, +1 frost of distance Master work Mighty composite great bow (+1 str), 100 arrows, dagger, Back pack, bedroll, Signal wistle, Sunrod X5, Travellers outfit, Dog (guard), Gloves of dex +4, Monks belt, Boots of elvin kind, Cloak of elvin kind, Wand of cure moderate wounds, Wand of owls wisdom, 1,795.1gp I'm hoping this ins' t going to out shine any of the players, or cuase too much headaches for the DM. let me know what you think, and also if I missed anything in the stat blocks. Thankx.
REvil74 07-24-05, 03:29 PM	Yeah, youre missing the whole ninja pirate concept we labored over! I'd go with orc for your favored enemy. you'd probably get the most use out of it unless you're underground or yuan-ti are featured in the campaign. I dont see your race (assuming human), but if my assumptions are wrong, take human favored enemy to get the most out of it.
Siduakal 07-24-05, 08:17 PM	Seriously.. Ninja 10/Dread Pirate 10.. It's the wave of the future. In fact... Dare I say it? It's... Real.. Ultimate... Power.
REvil74 07-24-05, 08:24 PM	Indeed :teach: The Ninja/Dread Pirate... they will take over the world, but for now, they're content with just this thread of the Wizards boards...
Red_Ninja 07-27-05, 10:11 AM	I may be biased...but you don't really need the dread pirate in there at all...I'd fear a lvl20 ninja WAY more than a 10/10 ninja/dreadpirate... but dread pirate ninja, would make cool minions... ;)
DrMorganes 07-27-05, 10:43 AM	However, the rogue doesn't have spells. The bard is great as a secondary caster and a heal-bot in addition to his other talents.No, but rogues DO have Use Magic Device, which can help offset things a bit with scrolls, wands, and whatnot. I built a rogue around a "charlatan" concept: she pretended to be a wizard whilst stealing everyone blind. Worked marvelously :D
EvilDuck 07-27-05, 11:29 PM	No, but rogues DO have Use Magic Device, which can help offset things a bit with scrolls, wands, and whatnot. I built a rogue around a "charlatan" concept: she pretended to be a wizard whilst stealing everyone blind. Worked marvelously :D Oh, you got me so hot over here...
Morka 07-28-05, 10:11 AM	You could mix some of your concepts. For example, be a Wild Elf travelling gypsie. For classes, you could be Swashbuckler/Scout/Dervish. Usually cool and pleasant, but when he get drunk, he becomes ruthless and search any occasion to defend weaks and right the wrongs, i.e. to start a good brawl. Most often, he is driven away of each town he passes by. This concept mixes your concept 2, 3 and 5.
High King Tigernmas 07-28-05, 10:17 AM	The duelist. I wanted to play a cocky half-drunken finnesse fighter. He is arrogant and selfish, but means well and tries to do the right thing. Prolly fighter2/swash buckler 3. Most likely an elf. Combine this with one of the others, like the gypsy...I think it'd be cool... The five-year old in me is as grim as I am now and says ninjas could be beaten by a barbarian :mad: (Don't argue this point, I'm bored of it by now...)