Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pyrrhonist 08-10-07, 04:45 PM	So...I'm going to be the party's main healer...we're looking at the Elite Array for stats (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and starting at 1st level. My thoughts here are: 10 Str 8 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 15 Wis 14 Chr Books allowed are the 'core' books (ie. PHB, PHBII, MM, Complete's) As the title suggests, I'm a bit torn with regards to the choice of race. Lesser Aasimar isn't an option, so I'll be hit with the -1 ECL, but the +2 Wis, +2 Chr is a VERY tempting option! Also, by increasing my Wis and Chr, I may swap out my stats a bit to bump Con or Str. My 'goal' is to head towards the Radiant Servant PrC, taking the Spontaneous Domain [Healing] alternate class option from PHB2. I'm looking at Sun / Healing domains to start. I've read a bunch on the Divine Metamagic options, especially for building a melee type cleric, but am not certain I want to go that route...especially if I'm dropping the additional human feat AND taking the -1 ECL. My thoughts so far if Human ---------- 1) Augment Healing H) Extra Turning 3) Reach 6) Extend if Aasimar ---------- 1) Augment Healing 3) Extra Turning 6) Reach I've read through the Cleric Handbook a few times, and see a tonne of goodness there, but no one seems to mention much (anything?) about the option of starting out as an Aasimar...? Thoughts / suggestions / comments all welcome!
CreepingCharly 08-10-07, 05:04 PM	I think the aasimar would be really cool for what you are trying to do. If your DM allows you to buy-off your LA ala Unearthed Arcana, I'd say it's a no-brainer. Do it. If not, it's a tough decision for a caster. One caster level lower permanently really hurts... --Charly
DrMorganes 08-10-07, 06:08 PM	Agreed. I'm also curious to know how he's planning to handle what you described as a "-1 ECL"...
Pyrrhonist 08-10-07, 08:50 PM	-1 ECL plays out as outlined for Planetouched (Aasimar) under the MM guide...at least as far as I've guessed. So basically, I need to hit 4000 exp to hit level 2 Cleric whereas everyone else will then be level 3. @CreepingCharly: I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, with regards to buying off my LA? I've never looked at the Unearthed Arcana, so am totally unfamiliar with that... Then again, since it's not an option given the books we're allowed, it's probably best I DON'T know! **laugh**
CreepingCharly 08-10-07, 11:21 PM	-1 ECL plays out as outlined for Planetouched (Aasimar) under the MM guide...at least as far as I've guessed. So basically, I need to hit 4000 exp to hit level 2 Cleric whereas everyone else will then be level 3. @CreepingCharly: I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, with regards to buying off my LA? I've never looked at the Unearthed Arcana, so am totally unfamiliar with that... Then again, since it's not an option given the books we're allowed, it's probably best I DON'T know! **laugh** There is a system in Unearthed Arcana which lets you buy off your level adjustment with a certain amount of XP, once you reach a certain level. It is used for situations like this where you want to play a cool race with a LA, but don't want the LA to haunt you forever. --Charly
TwiddleStootch 08-10-07, 11:41 PM	LA Buy Off? SRD FTW :D (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm#experienceP ointCost)
LazyNinja 08-10-07, 11:45 PM	There is a system in Unearthed Arcana which lets you buy off your level adjustment with a certain amount of XP, once you reach a certain level. It is used for situations like this where you want to play a cool race with a LA, but don't want the LA to haunt you forever. --Charly It's in the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm), so maybe your DM will allow it. Edit: Achh! Ninja'd! Lazy indeed...
Pyrrhonist 08-11-07, 02:38 PM	Hmmm...that IS good to know..I can bring it up, but I'm not thinking it'll be allowed...still...**grin** Thanks for the info / feedback...have another query, but think it'll do in a second post ;)
zorgling25 08-11-07, 03:47 PM	-1 ECL plays out as outlined for Planetouched (Aasimar) under the MM guide...at least as far as I've guessed. So basically, I need to hit 4000 exp to hit level 2 Cleric whereas everyone else will then be level 3. Why 4000? The XP to level 2 is 3000...
archerpwr 08-11-07, 05:05 PM	Human all the way. More skill points, more HP, more turn attempts, same or better spells per day, higher CL. On the main wizard's site there is an LA 0 aasimar in a savage progressions that could be of use.
Horus_Sungod 08-11-07, 05:36 PM	Go Human, the +1 casting level is MUCH better than +2 wis and cha!
Rerecros 08-11-07, 05:40 PM	Use my custom LA+0 Aasimar It's just a human with the good subtype and is very pretty :D
Darion Fenix 08-12-07, 11:26 AM	There's a +0 LA Aasimar described here... http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a I'd have no problem letting you pick that variant and then not advance in to the Level 1 Aasimar; you could just write it off as having less celestial blood. And, then, take the one aasimar level later as you...become more in touch with your heritage? Fine by me as long as you're playing a cleric. Of course, if someone wanted to play a Sorcerer or Bard with this race, I'd probably make them take Level 1 Aasimar the second they got enough XP for level 2. Then again, this is exactly the reason all of our games begin at ECL 2, to allow a bit of variety...and so the wizard doesn't go to -2 HP from someone looking at him crossly.
High Octane 08-12-07, 03:59 PM	The "Lesser" aasimar in my opinion is bad design if you ever come upon it. (Found in the Faerun players handbook) It is clearly way too good to be a +0 LA. Take into account all of the benefits: *+2 wis +2 Cha. This means a +1 on all save DCs, turn undead rolls, will saves, wisdom and charisma based checks, and a few more spells from the stat. *Darkvision 60 feet. Only half orcs and dwarves get this normally. Being able to see in the dark is a signifigant advantage. *+2 on spot and listen checks. Not balance affecting, but nice. *Resistance to cold 5 acid 5 and electricity 5. Taking 5 less damage from 3 prevalent elements is certainly noteworthy. *Daylight: 1/day. At low levels, this is actually a fairly powerful spell. Granted it doesnt do too much, but against a bunch of orcs or drow it will be quite effective. After level 4 or so though it doesnt matter much, but still is good for dispelling darkness spells. All that on a +0 LA race is too much in my opinion. If the stat bonuses were dropped a bit and evened out by some penalties, then it would be balanced. Say instead, +2 wis -2 dex. As a basis of comparison for it being overpowered, lets take a look at the hobgoblin. *+2 dex +2 con *Darkvision 60 feet *+4 on move silently. And THEY get a +1 LA! For signifigantly less benefit! As for the regular Aasimar, the only difference they are considered outsiders for the purposes of spells targetting them. Thus they are immune to hold person. As far as choosing human or aasimar, well for cleric you could go either way. If you are starting at lower levels, go for human. Higher levels, aasimar.
Templario 08-13-07, 11:34 AM	If you really want to dump STR, I suggest you to look for Cloistered Cleric; he's in the SRD too. But then you would be glad to rais his INT :D
Ongorth 08-13-07, 11:50 AM	I think Aasamir is clearly the better choice. Clerics are better then most other classes. Level adjustment races are bad for any spellcasting class. Aasamir has good stat bonuses for clerics. All in all, sounds about right. All in all likelyhood, you'll be more keyed in.
High Octane 08-13-07, 04:42 PM	I think Aasamir is clearly the better choice. Clerics are better then most other classes. Level adjustment races are bad for any spellcasting class. Aasamir has good stat bonuses for clerics. All in all, sounds about right. All in all likelyhood, you'll be more keyed in.I disagree that it is a "Clearly" better choice. At lower levels especially, a level in spellcasting progression outweighs the stat bonuses. At later levels the stat bonuses start outweighing the levels, but at lower levels having that extra level half the time means access to a higher spell level and the other half of the time means an extra spell at the highest level you have, not to mention that your caster level is 1 higher.