Building a Luck based character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building a Luck based character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Landman
03-08-06, 05:51 PM I need help with creating a character. I was thinking he could be a travelling fool, as depicted on the Tarot card, the fool. For concepts of what the character would look like, check out the early entries under "New Period" at http://trionfi.com/tarot/cards/00-fool/ . He would be very errant, lighthearted, naive and aloof. The character will have no goals, but will still accomplish many things by fate's hand. In the end, I want him to acquire a deck of many things, though clearly it is not his perceived goal.

Mechanically, I wanted to represent himas getting by almost entirely on luck. I would put a few ranks into Profession(gambling) or Perform(comedy). As for the luck aspect, I have found a few cool PrC's, but not any base classes or other options. Here is what I have come up with so far.

Human
Lvl 1: Rogue
Lvl 2-4: Fighter (To meet BAB and feat requirements later on)
Lvl 5-8: Acolyte of Chance (from Path of Shadow).
Lvl 9-12: ???
Lvl 13-18: Fortune's Fool (Legendary class from Path of Shadow) Starting at 12 because I need 15 ranks in a skill.

Feats: Those required for Fortune's fool, Protected destiny (from Races of Destiny) and its prerquisite feat.

I don't think I should be a cleric (luck) since I will likely have a wisdom score of 8 (and definitely less than 13). What other cool and flavorful things would you guys suggest for him?
allenchan
03-08-06, 06:09 PM Sounds like a Bard to me. I mean, totally.
Halfling seems more logical then human, though, but ymmv. A halfling bard/luckstealer(RotW) would make sense. Never heard of this path of shadow stuff.
And/or take the PrC Survivor, its pretty awesome for a char who is supposed to be "how the hell is that idiot still alive?" Of course it will murder your BAB, but I dont get why you need BAB for this concept anyway.
Dragen White
03-08-06, 07:12 PM fatespinner...:), and go cleric seriosly, awsome combo of BAB and spells, and the luck domain is great, also, you can create spells like "true strike", but False strike: a -20 on a foes attack, or True Save: +20 on next (fort, will, ref) save.
Azezel
03-08-06, 08:08 PM This character has Bard writen all over it mate. Probably a Gnome or a Human - wihtout looking in the book I cannot say how easy it would be for a Bard to get into the Fatespinner PrC (which again, is the obvious route).

On the other hand - if you wish to take the Tarot theme to its logical conclusion, start as a Bard and then work up to the Chameleon PrC.
If you recal your basic cartomancy a man only starts his journey as the Fool - when he completes his Journy, he has the World. (ie, everything - hence, the Chamelieon PrC).
Grace_Jones
03-09-06, 02:31 AM Yes, I think Bard as well ...
And you could make him a halfling and take him toward the Luckstealer PrC (which Allenchan mentioned) which can be found in the Races of the Wild supplement. The entire class is based off of being "lucky" and using your luck to steal that of others and use it against them. You basically get a "luck pool" which you can then take points from to add to certain rolls (ability, saving throw, skill check, attack, etc). And also allows you to get abilities to re-roll dice for better damage, steal luck from people in a 20 foot spread, still gain levels in an arcane or divine spellcasting class (you would have to be a Cleric with the Luck domain in order to be a divine spellcaster in this PrC).

In order to take the Luckstealer PrC, you /must/ be a Halfling ... it's the first of the Entry Requirements listed. Take a gander at the class when you get the chance, I've always found it to be pretty intriguing.
Kamandi
03-09-06, 10:34 AM When reading your post, my first thought was bard as well... I would start as a bard, and prestige as a fatespinner. Not sure what the requirements are, but you might need a sorcerer level or two....
Landman
03-10-06, 05:47 PM Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm gonna check out that luck stealer class, even if it goes against the reqs for those two feats from Races of Destiny.

As for being a cleric, I'm really set on progressing into the Fortune's Fool legendary class later on (which is in this book that my group uses, Path of Shadow). And it requires a Wisdom score of less than 13, so it might not be that great of a combination. Also, the fatespinner just seems like a wizard with a few extra luck based abilities.

I do however really like the suggestion of the Chameleon PrC... I will try taking a look at that.

If you recal your basic cartomancy a man only starts his journey as the Fool - when he completes his Journy, he has the World. (ie, everything - hence, the Chamelieon PrC).
I just personally love the fool card. Have you ever heard of a puzzle game called the Fool's Errand? I highly recommend it.

EDIT: Oh, and what book is that Survivor PrC found in?
Callista
03-10-06, 09:09 PM How about a Fatespinner?
GaffeR
03-10-06, 09:23 PM I present to you: Lucky!

Arcane Incarnation:
Halfling Sorceror 7/Fatespinner 4/Luckstealer 9
CL 18
Feats: Practiced Spellcaster (Sorc), Dallah Thaun's Luck

Divine Incarnation:
Halfling Cleric (Luck Domain) 5/Luckstealer 10/Divine Disciple of Luck God X 5
CL 17
Feats: Practiced Spellcaster (Cleric), Dallah Thaun's Luck

Both of these lose some caster levels, but they get 9th lvl spells. Sorc 7 is kinda unoptimized, but whatever. Tweak your feats to whatever you want.

Hexblade is also a viable option for these classes. You could try somethin like
Hexblade 12/Luckstealer 7/Fatespinner 1.

Blech, I'm just throwing luck altering classes at the wall and seeing if they stick. Good luck.
^Graff_EpsilonIX
03-10-06, 10:07 PM Hexblade might indeed be interesting. Personally I'd go for something like the second edition bard kit jester. Maybe unearthed arcana can give you a few tips for variant rogue or bard classes. The scoundrel from the starwars might help as a class idea.
Stafir Ortnev
03-10-06, 10:30 PM Hmm..I might be able to get you a custom class a friend of mine played in another DM's campain. Basically its a custom class the DM created..and my friend chose to play it.

Its a caster class..that gets spells per day but..when he casts a spell he actually rolls die. The dieroll determines what is cast..and who the targets are. As the character levels up they gain abilities that allow them to alter die rolls..and they also gain some control over their spellcaster. To my understanding this makes for a rather chaotic campain..though I wasn't in it myself..another poster on this board was though..and if he'd be so kind as to speak more on the chaos mage a better idea of it might be given.

This class really lives on luck..good or bad.
Kyuketsukiouji
03-10-06, 11:13 PM I just personally love the fool card. Have you ever heard of a puzzle game called the Fool's Errand? I highly recommend it.

You win 50 bonus points for mentioning that insanely good game. Congrats.
Father Dale
03-11-06, 02:20 AM Theres some good "luck-type" feats for humans in Races of Destiny.
Cadfan
03-11-06, 01:01 PM There are a couple of other options.

As you've mentioned, a cleric with the Luck domain gets a daily reroll. You might consider that. It could be used as a thematic explanation of his luckiness- some god somewhere smiles on him for some reason. Who knows why.

There's a feat which requires 13 cha and gives you a daily reroll just like the Luck domain. I believe it was in a Dragon magazine.

The swashbuckler gets a daily luck reroll.

The hexblade has some feats in a Dragon magazine that relate to controlling other people's luck.

The game frequently refers to characters with high saves as being lucky. Example, halflings. So feats which improve saving throws, particularly reflex saves, could be thematic.

Halflings have a feat which gives them an automatic luck bonus to saves.

I think the halfling racial paragon gets a save bonus based on luck, but I don't remember.
Landman
03-12-06, 09:14 PM Cool. What book is swashbuckler from?

Also, since no one seems to know these Path of Shadow classes, let me explain the "Fortune's fool" legendary class (from memory, so a few things may be a bit off)

Requirements: Announce class decision two levels in advance, then do two very risky, very chance based quests. Once you start, continue leveling in the class until you finish it. BAB requirement, 15 ranks skill requirement and Wis less than 13.

At each level the Fortune's Fool gains one of the following abilities with powerpoints (PP) equal to their class level (when they take the ability)

- Legendary bonus to int equal to PP
- Legendary bonus to dex equal to PP
- Choose Fort, Ref, or Will. When you make one of these saves, roll an additional d20 per PP. Take the roll that you want. May be reselected for different save
- Once per day per PP, you can get luck and add 10 to any skill, ability, attack or save roll.
- 2x per day per PP, you can reroll a die roll as per the luck domain ability.

As you can see... extremely lucky. Then again, the quests require you to be lucky to begin with if you are to have any chance of winning.
feartheinvinceblehamster
03-13-06, 03:36 PM Play Pun-Pun. If the DM lets you, you are lucky. You have your character because you are lucky. Therefore, Pun-Pun is a luck-based character.

Wait...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Landman 03-08-06, 05:51 PM	I need help with creating a character. I was thinking he could be a travelling fool, as depicted on the Tarot card, the fool. For concepts of what the character would look like, check out the early entries under "New Period" at http://trionfi.com/tarot/cards/00-fool/ . He would be very errant, lighthearted, naive and aloof. The character will have no goals, but will still accomplish many things by fate's hand. In the end, I want him to acquire a deck of many things, though clearly it is not his perceived goal. Mechanically, I wanted to represent himas getting by almost entirely on luck. I would put a few ranks into Profession(gambling) or Perform(comedy). As for the luck aspect, I have found a few cool PrC's, but not any base classes or other options. Here is what I have come up with so far. Human Lvl 1: Rogue Lvl 2-4: Fighter (To meet BAB and feat requirements later on) Lvl 5-8: Acolyte of Chance (from Path of Shadow). Lvl 9-12: ??? Lvl 13-18: Fortune's Fool (Legendary class from Path of Shadow) Starting at 12 because I need 15 ranks in a skill. Feats: Those required for Fortune's fool, Protected destiny (from Races of Destiny) and its prerquisite feat. I don't think I should be a cleric (luck) since I will likely have a wisdom score of 8 (and definitely less than 13). What other cool and flavorful things would you guys suggest for him?
allenchan 03-08-06, 06:09 PM	Sounds like a Bard to me. I mean, totally. Halfling seems more logical then human, though, but ymmv. A halfling bard/luckstealer(RotW) would make sense. Never heard of this path of shadow stuff. And/or take the PrC Survivor, its pretty awesome for a char who is supposed to be "how the hell is that idiot still alive?" Of course it will murder your BAB, but I dont get why you need BAB for this concept anyway.
Dragen White 03-08-06, 07:12 PM	fatespinner...:), and go cleric seriosly, awsome combo of BAB and spells, and the luck domain is great, also, you can create spells like "true strike", but False strike: a -20 on a foes attack, or True Save: +20 on next (fort, will, ref) save.
Azezel 03-08-06, 08:08 PM	This character has Bard writen all over it mate. Probably a Gnome or a Human - wihtout looking in the book I cannot say how easy it would be for a Bard to get into the Fatespinner PrC (which again, is the obvious route). On the other hand - if you wish to take the Tarot theme to its logical conclusion, start as a Bard and then work up to the Chameleon PrC. If you recal your basic cartomancy a man only starts his journey as the Fool - when he completes his Journy, he has the World. (ie, everything - hence, the Chamelieon PrC).
Grace_Jones 03-09-06, 02:31 AM	Yes, I think Bard as well ... And you could make him a halfling and take him toward the Luckstealer PrC (which Allenchan mentioned) which can be found in the Races of the Wild supplement. The entire class is based off of being "lucky" and using your luck to steal that of others and use it against them. You basically get a "luck pool" which you can then take points from to add to certain rolls (ability, saving throw, skill check, attack, etc). And also allows you to get abilities to re-roll dice for better damage, steal luck from people in a 20 foot spread, still gain levels in an arcane or divine spellcasting class (you would have to be a Cleric with the Luck domain in order to be a divine spellcaster in this PrC). In order to take the Luckstealer PrC, you /must/ be a Halfling ... it's the first of the Entry Requirements listed. Take a gander at the class when you get the chance, I've always found it to be pretty intriguing.
Kamandi 03-09-06, 10:34 AM	When reading your post, my first thought was bard as well... I would start as a bard, and prestige as a fatespinner. Not sure what the requirements are, but you might need a sorcerer level or two....
Landman 03-10-06, 05:47 PM	Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm gonna check out that luck stealer class, even if it goes against the reqs for those two feats from Races of Destiny. As for being a cleric, I'm really set on progressing into the Fortune's Fool legendary class later on (which is in this book that my group uses, Path of Shadow). And it requires a Wisdom score of less than 13, so it might not be that great of a combination. Also, the fatespinner just seems like a wizard with a few extra luck based abilities. I do however really like the suggestion of the Chameleon PrC... I will try taking a look at that. If you recal your basic cartomancy a man only starts his journey as the Fool - when he completes his Journy, he has the World. (ie, everything - hence, the Chamelieon PrC). I just personally love the fool card. Have you ever heard of a puzzle game called the Fool's Errand? I highly recommend it. EDIT: Oh, and what book is that Survivor PrC found in?
Callista 03-10-06, 09:09 PM	How about a Fatespinner?
GaffeR 03-10-06, 09:23 PM	I present to you: Lucky! Arcane Incarnation: Halfling Sorceror 7/Fatespinner 4/Luckstealer 9 CL 18 Feats: Practiced Spellcaster (Sorc), Dallah Thaun's Luck Divine Incarnation: Halfling Cleric (Luck Domain) 5/Luckstealer 10/Divine Disciple of Luck God X 5 CL 17 Feats: Practiced Spellcaster (Cleric), Dallah Thaun's Luck Both of these lose some caster levels, but they get 9th lvl spells. Sorc 7 is kinda unoptimized, but whatever. Tweak your feats to whatever you want. Hexblade is also a viable option for these classes. You could try somethin like Hexblade 12/Luckstealer 7/Fatespinner 1. Blech, I'm just throwing luck altering classes at the wall and seeing if they stick. Good luck.
^Graff_EpsilonIX 03-10-06, 10:07 PM	Hexblade might indeed be interesting. Personally I'd go for something like the second edition bard kit jester. Maybe unearthed arcana can give you a few tips for variant rogue or bard classes. The scoundrel from the starwars might help as a class idea.
Stafir Ortnev 03-10-06, 10:30 PM	Hmm..I might be able to get you a custom class a friend of mine played in another DM's campain. Basically its a custom class the DM created..and my friend chose to play it. Its a caster class..that gets spells per day but..when he casts a spell he actually rolls die. The dieroll determines what is cast..and who the targets are. As the character levels up they gain abilities that allow them to alter die rolls..and they also gain some control over their spellcaster. To my understanding this makes for a rather chaotic campain..though I wasn't in it myself..another poster on this board was though..and if he'd be so kind as to speak more on the chaos mage a better idea of it might be given. This class really lives on luck..good or bad.
Kyuketsukiouji 03-10-06, 11:13 PM	I just personally love the fool card. Have you ever heard of a puzzle game called the Fool's Errand? I highly recommend it. You win 50 bonus points for mentioning that insanely good game. Congrats.
Father Dale 03-11-06, 02:20 AM	Theres some good "luck-type" feats for humans in Races of Destiny.
Cadfan 03-11-06, 01:01 PM	There are a couple of other options. As you've mentioned, a cleric with the Luck domain gets a daily reroll. You might consider that. It could be used as a thematic explanation of his luckiness- some god somewhere smiles on him for some reason. Who knows why. There's a feat which requires 13 cha and gives you a daily reroll just like the Luck domain. I believe it was in a Dragon magazine. The swashbuckler gets a daily luck reroll. The hexblade has some feats in a Dragon magazine that relate to controlling other people's luck. The game frequently refers to characters with high saves as being lucky. Example, halflings. So feats which improve saving throws, particularly reflex saves, could be thematic. Halflings have a feat which gives them an automatic luck bonus to saves. I think the halfling racial paragon gets a save bonus based on luck, but I don't remember.
Landman 03-12-06, 09:14 PM	Cool. What book is swashbuckler from? Also, since no one seems to know these Path of Shadow classes, let me explain the "Fortune's fool" legendary class (from memory, so a few things may be a bit off) Requirements: Announce class decision two levels in advance, then do two very risky, very chance based quests. Once you start, continue leveling in the class until you finish it. BAB requirement, 15 ranks skill requirement and Wis less than 13. At each level the Fortune's Fool gains one of the following abilities with powerpoints (PP) equal to their class level (when they take the ability) - Legendary bonus to int equal to PP - Legendary bonus to dex equal to PP - Choose Fort, Ref, or Will. When you make one of these saves, roll an additional d20 per PP. Take the roll that you want. May be reselected for different save - Once per day per PP, you can get luck and add 10 to any skill, ability, attack or save roll. - 2x per day per PP, you can reroll a die roll as per the luck domain ability. As you can see... extremely lucky. Then again, the quests require you to be lucky to begin with if you are to have any chance of winning.
feartheinvinceblehamster 03-13-06, 03:36 PM	Play Pun-Pun. If the DM lets you, you are lucky. You have your character because you are lucky. Therefore, Pun-Pun is a luck-based character. Wait...