Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dr. Jubal Harshaw 01-11-04, 08:02 AM	Our group will soon be starting a new campaign, alway the way back at 1st level, and I will be taking a break from DMing and become a PC. I have a problem, however. The rest of the group has already decided what character they want to play, and are in the process of writing them up. I have two possibilities for my PC, and I can't choose between them. There are three other guys, who are playing: a Human Samurai (from Complete Warrior) a Halfling Rogue an Elven Sorcerer I am undecided as to what class I should play, but I have come up with two concepts: 1) Elven Enchanter with a view to taking the Mindbender PrC 2) Human Monk Which would fit most into the party? Are there any other classes I should consider? (Although, before anyone suggests it, I don't want to play a divine spellcaster. Our Party is gonna have to live without magical healing, at least until someone gets the Leadership feat.) FYI, the stats I rolled are: 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17 Any & all advice is welcome.
BenjCano 01-11-04, 08:11 AM	First of all, looking over the list of what the other members of the party are playing, you're lacking in the divine magic area. A cleric or druid would definately find a welcome niche. I'd go with a Druid myself, because they can be made to fit any role you like. Need an in-your face warrior? Wild shape into a dire bear. Need a scout? Wild-shape into an innocuous animal or something that can fly. Need to go toe-to-toe with enemy wizards? Some of the best offensive spells in the game are on the druid spell list. It's a great, great class. Heres a >>LINK<< (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1052414) to Yekoj's excellent Druid handbook. But if you have your heart set on either a monk or enchanter, I'd recommend enchanter. Your stats are just a liiiiiiiitle too low to play an effective monk, who need two great stats (which you have) two mid range stands (14-15) to hold their own.
Leagle 01-11-04, 08:35 AM	I know you said no divine, but Clerics don't have to be the party's whipping boy you know... So long as you make it clear that they must buy their own potions, you can follow your cleric's true path -like a Cleric/Fighter of Hextor. But yeah, go for the enchanter.
Dr. Jubal Harshaw 01-11-04, 09:07 AM	Yeah, I'm leaning towards the enchanter myself, but the monk is pretty cool also, I was also thinking that, as we already have a dedicated Arcane magic user, and no real support fighter (the rogue is gonaa be great at sneaking but useless in combat - Str 8, Dex 19!) I was thinking that this might suit the party better. Anyway, thanks for the advice & speed of the replies!
SmiloDan 01-11-04, 11:19 AM	I would go ranger or paladin, and try to find a Wand of Cure Light Wounds. You just need 1 level to use a wand. Or pray your rogue maxed out Use Magic Device and is really charismatic. Druid isn't bad, but if you're dead set against it, I would go monk. They're really versatile. Heck, a monk/paladin might be interesting, and would have really really great saves. And if your party's rogue takes weapon finesse or archery feats, he'll be really good in combat.
paolung 01-11-04, 12:13 PM	if you go the enchanter route, you guys are gonna get jacked up when you face off against any decent undead. you'll have the samurai and the sorcerer basically as fully useful. your rogue can't SA them, and your enchantment spells are mostly useless against them. as others have suggested, i'd go with either divine (cleric and druid are both powerful and viable options) or the monk. even multiclassed if necessary, but probably divine over monk at this point, because it's the glaring hole in your party (no healing!). you could deal with undead as a druid (at least better than as an enchanter) but the cleric would really shine in this capacity. not to mention the cleric is a good backup combatant... however, the druid is probably more versatile overall, so either way. a paladin is also a very viable option, assuming party alignment isn't an issue (and you don't mind playing a paladin). get the force of arms of the paladin + samurai (powerful combo indeed!), plus they'd probably get along (both disciplined and lawful, have a code to follow, etc), and the (slightly weakened) turning power and some healing (though not PRIMARY healing like a druid or cleric) if you're really super-opposed to a divine caster at ALL, go with the monk. you'll have the best defensive capabilities and saving throws. just make sure the monk has the healing potions and such, and a decent HEAL skill if possible (even if it's cross-class), and have the rogue go crazy on Use Magic Device so you all can stock up on scrolls and he can act as the default healer.
Dr. Jubal Harshaw 01-11-04, 01:03 PM	After some consideration, I am actually wondering about taking levels in either Paladin or Ranger. I definatley don't want to go cleric or druid, but a Paladin could be fun actually (I'm not as keen on a ranger). However, I woold want to stay away from your archetypal paladin - has anyone got any unusual ideas for roleplaying a Paladin?
waternut101 01-11-04, 01:22 PM	How about Bard want to be an enchanter, well there are more than a few charm spells on the list. And of course those prescious few cures that you can pick up to keep the party from decorating some ogres chamber one day. Heal skill nice with the points to keep it up to snub, decent in combat, and a Character that everyone with be glade to have around...just make sure you beef up Cha as much as possible if you want to be enchanter like so you have high DCs. And spell focus too and you should be pretty good at stuff like that. Just a thought
the_heart 01-12-04, 04:58 AM	Originally posted by Dr. Jubal Harshaw After some consideration, I am actually wondering about taking levels in either Paladin or Ranger. I definatley don't want to go cleric or druid, but a Paladin could be fun actually (I'm not as keen on a ranger). However, I woold want to stay away from your archetypal paladin - has anyone got any unusual ideas for roleplaying a Paladin? Peasant Paladin, chosen by his deity, but the established and knightly orders frown on him. or even better start as a rogue with a heart of gold then MC to paladin. (i like the justice blade type paladin from DotF) get together with your DM and come up with a CoC for your paladin in advance, make it as different from the PHB as you can. from your original two, if playing 3.5, go straight Wiz, with an Ench focus. specialising now seems too expensive to me.
paolung 01-12-04, 02:14 PM	there are some pretty cool PrC's for paladins in the Book of Exalted Deeds that you could lean towards, such as Defender of Sealtiel and Fist of Raziel, not to mention the kickass Vassal of Bahamut (you're the ultimate bane of evil dragons!) personally i have a monk who's going to multiclass as paladin and smite with his bare hands. paladins are straightjacketed to some degree just by their nature, but they don't have to be boring or typical at all. one of the coolest ideas for paladin i saw was a player who had a halfling paladin/ranger/halfling outrider. they were all about protecting the halfling areas from intrusions by evil monsters and roamed the wilderness as a hunter of evil. they were pretty good at it too, despite their small stature.
kjenks 01-12-04, 06:21 PM	Cleric archer. Your party clearly needs a cleric. If you're the only cleric in the party, it's your duty to stay in the back and not get hit so you can cure your buddies. (Not every cleric does that, but it's a traditional cleric role.) If you're gonna be standing in the back of the party, are you going to cast some wimpy spells or are you going to do some serious damage with your bow? Point Blank and Rapid Shot at first level. Use the Elf Domain to get Point Blank for free. Use the War Domain to get Weapon Focus (Bow). Solonor or Phaulkon for a deity. Be an elf: Dex bump, free Martial Weapon Prof with bow. Or use that War Domain to get proficiency and Weapon Focus. (But notice that Weapon Focus doesn't really work for a cleric until you have BAB +1.) At first level buy different arrows: Masterwork, +1, Silver, Cold Iron. When you can afford it, buy a magic bow with a Mighty bonus. Don't sink too much money into your bow at first because you'll need to buy another one later as your strength improves. Look into Extra Turning and Divine Might for lots of extra damage, but you've gotta have good stats to make these effective. Metamagic Rod: Quicken for your Divine Favor spells so you can pump out the damage in round 1. If your campaign is short on cash, you could use Craft Arms and Armor to make a better bow for cheap, or use Craft Wonderous to make stat buff items for cheap. You could throw in a level of Templar later on for Weapon Specialization, but sticking with a straight cleric is better than diluting your caster level.
Dr. Jubal Harshaw 01-13-04, 02:48 PM	After originally leaning towards Paladin, I have actually decided to go for Ranger. This gives me access to at least some healing, and to get over the Undead problem I intend to take Favoured Enemy: Undead. The reason I chose Ranger, is it first of all fits into the party's background better (the elf and halfling were both raised in the woods, and think highly of rangers, while the samurai distrusts Paladins thinking they are too taken up with their code to be able to act honourably). Thanks for all your help.
danielinthewolvesden 01-13-04, 06:59 PM	Favoured Soul- a melee oriented divine spellcaster who doesn't take sh*t from anyone.