character out of a hat [Archive] - Wizards Community

character out of a hat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fall from grace
07-29-05, 02:18 AM my DM decided that for her new campaign players would not be allowed to choose their PCs normally. she wrote the name of every sourcebook she owns down on a piece of paper & had each of us draw 2 at random. those books + the PHB are all we're allowed to use to build our 13th level characters from.

i drew frostburn and the expanded psionics handbook. as i'm not very familiar with either of them, i'd like some advice on what type of PC to make. this is going to be a high-powered campaign(we get the starting gold of 15th level PCs even tho we're only 13th level.

what type of PC would you make?
Nuntius128
07-29-05, 02:52 AM Hmm... Neanderthal Psychic Warrior, perhaps?
digoraccoon
07-29-05, 08:26 AM Well that's definitly a new way to make a character. How interesting. Psychic Warrior sounds like my choice too.
Vaelan
07-29-05, 08:43 AM what type of PC would you make?
If you aren't too attached to using both books, I would suggest a Cleric with the Cold domain.

First of all, Clerics aren't overly hindered by the lack of books, with the exception of Divine Metamagic. Second, you get access to one of the most ridiculous spells ever written: Shivering Touch (and, to a lesser extent, Frostbite). Lastly, the Cold domain allows you to rebuke creatures of the Cold subtype, which are some of the only things immune to Shivering Touch.
Pfisiar
07-29-05, 09:47 AM I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage.
Phrennzy
07-29-05, 10:20 AM Ignore the other two books and stick to Core.

Go druid. I always liked druid.
weasel fierce
07-29-05, 12:27 PM I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage.

For a challenge, and a new experience ?
Noone asked you to play
Ut-Napishtim
07-29-05, 01:18 PM For a challenge, and a new experience ?
Noone asked you to play

Yeah, considering everyone still has access to core I don't see it as being overly cruel. The thing many players forget is that the supplements contain supplemental rules. The DM doesn't have to allow them at all. Personally I wouldn't be that interested in a game that started at 13th level with 15th level wealth, but that's just my own taste.

I'd say look through the books and see if anything strikes your fancy. I don't have either myself so I can't really offer any advice on them. If you don't find anything though, you can always go core.
Pfisiar
07-29-05, 02:30 PM Yeah, considering everyone still has access to core I don't see it as being overly cruel. The thing many players forget is that the supplements contain supplemental rules. The DM doesn't have to allow them at all. Personally I wouldn't be that interested in a game that started at 13th level with 15th level wealth, but that's just my own taste.

I'd say look through the books and see if anything strikes your fancy. I don't have either myself so I can't really offer any advice on them. If you don't find anything though, you can always go core.

Sorry, I misunderstood the issue.
Phrennzy
07-29-05, 03:19 PM By reading only the topic, I thought the DM was putting classes and races in a hat and making you pull, which would be fun for a game or two.
BadCatMan
07-29-05, 09:32 PM Cryokineticist seems to be the closest connection between Psionics and Frostburn.
UltimateReality
07-30-05, 01:53 AM By reading only the topic, I thought the DM was putting classes and races in a hat and making you pull, which would be fun for a game or two.I considered doing something similar, only with party roles (like melee combatant, healer, etc.) to ensure my party actually covered them all. I also intended to let them switch papers if they were willing.

Then I decided that if they want to make a party of three rogues and no cleric, they'll learn soon enough on their own. :P

The OP's situation is intriguing though.
weasel fierce
07-30-05, 01:55 AM I actually kinda like the "draw a race, draw a class" idea...
fall from grace
07-30-05, 01:57 AM I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage.

actually, she asked us what we thought about the idea beforehand. 4 out of 5 of us said it sounded like a cool alternative, and the 5th is willing to give it a shot - even tho he's not too keen on the idea.
UltimateReality
07-30-05, 01:58 AM I actually kinda like the "draw a race, draw a class" idea...Eh, that I would find too restrictive. However, draw a role, I like better. Roles can be filled by many concepts, and someone who usually plays another race/class combo may find a way to work their preferences into their new role.
</hi-jacking>

To the OP -- I'd make whatever kind of PC you want to make. Are psionics and magic transparent in this campaign?
jktrondarr
07-30-05, 02:51 AM you didn't list any limits on character creation other than the sourcebook limits(which is a pretty good way to ensure party diversity), so i'll give you 2 ideas.

for anything goes:
domovoi(with phrenic template) 7th lvl sorcerer.
with a roll of 18 in CHA, you'ld have a total CHA of 29(18 roll+6 race+4 template+1 lvl) BEFORE items. thats some hefty save DCs.

domovoi = frostburn page 122
phrenic template = XPH page 206

for a more restrained game:
human(with phrenic template) 11th lvl wilder.
psychocow
07-30-05, 03:53 AM Okey doke cpt Munchkin, jktrondarr that is one scary critter. Between the psionic powers, the sorceror spells, the burnination from the domovoi, and the super high Cha with a pretty rediculous language pool I think that is one of the most powerful characters I've ever seen. Kudos. I suggest something a little more down to earth. I'ld go with a super elemental boxer

Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3

You'll have to take the wild talent feat to get the pyrokinetisist PrC, the lvl of psychic warrior is to get the concentration prereq for pyrokinetisist.

You might have trouble convincing your DM of how your able to use both ice and fire simultaneously but hey its magic/psionics laws of physics don't really have to apply do they? Maybe have a striking appearance like two-face from the batman comics. Half obviously fire, half obviously ice. Not to mention prepare for some gratuitous unarmed damage.

Edit: switched monk for psychic warrior, Just realized some serious alignment issues would have happened there. I'm tired get off my back.
Creeg
07-31-05, 12:53 AM Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3

Edit: switched monk for psychic warrior, Just realized some serious alignment issues would have happened there. I'm tired get off my back.

Hmm.... You know I like that build... OP go with that build
jktrondarr
07-31-05, 02:42 AM Okey doke cpt Munchkin, jktrondarr that is one scary critter. Between the psionic powers, the sorceror spells, the burnination from the domovoi, and the super high Cha with a pretty rediculous language pool I think that is one of the most powerful characters I've ever seen. Kudos.

thank you.

I suggest something a little more down to earth. I'ld go with a super elemental boxer
Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3

this build doesn't work as you need a bab of +6 to qualify for frostrager(+5 from barbarian plus +0 from psy warrior = +5), unless you go pyro B4 rager. nothing huge, but the OP should be aware of it.

You might have trouble convincing your DM of how your able to use both ice and fire simultaneously but hey its magic/psionics laws of physics don't really have to apply do they? Maybe have a striking appearance like two-face from the batman comics. Half obviously fire, half obviously ice. Not to mention prepare for some gratuitous unarmed damage.

...and a cool name like eqinox.
Kadasbrass
07-31-05, 03:21 AM I kinda of like the idea of maybe limiting to random books from a hat. I personally get tired of seeing some people play the same race/class/alignment over and over and over, but don't want to force people into something they'll end up hating hate.

The one problem I see with forcing someone to use Frostburn is if the Campaign never happens near a frozen landscape, I don't expect it to be there all the time, but invovled little more then normal.

As for Frostburn and Expanded Psionic Handbook,
If you like arcane casters, you could try a Wizard or Sorcerer and go into the Frostmage, full spell progression, a few extra spells known, and some other nice extras such as natural AC, cold resistence and a extra metamagic feat.

Could also do Psion/Psi Warrior and go the Cyrokineticist

There also the Primeval, an interesting class that offers a warrior type a ability that is similar to wild shape/polymorph, but limited to a single animal you choose when you take the first level.
snowlynx
07-31-05, 12:36 PM The one problem I see with forcing someone to use Frostburn is if the Campaign never happens near a frozen landscape, I don't expect it to be there all the time, but invovled little more then normal.

Yeah, I was rather curious to know how the DM was going to deal with books if they clashed. What if one player gets sandstorm, and another frostburn....?

I'm not a big fan of the psionics handbook, but I suppose my gut reaction would either be to skip the psionics handbook: just use it for feats, and create a cleric using some of the stuff in frostburn; or to cringe and go kinectisist (spelling?) and use the psionic powers in the frostburn book (since they are mostly elemental.)
TinManFan
07-31-05, 01:38 PM Uh the phrenic template can only be taken by animals and magical animals.

If it could be human-takable, Oh the pain...
psychocow
07-31-05, 07:27 PM ok so I was sleepy and didn't want to look it up, it doesn't matter what order he take the prc or if he multiclasses back and forth. Whatever works.
Flushmaster
07-31-05, 08:46 PM What's that little blue fey race from Frostburn? I don't have the book but I've flipped through it and they caught my eye. IIRC they have a +1 LA so you might be a bit short on spells for a "high power" campaign if you want to play a caster or psionicist, but I think they'd be quite nice if you want to play a rogue, ranger, or maybe even a bard. Or maybe you could do the cold domain cleric thing already suggested, since it would make a lot of sense for an arctic cleric to have that domain. If your game is set in a non-arctic area (most are) you could work up your PC's reasons for being there (a personal quest, just decided to travel and explore, etc) and their opinions of the warmer area (irritation, fascination, unease, etc) as some extra character background and to get a feel of the character quickly.
snowlynx
07-31-05, 11:18 PM The little blue race is Uldra. It's not a bad race at all for the level adjustment.
ILL34GL3
08-01-05, 01:27 AM Ignore the other two books and stick to Core.

Go druid. I always liked druid.
The best advice in this thread.
jktrondarr
08-01-05, 03:19 AM Uh the phrenic template can only be taken by animals and magical animals.

If it could be human-takable, Oh the pain...

uh, the phrenic template is an inherited template that can be added to any non-mindless creature(which includes humanoids) that does not already have the psionic sub-type. see "creating a phrenic creature" XPH page 206.
pheonixfrostmourn
08-06-05, 02:51 AM uldra 12th lvl cleric
thri-kreen 6th lvl monk/3rd lvl cloud anchorite
weasel fierce
08-06-05, 02:56 AM If it isnt too late.. how about a human fighter. I know I saw rules for one somewhere..
the dmg
08-06-05, 03:24 AM Hmm... Neanderthal Psychic Warrior, perhaps?

I really like this idea.
guru7892
08-06-05, 04:05 AM why not a psion... frozen in a block of ice...
LOL!
find out what other people are playing, choose the type they are not.
pally is usually good cause nobody wants to be a cleric and everyone wants to fight undead.
fall from grace
08-07-05, 04:19 AM thanks for all the responses. i decided on a human(phrenic template) paladin 6/warmind 5.
kim(the DM for this game) is gonna wait to see what kind of PC's everyone makes before actually finalizing the game setting, this should keep "clashing books" from messing it up too much.

just so you guys know, the rest of the players drew the following books:
1) FR players guide & path of the sword(legends and lairs book).
2) complete adventurer & races of destiny.
3) kingdom of kalamar players guide & complete warrior.
4) XPH & path of shadows(legends and lairs again).
and 5) ravenloft players guide(sword and sorcery) & frostburn

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fall from grace 07-29-05, 02:18 AM	my DM decided that for her new campaign players would not be allowed to choose their PCs normally. she wrote the name of every sourcebook she owns down on a piece of paper & had each of us draw 2 at random. those books + the PHB are all we're allowed to use to build our 13th level characters from. i drew frostburn and the expanded psionics handbook. as i'm not very familiar with either of them, i'd like some advice on what type of PC to make. this is going to be a high-powered campaign(we get the starting gold of 15th level PCs even tho we're only 13th level. what type of PC would you make?
Nuntius128 07-29-05, 02:52 AM	Hmm... Neanderthal Psychic Warrior, perhaps?
digoraccoon 07-29-05, 08:26 AM	Well that's definitly a new way to make a character. How interesting. Psychic Warrior sounds like my choice too.
Vaelan 07-29-05, 08:43 AM	what type of PC would you make? If you aren't too attached to using both books, I would suggest a Cleric with the Cold domain. First of all, Clerics aren't overly hindered by the lack of books, with the exception of Divine Metamagic. Second, you get access to one of the most ridiculous spells ever written: Shivering Touch (and, to a lesser extent, Frostbite). Lastly, the Cold domain allows you to rebuke creatures of the Cold subtype, which are some of the only things immune to Shivering Touch.
Pfisiar 07-29-05, 09:47 AM	I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage.
Phrennzy 07-29-05, 10:20 AM	Ignore the other two books and stick to Core. Go druid. I always liked druid.
weasel fierce 07-29-05, 12:27 PM	I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage. For a challenge, and a new experience ? Noone asked you to play
Ut-Napishtim 07-29-05, 01:18 PM	For a challenge, and a new experience ? Noone asked you to play Yeah, considering everyone still has access to core I don't see it as being overly cruel. The thing many players forget is that the supplements contain supplemental rules. The DM doesn't have to allow them at all. Personally I wouldn't be that interested in a game that started at 13th level with 15th level wealth, but that's just my own taste. I'd say look through the books and see if anything strikes your fancy. I don't have either myself so I can't really offer any advice on them. If you don't find anything though, you can always go core.
Pfisiar 07-29-05, 02:30 PM	Yeah, considering everyone still has access to core I don't see it as being overly cruel. The thing many players forget is that the supplements contain supplemental rules. The DM doesn't have to allow them at all. Personally I wouldn't be that interested in a game that started at 13th level with 15th level wealth, but that's just my own taste. I'd say look through the books and see if anything strikes your fancy. I don't have either myself so I can't really offer any advice on them. If you don't find anything though, you can always go core. Sorry, I misunderstood the issue.
Phrennzy 07-29-05, 03:19 PM	By reading only the topic, I thought the DM was putting classes and races in a hat and making you pull, which would be fun for a game or two.
BadCatMan 07-29-05, 09:32 PM	Cryokineticist seems to be the closest connection between Psionics and Frostburn.
UltimateReality 07-30-05, 01:53 AM	By reading only the topic, I thought the DM was putting classes and races in a hat and making you pull, which would be fun for a game or two.I considered doing something similar, only with party roles (like melee combatant, healer, etc.) to ensure my party actually covered them all. I also intended to let them switch papers if they were willing. Then I decided that if they want to make a party of three rogues and no cleric, they'll learn soon enough on their own. :P The OP's situation is intriguing though.
weasel fierce 07-30-05, 01:55 AM	I actually kinda like the "draw a race, draw a class" idea...
fall from grace 07-30-05, 01:57 AM	I'm not familiar with those books either, but why precisely has your DM chosen to remove your choice in characters? Seems arbitrary, cruel and rather mean. I wouldn't want to game with a DM that does this sort of garbage. actually, she asked us what we thought about the idea beforehand. 4 out of 5 of us said it sounded like a cool alternative, and the 5th is willing to give it a shot - even tho he's not too keen on the idea.
UltimateReality 07-30-05, 01:58 AM	I actually kinda like the "draw a race, draw a class" idea...Eh, that I would find too restrictive. However, draw a role, I like better. Roles can be filled by many concepts, and someone who usually plays another race/class combo may find a way to work their preferences into their new role. </hi-jacking> To the OP -- I'd make whatever kind of PC you want to make. Are psionics and magic transparent in this campaign?
jktrondarr 07-30-05, 02:51 AM	you didn't list any limits on character creation other than the sourcebook limits(which is a pretty good way to ensure party diversity), so i'll give you 2 ideas. for anything goes: domovoi(with phrenic template) 7th lvl sorcerer. with a roll of 18 in CHA, you'ld have a total CHA of 29(18 roll+6 race+4 template+1 lvl) BEFORE items. thats some hefty save DCs. domovoi = frostburn page 122 phrenic template = XPH page 206 for a more restrained game: human(with phrenic template) 11th lvl wilder.
psychocow 07-30-05, 03:53 AM	Okey doke cpt Munchkin, jktrondarr that is one scary critter. Between the psionic powers, the sorceror spells, the burnination from the domovoi, and the super high Cha with a pretty rediculous language pool I think that is one of the most powerful characters I've ever seen. Kudos. I suggest something a little more down to earth. I'ld go with a super elemental boxer Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3 You'll have to take the wild talent feat to get the pyrokinetisist PrC, the lvl of psychic warrior is to get the concentration prereq for pyrokinetisist. You might have trouble convincing your DM of how your able to use both ice and fire simultaneously but hey its magic/psionics laws of physics don't really have to apply do they? Maybe have a striking appearance like two-face from the batman comics. Half obviously fire, half obviously ice. Not to mention prepare for some gratuitous unarmed damage. Edit: switched monk for psychic warrior, Just realized some serious alignment issues would have happened there. I'm tired get off my back.
Creeg 07-31-05, 12:53 AM	Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3 Edit: switched monk for psychic warrior, Just realized some serious alignment issues would have happened there. I'm tired get off my back. Hmm.... You know I like that build... OP go with that build
jktrondarr 07-31-05, 02:42 AM	Okey doke cpt Munchkin, jktrondarr that is one scary critter. Between the psionic powers, the sorceror spells, the burnination from the domovoi, and the super high Cha with a pretty rediculous language pool I think that is one of the most powerful characters I've ever seen. Kudos. thank you. I suggest something a little more down to earth. I'ld go with a super elemental boxer Neanderthal Barbarian5/psychic warrior1/frostrager4/pyrokinetisist3 this build doesn't work as you need a bab of +6 to qualify for frostrager(+5 from barbarian plus +0 from psy warrior = +5), unless you go pyro B4 rager. nothing huge, but the OP should be aware of it. You might have trouble convincing your DM of how your able to use both ice and fire simultaneously but hey its magic/psionics laws of physics don't really have to apply do they? Maybe have a striking appearance like two-face from the batman comics. Half obviously fire, half obviously ice. Not to mention prepare for some gratuitous unarmed damage. ...and a cool name like eqinox.
Kadasbrass 07-31-05, 03:21 AM	I kinda of like the idea of maybe limiting to random books from a hat. I personally get tired of seeing some people play the same race/class/alignment over and over and over, but don't want to force people into something they'll end up hating hate. The one problem I see with forcing someone to use Frostburn is if the Campaign never happens near a frozen landscape, I don't expect it to be there all the time, but invovled little more then normal. As for Frostburn and Expanded Psionic Handbook, If you like arcane casters, you could try a Wizard or Sorcerer and go into the Frostmage, full spell progression, a few extra spells known, and some other nice extras such as natural AC, cold resistence and a extra metamagic feat. Could also do Psion/Psi Warrior and go the Cyrokineticist There also the Primeval, an interesting class that offers a warrior type a ability that is similar to wild shape/polymorph, but limited to a single animal you choose when you take the first level.
snowlynx 07-31-05, 12:36 PM	The one problem I see with forcing someone to use Frostburn is if the Campaign never happens near a frozen landscape, I don't expect it to be there all the time, but invovled little more then normal. Yeah, I was rather curious to know how the DM was going to deal with books if they clashed. What if one player gets sandstorm, and another frostburn....? I'm not a big fan of the psionics handbook, but I suppose my gut reaction would either be to skip the psionics handbook: just use it for feats, and create a cleric using some of the stuff in frostburn; or to cringe and go kinectisist (spelling?) and use the psionic powers in the frostburn book (since they are mostly elemental.)
TinManFan 07-31-05, 01:38 PM	Uh the phrenic template can only be taken by animals and magical animals. If it could be human-takable, Oh the pain...
psychocow 07-31-05, 07:27 PM	ok so I was sleepy and didn't want to look it up, it doesn't matter what order he take the prc or if he multiclasses back and forth. Whatever works.
Flushmaster 07-31-05, 08:46 PM	What's that little blue fey race from Frostburn? I don't have the book but I've flipped through it and they caught my eye. IIRC they have a +1 LA so you might be a bit short on spells for a "high power" campaign if you want to play a caster or psionicist, but I think they'd be quite nice if you want to play a rogue, ranger, or maybe even a bard. Or maybe you could do the cold domain cleric thing already suggested, since it would make a lot of sense for an arctic cleric to have that domain. If your game is set in a non-arctic area (most are) you could work up your PC's reasons for being there (a personal quest, just decided to travel and explore, etc) and their opinions of the warmer area (irritation, fascination, unease, etc) as some extra character background and to get a feel of the character quickly.
snowlynx 07-31-05, 11:18 PM	The little blue race is Uldra. It's not a bad race at all for the level adjustment.
ILL34GL3 08-01-05, 01:27 AM	Ignore the other two books and stick to Core. Go druid. I always liked druid. The best advice in this thread.
jktrondarr 08-01-05, 03:19 AM	Uh the phrenic template can only be taken by animals and magical animals. If it could be human-takable, Oh the pain... uh, the phrenic template is an inherited template that can be added to any non-mindless creature(which includes humanoids) that does not already have the psionic sub-type. see "creating a phrenic creature" XPH page 206.
pheonixfrostmourn 08-06-05, 02:51 AM	uldra 12th lvl cleric thri-kreen 6th lvl monk/3rd lvl cloud anchorite
weasel fierce 08-06-05, 02:56 AM	If it isnt too late.. how about a human fighter. I know I saw rules for one somewhere..
the dmg 08-06-05, 03:24 AM	Hmm... Neanderthal Psychic Warrior, perhaps? I really like this idea.
guru7892 08-06-05, 04:05 AM	why not a psion... frozen in a block of ice... LOL! find out what other people are playing, choose the type they are not. pally is usually good cause nobody wants to be a cleric and everyone wants to fight undead.
fall from grace 08-07-05, 04:19 AM	thanks for all the responses. i decided on a human(phrenic template) paladin 6/warmind 5. kim(the DM for this game) is gonna wait to see what kind of PC's everyone makes before actually finalizing the game setting, this should keep "clashing books" from messing it up too much. just so you guys know, the rest of the players drew the following books: 1) FR players guide & path of the sword(legends and lairs book). 2) complete adventurer & races of destiny. 3) kingdom of kalamar players guide & complete warrior. 4) XPH & path of shadows(legends and lairs again). and 5) ravenloft players guide(sword and sorcery) & frostburn