Decisions, decisions. . . . [Archive] - Wizards Community

Decisions, decisions. . . . [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arcticflare
08-12-06, 03:08 AM After the untimely death of my poisondusk lizardfolk ninja at the hands of a lucky Yellow Musk Zombie Orc, there's a gap in our party. We were merely level 3, so resurrection was not an option. No, I get to make a whole new character. The problem is that I can't decide. I'm not necessarily looking to make an unstoppable beast, but here it is. . . .

Goatfolk (Ibixian): A chaotic good Barbarian for Kord. Pretty straightforward.
Human Evoker 4: I've played a force missile mage before, and had a blast with it. This is my aim for him.
Flind Gnoll: He'd become a ranger, using two flindbars for two-weapon fighting.
Varoot Nerra Scout 1: With the purchase of several mirrors, he'd be a hit-and-run specialist.
Lizardfolk Barbarian 1: Two words: Scaled Horror.
Elf Ranger 4: Toss in the dervish prestige class and a pair of keen scimitars.
Halfling Druid 4: Aiming for Master of Many Forms.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards options 1 and 3. Both are very solid races and seem fun to play. Please, give me your opinions.

My companions are a Dwarven Monk, a Human Cleric, and a Human Swashbuckler/Warlock.
TheChilliGod
08-12-06, 04:39 AM Firstly, I am assuming you all leveled up between now and that encounter. Starting with a level 4 character in a level 3 party is most likely going to get a big, fat, solid NO from the DM, and I know you know that.

Secondly, your list of choices reminds me of one of my own players. He always has a ton of character ideas he wants to play, and roughly 50% of them involve a Racial HD+LA above 2.
I would warn you away from monsters in this party. For two reasons: You've just played one already (variety is the spice of life, it's now time for something not-savage); and it will most certainly help you when trying to mesh with the party. If your group roleplays at all, then chances are their characters will be very wary of a monster approaching them and asking the party (which is comprised of normal people) if it can come along.
But, of course, I don't know if your group prefers simply hacking things to pieces over roleplaying, and I sure don't have a clue about the popularity of monsters in your DM's campaign world.

Thirdly, as an actual suggestion, you seem to be missing a lockpicker/trapfinder in your party. This can be deadly at any level or party makeup, unless you already have a plan set up for traps (Eg-throw the monk in there, watch as his awesome saves & AC force all the traps to miss horribly, and walk onward). If you wish to fill this roguish niche in the party, then the *Sigh* Nerra Scout would probably be best from that list, as long as the cleric or the warlock knows some sort of unlocking-doors trick. Just beware that, at 4th level with about as much hit points as a 1st level cleric, if you are within attacking distance of any creature at all, consider yourself dead.

Fourthly, I have had experience playing with halfling druids, and I can tell you (with too much bias) that they rock. I've also played with a Master of Many Forms, and they also rock. No questions asked, halfling druids/MoMFs rock, Full Stop. If you don't care all that much for the party's sake, play one now.
archerpwr
08-12-06, 11:07 PM your party is also missing arcane magic (warlock doesnt count because doesnt cast utility spells) so aside from your ideas any wizard would help your party immensly (or a sorcorer that knows knock) to get around things that require rogues. only say wizard because dont know about evoker class and if evoker can cast utility spells like knock go for it. my second recomendation would be the druid because halfling druids do rock.
Arcticflare
08-16-06, 11:15 PM Chili God:
1. Well, yes, the party leveled up.
2. It's a pretty light hearted campaign, otherwise I wouldn't even consider the monstrous races. I wanted to try something new, but I understand what you're saying. Don't get me started on the quality of their roleplaying. . . . ugh.
3. The DM isn't known for very. . . cunning traps. Most are puzzles, and almost anyone can solve them.
4. Thank you for the advice. I'll start rolling it up.

ArcherPower:
Evoker is nothing more than a Wizard who specializes in evocation spells. This one would be focused on Magic Missile, to be precise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arcticflare 08-12-06, 03:08 AM	After the untimely death of my poisondusk lizardfolk ninja at the hands of a lucky Yellow Musk Zombie Orc, there's a gap in our party. We were merely level 3, so resurrection was not an option. No, I get to make a whole new character. The problem is that I can't decide. I'm not necessarily looking to make an unstoppable beast, but here it is. . . . Goatfolk (Ibixian): A chaotic good Barbarian for Kord. Pretty straightforward. Human Evoker 4: I've played a force missile mage before, and had a blast with it. This is my aim for him. Flind Gnoll: He'd become a ranger, using two flindbars for two-weapon fighting. Varoot Nerra Scout 1: With the purchase of several mirrors, he'd be a hit-and-run specialist. Lizardfolk Barbarian 1: Two words: Scaled Horror. Elf Ranger 4: Toss in the dervish prestige class and a pair of keen scimitars. Halfling Druid 4: Aiming for Master of Many Forms. At the moment, I'm leaning towards options 1 and 3. Both are very solid races and seem fun to play. Please, give me your opinions. My companions are a Dwarven Monk, a Human Cleric, and a Human Swashbuckler/Warlock.
TheChilliGod 08-12-06, 04:39 AM	Firstly, I am assuming you all leveled up between now and that encounter. Starting with a level 4 character in a level 3 party is most likely going to get a big, fat, solid NO from the DM, and I know you know that. Secondly, your list of choices reminds me of one of my own players. He always has a ton of character ideas he wants to play, and roughly 50% of them involve a Racial HD+LA above 2. I would warn you away from monsters in this party. For two reasons: You've just played one already (variety is the spice of life, it's now time for something not-savage); and it will most certainly help you when trying to mesh with the party. If your group roleplays at all, then chances are their characters will be very wary of a monster approaching them and asking the party (which is comprised of normal people) if it can come along. But, of course, I don't know if your group prefers simply hacking things to pieces over roleplaying, and I sure don't have a clue about the popularity of monsters in your DM's campaign world. Thirdly, as an actual suggestion, you seem to be missing a lockpicker/trapfinder in your party. This can be deadly at any level or party makeup, unless you already have a plan set up for traps (Eg-throw the monk in there, watch as his awesome saves & AC force all the traps to miss horribly, and walk onward). If you wish to fill this roguish niche in the party, then the Sigh Nerra Scout would probably be best from that list, as long as the cleric or the warlock knows some sort of unlocking-doors trick. Just beware that, at 4th level with about as much hit points as a 1st level cleric, if you are within attacking distance of any creature at all, consider yourself dead. Fourthly, I have had experience playing with halfling druids, and I can tell you (with too much bias) that they rock. I've also played with a Master of Many Forms, and they also rock. No questions asked, halfling druids/MoMFs rock, Full Stop. If you don't care all that much for the party's sake, play one now.
archerpwr 08-12-06, 11:07 PM	your party is also missing arcane magic (warlock doesnt count because doesnt cast utility spells) so aside from your ideas any wizard would help your party immensly (or a sorcorer that knows knock) to get around things that require rogues. only say wizard because dont know about evoker class and if evoker can cast utility spells like knock go for it. my second recomendation would be the druid because halfling druids do rock.
Arcticflare 08-16-06, 11:15 PM	Chili God: 1. Well, yes, the party leveled up. 2. It's a pretty light hearted campaign, otherwise I wouldn't even consider the monstrous races. I wanted to try something new, but I understand what you're saying. Don't get me started on the quality of their roleplaying. . . . ugh. 3. The DM isn't known for very. . . cunning traps. Most are puzzles, and almost anyone can solve them. 4. Thank you for the advice. I'll start rolling it up. ArcherPower: Evoker is nothing more than a Wizard who specializes in evocation spells. This one would be focused on Magic Missile, to be precise.