DM threw a curveball [Archive] - Wizards Community

DM threw a curveball [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sita Ram
12-28-05, 01:13 PM Alright, I'm playing a warlock in a setting where most of the players engage in story and do not twink or min/max. There is one player, however who has made an extremely fierce caster. To subdue the caster my DM has introduced lizards that naturally subdue any flow of magic within a specific radius (Its a long one too).
It was ruled that the field also disrupts my powers...spell like abilities (don't comment on this because the rule has been set). I have to take some new classes so that I'm a bit more capable in melee. Any suggestions? I was thinking rogue for Sneak attack and that way I could apply the bonus to my Warlock attacks too. Anyways all help is welcome.

Ohh I basically use all 3rd addition books. Don;t be too obscure though because as said before I'm not trying to exploit the warlock system, just make myself useful :-)
MarkB
12-28-05, 01:36 PM One of the worst things a Warlock can do is multiclass. Depending upon your level, I'd far sooner suggest optimising your warlock to ranged combat so as to keep him effective - taking Fell Flight and Eldritch Spear, for instance.

I'd also seriously ask your DM to reconsider. Introducing enemies whose nature basically destroys a player's character concept is pretty extreme, most especially enemies with magic-suppression fields. Given that his solution wasn't even aimed at your character, it seems very arbitrary and indiscriminate.
Nerdicus
12-28-05, 01:39 PM I don't know about what spells you have but try creating some useful items that may make use of magic in there creation, but do not require magic to attack.

perhaps you could add your levels and spells to help us understand what you are starting with.

Thanking outside the box is often favored by DM's. get creative with what you have first.
DM Denubis
12-28-05, 01:59 PM Multiclassing a caster, you say? *Twitch.*

Now I'm a bit of a min/maxer to be honest, but that's possibly the finest way to gimp yourself. I have a solution to this, but first I need to address another issue.

You said not to comment on your DM's rule. Well, I'm going to comment on it, because it bears commenting. What kind of caster could be so powerful that he needs to introduce this kind of enemy? There are plenty of monsters that have Spell Resistance, or naturally high saves, or even (In the case of most golems.) immunity to magic alltogether.

To be honest, some players consider this the stuff of nightmares.

Now for the solution. You may be a high enough level that you can slip in one level of fighter. After taking that fighter level, start grabbing levels of Eldritch Knight like they're bundles of cash. Each one will grant you +1 BAB and (With the exception of the first.) +1 CL. So with a net loss of two caster levels (Normally horrid.), you can pick up +3 BAB over a ten level period.

While this normally is not the most powerful route to take, if you're going to come across magic immune monsters for the rest of your career, you may as well pick up a greatsword and start swinging. Or maybe a bow would be better, seeing as how you most likely have high Dexterity already.
MarkB
12-28-05, 02:09 PM Now for the solution. You may be a high enough level that you can slip in one level of fighter. After taking that fighter level, start grabbing levels of Eldritch Knight like they're bundles of cash. Each one will grant you +1 BAB and (With the exception of the first.) +1 CL. So with a net loss of two caster levels (Normally horrid.), you can pick up +3 BAB over a ten level period.
Caster Level isn't so important to Warlocks. What's most important to them is continuing their Invocations progression, and levels in Eldritch Knight won't help with that at all, because Warlock isn't a spellcasting class.
Nom
12-28-05, 04:18 PM Anti-magic lizards?

These might be an interesting encounter, assuming they roughly follow the AMF rules. However, one would need to make sure that these things aren't easily captured and carried about, or else you will introduce some serious wackiness into the magic rules.
DM Denubis
12-28-05, 04:52 PM Caster Level isn't so important to Warlocks. What's most important to them is continuing their Invocations progression, and levels in Eldritch Knight won't help with that at all, because Warlock isn't a spellcasting class.

I'm not an expert on the Warlock class (I despise it.), but doesn't +1 CL translate roughly into the Warlock class? I was sure there was some sort of sidebar saying so.
MarkB
12-28-05, 06:59 PM I'm not an expert on the Warlock class (I despise it.), but doesn't +1 CL translate roughly into the Warlock class? I was sure there was some sort of sidebar saying so.
Not that I'm aware of. It might increase their caster level for the effects of their invocations, but I doubt whether it would give them access to new ones, or higher level ones, and the Warlock needs every new invocation he can get.
Jerrythehun
12-28-05, 07:23 PM This is fairly typical house rule nerf - a terrible idea in every way.

Did the DM mention this awful stuff before the campaign started?

If not, your problem is that it will not be the last nerf the DM comes up with. If you find a way to make spellcasters (your PC or anyone else) more effective, this DM will just come up with another "rule" (meaning in this sense: whim) to slap them back down. In this case, you have three choices:

1) Leave the game.

2) Don't play spellcasters. This is not a real solution, as the first time a rogue gets a nice sneak attack in, or a fighter cleaves through a room full of mooks, your DM will probably nerf that stuff too. But I don't know your DM, maybe he or she just doesn't like spellcasters.

3) If you are having fun, just play, knowing your character is always going to be less effective than fighting characters.

Perhaps your group should look into Iron Heroes. Its a really great d20 variant that focuses on fighting characters.

Good luck!
Illithid13
12-29-05, 11:35 AM Not that I'm aware of. It might increase their caster level for the effects of their invocations, but I doubt whether it would give them access to new ones, or higher level ones, and the Warlock needs every new invocation he can get.
+1 caster level does increas the warlock's invocations known and EB damage. It is in the first section of the Prestigue class chapter of complete arcane. The Warlock 9/fighter 1/EK 10 would be an effective 18 Warlock for EB and Invocations. Just make sure you take that armored casting feat 1 or 2 times.
friedmad
12-29-05, 01:14 PM Simple - start specializing in either shadow weave magic or wild magic (from Forgotten Realms) - those types of magic are immune to magic-dampening effects.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sita Ram 12-28-05, 01:13 PM	Alright, I'm playing a warlock in a setting where most of the players engage in story and do not twink or min/max. There is one player, however who has made an extremely fierce caster. To subdue the caster my DM has introduced lizards that naturally subdue any flow of magic within a specific radius (Its a long one too). It was ruled that the field also disrupts my powers...spell like abilities (don't comment on this because the rule has been set). I have to take some new classes so that I'm a bit more capable in melee. Any suggestions? I was thinking rogue for Sneak attack and that way I could apply the bonus to my Warlock attacks too. Anyways all help is welcome. Ohh I basically use all 3rd addition books. Don;t be too obscure though because as said before I'm not trying to exploit the warlock system, just make myself useful :-)
MarkB 12-28-05, 01:36 PM	One of the worst things a Warlock can do is multiclass. Depending upon your level, I'd far sooner suggest optimising your warlock to ranged combat so as to keep him effective - taking Fell Flight and Eldritch Spear, for instance. I'd also seriously ask your DM to reconsider. Introducing enemies whose nature basically destroys a player's character concept is pretty extreme, most especially enemies with magic-suppression fields. Given that his solution wasn't even aimed at your character, it seems very arbitrary and indiscriminate.
Nerdicus 12-28-05, 01:39 PM	I don't know about what spells you have but try creating some useful items that may make use of magic in there creation, but do not require magic to attack. perhaps you could add your levels and spells to help us understand what you are starting with. Thanking outside the box is often favored by DM's. get creative with what you have first.
DM Denubis 12-28-05, 01:59 PM	Multiclassing a caster, you say? Twitch. Now I'm a bit of a min/maxer to be honest, but that's possibly the finest way to gimp yourself. I have a solution to this, but first I need to address another issue. You said not to comment on your DM's rule. Well, I'm going to comment on it, because it bears commenting. What kind of caster could be so powerful that he needs to introduce this kind of enemy? There are plenty of monsters that have Spell Resistance, or naturally high saves, or even (In the case of most golems.) immunity to magic alltogether. To be honest, some players consider this the stuff of nightmares. Now for the solution. You may be a high enough level that you can slip in one level of fighter. After taking that fighter level, start grabbing levels of Eldritch Knight like they're bundles of cash. Each one will grant you +1 BAB and (With the exception of the first.) +1 CL. So with a net loss of two caster levels (Normally horrid.), you can pick up +3 BAB over a ten level period. While this normally is not the most powerful route to take, if you're going to come across magic immune monsters for the rest of your career, you may as well pick up a greatsword and start swinging. Or maybe a bow would be better, seeing as how you most likely have high Dexterity already.
MarkB 12-28-05, 02:09 PM	Now for the solution. You may be a high enough level that you can slip in one level of fighter. After taking that fighter level, start grabbing levels of Eldritch Knight like they're bundles of cash. Each one will grant you +1 BAB and (With the exception of the first.) +1 CL. So with a net loss of two caster levels (Normally horrid.), you can pick up +3 BAB over a ten level period. Caster Level isn't so important to Warlocks. What's most important to them is continuing their Invocations progression, and levels in Eldritch Knight won't help with that at all, because Warlock isn't a spellcasting class.
Nom 12-28-05, 04:18 PM	Anti-magic lizards? These might be an interesting encounter, assuming they roughly follow the AMF rules. However, one would need to make sure that these things aren't easily captured and carried about, or else you will introduce some serious wackiness into the magic rules.
DM Denubis 12-28-05, 04:52 PM	Caster Level isn't so important to Warlocks. What's most important to them is continuing their Invocations progression, and levels in Eldritch Knight won't help with that at all, because Warlock isn't a spellcasting class. I'm not an expert on the Warlock class (I despise it.), but doesn't +1 CL translate roughly into the Warlock class? I was sure there was some sort of sidebar saying so.
MarkB 12-28-05, 06:59 PM	I'm not an expert on the Warlock class (I despise it.), but doesn't +1 CL translate roughly into the Warlock class? I was sure there was some sort of sidebar saying so. Not that I'm aware of. It might increase their caster level for the effects of their invocations, but I doubt whether it would give them access to new ones, or higher level ones, and the Warlock needs every new invocation he can get.
Jerrythehun 12-28-05, 07:23 PM	This is fairly typical house rule nerf - a terrible idea in every way. Did the DM mention this awful stuff before the campaign started? If not, your problem is that it will not be the last nerf the DM comes up with. If you find a way to make spellcasters (your PC or anyone else) more effective, this DM will just come up with another "rule" (meaning in this sense: whim) to slap them back down. In this case, you have three choices: 1) Leave the game. 2) Don't play spellcasters. This is not a real solution, as the first time a rogue gets a nice sneak attack in, or a fighter cleaves through a room full of mooks, your DM will probably nerf that stuff too. But I don't know your DM, maybe he or she just doesn't like spellcasters. 3) If you are having fun, just play, knowing your character is always going to be less effective than fighting characters. Perhaps your group should look into Iron Heroes. Its a really great d20 variant that focuses on fighting characters. Good luck!
Illithid13 12-29-05, 11:35 AM	Not that I'm aware of. It might increase their caster level for the effects of their invocations, but I doubt whether it would give them access to new ones, or higher level ones, and the Warlock needs every new invocation he can get. +1 caster level does increas the warlock's invocations known and EB damage. It is in the first section of the Prestigue class chapter of complete arcane. The Warlock 9/fighter 1/EK 10 would be an effective 18 Warlock for EB and Invocations. Just make sure you take that armored casting feat 1 or 2 times.
friedmad 12-29-05, 01:14 PM	Simple - start specializing in either shadow weave magic or wild magic (from Forgotten Realms) - those types of magic are immune to magic-dampening effects.