Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sci 09-06-06, 02:12 PM	I've been asked by my group to roll up the arcane caster for our game, since my character died recently and we didn't have one in the party. So, since I like to go to extremes, I have been working on a Venerable Gray Elf Wizard... with racial/age mods of -8str, -4dex, -8con, +5int, +3wis, +3cha. My rolls were, frankly, phenominal, and post-mods, I've got 5str, 11dex, 9con, 23int, 16wis, and 16cha. He's certainly archetypal... The idea is the character is rediculously ancient, and frankly, senile...he's forgotten all of his old spells, which is why he's such a low level, and the reason he joins the party is because they are all, by one chain or another, distant descendants of his (they're all elf or human...figure in 700 years time the blood could have diluted quite a bit). The DM thinks it's a hilarious idea, especially since I'm going to roleplay him as close to the Professor from Futurama as possible. To complete the picture, I took the trait Absent Minded from UA (and 'cause I'm having mad knowledge ranks) and flaws Noncombatant and Inattentive...the old coot has horrible Listen, and Spot. But, I do start with Spellcasting Prodigy, University Wizard, AND Pordigous Apprentice, along with the elf-wizard racial sub, which more than make up for it!! So you can see why I'm looking forward to this guy. DC18 for 1-level spells at third level=drool worthy! But the -6 to physical stats is gonna be horrid! I figured I'd use 2k of my 2700 gold to get a Haversack to compensate for carry limit and have stuff at reach anytime, and a familiar to deliver touch spells, but other than that I'm lost. I mean, yeesh, I have 6 bloody HP!!! Any strategy, items, spell ideas to go with to keep this great theme-character alive more than one game?
Atirakis 09-06-06, 02:27 PM	Strategy Stay behind the meat shields and dont get hit Items Amulet of Displacement or Robes of DR X/- Spells Bears Endurance, Mage Armor, Obscurring Mist, Expeditous Retreat
Tony111 09-06-06, 02:40 PM	Please make a will. -Tony
Kimokeo 09-06-06, 03:03 PM	I'd buy scrolls and potions. Scroll: Obscuring Mist Potions: Fly and Gaseous Form. Obscuring Mist to hide. Fly to give you quick mobility. Gaseous Form to give you DR and the Fly speed is greater than Gaseous Form to get away (60 feet instead of 10 feet). *This is totally defensive and evasive. With low hit points, you don't want to be hit. To survive, you must run away. Potions of healing, also a must. Can't rely on the Healers to get to you. IMPORTANT - See if you can get a potion of healing that's small enough for your familiar to carry. This way, if you're unconscious and bleeding and your friends can't get to you, let your familiar save your butt.
green_yawgmoth 09-06-06, 03:19 PM	If one hit kills you, then don't get hit. abjuration ftw! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/yawgmoth/kittyjig.gif
bitnine 09-06-06, 03:40 PM	Not getting hit is a good idea. If PHB2 variants are available, consider for a conjuration specialist variant. Abrupt jaunt ftw. Even at first level, teleport 10 feet as an immediate action a number of times per day equal to your intelligence modifier. With your high intelligence modifier, that alone will likely pop you out of the way of a good number of hits you'd otherwise be exposed to in a given day. Also, if retraining is an option, consider locking a feat into toughness for a while. Given, there's also that odd Dragon feat that adds int to hp (Initiate of Fairy Mysteries or something like that?), but that's may not be an option.
RecycledDM 09-06-06, 05:04 PM	You said you are a 3rd level wizard, yes? Here's a few more good defensive/combat survival spells: Shield...+4 to AC, absorbs magic missiles. Summon Monster...make your own meatshield. Reduce Person...+2 total to your AC (+1 from DEX increase, +1 for size reduction). Mirror Image...minimum 66% miss chance at the beginning of the fight, since you will make a minimum of 2 (and a max of 5) mirror images of yourself. False Life...1d10+3 temporary hp.
DarkNick 09-06-06, 07:25 PM	You just have to be a bit paranoid about certain things (like don't be the one to open things that could go boom, stay in the middle of the party and cast defensively). The biggest mage killer seems to be those attacks that come unexpectedly from behind, or when the party is overrun. Counteract these and you have a good chance of survival.
PhaedrusXY 09-06-06, 07:29 PM	Get the party cleric to cast Shield Other on you daily. Buy him a Pearl of Power (2nd level) to compensate him for his spellslot. (Or cast something on him.) Alter Self can give you +6 natural armor (Troglodyte form), or let you fly (Avarial, etc). Get the party druid to cast Barkskin on you (Get him a Pearl of Power too. That should be the most common magic item in the game, IMO.)
Dolomite 09-06-06, 07:31 PM	Also Improved Toughness for improved survival.
Illithid_Tentacles 09-06-06, 07:46 PM	Buy (or make) some magic items that grant you DR, a bonus to CON, extra HP, Dodge bonuses, etc. etc. There are a lot of options for increasing a wizard's survivability.
Roivas 09-06-06, 11:44 PM	While you could send all your time casting defensive buff spells to ensure you survive combat, what is the pary going to do when they need a wizard to lay out a big group? You will be too busy casting buffs to up your abysmal AC and HP while the party gets crushed, then your spells put up for emergencies will become your last line of defense. You made a character to be a weak old elf, and drove him to be the most powerful spellcaster you could. So you min/maxed your character and now you have to live with it. I would remake the character to have a chance of surviving, or wait until 11th level and make him a lich, or if you don't want to wait check the undead book for a lower level option. The d12 HD could be what you need, now just live long enough to get it, good luck though.
Ralvuimego 09-07-06, 01:48 AM	You've got to find some way to buff your Con, possibly for more than just one fight. (That -1 penalty means you'll be scoring 1 hp per level, if you go by half-die at each level up. If you roll for it, you have a 50% chance of getting a 1, either way, you'll need help) Bear's Endurance is temporary, lasting only 1 min per level, but it will definately help. For 4000 gold, you could invest in an Amulet of Health +2 (Or +4 at 16000 gold), which will bring your Con modifier out of the negatives (Note: Always good). At the cost of 1 level, 1000 exp, and 3000 gold, you could become a Necropolitan (Libris Mortis) (Kinda like a mini-lich, all the benefits of Undeath made to the living, but without all the crazy stuff the lich gets. It's as close to life as unlife gets.) I really can't think of much else, but happy gaming and good luck not getting hit.:D
PhaedrusXY 09-07-06, 01:58 AM	You will be too busy casting buffs to up your abysmal AC and HP while the party gets crushedEh, it's not that bad. Even with only False Life and Shield Other (from the cleric), his hit points will be effectively more than quadrupled (avg +7.5 from False Life, and he takes half damage). Both of those last 1 hr/level, also. So with any reasonable kind of warning of possible danger, you should be able to have them up long before the actual fighting starts. Buy a Lesser Rod of Extend Spell when you can afford it. Yes, that is taking alot of your higher level spellslots from the party. That is unfortunate, but at least you'll hopefully be able to survive till the higher levels where this won't matter as much, and contribute to combats instead of standing there buffing yourself and/or running/hiding. So you min/maxed your character and now you have to live with it.Bitter much? :P
DarkNick 09-07-06, 04:14 PM	The best defence is a good offence I say. Blow them up!! "What the hell are you doing, you blew up that pesants cottage, the giant is that way!!" " Giant? I thought we were fighting a big turtle?"
Stumm_Dolch 09-07-06, 04:41 PM	Buy my magic item! It's a single use vest triggered to release a cure light wounds if it's wearer becomes unconcious. It's very cheap since it's a single-use item but it will most likely save your life.
trapspringer 09-07-06, 06:05 PM	Bitter much? :P Maybe, but he is absolutely right. That's why I am totally ok with min-maxing. There is in fact no way to take everything from nothing and put it in something. Yea, false life should handle this, really. 1d10+3 or so? I mean, hell, that'll make you a rogue. Hang back and pop off magic missles. You signed up to be a wizard, you're not gunna be real durable.
Nytmare 09-08-06, 11:09 AM	Fighting? You have a hard enough time trying to remember where you put your teeth! Leave all that silly stuff to your great-great-great-great-great-great grandkids. It's about time they start pulling their own weight around here anyway. I mean sheesh, back when you were an adventurer you had to fight orcs in 3 feet of snow on your way to the dungeon, uphill, both ways! Kids just don't appreciate what they have nowadays, they've got it so easy. When you were a kid you had to use Thac0. And elf was your gosh darned character class!?
Duke 09-08-06, 11:54 AM	Just don't open the fight with your most powerful spells. Wait until the enemy has engaged the rest of the party, and choose spells that won't hurt your teammates. If you start lighting up the area before the enemy has picked targets to fight, they're going to pick you.
PhaedrusXY 09-08-06, 08:03 PM	I mean sheesh, back when you were an adventurer you had to fight orcs in 3 feet of snow on your way to the dungeon, uphill, both ways! Kids just don't appreciate what they have nowadays, they've got it so easy. When you were a kid you had to use Thac0. And elf was your gosh darned character class!?Yeah! You tell 'em! And tell 'em to get the hell off my lawn, too! :P
Sci 09-09-06, 12:03 PM	Everyone, thanks for the help and ideas! Sorry I didn't check in earlier, but I've got no net connection at the house and check at the library :weep: ! I am going with Improved Toughness for 6th level, I picked a set of great defensive spells that have other uses, like Alter Self, Invisibility, and Summon Monster...Frankly, considering my massive Int and Collegiate Wizard feat, I was able to get just about every spell recommended!! Any idea which issue? The DM allows Dragon stuff, usually, and I really could use that! [QUOTE=Nytmare]Fighting? You have a hard enough time trying to remember where you put your teeth! Leave all that silly stuff to your great-great-great-great-great-great grandkids. It's about time they start pulling their own weight around here anyway. I mean sheesh, back when you were an adventurer you had to fight orcs in 3 feet of snow on your way to the dungeon, uphill, both ways! Kids just don't appreciate what they have nowadays, they've got it so easy. When you were a kid you had to use Thac0. And elf was your gosh darned character class!? Considering we have a fighter, ranger, druid, healer, and 2 animal companions to surround me, I think I should be in good shape! Great attitudees for roleplay, too, man I can't wait until the game this afternoon!! Oh, and we also wore an onion in our belt, which was the style at the time...copper pieces had bees on them, "Gimme ten bees for a silver" we'd say, which of course was enough then to buy a large mule, or at least a small horse, and feed for three days. 'Course horses ate less back then, being they weren't as large and unruly, and the summers weren't so hot...
bitnine 09-09-06, 02:12 PM	Any idea which issue? The DM allows Dragon stuff, usually, and I really could use that!Hm, looking further the feat is Faerie Mysteries Initiate, and its on page 58 of Dragon 319. It allows you and a partner with the feat to gain a benefit from a set, one of which is replacing Con with Int for HP. (The effect lasts until you perform with another partner, so you could have 'set' it years ago - no need for someone in the party to have the feat, particularly since you probably won't be changing it.)
FeceMan 09-09-06, 02:54 PM	Whoever suggested that he become necropolitan needs to be hit.
Tharin G'tal 09-09-06, 04:37 PM	Man your character sounds cool, reminds me of Fizban from the DragonLance chronicles. Let us know how your sessions go and if how you manage to stay alive!
NeoRealist 09-09-06, 08:24 PM	Sounds like min-maxing and roleplay have created in your character a kind of alchemy (not to borrow to blatently from another wise old busy-body stereotype ;) *cough*), i too look forward to hearing how your character progresses, and i think your backstory and the current setup is simply hilariously entertaining. Practically speaking, i second the necropolitan, guy that old already has one foot in the grave already, who's to say he didn't already visit and decided he didn't like it? or even more humorously simply forgot that he is an undead altogether? "dead? dead!? i'm not dead you pesky 'snapper i'm just resting ma eyes. go away and do something useful with yourself why doncha?"
X-Codes 09-09-06, 09:25 PM	Nobody's said TOAD FAMILIAR! Perma +3 HP for 100 gold. Add a little False Life for another 1d10+3, which you can re-cast every time you run out of temp HP. Keep him in a pouch or something and he's well protected, too. Forget the Haversack, just make the tank carry your junk. You have enough strength to carry the basics like a solid wand, a rod or two, and a staff. A belt pouch for pearls of power and scrolls. Don't worry about the fighter running off with your gear, either. If he tries it, Color Spray his ass! Like he could make the save!
FeceMan 09-09-06, 11:39 PM	*Sighs.* The problem with necropolitan is the very, very EVIL process by which one becomes necropolitan.
X-Codes 09-10-06, 07:58 AM	*Sighs.* The problem with necropolitan is the very, very EVIL process by which one becomes necropolitan. Not to mention that even with this guy's pathetic Constitution he can eventually gain enough Constitution boosters to eventually put his average HP per level over that of the average HP given by upping his HD to d12's and dropping Con altogether. In order to seriously consider becoming undead to avert a low constitution score, you need to have something around a 6 or lower.
pmurray@bigpond.com 09-10-06, 08:09 AM	Help help! I have built a character so min-maxed and unbalanced that it is unplayable! What should I do? Sheesh!
Tuneless Bard 09-10-06, 08:46 AM	Im not one to support spending a whole lot of money to get rid of your characters faults. The faults are just as important as the strong points... just dont make yourself a target unless you know you can kill them first... and focus on party boosters (you said you are a mentor, so relish in your party succeeding and helping them along)...it seems most in character...rather than "no, please dont hit me" or "roar, now im really powerful"
runestar 09-10-06, 09:43 AM	If you are extremely adventerous(IE: suicidal), you could consider cranking your con score all the way down to 1(you still get at least 1 hp each lv), then try toughing it out until you can qualify for the necropolitan template. As an undead, you have no need for a con score.:) In the meanwhile, perhaps rely on generous does of false life+aid to boost your hp, as well as taking toughness at 1st lv, and maybe even a toad familiar for the extra +3 hp? Sounds like fun. :)
FeceMan 09-10-06, 04:20 PM	Listen to me, you halfwits. The character in question cannot become a necropolitan because the process of becoming a necropolitan is evil (not to mention quite twisted). The character in question is NOT evil, and he does not want to suffer through crucimigration. That...is...all.
Keevo_Darkwood 09-10-06, 04:53 PM	*reaches over and snatches away FeceMan's bullhorn* That is all. :P
FeceMan 09-10-06, 05:24 PM	I'm sorry, but it's annoying. "Quick, let's screw RP and make this guy undead via an excrutiating ritual that would send any paladin's detecting abilities haywire!" Awesome! (Although, having the character forget he was undead would actually be pretty hilarious; the only problem is that becoming undead is evil.)
runestar 09-11-06, 03:19 AM	Also, In PGTF, there is a regional feat that allows you to use your int or cha mod in place of your con mod to determine bonus hp for your 1st HD only. It also gives +1insight ac bonus and +1hp for each metamagic feat you have.:) Thus, a 1st lv venerable sun elf with say, 22int and crap con would still start with 10hp(4+6 from a int score of 22). Throw in a toad for 13 hp. It's not much, but it helps survivability at low lvs. See if you can also pick up improved toughness at 6th lv. Also, I am not aware that being a necropolitan is evil? Isn't it a neutral act?
trapspringer 09-11-06, 08:53 AM	It doesn't really matter, I mean, we don't actually know anything about this that would prevent us from thinking evil is allowed. Hell, the professor on futurama (the concept for this guy) has at least one doomsday device and has done more than a few things that most rational people would say is enough to justify a nice long stay in a mental hospital.
kliate 09-11-06, 09:43 AM	1) Use False Life. 2) Know Shield and Mage Armor, and Protection from Arrows. Use them. 3) Keep potions of Aid, Shield of Faith and Barkskin. 4) Position three other adventurers in front of you, at all times. 5) Learn Fly at 5th level. Use it.
OravennasBrother 09-11-06, 01:27 PM	I mean, yeesh, I have 6 bloody HP!!! Any strategy, items, spell ideas to go with to keep this great theme-character alive more than one game? HOw about reincarnate - this character seems the PERFECT candidate; all th aging bonuses, as well as racial mental attribute adds remain. All the physical ppenalties get erased. I know you lose one level, but think about rolling up Dwarf and watching your Con jump by~10 points (+6 eliminating aging mods, +2 eliminating Elf racial penalty, +2 Dwarf racial bonus) - that sounds like 15 HP right there (as soon as you make up the level and are 3rd again) Keep an expeditious retreat handy and voila +0ECL with massive attribute bonuses.
Sci 09-12-06, 04:12 PM	Sounds like min-maxing and roleplay have created in your character a kind of alchemy (not to borrow to blatently from another wise old busy-body stereotype ;) *cough*), i too look forward to hearing how your character progresses, and i think your backstory and the current setup is simply hilariously entertaining. Practically speaking, i second the necropolitan, guy that old already has one foot in the grave already, who's to say he didn't already visit and decided he didn't like it? or even more humorously simply forgot that he is an undead altogether? "dead? dead!? i'm not dead you pesky 'snapper i'm just resting ma eyes. go away and do something useful with yourself why doncha?" Necropolitan could be fun...I'm gonna have to look it up when I get home. I was thinking about liching it out when I get strong enough, anyway, if the DM allows it. He's got this "don't be an evil character" bend going. Yeesh. The character was a HUGE success, in many ways. First off, the whole group couldn't stop laughing, and the DM spit his coffee up when I pulled the "we had to fight orcs in 3 feet of snow, uphill both ways to the dungeon, and we were GRATEFUL!" line. I kept falling asleep during key story elements. I claimed others' ideas to be my own, and stated that the young generation wasn't creative enough. The party's fighter was my closest living relative, so she had a reason to keep me alive. All was good. I had an absolutely psychotic raven familiar that ever since it ate a demon's brain back when I saved the world spoke Abyssal (one of the only languages I did NOT speak) and continued to claim it whispered things to me in my sleep and was stealing my medicine. As for combat, I spent almost the whole time invisible, summoning up monsters to fight for me. Eventually, I blasted one of the two bosses out with a magic missle when he was sufficiently weakened by the others, and I had a colorspray that nobody could resist the DC of, bringing about an easy finish to the other boss. It was a night of much joy. ...and yeah, if I die of anything but self-induced lichdom, my will states that I want my druid great great great great great granddaughter to reincarnate me.
NeoRealist 09-12-06, 07:13 PM	The loony abyssal speaking raven familiar is sheer unadulterated genius. :) And it seems like you have the subtle knack of not being too much of a grandstander with your frail mage, so you should do fine with him till you can come up with some other way of beefing yourself up. as for feceman: I'm sorry, but it's annoying. "Quick, let's screw RP and make this guy undead via an excrutiating ritual that would send any paladin's detecting abilities haywire!" This guy has lived 3/4ths of a millenium don't you think he could possibly have had a change of heart in that time? or perhaps the ritual of crucimigration might just be something that happens accidentally in some cases? ( lots of lightning and an exploding still that he was trying to use to concentrate some unholy water for study comes to mind ;) or even *gasp* that it was misguided attempt to either save his life or not completely understood when he started it, or even conducted on him against his will? (the text itself mentions many have second thoughts part way through the ritual)? these are but a few examples for how he might have ended up in the sorry state that he is now. I'd personally argue that: since the alignment is stated as being neutral for a necropolitan, he'd keep whatever alignment he had in life. If anything a paladin should pity and try and help him for the everlasting price he must bear, rather than smite him in some dieties name.
Callista 09-12-06, 11:07 PM	That low CON isn't going to be a problem as soon as he can get himself some boosting items, so why be worried? A wizard's going to die sooner or later, when he catches some area-of-effect spell; so might as well prevent what you can prevent, and plan for what you can't--thus, reincarnation/resurrection/True Rez. The idea of the guy turning undead and not noticing is really funny, though. Maybe you could work it out with your DM to turn into a ghost (and keep your old alignment) in the meantime, before you get re-whatevered. (I seriously don't suggest eating that LA, so you want it to be temporary.) So not only does he not notice he's dead; but he's oblivious that he can now walk through walls!
FeceMan 09-13-06, 02:45 PM	The loony abyssal speaking raven familiar is sheer unadulterated genius. :) And it seems like you have the subtle knack of not being too much of a grandstander with your frail mage, so you should do fine with him till you can come up with some other way of beefing yourself up. as for feceman: This guy has lived 3/4ths of a millenium don't you think he could possibly have had a change of heart in that time? or perhaps the ritual of crucimigration might just be something that happens accidentally in some cases? ( lots of lightning and an exploding still that he was trying to use to concentrate some unholy water for study comes to mind ;) or even *gasp* that it was misguided attempt to either save his life or not completely understood when he started it, or even conducted on him against his will? (the text itself mentions many have second thoughts part way through the ritual)? these are but a few examples for how he might have ended up in the sorry state that he is now. I'd personally argue that: since the alignment is stated as being neutral for a necropolitan, he'd keep whatever alignment he had in life. If anything a paladin should pity and try and help him for the everlasting price he must bear, rather than smite him in some dieties name. No. The ritual of crucimigration is both deliberate and well-planned. A necropolitan must seek out those who would perform this ritual--and they are going to be evil--and a character with as high INT as his would have had no difficulty understanding the process of the ritual. (In fact, I don't think most PCs would ever have a problem understanding the ritual.) I was talking about the ritual itself setting off a paladin's smite alarm, not the necropolitan himself. Also, the character is level 1: to take part in the ritual of crucimigration--and not get owned by D&D mechanics--one must be level 2. Or at least have 2 HD.
Dag 09-13-06, 03:37 PM	Nice thinking with all the buffing advise. The problem being (as someone mentioned in an earlier post) that by the time the guy buffs himself enough to survive the battle is pretty much in hand one way or another. 1) Use False Life. 2) Know Shield and Mage Armor, and Protection from Arrows. Use them. 3) Keep potions of Aid, Shield of Faith and Barkskin. 4) Position three other adventurers in front of you, at all times. 5) Learn Fly at 5th level. Use it. Good advice I suppose, but only if you have 7 rounds ahead of time to prepare, you very often do not. I have an 11th level wizard in the game I play, I didn't min/max him he just has a sorry constitution thanks to being reincarnated as an elf which really sucked. at 11th level he has 34 hit points, enough to die rather easily but I manage to keep him alive and rarely ever buff myself. I do use bear's endurance now and then. As a diviner the only spells he has going are arcane sight, chain of eyes, and Dragonsight. And also makes judicious use of arcane eye, prying eyes, and True Seeing. I dont even have shield in my spell book and the only time I cast mage armor is to cast it on the ranger's wolf companion who often stays back to defend the spell casters. Just position your guy well, stay behind the fighters but don't be the very last person in the group either, being able to see invisible opponents helps alot since rogues tend to target unarmored spell casters, and then there's always the darkness, fog cloud or other such cover spell to conceal yourself in, and thanks to the chain of eyes going on the tank you can still target spells through his vision. And when they decide to start targetting the casting coming from inside that fog cloud? That's what a good reflex save is for, sure, even taking half damage is nearly lethal, but a dimension door and I'm gone to a place where I can safely survey the battle (preferably from cover) and lob my long range spells in between rounds of dimension dooring (With a wand or via greater dimension door speel, but the range sucks on it) to far off corners of the battle field. It's not flawless, but an enemy has to be pretty determined to slay the wizard above all other combatants for them to really get me. Once the dimension door takes place then cast on yourself for a round or two to buff up or heal, that will get the enemy spell casters busy elsewhere rather than waiting or holding actions for you. If the enemy casters do hold actions for you let them. You've just taken that caster out of the battle until he grows tired of waiting for you, then you can blast him after he's cast. and if you can manage a spell that doesn't leave a trail to where you are they will have a hard time targeting you. Enlarge spell is a nice feat to take for a wimpy wizard, you just need a DM who allows for combat to take place beyond the scope that can be drawn out on most table top hex maps. And being a diviner I usually am able to keep from being ambushed, what with prying eyes circling the party a mile or so in all directions during travel through treacherous territory or surrounding the camp site out to a half mile or mile while we rest in the wilderness. Detect scrying is also nice to have if you fear being jumped by enemies with teleport abilities. I think these long lasting precautions go a lot further to keep a wizard alive than the short term buffing, but that's just my opinion along with my two cents. Good luck with your elf - Should have made him a halfling for the hiding bonuses. MY diviner started halfling, was reincarnated into elf, then slapped a permenant reduce person on himself to regain that size modifier, though it would be nice to shake this sorry -2 con that makes elves so terrible a race for an arcane caster.
Sci 09-13-06, 04:03 PM	Also, the character is level 1: to take part in the ritual of crucimigration--and not get owned by D&D mechanics--one must be level 2. Or at least have 2 HD. He's level 3. But, really, I don't want to do it. We have a healer in the party, the actual class Healer, so it's of much benefit to have positive energy help me. Good luck with your elf - Should have made him a halfling for the hiding bonuses. MY diviner started halfling, was reincarnated into elf, then slapped a permenant reduce person on himself to regain that size modifier, though it would be nice to shake this sorry -2 con that makes elves so terrible a race for an arcane caster. Races of the Wild; Elf Wizard Substitution Level 1 = EFFING AWESOME. Extra spell learned every level, extra slot at highest level...Couldn't resist it. Combined with Collegiate Wizard, Spellcasting Prodigy, Percarious Apprentice (thank you flaws for letting me take three 1st level only feats), and my insane Int, I have 20+ spells (not counting 0-level) in my book without spending a dime, and 4 castings of 0, 1, and 2nd level spells per day, all at a measely level 3. Nor could I resist the chance to be over 700 and still breathing. Normally I agree with you, halflings > elves, but gray elves get the dex AND int bonuses, and that racial sub is just incredible! Question...would that racial sub level remain if I reincarnated as, say, a dwarf? How do racial substitution levels work with reincarnate?
Dag 09-13-06, 04:16 PM	Well, nice that all you got out of my post was the last sentence concerning race. Whatever you responded with was Greek to me, I stay away from that type of cheese whizz, so an elf is an elf in my mind and therefore a terrible choice for an arcane caster.
PhaedrusXY 09-13-06, 04:28 PM	Dag, False Life and Shield Other have 1 hour/level durations. Using both these spells effectively quadruples the wizard's hit points, and he doesn't have to waste rounds buffing at the beggining of the battle. And they are CORE, so no complaints about "cheese whiz". By the way, Grey elf is also core. It is in the Monster Manual. And while we're at it, I don't see Chain of Eyes and Dragonsight in the list of core spells. So who are you to be complaining about someone else's "Cheese whiz"?
trapspringer 09-13-06, 04:57 PM	I've started ignoring stuff like that. It was a waste of our precious inter-tubes the first time it was written and it was a waste of our inter-tubes this time, too.
FeceMan 09-13-06, 04:58 PM	Lol, he's complaining about the alleged cheese and he says to make the race halfling for the hide bonuses. That's hypocriminal. Anyway, elf racial substitution levels are pretty cool, unless you want an improved familiar. Anyone who says elves make bad wizards is...wrong? Yes. That's the word I was looking for: "wrong". Even a half-orc is a good choice for a wizard (especially if you hit your DM in the head enough times and tell him that half-orcs don't need a -2 to INT) because the enemy would never expect it. Ever. Half-orcs are automatically dumb brutes who have levels in barbarian. No matter what.
Andrew_980 09-13-06, 05:04 PM	Necropolitans can be good, not paladins as the ritual involves unholy items but a nuetral guy can do that too. the only real necisary evil involved is the items.
Callista 09-14-06, 12:57 AM	Look, people, the guy doesn't want his wizard to be a necropolitan, so stop harping on it.
ShadowDragon8685 09-14-06, 01:14 AM	I'm with the "Put a clause in your will" option. The one that stipulates should you be slain in battle, you get Reincarnate instead of Raise Dead.
Sulaco 09-14-06, 09:59 AM	I mean, yeesh, I have 6 bloody HP!!! Any strategy, items, spell ideas to go with to keep this great theme-character alive more than one game? If one hit kills you then the answer is simple: don't get hit. This PC should be so far back from the actual meat and steel of melee combat that he can only see it on a really clear day.
albinomonkeyking 09-14-06, 02:46 PM	My friend had an amusing idea that seemed to fit with your concept. Since you are a senile old fart anyway, why not feign (or real) ignorance for the first round or so of combat. If a monster is getting hit by others it will ignore the confused old man, at least for a bit, and a person would probably do the same. It would also just be funny as hell. If you don't mind losing a round or so for concept that is... Oh yeah, there is also a feat in..*racks brain* I think PHB2, but I am not positive. Anyway, the description is basically that your appearance is so sad, so pathetic, that until you hit an opponent they will more or less ignore you because you are not a threat. Sounds fitting.
Raven Dark 09-14-06, 06:21 PM	I once played a cleric with 6 Constitution. He ended up being the most fun character I've played to date. He used toughness and improved toughness to survive level 1 (he was human) and then relied on CLOSE WOUNDS to survive from 3rd-level to 6th-level. By the time he got to 6th-level, he also had the endurance and diehard feats. He would use diehard in conjunction with the spell DELAY DEATH to effectively become immune to hit point damage. He owuld simply use his extremely potent healing spells to heal himself before the spell duration ran out. As he progressed further in levels I claimed all the gear that would protect him from other things that could kill him (such as debuffs, transmutation effects, deth effects, etc.). I played him up to 32nd level without him being killed once.
trapspringer 09-15-06, 12:47 AM	Berserker rage. I picked up the player's handbook II recently, and it occured to me that a war forged barbarina (berserker rage varient) with the adamantine body and a constituion of five as well as the flaw frail and pathetic (constitution) and the quick trait would be perpetually berserk by level two. Further, if you take improved damage reduction a couple of times you could easily end up having DR 8/-. I know there is something to be had here, I just don't know where to go with it next.... Some prestige class. Frenzied berserker is the obvious choice because warforged can become immune to nonlethal damage, but I 'dunno.
MadMoly 09-15-06, 01:37 AM	Make it a 2nd level wizard that died and was reincarnated as an orc. a 23 INT orc. Mad skillz ;) MadMoly
Andrew_980 09-15-06, 02:51 AM	The cost of minmaxing is the min. reduce the max and you reduce the min. don't assume it is right to expect to have everything. give and take makes balance, take and take is greed.
CaoSlayer 09-15-06, 10:20 AM	ummm, you always can come back as a ghost keeping all your spellcasting power. Anyway, there is at faerun a kind of good elves liches, they used to become liches because they needed to perform a duty that it is longer than an elf lifespan like guarding a mithal.
Sci 09-15-06, 03:36 PM	Well, nice that all you got out of my post was the last sentence concerning race. Whatever you responded with was Greek to me, I stay away from that type of cheese whizz, so an elf is an elf in my mind and therefore a terrible choice for an arcane caster. Oh, I got the rest, they were good tactics and all, I just didn't want a huge page of quotes to give responses to. I made a note, added it to my mental list of tactics, and moved on to counterpoint the comment I disagreed with. And as stated earlier, gray elf is core, not cheese. Anyway, there is at faerun a kind of good elves liches, they used to become liches because they needed to perform a duty that it is longer than an elf lifespan like guarding a mithal. What book and what page, I totally need to see that one? What's it called? That sounds awesome to the fifth power for this guy! Berserker rage. I picked up the player's handbook II recently, and it occured to me that a war forged barbarina (berserker rage varient) with the adamantine body and a constituion of five as well as the flaw frail and pathetic (constitution) and the quick trait would be perpetually berserk by level two. Further, if you take improved damage reduction a couple of times you could easily end up having DR 8/-. I know there is something to be had here, I just don't know where to go with it next.... Some prestige class. Frenzied berserker is the obvious choice because warforged can become immune to nonlethal damage, but I 'dunno. That's all cool for the NEXT character I play, but...um... What does that have to do with this situation, you know, my completely non-barbarian, non-warforged wizard??
Far_Traveler 09-15-06, 10:54 PM	By the way, about your character idea... YOINK! (Please keep us updated on the campaign)
crowclub 09-16-06, 07:50 AM	Items Amulet of Displacement or Robes of DR X/- What book/s are these items from?
Sci 09-18-06, 03:52 PM	Campaign Update (since some of you asked): My incoherant rambling has been turned into a form of diplomacy/intimidate, according to the DM, as I used two hours of storytelling about the onion I wore in my belt when I saved the world from demons to tortrue a tiefling we captured from a temple of Hextor...it was good stuff. Also, in true form of "Quoth" the raven from the Discworld series, my raven familiar Nexus is now constantly asking if he can eat the dead bodies, particularly the eyeballs, of our enemies. As far as combat is concerned, the tiefling's darkness SLA saved me the trouble of having to cast Invisibility, and I pretty much just summoned up some tremor-sensing Fiendish Monsterous Scorpions to tear them to shreds. Good times, good times. The party is thoroughly annoyed with my character, but keeps him around out of lame obligation, like any other normal people do the elderly...you don't want to deal with the stories, questions, and made up superiority, but you have to out of guilt. The DM wouldn't let me take that Faerie Mysteries feat, as the ability to get Int for hitpoints required a "sensual erotic dance" and the DM dubbed that too horrible to contemplate my character achieving. So I'm just gonna take Improved Toughness at sixth level...
PhaedrusXY 09-22-06, 12:01 PM	The DM wouldn't let me take that Faerie Mysteries feat, as the ability to get Int for hitpoints required a "sensual erotic dance" and the DM dubbed that too horrible to contemplate my character achieving. So I'm just gonna take Improved Toughness at sixth level...:rofl: He's old. That could have happened back when he was a young and spry elf at 337 or something. :D
CaoSlayer 09-24-06, 04:16 AM	What book and what page, I totally need to see that one? What's it called? That sounds awesome to the fifth power for this guy! Magic of faerun.. search here for "good lich" to take a glance to it: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ag/20030805a