Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 vtphoenix26 Sep 21, 2010 19:55:38	Ok, so whenever I have a character concept for Dark Sun, I find myself gravitating toward the Noble Adept Theme. So I wanted to examine why that was: 1) The Noble Adept Theme is the only theme that gets something other than a power (an extra power point). 2) They're the only one that has a power that's a free action. 3) The other theme powers seem to be, in many cases, worse than the at-wills you will want to use. (my heroic tier templar sorcerer-king pact warlock while cool in theory works better with Noble Adept instead! I never found it worthwhile to use the templar power, hand of blight was always better). While it's good to have options, powers that you don't use much are a waste. You will use the Noble Adept power EVERY encounter! 4) They also have the most versatile power and you can use it for your allies too. 5) It scales extremely well. There are arguments for other themes: Feats and PP selection I guess as well as powers available later on however Noble Adept seems far superior to the other options from an optimizing standpoint. Now I do believe that Elemental Priest and Wilder deserve special mention (Has anyone tried a Thri-Kreen Wilder Themed Two-Weapon Ranger???! LOL) but the powers of the other themes seem a little bland. Now I love Dark Sun and am very happy with how it turned out and am not complaining, but do others feel this way too?
#2 alsoanima Sep 21, 2010 20:53:49	The Wasteland Nomad and Gladiator are loving on their theme feature in my campaign. The Noble Adept Monk? Eh.
#3 ayanel Sep 22, 2010 0:12:26	While the Noble Adept is very good my favorite is by far  the Wilder.
#4 beej_silver Sep 22, 2010 0:26:40	My ongoing DS game just included the themes as of our last game a couple of weeks back. There were two templars, two gladiators, and an Athasian Minstrel. In other words, two powers that slowed, two powers that pushed and slowed, and one power that knocks a creature prone and immobilizes. And wouldn't you know it? I had an encounter planned with elves. Do you know how sad it is to see Athasian elves that could no longer move more than 2 squares?   Although in retrospect, this is just what that party needed. Prior to the inclusion of DS CS material (books arrive late here in our country), the battlemind had a hard time defending. Now the party as a whole helps the battlemind get a stickiness factor, which is quite cool. In contrast, the nobe adept's ability to trigger a bonus to a d20 roll seems lackluster, IMO. Unless the said adept is using the power to help one of the above characters hit with their own theme powers... >.>
#5 Lord_Ventnor Sep 22, 2010 1:15:24	Actually, Escaped Slaves get an Extra Trained Skill (Bluff). Their power is a Free Action too. It is also Versatile, and Scales very well. Just some thoughts.
#6 sirkaikillah Sep 22, 2010 2:35:21	Templar!  Who doesn't want to be a templar?  Wield forbidden arcane power! Push others arround!  Get close to the most powerful people in the city.  Great opportunities for gaining wealth and bloody ritual.
#7 Pashalik_Mons Sep 22, 2010 2:44:48	Templar is the best theme for serving our King, Citizen!