Welcome you pathetic infidels to Ask a Character. The great "Dungeon Master" forced this knight of the Raven Queen to host this show where all of thou asketh your questions and my companions and myself whilst answer them. We will answer any questions about the fourth incarnation about the universe and the third and a half incarnation as well.
All newly added characters keep the (NEW) tag until they answer a question directed at them.
Answerers:
- Ark "McSmity" Deathbane (4e Paladin) [HOST]: Semi-insane zealot-knight of the Raven Queen.
- Arethis, Warden of the Dead (4e Death Knight [Homebrew Class]): Angsty hunter of the dead and knight of the raven Queen.
(NEW) - Daven (4e Warlock): A necropolitan warlock that made a deal with an arch-fiend and uses his powers to help others.
(NEW) - Raven, Hunterof the Drow (4e Rogue): HOLY S
T! One character that isn't some sort of necro-guy. Your average Drizzt clone...except he's a homicidal maniac...that's Lawful Good...well all adventurers are...but ya know...- Fiolza, Tiefling Sorceress (4e Wizard): Flirtatious battle-mage.
- Chris P. Bacon (4e Warlord): Awakened pig that commands the Grandalian forces. Wields the mighty Excaliboar into combat!
(NEW) - Yzeran, Fallen Priest of Pelor (4e Necromancer [Homebrew Class]): And when I say "fallen" I men the Pelorites are bitter he left their club and joined the Raven Queen.
- Steven the Minstrel (3.5 Bard): Metagaming bard. Now a necromancer/bard/dirgesinger/ultimante magus.
- Xanthos (3.5 Wizard): Incredibly high level wizard/arch mage, treats magicks as a science.
- Sir Greggory (3.5 Knight): Noble knight that does everything in his power to boost his AC.
for the 3.5 characters: what do you wish you could have from the fourth incarnation of the universe?
hehehe. I'll give this a try. what do you miss most from the third and a half incarnation of the universe?
Fiolza, Tiefling Sorceress: I'll answer this question. I miss my non-horny head and my great arcane secrets.
Ark: You're just bitter you can't instantly slay things anymore.
Fiolza: LIES ALL LIES!!!
---
Steven: Since I'm still in the 3.5 version I'm bitter that I'm a worthless bard. My DM doesn't allow Splat books, I CAN'T DO S
T!!!.Xanthos: Don't listen to the poor gnome. He believes that we're all tiny plastic figures controlled by intelligent outcasts from a futuristic society of all humans.
---
Yes, I'm curious about opinions of the new versions of the classes. Xanthos, how do you feel now that in 4th ed you could make melee attacks as well as any front-liner if you spent a little more time at the gym?
Xanthos: I myself have not gone under the fourth incarnation rituals yet.
Steven: Our DM is to cheap and doesn't want to switch over.
Xanthos: Fiolza could you answer the question for us?
Fiolza: Gladly, well I personally go toe-to-toe with others all the time. I'm glad now that I'm not killed by a measly kobold that sneaks around our fighter or paladin. Now, there's those wizards that don't like being near enemies *cough*Xanthos*cough* and I think they need to have prayed for more strength and toughness.
Ark, how do you feel about the changes made to the paladin in 4E?
The only question I can think of. how do you feel about the tiefling and the gnome trading places? gnomes being kicked out of the party, and tieflings accepted ...
Fiolza, how do you feel about the huge lizard-like tail that you have? Also, how do you feel about you save or die spells dissapearing? You are more resilient now, and like you said, don't die from a cat that critted you, but don't you miss having spells that can nuke hordes of enemies? Or are you satisfied with you spells as they are now?
Ark, how do you feel about the changes made to the paladin in 4E?
Fiolza: Well let's see. My boyfriend thinks my tail is sexy, but I think it just gets in the way. I still haven't figured out how to sit in a chair. I was an evoker, so I din't use many instant killing spells. I prefered to blast away. I still "nuke" hordes of enemies, just less often now. I would like my non-combat spells now.
Ark: WOO HOO! NO MORE STUPID CODE! AND I CAN WEAR BLACK! AND SERVE A GODDESS OF DEATH! AND KILL STUFF! WANTONLY!! Umm...I meaneth I am satisfied witheth my new powers and service.
---
The only question I can think of. how do you feel about the tiefling and the gnome trading places? gnomes being kicked out of the party, and tieflings accepted ...
Steven: Well Qube...SCREW YOU!
Fiolza: He's just bitter that I have all the good parties while he's still stuck in the third and a half incarnation.
Fiolza, how do you feel about 4E's rituals? Many complain that they are too time consuming and expensive for the effect, which generally doesn't last very long anyways.
Arethis, what is it that you do exactly? I'm assuming since you're a death knight it involves spreading plague and death and defiling corpses through necromancy. Am I right?
Steven: Well Qube...SCREW YOU!
Fiolza: He's just bitter that I have all the good parties while he's still stuck in the third and a half incarnation.
Steven,Fiolza; how do you feel about the fact that even 3.5 bards are stronger then 4E wizards, having stronger spells (Greater Shout, Irresistible Dance, etc) better skills, cooler magic items, ...
Hey Steve, are you taking a level in barbarian soon? I think you should. And, is being stuck in the MM really so bad? You have minions now. You're a monster RAAWR!!
Fiolza, how do you feel about 4E's rituals? Many complain that they are too time consuming and expensive for the effect, which generally doesn't last very long anyways.
Arethis, what is it that you do exactly? I'm assuming since you're a death knight it involves spreading plague and death and defiling corpses through necromancy. Am I right?
Steven: I'm not taking levels in barbarian. A bard is terrible, and you NEVER multiclass spellcaster with a totally unrelated class, the caster level hit is to much!
Fiolza: They are very time consuming and far to expensive. That's why Arethis does all of them for us.
Arethis: I'm a warder of the dead and slayer of the undead. I might raise undead temporarily but I destroy them soon after. AND I KILL THOSE THAT DEFILE CORPSES!!! RAWR!!!!
Steven,Fiolza; how do you feel about the fact that even 3.5 bards are stronger then 4E wizards, having stronger spells (Greater Shout, Irresistible Dance, etc) better skills, cooler magic items, ...
Steven: Well I understand why the wizard was toned down, but I feel that Wizards lowered them a lil' to much.
Fiolza: Now I can blast away woohoo!
Xanthos: The new wizards are just mindless artillery. My branch is an art. *Spits on a copy of the 4e Handbooks*
Fiolza, how do you feel about the extremely limited spell selection that you have? The core 3.5 book had many choices for mages, yet in 4th edition, you only have 3-5 spells per level that you can choose from. Does this lack of versatility ever irritate you, or even make you less effective?
Kill the DM! Use all of your hate and rage, gnome bard, and channel it into your music! It shall cause your DM's head to EXPLODE! And your path down the dark side shall be complete....:evillaugh (jeebus, what kind of Sith am I? trying to bring a gnome to the dark side. *sigh*)
Fiolza, how do you feel about the extremely limited spell selection that you have? The core 3.5 book had many choices for mages, yet in 4th edition, you only have 3-5 spells per level that you can choose from. Does this lack of versatility ever irritate you, or even make you less effective?
Fiolza: I prefer having less spells to keep track of. I can't count the number of times I got killed because I forgot I prepared a particular spell. But sometimes only having a few spells does iritate me.
Arethis, how do you feel about being a homebrew class? correct me if I'm wrong, but one based off warcraft at that.
Arethis: My powers are forever changing and I studied in every rune type at least once. It is a bit weird having slightly different powers each time I awaken. And this "Warcraft" you speak of sounds unneccisaily violent.
Steven: Ya...he's a pacefist death knight...and he saves kittens from trees and all that stuff...
Steve, why are you a self hating bard? Not all classes have to be high damage dealers, and if you take the Sublime Chord or the Seeker of the Song prestige class, you're pretty powerful. Or, better yet, a homebrewed prestige class called the Disciple of Heavy Metal. C'mon, a death metal GNOME BARD. How awesome would that be? And besides, while all the others are killing everyone, you're seducing the maidens, and finding the knowledge that helps the others succeed. You do understand all of this, right?
a lot of good stuff here...
Steven: BUT HAVE YOU SEEN MY STATS!!!??? MY AC IS HORRIBLE AND MY DAMAGE OUTPUT IS VERY LITTLE! AND THE WORST PART IS MY DM ONLY ALLOWS CORE BOOKS! I should've rolled a druid...
Steven, have you tried Fascinate /Suggestion? It works wonders. Also, do you ever have social encounters in your universe?
Ark, i've heard some rumors, gossip really, that you may be...take a seat for this one... a Retribution Paladin. Care to comment on that?
Ark: Well no duh-eth. My compatriots have said that wielding a greatsword, bringing death to the infidels and screaming "LEEEEEEEEEEROY JENKINS!" before charging into a fight was very crusader-ish. Also, as soon as the great and powerful Knight of Pigs, starts his crusader discipline I'm retraining as one.
Ret pallies are strong now! WoW will be nerfing them, I expect.
Ark: Our power levels are in the nine-thousand range.
Steven, have you tried Fascinate /Suggestion? It works wonders. Also, do you ever have social encounters in your universe?
Steven: You see those didn't look powerful on paper for me...and I spread myself to thin. I WAS TOLD BARDS CAN DO ANYTHING!
Poor, misunderstood Steven. Maybe you need to come up with better bardic music than Mary Had a Little Lamb.
Steven: I play music by Stratovarius. I reccomend Just Carry On and Anthem of the World.
And as for your music, Stratovarius is a good start. I might also reccomend: Sabaton, Alestorm, Dragonforce, Static-X, Children of Bodom, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Iced Earth, Metallica (ONLY play songs from the following albums: Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, Kill 'em All, and lastly, And Justice for All) Slayer, Mushroomhead (placed in at the request of ZB), System of A Down, and Dethklok. You'll be the most badass bard around.
Never listened to Mushroomhead. I guess I have something to do now. I only have a little bit of slipknot's music, only about 9 songs. they weren't whiny. however, I fear and hate whiny metal, so I will boot out Slipknot.
Slipknot's not whiney, but their singer was in a band that played whiney stuff - Stone Sour. Mushroomhead is a Cleveland band. They were mostly local but finally did a national release. Good, interesting stuff. Heavy, but not boring. If you like stuff with a more industrial feel, check out some of Acumen Nation's (Chicago) stuff. They're also one of the best live acts you'll ever see, if you see 'em. Really great sound and really cool guys. If you only get into heavier stuff, the latest two albums are what you should look into. Anticore and Psycho the Rapist are examples of their heavier stuff.
Ark: Well no duh-eth. My compatriots have said that wielding a greatsword, bringing death to the infidels and screaming "LEEEEEEEEEEROY JENKINS!" before charging into a fight was very crusader-ish. Also, as soon as the great and powerful Knight of Pigs, starts his crusader discipline I'm retraining as one.
Ark: Our power levels are in the nine-thousand range.
Steven: You see those didn't look powerful on paper for me...and I spread myself to thin. I WAS TOLD BARDS CAN DO ANYTHING!
Steven: I play music by Stratovarius. I reccomend Just Carry On and Anthem of the World.
I see. That is often a trap that Bards fall into....spreading themselves too thin. A Bard can do anything, but there's a difference between trying to do everything and being able to do anything. At one time I guess you could say I was quite an experienced bard myself. A Bard can be a very valuable member of a party, but the trick is to choose a way to define yourself. Bards really can do anything, and it's well within your grasp to do many things, but trying to do everything often does lead to spreading yourself a little too thin. It's often better to pick a handful of things to focus on; fascinate and suggestion can be extremely good depending on the situation. Epic bards can even fascinate undead, constructs, and Gods.
Also, one thing to keep in mind is that you're the only arcane spellcasting class who can heal. You'll never have the healing potential of a cleric, but it's always nice to have a little extra healing for the party.
To Arethis: What sort of relationship do you have with Ark?
Arethis, what sauce do you think Steven will go best with? I'm thinking barbecue sauce and slime but I sounder what you think.
To Arethis: What sort of relationship do you have with Ark?
seconded
Steven, focus on some enchantment magic to mess with your enemies heads in the middle of combat. Charming a person to fight for you is very handy. Just because it doesn't 'look' powerful doesn't mean it's weak and useless. Be creative.
And as for your music, Stratovarius is a good start. I might also reccomend: Sabaton, Alestorm, Dragonforce, Static-X, Children of Bodom, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Iced Earth, Metallica (ONLY play songs from the following albums: Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, Kill 'em All, and lastly, And Justice for All) Slayer, Mushroomhead (placed in at the request of ZB), System of A Down, and Dethklok. You'll be the most badass bard around.
Steven: Bolded parts and add in Staind, The All-American Rejects, Greenday, Rhapsody of Fire, and Three-Days Grace and Bad Religion. BTW I multiclassed into dread necromancer recently and got new stuff! Woo Dirge Singer! Now I use mosty Echantment and Necromancy spells.
To Arethis: What sort of relationship do you have with Ark?
Arethis: He's my brother in-law (I married his sister then she died while we all were fighting a lich)...and a zealot of the Raven Queen...I'm a noble knight...but do I get the compliments and swooning ladies? Nooooooooo, I get vegetables and fruit thrown at me...
Ark: He's just angry I get-eth all the fair maidens.
Arethis: I'M MARRIED! TO YOUR SISTER!
Ark: She's dead, sheesh I figured that out. And why do you carry a sliver of her bone with you that's creepy.
Arethis:...SHE'S YOUR SISTER YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR HER! And to remind myself of her...
Ark: Hehe lover boy.
*Arethis beats the crap out of Ark, someone should've boosted his AC more methinks.*
%sPgo^2FFG, The Aboleth asks:
Arethis, what sauce do you think Steven will go best with? I'm thinking barbecue sauce and slime but I sounder what you think.
Steven: I go best with a light zesty barbeque sauce...OH
!*runs*
Ark, what deity do you worship, and what drew you to worship that deity?
Ark: I pledge myself to the lovely Raven Queen. My sister was a cleric of the Raven Queen...and I get to kill stuff-eth.
%sPgo^2FFG, The Aboleth asks:
Arethis: Should I "take care or" Ark? paladins take such good prices with the drow infestation. I may even give you a cut.
Arethis: wouldn't you have preferred to be back in 3ed so that you could revive your wife as one of the greater undead, say a banshee or spectre?
%sPgo^2FFG, The Aboleth asks:
Arethis: Should I "take care or" Ark? paladins take such good prices with the drow infestation. I may even give you a cut.
Arethis: OK FIRST OFF I THOUGHT SHE WAS STILL ALIVE! Second, undead are the anathema of my goddess. I've pledged myself to destroying the scourge that is the undead.
Second, no you may not "take care of him" he's my brother in law, and one of the strikers for my party, I don't want to look for another one!
Steven: HEY Y'ALL! I put all my points into Str/Cha/Int and now I'm owning monsters left and right...unless they're undead or non-humanoid...
Steven: Some of us have seen what bards will be like in the 4th Edition, and they look like they'll do very well in a party. Would you consider changing to 4th edition because of this?
Steven: Some of us what bards will be like in the 4th Edition, and they look like they'll do very well in a party. Would you consider changing to 4th edition because of this?
you're missing a verb.
I STAND BY MY STATEMENT!!!
But, I suppose, if it makes you feel better...
Chris: How do you prefer to lead your troops? Do you use motivational speeches, tactical thinking, capitalize on enemy screwups, or do you take stupid risks to allow your allies more chances to attack?
Chris: I charge in to the fray and fight alongside my soldiers. Also, training in paladin arts allows me to defend casters.
Steven: Some of us have seen what bards will be like in the 4th Edition, and they look like they'll do very well in a party. Would you consider changing to 4th edition because of this?
Steven: I'm actually going to be a minstrel....the great knight of pigs is to cheap to pay for D&Di.
Chris: I charge in to the fray and fight alongside my soldiers. Also, training in paladin arts allows me to defend casters.
Allow me to clarify my earlier question; which of these words would you say best describes you? Inspiring, Tactical, Bravura, or Resourceful?
(off topic: I love your death knight class Pigknight. I just downloaded the PDF and am laughing diabolically as i read)
Sir Greggory, what do you think of Knights only getting a good will save? Most melee characters get a good fortitude save as well. How do you feel about that design error? Has it ever severly hindered you?
Sir Greg: All my saves are at least +35 and my Touch AC is 45...at level 8...I don't really mind that I only have good Will.
(off topic: I love your death knight class Pigknight. I just downloaded the PDF and am laughing diabolically as i read)
Knight of Pigs: The Death Knight is getting reworked, and check out my barbarian class. Hack-'n-slash goodness.
Fiolza, how do you feel about Swordmages? They have defender hit points, and multiple powers that do a controller's job. It seems to me like they steal the spotlight from the wizard. Are you afraid that they will eventually steal your work, since they can do your job (somewhat), contribute meaningfully to melee, and not require as much protection, since they are typically more resilient?
Fiolza: Well Arethis does basically the same thing, but he can't fully lock-down enemies like I can. And he can't fight as well as a fighter or even cast half as good as a *laughs* warlock. Basically they are back in the day Stevens.
Arethis: I think was insulted...
Steven: I know I was insulted...
Greg: Was I complimented or what?
Ark: Hey Fiolza want to make out-eth?
Fiolza: Yes, Yes, Yes, No. It says in the rule tomes tieflings can't date paladins. It's your CoC that's the problem. It's to riggid.
Arethis: Did she just say...
Chris: That she did...
What are your thoughts on the greater reliance on teamwork now, and what are some of your favorite combination attacks on the battlefield?
And to Fiolza: Don't let the stereotypes define you! Follow your heart!!!
To all of those who adventure in the 4th Edition:
What are your thoughts on the greater reliance on teamwork now, and what are some of your favorite combination attacks on the battlefield?
Ark "McSmity" Deathbane: I invoke hellish rebuke, challenge my foe, then judge them with on pain of death. They are smited if they hit me, don't hit me, or attack period. Also I stand back-to-back with Arethis and he uses army of the dead while I summon a hallowed circle, so that our allies are blessed and our foes cursed.
Arethis, Warden of the Dead: Once Fiolza and I single handedly killed an entire battalion of kobolds when I casted desecrate and she conjured a flaming sphere, good times, good times.
Raven, Hunter of the Drow: I charge in...and hit things...with my swords...stabby stabby!
Fiolza, Tiefling Sorceress: Arethis and Ark usually can save my butt so I run in and use my blasts and bursts.
Chris P. Bacon: I charge in and hit things so my soldiers hit stuff harder.
Yzeran, Fallen Priest of Pelor: I raise undead...and make them kill stuff...then make my spirits expode and shunt enemies into more tacticle positions. Oh wait, the great knight of pigs has yet to show the necromancer discipline...You saw nothing.
And to Fiolza: Don't let the stereotypes define you! Follow your heart!!!
Fiolza: I made up an excuse to not go on a date with Ark. Have you ever gone on a date with Ark? Bad idea.
Now, this question goes to all of you. Who's the most annoying NPC you met?
Chris, which of the following best describes Fiolza:
A) Controlling
B) Striking
C) Extremely capable with wands, orbs, and staffs
D) I can't answer that where she can hear me...
Ahh, Fiolza, I get the feeling that there's an interesting story behind that. What is Ark like on a date?
Now, this question goes to all of you. Who's the most annoying NPC you met?
Arethis: Ark stood her up once. Apparently killing a fallen deity isn't a good excuse.
This one's for you, Fiolza. Due to the way that 4E tieflings look, I'm sure that you've gotten really tired of the inappropriate comments on your general "horniness" and references to a "piece of tail". I'm sure your reaction to those ill-mannered enough to suggest such things is a firm blow to the NADs. Which of your at will powers do you favor for this?
Chris, which of the following best describes Fiolza:
A) Controlling
B) Striking
C) Extremely capable with wands, orbs, and staffs
D) I can't answer that where she can hear me...
Fiolza: I like my new look. It's easier to intimidate people for free stuff.
Chris: D, that is all.
Steven: C...If you know what I mean.
EDIT:
Now, this question goes to all of you. Who's the most annoying NPC you met?
Ark "McSmity" Deathbane: "Arxos, Scourge of Life, Lord of the Dead, and Archnecromancer. He just didn't shut up.
Arethis, Warden of the Dead: What my brother-in-law said.
Raven, Hunterof the Drow: Drow that beg for mercy.
Fiolza, Tiefling Sorceress: Random villagers keep trying to kill me.
Chris P. Bacon: Once my fellow adventurers and I drank a potion that shrank us and we transported to a giant kitchen. I almost became bacon.
Yzeran, Fallen Priest of Pelor: Random villagers. Just because I rip the bones out of you doesn't make me the "SCOURGE OF HUMANITY!" That would be a title reserved for Ark.
Steven the Minstrel: Any NPC that didn't give me my well deserved phat lewts.
Xanthos: Steven's cousin...Bob the fighter...*shudder* his intelligence was as if he was cursed.
Sir Greggory: The mayor of a small town called Falconreach, he didn't give us lewts.
*Raises thread as an undead minion.*
What's the most terrifying experience that you've had in your whole adventuring career?
Ark: Arethis's wife got killed and he went nutso.
Arethis: I'm not going to tell.
Daven: I was almost turned back into a human...I'm used to storing knives in my chest cavity and I hid the flask from the dwarf in my leg.
Fiolza: I was amlost married off to a fat goblin.
Chris P. Bacon: THERE WAS COOKS WITH FRYING PANS!
Yzeran: I was set on fire by a bunny necromancer...scarier than it sounds.
Steven the Minstrel: We were playing late at night and the pizza man looked into the window. I damn near pee'd my pants.
Xanthos: There was golems...and my spells didn't work *cries*.
Steven: Calm down there's no golems here. Your magic is still over powered. It's ok.
Sir Greggory: 1st level was pretty scary. I had under 20 AC.
Yzeran. Wow! I'm just reading the short bio that PigKnight wrote about you and all I can say it... How could you let yourself go like that? I'd be embarrased, but thats just me. Anyways, Yzeran, how many levels did you spend retraining (skills, feats, spells) before you felt like you had left Pelor behind you?
Yzeran: The Pelorites were to stuck up and got mad that I "immolated" a suspected murderer...luckily he was a murderer. I've only been wrong about that three times...anyway...
I retrained instantly after Knight of Pigs let me beta-test the necromancer class.