2 PNJs, one cu...campaign - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

2 PNJs, one cu...campaign

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Scythal
Sep 21, 2012 16:05:05 Hi,

I'm starting a campaign with 3 firends, but since they are only 3, i want to put a NPC in there that will act as a buffer/support. The team is composed of one TWF ranger, a mage, and the 3rd one isn't sure of what to make yet, but he will certainly do a barbarian.

So, i was thinking of playing either a sorcerer/druid/arcane hierophant/??? or go to the realy hard to enter Fochlucan Lyrist. (Other ideas are welcome).

The second NPC is to be a recuring pain in their ass, so I thought of either a TWF sneak backstabber (like rogue 3/swash 4/invisible blade) or a never standing still artillery (scout/ranger/highland stalker).

Here are the important points:
32pts for the stats.
The campaign will start in Waterdeep.
No Eberron book
No dragon magazine
UA can be used for alternate class features, but no flaws, and if possible, no bloodline.
All others books (forgotten/complete/sandstorm....) are allowed.

Well, any ideas?
#2
The_Fred
Sep 21, 2012 18:05:22 I like a nice Bard or similar type. Inspire Courage can be optimised just enough to make them love it when you use it and you have UMD to cover all the bases they don't have. When they're really stuck, pull something out of your bag of scrolls and save the day.

Since it's the divine side they're lacking, you may want to play a Cleric, Druid, or plain healer-type; focusing on healing is not usually a strong option, but it ensures that you won't overshadow them, yet also that they have that side of things covered, and covered well.

Just some thoughts.
#3
The_Fred
Sep 21, 2012 18:06:24 Also... why would you go Swash 4? It's the sad truth that Swash pretty much always goes to L3 (with, IIRC, L1 and L17 being the other main break-points). Unless you're using the dead levels thing, that is, but it's a social bonus a bad guy probably doesn't need.
#4
StevenO
Sep 21, 2012 18:32:36 PNJ = ????

I'll also say that a three person party should be able to cover the bases provide you, as the DM, doesn't punish them too much. You didn't mention what level you're playing at because a little bit of smart multiclassing and a group of three really shouldn't have much trouble covering what needs to be done.

A Ranger, especially a TWF one, can work well with Rogue to help cover your sneaky and other skill needs. This character also should be able to make use of wands of CLW which can cover many of a group's healing needs.

The wizard's a wizard and can handle all kinds of things with the right spells and prep.

The Barbarian can be the party muscle and can probably work several ways.

#5
Scythal
Sep 22, 2012 0:28:31 PNJ = NPC just the french version of the acronym, my bad.

Okay then, if I put swash 4, it's just so his rogue+swash level are even, so more sneak attack dice. And since I need rogue 3 for the 2d6 sneak attack preq for Daring Outlaw, I need an even level of swash.

The campaign start at level 3, but I do like to have a plan for my character that goes at least to lv 17 so that I don't forget prereqs and to be sure what I'm doing is as good as I thougt it was before checking. And I'm sure that they won't go multi class for another reason than metting prereqs for a prestige class.

For instance, the mage is a tieffling necromancy specialist aiming to become a Pale Master, and since the player prefer blasting over mind control, he chose enchantment and transmutation as forbidden schools. So no, he won't be able to handle anything, but well, that was his choice.

So that's why I want a realy good support at their back to be sure they won't die against the 1st boss mob I put them against.
#6
draco1119
Sep 22, 2012 1:24:31
Okay then, if I put swash 4, it's just so his rogue+swash level are even, so more sneak attack dice. And since I need rogue 3 for the 2d6 sneak attack preq for Daring Outlaw, I need an even level of swash.

No, you don't. Actually, there is one other thing 4 levels of Swashbuckler gets you: 4 attacks at level 20.
So that's why I want a realy good support at their back to be sure they won't die against the 1st boss mob I put them against.

Cleric. Just straight cleric.
#7
The_Fred
Sep 22, 2012 13:50:46 Ah of course, Daring Outlaw. I would still suggest Rogue 4/Swash 3, though. Rogue 4 doesn't lose any more BAB, and though the HD is worse, you get better skills and Uncanny Dodge. UD is probably less of a deal for this team, though, so I guess it doesn't make a lot of difference.
#8
StevenO
Sep 22, 2012 14:44:16 If the choice is Rogue3/Swas4 or Rogue4/Swash3 I'd definitely recommend the second. A few less hitpoints but more skills and UD is still something you may want.

Tiefling Necromancer? Are you using the LA so that he's been weakened when I believe Pale Master will also cost him a spellcasting level? Maybe not the greatest of choices for raw power but as a Pale Master I take it he should have undead minions running around to do various tasks which means you shouldn't need to provide as much support.

I think it's a real shame if your players won't multiclass except to make it easier to get into a PrC. Except for the spellcasting classes multiclassing usually doesn't hurt a character but can often make it better.

Having three PCs is already pretty close to a 'full' party so you should not need to send someone along just to help out and keep them alive. I'd suggest a little more down time or some help with recovering but I say fight the urge to send along a walking band-aid for the party being short handed.

#9
Scythal
Sep 23, 2012 2:44:28 Well, I'll see how they manage to advance in the campaign by themselve but just in case, I'll have a NPC ready to help. His build stub will be as follow:

Bard 1/ Druid 4/ Divine Oracle 2/ Arcane hierophant 1/ Warblade 1/ Arcane Hierophant +1/Fochulan Lyrist 10.

Feats (he will be a silverbrow human):
Pecrotious apprentice, lingering song, skill focus (knowledge religion), dragonfire inspiration, song of the white raven, words of creation, +2 more feats.

Well, it may not be the best build around but it end a spell caster of a druid lv 18/bard 13 and songs of a lv 12 bard.

For the other NPCthat they will come across, his build stub will look like this:

Rogue 4/ swash 3/ invisible blade 3/ swordsage 2/ bloodclaw master 2/ invisible blade +2/ swash +4

for his feats, something like (again, a human):

Weapon focus (dagger), Point blank shot, far shot, daring outlaw, TWF, shadow blade, Craven, ??? one last feat.

Like this, he should end with a +17 bab, and in assassin stance, +11d6 of sneak attack. That should make a good opponent.

What do you think?
#10
alsebra
Sep 23, 2012 6:30:16 You may want to look into giving the Rogue/Swash a pair of Gloves of the Balanced Hand (Magic Item Compendium) to stand in for ITWF and completely cut out GTWF. This frees up two feat slots for picking up more deadly feats.
#11
Scythal
Sep 23, 2012 7:34:27 Ahh yes, forgot craven in there, thanks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Scythal Sep 21, 2012 16:05:05	Hi, I'm starting a campaign with 3 firends, but since they are only 3, i want to put a NPC in there that will act as a buffer/support. The team is composed of one TWF ranger, a mage, and the 3rd one isn't sure of what to make yet, but he will certainly do a barbarian. So, i was thinking of playing either a sorcerer/druid/arcane hierophant/??? or go to the realy hard to enter Fochlucan Lyrist. (Other ideas are welcome). The second NPC is to be a recuring pain in their ass, so I thought of either a TWF sneak backstabber (like rogue 3/swash 4/invisible blade) or a never standing still artillery (scout/ranger/highland stalker). Here are the important points: 32pts for the stats. The campaign will start in Waterdeep. No Eberron book No dragon magazine UA can be used for alternate class features, but no flaws, and if possible, no bloodline. All others books (forgotten/complete/sandstorm....) are allowed. Well, any ideas?
#2 The_Fred Sep 21, 2012 18:05:22	I like a nice Bard or similar type. Inspire Courage can be optimised just enough to make them love it when you use it and you have UMD to cover all the bases they don't have. When they're really stuck, pull something out of your bag of scrolls and save the day. Since it's the divine side they're lacking, you may want to play a Cleric, Druid, or plain healer-type; focusing on healing is not usually a strong option, but it ensures that you won't overshadow them, yet also that they have that side of things covered, and covered well. Just some thoughts.
#3 The_Fred Sep 21, 2012 18:06:24	Also... why would you go Swash 4? It's the sad truth that Swash pretty much always goes to L3 (with, IIRC, L1 and L17 being the other main break-points). Unless you're using the dead levels thing, that is, but it's a social bonus a bad guy probably doesn't need.
#4 StevenO Sep 21, 2012 18:32:36	PNJ = ???? I'll also say that a three person party should be able to cover the bases provide you, as the DM, doesn't punish them too much. You didn't mention what level you're playing at because a little bit of smart multiclassing and a group of three really shouldn't have much trouble covering what needs to be done. A Ranger, especially a TWF one, can work well with Rogue to help cover your sneaky and other skill needs. This character also should be able to make use of wands of CLW which can cover many of a group's healing needs. The wizard's a wizard and can handle all kinds of things with the right spells and prep. The Barbarian can be the party muscle and can probably work several ways.
#5 Scythal Sep 22, 2012 0:28:31	PNJ = NPC just the french version of the acronym, my bad. Okay then, if I put swash 4, it's just so his rogue+swash level are even, so more sneak attack dice. And since I need rogue 3 for the 2d6 sneak attack preq for Daring Outlaw, I need an even level of swash. The campaign start at level 3, but I do like to have a plan for my character that goes at least to lv 17 so that I don't forget prereqs and to be sure what I'm doing is as good as I thougt it was before checking. And I'm sure that they won't go multi class for another reason than metting prereqs for a prestige class. For instance, the mage is a tieffling necromancy specialist aiming to become a Pale Master, and since the player prefer blasting over mind control, he chose enchantment and transmutation as forbidden schools. So no, he won't be able to handle anything, but well, that was his choice. So that's why I want a realy good support at their back to be sure they won't die against the 1st boss mob I put them against.
#6 draco1119 Sep 22, 2012 1:24:31	Okay then, if I put swash 4, it's just so his rogue+swash level are even, so more sneak attack dice. And since I need rogue 3 for the 2d6 sneak attack preq for Daring Outlaw, I need an even level of swash. No, you don't. Actually, there is one other thing 4 levels of Swashbuckler gets you: 4 attacks at level 20. So that's why I want a realy good support at their back to be sure they won't die against the 1st boss mob I put them against. Cleric. Just straight cleric.
#7 The_Fred Sep 22, 2012 13:50:46	Ah of course, Daring Outlaw. I would still suggest Rogue 4/Swash 3, though. Rogue 4 doesn't lose any more BAB, and though the HD is worse, you get better skills and Uncanny Dodge. UD is probably less of a deal for this team, though, so I guess it doesn't make a lot of difference.
#8 StevenO Sep 22, 2012 14:44:16	If the choice is Rogue3/Swas4 or Rogue4/Swash3 I'd definitely recommend the second. A few less hitpoints but more skills and UD is still something you may want. Tiefling Necromancer? Are you using the LA so that he's been weakened when I believe Pale Master will also cost him a spellcasting level? Maybe not the greatest of choices for raw power but as a Pale Master I take it he should have undead minions running around to do various tasks which means you shouldn't need to provide as much support. I think it's a real shame if your players won't multiclass except to make it easier to get into a PrC. Except for the spellcasting classes multiclassing usually doesn't hurt a character but can often make it better. Having three PCs is already pretty close to a 'full' party so you should not need to send someone along just to help out and keep them alive. I'd suggest a little more down time or some help with recovering but I say fight the urge to send along a walking band-aid for the party being short handed.
#9 Scythal Sep 23, 2012 2:44:28	Well, I'll see how they manage to advance in the campaign by themselve but just in case, I'll have a NPC ready to help. His build stub will be as follow: Bard 1/ Druid 4/ Divine Oracle 2/ Arcane hierophant 1/ Warblade 1/ Arcane Hierophant +1/Fochulan Lyrist 10. Feats (he will be a silverbrow human): Pecrotious apprentice, lingering song, skill focus (knowledge religion), dragonfire inspiration, song of the white raven, words of creation, +2 more feats. Well, it may not be the best build around but it end a spell caster of a druid lv 18/bard 13 and songs of a lv 12 bard. For the other NPCthat they will come across, his build stub will look like this: Rogue 4/ swash 3/ invisible blade 3/ swordsage 2/ bloodclaw master 2/ invisible blade +2/ swash +4 for his feats, something like (again, a human): Weapon focus (dagger), Point blank shot, far shot, daring outlaw, TWF, shadow blade, Craven, ??? one last feat. Like this, he should end with a +17 bab, and in assassin stance, +11d6 of sneak attack. That should make a good opponent. What do you think?
#10 alsebra Sep 23, 2012 6:30:16	You may want to look into giving the Rogue/Swash a pair of Gloves of the Balanced Hand (Magic Item Compendium) to stand in for ITWF and completely cut out GTWF. This frees up two feat slots for picking up more deadly feats.
#11 Scythal Sep 23, 2012 7:34:27	Ahh yes, forgot craven in there, thanks.