Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wolfkin13 May 17, 2013 19:03:14	This is not my character, it is my sisters.  We play in a campaign where Ogres and Vampires are warring in a city.  It is an OP campaign and we are getting spanked drastically.  Even thinking tactically is killing us.  She took 6 arrows from drow archers and was killed.  I know this is NOT ALL the info, but I can give more if you need it.  I am trying to help her build this character up from here.  We have had her res'd once already and are trying to keep this from happening again as she is trying to reach a goal with this character.  She is aiming to become an archer based sniper.  We are trying to base all info and character progression off of reference books and stay away from online homebrew. Catfolk ecl +1 Ranger lvl 8 Stealthy Template +1 (from Monsternomicon vol 1 in Iron Kingdoms) DM approved. Total Level = 10 Stats/Mods Str 17/3 Dex 24/7 (26/8 Gloves of Dex) Con 18/4 Int 17/3 Wis 22/6 Cha 16/3 Using a Composite Longbow (+4) with Keen and Speed enchantments. Has a Pseudodragon for animal companion. Feats are class based (archery combat style chosen) and Improved Critical Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Quick Draw Question 1.  Is there a feat that adds Dex mod to ranged weapon damage? Q 2.  Is there a better way to have done this "character idea"? Q 3.  As for the Pseudodragon, she is using the MM version with stats straight from the book.  With it classified as a Tiny Dragon, I assume it qualifies for Dragon Feats, but seeing as it is a monster, does it qualify for Monstrous Feats?  I.E.  Roll With It feat from...I think the Monster Manual?  I might be wrong. Q 4.  Can the Pseudodragon progress past 4HD?  Monster Manual has it labeled as 3-4HD Tiny, did not understand the entry. Q 5.  The Pseudodragon damage is listed as 1d3-2 plus poison.  Doesn't that equal as just 1 damage? I may come up with more questions as people bring ideas to mind.  I appreciate feedback and ideas.
#2 draco1119 May 17, 2013 19:38:46	1) Yes, but it only works on crossbows. Google "X stat to Y bonus" for a complete list. 2) Oh, dear Deneir, yes! 3) I don't think it's a dragon type, so it can't take dragon feats. 4) Assuming she ever levels enough to make a difference (she won't, btw), yes it can go past 4 HD. 5) No. Think of it more as 1d3 + Str. If Str goes up, so does the damage. Plus, it is possible for the damage to be 0.
#3 Seeron May 17, 2013 19:51:30	1) Yes, but it only works on crossbows. Google "X stat to Y bonus" for a complete list. 2) Oh, dear Deneir, yes! 3) I don't think it's a dragon type, so it can't take dragon feats. 4) Assuming she ever levels enough to make a difference (she won't, btw), yes it can go past 4 HD. 5) No. Think of it more as 1d3 + Str. If Str goes up, so does the damage. Plus, it is possible for the damage to be 0. No, an attack always deal at least one damage. From the SRD: Minimum Damage If penalties reduce the damage result to less than 1, a hit still deals 1 point of damage.
#4 draco1119 May 17, 2013 19:54:48	Derp. Everything else is correct, though.
#5 wolfkin13 May 17, 2013 21:17:48	I have read the entry and the Pseudodragon does classify as a Dragon.  Even the description says it's part of the dragon family. Q1.  Does the Psuedodragon qualify for monstrous feats.  (I know I asked before, but I did not get a clear answer towards this question specifically.) Q2.  IF the Psuedodragon advances beyond 4HD, does it grow in size? Q3.  What are the feats you would have used to build this character up better?
#6 draco1119 May 17, 2013 21:43:23	1) Of course, provided it meets any other prereqs. 2) If the racial cutoff is 4HD, then it will not change in size. If more than 4 racial HD make it grow in size, yes it will. 3) Race: Shifter Feats: what you have isn't bad, but Improved Critical doesn't stack with Keen, so it can go away. Class: Rgr 2/Ftr 2/X*/Cragtop Archer *X is whatever full BAB class you want to take until you can fulfill the Cragtop's prereqs. Those levels of fighter will give you 2 extra bonus feats. And, in all honesty, a ranger's companion sucks so badly that you're better off using one of the variants that trades it in (Wildshape Ranger is a popular choice).
#7 wolfkin13 May 17, 2013 22:07:49	Q1.  Can the pseudodragon level as a class since it does have a base int of 10?          (this would make leveling it from it's current level much easier...lol)
#8 draco1119 May 17, 2013 23:12:13	That would make it a Cohort (look in the DMG under the LeDership feat), rather than an animal companion, so no. And a creature with an Int of 10 should not - I repeat, not! - be an ANIMAL companion.
#9 Maat_Mons May 17, 2013 23:38:51	Speaking of alternative class features that replace an animal companion, urban companion would give her a supped-up familiar instead of an animal companion.  She could then take the improved familiar feat (Dungeon Master's Guide, p200) to have that supped-up familiar be a pseudodragon.   Gaining a pseudodragon in this manner gives it her base attack bonus, her skill ranks, and 3/4 of her hit points.  That should be notably better than her current one.   A least crystal of return (Magic Item Compendium, p65) costs 300 gp and can be attached to any weapon of at least masterwork quality to allow that weapon to be drawn as a free action.  This can eliminate the need for quick draw.  (You guys know you don't need that for the arrows, right?)
#10 wolfkin13 May 18, 2013 8:07:45	We picked Quick Draw for weapon draw speed.  I personally hate having to spend an entire turn on drawing a weapon.  As for the crystal, we did not even know about it.  I appreciate the info.  Seeing as we have only had one session, I hope the DM will allow us to swap out the Animal Companion class feature for the Urban Companion.  Also she didn't have the companion done till last night.  lol