This time around one of the other guys is DM-ing, so I'll be playing a PC again after a long time of DM-ing
I've decided to record the progress of this campaign and especially my character(s) in a CO Diary like many others have already done.
We usually play once every 2 weeks (a little to sporadic to really get into an adventure if you ask me, but maybe we can change that in the future. I can only hope...), I'll try to keep the thread alive between sessions with some musings about future feats and other optimization and campaign related stuff, ramblings, funny quotes at the game table and what not :P. First session is tomorrow, so expect an update somewhere tomorrow night (GMT) or friday morning.
The party (starting at level 1) currently consists of:
Dragonborn Water Orc Barbarian (LaucianGalanodel here on the boards)
Human Rogue
Gnome Illusionist
Lesser Tiefling Focused Specialist Evoker (me)
Yeah, we don't have a healer. That will come back to bite us in the ass real soon, I think :P
Me and the guy playing the barbarian have already agreed that the first one to bite the dust rolls up a cleric as his new character.
The only thing that's left for me to do right now is to come up with a name for my evoker, anyone got any ideas?
Greetings,
~Bowen
and I'll try to help him keeping this thread alive ^^
though our characters soon won't be anymore :P
Not without a decent cleric, that is...
ah well, don't know anything else to say here anymore,
Perhaps after the first session ^^
Greetings,
Laucian a.k.a. Grokthor the Savage, or something like that ^^
What are your banned schools?
Banned schools are Enchantment, Necromancy and Divination.
~Bowen
IToB & MoI
Instead of rolling up a Cleric. Have you considered a Crusader Incarnate abusing Theraputic Mantle? Maybe end it off with Saphhire Hierach Ruby Knight Vindicator?
Instead of rolling up a Cleric. Have you considered a Crusader Incarnate abusing Theraputic Mantle? Maybe end it off with Saphhire Hierach Ruby Knight Vindicator?
Want to shoot for irony on the SH build by devoting it to an Elder Evil, like Atropus?
Gnome Illusionist: "So, why are you on this adventure?"
You: "Because I lov..erh.. I mean hate *cough* hate Kyuss. With all my soul. Ohhhhh Yeah!"
Gnome Illusionist: "Right...."
Gnome Illusionist: *Whispers to Human Rogue* "Psst, we need to put this one down.*
Ow, and thanks for the heads up on banning Divination, it was pretty late when I decided on which schools to ban :D
So, any suggestions on what else to ban beside Enchantment and Necromancy? Maybe Illusion? We have an illusionist and I don't think Invisibility will really be that useful for this guy. The only thing the optimizer in me will really miss is Color Spray
Anywayz, just 3 more hours to game time so I'm off. Urgh, remind me never to go out to drink 'till late if I've got a game the next morning :embarrass
Thanks for the tips and all that,
Bowen
I'd band Abjuration, actually. You'll die before Dispel Magic becomes useful.
Especially when lacking in a healer. I played through a good chunk of the campaign and our healer was a druid with the Spontaneous Rejuvenation ACF. We went quite a ways before anyone died. Well, except for the idiot who thought jumping into water with heavy armor on would be a good idea...and promptly got eaten.
A Cleric will literally be a godsend when one of you dies.
I've decided on playing a Lesser Tiefling Focused Specialist Evoker nick-named Ferno. His real name hasn't been revealed in game yet, so I'll leave it at that right now.
So, we started out in a town called Diamond Lake, worked out our backgrounds and roleplayed the whole forming an adventuring party thing. And yes, we met one of the characters in a tavern, at least the other 3 of us didn't start out in a tavern though
After we encountered a party of adventurers in town we decided to find out what they were up to and found out about their plans to explore a nearby abandoned mine. Curious and greedy as we are we decided to pack our gear and follow them. After we arrived at their abandoned campsite we found some traces of blood and no signs of the other adventurers. After some searching we find a hidden entrance to the cave complex and encounter a pack of 3 wolves inside.
Wolves, the bane of low level adventurers. Yeah, right...
So, the wolves move first and attack the barbarian. Our sturdy orc is hit, but the trip attempts don't succeed.
After that the rogue get's in a nice ranged sneak attack for a wopping 8 damage. The wolf is hurt, but not down yet.
So, I get to try out my Fiery Burst feat (yay for warlock wannabes :P) and deal an amazing 3 points of damage to 2 of the beasts
. After me our resident GOD, the gnome Illusionist, casts Sleep and disables 2 of the hairballs.
Finally, the meatshield gets to execute his revenge. He cuts the biggest wolf clean in two after which he cleaves one of the sleeping ones. The last one gets roasted by my Fiery Burst.
After that the rogue get's in a nice ranged sneak attack for a wopping 8 damage. The wolf is hurt, but not down yet.
So, I get to try out my Fiery Burst feat (yay for warlock wannabes :P) and deal an amazing 3 points of damage to 2 of the beasts
. After me our resident GOD, the gnome Illusionist, casts Sleep and disables 2 of the hairballs. Finally, the meatshield gets to execute his revenge. He cuts the biggest wolf clean in two after which he cleaves one of the sleeping ones. The last one gets roasted by my Fiery Burst.
After this we encounter some trinkets and the DM mentions that the colored lanterns in the dungeon following the colors of the rainbow are worth 50 gp a pop, so we decide to rip 'em off the walls to sell 'em later on. Did I mention we're all horribly capitalistic
Horridly capitalistic? No, that's just efficient looting.
Secondly:
Precoscious Apprentice, Focused Specialist and some CL boosting feats and class features
Woot to the combo of 1st level doom!
EDIT: And I've decided to go with The Prodigy's Firestarter as my personal theme :P Cheesy, but it works :D
Yeah, the expression on the face of the guy playing the gnome Illusionist when I told him I could cast 6 double Scorching Rays at level 1 was priceless :P
EDIT: And I've decided to go with The Prodigy's Firestarter as my personal them :P Cheesy, but it works :D
There is only one thing better than a cup of Joe in the morning: Obligatory amounts of explosive entertainment.
There is only one thing better than a cup of Joe in the morning: Obligatory amounts of explosive entertainment.
Smell that boy? That smells like victory! Nothing like the smell of Napalm in the morning. :D
Smell that boy? That smells like victory! Nothing like the smell of Napalm in the morning. :D
That is going on my list of quotes I'll have to use in the game as soon as I get the chance :D
Thanks, Phaedrus, hadn't thought about that one yet
Edit: A quick question guys. I'm thinking about picking up Spell Penetration, seeing as SR can really gimp a Scorching Ray minigun. At what level do you suggest I start taking it (and maybe Greater Spell Penetration as well)?
~Bowen
Yeah, the expression on the face of the guy playing the gnome Illusionist when I told him I could cast 6 double Scorching Rays at level 1 was priceless :P
EDIT: And I've decided to go with The Prodigy's Firestarter as my personal theme :P Cheesy, but it works :D
6 rays? at CL 7? at level 1?
I am aware of the trick of sacrificing your apprentice slot for two specialist slots, but how did you get to those numbers?
6 rays? at CL 7? at level 1?
I am aware of the trick of sacrificing your apprentice slot for two specialist slots, but how did you get to those numbers?
Bloodline of Fire +2
Spell Thematics +1
Fiery Burst +1
UA Energy Affinity Evoker variant +1
UA Domain Wizard variant (Fire domain) +1
Spellgifted Trait for Evocation +1
That's +7 already for a total CL of 8 at level 1 :D
~Bowen
The caster level boosts will add a nice damage increase as well, and not taking Spell Penetration will let you gain more metamagics, Arcane Theses, and Metamagic School Focus.
Edit: A quick question guys. I'm thinking about picking up Spell Penetration, seeing as SR can really gimp a Scorching Ray minigun. At what level do you suggest I start taking it (and maybe Greater Spell Penetration as well)?
~Bowen
On the other hand, I already have a +8 to my Scorching Ray caster level, so is this really necessary purely based on using Scorching Ray?
I guess I don't really need it, which also frees up more feat slots for metamagics
~Bowen
Rather than getting Spell Penetration, I would suggest becoming a Red Wizard. You gain +5 CL over 10 levels of the PrC, and Tattoo Focus gives you an additional +1 CL for penetrating SR.
The caster level boosts will add a nice damage increase as well, and not taking Spell Penetration will let you gain more metamagics, Arcane Theses, and Metamagic School Focus.
I was actually aiming for Incantatrix, with it's extra bonus feats and fun class abilities it seems like a perfect fit, especially with Arcane Thesis (Scorching Ray)
~Bowen
Don't focus too heavily on Scorching Ray alone, however. If your DM ever sends a spellcaster at you, it could be trouble. There are many spells that can stop rays with varying degrees of certainty, and your group doesn't appear to have a dispeller. Watch out for:
Mirror Image
Blur
Greater Mage Armor + Alter Self + Scintillating Scales
Protection From Energy (Fire)
Displacement
Blink
RAY DEFLECTION
Greater Blink
How long will you have to rest to heal back up to full?
:D
@Saladin77: Yeah, that's why my first level 3 spell is going to be Dispel Magic.
I'm not planning on relying solely on Scorching Ray either. The Orb spells are fun for when I really can't break SR, Fireball for Mirror Images and Displacement and the like and I do intend to pick up as many useful spells as I can so I've got other ways to contribute to a fight as well. I don't want to be a one-trick pony
Also, I will definitely pick up Searing Spell since most of my raw damage will be Fire typed.
Basically the Scorching Ray thing is just there for when we encounter something big and we need to kill it ASAP.
Thanks for all the great advice, guys
Ow, and befor I forget, next gaming session will probably be next sunday. I'm curious to see what other killer encounters this campaign has in store for us...
Greetings,
Bowen
You have got to be f*cking joking, right?
So, turns about a pair of Wind Warriors was waiting for us. A frigging CR 6 encounter
Round 1:
So, the rogue goes first, fires an arrow, and misses.
The barbarian moves into position for a charge next round.
The WW's try there Sonic Blasts and one nails the orc for 8 damage.
Seeing as how this is one tough encounter I decide to cut loose and use Scorching Ray. One ray hits and for the other I roll a natural 1. I still manage to deal 17 points of damage though, not bad. The guys at the table are looking at me somewhat funny though after seeing me fire a Scorching Ray with 2 blasts at this level though :P
The illusionist goes for a charm effect, but it doesn't appear to work.
Round 2:
Rogue misses again, barbarian charges and rolls a natural 1. In return he get's hit for another 8 damage and is starting to feel it now. I roll abysmally low and miss with both my rays :headexplo . The illusionist uses the same strategy again and fails again.
Round 3:
Rogue hit's for 3 damage, barbarian takes one of the WW's out and I get hit with a Sonic Blast for 8 damage after I fail my saves. Damn being the center of attention, I don't like it. So, I nuke the bastard for 23 damage which isn't enough to drop him. If he get's off a charge next round I'm finished, I gotta start preparing stuff like Blockade to prevent this from happening. Rogue helps a little with his 4 damage, and then the barbarian decides to charge and save my scrawny hide. He crits! A devastating 35 damage, the WW goes downI offer to buy the orc a couple o' beers when we get back to town
As for Assay Resistance, it's on my list of spells to get. I'll be getting empower at level 5, and at level 6 I'm taking Arcane Thesis. By then I should be able to average 84 damage per round (Split Ray and Empower Spell), or 124 with Sudden Maximize.
Thanks for the heads up,
~Bowen
~Bowen
I've been thinking about a cleric as a back-up character just in case. I'm talking RSoP here ofcourse.
One of the things I want to maximize is my turning potential. Getting a high enough check on the turning checks and damage rolls is something I've got already worked out. Besides power I also want to optimize versatility though. Turning Undead is basic and thanks to the tips and tricks in the recent Turn Anathema thread creatures with elemental subtypes and outsiders are also doable (can't destroy those outsiders though, but turning is still pretty good).
Are there any other ways to turn (and if possible also destroy) other creature types? Preferably ones that don't involve domains not available to Pelor if they exist.
Thanks for any advise and keep checking for new recaps from Ferno and his fellow party members
Greetings,
~Bowen
Alternatively, you can worship an ideal and get all the elemental turning stuff. If you add in Contemplative, you can get a couple more domains as well, which you can pick plant and vermin turning :D
Are there any feats or other options out there that grant access to domains and their granted powers? If so, could you please inform me what they are and where they are located.
Thanks for all the help
Greetings,
~Bowen
:hoppingma The new party will consist of Ferno, a ranger of a so far unknown race, a wood elf cleric with cherry-picked domains (the former DM) and the same dragonborn water orc barbarian as last time.
Stay tuned for the recap of the second first session :P
I'll also post Ferno's important stats with that recap
Take care,
Bowen
That sounds like the way I play. We always make up new characters and new adventures. Kinda sad, but I get where you are at. Funny
Water Orc Barbarian
Wood Elf Ranger (TWF path with a two-bladed sword)
Wood Elf Cleric (Elf and Travel domains, mostly uses a sling)
"Ferno", Lesser Tiefling Focused Specialist Evoker.
Ferno:
HP:7
AC: 14
Fort: +3
Ref: +4
Will: +2
Stats:
Str 10
Dex 18
Con 16
Int 20
Wis 10
Cha 10
Feats:
Precoscious Apprentice
Scribe Scroll (wizard bonus)
Bloodline of Fire (flaw: Noncombatant)
Spell Thematics (flaw: Murky-Eyed
Fiery Burst (Othyugh Hole retrained prior to start of adventure)
Sudden Empower (Elder Evil, retrained prior to start of adventure)
Sudden Maximize (Metamagic Storm)
This is the character I ran by the DM, and after explaining I'm basically a SFX-archer and pretty much a one-trick pony he OK'd Ferno for play
The recap of yesterday's session will follow later this afternoon
So, each of the PC's has noticed that there've been some strangers running around town lately declaring that they've found something out about an old abandoned tomb and they intend to find it and get rich.
Me and my fellow party members meet up and decide that we don't like these strangers showing up and taking "our" riches, so we get some supplies and follow them to the old abandoned tomb.
Once we arrive we find their camp left empty and there's no sign of the rival adventurers. After we decide to enter the tomb we soon discover a pack of 3 wolves.
Release zee hounds!
Round 1:
Wolves close in on the ranger, 2 of them attack but they both miss.
The cleric hits one of the wolves with his sling for 8 damage, but the big furball is still up.
Next the ranger charges in with his two-bladed sword wielded in 2 hands and takes it down with 8 points of damage.
Hollywood SFX time. I hit the biggest one in the area of my Fiery Burst and roll 6 damage, the overgrown poodle fails his save so takes it all. He doesn't seem all that hurt though.
Next up is the barbarian. Our resident Schwarzenegger charges and opens up the big wolf for a total of 14 damage. The bastard's still not down
Round 2:
The wolves then try to hit Ahnold the Governator...*ahem* Grunthok the Savage, but both of them fail to penetrate his armor.
Next up, the cleric fires his sling with Rapid Shot, but both attacks miss since Mr. Gimp doesn't have precise shot .
The ranger then steals the kill by putting down the big one as he hits it for 14 damage total.
I then Fiery Burst the last one which goes down after taking 7 point of damage.
Round 1:
Wolves close in on the ranger, 2 of them attack but they both miss.
The cleric hits one of the wolves with his sling for 8 damage, but the big furball is still up.
Next the ranger charges in with his two-bladed sword wielded in 2 hands and takes it down with 8 points of damage.
Hollywood SFX time. I hit the biggest one in the area of my Fiery Burst and roll 6 damage, the overgrown poodle fails his save so takes it all. He doesn't seem all that hurt though.
Next up is the barbarian. Our resident Schwarzenegger charges and opens up the big wolf for a total of 14 damage. The bastard's still not down
Round 2:
The wolves then try to hit Ahnold the Governator...*ahem* Grunthok the Savage, but both of them fail to penetrate his armor.
Next up, the cleric fires his sling with Rapid Shot, but both attacks miss since Mr. Gimp doesn't have precise shot
.The ranger then steals the kill by putting down the big one as he hits it for 14 damage total.
I then Fiery Burst the last one which goes down after taking 7 point of damage.
Step 1: Buy a spellbook to use as a decoy
Step 2: Cast explosive runes on each page
Step 3: Allow enemy to read book in case of your capture
Step 4: Profit!!
or alternatively:
Step 3: Throw said book at enemy
Step 4: Cast Dispel at book from above
Step 5: Profit!!
Alternatively a paper golem can be used for a living explosion. Perhaps some cofee...
:whatsthis Nice read, looking forward to reading more.
Thanks
I had a fun explosive idea that I used in this campaign that feels right up your ally.
Step 1: Buy a spellbook to use as a decoy
Step 2: Cast explosive runes on each page
Step 3: Allow enemy to read book in case of your capture
Step 4: Profit!!
or alternatively:
Step 3: Throw said book at enemy
Step 4: Cast Dispel at book from above
Step 5: Profit!!
Alternatively a paper golem can be used for a living explosion. Perhaps some cofee...
He, the old Explosive Runes bomb. I hadn't thought about (ab)using that yet, thanks for reminding me about it :D
Greetings,
Bowen
Thanks
He, the old Explosive Runes bomb. I hadn't thought about (ab)using that yet, thanks for reminding me about it :D
Greetings,
Bowen
I tried that. Spent 2k gp on books and inscribed runes on them before the game started. The first time I tried it out, the DM went insane, and ruled that targeted Dispel automatically succeeds, and so that book of runes is blank now. So I ripped the pages in the rest of the books out and started having my imp familiar tossing the pages around a room before area Dispeling them. DM started claiming all sort of wind gusts that sent the pages back at my familiar, at the party members, etc., just before I completed the spell, and said that it was too late for me to abort the spell.
I never went back to that game...
"Life is too short to game with morons."
~Bowen
I tried that. Spent 2k gp on books and inscribed runes on them before the game started. The first time I tried it out, the DM went insane, and ruled that targeted Dispel automatically succeeds, and so that book of runes is blank now.
From the SRD: "You automatically succeed on your dispel check against any spell that you cast yourself."
So I ripped the pages in the rest of the books out and started having my imp familiar tossing the pages around a room before area Dispeling them. DM started claiming all sort of wind gusts that sent the pages back at my familiar, at the party members, etc., just before I completed the spell,
A ready action from an enemy caster or maybe you should have asked about wind currents first.
I remember the famous last words of a player in my group. "My fighter moves adjacent to that table, so he can't be flanked and attacks the enemy fighter."
The next thing was the enemy rogue jumping on said table, killing his char with one critical sneak attack. He was very upset and cried unfair, but we all agreed he should have asked the GM for confirmation.
and said that it was too late for me to abort the spell.
That was way overboard. As long as it is not finished a caster can decide to drop or redirect his spell. But honestly, did you expect that the GM would cheerfully allow you to ruin his (most probably carefully planned) encounter?
More on topic:
Wood Elf Ranger (TWF path with a two-bladed sword)
He does know about the Exotic Weapon Master's Flurry stunt? Imho TWF isnt worth it if you can't add sneak, skirmish or other damage to your attacks.
He, the old Explosive Runes bomb. I hadn't thought about (ab)using that yet, thanks for reminding me about it :D
I don't recommend trying to get into an arms race w/ the DM, particularly in this game.
I don't recommend trying to get into an arms race w/ the DM, particularly in this game.
Yeah, I thought about that as well after I posted my reply. I think I'll save it for another time in another campaign
Yeah, I thought about that as well after I posted my reply. I think I'll save it for another time in another campaign
Nah, do it.
I mostly use it as a "just in case" thing. Not that people need much help figuring out that they need to worry about the wizard, for he is quick to anger and you have at least one weak save. We play our game in Eberron so my spellbook is a dragonshard rather than a paper book. So if you manage to capture me somehow and you start looting and find my "spellbook" you are in for a nasty surprise. :D In a worst possible case I deliver it as a bomb once, my DM would think it was funny/brilliant, your mileage may vary.
Yeah, maybe I'll just use it as a safeguard against thieves with a fake spellbook or something
~Bowen
From the SRD: "You automatically succeed on your dispel check against any spell that you cast yourself."
A ready action from an enemy caster or maybe you should have asked about wind currents first.
I remember the famous last words of a player in my group. "My fighter moves adjacent to that table, so he can't be flanked and attacks the enemy fighter."
The next thing was the enemy rogue jumping on said table, killing his char with one critical sneak attack. He was very upset and cried unfair, but we all agreed he should have asked the GM for confirmation.
That was way overboard. As long as it is not finished a caster can decide to drop or redirect his spell. But honestly, did you expect that the GM would cheerfully allow you to ruin his (most probably carefully planned) encounter?
More on topic:
He does know about the Exotic Weapon Master's Flurry stunt? Imho TWF isnt worth it if you can't add sneak, skirmish or other damage to your attacks.
Read Dispel Magic from the PHB again.
Wind direction with 4 different directions at the same time? The DM was out to screw. It was obvious.
The rune bomb was being used against a generic Zombie Ogre. At level 10. A random encounter.
Anything else?
The DM thought he was a little weak for our party, though, so advanced him an age category. Freakin' arms race, man, freakin' arms race...
We killed Dragotha last night, btw. Other than the loss of all the charges on the ring of a very powerful magic item, some NPC intervention (which is written into the campaign), and lots of very timely Close Wounds and Revivify spells from the Cleric (and his Cleric cohort), we all lived w/ no XP losses. Everyone except my cohort Warlock w/ Eldritch Spear did drop below -10 during the fight, though.
The DM thought he was a little weak for our party, though, so advanced him an age category. Freakin' arms race, man, freakin' arms race...
Congratulations, Jameswilliamogle
How many extra HD was that extra age category by the way? Ofcourse the extra level of spells is really nasty and Dragotha is bad enough as is from what I understand...
I assume he was run properly and had plenty of time to prepare? The guy running my AoW campaign is still pretty new to DM-ing so I'm hoping he's got plenty of experience under his belt once we hit the higher levels so he can provide us with some decent challenges. He is a seasoned Warhammer player though so in the tactics department he's got everything down already
Greetings,
Bowen
From the looks of things the next session won't be until about two-and-a-half weeks
I'll try to keep this thread alive though :PJust in case Ferno bites the dust I've already whipped up a back-up character, a Barbarian/Totemist who'll multiclass into either Swordsage or Warblade for some maneuver goodness
I'll keep you guys updated on any progress. Thanks for all the tips and please do keep them coming
Greetings,
Bowen
Just in case Ferno bites the dust I've already whipped up a back-up character, a Barbarian/Totemist who'll multiclass into either Swordsage or Warblade for some maneuver goodness
Isn't that going against your deal to play a Cleric, though???
Isn't that going against your deal to play a Cleric, though???
That was in case we didn't have one when either Ferno or the Barbarian kicked the bucket, I should have been more clear about that part :embarrass
Anyway, we've got a Cleric now and I don't want to steal his thunder, and I've always wanted to try out those tasty Girallon Arms bound to the Totem Chakra, so this might just be the right opportunity
~Bowen
That was in case we didn't have one when either Ferno or the Barbarian kicked the bucket, I should have been more clear about that part :embarrass
Anyway, we've got a Cleric now and I don't want to steal his thunder, and I've always wanted to try out those tasty Girallon Arms bound to the Totem Chakra, so this might just be the right opportunity
~Bowen
If you need ideas, check my signature and check out the Jungle Jim link, three builds built on doing just what you are talking about.
If you need ideas, check my signature and check out the Jungle Jim link, three builds built on doing just what you are talking about.
Very nice builds, TheHumanDynamo
They're actually pretty close to what I was planning but I hadn't thought about binding Amon yet. Thanks EDIT: In case anyone wants to help finish my back-up character: http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=15814764&postcount=177
~Bowen
Yeah, I thought about that as well after I posted my reply. I think I'll save it for another time in another campaign
which other campaign, Bowen? you're not suggesting using it in a certain campaign dm'd by a certain handsome young man?
No worries my friend
~Bowen
You should probably all get healing belts.
I was thinking about that as well, they can really be a lifesaver. I'll remember to do so the first chance we get to shop
~Bowen