Dread Witch Optimization - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Dread Witch Optimization

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
flawless_p
Jun 25, 2009 3:09:13 Dread Witch - Heroes of Horror pg.98
I just ruffled though using the search function and I was unable to find a handbook or any kind of Optimization thread, personally I feel this class is very good and I just thought we could discuss some ways to optimize this bad boy.

Off the top of my head giving the character frightful presence would do well.

Also I noticed that the prereqs are met by a 4th level sorc, which qualifies this as an early entry prestige class.

So what does everyone think?

p.s. I am guessing there is a link I missed somewhere. If so I feel dumb already.
#2
badgerx3
Jun 25, 2009 3:47:36 http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3809.0
^Take a look through that! :P
#3
pithica
Jun 25, 2009 21:16:08 I've only seen it used twice, and both times I very much liked it:

The first was a Priest of Bane/Dreadmaster/Dread Witch build, and it worked very, very well.

The 2nd was a Shadowcraft Mage build, that paired Dread Witch with Nightmare Spinner and Shadowcraft Mage, for a LOT of fun with illusions and fear spells.

I'd never seen the fear handbook, though. Good on you, nice find.
#4
flawless_p
Jun 26, 2009 1:53:14
I've only seen it used twice, and both times I very much liked it:

The first was a Priest of Bane/Dreadmaster/Dread Witch build, and it worked very, very well.

The 2nd was a Shadowcraft Mage build, that paired Dread Witch with Nightmare Spinner and Shadowcraft Mage, for a LOT of fun with illusions and fear spells.

I'd never seen the fear handbook, though. Good on you, nice find.

Well I was thinking of starting with a Sorcerer.

Sorc/Dread Witch/Nightmare Spinner

is my first instinct
#5
Senevri
Jun 26, 2009 4:07:36 Should go well with Dread Necro, too.

Hmm...
My first instinct was, how does this class's ability to make any spell a fear spell go with area spells and illusions? Do illusions cause fear on those who see it or those who enter it? I mean, the use for a fear Fog Cloud is obvious...

... What about conjurations creating real substance? Create Fear Water? Minor Create Fear Arrows?
#6
pithica
Jun 26, 2009 8:44:44
Hmm...
My first instinct was, how does this class's ability to make any spell a fear spell go with area spells and illusions? Do illusions cause fear on those who see it or those who enter it? I mean, the use for a fear Fog Cloud is obvious..

From memory, so someone feel free to correct me if they have the book on them when they read this, the [Fear] addon from Dread Witch explicitly states that it affects anyone that can see the visual manifestation of the spell.

So, anyone within line of site of any spell that has a visual component should be [Fear]'d.

My gnome used a [Fear] Solid Fog paired with Invisible Spell on a caster with Permanent Detect Magic once....Good times, good times.
#7
flawless_p
Jun 26, 2009 12:26:13
From memory, so someone feel free to correct me if they have the book on them when they read this, the [Fear] addon from Dread Witch explicitly states that it affects anyone that can see the visual manifestation of the spell.

So, anyone within line of site of any spell that has a visual component should be [Fear]'d.

My gnome used a [Fear] Solid Fog paired with Invisible Spell on a caster with Permanent Detect Magic once....Good times, good times.

Fearful Empowerment (Su): Starting at 3rd level, once
per day you can add the fear descriptor to any spell you
cast that has some sort of visual manifestation. For example,
you could apply it to a fireball, to a summon monster spell, or to any visual illusion, but not to charm person, since that
spell does not directly create any visual effect. Creatures
targeted by a spell modified by fearful empowerment
must make a Will save (DC equal to 10 + your class level
+ your Cha modifier) or become shaken for 1d4 rounds;
this is in addition to any other effects the spell might
have. Your save DC bonuses from master of terror apply
to this spell.

It actually leaves a bit to be desired in the explanation department, since Illusions technically target anyone who see's them that would be a bit more devastating that using it on a Scorching Ray. Also, target of a summon monster spell is either anyone who looks at the monster or is attacked by the monster....which one do you think?

All in all its an awesome class feature
#8
syrazemyla
Jun 27, 2009 19:20:26 I would go with dread necromancer/dread witch. Also, aura of terror from Spell Compendium is a great spell for a dread necro/dread witch. It makes their fear aura into a spell effect, which means that its ability allows you to penetrate immunity to fear with it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 flawless_p Jun 25, 2009 3:09:13	Dread Witch - Heroes of Horror pg.98 I just ruffled though using the search function and I was unable to find a handbook or any kind of Optimization thread, personally I feel this class is very good and I just thought we could discuss some ways to optimize this bad boy. Off the top of my head giving the character frightful presence would do well. Also I noticed that the prereqs are met by a 4th level sorc, which qualifies this as an early entry prestige class. So what does everyone think? p.s. I am guessing there is a link I missed somewhere. If so I feel dumb already.
#2 badgerx3 Jun 25, 2009 3:47:36	http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3809.0 ^Take a look through that! :P
#3 pithica Jun 25, 2009 21:16:08	I've only seen it used twice, and both times I very much liked it: The first was a Priest of Bane/Dreadmaster/Dread Witch build, and it worked very, very well. The 2nd was a Shadowcraft Mage build, that paired Dread Witch with Nightmare Spinner and Shadowcraft Mage, for a LOT of fun with illusions and fear spells. I'd never seen the fear handbook, though. Good on you, nice find.
#4 flawless_p Jun 26, 2009 1:53:14	I've only seen it used twice, and both times I very much liked it: The first was a Priest of Bane/Dreadmaster/Dread Witch build, and it worked very, very well. The 2nd was a Shadowcraft Mage build, that paired Dread Witch with Nightmare Spinner and Shadowcraft Mage, for a LOT of fun with illusions and fear spells. I'd never seen the fear handbook, though. Good on you, nice find. Well I was thinking of starting with a Sorcerer. Sorc/Dread Witch/Nightmare Spinner is my first instinct
#5 Senevri Jun 26, 2009 4:07:36	Should go well with Dread Necro, too. Hmm... My first instinct was, how does this class's ability to make any spell a fear spell go with area spells and illusions? Do illusions cause fear on those who see it or those who enter it? I mean, the use for a fear Fog Cloud is obvious... ... What about conjurations creating real substance? Create Fear Water? Minor Create Fear Arrows?
#6 pithica Jun 26, 2009 8:44:44	Hmm... My first instinct was, how does this class's ability to make any spell a fear spell go with area spells and illusions? Do illusions cause fear on those who see it or those who enter it? I mean, the use for a fear Fog Cloud is obvious.. From memory, so someone feel free to correct me if they have the book on them when they read this, the [Fear] addon from Dread Witch explicitly states that it affects anyone that can see the visual manifestation of the spell. So, anyone within line of site of any spell that has a visual component should be [Fear]'d. My gnome used a [Fear] Solid Fog paired with Invisible Spell on a caster with Permanent Detect Magic once....Good times, good times.
#7 flawless_p Jun 26, 2009 12:26:13	From memory, so someone feel free to correct me if they have the book on them when they read this, the [Fear] addon from Dread Witch explicitly states that it affects anyone that can see the visual manifestation of the spell. So, anyone within line of site of any spell that has a visual component should be [Fear]'d. My gnome used a [Fear] Solid Fog paired with Invisible Spell on a caster with Permanent Detect Magic once....Good times, good times. Fearful Empowerment (Su): Starting at 3rd level, once per day you can add the fear descriptor to any spell you cast that has some sort of visual manifestation. For example, you could apply it to a fireball, to a summon monster spell, or to any visual illusion, but not to charm person, since that spell does not directly create any visual effect. Creatures targeted by a spell modified by fearful empowerment must make a Will save (DC equal to 10 + your class level + your Cha modifier) or become shaken for 1d4 rounds; this is in addition to any other effects the spell might have. Your save DC bonuses from master of terror apply to this spell. It actually leaves a bit to be desired in the explanation department, since Illusions technically target anyone who see's them that would be a bit more devastating that using it on a Scorching Ray. Also, target of a summon monster spell is either anyone who looks at the monster or is attacked by the monster....which one do you think? All in all its an awesome class feature
#8 syrazemyla Jun 27, 2009 19:20:26	I would go with dread necromancer/dread witch. Also, aura of terror from Spell Compendium is a great spell for a dread necro/dread witch. It makes their fear aura into a spell effect, which means that its ability allows you to penetrate immunity to fear with it.