Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ObsidianConspiracy Nov 27, 2010 12:59:08	[Just realised I spelt optimization wrong in the title, my apologies I wasn't paying attention] Human and Elf only campaign. Stats I've rolled are, 18, 18, 16, 13, 10, 11  We're starting at level five  I cannot decide for a melee incarnate whether I want to be a good or evil incarnate, so I'm looking at ways to optimise both. For a good incarnate it seems VOP is the best idea, as it allows for massive AC tanking. Now melee with good isn't so great, but the AC boosts are hideously effective giving more of a tanking feel. But i wouldn't be sure which feats to take nor which melds would be best. I've played a totemist, which is one of my favourite classes, but I feel the incarnate needs some love.  My other option is evilcarnate, which is purely a glass cannon it seems, boosting itself with lots of melee damage buffs. And I was considering strongheart vest + vile feats as an option for having somme rather nasty evil flinging abilities.  My questions are, for each build what would be the ideal equipment (without VOP of course), melds and feats... although we're starting level 5 this should be a very long campaign... and our DM gives out a lot of experience as he really chucks horrible monsters against us.  And thanks in advance
#2 aelryinth Nov 27, 2010 22:04:05	For a melee build, you're going to go UA. Mauling Gauntlets (hands) give +2 dmg/essentia, and the Bluesteel bracers (arms) give +1 dmg/essentia.  You can get some hefty UA dmg very, very quickly, especially if you are allowed to take Superior UA strike.  You'll need to grab essentia feats, but that's a given with an Incarnate. Good Incarnate has great defenses and trusts in his party for the kill, surviving and dealing good damage.  Evil Incarnate tries to kill everything before it can tear him apart.  Both go to different play styles.  Note that the Evil bonus is less useful in a party with few Melees, but the Good bonus helps everyone. ==Aelryinth
#3 ObsidianConspiracy Nov 27, 2010 23:35:18	Did not even consider UA. I was collecting vile feats and using strongheart vest to offset the stat damage.  Mauling gauntlets does, in itself require a feat taken, and to be bound to get it's bonus. is incarnate avatar worth it, the evil one seems rather strong
#4 aelryinth Nov 28, 2010 13:47:20	well, i suppose in a solo setting the Evil one would rock.  But a glass cannon still breaks easy.  Are you thinking just of the character or the place in the party? Also, take note of the Incarnate BAB.  You're going to be needing to hit to deliver all that damage, so you're going to be spending a ton of something on stuff to up your ability to hit. ==Aelryinth
#5 ObsidianConspiracy Dec 01, 2010 18:14:27	Hence why I was looking at a skillful weapon at some point OR, as our DM houseruled it, a belt of divine power/tensers transformation
#6 aelryinth Dec 01, 2010 22:24:45	ouch! Putting in some cheese to overcome the class's weaknesses is a good way to throw off balance.  Those class abilities are balanced becuase of his cruddy to hit.  Eliminating that is a good way to send things off the deep end...but it's not my campaign. UMD a wand or one level of cleric will do the job.  You def want Divine Power...TT is pricier, and you can't use spell likes while under the effect. ==Aelryinth
#7 ObsidianConspiracy Dec 03, 2010 8:55:38	In a party with a whirling frenzy spirit lion barbarian and then three casters (Well, a Psion a cleric and a wizard) I think I can be allowed to throw it a little out of whack.  Didn't think of the wand... though the skillful weapon I feel is a must, just because it's a permanent buff