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Help building hi level character

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
cole_caecus
Mar 21, 2009 21:43:52 Ok, im building this character for a friend, he wants to play a magic user of some sort, and wants to make a mage of some kind that is a terrain changer. He changes the terrain to fit the battle. But i dont know where to go with that, what feats, or if there are any PrCs that will fill this place.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
#2
gorfnad_the_shiznit
Mar 22, 2009 0:22:27 Planar Shepard from Faiths of Eberron might just be what you're looking for. Changes "terrain" to his favorite to fit his needs.
Druid 5/ Planar Shepard 10/ Anything Druid or caster type (Paragnostic Apostle, Contemplative, Divine Oracle, Warshaper, ...etc.)
#3
sofawall
Mar 22, 2009 1:25:18 Oh god, did you just suggest Planar Shepard?

Let's hope the friend is worthless at optimization...
#4
cole_caecus
Mar 22, 2009 1:48:20
Oh god, did you just suggest Planar Shepard?

Let's hope the friend is worthless at optimization...

Lol, he is thats why im building him a character, lol.

All he told me is that he wants it to be a character that can change the terrain to match his will.

Now i also have a question, can wall spells be made flat, like a bridge?
#5
sofawall
Mar 22, 2009 3:12:01 I think some can, but most can't.

Don't quote me on that, it's 4 in the morning and I'm feeling useless.
#6
muertog
Mar 22, 2009 4:35:29 Check the descriptions of the spells themselves. Some are considered lines, others have 5' or more of thickness. Most have to be anchored on both ends when created.

A wall turned on its side may not have the same strength as when standing straight up. Another way to think about it: A 2x4 laid so it is tall may support a person crossing it due to how the weight is distributed, but if laid so it is wide would have severe strength issues (and likely bow, if not outright break). Wall material is heavier than a plank of wood, and has its own weight to degrade the support.

Then again, this is fantasy. As long as the DM is amenable to thematic material that has few gameplay applications or balance issues, there should be no problem.
#7
reis
Mar 22, 2009 5:05:11 planar shephard can do what you're describing, it can also destroy game balance in an astoundingly short amount of time and I can't see any sane DM giving you carte blanche with it.
#8
sofawall
Mar 22, 2009 7:00:42 Note that's why I said "I hope your friend is worthless at optimization."

Trust me, if he doesn't know how to use it, it will be fine. I've had experience in such cases, games where all the way up to level 15 Fighters were completely overpowering Wizards. Not everyone knows how to play optimized.
#9
reis
Mar 22, 2009 7:21:19 i find it's an interesting challenge when I play in a new campaign with people who are less than fully familiar with CO to try and strike a balance between going too far and upsetting campaign balance and using my knowledge to help the other gamers learn more about the rules and how to use them to make playing their characters more fun.
#10
sofawall
Mar 22, 2009 7:47:58 I usually play buffers in those situations. DMM Clerics, Warweavers, Incantrix, what have you. Makes them a lot more powerful, thus they have more fun, and you don't steal the glory.
#11
cole_caecus
Mar 22, 2009 12:51:16 Ok, wellim making the character and im fairly good at optimizing, so what other PrCs would be good for terrain changing? i really just cant find any.

And the problem with the Planar Shepard is it can only do one terrain type (Unless im mistaken)

Also, spells and feats would be helpful, too.
#12
reis
Mar 23, 2009 0:37:16 druids and clerics with the earth/plant etc domains have a lot of spells that can reshape/alter terrain features like move earth, transmute rock to mud/lava etc
#13
muertog
Mar 23, 2009 12:13:52 Or go with illusions.

Illusionary Terrain only works in natural landscape, however.
#14
amphoteric
Mar 23, 2009 12:39:16 I am looking at the Faiths of Eberron book, and maybe I am not reading it correctly, but I don't see why a planar shepard is so broken. Anyone care to fill me in? As a DM, i'd like to know so my PCs don't abuse it.
#15
gorfnad_the_shiznit
Mar 23, 2009 16:10:07 Go here: The Planar Shepherd Handbook scroll down to the plane of Dal Quor - The Region of Dreams and you'll see the brokenness.
#16
cole_caecus
Mar 23, 2009 16:23:54 My God... I just ready the Planar Shepard and the Dal Quor...Just...Wow...
#17
sofawall
Mar 24, 2009 4:11:06
I am looking at the Faiths of Eberron book, and maybe I am not reading it correctly, but I don't see why a planar shepard is so broken. Anyone care to fill me in? As a DM, i'd like to know so my PCs don't abuse it.

Yeah, Planar Shepard is apparently one of those sneaky broken ones where you actually have to sit down and show someone exactly what's wrong with it. Very few people just read it and go "Wow, that's broken!"

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 cole_caecus Mar 21, 2009 21:43:52	Ok, im building this character for a friend, he wants to play a magic user of some sort, and wants to make a mage of some kind that is a terrain changer. He changes the terrain to fit the battle. But i dont know where to go with that, what feats, or if there are any PrCs that will fill this place. Any help is greatly appreciated.
#2 gorfnad_the_shiznit Mar 22, 2009 0:22:27	Planar Shepard from Faiths of Eberron might just be what you're looking for. Changes "terrain" to his favorite to fit his needs. Druid 5/ Planar Shepard 10/ Anything Druid or caster type (Paragnostic Apostle, Contemplative, Divine Oracle, Warshaper, ...etc.)
#3 sofawall Mar 22, 2009 1:25:18	Oh god, did you just suggest Planar Shepard? Let's hope the friend is worthless at optimization...
#4 cole_caecus Mar 22, 2009 1:48:20	Oh god, did you just suggest Planar Shepard? Let's hope the friend is worthless at optimization... Lol, he is thats why im building him a character, lol. All he told me is that he wants it to be a character that can change the terrain to match his will. Now i also have a question, can wall spells be made flat, like a bridge?
#5 sofawall Mar 22, 2009 3:12:01	I think some can, but most can't. Don't quote me on that, it's 4 in the morning and I'm feeling useless.
#6 muertog Mar 22, 2009 4:35:29	Check the descriptions of the spells themselves. Some are considered lines, others have 5' or more of thickness. Most have to be anchored on both ends when created. A wall turned on its side may not have the same strength as when standing straight up. Another way to think about it: A 2x4 laid so it is tall may support a person crossing it due to how the weight is distributed, but if laid so it is wide would have severe strength issues (and likely bow, if not outright break). Wall material is heavier than a plank of wood, and has its own weight to degrade the support. Then again, this is fantasy. As long as the DM is amenable to thematic material that has few gameplay applications or balance issues, there should be no problem.
#7 reis Mar 22, 2009 5:05:11	planar shephard can do what you're describing, it can also destroy game balance in an astoundingly short amount of time and I can't see any sane DM giving you carte blanche with it.
#8 sofawall Mar 22, 2009 7:00:42	Note that's why I said "I hope your friend is worthless at optimization." Trust me, if he doesn't know how to use it, it will be fine. I've had experience in such cases, games where all the way up to level 15 Fighters were completely overpowering Wizards. Not everyone knows how to play optimized.
#9 reis Mar 22, 2009 7:21:19	i find it's an interesting challenge when I play in a new campaign with people who are less than fully familiar with CO to try and strike a balance between going too far and upsetting campaign balance and using my knowledge to help the other gamers learn more about the rules and how to use them to make playing their characters more fun.
#10 sofawall Mar 22, 2009 7:47:58	I usually play buffers in those situations. DMM Clerics, Warweavers, Incantrix, what have you. Makes them a lot more powerful, thus they have more fun, and you don't steal the glory.
#11 cole_caecus Mar 22, 2009 12:51:16	Ok, wellim making the character and im fairly good at optimizing, so what other PrCs would be good for terrain changing? i really just cant find any. And the problem with the Planar Shepard is it can only do one terrain type (Unless im mistaken) Also, spells and feats would be helpful, too.
#12 reis Mar 23, 2009 0:37:16	druids and clerics with the earth/plant etc domains have a lot of spells that can reshape/alter terrain features like move earth, transmute rock to mud/lava etc
#13 muertog Mar 23, 2009 12:13:52	Or go with illusions. Illusionary Terrain only works in natural landscape, however.
#14 amphoteric Mar 23, 2009 12:39:16	I am looking at the Faiths of Eberron book, and maybe I am not reading it correctly, but I don't see why a planar shepard is so broken. Anyone care to fill me in? As a DM, i'd like to know so my PCs don't abuse it.
#15 gorfnad_the_shiznit Mar 23, 2009 16:10:07	Go here: The Planar Shepherd Handbook scroll down to the plane of Dal Quor - The Region of Dreams and you'll see the brokenness.
#16 cole_caecus Mar 23, 2009 16:23:54	My God... I just ready the Planar Shepard and the Dal Quor...Just...Wow...
#17 sofawall Mar 24, 2009 4:11:06	I am looking at the Faiths of Eberron book, and maybe I am not reading it correctly, but I don't see why a planar shepard is so broken. Anyone care to fill me in? As a DM, i'd like to know so my PCs don't abuse it. Yeah, Planar Shepard is apparently one of those sneaky broken ones where you actually have to sit down and show someone exactly what's wrong with it. Very few people just read it and go "Wow, that's broken!"