Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Baad007 Jan 06, 2014 16:17:29	So last session, My character, a lvl 5 Ranger who I was building to be a flying-mounted archer discussed on http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/3957811 was killed by a shadow but the shadow was killed the turn after my death, prior to ressurecting as his minion (with my fallen magical longbow no less). The DM has given me the choice of rerolling or playing as a shadow with some house rules (no LA, don't have to go through any sort of leveling process to reclaim my identity as described in the SS Emancipated Spawn class, get the Incorporeal Touch 1d6 Str-damage as if a lvl 9 Shadow class from SS without having to follow the Shadow class described there). I guess my biggest quandry is how best to utilize this change and determining if its good enough to offset the style of play I really wanted to use. I do have 2 wasted feats (Mounted Combat/Mounted Archery) and a crapton of wasted skill points (8 points in ride plus a bunch of misplaced points I blame on relative ignorance of how the game works when I was creating the character) as is, but I assume the ability to walk through walls could be worth a try.   Guess my question is what should I consider before making a final decision and what possible class/feat/item routes I could take to utilize the abilities I have been given. We do have an artificier who is able to do a Ghost Touch enchancement on a bow or maybe some gloves so I can manipulate objects at least until I am able to pickup the Ghostly Grasp Feat from LM at 8 (I'm at 14 Cha so unless I can convince the DM to let me have it with a lower Cha score, I will probably have to wait for my next ability level up at 8).   Thoughts? Thanks
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Jan 06, 2014 16:35:33	A ring from Ghostwalk allows you to handle corporeal objects and may even switch them incorporeal (away from books). That, plus an Energy Bow (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20061227a) for many reasons (including attacking normal targets if it goes incorporeal, and because its the best bow ever printed bar none), and you're set.
#3 Slagger_the_Chuul Jan 06, 2014 19:18:24	I think I'd be looking for a way to detect foes through walls, in order to make good use of the incorporeality.  A ring of x-ray vision is the first thing that comes to mind, though there are doubtless other methods.  It makes being able to attack through walls more useful if you can see what you're trying to hit. The Lifesense feat might be useful, as much for the fact that you can tell at a glance which creatures are likely to be immune to your touch (due to not glowing) as for the direct benefit of see living targets.  It's not as ideal here, though, since you're less inclined to go for melee attacks. Sidenote: It's not at all important here, but I noticed in passing that the Unquenchable Flame of Life feat has no prerequisites and can be taken by undead.  It's just a name, but you have to love the irony, especially if a creature took the feat while living.
#4 Baad007 Jan 06, 2014 18:31:21	Interesting. I was aware of Hank's Bow but seeing as currently I'm going to be owing the artificier to do the enchantments for the bow and gloves as it is, I don't think it's in the realm of possibility at the moment. Same for the ring.   Any thoughts on class advancement? I had intended to go into Peerless Archer but am unsure of whether it would be worth it. Ranged Sneak attack is definitely feeling more viable now since I would have less inhibitions about being in melee range.
#5 Andarious-Rosethorn Jan 07, 2014 6:23:56	Reguarding your wasted feats and skill points, see if your DM will allow the retraining rules in PHB2. If he does it means you can realocate 4 skill points OR 1 feat each of the next four times your character levels up, and sort the whole mess out. The gradual nature makes it feel a bit more like it's because your character is needing to adapt and sort of giving up previously alocated specialization space. You'll also note for game balance reasons the feats you choose have to be feats that your character would have qualified for at the level your previous feat was taken (this I would say should take into account your new race as if you were that already at the level in question).
(Reply to #5) Baad007	Andarious-Rosethorn wrote: