100% Non-Combat PC - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

100% Non-Combat PC

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
wilros
Jul 23, 2009 13:38:43 Hey Gang, I was toying around with creating a PC (v3.5) who was totally non-violent and would under NO circumstances engage in combat. This character would exclusively be a healer and caster of protective spells and would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses as long as he/she abided by their philosophy of non-violence. My questions to you oh wise ones are:
a) does a class like this exist currently in any form?
b) if not, any suggestions for building one?

I've decided that for my next campaign I'd love to see how different the experience is when combat is never a factor.

Thanks in advance!
#2
salla
Jul 23, 2009 13:40:51 Of which edition do you speak?
#3
wilros
Jul 23, 2009 13:45:54
Of which edition do you speak?

oops, sorry -- 3.5
(original post also edited)
#4
pluisjen
Jul 23, 2009 13:48:04 Try the Healer, from the Miniatures Handbook (I believe) combined with the Vow of Nonviolence tree from the Book of Exalted deeds.

That's probably exactly what you're looking for
#5
salla
Jul 23, 2009 13:48:16
oops, sorry -- 3.5
(original post also edited)

Miniature's handbook's Healer with Vow of NonViolence (Book of Exalted Deeds).
#6
wilros
Jul 23, 2009 13:58:51
Try the Healer, from the Miniatures Handbook (I believe) combined with the Vow of Nonviolence tree from the Book of Exalted deeds.

That's probably exactly what you're looking for

Thanks guys. That's two votes for healer/vow non-violence. I'm on it!
#7
Shiftkitty
Jul 23, 2009 14:54:52 Believe it or not, that was a complaint one of my players had about 4e. There were very few spells that didn't deal damage. He doesn't play a pacifist, he just wanted some spells that didn't hit anything, and the ones that were there he didn't care for.
#8
crossblade
Jul 23, 2009 15:05:34 Signer of Concordance, from Races of The Dragon strikes me as non combative. It's a divine PrC and you need Dragonblood though.
#9
pluisjen
Jul 23, 2009 15:20:26
Believe it or not, that was a complaint one of my players had about 4e. There were very few spells that didn't deal damage. He doesn't play a pacifist, he just wanted some spells that didn't hit anything, and the ones that were there he didn't care for.

That might be because they dropped subdual damage. Fireball doubles as both a fiery explosion of death, and a cloud of burning knock-out gas, now that 'decide death of KO on 0 hp' has been introduced.

There's not really a reason not to have them deal damage since it can be non-lethal damage anyway.
#10
virgilbrandywine
Jul 23, 2009 15:40:27
Hey Gang, I was toying around with creating a PC (v3.5) who was totally non-violent and would under NO circumstances engage in combat. This character would exclusively be a healer and caster of protective spells and would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses as long as he/she abided by their philosophy of non-violence. My questions to you oh wise ones are:
a) does a class like this exist currently in any form?
b) if not, any suggestions for building one?

The Apostle of Peace prestige class from the Book of Exalted Deeds pretty much does what you are asking. Also, from the same book, check out the Vow of Non-Violence and Vow of Peace. They really require your fellow players and DM to be on board with it, but it would certainly be a fun role-playing challenge.
#11
humanmind
Jul 23, 2009 18:47:17 Just to throw something differant on the table, how about a beguiler from PHB2. He's not a healer but his illusion and enchantment spells can come off as a pacifist by casting invisibilty and charm spells in combat and loads of skills to talk his way out of a fight outside combat. Go a Gnome as well.
#12
copycatzero
Jul 25, 2009 15:31:21
would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses

Echoing those who said Healer + Vow of Nonviolence/Peace + Apostle of Peace, but to address that one little condition of yours, go Vow of Poverty (and hope your DM isn't one of those who has banned it for being overpowered). You'll definitely get the AC bonuses, plus other sorts of little perks (that may not exactly address saving throws and casting, but are still nice), all for not having your character have any real gear (and since you're a pacifist, you don't need to worry about not having a weapon or armor anyways).

The extra benefit with this? Vow of Poverty gives you bonus exalted feats (go human or take flaws so you can take it at first level), which will allow you to get, you guessed it, Vow of Nonviolence/Peace for free.
#13
ace_of_time
Jul 25, 2009 19:03:07 Isn't VoP more of a combat feat. I don't know if that will fit the pc the OP said that the OP wanted. I think the healer will do nicely. You might want to check with the DM about the non Nonviolence feat/s. Some DMs have banned that book altogether because of power issues. Also you could try a noble (NPC class Aristocrat) And The only other thing I can think of right now is a rogue or ninja and go Cha build with that Nonviolence feat. Be the groups scout and diplomat. There may be times when you just have to fight and healer does have some combat skills there spells if I remember right are almost all heal/support. If you do go healer class make sure you pick up the healing feat that give a bonus to healing spells depending on the level. Healers are one of the BEST band aids in the games. You will want to pop the highest score on cha if I remember right because of there class feature.
#14
morphling_89
Jul 26, 2009 23:25:37 Play a human, and take Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty at 1st level. At every even level, VoP gives you a feat like Vow of Nonviolence, Vow of Peace, Nymph's Kiss, so forth.

Vow of Poverty doesn't have to be violent - in fact its flavor fits in perfectly with Non-violence. Furthermore, it will give you massive AC combined with Vow of Peace, making you nigh impossible to kill.

One potential problem: Vow of Peace kind of pisses off your melee comrades, unless they learn to deal non-lethal damage (I think there are special melee items that deal only non-lethal damage, ect.). Casters won't care much about the penalty to attack, unless they are Gish.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wilros Jul 23, 2009 13:38:43	Hey Gang, I was toying around with creating a PC (v3.5) who was totally non-violent and would under NO circumstances engage in combat. This character would exclusively be a healer and caster of protective spells and would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses as long as he/she abided by their philosophy of non-violence. My questions to you oh wise ones are: a) does a class like this exist currently in any form? b) if not, any suggestions for building one? I've decided that for my next campaign I'd love to see how different the experience is when combat is never a factor. Thanks in advance!
#2 salla Jul 23, 2009 13:40:51	Of which edition do you speak?
#3 wilros Jul 23, 2009 13:45:54	Of which edition do you speak? oops, sorry -- 3.5 (original post also edited)
#4 pluisjen Jul 23, 2009 13:48:04	Try the Healer, from the Miniatures Handbook (I believe) combined with the Vow of Nonviolence tree from the Book of Exalted deeds. That's probably exactly what you're looking for
#5 salla Jul 23, 2009 13:48:16	oops, sorry -- 3.5 (original post also edited) Miniature's handbook's Healer with Vow of NonViolence (Book of Exalted Deeds).
#6 wilros Jul 23, 2009 13:58:51	Try the Healer, from the Miniatures Handbook (I believe) combined with the Vow of Nonviolence tree from the Book of Exalted deeds. That's probably exactly what you're looking for Thanks guys. That's two votes for healer/vow non-violence. I'm on it!
#7 Shiftkitty Jul 23, 2009 14:54:52	Believe it or not, that was a complaint one of my players had about 4e. There were very few spells that didn't deal damage. He doesn't play a pacifist, he just wanted some spells that didn't hit anything, and the ones that were there he didn't care for.
#8 crossblade Jul 23, 2009 15:05:34	Signer of Concordance, from Races of The Dragon strikes me as non combative. It's a divine PrC and you need Dragonblood though.
#9 pluisjen Jul 23, 2009 15:20:26	Believe it or not, that was a complaint one of my players had about 4e. There were very few spells that didn't deal damage. He doesn't play a pacifist, he just wanted some spells that didn't hit anything, and the ones that were there he didn't care for. That might be because they dropped subdual damage. Fireball doubles as both a fiery explosion of death, and a cloud of burning knock-out gas, now that 'decide death of KO on 0 hp' has been introduced. There's not really a reason not to have them deal damage since it can be non-lethal damage anyway.
#10 virgilbrandywine Jul 23, 2009 15:40:27	Hey Gang, I was toying around with creating a PC (v3.5) who was totally non-violent and would under NO circumstances engage in combat. This character would exclusively be a healer and caster of protective spells and would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses as long as he/she abided by their philosophy of non-violence. My questions to you oh wise ones are: a) does a class like this exist currently in any form? b) if not, any suggestions for building one? The Apostle of Peace prestige class from the Book of Exalted Deeds pretty much does what you are asking. Also, from the same book, check out the Vow of Non-Violence and Vow of Peace. They really require your fellow players and DM to be on board with it, but it would certainly be a fun role-playing challenge.
#11 humanmind Jul 23, 2009 18:47:17	Just to throw something differant on the table, how about a beguiler from PHB2. He's not a healer but his illusion and enchantment spells can come off as a pacifist by casting invisibilty and charm spells in combat and loads of skills to talk his way out of a fight outside combat. Go a Gnome as well.
#12 copycatzero Jul 25, 2009 15:31:21	would receive considerable AC, saving throw and casting bonuses Echoing those who said Healer + Vow of Nonviolence/Peace + Apostle of Peace, but to address that one little condition of yours, go Vow of Poverty (and hope your DM isn't one of those who has banned it for being overpowered). You'll definitely get the AC bonuses, plus other sorts of little perks (that may not exactly address saving throws and casting, but are still nice), all for not having your character have any real gear (and since you're a pacifist, you don't need to worry about not having a weapon or armor anyways). The extra benefit with this? Vow of Poverty gives you bonus exalted feats (go human or take flaws so you can take it at first level), which will allow you to get, you guessed it, Vow of Nonviolence/Peace for free.
#13 ace_of_time Jul 25, 2009 19:03:07	Isn't VoP more of a combat feat. I don't know if that will fit the pc the OP said that the OP wanted. I think the healer will do nicely. You might want to check with the DM about the non Nonviolence feat/s. Some DMs have banned that book altogether because of power issues. Also you could try a noble (NPC class Aristocrat) And The only other thing I can think of right now is a rogue or ninja and go Cha build with that Nonviolence feat. Be the groups scout and diplomat. There may be times when you just have to fight and healer does have some combat skills there spells if I remember right are almost all heal/support. If you do go healer class make sure you pick up the healing feat that give a bonus to healing spells depending on the level. Healers are one of the BEST band aids in the games. You will want to pop the highest score on cha if I remember right because of there class feature.
#14 morphling_89 Jul 26, 2009 23:25:37	Play a human, and take Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty at 1st level. At every even level, VoP gives you a feat like Vow of Nonviolence, Vow of Peace, Nymph's Kiss, so forth. Vow of Poverty doesn't have to be violent - in fact its flavor fits in perfectly with Non-violence. Furthermore, it will give you massive AC combined with Vow of Peace, making you nigh impossible to kill. One potential problem: Vow of Peace kind of pisses off your melee comrades, unless they learn to deal non-lethal damage (I think there are special melee items that deal only non-lethal damage, ect.). Casters won't care much about the penalty to attack, unless they are Gish.