Character help... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character help...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
elric74
Apr 20, 2009 19:46:03 I've finally been invited into a home campaign in my area. But I need a little help. They are currently at 9th level and I think this is the make-up of the party:

Fighter
Wizard
Cleric
Swordmage
Ranger

And they're letting me work my way in...

So, I need to come up with a 9th level character to help fit the party as best I can. I can use anything from the PHB, PHBII, and the Forgotten Realms Guide. So, any thoughts. I was thinking either another Controller, or maybe a Leader. Anyway, I'm still pretty new to the game, so I knew folks here would know a lot better.

Thanks for the help.
#2
Hibiki54
Apr 20, 2009 19:53:29 if the Ranger is an archer build go for a melee striker such as the rogue or avenger.

Or maybe a Shaman for extra/free healing.
#3
matthewstryker
Apr 20, 2009 20:18:41
So, any thoughts. I was thinking either another Controller, or maybe a Leader. Anyway, I'm still pretty new to the game, so I knew folks here would know a lot better.

The official recommendation is to double up on defenders or strikers when you have enough players to fill all four roles. (PHB) However, anything goes.

I recommend you play a solid, damage-focused striker. Add up those damage dice and let your party set up the monsters as targets for you. If the ranger is an archer type, then play a melee striker (barbarian, rogue, avenger, some types of fighters). If the archer is a melee type, play a ranged striker (warlock, sorcerer, archery ranger).

If you're more interested in being a "team player" kind of guy, then play a defender. Paladins and wardens are a lot of fun.

You should know this, though: you can pick any race and any class and fill in the role of 5th man. You wouldn't slow the party down for even a second.
#4
bloddsbane
Apr 20, 2009 20:26:00 Do you what races there are?
#5
elric74
Apr 20, 2009 20:27:37 Unfortunately, I don't know the races at this point, but I may tomorrow. If I get that info, I'll definitely post it.
#6
bloddsbane
Apr 20, 2009 20:30:12 Ok
#7
LordOfWeasels
Apr 20, 2009 20:36:05 Well, let's see. They've already got Defender, Controller, Leader, Defender, Striker.

At that point, I'd go Striker.

They've already got a Ranger, so, regardless of if he's melee or ranged, I wouldn't go Ranger. My immediate thought would be to go either Rogue or Warlock, with Avenger or Barbarian as my second choice.
#8
sjmcc13
Apr 20, 2009 20:43:30 without knowing the builds of the cleric (STR or WIS) and the ranger (Archery, beast or 2-weapon) I would say go for someone go for someone that can do either role, like a sorcerer with the dagger channeling feat.

My sugestion would be to figure out the power source you find to be more interesting of the 4, select the role you want to play, and chose the class that matches. This breaks down in 3 cases, Martial Controller (no class), Acranc Striker (2 classes, I prefer sorcerer for persional reasons), and Martial Striker (2 classes, I would sugest a a halfling AD rogue here if you feel the other players will help you learn to play the character properly)
#9
lokai
Apr 20, 2009 20:47:05 i dunno about rest of you but if i was him i'd do a warlord. Don't get me wrong the cleric is an amazing leader, but warlord adds so much to the group. Not real sure if the cleric adds all the extra movements and attacks that a warlord does, but if he really wants to help the group definatly go for a warlord.

If party make ups not a major factor i'd say do whats fun! your major roles are already covered, and i don't think being any other class types gonna make a major differences. I'd say play whats fun in the end once you have your basics covered, no real need to pick and choose after that.

but i always feel any group with out a warlord is missing out on the awsome!
#10
mkill
Apr 20, 2009 22:16:50
Fighter
Wizard
Cleric
Swordmage
Ranger

Assuming none of the characters is built strange they have all the bases covered. Pretty much whatever you pick, you will be the second.

I'd say you have free choice. Pick whatever you are most comfortable with. If you're the type who likes to pick an enemy and punch him until he goes down, go Avenger. If you've always wanted to walk around as a frickin' bear, go druid. And so on... If you have a character that you're comfortable with, and that does exactly what you want, you'll be efficient regardless of the party setup.
#11
bloddsbane
Apr 21, 2009 6:45:38 A good race would be a warforged. With a class as a paladin. You got good healing and great melee
#12
elric74
Apr 22, 2009 8:01:49 I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting.

Wizard
Ranger (Melee)
Fighter
Swordmage
Cleric

Nobody has thievery as a class skill, so I need to think about a rogue or taking it as a feat.
Thoughts??
#13
bloddsbane
Apr 22, 2009 10:37:46 go with warforge. They get a +2 to saving throws
#14
mellored
Apr 22, 2009 11:51:08
I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting.

Wizard
Ranger (Melee)
Fighter
Swordmage
Cleric

Nobody has thievery as a class skill, so I need to think about a rogue or taking it as a feat.
Thoughts??

Seeing as you have 3-4 in melee and 1-2 at ranged i would suggest ranged.

Rogue would work ok, but a ranger(archer) could easily pick up the dex skills.

Warlords would be pretty nice as well, but i you should take a reach weapon as any more melee would be crowded.
#15
w00f
Apr 23, 2009 2:49:55 MY reccomendation? Chaos sorc! =O

As has been stated, this party has all the bases covered already. Chaos sorc is another striker, a ranged one so it won't clog up melee, and it's just plain fun to play. All of the random effects can either make your abilities less or more powerful, so you'll be a dynamo in combat, sometimes doing only a little bit of damage and sometimes blowing the crap out of everyone, and since your party's already balanced they can do with the variable power level from the new member =P

Besides, the class just seems like so much fun to play.
#16
CCS
Apr 23, 2009 22:34:17
go with warforge. They get a +2 to saving throws

And on what page would the OP find the warforged in the books that they're allowed to use?
#17
Nerpherder
Apr 23, 2009 23:23:03
And on what page would the OP find the warforged in the books that they're allowed to use?

He listed the books for the classes he could use, if everyone was limited to those books for races explain this post by the OP, none of which are in any of the named sources.

I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting. . .

#18
rowl
Apr 24, 2009 1:59:06 Warlock is the easiest option for a Ranged Striker with Thievery skill. Alternately, you can go with any class and Sneak of Shadows MC Rogue feat.

You could go with Rogue and go Xbow (Superior Xbow with Prof feat) with Distant Advantage feat for the CA. I've always found a ranged Rogue has some problems with CA, but the new(ish) Distant Advantage feat helps that. If the Ranger is Beastmaster build, that gives a greater potential to work in your favor for Ranged CA.

Lot of options there, but yeah, I'd definitely go with ranged striker.
#19
DevoDog
Apr 25, 2009 23:32:32 I'm also going to chime in and recommend a Striker. My group (which I DM for) just picked up a 6th player. Originally, I thought the recommendation was an extra Leader (instead of a Striker).

It seemed like both Leaders were trying to avoid stepping on each other's toes (the Cleric wanted to make sure the Warlord felt useful, the Warlord didn't want to overstep his "bounds" as the newbie in our group).

While an extra Leader might help keep the party safer, combats will take longer with only 1 Striker. Since combats are going to take longer anyway with 6 players (and the extra opponents), having more damage output will minimize the impact.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 elric74 Apr 20, 2009 19:46:03	I've finally been invited into a home campaign in my area. But I need a little help. They are currently at 9th level and I think this is the make-up of the party: Fighter Wizard Cleric Swordmage Ranger And they're letting me work my way in... So, I need to come up with a 9th level character to help fit the party as best I can. I can use anything from the PHB, PHBII, and the Forgotten Realms Guide. So, any thoughts. I was thinking either another Controller, or maybe a Leader. Anyway, I'm still pretty new to the game, so I knew folks here would know a lot better. Thanks for the help.
#2 Hibiki54 Apr 20, 2009 19:53:29	if the Ranger is an archer build go for a melee striker such as the rogue or avenger. Or maybe a Shaman for extra/free healing.
#3 matthewstryker Apr 20, 2009 20:18:41	So, any thoughts. I was thinking either another Controller, or maybe a Leader. Anyway, I'm still pretty new to the game, so I knew folks here would know a lot better. The official recommendation is to double up on defenders or strikers when you have enough players to fill all four roles. (PHB) However, anything goes. I recommend you play a solid, damage-focused striker. Add up those damage dice and let your party set up the monsters as targets for you. If the ranger is an archer type, then play a melee striker (barbarian, rogue, avenger, some types of fighters). If the archer is a melee type, play a ranged striker (warlock, sorcerer, archery ranger). If you're more interested in being a "team player" kind of guy, then play a defender. Paladins and wardens are a lot of fun. You should know this, though: you can pick any race and any class and fill in the role of 5th man. You wouldn't slow the party down for even a second.
#4 bloddsbane Apr 20, 2009 20:26:00	Do you what races there are?
#5 elric74 Apr 20, 2009 20:27:37	Unfortunately, I don't know the races at this point, but I may tomorrow. If I get that info, I'll definitely post it.
#6 bloddsbane Apr 20, 2009 20:30:12	Ok
#7 LordOfWeasels Apr 20, 2009 20:36:05	Well, let's see. They've already got Defender, Controller, Leader, Defender, Striker. At that point, I'd go Striker. They've already got a Ranger, so, regardless of if he's melee or ranged, I wouldn't go Ranger. My immediate thought would be to go either Rogue or Warlock, with Avenger or Barbarian as my second choice.
#8 sjmcc13 Apr 20, 2009 20:43:30	without knowing the builds of the cleric (STR or WIS) and the ranger (Archery, beast or 2-weapon) I would say go for someone go for someone that can do either role, like a sorcerer with the dagger channeling feat. My sugestion would be to figure out the power source you find to be more interesting of the 4, select the role you want to play, and chose the class that matches. This breaks down in 3 cases, Martial Controller (no class), Acranc Striker (2 classes, I prefer sorcerer for persional reasons), and Martial Striker (2 classes, I would sugest a a halfling AD rogue here if you feel the other players will help you learn to play the character properly)
#9 lokai Apr 20, 2009 20:47:05	i dunno about rest of you but if i was him i'd do a warlord. Don't get me wrong the cleric is an amazing leader, but warlord adds so much to the group. Not real sure if the cleric adds all the extra movements and attacks that a warlord does, but if he really wants to help the group definatly go for a warlord. If party make ups not a major factor i'd say do whats fun! your major roles are already covered, and i don't think being any other class types gonna make a major differences. I'd say play whats fun in the end once you have your basics covered, no real need to pick and choose after that. but i always feel any group with out a warlord is missing out on the awsome!
#10 mkill Apr 20, 2009 22:16:50	Fighter Wizard Cleric Swordmage Ranger Assuming none of the characters is built strange they have all the bases covered. Pretty much whatever you pick, you will be the second. I'd say you have free choice. Pick whatever you are most comfortable with. If you're the type who likes to pick an enemy and punch him until he goes down, go Avenger. If you've always wanted to walk around as a frickin' bear, go druid. And so on... If you have a character that you're comfortable with, and that does exactly what you want, you'll be efficient regardless of the party setup.
#11 bloddsbane Apr 21, 2009 6:45:38	A good race would be a warforged. With a class as a paladin. You got good healing and great melee
#12 elric74 Apr 22, 2009 8:01:49	I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting. Wizard Ranger (Melee) Fighter Swordmage Cleric Nobody has thievery as a class skill, so I need to think about a rogue or taking it as a feat. Thoughts??
#13 bloddsbane Apr 22, 2009 10:37:46	go with warforge. They get a +2 to saving throws
#14 mellored Apr 22, 2009 11:51:08	I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting. Wizard Ranger (Melee) Fighter Swordmage Cleric Nobody has thievery as a class skill, so I need to think about a rogue or taking it as a feat. Thoughts?? Seeing as you have 3-4 in melee and 1-2 at ranged i would suggest ranged. Rogue would work ok, but a ranger(archer) could easily pick up the dex skills. Warlords would be pretty nice as well, but i you should take a reach weapon as any more melee would be crowded.
#15 w00f Apr 23, 2009 2:49:55	MY reccomendation? Chaos sorc! =O As has been stated, this party has all the bases covered already. Chaos sorc is another striker, a ranged one so it won't clog up melee, and it's just plain fun to play. All of the random effects can either make your abilities less or more powerful, so you'll be a dynamo in combat, sometimes doing only a little bit of damage and sometimes blowing the crap out of everyone, and since your party's already balanced they can do with the variable power level from the new member =P Besides, the class just seems like so much fun to play.
#16 CCS Apr 23, 2009 22:34:17	go with warforge. They get a +2 to saving throws And on what page would the OP find the warforged in the books that they're allowed to use?
#17 Nerpherder Apr 23, 2009 23:23:03	And on what page would the OP find the warforged in the books that they're allowed to use? He listed the books for the classes he could use, if everyone was limited to those books for races explain this post by the OP, none of which are in any of the named sources. I did find out a little more about the party. And I'm going to be making my character today for tomorrow's game, so I may need some help. The races are mixed including Bugbear, Minotaur, Shadar-kai, etc. Interesting. . .
#18 rowl Apr 24, 2009 1:59:06	Warlock is the easiest option for a Ranged Striker with Thievery skill. Alternately, you can go with any class and Sneak of Shadows MC Rogue feat. You could go with Rogue and go Xbow (Superior Xbow with Prof feat) with Distant Advantage feat for the CA. I've always found a ranged Rogue has some problems with CA, but the new(ish) Distant Advantage feat helps that. If the Ranger is Beastmaster build, that gives a greater potential to work in your favor for Ranged CA. Lot of options there, but yeah, I'd definitely go with ranged striker.
#19 DevoDog Apr 25, 2009 23:32:32	I'm also going to chime in and recommend a Striker. My group (which I DM for) just picked up a 6th player. Originally, I thought the recommendation was an extra Leader (instead of a Striker). It seemed like both Leaders were trying to avoid stepping on each other's toes (the Cleric wanted to make sure the Warlord felt useful, the Warlord didn't want to overstep his "bounds" as the newbie in our group). While an extra Leader might help keep the party safer, combats will take longer with only 1 Striker. Since combats are going to take longer anyway with 6 players (and the extra opponents), having more damage output will minimize the impact.