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Dragonfire Adept vs. Undead

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Johnathan_Vagabond
Apr 18, 2008 10:01:19 I'm about to reenter a campaign (after suffering a horrible, horrible death). Its Gestalt, and I've deiced to run with a Dragonfire Adept4//Barbarian1/Warlock3 (I know, its cuh-RAY-zhe). The Barbarian level is there so that I can use the survival skill to track in combination with my Able Learner and Track feats.

The DM has suppled some required elements for my story (since the PCs have been sent to find me). I'll be located in an ancient hallowed (CoP Evil I guess) area of an undead infested forest, where I act as a guide and hunter. I sleep in an empty grave I've dug (presumably to keep me hidden while I'm vulnerable?) with a hidden cache of supplies.

I rather like the idea. My flavor comes a little more from the dragon side, so I like how I'll stand out like a sore thumb in this place. I even think the warlock in me is the effect the forest has had on my character (of course, warlcoks suck against undead). Since I'm also terrible at hiding, I'll be having the scales class feature be bright and many colored.

My dragonfire adept half has taken Enduring Exposure (so the people I guide are endangered by my breath, or uncomfortable weather) and Magic Insight (because I want to identify any strange items I find in the forest). She also took Sickening Breath for an effect, (incase some of her living clients decide not to pay up.)

My warlock half has taken See the Unseen (because its dark) and Spider Climb (because unintelligent undead a **** poor climbers).

What I want to know (I'm playing this character based on the Dragon Magic Except on the WotC site) is if there are any feats that give the adept a breath effect against Undead. Something like positive energy or the like. I could substitute the level of barbarian for a level of nature cleric to gain turning if necessary, but I really like the savagery aspect and how rage boosts my breath attack save so I'd like to avoid that (and priestly? I think my character is going to be fairly irreverant).

The DM also said that even if he doesn't have the book, as long as I can clearly explain it and it doesn't make me overpowered that its ok. (My ally is a Monk//Rogue, so he's a good skill monkey and decent sneak fighter).
#2
green_yawgmoth
Apr 18, 2008 10:29:10 warlocks don't suck against undead. EB hurts everything.
#3
Johnathan_Vagabond
Apr 18, 2008 10:38:51 Yes, but many of the warlocks invocations are focused around either Fortitude save (sickened, nauseated) or Mind Influencing Effects.
#4
crimsondeath
Apr 18, 2008 14:04:14 Unfortunately, since the Dragonfire Adept's breath weapon is usable at will instead of having a recharge time measured in rounds, you don't qualify for metabreath feats...

Honestly, I think you'll do fine just using your breath weapon.

Personally, I probably would've gone with a Ranger dip rather than a Barbarian dip. It gets you the Track feat for free and eight extra skill points, plus Rage turns off your Invocations.
#5
Johnathan_Vagabond
Apr 18, 2008 14:23:18 I've talked to my DM. He's ok with me using the Power Surge feat from Dragon 313, which forces you spend a round recharging after using my chosen Spell-Like Ability in exchange for a boost, to apply for metabreath feats.

Also, most of my invocations are passive, meaning they're 'cast' prior to entering rage. That way it only boosts my Breath DC by 2.
#6
crimsondeath
Apr 18, 2008 15:46:39 Actually, I just checked, and the feat I was going to suggest (Entangling Exhalation, from Races of the Dragon) is a breath channeling feat rather than a metabreath feat, so you could take it either way. Entangling is a pretty good status to inflict on your enemies, and it won't affect your allies. It's not geared specifically to affect undead, but it'll be good against most types of undead as well as lots of other creatures.
#7
sally_jones
Apr 20, 2008 15:18:35 i treat metatbreath feats for dragonfire adept the same as metaspell-like ability feats. 3/day

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Johnathan_Vagabond Apr 18, 2008 10:01:19	I'm about to reenter a campaign (after suffering a horrible, horrible death). Its Gestalt, and I've deiced to run with a Dragonfire Adept4//Barbarian1/Warlock3 (I know, its cuh-RAY-zhe). The Barbarian level is there so that I can use the survival skill to track in combination with my Able Learner and Track feats. The DM has suppled some required elements for my story (since the PCs have been sent to find me). I'll be located in an ancient hallowed (CoP Evil I guess) area of an undead infested forest, where I act as a guide and hunter. I sleep in an empty grave I've dug (presumably to keep me hidden while I'm vulnerable?) with a hidden cache of supplies. I rather like the idea. My flavor comes a little more from the dragon side, so I like how I'll stand out like a sore thumb in this place. I even think the warlock in me is the effect the forest has had on my character (of course, warlcoks suck against undead). Since I'm also terrible at hiding, I'll be having the scales class feature be bright and many colored. My dragonfire adept half has taken Enduring Exposure (so the people I guide are endangered by my breath, or uncomfortable weather) and Magic Insight (because I want to identify any strange items I find in the forest). She also took Sickening Breath for an effect, (incase some of her living clients decide not to pay up.) My warlock half has taken See the Unseen (because its dark) and Spider Climb (because unintelligent undead a **** poor climbers). What I want to know (I'm playing this character based on the Dragon Magic Except on the WotC site) is if there are any feats that give the adept a breath effect against Undead. Something like positive energy or the like. I could substitute the level of barbarian for a level of nature cleric to gain turning if necessary, but I really like the savagery aspect and how rage boosts my breath attack save so I'd like to avoid that (and priestly? I think my character is going to be fairly irreverant). The DM also said that even if he doesn't have the book, as long as I can clearly explain it and it doesn't make me overpowered that its ok. (My ally is a Monk//Rogue, so he's a good skill monkey and decent sneak fighter).
#2 green_yawgmoth Apr 18, 2008 10:29:10	warlocks don't suck against undead. EB hurts everything.
#3 Johnathan_Vagabond Apr 18, 2008 10:38:51	Yes, but many of the warlocks invocations are focused around either Fortitude save (sickened, nauseated) or Mind Influencing Effects.
#4 crimsondeath Apr 18, 2008 14:04:14	Unfortunately, since the Dragonfire Adept's breath weapon is usable at will instead of having a recharge time measured in rounds, you don't qualify for metabreath feats... Honestly, I think you'll do fine just using your breath weapon. Personally, I probably would've gone with a Ranger dip rather than a Barbarian dip. It gets you the Track feat for free and eight extra skill points, plus Rage turns off your Invocations.
#5 Johnathan_Vagabond Apr 18, 2008 14:23:18	I've talked to my DM. He's ok with me using the Power Surge feat from Dragon 313, which forces you spend a round recharging after using my chosen Spell-Like Ability in exchange for a boost, to apply for metabreath feats. Also, most of my invocations are passive, meaning they're 'cast' prior to entering rage. That way it only boosts my Breath DC by 2.
#6 crimsondeath Apr 18, 2008 15:46:39	Actually, I just checked, and the feat I was going to suggest (Entangling Exhalation, from Races of the Dragon) is a breath channeling feat rather than a metabreath feat, so you could take it either way. Entangling is a pretty good status to inflict on your enemies, and it won't affect your allies. It's not geared specifically to affect undead, but it'll be good against most types of undead as well as lots of other creatures.
#7 sally_jones Apr 20, 2008 15:18:35	i treat metatbreath feats for dragonfire adept the same as metaspell-like ability feats. 3/day