Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 degausser Aug 10, 2012 12:01:41	So I play the official DnD essentials games at my local gaming store for fun.  I know that essentials, and in particular the official campagins are . . . well the community is hardly unanimous on them, I see them as a chance to let loose and creat a fun and/or wacky character without having to worry about him getting bogged down to a 2-year long campaign or something.  In other words, I can let loose and have FUN with the character, and if he doesn't work out . . . well I will have a new one in a few months.  Here is what I have played so far, and how they worked out! I've played a female Halfling Knight, who worked out surprisingly well.  The boost to Con helped and the halfling reroll power pretty much ensured that I could avoid one crit against me per fight.  She weilded a scimitar (so she could use it one-handed) and was very no-nonsense and protection-driven. Next season (the feywild season) I played a Male Pixie Barbarian.  The combination of "Teeny Target" and a defender aura was, I'm not going to lie, kinda broken.  Man, he did a lot of damage when he raged.  I also exploited my tiny size by using a military pick, and picking up the pick-expertise feat (which deals +1 damage as long as you are smaller than the guy you are attacking . . . check).  He also succeeded on an intimidate check vs. the Furlabogs . . . that was fun! This season I am playing a Kobold Leader, but I am looking toward what to play next season that's fun and original.  Note that I don't want to OPTIMIZE per-se, but I would like to be 'useful.'  I was thinking maybe a Halfling Thief that relies solely on his sling, or possibly a Storm Cleric that uses a Spear and Spear expertise, and does nothing but charge.  (The one at-will allows you to use your wis as a basic attack and targets fortitude, and combined with the absurd number of fortune cards that I have that trigger off of charging, it could be worth while)  Any other fun characters people have played with unique/fun builds out there?
#2 CorranHornIsAwesome Aug 10, 2012 13:00:36	So I play the official DnD essentials games at my local gaming store for fun.  I know that essentials, and in particular the official campagins are . . . well the community is hardly unanimous on them, I see them as a chance to let loose and creat a fun and/or wacky character without having to worry about him getting bogged down to a 2-year long campaign or something.  In other words, I can let loose and have FUN with the character, and if he doesn't work out . . . well I will have a new one in a few months.  Here is what I have played so far, and how they worked out! I've played a female Halfling Knight, who worked out surprisingly well.  The boost to Con helped and the halfling reroll power pretty much ensured that I could avoid one crit against me per fight.  She weilded a scimitar (so she could use it one-handed) and was very no-nonsense and protection-driven. Next season (the feywild season) I played a Male Pixie Barbarian.  The combination of "Teeny Target" and a defender aura was, I'm not going to lie, kinda broken.  Man, he did a lot of damage when he raged.  I also exploited my tiny size by using a military pick, and picking up the pick-expertise feat (which deals +1 damage as long as you are smaller than the guy you are attacking . . . check).  He also succeeded on an intimidate check vs. the Furlabogs . . . that was fun! This season I am playing a Kobold Leader, but I am looking toward what to play next season that's fun and original.  Note that I don't want to OPTIMIZE per-se, but I would like to be 'useful.'  I was thinking maybe a Halfling Thief that relies solely on his sling, or possibly a Storm Cleric that uses a Spear and Spear expertise, and does nothing but charge.  (The one at-will allows you to use your wis as a basic attack and targets fortitude, and combined with the absurd number of fortune cards that I have that trigger off of charging, it could be worth while)  Any other fun characters people have played with unique/fun builds out there?         Maybe a fighter who uses the spiked chain?
#3 teacha Aug 10, 2012 20:06:34	I'd check with your dm about playing a halfling. According to the next encounter adventure you can not play a halfling. Anyone not playing a drow (recommended) is assumed to be a drow slave and is limited to one of these six other common underdark races – Dwarf, Goblin, Half-Orc, Human, Kobold and Svirfneblin. The reason for these racial restrictions is that the adventure takes place in a drow city with factions being in conflict. For more info, look at the thread found here: dungeonsmaster.com/2012/08/dd-encounters...
#4 crimsyn Aug 11, 2012 12:37:20	I've had a lot of fun with the Scout.  Especially as a human you can pick up Throw and Stab and quick draw (or a magic dagger for the off-hand), and have a lot of fun running around, dishing out a frenzy of attacks.
#5 Mr.Durriken Aug 13, 2012 7:38:05	I find Hunters fairly fun at low levels.  Unparalleled for single monster control.  Tactically, very pleasing.  Try a dwarven crossbow hunter? TjD
#6 sigfile Aug 15, 2012 12:14:39	Ah, Encounters.  Are you using the default character creation rules (Essentials+, with the extra limitations in place for this upcoming season), or have you been given a bit of freedom to create? I tend to use Encounters to try stuff I've never had an opportunity to test drive or to play with party dynamics (as opposed to individual characters).  For example, an Elementalist Sorcerer is a good choice.  An Enchanter Mage is a good choice.  Together, they're amazing.