Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 micaman Dec 24, 2010 16:30:20	I'm Trying to make an 8th level character for a 15th level demonweb pits adventure. The reason why I am 8th level is because the first character I made was really bad, so I killed myself. Then the DM made me start at 8th level instead of 15th. Our party has pretty much everything we need, except healing, (thats what I used to be) but they have been getting along fine without me. I don't know what to do, but I don't really want to just be sitting in back of everyone the whole time, casting "true strike" or picking locks. Any suggestions would we very helpful, and I am open to any suggestions.
#2 salla Dec 24, 2010 16:31:38	You should be the same level as the rest of the party.  What BS is your DM pulling here? There's no feasible way this character is going to be of any use to the rest of the party.
#3 micaman Dec 24, 2010 17:32:04	I agree, but it is my fault I made the super crappy character in the first place. Ideas anyone?
#4 micaman Dec 24, 2010 17:34:45	By the way, Darkvison, high AC, and hp would be helpful. Everything we are fighting has Spell resistance too so... Should I just be A big buff race with the other levels in barbarian or fighter?
#5 salla Dec 24, 2010 18:06:52	Your only hope is 3rd Edition's Bastion of Broken, the druid. It probably won't matter much, though.  If this ruling is indicative of this DM's style in general, you're going to get hosed no matter what.
#6 kuonji Dec 25, 2010 10:50:47	I agree, but it is my fault I made the super crappy character in the first place. Ideas anyone? Find a better DM.  I mean seriously, so what, you made a character that you didn't like and decided to get rid of it.  You're not the first player who hasn't been happy with a character and wanted to change and there's nothing wrong with wanting to change.  If this is the reaction of the DM to you making, in my opinion, a reasonable request, then I don't know why you'd want to play at all. Your best bet is to try sitting down with the DM one more time and asking why he's forcing you to make a character that will be more hindrance than help to the party.  I'd also point out that by having you make such a low level character that he is pretty much punishing the party since they will have to work that much harder in combat to not only win, but also keep you alive.  You might try a compromise and aim for a character 1 level under the party, much like a character brought back by raise dead.  I personally would just have you make a new character of the same level, but arguing for that might not work with this DM. Regardless, I second Salla's suggestion of the druid.  It's power incarnate and as close to an "I Win" button that you can get in 3rd.
#7 Krusk Dec 26, 2010 9:53:52	Your best bet it to play something who is very good at not being seen or noticed. You won't be able to contrinbute in any meaningful manner to any encounters. I recomend something like a gnome illusionist, who specializes in invisability spells. He uses illusions to make himself look like a tree, he goes invisable, he has dimension door and stuff to run away. Basically he stands around trying to gain XP for being "in the fight" so that he doesn't blow. Maybe 5 or 6 sessions from now he will. A DM doing this to you really feels to me like they weren't big enough to simply ask you to stop coming to sessions, and instead is trying to drive you away.
#8 micaman Dec 26, 2010 10:58:03	Me and the dm are really good freinds so i dont think he made me 8th level to get me out of his life, but thanks for that happy little thought. I think ill talk to him, but if he doesnt listen just try to make a druid like you said, and try not to get killed immediately.
#9 micaman Dec 26, 2010 11:03:32	Oh yea, he usually makes you one level lower than the partys level when you die, but he bent it this time for some reason. do you guys think i would even have a chance of contributing to the group as a druid?
#10 kuonji Dec 26, 2010 11:36:39	do you guys think i would even have a chance of contributing to the group as a druid? Not in any meaningful way, no, which is why I suggested just not playing if you are forced into a mid level character. This applies to any class really, but at least as a druid you have a chance of survival if you are crafty and careful.
#11 ardent_wombat Dec 26, 2010 11:59:56	Actually a Bard would contribute quite easily and it would be meaningful IMO. I managed to make a lvl 1 Gnome Bard contribute in a lvl 15 campaign using only music and mundane items. I find handicapping a character makes it more fun to roleplay. Try playing an annoying character. Making you lvl 8 was likely just to mix things up so you don't get bored.
#12 chaosturtle Dec 26, 2010 20:15:44	Actually a Bard would contribute quite easily and it would be meaningful IMO. I managed to make a lvl 1 Gnome Bard contribute in a lvl 15 campaign using only music and mundane items. I find handicapping a character makes it more fun to roleplay. Try playing an annoying character. Making you lvl 8 was likely just to mix things up so you don't get bored. The dm would probably take it as being spiteful if you made an annoying character.
#13 Krusk Dec 27, 2010 10:11:54	An 8th level druid could maybe give some party members buffs and then spend the rest of the day as an eagle circling above the party. Thats almost contributing. Obviously no one can keep you from roleplaying encounters, so you could put your vote into not taking hard quests, and trying to stay in social situations as often as possible. Just keep things out of combat as often as possible.
#14 salla Dec 27, 2010 12:00:17	An 8th level druid could maybe give some party members buffs and then spend the rest of the day as an eagle circling above the party. And you can send your animal companion in to die instead of you.
#15 Phantymwolf Jan 03, 2011 5:42:17	3.5? Just look up Pun Pun on these forums and make that....only need to be 5th level to pull it off. You'd not only contribute meaningfully to the group, you'd be a veritible god, so have fun!
#16 flamingfaith Jan 03, 2011 20:31:54	Agreed, play Pun Pun. Your DM will tell you to make a new character, and ask him if you can make it level 14 or 15
#17 kaldair Jan 11, 2011 12:37:15	There's also the less extreme than pun-pun, double polymorph any object trick.  Make a melee class with one level of a class that has UMD as a class skill, boost your UMD as high as you can get it, grab two scrolls of polymorph any object, and become a solar permanently (without any of their spell like or supernatural abilities, but still a solar).  You'll still only have the BAB, base saves, and class abilities of your 8th lvl self, but the all the stats of a solar (including the mental ones), natural armor, wings, DR, energy immunities, etc. can help close that gap between 8 and 15.