Author Topic: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]  (Read 6096 times)

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archangel.arcanis

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Playing an Ebberon game and the DM has asked me to play a second character that was an NPC we met the first or second session. The guy is a troll that was working for the goblin king and ended up helping us out. Due to another party member suggesting we get him to come help us in the Mourn lands.

So now i have a troll who needs to be our party tank. The rest of the party is: Shifter ranger, Human Paladin of Silver flame, Human Swashbuckler (headed toward Dread Pirate because he wants an air ship), and my original character Warforged Artificer.

Books is just about anything i can get my hands on but i would rather keep it somewhat simple. We will be rolling for stats as well. Low level optimization or stuff with an on/off switch since my Art. is optimized just enough to save us if the DM screws up. The party doesn't want to be totally outshined by him and i don't want to destroy the DM's game.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2009, 04:58:39 PM by archangel.arcanis »
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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2009, 05:00:56 PM »
Got an ECL for us to work with? :)
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AfterCrescent

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2009, 05:04:30 PM »
Can you squeeze in the War Troll from MM3?  :D
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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2009, 05:17:13 PM »
Can you squeeze in the War Troll from MM3?  :D
And some Half-Dragon while you're at it? :P


EDIT: With it's Large size, Regeneration and decent Strength, it might make a decent tank. Slap on 2 levels of Crusader for Thicket of Blades and turn him into a basic Lockdown/Bodyguard/Tank type maybe?
« Last Edit: June 08, 2009, 05:19:48 PM by BowenSilverclaw »
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Negative Zero

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2009, 05:19:38 PM »
Half-Copper Dragon, with the Artificer crafting a Scroll of Mantle of the Fiery Spirit?

archangel.arcanis

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2009, 05:24:37 PM »
We are tossing out the Racial hit dice but i still have to take the +5 LA which will put me ahead of the party as it is.  ECL will go up to 20 but will be starting off with only 1 class level until and same xp as my other character, so it will be a while until i get to level 2.  I can try for WarTroll but doubt i'll get it. As to the 1/2 dragon or any other complete immunity to what by passes regeneration that will have to wait until my warforged makes an item of it for him.
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Retire the character before the DM smacks you with the Table as the book will feel totally inadequate now.-Hazren

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2009, 05:38:31 PM »
So he'll only have 1 HD in an EL6 party?

Better get him all the HP, AC and Saves you can then...
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AfterCrescent

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2009, 05:40:39 PM »
If you only get 1 HD, you need the war troll or it's not worth it to even try, honestly. You'd be a baby troll that a goblin could easily kill, and that's not right. :pout

But assuming you want to try it anyways... Bowen's suggestion is right on. Grab Crusader -> Thicket and go for a lockdown/beatdown.
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SorO_Lost

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2009, 05:57:25 PM »
Tiers explained in 8 sentences. With examples!
[spoiler]Tiers break down into who has spellcasting more than anything else due to spells being better than anything else in the game.
6: Skill based. Commoner, Expert, Samurai.
5: Mundane warrior. Barbarian, Fighter, Monk.
4: Partial casters. Adapt, Hexblade, Paladin, Ranger, Spelltheif.
3: Focused casters. Bard, Beguiler, Dread Necromancer, Martial Adapts, Warmage.
2: Full casters. Favored Soul, Psion, Sorcerer, Wu Jen.
1: Elitists. Artificer, Cleric, Druid, Wizard.
0: Gods. StP Erudite, Illthid Savant, Pun-Pun, Rocks fall & you die.
[/spoiler]

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2009, 06:07:50 PM »
:lmao
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Akalsaris

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2009, 06:26:12 PM »
I'd go for a grappling tank with the 1HD troll, personally.  Regeneration means that he won't die so much as go unconscious a lot, and grappling will really tick off most opponents, especially with his obscene strength, claws, rend, and large size.

Lycanthromancer

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2009, 07:06:46 PM »
I heartily suggest that your DM drop a couple of points of LA, or allow you to swap LA with a couple of racial HD (because you're gonna suck, and badly). Reduce the ability bonuses to compensate, if you must, but LA is far too painful to get more than +1 (or +2, with buyoff).

Otherwise, since you're so very squishy, what about a ranged-focused psychic warrior? Get a Large bow of the wintermoon (auto-adjusts to your Strength score), then focus on being an assassin. Boost your damage, mobility, and defense with powers (great for protecting yourself from fire and acid damage), and see what you can do with psionic consumables (especially power stones and dorjes) to help you survive.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2009, 07:08:23 PM by Lycanthromancer »
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ninjarabbit

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2009, 08:00:55 PM »
Lion-totem whriling-frenzy barbarian with the extra rage feat

archangel.arcanis

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2009, 08:38:55 PM »
we were already looking at ways to reduce the LA on it but hadn't found anything that would be acceptable to both of us as we agree the bulk of the LA comes from the regen.

The 1 HD will be from my class level not from giant.
Clerics and Druids are like the 4 and 2 in 42. Together they are the answer to the ultimate question in D&D.
Retire the character before the DM smacks you with the Table as the book will feel totally inadequate now.-Hazren

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2009, 08:53:13 PM »
I'd recommend you use the troll-blooded feat to get regeneration instead.  It's only regen 1, and it does require toughness as a prereq, but it's much better than only one hit die.
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Lycanthromancer

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #15 on: June 08, 2009, 09:23:40 PM »
I'd recommend you use the troll-blooded feat to get regeneration instead.  It's only regen 1, and it does require toughness as a prereq, but it's much better than only one hit die.
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[spoiler]Masculine men like masculine things. Masculine men are masculine. Therefore, liking masculine men is masculine.

I dare anyone to find a hole in that logic.
______________________________________
[/spoiler]I'm a writer. These are my stories. Some are even SFW! (Warning: Mostly Gay.)
My awesome poster collection. (Warning, some are NSFW.)
Agita's awesome poster collection.
[spoiler]
+1 Lycanthromancer
Which book is Lycanthromancer in?
Lyca ... is in the book. Yes he is.
 :D
shit.. concerning psionics optimization, lycan IS the book
[/spoiler]

ReaderOfPosts

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #16 on: June 08, 2009, 09:46:01 PM »
Consider the regeneration and stats the class feature for taking all the racial hitdice, and find a compromise if necessary (maybe 4 racial hit dice and a +2 LA, that you can then buy off). 1 hitdice is two few at ECL 6, even with regeneration (and that's even ignoring the fact you have drastically subpar skills, BAB, and feats)

Runestar

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #17 on: June 08, 2009, 10:08:30 PM »
Maybe steadfast determination to combat against mind-affecting effects?
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archangel.arcanis

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #18 on: June 09, 2009, 06:55:40 PM »
The DM is out of town this week so i can't make any progress until he gets back.  I think we can  get the LA worked down some how.
Clerics and Druids are like the 4 and 2 in 42. Together they are the answer to the ultimate question in D&D.
Retire the character before the DM smacks you with the Table as the book will feel totally inadequate now.-Hazren

Endarire

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Re: Troll Optimization [not that kind of troll the one from the MM1]
« Reply #19 on: June 09, 2009, 09:34:45 PM »
Try keeping the racial HD but dumping the LA.
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