[3.5] Acolyte of the Skin - making the best of it

[Brainpiercing]

[
That actually looks fun - I might have to slap together a variant of that. I'd probably grab Swordsage instead of Warblade for the extra AC and more utilitarian manuevers. I've also always wanted to channel a harm spell.

I'd thought about that, too. Warblade doesn't have as many boosts as Swordsage, and slapping on a boost with a channelled spell might be useful.

[NineInchNall]

I know it's only a thought exercise, but I have to ask: What is the purpose of taking AotS levels?  Is it just to have the warm glow of self-satisfaction that arises from using a terrible class?    If it's the flavor, then can't you have the same flavor without the sucking?

[skydragonknight]

I know it's only a thought exercise, but I have to ask: What is the purpose of taking AotS levels?  Is it just to have the warm glow of self-satisfaction that arises from using a terrible class?    If it's the flavor, then can't you have the same flavor without the sucking?

It's what you play in a party where the melee is Samurai, the sneak is a Spellthief and the Divine is a Healer to not outshine them.

[NineInchNall]

Ah.  Gotcha.  That makes sense, then.

[Solo]

It's what you play in a party where the melee is Samurai, the sneak is a Spellthief and the Divine is a Healer to not outshine them.

Even the AotS is far too powerful... since you can polymorph into outsider forms at level 10.

[Reko]

I know it's only a thought exercise, but I have to ask: What is the purpose of taking AotS levels?  Is it just to have the warm glow of self-satisfaction that arises from using a terrible class?    If it's the flavor, then can't you have the same flavor without the sucking?

Playing in an evil party with guys that aren't that min/max orientated, so I saw a chance to try out AotS without being horrifically rubbish in comparison to the rest of the party - I've always liked the flavour and the abilities.

[skydragonknight]

It's what you play in a party where the melee is Samurai, the sneak is a Spellthief and the Divine is a Healer to not outshine them.

Even the AotS is far too powerful... since you can polymorph into outsider forms at level 10.

Though the Samurai isn't entirely hopeless: all he has to do is take one feat (that one from Drow of the Underdark that can Cower things), grab a Kusari-gama and he can make the bad guys Quake with Fear! (TM).  Then you beat up the quivering baddies, the Spellthief stabs, and the Healer talks to her unicorn about complicated moral issues.

[NineInchNall]

Well, by the time you're polymorphing into outsiders, the healer's getting ready to gate things in.  It's one of those late game things that no one notices.

[skydragonknight]

Gating what? Half-celestial Care Bears? But yeah, good point.

[Anklebite]

Gating what?

whatever the fuck they want.   

[skydragonknight]

Gating what?

whatever the fuck they want.   

AFAIK the gated creature's actions still count against their Healer's Code, so it's a bit hit-or-miss when you're not fighting Absolute Evil.

[Anklebite]

Gating what?

whatever the fuck they want.   

AFAIK the gated creature's actions still count against their Healer's Code, so it's a bit hit-or-miss when you're not fighting Absolute Evil.

"I command you to follow the orders of my esteemed friend here, whom I have been adventuring with and trust. now, if you will excuse me, I am going to sleep in this portable hole."

[skydragonknight]

Nice. 

[Runestar]

Gating what?

whatever the fuck they want.   

The party is already playing a samurai. Do you honestly think they will be in the right mindset to abuse gate? 

[The_Mad_Linguist]

I know it's only a thought exercise, but I have to ask: What is the purpose of taking AotS levels?  Is it just to have the warm glow of self-satisfaction that arises from using a terrible class?    If it's the flavor, then can't you have the same flavor without the sucking?

It's what you play in a party where the melee is Samurai, the sneak is a Spellthief and the Divine is a Healer to not outshine them.

Hey now, unlimited usages of dragonmark SLAs is a legitimately good technique.

[skydragonknight]

...we need to optimize this party now.

[Solo]

Healer/Rainbow Servant

[Saxony]

...we need to optimize this party now.

The Samurai could stop taking levels in Samurai. Maybe bump themselves up into a PrC with Samurai flavor?  Ronin (Complete Warrior) would be very good for her, its not too powerful and is very Samurai-y. Kensai is also cool for signature weapons.

Healer just straight up needs to stop playing Healer if it wants to be optimized.

[skydragonknight]

Healer just straight up needs to stop playing Healer if it wants to be optimized.

Combat Medic? At least do the one thing better.