Author Topic: Character Planning  (Read 57315 times)

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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #80 on: December 17, 2009, 01:27:55 PM »
So just for kicks I'm working on a back-up character (just in case ;), and I was wondering:
Aside from Overchannel, are there any other ways to boost ML? I'm trying to get ML9 at level 6...
A psionic version of the spellgifted trait? Of course the caster level boosting items should work under transparency, but the only one I can think of is the 30,000 gp ioun stone...
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #81 on: December 17, 2009, 01:45:59 PM »
So just for kicks I'm working on a back-up character (just in case ;), and I was wondering:
Aside from Overchannel, are there any other ways to boost ML? I'm trying to get ML9 at level 6...
A psionic version of the spellgifted trait? Of course the caster level boosting items should work under transparency, but the only one I can think of is the 30,000 gp ioun stone...
Yeah, that's a bit expensive :P
Also, in case it matters, I'm trying to manifest Dimension Slide as a Move action in stead of a Standard action...

As for the trait, IIRC by RAW only spells, spell-like abilities, or items count as far a transparency goes, so no stuff like feats, traits, racial abilities etc.


Are there any (low-level) ways to negate/prevent the Wild Surge Psychic Enervation?


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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #82 on: December 17, 2009, 01:48:37 PM »
Also, in case it matters, I'm trying to manifest Dimension Slide as a Move action in stead of a Standard action...
Apply a 0 PP metapsionic feat, and then apply Metapower on top of that to reduce the cost by 2 power points? It reeks of cheese though, and I can't think of any 0 PP metapsi feats except Linked Power, which probably won't work for what you want...
Quote
As for the trait, IIRC by RAW only spells, spell-like abilities, or items count as far a transparency goes, so no stuff like feats, traits, racial abilities etc.
Yeah. I meant a homebrewed version of the trait. After all, they're all house rules anyway, technically.
Quote
Are there any (low-level) ways to negate/prevent the Wild Surge Psychic Enervation?
The Quick Recovery feat from LoM. I dont' remember the prereqs.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 01:51:48 PM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #83 on: December 17, 2009, 02:01:32 PM »
Also, in case it matters, I'm trying to manifest Dimension Slide as a Move action in stead of a Standard action...
Apply a 0 PP metapsionic feat, and then apply Metapower on top of that to reduce the cost by 2 power points? It reeks of cheese though, and I can't think of any 0 PP metapsi feats except Linked Power, which probably won't work for what you want...
And Metapower is capped at a minimum of +0 pp, can't go any lower like with Arcane Thesis...

Quote
Quote
Are there any (low-level) ways to negate/prevent the Wild Surge Psychic Enervation?
The Quick Recovery feat from LoM. I dont' remember the prereqs.
I'll look into it, thanks :)

"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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VennDygrem

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #84 on: December 17, 2009, 02:03:59 PM »
@Chemus: Not yet on the Blink Dog, unless you can find a way to increase your BAB by one. Penalties for switching out or losing familiars are lessened, though.

@bears: Dispel only suppresses a soulmeld, like a magic item. Dispelling the necrocarnum circlet only disrupts the connection, but the soul energy is still there. Unshaping it with spells or powers like Unshape Soulmeld would sever the link completely, though, and I believe that should you drop unconscious your soulmelds unshape. I'm not sure on that one, however.

Still, you're unlikely to come across any of that magic very often. If I manage to kill one of your zombies or otherwise ruin it, you will always have a chance to get another one, though not likely the same creature each time. Remember, Karma works for you guys as much as it works against you. It's a balancing factor. :)

@TML: Don't dismiss action points so easily. Remember, they add bonuses to rolls you might otherwise miss, and in this game, allow you to reroll completely if you manage to screw up on a roll of some sort (you can even expend a Karma reroll to force me to reroll a successful hit or something, in which case I reroll with IC and link you guys to the result-However, Karma rerolls of all sorts carry random consequences. Usually minor, but the grander the usage, the more severe. It will never be enough to outright kill a character, but for example, if you forced me to reroll a hit that would otherwise kill your character, that carries a hefty Karmic value. My reroll might miss you, sparing your life, but you might suffer some ability damage as a result, or take a penalty to saves/AC, or what have you.

There's also a feat that lets you spend action points to recharge dragonmark powers, I believe. That could be incredibly useful in a pinch, when you can't sneak attack anyone and are otherwise stranded without use of your powers.

@Bowen: I keep hoping someone will play a full-up Binder so I can see a range of personalities RP'd, but no one is biting. Doesn't really fill your concept though. :)
If you play a Psionic character as you're indicating as your backup, I can't guarantee it'll be on Team Brain-power.

@Flay: It's a balancing act. I want to pair characters that work well together. You guys are doing a good job in helping out with that, though.

@Phaedrus/Bowen: Quick Recovery has no Prereqs.

VennDygrem

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #85 on: December 17, 2009, 02:11:50 PM »
There seem to be a bunch of character issues and player requests that stem from the level. While I can't just say "here you go guys, let's all just keep leveling up until we're epic level and gameplay gets boring" I could allow you guys one more level.

Would you all prefer to start at level 7 rather than level 6?

bearsarebrown

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #86 on: December 17, 2009, 02:23:01 PM »

@bears: Dispel only suppresses a soulmeld, like a magic item. Dispelling the necrocarnum circlet only disrupts the connection, but the soul energy is still there. Unshaping it with spells or powers like Unshape Soulmeld would sever the link completely, though, and I believe that should you drop unconscious your soulmelds unshape. I'm not sure on that one, however.

Still, you're unlikely to come across any of that magic very often. If I manage to kill one of your zombies or otherwise ruin it, you will always have a chance to get another one, though not likely the same creature each time. Remember, Karma works for you guys as much as it works against you. It's a balancing factor. :)

But even still, I lose any versatility. I can't have different corpses for different types of combat. What if I can't get to the corpse one morning? It's such a vulnerability that I'm probably just going to make a new character.

EDIT: 6th or 7th level? Doesn't matter much but i'd rather have 7.

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #87 on: December 17, 2009, 02:29:46 PM »
6 or 7, both are fine with me :)

@Bears: Maybe a Dread Necromancer with some Incarnum (like the Acidic Spittle shared with your familiar) if you want zombies?
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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Chemus

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #88 on: December 17, 2009, 02:30:52 PM »
More levels means more abilities, more skilled opponents, and greater challenges all around. Sure!
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bearsarebrown

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #89 on: December 17, 2009, 02:37:27 PM »
6 or 7, both are fine with me :)

@Bears: Maybe a Dread Necromancer with some Incarnum (like the Acidic Spittle shared with your familiar) if you want zombies?

I dislike the 'normal' undead mechanics. Mostly because I don't understand them  :embarrassed. I think I'll read the necromancy handbook and give that a try though. Death Master or Dread Necromancer probably...

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #90 on: December 17, 2009, 03:10:46 PM »
I can definitely offer some advice on necromancers. Venn might hate me afterward, though.  :smirk

6th or 7th level is fine with me. 7th would certainly make it easier for me to hit things, though, with a +1 BAB and the first Jade Phoenix Mage ability (Mystic Wrath?). I'd also be able to skip the RP stuff of getting into JPM, if it matters.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 03:16:44 PM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

VennDygrem

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #91 on: December 17, 2009, 03:19:45 PM »
Remember, just be cautious how evil you're going. Most necromancy isn't evil, though there is a sizable portion of it that is.

That said, Eberron is also home to the Deathless, typically Aerenal elves who are benevolent, intelligent undead-like creatures. If you want to be a good-aligned 'necromancer' then you'll be creating Deathless, in a sense, rather than undead. They possess almost exactly the same traits, but spells and effects affect them differently. Details on pg. 275 of the ECS.
--------------

By the way, we'll go with 7th level since it seems to be fairly unanimous. Make the relevant changes.

BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #92 on: December 17, 2009, 03:35:44 PM »
Aye aye, captain :)
"Weakness? Come test thy mettle against me, hairless ape, and we shall know who is weak!"

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You caught a fish.  It was awesome.   :lol

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #93 on: December 17, 2009, 06:05:04 PM »
Oh man... I just can't decide between Stone Power and Extra Granted Maneuver now. I picked up a Crown of the White Ravens for White Raven Tactics, and took Burning Blade from my JPM level (suggestions for something better?). So now I have 7 maneuvers instead of 5, so it is more tempting to take Extra Granted Manuever. Stone Power is awesome and fits the flavor of the character very well, though, and I can more easily afford the attack penalty with the JPM 1 ability which adds +4 to hit for a power point (and swift action). Help! :P



Also, which do you think is better, Instant Clarity (recover psionic focus as a swift action 3x/day) or Psicrystal Containment (have an extra focus held by your psicrystal)? I have a lot of swift and immediate action abilities already, so I'm leaning towards Psicrystal Containment. I also have a couple of abilities that require me to spend my focus and spend an immediate action. So I'm thinking having two readied focuses and more available swift/immediate actions sounds better for me, but the other is certainly appealing as well.


And a question specifically for Venn: any problem with me using a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend, or having a custom psionic equivalent of that item? I don't care if it requires me to burn my focus, as I'll be using it for out of combat buffing, anyway.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 07:18:56 PM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #94 on: December 17, 2009, 06:13:10 PM »
I honestly wasn't pushing for seventh level at all...

Yeah, action points are cool, but it's just a character flaw of mine that I never use limited resources until it's too late for them to make a difference. 
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Chemus

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #95 on: December 17, 2009, 06:33:30 PM »
I honestly wasn't pushing for seventh level at all...

Yeah, action points are cool, but it's just a character flaw of mine that I never use limited resources until it's too late for them to make a difference. 
Ditto on both counts
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VennDygrem

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #96 on: December 17, 2009, 09:40:43 PM »
I can roll back to 6th if you want.

@Phaedrus: That's fine. 3/day extend for psionic powers level 3 and under. Done.

Chemus

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #97 on: December 17, 2009, 11:34:26 PM »
I wasn't griping, and I am happy to play at 7th. I was just saying that I did not intend to make problems that would be fixed by a level-up.
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #98 on: December 17, 2009, 11:58:29 PM »
Awesome Venn. Thanks.


To my (potential) party mates: I'm going to retrain one maneuver to a higher level one, since I hit IL 6. Which of these would you prefer me to have? A damaging strike, one that tries to force enemies to attack me instead of you, or one that is like Cure Serious Wounds? See below for more details.

Bonecrusher (SD3 no prereq, std, +4d6 damage and target suffers +10 to confirm crits afterward)
Defensive Rebuke (DS3 1 prereq, swift, boost, enemies attacking allies instead of you provoke an AoO)
Revitalizing Strike (DS3, 1 prereq, std, heal 3d6+IL to one ally w/in 10 ft)

I'm leaning towards one of the latter two, especially the last one (and trading Stone Bones for Extra Granted Maneuver). With a normal attack, I can do 2d8+6+1d10+2d6 (avg 27.5) by burning 3 power points (and a swift action), and I can combine that with a strike. So I think I am ok for damage, but not spectacular.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2009, 12:05:17 AM by PhaedrusXY »
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

tallan

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Re: Character Planning
« Reply #99 on: December 18, 2009, 12:19:25 AM »
So 7th? I'm good at whatever level. As for manuevers, some healing would be nice.
Edit: I was looking at the 4th level power Control Body. Couldn't that power be used on the caster himself to good effect?
« Last Edit: December 18, 2009, 12:26:22 AM by tallan »
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