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The Thinktank => Min/Max It! => : Dusk Eclipse June 01, 2011, 11:14:33 AM

: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Dusk Eclipse June 01, 2011, 11:14:33 AM
Not sure if this should go here or in Gameology; but as this involves Min/Maxing I think it is appropriate to post this here.

I am going to run RHoD this summer; but the idea is to optimize the enemies to teach my players to optimize more, now while most of them have a firm grasp of the rules and certain degree of rules mastery they definitely don't have the optimization skills of some of the regulars here so please keep in mind that while I want to make the campaign challenging it should be winnable.

Right now I am finishing to stat up Wyrmlord Koth and I wanted to hear some suggestions or critiques concerning my choices so far.

There are some houserules that specifically affect Koth:
Here is his current Stat block

Wyrmlord Koth
Male Bugbear sorcerer 6
LE Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)
Initiative: +7 Senses : Darkvision 60 ft. Perception +4
Languages: Common Draconic Goblin, Infernal
AC:  15 Touch 12 FF 13
HP 75 (9 HD)
Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +6
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee:  + 8 mwk morningstar ( 1d8+2)
BAB:  +5 Grp:  +7
Combat Gear: Wand of Magic missile (3 missiles 1d4+1 15 charges), potion of fly, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds (2d8+5)
Sorcerer Spell Known
3rd  2(4/day) Slow (DC 16) [Not sure on the second spell, I am considering Fireball to fuel Fiery Burst; but I am not sure]
2nd (3+2) (7 /day) Wings of Cover, Cloud of Knives (AB at +12 1d4+3) Scorching Ray (2 rays 4d6 touch) Inivisiblity. [No idea on what spell he should take as his Eclectic Learning... it must be a level 1 spell]
1st  (5) (7/day) Grease (DC 14) Ray of Enfeeblement (1d6+4 strength penalty) , Mage Armor. Shield. [No idea, perhaps Power Word: Pain?]
0th (8)  (6/day) Acid splash (+7 touch) launch bolt (DC 13) ghost sound (DC 13) mage hand, message, read magic, prestidigitation, Flare
Abilities: Str 14 Dex 16 Con 16 Int 10, Wis 10 Cha 16
SQ:  Spell shield (Dungeonscape pg. 14)
Feats: Improved Initiative, Practiced Spellcaster, Fiery Burst (Invisibility)
Skills:  Bluff ( 6) +9,Concentration (9) +12  Intimidate (6) +9 Knowledge Arcana ( 9) + 12 , Stealth (6) +12 Perception (4) +4  Spellcraft (9) +9
Possessions: Combat gear,  mwk morning star, bag of holdng (type 1), scroll of mount 2 elixir of thruth, 743 GP and 2980 SP


I am also really thinking on changing the Minotaur for a Half Minotaur Varag (MM IV) Dungeoncrasher Fighter 4 (same CR as a normal Minotaur; but much more strong (a +16 str bonus!!!)
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Havok4 June 01, 2011, 12:40:32 PM
I did a bit of this when I ran the RHoD. I gave the minotaur frenzied berserker levels and made wyrmlord koth a Hobgoblin Warsoul (MMV). This actually provided a fairly challenging fight until the party managed to trap Koth and the minotaur together behind some magic walls, which I ruled triggered the frenzied berserkers attacking allies thing. This lead to koth's death, I think that that worked out very well all things considered.
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Dusk Eclipse June 01, 2011, 12:48:20 PM
I am iffy on giving the minotaur Frenzied Berseker levels; but I am going to check the Hobgoblin Warsoul, I remember liking it when I first read it.

Edit:...umm the Warsoul is CR 9 and cast as a wizard of that level so no too powerful (for now); but the Warcaster is CR form and cast as a wizard 4 which gives me a bit of leeway of adding classes and bringing it to CR 7.
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Risada June 02, 2011, 12:25:06 AM
When I ran RHoD, I gave Koth the Draconic template, and messed around with his feats, making him some kind of gish - Arcane Strike, Power Attack... and the minotaur got Mineral Warrior template... and one shotted the party's paladin with an Earth Strike'd critical...

Some nice spells to include are Wings of Cover and Wings of Flurry...
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Dusk Eclipse June 02, 2011, 11:41:58 AM
Hmm increasing Koth level to 7 would give access to level 4 spells (Hello WoF and Polymorph) and another feats which could be Minor Shapeshift. Polymorph is just there to fuel Minor shapeshift (10 Temporary hitpoints per Swift action).

And I am probably going to get rid of Fiery burst and fireball; but I still need another 3rd level spell and one level 1 spell for the Eclectic learning...
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: CantripN June 02, 2011, 08:52:08 PM
1st level: Vision of Glory (SpC)
3rd level: Dispel Magic / Permeable Form (LoM)
4th level: Ice Shield / Greater Mirror Image
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Dusk Eclipse June 03, 2011, 11:10:26 AM
Thanks Cantrip those spells sounds perfect (How could I forget about Dispel Magic  :banghead)

And now I decided on how to make up the minotaur:

Half Minotaur Varag Dungeon Crasher Fighter 2/Spirit Lion Barbarian with Wolf Totem/Warblade 1 CR 7
Feats
1-Power Attack TrackB RunB Spring AttackB
2-Improved Bull Rush
4 Knock Back Improved TripB
6 Shock Trooper
8 Combat Reflexes

And look at this delicious Stat Bonus +16 Str +2 Dex + 6 Con -6 Int, on a 32 point buy base (I will give my players 36 point base, Wyrmlords will get 36, Unique Monsters 32 and rank and file 30)
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: sornet June 05, 2011, 04:52:52 PM
Have you checked this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171284)?
: Re: Optimizing the Wyrmlords (RHoD)
: Dusk Eclipse June 05, 2011, 05:23:22 PM
Yep; but when I need high op advice I prefer BG