Author Topic: Playing a...dog  (Read 4822 times)

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Luckanan

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Playing a...dog
« on: November 12, 2010, 01:44:46 AM »
Back in 2nd Edition I had a dog character (spirit possessing a sword got transferred to a dog's body.  flavor text, etc.)  He was basically race, "dog", but with superior mental stats.  His class was the old Aesthetic from Unearthed Arcana.  He could cast Illusion and Alteration spells and had some minor rogue-type powers.  And a bit of healing.

I'd like to create a similar character in 3.5.  All books available, but the fewer the better (especially class-wise).  80 point-buy on a point-for-point scale.

Tough part is, we're starting from level 1.  And I'd like to be a dog from the get-go.  I could use some sort of awakened Dog "monster progression," but awakened animal levels suck.  And I'd prefer not to use a Hengoki because I want to be stuck as a dog.

Strange request, I know.   :)  Thanks much,

-r

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2010, 01:48:49 AM »
Psions can get their minds stuck into any form you please.

If you can be a sandwich, you can be a dog.
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dark_samuari

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2010, 02:03:31 AM »
What about asking your DM if you can simply be a dog with mental stats. The penalties (you being a God damn dog) should out way the benefits (which I can't imagine beyond being a wise-cracking dog).

Have you thought about what class may compliment such a character? Psionics would go very well with the limits of your form but Wolf Lord seems very synergistic...

Catty Nebulart

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2010, 02:05:05 AM »
Psions can get their minds stuck into any form you please.

If you can be a sandwich, you can be a dog.

But that doesn't work for level 1.

just be a dog, and convince the DM it's an LA 0 race. it's a 1 HD critter so the first HD gets replaced by a class level. It shouldn't be a problem as dogs are much weaker than any of the PHB races.

Stat adjustments: Str +2, Dex +6, Con +4, Int -8, Wis +2, Cha -4

looks like some form of cleric might be your best bet, though you'll need to put some points in int to qualify as sentient.
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Catty Nebulart

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2010, 02:07:09 AM »
What about asking your DM if you can simply be a dog with mental stats. The penalties (you being a God damn dog) should out way the benefits (which I can't imagine beyond being a wise-cracking dog).

Have you thought about what class may compliment such a character? Psionics would go very well with the limits of your form but Wolf Lord seems very synergistic...

Hmm a psywar dog... an ardrent would probably do better, but there is something funny about a psywar dog.
E: "Did they... did they just endorse the combination of the JSDF and US Army by showing them as two lesbian lolicons moving in together and holding hands and talking about how 'intimate' they were?"
B: "Have you forgotten so soon? They're phasing out Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

dark_samuari

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2010, 02:11:54 AM »
Take levels in warlock and be a sassy canine who shoots laser beams out of its mouth.

skydragonknight

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2010, 02:18:55 AM »
Reflavor the Tibbit?

It's a shapeshifter, so if you still want the Illusion / Transmutation focus, convince your DM that since it has no racial sub levels of it's own, it use use a similar race's i.e. Changeling Wizard. (also Recaster if you can swing it) :D
« Last Edit: November 12, 2010, 02:29:48 AM by skydragonknight »
It always seems like the barrels around here have something in them.

Endarire

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2010, 03:59:53 AM »
You could polymorph or metamorphosis into a dog.
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

cru

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2010, 04:53:16 AM »
How about weredog? or one of the Marruspawn (Sandstorm).

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2010, 05:01:54 AM »
Alternatively, reflavor the muckdweller (serpent kingdoms pg.71) or beguiler (shining south)
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The_Laughing_Man

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2010, 07:19:12 AM »
You could also be an older dog to pump up mental stats.  :)

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2010, 07:26:02 AM »
You could also be an older dog to pump up mental stats.  :)

Yes, but due to racial limitations you wouldn't be able to get nifty side-benefits like "conceal spellcasting", "swift concentration", or "assume quirk".
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The_Laughing_Man

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2010, 08:24:06 AM »
Could you explain, please?  ???

skydragonknight

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2010, 08:42:43 AM »
Skill tricks require skill points...and getting one skill point a level means they're not really an option even for an elder canine. To paraphrase a common saying:
Old dogs can't learn new skill tricks.
It always seems like the barrels around here have something in them.

The_Laughing_Man

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2010, 08:45:15 AM »
Old dogs can't learn new skill tricks.

 :lmao

thanks, obviously true!

Mixster

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2010, 09:02:02 AM »
If you go Pazuzu Pazuzu Pazuzu, You can get a wish to get a candle of invocation to get some more wishes. With those wishes you could wish to duplicate PaO Twice to make yourself into a dog.

You'd be using Pun-Puns method to become a dog, not a sahruuk, but it would work.

It is classified as TO though.
(You should probably become a blink dog though, as you get the intelligence of the creature with PaO, and having int 2 sucks)

Another option is to use the wish to get an item (A dogs collar perhaps) that can cast Magic Jar at any time. You'd have to play something small, like a Jermlaine that the dog could carry in some sort of backpack. The bad thing is you would have the hit points of an ordinary dog, so unless it is your animal companion you are possessing you would suck. However, whenever your dog dies you just need to find a new one you can possess, with magic jar that is sort of simple.

The last option is finding a way of getting true mind shift.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2010, 09:08:23 AM by Mixster »
Monks are pretty much the best designed class ever.

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Kajhera

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2010, 09:41:56 AM »
If you go Pazuzu Pazuzu Pazuzu, You can get a wish to get a candle of invocation to get some more wishes. With those wishes you could wish to duplicate PaO Twice to make yourself into a dog.

You'd be using Pun-Puns method to become a dog, not a sahruuk, but it would work.

It is classified as TO though.
(You should probably become a blink dog though, as you get the intelligence of the creature with PaO, and having int 2 sucks)

This is a much more awesome use of that trick than ultimate cosmic power.

My contribution -> Be an awakened dog. Take (HD - 1) negative levels in your backstory, and have them be permanent to eliminate your racial hit dice. At this point, you can either look to replace your remaining level with a class level, or embrace your augmented animal hit die; it isn't as good as normal magical beast hit dice, but still not horrible.

dna1

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2010, 11:15:06 AM »
Good advice given so far.
As far as trying to decide what class I think a druid would be pretty sweet. Your animal companion could be your bitch  :love
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skydragonknight

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2010, 11:20:28 AM »
Good advice given so far.
As far as trying to decide what class I think a druid would be pretty sweet. Your animal companion could be your bitch  :love

That puts a new definition to the term 'riding dog'.
It always seems like the barrels around here have something in them.

JohnnyMayHymn

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Re: Playing a...dog
« Reply #19 on: November 12, 2010, 11:28:33 AM »
hrm.... blink dog, monk2(+monks belt) for dimension door(free action), flurry of blows(bites)
from there idk sneak attack? you DO have a Dex bonus...
totemist?
swordsage?
binder?
these are all sounding interesting

y'know... a regular dog does qualify for soul eater(BOVD).... just go for as many natural attacks as possible (snap kick etc...)



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