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Author Topic: Build in Progress: Demolitionist  (Read 3462 times)

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Brullig

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Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« on: October 22, 2009, 08:03:26 PM »
I'd like to build a character that focuses on destroying/breaking/messing up inanimate objects (ranging from knocking trees down to collapsing parts of tunnels to making holes in walls, even something as mundane as using Erase a lot to screw up some well-laid plans)-- a de-engineer, if you will. My original idea is an Artificer who will just have a bunch of magical items that let him pull this off. The biggest constraint I'm dealing with is level; the campaign this will be used in is at level 7. This means an artificer could pull off some 5th level spell effects in items, but they'd be insanely expensive.

Allowed Sources: Core, Eberron, and Complete series are a shoe-in. 9 Swords is a no-go, as is Exalted Deeds. Nothing from non-Eberron settings. Other things may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Possible Spells:
Stone Shape / Wood Shape are two of my primary candidates
Erase could have its uses
Knock
Disintegrate is too high level; is there a "lesser" version that can still be used to destroy inanimate objects?
Rusting Grasp
Shatter (probably the bread and butter, in conjunction with access to Dispel Magic)
Soften Earth and Stone

Are there any possible abuses of Knowledge (Arch&Eng)?

What about magic or mundane items? The way the PHB reads, no matter how many flasks of acid you pour on something with a hardness greater than 4 or 6 (since it does d4 or d6 dmg, can't remember off top of my head) it won't take any damage because each flask would be reduced individually.
Feats?
Cool tricks?
Adamantine weapon with Sonic Weapon cast on it?
Resonating Bolt (d4/lcaster level damage, 60 ft line, ignores hardness)

I know there is the path of the Destructive Rage smash-everything, but I'd like to have a bit more tactical versatility than just swinging a big weapon at things.

Help!
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2009, 08:05:42 PM »
Well, not what you're looking for other than effect, but a warlock can hammer blow til he's blue in the face, and it'll only take up one invocation (best bought on one of the MiC items, IIRC).
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Freshums

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2009, 09:46:01 PM »
Apparently not what you're looking for, but also pretty much what you're looking for...

Dungeoncrasher Fighter

Dungeonscape (Pg 10)

Alternate Class Feature
Give up Lv.2, Lv.6 bonus fighter feats.

Gain +4 to to Saves and AC when dealing with traps.
+10 to Strength Check to break objects.
+8d6 Damage (and triple Strength Modifier) when you bullrush an opponent into a wall.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2009, 09:52:46 PM by Freshums »
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The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2009, 09:49:47 PM »
If you can get Oriental Adventures onto the allowed list, Iajutsu focus works well (particularly when combined with adamantine).

Add Earthquake to the list.
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2009, 09:56:37 PM »
A druid is also exceptionally well adapted to demolition, between it's nature based spells for rearranging terrain (or straight relocating it with a tornado) and it's ability to wild shape into something that can throw a house.
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Brullig

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2009, 10:20:23 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys. Most of the spells aren't viable because of the level range I'm working with, though.

Maybe this could spark some insight: What are ways to ignore hardness of objects when damaging them?
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The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2009, 10:45:26 PM »
Well, adamantine is probably the best way.

A dragon fang weapon (draconomicon) can add +1 sonic damage for 300 gp to any masterwork weapon.  It's nonmagical, so why not?
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HCL

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2009, 11:58:39 PM »
Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but a dip into the Binder (tome of magic) lets you bind Aym. Aym gives you improved sunder as a bonus feat and your attacks deal double damage to objects.
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Rymosrac

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2009, 01:09:56 AM »
Also, secrets of sarlonna has demolition packs if you're interested in slightly overpriced mundane bombs.
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Negative Zero

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2009, 01:15:49 AM »
Martial Study can pick up the hardness-ignoring maneuvers from Tome of Battle.
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bkdubs123

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2009, 02:10:37 AM »
Huh. That's really weird that there aren't really any "Blow stuff up" spells in the game.
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Negative Zero

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2009, 02:21:54 AM »
Also, I forgot Crumble.
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2009, 03:13:32 AM »
Quote from: bkdubs123 on October 23, 2009, 02:10:37 AM
Huh. That's really weird that there aren't really any "Blow stuff up" spells in the game.

Explosive spell shenanigans, maybe?  400 mile radius reduced to powder seems pretty close to the intent, if less surgical :P
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The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2009, 05:29:37 AM »
resonating bolt / sonic blast ignore hardness and deal decent sonic damage.
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Brullig

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2009, 06:34:54 AM »
Quote from: The_Mad_Linguist on October 23, 2009, 05:29:37 AM
resonating bolt / sonic blast ignore hardness and deal decent sonic damage.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see where Sonic Blast says it ignores hardness? Resonating Bolt (SC) specifically calls it out in the spell description.
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2009, 06:56:04 AM »
I think all sonic attacks ignore hardness.
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The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2009, 07:14:59 AM »
No, you're right.  Upon rereading, sonic attacks aren't halved, but don't normally bypass hardness... well, resonanting bolt does anyway.

The whole "continue on if it destroys the target" thing works pretty well in conjunction with that, though.  Multi-wall/multi-floor demolitions.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2009, 07:44:16 AM by The_Mad_Linguist »
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BowenSilverclaw

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2009, 08:17:15 AM »
It could get expensive real fast, but there are some decent alchemical items out there. I'll get back with a list later today, just gotta find the sheet of my own Artificer I'm working on ;)
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telehax

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2009, 12:46:24 PM »
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#tree

If it has a place large enough to wedge a feather in, it's about to break.
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Anklebite

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Re: Build in Progress: Demolitionist
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2009, 01:01:22 PM »
thats more CONstruction, though. unless you immediately set fire to the tree.  :D
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