Author Topic: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.  (Read 2977 times)

Offline studderingdave

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The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« on: August 06, 2017, 12:20:17 AM »
So a pretty typical discussion in my small 3.5 group is my bend for LN-LE PC's. I bend for these alignments and almost always build a fresh PC into LN unless there is some sort of alignment issue. Today at our monthly meet up, we we were discussing back up PC's (our DM doesn't coddle us at all, he will kill one of us in a moment's notice if we mess around or if it serves his plot lines). So I was going over an Artificer build I just finished (3+ weeks of work) and I felt it was suitable for a backup if/when my current PC bites it (FTR2/FACT8/IM3).

So, the idea struck me to think out a second backup, more so as a thought exercise in regards to maximizing a PC into a radiant exemplar of goodness. I have a bend towards Martial ability, but past that the blinders are off, show me what you got!

oh, and thanks.

Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2017, 12:31:31 AM »
Kind of casterish, but Mark of the Enlightened Soul increases Spell damage by +50% to Evil Creatures and it works great with other Persistable Spell buffs that can deal damage.

Offline studderingdave

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2017, 01:11:27 AM »
thanks for the suggestion. I am not against the caster avenue. I am going to start the framework for the build tomorrow.

Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2017, 12:29:21 PM »
thanks for the suggestion. I am not against the caster avenue. I am going to start the framework for the build tomorrow.
Well then to add on it and just kick out a couple divine-casterish considerations, given the theme, mashed into one build. How about a Cleric 6 / Prestige Ranger 1 / Stalker of Kharash 2 / Prestige Paladin 1 / Crusader 1 / Ruby Knight Vindicator 9?

It's a holy warrior with Favored Enemy(good), Smite Evil, Devoted Spirit's Maneuvers, & it gets the Mark with DMM(persist). Probably needs Human & Flaws to work through it you went for something that combines them all like that due to all the required Feats. I have a simpler Paladin substitution floating around too that uses Ordained Champion and I can dig that up later if you want.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2017, 12:34:12 PM by SorO_Lost »

Offline studderingdave

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2017, 01:00:17 PM »
Building into 13th level, so if we can let us whittle it down to that. I like where this is going

Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2017, 01:26:57 PM »
Well, I'm not you so you kind of have to pick what you'll like :p

FE:Evil's investment is considerable, requiring a three level investment and loses two caster levels. Devoted access also costs CLs and even a non-Adept can access 3rds by lv13 so the preference is up to you and the scale of the game (if he's going to kill you for jumping the rails, being a full caster is kind of a risk). Smite Evil really doesn't cost much given Prestige Paladin costs like one Feat and you don't lose a CL.

Here is my Paladin Sub, doesn't use Unearthed Arcana's Prestigious Classes either.
(click to show/hide)

And level 13? Have you heard of the Divine Crusader?

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2017, 06:57:09 PM »
OK... here is some stuff for a caster...

Some of the Sanctified spells are quite powerful for their level, if you can mitigate the cost (ability score damage). One of the "classic" tricks for doing that is dipping Binder and binding Naberius, and then Anima Mage is a natural progression from there. Of course... it can be difficult to justify the fluff for that (hence why it's probably more often used for evil builds and vile spells :p ).

A mage going into War Weaver and Spellguard of Silverymoon has a naturally "good" feel, and can also be quite powerful, and could also make good use of Sanctified spells if you get a way to easily cure the ability damage (which could be as easy as having a wand or Lesser Restoration).


Touch of Golden Ice on a monk-ish build can also be quite strong.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2017, 06:59:43 PM by phaedrusxy »
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Offline Arz

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2017, 03:32:55 PM »
As for sanctify, I like adding it to spells with detrimental effects like Transcend Mortality. Look at me, bathing in the light of good disintegration.

Offline Nytemare3701

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2017, 10:24:01 PM »
OK... here is some stuff for a caster...

Some of the Sanctified spells are quite powerful for their level, if you can mitigate the cost (ability score damage). One of the "classic" tricks for doing that is dipping Binder and binding Naberius, and then Anima Mage is a natural progression from there. Of course... it can be difficult to justify the fluff for that (hence why it's probably more often used for evil builds and vile spells :p ).

A mage going into War Weaver and Spellguard of Silverymoon has a naturally "good" feel, and can also be quite powerful, and could also make good use of Sanctified spells if you get a way to easily cure the ability damage (which could be as easy as having a wand or Lesser Restoration).


Touch of Golden Ice on a monk-ish build can also be quite strong.

My justification for binding as a good character is that if it's not in the void as justifiable punishment, I'm granting it the ability to experience life again, albeit temporarily. If it IS there as punishment, the taste of life is a cruel twist to the blade, not a reprieve.

Offline Kethrian

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Re: The Power of Good? Optimizing the notion of goodness.
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2017, 06:50:21 PM »
The Purify Spell metamagic lets you AoE with impunity, so long as your allies are also good.  And it does bonus damage to evil outsiders.

Aligned Spellcaster ACF is pretty good, too, if you have a familiar you can get rid of.
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