Author Topic: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign  (Read 71396 times)

Offline Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13393
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #80 on: August 19, 2013, 10:36:08 AM »
Honestly I'd go for a more broad array of spell effects at a minimum.  Knowing KSB there's going to be a need for out of combat/utility stuff and anyways you'll have two barbarians in the party from the looks of it.  :p

Edit: For example, I'm a barbarian who isn't pouncing.  Not going for full optimization here.

Edit edit: I wish riposte scout had any actual support in the rules.  No Improved Skirmish for me...

Offline Risada

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2069
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #81 on: August 19, 2013, 10:38:27 AM »
Honestly I'd go for a more broad array of spell effects at a minimum.  Knowing KSB there's going to be a need for out of combat/utility stuff and anyways you'll have two barbarians in the party from the looks of it.  :p

And at least one brawn-headed mage gish  :P

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #82 on: August 19, 2013, 10:53:34 AM »
OK cools. I also found out a little more about Louhi, which leads to "no enchantment, particularly compulsion". Most of her stuff was ice and death and shapechanging.

So, now comes a question for KSB. Are there any of the types granted by MoMF which aren't appropriate for the campaign so much? (like aberrations or something?) I ask because I could theoretically switch to Frost Mage partway through MoMF, which would be very appropriate, though I don't know what I would gestalt it with. More ranger, I guess.
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline ksbsnowowl

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 4776
  • Warrior Skald, teller of tales.
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #83 on: August 19, 2013, 01:28:56 PM »
OK... since as a spirit shaman, I basically have to spam the hell out of the same things over and over, I was looking for particularly useful druid spells... and then I noticed in the Druid's Handbook that they suggest using Venomfire with a poisonous breath weapon.

I can get a breath weapon (usable once every 5 rounds, so basically once per encounter) from binding Astaroth that nauseates and/or sickens those within it, and anyone immune to poison (or disease) is immune to the breath weapon. So would that count as a poisonous breath weapon for the purpose of Venomfire?
(Since I assume there are no fleshraker dinosaurs in this campaign, we should be safe from too much brokenness from this spell, I think. :P )
I'll have to think on this one.

Quote
Edit: Also, if I cast Beget Bogun, can I exchange the typical Stealthy feat for something more useful (like Weapon Finesse)?
That shouldn't be a problem.

Struggling with feats and spell selection... I'm torn between optimization and staying true to the source material. Optimization would mean grabbing buffs and maxing out natural weapon fighting... source material means looking for a much broader array of spell effects, and who-the-hell-knows for feats.  Gah... anyone have suggestions?

Also, KSB, is it okay if I retrain Improved Familiar at 5th level? I'd like to grab an Air Elemental.
You can go right ahead and improve your natural attacks, etc.  That won't matter to me at all.  It will be a "hard" campaign, but taking some "fluff" spells won't hurt your performance too badly, I wouldn't think.

When you retrain, don't the choices you take have to have been legal at the level you first got the thing you are retraining?

So, now comes a question for KSB. Are there any of the types granted by MoMF which aren't appropriate for the campaign so much? (like aberrations or something?) I ask because I could theoretically switch to Frost Mage partway through MoMF, which would be very appropriate, though I don't know what I would gestalt it with. More ranger, I guess.
I forget what all MoMF gets (though I recall being surprised they don't get Magical Beast...) but Aberrations do exist, though they aren't very common (mostly things like Wil o' Whisps), or they are things I've applied the Half-Troll template to (like the Athach), but you could morph into the base aberration.

By far the most plentiful will be Giants, but Monstrous Humanoids will also be around.

I'll be very busy most of the afternoon and evening, so I'll probably not be able to check the boards much until after 10 PM CDT.

Offline dna1

  • PbP Game Master
  • ****
  • Posts: 1229
  • Sage of Herbology
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #84 on: August 19, 2013, 03:13:19 PM »
Quote
Str:    13 +1 [5p]
Dex:  10 [2p]
Con:  14 +2 [6p]
Int:    16 +3 [8p]
Wis:   10 [2p]
Cha:  18 +4 [13p]
dna1, your point buy is a little off. A 15 costs 8 points, a 16 costs 10, a 17 costs 13 points, and an 18 costs 16 points. DMG p. 169.

Easiest would likely be to alter it as follows:
Str 13 [5]
Dex 10 [2]
Con 14 [6]
Int 16 [10]
Wis 10 [2]
Cha 16 [10]

That gives you one point left over, probably to make Str a 14.  You do also get your 4th level ability boost, so you could drop the Str to 11, then use those last points to buy a 17 Charisma, then bump it to 18 with the 4th level boost.

The charisma was 17, then +1 for hitting level four. I went a head and used the invisiblecastle's point buy thingy so I just assumed that was correct. Your saying it isn't though?
Roses are Red. Gaming is fun. You're over encumbered and cannot Run.

Offline Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13393
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #85 on: August 19, 2013, 03:24:28 PM »
Quote
Str:    13 +1 [5p]
Dex:  10 [2p]
Con:  14 +2 [6p]
Int:    16 +3 [8p]
Wis:   10 [2p]
Cha:  18 +4 [13p]
dna1, your point buy is a little off. A 15 costs 8 points, a 16 costs 10, a 17 costs 13 points, and an 18 costs 16 points. DMG p. 169.

Easiest would likely be to alter it as follows:
Str 13 [5]
Dex 10 [2]
Con 14 [6]
Int 16 [10]
Wis 10 [2]
Cha 16 [10]

That gives you one point left over, probably to make Str a 14.  You do also get your 4th level ability boost, so you could drop the Str to 11, then use those last points to buy a 17 Charisma, then bump it to 18 with the 4th level boost.

The charisma was 17, then +1 for hitting level four. I went a head and used the invisiblecastle's point buy thingy so I just assumed that was correct. Your saying it isn't though?

InvisibleCastle is giving me the same numbers that KSB stated.

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #86 on: August 19, 2013, 03:26:02 PM »
Nevermind about the Venomfire...

Quote
This spell has no effect on creatures that do not naturally produce poison.
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline linklord231

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3346
  • The dice are trying to kill me
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #87 on: August 19, 2013, 03:45:45 PM »
I put together a (soon-to-be) Frenzied Berserker. 

Barbarian 1//Feat Rogue 1 - Lion Totem, Toughness (FRB), Troll Blooded (HB), Destructive Rage (L1)
Barbarian 2//Monk 1 - Wolf Totem (Improved Trip), Power Attack (MB)
Fighter 1//Feat Rogue 2 - Cleave (FB), Endurance (FRB), Intimidating Rage (L3)
Fighter 2//Monk 2 - Improved Bull Rush (MB), Open Fighter

I know Monk was banned for flavor reasons, but I really only took it because the Overwhelming Attack variant gets Power Attack and Improved Bull Rush as bonus feats, which are both necessary. 

The plan is to go one more level of anything (Ranger?), then one of Horizon Walker, then Frenzied Berserker.  Not sure what would go on the other side though...  Duskblade, Dread Necro, or Beguiler, probably. 

The concept is basically one of Odin's Úlfheðinn.  I'd be wearing little to no armor, raging, and smashing ALL the things!
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline ksbsnowowl

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 4776
  • Warrior Skald, teller of tales.
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #88 on: August 19, 2013, 04:23:12 PM »

The charisma was 17, then +1 for hitting level four. I went a head and used the invisiblecastle's point buy thingy so I just assumed that was correct. Your saying it isn't though?

The below is 38 point buy:

Str 13 [5]
Dex 10 [2]
Con 14 [6]
Int 16 [10]
Wis 10 [2]
Cha 17 [13] -> 18

You'll have to cut out two points somewhere.  Either Intelligence down to 15, or something else dropped by 2.

X-Codes: As to Decastave, yes, you can get Strength to damage (or 1.5, whatever), and you can power attack with it.  Insane. Lucky you.

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #89 on: August 19, 2013, 04:56:41 PM »
I'm kind of struggling coming up with fun and useful things to do, especially in combat. I don't mind being an enabler, but man... spirit shaman just seems pathetically weak... Here is the character so far. I'd love any advice.

One thing I'm thinking of doing is binding Naberius, and spamming Sanctified (or Vile...) spells. How many of you would be interested in a Luminous Armor buff? There are some quite strong "attack" sanctified spells I might use, also. I think I'd prepare and cast them as normal. This could potentially be a niche for this character...
« Last Edit: August 19, 2013, 04:58:22 PM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Risada

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2069
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #90 on: August 19, 2013, 05:34:24 PM »
I'm kind of struggling coming up with fun and useful things to do, especially in combat. I don't mind being an enabler, but man... spirit shaman just seems pathetically weak... Here is the character so far. I'd love any advice.

One thing I'm thinking of doing is binding Naberius, and spamming Sanctified (or Vile...) spells. How many of you would be interested in a Luminous Armor buff? There are some quite strong "attack" sanctified spells I might use, also. I think I'd prepare and cast them as normal. This could potentially be a niche for this character...

Get yourself an AoE spell that deals acid damage and join the fun with me...

Which reminds me I need to finish picking my sorc spells...

And if I survive long enough.. Expect something like this happening again...

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #91 on: August 19, 2013, 05:38:16 PM »
I'm kind of struggling coming up with fun and useful things to do, especially in combat. I don't mind being an enabler, but man... spirit shaman just seems pathetically weak... Here is the character so far. I'd love any advice.

One thing I'm thinking of doing is binding Naberius, and spamming Sanctified (or Vile...) spells. How many of you would be interested in a Luminous Armor buff? There are some quite strong "attack" sanctified spells I might use, also. I think I'd prepare and cast them as normal. This could potentially be a niche for this character...

Get yourself an AoE spell that deals acid damage and join the fun with me...

Which reminds me I need to finish picking my sorc spells...

And if I survive long enough.. Expect something like this happening again...
Had already jotted this one down for use once I hit 7th level. :D

So I guess Mass Resist Energy (Acid) might be a good group buff for us to throw on everyone. :P


Edit: Am I reading this right? So I could call the spirit of a hound archon to inhabit a troll, and it would get the troll's physical ability scores, natural armor, natural attacks, and regeneration, but the hound archon would keep its own Spell-like and Su abilities? And it lasts 10 min/lvl? Wow...  :twitch
« Last Edit: August 19, 2013, 05:45:34 PM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Nanshork

  • Homebrew Reviewer
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 13393
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #92 on: August 19, 2013, 05:39:55 PM »
I'm very wary of having a Frenzied Berserker in the party...

Offline ksbsnowowl

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 4776
  • Warrior Skald, teller of tales.
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #93 on: August 19, 2013, 05:44:09 PM »
I'm kind of struggling coming up with fun and useful things to do, especially in combat. I don't mind being an enabler, but man... spirit shaman just seems pathetically weak... Here is the character so far. I'd love any advice.

One thing I'm thinking of doing is binding Naberius, and spamming Sanctified (or Vile...) spells. How many of you would be interested in a Luminous Armor buff? There are some quite strong "attack" sanctified spells I might use, also. I think I'd prepare and cast them as normal. This could potentially be a niche for this character...
Can Spirit Shaman "prepare" sanctified spells?  I know spontaneous casters can't, but Spirit Shaman is always sort of a hybrid (ie - how they use metamagic).

Honestly, if you want to be a Druid, it WON'T be a problem to have two of you in the same party.  If you want some of the druidy spells, but would prefer not being a druid or a spirit shaman, you could always go Archivist.

Imagine the bonuses... Bard song for bonuses to attack (or fire damage) and Dark Knowledge bonuses to attack and/or damage...  You guys would be a force to be reckoned with.  I would need to increase the number of bad guys to compensate...  :plotting

But in all honesty, you guys are going to outshine the players I ran this for in person. Pretty much no matter what you choose...

Speaking of Luminous Armor... I might need to use that on the Ghaele NPC in my RL game tonight...

Offline Risada

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2069
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #94 on: August 19, 2013, 05:48:25 PM »
I'm very wary of having a Frenzied Berserker in the party...

Why? Because someone is going to drop a nasty and painful cloud of caustic death from the sky?

Initially, I was going with mostly buff spells, but am discussing this with myself right now...

Would True Darkness and Ebon Eyes on you make you happy (if it works, that is...)?  :)

Seriously, my Duskblade spells are mostly locked, but my Sorc ones are up to debate... If you think something might be useful, tell me about it...

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #95 on: August 19, 2013, 05:51:18 PM »
Can Spirit Shaman "prepare" sanctified spells?  I know spontaneous casters can't, but Spirit Shaman is always sort of a hybrid (ie - how they use metamagic).
Since they prepare spells, I assumed they could use them. I agree it is a tricky case, but the class is kind of weak... This would be a pretty decent boost, I think (especially on a binder who can heal the ability damage...).

And there's technically nothing wrong with a binder using sanctified spells, even though many of the church doctrines stereotype them as "evil". In fact, one of the binder-specific PrCs has special stacking interactions with paladin levels I'm pretty sure (although I've never used it).

And am I reading this spell correctly? So I could call the spirit of a hound archon into a dead troll, and basically for 10 min/lvl get a troll with the Su and SLA abilities of a hound archon (and BAB, base saves, etc)? If so... that looks pretty damned awesome. :D
« Last Edit: August 19, 2013, 05:53:22 PM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline ksbsnowowl

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 4776
  • Warrior Skald, teller of tales.
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #96 on: August 19, 2013, 05:52:26 PM »
I'm very wary of having a Frenzied Berserker in the party...
I'm very wary of having a FB in the party...

And Einar and Thorgrim would be wary about it too...

Offline ksbsnowowl

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 4776
  • Warrior Skald, teller of tales.
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #97 on: August 19, 2013, 05:53:33 PM »
Would True Darkness and Ebon Eyes on you make you happy (if it works, that is...)?  :)
True Darkness and Ebon Eyes is a good combo.  :D

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #98 on: August 19, 2013, 05:55:49 PM »
Struggling with feats and spell selection... I'm torn between optimization and staying true to the source material. Optimization would mean grabbing buffs and maxing out natural weapon fighting... source material means looking for a much broader array of spell effects, and who-the-hell-knows for feats.  Gah... anyone have suggestions?

Also, KSB, is it okay if I retrain Improved Familiar at 5th level? I'd like to grab an Air Elemental.
You can go right ahead and improve your natural attacks, etc.  That won't matter to me at all.  It will be a "hard" campaign, but taking some "fluff" spells won't hurt your performance too badly, I wouldn't think.
Well, it's more a question of my proclivities than yours. :) It doesn't seem like Louhi used her shapechanging for combat in general... her style was more of the subtle (or not-so-subtle) and destructive spell.

Quote
When you retrain, don't the choices you take have to have been legal at the level you first got the thing you are retraining?
Derp me, I don't actually need to retrain -- I just swap familiars at 5th level. Duh.

I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: Recruiting for a Viking-themed war campaign
« Reply #99 on: August 19, 2013, 05:56:55 PM »
I'm very wary of having a Frenzied Berserker in the party...
I'm very wary of having a FB in the party...

And Einar and Thorgrim would be wary about it too...
Yeah... that was the first thing I thought of when I saw FB as well.  :p
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.