Already posted this on rpgnet forums, but I figured I'd try here, too (wasn't getting any bites there).
Ok, so first thing's first. I first started RPing using 3rd edition, but switched over to 4E when that came out and since then I've been playing several other systems, generally leaning toward more narrative and less fiddly. I'm currently running 13th Age, and my group has been doing a second Pathfinder game for a while, which I did not participate in for lack of interest. However, that game is switching DMs and starting a new campaign, and the DM is going to bring in some elements from 13th Age (One Unique Thing, Icons, etc.), which has my interest piqued. I'd like to give the system another shot, mostly because I'd like to be in a second game. In other words, I'll likely be tolerating the system rather than actually liking it.
So with that out of the way, here's the concept I have in mind. Basically a sort of duelist gish, which I can take in two seemingly different directions but with both fitting the general backstory/narrative concept. I figure I'll be a melee skirmisher most of the type, with my spells being a combination of combat stuff and out of combat utility. Option 1 is a melee Druid, while Option 2 is a Bard. I'll be drawing from the PHB and the APG.
1 - Is Weapon Finesse a sound strategy for building these characters? The image I have is more of a dextrous type, and given that Dex would boost AC as well is attractive for a concept that has to maintain a spellcasting attribute as well as a melee attack attribute. I don't need it to be the best option, just not a bad one (I've made some awful 3.5 characters trying to stick with a concept due to the system's inherent imbalances and fiddliness). I know damage will be less since you still add Str mod for that, but will the effect be drastic or minor over the long haul? Something that can be made up with Power Attack?
2 - I was initially leaning toward Druid, but reading through the rules again and the thought of having to track stats for an animal companion, wild shaped stuff, and summons makes my eyes glaze over. Is that just going to be inevitable with the Druid? I don't need a dirt simple class, but I'd rather managing my character not feel like doing my taxes.
3 - What can I expect performance-wise from this character? I know Druid's usually pretty safe, but this concept isn't exactly the typical path toward CoDzilla. This group is full of moderate optimizers who know the system much better than I do. Is one of the classes going to be noticeably better than the other?
4 - Any other misc. advice? Other classes that might suit the concept better? I know the DM is limiting sources, but there will be other books besides the PHB and APG (those are just the two that I have access to until the first session).
Ok, so first thing's first. I first started RPing using 3rd edition, but switched over to 4E when that came out and since then I've been playing several other systems, generally leaning toward more narrative and less fiddly. I'm currently running 13th Age, and my group has been doing a second Pathfinder game for a while, which I did not participate in for lack of interest. However, that game is switching DMs and starting a new campaign, and the DM is going to bring in some elements from 13th Age (One Unique Thing, Icons, etc.), which has my interest piqued. I'd like to give the system another shot, mostly because I'd like to be in a second game. In other words, I'll likely be tolerating the system rather than actually liking it.
So with that out of the way, here's the concept I have in mind. Basically a sort of duelist gish, which I can take in two seemingly different directions but with both fitting the general backstory/narrative concept. I figure I'll be a melee skirmisher most of the type, with my spells being a combination of combat stuff and out of combat utility. Option 1 is a melee Druid, while Option 2 is a Bard. I'll be drawing from the PHB and the APG.
1 - Is Weapon Finesse a sound strategy for building these characters? The image I have is more of a dextrous type, and given that Dex would boost AC as well is attractive for a concept that has to maintain a spellcasting attribute as well as a melee attack attribute. I don't need it to be the best option, just not a bad one (I've made some awful 3.5 characters trying to stick with a concept due to the system's inherent imbalances and fiddliness). I know damage will be less since you still add Str mod for that, but will the effect be drastic or minor over the long haul? Something that can be made up with Power Attack?
2 - I was initially leaning toward Druid, but reading through the rules again and the thought of having to track stats for an animal companion, wild shaped stuff, and summons makes my eyes glaze over. Is that just going to be inevitable with the Druid? I don't need a dirt simple class, but I'd rather managing my character not feel like doing my taxes.
3 - What can I expect performance-wise from this character? I know Druid's usually pretty safe, but this concept isn't exactly the typical path toward CoDzilla. This group is full of moderate optimizers who know the system much better than I do. Is one of the classes going to be noticeably better than the other?
4 - Any other misc. advice? Other classes that might suit the concept better? I know the DM is limiting sources, but there will be other books besides the PHB and APG (those are just the two that I have access to until the first session).
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