Theme parties. Forked Thread: Challenge: Balanced Stealthy Party

[Eldorian]

Forked from: Challenge: Balanced Stealthy Party

A stealth themed party triggered an idea I had earlier for other themed parties. Here is an example: all Tiefling, all arcane party consisting of a wizard, warlock, swordmage, and bard. Perhaps they're all from the same arcane university in some Tiefling city.

The goal here is to make a working party with some sort of theme. It's important, in my mind at least, that every character in the party have a racial bonus to his primary stat. A caveat: all human parties of course work and are boring =P

 

[Mistwell]

all arcane party consisting of a wizard, warlock, swordmage, and bard. Perhaps they're all from the same arcane university

I am considering this for my Harry Potter type campaign, though including artificer as well, and not limiting the race.

I am also considering starting all players as zero level wizards...meaning they are wizards that only have cantrips, and perhaps an at-will as an encounter power and an encounter power as a daily.

 

[Mengu]

All dwarf party can be a lot of fun. Fighter, Warden, Warlock, Cleric, Druid. Talk about an unmovable force with a lot of resilience. And the cleric power that recharges everyone's second wind would be sweet in this group. For Fighter and Warden eventhough thei primary stat Strength doesn't get a bonus, both of their secondary stats Constitution and Wisdom do.

Dragonborn party could be very easily built. There are so many choices for Dragonborns, it's a wonder they don't take over the world. Only thing they don't do well is controller, but a party of them all have breath weapons, so who needs a controller.
Defender choices: Fighter, Paladin, Warden
Striker choices: Ranger, Warlock, Barbarian
Leaders choices: Cleric, Warlord, Bard
Mix and match in any balanced combination of roles and you are set. Warlock is the only ranged option there, so it would probably be wise to include one of those in the party.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Given your parameters, all-fey works:

Defender: 1/2 Elf Paladin
Striker: Elf Rogue or Ranger or 1/2 Elf Warlock
Leader: Elf Devoted Cleric or Eladrin Tactical Warlord
Controller: Eladrin Wizard

 

[Cryptos]

If the theme revolves around a given skill, such as stealth, Eladrin are probably going to come up very often. They get an extra skill. Humans get an extra skill from their class list. Note the difference - Eladrin can pick any skill, including one not on their list. Add to that a Dex bonus and an Int bonus, plus the teleport, and that makes them a likely pick for a lot of different themed parties: high mobility parties, stealth parties, acrobatics parties, etc.

In a weird kind of way, Eladrin is the new Human. (Which begs the question, where does that leave humans?) You can make them fit a lot of different concepts in ways where even humans would have to burn a feat (any skill rather than an extra class skill), plus bonuses to two knowledge skills if you're going in that direction, a Dex bonus if you're going for more physical talents, an Int bonus that suits the primary stat in a class for almost every role: Leader (Artificer), Controller (Wizard), Defender (Swordmage).

However, if the DM is going to allow backgrounds, as they appeared in Dragon magazine, then any set of characters could work as long as they have a background that makes certain skills class skills or provides bonuses to those skills. And it seems only fair, if the DM is going to mandate a theme, to allow each character to take a background that gives them access to that theme regardless of class or race.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Oooh, I have one ... the stereotypical Elven "skirmisher" party.

Idea is everyone has move 7, and powers at range.
Since this party is all about arrows (and possibly fireballs) from the woods, there won't be a defender.

2 elven rangers, however else built, they use high dex & ranged attacks.
1 elven cleric, laser. Many options, including the more esoteric dex cleric.
1 elven wizard, orb.

The party kites. shoot, fall back, repeat.

The wizard specialises in terrain manipulation, such as web.
At low levels, use orb to extend duration of ray of frost's slow effect.
At higher levels, walls, evard's, etc. ftw.

Come to think of it, the wiz is awesome in the party.
I'd go with a second wizard for a 5th player

Stealth trained party members scout ahead, shoot from cover, and retreat to ambush points.
Nice for 'em to get to use prime shot for a change, eh?

 

[gyor]

Shadows of Nadezhda.

All doppelganger shadowborn party.

Changeling vampire vampire lord.
Changeling Blackguard with some daily chaladin powers and maybe a Chaladin pp
Changeling Bard Battleweaver
Changeling Binder Gloom Pact Disciple of Razaudra

Bonus PCs
Changeling Necromancer enchanter enimatic mage
Changeling Hexblade Gloom Pact chameleon, sibling of other gloom pacter c

Themes are Changelings strong charisma and powerful shadow magic.
Changeling blackguard takes some divine sanction powers and feats to do double duty as party defender.

 

[Aulirophile]

5 Elf Archer Rangers, all built identically. Super-effective party and they all, necessarily, fit the same theme.

 

[Evilhalfling]

5 Elf Archer Rangers, all built identically. Super-effective party and they all, necessarily, fit the same theme.

Are they all beastmaster (& bow) rangers with the shaman multi-class? 'cus thats frigging annoying.

 

[Aulirophile]

Are they all beastmaster (& bow) rangers with the shaman multi-class? 'cus thats frigging annoying.

They could be, sure.