OotS 611 is up!

[Maggan]

You know, at times like this I'm curious about how exactly Belkar pulls this sort of thing off. I know, I know; the stats don't matter. But still.

Yeah. I read OotS for the combination of gaming humour and the storyline, but if I ever feel that it's dropping the gaming roots (i.e. being grounded in the D&D rules one edition or the other), I don't really think the story so far is so compelling in itself that I'd chose it over rereading V for Vendetta, Wathmen or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

So ... I also wondered ... how did Belkar pull it off? Were the NPCs low level? Or were they all low on HP after fighting Haley? Or something else?

I know story trumps rules, but for me that's a loss for my enjoyment of the story.

Still I keep hanging on. We'll see for how much longer. I'm all for the creator taking the comic where ever he wants to, and if I grow tired of that journey, so be it.

/M

 

[Pbartender]

And it appears that Mr Scruffy gets the Kill (there's no stabbing effects in the panel where the mages eyes go X X)...

No stabbing effects, but slashing effects...

Notice Belkar doing a back flip over the wizard, with the bluish motion lines ending at each of his daggers. At the same time, two long red "wound" lines appeared on the wizard, one one his forehead and the other across his chest.

It was a good delaying action and double team effort by Mr. Scruffy, but Belkar made the kill.

 

[Miyaa]

I think the "death" may have to do with the way Belkar was viewing life, and it may not have anything to do with actually reaching -10 HP. Belkar has gone from Sociopath to Scoundrel, and that might well be some sort of character resurrection.

I so want to be a priest of Belkar.

 

[Pbartender]

So ... I also wondered ... how did Belkar pull it off? Were the NPCs low level? Or were they all low on HP after fighting Haley? Or something else?

None of them had "wound lines", so it's more likely they were just low level.

Remember, it's fairly well established, based on displayed powers and spells, that OotS are all somewhere in the teens for levels. These guys were a big crowd of Thieves Guild nobodies, and many of them multiclassed.

Using standard 3.5 rules, consider the Wizard/Rogue... He casts Bull's Strength, Acid Arrow, and Scorching Ray. He sneak attacks, and uses a short sword. Assuming he's got an Intelligence of at least 14, he'd need to be at least a 5th level character (Rogue 1/Wizard 4) to do all that. Even then, he'd only have, on average, 15 or 20 hit points.

If most of these Rogues were in the level 5-ish range, it wouldn't be a stretch to see a high level Ranger/Barbarian taking them out that fast.

Notice that at least one of them (the half-orc with the big sword) survives an attack by Belkar and must be finished off by the Cleric of Loki.

Also, most of them aren't wearing much armor to speak of, making them easy to hit.

Also, also, his dice might be especially hot tonight.

 

[Storm Raven]

None of them had "wound lines", so it's more likely they were just low level.

Remember, it's fairly well established, based on displayed powers and spells, that OotS are all somewhere in the teens for levels. These guys were a big crowd of Thieves Guild nobodies, and many of them multiclassed.

Using standard 3.5 rules, consider the Wizard/Rogue... He casts Bull's Strength, Acid Arrow, and Scorching Ray. He sneak attacks, and uses a short sword. Assuming he's got an Intelligence of at least 14, he'd need to be at least a 5th level character (Rogue 1/Wizard 4) to do all that. Even then, he'd only have, on average, 15 or 20 hit points.

If most of these Rogues were in the level 5-ish range, it wouldn't be a stretch to see a high level Ranger/Barbarian taking them out that fast.

Notice that at least one of them (the half-orc with the big sword) survives an attack by Belkar and must be finished off by the Cleric of Loki.

Think of it this way: Belkar raging, using magical daggers, probably with some strength enhancing magic item like a belt of giant strength or something attacking his favored enemy:

Primary attack: 1d3 + 7 (Strength) + 2 (magic) + 2 (favored enemy) = 1d3 + 11 damage.

Secondary attack: 1d3 + 3 (Strength/2) + 2 (magic) + 2 (favored enemy) = 1d3 + 7 damage.

Total: 2d6 + 18 damage

6th level rogue average hit points: 21.

N.B. I assume Belkar has a 16 base Strength, plus a +4 belt of giant strength, and he is raging. I also assumed he had two +2 daggers, based upon the fact that Haley had a +3 bow. If Belkar has a higher strength (quite possible), or better magic items (also quite possible) the damage numbers go up even more.

 

[Maggan]

Also, also, his dice might be especially hot tonight.

Thanks for the explanation!

/M

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

No stabbing effects, but slashing effects...

Notice Belkar doing a back flip over the wizard, with the bluish motion lines ending at each of his daggers. At the same time, two long red "wound" lines appeared on the wizard, one one his forehead and the other across his chest.

It was a good delaying action and double team effort by Mr. Scruffy, but Belkar made the kill.

Well.. okay.. maybe... CAT HATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111

j/k After further review, it seems you may be correct

 

[ki11erDM]

You know, at times like this I'm curious about how exactly Belkar pulls this sort of thing off.

Minions. The Giant said that he will use 4e rules were he wants and 3.x rules were he wants. I think that was a perfect example of what a minion is and what is should be used for.

 

[Desdichado]

Anybody have a guess for the XXX potion he just chugged?

:what: That's not a potion. XXX is liquor.

 

[Phaezen]

CAT HATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111

The irony of that comment coming from someone with the nick dogoftheunderworld is almost overwhelming

Phaezen