Gaming W/Jemal: War of Gods

[Shayuri]

Rogue 20? Really?

Well, I may be wrong, but the core rogue always seemed lackluster to me. You might try Scout or Ninja instead...similar niche classes, but more 'goodies.'

A dip into Shadowdancer gives Darkvision and HIPS too.

 

[BBs]

Hey I'd like to join, maybe a monk type, still trying to figure out.

 

[Shayuri]

Just so ya know, my shapeshifter has 20 levels of monk too.

Though perhaps I should re-examine that.

Augh, but those 20 levels in Cloud Giant form are so niiiiiiice...

 

[Jemal]

Rathan - if you're Referring to Ghost as in the "undead apparition", then I'm going to have to say no, I've had real problems DMing for them in the past every time I've allowed them. I dislike Incorporeal PC's.


Shayuri/Fenris - twenty levels in a base class at Epic just seems rather boggling to me.. If you're going to invest that much into the class, why not take it Epic? (Mechanically for the bonus feats, Thematically for the feeling of "I'm a <insert class here>!")
As far as the particulars..

Rogue - If you're going for a sneak attack character and you like a lot of the Rogue special abilities (Imp. Evasion, Crippling Strike, Defensive Roll, etc) then lots of levels in rogue are definitely worth it. Especially if you're taking the Epic feats that have them as Requirements (Epic Dodge, Lingering Damage, Self Concealment, Sneak Attack of Opportunity). But even then, if you're not taking it to Epic there's no reason to take it past 19(When you get your last bonus from the class) other than Thematic.
Personally, I'd take 19 levels (10d6 sneak, 4 special abilities) or go epic with it.

Monk - The only real reason to go heavy Monk is thematic. Sure they get minor damage/ac/speed bonuses, but not enough to justify the levels. Their higher level abilities are interesting, but again I view most of them as more thematic than mechanically useful (Timeless body, Perfect Self, Tongues).
Diamond Soul and Quivering Palm are only useful if you're going full monk.
Personally, I'd take Monk to 11 for Greater Flurry, or all the way for full monk.


Nephtys -

The template class from Savage Species gives the benefits of a template (like Half Dragon) gradually trough 3 levels. Since the Feral template can only be applied to a humanoid or monstrous humanoid I needed a way to apply the Half Dragon template afterwards. Normally the inherited HD template would be applied first and bestow the Dragon type on the character, barring it from taking Feral.

Actually, feral and half dragon are BOTH inherited, meaning you get to apply them in whichever order makes sense (You apply all Inherited Templates first, in ascending order). You can't apply feral to half dragon, but you can apply half-dragon to feral, so it works. Base human, add feral to become monstrous humanoid, Add half dragon to become Dragon type.
Except that feral's not allowed. Just thought you should know about the proper template stacking rules for the future.

Oh, and since my way to Pounce is barred with the Feral template will you allow me to take Pounce as an alternative Barbarian class feature with the Lion Totem (from Complete Champion)?

Well considering pounce is one of the reasons I dislike Feral, I'm going to say no to that. I'll fix Dire Charge so instead of just being during the 'first round of combat', it's 'once per combat', but I'd rather not see uber-charging every turn.
Are you still worried about what was bothering you in Dharuhks game? Opponents running away from you all the time? Cuz it's not something I see happen alot, and I've played/DM'd a pretty hefty amount of Epic.

 

[Rathan]

Whelp... I guess it's back to my ranged combat monkey idea... LOL

Anyone got any good suggestions on race/class combos for a super-bow or thrown weapon type chara???

EDIT: I'd like to throw Paragon in my mix as well as I've never used it before... wonder if it would work well with a ranged type character?

 

[Nephtys]

Nephtys -

Actually, feral and half dragon are BOTH inherited, meaning you get to apply them in whichever order makes sense (You apply all Inherited Templates first, in ascending order). You can't apply feral to half dragon, but you can apply half-dragon to feral, so it works. Base human, add feral to become monstrous humanoid, Add half dragon to become Dragon type.
Except that feral's not allowed. Just thought you should know about the proper template stacking rules for the future.

Good to know. I had pictured Half Dragon as being completely genetic, while Feral was in part social (raised by wolves, or something like that). You don't grow scales because you had a bad childhood, but you might become pretty feral. -This is not a rules discussion, just a thought.

Well considering pounce is one of the reasons I dislike Feral, I'm going to say no to that. I'll fix Dire Charge so instead of just being during the 'first round of combat', it's 'once per combat', but I'd rather not see uber-charging every turn.
Are you still worried about what was bothering you in Dharuhks game? Opponents running away from you all the time? Cuz it's not something I see happen alot, and I've played/DM'd a pretty hefty amount of Epic.

Heh, considering it's so powerful it's no wonder DMs seem to hate it. I can deal with that. It's less important for a two armed character than for one with six arms. And it makes sense to only make it available as an Epic feat, though I probably won't use it for this build cause I won't have the HDs for it. 40 ecls and most of it's LA, but it will be worth it.
Oh, and enemies running away is not a problem. I expect them to. I want them to. Let them run, let them hide. I will find them and kill them and eat their hearts.

Much of the LA probably lies in stat boosts, so I'm looking to make the most of my very nice ability scores. I won't be able to take a lot of class levels, but do you know any classes that would synergize well with these scores?

Abilities 90 points
Str: 72/+31 (18+20(WT)+8(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))
Dex: 50/+20 (18+6 (WT)+0(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))
Con: 64/+27 (18+18(WT)+2(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))
Int: 36/+13 (10-2(WT)+2(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))
Wis: 46/+18 (16+4(WT)+0(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))
Cha: 38/+14 (10+0(WT)+2(HD)+15(P)+5(Inh)+6(Enh))

WT=War Troll
HD=Half Dragon
P=Paragon Creature

 

[Shayuri]

Monk is actually great for shapeshifters, since that Wis bonus sticks to all the shapes...but you're right in that I don't need 20 levels for that. I also like the Epic feats that bounce ranged attacks and ranged touches...but again, don't need 20 for that.

In fact, I've been revising my build heavily today. I'm packing in more Ranger, less Monk. Why?

Cuz I started looking at critters who have more than 18 HD...and I want some of that action.

Stay tuned for a whole new build.

Jemal, what specifically about the Druid are you changing in exchange for no spells? Surely not just BAB?

Oh! Also! Any thoughts on how I can get natural attacks to penetrate Epic DR without getting Ki Strike (Adamantine) first?

 

[Rathan]

Where do you find the Paragon trait... what book?

EDIT:

Oh! Also! Any thoughts on how I can get natural attacks to penetrate Epic DR without getting Ki Strike (Adamantine) first?

Penetrate Damage Reduction [Epic], can you choose (Epic) as one of the types and have it penetrate epic DR?

 

[Nephtys]

Where do you find the Paragon trait... what book?

Epic Level Handbook (or SRD). The Monster section.

 

[Rathan]

Disregard... just saw answer in one of Jemals Posts...