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It's just an anecdote to provide a background for my inspiration for the guide, not intended to count as actual evidence of the effectiveness of the build. I posted it here to point out that being an optimizer does not mean you seek to overshadow anyone, not to convince them to play that style...

I'm assuming this one: Powergaming: Building/playing a character with the goal of overshadowing the other characters in the party. Optimizing: Building/playing a character that works effectively within a team to meet team challenges. Let me demonstrate. I have been making Wizard guides since...

Yeah, GURPS plays pretty much opposite. Every combat takes very little in-game time and a marathon of the players time. Attack/Block/Attack/Block/Attack...

In our group we don't get too "crunchy" so it works fine. If it takes me longer than 6 seconds to complete what I'm saying, then maybe that round was a bit more than 6 seconds, or my character's action spills a bit into a round where he wasn't using one of these abilities. Of course, my...

Friends is probably one of the worst named spells in the game because that's not what it does at all. Being that you brought it up, you clearly know what it does, but for other readers who haven't really looked, Friends is a cantrip that provides you advantage on all charisma checks directed at...

I just started a new campaign earlier tonight. I play a halfling Bard that uses Vicious Mockery (with a list of funny insults I've pre-selected). (Eventually he'll be using these insults with "cutting words", but right now he's level 1) I made Charisma my highest ability. I chose to do this...

No, don't reverse it. Nobody is criticizing choosing each level individually as it comes up. My question to you is would you criticize another player for choosing that they will stick with one class right from the get go. Do you think someone who does this is having fun the wrong way and...

I ran both of the modules in the series, and I think the story is pretty strong. However, the modules are put together very poorly - the organization is horrible (especially for Rise of Tiamat), and there are confusing descriptions, and cross-referenced encounters. In one section of the...

I always seem to know what my character will be at level 20 (Wizard 20!). Is that still shameless optimization, or do I need to consider whether I really want another level of Wizard after each level? (Also, in the optimization community - finding a broken mechanic is called "Theoretical...

I know at least one person who doesn't like the title "Stormwind Fallacy", and that's Tempest Stormwind.

I just came home from a game, and we were attacked by a Spectre. Guess what it could do? :)

Can't they say that now? Let's say your Diviner rolls a 17 and a 3. You can apply the 3 to a saving throw and say "I foresaw this! Bigaxe's mighty strength will fail him..." If your players are instead saying - "I assign my 3 to his saving throw" - that's a failing of the role-player, not the...

A Wizard after my own heart! I'm not sure what you mean by this... I wonder if you are talking about power gaming rather than optimization. Power gaming is the play-style of competing against your own party. As far as I'm concerned, it's completely incompatible with optimization. My specialty...

Not all necrotic damage reduces HP maximums. However, some creature descriptions say specifically that the attack reduces HP maximums. I would point you to a specific creature in the MM, but my memory escapes me at the moment. Maybe someone could help me out?

I like being part of a community that enjoys the same game I do to discuss, share opinions and ideas. I personally don't think segregation builds a strong community. (IMO)

Personally, I've been involved in character optimization on forums for about 8 years now. During that time there have definitely been some optimizers who have not been nice to others at all, and frankly, there have been some non-optimizers who aren't very nice either. However, I think you will...

I would have cried if this guide had been lost. Glad it's here for safekeeping.

I'm sorry you had bad experiences there. My experiences were obviously different than yours. Hopefully everyone will remember this is a welcome thread for that very community you are talking about. :D

I looked at making a Melee Valor Bard. I think it can work reasonably well. Here's the conclusions I came to: 1) Focus primarily on your combat stat. Cha becomes a secondary stat 2) Because of #1, you need to consider how it will affect your spell selection. Best to avoid spells that...

There is a far more up to date version of the guide index HERE. I have it bookmarked myself. Hopefully he updates with the movement of guides to these forums - Zenith is pretty good at keeping on top of it.