Beast Heart Adept ideas? Mounted archer vs. Pokewrangler

[RangerWickett]

I'm referring to the prestige class from Dungeonscape here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20070209a&page=4

While my first idea is just a ranger with a bad-ass mount, I'm not sure if that's a better idea than a ranger with nature bond and the beastmaster prestige class (Complete Adventurer). I mean, I'm considering this for a 10th level game, and I think I would have a choice between a 7 HD dire eagle mount, or a 6 HD hippogriff. I don't know which is better.

However, the other idea I have is cooler. I would have to convince a GM to let me have an advanced shocker lizard as a beast heart adept's monstrous companion, but I think that's fair. A 4 HD shocker lizard would likely be CR 3 or 4, and a beast heart adept can have an owlbear at 1st level, which is also CR 4.

If my GM went for that, then I would make a wizard 5/beast heart adept 5. With my wizard levels I would take Improved Familiar to get a shocker lizard familiar, and I would also have an advanced 8 HD shocker lizard monstrous companion, and one final 4 HD shocker lizard companion. Together they could fire off a 6d8 blast of lightning each round in a 20-ft. radius. I just need a way to be immune to electricity myself, or I have to stay the heck away from them.

 

[Machiavelli]

At 10th level, 6d8 is rather pathetic, even for an area effect.

On the other hand, that tactic is so cool in my imagination.

I'd still take the hippogriff, but the flock of lizards would be fun in its own right.

 

[Seeten]

Seems pretty weak for a level 10 character. Poor HD, poor bab, level 5 spell casting, and a couple of monsters?

 

[frankthedm]

Seems pretty weak for a level 10 character. Poor HD, poor bab, level 5 spell casting, and a couple of monsters?

Are you thinking of another PRC?

Easy entry too. straight human fighter could be in by 6th with average int. If he has an int bonus he can even max out ride.

Skills: Handle Animal 8 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, Knowledge (dungeoneering) 4 ranks.
Feats: Animal Affinity.
Special: Spend at least one week living alone in a dungeon complex.

 

[Seeten]

no, Frank, I'm thinking of the proposed level 5 Wizard, level 5 beast heart adept, thats 7 bab, 2 from wizard, 5 from BHA, 5d4 hp + 5d8 hp (averages to 10d6, with only 4 hp from 1st level) and only 5 levels of spellcasting, from being a level 5 wizard. Not to mention a feat on a 4hd shocker lizard.

 

[frankthedm]

no, Frank, I'm thinking of the proposed level 5 Wizard, level 5 beast heart adept, thats 7 bab, 2 from wizard, 5 from BHA, 5d4 hp + 5d8 hp (averages to 10d6, with only 4 hp from 1st level) and only 5 levels of spellcasting, from being a level 5 wizard. Not to mention a feat on a 4hd shocker lizard.

My mistake. I thought that first post was commnetary on the PRC itself.


Beast heart feels like one of those NPC intended PRCs that at least seem PC viable. Of course with that live a week in the dungeon alone requirment many aspiring beast heart adepts will wind up beast lunch adepts.

 

[Seeten]

Ranger Wickett seems like a good guy, but he has a tendency to play gimped up PC's methinks =)

 

[frankthedm]

Ranger Wickett seems like a good guy, but he has a tendency to play gimped up PC's methinks =)

I like a lot of ideas that this system tends to gimp. As it happens i really really like the idea of leading hoards of allies into combat. Sadly, any allies available in mass quantities in this system tend to die like mayflies [DAMN YOU FIREBALL!]

Oh , I just realized unlike the druid, the BHA has no way to regain slain monstrous allies. Talk about a throw away NPC!

Though in all likelihood wotc will later clarify they replace them like a Druid animal companion{spend one day in the dungeon]. I’d rather it be a week in the dungeon rather than a day to discourage meat sheilding.

 

[Seeten]

Although the BBEG with a bunch of Meat Shield monsters IS thematically appropriate, agreed?

 

[Slaved]

Well, you could use the variant druid (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#druid) and have a Dire Bat animal companion for a mount. Get it a monks belt and get both of you wisdom boosting items.

If you can use natures bond in the weird way that lets you have the Dire Bat with level 10 druid boosting then it will have 10 hit dice. Otherwise it still has 8 hit dice.

It may not be as strong as your other ideas but it is still pretty fun to think about.