Complete Scoundrel Here

[Kafkonia]

When I first saw the mention of tricks, I thought "Neat, more stuff for animal companions to do..."

Obviously I was mistaken. But... is there any love for animal companions or (big stretch) familiars?

 

[MKMcArtor]

I'm a bit unclear on the skill point cost for Tricks. Do they all cost 2 skill points (which are then used for buying tricks instead of skill ranks.) Would it be unbalanced to allow the skill characters to use the tricks without the skill point cost if they had the skill rank prerequisites?

They all cost exactly 2 skill points (which, yes, you use for buying tricks instead of skill ranks). The balance thing is up to you and your DM, I suppose. You'll want to make sure to read the chapter first, of course.

I suppose these tricks are going to be best used for the Rogues with the more focused skill sets, rather than maxing out as many skills as your skill points and level will allow. They'll probably see more use at the mid to high level range, because after a certain point, not all of your chosen skills need to be maxed out to succeed most of the time.

Yeah, they're mostly useful for the classes that have lots of skill points. That was intentional, since that's for whom we wrote the book.

Well, if you are looking for ideas for Web Enhancements for Complete Scoundrel...

I'd love for Wizards of the Coast to ask me to do that.

Speaking of which, are there tricks for Psicraft, Autohypnosis, Knowledge (Psionics) and Use Psionic Device?

Alas, although I tried to put in something for psionics in every portion I worked on, I think I failed in including psionic love with the tricks. Sorry!

When I first saw the mention of tricks, I thought "Neat, more stuff for animal companions to do..."

That would have been cool as well. If you're desperate for animal companion tricks, may I suggest Dragon #323 (page 101)?

/shameless plug

Obviously I was mistaken. But... is there any love for animal companions or (big stretch) familiars?

There was going to be a prestige class that would have been right up your alley, but it got cut, IIRC. So, alas, no animal companions. While it probably would have been more appropriate for Complete Mage, I do believe there's yet another list of alternative familiars you can take with the Improved Familiar feat.

 

[D.Shaffer]

Are there any tricks for use with Ride or Handle Animal?

 

[blargney the second]

I love the idea of tricks: it's another way to utilize resources that characters get as they level up. I've had some characters that occasionally had an extra pair of skill points for sale.

 

[Beckett]

Beckett,

Yeah but some arcanists...okay ONE arcanist type is kind of skills oriented. I mean if you didn't have ranks in Spellcraft, you couldn't figure out what spell is being cast. Same with Knowledge (arcana)

Thus skill guys help!

Oh, I'm aware that the skill guys have their uses. It's just my preference in characters (when I'm actually playing, a rarity as I'm better behind the screen) is wizards before rogues, so CM was of more interest than CS will be (and let me just say, I appreciate the new Complete books all using new letters for the title, so we don't end up with another mess like trying to contract Complete Adventurer and Complete Arcane).

My wife, on the other hand, loves rogues, so she should get a kick out of this book.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I don't like the 'tricks cost skill points' mechanic because it reminds me of non-skill-system abilities crammed into the skill system in SilCore and, shockingly, HERO. A few of the HERO "skills" are the only things in the entire system categorized by flavor (they're mundane abilities you learn to employ) rather than effect. It sticks out like a sore thumb.

This gives me a similar vibe.

Nonetheless, the actual abilities sound very cool, and I like the idea of cramming a few related ones into a tactical feat.

I also very much like the short prestige classes. A lot of PrCs look exciting just for their first few abilities, with the higher levels providing BAB/save/HD filler - or vice versa, with useless lower levels padding out one really interesting capstone ability. I much prefer classes exactly as long as they have to be.

 

[Pbartender]

I also very much like the short prestige classes. A lot of PrCs look exciting just for their first few abilities, with the higher levels providing BAB/save/HD filler - or vice versa, with useless lower levels padding out one really interesting capstone ability. I much prefer classes exactly as long as they have to be.

It's also nice to be able to complete a PrC and get all the cool abilities before you get to 10th level or so... Few campaigns last far enough into the late teens to do the same with 10 level PrCs.

 

[Fingers Boggis]

Cloaked Dancer: 5 level: You dance and scare everyone around you. Maybe for a bard, with 2/5 arcane progression. Meh.

Any chance of some more info? Why Meh? This sounds like it has possible synergy with a bardic dervish I've been putting together so more info would be cool.

cheers
Fingers

 

[EvolutionKB]

Can you give us some more details on the PrC's specifically the Combat Trapsmith and the 10 level psionic one?

MKMcArtor: If you made a character using things from this book, what would you make and why?

 

[Wraith-Hunter]

I for one really like the idea of Tricks.

The Feat Mechanic is WAY over done. And characters only get a very narrow number of feats to choose from. Anything that add on some stuff without using feats is cool. And it seems that WotC is ditching the use of useless feats no body would take for entry into a PrC. I'm really sick of feats being the only way to add to the mechanics.

Really what needs to be done is insert X = Class Ability every 4th or 5th level, and have a bunch to choose from, with weak ones for lower levels and better ones for higher. Feats are WAY over done.

I also really like the short PrC classes. Most builds just dip into them anyway and many of the 10 level ones seem like they are just stretching it out trying to make it last 10 levels, and people just dip as a result.

Will definitely pick it up. Just wish there were alternate class abilities, but since you didn't know about PHBII till the last few weeks I guess I can forgive you.