(CSDGH) Demon with a Glass Hand [OOC]

[Lorthanoth]

Geez... I really can't build characters - I thought my AC and saves were pretty good! Wow! But then again I have to activate loads of stuff each round, so I suppose it evens out.

Okay!

[sblock=Background]Lysander lives in Paradise. As far as he is concerned at least. He is a devoted servant of the Lady of the City, Undine, and believes that her rule is the most enlightened of all the god-kings. Educated at the finest academies, and trained in the arts of war, Lysander is the examplar of the courtier/warrior. As adept with words as he is with his blade (fashioned in homage to his queen's), he is keen to avoid conflict where possible but quick to act if violence occurs. He has been entrusted with both diplomatic missions and... less-than-diplomatic strike forces in his time.[/sblock]

 

[Creamsteak]

In general concept both those characters seem fine. I can work out how we can move things along fairly soon. I'm a bit tired right now to review mechanics/expenditures, but I'll speak up if I see anything I'm not familiar with-don't like in the next couple days.

Shayuri and Psion, are both of you good-to-go if I re-start the game on Monday?

 

[Shayuri]

*salutes*

SAH!

 

[Bloodweaver1]

That works for me as I still have some modifications to make. I welcome anyone else who likes to review characters to go ahead and beat mine up. Just be gentle

Again Cream, thanks for letting me join.

-Blood

 

[Psion]

Shayuri and Psion, are both of you good-to-go if I re-start the game on Monday?

Roger roger!

 

[Shayuri]

Comments on the characters so far:

Lorth - You need a tidge more AC and slightly better saves. Fortunately, your item purchases will make this fairly easy.

Consider first an animated shield. Works like a regular shield, but you don't have to use a hand to hold it. Or if you can spare a feat, get a buckler and use the feat that allows you to get the buckler AC bonus even if you're using the hand on the side the shield is on. It's something like Improved Buckler Use...PHB 2 I think... Failing all that, some natural armor would be great for ya. Either via a power, or an item. Your target AC should be 28 or more for a reasonably well protected frontliner.

Saves are easy. Buy a cloak or vest of Resistance. Bam, done.

Where to get the funds though?!

Chuck those Bracers of Archery for one thing. You're not an archer. Spending 25k in order to do something you don't do very well a little better isn't very cash-efficient. Focus on your strengths and trust the party to balance you out. Shard, for example, is a ranged specialist. With a range of spells to bring down just about any assailant in the skies or far away. If you want to participate in aerial fights, get an item that grants Flight. Though they're kind of expensive, so I'd suggest starting with a potion or two at first.

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Blood!

Pretty solid build! My only voice of concern is really more of a GM thing, but it bears mention. The feats: Mage Slayer and Pierce Magical Protection are widely (including by myself) considered to be wildly overpowered; giving bonuses and abilities that exceed those of Epic Feats. And I'm not just saying that because I'm playing a mage.

You'll be a tad more powerful in melee than Lorth, but Lorth will have those cool auras and things...so I think it works out.

Well done, the both of you!

 

[Lorthanoth]

Thanks for the advice, Shayuri - this is my first high-level character so it's a bit of a learning curve - I can boost his AC to 27 three times a day but from what you say that might not cut it.

Good point about the archery - I'm used to playing druids and bards, so I try too hard a lot of the time to make my PCs all rounder support guys.

 

[Shayuri]

A good shorthand estimator of frontline AC is your expected ECL times two.

If you want to do it more accurately, but more exhaustively, figure an attack bonus equal to:

+1 per HD (14 in this case).
Str of 10+HD (24 in this case, for a bonus of +7).
Misc bonuses of +2 or 3...this is just kind of a guesstimate based on Weapon Focus and a +1 or +2 weapon.

From this we expect a frontline warrior to have a hit bonus of +23 or +24. In reality, it can be higher, but this is a reasonable estimate for most encounters.

It's not reasonable to expect your AC to block the first blow. The purpose of AC on a frontline warrior is to block iteratives and discourage power attacks. An AC of 28 will only stop a +23 attack 25% of the time. But it'll stop the second iterative 50% of the time (which is the usual baseline I use for comparing AC to hit bonus...the all-important 50/50 zone). From this, I set AC 28 as the least AC a frontline warrior will want. More is gravy. Less means you'll be taking statistically more damage, and possibly sucking down power attacks.

Admittedly, there are other defenses that factor in. Miss chances from Blur or Displacement slash all hits by a percentage prior to any AC calculation, for example. DR mitigates all damage taken after AC is factored.

Even so, a resistance item of +3 is only 9000, leaving you with 16000 from your bracers. That's enough to buy a decent animated shield, or an item that provides natural armor...depending on how you want your character to look.

 

[Lorthanoth]

Maths make arts graduate head hurt. Not really that bad but I've never really thought about how it all works :/

OK - now have higher saves and AC! Thanks!

He looks kind of in keeping with the setting and the other characters so far I think, with several gems orbiting his head and a massive sword that looks like the blade is made of glass.

He also has permanent DR as a class ability so that can suck up some; can manifest a force shield, and has his funky AC boosting power. He can also boost Haros' and Shard's caster DCs if he's within 60ft of them. Trying to think of a way to rp that, "Come on, girl, you can do better than that! Give them what for, old man!"

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Thanks for the look over Shayuri! To be honest this is my first time building a soulknife at this level and it would not even be possible if Cream did not let Shadow Sentinel & Soulknife stack. Though I do think its a decent rounded frontline. With some capabilities to adjust its fighting style based on the enemy.

I do request another review though as I exchanged Soulknife 5 for Fighter 1. +1 to BaB, +2 Fort, and an extra feat (PA should go nicely with his Shadow Strike ability) seemed like a good trade. I also spend the rest of his funds on some misc items and potions.


My two cents - I didn't really look over your toon Lorth but I would hazard a guess and say ditch the stat increasing Ion stones and pick up the clothing equivilants (if you have the room). They are noticibly cheaper. Also ask Cream if you can get a two magical items in the MIC that will increase your minor and major auras by +1. I do not know their names or their $$ but it should be affordable. Again just my two cents.


Thanks again for the extra pair of eyes!

-Blood