Deities & Demigods

[Nightfall]

So far I only know of ONE other +6 weapon...but it's not in D&Dmg. I think you know where though. I would imagine though perhaps the next issue of Dragon (295) will have more details and perhaps an artifact with a +6 in it. Just have to see won't we Krusty mate?

 

[Knight Otu]

Well, but "divine" could in this case just indicate the divine quality of this ability. After All, the Powers have all sorts of abilities names "Divine ..."

And it would even fit, because Rao has
3/3/3/3/2/2/2/2 cleric spells above 9th level,

Tharizdun only has 3/2/2/2/2 cleric spells abvove 9th, but 3/3/3/3/2/2/2/2 wizard spells above 9th, just the same Number Rao has.

Now,if you look up their stats, you will see Rao having a 44 Wis and Tharizdun a 44 Int (surpise, surprise...), but Tharizdun has only an effective Wis of 19 (or so it seems).

Whatever the case, I guess that "Divine Spellcasting" simply allows a deity to receive bonus spell slots above 9th level based on the related ability score(s).

But I'll find out sooner or later anyway...

Well, after rereading the article, it seems as if Arcane Mastery could be the "culprit" for Tharizduns high-level spell slots - though it could still be Divine Spellcasting.

But I guess that, here in germany, we'll rather find out later than sooner .

 

[Derulbaskul]

Knight Otu,

Well, after rereading the article, it seems as if Arcane Mastery could be the "culprit" for Tharizduns high-level spell slots - though it could still be Divine Spellcasting.

Actually, I can answer that for you now.

Here's an abbreviated version of the Divine Spellcasting divine salient ability:

The deity is an extremely accomplished spellcaster.
Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 20th.
Benefit: The diety can cast spells whose effective level is above 9th. The number of spells per day the deity can cast of each spell level above 9th depends on the deity's key ability score for spellcasting classes in which the deity has achieved 20th level, as shown on Table 2-6: Divine Spellcasting....
(snip rules for paladins etc....)
The deity also doesn't incur attacks of opporunity for casting spells when threatened.
In addition, the deity receives the benefit of the Spell Focus feat on any spell its casts.

Extract from Table 2-6: Diving Spellcasting for an ability score of 44:

3 x 10th, 3 x 11th, 3, 12th, 3 x 13th 2, x 14th, 2 x 15th, 2 x 16th, 2 x 17th

Upper Krust et al,

The rules for more powerful magic items will be in the ELH (I'm sure that will start a new round of, "How dare WOTC..." ). A deity can just create an item although it requires some rest afterwards. If the deity resides on a divinely morphic plane, the results are tripled.

Any more questions as I have just returned from a trip to Dubai and have my nose in the DDG book?

Cheers
NPP

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi Derulbaskul!

Upper Krust et al,

The rules for more powerful magic items will be in the ELH (I'm sure that will start a new round of, "How dare WOTC..." ).

A deity can just create an item although it requires some rest afterwards. If the deity resides on a divinely morphic plane, the results are tripled.

So a +5 sword would become a +15 sword?

Any more questions as I have just returned from a trip to Dubai and have my nose in the DDG book?

- Does it explain how deities gain such high ability scores - are there Salient Divine Abilities that increase ability scores ie. Divine Blessing (Strength)?

- Is there some sort of minimum ability score - there seem to be few under 24 (except Hercules?)

- Does it explain why Mjolnir (Thors Hammer) deals 4d8 base damage? (I assume because of its weight).

- What do Divine Weapon Focus and Divine Weapon Specialisation do exactly (do they stack with feats).

- What are Odin and Zeus ability scores?

- Is there an automatic bonus to Natural Armour or Deflection for AC? (I know Deities gain a +1 'Divine' bonus to AC per rank - but they also seem to have Natural Armour and Deflection bonuses for some reason?)

Thanks!

 

[Derulbaskul]

Hi Upper Krust,


> So a +5 sword would become a +15 sword?

Sorry, that wasn't a very clear posting from me. This refers to the quantity of objects created.

> Does it explain how deities gain such high ability scores - are there Salient Divine Abilities that increase ability scores ie. Divine Blessing (Strength)?

No, this appears left out and, unfortunately, there is no index for me to to see whether I have simply failed my Reading vs Jet Lag opposed skill check.

> Is there some sort of minimum ability score - there seem to be few under 24 (except Hercules?)

There does not seem to be any explanation of ability scores, per se, but again please note that I may have failed a Jet Lag skill check.

> Does it explain why Mjolnir (Thors Hammer) deals 4d8 base damage? (I assume because of its weight).

Yes, it weights two tons and there is a note that Thor's belt gives him the necessary Str to wield it (and thus the Str score of 92 is explained). As for damage, it simply states in the paragraph describing the weapon that it does 4d8 damage. Hmmm, weighs two tons... I think some physicists are going to look at that and come up with a different base damage figure.

> What do Divine Weapon Focus and Divine Weapon Specialisation do exactly (do they stack with feats).

Divine Weapon Focus: +4 on attacks, stacks with Weapon Focus
Divine Weapon Specialisation: +Divine Rank on damage, stacks with Weapon Specialisation and Divine Weapon Mastery
Divine Weapon Mastery: the deity gains Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialisation and Improved Critical with any simple or martial weapons (prerequisites: Fighter level 20th, War domain)

> What are Odin and Zeus ability scores?

Odin:
Str 32, Dex 28, Con 29, Int 44, Wis 30, Cha 29

Zeus (this guy is really tough):
Str 51, Dex 30, Con 34, Int 28, Wis 28, Cha 28
50 character levels: Bbn20/Ftr20/Clr10
Divine rank 19
1550 hit points

> Is there an automatic bonus to Natural Armour or Deflection for AC? (I know Deities gain a +1 'Divine' bonus to AC per rank - but they also seem to have Natural Armour and Deflection bonuses for some reason?)

Yes, here's the whole paragraph:

(quote)
A tangible field of divine energy encompasses and suffuses a deity's body, granting it a divine AC bonus equal to its divine rank. This bonus stacks with all other AC bonuses and is effective against touch attacks and incorporeal touch attacks.
Most deities (those with 20 outsider HD) have a natural armour bonus of their divine rank +13. All deities also haev a deflection bonus to their AC equal to their Cha bonus, if any.
(unquote)

> Thanks!
You're welcome.

Cheers
NPP

 

[Upper_Krust]

Thanks again Derulbaskul!

I won't ask anymore questions - I want to leave some surprises.

However, one thing is puzzling me:

From what I have been told Hercules deals 1d10 + 51 damage and Kord 2d6 + 54 damage, correct!?

Now they both have strength 55 which means +22 damage (+33 used two-handed); Weapon Specialisation (+2)

So far +35

For Kord we add +5 (weapon enhancement bonus) and +14 (Divine Weapon Specialisation) to get +54.

For Hercules if we add +5* (weapon) and +5 (Divine Weapon Spec) we only get +45.

*I am not even sure Hercules gains a weapon enhancement bonus.

The only thing I can think of is that Hercules has a Feat/Ability that allows him to deliver x2 strength bonus using a two-handed weapon* (I seem to recall a similar ability for the Samaurai prestige class in Sword & Fist?

*Which begs the question why doesn't Kord?

 

[Upper_Krust]

(quote)
A tangible field of divine energy encompasses and suffuses a deity's body, granting it a divine AC bonus equal to its divine rank. This bonus stacks with all other AC bonuses and is effective against touch attacks and incorporeal touch attacks.
Most deities (those with 20 outsider HD) have a natural armour bonus of their divine rank +13. All deities also haev a deflection bonus to their AC equal to their Cha bonus, if any.
(unquote)

That makes sense. I have noted a lot of similarities between the base Quasi-deity/Hero-deity powers and those of a Solar.

eg.
Damage Reduction; Spell Resistance; Immunities; and now (virtually*) Natural Armour/Deflection

*Perhaps they meant the Natural Armour bonus to be +14!?

 

[Tarril Wolfeye]

In that case Erbin gets his +13 natural armor bonus (DR 0 : +15 dexterity +7 deflection, +0 divine +13 natural armor = 45) even if he is NOT an outsider with 20 HD.

Looking at Erbin's Stats I conclude:
All entities with Divine Rank have base 24 in all ability scores and get 21 points to distribute when gaining DR 0. They gain 1 ability point to distribute for each DR gained.
Combining this with ability raises for levels it fits perfectly for Erbin and Imhotep at DR 0 and 1 and for Erbin at higher DR if he doesn't use ability raises for levels.

Well, anyone in Singapore, am I right?

(Edit: Corrected because I miscalculated )

 

[Upper_Krust]

I won't ask anymore questions -

Shut up you fool!

I forgot to inquire as to Lolths Divine Rank?

I would guess DR15 (but I hope DR12)?

Presumably her levels are 20HD + Cleric 16 + Wizard 14?*

*Ah the nostalgia!

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi there!

In that case Erbin gets his +13 natural armor bonus (DR 0 : +15 dexterity +7 deflection, +0 divine +13 natural armor = 45) even if he is NOT an outsider with 20 HD.

I don't think he gains even +13 (+DR) Natural Armour without the Outsider HD!?

Hercules doesn't! From what I recall he has (+7 Dex; +5 Divine; +5 Natural; +10 Nemean Lion Pelt; +7 Deflection).

Looking at Erbin's Stats I conclude:
All entities with Divine Rank have base 24 in all ability scores and get 21 points to distribute when gaining DR 0. They gain 1 ability point to distribute for each DR gained.
Combining this with ability raises for levels it fits perfectly for Erbin and Imhotep at DR 0 and 1 and for Erbin at higher DR if he doesn't use ability raises for levels.

Well, anyone in Singapore, am I right?

(Edit: Corrected because I miscalculated )

Thats what I concluded myself* (they don't gain any ability point increases for the Outsider HD - if indeed any should have been forthcoming?

*Though Hercules...

S: 55, D: 25, C: 28, I: 20, W:21, Ch24

...doesn't fit this template - he should have Int & Wis 24 - then again Hercules seems to have a few discrepancies (see above and one of my previous recent posts)