DM : "Your fighter does too much damage. Drop the belt of strength."

[Schmoe]

In terms of damage output, I can't see how to put together a 15th level human fighter to come close to the capabilities of this character. Doing so should be possible, but doesn't seem to be. That being the case, I have to side with the DM when he argues that the character is too powerful, despite disagreeing with his specific solution.

15th level half-orc fighter

Strength = 29 (20 start,+3 levels, +6 belt)
Weapon focus
Greater weapon focus
Weapon specialization
Greater weapon specialization

Chosen weapon = +5 greatsword

Attack bonus = +31/+26/+21 (+15 BAB, +9 strength, +5 magic, +2 focus)
Damage = 2d6+22 (+13 strength, +4 specialization, +5 magic)

Throw in Haste, Power Attack, and maybe Improved Critical, and you can routinely deal 100-200 points of damage in a round against an AC in the 20's.


Overall, I don't think the character is too far to the high end of the curve. The combination of template and prestige class certainly pushes the envelope, though. Nonetheless, if there is an issue at all, the belt of strength isn't it.

 

[3d6]

I don't think Question's character deals all that much damage, honestly.

An orc can probably match that damage output.

Lets make him a fighter 4/barbarian 11, and give him the Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and Melee Weapon Mastery feats, and equip him with a belt of giant strength +6 and a masterwork greatsword.

28 Strength (34 Strength /w rage); 16 base, +4 racial, +6 belt of giant strength, +2 HD

Attack: +32/+27/+22; +15 base attack, +9 Strength, +1 Weapon Focus, +2 Melee Weapon Mastery, +3 greater rage, +1 enhancement (masterwork)
Damage: 2d6+22; 2d6 slashing base, +18 Strength, +2 Weapon Specialization, +2 Melee Weapon Mastery

That's a 15th level orc fighter/barbarian with a single-non core feat and one magic item. Imagine what he could do if I gave him a magical greatsword.

Well, he has 200,000 gp as a 15th level character. I think we can safely spend about 25% of that on his weapon. He's an orc; they like big-ass swords. Give him a greatsword +5. Now his attack is greatsword +37/+32/+27 melee (2d6+27).

This isn't to say that Question's character isn't overpowered, but if he is, it is not because he deals 1d6+19+2d6 damage.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

15th level half-orc fighter

Strength = 29 (20 start,+3 levels, +6 belt)

I don't think this is a good example. You either have to roll really lucky, or nerf your other stats during point buy.

I asked a friend of mine who is a herpetologist (really likes reptiles) who bought Races of the Dragon to look up the stats of the Dragonspawn template. When she sends them to me, I'll post them in this thread and see if they are really that buff.

PS the bite stats are a bit off. The attack bonus should be 5 points lower (or 2 points if you had Multiattack, which you don't), so it should be reduced to +18. The damage should also only be 1d4+6 unless the PrC does funny things to secondary natural attack damage. (The base damage of 1d4 is pretty lame - why so low?)

+2 sacred ring of protection - 10k

What is this item? Anyone ever heard of this thing?

 

[JoeGKushner]

I don't think this is a good example. You either have to roll really lucky, or nerf your other stats during point buy.

I asked a friend of mine who is a herpetologist (really likes reptiles) who bought Races of the Dragon to look up the stats of the Dragonspawn template. When she sends them to me, I'll post them in this thread and see if they are really that buff.

PS the bite stats are a bit off. The attack bonus should be 5 points lower (or 2 points if you had Multiattack, which you don't), so it should be reduced to +18. The damage should also only be 1d4+6 unless the PrC does funny things to secondary natural attack damage. (The base damage of 1d4 is pretty lame - why so low?)



What is this item? Anyone ever heard of this thing?

Depends on the point buy. As a GM, I use 24 points with all stats starting off at 10.

 

[Delta]

If I was DM, I would NOT take away the belt of strength. I think your DM is wrong about that.

Instead, I would ban the template, the prestige class, the ability rolls, the special weapon, AND the nonstandard bracers.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Depends on the point buy. As a GM, I use 24 points with all stats starting off at 10.

Is that weighed point buy, and how is it weighed?

 

[JoeGKushner]

Is that weighed point buy, and how is it weighed?

Per the DMG.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

So Question, if the DM came to you to "sit down and knock out the kinks" and said that you could keep the belt of strength, but he wanted you to change the character in order to balance it a little better with the rest of the party, would you have an issue with this?

I've dealt with a situation like this where one PC was considerably more powerful than the rest of the party. It can be frustrating for everyone when the game gets going.

 

[Abraxas]

I asked a friend of mine who is a herpetologist (really likes reptiles) who bought Races of the Dragon to look up the stats of the Dragonspawn template. When she sends them to me, I'll post them in this thread and see if they are really that buff.

I'm pretty sure the Dragonspawn template is from the Dragonlance setting not Races of the Dragon. Is it fair use to post it here? If so I can do that later today.

 

[Tharian]

I have always gone with the "forty-twenty rule" your most expensive item cannot be more than 40% of your starting gold, all other items cannot be more than 20%

I have ever so stretched this to about 43% for the big item but it eliminates starting higher level characters with one cool item and no other non-mundane gear of note

I guess most DMs (or at least those whose allowments I've seen) have been much more permissive than I. I've generally stuck to somewhere around 30-33% per item. I figure if they want to buy three (reltively) expensive items and walk around with nothing else, then that's their call. It certainly makes role playing social situations much more interesting when you get to see a (semi-)naked whatever trying to convince the (local ruler) of good will and intent.