Epic D&D campaign (still recruiting)

[Jemal]

Sorry for the multiple posts, but I felt it kept the issues well grouped... Just one more..

And finally, a couple questions for the DM before I can finish the last of my spell list.
A) Time stop. Your take on it?
IE: Do you have any particular feelings PC's using it? Would you avoid it if we do?(I like this idea, Time Stop to me is one of the spells that I feel falls under MAD)

B) Shapechange. Which version do you use?
Original PHB states 2Xcaster level, no more than 50HD.
Revised SRD states Caster lvl no more than 25HD
Most people I've gamed with use the houserule that's somewhere in between: caster lvl no more than 50HD.
*Not that it matters much(25HD still gets you the vast majority of the MM), nor am I planning on using it as a frequent combat style, I just like knowing my options ahead of time.

C) This isn't something that my character's dependant on, more of a situational "I thought it'd be cool" idea. If I were to TWIN a true strike, would you allow the +20's to be used on two seperate attack rolls, assuming they were used similarily? (My specific Idea is Twinned true strike to enhance a Twinned attack spell, which thematically makes sense, I believe).
Like I said, it's just an option I'm wondering about.

D) Polymorph Any Object: Do you allow it to be used on PART of an object? It states it can affect a nonmagical object of up to 100 Cubic feet/lvl, but would you allow it to be used to affect PART of a larger object?
IE Transforming one wall of a castle, or a portion of the floor. I love using it as a construction spell, polymorphing a large portion of the ground.
I've never had any complaints in the past, but I figure it's always best to check.

 

[ghostcat]

[MENTION=9026]Jemal[/MENTION].

1. Loosing attacks was just me misunderstanding how BAB works at high level. I did say I'm not used to the stratosphere So Scout it is. Ninja and Fighter fit nicely. So in order its Ranger(2), Scout(3), Fighter(1),Dervish(10),Ninja(1), Scout(4-16)

2. Hide In Plain Sight. All I was trying to say here is that as long as I was sticking with Ranger, I would rather have HiPS than a fighter bonus feat. As soon as I took a level of Ninja I lost it, so went with the Fighter bonus feat. Now I am going with scout I get it back.

3. Having investigated further, I agree about Combat Casting.

[MENTION=6668704]Dharuhk Svahre[/MENTION]

Given I have rebuilt my character do you want me to re-role the HD. I could use the existing ones - Ranger ones can be split between Ranger and Scout; Dervish is unchanged. So I just need to roll for Ninja and Fighter.

 

[Jemal]

One final thing - Which Ninja are you using? I presume the one from Complete Adventurer, yes?
If so, I would suggest altering ONE level in your order... Take Ninja AFTER 20, and take another scout nonepic. It's better BAB that way.
(3/4 bab classes loose their bab on the FIRST of every four levels, so the next three are all +1BAB before you loose another.)
Although if you use the ninja lvl your saves'll be better.
For your amusement:
First 20 lvls:
Ranger2/Scout3/Fighter1/Dervish10/Ninja1/Scout4-6
BAB 17, Fort10, Ref17, Will9

Ranger2/Scout3/Fighter1/Dervish10/Scout4-7
BAB 18, Fort 10, Ref15, Will9

Your choice, +1 BAB or +2 Reflex. With the massive Reflex save you're allready going to have, I'd suggest the BAB.

Also keep in mind that juggling lvl order won't affect anything but saves&attack. Skills/feats/HP will remain the same regardless of when you took the level..
OOH, well, except for whichever is your FIRST level.. I would suggest scout first for the bonus skill points(8 more than ranger if taken at first lvl)

 

[Dharuhk Svahre]

First off, I'm gonna say no epic scrolls. Not that i think anybody has gone out to purchase them, but I just want to curb the rediculousness of buying as much metamagic as you want on scrolls with millions of gp to spend. Not a good combo.

Jemal: First off, so far no party member has posted a spell list or ability that let them cast a quickened antimagic field yet. As for Wand/Staff/Scroll, its a level 10 spell. I don't allow epic scrolls, there are no epic wands, and there are no listed staffs that can cast it.

Now for A: I don't know what you're asking. Timestop = fun? I don't know. I believe it is an encounter fast forward button, so I kinda like it myself.

B: I'm gonna ask that you don't use shapechange. Its the biggest headache spell I've ever had to deal with, and has caused me some personal problems in previous gaming experiences. Stupid spell is just too variable, especially at epic level.

C: A twin truestrike sadly does not work. It is quite specific that the variables be exactly the same, and more to the point you can't cast 2 truestrikes in one round and have them apply to the next 2 attacks you make. They would all go off on the next attack, not one at a time.

D: I think common sense is the dictating factor here. I don't want to say no, I do think you can polymorph a single section of wall or a chunk of ground. On the other hand I don't think you can polymorph just half of a person's face. I know people aren't objects, but I don't think you could do that to a corpse either.

ghostcat: I leave the option for a reroll or a shift around of HD up to you as long as the ending results are legit.

 

[Nephtys]

Nephtys: Ok, so second half of my revue:

First off, scarabs go on amulet slots, not a shirt slot.

I'm not allowing repeat items, so taking 20 scrolls of something isn't legit.

Wands and scrolls are allowed in the singular, but Vertexx already pointed out that spell triggers are standard action so quicken spells don't help.

I'm not allowing gear from the book of vile darkness into this game. This falls under my right to say no to other sources. Most of whats in the book of vile darkness has been reprinted, though you have to use the MiC rules for it. Fleshring of Scorn is a big example, I don't know if Souldrinking has been reprinted.

You don't get to pick what spell you get in a spell storing ring. Since you can't cast a quicken antimagic field, you can't put one in it.

You never put where antimagic torq was from.

I'm not allowing defending to stack with itself. You can only use it once.

Thats seems to be about it.

Thanks. Most of the equipment I can adjust without much additional cost and I still have a lot of gold unspent. I was hoping to use the scrolls as a way to equalise my powerlevel compared to the casters, but the removal of Shapechange goes a long way so I'm satisfied. I know it's not a competitive game, but it's good not to feel overshadowed by squishy little mortals who can turn themselves into Glooms or Solars at a whim.

--

Before I implement some changes I wanted to know if you would accept them:

Complete Champion (46)
Barbarian alternative class feature

Level: 1st.
Replaces: This benefit replaces the fast movement class feature.

Lion Totem: ​

Regal and intimidating, the powerful lion is a symbol of nobility among the races of the wild. By selecting him as your spiritual totem, you gain the pounce ability
(MM 313).

There are no mechanical restrictions why a demon couldn't use this class feature although the flavour is a bit strange. The savagery of a barbarian fits with the demonic image and the lion part could just be an aspect of their animalistic nature.​

--​

A valorous weapon allows its wielder to make powerful charge attacks. When used in a charge, the valorous weapon deals double damage, much like a mounted warrior with the Spirited Charge feat. More than one doubling of damage increases the damage multiple by one per additional doubling, so double-double damage is triple damage, triple-double damage is quadruple damage, and so on.​

Price: +1 bonus​

Unapproachable East

--

Halberd of Vaulting
This +2 halberd allows its wielder to make powerful leaping attacks. The halberd of vaulting gives its wielder a +30 bonus on Jump checks and removes the usual maximums for jumping distance. Whenever the wielder takes the charge action, she may attempt a vaulting charge. If the wielder can make a running high jump at least 5 feet high during the charge, the charge attack deals double damage. To make a vaulting charge, the wielder must have a clear path through the air to the target. In an area with a low ceiling or overhanging obstructions, a vaulting charge might not be possible.
Market Price: 20,310 gp; Cost to Create: 10,310 gp + 800 XP
Source: Arms And Equipment Guide

-​

As you can see I'm trying to change my build to a charger. Do any of you have any tips how I could improve it more? For my Marshal minor aura I'm going Over the Top (+ to charge), of course. But are there some feats or items I'm missing out of? It's a real shame I have to be orcish for this feat, it would really fit very well for demons too:

Headlong Rush
Type: General
Source: Races of Faerun
You charge your foes with immense force, heedless of your own safety.
Prerequisite: Orc or half-orc, base attack bonus +4 or higher
Benefit: Instead of a normal charge attack, you can perform a headlong rush. A headlong rush is a charge that provokes attacks of opportunity from every foe who can reach its path, including the opponent you attack. A headlong rush otherwise functions like a charge attack (+2 attack, -2 AC, straight-line movement only), except that a successful attack deals double damage.

 

[ghostcat]

Jemal. Thanks for the advice. As I have already mentioned, I am not really used to building characters at this level, so these sort of things don't even occur to me. That said, I am really enjoying the learning experience.

As to which way to go, I think I'll sleep on it.

 

[rangerjohn]

DS sounds like its better to go archmage in your games than gish.

Time Stop any blasting spells, I win.

Wheras you limit the spells that help in melee.

 

[Jemal]

Can't say any of those answers surprise me. The True Strike thing I Know doesn't work per the base rules, that's why I was asking if you'd be willing to allow it for specific functions, but as I said earlier, it's not a large part of the character so not that important.

I was actually kinda hoping you'd say no to Timestop, b/c if it's in then I pretty much have to take it.. I'd loose my Sorcerors license if I didn't. *L*

Your views on Poly-Anything are the same as mine, just wanted to make sure.

And finally, if Shapechange causes you headaches like that, would you like me to avoid polymorph too? Changing forms isn't a standard part of the character, but I always like having the option. If it's something you'd rather not have in your campaign though, I'll drop it.


Nephtys - Are you taking the leap attack feat? B/c if you are then you're well on your way to making the Uber-Charger, one of the highest(non-casting, non-infinite) damage dealers the Optimization boards ever came up with. I think around lvl 20 he was in close to (if not above)4 digits worth of damage per round.

 

[Jemal]

DM - Someone asked a page or two ago if there was a compilation of the house rules/question rulings somewhere. I wonder if you could edit the first post to include all of them so that people could check them all in a single, easy-to-find post rather than having to try and leaf through a dozen pages?

Rangerjohn - Actually, my favourite Fighter-mage(I hate 'gish') I ever played didn't use any of the banned spells. He wasn't a mage who expended all his magic to turn into a better fighter, he was a fighter who also had mage abilities and used BOTH during combat.
Teleport, Sunschool to smack opponent, quickened force orb to the face.
Next round, full attack, quickened lightning leap to zap THROUGH the opponent, sunschool to smack him.
Etc, etc.

Twas a really fun character.


Anyways, not that that really matters to your concept, so What spells exactly are you worried that he's gotten rid of? Only buff spell so far that I can think of is Shapechange, and it's not required to make mages into fighters, just to make them into gods.

If you're looking for some buff spells: Greater Mage Armour, Greater Blink, Mighty Wallop/Greater(If using blunt weapon), Dolorus Blow, Heroics, Heroism/Greater Heroism, Tensers Transformation(Though this prevents further casting), Wraith strike are all good, just to name a few. I think those are all from PHB/Spell Comp except Mighty Wallop which is, I believe, Races of the Dragon.


Also keep in mind that you cannot effect others while in Time Stop, the only way to blast during it is with Delayed spells set to go off on your turn after the time stop ends, or area effect spells such as Evards & Clouds that will also not start affecting them till the Time Stop ends.

 

[Nephtys]

Nephtys - Are you taking the leap attack feat? B/c if you are then you're well on your way to making the Uber-Charger, one of the highest(non-casting, non-infinite) damage dealers the Optimization boards ever came up with. I think around lvl 20 he was in close to (if not above)4 digits worth of damage per round.

I'm considering it, but I would have to trade off another feat, probably Greater Multiweapon Fighting or Hand of Osano Wo. Either would cost me a lot of damage potential in return for boosting Power Attack, and using PA reduces my chances to hit unless I take Shock Trooper, which costs me another feat as a prereq. If I went that route I would drop the Cleave feats and would never be able to get Devastating Attack. But DA is far in the future as it is, so it might not be worth aiming for.