Evangelist from C Divine: can anyone make a case that it doesn't suck?

[Terath Ninir]

Hmm. I suppose. Litterally protect their followers from hellfire.

 

[molonel]

If you build the character right, and use the Epic DCs for Bluff and Diplomacy, as well as the rules for shifting attitudes in the DMG, then the Evangelist can actually be rather effective. I'm playing one right now in a Gestalt campaign because I was sick of playing a combat character. My Evangelist carries a folding pocket knife that requires a move-equivalent action to open. I can shift the attitude of hostile NPCs to friendly as a full-round action, and then to fanatical for my side on the following round. If they can hear and understand me. Not bad, consider there is no saving throw. But that requires using the rather ill-conceived Diplomacy rules as written. The evangelist is made as a cult leader, and a nexus of power rather than a source. He is a being who moves others to act, and that is where he shines.

... although I take umbrage at the suggestion that ANYONE or ANYTHING sucks more than the bard.

 

[saucercrab]

The WotC boards give me cooties. ~shiver~ I don't think I can do that.

Too bad. :shrugs:

 

[boolean]

Fire Shield does more than just give people protection from fire. Remember, it also causes damage to anybody who attacks the shielded character, 1d6+8 in this case.

And Fire Shield is a self-only spell. This ability is more like Mass Fire Shield, a 5th level spell.

 

[Impeesa]

The WotC boards give me cooties. ~shiver~ I don't think I can do that.

Fine then, I'll go do it. Try this thread to start. Diplomacy builds can be truly frightening, and the Evangelist is a nice addition.

--Impeesa--

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I have a raging dislike of the evangelist. I think that using magical manipulation to forcibly convert people to your religion is inherently evil, no matter how good your motives are. It works great for evil cult leaders, as mentioned.