Gaming W/Jemal: Planar Quest! (Closed)

[Jemal]

Scott - what do you mean, 8,300?

 

[Scott DeWar]

I took a gander ay Binder Fred's character sheet and at the bottom was his share listed as 8,300, so i thought i would ask if that is the correct amount.

 

[Shayuri]

Time for a flurry of questions!

1) Jemal, I'm interested in a few MIC items. The Vest of the Archmagi for one, and possible runestaves. I realize runestaff costs were errated, so I need to find that info from the vast interweb before I know specifically which one I want. Anyway, is there any guideline as far as what MIC items are available? Or is it strictly case by case? Similarly, there's some summoning-related items in Complete Mage, I believe, that I may be interested in.

2) Similar question regarding non-core sources for spells, such as Spell Compendium and PHB2 and the Completes.

3) This one's for Scott! Since we're both sorcerors I was looking over your sheet to make sure I didn't step on your dragonny toes. It was a little confusing though. Your caster level is 16, right? 6 sorceror, 5 abjurant champion, 1 rogue, 1 fighter, and 6 eldritch knight? You have it listed as 18 though, and you have the spell selection of a 19th level sorceror. I realize it's a work in progress...I am just trying to coordinate with you a bit, so we can have distinct magical focus.

In the spirit of that cooperation, here's what I have so far...also a work in progress.

[sblock=Very very rough protosheet]Str 10
Dex 18
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 16
Cha 18 (29 full boost, 34 w/tomes)

1st level monk
8 HP
24 sp
bonus feat: Improved Grapple? Stunning Fist? (DC 19+wismod)
Improved Unarmed attack: 1d6 unarmed dmg
Flurry of blows (2 atks, -2 to hit each)

18th level sorceror
18d6 hp
72 sp
Appraise
Bluff
Craft
Fly
Intimidate
heal
knowledge arcana
profession
spellcraft
UMD

BAB +9
Fort +8
Ref +8
Will +15

feats
b Point Blank Shot
1 Precise Shot
3 Spell Focus: Transmutation
6 Ascetic Mage
b Weapon Finesse
9 Empower Spell
12 Spell Penetration
b Iron Will
15 Greater Spell Focus: Transmutation
18 Heighten Spell

Base DC 22
6 slots all, 5 8th, 3 9th
0 9
1 Enlarge Person, Magic Missile, Shocking Grasp, Shield, Grease, Bless
2 Dimension Hop, Knock, Invisibility, See Invisibility, Glitterdust, Resist Energy
3 Displacement, Phantom Steed, Suggestion, Wind Wall, Magic Circle v Evil
4 Orb of Force, Ennervation, Dimensional Anchor, Resilient Sphere, Remove Curse
5 Telekinesis, Wall of Stone, ?, ?, Flame Strike
6 Disintegrate, Analyze Dweomer, Greater Heroism? (Globe of Invuln?), Greater Dispel
7 Spell Turning, Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Banishment
8 Moment of Prescience, Polymorph Any Object, Sunburst
9 Summon Monster IX

Celestial
2 Bonus feats: Dodge, Extend Spell, Iron Will, Mobility, Mounted Combat, Ride By, Skill Focus: Knowledge Religion, Weapon finesse
Arcana: Summons gain 1/2lvl DR/evil
Hevenly Fire: 1d4+9 holy dmg/healing
Resist Acid/Cold 10
Wings of Heaven: Fly 60 Good 19min/day in 1min increments.
Conviction: Reroll ability check, atk roll, skill check or saving throw 1/day[/sblock]

I'm going for a focus on utility over pure blasting, and single-target blasts (Orb of Force...Disintegrate) as well as versatile impediment and 'debuff' attacks (Telekinesis...Polymorph Any Object). I elected to take a summon for my top level spell, so I'd have access to celestials who can use clerical support.

 

[Scott DeWar]

Time for a flurry of questions!

3) This one's for Scott! Since we're both sorcerers I was looking over your sheet to make sure I didn't step on your dragonny toes. It was a little confusing though. Your caster level is 16, right? 6 sorcerer, 5 abjurant champion, 1 rogue, 1 fighter, and 6 eldritch knight? You have it listed as 18 though, and you have the spell selection of a 19th level sorcerer. I realize it's a work in progress...I am just trying to coordinate with you a bit, so we can have distinct magical focus.

my calculation is: 6 sorcerer, 5 abjurant champion, 6 eldritch knight, but with Feat: Practiced Spellcaster (Char lv 6) Comp arcane pg 82

"Your caster level for the chosen spellcasting class increases by 4."

What it does is converts levels of non chosen caster levels [1 rogue, 1 fighter] into the chosen spell caster levels [sorcerer]. It is the same increase that the two prestige classes do: caster level effects, known spells and spells per day, but not class features. Actually, I think I might have short changed my self 1 level.

I do not think I can claim caster level increases from PRCs if there is a caster level increase feature, but the first level of eldritch knight is not an increase and fighter and rogue are counted, so it should read 19, not 18.

And thank you for not stepping on my delicate dragonny

EGO!​

 

[Binder Fred]

I took a gander ay Binder Fred's character sheet and at the bottom was his share listed as 8,300, so i thought i would ask if that is the correct amount.

Yes, I do think so. Jemal let us have the Charriot for 150K, minus the 100K party fund, that leaves 50k, divided by our six players: 8.3k each.

On the CL side though, I don't think Caster level affects Spells known or spells per day, as those are both determined by Class level. So you can cast, say, Fireball as a 20th level caster, but you are still an 18th level Soceror/E Knight. In fact... <checks Complete Arcane> the Feat description specifically states that it does NOT affect spells known and spells per day (last paragraph before the "special" section).

BF - the restriction is for balance. The item creation chart is notoriously and hilariously broken, and I only allow its usage by people who are willing to spend feats and XP, and even then it's case by case.

Alright. So items from scratch are out... What about modified items? i.e. How custom is too custom? I mean, Slot switching and existing item stacking is allowed in the character creation post. Can we then use the X2 cost "No space limitation" modifier (on the Circlet of Rapid Casting and Empowered Spell Shard), which would seem to go with the whole Slot switching theme? What about using the allowed stacking rules to stack two identical items together and, say, convert a 2/day item into a 4/day item (for my Gloves of Arrow Snaring for exemple)?

If we take care of that, that leaves just two contentious items on my list:

- First is the Goggles of True Seeing. Basically a Gem of True Seeing with a standard activation ("Lower goggles in place") combined with a 5/day Power Sight, also with a standard action to activate. I guess I can just pay the standard Gem of True Seeing cost (though at that price it's a "No Space Limitation" item) and drop the Power Sight side of it (which I thought was rather cool) if you want? (since there's obviously no existing magic item using a custom campaign spell)

- Next is the Ring of Metal and Stone... +1 Metaline Gloves of Sundering are standard, so what if we replace the Ring of Earth Glide (that doesn't exist) with a "Cloak" of Etherealness and just substract the "invisible and incorporeal to non-ethereal living matter" power from it to get sort-of the effect I was going for? (Actually, at 55K, I can put *two* Cloaks of Etherealness together (for double the duration) and *still* be cheaper than the original Ring of Earthglide item!)

What do you think?

1) Jemal, I'm interested in a few MIC items.

Are MIC items a problem? I also have a few. As, I believe, do all of the characters submitted to date.

 

[Scott DeWar]

On the CL side though, I don't think Caster level affects Spells known or spells per day, as those are both determined by Class level. So you can cast, say, Fireball as a 20th level caster, but you are still an 18th level Soceror/E Knight. In fact... <checks Complete Arcane> the Feat description specifically states that it does NOT affect spells known and spells per day (last paragraph before the "special" section).

And thanks for stepping on my

delicate dragonny EGO!​

Binder fred!!

*sob*
*sniff*
*pout*

ok, seriously:

it looks like it just got a bit complicated then
caster level for effects only: 19
caster level for spells known, and per day, but not for class features: 16
caster level for features: 6

 

[Jemal]

Ok, at work so just quick post re:Scotts casting.

You have two different casting levels.
Your actual spellcasting ability is 16, your effective caster level is 19.
You have spells known/ per day as a 16th level sorc, but all your level based effects are treated as a 19th level sorc.. Damage on a chain lightning, range on spells, CL for staves, etc.

Not sure what your 'caster level for features' is.. If you mean bloodline powers/etc, then I believe you're correct, bit thats not really 'caster' level, just 'class' level.

 

[Scott DeWar]

Not sure what your 'caster level for features' is.. If you mean bloodline powers/etc, then I believe you're correct, bit thats not really 'caster' level, just 'class' level.

correct: bloodline powers and such.

 

[Jemal]

MIC : As with all sources not on the list, everything is case by case. If it's not on my list of sources, I don't have easy access to a book, and will need to know what the spell/feat/item does before I can rule.

SOURCES:
For those who missed it in the creation post, The available sources are :
Core, Races of the Dragon, Draconomicon, PHB2, and Completes: arcane, adventurer, Mage, Warrior, Scoundrel. [
I do also have an MIC, but it isn't on the list b/c I'm not very familiar with it and will need specific items pointed out so I can check them.
Also, a special note as I believe I've already stated, I'm fine with much of the MIC stuff I've seen, but I sometimes have issues with X/day items.

Jemal, I'm interested in a few MIC items. The Vest of the Archmagi for one, and possible runestaves. I realize runestaff costs were errated, so I need to find that info from the vast interweb before I know specifically which one I want. Anyway, is there any guideline as far as what MIC items are available? Or is it strictly case by case? Similarly, there's some summoning-related items in Complete Mage, I believe, that I may be interested in.

Runestaves are OK, I use them all the time so I'm familiar with them. Feel free to use the un-errated prices if you have trouble finding the new stuff.
I also like the vest, its ok.

So items from scratch are out... What about modified items? i.e. How custom is too custom? I mean, Slot switching and existing item stacking is allowed in the character creation post. Can we then use the X2 cost "No space limitation" modifier (on the Circlet of Rapid Casting and Empowered Spell Shard), which would seem to go with the whole Slot switching theme? What about using the allowed stacking rules to stack two identical items together and, say, convert a 2/day item into a 4/day item (for my Gloves of Arrow Snaring for exemple)?

OK, the x2 no space limitation is ok if you don't go overboard on it, or use it for times/day items.
Stacking the same item for extra charges would cost +50%, like any other stacking. I would ask that you use this sparringly, I'm not fond of times/day items. Also you will need to keep an OOC block in your posts detailing how many of each times/day ability/item you have used/remaining for the current day, so if you buy a whole bunch, that's a lot of record keeping (cuz i'm not doing it for u. )

*ON THAT NOTE :
I've had a minor change of heart on items.. I will allow minor changes on items, such as removing a 'times/day' restriction. For example, the previously mentioned greater gloves of arrow snaring are OK
Sorry for the flip-flopping.
*

- First is the Goggles of True Seeing. Basically a Gem of True Seeing with a standard activation ("Lower goggles in place") combined with a 5/day Power Sight, also with a standard action to activate. I guess I can just pay the standard Gem of True Seeing cost (though at that price it's a "No Space Limitation" item) and drop the Power Sight side of it (which I thought was rather cool) if you want? (since there's obviously no existing magic item using a custom campaign spell)

I kinda like these goggles, actually.
Idea : use one Gem of Seeing set in a headband device that holds it in front of one eye, add the powersight, and call it a scouter.
Seriously though, Lets see..
While the gem is 'technically' slotless, it does normally require you to gaze through it to activate it anyways, so assigning it to your 'eye' slot shouldn't reduce the cost at all.. in fact, it makes it EASIER to use, by removing the requirement to dig it out and hold it in one hand.
Hows this : I'll give you True sight 30 min/day (standard action to activate, swift to deactivate) split into rounds/mins as required(like the gem), and Powersight unlimited usage, swift action activation.
Total cost 100K

- Next is the Ring of Metal and Stone... +1 Metaline Gloves of Sundering are standard, so what if we replace the Ring of Earth Glide (that doesn't exist) with a "Cloak" of Etherealness and just subtract the "invisible and incorporeal to non-ethereal living matter" power from it to get sort-of the effect I was going for? (Actually, at 55K, I can put *two* Cloaks of Etherealness together (for double the duration) and *still* be cheaper than the original Ring of Earth glide item!)

I'm torn on this.. on the one hand, It's an interesting item and I'm tempted to allow the earth gliding. On the other hand, I've had really bad experiences with incorporeal/ethereal/burrowing/'ignore obstacle' spells...
Hows this : I'll let you have the original earth glide item, but if I feel you're abusing it, I'll have to do something about it. Sound kosher?



Final Word:
OK, I still haven't had time to look over the characters much.. sick, injured, just moved into a new place, insert more whining excuses here.. lol

Anyways, if there's something specific about your character you still feel needs addressing please post about it, I will look the posted characters over as I am able. Also, If I missed anything please just repost it.

 

[kinem]

I'm going for a focus on utility over pure blasting, and single-target blasts (Orb of Force...Disintegrate) as well as versatile impediment and 'debuff' attacks (Telekinesis...Polymorph Any Object). I elected to take a summon for my top level spell, so I'd have access to celestials who can use clerical support.

Polymorph Any Object is a save-or-lose spell, so don't get it. Disintegrate is quite iffy in that regard as well. Do you want Jemal using these spells on us?

Yes, you could avoid using the spells for situations when they would be the most useful like fighting bosses, but that's just in-character stupidity, and I would not want to be part of a game like that.

I've nerfed my warlock quite a bit to avoid M.A.D.