i need a cohort!

[the_mighty_agrippa]

i need to design a cohort for my 6th level mystran priest. we use all the splatbooks and i'm torn between a few concepts.

5th level cleric w/ rune, spell domains. moving to church inquisitioner/divine disciple.

here's the problem - the party is about as dysfunctional as you can get. the elven archer is a my way or the higway, do it right now damn the consequences combatant, which doesn't sit well with my character or the paladin. the sorceror fires off every spell she has at the first sign of danger, even when we know there's a bigger danger around the next corner. the rogue is a versatile, capable character but the ranger is completely ineffective and has one foot so deep in the grave that he has coffin fitten odoreaters.

since we are continually running low on spells and lack a true wizard, i was thinking about making an arcanist. on the other hand, the fact that the ranger is an idiot leaves me open to attack, so i was looking at a psychic warrior or devoted defender cohort.

hell, i might even consider a shaman if i get desperate enough.

any ideers?

 

[Hannibal Barca]

Devoted Defender with level or two of Paladin or Holy Liberator down the road.

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

Errr, I was statting up my ideal character, you probably can adapt him to be a cohort:

Demitri, male human Div5: CR 5; ECL 5; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 5d4+10; hp 22; Init +0; Spd 30 ft; AC 10; Melee unarmed strike -1 (1d3-1); SA spells; SQ summon familiar; AL LN; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +5; Str 8, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats: X; Enlarge Spell (virtual), Scribe Scroll (virtual), Subtle Scrying -2 more-.
Wizard Spells Prepared (4/5/4/3):
0-
1-Mage Armor, Magic Missile (x2), Shield, True Strike (Div-BoEM II Anavar's Anticipated Attack, Creature Loresight, Object Loresight, Evoc-Unhand
2-Demoncall (BoVD), Locate Object (x2), Rope Trick (Mark of Water-BoEM I +2 con or 5d6 range touch, Static Veil-BoEM I increases Scry check by 1/caster level, Undaunted Fixture-BoEM I binds two objects together, Welter-BoEM II trips people, Create Magic Tattoo-FRCS useful for later on for +1 caster level x3, Shatter)
3-Arcane Parry (RRII), Clairvoyance/Clairaudience, Extended Charge (BoEM II)
Equipment: Wand of Magic Missiles (9th level caster, 50 charges), Quaal's Feather Token (Tree).

Future Spells (BoEM III)-(1st) Fey Storage, Identify Scrier, Resist Scrying (2nd) Energy Lash, Scrytalk (3rd) Item from Beyond


-Divinations are his first priority out of battle. Locate Object is just a truly awesome spell, for instance, you can set it to 'Spell Component Pouch' or 'Spell Components' or 'Familiars' to detect any nearby wizards/sorcerers, or use Clairvoyance/Clairaudience to scout out the villains. Rope Trick is a nice escape spell, and Quaal's Feather Token (Tree) is one of the most versatile items around.

Your primary offensive ability lies in your wand of magic missiles, which allows him to deal 5d4+5 damage to a target at this level, optionally, if you don't have those BoEM/RR allowed you can get Haste, and then with the wand you can burn of 10d4+10 damage each round, which is pretty darn good at this level (with no attack roll required).

For the other feats I suggest Spell Penetration, Spell Focus, and/or Improved Initiative.

Hope this helps

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

here are the concepts i am currently batting around.

human psychic warrior, specializing in reach weapons for stand still and improved trip feats.

half-ogre fighter/shaman/sacred fist type. cleared it with the dm; he could be ilmatari, allowing him access to templar later. very nice but slow advancement.

a human diviner or a dwarven conjurer.

regardless, my main character is a lawful neutral mystran hardliner. he's out campaigning to bring order to the wilds of vaasa and he's not going to accept bookish, nebbishy types.

 

[Christian]

... but the ranger is completely ineffective and has one foot so deep in the grave that he has coffin fitten odoreaters.

I don't have any useful suggestions, other than to say that I love that expression. I'll definitely have to share it with my group this week. I even know to whom we'll apply it ...

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

ha! dallas, eh?

i'm playing in justin's tuesday game in garland.

bong!

 

[Skaros]

Your cohort should be a gnome with a bright red pointy, cone shaped hat, a bright green vest, brown pants, black buckle shoes, and a wide black belt.

Primary weapon: A rake or perhaps a shovel.

Skaros

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

you big dink.

that gnome is now wearing a retro that 70's oompa loompa outfit.

 

[Laslo Tremaine]

I too will vote for the Psychic Warrior with reach weapon and stand-still feat (spiked chain and improved trip are extra handy for this).

My Wiz/Alienist had one for a cohort and it was very usefull for keeping bad guys at bay.

 

[Lord Torin]

Most of my characters have been spellcasters with a cohort. I can tell you that the Devoted Defender is definately the way to go. It has saved my skin more times than I can count.