Creamsteak
Explorer
This thread will not last since the topic isn't interesting, and I know that. The interest in epic play isn't very high, and the interest in what kind of strange things come up when using the ELH is minimal. I'm curious, however, about what "combinations" are unbalanced when compared to "average" epic level characters.
An example of the oddity of high level average characters.
A level 160 wizard, using the ELH and the PHB alone wizards cannot hit fighters saving throws with 1st-9th level spells. Assuming the average DC (assuming starting primary ability is 15, and is raised every 4 levels) is about 52+Spell level, the Fighter's saving throws at level 160 is 70+Modifier+6 or 12.
Epic spells, and highly heightened spells still work fine, but otherwise the average wizard isn't going to be hitting very hard. Then again, if the fighter wanted to, he could easily purchase a cloak of resistance of about +50 or so... forcing the wizard to try even harder.
Another example of oddity at high levels...
Paladin 50 has 20 epic feats to select from. There are some average choices, but if the Paladin was to be overly focused, the Paladin could take his entire repetoir in Great Smiting... giving him 50*21 smite damage. 1050 smite damage on a single hit... and with an appropriate weapon 1100 damage. Cast holy sword and (I think) you could cause 2200 smite damage. That's borderlining enough damage to kill Azathoth from Call of Cthulhu in a single strike... and if the Paladin has enough con to maintian about 1000 damage, and enough charisma to make will saves at 60 (pretty easy), the Paladin can kill the god (CR 50) every time successfully...
A Blackguard could do the same thing, with some modifications.
It's just so... strange what kind of crazy circumstances there are at levels this high. Damage reduction is useless, because most attacks pierce anything short of Damage Reduction of 50... it's just a little too much.
It gives me headaches.
An example of the oddity of high level average characters.
A level 160 wizard, using the ELH and the PHB alone wizards cannot hit fighters saving throws with 1st-9th level spells. Assuming the average DC (assuming starting primary ability is 15, and is raised every 4 levels) is about 52+Spell level, the Fighter's saving throws at level 160 is 70+Modifier+6 or 12.
Epic spells, and highly heightened spells still work fine, but otherwise the average wizard isn't going to be hitting very hard. Then again, if the fighter wanted to, he could easily purchase a cloak of resistance of about +50 or so... forcing the wizard to try even harder.
Another example of oddity at high levels...
Paladin 50 has 20 epic feats to select from. There are some average choices, but if the Paladin was to be overly focused, the Paladin could take his entire repetoir in Great Smiting... giving him 50*21 smite damage. 1050 smite damage on a single hit... and with an appropriate weapon 1100 damage. Cast holy sword and (I think) you could cause 2200 smite damage. That's borderlining enough damage to kill Azathoth from Call of Cthulhu in a single strike... and if the Paladin has enough con to maintian about 1000 damage, and enough charisma to make will saves at 60 (pretty easy), the Paladin can kill the god (CR 50) every time successfully...
A Blackguard could do the same thing, with some modifications.
It's just so... strange what kind of crazy circumstances there are at levels this high. Damage reduction is useless, because most attacks pierce anything short of Damage Reduction of 50... it's just a little too much.
It gives me headaches.
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