IH opponents in my 3.5/Pathfinder Eberron game

[joela]

I'm thinking of introducing some Iron Hero opponents into my Eberron game*. Because of their abilities, should I only give half the amount of gold pieces (when compared to their regular 3.x/PfRPG counterpart) when equipping them with magic items?


*Currently using 3.x. Will be switching over to Pathfinder as players either tire of their PCs or I kill them

 

[ValhallaGH]

IH opponents don't generally need magic items. Being able to full attack everyone in reach, and then attack them all as they begin (or end) their turn next to them, is quite sufficient*. Champions, Demon Knights, Demonic Brutes and Dread Sorcerers are pretty nasty without items; really fun too. Using the IH PC classes also works well for certain types of foes.
What items they would have will generally be movement related (helm of teleportation, cloak of bat, boots of spider climb, etc).
Personally, I'd figure out what abilities were required to keep the fight interesting, granting those as 'permanent magical effects' upon the foe, and call it a day. But I'm rather stingy with my treasures.
If you want to go with magical gear, load up on potions and wondrous items. Don't worry about magic weapons and armor, nor about ability enhancers. Go for the fun items that give options rather than big numbers. Especially if you keep the IH defense / DR set up. Even if you don't (and that's half the fun), stick with the same cash but in consumables that fit the foes role and reason for being there.

*Whirlwind Attack 10 and Vorpal Hurricane 9

 

[joela]

defense/dr

IH opponents don't generally need magic items. Being able to full attack everyone in reach, and then attack them all as they begin (or end) their turn next to them, is quite sufficient*. Champions, Demon Knights, Demonic Brutes and Dread Sorcerers are pretty nasty without items; really fun too. Using the IH PC classes also works well for certain types of foes.
What items they would have will generally be movement related (helm of teleportation, cloak of bat, boots of spider climb, etc).
Personally, I'd figure out what abilities were required to keep the fight interesting, granting those as 'permanent magical effects' upon the foe, and call it a day. But I'm rather stingy with my treasures.
If you want to go with magical gear, load up on potions and wondrous items. Don't worry about magic weapons and armor, nor about ability enhancers. Go for the fun items that give options rather than big numbers. Especially if you keep the IH defense / DR set up. Even if you don't (and that's half the fun), stick with the same cash but in consumables that fit the foes role and reason for being there.

*Whirlwind Attack 10 and Vorpal Hurricane 9

scribbling furiously. Nice. Thanks, valhallaGH!

I'll probably drop the defense/DR. The PCs actually are pretty weak in terms of their AC so I don't mind if they get such magic items from the IH opponents. (That's a big IF: My NPCs are not stupid and are more than willing to withdraw and flee to become reoccurring foes ).

Blood Throne? Isn't that for True20?

 

[ValhallaGH]

scribbling furiously. Nice. Thanks, valhallaGH!

No problem. I've been running an Iron Eberron campaign (Eberron, with IH rules) for about 8 months now, so I've had a chance to see what's really effective. And the Villain classes are, across the board, meaner than equal CR monster manual critters. Something to keep in mind when choosing your CR.

I'll probably drop the defense/DR. The PCs actually are pretty weak in terms of their AC so I don't mind if they get such magic items from the IH opponents. (That's a big IF: My NPCs are not stupid and are more than willing to withdraw and flee to become reoccurring foes ).

Sounds good to me.

Blood Throne? Isn't that for True20?

Yep. I'm a man of many systems.

 

[joela]

mean

And the Villain classes are, across the board, meaner than equal CR monster manual critters. Something to keep in mind when choosing your CR.

Oooh! Even better!

Yep. I'm a man of many systems.

Any plans to write in other OGL systems like Pathfinder?

 

[ValhallaGH]

Any plans to write in other OGL systems like Pathfinder?

Blood Throne is David Jarvis's baby, not mine. I just helped out a couple of times, and like the setting.

I'm holding off on Pathfinder for now. I'm having too much fun with Mutants and Masterminds (2e) to play around with another d20 variant. Eventually, I hope to sit down and give Pathfinder the attention it deserves, but not right now.

 

[crow81]

I'm holding off on Pathfinder for now. I'm having too much fun with Mutants and Masterminds (2e) to play around with another d20 variant. Eventually, I hope to sit down and give Pathfinder the attention it deserves, but not right now.

That is a shame now is when you would have the most input in shaping the rules

 

[ValhallaGH]

That is a shame now is when you would have the most input in shaping the rules

I'll get to it this year, just not for a few weeks / months.