Lantern Archon cohort?

[0-hr]

The Lantern Archon has "Level Adjustment: -".

I take it this means it is unsuitable for use as a character or chohort?

I can see where it would make a bad PC, but it seems like a great companion (doesn't talk much or get in the way). The abilities though, clearly are worth a few levels of offset.

Why do you think it is not allowed? If it were allowed, what should it's Level Adjustment be?

Is there something similar that is allowable? We're putting together a small group and so could really use a cohort, but I'd like something as little and as unassuming as possible. I don't really want to roleplay two characters or worry about the chohort climbing ropes etc.., so a small floating ball of light seemed like just the thing (once it had a few caster levels added on).

 

[javcs]

IIRC the Lantern Archon has a LA of around +5 - drastically more than it is worth, presumably to make it unlikely that a PC would play one. That LA is from one of the splatbooks, don't remember which one.

They're over-LAed because the designers didn't think that they would make good characters, or would mess up the event flow in published adventures.

As a side-note, Lantern Archons simply vibrate their entire bodies to talk.

There was a thread some time ago on the Lantern Archon's LA. It was pointed out that although they have good abilities, they have no real appendages, making them very difficult to play as characters, so WotC probably put their LA at what it is to reduce the likelyhood that someone would play a Lantern Archon.

 

[Votan]

IIRC the Lantern Archon has a LA of around +5 - drastically more than it is worth, presumably to make it unlikely that a PC would play one. That LA is from one of the splatbooks, don't remember which one.

They're over-LAed because the designers didn't think that they would make good characters, or would mess up the event flow in published adventures.

As a side-note, Lantern Archons simply vibrate their entire bodies to talk.

There was a thread some time ago on the Lantern Archon's LA. It was pointed out that although they have good abilities, they have no real appendages, making them very difficult to play as characters, so WotC probably put their LA at what it is to reduce the likelyhood that someone would play a Lantern Archon.

That seems annoying. Not only do they have disadvantages due to form but they are further penalized? Wouldn't it make more sense to encourage innovate and different characters?

 

[0-hr]

Bleh, that's too bad as I think they would be an excellent cohort. I really like the idea of a glowing ball full of cleric spells - like a cohort distilled down to what PCs treat them like anyway

Or maybe I'm just having TRON flashbacks.

"<<<YES>>>.......<<<NO>>>......"

 

[javcs]

IMG, I drop their LA to 1 or 2 ... hasn't really been a problem - they spend vast amounts of their gold trying to get basic magic item effects in their magic items.

Votan - I agree with you on that.

Ki Ryn - They'd have to get one of the PC's to carry their scrolls around. Or spend boatloads on an at will item to let them manipulate objects, one that's slotless.

 

[brehobit]

The problem is that some of the abilities have the potential to majorly change the game. Greater teleport (message sending, moving stuff, "reduce person" to bring self below weight limit) at will can be game changing. Aid at will is quite powerful. Magic circle against evil on at all times is VERY handy, and the Aura of Menace will force a LOT of save attempts.

If you drop the teleport (due to power) and the Aura (due to slowing down the game), I'd peg them at +2 or +3 ECL. Note they are 1HD so their HD would be replaced by class levels (which actually sorta sucks, as an outsider HD is pretty good.)

Otherwise, I'd be tempted to disallow them.

Also, I believe the BoED allows them as familiars with a feat....

Mark

 

[Wish]

I think they'd be pretty cute as Vow of Poverty fighters, putting all their feats into buffing their light rays. You'd need a pretty flexible DM, but you could certainly make the character work.

 

[Nifft]

Between the utility powers (tongues, teleport, continual flame) and the strong attack (ranged touch, 1d6, penetrates all DR), I'll bet the designers felt it was a bit of a paper tiger. It can hit reliably, but it can't take much punishment.

As a cohort, it seems fine to me. I'd give it LA +4, and limit continual flame to require the material component (so PCs don't get a free source of wealth).

Also, I've done a PrC for these critters (as a House Rule, obviously: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=81978 )

Cheers, -- N

 

[javcs]

They can only 'port themselves and 50lbs of objects.

Spell-likes at will - aid, detect evil, continual flame. CL 3
Then Greater Teleport at will, self + 50lbs objects only, and they have to figure out how they'll carry/attend those 50lbs of objects
Aura of Menace (DC 12+Cha), Tongues all the time, and the immunities/resistances of the Archon subtype, Damage redux 10/evil and magic.
Fly 60ft (perfect) only.

They can (somehow) be monks with semi-reasonable effectiveness, once you get past the massive strength penalty.

Classes that I would play one as (if I were to play one) warlock, rogue, scout, sorcerer, fighter, monk, maybe favored soul if I can get around focus problems. Order of the Bow Initiate could work, too.
At first opportunity, I'd get a mage hand at will item that floats along with me.

They're good, but they're limited extremely.

Nifft, I like the underlying idea behind the PRC, it's a good idea, but, eh on the result. I may make a modified version at some point for my game.

 

[brehobit]

As far as class goes, I'd go bard or marshal with one of these. Maybe Druid.

Mark