Magic Of Incarnum?

[Aleolus]

And then there's Dual Chakra, which lets you bind two soulmelds to the same chakra. Much the same thing, only soulmelds instead of items.

 

[saucercrab]

Depends on the player then. I haven't seen a magic item that gives a +2 initiative bonus to all allies within 30 ft and bonus damage to your weapons effectively for free (bluesteel bracers).

That's a very viable option for soulborn, true, but not incarnates. Too bad not a lot of people but stock in the former.

Or an item that gives claws doing acid damage as well as bonuses to Hide and Move Silently, also for free (maxes at +16 and 1d6 claw + 6d4 acid: Kruthik Claws). Then again, I haven't kept up with the source books.

D.Shaffer has already corrected me that totem binds don't take up magic item slots, so I have no problem with them (& totemist is my preferred base class from the book anyway).

Everyone's milage varies.

Yes, very apparent in my case.

 

[saucercrab]

Kurashu,
True, but incarnate classes have too few feat slots. I dislike having to spend them to regain functionality.

 

[Freymold]

Let's make characters based on 25 point buy. Someone who knows Incarnum, please make a really awesome character, and tell us why it's awesome (what it does that no-one else could do). Any level, but lower is better, because it's easier.

If I manage to find enough time for this, I'll take up your challenge.
BTW, any special rules to take in consideration besides 25 point buy? exclusivelly Core+MoI? splats allowed? multiclassing/prestige classes? magical equipment? eberron/forgotten/whatever sourcebooks? templates? (man how I hate those ficticious overtemplated "character builds")

 

[Aleolus]

Lawful Good
Aasimar (LA bought off)
Paladin 5, Fighter 4
Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 18
AC 17 (+5 armor, +2 dex) Touch 13, Flatfooted 18
Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +6
BAB +9/+4
Grapple +12
Weapons: Rapier with the Flaming property, longsword, and a light crossbow
Armor: Breastplate (-2ACP)
Skills: Climb +7, Concentration +9, Diplomacy +7, Heal +10, Knowledge (Arcana) +7,
Knowledge (The Planes) +8, Listen +4, Ride +9, Spellcraft +6, Swim +5
HP: 9d10+10
Initiative: +8
Skill Tricks: Healing Hands (On a successful Heal check to stabalize a dying character,
that char regains 1d6 HP)
Possesions: 100ft Hempen rope, Flint and Steel, 5 days worth of trail rations
Languages: Common, Celestial, Elven, Dwarvish
Money: 8290 GP
Feats: Extra Smiting*, Quick Draw, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Weapon
Specialization (Rapier), Extra Smiting*, Improved Init
Class Features: Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 6/day (2 from class levels+4 from
feats), Divine Grace, Lay on Hands (20HP/day), Aura of Courage (Immune to fear), Divine
Health(Immune to Disease), Turn Undead, Special Mount
Affiliations: Fist of Valor (the church of Heironeous), Aff score of 5
Racial Traits: Darkvision 60ft, Daylight 1/day, Resistance acid/5, cold/5,
electricity/5, +2 listen and spot checks
Magic items on person: Ring of Evasion

The only thing this guy can't do that your guy can is get the Uncanny Dodge. Also I had to dip into ONE non-core feat to get the same build, Extra Smiting from Complete Warrior.

Note that I also get a mount, as well as spells and turning undead ability. Also my to-hit should be one tick highter with Weapon Focus.

Also, I think you have one too many feats. You should have a feat at 1-3-6-9=4 feats. If your game gives you an extra feat above what you should have, then I can tack one more onto my build.

DS

Whats the matter? No response to my post right after the above? It's ok to admit defeat, you know. I know MoI most of the way through, I think I can find and point out ways that are definite improvements over the core books. Now, granted, MoI is not without it's problems. Every book has problems in it. Even the core PHB, DMG and MM have problems!

 

[D.Shaffer]

Anyone who knows the system wish to take up the Incarnum Challenge (tm)? You make an Incarnum character which can do some tricks (damage or whatever), and others try to improve on it or beat it?

I might try it, but there's so many different routes to take, it'd be easier if you gave a sample role and we could try to make the best character for that role. Also, would it be limited to JUST incarnum classes, or would multiclassing into non-incarnum users be allowed?

 

[Nifft]

I might try it, but there's so many different routes to take, it'd be easier if you gave a sample role and we could try to make the best character for that role. Also, would it be limited to JUST incarnum classes, or would multiclassing into non-incarnum users be allowed?

As little as necessary. Aim for elegance and playability rather than every-trick-in-the-book. And on my side, I'll to do the same.

Stick to Core + Incarnum as much as possible. When I'm trying to beat these Incarnum builds, I'll try to stick to Core + 1 other source. (So Core + ToB, Core + Tome of Magic, Core + one Complete book, etc.)

Since I'm NOT an expert in Incarnum, I have no idea what roles would most make them shine best. So if you can think of the role, that'd be better.

Thanks, -- N

 

[Nifft]

If I manage to find enough time for this, I'll take up your challenge.
BTW, any special rules to take in consideration besides 25 point buy? exclusivelly Core+MoI? splats allowed? multiclassing/prestige classes? magical equipment? eberron/forgotten/whatever sourcebooks? templates? (man how I hate those ficticious overtemplated "character builds")

Let's avoid templates. PrCs are fine, as is multi-classing -- but favor elegant simplicity.

25 point buy, Core + Incarnum for you, Core + 1 other source for me. Oh, and let's count Psionics as Core, since it's in the SRD and Incarnum seems to have some synergy with Psionics. I'll avoid setting specific books on my end, and stuff that's known to be broken (no self-abuse involving White Raven Tactics for example).

Magic stuff is fine. Character wealth-by-level guidelines, standard "sane DM" guidelines for buying stuff (no 1 item over 50% of your total wealth, no staff of wish with 1 charge left, etc.).

Make sense?

Thanks, -- N

 

[Aleolus]

Sounds like a plan. I'll stick with the Soulborn I included earlier, you guys see what all you can come up with, and I'll look over it. I don't say I'm an expert with MoI, but I have read the book through quite a bit, and as such, I think I know most of its strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Nifft]

There are a bunch of threads on the WotC boards about Incarnates and Totemists. Haven't seen many on Soulborn, so I'm especially interested in your build.

Note that WotC's boards now have their Search feature fixed, so please feel free to plunder the Incarnum builds over there!

Bump, -- N