Mid-Level Non-Caster Survival Methods

[Steverooo]

How do you keep Mid-Level Non-Casters alive? In a previous thread, we came up with the following suggestions:

1) Mobility (Dodge+Mobility+Spring Attack, Longstrider, Haste, etc).
2) Teamwork (Buffs, Flanking, etc).
3) Run away.
4) Potions, Scrolls, & Wands (Barkskin, Cure Wounds, etc).
5) AC-Improving Feats (Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mobility, Two-Weapon Defense).
6) Reach weapons.
7) Fight defensively (with Tumbling 5+, if possible).
8) Aid another (flanking).
9) Mithral/Celestial Medium Armors.
10) Large Shield and one-handed weapon (as opposed to missile/TWF).
11) Snipe (Hide, missile, Hide @ -20).
12) Shoot from cover.
13) (Ranger-Only) Entangle followed by missile fire.
14) Medium/Heavy Armor (and/or Tower Shield) if you have the Proficienc(y/ies).
15) Magic (Mage Armour, Shield,, Bracers of Defense, Amulets of Natural Armor, etc., etc).
16) Shoot & Scoot (move action, plus one attack).
17) Think outside the box (get creative).

Others?

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

Well aside from those, I'd add just a general "think outside the box". Learn to use the world around you to your advantage. In a sticky situation without your weapon? Find something nearby you can quickly use as a long range weapon. Rocks, sticks, your belt...anything can be used as a weapon when you really think about it. Fight from horseback and have your horse attack with it's kick and bite (can do some decent damage) to back you up. Don't rush in to situations you aren't sure of. Hang back and use a long range weapon (I guess that would fall under "shoot from cover").

And not all spellcasters can rely on offensive spellcasting. I admit, I prefer to play spellcasters, but right now I'm playing a 5th level gnome illusionist with no offensive or defensive spells. She survived her last battle by hanging back, letting the fighters go in, and using her illusions to confuse and startle her foes.

 

[Steverooo]

Added to the list (and thanks for your input)!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Huh? What's going on in these games where all the casters die?

FIGHTER: Hey. Looks like the wizard is being attacked by a legion of Hell Hounds. We should probably do something.

PALADIN: Well, you know, I would, but there's some undead here. Greater good and all that.

RANGER: Yeah. I'd help, but I'm busy killing the Orc warlord. Orcs are a favored enemy. It's a psychology thing. I'm the victim here.

BARBARIAN: Love to! Raging! Sorry!

DRUID: Nope. No heals here. I'm more of a "nuking" druid.

CLERIC: Eh. I'm neutral and I picked inflict for my spontaneous spells. My bad.

BARD: I don't suppose Cat's Grace would help?

SORCEROR: Yeah, well, its either him or me. So sad, too bad.

MONK: Well don't look at me! No armor and a d8 for hit points, that's my lot, mate.

ROGUE: I'll help ... but ... um ... I'm busy flanking. Yeah, that's it. Flanking.



I mean, what gives?

 

[Steverooo]

Huh? What's going on in these games where all the casters die?

SMILE when you say that, pale-face (or at least read the title of the thread)!

 

[Norfleet]

The number one survival tip for surviving at ANY level, not just mid-level, is to avoid unnecessary fights. If you figure that a character has an X% chance of surviving any fight, where X varies depending on the general lethality of the campaign, but is not 100%, and has an obviously 100% chance of surviving should he somehow avert this unnecessary violence, then it's obvious that the deadlier the campaign is, and therefore, the less likely surviving the fight is, the more beneficial it is to avoid unnecessary fighting. After all, challenges which are "overcome" are still worthy of XP, even if you don't go and start a completely unnecessary fight. It also helps your survival rate a lot, as my players of ages past will attest to.

Then again, I think survival is overrated, anyway.

 

[Steverooo]

#3!

I think that falls under number three, above, Norfleet!

 

[Shazman]

You might want to add smart character design to the list. Your character's selection of feats could have been much better. Your character would be far more effective with dodge, moblility, and spring attack. You could run by the big guys and get in a hit while they are bogged down fighting the paladin and fighter.