Need help deciding what to play...

[Darklone]

Very interesting replies. While tempting, I think I'm going to play something not only unique but something I've never done before:

Monk 2/Sorcerer 3/Enlightened Fist 4

I think it will be a very interesting experience for me as I've never played a Monk or an arcane caster type of any variety, and I figure I might as well play something that *I* think might be interesting for a change

Don't forget Ascetic Mage.

 

[starwed]

Monk 2/Sorcerer 3/Enlightened Fist 4

Man, that build has some pretty crazy MAD, though. I suppose that if you mostly use buff/utility spells, you just need enough charisma to cast the spells in the first place. And things like mage armor or shield will help you be less reliant on Dex and Wis for AC. It's the sort of combination where you need to optimize pretty well to be effective; you might want to look at the Character Optimization forum over on WotC's official site to see what people have done with this.

A druid/monk is something I've been wanting to play for a while; both use Wisdom, and wild shape helps reduce your ability dependence. And really, there are plenty of druid spells which work just fine in a dungeon. (This was more of an issue in previous editions.)

 

[blargney the second]

Flurry of blows + Produce Flame = fun!

 

[szilard]

Man, that build has some pretty crazy MAD, though. I suppose that if you mostly use buff/utility spells, you just need enough charisma to cast the spells in the first place. And things like mage armor or shield will help you be less reliant on Dex and Wis for AC. It's the sort of combination where you need to optimize pretty well to be effective; you might want to look at the Character Optimization forum over on WotC's official site to see what people have done with this.

With the Ascetic Mage feat (Complete Adventurer), Wisdom can be a dump stat for this build.

I've played a character based on this sort of build. It was pretty fun.

-Stuart

 

[Boondoggle]

I would also suggest a bard-ish character: bard 6/mindbender 1 (for telepathy & flavor)/sublime chord. Bard can be surprisingly effective at battlefield control if you pick your spells carefully and use them well.

 

[wayne62682]

UPDATE: One person in the group said he might be changing his character to some kind of divine caster as he pointed out that the current composition is very damage-oriented with three fighter types. So I'm still toying with the idea of playing a full-on arcane caster, but I'm unable to come up with a good idea... playing a straight Wizard or Sorcerer is rather bland (Sorc especially) but I can't seem to find a good PrC that meshes with the atmosphere (i.e. one that would logically fit into Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil); having a character that "fits the mold" is a big thing fo rme.

 

[Nifft]

Technically, I'm not nitpicking

That is the nit-pickiest disavowal of nitpicking I've ever seen.


@ wayne62682: I like the Cloistered Cleric as an alternative to the traditional plate-clad crusader. Take Trickery and Travel as your Domains, and you can do a lot.

For your arcanist, consider a Sorcerer with a bunch of Heritage feats -- either Draconic Heritage (from Complete Arcane and Dragon Magic), or Infernal Heritage (from PHB-II). I just love Infernal Sorcerer Howl.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Seeten]

UPDATE: One person in the group said he might be changing his character to some kind of divine caster as he pointed out that the current composition is very damage-oriented with three fighter types. So I'm still toying with the idea of playing a full-on arcane caster, but I'm unable to come up with a good idea... playing a straight Wizard or Sorcerer is rather bland (Sorc especially) but I can't seem to find a good PrC that meshes with the atmosphere (i.e. one that would logically fit into Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil); having a character that "fits the mold" is a big thing fo rme.

Try a Sorcerer with Dragon heritage feats, and a huge fire focus, you'll fit right into the elementalness. You might need an elemental sub feat, just in case, but hey.

 

[blargney the second]

If you want elemental arcanism, give a real long hard look at the wu jen. If you're thoroughly anti-oriental, just call it the elementalist.

 

[starwed]

The wu-jen might be a decent fit, but they have 5 elements which differ slightly from the standard western 4.

I can't seem to find a good PrC that meshes with the atmosphere (i.e. one that would logically fit into Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil)

How about the elemental adept? It's in complete divine, which might be why you missed it, but I believe it works fine for arcane casters.