New to D+D. Questions...

[Lukeee]

Here are some links that might prove useful to you.

The following is group of lists of all WotC feats, spells, classes, prestige classes and monsters with reference document and a very, very brief description of each.

Consolidated Lists (from WotC)
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/lists


3.5 SRD (System Reference Document) from WotC {the only “official” version}
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35


Power Attack is a feat that is located in the PHB. You really need to spend some quality time reading that book before you start to use things from other sources.

Due to legal issues we can't reproduce an entire feat on the boards (e.g., Divine Might), unless they are located in the SRD.

The SRD (System Reference Document) is put out by WotC with everythign (well most everything) that is Open Game Content (OGC) from their rule books. OGC is informatin that can be used by anyone for any purpose and is not copyrighted.

If you are just starting out (and beginning with a 1st level character) I wouldn't recommend attempting to use Prestige Classes yet.

You have to have a character with of at least 5th level before you cna "qualify" for one and it would be real useful to try to get the "basics" down first.

Do you mean that I can begin as a 12th level character or something?

And here come the noob questions.

What's a prestige class?
What's the PHB?
And Divine Might is a feat? I thought it was a build...

Edit- Oh, players handbook. Yes I know that one. Trade attack bonus for damage.

But what is this? Are these feats or builds or both?

And divine might IS in the Complete Warrior book right?

 

[irdeggman]

What books does your "group" have access to presently?

In order to actually play the game you need to have at least one copy of: The Player's Handbook (PHB), The Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) and Monster Manual (MM).

These are the core rule books and are absoultuely necessary in order to play the game.

The "basic information from all 3 books are located in the SRD (see link) but it is missing a lot of information - like how to generate ability scores and a lot of "color" information that actually provides "examples" of how the rules work.

Do you mean that I can begin as a 12th level character or something?

Starting at greater than 1st level and Prestige Classes are contained in the DMG.

And here come the noob questions.

What's a prestige class?

It is explained in the DMG. See attached for the information from the SRD on them (remember that it is "missing' information contained in the DMG though.

What's the PHB?

Player's Handbook

And Divine Might is a feat? I thought it was a build...

It is a feat in Complete Warrior.

But what is this? Are these feats or builds or both?

Pg 6 of the PHB lays out the basics of creating a character.

Builds are basically what people call a character made with certain feat combinations. There is really no such thing as a "build" other than whatever your character ends up like.

And divine might IS in the Complete Warrior book right?[/QUOTE]

Yes.

A 1st level paladin can't take it though - it has a prerequisite of ability to turn undead (which a paladin doesn't get until 4th level)

 

[Lukeee]

What books does your "group" have access to presently?

In order to actually play the game you need to have at least one copy of: The Player's Handbook (PHB), The Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) and Monster Manual (MM).

These are the core rule books and are absoultuely necessary in order to play the game.

The "basic information from all 3 books are located in the SRD (see link) but it is missing a lot of information - like how to generate ability scores and a lot of "color" information that actually provides "examples" of how the rules work.



Starting at greater than 1st level and Prestige Classes are contained in the DMG.



It is explained in the DMG. See attached for the information from the SRD on them (remember that it is "missing' information contained in the DMG though.



Player's Handbook



It is a feat in Complete Warrior.




Pg 6 of the PHB lays out the basics of creating a character.

Builds are basically what people call a character made with certain feat combinations. There is really no such thing as a "build" other than whatever your character ends up like.

And divine might IS in the Complete Warrior book right?

Yes.

A 1st level paladin can't take it though - it has a prerequisite of ability to turn undead (which a paladin doesn't get until 4th level)[/QUOTE]


I just got the DMG and it's Jake's not mine so I haven't read it yet. I don't have the MM at all because the RPG stats for all characters are explained in the cards. But would it really be fair to start at a level higher than 1st? That sucks the fun out of the game because there is no work at all involved. That's like saying you can start out with as much gold as you want or whichever gears and whatever skills and feats you want without limit, spells as well. Would'nt that make everything boring? It's not fun to play a level 60 on WoW if you have no experience and are a total noob. Also if it has full epics you have nothing to look foward to. So I'm not sure, is there a limit to what level you can start at?

Meh, apparently I don't really like prestige classes. Too confusing. Is this Divine Might thing a prestige class? My head hurts...

Do I write down paladin under my class or whatever this prestige class is? And what kind of prestige class should I try then?

Ah jeez this got overcomplicated

 

[irdeggman]

Yes.

A 1st level paladin can't take it though - it has a prerequisite of ability to turn undead (which a paladin doesn't get until 4th level)


I just got the DMG and it's Jake's not mine so I haven't read it yet. I don't have the MM at all because the RPG stats for all characters are explained in the cards. But would it really be fair to start at a level higher than 1st? That sucks the fun out of the game because there is no work at all involved. That's like saying you can start out with as much gold as you want or whichever gears and whatever skills and feats you want without limit, spells as well. Would'nt that make everything boring? It's not fun to play a level 60 on WoW if you have no experience and are a total noob. Also if it has full epics you have nothing to look foward to. So I'm not sure, is there a limit to what level you can start at?

Meh, apparently I don't really like prestige classes. Too confusing. Is this Divine Might thing a prestige class? My head hurts...

Do I write down paladin under my class or whatever this prestige class is? And what kind of prestige class should I try then?

Ah jeez this got overcomplicated

Dude, slow down and don't get ahead of yourself.

What "cards"?

Maybe we need to determine exactly what information you have on hand to use.

Don't let those of us on the web "tell" you how to play. Your group needs to work that out so you will "discover" things together.


Divine Might is a feat in Complete Warrior.


Many people prefer to start at slightly higher levels (I prefer starting at 1st-3rd but no higher) so that they can capture some of their character concepts quicker and then there is the "survivability factor". First level character are much more susceptibvle to the one-hit kills than are higher level ones. Remember that a wizard only has 4 hit points to start (plus any Con bonus) - a critical with a great axe will likely take him to -10 in one blow.

Multi-classing is a very common thing and part of the game's design so many higher level characters have multiple classes. You wuld write down on whatever character sheet you use the class and level for that class for each class. So an 8th level cahracter that has 4 levels of fighter, 2 levels of rogue and 2 levels of ranger would go something like Fighter 4/rogue 2/Ranger 2 or something in a similar style (reversing the order to 4 fighter/2 rogue/ 2 ranger is also common).

Remember that paladins (using core only rules cannot multi-class) except if using certain prestige classes that specifically state otherwise.

Prestige classes are generally a good concept. They are supposed to be highly specialized classes that follow a specific theme and require substantial prerequisites to qualify for 9liek I said the character has to be at least 5th level before qualifying). Don't even worry about Prestige Classes yet - just get down the basics. How to use skills, and how to roll (including what modifiers apply). Oh and at the beginning don't "grapple" - it is probably the hardest combat action to get a handle on.

Spend some time reading over the book again and again. Don't jump right into trying to figure everything out at once. Ask your DM questions and if he is just trying to learn also it will help him out too.

 

[glass]

Actually, cleric has armor as good as a paladin. Better even, if you take into account the fact that the cleric has spells such as Entropic Shield and Magic Vestment, which boost their defenses even more.

Yep, and clerics are only shipping 1 hp per level on average to a paladin (after first).

EDIT: Although I think paladins are cool too, so if you realy want to play one more power to you.


glass.

 

[Maldor]

OT: I find it amusing that someone who's looking up paladin builds has, probably unintentionally, as their avatar the symbol of Bane, one of the LE gods from the Forgotten Realms.

Now to be actually useful. Your saves come in three categories, Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. Each of these are modified by your Con, Dex, and Wis, respectively. In order to ascertain your total modifier, you consult the chart that comes with each class.

thats not Bane it's Gond.

 

[Lukeee]

All right. I got all that. Double sided stat cards come with the miniatures. One side is the stats for the minis game and the other side is the RPG stats. Maybe I am going too advanced and I've never even played the game yet. I'm not gonna touch prestige classes for a while. Do I really need the monster manual to play? Because that would mean another week of waiting.

 

[Lukeee]

thats not Bane it's Gond.

Changed my avatar. It was Bane. I think.

 

[Lukeee]

Question. Will I be able to use the feats in complete warrior without a prestige class?

 

[glass]

Question. Will I be able to use the feats in complete warrior without a prestige class?

Yep. All you need to take a feat (apart from a feat slot to put it in) is to meet the prerequsites. I don't think there are any feats in CWar (or elsewhere for that matter) that have a PrC as a prerequisite.


glass.