[NPC Optimization] How best to make a mounted combatant? (My players stay out!)

[Piratecat]

Darklone guessed it. I think it's contradictory (and bad design) that improved crit and keen don't stack, because they so clearly come from different sources. A non-house-ruled version would have the threat range be 19-20.

Most of her weapon damage comes from the psionic power offensive prescience, which is jacked up enough to give her a +10 insight bonus to damage. Just imagine: when she looks at someone, she knows exactly where to hit them in order to hurt them badly! I like that concept.

She's only trying to kill one particular party member, though, and that person has to be slain with a special weapon. The mounted specialist and lackeys can try to take down everyone else.

 

[Plane Sailing]

She's only trying to kill one particular party member, though, and that person has to be slain with a special weapon. The mounted specialist and lackeys can try to take down everyone else.

I hope it's not Agar, I don't think he could take many hits from that thing!

 

[Urbanmech]

Tangent alert!
Hey Piratecat, can you post the stat block for the wilder? I keep looking at the wilder and not quite knowing what role it should fill. Seems like it could end up as too much of a 1 (or 2) trick pony.

 

[Darklone]

Pcat or anyone else: On a related note: How does an NPC "by the rules" get a dragon mount? Using the stuff from Draconomicon, I get a CR 5 dragon as a possible mount for a level 15 (or so) blackguard. I'm really thinking about houserules here since Leadership, Dragon Cohort or other feats don't seem to work ...

I simply don't see why a halfling blackguard should have his dragon mount earlier than a human.

Hmm, perhaps the dragon could take the blackguard as a cohort... ?

 

[shilsen]

Pcat or anyone else: On a related note: How does an NPC "by the rules" get a dragon mount? Using the stuff from Draconomicon, I get a CR 5 dragon as a possible mount for a level 15 (or so) blackguard. I'm really thinking about houserules here since Leadership, Dragon Cohort or other feats don't seem to work ...

I simply don't see why a halfling blackguard should have his dragon mount earlier than a human.

Hmm, perhaps the dragon could take the blackguard as a cohort... ?

I think PC may be using the "just because it would be cool" rule here, but I could be wrong.

 

[Darklone]

I think PC may be using the "just because it would be cool" rule here, but I could be wrong.

I'm so tempted to use that rule as well. In the meantime, I gonna use a draconic wyvern or something similar.

 

[Piratecat]

Yup, he gets a dragon mount because I think it'd be fun. If you want a more detailed reason, err, the dragon is a little sister of the draconic assassin, and (unknowing to the assassin) the mounted NPC used a philter of love on her. Now they'll probably have half-dragon babies if only they can survive this battle! Will they make it, and live once more to jolly old age surrounded by their scaly children... or will they be cut down like so much wheat by the Defenders of Daybreak? TUNE IN THIS THURSDAY TO SEE!

Ahem.

Urbanmech, I had the whole thing typed out and I accidentally closed the freakin' browser. Arrgh.

 

[Urbanmech]

Urbanmech, I had the whole thing typed out and I accidentally closed the freakin' browser. Arrgh.

Ouch, I'm sorry. Damn you Piratecat's browser! I'd still like to see the stat block but please don't rush.

I did sit down and look at the wilder last night and made one at 14th lv. Temporal Acceleration is just an awesome power in the hands of a wilder with extend power. 4 round time stop for 13 pp and psionic focus. Of course there is always that pesky 20% chance of psychic enervation but the odds are still stacked in the characters favor.

To place the post back on topic, while I think it would be cool to have a cleric mounted on a dragon, that is one more high level spellcaster to run in what sounds to be complicated fight. I'd say use a half-dragon kobold fighter 8/Cavalier 8-10 what ever fits your fancy.

 

[Spatula]

Most of her weapon damage comes from the psionic power offensive prescience, which is jacked up enough to give her a +10 insight bonus to damage.

How are you handling the augmentation for offensive prescience? (since what's in the book is pretty obviously a misprint) Or has Bruce or one of the other designers said what the augmentation should be?

 

[Piratecat]

How are you handling the augmentation for offensive prescience? (since what's in the book is pretty obviously a misprint) Or has Bruce or one of the other designers said what the augmentation should be?

I'll bite. Why is this obviously a misprint - or are you thinking of Dispel Psionics?