Ogre Mage PC from Savage Species

[Ogre Mage]

I have been thinking about running a SS character. Many of the writeups in the appendix are too weak (such as the Azer) a few are too powerful (Ghaele). What about the Ogre Mage? It looks like it might be reasonably balanced. Has anyone had a good/bad experience running a Savage Species Ogre Mage PC?

I also like the djinni, but it looks like it might be a little too powerful at low levels. Possibly too weak at high levels?

 

[Ogre Mage]

Ogre Mage PC

*bump*

anyone played an ogre mage PC?

 

[Kershek]

The book just came out, so people may not have had the chance to try this particular monster yet.

 

[shilsen]

I haven't run (or seen) an ogre mage PC, but it does look like one of the better balanced monsters from SS. There are a number of special abilities and stat increases, but it takes a substantial hit on HD, and resultantly BAB, saves, skill points, etc. What level are you thinking of starting at, and what class(es) are you going for?

 

[Ogre Mage]

Ogre Mage PC

It would be for a campaign starting this fall and I assume we will be starting at first level?

If I actually reach a point where I could start taking class levels, I was probably thinking of either a fighter or sohei (from OA.)

 

[shilsen]

Well, here’s a quick comparison between a half-orc Fighter and an equivalent level ogre mage at 1st and 6th lvl:

Half-orc Ftr1:
Abilities: +2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha
BAB: +1
Hit points: 10 + Con
Feats: 2
Skill points: (2 + Int) x 4
Base speed: 30 ft
Special: Darkvision, orc blood

Ogre Mage1:
Abilities: +2 Str, +2 Cha
BAB: +0
Hit points: 8 + Con
Feats: 1
Skill points: (2 + Int) x 4
Base speed: 40 ft
Special: Darkvision, spell-like abilities (charm person & sleep 1/day), +1 natural armor

Half-orc Ftr6:
Abilities: +2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha (+1 pt at 4th lvl)
BAB: +6/1
Hit points: 10 + 5d6 + (6 x Con)
Feats: 7
Skill points: (2 + Int) x 9
Base speed: 30 ft
Special abilities: Darkvision, orc blood

Ogre Mage6:
Abilities: +4 Str, +4 Cha, +2 Con, +2 Wis, +2 Int
BAB: +2
Hit points: 8 + 2d8 + (Con x 3)
Feats: 2
Skill points: (2 + Int) x 6
Base speed: 40 ft, fly 40 ft. (good)
Special abilities: Darkvision, spell-like abilities (charm person, sleep & gaseous form 1/day; darkness and invisibility 3/day), +3 natural armor, regeneration 1

The ogre mage is rapidly going to become much weaker in a fight, and will have to rely on the special abilities and esp. the regeneration to keep it alive. Still, it looks like a fair trade.

 

[Seule]

I'm running an off-the-cuff game with an Ogre-Mage, and Ogre, a Medusa, a Raksasha, and a Treant. They are on their way through the Dungeon Magazine Adventure Path, but have only reached 2nd level. So far none of them seem unbalanced.

--Seule