Problem Player in Group... Me :(

[clark411]

I can understand the difficulties of having one player appear more powerful than others and a DM trying to counter with more difficult opponents to present a challenge. His DM might not be complaining that he can't TPK the party (Boo hoo you lived Grr!) but rather that the only way he can actually challenge the forsaker is by making encounters that end up seriously lethal to everyone else concerned. The dilemma he's facing is whether it's better to let the Forsaker have an easy, if not unglamourous ride, or if it's better to pump up combat to deal with the Forsaker's ability to not die easily.

Unfortunately I can't say the campaigns I've been in have had any success in dealing with this kind of problem. Numerous party deaths (i think i died 6 or 7 times in 9 levels for example) led to gripes about how overly difficult the game was, when the game was just responding to the power of some players who were getting out of hand in terms of their power. (Whether or not this is right itself is a whole other matter.)

On the bright side however, I can't see this being the exact case for you... as you said yourself, you're defensive but not overly offensive. It's not like some cases I've heard of where a PC is better than everyone else at everything. The Rogue out Fightering the Fighter, out Barding the Bard, and out Spellcrafting the Wizard while also being neigh invulnerable and an over-Rogue in his own right, for example. The biggest danger is if other players dislike your power, and as you haven't brought up their reaction, I don't think it's part of the equation (yet).

 

[Shazman]

It definetely seems to me like the problem isn't with your character but with your party's makeup. Where's your healing and arcane magic? If you had a cleric or druid, your friends could actually get healed during combat and be able to last as long as you. The game is designed with the assumption that the party will have a decent amount of healing. Having a paladin who does nothing but engage in melee as your sole healer is just asking for trouble. You really need to get access to some healing as quick as possible.

 

[Mystery Man]

I think the answer is in the question regarding balance. You've already stated that your character has a hard time during combats because he can't hit anything. So, with all of your hitpoints your character is pretty much irrelevant. There's your balancing factor right there.

I would find some other way for your character to be useful out of combat since during combat he's pretty useless.

You could always dive head first into a slay living spell and roll up a new one.

 

[dulsin]

I think you have made your point, you are survivable, now lets move on.

From now one put every thing into raising your strength and hitting power. Pick up 8 points of str and your bonuses with that greatsword will go up +4 +6. If you can pick up weapon specialization even better.


Problem: I am irrelivent in combat.
Solution: Get better in combat.

 

[MarauderX]

Sounds like the DM is using the same tactics any Int=4 dog would use - attack what is hurting you most first, then next, etc. Since he is only targeting one PC at a time, I would mix it up to take you down 1st once in a while . Maybe it was only a few battles, but perhaps the DM should mix it up to make the PCs chase the baddies, or throw in some nasty high DR critters to stand the damage dished out by the others, as you bypass it somehow. IMO, your PC is perfect for the group - you are the long-lasting energizer bunny that will be able to keep dishing out damage to finish off the fight when the others fall. If the DM focuses on you, the rest get to dish out their massive damage; as you said, if he still focuses on the others, you survive and get to make first choice of the loot.

What you could also do is learn to be a 'gimmick' PC - take a few feats, skills or something to make you more valuable in combat by preventing the enemy from attacking instead of dealing out damage. Go for tripping, stunning or grappling instead, giving your teammates more time to mow them down once you prevent them from attacking. Attract the attention of the spell casters with your high saves to prevent the ranger from getting tagged too often. Do it by saying to the DM that your are flexing, shouting, and about to try something completely different. The DM focuses more fire at you, and as the survivor you take it. Then proceed with the fight the same as usual... the DM doesn't have to know that you are only trying to attract attention to yourself.


[edit] spellink.

 

[der_kluge]

I forget what level spell it is (2nd, I think), but you could take a few levels of cleric and pick up the Shield Other spell - cast it on the weakest member.

I had a gnome cleric with a 20 constitution in our first 3e campaign, and I regularly used that on the party sorcerer. Kept him alive a lot with that spell, and I had plenty of hit points to spare.

 

[Rel]

Let me see if I've got this straight: You've made a character who is tough. The DM spends the first several rounds of any combat attacking everybody in the party BUT you. At the end of the fight, you're left standing so you must be overpowered.

Ahem:

By way of offering some constructive advice, is there any way you can increase your mobility? I know that as a Forsaker you can't use magic items. But if there were some way that you could move faster or fly or jump really well, you could get at the soft underbelly of the enemy (their wizards and other spellcasters probably). That would make you more of a target. But hey, you can take it, right?

I have a very similar situation in my group. The barbarian/rogue/sorcerer/bard/ranger (don't even ask) is incredibly fast and maneuverable. But he hits less often and does less damage than the Cleric/Fighter. But the Cleric/Fighter has got heavy armor and moves like a snail. The barbarian is the hammer and the Cleric/Fighter is the anvil. It seems to work out fine.

 

[the Jester]

I too suggest that you invest in a style of tripping, bull rushing, sundering and disarming. That will both make you more of a threat and make you a more attractive target.

I think your dm needs to work on his tactics, too. Flying creatures, creatures with high DR or high regeneration, and high-DC Will-save affecting abilities- these are the things that I see causing you lots of trouble.

 

[d4]

I forget what level spell it is (2nd, I think), but you could take a few levels of cleric and pick up the Shield Other spell - cast it on the weakest member.

he's a forsaker -- he can't use magic. that's his schtick.

 

[Jeph]

You're already nigh-on indestructable, so I suggest you consider that path walked, and start on another. Your incredible Con and d12 HD will continue to do you good for the rest of your days and, as Smurfy said, you can't get any more of an inherant Con pump. So my solution: channel your bonuses into Strength, take the Extra Raging feat, and in general focus on improving your offense over the next few levels. Make use of alchemy and special materials: masterwork silvered adamantium greatswords are your friend. Once you've finished the Forsaker thing, consider Fighter, instead of Barbarian, for some extra feats and that all-important Weapon Specialization. Besides, all you'd get is a bit of extra raging, and that's a feat now anyway.

BTW, could we have a full stat-up of this guy? It would be interesting to see the build, and make it easier to help diagnose him.

Good luck,
--Jeff