Question on aids to turn undead - check for accuracy

[Kershek]

I have a player that has really stacked the deck on undead turning. Granted, he spent the money to do it, but it certainly makes the encounters in the module less challenging. He is able to dust three devourers in one turn attempt and his ECL is 12th level. Can you check the accuracy of these numbers?

Cleric 10 / Sacred Exorcist 3
One negative level (this is how we deal with death)
Charisma 12 (including cloak of charisma +2)

Items:
Greater Holy Symbol (GHS)
Helm of Undead Turning (usually uses an amulet slot): effectively 4 levels higher for turning

He has a bard cohort that plays the Lyre of the Restful Soul (Libris Mortis) to make undead within 60 feet take a -4 penalty to turn resistance.

So, an average turn is 12 (ECL) + 1 (cha) + 4 (helm) = 17 HD creature turned.

Dust: 12 HD + 4 HD (GHS) = 16 / 2 = 8 HD. Once you count the Lyre of the Restful Soul, this means that 12 HD creatures will get dusted an average turn.

That means that a devourer, a CR 11 creature, can be dusted pretty easily (and easier still with the 2nd level spell consecrate).

Is this right?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Dust: 12 HD + 4 HD (GHS) = 16 / 2 = 8 HD. Once you count the Lyre of the Restful Soul, this means that 12 HD creatures will get dusted an average turn.

I don't have Libris Mortis, but a penalty to Turn Resistance won't let an effective cleric level of 16 Destroy a 12 HD creature.

A Devourer has 12 HD and no Turn Resistance; thus a -4 penalty to Turn Resistance is of zero consequence to the Devourer. An effective cleric level of 16 will turn, not destroy, the Devourer.

-Hyp.

 

[Kershek]

Here's the description of the item:

When played, this lyre weakens the ability of undead creatures to resist turning or rebuking. The drummer makes a DC 15 Perform (string instruments) check. If successful, all undead within 60 feet take a -4 penalty to turn resistance (which can lower their effective HD for turning to below their normal HD, but not lower than 1) for 10 rounds. Price: 3k

 

[Hypersmurf]

Here's the description of the item:

Ooh. Nasty.

Looks like it works, then

-Hyp.

 

[frankthedm]

Here's the description of the item:

If you are the DM, that was a big mistake letting in an item that overpowered for that cost. Rule the item breaks apart into valuable bits worth 3K in gp. Also did you approve the helmet slot amulet? That is a requirement for custom slotted items. They also cost 50% more.

 

[dcollins]

You drum a lyre?

 

[Kershek]

Yeah, I thought the drumming thing was weird, too. Their bard is actually a drummer, not a strummer, so I let him have it anyways. They're going through Nightfang Spire right now.

 

[Hypersmurf]

If you are the DM, that was a big mistake letting in an item that overpowered for that cost.

Yeah - the cost does seem a trifle paltry...

(Or is that a paltry trifle?)

-Hyp.

 

[Ketjak]

I have a player that has really stacked the deck on undead turning. Granted, he spent the money to do it, but it certainly makes the encounters in the module less challenging. He is able to dust three devourers in one turn attempt and his ECL is 12th level. Can you check the accuracy of these numbers?

Cleric 10 / Sacred Exorcist 3
One negative level (this is how we deal with death)
Charisma 12 (including cloak of charisma +2)

Items:
Greater Holy Symbol (GHS)
Helm of Undead Turning (usually uses an amulet slot): effectively 4 levels higher for turning

He has a bard cohort that plays the Lyre of the Restful Soul (Libris Mortis) to make undead within 60 feet take a -4 penalty to turn resistance.

So, an average turn is 12 (ECL) + 1 (cha) + 4 (helm) = 17 HD creature turned.

Dust: 12 HD + 4 HD (GHS) = 16 / 2 = 8 HD. Once you count the Lyre of the Restful Soul, this means that 12 HD creatures will get dusted an average turn.

That means that a devourer, a CR 11 creature, can be dusted pretty easily (and easier still with the 2nd level spell consecrate).

Is this right?

Play without turn undead. Better yet, play without clerics.

 

[Shin Okada]

That seems to be a nasty combo. That will become nastier if the PC has either Sun domain or Disciple of the Sun feat.

But that is only against undead. Unless you are playing really undead-heavy campaign, that will be not a big problem.

Also, if that is a sold module, I guess it is designed the only core rules (or earlier supplements) in mind. As you have introduced Libris Mortis into your campaign, it is not unfair to let undead monsters use the very same module. Stronger Undead monsters may take Improved Turn Resistance feat. Or may wearing Cloak of Turn Resistance. Some may be created by someone with Bolster Resistance feat. Not every undead monsters should be like that. But at least, you can make important encouter interesting.