Question on aids to turn undead - check for accuracy

[Kershek]

Oh, I forgot to mention he also has a True Holy Symbol from the 3.5 Planes book, which grants a +2 sacred bonus to turn checks (which stacks with his helm).

 

[Hypersmurf]

Oh, I forgot to mention he also has a True Holy Symbol from the 3.5 Planes book, which grants a +2 sacred bonus to turn checks (which stacks with his helm).

Can you use a Greater Holy Symbol and a True Holy Symbol on the same turn attempt?

-Hyp.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Might I suggest just dumping nightfang spire? It really was an awful bore when I played it...

You might also consider using some of the turning variants that change cleric turning into a damage-dealing ability.

 

[Kershek]

Actually, I was wrong - he had a True Holy Symbol, not a Greater Holy Symbol.

No, we're not dumping it - they're about 80-85% through it and they have been enjoying it a lot. We're a high combat group and they like the tactical aspect of battlemat play. They also like to get every advantage they can find from stats.

We had a rule up front that all WotC material was pre-approved and that goes for each of the games that are run by each of us who DM our own games based on who can attend. I'm fine with that. I just want to be sure that we're running it properly.

If it were me, I would have changed the description of the phylactery of undead turning to say that it gives +4 levels for turning up to your character level. That way, it helps paladins, multi-class clerics, and prestige class clerics keep up with the normal progression without overpowering it.

 

[irdeggman]

So you are allowing drumming (perform - percusssion) to count for perfrom-stringed instrument)?

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

IMO this dilutes the limitations on the item. That was why perform requires a specific instrument type and not any instrument. Looks like you set yourself up for that one

Also isn't there a round duration before the instruments benefits are in effect? That is the normal time to use a magic item is a standard action but since this requires a perform check that means more than a spell completion or simple activation (basically it is part of another action). So what I mean is the bard starts to play, the next round the cleric gets the benefit (or the undead the penalty) but during that time the undead get to act (presumably to attack).

IMO it was a typo and the text should have said "Strummer" not "drummer".

 

[boolean]

Helm of Undead Turning (usually uses an amulet slot): effectively 4 levels higher for turning.

Also did you approve the helmet slot amulet? That is a requirement for custom slotted items. They also cost 50% more.

From the DMG, p.214:

One headband, hat, helmet, or phylactery on the head

So the only difference between a Phylactery of Undead Turning and a Helmet of the same is flavour.

 

[Kershek]

Well, since it said drummer, I gave it to him as a drum, since that's where that bard's proficiency lies. It's too late there - if I try to take the item back, the player would feel cheated. Also, he has over a +15 on his perform check, so it's automatic for him. And, it doesn't say that it takes effect one round afterwards like the bard's other special abilities.

Another question: on the monster side, a vampire has +4 turn resistance. Would the +4 turn resistance from the cloak of turn resistance stack with that to give the vampire +8 to his turn resistance? I think it would, since it's an unnamed bonus.

 

[Ketjak]

Big Eyeblink

We had a rule up front that all WotC material was pre-approved and that goes for each of the games that are run by each of us who DM our own games based on who can attend. I'm fine with that. I just want to be sure that we're running it properly.

Wow... Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Core, Splat, OA - together again for the first time!

Have you decided to tone that down yet?

 

[Kershek]

No Eberron or Kalamar, since we aren't in those worlds and have no interest in them. However, all splat books and FR books are fair game since we're in FR.