Starting Shackled City AP and need advice
- Thread starter Gregor
- Start date
GwydapLlew said:Interesting. Your view of SCAP and my running of it are completely at odds with one another.
That could very well be true. I can only go off of my experience as a player about 75% finished with it. And we are getting our rear ends handed to us almost every fight, even with cheesed out, combat whores for characters.
Hmmmm seems like I have alot to think about.
My build for the bard would be focused on buffs and bardic music, taking the extra music feat and maybe lingering song. He would probably use a longspear and standing behind the fighters, in the middle of the group providing some reach attacks and good positioning for buffs and the like. He would be the mouthpiece and the source of information, knowledge and lore (I like those aspects).
My build for the paladin would be like the bard in that he would probably use a reach weapon like a glaive and provide that mid battleground support. I would take the charging smite ability from PH2 and probably the divine feats associated with expending turn checks for healing.
On the one hand I think the bard may have some additional tactical options (e.g. use magic device) but I worry that his musical skills (e.g. fascinate) may not come in to play too often, leaving me a relatively weak combatant with relatively weak buffs in a brutal meat grinder.
The idea of a second cleric is also a good one, perhaps one that focuses on buffing (himself) to help out in battle and provide clutch healing when necessary.
I guess what I need to know is whether Shackled City is an absolute meat grinder of doom. If it is, I think the paladin is going to edge out the choices.
My build for the bard would be focused on buffs and bardic music, taking the extra music feat and maybe lingering song. He would probably use a longspear and standing behind the fighters, in the middle of the group providing some reach attacks and good positioning for buffs and the like. He would be the mouthpiece and the source of information, knowledge and lore (I like those aspects).
My build for the paladin would be like the bard in that he would probably use a reach weapon like a glaive and provide that mid battleground support. I would take the charging smite ability from PH2 and probably the divine feats associated with expending turn checks for healing.
On the one hand I think the bard may have some additional tactical options (e.g. use magic device) but I worry that his musical skills (e.g. fascinate) may not come in to play too often, leaving me a relatively weak combatant with relatively weak buffs in a brutal meat grinder.
The idea of a second cleric is also a good one, perhaps one that focuses on buffing (himself) to help out in battle and provide clutch healing when necessary.
I guess what I need to know is whether Shackled City is an absolute meat grinder of doom. If it is, I think the paladin is going to edge out the choices.
wayne62682
First Post
"Meat Grinder"? Maybe not.. but it IS very deadly and there are quite a few encounters that are purposely higher than your ECL. All in all I'd say go with the Paladin because the combats in the SCAP are typically very harsh.
Sunderstone
First Post
Paladin hands down.
The Bard will make for great "Lore" checks which adds to flavor primarily, but nothing you cant learn by consulting (and paying) an NPC. The Buffs are nice too but nothing earth-shattering IMO, compared to a Paladin.
The Paladin will get you another tank that can heal. Id probably grab the Charging Smite ability as well as erc1971 recommended as a mount isnt that useful in a campaign based around one specific city.
The divine feat that erc1971 also mentioned for the mass heal is called Sacred Purification, it also hurts undead in the area. Its requisites are Sacred Healing (also useful) as well as turning ability.
So along with the casting and ability to remove ailments, Id choose Paladin every day of the week.
The Bard will make for great "Lore" checks which adds to flavor primarily, but nothing you cant learn by consulting (and paying) an NPC. The Buffs are nice too but nothing earth-shattering IMO, compared to a Paladin.
The Paladin will get you another tank that can heal. Id probably grab the Charging Smite ability as well as erc1971 recommended as a mount isnt that useful in a campaign based around one specific city.
The divine feat that erc1971 also mentioned for the mass heal is called Sacred Purification, it also hurts undead in the area. Its requisites are Sacred Healing (also useful) as well as turning ability.
So along with the casting and ability to remove ailments, Id choose Paladin every day of the week.
Sunderstone
First Post
wayne62682 said:
I agree here and want to add that alot of parties having trouble within the SCAP (that I read about when I DM'ed it) didnt seem to have a good mix of classes. Your group seems fine balance-wise. You do have 1 healer though, which is hard as hell during the early levels.
Ryan Henry
First Post
Paladin
I DMed SCAP. It is very difficult. You will need another melee character much more than a bard, from my experience. A paladin is an excellent choice. Without spoiling too much, you'll need his Bless Weapon ability. A bard will be hanging out in the back taking a passive role throughout much of the module.
Paladins should be able to use Curative wands as well, so that would make him useful as an auxillary healer.
Definitely don't take the bard.
Ryan
I DMed SCAP. It is very difficult. You will need another melee character much more than a bard, from my experience. A paladin is an excellent choice. Without spoiling too much, you'll need his Bless Weapon ability. A bard will be hanging out in the back taking a passive role throughout much of the module.
Paladins should be able to use Curative wands as well, so that would make him useful as an auxillary healer.
Definitely don't take the bard.
Ryan
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