James Heard
Explorer
I'd suggest that if you can't you let Janis die. She'd make a really lame zombie to put down, while Urik probably could hit one of you on the way out.
stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [OOC]
- Thread starter stonegod
- Start date
James Heard
Explorer
It wasn't an argument, it was a suggestion. Urik is probably a better addition to the party than Janis is right now and he'd probably also make a tougher zombie. Since Janis is already radically departed from her original vision anymore I'm also giving everyone the nod to make such sorts of practical adjustments, because it wouldn't hurt my feelings to lose her anymore.stonegod said:Let's not argue about who is going to get killed by whom.
stonegod
Spawn of Khyber/LEB Judge
I hope that means you have not lost interest in the game. I know that sometimes concepts do not work out; they can either be adapted or exchanged if desired (and at a reasonable point).
On that note: As we near the end of a significant chapter, I would appreciate any feedback you feel is appropriate for the tuning of the game. What works? What does not work? Should there be a tweak in the balance of RP and non-RP? Less or more emphasis on certain aspects of the tone?
This discussion can be here or you can email me via the ENWorld link.
Second Note: It will be time to recruit more characters and players soon. I have been unable to contact GwydapLlew, Isida has disappeared again, and Kralin has not posted since before Bergeron's death (though I did get an email from him the day of before his fate was known). I will be providing a few stock characters as I did last time and I can make any particular requests the group has. Let me know. I'll make an official announcement when this combat is over.
On that note: As we near the end of a significant chapter, I would appreciate any feedback you feel is appropriate for the tuning of the game. What works? What does not work? Should there be a tweak in the balance of RP and non-RP? Less or more emphasis on certain aspects of the tone?
This discussion can be here or you can email me via the ENWorld link.
Second Note: It will be time to recruit more characters and players soon. I have been unable to contact GwydapLlew, Isida has disappeared again, and Kralin has not posted since before Bergeron's death (though I did get an email from him the day of before his fate was known). I will be providing a few stock characters as I did last time and I can make any particular requests the group has. Let me know. I'll make an official announcement when this combat is over.
James Heard
Explorer
Not in the game, I've just got real questions about how viable a character I've got compared to the rest of the party. There's nothing in the game that Janis couldn't have done as cleric I think (and a whole lot better at it), or a warmage, or a warlock. As far as niches go, even with the familiar with AP she was pretty much upstaged the moment Urik showed up with the bird.
Basically I don't know what an arcanist has to do here at all. Enchantments are right out, Fort save stuff is mostly out, the monsters apparently have pretty nice touch ACs, they've got dispel magic support, and lots of the monsters lay out a nasty Fort save disease and hit pretty hard. All in all I feel pretty stupid for picking a wizard, not disappointed in the game as a whole. I like the game, I just think it's an adventure where you'd pretty much have to be a chump to play the wizard. It's not a lot of fun playing the dark and mysterious chump.
Well, I've voiced my complaints about what doesn't work already.
I think the pacing makes it a little rough on anyone who expects to cast spells for the majority of their interactions in combat, but that's more to do with everyone else having plenty to do besides cast spells than anything else I think. Basically the rest of the party isn't expending resources that Janis goes through like crazy, and they're more effective at it anyways. It's not quite as bad as the "Vhir talks and talks and talks, and the useless sullen archer sits on his ass wondering what anyone needs a fighter for" adventure (
), but given an opportunity I'd throw Janis to the wolves and pick up something with more to do. Stylistically I think she's great, but I think she's been marginally more useful than her donkey as far as actual contribution to the party.
stonegod
Spawn of Khyber/LEB Judge
This is an issue with Wizards in general, which Reserve feats help somewhat (so there is always something to do, though that can be repetitive [but so is 'hit it w/ my sword']) and wands and such also help address.James Heard said:Well, I've voiced my complaints about what doesn't work already.
I think Janis is viable (though a few feat retweaks could not hurt as mentioned). Janis has done fairly well w/ touch attacks (except the last two), but she's often firing into melee which doesn't help matters. And while undead feature heavily initially (and there are some canonical undead forthcoming), there are plenty of non-undead critters upcoming. While it might behoove Janis to pick up some more anti-undead/necromancy tricks, I don't think her viability is beyond the pale.
Given that, as I said, there will be an opportunity to swap in a new concept if desired after the combat (when the caravan finally arrives).
Ahhh ... I had forgotten that it was 2AP for a 1/day ability. If we then extended that mathematically according to the number of days in a week, then it would work out to 14AP for a 1/week ability, which is a bit beyond Ashlyn's means ...stonegod said:
Not allowing 1/week refreshes is perfectly reasonable. It's always good to know where things stand in advance though.
...
@James: Regarding Janis, from the RP side I think she's absolutely great, but I can see how she's not as effective as you might like when it comes to contributing to the party. If you decide to rework her, then I'm more than happy to give ideas or suggestions if they would be welcome.
