Vow of Poverty - Exact Wording (Semiexact :P)
- Thread starter MRaye55
- Start date
Dandu
First Post
Here it is.
I'd avoid taking it. It becomes more of a hindrance than a help above level... 6, let's say?
Totemists will have less of a problem overcoming the difficulties associated with it than, say, monks, but it still may not be a good idea.
I'd avoid taking it. It becomes more of a hindrance than a help above level... 6, let's say?
Totemists will have less of a problem overcoming the difficulties associated with it than, say, monks, but it still may not be a good idea.
Loren Pechtel
Explorer
Pretty easy one here... does anyone have the exact wording for Vow of Poverty? Like it's bonuses/effects. I know it's good and that I want it for my totemist character that I'm making but I just dunno what the exact bonunses are! Help's appreciated, and thank you beforehand
You need a lot more than the vow of poverty. It's got a requirement of Exalted--you need to read the part of the book that explains this.
Jack Simth
First Post
Assuming wealth-by-level, and reasonable amounts of down-time, the Vow of Poverty is a mechanically sub-optimal choice at basically all levels.
But 'mechanically optimal' isn't the point. The point is to make a specific character concept - the ascetic - viable.
That said, there are circumstances wherein it is more beneficial to have the VoP than to have regular wealth... they're just relatively rare.
Here are the bonuses and conditions of the Vow of Poverty. Personally, if you are not in a high treasure campaign and you have a character that either needs and/or derives bonuses from multiple attributes it is a good build. Besides there are ways around the obvious drawbacks. If you have a natural weapon or improved unarmed strike a Kensai will give magical properties at the indicated experience cost+(per natural weapon beyond 1)10%. Consult Complete Warrior for more details. However as many kind of hint at with this it isn't a build that allows much specialization if your party needs x or if you need x to compensate for your build this build kind of says this is all you aside from other feats.
In many cultures and belief systems, the height of purity is
embodied in an ascetic lifestyle that involves forswearing all
material possessions. Such a life is hard for most D&D characters
even to imagine, since their possessions—particularly their
magic items—are such an important part of their capabilities. A
character who swears a vow of poverty and takes the appropriate
feats, Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty, cannot own magic items,
but he gains certain spiritual benefits that can help outweigh
the lack of those items. These benefits depend on his character
level. The level at which the character swears the vow (and takes
the appropriate feats) is irrelevant; if he gives up his possessions
at 10th level he gains all the benefits of a 10th-level ascetic character,
with the exception of bonus exalted feats.
AC Bonus (Su): A 1st-level ascetic receives a +4 exalted
bonus to his Armor Class. The bonus increases to +5 at 3rd level,
29
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
30
and thereafter increases by +1 for each 3 character levels. This
bonus does not apply to touch attacks and does not hinder
incorporeal touch attacks. Brilliant energy weapons, however,
do not ignore this bonus. This does not stack with an armor
bonus.
Bonus Exalted Feats: At 1st level, an ascetic gets a bonus
exalted feat, and another bonus feat at 2nd level and every 2
levels thereafter. Unlike the other benefits of a vow of poverty,
a character does not gain these bonus feats retroactively when
he takes the Vow of Poverty feat; he only gains those bonus feats
that apply for the levels he gains after swearing his vow. Thus,
the bonus feat gained at 1st level is available only to humans
who take both Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty at 1st level.
Endure Elements (Ex): A 3rd-level ascetic is immune to the
effects of being in a hot or cold environment. He can exist comfortably
in conditions between –50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit
without having to make Fortitude saves (as described in the
Dungeon Master’s Guide).
Exalted Strike (Su): At 4th level, an ascetic gains a +1
enhancement bonus on all his attack and damage rolls. In effect,
any weapon the character wields becomes a +1 magic weapon,
and can overcome the damage reduction of a creature as though
it were a magic weapon. This enhancement bonus rises to +2 at
10th level, to +3 at 14th level, to +4 at 17th level, and to +5 at
20th level. At 10th level, any weapon damage the character deals
is also considered to be good-aligned, so that it can bypass the
damage reduction of some evil outsiders.
Sustenance (Ex): A 5th-level ascetic doesn’t need to eat or
drink.
Deflection (Su): A 6th-level ascetic receives a +1 deflection
bonus to his Armor Class. This bonus increases to +2 at 12th
level, and to +3 at 18th level.
Resistance (Ex): At 7th level, an ascetic gains a +1
resistance bonus on all saving throws. This bonus
increases to +2 at 13th level, and to +3 at 17th level.
Ability Score Enhancement (Ex): At 7th
level, an ascetic gains a +2 enhancement bonus
to one ability score. At 11th level, he gains an
extra +2 bonus to that score, and a +2
bonus to another ability score. At 15th
level, he gains an extra +2 bonus to
those two scores, and a +2 bonus to a
third ability score. At 19th level, he
gains an extra +2 bonus to those three
scores, and a +2 bonus to a fourth ability
score.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 8th
level, an ascetic gains a +1 natural
armor bonus, or his existing
natural armor bonus increases
by +1. It increases an extra +1 at
16th level.
Mind Shielding (Ex): Also at 8th
level, an ascetic character becomes
immune to detect thoughts, discern
lies, and any attempt to discern
his alignment.
Damage Reduction (Su): An ascetic gains damage reduction
5/magic at 10th level. At 15th level, this improves to 5/evil, and
at 19th level to 10/evil.
Greater Sustenance (Ex): Once he attains 12th level, an
ascetic character doesn’t need to breathe.
Energy Resistance (Ex): At 13th level, an ascetic gains
resistance 5 to acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic energy. At
20th level, this increases to resistance 15.
Freedom of Movement (Ex): At 14th level, an ascetic can act
as if continually under the effect of a freedom of movement spell.
Regeneration (Ex): At 17th level, an ascetic heals 1 point of
damage per level every hour rather than every day. (This ability
cannot be aided by the Heal skill.) Nonlethal damage heals at a
rate of 1 point of damage per level every 5 minutes.
True Seeing (Su): At 18th level, an ascetic gains a continusous
true seeing ability, as the spell.
OTHER RAMIFICATIONS OF POVERTY
A character who has forsaken material possessions may find
himself at a marked disadvantage when it comes to certain necessary
expenses, such as expensive material components. One
option is for ascetic characters to beg components from other
party members, who are probably gaining as much benefit from
having the spell cast as the caster is. Alternatively, an ascetic
spellcaster can sacrifice experience points in place of expensive
components, with 1 XP equivalent to 5 gp value of components.
Having a character in the party who has taken a vow of
poverty should not necessarily mean that the other party members
get bigger shares of treasure! An ascetic character must be
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
Illus. by J. Jarvis
Forsaking material
possessions, the ascetic
gains spiritual strength.
as extreme in works of charity as she is in self-denial. The majority
of her share of party treasure (or the profits from the sale
thereof ) should be donated to the needy, either directly (equipping
rescued captives with gear taken from their fallen captors)
or indirectly (making a large donation to a temple noted for its
work among the poor). While taking upon herself the burden of
poverty voluntarily, an ascetic recognizes that many people do
not have the freedom to choose poverty, but instead have it
forced upon them, and seeks to better those unfortunates as
much as possible.
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
Table 2–3: Voluntary Poverty
Character
Level Benefit
1st AC bonus +4
2nd Bonus exalted feat
3rd AC bonus +5, endure elements
4th Exalted strike +1 (magic), bonus exalted feat
5th Sustenance
6th AC bonus +6, deflection +1, bonus exalted feat
7th Resistance +1, ability score enhancement +2
8th Natural armor +1, mind shielding, bonus exalted feat
9th AC bonus +7
10th Exalted strike +2 (good), damage reduction 5/magic,
bonus exalted feat
11th Ability score enhancement +4/+2
12th AC bonus +8, deflection +2, greater sustenance,
bonus exalted feat
13th Resistance +2, energy resistance 5
14th Exalted strike +3, freedom of movement, bonus
exalted feat
15th AC bonus +9, ability score enhancement +6/+4/+2,
damage reduction 5/evil
16th Natural armor +2, bonus exalted feat
17th Exalted strike +4, resistance +3, regeneration
18th AC bonus +10, deflection +3, true seeing, bonus
exalted feat
19th Ability score enhancement +8/+6/+4/+2, damage
reduction 10/evil
20th Exalted strike +5, energy resistance 15, bonus exalted
In many cultures and belief systems, the height of purity is
embodied in an ascetic lifestyle that involves forswearing all
material possessions. Such a life is hard for most D&D characters
even to imagine, since their possessions—particularly their
magic items—are such an important part of their capabilities. A
character who swears a vow of poverty and takes the appropriate
feats, Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty, cannot own magic items,
but he gains certain spiritual benefits that can help outweigh
the lack of those items. These benefits depend on his character
level. The level at which the character swears the vow (and takes
the appropriate feats) is irrelevant; if he gives up his possessions
at 10th level he gains all the benefits of a 10th-level ascetic character,
with the exception of bonus exalted feats.
AC Bonus (Su): A 1st-level ascetic receives a +4 exalted
bonus to his Armor Class. The bonus increases to +5 at 3rd level,
29
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
30
and thereafter increases by +1 for each 3 character levels. This
bonus does not apply to touch attacks and does not hinder
incorporeal touch attacks. Brilliant energy weapons, however,
do not ignore this bonus. This does not stack with an armor
bonus.
Bonus Exalted Feats: At 1st level, an ascetic gets a bonus
exalted feat, and another bonus feat at 2nd level and every 2
levels thereafter. Unlike the other benefits of a vow of poverty,
a character does not gain these bonus feats retroactively when
he takes the Vow of Poverty feat; he only gains those bonus feats
that apply for the levels he gains after swearing his vow. Thus,
the bonus feat gained at 1st level is available only to humans
who take both Sacred Vow and Vow of Poverty at 1st level.
Endure Elements (Ex): A 3rd-level ascetic is immune to the
effects of being in a hot or cold environment. He can exist comfortably
in conditions between –50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit
without having to make Fortitude saves (as described in the
Dungeon Master’s Guide).
Exalted Strike (Su): At 4th level, an ascetic gains a +1
enhancement bonus on all his attack and damage rolls. In effect,
any weapon the character wields becomes a +1 magic weapon,
and can overcome the damage reduction of a creature as though
it were a magic weapon. This enhancement bonus rises to +2 at
10th level, to +3 at 14th level, to +4 at 17th level, and to +5 at
20th level. At 10th level, any weapon damage the character deals
is also considered to be good-aligned, so that it can bypass the
damage reduction of some evil outsiders.
Sustenance (Ex): A 5th-level ascetic doesn’t need to eat or
drink.
Deflection (Su): A 6th-level ascetic receives a +1 deflection
bonus to his Armor Class. This bonus increases to +2 at 12th
level, and to +3 at 18th level.
Resistance (Ex): At 7th level, an ascetic gains a +1
resistance bonus on all saving throws. This bonus
increases to +2 at 13th level, and to +3 at 17th level.
Ability Score Enhancement (Ex): At 7th
level, an ascetic gains a +2 enhancement bonus
to one ability score. At 11th level, he gains an
extra +2 bonus to that score, and a +2
bonus to another ability score. At 15th
level, he gains an extra +2 bonus to
those two scores, and a +2 bonus to a
third ability score. At 19th level, he
gains an extra +2 bonus to those three
scores, and a +2 bonus to a fourth ability
score.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 8th
level, an ascetic gains a +1 natural
armor bonus, or his existing
natural armor bonus increases
by +1. It increases an extra +1 at
16th level.
Mind Shielding (Ex): Also at 8th
level, an ascetic character becomes
immune to detect thoughts, discern
lies, and any attempt to discern
his alignment.
Damage Reduction (Su): An ascetic gains damage reduction
5/magic at 10th level. At 15th level, this improves to 5/evil, and
at 19th level to 10/evil.
Greater Sustenance (Ex): Once he attains 12th level, an
ascetic character doesn’t need to breathe.
Energy Resistance (Ex): At 13th level, an ascetic gains
resistance 5 to acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic energy. At
20th level, this increases to resistance 15.
Freedom of Movement (Ex): At 14th level, an ascetic can act
as if continually under the effect of a freedom of movement spell.
Regeneration (Ex): At 17th level, an ascetic heals 1 point of
damage per level every hour rather than every day. (This ability
cannot be aided by the Heal skill.) Nonlethal damage heals at a
rate of 1 point of damage per level every 5 minutes.
True Seeing (Su): At 18th level, an ascetic gains a continusous
true seeing ability, as the spell.
OTHER RAMIFICATIONS OF POVERTY
A character who has forsaken material possessions may find
himself at a marked disadvantage when it comes to certain necessary
expenses, such as expensive material components. One
option is for ascetic characters to beg components from other
party members, who are probably gaining as much benefit from
having the spell cast as the caster is. Alternatively, an ascetic
spellcaster can sacrifice experience points in place of expensive
components, with 1 XP equivalent to 5 gp value of components.
Having a character in the party who has taken a vow of
poverty should not necessarily mean that the other party members
get bigger shares of treasure! An ascetic character must be
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
Illus. by J. Jarvis
Forsaking material
possessions, the ascetic
gains spiritual strength.
as extreme in works of charity as she is in self-denial. The majority
of her share of party treasure (or the profits from the sale
thereof ) should be donated to the needy, either directly (equipping
rescued captives with gear taken from their fallen captors)
or indirectly (making a large donation to a temple noted for its
work among the poor). While taking upon herself the burden of
poverty voluntarily, an ascetic recognizes that many people do
not have the freedom to choose poverty, but instead have it
forced upon them, and seeks to better those unfortunates as
much as possible.
CHAPTER 2:
VARIANT
RULES
Table 2–3: Voluntary Poverty
Character
Level Benefit
1st AC bonus +4
2nd Bonus exalted feat
3rd AC bonus +5, endure elements
4th Exalted strike +1 (magic), bonus exalted feat
5th Sustenance
6th AC bonus +6, deflection +1, bonus exalted feat
7th Resistance +1, ability score enhancement +2
8th Natural armor +1, mind shielding, bonus exalted feat
9th AC bonus +7
10th Exalted strike +2 (good), damage reduction 5/magic,
bonus exalted feat
11th Ability score enhancement +4/+2
12th AC bonus +8, deflection +2, greater sustenance,
bonus exalted feat
13th Resistance +2, energy resistance 5
14th Exalted strike +3, freedom of movement, bonus
exalted feat
15th AC bonus +9, ability score enhancement +6/+4/+2,
damage reduction 5/evil
16th Natural armor +2, bonus exalted feat
17th Exalted strike +4, resistance +3, regeneration
18th AC bonus +10, deflection +3, true seeing, bonus
exalted feat
19th Ability score enhancement +8/+6/+4/+2, damage
reduction 10/evil
20th Exalted strike +5, energy resistance 15, bonus exalted
Jacob
Explorer
Ahhh...the VoP. Finally "tying this out" with a Monk and going into Apostle of Peace. Granted, it's mostly an experiment, and I don't really care if it's optimal, because I'm a guest in the game when I'm available (hence the quotes). Coupled with the Vow of Peace, you have great defenses, and an almost perfect defense against ranged attacks (Fort save against all arrows that strike or no damage).
Prospects are interesting alright, even if you can't use any wealth...for yourself. Be the first PC to buy a house instead of a really kicking sword!
Prospects are interesting alright, even if you can't use any wealth...for yourself. Be the first PC to buy a house instead of a really kicking sword!
Callista
First Post
Not with my DM... I recently calculated this: We're 6th level and we have less than what a 3rd-level party should have. One character in our entire group has a magical weapon and our most powerful magic item is a Handy Haversack! Somehow, though, we've made it work, and nobody is thinking of Vow of Poverty. Yet.
Maybe the issue with it is that it pretty much represents a fixed power level that can't be adjusted by a DM giving lower or higher amounts of treasure, so that it's ahead in low-wealth campaigns and woefully deficient in the opposite situation.
Jacob Marley
Adventurer
Edit: Never mind.
Last edited:
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