What do you do when you're too powerful?

[spectre72]

Honestly, I really don't think the character is in anyway too powerful. QUOTE]

The problem is each players perception of over powered...

In our average game we use a 32 point buy, and magic items are rare.

And when you do find a magic item it isn't usually the perfect items to build the ultimate power character.

These items are all dependent upon the groups play style, but I can guarantee that my 10th level monk from our campaign wouldn't last more than a couple of rounds in a slug fest with one of these monster characters (of an equivelent level of course ).

It is all about what each person/group finds enjoyable.

I have also found that prestige classes bump up the average power level of a campaign very quickly, and we have set in place a system where you have to justify why you should attain a Prestige Class.

And I want to have it is just not enough of a justification

So to answer your question I would not play in a group with a power level as high as you describe, but that is my personal preference.

 

[Talmun]

One thing that people (especially DMs) seem to forget, IME, is that when talking about wether a single character is overpowered, you are discussing that character out of context...

In 3.X the game world can be just as 'overpowered' as the characters, thanks to the fact that anything available to PCs is available to NPCs and monsters. The character in question would, in a game run by me, face challenges just as dangerous as he is.

I have a PC in my current game who is a Ranger/Order of the Bow/Deepwoods Sniper...he absolutely murders things at range. Just recently the party faced a group of monks and he was surprised (and thrilled) when he watched them deflecting his arrows. Everything has an opposite, and everyone has a weakness.

 

[Craer]

You said that your character is very powerful and in an average game you probably are. But how are you doing in your current campaign? You range in levels from 15-28. How does your character stack up?

My character, when compared to others in the group, is on the higher end when it comes to melee damage, but that's about it. There's a level 27 Druid that has nuke spells covered and wildshapes into elemental form regularly, a (total) level 28 melee fighter (18 Fighter, 4 Ranger, 4 Barbarian, 2 something else) who, while I beat him on normal damage, if he crits, whatever he's fighting usually dies thanks to Devastating Critical. There's a level 17 Psionic Warrior/Master Thrower whose character joined the group around when mine did, and another character that is a level 10 something. I say "something" only because he's actually shown up for two of the past five sessions - we usually make him the pack mule. We think he might be a dwarf of some sort.

Other questions that you should answer are:
Are you playing in a high magic fantasy campaign?

Judging by the items we find, yes. Oh wow, yes.

Is this your Dm's first time getting to these levels of play?

Not at all. He's been DMing since the height of 2nd edition, and has dealt with characters of this level quite a bit.

The other thing that you might want to consider is FUN. Is this campaign real serious and business minded? Or are you all playing Hong Kong action style heroes?

The campaign is generally lighthearted. I do have fun, but then again, sometimes the game has its fantasy element shattered by the player of the Fighter. He's proven himself capable of turning any dramatic moment in the story into yet another "I charge and ::roll:: crit. My fort save for Devastating Critical is DC 45, does it die?" situation.

So, yes, I have fun. Sometimes. Then again, sometimes I feel like I need to make sure my character is as powerful as possible just to keep up with some of the other players.

-Craer

 

[Craer]

Also, the game is mostly 3.5. If a new version of something hasn't been released yet (OA for example, though I doubt we'll get a 3.5 version), then we just use the 3.0 edition.

-Craer

 

[BlackMoria]

The litmus test is:

Does the character dominate at the expense of the other party members?

Does the DM have frustration or outright hatred of the impact of the character on the campaign?

Can your character KO the Tarrasque (or some equally powerful monster) in one round by himself?

If yes to one or more of the above questions, then the character is too powerful and something should be done to balance the character or retire him. If the answer is no, then party on. Powerful is relative to the campaign. In my campaign, your character wouldn't be a problem at all. 'Cause in my campaign, if you aren't somewhat powerful at those levels, your breakfast....

 

[mikebr99]

My character, when compared to others in the group, is on the higher end when it comes to melee damage, but that's about it. There's a level 27 Druid that has nuke spells covered and wildshapes into elemental form regularly, a (total) level 28 melee fighter (18 Fighter, 4 Ranger, 4 Barbarian, 2 something else) who, while I beat him on normal damage, if he crits, whatever he's fighting usually dies thanks to Devastating Critical.
-Craer

I really don't understand how your 15th level monk can in any way compare to a 28th level fighter...

Mike

 

[takyris]

Well, you've got a couple different house rules that are allowing you to get into territories you weren't meant to get into at your level. That's part of your problem right there. If you go by the book for 3.0, a lot of those problems go right away.