MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
JaceDK |
Hey Snig, you should check out THIS THREAD. Lots of good advice that Quzman could use.
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
Jameena Al'Qadr |
Now that we have survived and seemingly have a new and deadly enemy to deal with, I think it would be fitting to have a little "Lessons learned" chat to improve and adjust our tactics and spell selections.
First off, we should be prepared to face Zayifid again, either alone or with more backup.
Anti-Zayifid tactics:
Here is what we have learned about him from our fight:
- Janni, with rogue levels, at least five (3d6 sneak attack)
- Has Improved Feint and Improved Disarm, and thus also Combat Expertise
- Probably has a sky-high Ref save and evasion, so no fireball/lightning bolt/flaming sphere
- Able to turn invisible and ethereal
- Attacks (at least sneak attacks) causes 3 bleed dmg.
- Good at disguises and misdirection
- One of the original Templars of the winds
- CMD of 28 or better (from the missed Black Tentacles grab)
- AC 22 or 23 (Jameena missed on a roll of 21 and Quzman hit with a 23)
- Able to soak at least 74 hp of damage.
Dumah should make a knowledge (planes) check about Janni, to try an learn more of his abilities.
When we fight him, we should try to take away as many of his advantages as possible.
- Dumah should prepare See Invisible and Glitterdust to counter his invisibility.
- His Sneak Attack is his most deadly offense. He uses this with either Imp Feint or flanking. So we should try find ways to deny him a full attack and flanking. This means that if you face him one-on-one, it may be a better option to attack and move, eating the AoO in exchange for keeping your dex bonus to AC and avoiding SA dmg and bleed.
- High mobility will be a huge help when fighting him, so haste continues to be a high-priority buff.
- If we come up against him again, he is our number one priority. This means everyone gang up on him and ignore the other enemies until he is taken out.
- Backup weapons for everybody, since he likes to disarm. Unseen Servant is a great spell here, if Dumah has time to get it down.
General group tactics:
Since three of us now have Outflank, we should try and take as much advantage of this as possible. This means that we want two things:
1. As much flanking as possible
2. As many crits as possible, to provoke AoO's
1. As much flanking as possible
- Always, always, always look for ways to open up flanking opportunities for yourself or your allies. Likewise, make sure you do not deny your buddies the opportunity to flank. Dumah, this also means that you have to be very careful about how you use your battlefield control spells. The Black Tentacles ended up preventing flanking on several occasions during this fight.
- Increased movement and mobility means easier flanking. Ways to do this: Haste, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Step.
- Moving to flank means higher risk of AoO's. Ways to counter this: Invisibility/Vanish (Eli), Grace (Jameena), Mobility.
2. As many crits as possible
- We all have high-crit weapons. Keen/Imp Critical should be a priority to obtain for as many as them as possible. Quzman might consider switching to Kukri for his off-hand weapon.
- More full attacks mean more chances to crit. This means that we should try hard to pin the enemy down. We can do this by surrounding him, via spells, tanglefoot bags, trip (once Quzman gets a new wolf). It also means that sometimes we have to stay together, hold our position and let the enemy come to us (Eli, I'm looking at you here).
Some general points to remember:
- Don't forget about actions such as Ready and Delay. Don't be afraid to move down the initiative track to act at the same initiative count as your flanking buddies.
- Divide and conquer. Dumah, put that wall of Ice to good use.
Phew, holy wall of text. I sure you know much of this already, but I think it's worth repeating. Let me know what you think.
Jameena Al'Qadr |
Glad you like it. I have had something in mind for Jameena for a long time that I want to try out. Lets see how you like it.
Once we get moving, be sure to give us some downtime to RP setting up camp and standing watch etc. I think its past time all of the Sand Stalkers got to know Jameena a little better.
On the matter of our new adversary - how do you rule on Detect Evil vs invisibility? I figure Jameena is going to do regular sweeps with her evil-radar to try and catch some advance warning if Zayifid or another evil creature tries to sneak up on us. It ought to compensate a bit for her abysmal perception score.
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
Lucendar |
Hey guys, still here, just had a busy week. Thanks for your patience. By the way, I am still not sure how you are leaving the gnoll citadel. Through the portal to the fire caves? As far as I know, only Quzman has endure elements and I guess someone else could wear Ty's coif. What about the rest? Just brave the conditions?
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
Sniggevert |
Sorry for delay, guys. Work has been busy, with the upcoming Thanksgiving break and trying to get the cases done before then. I should have the map and such up by tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.
Np. Life happens Lucendar. There's times like this for everyone when RL rears it's ugly head. Not to mention the holidays are nearly upon us, and those usually suck up time like it's going out of style. Hope things settle down for you soon!
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
JaceDK |
I'm hoping he just needs to get his batteries recharged. I'm feeling the effects of the GM workload in my own game, and have to make an effort to find the energy to post from time to time. The longer you wait, the harder it seem to be to get back, but once you find the rhythm again, it's not so bad.
Completely unrelated: Any of you in the RPG Superstar this year?
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
Yeah, I hope he will be back soon...I understand real life can be hectic i just wanted to poke at it again.
@JaceDK, I wanted to this year, but I know that with my class load and internship that if I got selected I wouldn't be able to keep up with the work load. I entered the first three years, but since then I have had to pass.
Did you submit an Item?
markofbane |
Well, if Lucendar wants to pick up again, whether it be hours, days or weeks from now, I'd certainly be game. It has been an awesome campaign so far.
I did enter into Superstar this year, as I have each year except for the first. Oddly enough, this year I had the least amount of time to work on and refine my submission, yet I feel like it is easily the strongest I have offered. I think the SKR guidelines and the Paizocon seminar were certainly quite helpful in that regard.
JaceDK |
Yup, i managed to get an item ready for submission a couple of days ago, despite free time being at a premium. Sometimes I really miss the days before kids and all the grownup responsibilities.
But like Mark, I fell my submission this year is the strongest yet. The amount of useful advice out there is pretty massive by now, if you take the time to look.
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
markofbane |
I'm not holding my breath. If he comes back I will be eager to continue the game, until then this has been a blast. One of the best campaign I have ever been in.
My sentiments exactly. I'm not optimistic, but if Lucendar's RL calms down and he's interested in picking up again, I'd absolutely welcome it.
Lucendar |
Hi all, sorry for my long absence without communication. RL flared up, I left my job at my previous firm and started working on my own, recruiting clients and then with the holidays and such, this game took a backseat. It all snowballed but thankfully, everything is back to normal in my life and working for myself is truly enjoyable.
Now reading your recent posts has given me hope that we can continue the game but if we can't, I understand. Is Sniggevert still around? Well, let me know what you want to do.
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |
MythrilDragon RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 |