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My first character, Mical, was a scrapheap. I was learning both the game and OP rules, and it actually turned out he was illegal. Oops.
My second character, Cledwyn, got his WoCLW somewhere around second level - basically, I had been buying potions every scenario (didn't want to spend other people's resources on my healing), and didn't really know that wands existed yet. Once someone told me about it, I was sold. Cledwyn is now level 6, and is down to less than 10 charges on that first wand. Bought a second one (for cash this time) for when it runs out. Now that's efficiency.
My third character, Asharel, got his wand with his first 2 PP. He was a cleric. Why would he need a wand, then? Because it's better to spend your spells helping to win the fight than to clean up afterwards. The best "healing" is to prevent the damage in the first place by ending the fight a few rounds earlier.
Next up is J.J., my rogue. He spent his first 2 PP on a wand of CLW, which he hands to my wife's character (a ranger, also with her own wand)to keep him alive. Because why should she have to expend resources to heal me?
And finally, there's Dimitri the Druid. His wand actually came with his second 2 PP. The first 2 got him his dragonhide breastplate.
Basically, there are two things to remember:
1. It's not somebody else's responsibility to keep me alive. It's mine. If there's a cleric with a channel, I'm happy to stand inside the radius. But I'm not going to ask anyone to expend spell slots, gold, etc to keep me alive when I could be paying for those resources myself. To do otherwise would make me a dick.
2. Given that I'm paying for all my own healing (see #1), I want the most efficient option. Potions are 50gp a pop. Spells can be better used to win the fight in the first place (most healing should be happening after the fight). But a wand is 2 PP or 750 gold, for the same amount of healing as 2,500gp worth of potions (or 1,250gp worth of scrolls) while also taking up less space.
Given #1 and #2, I see no reason not to get a healing wand.
Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Of my active characters:
Freddy, 6th level: Used PA after first adventure (has levels in ranger, uses it, himself)
Khaldun, 4th level: Used PA after first adventure (is a ranger, uses it, himself)
Del, 10th level: Used PA after second adventure (is an oracle, uses it, herself)
Thieren, 12th level: Used PA after 4 or 5 adventures - 1st character, so I didn't know I could do it, yet...(is a cleric, used it himself)
Rolth, 2nd level: Doesn't own one, likely won't (he's a far-too-arrogant wizard, and will use summons to handle this issue)
The next character who will begin play is a cleric, and will own one as soon as he is able.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Drogon, the question is not about if it is a good idea to buy one, but rather how many characters HAVE. The percentage stated was not what I was seeing, so I am asking people here so that I can see what they are (and 'cause I am interested in it to, how many spent PA to get it).
In no way am I argueing that a player SHOULD NOT buy a wand of CLW. Just trying to see who HAS.
Point taken. Edited my post to stay on task.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Jiggy, I know the reasons why (and why not) to get the wand early - I just am not seeing the percentages you were. In my area, the only character that I know of that got a wand with PA was my Cleric.... and that was because he spent all his money on armor (Master work full plate at 2nd level), and I actually think that he picked up the wand at 2nd level too. It's mainly to heal other PCs after a fight - my cleric has SR, so I would need to drop it to heal with the wand (not a good idea in combat). As to why he would heal his fellow party members with his wand... well, he is the healer in the party. It's what he brings to the table. He'll say "you take care of the monsters - I'll keep you up to do that."
First: in the other thread, when I said "99% of characters", I didn't actually mean that as an accurate statistical data point. I was meaning it more as "dude, like, everyone gets a wand, man!". ;)
Second: If you want to play a dedicated healer and make it your job to spend your resources keeping everyone up, that's your call. But don't you think that might be why you don't see as many people with their own wands? I remember identifying a cleric at the table once and giving him my wand. He tried to protest, saying that he had his own that he was willing to use on me. I insisted, saying I'd rather he used my charges (on me) than his own. No one else at the table said a word, even though I know some of them had wands. So maybe you've created an exception to the rule. ;)
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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I remember identifying a cleric at the table once and giving him my wand. He tried to protest, saying that he had his own that he was willing to use on me. I insisted, saying I'd rather he used my charges (on me) than his own. No one else at the table said a word, even though I know some of them had wands. So maybe you've created an exception to the rule. ;)
That's a pretty good point, too. Makes me want to re-edit my post to put back in my mini-lecture.
I'll just leave it at this: I've seen this happen, too.
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Maybe its the way my group of players was raised, in the heartless world of 2nd edition Dark Sun and the streets of Shadowrun, that make it so we ALWAYS have at least 1 wand of CLW at each table. We've had games where the best form of healing was a rogue with UMD and a wand of CLW. Doesn't matter who has it, as long as SOMEONE does.
For me, personally though...
My now level 5 cleric got hers at level 1 with PA, and has picked up a couple more since.
My level 2 witch pirate captain had to spend his first 10 PA on getting a ship, but luckily members of my crew (a cavalier and then a barbarian) picked some up after our first game.
Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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Let's See...
Warenza 5th lvl Magus, got it with PP during last scenario at 4th lvl (had saved up for raise so now had extra)
Flickembicus 3rd lvl fire elementalist, just bought one with PP (using gold for scrolls)
Makoa 2nd lvl alchemist, Bought with PP after 3rd scenario
Seckor 2nd lvl druid (saurian shaman) planning on buying next scenario with PP
Andrezi 2nd lvl rogue bought with PP after 3rd scenario (first 4 pp went towards thieves guild membership)
1st lvl cleric (merciful healer) hasn't bought one, probably won't as he's a pacifist and healing and buffs are about all he does.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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the reference to the "members of my crew (a cavalier and then a barbarian) " just thru me off... sorry.
Understandable. I forget that not everyone plays with regulars.
Even though we have around 15 people doing PFS throughout the week at our local haunt, on Sundays we have a pretty consistent 8-10, and when I get the chance to play I sit with the same table. Over the last few sessions other PCs have decided that they're crew on my recently purchased ship (the 10 PP vanity), so now I have a barbarian, cavalier, inquisitor, alchemist, and cleric that call my boat home.
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Mash get healed by Slob a lot. Slob is druid, use wand heal Mash a lot. Mash wanna buy Slob new wand, but can't. So Mash save up gold for gooder armor to not get hurt so much. Now, me have shiny new mithral breastplate, so me can have gooder armor and not slow down from weight. Me got lotta gold from rescuing noble lady, so me bought wand too with extra gold. Will give Slob wand to heal Mash next time we fight together.
Me not even know me could spend PA on wand. Me never know nobody spend PA on stuff. Me and friends all save PA for Raise Dead, but nobody need yet.
(bought first wand at level 4, even though it was listed on my first chronicle sheet at level 1)
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Toris 10th lvl Cleric- got a wand during conversion for season 1 (lvl 5), got another at 8th along with a partially charged cure Mod both with cash
Zaha "Doorslayer" Soyze 9th Lvl Rage Prophet- Spent 2 PA on first scenario after conversion to season 1 (2PA for a wand was not available before then) 2nd Lvl, used PA to get a second one at lvl 5
Dr Westcrown 5th lvl Alchemist- PA at 2nd lvl, used gold for another on his latest chronicle
Kaldric 6th lvl Summoner-Bought partially charged one at 3rd level just got a full one both with cash
I have two other charecters that are in first steps they will have wands from PA once they get PA.
My wife has 3 characters her paladin got a wand during conversion mainly to help others. Her ranger got one with PA shortly after conversion. Her Witch got hers with PA before second level I think a Mage Armor wand was purchased first.
Localy almost everyone has a wand before they hit 4th level. Most have them well before that.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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This is why Cledwyn (my fighter) didn't get his first wand until level 2. :P
As a side note to this observation (which gets pointed out a lot): I've heard it said that you *cannot* get a wand with 2 PP until the point where you could actually purchase the wand legally (it's 750 gp, so after you accumulate 9 Fame). Anyone know if this is true?
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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As a side note to this observation (which gets pointed out a lot): I've heard it said that you *cannot* get a wand with 2 PP until the point where you could actually purchase the wand legally (it's 750 gp, so after you accumulate 9 Fame). Anyone know if this is true?
I can't quote the Guide as I don't have access to it from here , but items acquired through Prestige are not purchased, have no value, and are not subject to the Fame-based purchasing limits.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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As a side note to this observation (which gets pointed out a lot): I've heard it said that you *cannot* get a wand with 2 PP until the point where you could actually purchase the wand legally (it's 750 gp, so after you accumulate 9 Fame). Anyone know if this is true?
Although not an authority, I think that you can get a wand by spending 2 PP. Even though its over the 500 gp starting limit, I think that PP purchases fall into their own categories, not regulated by table 5-3 in the current guide (4.0). Otherwise you'd have to wait for 9 prestige before you could get atonement cast on you, or 22 before you could get a raise dead. At least that's my 2 c.
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As a side note to this observation (which gets pointed out a lot): I've heard it said that you *cannot* get a wand with 2 PP until the point where you could actually purchase the wand legally (it's 750 gp, so after you accumulate 9 Fame). Anyone know if this is true?
I heard just the opposite. I know that I read that you CAN buy any one item worth up to 750 gp with your 2 PA regardless of your fame here on the boards, but I don't remember if the post was from someone with authority. Guess we'll see how my search-fu works today.
Edit: There found it PA_Purchase This quotes Josh Frost as saying that Fame limits don't apply to PA purchases.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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I can't quote the Guide as I don't have access to it from here , but items acquired through Prestige are not purchased, have no value, and are not subject to the Fame-based purchasing limits.
"Once per session, you can acquire any single item of this cost or less from your faction by spending the appropriate PP. Items purchased this way are worth 0 gp and cannot be sold."
I got you Jiggy ;)
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Even though its over the 500 gp starting limit,
500gp is the limit once you have 4 Fame. The "or less" in the table was an error.
Starting off, you can only buy "Always Available" stuff (plus items on chronicles). At 4 Fame, you can buy anything worth up to 500gp, then another level at 9 Fame, etc.
I'm sure someone less lazy than me can dig up where this was clarified. ;)
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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500gp is the limit once you have 4 Fame. The "or less" in the table was an error.
Starting off, you can only buy "Always Available" stuff (plus items on chronicles). At 4 Fame, you can buy anything worth up to 500gp, then another level at 9 Fame, etc.
I'm sure someone less lazy than me can dig up where this was clarified. ;)
Noted
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Drogon, the question is not about if it is a good idea to buy one, but rather how many characters HAVE. The percentage stated was not what I was seeing, so I am asking people here so that I can see what they are (and 'cause I am interested in it to, how many spent PA to get it).
In no way am I argueing that a player SHOULD NOT buy a wand of CLW. Just trying to see who HAS.
ok, by my count, not counting my characters the totals are
12 with and 2 without.
I have 8 characters.
Every single one of them has one and used their first 2 PP to buy one.
I think it is selfish to expect the Healers to use all their resources buying wands of CLW, and so I feel it is my responsibility (as a player) and my character's responsibility (as a non-healer) to purchase the wand so that the Cleric's resources can be spent building up armor, weapons, and other magic paraphernalia.
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OK, now to skew the numbers.
Egger Fighter 3rd Adventure (Earned 1,0 & 2 PA's respectfully)
Frost Fist Fighter 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my first mission)
Roddy Rogue 4th Adventure (Early character)
Clarence Cleric 1st Adventure
Som Soret Sorcerer 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my 1st mission)
Freeman the Quick F/C/B 2nd Adventure (Played Master of the fallen fortress for his 1st adventure)
Comperto Cleric 1st Adventure
Ringo Rogue 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my 1st mission)
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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OK, now to skew the numbers.
Egger Fighter 3rd Adventure (Earned 1,0 & 2 PA's respectfully)
Frost Fist Fighter 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my first mission)
Roddy Rogue 4th Adventure (Early character)
Clarence Cleric 1st Adventure
Som Soret Sorcerer 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my 1st mission)
Freeman the Quick F/C/B 2nd Adventure (Played Master of the fallen fortress for his 1st adventure)
Comperto Cleric 1st Adventure
Ringo Rogue 2nd Adventure (Earned 1 PA on my 1st mission)
Is that 8 characters, each with their own healing wands? (Just checking that I read it right.)
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I'm hoarding Rey's prestige so I can buy an island.* So I need a couple more prestige (and ranks in UMD) for him to buy one.
Talyn's going to buy one next time he gets played. Both are sticking to potions as well though, in case there's no one who can use a wand in the group.
*
Out of 4 characters, I think two of them (a cleric and a wizard) have wands of Cure Light Wounds, picked up at level 4 or so in both cases. Neither wand has ever been used.
At level 1-3, I just keep a few potions of CLW handy; they're more useful in the sense that anyone can administer them. I've used them on occasion.
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My advice or "gentle" encouragement is that everyone buy a Wand of CLW. It can be considered "jerky" to just expect others at the table to use their resources to heal you. Granted you might have a caster with healing spells and that is fine, but if not, expecting to use someone else's wand is a bit presumptuous.
Of course, my paladin would be happy to use his W/CLW on you, but my CN pirate is likely to respond with a curt "bite me." :-)
- Paladin...bought his 1st wand after 2nd scenario with prestige
- Barbarian...bought his 1st wand after 1st scenario with prestige
- Cleric...bough his 1st wand at level three with prestige, but it was his first scenario played. Prior to that was all GM credits
- Bard...bought his 1st wand with prestige at level two, but it was his first scenario. Prior to that was all GM credits
- Ranger...bought his 1st wand with prestige after the second session. His first was MotFF which did not have any prestige awards
- Cavalier...bought his first wand with prestige after 2nd scenario. Would have bought it after the first but only earned one point
- Pirate...bought his first wand at level 5 with prestige. This character used all GM credits up to level 5.
- Sorcerer...bought a wand after 1st scenario with prestige
So, I am 100% with spending prestige for W/CLW and buy them as soon as they become available, even if the character is not capable of using them.
On a side note, everyone is expected to track charges. No, your wand does not recharge automatically after each scenario. Use it up and you need to acquire another one. Occasionally, I hear people claiming that consumables are not actually used. Often this is a misunderstanding between items found during the scenario and items bought.
As a GM, sometimes I see 10-11th level characters with the same, fully-charged wand that they bought after their first scenario. Is it possible that your fighter never had to use his own wand? Yes, but it is very improbable. The same could be said for one-shot items like potions. Please don't expect your GM to be a complete idiot. :-)
[/threadjack]
I have 13 characters (4 which haven't been played). Of the 9 played characters, all have a wand of CLW or infernal healing, all purchased with their first 2 PP from the first adventure. Even my fighter-types just hand the wand off to someone that can use it in the current party.
