Haldrick's page

The two classes are both versitile indifferent ways. The wizards incressed spells known is mainly useful with scribe scroll. You can always have the spell u need. Sorcerers have wonderful versitility with meta magic. Somethng i rarely use with prepareded spellcasters.

Depends on the campaign. Generalyif the campaign started before pathfinder then 3.5 stuff is allowed. Those started under pathfinder are mainly pathfinder only.

We have found that a wizard has been useful. You have plently of time to craft items, unlike many APs

There are a couple of previous thread along the same lines. It is very attractive. The one thing that I think you need to think about is the aura of cowardice. She has some pets with her, they have a fear inducing howl. You have to think about your party being split when they face her. Look at the obits thread for the number of people the original Nualia has killed because of this. Why not think about an inquisitor?

The aura she gets as a antipaladin makes her pets more dangerous. The obit tread is full of sorries of parties split by fear and killed

I have been playing with the same small group since the 70s. we all DM on a rota.
We all get suprised when we DM. Despite knowing each other for decades we still cannot predict how we will act.
As the DM the trick is how you react. The biggest problem is when the players do not follow clues to the entended destination. Going in the wrong direction is less of a problem then getting stuck when they have the clues.

So if southern Garund has suitable trading partners, it explains why the pirates of the shackles can have a deal with Eleder and still make a living. This was what my initial thinking leads me to.

Sargava is an isolated ex-colony, who could be devastated by the Shackles. So the agreement protects their shipping and serves as a guard against their former masters (at a crippling cost) To the pirates Sargava is a minor part of their possible targets, so giving it up in exchanges for a steady income is not too much of a sacrifice.

You appear to be short of some skilled characters as well as ranged attacks. So I would think that Ranger and Inquisitor as suggested by Gerald or possible Bard. Particually as this could fill in some holes in the Summoners spell list.

Which ever looks like the most fun to you. Currently playing a paladin and an inquisitor and having a blast with both.

Thanks vikingson, that was the kind of thing I was looking for.

I agree with TBA that all you need is the Core Rules and Bestiary. If you have time these treads are a gold mine. If there is no pathfinder equiverlent I often run without converting, just throw in a couple more weak creature or add the advanced template.

Name: Danna (sorcerer 9th)
Adventure: Tides of Dread
Catalyst: This is not the Isle of Fluffy Bunny's (somthing of a catch phrase for the campaign recently)

I have been running ST for years (started in 3.5). Finnally had my first PC death. To a wandering monster (or four)

The party were travelling on the isle, there is a tropical storm which penalises perception (random weather) and I roll 4X Deinoychus. In their suprise round 2 hit Danna. They then went before her. One dead sorcerer. Four CR3 creature do what all the nasty's before could not.

We have had many close fights (recently the large serpant in ToD) but this shows that travelling unprepared and with your perceptions impared is dangerous. Well at this level she will be raised, but it is good to keep the players on their toe's

There was thread a while ago about who do all the pirates in the shackles preyed on. The pirates have an agreement with Sargava. While some traffic down to Savgara may not be covered by the agreement, it does not makes sense that that Sargava could survive if a majority of its trade does not get through.

The obvious answer is that the piracy takes place north of the Eye of Abendego, and the pirates travel to and fro between the shackles and Rahadoum/Cheliax. However this is not how the AP shows this happening

People came up with some ideas about undersea civilisations around the shackles, who have trade routes the pirates raid. This is interesting but changes the politics of the region, so I do not want to pursue this.

So my idea is that we know there are countries south of the Mwangi Expanse/Sargava. Makes sense that the merchants are travelling between the inner sea area to them and back.

So here is the question “Do we know the names of any of these kingdoms?

I do not have a great knowledge of all the APs but here my 2c.
Avoid Kingmaker, you would have to change the randon encounters, the sandbox nature means the party can walk into encounters they are not strong enough to tackle. Its an AP that requires the party to know when to run! Not good for inexperienced players.

I have only seen the first two parts but I would consider Shattered Star

I think the Dungeon Mag AP were tougher. Lost someone in Age of Worms (just before it folded) at the half way point.
Had my first death DMing Savage tide in TOD (9th lv)

Playing in Kingmaker just finished the 2nd book and the most dangerous things have been wandering monsters and Serpants Skull only in 2nd book hasn't dangerous.

Don't get me wrong we have all fallen over etc but nothing has looked like TPK us. We have bee playing since the 70s, so are at least experienced, if not expert, but not much into optimising

Oracles get Cure spells or Inflict spells for free. Oracles choice.

I did not say it would be too strong with 5. I simply pointed out the AP is designed for 4. You have stated that you have experience of the APs with 5. Obviously you are happly with that (And that is the whole point after all)

You said that the GM did not want to amend encounters. I simply think that 6 PCs may be the point when amendments will be necessary to keep a sense of threat.

Of course as I said it depends on builds and GM style.

Rathender has some solid advice. Remember that what often kills big baddies is action economy, simply adding a few levels does not always raise the threat level enough. Adding in competent helpers/Allies so the party cannot get 6 to 1 is important.

Having 6 PCs should not be an issue if some of the encounters are adjusted.

Well like all the AP it is writen for 4 PCs. All the adventures have advice of scaling the adventure for higher levels, so that could be useful. But honestly without amendments I think your party will be too strong.I am running it for 4 reasonable (but not completely optimised) PCs. They have not lost anyone and are rarely on negitive hps. So far half way through ToD.

Of course it depends on the build and DM style.

The problem with relying on CLW wands is it takes recourses my group prefer to spend on sexier stuff. A 5th level ftr, cavalier, ranger etc after a hard but not massive fight can easily be 20-30 hp down, taking 4-6 charges to recover. Those wands disappear very quickly at mid levels. I am sure it can be done but the party pays a price in it soaking up disposable income.

Having said that a paladin can act as group OOC healer at a push and does lots of fun stuff in combat.

I agree with previous posters Clerics are powerful and fun, but that a personal thing which I understand not everyone will agree with

Luna has given you a good overveiw of the campaign. More answers should probabaly be in answer to more specific questions. I will simply add that it is inmy opinion the best "Dungeon" adventure path. Which is saying something as age of worms was good. It has good roleplaying, a variety of opponants and some memorable big baddies. I am only on 5 of 12 and am converting to pathfinder like crazy

My memory of 3.5 is a bit rusty, and a lot of things depend on the rest of the party.
Skills:Either up some of the existing ones by a point or two (Swim, Know Nat and survival) or add spellcraft or spot/listen/search (even if they are not class skills)
Feat: If you are going to do most of the fighting, then something to keep you alive Toughness maybe (you do not qualify for dodge) Otherwise I have always found Scribe scroll usefull for druids. Spell focus Conjuration/augmented summoning are very good.
Spells: For combat Shillelagh is supprisingly good, Magic fang for your companion or entangle (but check how your DM rule it, does it only work if there is existing vegitation)

As I said I now play pathfinder and my 3.5 is in the attic, so I am relying on old memories

It really depends on how much your DM is willing to change things.

If the AP is run as writen I would expect the party to run into real problems at mid to high levels.

A witch will round out the the party if the rest of the characters are set.

I realise it is a lot of tome and effort but please continue. It is a great read. Unfortunately the silent majority of readers are jsut that silent.

Kaskus and Zan: I think your ideas are the most likely.
Tolin: I think he will give up on romance with Lavinia and relocate to another city. I do not see him staying in Farshore or Scuttlecove. Sasserine maybe (but not as an ally of Zan.
Liamae: Caring for a child would make Scuttlecove unlikely. So I would decide betweem Farshore (rural and safe?) or Grayhawk (interesting and fun)

I played 4th ed when it came out, but dropped it fairly quickly, So I am not an expert, and am years out of date. But here goes.
• The classes are done totally differently and are far more similar. A wizards spells use the mechanics as a fighters uses to hit with his weapon. All classes have a range of power they use at will, 1/encounter and 1/day. It does not matter whether you are swinging a sword, casting a spell or using psionics.
• AC is just one of your defences. Attacks (whether spells, effects or melee attacks) are against one of those defences
• Saves are used to bring ongoing effects to a stop not to stop them effecting you in the first place.
• Everyone can heal themselves, healing classes are just better at it
• Virtually every thing and everyone has loads more hitpoints

Just a few of the things I remember.

Ninja'ed by more eloquent people

I like this guide and am sure I will be using it. The one area it does not agree with my style of play is in the mercies. You have solely rated them on their use on the Paladin. We often us LoH on other party members, so the mercies usefulness is measured differently.

Is there an adventure path which isn't? Doesn't mean you have to play it that way, but the designers have to assume you can cover the basics.

To go back to the original question. Clearly you would expect the divine spellcasters to rule/be very influencial. With serpentfolk I would expect alot of assasinations/cut-throat politics and divisions. Inquisitors could figure strongly.

Avern from Savage Tide. Baby sitting a spoilt brat was great fun (for the GM).

Skulls and Shackels can end at any point. Just have the goal to be accepted by the rest of the pirates/have your own base/whatever and drop the invasion.

Savage Tide can be ended at almost any point

I am not sure I would want to try Serpents Skull with only wands for healing. We are only on book 2, but I think the DM would have to change things a lot (I am also unsure where you would get the wands from before 4th).

However the class which has not been mentioned yet is inquisitor, a reasonable melee presence, skill and spell + some class abilities. I think a witch would be too similar to a wizard for what you are looking for.

Firstly I am playing this so I do not have total knowledge.

Wilderness types obviously do well. Classes with mounts get more use then normal and are therefore good choices.

Face characters seem to have great fun.

The lack of long dungeons favours classes which do well with short adventuring days/one encounter a day, so ninja's should do well. Having said that I am playing a half orc rogue, so take my advise with a pinch of salt.

Can you please cancel my adventure path subscription. This has nothing to do with my enjoyment of the products, simply a reflection of the economic situation.

Many thanks

My Savage Tride has finally got here. I am making him a aristocrat 3/Gunslinger 5. Kinda like a geat white hunter, drawn to the Isle of Dread to take on the famous critters (and then found out how dangerous they are).

My take on inquisitors is not so automatically dark. Any religion can benefit from such a skilled operator. Here’s mine:

Angradd is the dwarven god of aggressive combat. It makes sense for the church to train inquisitor to take on enemies of the dwarven race. Gardura expected to be fighting orc, drow, gready humans may be even dragons. Her first mission was to be a (junior) member of a team to hunt down a dwarven heretic and traitor. When a faint clue pointed towards Eleder, the junior member was sent to investigate. Regrettable she was ship wreaked on a notorious island on the way!

I am GMing Savage tide. Started in 3.5 converted to pathfinder. just finishing book 4.

Playing Kingmaker and Serpents Skull both on book 2.

Was playing Age of worms. Finished book book six. Finished as GM did not want to convert it to pathfinder.

Clearly you have raised her level of threat considerably. Her Rapier attack has improved by 3 and her spell selection is vastly more dangerous. Only you know your party well enough to know if that is the right thing.

Looking at the Obits thread the final fight with Rowyn has not caused to much of a problem. For a final fight it should be tough so I would go for it.

It is certainly a nice conversion.

I am running an abberant sorcerer in SS. I have just hit 4th, so it is early days. I have just taken shocking graspe and an considering ghoul touch or elemental touch(APG). I am certainly looking to have a few more touch spells then you. Vampiric touch certainly. There are not enough touch spells to not have another theme. Your list has more utility spells then many sorcerers, which I think is a good thing.

Because I am 50 next month, have been married for 2 years and sudden have step kids and grandchildren. My writing time has shrunk to very little. Its difficult to get time to play let alone write.

I am not the only one in my group who has had drastic changes. In the past we use moduels as fill ins and insparation (sic) How we run APs. Savage Tide, KM and SS.

My experience with them is only at low level and through reading. However the inquisitor appears way more useful. picked carefully they can be fair combatants and are useful in most other situations. In fact the time goes on the more I like the class.

Cavaliers/samurai appear ok, but in rems of usefulness rank behind fighters/paladins and rangers in my experience.

It has been a while, and I was a player so I do not have the book.
Firstly over all impressions. We stopped at the end of book 6 and started with Monk, Barbarian, Psion and Cleric. The monk dies early and was replace with a monk. The Barbarian died in book 6 and was replaced with a Ranger/Rogue. The first 6 books are not particularly undead heavy .

Book 1. Swarms are deadly; the air creatures at the end are very tough.

Book2 This book has some continuity issues, from a players point of view it raised some unanswered questions (cannot remember what, but I remember them being unanswered)
The individual temples are tough but do-able. The aspect was tough, do not know if the DM fudged it but we were running on empty.

Book 3. This need beefing up. It was laughable. My psion could have done most of it on his own. The town wizard travelling with you and then teleporting away was weird.

Book 4. I remember the air elements being very very hard and the mindflayer an epic finale
Books 5 & 6 Nothing springs to mind

Historically the limit on an archers rate of fire was ammo conservation. The unrealistic thing in Pathfinder is the rate of fire of fire arms and Xbows.

This however is necessary to have some game balance. The main advantage these weapons had over (well equipped) archers was that it took years to train a good archer and weeks a Xbowman/handgunner.

Also unless using a longbow or a composite bow armour penetration was less good then a Xbow. But few roleplaying characters are going to use a non composite shortbow.

As a “game” pathfinder has to err on the side on balance/fun/playability rather than blindly follow historical accuracy.

I have a similar half orc in our Kingmaker campaign (I'm 5th lv). I do not have the chac sheet so I cannot do an exact comparison. We roll stats so they are not going to be identical. I started with 18 str. Got imp feign as quickly as possible. Then went for dazzling display.

It is certainly holding its own against the Dwarven Ranger and human Paladin (with a 1 lv dip into cleric) in terms of combat effectiveness, but is obviously a bit of a glass cannon. He then has all the rogue skill to fall back on. I like the character

Barbarians and cavilliers rarely get played. Orales hav'nt yet, but when a new campaign starts or an existing charater dies that may change. Druids are rare but not unheard of. I don't see gunslingers, summoners or alchamists getting a lot of play.

As to the OPs question. I have never seen much use out of inflict spells. Clerics and Oracles generally have better options.

As to cure spells. I find that board chatter about relying on wands of CLW is more common the in real play. The use of cure spells in combat has to be carefully judged. Other options are often better, but after combat cure spells are frequently very effective. Why spend money on wands when the spells come back every morning? As you go up in levels CLW just does not get you very far.

Most players I know prefer to spend their money on more interesting things.

Not to say that a wand is not useful as aback up. Especially with someone using UMD.

I only have experience of running an inquisitor at low levels (1-4th). However as time goes on I am becoming more and more impressed with the class. I do not have any specific build advice, but the party looks viable to me.

As DM you will have to make adjustment for any 3 PC party. Certainly some of the more powerfull divine spells may be a problem. Koya could use scrolls which are added for that purpose etc.

An occasional Dispel magic can also work wonders, especially if they are relying too much on the summoned help.

In my experience most skill point discrepancies in 3.5 were due to synengy (sic) bonuses. Don't know if this is the case here because I converted them all to pathfinder so re built their skill from a clean sheet.

1. I am certainly enjoying playing a palidin for the first time in decades. They are finally effective.
2. The inquisitor appear to be the perfect class great roleplay potential/fluff, versitile and effective. I struggle to think of a party which is not improved by an inquisitor.

Firstly, blasting is commonly considered an inefficient way to play a caster. Mainly because you aren't really contributing to stopping the enemy directly by battlefield control or other methods. All blasting does is maybe help them to die a turn sooner. Also, the damage doesn't scale as well.

Personally I have found killing the enemy a very good way of stopping the enemy directly. It is true that blasting damage does not scale with level without some careful planning. In my opinion this tends to be over stated by the anti blasting camp. Battle field control is very useful in chanelling and slowing the enemy, however someone has to kill them. for levels 1-12 a blaster can be effective and more important fun.

The monk weapons in the core rule book are clear. The monk weapons introduced in the APG all state that monks are proficient in them. The weapons in UC do not. Am I missing something or do monks have to burn a feat to use these effectively?