Just curious as to why the Diabolus has been given an LA +1 in the Dragon Compendium when the original article had +0. I'm not arguing that it shouldn't be +1, just curious as to the reasoning behind the decision.
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Just curious as to why the Diabolus has been given an LA +1 in the Dragon Compendium when the original article had +0. I'm not arguing that it shouldn't be +1, just curious as to the reasoning behind the decision.
We had three new sets of eyes look on the Dragon Compendium who didn't look on the original article, and one of those sets of eyes (belonging to a designer at Wizards of the Coast) stated that he thought the diabolus should have an LA of +1. Those who owned the other two sets of eyes conferred with me and we all came to the conclusion that yes, the diabolus is too good as an LA +0 creature.
Thus, the change.
Lots of stuff from the earlier days of third edition also benefited from the scrutiny of new sets of eyes, although I think most of it escaped unchanged.
So, Amaril, how'd you like the book overall? :)
So, Amaril, how'd you like the book overall? :)
The book is fantastic, I'm playing a diabolus sorcerer/force missile mage and having both the race and the pretige class in the same book is extremely handy.
The magic items section made me about as giddy as I was when I first obtained my copy of the Arms & Equipment Guide for 3e.
I was never a big fan of critical hit/miss tables until now. I plan on creating those tables in E-Tools for single-click resolution.
I also like having the update to the demonically fused elemental and the new elementals, both of which I plan on throwing into my RttToEE campaign. The bonespitter will find a home in there somewhere, too.
The design of the book is beautiful. Very rich in color with a clean layout. My only complaint is the slight damage on the corners and the top of the spine from loose packing for shipment.
This is by far the best D&D supplement I have purchased for 3e this year. I look forward to Dragon Compendium Vol. II: Legacies of Greyhawk (hint, hint!)
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So, Amaril, how'd you like the book overall? :)The book is fantastic, I'm playing a diabolus sorcerer/force missile mage and having both the race and the pretige class in the same book is extremely handy.
The magic items section made me about as giddy as I was when I first obtained my copy of the Arms & Equipment Guide for 3e.
I was never a big fan of critical hit/miss tables until now. I plan on creating those tables in E-Tools for single-click resolution.
I also like having the update to the demonically fused elemental and the new elementals, both of which I plan on throwing into my RttToEE campaign. The bonespitter will find a home in there somewhere, too.
The design of the book is beautiful. Very rich in color with a clean layout. My only complaint is the slight damage on the corners and the top of the spine from loose packing for shipment.
This is by far the best D&D supplement I have purchased for 3e this year. I look forward to Dragon Compendium Vol. II: Legacies of Greyhawk (hint, hint!)
Glad you like it! ^_^
It's pretty sweet that your character's race AND prestige class are from Dragon, and that they both appear in the book. Of course, I really think it's sweet that you're using an article I wrote. ;)
You'll want to talk to customer service about the damage in shipment, but I'm glad you like the bright colors. :)
Glad you like it! ^_^
It's pretty sweet that your character's race AND prestige class are from Dragon, and that they both appear in the book. Of course, I really think it's sweet that you're using an article I wrote. ;)
You'll want to talk to customer service about the damage in shipment, but I'm glad you like the bright colors. :)
Mike, I have a question for you pertaining to the flavor of a diabolus with a favored class of sorcerer. Given their chaotic nature and hindered charisma toward creatures of the material plane, what did you have in mind in regards to the type of familiar they would have? I'm curious as to what you would select for either a regular familiar or an improved familiar.
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Mike, I have a question for you pertaining to the flavor of a diabolus with a favored class of sorcerer. Given their chaotic nature and hindered charisma toward creatures of the material plane, what did you have in mind in regards to the type of familiar they would have? I'm curious as to what you would select for either a regular familiar or an improved familiar.
The first answer that comes to mind is, "Familiars suck. Find an alternative for your sorcerer." ;D That's not very helpful, though, and it doesn't really answer your question (and it's at least 20% opinion). So let me give you a less snarky answer.
If we limit ourselves to the familiars in the Player's Handbook for a normal familiar, a diabolus sorcerer would prefer, in this order, a snake, lizard, or toad. The snake shares the diabolus's forked tongue and is often hated and feared by humanoids for no good reason (much like the diabolus). The fear and loathing aspect also draws the diabolus to the lizard and the toad. I think a diabolus would find mammals repulsive in the way that many humanoids find nonmammals freakish and weird.
If we expand our search a little, we can look at Dragon #324 and find a whole host of unusual critters to choose from. Among them, I believe a diabolus would prefer, in this order, a caterpillar, fly, spider, turtle, or moth. Again, I believe a diabolus would avoid a mammalian familiar, as such a thing would seem frightening and grotesque to a diabolus.
The upcoming Dragon #341 will contain a whole host of new familiars. In it you might even find more options for your diabolus sorcerer. Keep in mind the guidelines outlined above.
Now, as far as improved familiars go, let's see what the Dungeon Master's Guide has for us. Even a nonchaotic diabolus should avoid a lawful familiar. The personality clashes would make the relationship unhealthy. Thus, this list, compiled from the two offered in the DMG: homunculus (in the rough shape of a diabolus), fiendish Tiny viper snake (or other fiendish or celestial creature from off the above lists), quasit, stirge (even though it's technically a mammal just look at the thing... it's hideous!), shocker lizard, or Small elemental (any).
I hope that helps!
For familiars - there is a great article in a recent dragon where you can turn your staff into a sentient item - this is in lieu of a familiar.
I too subscribe to the familiars stink idea, so this was a nice option for me. I was just going to go without.......