Yes, good point. I'm not hiding it or anything; it's just that sometimes I forget. Ask me right away and I'll post it here.
The blackscale lizardmen AC is 16.
I'm going to bot Squeak and move this along.
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, hit
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, hit
Bronwyn saw the approaching lizardmen intent on joining the fray. Hoping to stop them in their tracks, she sent a glowing bead of fire towards the two and watched with glee as it exploded in flames between them.
There's only one AC and it's 16. Fighters and wizards get to use their proficiency bonus and their 'main' ability modifier so it's the same whether casting a spell or hitting with a weapon.
The saving throw only depends on your proficiency bonus (goes up with level) and your casting ability modifier (may go up with adventuring) but not your spell level.
Questions?
Game on!
There's only one AC and it's 16. Fighters and wizards get to use their proficiency bonus and their 'main' ability modifier so it's the same whether casting a spell or hitting with a weapon.
The saving throw only depends on your proficiency bonus (goes up with level) and your casting ability modifier (may go up with adventuring) but not your spell level.
Questions?
Game on!
There's only one AC and it's 16. Fighters and wizards get to use their proficiency bonus and their 'main' ability modifier so it's the same whether casting a spell or hitting with a weapon.
The saving throw only depends on your proficiency bonus (goes up with level) and your casting ability modifier (may go up with adventuring) but not your spell level.
Questions?
Game on!
I don't think spells say 'ranged touch attack' but rather 'ranged spell attack' where your mod is your proficiency + your casting ability modifier. They specify 'ranged spell attack' as opposed to 'melee spell attack' because the ranged version suffers from disadvantage if cast when the caster is within someone's threat range. There's no attack of opportunity but the rule mechanics make you roll with disadvantage to simulate the caster casting the spell while trying not to get hit.
You should take out your flat-footed and touch AC from your profile. Only one AC (simpler).
Questions?
game on!
Catching the rapier that Squeak tossed her, Vi moved up a few steps and lunged at the remaining temple guard.
However, she wasn't used to handling her weapon with a lizard hand, and the hilt turned in her grasp, spoiling her attack.
There's only one AC and it's 16. Fighters and wizards get to use their proficiency bonus and their 'main' ability modifier so it's the same whether casting a spell or hitting with a weapon.
The saving throw only depends on your proficiency bonus (goes up with level) and your casting ability modifier (may go up with adventuring) but not your spell level.
Questions?
Game on!
I don't think spells say 'ranged touch attack' but rather 'ranged spell attack' where your mod is your proficiency + your casting ability modifier. They specify 'ranged spell attack' as opposed to 'melee spell attack' because the ranged version suffers from disadvantage if cast when the caster is within someone's threat range. There's no attack of opportunity but the rule mechanics make you roll with disadvantage to simulate the caster casting the spell while trying not to get hit.
You should take out your flat-footed and touch AC from your profile. Only one AC (simpler).
Questions?
game on!
Palisade took note of the new opponents joining the battle and was about to move to intercept when Lady d'Deneith's conjured flames lit up the clearing, the blast-wave of the explosion rocking the 'forged and causing Bastion to squeak in irritation from his nest under his little brother's chest plating.
Taking stock of the situation after the dust had settled and clumps of smoldering undergrowth launched into the air by the blast had settled, the 'forged readied its sword and moved to engage the greatest current threat to Lady d'Deneith's safety.
I'm not sure why you are saying this other than the fact that you seem to be comparing 5e wizards with PF1 wizards, which is different when it comes to 'game balance'.
Your wizard can cast firebolt all day at +6 to hit and 2d10 damage from a safe, distant position. None of your companions can do that.
She also has 4, 3, and 2 spell slots for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells, respectively, of which she recovers 3 'spell slots' after a short rest. Her fire spells burns through any resistances.
Your 3rd level spell slot fireball does 8d6 damage in a 20' radius with a DEX DC of 14, which is pretty high. The lizardmen DEX save is +0.
She's a bit more squishy than the other PCs but she doesn't have to get within melee range.
I don't your PC is an important part of the team.
Remember that opponents in 5e have low AC but more hitpoints, which is very different than PF1.
Questions?
Game on!
I'll give Squeak sometime to post but want to move this along later tonight.
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, fail
, pass
, miss
, miss
, miss
, hit
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, hit
Bronwyn's anger flared as she saw the lizardmen gang up on Palisade. Unable to tap into the magic needed for another fireball until she rested, she tried again to send scorching rays at the offending lizardmen. "Leave him alone!" she demanded as fire formed in her hands and she hurled it at them.
Squeak hesitated 'If I do not keep this one engaged it will turn on Vi, making it difficult for her to dispatch it. If I do not assist Palisade it is likely that his opponents will dismantle him.'
He paused 'I must assume Bronwyn is capable of Providing aid, or that Palisade will undertake defensive measures. With the additional haste granted by Bronwyn he may be able to attack and withdraw. In retrospect I should perhaps look at combat-enabling my Soul.'
Squeak struck home, the blow well aimed but rendered all but inconsequential by the bulk of the lizardman. 'That should draw his attention - hopefully Vi can take advantage of his anger'
I now realise I have been doing Acid Splash wrong. I think I also had the spear wrong; it should be +5 (+2 str +3 prof) to hit and 1d6+2 (+2 str) damage, I think.
Edit: critical only on 20?
No problem about missing a turn; we're busy at times. :)
Your spear would be +5 to hit and 1d6+2 damage IF your STR was 14 but it seems your STR is 10. IF your STR is 10 then you do +3 to hit and 1d6+0 damage.
High DEX people benefit from 'finesse' weapon which get to add the DEX modifier for both to hit and damage.
The only simple weapon with the 'finesse' quality is a dagger so Squeak would do +5 to hit and 1d4+2 damage.
Criticals ONLY on a natural 20 roll.
Questions?
Game on!
No problem with you choosing a different third level spell. Go for it!
Questions?
Game on!
Vi took advantage of Squeak as a distraction to line herself up behind the lizardman's kidneys. Lunging forward, she stabbed deep, twisting the blade and shredding the organ.
@Squeak: don't forget your alchemical homunuculus (what does it look like?).
I don't know if they will modify it when the 5e Eberron book comes out next month but right now, it's pretty cool.
You should be using those 3 salves per day.
Questions?
Game on!
Palisade rocked under the heavy blows but did not hesitate in its duty to protect Lady d’Deneith. Instead of giving ground, it accepted the damage silently, thankful that the Creator-Goddess in her infinite wisdom had not given her creations the kind of sense of pain that might have paralyzed a human warrior, allowing Palisade to be aware of the mounting damage to its body but in a detached manner that didn’t hinder its operation.
Swinging its own sword, one equally heavy to the weapons that were chipping off parts of its body plating, Palisade replied with preternaturally swift attacks of its own, and while the first chop slid off the lizard’s thick coat of scales, the second blasted through, sinking deep into the creature’s flame-seared flesh.
Not use the 'withdraw' action (retreat) but the 'dodge' action (forcing your opponents to attack with disadvantage. And given that you have two actions thanks to the haste spell, you could have done both the dodge action and the attack action.
FYI, four 5th level PCs against four CR 3 opponents is considered a 'deadly' fight but you guys are good at this! :)
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, hit
, miss
, miss
, miss
With only one foe left to face it, Palisade redoubled his attacks, smashing aside the enemy's heavy blade with a well-timed parry. Thanks to Bronwyn's enchantment, the 'forged recovered far sooner that its opponent expected, and ran the lizard through while it was still trying to bring its own blade to bear.
"Declaration. You fought well. Now become rust on my blade," Palisade said calmly as it wrenched its greatsword free of the body of its dying foe.
"Declaration. You fought well. Now become rust on my blade," Palisade said calmly as it wrenched its greatsword free of the body of its dying foe.
"Squeak! Stop getting hit!" Vi cried, alarmed at how much damage the 'forged was taking.
She glanced around, and saw the other lizards were down. But where-oh-where were the little ones? In the temple? Getting into flanking position? As she attempted to finish off her lizard, she cried out, "Everybody, look around! Where are the little ones?"
She stabbed deep through the lizard's spine, the tip of her blade coming out the front. The lizardman collapsed in a boneless heap, and she only just managed to wrench her blade free before it was pulled from her hand.
"Negative." Squeak responded, even as Vi was killing his opponent. "Tactically I am the one most suitable for taking damage. By becoming a tempting target I ensure more valuable team members are kept damage free."
As the lizardman slumped he acknowledged. "However in a closed environment Palisade is a more valuable front line combatant. I suggest we prioritise his repair, and quickly enter the temple before reinforcements arrive. I will take the rear."
Quickly squeak applied a mix of chemical cement and strange looking wire contraptions shaped like caltrops to the worst rents in Palisade's armor. "This should harden into a temporary seal. Try to avoid taking damage to these areas for the next two minutes. Additional: do not catch fire."
Seeing Palisade skewer the remaining lizardman, she orders, "Heal yourself, Palisade. Now! Because I hear a strange sound coming from the temple. I don't think this is over. Something is coming."
As Squeak moves closer to Palisade to help him, she turns towards the entrance of the temple and prepares to defend the 'forged.
Turn 030 – Something is Coming!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
I'm giving you all + 5 on initiative
Bronwyn's eyes widened as the creature emerged from the darkness of the temple. Dragons were majestic but it was hideous considering it was part lizardman. All the wizard could think was Kill it! Kill it with fire!
With quick movements, she sends a firebolt hurling towards the monster only to crash into one of the pillars instead of her intended target.
“This should harden into a temporary seal. Try to avoid taking damage to these areas for the next two minutes. Additional: do not catch fire.”
”Acknowledged,” Palisade replied as it tested out the range of motion of its limbs and found movement not overly impaired by the field repairs. ”Thank you for the assistance. This one-”
It didn’t get any further before a new, much more imposing foe made its entrance. Palisade realized it was still far from optimal fighting condition, but then again, war was never fair. Considering how powerful the temple guardians had been, it was likely this much larger creature would be an even greater danger. Thus, someone needed to challenge it, to engage it to limit its movement so the others could maneuver around it to deal damage. And Palisade was the one best equipped for the role.
The ‘forged quickly sheathed its huge sword, instead opting for more defensive set of equipment. It drew its mace and readied its shield as it moved to meet the four-legged creature.
Once again, Lady d’Deneith’s enchantment of speed came to Palisade’s aid as it moved faster then both it and its foe expected. With its shield raised to block spear or claws or both, it slammed its heavy mace into the lizard-creature’s left shoulder, rocking the creature back and causing it to hiss in pain.
Drawing a mace and attacking is part of the attack action. The same thing applies to using a shield so Palisade can move (double move because he's far) and attack the dracotur.
5e keeps things simple and I always err on the side of the players.
After this combat is done, I will go over some tactics/rules available for you all, specially using your bonus action if available.
Recapping...
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, miss
, miss
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Heck, I was going to write something about strategy and action economy but I found this.
One of the advantages of using a popular system; someone probably already took the time and figured it out for you. :)
Not everything is covered; specially class abilities (barbarians, bards, etc. have use for their bonus actions) so look at each class. For example, Squeak can use his bonus action to command his alchemical homunculus.
Vi: rogues are great at this stuff (cunning action and uncanny dodge). Attack with two light weapons?
Bronwyn/Palisade: a few spells use reactions but lots more use bonus actions.
BTW, you'll have to let me know of any 'reactions' ahead of time like "when A happens I'll use my reaction to do B".
Questions?
Game on!
Palisade cocked its head to one side as the guardian growled something in its native language. "Request. Hostile lizard number five, please initiate a conversation using either the Common tongue or the native languages of dwarfs or giants," the 'forged said calmly, as it quite literally had breath to spare, not needing any to live. "Continuing dialogue in your current language is not productive as this one does not understand it. Suggestion. Lady d'Deneith. Perhaps you could translate?"
As it now had a healthy respect for the sheer strength of its opponent, having blocked several heavy attacks, it decided to prioritize defense, fearing the amount of damage it would sustain if an attack landed cleanly past its defenses. The 'forged hunkered down behind its shield, although it did use its mace to land a stinging blow on the dragonic creature's fingers as it extended one spear jab just so much too far.
I recently bought a hard copy of the players handbook, and I should have done that ages ago! It's so much easier for me to flip through an actual book, and remember things, and make sense of it all. I clearly made some missteps with Vi. Makes way more sense for her to fight with 2 shortswords than a rapier. Also, I haven't been adding my Dex modifier to ranged attack damage. That link was very helpful in understanding Bonus Actions and Reactions - hopefully I'll be more useful now.
Can I switch weapons mid-fight, or shall I wait until she finds some shortswords?
"Khyberlover!" Vi cursed as the monstrosity came into view. Palisade reacted immediately, running to shield them from damage, and the changeling fumbled with her shortbow. She really didn't want to get close to that thing!
Finally getting an arrow knocked, she was careful to aim away from Palisade. Fortunately the...thing...was big enough to make that task easy. Taking aim, she released the arrow and watched it fly straight at the creature's head. The arrow disappeared into the creature's eye, and Vi whooped in exultation. ((However, much to her disappointment, the lizardhorse didn't go down!))
I recently bought a hard copy of the players handbook, and I should have done that ages ago! It's so much easier for me to flip through an actual book, and remember things, and make sense of it all. I clearly made some missteps with Vi. Makes way more sense for her to fight with 2 shortswords than a rapier. Also, I haven't been adding my Dex modifier to ranged attack damage. That link was very helpful in understanding Bonus Actions and Reactions - hopefully I'll be more useful now.
Can I switch weapons mid-fight, or shall I wait until she finds some shortswords?
Yeah, I think double weapons is a sure way to make use of that bonus action EVERY round. Just wait, something tells me that there are a couple of twin shortswords just waiting to be found. Start thinking of a cool history for them and we'll make them 'special'. :)
I always thought that Starfinder was great because of how they concentrated all the bonuses on one main stat which depended on the character class. Then I realized that 5e came first. :)
Questions?
Game on!
Lady d'Deneith. Perhaps you could translate?"
Bronwyn moved closer to the temple entrance to get a better line of sight on the creature now that Palisade had engaged it.
Finding a path free of pillar and 'forged, she let loose another bolt of fire. This time she managed to singe it significantly.
Bronwyn threw her arm around Vi and gave her a squeeze, "Nice shot, Vi! It needed to go down quickly and thanks to you, it went down hard."
She released her friend and stalked over to Palisade. She placed her hands on her hips and stared him down, "You ignored a direct order, Palisade. You were supposed to heal yourself. If it weren't for Vi, you could have been seriously hurt by Hostile Lizard Number Five. You need to heal yourself, now."
The wizard continued, "And, we should get inside the Temple to somewhat safety before my spell on Palisade ends. He'll soon be rendered as weak as a kitten and I don't think we'll be able to carry him. Plus we're too exposed out here. I say we at least move to just inside the entrance."
"You ignored a direct order, Palisade. You were supposed to heal yourself. If it weren't for Vi, you could have been seriously hurt by Hostile Lizard Number Five. You need to heal yourself, now."
”Explanation. This one apologizes, but the safety of your person overrides other considerations,” Palisade replied calmly, as it took the opportunity to hack off the dragonic creature’s head – just in case, to make sure it wasn’t playing possum. ”Additionally, this one’s own curative blessings are most inefficient on a Warforged’s body. It would be a much more efficient use of our resources for this one to wait for unit Squeak to tend to this one’s damages.”
Vi grinned at Bronwyn's congratulations; she felt pretty proud of that shot. However, the situation was still dangerous in the extreme, and she knew they had to get out of harm's way.
"Squeak, how do you say, 'Hello, anybody here?' in lizard language?"
tag?
Practicing the line a few times, she said, "Just wait here a sec, I'll scout it out." Bowing her body into a subservient posture, she inched her way into the temple, looking carefully for danger. Seeing nothing immediately, she called out in Draconic, to see if anybody would respond to the lizard servant.
Practicing the line a few times, she said, "Just wait here a sec, I'll scout it out." Bowing her body into a subservient posture, she inched her way into the temple, looking carefully for danger. Seeing nothing immediately, she called out in Draconic, to see if anybody would respond to the lizard servant.
A wide hall ran from the portico entrance to the back wall of the temple, bisecting the structure. The ceiling rose fully 20 feet above a central row of columns, each encircled with scrawling text.
Shafts of sunlight lanced down from gaps in the stone roof above, illuminating a bas-relief of a skeletal dragon sculpted into the wall at the end of the hallway. The dragon was shown in victorious battle against a horde of demons, rising like a swarm of locusts from the caldera of a raging volcano.The hall was quiet and empty.
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OOC: I'll give squeak a few more hours to post before recapping but the above description could be acted upon by the party if desired.
Squeak? Everything alright?
Palisade's actions depends on Squeak so I'll wait until tomorrow (probably morning my time) before recapping.
Questions?
Game on!
Vi made sure they were alone, then motioned the others inside. "It worries me that we haven't seen the little ones yet. Do you suppose they're inside here somewhere? We'd best be very alert."
Looking the two 'forged up and down, she said, "I think we'd better take a bit of a rest soon, so you two can recoup a bit. Another big battle, and you look like you'll break into pieces."
The rogue then moved slowly through the room, looking for traps, for secret doors, or any hints of where the little lizards had gone.
”Explanation. This one apologizes, but the safety of your person overrides other considerations,” Palisade replied calmly, as it took the opportunity to hack off the dragonic creature’s head – just in case, to make sure it wasn’t playing possum. ”Additionally, this one’s own curative blessings are most inefficient on a Warforged’s body. It would be a much more efficient use of our resources for this one to wait for unit Squeak to tend to this one’s damages.”
Bronwyn sighed, "Your safety is important too, Palisade. That is why I ordered your healing. If something happened to you or Squeak then who would keep me safe?"
She got her first good look at Squeak, "You're really hurt too! That's not good at all." She looked back and forth between the two 'forged, "Make sure that both of you get patched up, however you need to do it. I had forgotten that the goddess' blessing doesn't cure 'forged very well. Squeak, can you repair the damage done to both you and Palisade?"
Turn 033 - Direct Order Ignored
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Action 1:
Bronwyn expected the worst when the small lizardfolk with a penchant for poison appeared. She took a couple steps backwards towards the entrance of the temple. She noticed their hesitancy to approach closer. "Quickly, everyone inside before they start firing their bows. I don't think they'll follow us but we probably need to hurry."
Once inside, Bronwyn studied the skeletal dragon while Vi searched the room. She was impressed that the dragon had taken on a whole horde of demons."[/b]
Action 2:
Keeping her voice low she agreed with Vi, "We should indeed find a place to rest but I don't like the sounds coming from each of our options. Neither chanting nor growling seem restful at the moment."
She looked north and then south, "Maybe we should check out the growling first so that it doesn't come up behind us when it decides it wants a snack?"