Me designing this encounter: "Hmm, I don't know the actual CR on this works out to be pretty high... should I tone it down a bit?"
Me running this encounter: "Dang... I'm really gonna need to start adding bards or buff casters to more of the enemies they encounter..."
WooHoo! Our swordsmaster Bard!
Dang it all... I forgot the blasted mirror images again... he probably wouldn't have blown stunning fist on the first attack with mirror images running, or his spin kick for that matter... crap. Give me a minute to edit, please.
Edit complete. Sorry about that. (Those images made a huge difference!)
Okay, explain to me something if you would.
I'm still trying to figure out "Total cover". I've never used it. Like... ever. At least, not that I'm aware of anyway.
So, with my Mobile Bulwark Style, can I use total cover just whenever? Is it a standard action or a move action to do so?
I ask because the minotaur actually hit Maximus with his first attack. So having said that, is it possible to use my Mobile Stronghold feat against said attack? I'm guessing that's what this means: "Also, while using this style, you can gain total cover against a single attack made against you as an immediate or swift action."
If so - and if I am understanding that right - man that is freaking cool.
Lol- I'm pretty sure that I suggested that style to you and I completely forgot that ability was part of it. Yes, you can use that to negate its first attack, sort of... technically you'd have to use your immediate action once the attack is announced but before the result is determined, but that's not really practical in PbP. The way I typically handle this sort of thing (it comes up fairly often with swashbucklers whose parry and riposte ability is an immediate action too) is to have a default 'setting' that you're comfortable with using most of the time (like "I'll use it against the first attack made against me each round") and then when you want to deviate from that you'll just have to mention that when you post (like "this round I'll use mobile stronghold on the first attack from [enemy x]"). How's that sound?
I will apply it to that first hit this time, we just need something set up for next time.
If all three of Lyra's crit confirmations hit, she just did 303 damage to the guy. Haste, mythic sudden attack, crit range of 15-20, and a *3 damage on crit is rather... nice?
I went over the attacks A LOT, so I think I have it all right now. Minor mistakes here and there, like where I copied the position of the attack from her marco, getting the attack bonus wrong for crits, but hopefully it all checks out.
Lyra contacted me about what she worried might have been a glitch with her hero-lab, and after auditing her profile I've confirmed that there was an issue with her damage bonus. She's going to fix it in her profile and I'm going to correct the damage from her post (not that it'll matter with 3 successful crits and one extra attack that'll hit because its prone, lol).
I'd like to thank her for noticing and for bringing it up right away! If any of you ever feel like something might be off with your character (in either direction) please feel free to ask me to double check it, I really don't mind the occasion character audit.
303 damage from melee seemed a bit much so I started looking. It must have been a temp bonus I never got rid of. The lovely customizations in this game have me adding permanent adjustments in her sheet and one was an odd +10 damage. This is significant. And now gone. Now she is back to a more acceptable 213 damage from melee attacks.
I haven't played a melee-oriented bard before, so this is a blast! Rolling double 20s is also unmitigated joy. Mirror images are love, mirror images are life.
I am curious what the CR of this encounter was!
I loaded up a profile for Gaius in a dummy Roll20 account, so that's where I usually apply buffs. I try to make sure that I have the bonus type properly accounted for, because the Roll20 program seems to have a great accounting for what stacks and what doesn't. I usually audit a bit as I go to make sure that my bonus makes sense. So many floating bonuses! It's easy to let something weird get in there and stay.
Lol! Oh my gosh that is not fair. Just not fair. Absolutely INSANE amount of damage. Question: Why does Lyra actually need the rest of us? I mean, seriously? ;) She's pretty much destroying everything in her wake with those kind of rolls. (Note to self: Snag Improved critical) :)
@Arbiter: You know, you're right, it doesn't work quite as well in PbP does it? Yes, let's do that then. Let's roll with it exactly how you mentioned. That'll work.
And that's right, you did suggest it. Thanks! Heck, I mostly only chose it for the removal of the tower shield penalty to attacks. Man it's way more involved than I thought. But like I said, I've never used Total Cover and really never put any thought behind what's involved with it and just shooed it away.
Oh yeah, and 2 20's from Gaius as well. While The Mighty Maximus is putting up these fantastic set of numbers over the last few rounds:
6, 5, 7, 19
1, 13, 8, 9
2, 4, 6, 18
Man o man. Out of 12 rolls, only 3 are in double digits. Doesn't get much more awesome that that, does it? Ugh. :P
Aside: HA! I just noticed I rolled every single ones digit number except for the 3. So close.
Improved critical on a rapier is crazy. I stole that from a pirate captain in another game Arbiter and I are in, who just seems to crit all the time. Add in mythic parts times 3 damage each hit. And the mythic sudden attack, And the Witness adding in wonderful haste... and we get Lyra's best combat round, ever.
Felt awesome!!
But, if it ever is too much, especially if it is taking away from the fun of other players, I'll happily retool. The character is much more important to me than the stats.
I can’t speak to how anyone else might be feeling but from my perspective Lyra is the party’s one dedicated damage dealer and should be the one dishing out big damage. Three crits in one round (at x3 each) is a lot of damage but it’s also not likely to happen very often.
Heck no! Don't bother me in the least. I just think it's awesome! Whatever damage you do to the bad guys, keeps my character alive that much longer. And I'm all for that. :)
@Gaius: Maximus actually has the spell Ant haul. That's the one he cast every morning upon himself. Combine that with his Heavyload belt, his minimum weight is 1377 lbs. :)
Heavyload is 4140 lbs. Lol!!! Can you imagine?!
Random strong guy: "Yeah I just bench pressed 500 lbs ten times. Think you can manage that?" he asks smugly.
Maximus: "Bench pressed? Really? Impressive." He then proceeds to grab the 500 lb barbell with the weights attached to it and begins to do a multitude of curls with one arm. Looking up at the random strong guy as he does said curls and appearing as if he's bored, he gives him a wink while grinning wryly. "Keep working at it, buddy, you'll get there."
Lol! Man what a jerk that Maximus. :P
I didn't build Gaius as the DPR-master, but as a good support with strong melee prowess and lots of mobility. I'm good with our setup and don't feel overshadowed at all.
Also, would the heavyload belt stack with ant haul? Aren't they the same effect?
Aw crud! I didn't even notice that. Man o man that's what I get for not paying attention. Dangit I got to pay better attention than that. My bad. Totally messed up on that one. Thanks for the heads up, Gaius.
Well that means I need to get rid of the belt and use that for something else.
Man what an absolute dumb mistake. Aw well. It is what it is.
Anybody want a heavyload belt? :)
We could switch for now, but I don't think that the +4 competence to Acrobatics vs attacks of opportunity from my belt of tumbling would stack with your boots of elvenkind. But Maximus and Gaius could just start carrying everything around on their backs if they both have effective ant-haul.
Give this list a perusal to see if anything is appealing there. We might go to the market when we get out of the labyrinth. A victor's belt might be interesting.
Yeah sounds good. Might as well take it and make good use of it. It's useless to me.
And will keep in mind that victor's belt. You know, after looking at pretty much all the belts, there is literally nothing of interest. Pretty sad really. Will double check again at a later date but as of now, there's pretty much nothing outside of the possibility of the victor's belt.
You want to switch with Lyra's muleback cords? She needs something for her average strength to be armored with a full backpack of stuff. It doesn't list any haul, just says strength is treated higher
I will be moving on Wednesday (June 30th) and just learned that because of the holiday weekend (in the US) I won't be able to get internet at the new place until July 6th. I'll do my best to keep up with posts from my phone but the pace may slow a bit again during that window. Sorry.
Also, muleback cords do, indeed, stack with ant haul. Its kind of weird that the belt doesn't (especially since doing it that way means that the belt and the cords actually stack with each other). Really, if you (Maximus) just want your belt to function the same way the muleback cords do, I have no objection to that (it would literally function exactly as the cords except take up the belt slot instead of the shoulders slot).
Hey, cool, that'll work! I appreciate that, Arbiter.
And thanks for the offer, Lyra! I wondered why I didn't take muleback cords originally but then after checking my character I realize it takes up the cloak slot. Which is my cloak of elvenkind. But if it weren't for Arbiter's offer I would've absolutely switched with you. I just would've went with switching my cloak and the cords as needed.
Anytime sir. Does anyone want the superior maneuvers belt? Lyra would be better at tripping people but it is far from a necessity if it would help anyone else.
None for me, thanks. :)
The Witness might also be interested in it? I know he's (also) in the thick of a move but hopefully he'll chime in soon.
I am good with that. Lyra's trips go off the confirmation attack roll, so they usually pretty high, especially with the bonuses our spellcasters and bard provide!
If no one else is keen on the belt of superior maneuvers +2 I'll be more than happy to take it!
Also for the record I'm more than okay with Lyra's current damage-dealing capacity :)
I should have a gameplay post up in about 2 hours. It may or may not be "more than."
About how much time has passed since we entered the fireplace? I know that we spent some time investigating there and then came as quickly as possible up here to enter the labyrinth. I want to keep track of my spells' durations more or less, but I have no idea how long they've been going.
Thanks!
Sorry, moving has been crazy! It’s starting to calm down now (finally) and I should have a post up at some point tomorrow.
All good. No worries here, bud.
Did I say ‘tomorrow’? I meant Monday…
Take your time! No rush here. Moving is time consuming.
Regarding time, I had figured about 30 minutes on the fireplace floor, by the time you were done poking around. Getting to the chamber with the big encounter once you entered this floor was maybe 5-7 minutes? Taking 20 to search a square takes 1 minute (some GMs rule 2 minutes like other skills, but since an active search is normally a move action you should be able to do 2/round, for 20/minute), so technically the Witness’ thorough search would take 44 minutes (12 minutes/60’ wall, minus the overlap at the corners). So you’ve burned 80 minutes off the buffs from that first entry.
No pressure but (by the rule of two) we’re waiting on someone to agree to Gavin’s plan before moving forward with it.
Sorry, I'm mildly drowning between moving and work! I saw your post yesterday and marked it to do some time after I finished today's work. Since I've blown past my deadline as of moments ago, I figure now is a reasonable time to check in.
I'll update which of my spells have expired later, because it's most of them.
Lyra is the lockpicker, sorry about that. I read the post, then got distracted and forgot. Getting ready for work, then will post an attempt.
Apologies for the silence, moved over the weekend and still tying up loose ends.
Arbiter I actually took 10 on my search checks, not 20.
Apologies- that saves about 40 minutes, so you've only burned through 40 minutes worth of buffs (though that'll still take out the minute/level buffs).
I'm on vacation with my in-laws at the moment. I should have an opportunity to fix all my buffs in the morning and post my action.
Witness and Maximus- I try to leave a little extra time on weekends but I’m only going to wait about 1 more hour before moving to next block…
Were all the attacks against Lyra?
Yes, and I think 3 hit for 45 total damage.
Very good. Putting the defensive stuff here since it is the first time she's used it. Defending bone is DR5/bludgeoning, so would prevent 15 total (55 max goes to 40), and false life of 22hp takes a good hunk of the rest meaning she gets 8hp taken off her.
My bad on the "Haste" attack. I just screwed up on that one. Just ignore.
It would have been lovely! But probably beyond putting out every fight. Sadly :)
Hi all. It was a very busy travel day (between separate family vacations, in-laws and now mine) and I'm exhausted. I'll get caught up as soon as I can, and will most likely post tomorrow. If you need to move things on, feel free to have Gaius take up a silent, contemplative bent.
Gaius wipes the blood from his blood and sheathes his sword to help shove the large items into Maximus' bag.
Not THAT is talented. Who are you, Adrian Monk? (Sorry, I couldn't resist). ;) (And no one is going to get that unless you've watched Monk. Great show by the way). :)
Ha, whoops! Bad editing here. One of those bloods *ought* to be blade.
Very fun show, Monk!
If anyone’s interested, I’m currently running a recruitment for a (slightly atypical) Rise of the Runelords game. Here’s the link if anyone wants to check it out: Cops: Sandpoint.