Daniel Simonson's page

Nothing is all good or all bad, and sacrifices have to be made for the good of the many. The key is to make your enemy do the sacrificing for you.

as far as the wiki is concerned. I think that having less contributors is good. it insures consitency. Also, if i contrivuted, i know i would worry that i put something down that wasn't accurate.

Well even though it looks like my vote won't count for much, i voted for the 'Last ride'. It was to epic, and the dinos are in the wrong spot, but changing them to Mammoths, like the title hinted to, and ditching a few pointless encounters, you end up with the one, that i would most want to walk through as a player (which i think is a point that gets lost when you concider most of us are DMs). You get to do some cool games with Barbarians, win some prizes, become a mideaval bobsled team, and discover an anchient civilization... all cool.

'Dragon Isles' was a little to dragon lance. 'Boiling sea' was, well i don't know, uncompelling? Lastly, traveling through the first world was intersting, but i don't think i have read a adventure that grabs you by the nose and drags you kicking and screaming to the conclusion. all fog all the time. pick a direction pick your fate.... or just move onto the next scheduled encounter....

Personal point that has no bairing on this adventure, for the editor and Cheif, There are volcanos on both the north and south poles, so that doesn't bother me what-so-ever.

As for the Adventure, i really like the idea. I did fall off the wagon as we got to the dinosaur riding mammoth lords. Other then that i can go with the whole adventure up to the ship. I can even go with the white ater rafting. Why is the an item on the boat that doesn't tie into anything in the rest of the adventure?

All my other points are covered by other posters.

A+ for effort
C- for staying on message

Hecitous: sanctum of the colosus, 26 paper street. I was thinking about the theater also, but these are by far the strongest submissions.

First of all, cool. I like that you took her, even though she has been a handycap in all rounds. My concern is that i see a pattern arising. You like challenges, and bit off alot more than you could chew this round, and i think you will continue to go over the top. Which is hit or miss. I think that giving a pass for this round may be a bit much. But i think i am going to anyway because you have chops and ig risks tend to be the most rewarding.

I had missed this looking thrugh the first time. Hmm, Very cool. Taking a villian people were not to fond of in the previous round and making him into a heavy hitter, Wow! This is my #2 vote.

Maybe it is because i read this first, but this seems to be the strongest submission. I found my mind wondering as i read some of the not so fabulous posts. However, i think something that makes this strong is the size of the map. Some Maps are just to small for a boss imo.
One thing i think is missing in this is minions, not constructs, honest to goodness minions. CR 4 or 5 monsters that would scare the crap out of any commoner, but that Hecitous could crush with ease. Because sometimes you just need live people to beat down. This would have given the PCs oppertunities to roleplay, and gain info on Hecitous. It would have also opened up more oppertunities for other nastiness.

Other then that, i think this is one of 2, if not the only vote i am going to cast this round. Great job.

OK, so he could have done this a different way, But i don't think jumping on his case over this is called for either. He stated how he felt, and went to great pains to point out that he does not blame anyone, and that he knows he had a weak submission. He was stating that he felt Clark did not give him a fair shake by not doing a full review, and to an extend i agree. All contestants should be treated the same. If your critique blasts them into the dirt, well at least it was a full listing. As for the 'Conspiracy theory' i would feel bad if a deserving person got knocked out simply because i was popular (not much of that happening :P ) and if i had doubts i would want to have that laid to rest, especially with something as spectacular as a tie for 16Th place, what are the odds? So i feel you guys should not be so harsh on him.

And next time, just email piazo, the masses tend to misconstrue things

bravo snorter.

I was actually kinda ticked when i saw this. i ran that adventure over the summer, and our DM didn't use the 2nd half of the map! other then that, i like the maps you use. You actaully use full maps. I'm a maptools person myself.

I have maybe a point that will be relvent to this, other than i don't use the multiclassing rules (personal homebrew thing that has no baring on this discussion).
At what grade do children learn to add fractions? This game has to be usable by everyone. That is why we use simple math. younger audiences have to be able to follow the system. This is why i think your fractional idea will not work.

yes i was just joking about my hight. I just grabbed a number. Yes my punctuation and spelling sucks! but considering i went to 5 different Junior high and high schools, i figure i do all right. :D
Yes our education system sucks, my wife is a teacher (very good at punctuation and spelling) and i am disgusted with some of the problems she has at school. She started a new special ed program and they gave her $400 (roughly 200 pounds)for the whole year. she spent it the first week on ONE program (history) and had to copy out of other books for the rest....we are so jacking this thread, i'm done now, before i rant some more... What were we talking about? Oh yeah measurements in D&D.

The only imperial measurement that I find irritating is the Fahrenheit scale - that is just incomprehensible to me without doing the calculations to convert it to Celsius.

LOL, i feel the same way about Celcius..... And centimeters, and weighing in ounces or what ever you guys use. I am not 205 cm tall i am 6 feet 1 inches tall... of course America does have one of the worst education systems in the world. At least they didn't use measuring systems out of the bible. :) now that would be tough.

Anyway, back on subject. Mini's or no mini's it is all how you want to run it. Personally, i love mini's. it encourages the use of tactics, as well as judicious use of limited movement. Plus maps can really bring a battle to life.

I think the alignment thing can easily be bypassed by moving the prereq. over to the God they worship.

Well, your plot hooks are a little weak, but other then that, a very solid Gnome. He would deinately gotten one of my round two votes, as i had 1 that i didn't really have a good choice left for. This would have bumped off alot of fence riders.:)
All in all, better than my gag vilian. Of course i was actually going for a Gag and not a plausible villian.

I like the movement ideas Duncan has. Maybe have imporved bullrush not require a charge. Greater bullrush: move opponent in any direction. Grapple covers the rest.

Well if i wrote 200-400 pages of stuff, there is bound to be some nugget in there. :)

Maybe he is using a calandar from last year? :P

Again, i beleive we have moved away from +1 BAB. The debate is weather ki powers should be added.

In my oppinion, give the monk at lest as many poewrs as the Barbarian.

Matt does make a good point. The Monks focus is non standard. But at higher levels, grappling becomes a 1/10 chance. Granted it is higher for the monk, about 35%(This was coverd in another thread focusing on CMBs), I guess it is about the same possability as attacking, but they are all or none attacks. spending 3 rounds of a 4/5 round battle just tring to connect is very unfun.

Also most of the Ki powers i listed have some other function than strict combat. Fog, mislead, true strike. They all take something away from the monk, but give a tactical advantage. Either that, or they are extremely limited, and cost a fair amount of points, forcing the monk to ask if the power is worth the cost at any particular time. Especially when one power takes up a 3rd of your points.

If you have a magic carpet, don't you use the carpets fly skill? Maybe a ride check to stay on board after take off...

Fly spells give characters average/good maneuverability. Does that not bypass the fly skill?

at this point we have moved away from increasing bab. Right now we are looking at KI points, ki powers, and high level abilities.

To Mosaic. the reason Fly is in the skills list is because jason didn't want a skill only monsters had. It is mostly for them. Or templates, or people who grow wings. Other then that, no one uses it. Fly spells grant a certain amount of maneuverability, so fly is nullified.

Right, spell resist, Monk Level+10 SR. Very cool, but high level monsters tend to be able to crush these numbers, granted not all of them. But SR, well i do not take it into concideration. Honestly, Class abilitiesare what keep us in a class, if the abilities suck for more than 4 levels then we concider is a waste to continue past that. And i see nothing but a waste land after 13th level.

(Disclaimer of not picking on anyone, or trying to be pushy. Simply stating an oppinion.:D )

I understand what you are saying about the ranger thing. Also funny you should mention the sorcerer, i was looking at the monk as a cross between a fighter and a sorcerer, vs a fighter and a wizard, like most classes.
I do not expect most of these spells to make the cut. I simply made a list, and labled them for levels i think they would be useful at, but not over/under powered. I would think that 2-3 for each wouldbe perfect. Maybe alow people to choose from a list. What really keeps them in power line is the KPs. You could use them all up in one encounter, severely limiting future aid. level+wis isn't alot when some powers cost 4 KPs. And the spell durations are cut dramatically, which adds to compatability without over powering the class. I am still trying to iron out the kinks, but i think this is the way to go. Certainly the way it is, the monk gets the short end of the stike with his Ki Powers.

I really do not see the problem with a feat alowing a free bull rush on cerain attacks. Like a standard attack, or a shield bash, etc. Not exactly a game breaker, and has lots of flavor in my mind.

I took a good hard look at the pathfinder monk. At 13th level you max out your FoB, Your SRs are +8, Your Attacks Are +9. If you cross class over to fighter, then your BAB score really starts Flying. Meaning you qualify for Vital strike. If you take TWF and Improved TWF, then you get your Vital strike for nothing more than a -2, and still get the same # of atacks. You also get a ton of feats. your SRs lag, but you are already above average across the board. So yes, as is the X-class is the way to go.

Not anything that hasn't already been mentioned, but worth pointing out again for those who say the monk is fine to take 20 levels of.

Hey, no one can knock his SRs. But after 13th level he gets no worth while ability for leveling, where he could cross class to fighter and get vital strike for his flurry of blows... Yes it is subjective, but it is a reasonable arguement. Hence the thread.

Maybe it is because i am coming into this late, but i have not seen anything in the fighter that Posted that definatively marks the fighter as inferior.

He doesn't do enough damage.... And exactly how much moe damage, in actual game play, is the mage doing? 10-15? big whoop.

Fighters are useless because they cannot get close enough. Many work arounds to this. Firstly, why, in the Nine Hells, have you not ever picked up a bow?

Skill points to low. Personally i agree on this one, Show some love. is 4 skill points really going to break the game?

Can't defend the caster... I thought the caster was the beez neez? why does he need the fighters help? he has all those nifty damage spells? OK, sarcasym aside, Teamwork, it is what we live and die by.

Armor/Attacks/Damage=Can be the best or worst in the game.

Class abilities. OK, they are a little on teh thin side, i'll give you that. But with feat tree's, and feats ONLY fighters can take, it levels. Personally i think the Feat talked of early in the thread about forcing opponents to pay more attention to fighters is great. Make it a class ability at 12th level. And to the guy who has said no to everything from new ideas, to the same old way. You can't have it both ways. Saying the fighter threaten's a certain creature within his threat range is very basic. Having fought with swords i can tell you that fighting two opponents, no mater where they are, is a heck of a lot harder than the three mousecateers made it look.

Mid/high level playability. If you can't roll with the punches, then i can't play your character for you. I can make any decent character a threat. Why are we not saying the shapeshifter druid is useless at crowd control? There are many examples in which the fighter was Awe inspiring, and many in which they suck. if i tie your leg behind your shoulder i can kick your butt every time too. but in the great sceam of things everyone has Kryptonite.
Anti magic field and the All powerful mage turns into "a monkey with pointy ears" while the fighter can back out of the situation and regroup.

there are other things posted in this thread. But all in all i agree with Old Guy GM. If you pull your head out of your butt and think then the possibilities are endless... One last not. if the fighter falls short in your oppinion, you can always cross class to something you actually want to play. Personally i will never play a ranger again. If i want to be an archer i take a fighter, if i want to take magic, i become a mage/druid/cleric/paladin/PrC.

Man i know i am gonna get blasted right off the planet in the morning....:D

Let me be clear. i said nothing in my post about increasing BAB. The monks Flurry makes up for Bab with numerous attacks. And your monk is about to get to the Levels where he starts questioning whether or not to stick with his monk levels or cross class. And tell him to take a good look at the class. I bet he does cross class in the next level or two.

I have to say, if you cut out the Goals, and replace them with something credible, this is a pretty solid character description... unfortunately i do not think this guy qualifies as a Gag Villian, just incredibly narrow minded.:C

all right, i sat down and came up with a list of Ki Powers for the monk. Not all of this needs to make the final cut, but a couple from each section would be nice. I feel all of these Powers have a monk feel to them, that is how they were chosen. Some things made the list because i find it stupid that a mon relies on wizards casting spells at high level play to keep the monk in the game. All of this is subject to review, and nothing is set in stone. Guidelines should be that the Ki powers come around just AFTER the monk would find it useful, but Before it becomes Useless.

Monk Ki-Powers
Rules =>
Spells are always centered on the monk, despite spell description
Caster Level(CL) is ½ Monk Level
Monks Ki Points(KP) are equal to monk level + Wisdom Modifier.
All ki-powers are swift actions
Durations may be different than Spell description, See Below.
Ki Powers (Plus any listed in the PFRPG)

Level 4
2 KP -Endure Elements: Exist comfortably in hot or cold environments.
2 KP - Elemental Attacks=> Add 1d6 Damage of Any one type available; for one round
-Fire, Frost

Level 8
4 KP - Mage Armor: (2 round/CL) Gives subject +4 armor bonus.
1 KP - True Strike: +20 on your next attack roll (exception; Standard Action. Cannot be combined with full attack)
2KP - Fog Cloud: (1 round/ CL, dispurses at end of duration) Fog obscures vision
2KP - Elemental Attacks=> Add 1d6 Damage of Any one type available; for one round
Fire, Frost, Shocking, Sonic
2KP - Glitterdust: Blinds creatures, outlines invisible creatures.
2KP - Spider Climb. (1 round / CL)
2KP - Gaseous Form (2 round / CL)

Level 12
4KP - Elemental Attacks=> Add 2d6 Damage of Any one type available; for one round
Fire, Frost, Shocking, Sonic
Holy/ unholy => Based on alignment (neutral characters choose one. Once choice is made, it cannot be changed, ever.)
4KP - Enlarge Person => As enlarge person except 1 round / CL
4KP - Blur: (1 round / CL) Attacks miss subject 20% of the time
4 KP - Invisibility… Should This be Changed?
2KP - +4 to One ability score (similar to potions of bulls strength, cat’s grace, etc.)
2KP - Tongues
4KP - Fly (2 round / CL)
2KP - Bigby’s Forceful Hand
2KP - Water Breathing

Level 16
6KP - Stone Skin (2 round / CL)
6KP - Mislead (1 round / CL, No Concentration Check.)

Maybe have a feat, when you score a critical move an opponent back. fort DC save 5+damadge to not be pushed? Something like hat. Or maybe a certain amount of damage?

Yeah, but the Hydra still requires a called shot to kill. Of course it is the only monster in the book that requires it.

There is already a Low magic spin off of DnD. Iron Heroes. it really cranks down the Magic level. DnD is a mid to high fantisy world, and as such needs magic. I agree that to a point characters should not need so much stuff, but the problem remains that if there is a slot to put something in, then you are going to put something there that is going to make your job easier.

Point: we do not use typewriters, because computers are better. It is the way of the world.

Actually, useing the Manuever AC, mentioned in the combat thread. Strength AND dex are taken into account for defence. And since M-AC uses a basic atack roll then Weapon dinesse means you can atack with dex also. Alot of peope have tried it and think that it is a far better system than CMB and i fully expect it to make the final cut in August.

WOW... That is an expancive item for something any Sorcerer could cast by himself, daily, or even multiple times per day. The real limit is the single use. For ten grand, i guess, or you could make it a once a week per gem kinda thing. That would make it worth it. JMO though, i may be wrong.
Also, i am not looking it up, but compare it to a bag of tricks. What is the CR of monsters brought forth by them, and what do they cost? That would be a good way to figure a close price (I am guessing one of the bags is more than 10,000g).

OK, i see a mushroom cloud over this thread. Abundant step is the only thing that is at question at this point. And the mirror image is simple to resolve if you so choose. Have the player roll a d10 to see if he landed on the right dragon. I do not think this particular situation was thought of in the writing of thses dpells, and i do not think it really has to be covered in the book. If we did, there would be many similar things that would have to be clarified.

I beleive what is ment by +5 for each subsequent round, means after teh first enitial round you gain a +5 bonus. And you keep that ONE +5 bonus to grapple for the rest of the grapple. so 5 rounds in you still only have a +5 to grapple.

I still say that a upper and a lower posistion should be added to see who gets the bonuses.reversing an opponent is vital. Any UFC fan knows that.

Well and esy way to build forced movement into the system is;
1. improved shield bash(or maybe shield bash mastery) as a standard action, at your full BAB, make a shield bash attack. if you hit, make a CMB to bullrush your oponent. If you succeed CMB, resolve normally, except move opponent Backword or sideways in a diredtion of your choice i.e. left, right, Straight back, or back at a 45 degree angle.

2. Shoulder Bash(New Feat)
You are an expert at useing your size to push opponents around the battlefield.
Pre Req. Str 15, Medium or larger size.
On a critical hit. make a free Bulrush. make a CMB to bullrush your oponent. If you succeed CMB, resolve normally, except move opponent Backword or sideways in a diredtion of your choice i.e. left, right, Straight back, or back at a 45 degree angle.

Other feats could follow a similar concept. Grapple is already taken care of. trip doesn't have the right mechanics, nor do sunder, or disarm.

Another thing on 9 images. There is space in your five foot square too. So you can visualize those 9 images taking up some of your space also. just because you are in a 5 ft sq. does not mean you stand in the middle of it. it represents the space needed to parry, dodge, and swing a weapon.

Well, if this is a semi accurate sampling, and i think it is, The the top seven on the list are gonna get a pass. The 8 spot is always a wild card.

Well... Ol' Hec would have no friends...And Fates advisary would trust none of them.

I don't know why this didn't take the first time....
I realize these may be a bit out there, but i wanted to come up with some things that would make the monk Cool. Most of these are combat oriented because i just took a quick perusaul through the PF-PHB. I would like to see more ideas that have a monk feel to them.
What can make the Monk class Better?

Things that need a change/ Replaced
Quivering Palm 15th Level
Timeless Body 17th Level
Tounge of the sun and moon 17th Level
Ethralness 19th level (Truly awesome, but at way to high a level maybe 15th.)
Perfect Self 20th Level (see Stone Skin, or any cheap potion a 1st level PC can get)

Ki Points= Monk Level + Wis. Modifier
Monk can choose which ability (Str/Dex) to use on CMB rolls (4th level)

Bonus feets
Persuasive/ Self Sufficient

Possible Ki Powers (KPs) From spells

Stone skin (DR 10/-) 2 KPs/ 1 Round (Swift Action)
Blink 1 KPs/ 1 Round (Swift Action)
Enlarge Self 4KPs/ 2 Round (Swift Action)
Bigby’s Forceful Hand 1KP
Mislead 2KPs/ 2 Round (Swift Action)
Energy Restistance +5 2 KPs/ 1 Round (Swift Action) Choose one Type
Brilliant Energy 4 KPs/ 1 Round (Swift Action) (As part of a full attack/FoB; Subtract 2 attack, and bypass armor and shield bonus to AC)
Disruption 2 KPs/ 1 Attack (Swift Action)(DC= 10+ ½ Monk Level)
Energy Attack 2 KPs/ 1 Round (Swift Action) (Add 1d6 damage of any one type to attacks until the beginning of your next turn)

Yeah, I know it is mostly combat related.
OK, so, as far as KPs go, I think they should be added in as the monk progresses through the levels. Most are pretty monkish IMO. I don’t expect all of these to be added on, they are simply a list of things that would improve the class. One thing that is for sure. The monk needs more Ki Powers and points to accomplish them.

Does anyone have any improvements to this list, or non combat ideas?

WOW, you were right, that was hoorible, even for me.... so i fixed it.

Arrow Smyth (Bard 6th level)
before you stands a grungy looking figure; with dirty Performers clothing all worn with tears in the leggings. Arrow sports a hook wear his right hand used to be until he was caught with the Mayors daughter one night after a party at the local Pub. Messy long black hair that is frizzy from to much head banging tops this continually unremarkable man. What sets this man apart from other would be musicians; is his uncanny ability to wail on his Lute.
Motivations/Goals
*TO become a Musical God, capable of beguile millions of self conscious teenagers. Teenagers are running amok in the streets at night. Parents of the Village call in the PCs to find the source of this debauchery.
* The Kings daughter is missing, last seen with a seedy young gentleman Leaving the scene of a tavern brawl turned riot. The kingdoms Heir.
* Korvosa is in an uproar as Mindless teenagers are Looting and destroying the City. Who could brainwash all these nice, obedient children(according to their parents....)

Yeah, i have bad spelling. on top of that this is an old keyboard, and if you don't press hard enough then it doesn't take. I thought it was pretty funny, though.

Alright, Gag vilan.... off the top of my head....

Arrow Smyth (Bard 6th level)
Before you stands a grungy looking figure; With dirty Performers clothing all worn with tears in the leggings. Arrow sports a hook wear his right hand used to be until he was caught with the Mayors daughter one nigt after a party at the local Pub. Messy long black hair a That is frizzy from to much head banging tops this contenually unremarkable man. What sets this man apart from other would be musicians is his uncanny ability to wail on his Lute.
Motivations/Goals
TO become a Musical God, caplable of Shwooning millruling millions of self concious teenagers.
* Teenagers are running amuk in the strets at night. Parents of the Village call in the PCs to find the source of this dibotchery.
* The Kings daughter is missing, last seen with a seedy young gentlman Leaving the scene of a tavern brawl turned riot. The kingdoms Heir.
* Korvosa is in an uproar as Mindless teenagers are Looting and destroying the City. Who could brainwash all these nice, obeadient children(according to their parents....)

Anything can be broken. Bracers are basically a way for monks to get armor, but it opened the door to abuse. And since min maxers will always find a way, i say this isn't a big deal.

Actually i just figured the monk picked one and happend to be right.

I could go either way on the A.S. the monk appear instantly at the enemies rear, bypassing all reistance, Should he be able to wack/grapple the caster? Being a monk fu type guy, i would say yes. Or if he couldn't would require a spot check to be seen by anyone not looking in the ditertion of his appearance. No rule needed to be written, just how i would GM it.

Yeah, the rule was a sinker. Being a bard, She shuld have had a Musical artifact or something. A rule for PCs does not advance her situation in any way.
I could easily use her as a base character and make a real villan, but that was not the goal of this exercise.