My guys are currently 18th level, playing SCAP. We should finish up in 4 sessions (2 each for the last 2 chapters), which means that we will start AOW around October 1st. (we play once every 2 weeks on Sunday).
There are six players, and so far it looks like the following:
1. Wizard - Transmuter or Evoker specialist
2. Cleric - Pacifist(?-I hope not)
3. Rogue
4. Ranger - Two weapon track
5. Fighter - Archer specialist, aka the player doesn't like getting hit and wants to be in the back row.
6. Monk (maybe)
The only guy that *really* likes playing fighters has never played an arcane character and *really* wants to.
Given the above classes, are there PRc's that can make them effective enough to live through this?
They are all *very* good at min/maxing and combat. I also allow PHB1&2, DMG1&2, all the completes, and the Spell Compendium for spells. Also, they get to use a 32 Point Buy.
I have heard that the Skullclan Hunter (from ?) would be very useful for the Rogue, any other suggestions?
-- david
Papa-DRB
I guess if your guys are min/maxers and good players, this shouldn't be a problem.
The idea of the pacifist cleric actually works quite well; one of my players has one PC like that, a cleric of Ilmater in the Forgotten Realms. He has the healing domains and some feats to augment his healing, as well as unarmed fighting and improved grapple. His superheals and grapples make him quite an effective character.
1. Wizard - Maybe levels in arch mage, being mindful of metamagic builds.
2. Cleric - Straight cleric should be fine. Travel domain is always nice.
3. Rogue - Invisible blade (Complete Warrior).
4. Ranger - Stalker of Kharash (Exalted Deeds) and favored power attack (Complete Warrior).
5. Fighter - Melee weapon mastery feats from PHBII.
6. Monk - I recommend taking at least four levels in ninja (Complete Adventurer) for the ghost step/sudden strike/stunning fist combo. Make sure you take aesthetic stalker from Complete Scoundrel.
I would suggest the ranger maybe take some fighter levels for added durability and feats, maybe with the improved toughness feat (+1 hp/HD). And the rogue may be put off by the undead focus, so maybe something to offer them the ability to sneak attack the living dead is in order. It should be a good group, though. All of your bases are covered and even if the fighter plays an archer, so long as the ranger, monk and rogue work together in melee it should be fine. With these three, you may want to play up traps a bit and things that require reflex saves since those are a strength of those three character classes. Also, make sure to sprinkle in a few wizard tomes here and there and allow for down time if they take item creation feats.
1. Wizard (Evoker or Transmuter) - Archmage, Argent Savant, Daggerspell Mage, Effigy Master, Eldritch Knight, Elemental Savant, Fatespinner, Loremaster, Master Transmogrifist, and Spellsword can all work, depending on the type of character the player wants. Elemental Savant (Air) fits in with the background (heir to the Wind Dukes), but may not fit the player's conception.
2. Cleric - a lot depends on the deity. However, Pelor is strong choice (with Radiant Servant and/or Sacred Exorcist as prestige classes), given the large number of undead.
3. Rogue - Dungeon Delver, Invisible Blade, Nightsong Enforcer, Nightsong Infiltrator, Shadowdancer, Streetfighter, Temple Raider of Olidammara, or Thief-Acrobat can be good choices, depending on the character concept and campaign. If the rogue wants to branch into spellcasting, Beguiler/Arcane Trickster or Cleric/Shadowbane Stalker can also work. As the only locks and traps character, keep Disable Device, Open Lock, and Search as high as possible.
4. Ranger - Tempest ASAP; taking Dodge at 1st, Mobility at 3rd, and Spring Attack at 6th meets the requirements (with Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting from the Combat Style class ability). Stick with the standard longsword/shortsword combo. Good favored enemies are aberrations, dragons, evil outsiders, and (of course) undead. Animal Lord, Beastmaster, Bloodhound, Consecrated Harrier, Dark Hunter, Dervish, Dwarven Defender (if a dwarf), Hunter of the Dead (with a level of cleric), Kensai, Occult Slayer, and Stonelord (if a dwarf), and Wormhunter (an AoW-specific PrC) are also options.
5. Fighter - Arcane Archer (if an elf or half-elf, with levels in an arcane casting class), Highland Stalker (with rogue or scout levels), and Order of the Bow Initiate are good choices.
6. Monk - Drunken Master, Enlightened Fist (with arcane caster levels), Kensai, Master Thrower, Occult Slayer, Reaping Mauler, Sacred Fist (with divine caster levels), and Tatooed Monk are all decent options. Considering that striking many of the undead (and other foes) unarmed may cause bad things to happen, investing in a few melee and ranged weapons is a good idea.
If they are good with character building, tactics, and teamwork, then they should be fine (especially with 32 point buy). Just remember to adjust the encounters as if the average party level was one higher to account for the extra two PCs.