I will begin running this AP in January, I expect, after our current CoT game finishes up. My group is already starting to look forward to this, and are developing character concepts. We will have a five player party, and four of them have already figured out what they're going to do.
They will have a druid, sorceror (elemental bloodline), monk, and cavalier. Kind of an interesting tweak on the 'four food groups' party. Our last player is having some difficulty deciding, and I would like to offer him some suggestions. His playing style is very combat-oriented, and he prefers not having too many options to choose from in combat. He doesn't like paying casters.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I might suggest for him? (He's playing a fighter in the current campaign, so I would like to encourage him to do something at least a LITTLE bit different.)
I will begin running this AP in January, I expect, after our current CoT game finishes up. My group is already starting to look forward to this, and are developing character concepts. We will have a five player party, and four of them have already figured out what they're going to do.
They will have a druid, sorceror (elemental bloodline), monk, and cavalier. Kind of an interesting tweak on the 'four food groups' party. Our last player is having some difficulty deciding, and I would like to offer him some suggestions. His playing style is very combat-oriented, and he prefers not having too many options to choose from in combat. He doesn't like paying casters.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I might suggest for him? (He's playing a fighter in the current campaign, so I would like to encourage him to do something at least a LITTLE bit different.)
Are you using the APG in the campaign? If so, perhaps a skirmisher ranger. No casting involved, and it probably wouldn't hurt having another partial skill monkey character to supplement the party without a rogue in the group.
Are you using the APG in the campaign? If so, perhaps a skirmisher ranger. No casting involved, and it probably wouldn't hurt having another partial skill monkey character to supplement the party without a rogue in the group.
Yes, I am using the APG. I do like the idea of the skirmisher for him. Especially since the group as of right now is a little light on ranged combat, if he goes the archery route there is a nice complement to the existing group.
I know you're not asking about your existing group, but the Cavalier will likely be disappointed for two reasons:
1) The fluff of a Cavalier implies certain things about the setting or plotline that that player might be interested in. Things like courtly intrigue or more Arthurian-style mileau. That would be great for CotCT or KM, but he'll feel pretty fish-out-of-water in the fetid jungles of Serpent's Skull.
2) He won't really be able to use his horse much. And for a Cavalier, that sucks.
I would encourage you to let him know that ahead of time.
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As for the 5th man, let him play a Fighter again. There's nothing wrong with getting really good at one particular class. (If he doesn't like lots of options in combat, that might mean he's uncomfortable with complex rules; so let him enjoy the little bit of mastery he's picked up.) Also, Fighters are one of the more customizable classes in the game: have him pick up a different focus this time (TWF, maneuvers, crits, etc).
Also, Ranger is pretty sweet. Have him go artillery.
Though really, his preferences aside: you really need a Rogue. If he doesn't go Rogue, try and talk the Monk into picking up Disable Device, etc as cross-class or something.
I will begin running this AP in January, I expect, after our current CoT game finishes up. My group is already starting to look forward to this, and are developing character concepts. We will have a five player party, and four of them have already figured out what they're going to do.
They will have a druid, sorceror (elemental bloodline), monk, and cavalier. Kind of an interesting tweak on the 'four food groups' party. Our last player is having some difficulty deciding, and I would like to offer him some suggestions. His playing style is very combat-oriented, and he prefers not having too many options to choose from in combat. He doesn't like paying casters.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what I might suggest for him? (He's playing a fighter in the current campaign, so I would like to encourage him to do something at least a LITTLE bit different.)
Mwangi Tribesman- Fighter, but with only a spear, shield, and loincloth. (maybe a blowgun) NOT the cliche' fighter in platemail with sword or battleaxe. Playing just a straight ole fighter seems right up their alley and this twist allows for some GREAT roleplaying fun in this AP. (this is sort of what we had in our group and we made sure he only picked Polyglot as his ONLY language instead of Common. it made for more fun that way)
my vote is for barbarian.
but who says you cant have ranged ability as a fighter? its so funny how everyone over looks that and things of rangers as archers, I could make a ranger look stupid with an elf fighter specializing in long bow.
I'm playing the druid in this group. The players have made some switches and the current lineup looks like this:
human druid
human fighter shield/sword two weapon fighting(Captain America!)
human? alchemist
human sorcerer
(prob the first time in awhile most of us played human characters)
The 'fifth wheel' mentioned previously is still undecided, but has shown an interest in 'something different' than another 'fighter' or 'archer', and he would like to see something with more special abilities. Currently, we are making an archer based oracle and archer based paladin for him to look at.
I'm playing the druid in this group. The players have made some switches and the current lineup looks like this:
human druid
human fighter shield/sword two weapon fighting(Captain America!)
human? alchemist
human sorcerer(prob the first time in awhile most of us played human characters)
The 'fifth wheel' mentioned previously is still undecided, but has shown an interest in 'something different' than another 'fighter' or 'archer', and he would like to see something with more special abilities. Currently, we are making an archer based oracle and archer based paladin for him to look at.
I'm playing in SS as a paladin, and there are moments where the paladin gets to shine. Also, check out if your GM is using the Heart of the Jungle supplement for disease and jungle rules, because the DC for those diseases is IMMENSELY different. The immunity and ability to cure diseases will be very welcome.
If you are going to do archery, make sure you also pick up a greatsword or something for melee, because you WILL fail 95% of your perception checks as a non-skill monkey, meaning that everything that WANTS to get into melee range WILL get into melee range. Even the rogue with maxed perception and eyes of the eagle consistently fails in our campain.
I will give a shout out to the Savage Barbarian, too! Sounds super cool :) If the game weren't in a Jungle, I would suggest Urban Ranger if you wanted to encourage your player to expand while still playing a certain 'role' in party. :D
For what it's worth, the difference between a Ranger shooting and a Fighter shooting is that the fighter *is* better at it. Rangers get Improved Precise Shot at 6th, Fighters have to wait til 11th. The rapid feat progression of the Fighter is the Trump and the access to Weapon Training adds insult to the injury. However, *outside* of the actual shooting, Rangers ar great. Skills, some (useful) spells, a pet (or a Party of 'pets' ;) ) make them more versatile, rather than more powerful. But then again, that is from a "Combat/Mechanics" perspective and I hopehopehope the game is more than that ;)
GNOME
Have you considered a zen archer monk it covers the not just a fighter and someone with interesting abilities and also doesn't really need much equiptment so Serpent's Skull's lack of early gear won't be such a problem.
I'd suggest a ranger/rogue. They'll need a survivalist and a trapfinder/disabler. Tack on the Pathfinder delver prestige class from Seekers of Secrets and you're gold. In fact, if I were playing in a Serpent's Skull campaign, that's probably the character I'd run. I'm doing a PbP SS game here on the messageboards and I'm running a half-elf rogue at the moment. I'll probably multiclass him to ranger and pick up the prestige class down the road.
The fifth wheel..., eh, player? Bard, of course!
The fifth wheel..., eh, player? Bard, of course!
awwwh...
if my rogue dies, i'll be happy to make a bard. at least i'll be able to sing or play an instrument while i'm stuck in the mire of the jungle, and it would be of sufficient comedic value to die with a song on my lips while red drip finishes me off.
yeah, our GM ain't playing around with jungle diseases, son, he takes 'em straight out of the boink the players in the culo jungles of sargava book.
Sorry, I couldn't resist!
if my rogue dies, i'll be happy to make a bard.
I thought you were already playing a bard (at least in KM)... oh, well.
The druid can take the part of the survivalist (Traps? Go, [insert summoned critter here], go!).
Anyways, on a more serious note, I think the group might be a little short on healing (I am unfamiliar with the cavalier since we don't use the APG). At least in my experience a druid can not provide enough healing on her own - especially in the beginning of the Serpent Skull setting, where resources like wands of clw are hard to come by .
Ruyan.