So I'm looking to build a wizard for a campaign, and I found the bloat mage---which I thought could be really fun to play, but after some preliminary research, the consensus seems to be that it's dangerous to play the bloat mage. I just want the mechanics clarified:
At lvl 1 I get 1 Blood Point, each day when preparing spells, my blood pool is refilled up to my class level. I can spend this 1 point for an extra spell, seemingly consequence free. I can "bloat" to get more blood point, netting me 1d4 blood points. Using this ability seems to be silly at lvl 1 since if I roll anything but a 1 I go into a murderous rage, dangerous at lvl 2, and OK at lvl 3.
Additionally, whenever I take "bleed" damage, I lose a blood point.
Ok, so I feel like with careful management, I can keep myself safe, I just won't bloat, when it is possible for me to fly into the murderous rage, is it that simple?
I realize there are other drawbacks (max dex/skill/speed penalties) but am I missing something bigger that makes the PrC unplayable (or at least ill-advised) for a player?
Thanks!
Yeah seems like you got it understood -- I personally don't mind playing a bloatmage and think it was fun the time I did it.
Do realize that you are going to be slower than normal too though -- which can be a big draw back. Medium encumbrance can be a BIG deal for a mage, on the other hand since you are already at medium you might as well carry that much more weight since you doesn't really cost you anything.
|
well, it's not 1 point per spell. It's one point per spell level. So a 5th level spell would cost 5 point.
So, without bloating, a wizard 5, bloatmage 3 would only be able to recall a single 3rd level spell each day.
With bloating, you actually get some mileage out of the class. However, you start risking flying into a homicidal rage. And much like the frenzied berserker from days gone past, players who start attacking the party don't tend to live very long.
Without bloating, you're gaining a small na bonus, and the ability to cast one additional lower level spell each day. And in return, you're always under a medium load, your ac bonus from dex is capped at +3, you have a constant -3 armor check penalty, your speed decreases from 30ft to 20ft, you have to spend two feats for prerequisites, you lose out on advancing your bloodline/school focus, and you lose out on the bonus spells/level you gain through research. And that natural armor bonus? Ends up reducing your speed by ANOTHER 10ft when you hit level 7.
I'm not looking at the moment but couldn't you bloat after using your normal pool and get an extra spell then (again of a lower level more than likely).
I'm not looking at the moment but couldn't you bloat after using your normal pool and get an extra spell then (again of a lower level more than likely).
Yea thats what I was thinking. Cool thanks for the advice everyone! I realize its some big drawbacks, but I think it'd be fun to be some huge lazy monstrosity, heh.
|
So I'm looking to build a wizard for a campaign, and I found the bloat mage---which I thought could be really fun to play, but after some preliminary research, the consensus seems to be that it's dangerous to play the bloat mage. I just want the mechanics clarified:
At lvl 1 I get 1 Blood Point, each day when preparing spells, my blood pool is refilled up to my class level. I can spend this 1 point for an extra spell, seemingly consequence free. I can "bloat" to get more blood point, netting me 1d4 blood points. Using this ability seems to be silly at lvl 1 since if I roll anything but a 1 I go into a murderous rage, dangerous at lvl 2, and OK at lvl 3.
Additionally, whenever I take "bleed" damage, I lose a blood point.Ok, so I feel like with careful management, I can keep myself safe, I just won't bloat, when it is possible for me to fly into the murderous rage, is it that simple?
I realize there are other drawbacks (max dex/skill/speed penalties) but am I missing something bigger that makes the PrC unplayable (or at least ill-advised) for a player?Thanks!
Yeah, it looks to me to be a great Prestige class with alot of RP potential as well as mechanical potential. I was toying with a Human Sorcerer with the Orc Bloodline. A big Fat slob hurling death and destruction.
Which is this PrC in?
|
|
Which is this PrC in?
Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) The big fat dude on the cover is a Bloatmage I assume.
Which is this PrC in?Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers (PFRPG) The big fat dude on the cover is a Bloatmage I assume.
Thank you.