For no readily identifiable reason, the Pathfinder game I'm in has turned into a superhero/villian themed one, at least on the PCs side.
I think it was the person deciding to play a character who's main thing was a shield he threw at people that started it. Then I decided to play a Zen Archer Monk with an Abundant quiver (which currently has trip, entangle, whistler, blunt, and various other arrows in it), and a third player was debating between a Whip user that channels shocking grasp through it (and the whip will likely be shocking or somesuch) and a Synthesis summoner. And our final PC is going to be playing an illusionist wizard with a somewhat Loki-esque bent.
So, for the moment, I'm set. However, my Monk is a little fragile (not much in the way of hitpoints), so I'd quite like a backup character, and one that fits with the theme.
Thus far, the best I've managed is a Barbarian with extra Rage Powers taken via feats, but that's not really working for me.
Can anyone suggest something workable? Game is currently 5th level, but I should hopefully survive a little while as my archer, so builds that require 6th or 7th level are possible. All of the Paizo Pathfinder stuff should be fine, but 3rd party stuff probably won't be. We're fairly optimised in this game — not munchkinning to the point of breaking the game, but we're fairly effective at what we do.
Alchemist that focuses on using mutagens plus enlarge person extracts. Can get a pretty good Hulk out of that, especially with beastmorph archetype. Instead of the fly ability, say it's a really awesome jump.
Vanara monk with treetop monk archetype = Spiderman with crazy climb speed enhancement. No webs though hmm. Oh! UMD via trait and pick up wands of web. Tanglefoot bags. Maybe pick up combat expertise and improved/greater dirty trick feats.
A Sylph with a fly speed via racial feats would be pretty cool for any flying superhero concept. Maybe not the flying brick heroes unless can buff up the Strength and Constitution.
What about a super strong Barbarian with a hammer of thunderbolts? That one should be super easy. all you need to do is role play the superiority complex.
Ragechemist/Barbarian going into master chemist. Doing it right can get your strength over 50. Hulk Smash.
Ninja/Master Spy and lie your way across golorian in a sexy black body suit.
Invulnerable Rager Barbarian with the beast totem powers. Snickt.
I'm going to think up some interesting obscure ones...
A champion of Irori would make a very good Ironfist style character.
A sacred servant paladin with the storms domain and eldrich heritage stormborn would make a great Thor as a counterpoint to the Loki character.
Well, there is always... Dr. Strange. Or in layman's terms, just make a wizard and when the other "superheroes" laugh at you, summon a succubus and let her eat them. They'll stop laughing.
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dunno why I saw Strange as a Sorcerer, maybe it's that sorcerer supreme thing, or the fact he kinda has a limit to what spells he uses.
Wish they would use strange in a team with some other interesting but less used comic heroes... And i dont mean falcon or vagabond...
Dhampir Vampire Hunter Inquisitor with a high top fade and kickass sunglasses...
A white haired witch with red hair who is the beloved queen of the inhumans.
A grenadier Alchemist with a thick cajun accent.
A sound striker Bard with a scottish flair and boots or wings of flying.
A strix falconer ranger with red plumage, who happens to be great friends with your shield slinger.
A blind oracle of battle/daredevil bard. Make him a tiefling with little horns.
Alchemist that focuses on using mutagens plus enlarge person extracts. Can get a pretty good Hulk out of that, especially with beastmorph archetype. Instead of the fly ability, say it's a really awesome jump.
Ragechemist/Barbarian going into master chemist. Doing it right can get your strength over 50. Hulk Smash.
This is currently looking like my most likely option. Just trying to see if there are any other viable approaches.
Vanara monk with treetop monk archetype = Spiderman with crazy climb speed enhancement. No webs though hmm. Oh! UMD via trait and pick up wands of web. Tanglefoot bags. Maybe pick up combat expertise and improved/greater dirty trick feats.
Not very useful outside of a forest or other place to make heavy use of that climbing; I'm wanting something that's effective in combat too.
What about a super strong Barbarian with a hammer of thunderbolts? That one should be super easy. all you need to do is role play the superiority complex.
Hammer of thunderbolts doesn't sound that cheap, unless you mean just the Thundering enchantment. I'd also see Thor as more of a Fighter than a Barbarian. More generally, we already have a thrown-weapon type, and this just isn't as evocative of Thor.
A Sylph with a fly speed via racial feats would be pretty cool for any flying superhero concept. Maybe not the flying brick heroes unless can buff up the Strength and Constitution.
If I could build up the rest of the concept, maybe.
Ninja/Master Spy and lie your way across golorian in a sexy black body suit.
Invulnerable Rager Barbarian with the beast totem powers. Snickt.
I'm going to think up some interesting obscure ones...
A champion of Irori would make a very good Ironfist style character.
A sacred servant paladin with the storms domain and eldrich heritage stormborn would make a great Thor as a counterpoint to the Loki character.
Well, there is always... Dr. Strange. Or in layman's terms, just make a wizard and when the other "superheroes" laugh at you, summon a succubus and let her eat them. They'll stop laughing.
Dhampir Vampire Hunter Inquisitor with a high top fade and kickass sunglasses...
A white haired witch with red hair who is the beloved queen of the inhumans.
A grenadier Alchemist with a thick cajun accent.
A sound striker Bard with a scottish flair and boots or wings of flying.
A strix falconer ranger with red plumage, who happens to be great friends with your shield slinger.
A blind oracle of battle/daredevil bard. Make him a tiefling with little horns.
The main issue with most of these, aside from a few needing higher level than I'll be, is that they're something that does X, and then goes "Look, isn't that like <superhero blah>".
Whereas what I'm after is something that just immediately and directly evokes the superhero in question, like the current characters (bar probably Loki), and the Hulk above.
And I'm wanting it combined with an efficient/reasonably optimised 'build'
Yes, it's a bit of a 'moon on a stick' request, but that's what I'm after
You could make exactly the same monk several times by doing the following.
1 wear green (Green Arrow).
2 wear red (Speedy or Red Arrow).
3 wear purple and blue (Hawkeye).
4 be female and wear green(Artimis).
5 be female and wear pink(First Pink Power Ranger).
:P
You could make exactly the same monk several times by doing the following.
1 wear green (Green Arrow).
2 wear red (Speedy or Red Arrow).
3 wear purple and blue (Hawkeye).
4 be female and wear green(Artimis).
5 be female and wear pink(First Pink Power Ranger).
:P
However, I'd rather play something different after that character dies, so stuff that works to the superhero theme whilst being a different archetypical hero, would be good.
Hmmmm. Thinking about it, a Strix Barbarian could make a fairly good Hawkman.
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In 3.5, I had an 'Iron Man' Warlock, who had the Battle Caster feat and wore a suit of mithril full plate. Using Fell Flight, he flew around shooting Eldritch Blasts with some sort of 'repelling' or 'knockback' invocation/property (that came from a later supplement, IIRC), to fake repulsor rays.
A sword and board fighter with an adamantine sword and some sunder specialization could make a decent Black Knight copy. Leadership to pick up a Pegasus mount/cohort optional.
A witch with all the evil eye / misfortune / fortune hexes, and whatever enhancements she can get for them, might be able to ape the Scarlet Witch. If you can find a Witch archetype that nixes the familiar, that might help the versimilitude.
In 3.5, I had an 'Iron Man' Warlock, who had the Battle Caster feat and wore a suit of mithril full plate. Using Fell Flight, he flew around shooting Eldritch Blasts with some sort of 'repelling' or 'knockback' invocation/property (that came from a later supplement, IIRC), to fake repulsor rays.
That sounds fairly good. Alas, no Warlocks in PF.
A sword and board fighter with an adamantine sword and some sunder specialization could make a decent Black Knight copy. Leadership to pick up a Pegasus mount/cohort optional.
Huh, didn't even know that comics character existed.
A witch with all the evil eye / misfortune / fortune hexes, and whatever enhancements she can get for them, might be able to ape the Scarlet Witch. If you can find a Witch archetype that nixes the familiar, that might help the versimilitude.
Would work, alas I'm playing basically that concept in another game at the moment, albeit without the superhero theme.
hulk smash would be the most fun.
IVe tried to build one a few times and never gotten as far as Master chymist, either he does or the campaign ends...blah blah.
hulk smash would be the most fun.
IVe tried to build one a few times and never gotten as far as Master chymist, either he does or the campaign ends...blah blah.
It would be fun, but I dunno that it would be the most fun; it's a fairly limited array of things you can do with it, and we've already got quite a lot of melee hitty in our group, so it's doubling up a bit.
But it is my current backup, should all else fail.
well it does bombs still... I know hulk didnt have bombs, but mad rampage bomber with a different personality than your main character is all sorts of non stop fun.
Have you thought of a Dhampir using ARG/blood of the night? Could make a good morbius/Blade.
Takes a druid forever to become "the human torch" but for effect you could always light yourself on fire and run screaming into battle.... not sure how long you would last, but it would certainly have an effect...of some kind.
How about a Gunslinger dressed all in black with a big white skull paint on the front of his armor? (Punisher) :D
I personally think a synthesist summoner would work for Iron Man. I'd have to re-read to figure out exactly how you could flavor it, but you essentially wear your Eidolon as a suit. Including being able to fly iirc.
How about a Gunslinger dressed all in black with a big white skull paint on the front of his armor? (Punisher) :D
thats a good one.
any they already have the summoner/iron man....although you could tick him off with "war machine" lol
I personally think a synthesist summoner would work for Iron Man. I'd have to re-read to figure out exactly how you could flavor it, but you essentially wear your Eidolon as a suit. Including being able to fly iirc.
For Iron Man/War Machine, I've always said go Wizard, get the Construct Armor modification for say, an Iron Golem, and play it as a blaster. (Yes, blasters are not as optimal, but we're going for flavor on superheroes here).
EDIT: Has anyone mentioned Nightcrawler yet? Tiefling, Prehensile Tail, Grasping Tail Feat, Conjuration(Teleportation) specialist Wizard/Rogue/Arcane Trickster.
How does one make Wolverine, then?
I've statted a certain heroic someone for fun, so it might serve as inspiration: Link
Check the notes for playstyle (which may not work too well for party play)
How does one make Wolverine, then?
Invulnerable Rager with the Beast totem rage powers. You'll need to be pretty high level, and have equipment to support the regenerative capabilities of Wolverine though.
How does one make Wolverine, then?
Catfolk Inquisistor (for scent, claws, and judgements for fast healing) with adamantite claw blades and the anger inquisition (for rage).
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Ragechemist/Barbarian going into master chemist. Doing it right can get your strength over 50. Hulk Smash.Build, please! :D
One of these days I'll have to take the time to understand how the alchemist class works.
20 pt. Buy
HumanStr 18 + 2
Dex 10
Con 12
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 7
Titan Mauler Barbarian 1/ Ragechemist Alchemist 7/ Master Chymist 10/You pick 2
1: Rage (+4 Str/Con; -2 AC; 10 rounds); Big Game Hunter (+1 on attack rolls and +1 dodge to AC vs creatures larger than you); Extra Rage; Power Attack
2: Alchemy; Bomb (1d6, reskin as rocks if you like); Brew Potion; Mutagen (+2 AC, +4 physical ability score – usually strength; -2 corresponding mental ability score – usually intel); Throw anything
3: Discovery (Feral Mutagen, Gain Two claw attacks and a Bite, reskin as Slams and a Headbutt if you like); Poison Resistance +2; Rage Mutagen (Strength Mutagens increase potency by +2, must make cumulative will saves to avoid penalties); Iron Will
4: Bomb (2d6); Swift Alchemy
5: Discovery (I like Lingering Spirit here); extra rage or extra rage power (strength surge)
6: Bomb (3d6), Poison Resistance +4
7: Discovery (wings, reskin as a jump, or dispelling bomb); Extra rage or whatever
8: Bomb (4d6)
9: Mutagenic Form (You’re personality when using mutagen is completely different from you); Mutate 2/day; Pick a feat
10: Bomb (5d6); Advanced mutagen (Burly or Dual Mind)
11: Brutality (+2 Damage with natural attacks or simple weapons); Pick a feat
12: Advanced Mutagen (Furious mutagen is nice here); Bomb (6d6)
13: Mutate 3/day; Pick a feat
14: Advanced Mutagen (Greater Mutagen; +8 Str, +4 Con, -2 Int and Cha); Bomb (7d6)
15:Brutality +4, Pick a feat
16: Advanced Mutagen (Burly or Dual Mind); Mutate 4/day; Bomb (8d6)
17: Brutality +6; pick a feat (extra discovery, grand mutagen +10 str, +6 con, +4 Dex, -2 All Mental)
18: Advanced Mutagen (growth mutagen); Mutate 5/day; Bomb (9d6)
19 and 20: Finish with Alchemist or Barbarian ( I like alchemist and picking up eternal potion)
Breakdown of Str by level
1: 24 (Rage)
2: 28 (Mutagen)
3: 30 (Rage Mutagen)
4: 33 (Ability Increase, Belt 2)
6/7: 35 (Belt 4)
8: 36 (Ability Increase)
9: 38 (Belt 6)
11: 39 (Manual 1)
12: 41 (Ability Increase, Manual 2)
13: 42 (Manual 3)
14: 45 (Mutagen, Manual 4)
15: 46 (Manual 5)
16: 47 (Ability Increase)
17: 49 (Mutagen)
20: 50 (Ability Increase)
I originally planned to use eldritch heritage, but it only gets you up to 51, and you can't dump Cha. So Manuals it is, and 50 it hits.
Ragechemist/Barbarian going into master chemist. Doing it right can get your strength over 50. Hulk Smash.Build, please! :D
One of these days I'll have to take the time to understand how the alchemist class works.
20 pt. Buy
HumanStr 18 + 2
Dex 10
Con 12
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 7Titan Mauler Barbarian 1/ Ragechemist Alchemist 7/ Master Chymist 10/You pick 2
** spoiler omitted **...
Stay Alchemist for the other 2 to gain giant form 1 and 6 more strength.
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How does one make Wolverine, then?
In 3.5, anthropomorphic dire wolverine from Savage Species, (barely) shaved down, with the half-troll template, adamantine keen claw gauntlets, the improved scent feat and some levels in barbarian and two-weapon ranger. (and a custom flaw that he *thinks* he has some levels in samurai, but actually doesn't)
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Also, his main purpose in fights is to get one-shotted by the BBEG, thus proving that the BBEG is a viable threat.
It's kind of a comic book crutch that any character that can regenerate is going to end up looking incompetent, since the only way that they can 'show off' their regeneration is to take ridiculous amounts of physical damage that their non-regenerating teammates miraculously just *don't let happen.*
"Yes, I have the mutant power to take it in the face."
Image was kind of famous for that. Everybody seemed to have some sort of healing factor, and everybody was constantly having swords rammed through them (or, freakishly, ramming swords through themselves to stab the dude behind them...). Miraculously, the few that didn't have healing factors seemed smart enough and capable enough to never have swords rammed through them!
Still, comics. What are ya gonna do. Everybody wastes bullets shooting at the obviously bulletproof big metal guy, nobody thinks of putting two centermass in the utterly defenseless chump with the visor on his face.
Wolverine's a purely narrative character, not a gamist one. The majority of the X-Men would annhilate him in a fair fight. He's basically a Mary Sue with Galactus-level plot armor.
"Ooh, I can cut anything that gets within three feet of me! Unless it's invulnerable. Or intangible. Or has a force field. Or is telekinetic. Or telepathic. Or has pheremones. Or has some sort of ranged attack. Or is made of energy. Or is made of instantly reforming ice. Or has magnetic powers. Or can fly. Or..."
"Hey Colossus, little help here? Throw me at the bad-guy?"
"Nyet tovarisch, I have actual things I can be doing in this combat other than setting my action economy on fire by wasting actions carrying your gimp butt around. Secondary mutate yourself a ranged attack or movement power or something..."
nightcrawler:
Drow Sandman Bard with the dimension door spell and the dimensional savant feat chain.
Get boots of spider climb.
Character gets to "bamf" around a target, be his own flank buddy and get sneak attack.
"Ooh, I can cut anything that gets within three feet of me! Unless it's invulnerable. Or intangible. Or has a force field. Or is telekinetic. Or telepathic. Or has pheremones. Or has some sort of ranged attack. Or is made of energy. Or is made of instantly reforming ice. Or has magnetic powers. Or can fly. Or...""Hey Colossus, little help here? Throw me at the bad-guy?"
"Nyet tovarisch, I have actual things I can be doing in this combat other than setting my action economy on fire by wasting actions carrying your gimp butt around. Secondary mutate yourself a ranged attack or movement power or something..."
Come on bub, at least get a composite longbow!
nightcrawler:
Drow Sandman Bard with the dimension door spell and the dimensional savant feat chain.
Get boots of spider climb.
Character gets to "bamf" around a target, be his own flank buddy and get sneak attack.
I figured nightcrawler would be a tiefling...
yea probably...was thinking skin color, first thing that occurred to me
I like the Nightcrawler idea, but I can't see any way of getting enough teleportations per day to make it viable…
Hmmmm. Thinking about it, a Strix Barbarian could make a fairly good Hawkman.
Current plan is Strix Barbarian with a Reach weapon of some description, Flyby attack, Power attack, Vital Strike when that becomes available, and probably cleave and suchlike. The key tactic being 'Fly past, hit them really hard, get out of range again'
I was bored one day and wrote this: Some DC Heroes ala d20.
And this: Wolverine ala d20. (Never got around to finishing it.)
They were just an exploration of mechanics. No balance intended. More to demonstrate mechanics reflecting fluff. Never intended for play.
I was bored one day and wrote this: Some DC Heroes ala d20.
And this: Wolverine ala d20. (Never got around to finishing it.)
They were just an exploration of mechanics. No balance intended. More to demonstrate mechanics reflecting fluff. Never intended for play.
Nice idea. It'd be interesting to make a setup for making superheroes that were balanced against each other, but have the needed special abilities/flexibility. I think the 3PP Super Genius Games godling stuff could probably do some of that, beyond that... just being accepting of balanced third party stuff would probably be the key thing.
Play a ghost, be Kitty Pryde.
A werewolf and you're Wolfsbane.
An Expert with a Ring of Tongues and you're Cypher.
An Earth Elemental and you're the Thing.
Play a ghost, be Kitty Pryde.
A werewolf and you're Wolfsbane.
An Expert with a Ring of Tongues and you're Cypher.
An Earth Elemental and you're the Thing.
However making those balance well against other classes is a little harder. Which is why the shield-throwing fighter, the Zen Archer with many special arrows, the Magus with a shocking whip, and so forth are better options.
I wonder how high Dr. Strange's Wizard level is...
For some art for my tiefling magus, I was using some pictures of
Magik (New Mutants) to represent what she looked like.Witch dressed in Scarlet is obvious.
Dr. Strange is a wizard. Period.
To me it's as much about being able to use the powers in an appropriate and similar fashion, as it is about the look for it; the Scarlet Witch works, but would need a lot of the fortune/misfortune/evil eye/similar powers.
I was bored one day and wrote this: Some DC Heroes ala d20.
And this: Wolverine ala d20. (Never got around to finishing it.)
They were just an exploration of mechanics. No balance intended. More to demonstrate mechanics reflecting fluff. Never intended for play.
This is the ultimate though.
Marvel Pathfinder, The Age of Strange. Best part about it, not an ounce of mechanics, it's all riveting story material.
I'd quite like mechanics, if they were balanced.
dunno why I saw Strange as a Sorcerer, maybe it's that sorcerer supreme thing, or the fact he kinda has a limit to what spells he uses.
Wish they would use strange in a team with some other interesting but less used comic heroes... And i dont mean falcon or vagabond...
Yeah, he does CALL himself a sorcerer, but he has a library. He reads arcane books, casts spells out of them, and so forth. In Dungeons and Dragons/Pathfinder, he's really a wizard I think. As for the limited spells, well those are his favorites and the ones he keeps prepared. :)
