So, apparently my characters in RotRL keep getting killed not by monsters or haunts but by the environment. One time I had a character go on to a bridge only to have another party member follow which broke the bridge after which my character failed its reflex save, and the fall killed him. Things like that.
After this happening more than twice I'm strongly considering building a synthesist for their meatier HP pool and overall toughness. However, my GM has a general distaste for the archetype but hasn't outright banned it. So, if I do go ahead with this does anyone have any tips on making one that doesn't seem utterly broken?
I did a quick build out today and easily achieved an AC of 30, CMD 29, blah blah as a level 10 build and didn't even go into any items. Is this simply how it is or is there a way to balance that out? I think I could just generally avoid the higher evolution pool abilities until level 15 or so. What do you guys think?
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And how much damage can you do with that 30 AC? High defense with low offense isn't that great.
Also THF fighter with full plate+1 with a dex of 16(not an unreasonable number to have by level 10) and a shield spell via wand/scroll is rocking an AC of 27 before other protective items. AC of around 30 by level 10 isn't a big deal.
I did a quick build out today and easily achieved an AC of 30, CMD 29, blah blah as a level 10 build and didn't even go into any items. Is this simply how it is or is there a way to balance that out? I think I could just generally avoid the higher evolution pool abilities until level 15 or so. What do you guys think?
I can see a few ways of doing this:
1) Don't go large or huge. It would certainly limit the power level not to have that strenght bonus (although I am not sure I would do this myself).2) Alternatively, make sure the build isn't narrowly focused. So, don't synthesist-monks with 10 unarmed strikes. Don't make the synthesist practically unhittable.
Try to build it around a concept, taking less optimal evolutions that might be flavorwise fitting.
And how much damage can you do with that 30 AC? High defense with low offense isn't that great.
Also THF fighter with full plate+1 with a dex of 16(not an unreasonable number to have by level 10) and a shield spell via wand/scroll is rocking an AC of 27 before other protective items. AC of around 30 by level 10 isn't a big deal.
It had a strength score of 29, mod 9, so I'll let you imagine. BAB of 7.
Shouldn't ever be a big deal if you don't focus solely on optimizing and pick some flavor options. That and you build it PROPERLY.
I admit I was peeved at my Summoner at low levels but once you get up to around level 6-ish they become a lot more manageable.
Peeved how?
At low levels the Eidolon pretty much carved a bloody swathe through anything I chucked at it, even the boss monsters once it could hit them, and it was practically unhittable with Shield cast on it by most normal monsters (to be fair, so was the Sword and Board Fighter).
Of course, as they grew in level monster attack bonuses scaled wildly while their ACs scaled much less drastically, so the Eidolon is now formidable, but not unstoppable.
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If u want the character to not be cheese dont dump ur physical stats but keep them at 10. For evolutions remember to actually read them. The Natural armor evolution for example can only be obtained at certain levels not all at once. Focus on a theme more than optimization but dont nerf ur self. Also stay away from multi-classing in order to make it seem less optimized.
Other wise if u want to disregard this go 1 level of Monk and 2 levels of Paladin with the rest of ur levels as Synthesis and race Half-elf. Have ur evolutions focus on ac and immunities along with improving ur claw damage and get limbs and claws 3 times to have 6 claw attacks. The limbs and claws part is not needed though until u get to the point were u can actually make those attacks. Id suggest staying away from large and huge size because ur DM can say u dont fit in there area tough stool.
I kept them at 10. Still base abilities came out to be something like 29,16,16,14,16,20. I did this instead of putting the ability increase into str for a 30.
AC is just too easy. You get a shield bonus just 'cause, natural armor that raises with eidolon, 2 natural armor evolutions at level 10, and automatic increases to str and dex. Though, not taking the evolutions brings it back down to 26 which is actually almost low for a front-line type at that level.
I'm thinking about a wand of Nereid's Grace for items as well.
That's why I was asking if it was simply normal. Then again since a synthesist doesn't benefit from armor I could see it as a built-in way to keep it "normal" as the eidolon grows.
That's a losing proposition. If you're ever faced with the situation to weakly defend against a large array of things or strongly against a smaller array of things and you can't do both it's usually better to pick the latter.
The variety of circumstances for the various effects that can and have come at any moment are staggering especially in the AP and to prepare for them all would essentially eat up any resources I'd have to actually making my character good at what they're supposed to do.
As far as other races my GM really only allows core and a few other ones not to mention I like to keep consistency with the world setting so the vast majority of my characters have been core races.
Monks are nice but I have to admit I have a soft spot for casters. Martial characters, to me, are just too easy and require little thought.
The trick to building a Synthesist that a GM won't hate is: don't make yourself overpowered. It's really that easy, but here are some obvious tips:
1. Keep your stats evenly spread for when you're not in eidolon form. You will still need SOME defense when you're sleeping. Realistically your character will not be some tiny frail thing (unless that's exactly what you made it roleplay wise..) so pick stats like 10 12 14 12 12 16... No need to go overboard.
2. Don't take pounce. Just no.
3. Large is okay if you want to be a melee bruisier.. Just don't take any other STR boosting evolutions.
4. Keep your AC reasonable; DON'T take AC evolution just because you can. If you end up getting smacked a lot in melee, you've got some buffs to help with that (evolution surge will do it).
5. Don't be obviously better than anyone at anything. This is probably the best advice I can give to keep a character inconspicuous when you are worried it might be OP. If you have another party front liners, work to keep yourself on their level, not try to put your character past them.
6. Don't do stupid things like ask to buy a wand of Nereids Grace. Firstly, unless you're gonna UMD it you can't use it (Undine spell only). Secondly, no. You don't need AC that high except in cases of emergency.
My favorite type of character is the type that can hide amongst the party and keep up with them, but when the going gets tough they pull some crazy stuff out of their butts and help lead the party (NOT single-handedly) to victory. I played a synthesist that was super fun, and my GM saw no issue with it.
Remember, after a level if your evolutions aren't good enough... Just shift them around. There's also spells to change your base form if you're not happy with it.
Those are some good points. So kind of like keep a normal form then use transmorgify to "armor up" effectively is pretty cool.
Depending on the party composition, you could go skill monkey with Skilled and still be a decent melee combatant. Less Evo's spent on sheer combat will make the DM hate you a bit less.
A "GM Friendly Synthesist" is a oxymoron. There is little doubt you have made some error somewhere and the DM will have to triple check your builds and calcs.
Don't.
Try a invulnerable BBn.
Keep in mind it was a level 10 build. I kept in mind spending points on a per level basis. So there is a lot of doubt especially considering that's a level you get transmogrify which pretty well bypasses the "can't pool evolution points" rule.
Why is the Synthesist OP again? I understand the RAW is confusing, but other than that...?
It's very easy to cheese energy immunities, a LOT of attacks, reach, damage reduction, very high physical ability scores etc in addition to being a spellcaster. It's still subject to banishment and dismissal spells but even at a moderate level that practically only really fails if you roll a 1 depending on build.
It is SO very easy to get a very broken Synth by means of a few numbers miscalculated, a few rules misunderstood (which is so very easy with this class), etc
Pretty much as a matter of course, when a DM complains about a powerful eidolon, we have asked for the build, and it's wrong. it's even easier to do this with the synth.
I'd suggest adding sensory powers and movement enhancement abilities in lieu of just powering up Str and natural armor and reach.
This isn't necessarily going to be more GM friendly, but it will certainly be less abusive and far more valuable to the party.
Also, don't underestimate the value of the "skilled" evolution. +8 to perception is nice, acrobatics, stealth could come in very useful as well.