I run a regular game once a week but I also play in a "pick-up" game at a local game store every other week. I say "pick-up" because it isn't PFS, but the group had never played together before. We met through a meet-up organized by the GM.
We are playing through reign of winter, and I chose to play an archer. I also decided (based on the AP name) that I wanted to have access to endure elements so I am playing an Oracle with the wood bond revelation and then multiclassed into fighter. The rest of the party is a paladin, a bard, an evoker wizard, and a rogue who has since multiclassed with ranger. All human but the paladin who is a dwarf.
Everything starts off great, but as the months have progressed it seems as though the rest of the group has stagnated in power. Part of it is strategy. The support class players (by which I mean the bard and wizard) are making strange choices but nothing I would consider way out there. The paladin and ranger/rogue however are really far behind. The paladin uses a hammer in one hand, carries nothing in the other hand, but doesn't ever swing with both hands for the bonus STR damage. He also never uses his smite ability or detect evil. He also never remembers to add bardic performance to his attack/damage rolls. He always fills all of his spell slots with CLW. The ranger/rogue is focused on TWF with sword and board (I know), but he is always trying to reposition into flank so he rarely ever gets to TWF.
I'm an oracle 1/fighter 4 and up until now having been leading the pack with 1d8+5 damage (rapid shot, usually miss one/hit one), but this level my deadly aim went up and I took weapon specialization so I am doing d8+9. And the Bard's inspire moved from +1 to +2 this level. I really don't find this build particularly optimized, but it is leaving the rest of the party in the dust. I saw the frustration on the GM's face when I blew through an encounter that was clearly meant to be a challenge. I spoke with the GM privately afterward and asked if he wanted me to tone my character back. I suggested that I might change some feats or maybe an entire class level to try and get my character back in line with the party.
The GM says that the party needs someone to kill stuff, so I should just leave the character as it sits. So, I'm really not sure where to go from here. It isn't particularly fun to constantly show up the rest of the group, but I don't want to "throw the match" as it were. Ie., not rapid shotting, not deadly aiming, moving to restrict myself to one attack, using spellcasting for support (this may not be a bad idea actually, only the ranger has a magic weapon so I could spend 2 rounds casting magic weapon on the paladin's hammer and my bow), etc.
So, any options on where to go from here?
What can I change in the short run?
What can I change in the long run? (I am thinking of going back to oracle, even taking a level of sorcerer and then going arcane archer.)
My opinion - Your problem isn't a character build issue, and no change you make to your character will fix the problem.
Your problem is a group expectations issue - you're looking to play a particular way, and they're looking for something else.
Obviously, I only have what you've said already to go on. But it sounds like they are both relatively inexperienced with the rules, and looking to make things that are interesting to them (as opposed to paying attention to optimization).
So now for some questions:
Are the other players having fun? Do they seem irritated when you "show them up" or do they seem happy that the bad guys are going down? Does the person who forgets to add bonuses to his attacks and damage get annoyed if it's pointed out, or does he appreciate the help?
And do you have a feel for what it is that they're looking for from playing the game? (Read the GMG for different play-styles and see if you can peg them - it might help you figure out how to make things work better.)
If they're having fun, then there really isn't a problem - unless their novice antics cause you too much annoyance, in which case removing yourself from the group is appropriate. If they're frustrated that you are "too effective" compared to them, talk to the DM again, and insist on modifying your PC to be more in line with the group. The DM can always adjust encounters to make them easier if necessary. If the other players don't mind advice, just make sure you keep it friendly and helpful, not critical.
(In the group I run, there's an experienced player who nonetheless always forgets a couple of bonuses here and there. As DM, if someone's attack roll is <almost> good enough, I routinely either prompt with circumstantial bonuses they might have forgotten (e.g. flanking) or say something like "missed by one" - and then pause to let them check their calculations. As a player, your options are a bit more restricted here, but perhaps you can find a way to prompt in a helpful rather than pushy way...or convince the GM to do so.)
|
May I make a recommendation that your didn't ask for? You obviously have some system mastery, as seen by noting the strange directions and such of the other characters. So why help them step up rather than tone yourself back.
I have had similar issues before and this is my strategy:
First identify what the player is trying to accomplish, everyone has some idea of what their character is like, how they fight, and why, etc. So ask the players (in character or out) about the characters and identify what they are going for.
Second dispel any misconceptions the players may have (maybe the paladin thinks one handed weapons shouldn't be used two handed and such)
third, locate feats, spells, classes, prestige classes and the like that help them fulfill their goals. Suggest it to them over the course of weeks so they don't feel like your are rewriting their guy.
Finally (and one of the most important) offer to make them a chart. This chart will contain their attack and damage with most of their regular options including smite, inspire and any spells they regularly have on them (bless or prayer for instance). help them remake it every level so that they always have their number up to date and in front of them.
A little guidance can go a long way. It also means you don't need to tune back your character and can enjoy him.
Side note, you are an archer. 4 out of 5 battles you will do the most damage in the party. This is the way of archers in pathfinder. If you are worried about this getting worse at higher levels (and you should be) then stay away from Seeking enchantments, clustered shots and improved precise shots. If you don't take those the GM can reduce your effectiveness without removing you from battle. Consider taking liming enhancement on your bow when you can. Great party aid.
Some really good questions.
I think that the group as a whole is interested in moving through the story more than anything. There have been relatively few opportunities for role play but even when they arise the only one particularly interested, besides myself, is the bard. So I think these guys are just looking for a laid back, travel on the rails, story time adventure.
The only person at the table who has expressed any issue with his character power is the Bard. He is not happy with the class and constantly comparing it to 1st/2nd ed and Everquest bard. I gather they are more capable... But, he recently had that chance to change characters and did not (he died and the party offer to pay for his raise dead or he could build something new.)
Everyone else seems to be having a good time. The guy playing the paladin is often distracted though, (usually the cell phone) which is probably a contributing factor to his missed modifiers. He never seems upset when reminded, it's just, "oh? OK, 2 more damage."
I don't think anyone else is particularly concerned about my power level, but I don't find it fun to be the one guy ahead of the pack. As for my preferred level of play, I am open to any level of CR/optimization but when I run games I run high powered games. I actually wanted to build this character to be middle if the pack (which was why I multiclassed) and I chose pretty mid-range stats considering the GM have a 25 point buy) 14/16/14/10/10/14.
I am reminded of an idea I saw in action a few years ago. A group I sat with for a few weeks made tent cards with the group buffs on them. So the bard had one that said "Inspire Courage +2 to hit / +2 to damage" and the wizard had one that said "Haste +1 to hit, +1 AC, +1 reflex." That may be a good solution for part of the issue.
It could be that I am just expecting too much of this group. I may just need to sit back and ride along rather than force anything.
How experienced are the other players? Sometimes people new to the game especially if they are not gamers. One of my players is like this he isn't making necessary logic leaps that seem natural to me.
How experienced are the other players? Sometimes people new to the game especially if they are not gamers. One of my players is like this he isn't making necessary logic leaps that seem natural to me.
All of them have been playing RPG's for at least 20 years. The GM and two other guys are 3.5 veterans and the other two are adnd and Everquest converts. I am the only one who has actually played pathfinder previously.