This weekend, my playgroup is going to have a game session modeled after the Tomb of Horrors (at least in terms of PC fatality rates, according to the DM), and we've been tasked with building our characters with that in mind. I'll review the build restrictions/methodology, indicate the players' current thoughts, and then throw it over to y'all.
BUILD:
Modeled after the "heroic" method in the CRB, every stat starts at a value of six, and then may be modified on a point-for-point basis from a pool of 45 points. We may not multiclass. We may not use 3rd-party material. We cannot use traits. Standard WBL; gp *may* be pooled by party, no gp limit.
TENTATIVE PARTY MAKEUP:
1) Greatsword Fighter (backup archer)
2) TWF Slayer (primary archer, traps)
3) Chaos/Strength Cleric (wands, buffs, debuff)
4) Conjurer Craftsman (belts, headbands, cloaks, amulets; summon dudes, AoE status the baddies)
So far, there's been a focus on cold iron weaponry, mithral armors, initiative modifiers, high DPR, skill coverage (we know EVERYTHING!), and anvil/arm/hammer action economy. I have put in my two cents to stay away from the madness of a 64000 gp equipment bankroll and let each character spend his or her 16k, though we leveraged all the item creation we could.
Granted, those are vague descriptions, and I'm not trying to be cagey with the info, I'm just more interested in y'all's input.
TABLE DISCUSSION:
1) Should we roll the fighter and rogue elements into the slayer? If we did, what other full BAB class should be brought in?
2) Reach weapons as the primary means of melee engagements were abandoned due to their non-bo with sneak attack; was that a reasonable decision?
3) The fighter dumped Int & Cha; the slayer, Cha; the cleric, Cha; the wizard, Str & Cha. We can't talk pretty, but we're tough, strong, smart, quick, and wary. Pro play?
4) And so on.
|
I'd replace the fighter with a pali for the boosted saves and secondary healing (otherwise who will heal if the cleric goes down). In a high fatality rich dungeon crawl - saves & healing are likely key.
For a straight dungeon crawl - a sorceror would probably be superior to the wizard. Often crawls are matters of attrition, so the extra spells will come into play, and likely the wizard's versitility won't come up much.
Finally - make sure to pack lots of alchemic style items. (tanglefoot / alchemic fire etc) It's surprising how handy they can be.
It sounds like this is a one shot, so even if your GM allows everyone to benefit from anyone's crafting feats for initial wealth, I probably wouldn't take crafting feats.
As for your questions, I am not sure what you mean by most of them. A slayer is indeed a fighter-rogue hybrid...but what does that have to do with bringing in another class? What do reach weapons have to do with sneak attack? As for CHR, if it is a one shot dungeon delve, then yeah you can probably get by with a party of ugly, socially awkward and hygiene impaired people.
I would suggest someone (perhaps the Cleric to keep the divine casting aspect) should consider a druid. Druids animal companions can help spread out some of the hurt the baddies will be dishing out a little more.
This class can cast almost as well as a Cleric and use it's critter to tank almost as well as a martial...if the character is built to do it.
It's like having a five-character party instead of just four!
If you want a switch hitter primary, go with the Ranger. He might overlap slightly with the Slayer but he'll have the animal companion to help, and his free feats sans prerequisites let him drop his one feat into power attack for two handing then just spec archery, which is rather feat intensive, without needing so many crazy prerequisites. Plus he has many skills so the Slayer doesn't have to shoulder the burden, or leave the party screwed when he rolls a 1 and dies.
Check with the dm if you can have your gear crafted to save starting gold. Wizards are so non feat intensive that it really doesn't matter if he uses crafting mind.
Knowing ToH though, your stats may matter a lot less than the players minds and cunning. This is a Gygax module, you're the ones personally moving through.
>>>>Charon's
I mentioned paladin, but no one wants to run one. We hate LG in our crowd (likely the result of Bible Belt social pressures).
And our arcane player won't budge from wizard.
>>>>Justus
1) Should we make the fighter and the slayer the same character, and bring in an alternate full BAB character?
2) In order to ensure the consistent application of sneak attack damage in a goodly fashion (i.e., stab one till it dies, *then* move on), a reach weapon in the fighter's hands either mandates "suppressive fire" or greater attack penalties for the fighter. In either case, we're looking at a mathematically self-destructive proposition. Armor spikes are a thing, yes, but making use of them minimizes the opportunity for maximized concentrated fire *or* forces our striker to spend feats to do the sneak attack bit solo (great for pure DPR considerations, but also more likely to make him more tactically vulnerable).
>>>>Muffin
The druid doesn't have the save-or-die goodness of the cleric, nor the proficiency with heals/status fixes. A ranger with boon companion would fill better for the 5th-man option.
>>>>Icehawk
Our primary combat doctrine is to avoid ranged combats as much as possible, and reengage ranged opponents in melee. Battle square, indeed.
>>>>Renegadeshepherd
Indeed! I'd love it -- the cleric is excellent in Pathfinder.