Hello, folks.
For the third time I'm trying to GM the good ol' Rise of the Runelords here, and I wanted to build an NPC to help the players.
He's a half-dragon warpriest of Apsu, focused on claws and bites (and some punches, if the iroran monk of the party is willing to teach'em, maebe). Since the AP can go up to 20s, could you help me with the build?
The first thing I would say is resist the temptation to make a GM PC.
It's usually a bad idea, even if the party doesn't have "enough" PC characters in it.
Depending on the number of players you could allow each player to play an extra character, or you may find that one player doesn't want extra characters and one player is fine with it. Which then the next solution might be allowing that player to have an extra PC and to adjust the overall challenge of the monsters fighting the party.
In any event, GM PCs often leave players upset because of it's often a Mary Sue.
You can also allow players to play gestalt and still adjust the CR of the enemies they face.
They're a lot of options. But you playing the enemy NPCs, the friendly NPCs, nay the whole word around the PCs and then also playing a PC....just doesn't go over well typically.
My advice is refrain from this desire and find other ways to balance things.
You can make a half dragon priest of Apsu as an NPC that guides the party if that is rlevant to the plot, though having played Rise of the RUnelords I don't see where it would be particularly relevant. But you really shouldn't have them be a combat character the tromps around with the party.
I can vouche for the GMPC thing being a bad idea. I think it's a distraction from the task of running the adventure.
I am not a very good GM, so maybe someone more experienced could run the campaign and a GMPC more effectively than I could. But I think there are better ways to balance the party.
I know that I really wanted to play and felt kind of left out as the GM, but my GMPC ended up being irrelevant anyways and I retired him for the betterment of the party and the gameplay overall. Being more focused on the campaign has improved the experience for everyone involved, including myself as the GM.
However, if you really want to run a half-dragon Warpriest, who am I to stop you?
I prefer the Arsenal Chaplain, or whatever it's actually called. I know that the Sacred Weapon damage is appealing, but Weapon Training is where it's at.
Regardless of which Warpriest archetype you choose, if your half-dragon is also half-human... look into the Martial Versatility feat to save yourself from taking Weapon Focus for every natural attack.
for awhile now, I've gone with using GMPCs as modifiers to the PCs. Giving them bonuses to attack, damage, defenses or whatnot, simulating the character helping out the players, who after all, are the main characters of the story, letting them shine brighter.
I strongly suggest that in place of an actual fully built NPC to run next to the players.
You can make a half dragon priest of Apsu as an NPC that guides the party if that is rlevant to the plot, though having played Rise of the RUnelords I don't see where it would be particularly relevant. But you really shouldn't have them be a combat character the tromps around with the party.
That's the point, I don't want to play the game for them. This NPC is mostly a guide, as you said, that'll show up in some points of the story. He's supposed to help only if necessary. And if he's around.
He wouldn't be a Mary Sue. I hate them. :'vThanks, anyway.
However, if you really want to run a half-dragon Warpriest, who am I to stop you?
I prefer the Arsenal Chaplain, or whatever it's actually called. I know that the Sacred Weapon damage is appealing, but Weapon Training is where it's at.
Regardless of which Warpriest archetype you choose, if your half-dragon is also half-human... look into the Martial Versatility feat to save yourself from taking Weapon Focus for every natural attack.
Oh well, thank you. As I said before, he'll show up in some parts of the story, so I wanted his build to be on par with the party, you see?
And he's half-human too.
for awhile now, I've gone with using GMPCs as modifiers to the PCs. Giving them bonuses to attack, damage, defenses or whatnot, simulating the character helping out the players, who after all, are the main characters of the story, letting them shine brighter.
I strongly suggest that in place of an actual fully built NPC to run next to the players.
I understand your point, but I'm kinda tempted on making the build. He won't stay with the players all the time.
Thanks for your help.
Here's a quick start Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest of Apsu for you.
Feats:
1. Combat Reflexes
1(bonus). Weapon Focus Claws
1(human). Fey Foundling
3. Improved Initiative
3(bonus). Power Attack
5. Cut From the Air
6(bonus). Martial Versatility
7. Furious Focus
9. Iron Will
9(bonus). Smash From the Air
If you go with a different Warpriest archetype... replace Cut From the Air with the Apsu-specific feat Divine Barrier. And replace Smash From the Air with something else.
Here it's my build
Half dragon cleric of apsu
Domain good and dragon
Feats:
Lv1 warrior priest
Lv3 improved natural weapon (claw)
Lv5 divine barrier
Lv7 ordered mind
Lv9 selective channel
Lv11 extend spell
Lv13 divine interfere
Lv15 echoing spell
Lv17 quick spell
Lv 19 maximize spell
Here's a quick start Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest of Apsu for you.
Feats:
1. Combat Reflexes
1(bonus). Weapon Focus Claws
1(human). Fey Foundling
3. Improved Initiative
3(bonus). Power Attack
5. Cut From the Air
6(bonus). Martial Versatility
7. Furious Focus
9. Iron Will
9(bonus). Smash From the AirIf you go with a different Warpriest archetype... replace Cut From the Air with the Apsu-specific feat Divine Barrier. And replace Smash From the Air with something else.
Thanks, dude, thanks a bunch! :D
How does Furious Focus work with natural attacks? A double punch/claw attack?
Here it's my build
Half dragon cleric of apsu
Domain good and dragonFeats:
Lv1 warrior priest
Lv3 improved natural weapon (claw)
Lv5 divine barrier
Lv7 ordered mind
Lv9 selective channel
Lv11 extend spell
Lv13 divine interfere
Lv15 echoing spell
Lv17 quick spell
Lv 19 maximize spell
I didn't have a cleric in mind, but I liked this build, thank you!
I think I may use it as well.:D
Holy crap. I actually don't know how Furious Focus works with natural attacks. Lol.
I'm just so used to taking it with Power Attack that I didn't even think about it.
Probably just like it does on normal attacks... the first natural attack in the sequence would skip the penalty, and the penalty would still apply to the rest of your attacks in that sequence.
Holy crap. I actually don't know how Furious Focus works with natural attacks. Lol.
I'm just so used to taking it with Power Attack that I didn't even think about it.
Probably just like it does on normal attacks... the first natural attack in the sequence would skip the penalty, and the penalty would still apply to the rest of your attacks in that sequence.
I don't think they do, my friend..
Lo, it says you have to use a 2h weapon or a 1h one with both hands. That's why I asked that.I'll think of something else.
I apologize for leading you astray. I usually play a big dumb fighter-type, and I am usually using a 2H weapon, or 2H'ing a one-handed weapon... I haven't actually went back and read Furious Focus in a while. Lol.