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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Drizztsmanchild
Learned Scribe
USA
228 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jan 2011 : 08:56:00
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| Is Back Stab sneaking up on someone and stabbing...or getting behind someone and stabbing? |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Drizztsmanchild
Learned Scribe
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2011 : 22:35:00
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| Well he does have the ghost step |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2011 : 22:44:00
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| Ghost step? where is this coming from? I've never seen it anywhere in the books or the 2nd or 3rd ed stats for him. Ghost Step is a PrC monk ability from 3.5. He is not a monk. He does have a natural hide in shadows drow ability (per 2nd ed), but that is the only "rogue" trait I know of. In all the published lore, he has always been a very straight-forward kind of fighter (ie- he fights honorably- from the front.) Even in Homeland, he did not resort to dirty tactics or sneak attacks in the Melee, although he did set a trap once. That is in keeping with a ranger, however. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2011 : 23:50:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
either, I believe, but I don't recall him doing that. At least probably not more than once or twice in all the books combined.
I'm not sure he has ever backstabbed anyone in the novels.......I think I would have remembered the following D monologues....I think we all would! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Drizztsmanchild
Learned Scribe
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2011 : 00:12:15
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| Well Ghost Step isn't an ability.....its a move where He uses the opponents swing as a blind spot. When the opponent is swing his weapon as he is swinging,Drizzt uses the swing as an optical shield..similar to a blind spot in a car....to get behind the opponent. He calls the move Ghost step....it was in Seige of Darkness. And he's been using it ever since. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2011 : 04:49:55
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| I see. That's not technically a back-stab or sneak attack, then. It's just a combat move. (Maneuver in 4th, I think they call it.) It would be more of a specialized tactical feat, most likely. But that is still not a specifically "rogue" ability- just part of his fighting style. The Ghost Step I'm referring to was detailed in an issue of Dragon under the PrC for Ghost-Faced Killer, and is similar to Ethereal Jaunt. He may call it that, but it is NOT the same. I believe this may simply be his name for a non-FR-specific feat that gains an AOO using the method you describe (only if the opponent is using a two-handed weapon) that is (IIRC) called Blind-Spot Attack. It was in the Handbook of Assassins, I think. But it's essentially the same thing. He is simply calling it something different (which Salvatore probably did for lore purposes). |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Drizztsmanchild
Learned Scribe
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2011 : 04:59:35
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| That is why I asked the above question to clarify what was a backstab; -) |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Saxmilian
Learned Scribe
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 03:02:35
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well I think ALL drow begin with a level of Rogue. Bluff, Deception, searching for traps and poisons, slight of hand, assassation as a day to day activity. I dont mean I saw him as training as a thief, but there was a line in the Crystal Shard when he is exploring Biggrin's lair and pulls out lockpicks and picks the door to the treasure room saying that while he was never formally trained he picked up a thing or two.
Ive always pictured his Ghost Step ability as simply the game-move Feint in combat using his Bluff to put his target off guard and strike their Vs. Touch Armor Class. Not that with his Attack Bonus he needs it much. I do agree that I've always seen the level of Barbarian to justify the Hunter aspect of his personality too. |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 13:55:19
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| As a rule I'm against anything that makes Drizzt more dangerous. If anything he needs to be taken down several pegs. He might actually be interesting then. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4488 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 16:43:22
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I was never really satisfied with Drizzt "official" stats in the FRCS, but that's due to incorrect stat block (they cut 2 feats from him) and it being a 3.0 product which clearly needs some revisions to incorporate later supplements. For exmaple, Drow of the Underdark (v3.5) has some good feats I could see Drizzt taking including using his racial abilities more than 1/day.
As for classes, I think a Dervish could fit him rather well but we must not forget those Ranger levels too. Something like Bbn 1/ Ftr 6/ Dervish Dancer 8/ Rgr 3 for a total of CR 19. I do, however, like how Ranger are portrayed in 4E (gaining a special version of Sneak Attack) which I believe helps fill his role as a skirmish warrior better.
For feats, he'd need several changes such as removing Ambidexterity and putting in Weapon Finesse (cuz Dervish can use Scimitars as a light blade). Keeping Blind Fight is pretty helpful as is all the TWF feats he can add in. Weapon Specialization, Melee Weapon Mastery, Two-Weapon Rend, etc. are all great options for him as well. Might have to cut out Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative as the build I'm suggesting doesn't have room for them.
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_Jarlaxle_
Senior Scribe
Germany
584 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 16:48:39
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| Hmm fluff wise Ambidexterity is a must have for him because he was portrait very dexterous with both hands from birth. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36966 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 19:16:48
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| This is why I'm not fond of statting up NPCs from novels. NPCs are usually created independent of the rules, so they just don't quite fit into any one ruleset. Also, with each subsequent release of rules and splatbooks, there is a constant flow of different classes and abilities, some of which are a better fit for an NPC than anything prior. And then comes the next release, with a new and improved "perfect build" for that NPC... |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4488 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2011 : 20:21:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
This is why I'm not fond of statting up NPCs from novels. NPCs are usually created independent of the rules, so they just don't quite fit into any one ruleset. Also, with each subsequent release of rules and splatbooks, there is a constant flow of different classes and abilities, some of which are a better fit for an NPC than anything prior. And then comes the next release, with a new and improved "perfect build" for that NPC...
Agreed. Hence why I've been in much more support of NPCs/Monsters that are designed from their own rules and abilities. Yea, I know i know, it's what 4E does and there are many Pro's and Con's to the issue. But that way, I wouldn't have to worry about an obscure PrC coming out that makes it "better" or a new feat that ties directly into what the NPC is trying to accomplish.
For example Drizzt has this ability:
Four-Fang Assault (standard; requires a weapon in each hand; usable at-will)
Drizzt makes three melee basic attacks (no more than
two can be made with the same weapon), and he shifts 5 feet before the first attack and after each attack. After the attacks are made, Guenhwyvar shifts 5 feet, and then makes a melee attack as a free action.
Clearly this gives him the "dancing" feel as well as adding Guen's own attack into the mix. Also, it's usable "at-will" meaning once per round, every round which I think is pretty cool IMO.
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4488 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2011 : 17:45:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Except that Guen isnot always within five feet of him. Usually, he sends her to flank or chase stragglers, or to watch his back. Andthat's assuming he can even summon her at that particular time, given her limits in that regard.
Um.....ok? The ability works if Guen is involved or not, which still displays his style of "dancing" in battle. In addition to multiple attack per turn and unmolested movement through the enemy ranks (he "shifts", meaning not provoking Opportuinity Attacks) he also has a array of abilities that allow him to parry dangerous attacks as well as retaining bonuses to attack while blinded. He has Ranger features such as the "Quarry" which deals +xd6 amount of damage to a specificed target and also has Taulmaril, that most famous bow. |
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E6 Options: Epic 6 Campaign |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12194 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2011 : 17:16:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
In the eagerness to apply the mechanical aspects of this PrC to Drizzt, has anyone considered whether or not the background of the class would be appropriate for him? 
He's been to Calimshan. Could have picked up tricks.... maybe even some fighting ability too :-) |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ozreth
Learned Scribe
229 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2011 : 04:10:17
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For what it's worth, I don't think Salvatore would care to consider the question haha. He's stated several times that he writes his characters and stories independent of the rules for the most part.
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Tarloc
Acolyte
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2011 : 07:00:05
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| yeah drizzt is fine the way he is.us |
"hey, you just rolled two natural twenties!"
"is that a touchdown?" |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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What if Drizzt Du'Urden...
