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Zapato
Acolyte
Netherlands
38 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 10:56:48
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In a couple of weeks our group will start with the CotS campaign, one I've heard lots of good things about. Now my DM has some personal plans with this campaign and recommended making characters that wont be killed on sight (per example a Drow).
Now this works great for me since a character I always wanted to play was a Draegloth. However I'm not sure what the best options are for my class, feats, and other customization (the high LA and the weird bonuses throw me off a bit, plus or campaigns tend to be a bit hard). And I was wondering if I could use some of the braincells of this community for some suggestions  .
Some extra information:
- Players start at level 9 plus some extra xp.
- A Draegloth according to Champions of Ruin has a LA of +4
- Alignment choice is free, and the DM doesn't mind me making a chaotic good Draegloth if I can explain it in my character history.
- We also use this: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm
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"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women."
-Conan the barbarian on what is best in life |
Edited by - Zapato on 23 Jun 2010 11:00:51
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phatcat
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 11:12:51
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Good afternoon gentlemen,
I am Zapato's DM, and I'll be here to answer question which Zapato himself may not be able to answer. The rules for the CotSQ campaign are still being written, currently moving to a 1.1 version of the Player Preamble.
First; the reason Zapato may choose a creature with a +4 LA, is because the rest of the party will - most likely - have a +2 LA. If the LA's are too widespread, I will use the 'LA Buy-off' system, instead of simply removing the LA on certain levels.
Nevertheless, I am still in doubt whether I should let him choose such a strong character. We will discuss this with the rest of the D&D players next Thursday. He seems pretty fond of this build, and taking into account that he is still a fairly new player, I think he should have the ability to play an out-of-the-ordinary character. He will not have that chance very often.
In case of any questions, I'd be glad to answer :) |
If chaos and destruction are lightning, Twoflower would be the kind of person standing on the top of a hill, wearing a wet copper armor, screaming: "All gods are bastards!" - Rincewind |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 20:26:51
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| Woof. Be careful when using characters with high LA's. They can be unbalancing both ways- at early levels they are much stronger than other pc's, but after they catch up, (and they WILL) they tend to fall behind drastically after a few levels. The reason is the greater difficulty in leveling up, even with a buy-off system. I've had players do this before, and they quickly tire of the pc that they thought would be uber-powerful, but which ends up being only so-so because it gets fun feat, powers, etc. so much slower and they can't compete with the characters with little or no LA that level up and gain abilities and such so much faster. Think carefully before deciding to use something like that. the bigger the LA, the greater the headache. Trust me.... |
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:
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Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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phatcat
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2010 : 11:26:02
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Alright, a little update, just for your information.
Since the rest of the party are all going to play Drow, with the exception of Zapato, who will be playing a Draegloth, I've decided to let Zapato play on a +2 LA instead of +4. I do this because the LA-system is meant to balance things inside the party itself - an internal balance factor, as one might see it - and the Drow already have a +2 LA.
As far as I see it, this way no harm is done to the entire party. But I am in doubt whether I should let him use the XP buy off-system, or not. Counting from his +4 LA, and not +2, since a +2 LA would already be removed at ECL 9, making him an ECL 8 using the buy-off system.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
P.s. Please excuse the grammar-fail.. |
If chaos and destruction are lightning, Twoflower would be the kind of person standing on the top of a hill, wearing a wet copper armor, screaming: "All gods are bastards!" - Rincewind |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2010 : 17:53:58
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I've never been an expert on the LA/buy-off system, so I'm not going to try to comment on that. Generally speaking, you should do what's right for your game and maintain a dialogue about how the character stacks up as compared to the other characters. If you find the draegloth is lagging behind, realize that it's a balance issue, not just a price the player is supposed to pay, and feel free to level up the draegloth even if the XP doesn't really warrant it. (Though of course, make sure the rest of the players are cool with it.)
Whatever the LA adjustment implies, I wouldn't suggest having the draegloth ever be more than 1 level lower than the rest of the PCs.
What it comes down to is, do whatever's fun and keeps the character interesting and entertaining to play.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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phatcat
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2010 : 18:30:13
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Eric,
Thank you for your quick reply. I will most certainly consider the information you've given me.
quote:
If you find the draegloth is lagging behind, realize that it's a balance issue, not just a price the player is supposed to pay, and feel free to level up the draegloth even if the XP doesn't really warrant it. (Though of course, make sure the rest of the players are cool with it.)
I will ask the other player's how they feel about this idea, but I'm quite sure it'll work out. Thanks. |
If chaos and destruction are lightning, Twoflower would be the kind of person standing on the top of a hill, wearing a wet copper armor, screaming: "All gods are bastards!" - Rincewind |
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City of the Spiderqueen character: Draegloth
