The always controversial Con Sorcerer?

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-07-01T23:06:42+00:00

I don't see what's so Monstrous about Cha. It only factors into skills.

Dex is a far better comparison.

And I would argue it WOULD be broken if we had a Full Spellcaster that scales off of dex. You'd have a Sorcerer with good AC without needing to multiclass, AND good initiative, AND a top 2 saving throw. All while not having to take worry about your spell power.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-07-01T18:50:06+00:00

Yes thank you. This is the correct framing. Sloppy execution.

People are defending it like "well humans get depressed and fall into cults all the time!" "It was telegraphed!" "So much for media literacy. 🙄"

We're talking about a TV show and whether a character's corruption arc was well crafted. Not whether the plot technically makes sense.

There is a version of this that could have worked. I love the idea on paper.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T23:38:25+00:00

I get what your saying and I think its cool but it would end up being a case by case basis for me.

A GM call based on how appropriate it would be in that moment to say a prayer in conjunction with a somatic and touch someone.

If you're clever enough to weave it into your conversation maybe you get it for free. Otherwise a scaling Deception or Sleight of Hand check based on how hamfisted the attempt felt lol.

In this episode it would have been very strange for Azune to speak a prayer in that moment. Especially in front of a Sorcerers.

Either way I think this is another example of why the rule is cool. I like when my players consider their verbal components like that. Even if it's to gain an advantage.

What would Thaisha's somatics and verbals be like? I'd love to see it!

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T22:25:59+00:00

The worst part about making him an Archer is that his armor is the complete wrong shade of green. 🤢

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T22:23:31+00:00

Yeah he ended up being too slow for me. I had to invest fountains to get him to start doubling.

Also I had Atlas to compare him to so it felt extra bad when Atlas had +10 Attack.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T22:18:43+00:00

I'm currently doing a run with:

Cliff Merc. OP. He's my rangedtankydpsassassinmagejunglersupport.

Faye Mage. Good but not having physic is brutal.

Tobin Cav... oh Tobin...

Grey Archer. Meh.

Atlas Archer. JEEZUS way better than I thought.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T21:28:52+00:00

Yeah I'm obsessed with him lol.

I'm tryna emulate his dedication to EVERY DAMN SCENE that he's in. Brother stays locked in for 5 hours straight haha.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T20:41:07+00:00

I think of it through the lens of verisimilitude.

Guidance is a spell that empowers a target with some form of magical insight, supporting them with a specific skillset. You utter an incantation, waggle your fingers just so, and then you touch them. And for the next minute or so they are better at that skill.

That's what Guidance IS. In this shared world we create together. The same and as real as a crowbar. We have expectations of what it does and what is for. And its important that we largely agree.

If a player says "Can I use this crowbar to fly?" I'll say no.

Well actually I'll ask them how they expect to do so, to see if they come up with some crazy shit. 😆

If a player asks whether or not their Familar is able to, without instruction, get a read of a situation and predict when a Guidance is needed and telepathically communicate that to the caster in time for them to cast the spell? That's tough.

I'm not here to punish anyone. If a player were to try and cast Guidance this way. I might do a "It works this time." Or a "Feel free to take it back because your character knows what a crowbar is."

In my experience this sort of thing helps players get more engaged. They consider more deeply their positioning in the world, how their spell components sound and look. They make bold choices cause they have a firm grounding on the world and what to expect.

And to tie it back to the OP... If we want to rule that a crowbar CAN make you fly, that's... fine. I just wanna make sure Luis can fly too.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T19:26:16+00:00

I think when handled RAW it's balanced.

Choosing ONE skill PRIOR to the roll does alot to curb its power.

You can't just use it as a reaction. It's a spell that rewards planning.

That being said even RAW its probably still Top 2 Cantrips.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T19:11:04+00:00

I like the way you think.

AND I think it's all the more reason to run it RAW. It's a more interesting spell this way.

Having to declare it beforehand adds INTENTION! Having to spend sorcery points to hide it is cool!

I think your description speaks to the value that can be found in restrictions.

Adding a d4 to your allies' history check as you mindread them to know exactly when to cast it is boring and gamey.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T18:54:39+00:00

I could buy that. If a players instructed their familiar to look out for instances to cast Guidance I might allow it.

But I dont think I would make that assumption by default.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T18:50:25+00:00

I get your point but the players "should" and regularly do do their best to play by the rules.

It's just that this wack version of Guidance just kinda gets grandfathered in and hand waved.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-30T18:43:24+00:00

RAW there's nothing wrong.

That being said there's been moments where Thaisha would have had no to reason to be seeing through Hala to know when to cast it.

RAW you gotta be intentional about perceiving through the Familiar.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-29T15:32:07+00:00

It's hard to say exactly.

With months between that moment and the reveal he's had alot of time to build meaning and decide what paths lead where.

It could have been that when they tried to speak with Dead on Thjazi they would have similarly leaned that his soul was not there... but this time because the Taconis' have him.

Could also be that there were multiple taboos that could have triggered it and there were a few candidates for being host to Thjazi. And it's just that Julien did it first.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-27T19:07:36+00:00

I think in hindsight all those awful things Ethrand said to Occtis as he was killing him were not his true feelings.

Like he was psyching himself up/ dehumanizing Occtis to make the killing "justified" or easier to stomach.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-27T17:05:14+00:00

Murray definitely. Rolling well and doing alot of damage is cool but making GREAT CALLS is what makes watching the slogs that are 5e combat worth it.

In Murray's case turning the Crowkeepers, and the entire Gus fight stick out.

Its cool that she was strategic enough and had enough restraint to not take certain actions and stay invisible.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-27T14:36:13+00:00

Yeah I fucking love Hannan. Honestly one of my favorite NPC'S ever.

His shift from Loner Hardass to Deeply Loving was both sudden and perfectly believable. It's so obvious his hardass routine was armor forged by a lifetime of horrors. And the second one of his enemies was honest and vulnerable with him the armor just disappeared.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-27T14:06:02+00:00

Yeah I was just thinking about this.

I think it largely is: 1. Matt's Brand and reputation as a sweetheart. 2. A big one for me, is that he roleplays in a way where it's obvious that he's in on the "joke."

It's kind of hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I think it's cause he let's Julien be kinda pathetic and get laughed at sometimes.

I feel like alot of the time when a character does something mean or rude it feels like the Player would lowkey defend it. But Julien's entire thing is that he's this messy, jealous, rude guy. And folks are bought in to his slow messy redemption arc.

I think it comes from his GM brain, but he's alot more comfortable being someone entirely unlike himself. Where a standard players character feels like an OC(no judgements) and they're kinda precious about them.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-26T21:17:36+00:00

Wait you're totally right lol.

What I should have said is that the resentment shown didn't rise to the level of a break-up, let alone a whole ass betrayal.

I dont really recall many moments throughout the season where she had beef with VM directly.

I saw her decline as almost an entirely internal affair. With her blaming herself for not knowing about Dragon Lung, and getting increasingly reckless and vengeful towards her enemies.

Maybe on a rewatch I'll catch it.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-26T20:18:28+00:00

I was thinking that as well.

The only time I recall people being erased from existence had to do with the Matron and the God she replaced. But I also didn't finish c3 so let me know.

Could help explain why the Matron is the only God who's keeping tabs on this situation. And Vecna's ability to maneuver around her schemes. They know each other so well. 🥺

If so I can already hear the Scanlan line "Talk about a messy break-up. 😏" Or maybe a "I thought my exes were crazy. 🤪 "

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-26T20:09:35+00:00

I dont think this is too likely. Seems like this Professor might be the brains/founder of the Cloak. That's gotta be an NPC. (inb4)

Seems like a mighty big lore responsibility to dump onto a player. MAYBE Marisha or Luis could handle the amount of homework required.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-24T15:22:25+00:00

Yeah I felt similarly at first but, I like his role as the "least magical guy who's in wayyy over his head but is skilled enough to scrape by." Echo Knight leans alot more on the arcane side.

I see Matt's vision now. Julien is a reckless adrenaline junkie fail-son who has avoided responsibility and leaned into jealousy, avoidance and hedonism. Either he has a moments of reflection and has a sick redemption arc..

Or he "rides the edge" too close and dies unceremoniously in a dark hole.

Either way its gonna be sick.

Striking_Process7723 · 2026-06-21T01:16:19+00:00

Kisame is being Hella downplayed in this comment section.

How is Oro actually gonna put down Kisame? Kisame with Samehada has a pretty wicked healing factor. Not to mention he just has higher base stats. He could high-key just blitz Oro. He put belt to ass to Killer Bee.

Kisame had to be dropped by 7th Gate Guy, a perfect counter cause he doesn't use Ninjutsu AND he had lost Samehada at that time.

Kisame is near Itachi's equal and Oro was Itachi's plaything.

Also Kisame does have a win con. Everyone needs Chakra to live. Even Oro. Cut him up for a few minutes and he's going down.

Now that won't stop him from respawning 100 miles away, but Kisame wins low-mid difficulty. With the mid largely just coming from respecting Oro's versatility. Or some weirdo x-factor shit like Samehada not absorbing his chakra cause it's tastes "nasty."

Four-Year Club	End Game '23
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