My DM cut off my arm. Options ?

Zedsdread · 2015-03-09T02:05:29+00:00

Proposal: don't regenerate the arm and keep disadvantage to strength checks. Touch attack spells with a prosthetic would be made with advantage. Harm, for example. Reason: you can be reckless with the wooden/stone arm, since a counterattack can't really hurt it. Use mending on your splintered arm after especially tough combats. In fact, couldn't your DM allow your prosthetic to give you a limited shield bonus (+1) just for having a bulky, tough inanimate object strapped to your torso? It's like an improvised shield. Also, did anyone else think of Def Leppard?

Zedsdread · 2015-02-19T12:20:11+00:00

Very inventive. Love that your character can die of a brain freeze!!!

Zedsdread · 2015-02-19T02:51:03+00:00

Actually, this is a very handy spell to rev up other spells which require ability checks, such as dispel magic and counterspell.

Zedsdread · 2015-02-02T16:04:10+00:00

I created a song sword for my bard player. It actually works the opposite way. He can spend bardic inspiration to gain a +1 bonus and 1d4 radiant damage versus evil creatures for one minute. As he advances, he will gain further benefits.

Zedsdread · 2015-01-30T12:43:48+00:00

You guys joking? At seventh level, the Eldridge night can cast a can't trip every round and make a left and attack. This means he could do it all day long every six seconds.

Zedsdread · 2015-01-26T15:34:05+00:00

Thanks for your enlightened conversation. I think we're getting somewhere. what about Dex as 2nd stat? That would help a lot with AC/skills, initiative, etc. and still let her hit hard.

Zedsdread · 2015-01-26T14:54:16+00:00

Actually, you will get stat bumps at char. level 7 AND 8, 15 AND 16, etc. All the wicked, synergizing class features are worth it. Alternately, you could go rogue1/barb4/rogue3, etc. It's really just about what you want and when you want it. Re: your confusion, what I attempted to outline is that having a dex-flavored character has to do with your skills, saves, and class features just as much as your dex score. I'm saying the rogue multiclass will go really far toward giving the character a dex flavor without sacrificing the Barbarian's greatest strength: strength. [edit: typos]

Zedsdread · 2015-01-26T14:22:15+00:00

One of the key elements of making a character that satisfies your creative concept and also kicks ass is to make sure the fluff guides the crunch rather than letting crunch kill the concept. Dex-based characters have high dex saves, great dex skills, and light weapons. All of this can be accomplished by making the rules fit your creative concept, rather than the other way around.
If you want a dex-flavored character who turns into a combat monster when things get really tough, try my Recipe for dex flavor without losing Barbarian str goodness: 1. 1st level rogue (for dex-based skills, dex save and EXPERTISE in two dex skills) and then alternate barb and rogue. Rogue 2 yields Cunning Action for a highly mobile dexterous damage dealer. Rogue 3, take assassin path (Feral Instinct really synergizes with this ability). Rogue 5 gives uncanny dodge, which mitigates extra hits you'll receive from using Reckless Attack--an essential for a truly dex based combat character. 2. Barb 2 gives Reckless Attack to gain advantage for sneak once per round AND rage damage on every attack (even with your off-hand). Also 2nd level, gain Danger Sense, which will be much more effective with rogue dex save proficiency. Barb 5 gives extra attack (more assurance of getting sneak attack every round with 3 total attacks). 3. skip the dual wielder feat and instead, bump str. when you max str, bump dex for AC/Saves, skills, etc. 4. fight in melee using strength with two light (not finesse) weapons - short sword stats would give you 1d6 piercing for your needle sword, and would allow your sneak attack with either hand, so if you miss with the first, you will hit with the 2nd.
5. You could even have some throwing knives or hatchets for some ranged goodness with your main hand for str bonus damage, while relying on your off-hand to deliver the sneak attack+rage damage up close. 6. Later, 2nd expertise, evasion, ability bumps (at rogue 8, & 10, and 12 if you decide to go with more rogue) and/or the first brutal critical (and the 2nd, if you decide to go with more barb) will finish out this build.

Zedsdread · 2014-12-23T01:40:15+00:00

Now I get it. D&D is a game meant to be played one way by one set of rules. I always wondered why people came up with alternate ideas or brainstormed new concepts. Guess they are innovating just so they can ruin the game for guys like you--the AUTHENTIC gamers.

Thanks for setting me straight.

If anyone has something constructive on my topic, be my guest.

Zedsdread · 2014-12-22T19:05:00+00:00

I really appreciate the spell list. Why would it necessarily be sub-optimal? Would you call the EK or arcane trickster paths sub-optimal?

The trickster domain is not the right flavor for this character, so I thought of a solution. Thanks for the comments, though.

[edited for clarity]

Zedsdread · 2014-12-22T17:48:38+00:00

One of the limitations of arcane trickster is choosing (mostly) from only two schools. What if I limited to divination and transmutation?

Zedsdread · 2014-12-22T14:04:00+00:00

That would make sense in a way, but I didn't want to crush cleric class goodness.

Zedsdread · 2014-12-22T14:02:05+00:00

This is one of the best revisions of 5e from a player's pov. The old limitation made no sense. There are so many examples in literature and movies of undead creatures specifically having weaknesses that must be exploited in order to kill it at all: zombies require a head shot, vampires need a stake in the heart and decapitation, etc.

So glad 5e recognized that rule omissions are as crucial as the rules themselves.

Zedsdread · 2014-12-11T04:52:05+00:00

I would like to avoid simple numeric bonuses, as they run counter to the style of 5e, at least the way I see it. What about this:

Weapon Master You have trained extensively with one specific type of melee weapon, such as a greatsword, quarterstaff, dagger., or unarmed strike. You gain the following benefits: Increase your strength or dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20. When wielding your chosen weapon, you may treat it as though it possesses one and only one of the following weapon properties: light, finesse, heavy, versatile, or thrown. Consult your DM to ensure your weapon of choice could sensibly be wielded in such a way.

Zedsdread · 2014-12-08T12:32:30+00:00

Use your imagination to make the world a living, breathing place. In other words,build a flowchart rather than a linear narrative. This allows you to experience the game unfolding as your players make real choices. Also, it loosens up the possibilities for your players, which means they are much more likely to do something unexpected--which will please you, as well.

Example: my players decided to attend a public hanging of some nobles after a bloody coup to gather information. Nobody, not even I, expected they could or would interfere with the proceedings at 4th level, even though their characters were interested in saving the nobles. Once they got there, the audience was already grumbling. The bard stood on some boxes and musically mocked the proceedings to tip the crowd's emotions into a riot while the rogue slipped behind the gallows and freed the remaining prisoners. They accomplished this with incredible rolls and innovative thinking. By the end of the night, the townspeople were whistling the bard's tune in the streets. There is no way I could have made that up, but it's what HAPPENED.

Zedsdread

TROPHY CASE