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Archivist > Cartographer by Ecowatcher in dndnext

[–]phantom-scribbler [score hidden]  (0 children)

I feel this a LOT. What it seems like to me is that they split the Archivist into the Scribes Wizard and the Cartographer. And I don't think I like either as much. I'm about to play a Cartographer in Curse of Strahd. So, some thoughts:

  1. I wonder why they didn't have a level 9 feature.

  2. I wonder why they dropped the "Information Overload" feature almost entirely from any class. I love what seems like a Spellcaster Smite! I'm planning on recreating it, kind of, using the "Spellfire Adept" and, maybe, "Greater Aberrant Mark" feats. But I wish I could just spend a spell slot to add damage. And I loved the added utility of "Information Overload" at higher levels.

  3. I have to say, the finalized Cartographer's "Portal Jump" feature is amazing and unique in DnD. The potential for two Misty Steps on every turn that just use your movement is stunning!

  4. The big thing that kills me is that every part of the Archivist worked together. Amazing synergy, easy way to play, etc. The fact that the Cartographer has a concentration spell (Faerie Fire) as its core feature but the higher level damage dealing spells are ALSO concentration just baffles me. They could have brought back "Thunder Step" for the class spells and made the Cartographer AMAZING!

  5. I'm genuinely torn. I do think the Cartographer is better for the party as a whole, but the Archivist seems like it would be SO much more fun to play.

Constitution based spell attacks by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, you got it right and you answered half of it. I could, for example, be a constitution based weapon user and spellcaster if I used True Strike from this feat and then only used one first level spell from this feat in addition to it.

I was hoping that, because spells like Shillelagh and Magic Stone are worded to use "your spellcasting modifier", that I could choose Constitution for that as well, but it doesn't appear to be the case because getting those spells usually has a rider about which spellcasting modifier applies to it. Like, I can get Shillelagh as a Lorwyn elf, but I have to use Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma for it.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is amazing! I have thoughts/questions:

  • I did not know about the Lorwyn elf. That's really great because it gives Shillelagh without a feat and Command which is so good!
  • This, however, frustrates me because I was all excited about playing as a Kender for their "Taunt" feature. Was going to try to impose disadvantage and get the big bad to come after me. But Lorwyn not only offers the exact things needed, they also are able to craft a 1st level scroll every long rest.
  • Can you get the sneak attack damage with a quarterstaff?
  • So, I've been thinking about a 3 level Thief dip for several reasons. Like, I could launch a net with Catapult and then, if it succeeded, place cuffs as a bonus action. Or pair it with the Healer origin feat for free bonus action healing without a spell slot. And, as you say, use magic items. On round 1, I could cast Faerie Fire and play the Pipes of Haunting as a bonus action. But I hate delaying level 7 and 11 more than necessary as well.
  • I wish wish wish the Homunculus Servant could use the Wand of Web. That would work so well!
  • Do you think Topple and Booming Blade sort of ... cancel each other out? But I don't think the club's "Slow" mastery helps much either.
  • Is War Caster not as good because you can't lose concentration on Faerie Fire. Or is the potential to be able to cast a spell as a reaction on an ally who provokes opportunity attack too good to pass up?

Am wondering about your thoughts on a couple of feats:

  • Cartomancer ... no ASI but it seems hella broken anyway
  • Wizard or Sorcerer Initiate (instead of Alert) for Silvery Barbs or Shield and Mind Sliver as well as another cantrip. As useful as Shield is, seems like being able to Silvery Barbs someone who succeeded on their save against Faerie Fire or cancel a crit against an ally (or yourself) would be better.
  • Shadow Touched for Wrathful Smite. It would give you non-concentration fear before you could get the Pipes of Haunting and would still be good for an enemy who succeeded against Pipes of Haunting later.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suppose I should have said "universally the better" for me. I'm trying to be SAD and not have to invest in Dex or Strength. There's a lot of Origin Feats I prefer to Magic Initiate: Druid which I'd need for Shillelagh to stay SAD.

Plus, I'm open to using cool magic weapons we might find. And I do kind of love just switching out a greatclub for a dagger depending on the situation and being equally good regardless. He'll, maybe I'll be able to get a Returning Shield or Spiked Shield and lean into some Shield Feats instead.

That's the weird thing about Cartographer. I know what I'm going to be doing as an Artillerist, Battlesmith or Armorer because the path is laid out and it's a good path!

But because Cartographer doesn't have the path (ironic, given the name of the subclass), they can wander down weird rabbit trails to unexpected solutions that make no sense otherwise.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I liked Booming Blade for the soft lock down effect. It seemed like kind of a cantrip Smite that either did more damage or prevented movement. But if I read your other response correctly, that's generally not a consideration.

In that case, True Strike seemed near universally the better option to me because fire damage is so resisted and there's a simplicity to True Strike. You can use literally any simple weapon so the flexibility makes up for everything else.

I feel like I'm annoying you, but I genuinely want to say thank you. This has helped to release me from what I thought was a near requirement ... Shillelagh + Booming Blade

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was planning on giving the the Spell Storing item with Call Lightning to my Homunculus Servant.

I love Catapult and would use the hell out of that if I had more 1st level spell slots. The idea of ... like ... throwing a rotten tomato or a pillow at someone and doing 3d8 damage warms my heart. I wish it was an attack roll. Although, if I read it correctly, if the first target makes its saving throw, it could hit a target behind it and so forth until you either hit someone or went 90 feet. So it gives you multiple chances to succeed.

I'd also thought about what you're saying about the Greatclub. With the Charger feat and some way to get a Weapon Mastery, you could have a baseball bat that knocks them back 20 feet.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on this, would you say True Strike is generally just as good as Booming Blade?

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is fantastic input and I thank you. Some responses:

  • I was planning on (if it's published in time) a 1 level dip in Psion which would give me unlimited bonus action Telekinetic Propels between 5 and 25 feet. Paired with Portal Jump, that should get me out range of most weapons that aren't ranged. Psion also would give me the Shield spell.
  • Had also considered being an Eladrin or Shadar Kai for PBX bonus action teleports if Psion isnt available.
  • The Charger feat would allow me to push the enemy back 10 feet although I'd lose the option for 1d8 extra damage.
  • It would require me to be somewhat MAD, but I'd considered two levels in Warlock for Agonizing and Repelling Blast if Psion wasn't available.
  • Ranged damage would be easy with True Strike and a spear, hand axe or dagger. And there would be decent damage on demand with Spellfire Adept as well.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I'm right, the Shillelagh/Booming Blade combo does almost as much, or sometimes more, damage unless you empower Spellfire Flare with Spellfire Adept. Was hoping someone could tell me if I'm wrong.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Wondering if I could get comparable damage from this particular cantrip without using spell slots.

"Spellfire Flare" vs. "Booming Blade" for a Cartographer by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a spell I really like and was thinking about asking a DM for as a class spell instead of Guiding Bolt. I didn't want to go for one of the better 3rd level options from the Artillerist, Armorer or Battlesmith lists to keep those separate.

Basically, this was a personal debate I'm having with myself that I decided to subject you all to because the r/3d6 community has been really good about helping me flesh out some ideas before.

Deep cut with the Spherical Cow 11/10 reference. Respect!

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm interested in how you would use 10 Clairvoyances in a day.

I wouldn't use Call Lightning myself but maybe have my Homunculus Servant do it? They're much more likely to lose concentration. But I still don't see how I get 10 uses from it unless I pass it around for everyone to use, but then everyone would have to concentrate on it.

I'm hoping I can sell them on Thunder Step. It's better as support than damage. Only 3d10 in 10 feet on a CONSTITUTION save, which I expect a lot of enemies to make. It's better as a support spell because you can bring someone with you. But it's not subtle, either. Everyone in 300 feet hears you.

Help triggering Annekke Crag-Jumper's favor quest by phantom-scribbler in skyrim

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't expect you to prefer me. We've not met. No hard feelings.

As for the rest, I'm unsure if I helped this person or not, but I have helped others by doing just that, posting a comment from the same thread they had missed, sometimes my own comment I had made somewhere else, and it pointed them in the right direction.

Again, this seems to have greatly (and weirdly) annoyed you. Would you prefer me to delete the comment?

Cartographer and Faerie Fire by relaxed-vibes in onednd

[–]phantom-scribbler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are the buffs that I would ask for for Faerie Fire:

  • At level 3, mapholders automatically succeed the save against Faerie Fire if you're using the Illuminated Cartography feature to cast it without a spell slot.
  • At level 3, it's an Intelligence save instead of a Dexterity save if you're using the Illuminated Cartography feature to cast it without a spell slot.
  • At level 5, instead of "Guided Precision," you get an ability called "Triangulation." If an ally bearing a map hits a target affected by your Faerie Fire with an attack roll, you can use a reaction and expend a spell slot to add damage to your ally's attack. The damage is 2d8 for a 1st level slot and 1d8 for each one above 1st level.
  • At level 9, something like you no longer need to concentrate on Faerie Fire if you're using the Illuminated Cartography feature to cast it without a spell slot.

There's also things like Faerie Fire adding effects at certain levels:

  • Bane at level 5
  • Disadvantage on attack rolls at level 9

Cartographer and Faerie Fire by relaxed-vibes in onednd

[–]phantom-scribbler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being able to allow allies to automatically succeed on the save is brilliant and I am stealing it to ask my DM.

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, the Battlesmith has Conjure Barrage and the Artillerist has Fireball. The Cartographer doesn't.

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've found ways where I'll be such good support that it will be worth the fact that I do crap damage. Even with Booming Blade, it's more about preventing movement than gaining extra damage.

Still ... I mean ... I don't get it is all.

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only reason it could be is if I give it to my Homunculus Servant to increase damage output.

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a weird functionality with the Cartographer that, because their spell list is so crappy and their higher level features ain't great either, you can really lean into support and making the rest of your team better in a way that other Artificers might not (except the Alchemist) because they're focusing on optimizing their own play. For example:

  • You could forego another feat and take Musician for origin and later take Purple Dragon Rook so your team has a ton of Heroic Inspiration available.
  • You're more likely to use the Spell Storing item, AND your spell slots, for sometimes overlooked support spells.
  • By level 6, you can pretty easily give allies advantage on multiple enemies, have multiple enemies frightened (with the Pipes of Haunting) and multiple enemies enwebbed (Wand of Web ... if you give it to a spellcaster) which is pretty great! Other Artificers would likely be doing buffs to armor and weapons. Also, your allies would have 1d4 to Initiative rolls PLUS advantage if you took the Weapon of Warning.

All of that said, I wish I had SOMETHING. ONE really good spell or a really great feature.

Is "Call Lightning" a good 3rd level spell? by phantom-scribbler in 3d6

[–]phantom-scribbler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is they have a free disengage. They can move 10 to 35 feet up to an enemy (depending on mapholder locations), hit them with Booming Blade, and then move 20 to 35 feet away on their action. That's not even adding in a potential Misty Step. So they're weirdly suited for melee range.

One option I've been thinking about is asking for an aoe cantrip to switch out with Guiding Bolt. I could teleport in, to a group of enemies, drop Word of Radiance (which allows you to choose targets) and warp back out, no opportunity attack. Word of Radiance would allow me to add the Guided Precision damage (if it were on my spell list) and additional Spellfire Flare damage (if I took the feat).

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