Ask a Simple Question, Get a Simple Answer 26: Still better than CustServ

[The_Laughing_Man]

Q216: For an upcoming game, I want to play a monkey. I've found Anthropomorphic Monkey, Vanara, and possibly Awakened monkey as possible races. Are there any others I'm missing?

A216: In the SRD there is monkey (int 2) and celestial monkey (int 3, much better!).

You could use Savage Species character creation process to the celestial monkey. Elite array method would yield something like: Str 3-2=1, Dex 15+0=15, Con 10+2=12, Int 3+4=7, Wis 12+4=16, Cha 5+2=7

Then use aging rules to the monkey  (assuming your DM allows you to use aging to the monkey). Let's make him venerable: Str 1-6=1, Dex 15-6=9, Con 12-6=6, Int 7+3=10, Wis 16+3=19, Cha 7+3=10

So in the end the venerable celestial monkey is like this (+racial stuff). And you can progress him with class levels without any RHD (Racial Hit Dice)!
Str 1, Dex 9, Con 6, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10

So for example a druid class would be quite fitting (wild shape + natural spell are must!). Or any other WIS based class.

[Zaxter]

Q216: For an upcoming game, I want to play a monkey. I've found Anthropomorphic Monkey, Vanara, and possibly Awakened monkey as possible races. Are there any others I'm missing?

A216: In the SRD there is monkey (int 2) and celestial monkey (int 3, much better!).

You could use Savage Species character creation process to the celestial monkey. Elite array method would yield something like: Str 3-2=1, Dex 15+0=15, Con 10+2=12, Int 3+4=7, Wis 12+4=16, Cha 5+2=7

Then use aging rules to the monkey  (assuming your DM allows you to use aging to the monkey). Let's make him venerable: Str 1-6=1, Dex 15-6=9, Con 12-6=6, Int 7+3=10, Wis 16+3=19, Cha 7+3=10

So in the end the venerable celestial monkey is like this (+racial stuff). And you can progress him with class levels without any RHD (Racial Hit Dice)!
Str 1, Dex 9, Con 6, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10

So for example a druid class would be quite fitting (wild shape + natural spell are must!). Or any other WIS based class.

Interesting route, though if you're going to use the Celestial template why wouldn't you just use an Awakened monkey instead? Int becomes 3d6 instead of just 3, and there's a charisma boost in there too. Plus Awaken adds HD instead of LA, which we all know is better.

Also, I don't plan on playing a spellcaster. The idea was to play a monkey ninja swordsage (sorry, should have mentioned this before). So, not having 1 str would be nice.

[jojolagger]

Interesting route, though if you're going to use the Celestial template why wouldn't you just use an Awakened monkey instead? Int becomes 3d6 instead of just 3, and there's a charisma boost in there too. Plus Awaken adds HD instead of LA, which we all know is better.

Also, I don't plan on playing a spellcaster. The idea was to play a monkey ninja swordsage (sorry, should have mentioned this before). So, not having 1 str would be nice.

What level? Also, Doesn't swordsage have some way to use DEX for damage bonus? Shadow Blade?

EDIT: Go with Anthropomorphic Monkey (No LA), or Awakened (2 RHD). Vanara don't seem monkey enough.
Anthropomorphic Monkey: No LA, Keeps all monkey stuff, but goes up to small size.
Awakened Monkey: 2 RHD (only loses 1 IL), keeps tiny size, still totally a monkey.

[Lycanthromancer]

Q216: For an upcoming game, I want to play a monkey. I've found Anthropomorphic Monkey, Vanara, and possibly Awakened monkey as possible races. Are there any others I'm missing?

A216: In the SRD there is monkey (int 2) and celestial monkey (int 3, much better!).

You could use Savage Species character creation process to the celestial monkey. Elite array method would yield something like: Str 3-2=1, Dex 15+0=15, Con 10+2=12, Int 3+4=7, Wis 12+4=16, Cha 5+2=7

Then use aging rules to the monkey  (assuming your DM allows you to use aging to the monkey). Let's make him venerable: Str 1-6=1, Dex 15-6=9, Con 12-6=6, Int 7+3=10, Wis 16+3=19, Cha 7+3=10

So in the end the venerable celestial monkey is like this (+racial stuff). And you can progress him with class levels without any RHD (Racial Hit Dice)!
Str 1, Dex 9, Con 6, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10

So for example a druid class would be quite fitting (wild shape + natural spell are must!). Or any other WIS based class.

Interesting route, though if you're going to use the Celestial template why wouldn't you just use an Awakened monkey instead? Int becomes 3d6 instead of just 3, and there's a charisma boost in there too. Plus Awaken adds HD instead of LA, which we all know is better.

Just pay for a casting of an Empowered Maximized Awaken spell. 18 + 1.5d6.

[jojolagger]

Q216: For an upcoming game, I want to play a monkey. I've found Anthropomorphic Monkey, Vanara, and possibly Awakened monkey as possible races. Are there any others I'm missing?

If you're DM isn't anti-homebrew, Bhu has a template for naturally awakened animals. It would have 1 RHD, no LA, And you'd still totally be a monkey.

[The_Laughing_Man]

...
Interesting route, though if you're going to use the Celestial template why wouldn't you just use an Awakened monkey instead? Int becomes 3d6 instead of just 3, and there's a charisma boost in there too. Plus Awaken adds HD instead of LA, which we all know is better.

Also, I don't plan on playing a spellcaster. The idea was to play a monkey ninja swordsage (sorry, should have mentioned this before). So, not having 1 str would be nice.

For melee characters my route is no good (STR: 1 FTW, no no..). That extra RHD is going to count against your ECL (though someone else could tell how much because I'm not sure).

Monkey has STR: 3, so I suppose you should make a DEX based character. You'll find this link useful anyway.

@Lycanthromancer: Good idea. Empowered (+2) Maximized (+3) Awaken (5) would be a 10th level spell so metamagic reducers would be needed (e.g. easy metamagic). How much would it actually cost to pay a spellcaster to cast this?

[jojolagger]

@Lycanthromancer: Good idea. Empowered (+2) Maximized (+3) Awaken (5) would be a 10th level spell so metamagic reducers would be needed (e.g. easy metamagic). How much would it actually cost to pay a spellcaster to cast this?

3350 gp
CL (21)* Spell Level (10) * 10 + 5 * XP cost (250)

[Pyrefox]

I'm playing a Catfolk. I'm not sure if as a Catfolk Monk 2nd I should be able to get the 3rd level character feat or just do it when I'm Monk 3rd.


Q 217: Where can I find rules to deal with my level adjustment for the purpose of feats?

[charleskoz]

Q218: My erudite casts Share Pain on his psicrystal, then uses Empathic Transfer to "heal" 10 points of damage from an ally. Does he take all 10 points or is it split with the crystal? Thanks.

[Lycanthromancer]

Q218: My erudite casts Share Pain on his psicrystal, then uses Empathic Transfer to "heal" 10 points of damage from an ally. Does he take all 10 points or is it split with the crystal? Thanks.

A218: Any time you take damage while under the effects of a psicrystal'd Share Pain, you take half and your psicrystal takes the other half. Your psicrystal's damage is then reduced by 8 via its hardness.

[jojolagger]

I'm playing a Catfolk. I'm not sure if as a Catfolk Monk 2nd I should be able to get the 3rd level character feat or just do it when I'm Monk 3rd.


Q 217: Where can I find rules to deal with my level adjustment for the purpose of feats?

Only Racial/class HD Count for feats. LA Doesn't count towards feats.

[charleskoz]

A218: Any time you take damage while under the effects of a psicrystal'd Share Pain, you take half and your psicrystal takes the other half. Your psicrystal's damage is then reduced by 8 via its hardness.

Thanks, but I thought the application of hardness to this was considered controversial at best?

[Lycanthromancer]

A218: Any time you take damage while under the effects of a psicrystal'd Share Pain, you take half and your psicrystal takes the other half. Your psicrystal's damage is then reduced by 8 via its hardness.

Thanks, but I thought the application of hardness to this was considered controversial at best?

Any time your psicrystal takes damage, hardness applies. That is, unless it's an attack that specifically bypasses hardness, such as [sonic] psionic powers or the various ToB strikes.

[jojolagger]

Thanks, but I thought the application of hardness to this was considered controversial at best?

Hardness Applies whenever an object takes damage. RAW, It works. It is rather likely to be rule zero'd.

[kevin_video]

Q 219 If a bag of holding could only hold a single item, or 1/10 the amount of weight, would lowering the price by 10% suffice? Or was it a different amount? I know I saw somewhere that if it had a different function, or requirement, that it was significantly less, and gave the Holy Avenger as a reference (not that I can find that now).

[charleskoz]

Hardness Applies whenever an object takes damage. RAW, It works. It is rather likely to be rule zero'd.

Thanks to both of you. I won't even try to get that through, but the sharing of the empathic is enough for me.

Q220: Psionic Shot (and the Greater variant) say they work on ranged attacks. I was reading an otherwise-great guide to psions which takes about applying it to Energy Push, which seems to be a manifested ray power. Am I confused or is the author?

EDIT: I realize now all rays are considered touch attacks. So that means Energy Push requires a ranged touch attack *and* allows a save for half damage? Isn't that awful?

[Aliek]

Q221: If one becomes immune to the effects of taint, such as being undead or having the evil subtype, do they still gain the bonus feats?(If Undead I'd say they can get at most two from depravity, since they have no CON score to base corruption of)

[jojolagger]

Q221: If one becomes immune to the effects of taint, such as being undead or having the evil subtype, do they still gain the bonus feats?(If Undead I'd say they can get at most two from depravity, since they have no CON score to base corruption of)

What bonus feats? Taint doesn't give feats.

[LunaticsLament]

Q222 What would the stats and abilities of an Incarnate Construct Warforged be?

[ksbsnowowl]

Q221: If one becomes immune to the effects of taint, such as being undead or having the evil subtype, do they still gain the bonus feats?(If Undead I'd say they can get at most two from depravity, since they have no CON score to base corruption of)

What bonus feats? Taint doesn't give feats.

Have you not read Heroes of Horror?  I'm pretty sure there have been entire builds on this forum about maxing out the feats one gains from taint (and then Dark Chaos Feat Shuffling them).

Q216: For an upcoming game, I want to play a monkey. I've found Anthropomorphic Monkey, Vanara, and possibly Awakened monkey as possible races. Are there any others I'm missing?

There's also the Hadozee from Stormwrack.  Pirate monkeys, that can glide.

Also, don't forget the Baboon (Medium, 1 HD, 15 Str, 14 Dex, 12 Con)