OOC Chat

[archangel.arcanis]

Need to finish gear, but pretty much done with Mk2. New sheet and spreadsheet with current build plan is in my character post. Still looking for what to do beyond lvl 6 feat wise, really contemplating born of 3 thunders just for thematics but want to eliminate the stun/daze which ever it is.

[Sohala]

Three quick questions.

Reserves of strength, will it uncap spells to your new caster level, or just by the increase?

Energy Admixture, can I apply it more than once to a spell, assuming I have only one of them?

Would you allow a metamagic rod of persist, and how much would the lesser version cost?

[RobbyPants]

Reserves of strength, will it uncap spells to your new caster level, or just by the increase?

I don't have the Dragonlance book, so I don't know what the feat actually does.

Energy Admixture, can I apply it more than once to a spell, assuming I have only one of them?

Are you asking, if you take EA(Cold), could you apply it to the same spell twice, getting double the cold damage by raising the spell's level twice?

I never thought to do that before.  My first thought is no, but you could take EA twice (different types) and apply those.  Otherwise, it seems like you could take Empower Spell, Arcane Thesis, and Easy Metamagic to reduce the slot increase to +0, and then apply Empower Spell infinity times.  I'm not saying you're trying for infinite damage, but I think you can only apply an individual feat once.

Would you allow a metamagic rod of persist, and how much would the lesser version cost?

Let me get back to you when I can check on the cost of other rods.

[archangel.arcanis]

My guess for applying the same NRG sub feat twice would be because something changes it to half of a different energy type or combined with energy admixture of a different type to double damage.
Paraphrased for reference.

Reserves of Strength (general)
req: Iron Will, CL1
You can increase your CL by 1-3 any time you cast a spell, but are stunned for the same number of rounds.You can exceed the normal level-fixed limits of a spell with this feat. Example of 12d6 fireball. If you can't be stunned you take damage based on the number of rounds you should have been stunned, 1d6;3d6;5d6.

[RobbyPants]

Paraphrased for reference.

Reserves of Strength (general)
req: Iron Will, CL1
You can increase your CL by 1-3 any time you cast a spell, but are stunned for the same number of rounds.You can exceed the normal level-fixed limits of a spell with this feat. Example of 12d6 fireball. If you can't be stunned you take damage based on the number of rounds you should have been stunned, 1d6;3d6;5d6.

I think I'd allow it.

[Sohala]

Prereq: Iron Will, spellcaster level 1

Benefit: When you cast a spell, you can decide to increase your caster level with that spell by 1, 2, or 3, but you are stunned for an equal number of rounds immediately after doing so. You increased caster level affects all level-based variables of the spell, including range, area of effect, spell penetration, and the diffculty of dispelling the spell. You can exceed the normal level-fixed limits of a spell with this feat, so a 9th-level wizard could you Reserves of Strength to cast a fireball as a 12-level wizard and deal 12d6 fire damage.

If you are not subject to stunning effects, you instead suffer 1d6, 3d6, or 5d6 points of damage when you call upon your Reserves of Strength feat.

Which way though, just the increase, or uncapped to your new caster level? Assuming for a second we talk about fireball, it is capped at 10, but our friendly lil mage over here is level 200, will the increase bump it up to 203d6 or just a mere 13d6?

Nah, was just trying to tack on some more damage...guess my idea is just more feat intesive than I first thought.

[RobbyPants]

I decided to go with Sohala's suggestion for Advanced learning.  The details are in the class write-up.  Basically, each class can pick a new spell (off of the list in the class), a reserve feat for which they meet the prereqs, or a metamagic feat for which they meet the prereqs.  The geomancer can pick a fighter feat, but not a metamagic feat.

[RobbyPants]

Prereq: Iron Will, spellcaster level 1

Benefit: When you cast a spell, you can decide to increase your caster level with that spell by 1, 2, or 3, but you are stunned for an equal number of rounds immediately after doing so. You increased caster level affects all level-based variables of the spell, including range, area of effect, spell penetration, and the diffculty of dispelling the spell. You can exceed the normal level-fixed limits of a spell with this feat, so a 9th-level wizard could you Reserves of Strength to cast a fireball as a 12-level wizard and deal 12d6 fire damage.

If you are not subject to stunning effects, you instead suffer 1d6, 3d6, or 5d6 points of damage when you call upon your Reserves of Strength feat.

Which way though, just the increase, or uncapped to your new caster level? Assuming for a second we talk about fireball, it is capped at 10, but our friendly lil mage over here is level 200, will the increase bump it up to 203d6 or just a mere 13d6?

Nah, was just trying to tack on some more damage...guess my idea is just more feat intesive than I first thought.

I'd say 13d6.  Only the boost specifically from the feat can exceed the cap.

[archangel.arcanis]

I decided to go with Sohala's suggestion for Advanced learning.  The details are in the class write-up.  Basically, each class can pick a new spell (off of the list in the class), a reserve feat for which they meet the prereqs, or a metamagic feat for which they meet the prereqs.  The geomancer can pick a fighter feat, but not a metamagic feat.

Sweeeeet!

[Sohala]

I'd say 13d6.  Only the boost specifically from the feat can exceed the cap.

Rather underwhelming for my build later on then...but to start it should be a nice boost, swap it out later when it's use becomes unnoticed. Unless I could find Iron Will from an item, then it might be worth it.

Seeing as it was mentioned, would you allow Easy Metamagic?

[RobbyPants]

Seeing as it was mentioned, would you allow Easy Metamagic?

"Normally", no, but that's because I don't own the book.  Since I'm currently testing these on a larger scale, I guess I'll allow it.

It reduces the level cost of a particular feat by 1, right?  Just in case it doesn't say so, it can't reduce it below +0.

[Sohala]

Choose a metamagic feat you already have. When preparing or casting a spell modified by that feat, lower the spell-slot cost by one. You can never reduce the spell-slot cost below one level higher than the spell's actual level. For example, taking this feat for the Quicken Spell feat reduces the spell slot cost of a quickened spell from four levels higher than the spell's actual level to three levels higher than the spell's actual level.

[RobbyPants]

Cool.  So, Empower goes down to 1, but it would have no effect on Silent, since it's already 1, right?

I'm fine with that.

[Sohala]

Looking through the MIC I am not finding much to buy under 451 gold...mind if I snag Arcanist's gloves for 500 gold?

[veekie]

So, new character sheet thread?

Serias (CR 2)
Halfling Hydromancer 2
N Small Humanoid (Aquatic, Halfling)
Init +3; Senses Listen +8, Spot +1,
Languages Common, Elven, Goblin, Halfling,
_____________________________________________________________

AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+4(armor)+3(dex)+1(size))
hp 14 (2d6+4), fast heal -, regeneration -; DR -
Immune being set on fire
Resist +2 vs Fear; SR -
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +5
_____________________________________________________________

Speed 20ft. (4 squares) Swim 20ft
Melee +0 Dagger(1d3-2)
Melee +0 touch
Ranged +6 sling(1d2-2) 50ft or +6 dagger(1d3-2) 10ft
Ranged +5 touch
Space 5ft. ; Reach 5ft.
Base Atk +1; Grp -5
Atk Options
Spellcasting
Special Actions
Sudden Widen
_____________________________________________________________

Hydromancer Spells Prepared (CL 2, DC 13+level)
1st (5/day)— Animate Water, Ice Dagger, Ice Patch, Lesser Orb of Acid, Lesser Vigor, Obscuring Mist, Snowshoes, Water Jet, Wings of the Sea, Winter Chill
0th (6/day)— Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Detect Water, Prestidigitation, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic
Spell-like Abilities (CL 2)
At Will - Water Jet, 30ft line, 2d6 nonlethal, Ref half(DC 14)
_____________________________________________________________

Abilities Str 6, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
SQ Armored Mage, Aquatic, Quench, Water Jet, Water Walk,
Feats Sudden Widen
Skills Climb +0(-1 after ACP), Concentration 7, Craft(alchemy) 7, Hide 7(6 after ACP), Heal 6, Jump -4(-5 after ACP), Listen 8, Move Silently 5(4 after ACP), Survival 6, Swim 3(1 after ACP)
Possessions
39/900gp
Mw Chain Shirt(AC +4, Dex 4, ACP -1) 250gp 12.5lbs
Stench Stone(MIC186) 300gp
Everburning Torch 110gp 1lb
Sling 0gp 0lbs
Dagger 1gp 1lb
Potion of Protection from Evil 50gp
Potion of Cure Light Wounds x2 100gp
Potion of Shield of Faith 50gp
14.5/15lbs
_____________________________________________________________

Organization
Environment
Advancement
_____________________________________________________________

Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Hydromancers are proficient with all simple weapons plus the trident, hand crossbow, repeating crossbow, and net.  Hydromancers are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

Spells
A hydromancer casts arcane spells which are drawn from the spell list below. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time.  To cast a spell of a given level, the hydromancer must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a hydromancer's spell is 10 + the spell level + the hydromancer's Charisma modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a hydromancer can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on the Spells per Day table, above. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score.

Armored Mage (Ex)
A hydromancer can cast arcane spells in light armor without risking arcane spell failure.  This only applies to spells granted by the hydromancer class.

Aquatic (Ex)
The hydromancer gains the aquatic subtype, but is also amphibious, able to breathe both above and below water.  He gains a swim speed equal to his base land speed and may take 10 on swim checks even when distracted.  He may use the run action or charge while swimming so long as it is in a straight line.

Water Jet (Sp)
The hydromancer can use the Water Jet spell (new spell, see below) as a spell-like ability at will.

Water Walk (Ex) A hydromancer can walk on liquid surfaces as easily as he can walk on land, although he must move at least ten feet each round or sink into the liquid.  The hydromancer cannot move faster than his base land speed while using this ability, although he may take a double move action.

Quench (Su) A hydromancer never needs to risk catching on fire.  Any mundane or magical effect which would catch him on fire automatically fails and has no effect.  This ability has no effect on fires that deal damage regardless of catching the hydromancer on fire, such as a Fireball, a Flaming weapon, or standing in flames.

[RobbyPants]

Looking through the MIC I am not finding much to buy under 451 gold...mind if I snag Arcanist's gloves for 500 gold?

Ah, what the hell.  Go for it.  I just didn't want everyone blowing their wad on something that costs every nickel they have.

So, new character sheet thread?

Good idea.

[RobbyPants]

I haven't heard from either of the two geomancers.

If I get some time, I might be proactive for once and create some encounters in advance.  It looks like I have some time, which is good, because I have a lot of cleaning to do tonight, and a poker game tomorrow.

Man, I miss playing poker regularly.

[VennDygrem]

I've got a start on my sheet. The only real differences are that I have to dial back the level to 2, and rather than being able to kick up a rock whenever I want, I've got a couple spells to cast.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

I'm still gonna try frontlining it, as opposed to my friend the caster. Problem being my work is raping me, and I've got three out of work commitments converging on the next two days. FML. Will have it up probably around sunday...

[RobbyPants]

Also, to let you know in advance:  since these characters have per-day resources, I was thinking about running several encounters back-to-back.  I didn't want to always use the same number (like the standard four encounters per day), but I could do four per day if you think that would be more reliable.  Otherwise, I was thinking about randomly determining it ahead of time.

What are your thoughts?