Questions pertaining to character optimization (CharOp).
3
votes
1answer
282 views
Are there any stat-boosting backgrounds?
My DM is asking us to use a 22-point-buy for my main stats but this isn't quite enough to make the character I really want to play. Are there any themes, backgrounds or feats I can take in Heroic Tier ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I optimize a factotum?
I'm playing a level 3 factotum (class from Dungeonscape) in a Midnight game. The race provides an extra bonus feat and an extra 4 ranks in skills per level. The skills are taken from pathfinder, but ...
7
votes
2answers
923 views
How to optimize a bard's ability with a bow in Pathfinder?
Specifically, the question would be for a halfling bard whose main combat role I want to have is ranged with the bow—as no one else seems to be taking any interest there. More interested in accuracy ...
3
votes
4answers
245 views
Is there a list of optimised characters for D&D 3e? [closed]
Is there a site, page or other online resource with a comprehensive list of optimised characters for each main role (e.g. Tank, Healer) or class (e.g. Bard, Fighter) in D&D 3e? I'm not looking for ...
6
votes
3answers
254 views
In what circumstances (if any) is Fighter 3 a good level to take?
I've heard a lot about how Fighter 3 is a bad level to take. However, are there ever any circumstances in 3.x where it is a good idea for optimisation purposes?
I'd appreciate hearing the reasoning ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What's an optimum build for a set-up character for Pathfinder Society character?
My wife plays a barbarian in Pathfinder Society that does massive amounts of damage when she is able to use Cleave. I decided to build a character that would reposition foes for her to cleave.
What's ...
8
votes
5answers
697 views
Character good for underwater environments?
What would be the best character to make for sub-sea and island-hopping adventuring? This would be a newly-rolled level 5 Pathfinder character.
11
votes
6answers
15k views
What is the most effective healing class in D&D 4e?
There are many Leader role classes in D&D4.0 these days.
Cleric
Warlord
Bard
Shaman
etc
Which one makes the most effective healer by the numbers?
Numbers to be evaluated
Hit points healed ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Are 3.5 Bards mechanically weak?
People frequently seem to think that Bards are mechanically weaker than other classes, and I was wondering if this was true?
18
votes
1answer
3k views
What Wizard schools are best to specialize in? Which schools are best to sacrifice?
The Wizard gains the ability to specialize in a school of spells, gaining a bonus spell slot per level that must be used to prepare spells of that school. In exchange, he must ban two other schools; ...
5
votes
1answer
203 views
How can I increase my early heroic tier Wizard's attack roll?
can you provide some suggestions on how to increase my level 2 Wizard enchanter's attack rolls? FYI my Int is 19 and I've already taken the staff expertise Feat at level one. At level two I chose ...
9
votes
1answer
237 views
Are Lair Assaults treated as one long, unending encounter?
I am specifically speaking about Lair Assault: Kill the Wizard. It's going to be my first lair assault and I want to build as best I possibly can within the confines of the structure. I know long and ...
4
votes
1answer
237 views
Should I take Polearm Gamble or Repel Charge at level 11?
I'm in a 4E dnd game, built from lvl1, and we're lvl6 now. My build is a fighter/ranger polearm fighter, kind of a striker/defender build, combining the whole polearm proning with high damage attacks, ...
7
votes
3answers
447 views
How important is charisma for a 3.X bard?
I've just started a DnD 3.5 campaign that will probably run through the summer, taking us from level three (where we start) to around level eight or nine. It's a small party (four players) and two of ...
1
vote
1answer
314 views
What is the best weapon for night stalker assassin?
Recently I read about an Assassin class, and I'm intrigued. I'm not very familiar with it yet, but I'm wondering what weapon best suits an Assassin? I mean, from a roleplaying point of view I would ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Assassin or Rogue for high DPS?
I'm making my second-ever character in D&D 4e and I want him to be a not-so-good guy (my first character being a Dragonborn Fighter who worships Bahamut) that can do a ton of single-target damage. ...
5
votes
1answer
143 views
Optimising a Mech pilot
We are playing a Mutants and Masterminds campaign in the Eureka Seven universe and using R505 Sumner model LFOs. The GM has already statted out the mecha in the system. We get to customize it a little ...
20
votes
10answers
938 views
Flaws that aren't flaws
What do you do when a system gives points at character creation for flaws/disadvantages when a player can permanently remove the effects of that flaw by buying something or spending other points to ...
6
votes
2answers
343 views
How can I add more attack to my Wood Bond Oracle?
I am trying to build an oracle, and need some help with what I have so far. I'm still somewhat new to tabletop games, so any insight you have would be helpful. Here's what I have so far:
Race: Human
...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How would I build a master magic item crafter/blacksmith type character?
So I had this idea for a character who is basically obsessed with magic items, making, collecting, using, having, any and every magic item he can get his hands on: effectively a batman type character.
...
4
votes
1answer
159 views
How deadly are extras in Exalted 2nd ed.?
So, I'm rather new to exalted, playing in my first campaign, and I have the sneaking suspicion I'm doing something very very wrong.
My first character was an earth aspect (We're all playing ...
-1
votes
2answers
925 views
What class options make a good ranged and melee striker?
What I'm looking for is a Striker, who is mainly a ranged striker, but also, sometimes, can go melee. As obvious. Something like an Arcane Archer or whatever would you call it. I've read a lot of ...
5
votes
1answer
316 views
Would a free hand from gauntlet axe let me attack two handed with a bastard sword?
I'm building a Ranger(Scout) for an upcoming campaign and I was wondering if using gauntlet axe I would be able to Make two handed attacks using versatile weapons (like the bastard sword)? In the ...
1
vote
0answers
131 views
Are there any mathematical tools to study ''RPG'' video games? [closed]
Lately, I have been interested in the various patterns I see in a genre of video games called ''role-playing'' games. I am analyzing very simple cases at the moment and I was wondering if there are ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Epic 3.5 Warblade Optimization
I'm sure we've all seen and/or played Final Fantasy VII. I was asked to join into the fray of an epic game being run once a month starting at ECL 21 and to bring a character with starting wealth as a ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What is a fun-to-play high damage build?
I'm very new to Dungeons and Dragons and have been playing a Revenant Striker (with cold elemental stuff).
He does fairly good damage - especially when Dark Reaping kicks in.
But he is incredibly, ...
9
votes
2answers
977 views
Is there any way for a player character to get Threatening Reach?
Is there anyway for a player character to get the Threatening Reach or equivalent ability with a reach weapon?
Apart for one-off's like artifacts such as the Spear of Urrok the Brave [ddi]
8
votes
1answer
2k views
Pathfinder: Arcane Duelist melee build
I've finally decided to make an Arcane Duelist (bard archetype). It'd like to enhance my own melee part as well the party ones.
I can use the "Core Rulebook" and the "Advanced Player's Guide" only.
...
4
votes
1answer
392 views
What is the maximum (air speed) velocity of a pixie?
Following on from Can a pixie fly higher than their altitude of one?
Using a combination of feats and powers what is the maximum movement rate (and thus altitude) a pixie can reach in a single round ...
3
votes
1answer
154 views
Punishing Kick with weapons?
Ok, so I have a quick question on how the mechanics of the Punishing Kick feat work.
I'm building a duelist that has punishing kick and a rapier as her main weapon. Now do I just add the punishing ...
1
vote
1answer
476 views
Web of the Spider Queen Executioner Optimization
I'm currently playing an assassin executioner in this season's enounters and was wondering if anyone with any knowledge of the drow (and other monsters I'll likely find in the underdark) could chime ...
3
votes
1answer
797 views
Optimizing 4e Executioner for Spiderkiller Lair Assault
Hello I was looking on opinions for my build for the next upcoming Lair Assault. I decided on the executioner.
With my build I went for upping damage and maximizing the utility of my poison attacks ...
4
votes
1answer
491 views
How to best improve a Drow Warlock to act as a Blaster
I have a first draft of a Drow Warlock blaster here: http://db.tt/9ANVnzA8 (PDF)
I like the Drow and the Warlock pieces, but am open to suggestions on other ways to improve the character. Is ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Optimize at will dpr
I always hear about insane nova builds that can drop Orcus in a round (at least before errata), but it seems these builds rely on encounter and daily powers. How could you get stupid damage from ...
3
votes
1answer
657 views
Optimisation analysis of AD&D 2nd edition (2e) Charisma (NPC reaction + Henchmen)
In terms of optimisation analyses, to what extent has AD&D (2nd Edition)'s Charisma stat been analysed? How is it appropriate to proceed in an optimisation analysis of Charisma?
In terms of RPG ...
8
votes
1answer
664 views
How can I increase AC for a Wilden Shaman|Runepriest?
My son has a hybrid Wilden Shaman|Runepriest and his AC is awful. How can I get it higher?
He's taken no feats related to AC/defense and is level 4. Rebuilds are possible.
2
votes
1answer
259 views
Sorcerous Power Feat Prerequisites
I'm trying to take the Sorcerous Power feat, but it doesn't show up in character builder. I assume this is because do not fulfill the prerequisites.
The feat states:
Prerequisite: Any multiclass ...
7
votes
1answer
457 views
What is the optimal build for AC for a fighter at Level 13?
I like to take my characters to extremes when I can. In this instance I am building a fighter (weapon master) that will be the team's tank. I am interested in maximixing his AC, and secondly his ...
6
votes
2answers
483 views
Post character creation, getting spellcraft bonuses
After character creation what is a good way to get bonuses to spellcraft? I'd rather not have to use feats, however.
Are there any items, equipment, spells or suchlike that could be used? Such as ...
4
votes
1answer
276 views
Ways to add the [Good] Descriptor to Spells for Arcane Spellcaster
The 'Consecrate Spell' feat from Book of Exalted Deeds adds the [Good] descriptor to spells cast. Is there another way to achieve this for arcane spellcasters, e.g. as a prestige class feature?
The ...
10
votes
1answer
386 views
About to start first campaign. Question re: Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers
I decided to select the Ranger class for my first campaign. I used Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers (switch hitter) for my first build. I added Beastmaster and Skirmisher to supplement my expected play ...
8
votes
2answers
268 views
How can I add higher level prayers to my prayerbook?
Given:
A half-elf Archivist/5 (from 3.5 Heroes of Horror) with no required feats.
Archivist 5 can cast 3rd level spells.
The desired spell is a 5th level spell.
All Pathfinder/3.5 books allowed.
...
17
votes
2answers
18k views
Optimal Focused Fighter Builds in Pathfinder
Using just the core rulebook and the advanced player's guide, what would be an optimal build for a fighter using 25 points for point-buy character generation? Assume it's a level 10 fighter intended ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Most effective lightsabre dual-wielder at low levels?
It's been implied that my current Jedi character in SWSE might die/be handed in by the party, whilst the GM plays him as an NPC. In that eventuality I'd like to bring out another Jedi but focus on ...
6
votes
1answer
745 views
How can I make the most of Use the Force?
So I have a Force wizard character I'm making for a Star Wars Saga Edition game, who has specialised in the Use the Force skill. There are various ways to use the Use the Force skill in place of other ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Help me optimize my 4E pyromancer
I built a L13 (essentials) Fire-Genasi Pyromancer. Primary ability INT, secondary ability STR. The goal is to create a powerful blaster, so I rather have more damage than control effects.
Feats I ...
6
votes
1answer
786 views
A ranger build that is close to Tier 3 classes?
As the tittle suggests, i am looking for a ranger dual wielder build that can compete with tier 3 classes.
Our party is quite imbalanced as it is composed of a Druid, a Wizard, a Dread Necro, a ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Is this a valid method to use Shadow Walk + Fleeting Ghost?
I would like to play a level 6 hybrid Assassin/Rogue MC Warlock in the Thunderspire Labyrinth. The character summary is given below. I have the Shadow Walk[DDI] (SW) ability and also have Fleeting ...
6
votes
2answers
539 views
How can I make sure my character is awesome enough?
This question pulls quite a lot from Brian Ballsun-Stanton's paper on constrained optimisation (i.e. making your character awesome), so that might be a good thing to read.
I know that in D&D ...
9
votes
2answers
692 views
What benefit does a fighter with a high wisdom score have?
In the Players hand book it mentions in a list called "Melee weapon groups and associated Statistics" (Pg. 77) and says
...the list below notes the melee weapon group and the ability score that ...
