Questions pertaining to character optimization (CharOp).
28
votes
14answers
1k views
Repercussions to DM-mandated limit on books allowable for characters?
When running a campaign, especially one with newer players mixed with optimizers, is it a fair call to limit the variety of books available for play? For feats, classes, prestige classes, magic items ...
21
votes
11answers
15k views
Optimizing a D&D 3.5 Monk
I have complaints from someone in one of my groups that the 3.5 monk isn't good for anything offensive, only for defense and disarming (defenestration wasn't mentioned).
My experience has only been ...
20
votes
10answers
929 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 ...
17
votes
1answer
2k 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; ...
17
votes
2answers
17k 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 ...
16
votes
1answer
336 views
What is the Stormwind Fallacy?
In the context of another Question here, the Stormwind Fallacy was brought up. What exactly is the Stormwind Fallacy and how is connected to optimization?
15
votes
2answers
405 views
How can I play monsters and NPCs up to their potential?
In many cases discussions about balance in 3.5 will, inevitably, involve one side or another invoking an anecdote of the time they fought this monster, or a member of that class, and they didn't ...
15
votes
6answers
591 views
How do I represent a warlock with a background in thievery?
I'm developing a Dwarven Warlock (Hrafnhildur "Fin" Arnarsdottir) for the next 4E campaign I get the chance to join. She left home to join a gang in a city, and after reading a book they were going to ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Can characters reach Mach 1 and higher in D&D 3(.5)?
A few years back our group tried to come up with the fastest possible D&D character. If I remember correctly we could build a character that could go faster than the speed of sound, but I can't ...
14
votes
1answer
758 views
Can a Revenant Assassin be used where a high-damage striker is needed?
The Revenant racials, as a whole, seem to be focused on survivability/durability, granting the ability to stay in the fight even at zero HP. The Assassin class, while technically a Striker, seems to ...
12
votes
4answers
579 views
Reasons to multiclass in 3.5
I have been playing AD&D (and some other systems) for a long time, but I am new to 3.5/Pathfinder. I have just started looking at the optimization material, and it seems that multiclassing with ...
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 ...
11
votes
3answers
534 views
How can I get a character with the lowest hit points possible?
A friend of mine has asked me to help him create an escort mission for his April Fool's game (actually held this weekend, because, you know, scheduling). The players will be escorting a tenth-level ...
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 ...
10
votes
4answers
1k 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?
10
votes
1answer
375 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
871 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]
9
votes
2answers
669 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
232 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
256 views
What options in the Laundry system might make a character significantly more powerful than his group?
What skills sets are a game breaker and would make one PC much more powerful than the rest?
Or
How would you optimise a character so that they were incredibly more powerful than a "standard" ...
9
votes
1answer
174 views
What major non-hermetic virtue would be appropriate for an ex-Ex Misc who wants to be Flambeau?
One of my PCs is creating a character that has left her (probably mystery cult) in Ex Misc, and tried (and failed) to join House Flambeau as part of her backstory.
I cannot find a major non-hermetic ...
8
votes
5answers
681 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.
8
votes
4answers
313 views
The fastest Elf in the West (at initiative anyway)
They called him Ernie, the fastest Elf in the West.
Ahem. I'm trying to improve the initiative of an Elf Wizard.
At the moment it's at a respectable: +15
+4 Dex (Base)
+4 Improved Initiative ...
8
votes
4answers
967 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.
...
8
votes
2answers
153 views
Do Powerful Build and Monkey Grip Stack?
The Character in question is a Large half-Minotaur Goliath who is using monkey grip.
Normally a Large Goliath could wield a Huge weapon with no penalty.
Monkey Grip allows you to wield a weapon 1 ...
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
1answer
647 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.
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.
...
8
votes
2answers
261 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.
...
7
votes
3answers
427 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I handle Arcane Spell Failure?
Recently, we’ve seen several questions related to the topic of Arcane Spell Failure, and how to get around it. I have answered these (here and here), but neither question is directly about ...
7
votes
5answers
507 views
Domains for a Sorcerer with Domain Access
Domain Access from Complete Champion p52 allows a sorcerer to take a cleric domain for the price of forever losing one L1 and one L2 spell known. The sorcerer gets the domain power, but can cast the ...
7
votes
2answers
812 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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
423 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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
0answers
128 views
Why is the Monk class considered sub-par in some games of 3.5? [duplicate]
This question is a combination of theoretical-optimization and practical-optimization. In some games, I acknowledge that the monk can be a fun and flavourful choice. Unfortunately, looking at the ...
6
votes
3answers
246 views
How can I acquire Charm Person/Charm Monster as an SLA for my NPC?
So, I'm creating the overarching villain for a campaign I intend to run - an Osyluth with class levels known as Molkor the Quartermaster - and I want to get him into the Fiend of Corruption prestige ...
6
votes
2answers
534 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
239 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
435 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
104 views
How does two weapon fighting calculate the offhand attack?
I am making a character who uses two weapons at once, but this is the first time that I have attempted to make a dual-wielding character. He will have 2 attacks/round from his BAB. Two-weapon fighting ...
6
votes
2answers
366 views
How to better implement Spiked Chain build from OOTS 216?
I was wondering if the build posted on Order of the Stick 216 is still valid in pathfinder, and how to better implement in terms of:
Better races, preferably, being a common (medium sized) race, ...
6
votes
2answers
199 views
Samurais studying abroad: automatic killing machines?
I am confused by the "Multiple School" advantage in L5R 4th Ed. It basically allows your character to stop studying in his current school and start studying in another one. It costs a whole 10xp, and ...
6
votes
2answers
317 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
...
6
votes
1answer
696 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
716 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I increase my size with a +1 template?
I'm currently playing a D&D 3.5 campaign, and I'm playing a gnoll that is Large sized. (Gnolls are normally Medium.)
A long time ago, I was told that a Player Character could be one size larger ...
5
votes
1answer
184 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
292 views
How to make a warlock a better ritualist?
I want to make a warlock character I am developing a ritualist, which fits with her background. I have read this thread and whilst it provided helpful advice, it seemed focused on choosing a class ...
