Help Choosing a Feat

Discussion in 'The Temple of Elemental Evil' started by Bowen, Oct 7, 2006.

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  1. Bowen

    Bowen Member

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    This is my first time to play ToEE and my familiarity with the D&D rule set/character building is limited to what is in the instruction guide that came with ToEE.

    I have a dwarf fighter that just hit level 4 and I would like some suggestions on choosing his next feat. Currently he has Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative and Toughness. The weapon focus and weapon proficiency look nice, but limiting the character to one weapon type seems to restrictive. For example, what if I find a really nice axe but the toon has selected hammers as his proficient weapon?

    Also, how important is the Spellcraft skill for a Cleric?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Allyx

    Allyx Master Crafter Global Moderator Supporter

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    Dwarves get the Exotic weapon proficiency for the Dwarven waraxe (DWA) for free at first level, you should focus in that weapon as it does some serious damage, and (due to the exotic weapon proficiency) you can wield it one handed, with a shield in the other hand, then (fighters only can) take the weapon specialization in the same weapon (extra damage per hit). Additionally, if you buy a masterwork DWA you can have your cleric or wizard craft it into a serious contender for "weapon of the year".

    Clerics (and wizards) use spellcraft to figure out what spells NPC's around them are casting, while not so important to clerics, it also affects a wizards chance to learn new spells from scrolls.
     
  3. Bowen

    Bowen Member

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    Thanks for the info!

    When it comes to skills.........What skills are good for a paladin to take? In the party I have now, I am using a bard with skills in gather information, sense motive and diplomacy.
     
  4. Sapper_Astro

    Sapper_Astro Established Member

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    Exotic weapons: Bastard sword is always a good way to go with a Fighter/Paladin/Barbarian in your first walkthrough of this game. An excellent pick actually.

    Power attack-cleave is also good choices for the fighter types.
     
  5. Gamoc

    Gamoc Member

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    The Glaive is an awesome weapon for a fighter, especially if you get a magical one or craft it, because they do loadsa damage and...but you can't use a shield with it.
     
  6. Alrik Fassbauer

    Alrik Fassbauer Established Member

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    Interesting. I thought this was a bug when I encountered this, so I didn't use it.
     
  7. erkper

    erkper Bugbear Monk Supporter

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    You can equip a buckler on your off-hand when using a two-handed weapon - the mithral or darkwood bucklers work well, and are both masterwork, so they can be enchanted, too.
     
  8. Kalshane

    Kalshane Local Rules Geek

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    Yes, ToEE allows two-handed fighters to equip a buckler and gain the AC bonus from using it, though in the PNP rules you lose the AC bonus from the buckler in any round that you attack with a weapon held by the same hand as the buckler is on unless you have a specific feat to allow it.
     
  9. Feyd Rautha

    Feyd Rautha Member

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    According to these rules as well. I wasn't sure I was getting the full benefit of the buckler when I used it on one of my two handed weapon fighters and so I brought up my "rolls" menu and checked the AC my enemies were trying to hit. Lo and behold the buckler +1 was not applied. Your AC DOES reflect the buckler when you make no attacks on the round, but when you need it most it is not helping you.

    Basically be aware that if you attack you do not receive that bonus, but at the same time you will receive it vs. initial attacks on the round and when you take actions other than attacks with two handed weapons. For melee fighters I recommend against bucklers as the -1 to hit is very self defeating. For ranged combatants however I should note that the -1 to hit is NOT taken off even though the buckler bonus is still not added on rounds where attacks are made.

    If you want to test various situations I recommend going to your rolls menu (the d20 in the corner above the various menu links) and checking out your misses and hits and your opponents misses and hits.

    FR
     
  10. Marceror

    Marceror Established Member

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    I recommend against using a buckler with a 2 handed weapon in ToEE, as you will lose your 1.5x strength bonus in lieu of your measley +1 to AC. Since two handed weapon wielders are of high strength characters, this is a significant drawback in my opinion.
     
  11. Daniel

    Daniel Established Member

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    damn, thanks for that info!
     
  12. Kalshane

    Kalshane Local Rules Geek

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    Okay, cool. I'd never checked the rolls window for that particular scenario. Glad to hear they got it right.

    If this is true, then that's incorrect implementation of the rules. A buckler should provide a penalty to attack with a two-handed weapon, but it should not remove the 1.5x strength bonus.
     
  13. Gamoc

    Gamoc Member

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    I meant a proper shield, not a buckler ;)
     
  14. webusver

    webusver Established Member

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    There is a good "forgotten" weapon - warhammer. It's an average 1d8 one handed weapon, nothing special... but taking weapon focus for warhammer, you also benefit while usigng 2-handed heavy mauler!!! So think - you take 1 weapon focus feat and you receive specialisation in a martial 1-handed weapon and a martial 2-handed weapon at the same time. You are free to change your combat style any time you wish without loosing any efficiency.
     
  15. Daniel

    Daniel Established Member

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    and the x3 critical is devastating! :)
     
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