Zaq
2010-06-21, 12:35 AM
So my character is currently staring death in the faces (I genuinely don't think any of us are going to get out of this alive), so I'm making a backup. I've decided to play an Incarnate; I've got a fun backstory prepared and everything, so I think it should be a good time. I'm going to be a dwarven Law Incarnate, and we're currently level 15. This is, coincidentally, exactly how many levels it would take to get all ten levels of Ironsoul Forgemaster. ISFM has always interested me, but I'm having a hard time saying whether I should absolutely take it or not, since there's honestly nothing wrong with Incarnate 15. A quick list, as I see it:
Pros of ISFM compared to straight Incarnate:
-The Shield and Weapon Bonds are truly sexy. Energy resistance against nearly everything and dazing enemies on every hit? Yes please!
-The armor bond is less sexy, but it's not bad by any stretch.
-Better BAB and (marginally) better skill list than a straight Incarnate.
-Heart bind one level early.
-Our GM is pretty liberal with the magic-marts, but Craft Magic Arms and Armor still might be useful.
Cons of ISFM compared to straight Incarnate:
-No Brow or Throat binds.
-No Expanded Soulmeld Capacity +2. The ability to overfill your soulmelds is kind of big.
-One lost meldshaper level, which basically means less essentia. Oh, and I'd be behind one level on getting additional melds and binds per day, but that's not really gamebreaking. Every essentia is precious, though.
-Incarnum Radiance would be down to 1/day. Since Lawful Incarnum Radiance is actually really good, this hurts.
-Nowhere to go next level. The only real option is more Incarnate, but that feels... lacking, somehow.
So, I'm really torn. It's flavorful, but I can get most of the flavor I'm looking for with or without it. It's got fun abilities, but some pretty big drawbacks. (In other words, it's balanced! Gasp!) Does anyone have any comments, pro or con? Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Pros of ISFM compared to straight Incarnate:
-The Shield and Weapon Bonds are truly sexy. Energy resistance against nearly everything and dazing enemies on every hit? Yes please!
-The armor bond is less sexy, but it's not bad by any stretch.
-Better BAB and (marginally) better skill list than a straight Incarnate.
-Heart bind one level early.
-Our GM is pretty liberal with the magic-marts, but Craft Magic Arms and Armor still might be useful.
Cons of ISFM compared to straight Incarnate:
-No Brow or Throat binds.
-No Expanded Soulmeld Capacity +2. The ability to overfill your soulmelds is kind of big.
-One lost meldshaper level, which basically means less essentia. Oh, and I'd be behind one level on getting additional melds and binds per day, but that's not really gamebreaking. Every essentia is precious, though.
-Incarnum Radiance would be down to 1/day. Since Lawful Incarnum Radiance is actually really good, this hurts.
-Nowhere to go next level. The only real option is more Incarnate, but that feels... lacking, somehow.
So, I'm really torn. It's flavorful, but I can get most of the flavor I'm looking for with or without it. It's got fun abilities, but some pretty big drawbacks. (In other words, it's balanced! Gasp!) Does anyone have any comments, pro or con? Any thoughts would be welcomed.