Duke Arioch
2013-10-26, 06:59 PM
Hello everyone. I am about to start an e6 game in a couple of days, and I need some help.
The reason I am in need of help is that I decided to dab into incarnum for the first time. Now, even though I own the book for a couple of years, I never really had a chance to try it out, since all of the DM's I played with are not so hot for it, and all of the players in games I was DMing are almost afraid of it, which, in turn, led me to not use it in my games. I have zero experience with anything related to the incarnum.
However, I did read through it, understood it and made a couple of theoretical builds (usually full 20 level runs, or as dips). It seems to be really fun.
Now, before i came to you, I searched the web and read loads of info on how incarnum could be used in e6, and came down to 3 choices for the class picks: pure totemist, pure incarnate or totemist 2/incarnate4 split. All of these have merits, and I am strongly leaning towards the third option, as I feel it gives more versatility. So, my first question is am I correct in my assumption that t2/i4 is the best choice? My reasoning behind this is that although totemist 6 has most offensive power, it will somewhat lack in versatility (most melds are focused on damage dealing with various natural weapons, often redundant as they don't stack - there are only so many claws and bites you can bind and use at the same time). This choice will also have attack bonus issues sooner or later (BAB of 4 and little or no means to increase attack without going full on STR score). Full incarnate on the other hand has many ways to increase attack bonus, shore up it's defenses and many other cool toys, but lacks in offense.
Now, the 2/4 split will give me the all-important-for-offense totem bind, very nicely supplemented with incarnate buffs and tricks. This also has access to both soulmeld lists. BAB does lose a point compared to full totemist (is the same as full incarnate) at level 6, but can be boosted using incarnate soulmelds to be much higher than a full totemsit can hope for to achieve.
Now onto my other questions.
The game is a 32pt buy with only non-LA races allowed. This time around I want to stay away from anything ToB related, since I can't remember when was the last time I didn't use it games I played, and since DM (my good friend) asked me nicely to skip martial adepts this time around.
I decided to choose Hellbred (Fiendish Codex 2) as my race. I went LN, and took body aspect (+2 CON, -2 INT and a bonus devil-touched feat at level 4). I also decided I will try to refrain from using girallon arms meld too much (not never, but not all the time either) and go with manticore belt for a primary totem bind, with option to take melee binds (including girallon handy blender) from time to time. The scores I went with are STR 14, DEX 14, CON 19+1, INT 12, WIS 8, CHA 9. This will give me awesome CON, and respectable STR and DEX to go with both melee and ranged soulmelds. I chose to dump WIS, as I will be getting Steadfast determination feat, and I don't plan on UMDing or being party face, so CHA score doesn't seem useful. Would you change these or am I fine with this placement?
My skills will go into various knowledge skills and that is it. I really don't see a point in getting concentration or spellcraft.
For feats (flaws are allowed) I decided to go with Endurance+Steadfast determination, Expanded soulmeld capacity (probably twice), Bonus essentia, probably Knowledge devotion and some ranged melee when I can. Further in the "epic" levels I will go with situational incarnum feats to boost my essentia pool and get some other tricks. Can you give me any advice there?
And the last question: Should I get Necrocarnum acolyte and use the zombie as meat shield? Sadly, this is the only aspect the 2/4 split doesn't favor, as my incarnate meldshaper level will be only 4 at level six, which in turn will lower the maximum level of the zombie, as well as it's essentia pool. Is it still worth it in e6 game?
P.S. I am one of only two players in this game, and I don't know what he will play yet. If I find out, I will post it.
Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
The reason I am in need of help is that I decided to dab into incarnum for the first time. Now, even though I own the book for a couple of years, I never really had a chance to try it out, since all of the DM's I played with are not so hot for it, and all of the players in games I was DMing are almost afraid of it, which, in turn, led me to not use it in my games. I have zero experience with anything related to the incarnum.
However, I did read through it, understood it and made a couple of theoretical builds (usually full 20 level runs, or as dips). It seems to be really fun.
Now, before i came to you, I searched the web and read loads of info on how incarnum could be used in e6, and came down to 3 choices for the class picks: pure totemist, pure incarnate or totemist 2/incarnate4 split. All of these have merits, and I am strongly leaning towards the third option, as I feel it gives more versatility. So, my first question is am I correct in my assumption that t2/i4 is the best choice? My reasoning behind this is that although totemist 6 has most offensive power, it will somewhat lack in versatility (most melds are focused on damage dealing with various natural weapons, often redundant as they don't stack - there are only so many claws and bites you can bind and use at the same time). This choice will also have attack bonus issues sooner or later (BAB of 4 and little or no means to increase attack without going full on STR score). Full incarnate on the other hand has many ways to increase attack bonus, shore up it's defenses and many other cool toys, but lacks in offense.
Now, the 2/4 split will give me the all-important-for-offense totem bind, very nicely supplemented with incarnate buffs and tricks. This also has access to both soulmeld lists. BAB does lose a point compared to full totemist (is the same as full incarnate) at level 6, but can be boosted using incarnate soulmelds to be much higher than a full totemsit can hope for to achieve.
Now onto my other questions.
The game is a 32pt buy with only non-LA races allowed. This time around I want to stay away from anything ToB related, since I can't remember when was the last time I didn't use it games I played, and since DM (my good friend) asked me nicely to skip martial adepts this time around.
I decided to choose Hellbred (Fiendish Codex 2) as my race. I went LN, and took body aspect (+2 CON, -2 INT and a bonus devil-touched feat at level 4). I also decided I will try to refrain from using girallon arms meld too much (not never, but not all the time either) and go with manticore belt for a primary totem bind, with option to take melee binds (including girallon handy blender) from time to time. The scores I went with are STR 14, DEX 14, CON 19+1, INT 12, WIS 8, CHA 9. This will give me awesome CON, and respectable STR and DEX to go with both melee and ranged soulmelds. I chose to dump WIS, as I will be getting Steadfast determination feat, and I don't plan on UMDing or being party face, so CHA score doesn't seem useful. Would you change these or am I fine with this placement?
My skills will go into various knowledge skills and that is it. I really don't see a point in getting concentration or spellcraft.
For feats (flaws are allowed) I decided to go with Endurance+Steadfast determination, Expanded soulmeld capacity (probably twice), Bonus essentia, probably Knowledge devotion and some ranged melee when I can. Further in the "epic" levels I will go with situational incarnum feats to boost my essentia pool and get some other tricks. Can you give me any advice there?
And the last question: Should I get Necrocarnum acolyte and use the zombie as meat shield? Sadly, this is the only aspect the 2/4 split doesn't favor, as my incarnate meldshaper level will be only 4 at level six, which in turn will lower the maximum level of the zombie, as well as it's essentia pool. Is it still worth it in e6 game?
P.S. I am one of only two players in this game, and I don't know what he will play yet. If I find out, I will post it.
Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.