Help me build an Aranea!

[xFeefaitx]

Hey guys,

I am trying to use the Aranea monster class from savage Species. It's... tough. lol I just can't find a way to make it a viable build. I don't need to be uber, just not die. I will be coming in at level 11, so i've got some room to play with. I have a couple thoughts...

1. An assassin. Our party is "evil" and mainly sneaky types, rogues and rangers. We don't have a tank or healer (I was both before my character died) so I need to be able to sneak and hit and run. I want to use web and some spells for control. For this am thinking the Ghost Faced Killer prestige, but I need to get the skill ranks, which I can't figure out yet.

2. A monster form fighter specializing in my bite attack and attacks in spider form. Probably not gonna happen. Maybe some druid type build?

3. A straight crowd control mage... web, stun, daze etc and let the party do the rest.

Any thoughts guys? I know it's a tough one. And yes, I am sticking with Aranea. i know other races would fit better, but the character concept is more important for the story and roleplay then the stats. :)

[PraxisVetli]

Lookin up Aranea...
Well, you get poison, web, and some spells.
Aranea/swordsage/Jade Phoenix Mage?
Though, reading the fluff, Aranea hate fire. So unless your DM will allow a refluffing, that might be an issue.
Though in whichever MM has the Phoenix, it does mention a cold type. Perhaps that will work?
sorry if not much help, I'm not much good at this type of thing.

[John Longarrow]

3 HD and LA +4.
You get 3rd level casting as a sorcerer.

Take levels in Sorcerer as they stack. Alternate would be one level sorcerer and 3 in cleric. Natural for a cleric to Lolth. Then you can Thurge.

In all, Aranea don't get enough to be worth the LA. Are you playing with LA buy off? You'll be able to buy back one level prior to epic.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Aranea (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/aranea.htm)

You don't need to use the monster class for it if you're starting play at 11th level, it's only ECL 7 so you can have the whole thing plus four class levels.

1. As an assassin, you should go Sorcerer 1/ Spellthief 1/ Unseen Seer 2, and plan to take Spellwarp Sniper and/or Arcane Trickster after that. Use Scorching Ray with Invisible Spell so it takes a full-round action to cast, according to the Rules Compendium on precision damage any ability that makes multiple attacks and takes a full-round action to activate can add precision damage on every attack. So your Invisible Scorching Ray allows you to Sneak Attack with every hit, as long as you're able to Sneak Attack. This is an 11th level character with Sorcerer 6 spellcasting, 3rd level spells, +2d6 sneak attack, +4 BAB, and Aranea abilities. Compare that to a Spellthief 1/ Psion 4/ Psychic Assassin 6, which gets Psion 7 manifesting, 4th level powers, +3d6 sneak attack, +6 BAB, and Mind Cripple to deal 2 Int damage per sneak attack, which can outright disable many opponents in one or two TWF full attacks.

2. As a monster form melee attacker, probably go Warblade 1/ Warshaper 3. You'll have a +6 BAB, decent stats, ok attacks, but not really anything special, and still only 1st level spells. Compare that to a Wildshape Ranger 5/ Master of Many Forms 6, which can turn into an 11-headed Cryohydra with Frozen Wild Shape, to get 11 bites as a standard action or on a charge, and also make 11 bites on an attack of opportunity, along with many other possible forms (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-general/threads/1060931), and you'll have a +9 BAB and amazing stats. In just one more level you get Fast Healing, Regeneration, and tons of other special qualities from the possible forms you can take.

3. With four levels of Sorcerer and/or prestige classes that advance Sorcerer spellcasting, you'll be 11th level with only 3rd level spells. An 11th level Wizard has 6th level spells. Aranea will make you half as good as you should be at this level.

Consider going with a reworked version of the mechanics (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=534.0) to make it more playable. Note that this is homebrew/house rules, but at least your character will be capable of contributing.

[DeAnno]

I was looking this thing over and thought 1 LA would be more reasonable (assuming you keep the HD.) Imagine my surprise when I look at the CR and it's 4 :smallcool:

[xFeefaitx]

Aranea (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/aranea.htm)

You don't need to use the monster class for it if you're starting play at 11th level, it's only ECL 7 so you can have the whole thing plus four class levels.

1. As an assassin, you should go Sorcerer 1/ Spellthief 1/ Unseen Seer 2, and plan to take Spellwarp Sniper and/or Arcane Trickster after that. Use Scorching Ray with Invisible Spell so it takes a full-round action to cast, according to the Rules Compendium on precision damage any ability that makes multiple attacks and takes a full-round action to activate can add precision damage on every attack. So your Invisible Scorching Ray allows you to Sneak Attack with every hit, as long as you're able to Sneak Attack. This is an 11th level character with Sorcerer 6 spellcasting, 3rd level spells, +2d6 sneak attack, +4 BAB, and Aranea abilities. Compare that to a Spellthief 1/ Psion 4/ Psychic Assassin 6, which gets Psion 7 manifesting, 4th level powers, +3d6 sneak attack, +6 BAB, and Mind Cripple to deal 2 Int damage per sneak attack, which can outright disable many opponents in one or two TWF full attacks.

2. As a monster form melee attacker, probably go Warblade 1/ Warshaper 3. You'll have a +6 BAB, decent stats, ok attacks, but not really anything special, and still only 1st level spells. Compare that to a Wildshape Ranger 5/ Master of Many Forms 6, which can turn into an 11-headed Cryohydra with Frozen Wild Shape, to get 11 bites as a standard action or on a charge, and also make 11 bites on an attack of opportunity, along with many other possible forms (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-general/threads/1060931), and you'll have a +9 BAB and amazing stats. In just one more level you get Fast Healing, Regeneration, and tons of other special qualities from the possible forms you can take.

3. With four levels of Sorcerer and/or prestige classes that advance Sorcerer spellcasting, you'll be 11th level with only 3rd level spells. An 11th level Wizard has 6th level spells. Aranea will make you half as good as you should be at this level.

Consider going with a reworked version of the mechanics (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=534.0) to make it more playable. Note that this is homebrew/house rules, but at least your character will be capable of contributing.

Thanks! I just sent the homebrew version to my Dm, we'll see what he has to say. I think I am otherwise going to try to get 7 aranea, 2 rogue and then go Ghost Faced Killer. The issue is one hit will basically kill me. :( Alternately I may just go with a druid who shapeshifts into a spider. That may be my best idea, though I hate to give up on the aranea.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Thanks! I just sent the homebrew version to my Dm, we'll see what he has to say. I think I am otherwise going to try to get 7 aranea, 2 rogue and then go Ghost Faced Killer. The issue is one hit will basically kill me. :( Alternately I may just go with a druid who shapeshifts into a spider. That may be my best idea, though I hate to give up on the aranea.

Master of Many Forms 5 can Wild Shape into vermin, a Wildshape Ranger (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger) 5/ Master of Many Forms 6 can turn into tiny to huge animals, humanoids, giants, monstrous humanoids, fey, vermin, and aberrations of up to 11 HD. You couldn't turn into an Aranea, but you can turn into a Drider, a Huge Monstrous Spider, a Sword Spider, a Harpoon Spider... Seriously, check the list (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-general/threads/1060931) and remember that the Complete Adventurer Errata (https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040125a) makes it so MoMF increases your effective Druid level for max HD and duration of Wild Shape.

[xFeefaitx]

Master of Many Forms 5 can Wild Shape into vermin, a Wildshape Ranger (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger) 5/ Master of Many Forms 6 can turn into tiny to huge animals, humanoids, giants, monstrous humanoids, fey, vermin, and aberrations of up to 11 HD. You couldn't turn into an Aranea, but you can turn into a Drider, a Huge Monstrous Spider, a Sword Spider, a Harpoon Spider... Seriously, check the list (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-general/threads/1060931) and remember that the Complete Adventurer Errata (https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040125a) makes it so MoMF increases your effective Druid level for max HD and duration of Wild Shape.

I'm sorry I meant playing a human who could turn into a spider, not an aranea. so effectively a more logical spider themed character.

[Baroknik]

Thematically I would suggest checking out Arachnomancer (easy to qualify for) or the drider template.

Edit: also consider picking up ardent + cerebromancer. You can close the casting gap from your HD by picking up Practiced Manifester (only lose the LA then).

[PraxisVetli]

Thematically I would suggest checking out Arachnomancer (easy to qualify for) or the drider template.

Edit: also consider picking up ardent + cerebromancer. You can close the casting gap from your HD by picking up Practiced Manifester (only lose the LA then).

Whoa, wait, Drider Template?
where's THAT?

[Baroknik]

Whoa, wait, Drider Template?
where's THAT?

It's available on wizards website for free. It doesn't have an LA listed though, so you'll have to talk to your DM if CR adjust = LA or what you want to do...

https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20011118a

[Sception]

Any thoughts guys? I know it's a tough one.

Araneas? I've heard it said that they make decent sylphs (http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120329114434/mspaintadventures/images/9/90/04773.gif), but I always preferred them as pirates (http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110211002745/mspaintadventures/images/thumb/9/95/Mindfang.gif/640px-Mindfang.gif).