micpa
2023-07-04, 04:24 AM
Hello! First time poster, long time lurker!
A friend (DM) suggested they have time for a campaign, but only solo (me as solo adventurer, them as DM), and absolutely no cheese (e.g. early entry, etc.). Only 3.5, no 3.0, and no dragon magazine, etc. All the core and wizard or official books are ok (e.g. complete psion, etc.). Can anyone give me some feedback on whether this build will crash and burn, or how to optimize?
1. Main goal is try illithing savant (yes DM allowed this 3.0 class with a few exceptions). Here are the limitations- for any class ability consumed, like spellcasting, I must already have at least 1 level in that class. Upon gaining the ability I gain the benefits of the most recent level only, or as close to the RAW as written. If I consume spellcasting from a level 19 wizard, I would get 1 spell slot at each spell level, + int bonus, and cast at caster level of the consumed victim, but actually have class level of 0 for any other ability. I also don't get any other abilities. Subsequently, if I take a new level in the consumed class, like wizard, all class abilities start from my actual class level (start at level 1), but the consumed ability continues as from the consumed brain (level 19+1).
As an example, I am a Ardent 7/Illithing savant 3/Wizard 1. I somehow sneak up and kill or consume a level 18 wizard brain. I am allowed to take spellcasting ability, and cast 1 spell of each spell level (+int modifier). If I take another level in wizard all my wizard class abilities would be at level 2, while spellcasting choices I would be treated as gaining level 19 (for new spell slots, etc.).
Alternatively, I only get 1 instance of a class ability. If I consumed a warrior, and I chose the warrior feats, I only get 1. If I consumed a level 19 factotum, I would get the inspiration points for level 19 minus level 18 (only points for the highest level), and one ability like cunning surge, strike, OR brilliance.
2. I am allowed to enter via polymorph type spell, as long as the spell is somehow kept persistent. Most likely if I lose qualifications, I lose access. Details: I can gain an abilility, skill, etc. but as soon as I lose the Illithing race, I lose class access, but keep learned/consumed abilities.
3. Here is what I want to do: grab some psionic buffs/debuffs, martial abilities from TOB, and combine with maybe shape change (master transmografist?) or casting.
4. Its a solo campaign, I have to kill anything/everything alone, no cohort or leadership, no hiring services, etc. No magic items, no tomes or scrolls (effectively like vow of poverty), I earn what I get and death is final.
5. Finally, when taking class abilities you get up to the consumed brains' level (e.g. level 20), but can only access abilities of your current level. If I consume a level 20 warblades brain, I get all the maneuvers up to level 20, but I can only use from that list based on my current character level.
Now my questions:
1. Considering the need to keep polymorph constant, which means taking cleric for persist/divine metamagic, meaning earliest wizard entry is level 8, is ardent really the best entry class? I figure you get better BAB than caster, get fast access to metamorphosis, etc. I will try to access illithid savant using metamorphosis (natural mantle), and try to persist metamorphosis using feats, etc.
Potential build:
Level 1-7 Ardent level for metamorphosis, main mantles Pain and Physical, then freedom for hustle, and finally natural for metamorphosis.
Level 8- Warblade 1
Level 19-11: Illithid savant, taking warblade maneuvers from level 20 if possible
Level 12- 1 level of Master transmografist, Wizard, Spelltheif-bard variant
Illithid Savant: 13-16 Illithid savant- consume class ability of Transmografist 10, or Wizard/Spellthief/Ardent 20.
Feats are undecided, but again, no dragon magazine or homebrew feats.
2. I was thinking for consume skill: concentration for psionics, warblade, etc.
3. For consume feat: chameleon level 2 feat (is this a class ability rather than a feat?)
4. For the consume class ability- learn maneuevers from warblade class (fast recovery), at 1 maneuver/stance learned per maneuver level (9 in total)
So far, up to level 16, how does this sound for a solo campaign, with the goal of being powerful enough to not die quickly and alone, with minimal cheese?
Thanks!
A friend (DM) suggested they have time for a campaign, but only solo (me as solo adventurer, them as DM), and absolutely no cheese (e.g. early entry, etc.). Only 3.5, no 3.0, and no dragon magazine, etc. All the core and wizard or official books are ok (e.g. complete psion, etc.). Can anyone give me some feedback on whether this build will crash and burn, or how to optimize?
1. Main goal is try illithing savant (yes DM allowed this 3.0 class with a few exceptions). Here are the limitations- for any class ability consumed, like spellcasting, I must already have at least 1 level in that class. Upon gaining the ability I gain the benefits of the most recent level only, or as close to the RAW as written. If I consume spellcasting from a level 19 wizard, I would get 1 spell slot at each spell level, + int bonus, and cast at caster level of the consumed victim, but actually have class level of 0 for any other ability. I also don't get any other abilities. Subsequently, if I take a new level in the consumed class, like wizard, all class abilities start from my actual class level (start at level 1), but the consumed ability continues as from the consumed brain (level 19+1).
As an example, I am a Ardent 7/Illithing savant 3/Wizard 1. I somehow sneak up and kill or consume a level 18 wizard brain. I am allowed to take spellcasting ability, and cast 1 spell of each spell level (+int modifier). If I take another level in wizard all my wizard class abilities would be at level 2, while spellcasting choices I would be treated as gaining level 19 (for new spell slots, etc.).
Alternatively, I only get 1 instance of a class ability. If I consumed a warrior, and I chose the warrior feats, I only get 1. If I consumed a level 19 factotum, I would get the inspiration points for level 19 minus level 18 (only points for the highest level), and one ability like cunning surge, strike, OR brilliance.
2. I am allowed to enter via polymorph type spell, as long as the spell is somehow kept persistent. Most likely if I lose qualifications, I lose access. Details: I can gain an abilility, skill, etc. but as soon as I lose the Illithing race, I lose class access, but keep learned/consumed abilities.
3. Here is what I want to do: grab some psionic buffs/debuffs, martial abilities from TOB, and combine with maybe shape change (master transmografist?) or casting.
4. Its a solo campaign, I have to kill anything/everything alone, no cohort or leadership, no hiring services, etc. No magic items, no tomes or scrolls (effectively like vow of poverty), I earn what I get and death is final.
5. Finally, when taking class abilities you get up to the consumed brains' level (e.g. level 20), but can only access abilities of your current level. If I consume a level 20 warblades brain, I get all the maneuvers up to level 20, but I can only use from that list based on my current character level.
Now my questions:
1. Considering the need to keep polymorph constant, which means taking cleric for persist/divine metamagic, meaning earliest wizard entry is level 8, is ardent really the best entry class? I figure you get better BAB than caster, get fast access to metamorphosis, etc. I will try to access illithid savant using metamorphosis (natural mantle), and try to persist metamorphosis using feats, etc.
Potential build:
Level 1-7 Ardent level for metamorphosis, main mantles Pain and Physical, then freedom for hustle, and finally natural for metamorphosis.
Level 8- Warblade 1
Level 19-11: Illithid savant, taking warblade maneuvers from level 20 if possible
Level 12- 1 level of Master transmografist, Wizard, Spelltheif-bard variant
Illithid Savant: 13-16 Illithid savant- consume class ability of Transmografist 10, or Wizard/Spellthief/Ardent 20.
Feats are undecided, but again, no dragon magazine or homebrew feats.
2. I was thinking for consume skill: concentration for psionics, warblade, etc.
3. For consume feat: chameleon level 2 feat (is this a class ability rather than a feat?)
4. For the consume class ability- learn maneuevers from warblade class (fast recovery), at 1 maneuver/stance learned per maneuver level (9 in total)
So far, up to level 16, how does this sound for a solo campaign, with the goal of being powerful enough to not die quickly and alone, with minimal cheese?
Thanks!