WotC Archives

[RNightstalker]

Some recent searches of mine have been hampered by links to the online archives no longer working. Does anyone know if there's a new location or if the wayback machine/internet archive will work?

[eggynack]

Wayback generally works. Like, here's the article (https://web.archive.org/web/20161101150253/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20041117a) that had Segojan's armor in it, which is, I am sure, the first thing anyone seeks out from the archives.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Most of them work with the wayback machine, but not all iirc.
Several people have also archived them before the purge (thread, scroll down to Rubik's post for the link (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?364374-TRAGEDY-HAS-STRUCK!-(Possibly-))), so you could just download the entire thing and never have to worry about it again.

Edit: The original link is broken, working link here (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5Q9O1xtidQ5aVhaUXlZc1B3Zkk&usp=sharing).

[Gadora]

Most of them work with the wayback machine, but not all iirc.
Several people have also archived them before the purge (thread, scroll down to Rubik's post for the link (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?364374-TRAGEDY-HAS-STRUCK!-(Possibly-))), so you could just download the entire thing and never have to worry about it again.

Rubik's link leads to a 404.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Rubik's link leads to a 404.

There's a mirror here (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5Q9O1xtidQ5aVhaUXlZc1B3Zkk&usp=sharing).

[Biggus]

This is the main 3.5 archive on the Wayback Machine, most of it works: https://web.archive.org/web/20161031211045/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/dnd

[RNightstalker]

Thanks y'all.

[Chronos]

Huh, this is the first I've ever heard of Segojan's Armor. The WotC online content I refer to most often is the Psychic Rogue, the Arcane Duelist, and web supplements to some of the books.

[Wildstag]

Wayback generally works. Like, here's the article (https://web.archive.org/web/20161101150253/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20041117a) that had Segojan's armor in it, which is, I am sure, the first thing anyone seeks out from the archives.

Definitely first for me /s


Swiftblade
Kobold rework
Wild Cohort
Dead Levels (for laughs)
Vow of Poverty (for minor buff)
That one Balor fight (y'all know the one)

[Paragon]

What's the Balor fight ? I honestly don't know about it

[MaxiDuRaritry]

Wayback generally works. Like, here's the article (https://web.archive.org/web/20161101150253/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20041117a) that had Segojan's armor in it, which is, I am sure, the first thing anyone seeks out from the archives.Huh. Nice way to screw over monks. Also forsakers, maybe? Does that count as a magic item? And likely anyone with VoP.

And none of those need to be worse than they already are, honestly.

[Biggus]

the Arcane Duelist

Wow, that looks terrible on the whole. I'm guessing this is a dip class?

[loky1109]

Wow, that looks terrible on the whole. I'm guessing this is a dip class?

Look here: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?645786-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-CXIX
)
I think it's clearly 10-level class, its best abilities are at final levels.

[Inevitability]

What's the Balor fight ? I honestly don't know about it

I think it's referring to a developer story from 3.5's playtesting that shows the uh interesting view on the different classes' power that developers held early in 3.5.

We're talking 'high-level wizard who thinks archery is the best use of his action' levels of fundamental misunderstandings about what a class's true optimization ceiling is.

[RNightstalker]

What's the Balor fight ? I honestly don't know about it

You're not alone because I don't know that one either!


I think it's referring to a developer story from 3.5's playtesting that shows the uh interesting view on the different classes' power that developers held early in 3.5.

We're talking 'high-level wizard who thinks archery is the best use of his action' levels of fundamental misunderstandings about what a class's true optimization ceiling is.

Might have to look that one up. This inquiry was actually needing help with Kaorti Resin because I've got a character that will thematically fit with it vs. it being part of a standard melee build, and a DM that will allow it.

[Wildstag]

What's the Balor fight ? I honestly don't know about it


I think it's referring to a developer story from 3.5's playtesting that shows the uh interesting view on the different classes' power that developers held early in 3.5.

We're talking 'high-level wizard who thinks archery is the best use of his action' levels of fundamental misunderstandings about what a class's true optimization ceiling is.


You're not alone because I don't know that one either!



Might have to look that one up. This inquiry was actually needing help with Kaorti Resin because I've got a character that will thematically fit with it vs. it being part of a standard melee build, and a DM that will allow it.

It's terrible, but not a playtest. (https://web.archive.org/web/20161031215335/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20050809a) Basically, a high-level but low tactical-intelligence game with a laughably bad climactic fight.

Inevitability, you might be thinking of the playtest Druid from Enemies & Allies though... that dang druid with her throwing returning scimitar...

[Paragon]

It's terrible, but not a playtest. (https://web.archive.org/web/20161031215335/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20050809a) Basically, a high-level but low tactical-intelligence game with a laughably bad climactic fight.

Lemme get this straight, a wizard with 9th level spells was using quickened true strike (which only applies to the next melee attack) to fire multiple ranged attack for which he had chosen the Manyshot feat chain ?
Also, a barbarian of 17th level, raging, took 5 rounds to deal with a War Troll (12HDish ?)
This is indeed a clownfest haha

[loky1109]

Lemme get this straight, a wizard with 9th level spells was using quickened true strike (which only applies to the next melee attack) to fire multiple ranged attack for which he had chosen the Manyshot feat chain ?

Where did you take from "only melee"?

[Paragon]

Where did you take from "only melee"?
I have no idea haha, I'll correct that
It does say "next single attack roll" though so Manyshot is useless.

[Wildstag]

Also revivify works like raise dead and the latter requires a whole body, so the former would too. The vorpal'd dwarf wouldn't have been brought back.

And you forgot the best part about the wizard: Improved Critical. He would have had to retrain a feat to get that, since none of them were level 18.

[loky1109]

I have no idea haha, I'll correct that
It does say "next single attack roll" though so Manyshot is useless.

Well, not useless. There is one first attack roll for which +20 will apply. Or do you mean TS doesn't work with MS at all?

[Inevitability]

And you forgot the best part about the wizard: Improved Critical. He would have had to retrain a feat to get that, since none of them were level 18.

I think you're misreading: the barbarian has improved critical, not the wizard.

[Chronos]

Arcane Duelist is so-so on its own (though it does still have some interesting quirks like the reverse Power Attack), but back in the day I participated in a lot of the Gestalt Build Challenge threads, and in gestalt, it's amazing. There, you can still get full BAB from your other side, while also getting the Arcane Duelist abilities that are designed to make up for poor BAB.

[Daisy]

Well, not useless. There is one first attack roll for which +20 will apply. Or do you mean TS doesn't work with MS at all?

Actually, True Strike applies to "Your next single attack roll". And Manyshot says "Both arrows use the same attack roll". So both would get the +20.

Still a bone-headed use of the Mage's time, though.

[Paragon]

Well, not useless. There is one first attack roll for which +20 will apply. Or do you mean TS doesn't work with MS at all?

You're right, it does apply. I just mistook it for Greater Manyshot which would mean it is useless as hell haha.


Actually, True Strike applies to "Your next single attack roll". And Manyshot says "Both arrows use the same attack roll". So both would get the +20.

Still a bone-headed use of the Mage's time, though.

I guess +20 on 3 arrows for a 5th level spell slot on a low bab class to begin with, counts as some kind of optimization ^^
But like, 9th level spells...

[Wildstag]

But like, 9th level spells...

The party is described as levels 16 and 17. It is possible the Wizard doesn't have any 9th level spells.


I think you're misreading: the barbarian has improved critical, not the wizard.

Yeah, I see it, it's a weirdly worded sentence, but you look correct. The wizard still would have had to burn either their 12th or 15th-level feat on Manyshot.

[loky1109]

You're right, it does apply. I just mistook it for Greater Manyshot which would mean it is useless as hell haha.
Still isn't useless. +20 applies to first roll.

[Chronos]

Oh, and Segojan's Armor wouldn't screw over a monk or forsaker. The spell just makes the armor; it doesn't put it on the creature. A monk would just say "no thanks" and leave it sitting there.

[Paragon]

Still isn't useless. +20 applies to first roll.

If a +20 (from a 5th level spell slot mind you) to hit a 290hp Balor with a 1d8+5 damage is not "useless" then what exactly is mate ?
That's 4% of a Balor's total HP if you have a +5 bow you spent 5 feats to be able to fire (MWP, PBS, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Greater Manyshot).

The only thing that's even more useless than this build is this futile argument.

[loky1109]

If a +20 (from a 5th level spell slot mind you) to hit a 290hp Balor with a 1d8+5 damage is not "useless" then what exactly is mate ?
That's 4% of a Balor's total HP if you have a +5 bow you spent 5 feats to be able to fire (MWP, PBS, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Greater Manyshot).

The only thing that's even more useless than this build is this futile argument.

It isn't about uselessness of Greater Manyshot or True Strike, it's about uselessness whole build. Parts of it still are useful. If you use them correctly.

[Chronos]

Quickened True Strike followed by a Disintegrate or a Ray of Enfeeblement or something might be worthwhile. Followed by a bow?

[loky1109]

Quickened True Strike followed by a Disintegrate or a Ray of Enfeeblement or something might be worthwhile. Followed by a bow?

What is truth?

[awa]

If a +20 (from a 5th level spell slot mind you) to hit a 290hp Balor with a 1d8+5 damage is not "useless" then what exactly is mate ?
That's 4% of a Balor's total HP if you have a +5 bow you spent 5 feats to be able to fire (MWP, PBS, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Greater Manyshot).

The only thing that's even more useless than this build is this futile argument.

to be fair is a holy bow so that adds 2d6 damage, we dont know the build and we dont know what magic items they have ect.
an archer wizard is very likely not going to be optimal but its not as bad as your saying.

point blank shot and greater magic weapon gets us to +5 so many shot which gives us to hit with one attack roll assuming irc deals 2d8+4d6+10 so 33 on average and that's assuming their are no other items or effects to increase the damage.


Quickened True Strike followed by a Disintegrate or a Ray of Enfeeblement or something might be worthwhile. Followed by a bow?


additionally the buffed balor has a +26 to fort saves so the disintegrate is likely to do less damage than the arrows. also the balor has a spell resistance of 28 so their is a decent chance to just negate a spell by a caster of that level. Ray of enfeeblement would likely work but to what gain? This balor seems to be almost exclusively casting spells slightly weakening its melee abilities wont help that much.