Breaw
2008-05-07, 12:44 PM
Just started a new campaign last night, looks like it should be fun. One thing I am a bit concerned about is shining a bit too brightly for the enjoyment of other members of the party.
The situation: Our party consists entirely of melee fighters. Not sure exactly why (most of us have played many characters of many types) but everyone is focused on melee combat, regardless of class. We have:
Full Wizard (wears armor casts fighting buff spells almost exclusively)
Dual Wield Ranger
Monk
Rogue (High Str)
Cleric of Kord/Barbarian/grappler guy (me)
First I'll go into a touch of detail on my character. I am far from optimized as I am a greatsword wielding barb/cleric whose talents are improved unarmed strike and improved grapple. Character concept is one of a followed of Kord who travels the world seeking to learn and teach strength in all the forms he finds it.
My friends character (also very sub optimal). Wizard who fancies himself a fighter. Wears armor, wields a greatsword, favorite maneuver is truestrike+powerattack. This is a very different approach for him as a player, since he pretty much exclusively plays ready-for-any-eventuality batman wizards. Anyone who complains about CoDzillas would change their story if they heard some of the ridiculous things he's pulled off with the wizard class. He does have the stats to pull off what he's doing. They are good, but not amazing.
The problem: My stats. I was blessed with stupid good stats (18/15/15/14/13/12). And want to hear some ideas on playing my character a bit toned down. I know it's not my 'fault' that I rolled really good stats, but I'm not interested in pissing off my friend because my significantly more optimized character is doing the same thing his would be, but better. I just want everyone to have a good time.
So far: We've had some missions that could be dealt with in a subdual manner (when it even required blows). As a result I put away my sword and grappled/punched people into submission. I'm quite effective at that with imp grapple and 18 str, but no where near as effective as if I had simply cut them in two with a 2d6+6 greatsword. (we're only level 2 atm) I also have taken on the role of something of a follower. I'll give input and suggest details that I'm familiar with, but in general I'm more brawn than brains and ask the coach to send me in, cause I'm ready!
All that said I was thinking I might multiclass even more for fun, while watering down my character a bit. I was thinking of taking 2 more levels of cleric, then continuing with the theme of learning a little bit from many different styles. Learn from the party ranger to pick up a favored enemy, learn from the party rogue to learn how to punch things in just the right place (I refuse to greatsword sneakattack). Not sure what else would be entertaining as 1 level dips, but the sky is the limit.
Another option is to just stick with the cleric/barbarian theme and go 2 levels of cleric then a few of barbarian, that could be fun too.
Anyway, I do understand that I can always simply play sub optimally (which is what I have been doing so far). I just don't want to pull my punches too much, as see this as an opportunity to try quite suboptimal builds while staying effective, since I have the stats to make up for less than ideal class choices.
Thoughts are appreciated.
The situation: Our party consists entirely of melee fighters. Not sure exactly why (most of us have played many characters of many types) but everyone is focused on melee combat, regardless of class. We have:
Full Wizard (wears armor casts fighting buff spells almost exclusively)
Dual Wield Ranger
Monk
Rogue (High Str)
Cleric of Kord/Barbarian/grappler guy (me)
First I'll go into a touch of detail on my character. I am far from optimized as I am a greatsword wielding barb/cleric whose talents are improved unarmed strike and improved grapple. Character concept is one of a followed of Kord who travels the world seeking to learn and teach strength in all the forms he finds it.
My friends character (also very sub optimal). Wizard who fancies himself a fighter. Wears armor, wields a greatsword, favorite maneuver is truestrike+powerattack. This is a very different approach for him as a player, since he pretty much exclusively plays ready-for-any-eventuality batman wizards. Anyone who complains about CoDzillas would change their story if they heard some of the ridiculous things he's pulled off with the wizard class. He does have the stats to pull off what he's doing. They are good, but not amazing.
The problem: My stats. I was blessed with stupid good stats (18/15/15/14/13/12). And want to hear some ideas on playing my character a bit toned down. I know it's not my 'fault' that I rolled really good stats, but I'm not interested in pissing off my friend because my significantly more optimized character is doing the same thing his would be, but better. I just want everyone to have a good time.
So far: We've had some missions that could be dealt with in a subdual manner (when it even required blows). As a result I put away my sword and grappled/punched people into submission. I'm quite effective at that with imp grapple and 18 str, but no where near as effective as if I had simply cut them in two with a 2d6+6 greatsword. (we're only level 2 atm) I also have taken on the role of something of a follower. I'll give input and suggest details that I'm familiar with, but in general I'm more brawn than brains and ask the coach to send me in, cause I'm ready!
All that said I was thinking I might multiclass even more for fun, while watering down my character a bit. I was thinking of taking 2 more levels of cleric, then continuing with the theme of learning a little bit from many different styles. Learn from the party ranger to pick up a favored enemy, learn from the party rogue to learn how to punch things in just the right place (I refuse to greatsword sneakattack). Not sure what else would be entertaining as 1 level dips, but the sky is the limit.
Another option is to just stick with the cleric/barbarian theme and go 2 levels of cleric then a few of barbarian, that could be fun too.
Anyway, I do understand that I can always simply play sub optimally (which is what I have been doing so far). I just don't want to pull my punches too much, as see this as an opportunity to try quite suboptimal builds while staying effective, since I have the stats to make up for less than ideal class choices.
Thoughts are appreciated.