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 Post subject: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:36 am 

Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2013 9:37 pm
Posts: 842
Location: Michigan
So, I've been looking at my character concepts and builds for awhile, and I realized that I really discount tier V when I'm looking at builds. It just seems that by the time I've reached tier V, the character has so little time left that the choices stop having so much importance. Does anyone else experience this? Additionally, there aren't any paths really "designed" for tier V, so they don't seem to have the impact I would expect at the highest tier.

I find myself planning for tier III, maybe tier IV, for "what my character will be" but generally discount tier V. Does anyone else experience this?

I believe I remember hearing that there is no plan to extend tiers to "epic" (above tier V) play. Is this correct?

I know this is starting early, since my highest tier character is still mid tier 2, but it seemed odd, so I thought I would see what others were thinking.

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AKA Kavaris, awakened "Human" from the Hinterlands, psionic transmutation specialist, adventurer, and no one important


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:54 am 
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:47 am
Posts: 2493
Location: Central Alberta
I have planned my primary (Haakon) all the way to 5.8 as I need the slots to fulfill my present vision of his progression.

I have planned my secondary (Ruma) to about 3.10, mostly because I don't play with him as often and to get all the stuff I feel I need for him will take about that long.

I have planned my tertiary (Jorma) all the way to about 4.5 as that is how long it will take to get everything I want for him.

I accept there are presently few, if any, Paths that require Tier V, but sometimes it takes a while to get people everything you want. For example, Haakon is going Anointed Priest -> Holy Judge 1 -> Holy Judge 2 -> Keeper of Forgotten Lore 1 -> War Priest. I pictured him as a combat-oriented Holy Judge of Nier who was also a member of the Orthodoxy as a worshiper of both Nier and Illiir. As such, the only really 'extra' path I have there is the War Priest, which I'd actually like to take earlier but the other Paths are more important to my character concept.

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Cody Bergman
Legends of Arcanis Campaign Staff
Initial Author Contact/Adventure Vetting

Haakon Marcus val'Virdan, Divine Holy Judge of Nier
Ruma val'Vasik, Martial Crusader and Master of the Spear
Jorma Osterman, Arcane Coryani Battlemage


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:56 pm 
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Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 7:06 am
Posts: 991
I usually sketch in at least a Path for T.V, as this Path is the 'retirement' option. It's what they're doing when they stop adventuring.

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LARG; Astra Tonsoria Ursula val¤Dellanov, Martial Former Tribune, Centurion Sword Sage II, T3.4
LA:5E; Magdelene of Ostermann, Dark-kin Courtesan Rog3(Bard)/HC2 (future twilight warrior)
LRC:OP; Seraphina "Flowerchild" Amakiir, Skill Hero


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 5:35 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:46 pm
Posts: 1353
For my characters I usually plan much of the character through Tier V. My concepts inevitably want more Talents, Spells or Techniques than I can cram into advancement even in Tier V, so sorting out what's important early helps. For Paths I like to see where I've got flexibility and what prereqs I'm going to need. Of course, things change.

Vincens' original path progression was:
Tier I: Spontaneously Awakened Psion
Tier II: Grand Master of the Dagger
Tier III: Grand Master of the Dagger
Tier IV: Assassin
Tier V: Assassin

He was planned as a Martial two weapon fighter often relying on Shadow Manipulation to generate daggers. Nice and tight, low Charisma (2) with background and stories as to why. A fun build. Then Arcanicon and other things happened.

So, he now dual weilds a gladius and a short sword. He wasn't even proficient with short sword before Arcanicon. Paths?

Tier I: Spontaneously Awakened Psion
Tier II: Sword Saint (and took rudimentary prayers)
Tier III: Sword Sage
Tier IV: Sword Sage
Tier V: Path? No idea, however DSC I. Yeah, didn't see that one coming and planned against it with the 2 Charisma. But it's what makes sense now.

Current options to put in Tier V would be Assassin, Centurion, Grand Master, Myrmidon or Seasoned Veteran. At this point I'm not convinced he'll still be the same character by the time I get there though. :)

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul


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 Post subject: Re: Character ple oanning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 5:41 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:06 am
Posts: 2109
Location: Portland OR
I guess I do a hybrid version of plotting things out. Yes I do go to Tier 5. No, I usually don't fill in every available step at each Tier. I obviously take a path, any 2 talents, +2 to all defenses and 3 sets of skill increases (as an expert). I do those 6 steps per Tier. The others advancements are important but less "must have!" So I figure them out when I get there.

IME things also change as you play.

I often go back and tweak the future plans of what I want (or need) to do. In combat, the core of my Tukufu concept is that he is a primary caster but can competently stab you with a sword and/or shoot you while he is under strain (or otherwise needs to due to battlefield conditions). Tukufu started out as an arcane archetype with a whole lot of talent and path support to ensure that he could at least hit reliably with guns.... Until it was pointed out to me that Warrior Mage doesn't work with marksmanship (only melee)...which scuttled the build I had - OOOPS! So I rebuilt Tukufu as an Expert ... but that change also altered the help I need to realize that concept. Originally I was most limited in skill ranks and was going to be a Trigger Mage...now the marksmanship skill works out just fine w/o the TM boost. And the TM feat requirements are onerous in an Expert.

So I've done three different versions of progression past T2 for Tukufu. Because "out of combat" the Altheria identity is important I kept a triggermage version. I also have a Milandesian Warmind version. And I have a Psion Grandmaster version.

As an FYI I'm not 100% happy with any of the builds and am quietly hoping new material gives me the opportunity to make a 4th build for the last three tiers.

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Eric Gorman

AKA Ambassador Tukufu, man of letters, tomb raider and Master Sword Sage
. . . and Sir Szymon val'Holryn, Order of the Phoenix
Formerly Sir Jaeger val'Holryn. Weilder of the Holy Avenger: Thonanos. Gave his soul to help free King Noen


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:27 pm 

Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:12 pm
Posts: 1037
For me, it varies by character. I usually start with Paths as that can be a simple decider on what other advancements are needed when.

For Ss'kethis, I only have Paths planned through tier 3 (possibly only through 2). I'm hoping there are some more appropriate Paths that come out in Ssethregore.

For G'hyu'thyh, I have Paths planned through at least tier 4 (don't remember if I have a tier 5 Path chosen yet).

I know I'll always take the usual other advancements (+2 all defenses, +1 all skills, +1 to 3+pLo skills, 2 talents, and usually the archetype talent and/or skill advancement).

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Ss'kethis - Expert Holy Champion of the Fire Dragon 3.1
G'hyu'thyh Sungha - Martial Templar of Illiir 1.7
Eryk Bauer - Martial Awakened 1.2


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:20 pm 

Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 6:45 pm
Posts: 639
I don't normally look past TIER II when planning a PC. Of course most of the reason why is that I have so many PC's that I've now had to make Tier II choices. Having played out the "Bounty Hunter" tier with Acturis, I'm now realizing that Tier II will get boring with my only attack still being the Mancatcher Staff Grab. Granted I can do more than that in combat. But it is all support.

I'm now considering taking Acturis down the path of a caster. But the question is cast what??? Blood Spider is good recon, and thus very useful for him. But I've always played him as a Cadic Worshiper, so I don't see him moving to Sarish with any conviction. As for Eldritch, it has its place. But I don't really see how it would apply for Acturis at the moment. Humm, I guess that is what I get for building a PC concept in a car ride to a con....

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Eric Hughes

There once was a gnome called Oozy,
Who kissed a Yaricite floozy.
But rather than wed,
She drowned him instead,
Now he is a Yaricite toosey!


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 Post subject: Re: Character planning
PostPosted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:52 pm 
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Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 7:06 am
Posts: 991
Acturis binding his captures with unbreakable Shadow rope and dragging them back to the magistrate by their heels?

All sorts of handy DSC spells for a bounty hunter.
Manipulation of Shadow (rope)
Alarm
Seal Portal
Immune to Adverse Climates
Alter Appearance
Awe

ASC:
Call to Arms
Entangling Webs
Confound

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LARG; Astra Tonsoria Ursula val¤Dellanov, Martial Former Tribune, Centurion Sword Sage II, T3.4
LA:5E; Magdelene of Ostermann, Dark-kin Courtesan Rog3(Bard)/HC2 (future twilight warrior)
LRC:OP; Seraphina "Flowerchild" Amakiir, Skill Hero


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