| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dranian |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 16:53:47
Hello everyone,
This post is my first on this website. :-) I thank you. Furthermore, if any aspects of this post do not fit the particular section in which it is found, please let me know or move it accordingly.
I'm a graduate student studying Psychoanalytic Theory in the frigid, but thankfully now thawing, hamlet of Hanover, New Hampshire. I find myself coming back to the realms to seek, of course, what this sleepy village cannot supply me: adventure. (Though truthfully, I satiate my wanderlust in the wilderness surrounding the town; however, I crave more.)
I have a few questions for everyone that I hope can be answered. Again, please feel free to move my topic or advise me should it be inappropriate.
Since I was a child, I found the Forgotten Realms to be the most beautiful, detailed, and flavorful living-fantasy world (note that I do say "living" as I must do honor to Tolkien's world) in existence today. I have never lost this admiration, which is why I now seek to return. My system of choice is 3.5 D&D, and is where I last departed. I've kept up with the 4th edition expansion with a familiarity with the system's rules and I find it too "stagnant" and dry for my tastes. I don't mean to berate it in this post; I mean only to state that I prefer 3.5 over any other system. I find it to be the most accurate way to "live" and "adventure" in a fantasy world. As such, my questions relate to 3.5 and how it may still be found on tabletops today.
I'd like to play an epic campaign, with my best friend/girlfriend, in the realms; it would consist of two characters -- a ranger/druid and a beguiler. I admire the richness of the epic characters in the world, and do not seek to kill or destroy any of the wealth of personalities, only to battle/exist alongside them, so to speak. My foes will be my own making and the established wonder of the realms will not be hindered with their eventual demise. I do wonder, though, as far as 3.5 rules are concerned, what would an example 35th level character look like compared to existing npc's and monsters of the realms? I'm particularly perplexed at the AC that might be required by a character in order to survive a front-line attack by something as powerful as a balor, or even worse a specific evil (epic) character (such as Eltab or the Branded King). It seems a character would have to boast an AC in the range of 50 - 65 in order to maintain a competitive edge against these enemies (a Balor has an attack bonus of +31 as per the 3.5 Hypertext SRD with a CR of only 20). Am I right in this supposition, and if so how does one achieve such a number without a distasteful excess of magical items oriented solely for AC? Are those sorts of items necessary? Would a character have to magically buff himself/herself before every single battle?
I notice that epic characters, such as Storm Silverhand, don't indulge in epic level, near absurd, figures in their equipment (her AC is nowhere near the 50-65 range). Is this a result of the publishing date of the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms setting or is there another reason?
I consider this website to be the definitive place to find realms fanatics; as such, I would like to know what everyone here thinks of the "Spellplague" and other related events. How does everyone else feel about the 4th edition changes in the realms? Is 4th Edition universal? From what I've seen of my friends in this area it is not.
I look forward to hearing all of your responses. :-)
Thank you. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 05:55:44
Welcome to Candlekeep, Fundin 
I, too, am a grognard with a strong preference for 1E/2E (and an ever-growing taste for 3E/3.5E).
But I advise ye to not be prejudiced against 4E after reading negative comments about it here (and at other forums). True, 4E is not the same D&D we had and many people express their opinions about 4E rather vehemently, but taken for what it is (an entirely separate game) it is an immensely playable, entertaining, and (I feel) worthy successor ... those details which I find objectionable (and there are more than a few) really boil down to changes in the setting lore instead of changes in the play mechanics (many of the new ideas are refreshing and work really well), it's really quite easy to "turn back the clock", ignore (and adopt) whatever elements you prefer, and simply continue adventuring in the Realms.
Candlekeep is officially dedicated to the Forgotten Realms, not to any particular edition of the D&D game. Many of the scribes here don't even play the game but visit the Realms through novels and fiction. |
| Fundin |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 04:47:52
Hello! I am new to this forum. I found candlekeep quite by accident will researching a topic on the net. After reading a portion of the many posts, I have become pretty intrigued by all the talk of 4th edition FR. We all started playing the game in the mid to late 80's, at what I guess would be the end of the 1st edition era. Then several years ago converted to 2nd and started to explore the wealth of material written for the Realms. I have to say that I too have fallen in love with the Forgotten Realms, but it will always perhaps be through the lens of rose colored glasses.
Recently a good friend persuaded me to take a look at 4th edition. As an old guy, I can't say that I care much for what I saw, but...I have a young son who I hope one day soon will begin to play within the Realms. What I saw in the 4th edition Realms books will most likely appeal to him much more than our old fashion campaign as it seems rather less complicated than the world we have built. So when he begins to play, I will probably make the leap and begin the conversion.
This marvelous addiction that we all ascribe to must be passed on to the next generation in whatever form make endears itself to them. If it is 4th edition then so be it, but I will secretly hope that we few, we lucky few can carry on in the old tradition. |
| ChieftainTwilight |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 05:07:46
welcome. :)
personaly, I'm not too fond of the 4th Edition Changes... I'm a pre-Spellplague guy, though some of the changes are very interesting... for example, teh Return of the Shade Empire, the destruction and rebuilding of Evermeet (with a mix of Weave and Shadow Weave Mythals), and Alisza giving birth to Pharaun's son, ensuring his Blood lives on! >w< <3 I always wanted her to conceieve with him. and after only one night, too, how scandalous! ^____^
anywho, I hate how they got rid of so many Gods, and so many of the Chosen of Mystra... I thnk it's rediculous and stupid that they have only one Drow Deity now. gyagh!
but as much as I love pre-Spellplague Faerun... I admit that I don't even play earlier versions anymore. I have divorced myself from the Realms and now am married to Eberron. it's ok though, FR and I are still good friends. ^_^
I actually feel very strongly about the metaphore I used, just so you know. I have played D&D for over 11 years now, and 10 of those years were in Forgotten Realms. I started in 3rd edition, with 2nd edition material on hand. Faerun realy is the epitome of a Living Campaign Setting, as it has seen so much change... I love how the Novels are Canon. provides alot of inspiration for Adventures and Campaigns.
anywho, on the topic of Epic Characters, AC is only one thing used to survive. as pointed out above, some characters use different tactics altogether. why not try mixing AC bonuses with Conceilment, or with some kin of deterent (such as reitributive abilities)? an enemy is less likely to hit you if they take as much damage as you do.
I don't think you need to worry too much about having 50+ AC all th etime.. som eof the more powerfull creatures will hit heavy and hard and often, true... but alot will also have more "normal" attack mods.
I like being tricky... I avoid enemies in the first place. =w= one of my favourite characters I play is my Vampire Drow Sorcerer3/Cleric3/Mythic Theurge10/Barbarian1 of Kiaransalee (Darkness and Undead Domains; CR 21). he wears a ing of Protection +5, a Ring of Mind Shielding, and his Holy Symbol is a garland of Mummified Drow Hands enchanted as an Amulet of Natural Armour +5 with the main Hand on it being enchanted as a Hand of Glory. on that, he wears a Ring of Protection +4. he also wears +5 Spidersilk Armour.
his Vampiric Alternate Form is a Dire Wolf, and he has the Natural Spell feat. if he needs to, he can Transform, cast Tenser's Transformation, and then use his Rage. lowers his AC, but allows him to tear through enemies. so, he is able to switch gears to fight as he needs to, blasting mellee-combatants with spells and healing himself and his undead minions (primarily using hit-and-run tactics, or at the very least skirmish tactics), and brutally rending enemy casters asunder.
but he avoids combat by using his high Charisma, his Spells, and his Vampiric abilities. if all else fails, he can just use Gaseous Form. XD
remember, Epic Characters have alot more tricks up their sleeves then just high BAB and AC. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 18:29:05
Welcome to Candlekeep, as Wolly pointed the changes made are loved or hate depending on the individual and yes, you won't find any other better place Realms related anwhere  |
| Joran Nobleheart |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 18:14:22
Welcome to Candlekeep, dranian! I hope that you enjoy your stay in these hallowed halls, and that all of your questions are answered here by the finest sages in the Realms.  |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 18:06:39
Welcome!
Feelings on the changes of 4E are very mixed. Some people love them, some people utter loathe them. It depends on the individual. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 17:56:12
Insofar as epic-level Storm Silverhand's "low" AC:
Nobody's perfect at everything. Even legendary characters have strengths and weaknesses; Elminster might be pretty handy in a brawl but without magic he wouldn't stand a chance against an epic-level fighter. Storm obviously compensates for her "weak" AC by not standing still and trading blows; she employs magic, skill, agility, and intelligence to avoid being hurt. People would be inclined to play her as a brute toe-to-toe tank if she had invulnerable AC, which is not really her character.
[Edit: Welcome to Candlekeep, dranian! ] |
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