Post by khalaq on Oct 10, 2007 10:07:06 GMT
THE OKIE HARPER SCOUT
I. Finding your Okie Subrace
II. Selecting a Class for Your Okie
III. Building Your Okie Scout
IV. Okie Scout Build Details
V. Favored Enemies for Okies
VI. Being a Harper as an Okie
VII. Items for Okie Scouts
VIII. Conclusion
I. FINDING YOUR OKIE SUBRACE:
So, you've finally decided to try your hand at a real subrace! None of these mamby-pamby Half-Celestials for you! Only a man's man (or a complete idiot) has what it takes to play an Okie! And because you're a man's man (or a masochist), you're looking for something different, something off the beaten path. Actually, that's where we need to start is off the beaten path.
The Okie subrace isn't that hard to find, once you know where to look. Simply wander into the Blood Moor and follow your nose to the "Abandoned Outhouse." Inside, you'll find the Okie subrace book (minus a few pages), and, assuming you make your fortification save versus the poisonous cloud, you're all set.
II. SELECTING A CLASS FOR YOUR OKIE:
If you're smart, you'll play your Okie as a Bard. "Why a Bard?" you might ask. "Isn't a Bard supposed to be charismatic? With a charisma of 5, that would surely be the least likely career choice for an Okie." Ah, but you have to look at this from the Okie's perspective!
As a Bard, the Okie doesn't have to worry about a Fighter's heavy armor and weapons (which he can't hit with, anyhow). Not only that, the first attack from an enemy would probably lay him out on the ground for good. A Barbarian build would also be a bad idea. (The Okie-Barbarian's shout sounds more like a scream of abject terror.) Okies spend their time trying to avoid trouble, not rushing headlong into it.
What about Rogue? Well, the Okie isn't as bad at shooting as he is at some other things, and he can steal his own socks off the clothes line, but being a Rogue is more than that. It involves cunning (ha!), and awareness (haha!), and nimble quickness (pffffffft!). An Okie can't even pronounce "nimble," and is likely to take anyone nearby with him when he kills himself setting off a trap.
Then there are the "godly" classes, such as Monk, Priest, and Paladin. An Okie can't find his way out of a wet paper bag, much less around the inside of a temple. And who could blame the Okie for not being "gung-ho" about worshipping the gods who have so obviously forsaken him?
Being a wizard or a sorcerer is also out of the question. First off, the Okie can't read. Second, he has the attention span of a goldfish. Third, the goldfish down the street beat the Okie in competition for the full-ride scholarship to Wizard University, and there's no way the bank will give the Okie a loan.
Druid and Ranger are both out, too, because the Okie can't hang around wildlife without taking a shot at it. His Uncle Willie did that in a protected forest and they never found the body.
Therefore, BARD!
OK, so the Okie Bard is not as popular as some other heroes might be, but he can be somewhat entertaining. Especially when a large troll is gnawing on his arm. (That usually brings a smile to the faces of other party members.) In order to make our Okie Bard viable, however, we will have to select Harper Scout as a prestige class. That, and always remember to hand out plenty of ressurection packs before going on a run.
III. BUILDING YOUR OKIE SCOUT:
Level one is your best level, so enjoy the heck out of it. Goggle at the number of skill points you're starting with, because you won't ever be getting that many again at one go. Feel free to pick any four Cantrips you'd like. It doesn't matter which ones you select as you won't be casting anything much for a good long while.
Once you've actually entered the HG server, and the subrace stats kick in, you will find yourself a bit weaker. Not to worry! You are fully capable of overpowering creatures half your size (when you get the drop on them), and your bard song (+1 to attack rolls) will make you highly sought after by groups of adventurers! Well,... OK, not really. But it makes nifty musical notes drift from the top of your head, which looks cool. To appear more useful, you can also run around a lot and look busy. Try using your emote wand, and stuff like that. Just be sure to answer any queries as to why you are hiding behind the other party members with a solemn "I'm working hard on buffing everyone with my bardsong."
Since the requirements for Harper Scout are beyond you as a new character, you'll have to focus on attaining the skills necessary for your prestige class. Good thing you have that skill point boost from level 1! Dump the necessary number of points into Discipline, Lore, Persuade, and Search, then boost your Performance skill as much as possible. Even with only 2 skill points per level, you should have a few points left over to dump into Use Magical Device. In about fifteen levels, when your CHA bonus is positive instead of negative, you'll be able to use some of the magical trinkets you find (eg. Wand of Summoning).
IV. OKIE SCOUT BUILD DETAILS:
Race: Human
Subrace: Okie
Alignment: Any Non-Lawful
Subrace Traits: (-6 STR, -5 DEX, -3 CON, -7 WIS, -6 INT, -8 CHA, Increased Movement Speed, Darkvision, Favored Enemy: Vermin)
Stats (Subrace)
---------------
STR: 12 (-6) = 6
DEX: 13 (-5) = 8
CON: 14 (-3) = 11
WIS: 13 (-7) = 6
INT: 12 (-6) = 6
CHA: 14 (-8) = 6
Level Progression:
1-8 Bard
9-13 Harper Scout
14-20 Bard
STAT POINTS: Dump everything into CHA. If it isn't nailed down, try to dump it into CHA. If it is nailed down, try to pry it up and dump it into CHA.
PRE-EPIC FEATS:
-Artist
-Curse Song
-Iron Will
-Alertness
-Lingering Song
-Extra Music
-Toughness
-Skill Focus: Perform
EPIC FEATS:
-Anything that you think might possibly help.
STATS@20
--------
STR: 6
DEX: 8
CON: 10
WIS: 6
INT: 6
CHA: 11
SAVES@20
--------
Fort: 6
Refl: 12
Will: 13
You will notice that I have only posted stats up through level 20. This is because I have not yet managed to find any Okies over level 20 who were still breathing and walking around.
V. FAVORED ENEMIES FOR OKIES:
Your Okie gets Favored Enemy: Vermin for free, but Harper Scout also gives you another two Enemies. Unfortunately, the FE bonuses do not increase as you gain in level (unlike with Ranger), so your bonuses are limited to +1. That being the case, and also because combat is something you want to avoid, I suggest picking enemies you are unlikely to have trouble with (eg. Animals) or are able to outrun (eg. Undead).
VI. BEING A HARPER AS AN OKIE:
The Harper Scout prestige class offers many benefits to you as an Okie Bard:
-Bardic Knowledge (so you can spend your few skill points on something besides Lore)
-Favored Enemy (compose off-color limericks about them)
-Deneire's Eye (+2 to Trap Saves, which is a substantial boost, considering your saves are almost non-existent)
-Sleep (as the spell, but you can actually cast it, unlike your other spells)
-Tymora's Smile (+2 to all saves, once per day, which is, again, a substantial boost)
-Cat's Grace (as spell, and still no problem with your CHA being too low)
-Lliira's Heart (+2 to Mind-Effecting Spells, which is another saves boost...Yay!)
-Eagle's Splendor (as the spell, and you can actually cast it)
-Second Favored Enemy (learn new and interesting swear-words)
-Craft Item (create potions, which increases the number of things you can do to appear useful)
-Invisibility (as the spell, which is wonderful, as it keeps you alive without requiring actual talent)
VII. ITEMS TO GET AS AN OKIE SCOUT:
As self-preservation will be a constant concern, you'll want to consider equipping anything that gives you immunity to something. Immunities and resistances are especially important to someone who can be squashed like a bug. That, and avoidance. See if you can get your hands on something that gives you Evasion. Also, look for:
-Items that increase your saves (all of them need it)
-Items that make it easier for you to run away and hide (speed, or invisibility)
-Items that make lots of colorful effects, such as cloud wands (so that nobody notices you're not really doing anything)
One thing you want to avoid is using any item or weapon that might draw the unwanted attention of nearby monsters. After all, you're a performer, not a fighter. Play a quick tune on your instrument and then point monsters in the direction of the nearest available party member (mages work well for this).
VIII. CONCLUSION
As you can see, playing an Okie offers benefits you just can't get by playing any of the "lesser" races or subraces. Anyone can play an Okie, but it takes a true master to play an Okie well.
Actually, scratch that. It's impossible to play an Okie well. But a true master can play an Okie decently, and you're sure to be a big hit (with the monsters, if not the players). Yes, those nicknames and epithets your teammates hurl at you are the result of player bonding, and your fellow party members are unlikely to forget you any time soon. They may not remember your face, exactly, (it depends on whether you usually die face up or face down) but they'll remember your name, and that's what counts. After all, it is the truly invidiual who stand out in life. Just look at Leeroy Jenkins!
Oh, and above all else, have fun. (*smile*)
-Khalaq
I. Finding your Okie Subrace
II. Selecting a Class for Your Okie
III. Building Your Okie Scout
IV. Okie Scout Build Details
V. Favored Enemies for Okies
VI. Being a Harper as an Okie
VII. Items for Okie Scouts
VIII. Conclusion
I. FINDING YOUR OKIE SUBRACE:
So, you've finally decided to try your hand at a real subrace! None of these mamby-pamby Half-Celestials for you! Only a man's man (or a complete idiot) has what it takes to play an Okie! And because you're a man's man (or a masochist), you're looking for something different, something off the beaten path. Actually, that's where we need to start is off the beaten path.
The Okie subrace isn't that hard to find, once you know where to look. Simply wander into the Blood Moor and follow your nose to the "Abandoned Outhouse." Inside, you'll find the Okie subrace book (minus a few pages), and, assuming you make your fortification save versus the poisonous cloud, you're all set.
II. SELECTING A CLASS FOR YOUR OKIE:
If you're smart, you'll play your Okie as a Bard. "Why a Bard?" you might ask. "Isn't a Bard supposed to be charismatic? With a charisma of 5, that would surely be the least likely career choice for an Okie." Ah, but you have to look at this from the Okie's perspective!
As a Bard, the Okie doesn't have to worry about a Fighter's heavy armor and weapons (which he can't hit with, anyhow). Not only that, the first attack from an enemy would probably lay him out on the ground for good. A Barbarian build would also be a bad idea. (The Okie-Barbarian's shout sounds more like a scream of abject terror.) Okies spend their time trying to avoid trouble, not rushing headlong into it.
What about Rogue? Well, the Okie isn't as bad at shooting as he is at some other things, and he can steal his own socks off the clothes line, but being a Rogue is more than that. It involves cunning (ha!), and awareness (haha!), and nimble quickness (pffffffft!). An Okie can't even pronounce "nimble," and is likely to take anyone nearby with him when he kills himself setting off a trap.
Then there are the "godly" classes, such as Monk, Priest, and Paladin. An Okie can't find his way out of a wet paper bag, much less around the inside of a temple. And who could blame the Okie for not being "gung-ho" about worshipping the gods who have so obviously forsaken him?
Being a wizard or a sorcerer is also out of the question. First off, the Okie can't read. Second, he has the attention span of a goldfish. Third, the goldfish down the street beat the Okie in competition for the full-ride scholarship to Wizard University, and there's no way the bank will give the Okie a loan.
Druid and Ranger are both out, too, because the Okie can't hang around wildlife without taking a shot at it. His Uncle Willie did that in a protected forest and they never found the body.
Therefore, BARD!
OK, so the Okie Bard is not as popular as some other heroes might be, but he can be somewhat entertaining. Especially when a large troll is gnawing on his arm. (That usually brings a smile to the faces of other party members.) In order to make our Okie Bard viable, however, we will have to select Harper Scout as a prestige class. That, and always remember to hand out plenty of ressurection packs before going on a run.
III. BUILDING YOUR OKIE SCOUT:
Level one is your best level, so enjoy the heck out of it. Goggle at the number of skill points you're starting with, because you won't ever be getting that many again at one go. Feel free to pick any four Cantrips you'd like. It doesn't matter which ones you select as you won't be casting anything much for a good long while.
Once you've actually entered the HG server, and the subrace stats kick in, you will find yourself a bit weaker. Not to worry! You are fully capable of overpowering creatures half your size (when you get the drop on them), and your bard song (+1 to attack rolls) will make you highly sought after by groups of adventurers! Well,... OK, not really. But it makes nifty musical notes drift from the top of your head, which looks cool. To appear more useful, you can also run around a lot and look busy. Try using your emote wand, and stuff like that. Just be sure to answer any queries as to why you are hiding behind the other party members with a solemn "I'm working hard on buffing everyone with my bardsong."
Since the requirements for Harper Scout are beyond you as a new character, you'll have to focus on attaining the skills necessary for your prestige class. Good thing you have that skill point boost from level 1! Dump the necessary number of points into Discipline, Lore, Persuade, and Search, then boost your Performance skill as much as possible. Even with only 2 skill points per level, you should have a few points left over to dump into Use Magical Device. In about fifteen levels, when your CHA bonus is positive instead of negative, you'll be able to use some of the magical trinkets you find (eg. Wand of Summoning).
IV. OKIE SCOUT BUILD DETAILS:
Race: Human
Subrace: Okie
Alignment: Any Non-Lawful
Subrace Traits: (-6 STR, -5 DEX, -3 CON, -7 WIS, -6 INT, -8 CHA, Increased Movement Speed, Darkvision, Favored Enemy: Vermin)
Stats (Subrace)
---------------
STR: 12 (-6) = 6
DEX: 13 (-5) = 8
CON: 14 (-3) = 11
WIS: 13 (-7) = 6
INT: 12 (-6) = 6
CHA: 14 (-8) = 6
Level Progression:
1-8 Bard
9-13 Harper Scout
14-20 Bard
STAT POINTS: Dump everything into CHA. If it isn't nailed down, try to dump it into CHA. If it is nailed down, try to pry it up and dump it into CHA.
PRE-EPIC FEATS:
-Artist
-Curse Song
-Iron Will
-Alertness
-Lingering Song
-Extra Music
-Toughness
-Skill Focus: Perform
EPIC FEATS:
-Anything that you think might possibly help.
STATS@20
--------
STR: 6
DEX: 8
CON: 10
WIS: 6
INT: 6
CHA: 11
SAVES@20
--------
Fort: 6
Refl: 12
Will: 13
You will notice that I have only posted stats up through level 20. This is because I have not yet managed to find any Okies over level 20 who were still breathing and walking around.
V. FAVORED ENEMIES FOR OKIES:
Your Okie gets Favored Enemy: Vermin for free, but Harper Scout also gives you another two Enemies. Unfortunately, the FE bonuses do not increase as you gain in level (unlike with Ranger), so your bonuses are limited to +1. That being the case, and also because combat is something you want to avoid, I suggest picking enemies you are unlikely to have trouble with (eg. Animals) or are able to outrun (eg. Undead).
VI. BEING A HARPER AS AN OKIE:
The Harper Scout prestige class offers many benefits to you as an Okie Bard:
-Bardic Knowledge (so you can spend your few skill points on something besides Lore)
-Favored Enemy (compose off-color limericks about them)
-Deneire's Eye (+2 to Trap Saves, which is a substantial boost, considering your saves are almost non-existent)
-Sleep (as the spell, but you can actually cast it, unlike your other spells)
-Tymora's Smile (+2 to all saves, once per day, which is, again, a substantial boost)
-Cat's Grace (as spell, and still no problem with your CHA being too low)
-Lliira's Heart (+2 to Mind-Effecting Spells, which is another saves boost...Yay!)
-Eagle's Splendor (as the spell, and you can actually cast it)
-Second Favored Enemy (learn new and interesting swear-words)
-Craft Item (create potions, which increases the number of things you can do to appear useful)
-Invisibility (as the spell, which is wonderful, as it keeps you alive without requiring actual talent)
VII. ITEMS TO GET AS AN OKIE SCOUT:
As self-preservation will be a constant concern, you'll want to consider equipping anything that gives you immunity to something. Immunities and resistances are especially important to someone who can be squashed like a bug. That, and avoidance. See if you can get your hands on something that gives you Evasion. Also, look for:
-Items that increase your saves (all of them need it)
-Items that make it easier for you to run away and hide (speed, or invisibility)
-Items that make lots of colorful effects, such as cloud wands (so that nobody notices you're not really doing anything)
One thing you want to avoid is using any item or weapon that might draw the unwanted attention of nearby monsters. After all, you're a performer, not a fighter. Play a quick tune on your instrument and then point monsters in the direction of the nearest available party member (mages work well for this).
VIII. CONCLUSION
As you can see, playing an Okie offers benefits you just can't get by playing any of the "lesser" races or subraces. Anyone can play an Okie, but it takes a true master to play an Okie well.
Actually, scratch that. It's impossible to play an Okie well. But a true master can play an Okie decently, and you're sure to be a big hit (with the monsters, if not the players). Yes, those nicknames and epithets your teammates hurl at you are the result of player bonding, and your fellow party members are unlikely to forget you any time soon. They may not remember your face, exactly, (it depends on whether you usually die face up or face down) but they'll remember your name, and that's what counts. After all, it is the truly invidiual who stand out in life. Just look at Leeroy Jenkins!
Oh, and above all else, have fun. (*smile*)
-Khalaq