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NobleNick · 05-25-2005, 11:09 AM

Aerich,

You have to have shields. That's not what I want to hear, but I've been slowly coming around to it. The really tough fights are where your theories get put to the test; and my shieldless DC F(9)/Thief just stinks defensively in the tough fights. (I guess I shouldn't complain, because she *IS* a great Thief and a VERY tough character: beats the pants off taking a SC Thief into the expansions. But I wanted more: a great Thief AND a great Fighter, so am disappointed. I had thought that going F(13)/T would make the situation rosier; but it only helps offensively: doesn't do a thing for AC.)

5 PP is a novelty for me. Whenever I get it, it's usually in Axe. It's melee and ranged weapon for the price of one... I have been wondering about this for a while, and looking for an authoritative answer: does the 5 PP in Axe really give you all the 5PP bonuses for a RANGED axe attack? (I had a HDD crash and had to rebuild my machine; so have been without IWD for over a month. Need to reinstall. I feel a test build of an axe expert coming on...)

Why not a Fighter/Mage? Mirror Images and Stoneskin make pretty good shields. I will admit to using Joril's Axe with a Fighter[13]/Mage with 5 PP in Axe. Mirror Image takes the pain, Stoneskin blocks enemies long enough to cast another MI, and repeat. Makes a very durable tank, as long as you have enough of the right spells. The Battle Mage. Ahhhh, if you really have a full Mage with 140+ HP, a natural THAC0 of 5 *PLUS* 5 PP bonuses for melee AND ranged attacks, and 3.5 ApR, then I *AM* envious!! Don't forget that you can stack a Blur and/or Improved Invisibility on top of everything else. Oh yeah, that will replace a shield, and then some! And the extra PP would stack nicely 3 high in Mace (for those pesky slash-resistant monsters). My back up party has a few Fighters destined to be Battle Mages. I am re-jazzed about getting them to where I can DC. Maybe the shield-less carnage-wreaking tank is not out of reach after all!

--------------------
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!

[ 05-25-2005, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

05-25-2005, 11:09 AM	#18
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 65 Posts: 1,045	Aerich, You have to have shields. That's not what I want to hear, but I've been slowly coming around to it. The really tough fights are where your theories get put to the test; and my shieldless DC F(9)/Thief just stinks defensively in the tough fights. (I guess I shouldn't complain, because she IS a great Thief and a VERY tough character: beats the pants off taking a SC Thief into the expansions. But I wanted more: a great Thief AND a great Fighter, so am disappointed. I had thought that going F(13)/T would make the situation rosier; but it only helps offensively: doesn't do a thing for AC.) 5 PP is a novelty for me. Whenever I get it, it's usually in Axe. It's melee and ranged weapon for the price of one... I have been wondering about this for a while, and looking for an authoritative answer: does the 5 PP in Axe really give you all the 5PP bonuses for a RANGED axe attack? (I had a HDD crash and had to rebuild my machine; so have been without IWD for over a month. Need to reinstall. I feel a test build of an axe expert coming on...) Why not a Fighter/Mage? Mirror Images and Stoneskin make pretty good shields. I will admit to using Joril's Axe with a Fighter[13]/Mage with 5 PP in Axe. Mirror Image takes the pain, Stoneskin blocks enemies long enough to cast another MI, and repeat. Makes a very durable tank, as long as you have enough of the right spells. The Battle Mage. Ahhhh, if you really have a full Mage with 140+ HP, a natural THAC0 of 5 PLUS 5 PP bonuses for melee AND ranged attacks, and 3.5 ApR, then I AM envious!! Don't forget that you can stack a Blur and/or Improved Invisibility on top of everything else. Oh yeah, that will replace a shield, and then some! And the extra PP would stack nicely 3 high in Mace (for those pesky slash-resistant monsters). My back up party has a few Fighters destined to be Battle Mages. I am re-jazzed about getting them to where I can DC. Maybe the shield-less carnage-wreaking tank is not out of reach after all! -------------------- What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party On!! [ 05-25-2005, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]