XP Totals

[Stix]

January

Hadrian: 14,850 (15,000 for next level)

Enough for 5th, nearly 6th. Any thoughts on how you'd like to spend those levels? Abjurant Champion would actually be doable if you're willing to multiclass into something more martial and take the Combat Prowess feat.

[exile]

Hey Stix,

I think I must be missing something, because I don't see why its even essential to take a level in a martial class or the combat prowess feat to reach Abjurant Champion eligability at level 6 (unless you are talking about level five?). At level 6, so far as I can tell, I meet all the criteria that I can see for Abj. Champion.

My plan was to pursue Favored Soul from levels 1-20 for the one half of my gestalt combination, Wizard from 1-5 and again from 11-20, and for the remaining portion of 6-10 max out my levels in Abjurant Champion.

I ought to have more time this next month to post so I have no concerns about acruing the 150 experience I still need to level.

Does this plan work for you?

Exilem

[Stix]

I'd been looking by mistake at the requirements for the class as written instead of the adjusted ones, so it's not quite as much of a stretch as I'd thought. Here's the breakdown as I see it.

At Favored Soul-Mage 5, Hadrian would only have a BAB of +3 (still one shy). Combat Prowess would give him the last point he'd need to qualify for the first level of Abjurant Champion at CL 6. Otherwise, you could wait until Gestalt 6, and take the PrC at 7th.

The gestalt is a single class, though, not a consistent aspect of the character. At 10th (assuming Combat Prowess), Hadrian would theoretically be Favored Soul-Mage 5, Abjurant Champion 5.

And you'll make 150 XP in the space of a week, no problem.

[exile]

So just to clear something up, if I take a prestiege class, for any and all levels in which I advance in that PrC, I am not gestalt, I'm monoclassed?m

[Stix]

Correct.

[exile]

Wow, steep price to pay, I miss out on 5 levels of divine casting. I'm going to have to think it over. For now assume I'm going FS/Wiz until I say otherwise.

Cheers,
Exilem

[Stix]

Five levels of divine spells is a pretty hefty trade, yeah. Still, doubling the duration of Abjuration spells and being able to cast two spells a round for free is pretty insane, and Arcane Boost alone is worth four levels, as I see it. I'd probably stop at four, since Martial Arcanist is worthless to you (though I do give a Reputation bonus for both starting and completing a PrC).

The aasimar paragon class is probably of no interest to you, but are you familiar with bloodlines? They're open source. Have you given thought to Hadrian's parentage or family?

[exile]

I agree with you that the PrC is a very nice one, I'm just not sure its worth being able to cast what amounts to 19 extra spells per day ranging from levels 3 to 6, and ultimately being deprived of access to level 8 or 9 divine spells. I'd also put a different emphasis on the abilities I think. I'd say that 'Abjurant Armor' and 'Extended Abjuration' are the strong traits. 'Swift Abjuration' will likely only come into play once or twice in the course of a combat, so even though in theory I can be casting 2 spells a round every round, in practice there are only so many abjuration spells applicable to any given circumstance.

Likewise 'Arcane Boost' is, in my opinion at least, present to accomodate Melee types who take a couple levels in arcane for entry to this class since every option it duplicates can be better accomplished by casting a spell. I do agree with you however that Martial Arcanist is an empty level for me. As a character, Hadrian isn't personally interested in notariety so thats not really a roleplaying draw either. I'm not ruling out the option of taking levels in this prc, but its no longer the straight forward decision it once was.

Exile

[exile]

I forgot to address your question about Hadrian's parentage, so I'll throw on a quick addendum to my last post. In all honesty I hadn't given it considerable thought yet. Bloodlines do seem interesting so I'll have to give them some consideration, although it seems I'm fairly limited in my options (Celestial bloodline is the only one that applies).

Exile

[Stix]

One of many side-projects has been scheming up bloodlines for the varieties of Celestials -- Aasimon, Eladrins, Asuras, et cetera. If anything interests you thematically, I'll put it together tonight. If you'd prefer to see the mechanics, I'll bump them up on the priority list.

Bloodlines decrease in strength one grade per generation; a Major bloodline is the result of the pairing of a celestial and an aasimar of the same type's bloodline.

[exile]

Based on location alone, Asuras and Eladrin by far make the most sense, but you don't have to rush the stats out on my account.

I'll keep an eye on things as you post them. Bloodlines seem really interresting from a roleplaying perspective, but mechanically its questionable if they are worth the cost in class levels. I'll have to see what you come up with in the end.

Exilem

[Stix]

April

Hadrian: 18,350 (21,000 for next level)