DF: Still can't challenge the Swashbuckler

[JMason]

Originally Posted by pfharlock

please, excuse me if these points have already been stated...

If you read the rules for rapid strike carefully, they can only apply to one of your attacks. I used to make this mistake too thinking if I have extra attack I can apply rapid strike to both and get 4 attacks. in reality, you only get 3 attacks with extra attack and rapid strike.

Right, he is only turning one attack into a rapid strike. The other tends to be a Feint or deceptive attack depending on the situation.

What I WAS doing was allowing the rules from MA for Rapid Strike allow more than two strikes.

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

What's his point total now?May be able to find ssomething to challenge him...

320 spent, but he has 30 set aside (he's considering upgrading Ex. Luck to Ridiculous Luck).

Originally Posted by Anders

My impression is that the trick isn't strictly speaking finding which can challenge the swashbuckler. It's to find something which can challenge the swashbuckler, gives the other characters a place to shine, and doesn't eat the entire party.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Edges

The problem seems to be that one character was allowed a force-multiplying optional rule that was meant for a different type of campaign. Now he is a much more efficient killing machine than the rest of the party.

But I don't propose taking away the optional rule. Players don't generally like their toys taken away especially for seemingly arbitrary, meta-game reasons. Instead, I suggest giving the other PCs comparable efficiencies either in the form of Advantages or access to optional rules (be they RAW or house ruled).

I wouldn't do this heavy handedly though. It might make the Swashbuckler feel funny if you just handed out a bunch of good stuff to everyone else. I would gradually work it into the campaign in the form of in-game rewards. Maybe after they defeat a powerful wizard, they get his spellbook and find the secrets to rapid fire spell casting (or whatever). Later another PC gets something groovy and powerful, etc.

Once everyone gets up to the SB's speed (so to speak), then you get to step up the challenge level and let 'er rip.

The cleric is actually coming long. He is a Celestial and the 75 points sunk into the racial template stunted him a bit starting out, but I think that now he is getting to a good place. He can use his morningstar, buff, heal, throw Sunbolt, and has some energy reserve to keep from being tired all the time.

I've talked with the Wizard player about some power ups, such as an irresistible attack (like a Missile of Magic!), but he just doesn't seem interested. I really feel that while he says that he like his character, but doesn't like playing a mage in combat.

I've asked him if he wanted to retire the character and start playing with a new one, but so far he has said no. I think that he feel obligated to "fill the role" for the party.

With the party down two players though, things might change.