Getting Ready For Epic

[Harbinder]

I'm getting close to greater reincarnation and also having a fine greensteel weapon. Soon I'll be entering the realm of EPIC content. It's a bit daunting to say the least. Talk to me about epic content. What can I expect to see in epic dungeons.

[Trillea]

I'm getting close to greater reincarnation and also having a fine greensteel weapon. Soon I'll be entering the realm of EPIC content. It's a bit daunting to say the least. Talk to me about epic content. What can I expect to see in epic dungeons.

A lot of HP even on trash monsters that are immune to insta-death and almost immune to stat damage. High saves, hard hitting incoming damage, and 8th-9th level spells getting thrown at you. AC being more useless than non-epic. (80s to even hope to work against trash mobs is my experience).

Good loot, after a lot of grinding.

[Mackem]

As a melee you should consider to have:

- 400+ HP
- high to-hit score (on some reds/oranges you sometimes even may switch power attack off)
- good DPS (min2 GS minimum) and/or 10% stun (if you have supporting feats) weapons for most epics and specific weapons for some, like blunt PP GS for a wiz king...

and hit the same mob the other players hitting

[MarcusCleardawn]

General observations about epic level content:

1. Opponent hitpoint totals are huge.

2. Consequently, much of epic melee strategy involves getting the mobs into an "auto-critical" state such as through Mass Hold Monster, Stunning Blow, Stunning Fist etc. and then switching to a higher critical multiplier weapon like heavy picks (x4).

3. Mob armor classes are much higher than in normal content, the number bandied about is +50 as a minimum. So for many characters this means turning off power attack or at least being judicious with it.

4. Mob BAB is quite high consequently, getting an effective Armor Class is much more difficult. The minimum number I recall as being "somewhat effective" is 75.

5. Instant Death effects don't work, except Trap the Soul. Though I've heard reports that the game is currently providing a save against Trap the Soul weapons, but not guards.

6. I'd recommend Casters have at least 300 hit points, melees 600.

7. You should be at least minimally self-sufficient, i.e. you should have a stack of heal potions, remove curse, jump, neutralize poison, etc.

8. It is generally a very good idea, particularly in raids to carry mana pots for casters/healers even if you're a melee.

9. You should at least carry a raise dead scroll to pass off to a divine/umd party member; preferably you should have the ability to resurrect at least one other party member (green steel clicky, ring of the ancestors, raise dead scroll +UMD, etc.)

10. Check out Shade's Guide to all things Epic.