How to buff an Elf

[DawnofEntropy]

So I was thinking after seeing a picture of an elf bard, why shouldn't elves get a buff to it.

When we analyze elves they've always been interconnected with music and magic, so my suggestion is simple.

Elven and Half-elven bards should be able to wear medium armor without any penalty without any penalty to spell casting.

Elven and Half-elven wizard and sorcerers should be able to wear light armor without any penalty to spell casting.

[ainmosni]

Cast the following:

Rage

Deathward

Haste

Helpful resists

Prot evil

FoM (if necessary)



and that is Ainmosni's simple guide to elf-buffing!

[Crann]

So I was thinking after seeing a picture of an elf bard, why shouldn't elves get a buff to it.

When we analyze elves they've always been interconnected with music and magic, so my suggestion is simple.

Elven and Half-elven bards should be able to wear medium armor without any penalty without any penalty to spell casting.

Elven and Half-elven wizard and sorcerers should be able to wear light armor without any penalty to spell casting.

Please delete this post

The devs will see it, think it is a good idea, and it will actually become the Elves halmark ability next update.

Then you will be able to get that level 20 elven wiz an AC of 24 instead of 18

I really do like the idea, and it thematically fits elves well, the problem is....AC is useless past the Desert unless you are building for it.

You are correct though, Elves really do need something to make them competitive with the other races.

[varusso]

Please delete this post

The devs will see it, think it is a good idea, and it will actually become the Elves halmark ability next update.

Then you will be able to get that level 20 elven wiz an AC of 24 instead of 18

I really do like the idea, and it thematically fits elves well, the problem is....AC is useless past the Desert unless you are building for it.

You are correct though, Elves really do need something to make them competitive with the other races.

Elves get Elven Arcanum, which many people sell short. It gives you additional Sp *and* spell pen. using enhancements. Fully invested, it adds the same Spell Pen as 2 feats of spell pen -- which means that if you invest, you effectively can free up 2 feats -- which gives you one more than even the human bonus feat, and still have the same spell pen as anyone else who invested the 2 feats in spell pen. Or you can keep the feats and the enhancements and have more spell pen. That in addition to the extra SP (80 iirc). The downside being ~30 less potential HP than humans. This sounds pretty caster-ish to me all around.

[Samadhi]

Elves already get this as an enhancement. It is called Elven Arcane Fluidity.

Edit: http://ddowiki.com/page/Elven_Arcane_Fluidity

[Therigar]

How to buff an Elf

You want to know how to buff an elf? Use this!

[Freeman]

I came here to read the obligatory "Re-roll into any other race" comment, but it appears the forummites are slacking today.

[Tajuh]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned lotion...

[Stonen]

Please delete this post

The devs will see it, think it is a good idea, and it will actually become the Elves halmark ability next update.

Then you will be able to get that level 20 elven wiz an AC of 24 instead of 18

I really do like the idea, and it thematically fits elves well, the problem is....AC is useless past the Desert unless you are building for it.

You are correct though, Elves really do need something to make them competitive with the other races.

I agree.
Maybe they could get weapon finesse for free? This to help dex builds with an extra feat.
Also an enhancement line to improve combat expertise, just like brute fighting improves power attack.
Just some thoughts.

[Aesop]

Elf Ideas


Aerenal Weapon Mastery

1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers


Valenar Weapon Mastery


1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions


Valenar Dervish
Requires Weapon Finesse Feat and Valenar Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 6. 4AP. Scimitar counts as a Finesse Weapon


Aerenal Ascetic
Requires Whirling Steel Strike and Aerenal Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 Damage with Longswords while Centered

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 Damage with Longswords while Centered

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered


Elven Finesse

1. lvl 8. AP 2. Prerequisite: Weapon Finesse Feat, Elven Dexterity 1. Benefit: +2% Double Strike Chance.

2. lvl 16. AP 4. Prerequisite: Elven Finesse 1, Elven Dexterity 2. Benefit: +2% Double Strike Chance. (total +4%)


Valenar Great Weapon Mastery
note: this only applies to the Falchion
Requires: Valenar Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 1. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

2. lvl 4. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

3. lvl 7. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

4. lvl 10. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

5. lvl 13. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

6. lvl 16. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

7. lvl 19. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

total of 15% more Glancing Blow Damage and 10% more often that Weapon Effects activate.


Elven Deadeye

1. lvl 6. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

2. lvl 12. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

3. lvl 18. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

total +15m to Point Blank Shot range and +3 stacking Seeker Bonus


Elven Arcanum

1. Wizard 1. 1AP. +20SP

2. Wizard 4. 1AP. +1 Spell Penetration

3. Wizard 7. 1AP. +20SP

4. Wizard 10. +1 Arcane Spell DC

5. Wizard 13. 1AP. +20SP

6. Wizard 16. 1AP. +1 Spell Penetration

7. Wizard 19. 1AP. +20SP

total +80SP, +2 Spell Penetration, +1 Arcane Spell DC


Elven Arcane Grace

1. lvl 5. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

2. lvl 10. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

3. lvl 15. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

4. lvl 20. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure



Aesop

[FrancisP.Fancypants]

Elves are delicate. Turtle wax is fine, but use a good quality cheesecloth or you'll risk scratching the skin.

[Malison]

You are correct though, Elves really do need something to make them competitive with the other races.

I choose racial sprint boost. It fits thematically with elven dexterity, and is a nice but not unbalancing perk.

[smeggy1384]

I choose racial sprint boost. It fits thematically with elven dexterity, and is a nice but not unbalancing perk.

Would be really nice for my elven ranger arcane archer, but i already have sprint. Though i guess if it adds to duration of sprint for classes that have it that'd be nice, Make it even harder for those poor melees to try and catch that mob i am leading back to the dungeon entrance!

[Candela90]

Yeah, I thin elves, for one, should get sprint boost and something more maybe.
But sprint boost! Elves always were the acrobatic and fast characters.

[Veriden]

my elven monk would love sprint boost....

[Vanquishedfo]

elves actually dont have it nearly as bad as drow. Elves with a 32 point build, and taking advantage of thier dragonmark can so far outshine drow its sad.

What they both need are as many suggested inherent feats like weapon finesse, a feat to add dex to dmg like artee kind of due with int, some increase to thier speed in running AND combat.

Drow really need thier racial PRE as well. Also for TR elves who stay elf in each life, get a free dragonmark feat and for each extra life as an elf an added tank to it at the appropriate level.

Finally for elven completionist, instead of the completionist feat they get the innate elven superiority feat. This would grant them +4 to all stats and a +5 luck bonus to everything. A real reward for doing every class and every life as an elf.

[Chai]

I feel elves should be buffed more in the wizard / sorc dpt. It makes sense that half orcs would be the hardest hitting melee, but elves should be unparalleled wizards. I see the spell pen enhancements downplayed alot but I think those are well done - I just think it needs to be taken a step further, to make elves the best caster choice in most cases. I feel a couple points of DC would not be out of the question. Maybe beat drow by 1 and everyone else by 2.

[Tirisha]

I feel elves should be buffed more in the wizard / sorc dpt. It makes sense that half orcs would be the hardest hitting melee, but elves should be unparalleled wizards. I see the spell pen enhancements downplayed alot but I think those are well done - I just think it needs to be taken a step further, to make elves the best caster choice in most cases. I feel a couple points of DC would not be out of the question. Maybe beat drow by 1 and everyone else by 2.

Wait why should elves beat a drows DC? I'd personally roll and elf wizard now over a drow and consider myself better off.

On topic:

and sure Half-orcs can (and probably should) be the hardest hitting melee but there needs to be a reason to roll an elf melee (besides just wanting to be penalized for playing a race you like).

Maybe give elves a precision enhancement that lowers fortification by spotting the vulnerable areas to strike. or maybe elfs should have a racial haste boost enhancement.

[Elixxer]

Elf Ideas


Aerenal Weapon Mastery

1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers


Valenar Weapon Mastery


1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions


Valenar Dervish
Requires Weapon Finesse Feat and Valenar Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 6. 4AP. Scimitar counts as a Finesse Weapon


Aerenal Ascetic
Requires Whirling Steel Strike and Aerenal Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 Damage with Longswords while Centered

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 Damage with Longswords while Centered

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Ki per Critical with Longswords while Centered


Elven Finesse

1. lvl 8. AP 2. Prerequisite: Weapon Finesse Feat, Elven Dexterity 1. Benefit: +2% Double Strike Chance.

2. lvl 16. AP 4. Prerequisite: Elven Finesse 1, Elven Dexterity 2. Benefit: +2% Double Strike Chance. (total +4%)


Valenar Great Weapon Mastery
note: this only applies to the Falchion
Requires: Valenar Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 1. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

2. lvl 4. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

3. lvl 7. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

4. lvl 10. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

5. lvl 13. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

6. lvl 16. 2AP. Glancing Blows do 5% More damage

7. lvl 19. 2AP. Weapon effects activate 2.5% more often

total of 15% more Glancing Blow Damage and 10% more often that Weapon Effects activate.


Elven Deadeye

1. lvl 6. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

2. lvl 12. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

3. lvl 18. 2AP. Improve Point Blank Shot range by 5m and +1 stacking Seeker with Bows

total +15m to Point Blank Shot range and +3 stacking Seeker Bonus


Elven Arcanum

1. Wizard 1. 1AP. +20SP

2. Wizard 4. 1AP. +1 Spell Penetration

3. Wizard 7. 1AP. +20SP

4. Wizard 10. +1 Arcane Spell DC

5. Wizard 13. 1AP. +20SP

6. Wizard 16. 1AP. +1 Spell Penetration

7. Wizard 19. 1AP. +20SP

total +80SP, +2 Spell Penetration, +1 Arcane Spell DC


Elven Arcane Grace

1. lvl 5. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

2. lvl 10. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

3. lvl 15. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure

4. lvl 20. 1AP. -5% Arcane Spell Failure



Aesop

I think this will really level the playing field! It's not that elves are bad, they just aren't the best, in fact they are the worst.
Just watch every other race get buffs like this as well :P

[NaturalHazard]

Elf Ideas


Aerenal Weapon Mastery

1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Longswords and Rapiers


Valenar Weapon Mastery


1. lvl 4. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

2. lvl 8. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

3. lvl 12. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

4. lvl 16. 2AP. +1 To Hit with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

5. lvl 20. 2AP. +1 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions

total +2 To Hit +3 Damage with Bows, Scimitars and Falchions


Valenar Dervish
Requires Weapon Finesse Feat and Valenar Weapon Mastery 1

1. lvl 6. 4AP. Scimitar counts as a Finesse Weapon

I like some of your ideas.

One thing I dont like is how rapiers and longswords are in one catergory, I just wish longswords and scimitars where together as they are both slashing it would go together better as you take improved crit slashing. Like a scimitar using elf who also uses epic timeblades and other good longswords? Thing is, it would be diverting too far from P&P lore though huh?

Didnt you also have an idea about having more double strike for elves or sneak attack added based on dex modifier somehow?

10 ap for +2 to hit and +3 to damage with 2 melee weapons and bows......... how does that stack up vs other racial damage enhancements?

4ap to make scimitars finesse weapons. Its nice to have the option, but i play a finesse charactor and its sad to say but often my strength is higher than my dex with all the ways in game there are to buff strength. Add in the fact that its almost impossible to build Epic worthy AC without gimping yourself in other areas and having to farm a ton of gear.

I would say lower the cost maybe? make it 2 ap?