Shapechange: Balor

[Bargeld]

I took a gamble when 1.69 and the wipe occured and began my first toon as an ECL 3 githyanki. Pre-wipe I had a lvl 35 wizard and had done a lot of testing with the shapechange spell to try to get creative with a 'swordspell' as they are called. After running the numbers and picking feats and building everything on paper, I began the path to a greatsword focused shapechanging balor weaponmaster. The way the progression went, it truly was a gamble, as I would not receive lvl 9 wiz spells until character level 39... but I thought I had it all planned out.

Today I finally hit level 39. The time of reckoning was at hand. Would the AC be better or worse? How would the HP look? Whats the AB gonna be like. Will the one-handed greatsword not have 1.5x damage or will it? Will the duration be usable? All of these things were about to be answered...

Well, apparently with all the shifter changes (I assume), the balor form was nerfed down to a b@stard sword. All of the above no longer applies. Let me tell you that after months of planning and playing and grinding to try something out of the ordinary, it was a huge let-down. I recall being told that shifter changes would not effect shapechange spell, but by whom, I can't recall. Had I known of this change, I would have adjusted accordingly.

Tensers = fail
Shapechange = fail

NS4 devs: 2
Barg: 0

[Bargeld]

I should say that this is just one of those frustrating things that happens to everyone from time to time. I don't feel singled out, nor do I harbor ill will towards the devs. It's one of those 'shake your fist at the heavens' thing. I wouldn't spend as much time playing as I do if I didn't think everyone (players, devs, dms, server hosts) did a great job. Well at least most of ya...

Now I have a slot for stilled premonition Duration was lacking too.

[Tsavong]

Dam that's got to be gutting but still you got a wiz/wm build to play with anyway I solute you for trying a diffrant take on a wiz/wm build just a shame that build didn't work out.

Anyway I think the shapechange stuff is in Lokeys shifter changelog update though he dident say he changed the type of sword.

Code: Select all

Shapechange (as polymorph self, disc bonus larger)
Type                  Weapon     STR  DEX  CON  DodgeAC TempHP
RED_DRAGON            ****       38   10   23   8       120    FireBreath             
FIRE_GIANT            Trident    34   12   23   ****    80           
BALOR                 Sword      28   18   26   ****    60           
DEATH_SLAAD           ****       26   20   24   ****    60   
IRON_GOLEM            ****       31   10   24   6       100

[MLoki]

I know he was keeping most shifter forms using Simple weapons and I do find it kind of odd that the summons still uses a 2-handed sword while the Shape Change version uses the exotic weapon [censored] Sword. Perhaps you can appeal to the powers that be (Lokey) and have this looked into further. You may at the very least get an explanation of why the weapon was changed.

I am sure it was specifically because of your build.

[mgrjebbo]

I guess the important question is.... did he change the weapon? I seem to recall Balors in NS4 always using Bswords. From the one at the bottom of Gustov's tomb to the epic summon....

Course i could be mistaken.

edit- didnt realize it censored bsword lol.

[Bargeld]

The Balor model does wield a bsword, but the equipped item doesn't neccessarily have to match, and it didn't. I had researched, pre-wipe, all of the shapes available with the spell and went greatsword specifically for that shape. At the time, Fire giant form wielded spear, which was the only alternative with a weapon. I didn't expect to get too much of a boost from it, and knew the duration would be crap with 17 wiz lvls. It was really more for a fun, themed toon. Was hoping to run around with shadow shield on, as a black balor named Demon ::DD::

Admittitedly tho, I also had granduer dreams of casting it unarmed with a shield, hoping to merge gear and grab some extra AC and stuff. Again, it was mostly for fun to see what all would happen and answer questions in my head of how all the little intricacies would work out. No shifters in SL so I tried the next best thing

But I would definately welcome the idea of working with Lokey/devs to revert back to the greatsword and see how it turned out, even if just to see what it's like.

[MLoki]

I guess the important question is.... did he change the weapon? I seem to recall Balors in NS4 always using [censored] swords. From the one at the bottom of Gustov's tomb to the epic summon....

Course i could be mistaken.

I could check again but I thought for sure the summons just used a 2-Handed Sword in one hand since he was Large Size and could.

[mgrjebbo]

Yeah like i said i could be wrong, i just know what they drop when it comes to weapons.

Anyway i think this is a really cool idea and there aren't that many folks trying to go away from the mold anymore. Good for you.

[Chernobyl_Glow]

I feel your pain.

Tensers = failure. Shapechange = failure.

Darn shame that creative builds just don't seem to work. The guys refining the "normal" stuff are just a bit more creative at building quality builds.

- Glow -

[Shhhhhhh]

Whats wrong with Tensers? seems to work fine.

[cRaZy8or5e]

You can't do Tensor's and Shapechange at the same time

[Bargeld]

Tenser discussion here:
http://www.nsrealm.com/public/ns/viewto ... &t=1000951