TheSagaContinues

I have a whole lot of questions about Iron Knights and Shards.

Builds I've seen for Iron Knights, such as this one, have the Droid Shell's str and dex used instead of the Shard itself. Where in the rulebooks is this explicitly stated? 

Since Shard's have a con score but droids do not, how does this affect a Shard when it required to make a con check, such as making an Endurance check?

When a Shard levels up, does their Droid shell gain HP, or does only the Shard? When a Shard in a Droid Shell is attacked, is HP taken off the Droid Shell or the Shard itself? Would a player using a Shard in a Droid Shell have to keep track of the stats for both the Shard and the Body as if they were two creatures?

Good to see that Krome is making a splash. I really enjoy these comps and I've always meant to take part in one. That said, my votes are to Hiemsaurae, Darthsbane and Daonos, Revolutionary Leader.

Nice build. I like the mix of combat power and Battle Meditation.

Im not sure if Victorious Force Mastery is an allowed talent. It was taken with the level of Jedi Master. Normally to join the tradition you have to have a darkside score (thus implying you must have a DDS to take the talent) but Im not sure if because it was taken with Jedi Master that the condition can be ignored as it does not specifically state that a DDS is necessary as it does with other talents.

Nothing about the actual talent says you need a Dark Side Score, so its fine RAW.

I also ignored the special condition of the entry to Imperial Knight and Jedi Knight classes, Im not entirely sure if that is allowed as RAW is being followed.

According to some pirate I met, its more of a guideline than an rule to be strictly adhered to. I usually ignore it except for good characters taking levels of Sith Apprentice and Sith Lord.

Krome, Droid Warlord



"I was designed to defeat the Tyranny of the Republic. The Empire has replaced the Republic. Therefore myself and my Droids have taken on a new directive to defeat the Tyranny of the Empire."

Medium 4th-Degree Droid Soldier 5/Scoundrel 2/Officer 1/Droid Commander 4/Independent Droid 1/Elite Trooper 1/Gunslinger 1
Destiny 10; Force 13; Dark Side 1
Initiative +15
Senses Perception +10, Low-light Vision
Languages Basic, Binary, Geonosian
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defenses Ref 36 (flat-footed 33), Fort 29, Will 30; Delay Damage
hp 164; Threshold 28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 6 squares
Melee Sith Tremor Sword +13 (2d6+9, slashing or piercing) (one handed)
Melee Sith Tremor Sword +13 (2d6+11, slashing or piercing) (one handed with Droid Smash OR both hands)
Melee Knife +13 (1d4+6, slashing or piercing)
Ranged Heavy Assault Blaster Rifle +14 (3d10+7, energy, autofire setting)
Ranged Heavy Assault Blaster Rifle +14 (4d10+7, energy, autofire setting), with Rapid Strike and Trigger Work (d12 if Critical hit)
Ranged Ascension Gun +14 (3d8+7, energy, stun setting)
Ranged Ascension Gun +14 (4d8+7, energy, stun setting), with Rapid Strike and Trigger Work
Base Atk +11; Grp +14
Special Qualities General of Droid Armies, Rebel Leader, Sapience, Networked Allies x2, Delay Damage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con –, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
Talent Armoured Defence, Improved Armoured Defence, Droid Smash, Just a Scratch, Assault Tactics, Droid Defence, Droid Mettle, Power Surge, Full Advance, Trigger Work
Feats Armour Proficiency (Light, Medium), Martial Arts I, Natural Leader, Precise Shot, Point Blank Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Sensor Link, Separatist Military Training, Skill Focus (Knowledge Tactics), Weapon Proficiency (Advanced Melee, Rifles, Pistols, Simple)
Trained Skills Initiative +15, Knowledge (Galactic Lore) +14, Knowledge (Military Tactics) +19, Mechanics +14, Use Computer +14
Skills Acrobatics +10, Climb +9, Deception +8, Endurance +7, Gather Information +8, Jump +9, Knowledge +9, Perception +10, Persuasion +8, Pilot +10, Ride +10, Stealth +10, Survival +8, Swim +9, Treat Injury +9
Possessions 2 hands, Ascension Gun, Darkvision, Gyroscopic Stabilisers, Heavy Assault Blaster Rifle, Heuristic Processor, Hidden Core, Internal Comlink, Knife, Magnetic Feet, Medium Durasteel Droid Armour, Micro Shield, Sensor booster, Specialised Subprocessor, Sith Tremor Sword, Tactician Battle Computer, Vocabulator, walking locomotion
Notes This is a 24-point build, assuming max HP every level. Destiny Bonuses have increased Charisma by 4, due to fulfilling Champion and Destruction Destinies in becoming a Droid Warlord against the Empire, and also for destroying a notable Imperial Target in a notable raid.

Backstory
Krome is the Leader of Krome’s Faction, a resistance cell against the Galactic Empire who seeks to defeat them and fulfill their programming, which was to destroy the Galactic Republic and secure victory for the Separatist Alliance. It founded this Faction out of Droid Holdouts that survived the destruction of the Separatist Leadership by Darth Vader, and the resultant shut-off signal.

It was constructed during the Clone Wars to lead Droid Troops on the ground, but in the many years since the end of the Clone Wars, it has adapted well to serving as a Droid Warlord. In the nearly 2 decades since its construction, it has been modified and repaired countless times, leaving little of its original construction left. It joined the nascent Rebel Alliance, with its forces providing a useful role in various campaigns against the Empire. Unfortunately, the Rebellion lacked the resources and means to acquire more droids, meaning that his forces grow slimmer and slimmer. Even with the occasional discovery of surviving Separatist Battle Droids, his faction is dangerously small and close to being snuffed out forever…

The Build
Krome is my effort to make a badass Droid Warlord. Droids are something I haven’t quite gotten the hang of in this game, and the bewildering number of options available to them was quite daunting. Krome uses multiple Prestige Classes and Talents to gain what I judge as needed for the character, as well as Gunslinger, Elite Trooper and Officer for some sweet +4 Reflex, Fortitude and Will Defence action. And yes, I was inspired by the Super Tactical Droid Kalani. 

Separatist Droid Training grants it +1 atk when there’s an adjacent ally. It has 2 Networked Allies; Networked Droid Allies can receive mind-altering benefits from it, and if they have comlink communications, then its treated as if they’re in Line of Sight. With Assault Tactics, allies gain +1d6 damage against a selected target, after it clears a DC15 Knowledge (Military Tactics) check. Droid Defence grants its INT mod (+2) to any Defence of its Droid Allies, and with Droid Mettle, can grant them 10 + CL HP (in this case 25 HP) to a Droid Ally. Full Advance lets him grant +2 damage to itself and 3 allies. Its Sensor Link Feat lets it communicate completely with a receiver up to 24 squares away as if it’s right next to it. 

It was designed to Lead Droids into combat as well, not just sit back at a Command Post. This would mean conflict with Jedi. To help it hold back Jedi opponents, it was given a Sith Tremor Sword, which despite dating back to the days of the Old Sith Wars, was in perfect condition, and Lightsaber-proof due to its Cortosis Weave. It has skill with Pistols and Rifles, using Rapid Shot, Trigger Work, Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot. Improved Armour Defence also grants it extra toughness when wearing its Durasteel Armour, which since it’s a part of the Droid, doesn’t impose speed and weight penalties.

With 25,000 credits to spend on gear and droid systems, I couldn’t just get it everything, so I got it Droid systems that I felt complimented the build. Its Specialised Subprocessor gives it an extra swift action per turn to use on Knowledge (Tactics) checks. Hidden Core keeps it safe from mind wipes. Its Tactical Battle Computer lets it survey a scene as a standard action, and for the next turn, a number of Droid Allies = to its INT mod (2) gain +2 atk. Its Gyroscopic Stabilisers give it a +5 to attempts to knock it prone, and its Magnetic Feet allow it to cling to metal surfaces, most notably the hull of a starship. Finally, with Sensor Booster, its sense have a range of 2km.


Player Hooks
Krome is active from the Clone Wars until the Rebellion Era and potentially even into the Sequel Trilogy Era. Players who seek to aide the rebellion may have to help it take part in guerrilla operations. Imperial Players may come into conflict with its Droids and may even have to assassinate it as an enemy of the Empire.

Droid Players may have been constructed or acquired by Krome’s Faction in order to wage their war against the Empire, or potentially seek to join its organisation willingly.


Krome’s Faction
Krome’s Faction is a Rank 10 Organisation, with influence and a presence on multiple planets.

Positives
Experience; + 1/2 Heroic Level
Droid; +1
Has levels of Droid Commander; +1 if above score 20, if score under 20, then treat as if your score adds up to 20 for the purposes of gaining benefits
Has levels of Independent Droid; +1
Separatist Armies Veteran; +1
Opposed to the Galactic Empire; +1
Has aided Krome’s Faction in a notable mission; +2
Has helped Krome’s Faction recruit new Droids; +2
Defeat a CL 10 or higher enemy of the organisation; +1 per enemy
Is a member of the Rebel Alliance +1

The organisation has no negatives, since Krome is a Droid driven by Logic, and therefore views applicants under a case-by-case basis and not under a strict guideline. The strange positive gained by taking levels of Droid Commander is replicate the optional rule for Officers in the Rank and Privilege system, where a character with a level of Officer can be treated as if they're a Commissioned Officer regardless of their actual Organisation Score. Here, having a level of Droid Commander means that even if the character isn't actually experienced, their qualifications to lead automatically give them a Leadership role in Krome's Faction, and the benefits of a Droid Follower to act as an adjutant or non-commissioned Officer.

Krome’s score is 30, due to fulfilling every positive Criteria, founding the organisation, and having slain an additional 2 notable enemies.

Benefits Score 0-9
Strength in Numbers
You gain +1 ref def per adjacent Droid Ally (max of half your Heroic Level).

Benefits Score 10-19
Droid Recruitment
Once per encounter, if you reduce a Droid’s HP to 0, you can disable it, then reprogram it and salvage it for half the cost it would otherwise cost.

Benefits Score 20-29
Droid Adjutant
You have a Droid Follower, as if you had taken any of the following talents; Inspire Loyalty, Reconnaissance Team Leader, or Commanding Officer. Rules for Followers can be found in the Clone Wars Campaign Guide pg33.

Benefits Score 30 +
Droid Bodyguard
You have Droid Bodyguard. This is a minion that takes heroic levels, but this can’t exceed half of your heroic level, as if you have taken the Attract Superior Minion Talent.

Okay so at 6th level, as a Chiss, you want; str 11, dex 15, con 11, int 12, wis 16, cha 17

Chiss get +2 int.
You're playing a Jedi, so Wisdom and Charisma are important in getting you force powers and good use the force rolls.

At 6th Level, you should be (with Scout)

Spoiler (hover to show)

Illilixil
Medium Chiss Scout 1/Jedi 5
Destiny 6; Force  ; Dark Side 0
Initiative +
Senses Perception +
Languages Basic, Cheunh, any 2 of your choice
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defences Ref   (flat-footed  ), Fort  , Will  ; Block, Deflect
hp  ; Threshold 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 6 squares
Base Atk +5;
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +16): Any 8 of your choice
 Special Qualities Jedi Force Tradition
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 17
Talents Evasions, Block, Deflect, Redirect Shot
Feats Weapon Proficiency (Simple + Pistols + Rifles + Lightsabers), Shake it Off*, Force Sensitive, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Weapon Focus (Lightsabers), Force Training (2)
Skills Any 8 of your choice from the Scout class. Most people will accept Jump, Swim and Climb as a single Athletics Skill. Scouts are more combat and survival based in terms of skills than Nobles are.
*Doesn't meet requirements for Shake it Off, so doesn't gain its benefits

This version is less diplomatic and more tough, but has Evasion and other cool things. It uses Weapon Focus and later Weapon Fpin
Next 3 levels of Jedi. This nets Block, Deflect and Skill Focus (Use the Force), as well as your Lightsaber. Since you have crappy damage, use a Long-Handled Lightsaber. You can give up the double strength bonus from wielding in one hand to increase damage from 2d8 to 2d10.

 

At 6th Level, you should be (with Noble instead)

Spoiler (hover to show)

Illilixil
Medium Chiss Noble 1/Jedi 5
Destiny 6; Force  ; Dark Side 0
Initiative +
Senses Perception +
Languages Basic, Cheunh, any 5 of your choice
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defences Ref   (flat-footed  ), Fort  , Will  ; Block, Deflect
hp  ; Threshold 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 6 squares
Base Atk +5;
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +16): Any 8 of your choice
 Special Qualities Jedi Force Tradition
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 17
Talents Noble Fencing Style, Block, Deflect, Redirect Shot
Feats Weapon Proficiency (Simple + Pistols + Lightsabers), Force Sensitive, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Strong in the Force, Force Training (2)
Skills Any 9 of your choice from the Noble class

Start as Noble for skills and linguist so you get 7 languages (Basic, Cheunh and 5 others). you get a bonus skill and 1 feat in addition to Noble, so get Force Sensitive. For talent, get Noble Fencing Style from the Knights of the Old Republic Guide; it lets you use Charisma instead of Strength for Lightsaber and Light melee weapon attacks. Since this build prioritises Charisma over Dexterity, this is what you want. It also means that you don't need Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus to replace Strength for attack.
Next 3 levels of Jedi. This nets Block, Deflect and Skill Focus (Use the Force), as well as your Lightsaber. Since you have crappy damage, use a Long-Handled Lightsaber. You can give up the double strength bonus from wielding in one hand to increase damage from 2d8 to 2d10.

At 8th level, increase dex and wis, and and 12th level increase wis and cha. so at 12th level you have;
str 11, dex 16, con 11, int 14, wis 18, cha 18


For both builds, this is a rough idea of progression;
7th- Jedi 6; get any feat you want for the Noble version, get Weapon Finesse for the Scout version
8th- Jedi 7; get any talent you want for the Noble version, get Weapon Specialisation for the Scout Version. +1 dex, +1 wis
9th - 12th- Jedi Knight 1-4; get 2 more Force Trainings, and the Talents Ataru and Insight of the Force. Ataru lets you use Dex for damage, and Insight of the Force lets you use Use the Force for all Knowledge Skills. You also get 2 Force Techniques of your choice. +1 wis, +1 cha

Note; by the time you get Ataru, you can give up the Long-Handled Lightsaber; 2d8 + 6 is better than 2d10 +3.

For this kind of build, loads of Force Powers are crucial. By 12th level, you'd have 16 of them.

When most people make Force Wizard characters, they usually aren't this combat focused, but this is a nice balance I think.

Obviously this isn't the only way to make a build like this, but this is how I'd do it.

Its the same when having computer problems as well. 

I'm having two of my players argue with one another over a character.

Player A has a Ryn Duellist, Noble 5, and has a pretty cheesy combo going on.

He has Leading Feint
(K pg26) Whenever you successfully damage an opponent with a melee attack, you can make a Deception check to feint against that target as a swift action. If successful, you designate an ally within 12 squares; your target is treated as flat-footed against the first attack that ally makes against your target before the beginning of your next turn

and Unreadable
(S&V pg14) You gain a +5 bonus to your Will Defense against skill checks made to read your emotions and influence your attitude. In addition, whenever you successfully feint a target in combat, that target is flat-footed against all your attacks until the end of your next turn.


Basically, he can attack and damage a target, and leave it open for multiple attacks on a flat-footed opponent, more than Rules As Intended. Ryns get a Charisma boost and can reroll Deception Checks and keep the better result, so even at 5th Level this is causing some problems. Unreadable says that it clearly applies to all Feints, but Leading Feint isn't a normal Feint, which Player B argues means that it shouldn't count as a Feint for Unreadable. What do you think?