I would make Legolas a Rogue Scout. As a wood elf, he can use the longbow. Skirmisher makes him hard to pin down, playing into his high mobility, as does Superior Mobility. Ambush Master just adds more to that devastating archery, as does Sudden Strike. I would also take Elven Accuracy as a feat and Steady Aim from Tasha's, which reminds me of when Legolas planted himself in one spot and bodied orc after orc in a couple of scenes.
Yup. That’s the prompt. It’s asking for what character build would best work for Gandalf, not whether or not he should be a pc.
Ok question. This wasn't clear in the original post, and I've been dipping in and out of the thread for my own reasons so if it's been answered I may well have missed it.
Are you looking for a build that matches the feats performed by the characters? Or what matches conceptually with what the characters are?
Also, are we talking books or films? Because there are subtle but important differences...usually I'd say books, but some answers are very much relying on film details.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
For the last time, it doesn’t matter whether he would be better as an npc, the prompt is asking how to make the party’s CHARACTER builds. Class, race/species, background, stats, feats, equipment, all of that.
I understand your frustration with how this thread has devolved, and I apologize for my contributions to the bickering, but that is not what your original post said:
I’m an enormous Tolkien nerd. Like fascinated. And I was wondering if my fellow Middle Earth geeks would help me in translating that into dungeons and dragons, just for fun. I’m particularly curious what the Fellowship’s character builds would look like, especially the hobbits. Give me your ideas, or even your stats below!
Saying "here's how I would construct the party, shifting Gandalf into an NPC role because he doesn't really fit as an PC" is a valid response to that
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I would put Gimli down as a Barbarian though none of the official subclasses really smack of Gimli. Juggernaut does though. Powerful attacks, can't be knocked prone, can destroy objects and structures with ease, you can make yourself harder to hit in the thick of it, and the subclass cap feature makes you Unstoppable. I like it.
For the last time, it doesn’t matter whether he would be better as an npc, the prompt is asking how to make the party’s CHARACTER builds. Class, race/species, background, stats, feats, equipment, all of that.
I understand your frustration with how this thread has devolved, and I apologize for my contributions to the bickering, but that is not what your original post said:
I’m an enormous Tolkien nerd. Like fascinated. And I was wondering if my fellow Middle Earth geeks would help me in translating that into dungeons and dragons, just for fun. I’m particularly curious what the Fellowship’s character builds would look like, especially the hobbits. Give me your ideas, or even your stats below!
Saying "here's how I would construct the party, shifting Gandalf into an NPC role because he doesn't really fit as an PC" is a valid response to that
That’s fair. I can see the confusion. I’m sorry for my harshness. From here on in, I am looking for character ideas and stats only.
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“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
Gandalf is very clearly a Paladin. He serves a higher power (Oath) that can clearly take away the power (see Saruman). His staff is more of a shield and spellcasting focus (religious symbol) than anything.
He is a very Charismatic leader and definitely uses his Aura of Courage to rally the troops in Minas Tirith
I dig this. Thinking of Gandalf as a pally just makes me want to shout 'hell yeah'.
I kind of like Boromir for a paladin. Hear me out. I know he does no magic stuff but he strikes me as having a paladin's zeal where it concerns his people. Oath of the Crown suits him spiritually, even if he can't actually do magic.
Gandalf is very clearly a Paladin. He serves a higher power (Oath) that can clearly take away the power (see Saruman). His staff is more of a shield and spellcasting focus (religious symbol) than anything.
He is a very Charismatic leader and definitely uses his Aura of Courage to rally the troops in Minas Tirith
I think you’ve finally solved it.
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“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
...so, in all these months, has anyone tried using D&D Beyond to run a LOTR 5e Role Playing run through?
They announced a LOTR campaign book on twitter today for 2025. Might wanna wait for that. The cover picture was of the free league product, so I assume it's a port of their third party product for this exact setting.
...so, in all these months, has anyone tried using D&D Beyond to run a LOTR 5e Role Playing run through?
I've only played TOR, but I'm curious what people would really use DDB (as it currently is) for in regards to LotRRP. Most of the stuff I find DDB useful for in D&D5e has been cut out of LotRRP. Dice roller perhaps? Other than that, seems like it's just an awkward character that doesn't track everything.
With the announcement that they're releasing the game on DDB, I can only assume that they're also going to be providing customised character sheets so they can be implemented properly...which is an interesting development.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
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I would make Legolas a Rogue Scout. As a wood elf, he can use the longbow. Skirmisher makes him hard to pin down, playing into his high mobility, as does Superior Mobility. Ambush Master just adds more to that devastating archery, as does Sudden Strike. I would also take Elven Accuracy as a feat and Steady Aim from Tasha's, which reminds me of when Legolas planted himself in one spot and bodied orc after orc in a couple of scenes.
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Ok question. This wasn't clear in the original post, and I've been dipping in and out of the thread for my own reasons so if it's been answered I may well have missed it.
Are you looking for a build that matches the feats performed by the characters? Or what matches conceptually with what the characters are?
Also, are we talking books or films? Because there are subtle but important differences...usually I'd say books, but some answers are very much relying on film details.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I understand your frustration with how this thread has devolved, and I apologize for my contributions to the bickering, but that is not what your original post said:
Saying "here's how I would construct the party, shifting Gandalf into an NPC role because he doesn't really fit as an PC" is a valid response to that
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
[REDACTED]
I've been using both as inspiration. Gandalf's sword skills could be a feat, a multiclass, a hybrid like Eldritch Knight... all are valid.
I would put Gimli down as a Barbarian though none of the official subclasses really smack of Gimli. Juggernaut does though. Powerful attacks, can't be knocked prone, can destroy objects and structures with ease, you can make yourself harder to hit in the thick of it, and the subclass cap feature makes you Unstoppable. I like it.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
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Barbarian was indeed on my list for him. Given his devotion to his people though I could see him as a War Cleric too, if Middle-Earth had such things.
That’s fair. I can see the confusion. I’m sorry for my harshness. From here on in, I am looking for character ideas and stats only.
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
I dig this. Thinking of Gandalf as a pally just makes me want to shout 'hell yeah'.
I kind of like Boromir for a paladin. Hear me out. I know he does no magic stuff but he strikes me as having a paladin's zeal where it concerns his people. Oath of the Crown suits him spiritually, even if he can't actually do magic.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
I think you’ve finally solved it.
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
gosh
Indeed
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbithole, and that means comfort.”
...so, in all these months, has anyone tried using D&D Beyond to run a LOTR 5e Role Playing run through?
They announced a LOTR campaign book on twitter today for 2025. Might wanna wait for that. The cover picture was of the free league product, so I assume it's a port of their third party product for this exact setting.
I've only played TOR, but I'm curious what people would really use DDB (as it currently is) for in regards to LotRRP. Most of the stuff I find DDB useful for in D&D5e has been cut out of LotRRP. Dice roller perhaps? Other than that, seems like it's just an awkward character that doesn't track everything.
With the announcement that they're releasing the game on DDB, I can only assume that they're also going to be providing customised character sheets so they can be implemented properly...which is an interesting development.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.