Hey! We've been playing for a long time and now I'm deciding between three items. I don't know which one might be the best, which is why I wanted to ask here.
Other items I own but would not trade: - Shield +2 with a blind effect he can cast - Longsword +2 which is against dragons - Cloak so undead have disadvantages to attack on them
We are allowed to associate with a 4 item as a homebrew rule and it would be the following: - Belt of Giant Strength (for 25 strength) - Ioun Stone Fortitude to boost my con with +2 - Greater ring of protection +2, which gives +2 to ac and +2 to saves
I’d go with the belt, mainly because I find the very concept of Ioun stones annoying and far-fetched. Who would not be driven absolutely batshit in short order by a small rock orbiting their person every waking moment? The closest real world analogue I imagine is having a spinal injury halo but without the looming, moment-to-moment threat of immediate and permanent disability to make it worth the nuisance. IMHO, Ioun stones are one of the things about D&D that are possible only because we don’t have to deal with the actual logistics of the situation.
I’d go with the belt, mainly because I find the very concept of Ioun stones annoying and far-fetched. Who would not be driven absolutely batshit in short order by a small rock orbiting their person every waking moment? The closest real world analogue I imagine is having a spinal injury halo but without the looming, moment-to-moment threat of immediate and permanent disability to make it worth the nuisance. IMHO, Ioun stones are one of the things about D&D that are possible only because we don’t have to deal with the actual logistics of the situation.
Reflavor the stone into being a circlet. You'll be fine.
I’d go with the belt, mainly because I find the very concept of Ioun stones annoying and far-fetched. Who would not be driven absolutely batshit in short order by a small rock orbiting their person every waking moment? The closest real world analogue I imagine is having a spinal injury halo but without the looming, moment-to-moment threat of immediate and permanent disability to make it worth the nuisance. IMHO, Ioun stones are one of the things about D&D that are possible only because we don’t have to deal with the actual logistics of the situation.
Reflavor the stone into being a circlet. You'll be fine.
That’s a bit more than a simple reflavour as Ioun stones don’t occupy an equipment slot whereas a circlet does. Their slotless nature is a main feature of Ioun stones.
If OP really wants a Con boost, a tome is a better bet since it doesn’t need a reflavour and doesn’t take a slot either. It also doesn’t require attunement. I’d prolly still go with the belt though. I think OP will notice +2 to attack and damage far more than they’ll notice 18HP and +1 to con saves, especially on a pally with good number of HP already, plenty of on-board heals and great saving throws thanks to Aura of Protection.
I’d go with the belt, mainly because I find the very concept of Ioun stones annoying and far-fetched. Who would not be driven absolutely batshit in short order by a small rock orbiting their person every waking moment? The closest real world analogue I imagine is having a spinal injury halo but without the looming, moment-to-moment threat of immediate and permanent disability to make it worth the nuisance. IMHO, Ioun stones are one of the things about D&D that are possible only because we don’t have to deal with the actual logistics of the situation.
Reflavor the stone into being a circlet. You'll be fine.
That’s a bit more than a simple reflavour as Ioun stones don’t occupy an equipment slot whereas a circlet does. Their slotless nature is a main feature of Ioun stones.
If OP really wants a Con boost, a tome is a better bet since it doesn’t need a reflavour and doesn’t take a slot either. It also doesn’t require attunement. I’d prolly still go with the belt though. I think OP will notice +2 to attack and damage far more than they’ll notice 18HP and +1 to con saves, especially on a pally with good number of HP already, plenty of on-board heals and great saving throws thanks to Aura of Protection.
If you prefer, you can always reflavor the Ioun Stone into being a halo instead, or a sigil that floats above your head, out of sight and out of mind. Flavor's up to you.
Besides, if you're that late in the game, and you already have a 20 in Strength, you should be able to have a decent enough chance of smacking around your enemies to begin with, thanks to your high proficiency score. If anything, you should worry more about being able to survive late-game combat, and in a lot of situations, enemies can easily swing over your AC, so every hit point counts. Now, if his Con was at 20, and his Strength was at 16, I'd certainly recommend the belt (and/or tell him to take his last two levels in Hexblade). However, his Con is his weakest stat right now, so it's better to bolster that stat, rather than worry about improving what's already his strongest.
Plus, from how it seems, the player's only choice is between three different, and very specific, items. Can't exactly recommend a fourth, if a fourth isn't allowed.
Wow! As s nee player I didn’t realize you could take a stat past 20. That makes the belt very tempting from a power standpoint. Plus it gives the biggest increase of stats taking strength from 20 to 25 for a grand total of 5 compared to the +2 con and the + 2 ac +2 saves. “Logic” aside though, boosting your defenses seems like a wiser decision.
The new flavor with a Halo would be a nice idea I could ask the DM about that Topic if I choose to attune it.
My to hit without the Belt is at the moment a +13 so with the Belt its a +15 to hit and +2 more damage each round. The capaign is in his core very deadly and you can get a lots of damage. A Boss from some session even had a +20 to hit. The Items I just listed were Items we found after an Boss with a +2 Plate thats why my armor is at his peak. There are Boons and Tomes but we need to find it so its not that easy to just buy them + we got our Barbarian who maby takes the Book then but he still got his belt who boost his Con to a 19.
My last two levels will sure go to Paladin for the level 20 Angle Form as a Vengence Paladin. Maby it helps a little bit what we have so what role would be the best. We got: A Totem Barbarian (With Bear Totem) An Evocation Wizard A Moon Druid A Grave Cleric
We got a lot of healing on our side, but last session was a little bit close in a fight so I wanted to think about a change with the new Items. So at the time it would be between the Ioun Stone or the Belt of Strength (both items would else be in our home because the barbarian can't wear two belts at the time). But I will think about the comments thanks already for that feedback!
The new flavor with a Halo would be a nice idea I could ask the DM about that Topic if I choose to attune it.
My to hit without the Belt is at the moment a +13 so with the Belt its a +15 to hit and +2 more damage each round. The capaign is in his core very deadly and you can get a lots of damage. A Boss from some session even had a +20 to hit. The Items I just listed were Items we found after an Boss with a +2 Plate thats why my armor is at his peak. There are Boons and Tomes but we need to find it so its not that easy to just buy them + we got our Barbarian who maby takes the Book then but he still got his belt who boost his Con to a 19.
My last two levels will sure go to Paladin for the level 20 Angle Form as a Vengence Paladin. Maby it helps a little bit what we have so what role would be the best. We got: A Totem Barbarian (With Bear Totem) An Evocation Wizard A Moon Druid A Grave Cleric
We got a lot of healing on our side, but last session was a little bit close in a fight so I wanted to think about a change with the new Items. So at the time it would be between the Ioun Stone or the Belt of Strength (both items would else be in our home because the barbarian can't wear two belts at the time). But I will think about the comments thanks already for that feedback!
On the off chance you do come across a tome to boost Con in the future, note that the barbarian will not be able to use it to add to the 19 they get from any item. The tomes only add to your native attribute score so, if the barbarian’s Con is, say, 16 without the item boosting it, the tome will make it 18 (16+2) not 21 (19 front the item+2). Most likely irrelevant since I’m the one who brought up the tome but yeah, might be good to know if you didn’t realize. Cheers!
At that high of a level, AC isn't as important as a higher amount of health. At least, not to me. As such, I'd recommend the Ioun Stone.
Yes, but it also gives +2 to saves which is huge, and only gets more important the higher you go in tiers.
I would go with the Greater Ring of Protection.
Unless your DM would allow you to retrain whatever ASI's you have boosting strength into feats. Then it's an easy slam dunk on the belt.
At that level the Paladin saves will be so high I do not see that mattering much.
I'm playing a 14th level paladin with a +5 aura and ring + cloak of protection. The +2 absolutely matters. Being harder to take out of the fight is more important than the extra damage from the belt at these kinds of levels for a build like this. This is not an overly offensive paladin to begin with. I would emphasize the protector role.
I'm playing a 14th level paladin with a +5 aura and ring + cloak of protection. The +2 absolutely matters. Being harder to take out of the fight is more important than the extra damage from the belt at these kinds of levels for a build like this. This is not an overly offensive paladin to begin with. I would emphasize the protector role.
He's 18th level which gives him a 30 foot aura. He does only have an 18 charisma though which gives +4 to saves. Would be nice if he could get a belt of giant strength and make the charisma 22.
I'm playing a 14th level paladin with a +5 aura and ring + cloak of protection. The +2 absolutely matters. Being harder to take out of the fight is more important than the extra damage from the belt at these kinds of levels for a build like this. This is not an overly offensive paladin to begin with. I would emphasize the protector role.
He's 18th level which gives him a 30 foot aura. He does only have an 18 charisma though which gives +4 to saves. Would be nice if he could get a belt of giant strength and make the charisma 22.
Sadly the Charisma on 22 is not possible. At least at the time I dont know if we find a Magic Item who grants this. After this comments I went more to the protector role and I am thinking what is then better the Stone for HP or the Ring for +2 saves and +2 AC. HP is always nice but I need to think what I would take at level 19 (+2 con or +2 cha) but on the other hand I think AC can safe the life if the enemy dont hit for once and we get some spells into our faces and a higher save for me would be a nice extra on top
Wow! As s nee player I didn’t realize you could take a stat past 20. That makes the belt very tempting from a power standpoint. Plus it gives the biggest increase of stats taking strength from 20 to 25 for a grand total of 5 compared to the +2 con and the + 2 ac +2 saves. “Logic” aside though, boosting your defenses seems like a wiser decision.
The difference in actual bonuses are just a +2 for the belt vs a +1 for the Con stone.
Personally, I'd take the ring and I'm assuming you'll use the level 19 ASI to max out on Charisma. Sure, the Belt gives a slightly higher bonus when compared to the Ioun stone but the +2 on AC and saves for the Ring just makes you incredibly resilient when combined with Aura of Protection and your proficiencies.
I’d recommend the Greater ring of protection, your Con is pretty good and your strength is great already so having extra to a high AC and on saves would make you very strong and unlikely to be hit by almost any attack!
Hey! We've been playing for a long time and now I'm deciding between three items. I don't know which one might be the best, which is why I wanted to ask here.
Paladin stats:
Level 18 paladin
170 hp
AC 25
strength 20
Dexterity: 12
constitution 16
Intelegent: 8
Wisdom: 10
Charisma 18
Feats:
- Resilient (Con)
- Sentinels
Other items I own but would not trade:
- Shield +2 with a blind effect he can cast
- Longsword +2 which is against dragons
- Cloak so undead have disadvantages to attack on them
We are allowed to associate with a 4 item as a homebrew rule and it would be the following:
- Belt of Giant Strength (for 25 strength)
- Ioun Stone Fortitude to boost my con with +2
- Greater ring of protection +2, which gives +2 to ac and +2 to saves
So which of the three might be best?
At that high of a level, AC isn't as important as a higher amount of health. At least, not to me. As such, I'd recommend the Ioun Stone.
I’d go with the belt, mainly because I find the very concept of Ioun stones annoying and far-fetched. Who would not be driven absolutely batshit in short order by a small rock orbiting their person every waking moment? The closest real world analogue I imagine is having a spinal injury halo but without the looming, moment-to-moment threat of immediate and permanent disability to make it worth the nuisance. IMHO, Ioun stones are one of the things about D&D that are possible only because we don’t have to deal with the actual logistics of the situation.
Reflavor the stone into being a circlet. You'll be fine.
That’s a bit more than a simple reflavour as Ioun stones don’t occupy an equipment slot whereas a circlet does. Their slotless nature is a main feature of Ioun stones.
If OP really wants a Con boost, a tome is a better bet since it doesn’t need a reflavour and doesn’t take a slot either. It also doesn’t require attunement. I’d prolly still go with the belt though. I think OP will notice +2 to attack and damage far more than they’ll notice 18HP and +1 to con saves, especially on a pally with good number of HP already, plenty of on-board heals and great saving throws thanks to Aura of Protection.
Definitely agree with the belt.
If you prefer, you can always reflavor the Ioun Stone into being a halo instead, or a sigil that floats above your head, out of sight and out of mind. Flavor's up to you.
Besides, if you're that late in the game, and you already have a 20 in Strength, you should be able to have a decent enough chance of smacking around your enemies to begin with, thanks to your high proficiency score. If anything, you should worry more about being able to survive late-game combat, and in a lot of situations, enemies can easily swing over your AC, so every hit point counts. Now, if his Con was at 20, and his Strength was at 16, I'd certainly recommend the belt (and/or tell him to take his last two levels in Hexblade). However, his Con is his weakest stat right now, so it's better to bolster that stat, rather than worry about improving what's already his strongest.
Plus, from how it seems, the player's only choice is between three different, and very specific, items. Can't exactly recommend a fourth, if a fourth isn't allowed.
Wow! As s nee player I didn’t realize you could take a stat past 20. That makes the belt very tempting from a power standpoint. Plus it gives the biggest increase of stats taking strength from 20 to 25 for a grand total of 5 compared to the +2 con and the + 2 ac +2 saves. “Logic” aside though, boosting your defenses seems like a wiser decision.
The new flavor with a Halo would be a nice idea I could ask the DM about that Topic if I choose to attune it.
My to hit without the Belt is at the moment a +13 so with the Belt its a +15 to hit and +2 more damage each round. The capaign is in his core very deadly and you can get a lots of damage. A Boss from some session even had a +20 to hit. The Items I just listed were Items we found after an Boss with a +2 Plate thats why my armor is at his peak. There are Boons and Tomes but we need to find it so its not that easy to just buy them + we got our Barbarian who maby takes the Book then but he still got his belt who boost his Con to a 19.
My last two levels will sure go to Paladin for the level 20 Angle Form as a Vengence Paladin. Maby it helps a little bit what we have so what role would be the best.
We got:
A Totem Barbarian (With Bear Totem)
An Evocation Wizard
A Moon Druid
A Grave Cleric
We got a lot of healing on our side, but last session was a little bit close in a fight so I wanted to think about a change with the new Items. So at the time it would be between the Ioun Stone or the Belt of Strength (both items would else be in our home because the barbarian can't wear two belts at the time). But I will think about the comments thanks already for that feedback!
On the off chance you do come across a tome to boost Con in the future, note that the barbarian will not be able to use it to add to the 19 they get from any item. The tomes only add to your native attribute score so, if the barbarian’s Con is, say, 16 without the item boosting it, the tome will make it 18 (16+2) not 21 (19 front the item+2). Most likely irrelevant since I’m the one who brought up the tome but yeah, might be good to know if you didn’t realize. Cheers!
Yes, but it also gives +2 to saves which is huge, and only gets more important the higher you go in tiers.
I would go with the Greater Ring of Protection.
Unless your DM would allow you to retrain whatever ASI's you have boosting strength into feats. Then it's an easy slam dunk on the belt.
At that level the Paladin saves will be so high I do not see that mattering much.
I'd definitly go with the Belt of Giant Strength.
I'm playing a 14th level paladin with a +5 aura and ring + cloak of protection. The +2 absolutely matters. Being harder to take out of the fight is more important than the extra damage from the belt at these kinds of levels for a build like this. This is not an overly offensive paladin to begin with. I would emphasize the protector role.
He's 18th level which gives him a 30 foot aura. He does only have an 18 charisma though which gives +4 to saves. Would be nice if he could get a belt of giant strength and make the charisma 22.
Sadly the Charisma on 22 is not possible. At least at the time I dont know if we find a Magic Item who grants this. After this comments I went more to the protector role and I am thinking what is then better the Stone for HP or the Ring for +2 saves and +2 AC. HP is always nice but I need to think what I would take at level 19 (+2 con or +2 cha) but on the other hand I think AC can safe the life if the enemy dont hit for once and we get some spells into our faces and a higher save for me would be a nice extra on top
The difference in actual bonuses are just a +2 for the belt vs a +1 for the Con stone.
Personally, I'd take the ring and I'm assuming you'll use the level 19 ASI to max out on Charisma. Sure, the Belt gives a slightly higher bonus when compared to the Ioun stone but the +2 on AC and saves for the Ring just makes you incredibly resilient when combined with Aura of Protection and your proficiencies.
I’d recommend the Greater ring of protection, your Con is pretty good and your strength is great already so having extra to a high AC and on saves would make you very strong and unlikely to be hit by almost any attack!
It’s likely that if you choose the Belt of Giant Strength you will be very strength reliant more than you already are.
The Ioun Stone is a good choice however I the Greater Ring of Protection provides more stability in protection from attacks.