Make Deep Imaskari Great Again (like...more great)

[Steve]

Hello!

Can the Mighty Staffies consider an “upgrade” to the lowly Deep Imaskari Race? Seeing that Genasi were given a bump, perhaps the Imaskari could see some L.O.V.E..

For example:

- they come from one of the first HUMAN empires...so why don’t they have either the “Quick to Master” and/or the Skilled Feats?
- they are descended from some of the greatest of magic users...why not allow for, at creation, a single Spell Focus: X School?
- as well, given their magic use history, what about adding Spell Resistance like Drow and Svirf? (Maybe this one would then require adding +1 ECL to the Race, but why not?)
- given their magic use history, what about extra Saves versus Spells like Dwarves?
- given their magic use history, perhaps they could get a few Innate spell casting traits, like Blindfight, or True Seeing, or Spell DR or whatever can be said is appropriate

Thoughts?

[GholaMan]

How about giving them darkvision like every other underdark race in existance for a start?

[c2k]

- as well, given their magic use history, what about adding Spell Resistance like Drow and Svirf? (Maybe this one would then require adding +1 ECL to the Race, but why not?)

One of the concepts behind adding Deep Imaskari was to add a non-ECL race to the UD. I think Deep Imaskari and Half-Drow are the only non-ECL races down there.

I should add that Deep Imaskari were asleep for a very long time and they haven't retained all the knowledge their ancestors had.

What if Spell Clutch was modified to add a bonus spell slot at every spell level instead of just the first spell level? I don't really think that would be superbly OP, but I haven't really built a lot of Deep Imaskari. In my mind, it would make it scaling more like the feat Skilled.

I don't really like Quick to Master in this situation, because at that point, why not allow Humans to be made in the UD.

[Steve]

An expanded Spell Clutch per Level would be cool. It’s a start.

I understand the value of having a non-ECL race in the UD...but that doesn’t really matter if no one is actually playing the Race!! Like, seriously playing it, not some very random alt build (hi Snarfo!)

My thoughts are to look at all the other UD specific Races, and simply compare their innate power mechanics to the Deep Imaskari, then do what must be done to equalize that, upwards (though if nerfing Drow and Svirfs is your thing I won’t stop you! )

And simply put: this is an opportunity to make the DI something special and unique as a Race and an RP through upgrading the power mechanics. With the UD designed with a certain “toughness” to counter the existing ECL races, the DI just can’t compete, and that is often unfun for the Player.

[Valefort]

Is this a power issue or an RP opportunities issue ? Are Deep Imaskari unplayable in the Underdark as it is now ?

[Steve]

Is this a power issue or an RP opportunities issue ? Are Deep Imaskari unplayable in the Underdark as it is now ?

RP opportunities in the UD is ALWAYS an issue!! We can look back in Forum posting history to the multitude of threads declaring the UD dead, overlooked, abandoned, in need of attention, etc etc.

But yes, a power issue. I think it is safe to say the UD was designed to counterplay ECL +2.

[c2k]

I think can be fixed with just Spell Clutch tweaking. In PnP, an extra level 1 spell is great because level 1 spells do more. On this server, with all the inflation of stats, that 1 extra level 1 spell slot doesn't give you much mileage.

I also agree is might have something to do with the way the UD was designed. The UD punishes those that don't have a good build, unlike the surface where someone can get away with not optimizing everything. To say the UD couldn't use some renovation is an understatement, as some of those areas have been the same as they were 11 years ago.

[Snarfy]

Is this a power issue or an RP opportunities issue ? Are Deep Imaskari unplayable in the Underdark as it is now ?

Nope, not really. Mine is in the upper 20's, and is a sub-par build, and he manages just fine.

[GholaMan]

See this is why i suggested darkvision, because as it stands Deep Imaskari cannot even see in the underdark without a light source. They have low light vision and still suffer from light penalties. So what they are supposed to run around with a light source that hurts their eyes just so they can see? I know in lore they have low light vision but it simply does not make sense for them not to have darkvision.

[Snarfy]

To be fair, Steve might have a point regarding the Imaskari being non ECL in an environment predominantly designed for ECL +2.

I think my Imaskari is 26 or 27 now, and it hasn't exactly been fun getting him up there(3 - 4 years in the making?). He was still struggling to mulch Kro's at level 20 to 22, and he probably couldn't survive a run through drider territory at his current level.

When I said "manages just fine" in my previous post, I should have added "in a group" at the end of that. I avoid the more challenging, or even CR appropriate areas while solo, because I know I'll probably get fugue'd. Whether or not this is an imaskari thing, or a 'me in the UD' thing, or a 'me on a bard' thing.... *shrug*

Based on racial traits and whatever little else they get as a race, there's little to no incentive in making one. RP-wise? ... well, if you like being an outcast, and having no imaskari friends, or a home to speak of, it's a great choice!

I only made one because I didn't feel lore savvy enough to make a drow.

Darkvision would be nice though, if it would negate penalties. Heck, I was just glad enough when the stumbling thing got fixed, because watching my toon fall on his ass every five steps was just about the most agonizing thing ever.