A Spirit Shaman with Telthor Companion and Phantom Wolf

[Steve]

Hello!

So I was toying around with a Character that is a Spirit Shaman that has some DCs and offensive spells, but more or less survive through "protection" from a Telthor Companion and a Phantom Wolf (all buffed up and utilizing the Thaumaturge feats for lasting power).

This is the build: https://nwn2db.com/build/?328921

Unfortunately, no matter how much I could imagine fun RP, I'm pretty darn certain that the build won't be viable against Epic Content. Group adventuring, sure, it will just be a minor part of the power dynamic, and that is that. But there probably won't be much solo adventuring after CR 20.

Unless I'm wrong? Does anyone have a screenshot of the Telthor Companion at max Level? Furthermore, is there any additional changes to the build to make sure the Companions are the strongest they can be? Cheers.

[Rhifox]

Unless it's changed at some point, I believe telthor has the same stats as ranger wolf. (Max level 23 with NB and EAC, lower with Thaum levels). These stats are before buffs.

Don't quote me on that, though.

I'm not sure I'd recommend Phantom Wolf due to it being only round per level. Even with double extend, you're going to be spending a good chunk of that time buffing it. Unless Thaumaturge Planar Cohort counts for Phantom Wolf/Bear? I don't think it does, though? Unless I'm wrong and PC does work, I'd personally go Summon Monster IX for the duration.

As for maximizing them, I would recommend tanking for them using Shapechange (Moon Dog form even makes you look like a telthor, so you can have a triple wolf team). This also adds more dps, which helps make up for the relatively low AB of summons/companions in high level content.

I'm not sure we have Exalted Companion. I'd recommend grabbing Stoneskin to make them last longer, and don't forget all the shaman animal/companion spells ofc, plus IMA and Heroism wands.


One thing you might want to consider is dropping Thaum, since it doesn't progress companion levels. Just grab Augment Summon separately and use Summon IX instead of Phantom Wolf. You can also consider Beckon the Frozen for an extra 1d6 cold damage.

Even if you don't drop it, I would recommend going no higher than Thaum 4. I believe that will get you the level 21 telthor, and unless PC works for Phantoms, 5 is a wasted level.

[Steve]

Word on the street is that Planar Cohort works for Phantom Wolf and Phantom Bear.

If the Telthor Companion is the same as Ranger Wolf, then it isn't so much to write home about. Well, the AC isn't so bad, but it won't last long either in Epic Content. It is easy enough to RP that the Telthor Companion, when it reaches its mechanical death, actually retreats from battle, in order to not make it be so fake. I do very much like the idea of three lupine Forms adventuring together though!

[Rhifox]

Word on the street is that Planar Cohort works for Phantom Wolf and Phantom Bear.

Very interesting...

I might have to grab one of those if it works.

If the Telthor Companion is the same as Ranger Wolf, then it isn't so much to write home about. Well, the AC isn't so bad, but it won't last long either in Epic Content.

Yeah, but that's with just ranger buffs, no? Max level wolf companion with shaman buffs + IMA wand gets just about 60 AC (a few less with the 21 wolf), with 10/Adamantium DR with Stoneskin (which you should be able to renew regularly), and good heal spells. Of course, summon AB/damage tends to be nothing to write home about, but with two summons + shapechange, it adds up.

But I don't use one, and don't run epic content that much (and almost never solo), so you might be right.

[ajcolt]

It will be fine for all but the hardest of epic level content no 60 AC companion required

[YYA]

Drop the Luck of Heroes feat at level 1, and get yourself Acidic Splatter Reserve feat at level 18. With Storm of Vengeance to fuel it, you can get that extra 9d6 Acid damage per turn. (About 31.5~ per cast.)

Thus, you will have your two buffed up companions, Storm of Vengeance for the unavoidable Acid AoE damage and occasional extra electrical damage and stun, while your ability to spam Acidic Splatter will ensure that you can focus direct damage to bring down mobs faster. You could even pick Elemental Swarm instead of Summon Creature IX, and leave it unbuffed simply because the spell exists to provide an extra meat shield that replaces itself three times, a total of four four HD 20 elementals.

I suppose you could also Shapechange into a Nightwalker, but since you are stuck at 4 attacks per turn with AB of just 36... it just feels a bit meh to me, hence you can probably get great mileage out of the Ranged Touch Attack of Acidic Splatter.

[chad878262]

Summons in general, especially with Planar Cohort from Thaumaturge are stronger than they are given credit for. Especially if you UMD wands they can get plenty of AC to last in epic content. I think the fallacy is expectations that they will be as strong as a PC tank/damage dealer and that is asking too much. I have taken my W20/T5/MA5 to various epic areas including Greypeaks and been able to get through the area with the Planar Cohort Surviving up until the Balor (which was perfect timing to throw down an epic gate). I imagine with Full SS Caster Levels the AC could be enough on your summons to only be hit on a 20 so it should be quite survivable and would work well even solo. Don't expect to be able to grind endlessly of course as you'll have to keep the summons healed up and resources aren't limitless, but plenty to be able to handle for enough time to get more than through rest timer.

[Steve]

I’m not sure if the Phantom Wolf/Bear stats are similar to the stats from Planar Binding choices.

Also, one of the Hierophant feats could be Augment Form, and thus upping to BAB 21 when using Shapechange.