[D&D-5e] Monster Hunter: Expedition to the New World

[Salvation]

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

@Salvation: Question on a piece of equipment. Wire Knuckles seems like the option for unarmed fighters due to Empowered Strike (if your Unarmed Strike does at least 1d4 damage or more, this weapon deals that damage +2 instead). Does that also apply for natural weapons? I was looking at a claw user. Alternatively, if one has to use the 'unarmed item' option (pg79), does that gain the +1/2/3 for being upgraded to rare/very rare/legendary like other weapons do?

I've always treated unarmed strikes as separate from natural weapons unless it specifically says that it can be used as an unarmed strike somewhere like aarakocra talons from Mordenkainens. As for the claw being considered an "unarmed item" I don't think the wording fits for that since it says "instead of a weapon". Claws, being natural, don't really get upgraded like something that can have it's materials worked.

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

Also, are we able to use the optional rule from Tasha's to change what ability score increases we get from Race?

I don't have any problems with that.

Great questions though, I had to think about the first one a bit.

[Remorazz]

Sounds interesting, I'm giving a quick read to the material, but I can see a pg-type I'd like to put forward:

Waldy Name: Waldur Memti Dibbniss Species: Rock Gnome Class: TBD either Divination Wizard or Knowledge Cleric Faction: Hunter's Guild Background: Handler Initiate Weapon of Choice: Magic or failing that, a light crossbow probably.. (I like the Insect Glaive Kinsect for harvesting, but the Magus staff is good for spellcasting...) Role: Artisan or Spotter Description: While pretty tall for a gnome, Waldur looks like a human child, not only for his size but probably also because he hasn't started to grow a bread yet. His handles robes have various ink stains, some only seconds fresh, while some are ancient halos almost faded away; but all in all they paint a rich tapestry on the blue uniform, he suffers from a heavy case of farsightedness (hyperopia) and wears a monocle on his 'good' eye to work. He's generally good humored, always finding the silver lining. Aside from the fighting. Ew. Despite his hunter training, Waldur hates the fighting. And the blood spilling in general. Taking apart monsters for research or nutrition is also quite yucky, but necessary. A good monster in Waldur's book is a sleeping one, that lets itself get killed without much fuss. History: Enrolled in his hometown, Dundorma, a bit too early for his age, he barely hit the minimum for the physical tasks but was still promoted to Initiate for his keen eye (meh..) for cartography and other scholarly pursuits that the typical Hunter's Guild applicant sorely lacks in as well as some aptitude with magic. As mentioned, Waldur's not so much about the monster killing, as he's dedicated to discovery goals of the Guild. He's very annoyed on how some districts refuse to collaborate with others, and hopes that one day he can bridge that gap, for now, by being incredibly open and forthcoming when visiting other district's outposts.

Bare bones app, do tell if I should expand somewhere

[Salvation]

Originally Posted by silveroak

What I mean by the real world resource being sand is that a real life glass blower only needs sand and a furnace (obviously including fuel, likely coal or charcoal), to make a glass container. Other ingredients will affect the color and maybe the quality, but having to go fishing for four hours is just adding work for the same of adding work or possibly trying to find something to make glassblowing more like the other crafts. I really don't know the intention, but what I keep coming up against is that every time I try to create a character for this game those rules just break my brain and I can't continue. Simply trying to weigh out which skills my character would develop becomes an impossibility. I'm afraid that while the game sounds interesting in principal I won't be able to make a character using those rules.

Ahh understandable. My impression of many of those items is that they are not commonly made. An empty phial could be made normally with the glassblowing kit but the specific ones you need for the other crafting combinations requires you to have bonedust and whetfish scales ground up with the sand. It's a fantastical extension of real world crafting that doesn't ordinarily make sense. The four hours was just an example I made up on the spot.

No worries, though. I appreciate your interest and understand your reasoning.

EDIT: Also wanted to mention a lot of these component items are part of the loot tables in the normal course of exploring/hunting so it's often likely you will have most of what you need by the time you get to a downtime.

[AximusLokar]

Originally Posted by Salvation

I've always treated unarmed strikes as separate from natural weapons unless it specifically says that it can be used as an unarmed strike somewhere like aarakocra talons from Mordenkainens. As for the claw being considered an "unarmed item" I don't think the wording fits for that since it says "instead of a weapon". Claws, being natural, don't really get upgraded like something that can have it's materials worked.

And oddly enough the race I was looking at, jiiva dragonborn, is the only instance of a natural weapon I can find anywhere that 'count as a simple melee weapon' instead of 'you can use to make unarmed attacks'. Bites, horns, and wings get the unarmed attack caveat, but this race alone doesn't. That...is strange. And kinda torpedoes my entire concept if I'll never be able to enhance my primary weapon .

[Greyling]

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

And oddly enough the race I was looking at, jiiva dragonborn, is the only instance of a natural weapon I can find anywhere that 'count as a simple melee weapon' instead of 'you can use to make unarmed attacks'. Bites, horns, and wings get the unarmed attack caveat, but this race alone doesn't. That...is strange. And kinda torpedoes my entire concept if I'll never be able to enhance my primary weapon .

Could your character wear an augment over their natural appendage? Sort of like wearing gauntlets over fists, or a blade attachment over a tail. Just a spit-balling, so feel free to disregard if it doesn't work for your situation.

[Greyling]

Originally Posted by Salvation

Oh man, I'm not great at theorycrafting this stuff as I usually just go with my gut on character option choices. If we are just talking mechanics the Ranger/Hunter is the perfect skillset for this game type and will be pretty well equipped against the larger monster types. The arcane archer has great burst damage and a lot of combat utility but not as much skill utility. Are all of those the most important things? Meh...

Where does the arcane archer come from, what are their goals and motivations, what do they most want to get out of the hunt, who do they trust or don't trust more?

Same questions but replace arcane archer with hunter. Which one of those have easier answers for you? That's more or less where I put importance.

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

Arcane Archer (limited use specialty arrows) vs Hunter Conclave (consistent extra damage) are both great options for archetypes so if one doesn't immediately stick out to you over the other I would default to comparing the base classes, Fighter vs Ranger.

Fighter will (eventually) get more attacks (and Action Surge) and more feats or ability score increases. It's in the distance, but a Lvl11 Fighter getting to lob 6 arrows down the field can be an amazing way to start a fight.

Ranger gets better skill access, spells, and some mobility bonuses. Hunter's Mark can make up a bit of the damage from having less attacks per round, and the spell selection is fantastic for non-combat utility.

There's also saves. Fighter is proficient in Str/Con, Ranger in Str/Dex. As an archer you will obviously have a good dex, so do you have average saves in three scores (Str/Dex/Con for Fighter) or average in one and great at evasion (Ranger)?

"Theory-crafting" isn't my strongest skill either, so I appreciate both your inputs. Plus, I'm one of those people that just putting the question out there helps me process it better.

Considering the skills in and out of a hunt, the environment of the 'savage' New World, and volleying an area with shots appeals more than fussing arcane spells into a small amount of arrows. Beside, arcane archer seems more like High Elf stuff.

Thanks for the perspectives. Greatly appreciated.

[Salvation]

Originally Posted by AximusLokar

And oddly enough the race I was looking at, jiiva dragonborn, is the only instance of a natural weapon I can find anywhere that 'count as a simple melee weapon' instead of 'you can use to make unarmed attacks'. Bites, horns, and wings get the unarmed attack caveat, but this race alone doesn't. That...is strange. And kinda torpedoes my entire concept if I'll never be able to enhance my primary weapon .

This is one of those cases where taking everything "as written" isn't the best approach. I don't like to hardline things that aren't gamebreaking so feel free to treat the wire knuckles as useable with the dragon claws if that is the only hitch to the concept.

[AximusLokar]

Awesome. Trying to nail down some character details and decide between a couple of options for classes that fit my idea. Oddly enough Fighter and Wizard are the top contenders right now.

Backstory question. Is it possible to be a survivor of one of the lost expeditions?

[Salvation]

I don't really have anything defined for those other than they all happened before airships were possible. So the expeditions were on standard seafaring vessels but sure, feel free to be creative with it.

[Salvation]

Brief Update:

I have reconsidered my approach to this game after purchasing and reviewing some of the new 2024 content. The original post on this thread provides much of the detail on my decisions and the new direction of the game. I hope those of you who expressed interest are still interested. I am open to respond to all questions or concerns.

[silveroak]

I'm reconsidering but not hopeful. The fact is that I hated nearly all the changes made in the 2024 PHB.

[Remorazz]

I kinda fell in love with Waldur as I wrote him up so I'll update the app soon.

I hope this game gets picked up, I admit the new setting with his special rules about cooking, equipment and stuff felt a bit much, but I expect it not being so much as a factor for other players.

[Greyling]

Tentatively still interested. The only thing of 2024 that seems like an improvement is barbarians being able to maintain rage with a bonus action. Not impressed with the marital vs spellcaster. I'll look into the changed for rangers, and hope they didn't mangle it too much.

[Remorazz]

Wait, so the Monster Hunter Homebrew is not an approved source anymore? Do I have to change stuff like background and traits?

[Aisede]

I'm a bit late (I only just noticed this) but I've got a few questions:

1.) what about The Sapphire Star? Is that still a thing? Is there a final boss?

2.) What about wyverians as a race? They are unique to the setting.

3.) Just how will monsters work in this format? MH monsters are... Something else. God, they are something else.

4.) I just read a couple comments, and to answer a question here, yes, Barrel Bombs are a staple of hunting. Typically, you set them down near a sleeping monster to blast the everloving heck out of them. There's no possible way those things should miss anything remotely near them.