No magic party?

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After having seen several threads about new parties, I decided to make my own. Please take another moment to read the subject: No magic party. I mean by this that noone should be able to cast spells. How would you feel about such a party? I am thinking a party of all my own chars, rather than the NPCs, who would not be as powerful, though I could compose a party with some if I wanted.
Anyway, what about this idea? Could it work? Post comments or whatever!

 

I am not sure that you could avoid using magic entirely - all characters have special (and therefore mainly magical) abilities.

If I do not think on this, and analyze the wizard and clerical spells, I can tell the following:

In my opinion, playing with such a party would be quite monotone, only hacknslash - but the game could be played and won with it. The huge melee and range attack capacity would make enormous effects, however, they could not replace the effects of many good spells. (You would be longing for healing spells for example)
On the other hand, many non-combat situations are much easier (or solvable only) by using spells (e.g. Identify can spare much money at the beginning).

On the contrary, (almost) everything can only be proved if we try it practically.
If you do not fear hacknslash, i advise you to try it out! Tell us your experience

 

Well, if there were no spells I'd have it like this...

Half-Orc Wizard Slayer - the Dispel Magic each hit and MR

Cavalier - for his ability to use Holy Avenger and good Immunities

Halfling Fighter/Thief - for their ability to fight and also to find invisible creatures.

Monk - Godly resistance? Wicked fighting style? Nuff said.

Half-Orc Barbarian - mainly for the Barbarian Rage for those Demi-liches and Mind Flayers. Also, it'd be hard to find good armor if I had all fighters or paladins.

Shapeshifter - For the Greater Werewolf ability. He'll be dead wieght until 13th level. I don't think that's magic because it's Lycanthropy. It's a disease besically. Besides, he can stay in that form forever and has good stats and MR. I didn't know what else to put here.

 

And how are you planning to wound those enemies that can only be injured with magic weapons? I'm assume the no magic rule applies to spells AND weapons.

 

Why no Paladins? Just don't have them cast spells. Besides, a paladin has really good saving throws and can stomp with Carsomyr.

 

You could make the paladin an inquisitor or undead hunter. No spellcasting then, just 'innate abilities'.

 

I'll go for it sure enough. No magic means no casters. I was thinking on this party:

Inquisitor (Anti-Paladin from the Tactics Mod)(18 cha, dispels, true seeing, Carsomyr)
Berserker (Super tank, immune to most everything while raging, and so on)
Another Berserker (same thing)
Swashbuckler (thief abilities, some mod weapons can give him a X4 backstab, i once had a swashie with -24 ac in ToB)
Archer (generic archer from the Tactics Mod) (A Kensai with a bow and studded leather armor)
Another Generic Archer (I like 2 of each )'

General comments on Baronius' post:
Special abilities and magic items can of course be used. Hack 'n Slash is my style. The one thing I generally use the mages/clerics for is casting Limited wish for neg. plane prot, breach/pierce magic sort of spells (which the Inquisitor/Anti-paladin's dispel can mostly handle) and Haste (potions, Boots of Speed). Rarely if ever use more then 3 buffing spells, and they go away once Inqui/Anti-Pal dispels anyway Healing can be handled by potions, resting, temples, and whatever.

@Mystra: I've been thinking about what a wicked warrior a 13 shapeshifter dualled to fighter would be (especially with Ease-of-Use), but he/she has a spellbook, and that kindof breaks the theme, doesn't it?

@david w: Magic weapons/items ARE allowed, it's just noone shall have a spellbook.

@dmc: Yeah, whirlwinds kicks ass, and HLAs can usually be had before Bodhi in ch. 6. Inquisitor dispelling handles most charm/hold/dominate effects. Can't say i like your party composition more than mine though Innate class effects are of course used, they're much better than spells

@Mystra's and dmc's second posts: The Inquisitor loses spell casting ability, so I'll certainly use one for the overpowered dispel.

Whew, that's a long post!

 

I'm a bit confused (as usual). The Inquisitor's dispell is a spell, as is true sight. But you say "I'll certainly use one for the overpowered dispel". So when you say no spell-casting, are you excluding innate abilities from this rule? In other words, do you just mean that nobody can cast spells using the Spell button? If that's the case, then an Inquisitor would definitely be useful.

 

I thought I made it clear that it was no spells from spellbooks. If it was nothing but "select weapon, use attack button", I couldn't use Rage or called shot, or thief abilites for that matter. So the Cast Spell icon is the one that will never be used.

 

Yes but its one thing to use rage or called shots, natural abilities, its another to use inquises abilities, which are inherintly divine magic. They would technically belong as priest spells, I cant see how you can get around calling them magic. Inquis doesnt belong in a no magic party.

 

Once again, NO SPELLBOOK MAGIC!

 

@ Strifestrike:
Not necessarily; it all depends on how you define your criteria. Just because an innate ability has a spell equivalent doesn't necessarily preclude it from being used; Xei Win Toh has defined his version of "no magic" (which I have no problem with, for what it's worth), so an Inquisitor's dispell and True Sight is OK.

Actually, this sounds like it could be fun, since I usually go melee-heavy anyway. I'm thinking:
Inquisitor
Berserker or Barbarian
Archer (Tactics kit)
M/C Fighter/thief
Monk

I'd leave the 6th spot open for NPC's

 

Well its his choice how he plays, but even if paladins abilities are not "spell book" magic they are still magic. However if you do not want to consider them as such then use priest as well, ive never read about a priest using a spell book in dnd. Priest magic is equivlant to paladin magic, it just has a different icon for some of the spells. Sorry to break it to ya.

 

I'll get over it.

As I said, it depends on how the criteria is defined up front.

 

Archers have limited Healing ability's so if you wanted to you could fill there slots with healing type spells if you need to rest and heal in the Middle of a dungeon but as Splunge said It's your choice.

 

It's quite hard to stay alive without magic, but my advice would be to take at least one rogue to backstab those wizards dead before they get the chance to activate those Constinengies and stuff. I know they can cast True Sight, but usually you get one stab when they are preparing for it. Boots of speed are essential for this.

The Staff of Magi is also quite good because of its permanent Prot. from Evil. When you come across those demon summoning enemies, just dispel their protection with arrows or such and then equip the staff of magi and watch while your enemies fight their own summonings. Since you won't be having any wizards you'll have to stick with rogue and Use any item skill.

 

no magic party:
fighter
fighter
fighter
fighter
fighter
fighter



lol, just joking, dont have anything to say bout this

[Then don't post.] -Tal

[ December 08, 2003, 14:01: Message edited by: Taluntain ]