Rebuilding Answers

[*Mr_Otyugh]

Powerbuilding is what you're doing when you're making choices based on OOC performance rather than IC representation of character. And I do include anyone who are trying to represent "the best X of all" in the exception of IC representation to also be about OOC performance mostly.

[*Neutral Zone]

If they're a serious tank character they can get epic heavy armor specialization for another +4 and armor skin for +1, that raises you up to 57, improved expertise raises you to 63. If you also had defensive stance you could get a total of 67 AC without ever touching any special race shenanigans or powerbuilding.

This is one of those cases I class as a specialized tanking build. Also note, that your build would end up with a measly ~36 AB with improved expertise active, depending on how you did the build. They also likely wouldn't hit particularly hard.

2. Yeah it's an RDD, which you can't make on a slaad anymore... but the build would be even stronger with the new Stalward Defender instead.

You can't take Stalwart Defender on a Slaad. Non-Lawful race only. Otherwise, I think it'd be pretty popular.

[*Strawberry Jam]

Lets say that character ends with 28 str, that's +9, lets say 29 bab for room to play with multiclassing. A +5 weapon and +4 epic weapon focus. Total for 47, 41 with improved expertise. It's enough to hit the majority of things reliably with 7 attacks per round. A strong purple weapon with specializations and +9 from str will do pretty reliable damage. If it's an x3 weapon you will be fine. Toggling improved expertise on and off for different situations is tactics, so is equip/unequip shield for 1.5 damage bonus or +9 defense.

You could do something similar with fire/frost giant and then have extra ac, +14 str +7 con qualifies you for epic dr at level 1 and lets you raise only str..

[*rapsam2003]

Taking cleric is a powerbuild, let's be honest.

Depends on how you play them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you do a level 1 cleric dip (on a build that isn't otherwise in theme with religion at all), let's be honest. That's purely for cleric features. You can try to RP it all you want, but we all know it was taken for the OOC mechanics and not for the RP. Don't try to sugarcoat it.

[*Tomekk]

Taking cleric is a powerbuild, let's be honest.

Depends on how you play them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you do a level 1 cleric dip (on a build that isn't otherwise in theme with religion at all), let's be honest. That's purely for cleric features. You can try to RP it all you want, but we all know it was taken for the OOC mechanics and not for the RP. Don't try to sugarcoat it.

It didn't say 1 Cleric. I meant playing Cleric in general :P

[*Mick64]

2. Yeah it's an RDD, which you can't make on a slaad anymore... but the build would be even stronger with the new Stalward Defender instead.

You can't take Stalwart Defender on a Slaad. Non-Lawful race only. Otherwise, I think it'd be pretty popular.

Way to do a partial citation cutting out the part that says it would be a humanoid (Possibly Half-Dragon) instead of a slaad. Or now that someone's mentioned them, a Fire / Frost giant would be even better then that.

[*rapsam2003]

The point it, it's a level 12-15 area. I was level 17 and still got my ass handed to me. This... Should not be happening.

I must admit, the fact that only the Ice Salamanders seem "level appropriate" for that area is confusing to me. If it's meant to be a gear check, that's fine. However, I would add that, even with a few purples & 2/3 items of the Iggwilv set, Morthos had trouble with that area at level 14 (actually level 17, since he has ECL+3). The elementals and the frost giants are just a pain, even with good gear and being overleveled for the area. And that's odd.

And, to clarify, we're talking about a build that typically has no trouble with anything level appropriate. I did a strength-based warlock/fellblade this rebuild and bought Kyton Chains.

[*Whitefly]

Tomekk, don't sweat it about Rapsam. That guy would argue with a ladybird if he thought it had too many spots.

Honestly, you can RP and still have a powerful character; it's not like they're mutually exclusive. Even if you want a 'lover not a fighter' or meek pathetic character, there are archetypes you can build with support in mind. Never be afraid to ask in the builds and build discussions forum if you don't want to put the time in to figure your way from an initial theme to a powerbuild.

[*Gazoo]

The elementals and the frost giants are just a pain, even with good gear and being overleveled for the area. And that's odd.

And both these never leave their relative areas: one's a boss and the other is popular for xp and the chief+chest. Poor designers can't win.

Maybe a note to the portal entry stating FGiants are at the top of the area range for new players.

Or maybe:

Someone can simply update the zone Wiki with this warning info!? For newer players. Current players should know by now.

[*rapsam2003]

Tomekk, don't sweat it about Rapsam. That guy would argue with a ladybird if he thought it had too many spots.

If you say so...

And both these never leave their relative areas: one's a boss and the other is popular for xp and the chief+chest.  Poor designers can't win.

I mean, that's fine. But if I'm at level 17, well geared, etc. AND still can't beat the boss for the area...that seems a little out of whack. It's not even as if this is intended to be a challenging area; it's meant for leveling.