TOPIC: Black Pearl, what does it specifically negate (*spoilers*)

<br />Usually backstab only applies to things that are vulnerable to criticals.  Not sure if that applies to TD or not.<br />

<br />It has in the past (the elementals, plants, and constructs we have all faced have been immune to crits).<br /><br />As for the Lyre of Rage bonus, you are correct, that would definately be a magical bonus to hit (and thus be nerfed), where as the base is not.

can the rogue backstab an ioun stone?

<br /><br />I think an ioun stone would definitely count as a construct. It certainly doesn't have a discernible anatomy.

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can the rogue backstab an ioun stone?

<br /><br />I think an ioun stone would definitely count as a construct. It certainly doesn't have a discernible anatomy.<br />

<br />so staff of striking should be +3 then  =D

I think an ioun stone would definitely count as a construct. It certainly doesn't have a discernible anatomy.

so staff of striking should be +3 then  =D

<br /><br />Good question!<br /><br />Jeff...?

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I think an ioun stone would definitely count as a construct. It certainly doesn't have a discernible anatomy.

so staff of striking should be +3 then  =D

<br /><br />Good question!<br /><br />Jeff...?<br />

<br /><br />Not a chance.  Ioun stones are nothing like constructs.  Constructs are things like golems, androids, and such.  Not magic items.

Thanks for all the input and thoughts here.  I appreciate it.  Here is a bit of background for you to understand...and hopeful come to accept.<br /><br />I created the Ioun Stone:  Black Pearl way back when for this very reason.  I needed a magic item the would warp probability lines so that only a few basic "to hit" modifiers would count on the dragon fight -- at least for a while.<br /><br />I did this so we could have an encounter that would be challenging both to newbies, veterans and token collectors.  I have carefully designed the melee so that good smart play and good sliding will be required.  It is possible for a newbie group with hardly any magic items to kill Smoak with some good sliding and smart play, and it is possible for a token-heavy group of Vets to die a flaming death.  It was a huge game design problem to be able to figure out how to make the dragon combat as challenging and fun as possible for all, and this magic item was the best tool (I could figure out) that would make this happen.<br /><br />Basically, without a lot of tokens to kill the Black Pearl in two rounds, a group must be able to slide well and act smart in those first three rounds to kill Smoak before he unleashes his massive breath weapon.  Most players will get cooked at this time...even if they make their saving throw...but token collectors may survive to slide again.   This was the best solution to have a fun, challenging and exciting dragon combat that would be sure to end in the 12 minute time frame.  I am sorry if you disagree with my approach, but I hope you can understand I did this because I needed to balance the responsibilities of the enjoyment of so many types of players. <br /><br />So, the Ioun Stone: Black Pearl warps probability lines so that ONLY these "to hit" modifiers will matter:<br /><br />Natural Strength for melee attacks.<br /><br />Natural Dexterity for missile attacks.<br /><br />The Bard's Song.<br /><br />The Barbarian's Rage.<br /><br />That is it.  The Ioun Stone bends all the probabilities of all other effects to negate them.  It has nothing to do with magic or whatnot.  This magic item sidesteps magic and instead addresses probability lines at work in the room against its owner.<br /><br />===========<br /><br />How to Kill An Ioun Stone<br /><br />Smoak's Spell Resistance does not protect any Ioun Stone.  The below spells have a 100% chance of affecting Smoak.<br /><br />Only these tokens (and spell) automatically hit an Ioun Stone:<br /><br />1) Magic Missile (spell, scroll and wand)<br />2) Ring of the Ram<br /><br />No other magic effect will damage an Ioun Stone as they are highly resistant to magic (other than "force damage").<br /><br /><br />Attacks Against Ioun Stones<br /><br />Because Ioun Stones move so fast, it is impossible for a character to grab a stone with their hand or any other device (like a Mage Hand).  It can only be struck with a weapon that lands touching the Ioun Stone area.  No "to hit" bonuses affect this slide.  You must land on the Ioun Stone to damage it with a melee or missile attack.<br /><br /><br />How to Kill an Ioun Stone in Two Rounds<br /><br /><br />Here is how the Ioun Stone can be killed...as far as I can figure without having to rely on a good weapon slide.<br /><br />Wizards only get one Magic Missile spell (unless he is with Smakdown or is Bridgette!  I think those two are going to be popular!)<br /><br />And don't forget about the Bard and Magic Missile scrolls!  They do 4 points of damage.<br /><br />And if you have two Ring of the Rams, you can use three charges to do 18 points of damage.<br /><br /><br />Wizard in two rounds = 11 + 8 (with a +2 Staff of Power) = 19<br /><br />Bard in two rounds = 4 + 4 = 8<br /><br /><br />(These top two equal 27 points of damage.  ONE weapon hit could do 13 points of damage and destroy the Ioun Stone.)<br /><br />Ring of the Ram (1 or 2 rounds) = 6 + 6 + 6 = 18<br /><br />That does 45 points of damage and destroys the Ioun Stone.<br /><br />This is the only way I can think of to kill an Ioun Stone in two rounds without having to make a good weapon slide.<br /><br /><br />Well...that is the skinny on the Smoak fight.  Magic items will help you...but only so far.  You must be able to slide well, and you must have smart play if you want to kill Smoak.  Good luck planning your builds (I think that would be a hoot!) and good luck with your slides (which I would stink at!).  <br /><br />I am sorry if I reveal too much here, but I thought I should to clear the air about the dragon combat.  I have left a lot to be discovered at the event...<br /><br />Your Faithful Dungeon Master,<br /><br /><br />Jeff

Thank you Jeff for the well worded reply.  Alas, if the Bard is busy casting 4pt MM then he/she is not singing, so I guess it will be a decision each group will need to make.  Break the stone as quickly as possible or hope the song and base stat mods will be enough to carry the day.<br /><br />You may want to note that the Bard Song cannot include enhancements from magical instruments (that they wont help - Specifically the Lyre of Rage's additional +1 to hit for melee weapons would not count)

Okay, here's a question.  Let's say the ioun stone is still in play when a player uses the +2 Long Spear of Dragonslaying.  They hit a 20 with the burst showing towards the damage dot.  Is the dragon dead?

Yep...the Black Pearl has nothing to do with negating special weapon effects.  It just negates most "to hit" bonuses.<br /><br />It is possible to insta-kill Smoak with a very good slide a few different ways. I think we will see a few of them...I hope!<br /><br />And the Arrow of Slaying just needs to hit Smoak (but then he has to miss his saving throw)...but the AoS is probably the easiest way to kill him.

WTB Arrow of Slaying x10<br /><br />please PM me and move this to the token trade section!

Your brave Jeff, if I pulled something like this during one of my Pathfinder Games and told my players that all of what you just said but in reference to our game, I think they would lynch me.

Isn't the Arrow of Slaying an UR?  I wonder just how many of them are out there?