# Order of the Stick - Book 5 Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323 "2009-08-31T04:09:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 178
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3542 "2012-02-16T06:47:13Z")
OK, so now the Order is reconnected with all members present and accounted for with a commanded kobold in the offing? Right? ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3543 "2012-02-16T09:50:48Z")
Right! And while they expect to encounter the Linear Guild, what they don’t know is that the Linear Guild isn’t just Nale and Sabine at the moment but also includes Zz’dtri, Tarquin, Malack, and the kobald administrative assistant. And what nobody knows unless Hinjo gets word from Niu about the phylactery and passes that on to the OotS is that Xykon and Recloak are on the move and heading (after dropping off the fake phylactery on the Astral Plane) to Girard’s Gate as well. I could be wrong, but I’m guessing things are about to get _really, really_ exciting. Although not yet ultimate. Not to forget, there’s one more gate out there besides Girard’s. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3544 "2012-02-16T13:52:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Oh, and of course, you also want to make sure to give it to someone who’s fighting in melee. . You ALSO want to give it to someone who is more likely to deal damage to opponents than to the group itself. Advantage: Roy. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3545 "2012-02-16T15:27:02Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > Although not yet ultimate. Not to forget, there’s one more gate out there besides Girard’s. Although disappointing, I think it would also be hilarious if the story wrapped up at this gate because nobody would be expecting it. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3546 "2012-02-16T15:35:31Z")
How long does V’s domination of the kobold last? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3547 "2012-02-16T16:01:14Z")
One day per level, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3548 "2012-02-16T20:38:00Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > I’ve been tinkering with an experimental ranger build in Pathfinder\*, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the dual-wield option, though popular, really isn’t optimal in Pathfinder or 3.5. You can get the almost same max damage per round with a two-handed weapon (given the 1.5x strength bonus), and have a better chance to hit. My number-crunching shows that you’re spending a class feature to possibly get a tiny increase in average damage against easy targets, and a serious decrease against hard-to-hit targets. The 2-hander actually gets a big advantage over the 2-weapon fighter when it comes to hordes of chaff: power attack+great cleave. Or power attack+whirlwind attack. Chops gobs but good. Even better if you’re using a polearm ! The only real advantage of 2 weapon fighting is that you can stack enchantments on both weapons when you’re really loaded, and can get marginally higher AC through 2 weapon defence. But since AC typically matters fuck all by the time you grab 2 weapon defence… Mostly TWF is cool for classes who can’t use shields and are going to have high dex anyway like rogues, arcane tricksters, bards, etc… Dual wielding kama, shuriken or quarterstaff monks can also get pretty ridiculous since the extra attacks stack with those from Flurry of Blows. But like you say, for rangers it’s basically an idiot trap meant for Drizzt wannabes. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3549 "2012-02-16T20:51:55Z")
It can also trap old-timers. Back in 2nd edition, all rangers got two-weapon fighting (it wasn’t a choice), and it meant that you could get twice as many attacks, with full-sized weapons, at no penalty. Someone who remembers those old days might not realize just how nerfed it is in 3rd edition. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3550 "2012-02-16T21:47:49Z")
I think it was introduced in Overpowered Arcana back in first edition, so people could be like Moonglum in the old Deities and Demigods. In any case: thoroughly munchkinized. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3551 "2012-02-16T21:52:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It can also trap old-timers. Back in 2nd edition, all rangers got two-weapon fighting (it wasn’t a choice), and it meant that you could get twice as many attacks, with full-sized weapons, at no penalty. Someone who remembers those old days might not realize just how nerfed it is in 3rd edition. True dat! Ah, for the glory days when my ranger could kiss some serious drow butt. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3552 "2012-02-16T22:46:13Z")
Kiss? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3553 "2012-02-17T00:59:36Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Kiss? He’s probably talking about Eclavdra. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3554 "2012-02-17T01:09:02Z")
[New strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0837.html), and a reference to one of my favorite books :D. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3555 "2012-02-17T01:18:00Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > [New strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0837.html), and a reference to one of my favorite books :D. Yes, _Heteronyms with Divergent Pronunciations_ is one of my favorites, too. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3556 "2012-02-17T02:41:29Z")
Question : Fly doesn’t work because of the wind. What about [wind walk](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0647.html) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3557 "2012-02-17T03:02:09Z")
Good question. The [SRD](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/windWalk.htm) says the spell can generate a 60mph wind to help propel you. I’d probably rule that any wind effect stronger than that would blow you off course, like the winds did to V in today’s comic. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3558 "2012-02-17T03:20:38Z")
Durkon [says the desert winds are too strong](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0673.html). Since the canyon is even windier, it presumably wouldn’t work there, either. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3559 "2012-02-17T03:44:34Z")
And less than $1000 until top five Kickstarters! You! Why haven’t you pledged? Go, go, GO! ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3560 "2012-02-17T04:13:44Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > And less than $1000 until top five Kickstarters! > > You! Why haven’t you pledged? Go, go, GO! Because I have no money. ☹ I would love to get all the books & PDF stories. I don’t play D&D, but I still enjoy the story (and other webcomics base around D&D), so I don’t always get some of the jokes and such, like today’s comic; what did the \*\*no signal \*\*mean when Durkon tried to cast “find tha path”? ( I get the cellphone part but beyond that I’m not sure). While I’m here, what is the Dim Sun Story about? Rich says: > [@](#): > > What if The Order of the Stick took place in a campaign setting that we can’t legally name(but we can still parody)? Also, has anyone ever done more realistic drawings of the cast? Fan art or something? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/3561 "2012-02-17T04:21:35Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > I don’t play D&D, but I still enjoy the story (and other webcomics base around D&D), so I don’t always get some of the jokes and such, like today’s comic; what did the \*\*no signal \*\*mean when Durkon tried to cast “find tha path”? ( I get the cellphone part but beyond that I’m not sure). There’s not much beyond that. Find the Path is a divination spell that tells you how to most easily reach your destination. Girard has apparently blocked divination spells in the canyon. > [@](#): > > While I’m here, what is the Dim Sun Story about? One of the more popular settings released for D&D was the Dark Sun campaign. It was a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, where reckless magic users had devastated the planet, leaving it covered in endless deserts filled with undead and twisted mutations, with a few cities ruled by the surviving evil arch wizards. It was a very 90s roleplaying game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=179)