Arena Tournament, Round 59: Griff & Gorath vs. Zkai & MisterSmiley

[ArenaManager]

Arena Tournament, Round 59: Griff Dull Eyes Oberwold & Gorath the Relentless vs. Zkai Daihber & MisterSmiley

Map:
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab330/ArenaManager/Arenas/07-sinking_island.png



XP Award: 300 XP to each non-DQd member of winning team
GP Award: 300 GP to each non-DQd member of winning team

Griff Dull eyes Oberwold (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=120319) - Ladorak
Gorath the Relentless (http://www.coyotecode.net/profiler/view.php?id=6988) - Corsair420
MisterSmiley (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=138275) - madtinker
Zkai Daihber (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=143354) - Scorer


All Combatants, please roll initiative and declare any final purchases

Prior to the match start you may privately plan by spoiler or PM with your partner, but after the start any communications will need to be done in character inside the arena as rules allow.

[Corsair420]

Confering with my partner before declaring any possible purchases

int:[roll0]

[madtinker]

Rolling init [roll0]

@Zkai/refokay, I want to do something drastic. Can you ride on my shoulders while casting spells and I fight (you would be a light load)? Do we need to buy an exotic saddle? Would I count as an intelligent mount?

Edit: what are the rules for throwing (distance wise)? I just think this would spice up our strategy, perhaps confuse them, and if we delay to act on consecutive initiative counts, we could make it a running battle that one of them (by himself at least) couldn't keep up with. I move and ready an action to move after you attack. Instant spring attack at higher than your base speed. Interested?

Edited strategy notes. No purchases, need a reply.

[Ladorak]

Reporting in, holding on purchases for now.

Init: [roll0]

[Scorer]

Reportin in...


Initiative
[roll]1d20+2[roll]

@MisterSmiley

You know what? That's the most ridiculous and crazy idea I've ever heard in the Arena... I LIKE IT! :smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin:

We just need confirmation from Refs to see if it works, and if it does, I'm on it, I bought more drow poison and True Strike scrolls, however, to pull that off it takes me 3 turns, as there are 3 standard actions involved (apply poison, cast from scroll and actually attack...) that's where your speed may be very useful...

If they overcome the Fort save, we still have enough speed to get out and I can Magic Missile them...

[Scorer]

yeah sure, [roll0]

Still need to think additional purchases...

[Psionic Dog]

High Ref PsiDog

@Refs (Future Reference)
Apparently most of riding rules are in the Dungeon Master Guide, and part of a section that my tired old 3.0 copy doesn't have.

The answeres below came from PHB extrapolations and the "All about mount" (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050222a) wizard articles (a 5-part series).

@Zkai & MisterSmiley
*dusts off books*

Q What are the rules for Throwing?
A I think the default is 10 ft range increment with "Improvised thrown objects". Not sure what, if any, the weight limits are.

Q: Can a creature ride on shoulders?
A: The ride skill description says:
If you attempt to ride a creature that is ill suited as a mount (such as most bipedal creatures) you take a -5 penalty on your Ride checks.
This seems to imply that yes, one could ride a humanoid.

Q: Would we need an exotic saddle?
A: Nope. Granted it's an additional -5 ride penalty without one, but saddles aren't strictly necessary.

Q: Would the ridden PC count as an intelligent mount?
A: You have an Int of 3+ correct? So yes, the rider would be just a passenger literally along for the ride.

Q: Would there ever be a reason for the rider to actually make a ride check?
A: The non-controlling checks, such as Stay in Saddle, may of course still be taken at any time as often as desired/required.

Q: Could the rider cast spells?
A: Yes, for a given definition of 'casts spells'. See "Mounted Combat Rules" for exact details.

I'm not 100% certain what the requested ref question was, but whatever it was I hope I answered it. :smallsmile:

[madtinker]

So...@ZkaiI buy exotic military saddle? You don't really need to make control checks, but you will need to make ride checks to cast spells and such.

@Psidog: Sorry it was a little unclear, but as usual, you came through with flying colors.

[Scorer]

@Mistersmiley

I'm in for it, this has to be fun, no matter we lose :smalltongue:

[madtinker]

Purchasing an exotic military saddle (60 gp) and a masterwork bastard sword (335 gp). And a dozen slings.

[Ladorak]

Buy a Heavy horse, training it for purpose: Combat riding. Calling him Mr. Hoppy.
And a military saddle.
-260gp

Ready... Although I must confess I'm curious what an exotic saddle and a dozen slings are for... Guess I'll find out soon enough

Edit: Oh, and a MW riding tool... Let's say... a copy of Black Beauty

[Scorer]

Are we done buying?

Zkai is Ready to Go!

[Ladorak]

Waiting on Gorath before I kick us off

[Corsair420]

sorry forgot to subscribe to the thread

I to am purchasing a heavy horse and training for combat riding and a military saddle -260gp and I shall call him Captain Fluffers

I believe i am ready to go

Also scorer acts before me due to a higher dex mod on init right? thats how it works?

[madtinker]

I too am ready. Yes, the dex mod is the tiebreaker.

[Ladorak]

Griff, turn one

Starting holding chain and armoured, mounted, and therefore occuping all 4 squares.

Double move to K-14/L-15


End turn

Stats:

HP:15/15
AC:16

[madtinker]

Initiative is:
Griff
Smiley
Zkai
Gorath, yeah?

Mister Smiley, Rd 1
@Refs/LoSI'm guessing we start with all preparations made, so I am wearing an exotic saddle and wielding my bastard sword in two hands. Zkai is in the saddle already.
Double move to E19.

If the above assumption is invalid, use the following:
Move: pick up Zkai and put in saddle (it is a move action to mount: no specification as to whether this is transitive or intransitive verb).
Move: Move to H22, drawing Bastard Sword as part of movement and holding in both hands.

Stats
HP 15/15
AC 17 (4 armor, 3 dex) T 13, FF 14
Fort/Ref/Will +5/+3/-2
Bastard Sword +8, 1d10+9

Edit: Done

[Scorer]

I have a ref question...

@Refs/MisterSmiley

I'd rather wait for you to check what happens in Madtinker's Turn please, before I post my Turn. Thanks! :smallsmile:

[Psionic Dog]

High Ref PsiDog

@Zkai & MisterSmiley
The High Ref Opinion is that since gladiators may start anywhere in the starting circle with all mundane preparations complete, one ally may begin riding on the other.

Thus, assuming everything on character sheets is taken into the arena,
Zkai is caring a 37.5 lb heavy load* and ridding on Krusk.
Krusk is caring a 165.5+ lb light load** including Zkai and gear.

*Note: Ammunition is not weightless (Small lead sling stones are 0.25# each)
**Used minimal gnomish weight since I'm too lazy to convert metric right now


LoS Check

Griff
You see Mister Smiley standing in their start zone welding a bastard sword in both hands and wearing an exotic saddle. Zhai is ridding in the saddle.

You also see your friend Gorath

Gorath
You watch Gorath ride up to K-14/L-15.

No other LoS

Zkai
You see MisterSmiley up close and personal.
You also see Griff mounted on a heavy horse in K-14/L-15 holding a spiked chain.

No LoS to Gorath

Mister Smiley
You see Zkai up close and personal.
You also see Griff mounted on a heavy horse in K-14/L-15 holding a spiked chain.

No LoS to Gorath

Rewind to start of Mister Smiley's turn.

[Corsair420]

quick question, don't horses only take up a 1x2 not 2x2 squares?

[Sallera]

Incorrect; all Large creatures take up a 10ft square.

[madtinker]

Sorry about the wait.

Mister Smiley, Rd1 Redux
LoS/RefsWith bastard sword wielded in both hands and Zkai mounted, Mister Smiley moves to L20 and readies an action To attack the first opponent in range.

StatsHP 15/15
AC 17 (4 armor, 3 dex) T 13, FF 14
Fort/Ref/Will +5/+3/-2
Bastard Sword +8, 1d10+9

Done

[Scorer]

Zkai 1st Turn


I do not carry bullets, only my crossbow, consumables and 20 bolts.

I start with crossbow and poison in hand. I poison to a bolt.

Autoinjury chance [roll0]1-5 I auto injury

Draw scroll of true strike


Familiar charges Griff

Attack
[roll1]
Damage
[roll2]
If Crit
[roll3]
Additional Damage
[roll4]


LoS passive checks if necessary:

Listen
[roll5]
Spot
[roll6]



End of Turn

STATS

Zkai Daihber
Started @ Mistersmiley
Ended @ Mistersmiley
HP 10/10
AC 13 (10 +2 Dex +1 Size) T 13 FF 11

Spells:
Level 0 - 5 left
Level 1 - 4 left
Gnome racial spell not used yet

Klaud Daihber
Started @ N25
Ended @ K14-L15
HP 5/5
AC 16 (10 +3 Dex, +2 Size, +3 Natural, -2 Charge) T 17 FF 13

Talons +5 1d4-2

[Scorer]

@refs/LoS

Great! Autoinujred! As if these monsters weren't mean enough :smalltongue:

Fort Save DC 13
[roll0]

EDIT: Ok, Im unconciouss... :smallannoyed:

[Corsair420]

Gorath R1:

Ref and LoS:
starting mounted with ripper in hand, I move to O14/P15

i'm done

[Ladorak]

I think we need LoS before I take my turn...

[Sallera]

Refs:[roll0] - on 1, Zkai falls out of the saddle and takes [roll1] damage.

Zkai:You don't have LoS to Griff on your turn, so the familiar can't charge. You manage to stay in the saddle despite being unconscious.

Smiley:Zkai falls unconscious. You see Gorath in O14/P15, mounted and holding a ripper.

Griff:Smiley moves north and west out of sight. You see Gorath in O14/P15.

Gorath:Please include a stat block with each turn.

You see Smiley in L20, holding a bastard sword, with an unconscious Zkai in the saddle. You see Griff in K14/L15.

[Scorer]

@Sallera/refs

Are you sure I can't charge with familiar? My familiar didn't move with me and MisterSmiley

[Sallera]

Zkai:Ah, my mistake, thought it was with you.

Griff/Gorath:Zkai's familiar charges Griff and hits him for 1.

[Ladorak]

Griff, turn 2

Ride check to guide with knees, auto success (+7)
Move as following...
From K-14/L-15 to M-16/N-17 (15 feet)
From M-16/N-17 to M-20/N-21 (20 feet)

Turn not done, require LoS

[Psionic Dog]

High Ref PsiDog

LoS established when Griff reaches L14/M15

Gorath is in O14/P15

Zkai and Smiley are in L-20. Zkai appears to be unconscious, but is still in the saddle.

The Hawk familiar is in L-15 where it ended after charging Griff.

[Ladorak]

Thanks PsiDog

Griff's continued turn two

Finish move action in N-17/O-18

Activate Mountain Rage

Standard action: Attack M. Smiley with Large Spiked Chain

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

End turn

stats:
HP: 14/15 (4 Temp HP)
AC: 13
Rage: 9/9

[madtinker]

Mister Smiley, Rd 2

Move to O19

Take your AoO.

Free: Enter Rage

Attack Griff
[roll0]
[roll1] (I am wielding the sword in two hands)

Stats
HP 17/15
AC 15 (4 armor, 3 dex, -2 rage) T 13, FF 14
Fort/Ref/Will +5/+3/0
Bastard Sword +10, 1d10+12
Rage 10/11

Done

[Ladorak]

Phew, that was close...

Ok, the AoO

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[madtinker]

Dead dead dead. (Well, technically we're both just unconscious).

[Ladorak]

Really? Don't you have 1 or 2 temp HP left from raging?

I could be wrong... I really liked the riding idea incidently, very clever. What were the dozen slings for?

[madtinker]

I didn't rage until after the AoO to keep the high AC. Dozen slings = poor man's rapid reload as long as I move before I attack. It's a move action to reload a sling, but a free action to draw a loaded sling when combined with movement.

[Ladorak]

Oh yes... And thanks for the sling tip, I'll definatly be using that one at some point. In that case I'll ask for a match call. You guys got really unlucky, and the image of a Gnome riding an Orc will become a permenant fixture in the playground of my mind.

[Corsair420]

so do i not get to attack anyone again? i'm confused?

[Scorer]

You gotta admit that a Gnome riding an Orc was a great idea, Madtinker's idea actually...

Edit: So, this is how the polemic Round 59 ends :smalltongue:

[Corsair420]

well if it's over, i'd like to thank griff for teaming up with me. and i would be happy to team with you again if you'd like in another 2v2

[Ladorak]

Aye, its' gone well. Griff and Gorath were about as unbalanced a team as ever you're like to see, but we really did prove one thing: Sometimes hitting things really hard works. It's been a pleasure

[Psionic Dog]

High Ref PsiDog

Griff & Gorath ride out the Round Champions

G & G may now collect match and round winnings,
K & M may collect the round runner up prize as well.

Congratulations all around.