Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXIII

[Amphetryon]

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef XXXIII. Here in Optimization Colosseum, contestants will endeavor to create an optimized and flavorful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

Contestants: You will need to present a write-up of your build at at least one of the following points: 5th level, 10th level, 15th, 20th, and a "sweet spot" that you feel is the high point of the build, as well as presenting a fully-fleshed out 20-level build in the table below. Feel free to present as many of these as you like, and please give a rundown of the build's abilities and playability at all of the levels you didn't show. The rules are as follows:

Menu: For most challenges, the "special ingredient" will be drawn from Core plus Completes. There will, from time to time, be special challenges that showcase secret ingredients from other books--for example, the XPH.

32 point-buy is the presumed creation method, but we have generally allowed other levels of point-buy.
If you do use a different point-buy, please make your case for its necessity in your entry. Keep in mind that for using exceptionally large or small point-buys may warrant deductions in elegance and/or power.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is disallowed, and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see Elegance below. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere, as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I hate 'em. This comes up often enough to bear mention in the rules: Dragon Compendium is allowed.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 11:59PM GMT on Saturday, May 26, 2012 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairman, Amphetryon. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 11:59PM GMT on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted.

Judging: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Secret Ingredient.

Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.
Elegance could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points. Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may be an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not.
Presentation: Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build, as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries!

Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to use the following table for their entry.NAME OF ENTRY
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

2nd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

3rd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

4th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

5th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

6th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

7th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

8th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

9th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

10th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

11th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

12th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

13th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

14th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

15th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

16th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

17th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

18th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

19th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

20th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities[/table]

CodeNAME OF ENTRY
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

2nd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

3rd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

4th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

5th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

6th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

7th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

8th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

9th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

10th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

11th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

12th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

13th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

14th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

15th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

16th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

17th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

18th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

19th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

20th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities[/table]

For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage)Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

CodeSpells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.
Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until the "reveal," in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.

Leadership is banned; we're producing a meal, not a seven-course banquet for a hundred diners. If your entry includes a prestige class or ACF that grants Leadership or a Leadership-like ability as a bonus feat, the feat should be ignored and is not eligible to be traded away for another feat or ACF through any means.

So! Who wants to sign up as a contestant, and who wants to sign up as a judge? Looking for as many contestants and judges as feel like playing!

This week's special ingredient is:
Underdark's Drow Judicator! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20031003c)
We will award 1st through 3rd places, as well as a shout-out for honorable mention. The honorable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build. Judges, contestants and guests alike are invited to vote for honorable mention via PM.

Allez optimiser!

Contestants

Judges

The Builds

Past Competitions

Iron Chef I: Entropomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142470)
Iron Chef II: Psibond Agent (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146583)
Iron Chef III: Cancer Mage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148584)
Iron Chef IV: Stonelord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150595)
Iron Chef V: War Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152543)
Iron Chef VI: Master of Masks (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156876)
Iron Chef VII: Green Star Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158633)
Iron Chef VIII: Pyrokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160266)
Iron Chef IX: Animal Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162702)
Iron Chef X: Mythic Exemplar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164381)
Iron Chef XI: Blade Bravo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166539)
Iron Chef XII: War Mind (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9426386)
Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172233)
Iron Chef XIV: Seeker of the Song (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434)
Iron Chef XV: Drunken Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176049)
Iron Chef XVI: Assassin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178202)
Iron Chef XVII: Ardent Dilettante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182492)
Iron Chef XVIII: Unseelie Dark Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186097)
Iron Chef XIX: Dread Pirate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190607)
Iron Chef XX: Incandescent Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10976416)
Iron Chef XXI: Ghostwalker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198921)
Iron Chef XXII: Dervish (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206576)
Iron Chef XXIII: Divine Crusader (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210071)
Iron Chef XXIV: Tactical Soldier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214198)
Iron Chef XXV: Scion of Tem-Et-Nu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217441)
Iron Chef XXVI: Shadowdancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220956)
Iron Chef XXVII: Mindbender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224008)
Iron Chef XXVIII: Cryokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227304)
Iron Chef XXIX: Consecrated Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229688)
Iron Chef XXX: Initiate of Pistis Sophia (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233346)
Iron Chef XXXI: Shadow Sentinel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236908)
Iron Chef XXXII: Temple Raider of Olidammara (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239786)

[Menteith]

Awesome, looking forward to cooking this round.

[Zeb]

Never have I been sadder to the the word melee next to a special ability... off to the Realms!!!

[Amphetryon]

FAQ:
Is Dragon Compendium Allowed? Yes, but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

What about 3.0 materials? 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources? The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Similarly, materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.


What about online sources in general? If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. Bloodlines are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman. Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean? As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while Amphetryon is chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

What about Adaptations? Underdark is a Forgotten Realms-specific book, clearly. While minimal changes arguably need to be made to allow Drow Judicator to work as written in, for example, Greyhawk, other settings would require more extensive reworking to make the crunch and fluff setting-appropriate. This is especially true of Eberron, where Drow venerate scorpions, not spiders. As such, using Eberron-specific fluff or crunch for this contest is not appropriate; the same is true of any other setting where spiders do not play an important part in Drow culture and religion.

Dude, Drow have LA! What about buy-off? LA buyoff is an alternate rule. Use at your own risk, as judges have it at their discretion to penalize Elegance for this tactic. There may be other options, of course.

[Venger]

huh. another race restricted prc. I wonder if we'll see as many ways around it as shadow sentinel.

I'll try cooking this time around.

[Golden Ladybug]

A Special Ingredient based around the Drow? I am intrigued :smallwink:

Sign me up.

[ExtravagantEvil]

Huh, well... this looks fairly gishy. I am actually intrigued by this... really I am.

I M...I...G...H...T get in on this out of curiosity.

It looks like this class tried, to make a nice Drow gish, because 2d6 Con damage is Nice. Really nice. But 1/day effect :smallyuk:.

Regardless, I do not know whether I will even begin to compete, but I'll try, so keep me down as a maybe.

[Dumbledore lives]

I might try my hand at judging after the very nice post in the last thread, and hell if I'm trying to build something with this class.

[Menteith]

I've spent the last half hour picking out feats for the Spider Servant, and then realizing that it's mindless. I feel so smart right now.

[Venger]

I've spent the last half hour picking out feats for the Spider Servant, and then realizing that it's mindless. I feel so smart right now.

it's not mindless forever, bro, it gets int bonuses when you lvl up. int=feats. your time was not spent in vain. good luck tricking out your arachnid of choice.

[TheDarkSaint]

It's my first time, but I think I'll give it a shot :) I'm in.

[Venger]

It's my first time, but I think I'll give it a shot :) I'm in.

best of luck! first timers have placed before. hope you like drow.

seriously, 3/10ths casting is making me weep. I thought that master of masks had the lowest nonzero casting progression, but I now know I am wrong.

[Aeryr]

I am going to be dealing with finals, but it is a flavorful class... I might give it a try.

[TheGeckoKing]

I might be able to make something this time round. Shame you used one of the most awful PrC's I've ever had the misfortune of looking at. 3/10 Spellcasting? Srsly?

[Aeryr]

Since I found my character concept hilarious I am going with it.

A couple of questions about the spider servant, that are probably going to be common to contestants/judges.

Drow Judicator (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20031003c)


At 5th level or above, a drow judicator can call a spiderlike monster to serve him. He may choose to call an 8-HD Large fiendish monstrous spider, a fiendish sword spider, a myrlochar, or a phase spider

This means that the spider servant has 8HD. It can be a Large fiendish monstrous spider or a fiendish sword spider or a myrlochar or a phase spider.
Or does it mean that it can be a large fiendish monstrous spider with 8HD or a fiendish sword spider or a myrlochar or a phase spider.


Bonus HD:These are extra Hit Dice appropriate to the creature's type (vermin for a Large monstrous spider or sword spider, outsider for a myrlochar, or magical beast for a phase spider).

The drow judicator can have a fiendish large monstrous spider or a fiendish sword spider, not a large monstrous spider nor a sword spider. It is relevant since the fiendish versions are magical beasts and the non fiendish are vermin. Do they gain magical beast hd or vermin hd?

[Amphetryon]

This means that the spider servant has 8HD. It can be a Large fiendish monstrous spider or a fiendish sword spider or a myrlochar or a phase spider.
Or does it mean that it can be a large fiendish monstrous spider with 8HD or a fiendish sword spider or a myrlochar or a phase spider.
I honestly don't know what you're asking.


The drow judicator can have a fiendish large monstrous spider or a fiendish sword spider, not a large monstrous spider nor a sword spider. It is relevant since the fiendish versions are magical beasts and the non fiendish are vermin. Do they gain magical beast hd or vermin hd?The magical beasts gain magical beast HD and the vermin gain vermin HD. Seems fairly clear-cut.

[Menteith]

There aren't any vermin as options though, which is the weird part. A fiendish Large Monstrous Spider/Sword Spider is a Magical Beast due the template changing their type, meaning that everything either has the Magical Beast type or the Outsider type. The sidebar specifies Vermin gaining hit die, which doesn't make sense, as there's no vermin option.

Also random side note - If a creature loses the Mindless quality (due to the Int gains) does it retroactively gain Feats/Skills, or do only new HD give it Feats/Skills? I'm reading Ur-Priests Monstrous Handbook right now, but I can't find an answer to the question.

[Amphetryon]

There aren't any vermin as options though, which is the weird part. A fiendish Large Monstrous Spider/Sword Spider is a Magical Beast due the template changing their type, meaning that everything either has the Magical Beast type or the Outsider type. The sidebar specifies Vermin gaining hit die, which doesn't make sense, as there's no vermin option.I'm confused; how does this change my answer, other than making it more clear-cut, with a (not terribly unusual) error in the text of the sidebar to the PrC?

Increases in INT do not retroactively add skill points by RAW. Same thing with acquisition of feats, unless I missed an errata.

[Menteith]

I'm confused; how does this change my answer, other than making it more clear-cut, with a (not terribly unusual) error in the text of the sidebar to the PrC?

"Bonus HD:These are extra Hit Dice appropriate to the creature's type (vermin for a Large monstrous spider or sword spider, outsider for a myrlochar, or magical beast for a phase spider). Each bonus Hit Die gains a Constitution modifier and improves the creature's base attack and base save bonuses, as normal."

The Large monstrous spider and sword spider both have the Magical Beast type due to the Fiendish template - does the bonus hit die give them Vermin HD (as it specifies in the ability description) or does it give them extra HD appropriate to the creature's type (which is Magical Beast)? It specifically calls them out to gain Vermin HD, but they're not Vermin, which is confusing.

[Amphetryon]

"Bonus HD:These are extra Hit Dice appropriate to the creature's type (vermin for a Large monstrous spider or sword spider, outsider for a myrlochar, or magical beast for a phase spider). Each bonus Hit Die gains a Constitution modifier and improves the creature's base attack and base save bonuses, as normal."

The Large monstrous spider and sword spider both have the Magical Beast type due to the Fiendish template - does the bonus hit die give them Vermin HD (as it specifies in the ability description) or does it give them extra HD appropriate to the creature's type (which is Magical Beast)? It specifically calls them out to gain Vermin HD, but they're not Vermin, which is confusing.

And I specifically addressed it. So. . . .? :smallconfused:

[Sgt. Cookie]

Sadly, I don't have access to Underdark. I wouldn't mind, except that the bloody entry feat isn't listed in the excerpt.

I'll try my hand at judging this time around.

[Amphetryon]

Google may be of some help there, Sgt. Cookie.

[Sgt. Cookie]

*Ach*

Yeah... google did help. Ignore the judging section. I'll enter as a contestent.

Hopefuly this time I won't need 50 points of a 32 point buy. *looks at Cieyrin accusingly*

[DemonRoach]

Props to the chairman for finding this one, was happily ignorant of it before this thread :smalltongue:

[Xodion]

I might have a go at judging this time, it's about time I did, and unlike some on here I don't have any finals or anything - in fact, I have some leave from work coming up. I'm not getting any good ideas either, certainly nothing that will get more than 1 in Originality.

I'll think about some criteria and try and get them posted.

[Aeryr]

Thanks chairman it is as I thought.

With the HD I was asking if a phase spider that normally has 5 HD would have 8HD due to the wording of spider servant, as every other possible spider servant. Or if only the fiendish monstrous spider is the one with 8HD.

[Zaq]

Getting freer with those racial prereqs, aren'tcha, Amph? I remember that it used to be that the only racial prereqs IC would have would be ones you could Stoneblessed your way into. Illumians (Shadow Sentinel) were an interesting choice, since my illumian and your illumian don't have to look the same. Here, though? Drow. Bam. Whatcha gonna do.

Not complaining, mind you. Merely musing.

[Amphetryon]

Getting freer with those racial prereqs, aren'tcha, Amph? I remember that it used to be that the only racial prereqs IC would have would be ones you could Stoneblessed your way into. Illumians (Shadow Sentinel) were an interesting choice, since my illumian and your illumian don't have to look the same. Here, though? Drow. Bam. Whatcha gonna do.

Not complaining, mind you. Merely musing.

You think your Drow and my Drow have to look the same? :smallwink:

[Amphetryon]

Thanks chairman it is as I thought.

With the HD I was asking if a phase spider that normally has 5 HD would have 8HD due to the wording of spider servant, as every other possible spider servant. Or if only the fiendish monstrous spider is the one with 8HD.

Only the examples specifically called out as having 8HD, either in the Drow Judicator writeup or within their monster manual (or fiend folio, etc) entry should have it.

[Cieyrin]

opefuly this time I won't need 50 points of a 32 point buy. *looks at Cieyrin accusingly*

I call 'em like I see 'em. I saw it, thus I called it. :smalltongue:

[Sgt. Cookie]

True, but next time check your numbers before posting. I lost out on a couple of points due to you not checking. :smallannoyed:

[Cieyrin]

True, but next time check your numbers before posting. I lost out on a couple of points due to you not checking. :smallannoyed:

I did. I mean, how, exactly, do you get 3 18s and a 10 on 32 point buy with a race that has no stat adjustments?

Str 10 (2 points), Dex 18 (16 points), Con 18 (16 points), Int 8 (0 points), Wis 18 (16 points), Cha 8 (0 points)

2+16+16+16= 50 points (At least, this seems correct by the Point Buy table on DMG pg 169)

So...unless I'm missing something? Also, that's what disputes are for, I do make mistakes and I have on previous contests. If they are valid, I do adjust my scores for such contestants. I'm not trying to be confrontational or anything, just confused about where I judged wrong in this instance. :smallconfused:

[Amphetryon]

BRIDGE
----------
WATER

Let's focus discussion in this thread on this contest, shall we?

[T.G. Oskar]

Ugh.

Mr. Chairman, couldn't this Challenge come at the worst possible time? With Lolth plotting to become the next Mystra, the Drow having the most brutal advertisement campaign since...the iPad, I presume..., and DDO having an upcoming expansion dealing with...the Underdark; did you just HAD to choose a Drow-themed class, and not just that, a sorry excuse for a PrC?

I know that you want hard challenges, but this...is really a sorry excuse. Oh well, I know that it *can* be worked, or else IC wouldn't have a reason to be, but it's the worst combination of factors.

It's also a shame that the current style of judging conflicts so much with mine, or so I believe, as I'd definitely put as one of my criteria "-100 in Originality if I see a Drizzt clone wandering around, plus -100 in Elegance". Too bad that there's no Vulkoor saving grace...

That said, I'll pass (as in most occasions) until I see THAT PrC I'm sniping at. I'll leap at it like a hungry lion, but I guess it's diverse enough not to fit IC criteria...

[Amphetryon]

:smallamused: That was quick. First submission already in.

[ExtravagantEvil]

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be, but none the less this is a fun intellectual challenge, and I'm still probably going to do horribly, and I'm probably not being overly original :smallredface:. I'm trying anyway! :smallbiggrin:

I might participate in the next one if the prestige class is not as hard as this one is :smallwink:.

[The Gilded Duke]

Pretty near done myself, just have a few levels and feats to decide on to finish off the build.

[TravelLog]

My problem here is making a build where the Secret Ingredient is actually worthwhile to take, and where I wouldn't be much better served with other options. Hmmm.

[OMG PONIES]

Geez, you kids and your speed today. Back in my dead, we dove through splatbooks uphill both ways until an hour before the deadline and then formatted til our fingers were numb...on an ABACUS! :smalltongue:

Yeah, I'm running out of original ways to approach race-restricted Secret Ingredients. Which means I need to learn some new tricks--and that's one of the things I love most about IC.

[Amphetryon]

Back in my dead,Interesting slip there.

[OMG PONIES]

Interesting slip there.

I took the Necropolitan template while on vacation. Wanna fight about it? :smalltongue:

[mattie_p]

Let's see what I can do. In as competitor. Working on ideas now. I've been diving through Underdark for the past week for an unrelated reason, so I might be able to get something.

[Aeryr]

Was that unrelated reason an illithid body tamer? That was my reason. :smallsmile:

I have most of a build at the moment. Two feats to finally settle in stone before I call it finished. Then the only thing left is the fluff but I am starting to form an idea on my head for that.

[Occasional Sage]

Wow, that prereq feat. Just... wow. So many ways it could be awesome, but it stops just short of each. Impressive!

[mattie_p]

Was that unrelated reason an illithid body tamer? That was my reason. :smallsmile:

No, a PbP campaign I'm working on.

[Feytalist]

Man, I was almost sure it was going to be Prime Underdark Guide :/

Drow Judicator though; cool. I'll see what I can do, build-wise. I've been sitting out too many rounds now.

Do we still have a trophy maker?

[Xodion]

Right, here is my first go at judging criteria - let me know if there is anything that doesn't make sense:

Originality - This category is probably the most difficult to define accurately, but the less often I've seen your idea the better your score. If it's a well-known combo (Google it if you're not sure, because I will) or an obvious route from the ingredient fluff, then you won't score well. Something I wasn't expecting will get a bonus, but less of one if someone else used it too. It does look less original if someone else does it too - see my Incandescent Champion build, for example. I'll add a small bonus if you have a good backstory or your build is generally entertaining, but not everyone is a writer or comedian so it won't be much.

Power - Judging power will mostly be based on the ingredient - in this case a gish build, so capable of being quite powerful if done well. I will probably put a rough build together to compare the numbers with, so if you can beat this you will score well. A character that is too powerful to play nice in a party will be frowned upon, but as this is an optimisation contest I'll be more lenient in this respect than I would be as a DM.

Elegance - Dips, cheese, suspect rules interpretations and ideas that generally clash or make no sense will be penalised here. Abilities that synergise well, ideas that flow and gel together and a neat, sensible class progression will get you points. One-level dips will cost you more than two-level ones as in my opinion it jars more. Illegal builds will be hit hard, so be careful and check your work, as I will be checking everything. A backstory that explains the build and helps it make more sense will help here too, though it will not negate any of the penalties listed above. (As other judges have stated, it is likely that bonuses in elegance may well go hand-in-hand with penalties to power or originality - otherwise it would just be too easy :smalltongue:)

Use of Secret Ingredient - Do you take all 10 levels of the ingredient? Do you make good use of all of its features, including skill points? This is how you score well here. Entering unreasonably late will cost you, as will ignoring some of the features of the ingredient, while supercharging them will get you points (and what do points mean?). What did you do with the ingredient that you couldn't have done with a different class? If it looks like your build took the PrC simply to qualify for this contest, you will not score well at all.

When I say I will check everything, that is not an empty threat - I'm the kind of person who loves dismantling things to see how they work, right down to the smallest pieces :smallsmile:. I'd also like to request that people give me plenty of explanation for what they have done and why, to both speed things up for me and to minimise potential disutes at the end.

[JadePhoenix]

I'd like to sign in as a judge, if you would have me.

[Amphetryon]

I'd like to sign in as a judge, if you would have me.

Go for it; glad to have you.

[JadePhoenix]

Thanks for having me, Amphetryon. I've been lurking around these threads for quite a while...
My judging criteria. I won't use definite 'x gets -1/+1', I go more for the feel.

Originality - If it surprises me, you get a bonus. If it amuses me, you get a bonus. If it's a well known trick, you get a penalty. If someone else does the same thing you do, you get a small penalty.

Power - I will judge this regarding my expectations of the class and the other contestant's results. Power is relative, after all. If you meet my expectations and no one else is as powerful as you, expect a full power core from me.

Elegance - Dips will be penalized it they don't make sense (since as the Cloistered Cleric mentioned in the OP). Fluff conflicts will cost you points. Meshing fluff elements well will get you points. Meshing class abilities well will get you points. Being playable at all levels will get you points. Fitting well in a party will get you points. Cheese will lose you points.

Use of Secret Ingredient - The more levels you take, the sooner you qualify and the more abilities you actively use, the better your score will be.

[Z3ro]

Think I'll compete this round. Don't normally go in for casters, but this PrC is hardly a caster, so it should be ok. I've got two ideas, let's see if I can get them off the ground.

[Aeryr]

Man... I found such a great trick... it's a pitty I seem unable to make it work with drow judicator. Well I might build another character after this one for that.

[shortround]

I thought of how I'd want to enter this class immediately, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be particularly good. I might enter depending on how it turns out.

[ExtravagantEvil]

Is it okay if one is to submit multiple builds?

Though most likely both of them are horrible, but regardless, I have 2 ideas in development and maybe one of them will be adequate.

[Amphetryon]

Is it okay if one is to submit multiple builds?

Though most likely both of them are horrible, but regardless, I have 2 ideas in development and maybe one of them will be adequate.

It's been done multiple times, including last round's 1st/3rd place winner. It's allowed.

[Cieyrin]

When I say I will check everything, that is not an empty threat - I'm the kind of person who loves dismantling things to see how they work, right down to the smallest pieces :smallsmile:. I'd also like to request that people give me plenty of explanation for what they have done and why, to both speed things up for me and to minimise potential disutes at the end.

I should emphasize this point in my judging guidelines. Making assumptions that the judges will understand why you're making a build decision is asking for trouble, as we're not you, we don't know whose entry is whose, so we only have what you provide us as a guide for what your build is meant to do. It may seem inane but spelling out exactly what you're doing with your build makes it not only easier on the judges for understanding your build, it helps you make sure that things work the way you think they do. I can't emphasize this enough, especially in terms of how you're using the secret ingredient. If you can explain in plain words why using the PrC gets you your unique strengths where other ingredients won't or at least how you're using various features, it makes it clearer to the judges and making it clearer means less mess-ups and less need to dispute scores, which, unfortunately, gets hurt feelings. We're here to compete for bragging rights, pictures of trophies and the lamentations of their women respect of our peers, this is for fun. At least in my case, I'd like to hope that some of my scores and reasonings, as well as from the other judges, were useful for improving future entries and sharpening optimization skills. Cheers and happy building, eh? :smallwink:

[animewatcha]

I have got to read up on some of these challenges for tips on builds.:smalltongue:

Since the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge is pretty much a large success ( 33 threads ), have you guys thought about expanding it a bit. I have noticed that tome of battle is in many builds across the boards. What about starting an expansion challenge as a brother to this one? Perhaps, one that disallows ToB, but allows Dragon Mags ( bonus points if don't draw from them ).

[T.G. Oskar]

I have got to read up on some of these challenges for tips on builds.:smalltongue:

Since the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge is pretty much a large success ( 33 threads ), have you guys thought about expanding it a bit. I have noticed that tome of battle is in many builds across the boards. What about starting an expansion challenge as a brother to this one? Perhaps, one that disallows ToB, but allows Dragon Mags ( bonus points if don't draw from them ).

Technically, there ARE expansions to the Iron Chef concept. Off the top of my mind there's the Dessert courses, which rely on making a build using the E6 format, and there was also one that used homebrewed PrCs as the main course.

ToB is used because of how well-built it was. It's a great way to add some punch to warrior builds, and since one can leap-frog levels to get the better maneuvers, it's ideal in case a non-martial adept class is required for the PrC, not to mention excellent filler levels. Dragon Magazine, on the other hand, is all the way from horrible to excellent to overtly broken, and analyzing each and every bit of info there for purposes of IC would be downright nightmare-inducing.

[Feytalist]

Argh, I've looked every which way at this stupid class, and all my ideas are either wholly unoriginal or totally impractical. Or bland.

Damn you Amphetryon. You and your obtuse SI choices. :smalltongue:


But really, what is with this class? MAD as all hell, the entry choices are so obvious no one is ever going to touch them, and 3/10 casting lolwut.

Sigh. Back to splatbook trawling.

[mattie_p]

Technically, there ARE expansions to the Iron Chef concept. Off the top of my mind there's the Dessert courses, which rely on making a build using the E6 format, and there was also one that used homebrewed PrCs as the main course.

Still no love for Zinc Saucier, huh?

[Xodion]

Technically, there ARE expansions to the Iron Chef concept. Off the top of my mind there's the Dessert courses, which rely on making a build using the E6 format, and there was also one that used homebrewed PrCs as the main course.

ToB is used because of how well-built it was. It's a great way to add some punch to warrior builds, and since one can leap-frog levels to get the better maneuvers, it's ideal in case a non-martial adept class is required for the PrC, not to mention excellent filler levels. Dragon Magazine, on the other hand, is all the way from horrible to excellent to overtly broken, and analyzing each and every bit of info there for purposes of IC would be downright nightmare-inducing.

The problem with the Iron Chef spin-offs is that they tend to be less popular (as not everyone is interested in that particular spin), and this usually puts them below the threshold of activity to maintain the competition.

I don't tend to use the ToB myself (mostly due to unfamiliarity), but I don't see any reason to exclude it from the contest, while as Oskar said Dragon Mag content varies wildly - isn't there a single feat without prereqs in a Dragon mag that grants you true regeneration in all it's immune-to-lethal-damage glory? *shudder*

EDIT: just checked it, it's a regional feat with Toughness as a pre-req, but that hardly makes it any better.

[Amphetryon]

I should emphasize this point in my judging guidelines. Making assumptions that the judges will understand why you're making a build decision is asking for trouble, as we're not you, we don't know whose entry is whose, so we only have what you provide us as a guide for what your build is meant to do. It may seem inane but spelling out exactly what you're doing with your build makes it not only easier on the judges for understanding your build, it helps you make sure that things work the way you think they do. I can't emphasize this enough, especially in terms of how you're using the secret ingredient. If you can explain in plain words why using the PrC gets you your unique strengths where other ingredients won't or at least how you're using various features, it makes it clearer to the judges and making it clearer means less mess-ups and less need to dispute scores, which, unfortunately, gets hurt feelings. We're here to compete for bragging rights, pictures of trophies and the lamentations of their women respect of our peers, this is for fun. At least in my case, I'd like to hope that some of my scores and reasonings, as well as from the other judges, were useful for improving future entries and sharpening optimization skills. Cheers and happy building, eh? :smallwink:My emphasis. I'll advise caution to contestants regarding the bolded portion, given that there are very few legitimately unique Class features - see Surreal's "Lists of Stuff" on other boards for proof. Touting a particular feature as truly unique when it replicates an ability of another PrC or base Class (or ability derived in some other way) has gotten some contestants deductions in the past from judges who were quick to point out that the ability wasn't all that much a "special snowflake".

[Cieyrin]

My emphasis. I'll advise caution to contestants regarding the bolded portion, given that there are very few legitimately unique Class features - see Surreal's "Lists of Stuff" on other boards for proof. Touting a particular feature as truly unique when it replicates an ability of another PrC or base Class (or ability derived in some other way) has gotten some contestants deductions in the past from judges who were quick to point out that the ability wasn't all that much a "special snowflake".

Hence why I had the other part of that sentence. I mean, it's great and all to have a build but how does the build utilize the secret ingredient? The contest is about optimizing the secret ingredient, so if you can't at least say what you're using the PrC for, it will affect your Use of Secret Ingredient score, one way or another.

[Aeryr]

I have a humongous problem with my build concept :smallannoyed:

There is a way around it but I don't like it :smallannoyed:

Crap :smallannoyed:

[T.G. Oskar]

Still no love for Zinc Saucier, huh?

Hmm? I thought "off the top of my head" meant "what I remember at the moment", not "all the stuff that exists at the moment". In fact, if I recall correctly, there are more than just those mentioned (at least four, if I remember correctly).

But, I guess Xodion hit the nail. The spin-offs don't seem to be as popular, lack of interest makes the competition falter, and so on.

[mattie_p]

Hmm? I thought "off the top of my head" meant "what I remember at the moment", not "all the stuff that exists at the moment". In fact, if I recall correctly, there are more than just those mentioned (at least four, if I remember correctly).

But, I guess Xodion hit the nail. The spin-offs don't seem to be as popular, lack of interest makes the competition falter, and so on.

It was a demonstration of the point you were trying to make :smalltongue: These sorts of competitions require an audience, niche competitions make for smaller audiences and more difficulty in sustaining the competitions.

[ExtravagantEvil]

Okay I've been messing around with my ideas for a couple of days and I feel I must drop this one :smallfrown:. A lot of stuff is going on and I feel consistently exhausted :smallfrown:.

[JadePhoenix]

Sorry everyone. I'll have to leave the country for a few months and won't be able to judge.

[Piggy Knowles]

Oh, wow, just noticed for the first time how pointlessly MAD this class is. Who the heck proofread this thing?

I haven't really been inspired by any awesome ideas for this one - there are a couple of directions that might have potential, but nothing too out of this world. I might sit out of this one...

[Kuulvheysoon]

I had a couple ideas, had one of them tossed out of the window.

I might enter this one - failing that, I'll probably judge.

[Feytalist]

Oh, wow, just noticed for the first time how pointlessly MAD this class is. Who the heck proofread this thing?

Yeah, I noticed that and then my brain kinda stopped working.

You'd swear this thing was cobbled together from about three different PrCs that never made it past the cutting floor.

[Aeryr]

Yep, that's a pain.

[Menteith]

I'm fine with the class...I just really, really wish that he got an additional use of War Strike at 4th, 7th, and 10th, instead of the far worse and completely flavorless Selvetarm's Wrath.

[ThiagoMartell]

I'd like to register myself as a competitor.

[Occasional Sage]

Sorry everyone. I'll have to leave the country for a few months and won't be able to judge.

Hope everything's OK....

[Xodion]

Four hours to the deadline - how are the builds coming along? It's strange waiting anxiously for the deadline without the pressure of putting an entry together.

Edited for the sanity of people reading the thread - it is definitely next week :smallredface:

[Aeryr]

God bless you Xodion I was sure that the deadline was next week.

Okay its work time :smallcool:

I hope I'll get it done, I have the concept pretty settled.

Edit: After checking the OP hey, it is next week. :smallannoyed: I guess I should start working on it though.

[Amphetryon]

Four hours to the deadline - how are the builds coming along? It's strange waiting anxiously for the deadline without the pressure of putting an entry together.

Your calender's a little speedy. . . .

[Xodion]

Your calender's a little speedy. . . .

That's the second time today I've got the date a week out - this time in the opposite direction! Apologies, I guess I'm too eager to start judging :smallredface:

[Golden Ladybug]

Eh, not that well. I know what I want to do, but my trick comes online pretty early, and after that, I've got nothing :smallfrown:

I need to think of more tricks :smallbiggrin:

[Amphetryon]

How are folks coming along?

[Amphetryon]

Silly forum errors are silly.

[Aeryr]

I need to finish the fluff of a build, and probably not going to do the second one, due to loads of work at my office and having to study for finals.

[Z3ro]

Looks like I could only pull one build together, and I'm not crazy about the one I did put together. Still tweaking, and I will submit something.

[gbprime]

I've got a fantastic and flavorful build that happens to have nothing whatsoever to do with the special ingredient besides being a gish. :smallconfused:

Between that and the crunch time preparing to run many games at Origins next week, I'll sit this one out. (Though I'll peek back in after I get the "big con unwashed gamer smell" off me and see if you need another judge.)

[Amphetryon]

I've got a fantastic and flavorful build that happens to have nothing whatsoever to do with the special ingredient besides being a gish. :smallconfused:

Between that and the crunch time preparing to run many games at Origins next week, I'll sit this one out. (Though I'll peek back in after I get the "big con unwashed gamer smell" off me and see if you need another judge.)

The bold portion is almost always true.

[Aeryr]

I am having so much stress over me atm that the fluff is going really slowly, I hope to scrap some time at Friday at the latest.

How are builds going on your end chairman? Many contestants?

[Amphetryon]

I am having so much stress over me atm that the fluff is going really slowly, I hope to scrap some time at Friday at the latest.

How are builds going on your end chairman? Many contestants?

Just one so far. Hopefully folks will have time in the next few days to change that.

[OMG PONIES]

Trying to drum something up, but we'll see--my one trick takes a very liberal rules stretch to make it work, and that makes me feel a little bit dirty.

[mattie_p]

Maybe I'll jump in with a build, I don't have much time, but it'll be fun.

It is fun. My second build for this competition (last round) got second place. I'm still in the build stage, don't even have a working concept yet.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Alright, I'm going to have to drop out of competing this round. I'll know by Thursday if I can judge, though, and if I can, I'll be posting some criteria for y'all then.

[Aeryr]

Okay I sended A build, but the fluff might get revised before the dead line.

I am really busy with real life stuff so that's what I could do. I am not really satisfied with the build but I do like the concept a lot.

[Feytalist]

Seems like there are very few builds so far. I might slap one together after all. I already have the basic build in my head anyway, I just scrapped it because I thought it would be way too obvious and unoriginal. But with so little competition, I might as well give it a try. :smallbiggrin:

[Golden Ladybug]

Yeah, I think I'm going to drop out. My build idea comes online at before the 10s, and then nothing else happens up to 20 :smallyuk:

Oh well, next time.

[Thurbane]

seriously, 3/10ths casting is making me weep. I thought that master of masks had the lowest nonzero casting progression, but I now know I am wrong.
I think it helps to think of it as not so much a gish or casting class, but a mundane, full BAB class with a little casting progression tacked on as an afterthought. :smalltongue: (Although the fact you need at least some casting to qualify doesn't help with that).

[Aeryr]

I think it helps to think of it as not so much a gish or casting class, but a mundane, full BAB class with a little casting progression tacked on as an afterthought. :smalltongue: (Although the fact you need at least some casting to qualify doesn't help with that).

That and being FR specific in a book set in a time when Lolth (The drow goddess) is silent (doesn't confer spells) doesn't help, at all.

[Kuulvheysoon]

That and being FR specific in a book set in a time when Lolth (The drow goddess) is silent (doesn't confer spells) doesn't help, at all.

I really dn't see the relevance here - the Drow Judicator is a servitor of Selvetarm, not Lolth.

[Aeryr]

I really dn't see the relevance here - the Drow Judicator is a servitor of Selvetarm, not Lolth.

Just my personal reading of the drow fluff. I don't see any God but Lolth in the Drow pantheon, others are no more than saints.

And even if the drow judicator entry talks about making an "unholy pledge to Selvetram" it doesn't imply that the Drow Judicator has to have Selvetram as a patron deity nor actually serve it (drow judicators serve high ranking clerics of Lolth). Though it is true that the special requirement talks about clerics of Selvetram (or Lolth) administering a rite, but I still don't like the idea of any drow not revering Lolth.

Even if Selvetram is a valid God, taking Lolth out, leaves with really few options for a God (that provides magic) and is not against Lolth in the drow pantheon.

[Z3ro]

but I still don't like the idea of any drow not revering Lolth.


There are whole groups and cities of drow that don't worship Lolth. There's a whole pantheon of other gods the drow worship; what are they doing all day, just hanging out, being bummed about how nobody worships them?

[Aeryr]

As I said it was just a fluff problem.

Most of the other gods in the drow pantheon (in faerun) get killed or deflect the pantheon sooner than later.

Kiaransalee stopped existing due to a lack of worshipers.

Ghaunadaur left the pantheon (and was mostly revered by aberrations).

Selvetarm and Vhaeraun get killed by Eilistraee.

Eilistraee gets killed by the Lady penitent.

Of course by the time that happens Lolth has returned.

[mattie_p]

And the drow dudes have absolutely no reason to worship Lolth. She's the one keeping them down! That is half the population who are looking for another deity right there.

[Amphetryon]

And the drow dudes have absolutely no reason to worship Lolth. She's the one keeping them down! That is half the population who are looking for another deity right there.

They're all CG rebels looking to throw off the yoke of their CE oppressors anyway. :smalltongue:

[Z3ro]

As I said it was just a fluff problem.

Most of the other gods in the drow pantheon (in faerun) get killed or deflect the pantheon sooner than later.

Kiaransalee stopped existing due to a lack of worshipers.

Ghaunadaur left the pantheon (and was mostly revered by aberrations).

Selvetarm and Vhaeraun get killed by Eilistraee.

Eilistraee gets killed by the Lady penitent.

Of course by the time that happens Lolth has returned.

To be fair, much of that occured after the Underdark book was written.

[Piggy Knowles]

So, right now I have two options. One is to use what I think is a pretty cool build, that fits really well thematically, but that honestly could probably do a lot better without the secret ingredient.

The other uses the SI's abilities, but involves shoe-horning a bunch of other features in just to make it work, and has a sort of questionable rules interpretation thrown on top for extra fun.

They also share some build elements, so even if I had the time to prepare two builds, I'd still get slammed in Originality.

So which do I go with? Do I get hammered in UotSI, or in Elegance? Will I get inspired by something else? Or will I just get frustrated and not end up submitting either build? No one knows!

Oh, the trials and tribulations of the Iron Chef....

[Venger]

I think it helps to think of it as not so much a gish or casting class, but a mundane, full BAB class with a little casting progression tacked on as an afterthought. :smalltongue: (Although the fact you need at least some casting to qualify doesn't help with that).

see, I tried that, and I would normally be inclined to agree if it didn't require casting to get in in the first place. if i was just that, a caster dip would be whatever. however, the BA prereq throws a wrench into that

the casting thing caused my first idea to actually not work (the SI gives so little casting, I forgot about the casting req so forgot to give casting lvls) so it's back to the drawing board

[Aeryr]

To be fair, much of that occured after the Underdark book was written.

That is completely true, I intended to say that I didn't feel right having a drow with a patron deity other than Lolth and I didn't feel right having a spellcaster in faerun with a deity that doesn't confer spells (that is actually going on on Underdark) so it was an important problem to me. The problem was just in my head, there are ways around it, it just didn't feel right.

In a completely unrelated point, good luck Piggy, I hope that you get your ideas straight. Maybe you can present the one that you feel less comfortable with after the reveal, or its main points. :smallsmile:

[Kuulvheysoon]

As I said it was just a fluff problem.

Most of the other gods in the drow pantheon (in faerun) get killed or deflect the pantheon sooner than later.

Kiaransalee stopped existing due to a lack of worshipers.

Ghaunadaur left the pantheon (and was mostly revered by aberrations).

Selvetarm and Vhaeraun get killed by Eilistraee.

Eilistraee gets killed by the Lady penitent.

Of course by the time that happens Lolth has returned.

Ah, you're referring to the War of the Spider Queen/Lady Pentinent series(es?).

Those were actually to help ease the transition to 4E FR - where Lolth is the only goddess off the Drow.

It's written down somewhere (Grand History of the Realms, perhaps) that it fits in shortly before the Spellplague. It's like Richard Lee Byer's (I think that's who wrote it) series about the continuing adventures of Aliiza, where Mystra and all them die.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if you're playing 3.5e FR, all the gods are still in effect.

[Aeryr]

Fair enough even if at the time the underdark was written Lolth is absent.

It seems that this round is going to be a good round to practice judging. :smallsmile:

[mattie_p]

I'm really not coming up with anything that I like this round. Every idea tastes so... plain.

[T.G. Oskar]

Okay I've been messing around with my ideas for a couple of days and I feel I must drop this one :smallfrown:. A lot of stuff is going on and I feel consistently exhausted :smallfrown:.


Alright, I'm going to have to drop out of competing this round. I'll know by Thursday if I can judge, though, and if I can, I'll be posting some criteria for y'all then.


Yeah, I think I'm going to drop out. My build idea comes online at before the 10s, and then nothing else happens up to 20 :smallyuk:

Oh well, next time.


My only idea had no real use of this classes class features other than BAB, and that graph is a killer to fill out, maybe i'll start next time.


I'm really not coming up with anything that I like this round. Every idea tastes so... plain.

I dunno...I'm seeing a repetition of an earlier IC competition that had a lot of prospective judges but not many competitors. Even the real Iron Chef show had easy secret ingredients from time to time, to allow optimizers' minds to relax instead of trying to wring all that's possible into a build that might just seem a wee too overworked.

Fortunately there are three days remaining, so there might be some builds, but can the next IC be a tad easier rather than, say, cringing such as the Initiate? Or, heck, one that's so easy to build upon that we can break the submission mark! You know, one so that everybody can have its go at optimizing.

[Amphetryon]

I dunno...I'm seeing a repetition of an earlier IC competition that had a lot of prospective judges but not many competitors. Even the real Iron Chef show had easy secret ingredients from time to time, to allow optimizers' minds to relax instead of trying to wring all that's possible into a build that might just seem a wee too overworked.

Fortunately there are three days remaining, so there might be some builds, but can the next IC be a tad easier rather than, say, cringing such as the Initiate? Or, heck, one that's so easy to build upon that we can break the submission mark! You know, one so that everybody can have its go at optimizing.

So, let's see. The last two contests had 11, and 17 entries (and a few dropping who expected to enter), and folks complained that the judges were going to be over-worked. Now, with this ingredient - and before we see how many entries ultimately compete - folks are complaining that this ingredient is too difficult or too far from mainstream. :smallannoyed: One wonders how an ingredient can possibly be chosen that will avoid such complaints.

[Aeryr]

Don't worry Chairman, I like the ingredient.

It's a bit difficult to crack but it is a good ingredient. I am sure we will get some flavorful stuff, it's just that people are worrying because they haven't been able to pull anything yet, but there is still time to the deadline.

[Kuulvheysoon]

So, let's see. The last two contests had 11, and 17 entries (and a few dropping who expected to enter), and folks complained that the judges were going to be over-worked. Now, with this ingredient - and before we see how many entries ultimately compete - folks are complaining that this ingredient is too difficult or too far from mainstream. :smallannoyed: One wonders how an ingredient can possibly be chosen that will avoid such complaints.

Oh, this is an excellent ingredient.

I just really ran out of time. That and the fact that my build offered nothing after 12th level.

I really liked the fluff, though. I might try and do a rush job.

[Zeb]

This seems like an ideal Iron Chef ingredient, I had four ideas to start and have put in some work on 2, one should be in by the deadline and the other is dependent on work schedule.

I was even considering that with multiple points of entry/ideas this one would be so full of entry's that I would just judge, but less entry's means bigger chance for me to win so looks like I better polish up an entry (or 2)!

[Golden Ladybug]

I agree; its a great Ingredient, and if I was able to submit a build at level 10-15, I'd be laughing.

Oh well, I have got the day off today...maybe I'll do some more work on my concept...

[Narsis]

look at me waiting for the next IC challenge and turns out i completely didn't see the thread until today. :smallredface:

guess i wont be participating this time...

[Kuulvheysoon]

look at me waiting for the next IC challenge and turns out i completely didn't see the thread until today. :smallredface:

guess i wont be participating this time...

Amph's really good about posting links to the next competition in the thread - just subscribe and you shouldn't miss it.

[Akal Saris]

To be fair, much of that occured after the Underdark book was written.

Hell, I didn't know any of that had happened. And why was Ghaunadaur even in the drow pantheon, anyways?

Hell, why does he even exist? Jubilex is way cooler :smalltongue:

[Thurbane]

So, let's see. The last two contests had 11, and 17 entries (and a few dropping who expected to enter), and folks complained that the judges were going to be over-worked. Now, with this ingredient - and before we see how many entries ultimately compete - folks are complaining that this ingredient is too difficult or too far from mainstream. :smallannoyed: One wonders how an ingredient can possibly be chosen that will avoid such complaints.
All I can humbly request is no PrCs with racial entry reqs for a while, please. :smallsmile:

Hell, why does he even exist? Jubilex is way cooler :smalltongue:
Good to know I'm not the only one who spells it that way... apparently, the "proper" spelling is Juiblex.

[Aeryr]

All I can humbly request is no PrCs with racial entry reqs for a while, please. :smallsmile:

Good to know I'm not the only one who spells it that way... apparently, the "proper" spelling is Juiblex.

First, Beholder Mage for SI!

Second, really? Juiblex? That doesn't sound right at all.

[Xodion]

Second, really? Juiblex? That doesn't sound right at all.

This logic is why everyone in my Monday night group pronounces Byeshk as 'Byshek', much to the frustration of the Sorcerer who is a linguist :smalltongue:.

I can't say I'm too disappointed with the apparent lack of entries, as it means less work for me, but I would encourage people not to give up so easily. It is a contest, so maybe your entry will still score well even if it doesn't reach your impeccable standards (I know I'm guilty of this sometimes, abandoning a build not because it is poor but because it is not perfect in every way). It is also a pretty tough Ingredient even by IC standards, so I would imagine the bar for good scores will be lower than usual too.

[gbprime]

All I can humbly request is no PrCs with racial entry reqs for a while, please. :smallsmile:


Yeah, get back to the basics of sadistic uselessness... like Geomancer. :smallamused:

[Amphetryon]

Yeah, get back to the basics of sadistic uselessness... like Geomancer. :smallamused:

*Puts Luckstealer on the back burner* :smalltongue:

[Kuulvheysoon]

Yeah, get back to the basics of sadistic uselessness... like Geomancer. :smallamused:

At least that advances casting at a semi-decent rate.

With our luck, we'll get something like Shining Blade of Hienerous (Dammit, I know that I misspelled that).

*hopes I jinxed it*

[dantiesilva]

I will try my hand at this, its kind of cutting it close I know but I think I have a build that will work. My biggest problem with everything is magic items but I will try my best saying I have a character I am currently playing with the same idea behind it.

[Venger]

*Puts Luckstealer on the back burner* :smalltongue:

booyeah. I had fun dipping that with monty. it was so great to finally have an excuse to have a build with 10 levels of mindbender.

[Aeryr]

I will try my hand at this, its kind of cutting it close I know but I think I have a build that will work. My biggest problem with everything is magic items but I will try my best saying I have a character I am currently playing with the same idea behind it.

Please go for it, and don't worry about magic items, they are not really a necessary part of the entry.

[Xodion]

Please go for it, and don't worry about magic items, they are not really a necessary part of the entry.

I second this - a number of builds just leave out magic items, or list suggestions without buying a full inventory, which is fine for an entry. Having your build rely on magic items is usually what gets you penalised.

[dantiesilva]

O well in that case I think I'm golden.

[Piggy Knowles]

Yeah, I've had several builds that didn't mention gear at all, and the few that did only dedicated a few lines to saying, "this is what you should look out for if you can." Of the nine Iron Chef builds I've submitted, seven of them have ended up with trophies. So, I would say that magic item suggestions are nice if you can fit them in, but definitely not required to get a good rating.

[ThiagoMartell]

Can't get this working at all. Guess I'll sign up as a judge instead.

[Z3ro]

Build submitted. Didn't come out quite as nice as I thought it would. Hoping to win by default (the two sweetest words in the English language).

[OMG PONIES]

No chance of a deadline extension due to Memorial Day weekend, right?

[Venger]

Build submitted. Didn't come out quite as nice as I thought it would. Hoping to win by default (the two sweetest words in the English language).

depending on how many of us are able to submit ours in the next 19 hours, you may well have your wish.

[dantiesilva]

Almost done finishing up the backstory and 6 more levels. I am quite proud of it if I say so myself. Optimized not exactly, but it sure looks fun.

[Venger]

Almost done finishing up the backstory and 6 more levels. I am quite proud of it if I say so myself. Optimized not exactly, but it sure looks fun.

well, best of luck to you! I'm doing skills right now, myself. that always takes the longest (for me anyway)

[Aeryr]

Great contestants!

Go for it, Good Luck everyone! :smallsmile:

[dantiesilva]

Thanks I hope i do better then i expect, its a pretty straight forward build after all.

[dantiesilva]

And my build is now turned in hope i score in one of the top 3 it looks like it should.

[Kuulvheysoon]

And my build is now turned in hope i score in one of the top 3 it looks like it should.

You have been denied (default) status as one of the top three, friend, as I have just submitted a build.

[DemonRoach]

Keen to see the builds, my own ideas all failed magnificently :smallfrown:

[Zeb]

Build 1 submitted, build 2 which seems to be better overall is just not gonna be done in time...

[Menteith]

Keen to see the builds, my own ideas all failed magnificently :smallfrown:

Ditto. It was functional, but it was also the most boring, straightforward way to take it, and I just couldn't find something interesting to do with it. Oh well....

[Piggy Knowles]

Bah, couldn't get the skills to come together in a clean way. Unless I get a brilliant new idea in the next three hours, I'm going to bow out of this one.

[The Gilded Duke]

And submitted. Things seemed to work out in the end although I wonder if anybody used the same tricks.

[Aeryr]

Hopefully we will soon see the builds :smallsmile:

[Amphetryon]

Now it's time for the reveal! Please refrain from posting in this thread until after I give the all-clear. Thanks.

[Amphetryon]

Falling Spider, Hidden Drow.

Shidril Falling Spider Crinti (Half drow) Honglath (Drow Judicator) from Dambrath
NE
Fighter 6 – Totemist 2 – Cleric of Loviatar 2 – Drow Judicator 10
The direction to the enemy is down.
Falling Spider Dogma

Fluff
The forest was silent, there wasn't a noise breaking the calm of the night. The wolfs and ravaging beasts kept to themselves. The cicadas and crickets normally noisy during the end of the day were hidden, far from view. Not even the wind made a sound in the darkness. It seemed that the forest life decided to take a break from the world. The night was dark, not even the moon daring to shine.

The only movement of the forest was produced by an ascending column of smoke, the remnants of a camp fire, properly hidden and quelled. By the camp three elves meditated on calming rest while another one kept guard.

No noise alerted the guardian, no shadow announced the attacker until it was too late. The hissing sound of the fangs snapping arrived his ears almost at the same time of the bite. He tried to move, face the attacker or alarm his companions, but he was frozen, unable to even drop his jaw. The spider moved over the trees without producing a sound, its movements were grateful for a monster so large and its form was vicious. A shadow was riding it and moved slightly on the saddle to face the guard.

Her skin was black as raven feathers, long ears and thin face, her hair white and kept in eight long baids that falled at her back, her eyes had a purple tint, she almost passed for a drow. But the guard new the truth, and it was worse, it was the falling spider. She smiled and put a finger over her lips signalling silence before she moved over the meditating elves.

The guard contemplated the following massacre, at least it was swift. The spider fell graciously over the elves. They noticed it when the spear pushed one of them to the ground breaking its body and making it spray blood. When the other elf moved the spider stabbed it with its vile fangs, and sent him upwards shrieking like a mad man. The last of the elves tried to run, but the foul spider jumped over him, freezing it with its bite. The falling spider caressed its check with the spear before striking and chopping its head right off, then the half drow looked at the remaining elf and muttered “Run”.

The elf did as ordered running through the forest, looking over his back checking that the spider didn't follow him. She did not, she was gracious that time. She new that the tale would spread like a wildfire, that night the elves of the forest of Amtar told stories about the falling spider.

Shidril, for that was the name of the falling spider, was a Crinti, one of the vile half drow from Dambrath. Since young she had craved for battle, leaping on her enemies ferociously disregarding her safety entirely. She was a thorn on the elves side for ages, her incursions almost lead the surface elves to abandon the forest.

Her prowess in battle and her purity of blood, her lineage was more drow than human, made her ascend in the power scale of the city. With the approval of Loviathar's church she became one of the Honglath of the city. But being independent from the matrons of Crinti she became a Honglath difficult to control. The different matrons trying to get a hold on her or at least minimize her independence. It was during that period that she moved to the underdark, to receive training and pay homage to her vile masters, or at least be far away from the Crinti rulers.

In T'lindeth Shidril worked under the church of Lolth and the cult of Selvetram at first she was regarded as no more than iblith but she honed her skills and combat capabilities to earn some respect from the drow. The drow saw in her a tool to be used, even if she was almost colnbluth her blood was good enough. Since Lolth had gone silent the Crinti had been more difficult to rule, some pressure was necessary. After an intensive training ritual by the priesthood of Lolth she was accepted into the ranks of the judicators, and returned to the surface to not only continue her work as a Honglath but to also act as a controlling presence for the Crinti.

Once she returned to the surface she did so riding a foul spider spawned at the abyss, her presence was alien to the Crinti, her drow heritage and her ties to the drow made her unpredictable to the matrons of Dambrath. But regardless of her intentions, she kept praying to Loviatar and bringing pain, fear and chaos to their enemies.
Stats
Base: STR: 16 DEX: 12 CON: 14 INT: 12 WIS: 14 CHA: 10
All level increases increase strength.

build
{table=head]ECL|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Fighter 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Handle animal (4), Intimidate (4), Ride (4)|Drow Heritage, Power Attack|Bonus feat, Hit and run tactics

2nd|Totemist 1|
+1|
+4|
+2|
+0|Concentration (3), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (4), Ride (5)|-|Wild empathy, illiteracy

3rd|Totemist 2|
+2|
+5|
+3|
+0|Concentration (6), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (religion) (1/2), Ride (6)|Improved Bullrush|Totem chakra bind (+1 capacity)

4th|Fighter 2|
+3|
+6|
+4|
+0|Concentration (6), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (4) Knowledge (religion) (1), Ride (7)|-|Dungeoncrasher

5th|Cleric 1|
+3|
+8|
+4|
+2|Concentration (6), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (7)|Law devotion|Turn undead, Strength domain, Strength domain spontaneity

6th|Fighter 3|
+4|
+8|
+5|
+3|Concentration (6), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (9)|Lolth Meat|-

7th|Fighter 4|
+5|
+8|
+5|
+3|Climb (2), Concentration (6), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (10)|Combat reflexes|Bonus Feat

8th|Drow Judicator 1|
+6/+1|
+10|
+5|
+3|Climb (2), Concentration (8), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (11)|-|War strike 1/day

9th|Drow Judicator 2|
+7/+2|
+11|
+5|
+3|Climb (2), Concentration (10), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (12)|Knocback|Command Spiders, Selvetarm's blessing

10th|Drow Judicator 3|
+8/+3|
+11|
+6|
+4|Climb (2), Concentration (12), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (13)|-|-

11th|Drow Judicator 4|
+9/+4|
+12|
+6|
+4|Climb (2), Concentration (14), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (4), Ride (14)|-|Selvetarm's wrath 1/day

12th|Drow Judicator 5|
+10/+5|
+12|
+6|
+4|Climb (2), Concentration (15), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (5), Ride (15)|Share Soulmeld|Spider Servant

13th|Fighter 5|
+11/+6/+1|
+12|
+6|
+4|Climb (4), Concentration (15), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (5), Ride (16)|-|-

14th|Fighter 6|
+12/+7/+2|
+13|
+7|
+5|Climb (6), Concentration (15), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (5), Ride (17)|-|Dungeoncrasher II

15th|Drow Judicator 6|
+13/+8/+3|
+14|
+8|
+6|Climb (6), Concentration (17), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (5), Ride (18)|Open Lesser Chakra (Shoulders)|-

16th|Drow Judicator 7|
+14/+9/+4|
+14|
+8|
+6|Climb (6), Concentration (19), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (5), Ride (19)|-|Selvetarm's wrath 2/day

17th|Drow Judicator 8|
+15/+10/+5|
+15|
+8|
+6|Climb (6), Concentration (20), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (6), Ride (20)|-|Spider's grace

18th|Drow Judicator 9|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+15|
+9|
+7|Climb (6), Concentration (21), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (7), Ride (21)|Awesome blow|-

19th|Drow Judicator 10|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+16|
+9|
+7|Climb (6), Concentration (22), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (8), Ride (22)|-|Judgement, Selvetarm's wrath 3/day

20th|Cleric 2|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+17|
+9|
+8|Climb (6), Concentration (23), Handle animal (5), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (religion) (8), Ride (23)|-|-[/table]


Spider servant options
The spider servant of Shidril's most depend on her level, and the type of enemy. Shidril invests part of her wealth in items for the spider servant, there are only two basic ones, a +1 barding of mobility (grants mobility) and a pair of novice tiger claw bracers.
-A Myrlochar has a lot of skill ranks, great saves and more specially levitate that makes the best spider servant at level 12. Its starting feats are ability focus (hold person), ability focus (reverse gravity) and mage slayer. At later levels martial study (vanguard strike) and martial stance (thiket of blades) are good feats. The Myrlochar, thanks to the pegasus cloak binded to the totem chakra of Shidril, can effectively fly, being able to stand over the enemies. Against martial characters hold person or reverse gravity are really strong. Hold person can enable a coup de grace from Shidril and reverse gravity can send the enemy to the roof (or just up). Against spellcasters just standing over them greatly reduces their options.
-Sword spider is a good option from level 15 and above (once the shoulder chakra is open), with maxed jump skills ranks, and feats enabling the use of the jumping tiger claw maneuvers the impale attack becomes more effective. Good feats for the sword spider are then: martial study (claw at the moon), martial study (soaring raptor strike), martial study (death from above). The sword spider benefits greatly from a pair of novice bracers of Tiger Claw to get Leaping dragon stance.
-Phase spider is high level dependant but can be really strong. With 7 ranks in balance and 9 ranks in jump, with dodge, mobility, martial study (sudden leap), roof walker, roof jumper and mighty leaping, access to leaping dragon stance via the novice bracers and support from meldshapes can get a great jump (as an ethereal creature is not worried by a roof) and fall over an enemy dealing roof jumper damage before becoming ethereal again to negate the damage from the fall.
-A monstrous spider can offer some other options, but overall is not as strong as the other spider servants. Probably it would be good for it to be a web spinning spider, with improved web, darkstalker and ability focus web, maxing ranks on hide supporting Shidril from range.


Tricks

-pegasus cloak (totem bind) + improved bullrush + Dungeoncrash: As a move action Shidril can fly over the enemy and push it to the ground, dealing dungeoncrash damage. Note that Shidril would be attacking from higher ground.
-Domain spontaneity + Strength domain + Knocback + Awesome blow: All of Shidril's spells can be enlarge person, that lasts (at least) 1/min level so it will probably outlast a combat. Knocback enhances the damage of dungeoncrash allowing an attack to activate it, awesome blow can work to move enemies.
-Law devotion + Turn undead + Command spiders: Extra uses of law devotion are great, command spider probably works to power it.
-Lolth meat + War strike // Selvetarm's wrath: War strike and selvetarm's wrath can deal enough damage to kill and trigger Lolth meat.
-Spider servant + Share spell + Enlarge person + Bull rush: Shidril can use the servant's size and strength for her bullrush attempts. “Use your mount's size and Strength modifier for the opposed Strength check you make to resolve the bull rush. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050208a)”
-Spider servant + Share soulmeld + Open Lesser Chakra (Shoulders) + Pegasus Cloak: True fly speed allowing the spider to remain over the enemy while Shidril full attacks.
-Myrlochar (levitate + share soulmeld + pegasus cloak): Levitate only allows vertical movement, pegasus cloak binded to the totem chakra can allow horizontal movement, while levitate prevents the falling.
-Myrlochar (hold person + Lolth meat + coup de grace): If hold person triggers Shidril can attempt a coup de grace to kill, enhanced by her Lolth meat feat.
-Myrlochar (reverse gravity + reverse gravity + feather fall + knocback): A creature can attack itself, and decide to fail a save. After sending an enemy to the roof Shidril can “fall” towards him and full attack, dungeoncrashing him to the “ground”.
-Myrlochar (thicket of blades + reverse gravity + AoO): Any enemy that provokes an attack of opportunity from the Myrlochar can get bitten and if reverse gravity affects it sended up, through Shidril's threatened area.
-Poison (phase spider // sword spider) + war strike // Spider's grace: Con // Str damage can add up pretty high.
-Sword spider (impaling + share soulmelds + pegasus cloak): Let the spider fly over the enemy and impale it.
-Sword spider (impaling + tiger claw maneuvers // share soulmelds (landshark boots) ): The sword spider can leap over the enemy easily to activate the impaling attack.
-Phase spider (etherealness + jumping feats): As an ethereal creature there is no roof nor limit.
-Phase spider (roof jumper + dungeoncrash + ring of four winds // etherealness): Without being really limited by a “roof” the damage from roof jumper can be considerable. Continuous feather fall (from pegasus cloak) doesn't work to reduce damage unluckily but an immediate feather fall (ring of four winds) after hitting does negate falling damage. The phase spider can just become ethereal after the hit using a move action.


Recommended items
Shidril is not really item dependant; she probably wants:
-sun lenses: to protect her eyes.
-novice tiger claw bracers (tiger claw maneuvers or stances are great to improve the spider servant.)
-Landing armor (or barding) ignoring falling damage is great.
-A spellblade (setted against dispel magic) spear with changeling, sizing, brutal surge, assassination, virulent and toxic as enhancements (brutal surge is more dungeoncrash damage and the last three mesh well with the poison of the spider servant).
-Strong arm bracers: To be able to wield larger weapons, such as the spear affected by sizing.
-A ring of four winds: Just in case a feather fall at the right moment can be handy.
-Item that grants strength bonus be it an insight or enhancement bonus to be able to qualify for awesome blow by level 18.
-A (read at least one) nightstick: Shidril might want more law devotion.


Build sum up by level

My favourite levels are 5, 12, 15 and 19.
1- Drow heritage makes shidril count as a drow, just take the same precautions that a lvl 1 should take.
2- Shaping is fun, shaping certain soulmelds gives shidril an important boost to skills.
3-Improved bullrush and totem binding, several totem binds grant more attacks or options at melee.
4- Dungeoncrash. shidril just became scary. Bind a pegasus cloak to the totem chakra, fly over the enemy, fall over the enemy (feather fall prevents damage) bullrush the enemy and dungeoncrash it to the ground.
5- Enlarge person 3/day for 10 rounds each + Law devotion 2/day yep shidril can make that bullrush check easily. A strength domain holy simbol (Complete champion) would increase her caster level by one, effectively doubling the duration of the enlarge person.
6- Lolth meat killing people now gives bonuses.
7- Combat reflexes, having a nice reach weapon shidril can keep hitting people. It's also at this level that she qualifies for drow judicator.
8- War strike can be scary, at least 1d6 of CON damage. Shidril also gets a second attack, but it is still probably more worth it to just keep falling over the enemy and dungeoncrashing it to the ground.
9- This level is great, first, selvetarm's blessing increases greatly shidril's saves. Second, command spider could work to power law devotion. And lastly, knockback, Shidril can deal more damage when dungeoncrashing, now if she gets the enemy against a wall she can full attack.
10- Another level of cleric casting, that means an extra use of enlarge person per day. That's great. And it also lasts longer. Law devotion also becomes more effective at this level.
11- Selvetram's wrath 1/day. Extra damage is extra damage.
12- Spider servant, share spells and share soulmelds. This is a great level. Some of the spider servant tricks start working. Right now only the myrlochar has a way of remaining on the air over the enemy to enable full attack.
13- shidril's third iterative that's nice.
14- Dungeoncrash II.
15- Open chakra shoulders enables to bind the pegasus cloak to the shoulders, so now every spider has a flight speed that can be used to remain over the enemy, an increase in caster level allows bulls strength 2/day and... 2 more HD for the spider servant! This is a great level, most of the tricks (described earlier are on). And law devotion has increased, again.
16- A point in wisdom, and another selvetram's wrath (read extra damage).
17- 2 more HD for the spider servant, all the tricks are completely online now. Spider grace is tasty for options
18- Another caster level, that means an extra spell of each level (enlarge person and bull's strength). And awesome blow, by now strength should be 25, move enemies so they crash.
19- Judgement is a great damage source once per day, an extra selvetram's wrath is handy. But the great thing about level 19 is the extra 2HD for the spider servant. Every trick is on.
20- A cleric level, and access to third level spells.

Rules discussion

-Half drow might not work: Depending on the reading the half drow drow blood might not be enough to qualify for drow judicator. There are two things to consider there, a lesser drow works almost as good as a half drow for the build, the cons for a lesser drow are that it doesn't have favored class any, and that no drow in her sane mind would revere Loviatar (but chaos devotion and spontaneous spider domain, with rebuking that can feed chaos devotion is strong too). And fluffwise a half drow from Dambrath acts as a representative to the drows of T'lindeth, a Honglath is in fact a judging figure of the Crinti.

-Loviatar is not a drow God: First of all, drow judicator doesn't ask to have Lolth or Selvetarm as a patron deity. The church of Loviatar rules in Dambrath, they are the ones keeping the laws, as a judicator (even a drow judicator) lawful alignment makes some sense. From an optimizing point of view Loviatar offers the strength domain which grants enlarge person and personally I like more law devotion than chaos devotion.

-Pegasus cloak doesn't work that way: Yes it does. As a move action you can fly up to 10 feet per essentia invested, you have to end your move in the ground or you'll fall. Shidril the falling spider, chooses to fall over the enemy.

-You can't occupy the same space as an enemy at the end of the turn: No, you can't.

Accidentally Ending Movement in an Illegal Space: Sometimes a character ends its movement while moving through a space where it’s not allowed to stop. For example, you might incur an attack of opportunity from a monk while moving through a friend’s square and become stunned. When that happens, put your miniature in the last legal position you occupied, or the closest legal position, if there’s a legal position that’s closer.

Neither the PHB (quoted above) nor the rules compendium (pg 96) mentions that this repositioning incurs an attack of opportunity. And since you have reach, at least 5 feet, you might not need to fall exactly over the enemy.

Secret ingredient discussion
Two things cached my attention when reading drow Judicator, the first one is that even if it requires spellcasting and the intervention of Lolth's church (or Selvetram's) it is in a book set in a moment of the realms history when Lolth is silent.
The other one is that drow Judicator doesn't have a lot of unique abilities nor abilities usable continually. The only class feature unique is the spider servant, works similarly to a special mount but is not called (its always there) nor is there any penalty for the death of a spider servant. The spider servant can probably be achieved in another class with leadership, or a similar ability but it won't have the spider servant progression. I tried to integrate the spider servant in all the tactics of the drow judicator, regardless of the spider servant chosen.
It also has really poor spellcasting ability, and forces to be able to cast first level spells. Instead of ignoring spellcasting entirely (my first thought) I tried to get as much as I could out of it.
The other abilities, that add to damage, are good, even if they have few uses a day. They can all be used to enhance the chances of killing and activating Lolth Meat.

Class Considerations

-Cleric of Loviatar: A cleric with the strength domain casted spontaneously and a devotion feat seemed the best option for filling the caster prerequisites. For a moment Malar was considered (animal devotion grants a profane bonus to STR) but was discarded due to Loviatar fulfilling more easily the fluff requirements.

-Other caster classes: The wizard has ASF, looses law devotion and turn undead. Since command spiders might be burnable in law devotion and the cleric is more versatile the cleric was chosen over it. But if half drow doesn't ring a bell, it would be necessary to get enlarge person. A beguiler was also considered, having hide and move silently it would allow cintri shadow rider, for shadow pounce.

-Totemist: Totemist is one of the bases of the trick, there is no other class that offers a totem bind and a totem bind is necessary for a fly speed that would force the character to fall at the end of the movement. Totemist via share soulmeld enhances all the spider servants, allowing them to benefit from the tricks and facilitate Shidril's repertoire.

-Fighter: Is the other base of the trick. Dungeoncrash every round, even full attacking with knocback against the ground can be a ridiculous source of damage.

-Crinti Shadow Rider: Its really hard to get move silently as a class skill, either taking a worse spell casting class, like begiler, or sacrificing the last levels of drow judicator for a half drow (or drow) paragon level. It also looses many fighter levels to fit the crinti shadow rider levels. Shadowpounce is a known trick, that cannot be shared with the spider servant, falling instead is less used and allows to complete the SI without many diping.

-Lolth touched: Lolth touched is great, and doesn't change the creature type to monstrous humanoid, so enlarge person is still viable, and the last cleric level is not indispensable. From an optimizer point of view take it over the last level of cleric, no doubt, that strength and constitution bonus is truly helpful. Even if it is not against RAW and Drow Judicators are mentioned in the description of the Lolth touched template Shidril is already pretty strong, she will gain the favour of the drow goddess with her own merits (once Lolth returns to the realms).

-Feral: Feral is strong, but changes the type to monstrous humanoid the increase in strength doesn't compensate losing size (Shidril won't qualify for enlarge person and won't be able to share it with her spider servant).

Sources

PHB (Half elf, fighter, cleric, power attack, combat reflexes, improved bull rush)
Drows of the underdark (drow heritage, hit and run tactics, toxic, virulent)
Shining South (Dambrath, Crinti, Honglath)
Magic of incarnum (Totemist, meldshapes, share soulmeld, open chakra (shoulders))
Dungeonscape (Dungeoncrash)
PHB II (Domain spontaneity, Leap of the heavens)
Complete Champion (Law devotion, domain holy simbol)
Faiths and pantheons (Loviatar)
Underdark (Lolth meat, Drow Judicator)
Races of stone (Knocback)
Monsters of Faerun (Myrlochar, Sword Spider)
Monster Manual (Fiendish Template, Monstrous Spider, Phase Spider, Awesome Blow, Ability focus)
Tome of battle (Martial Study, Martial Stance, Tiger Claw maneuvers)
Cityscape (Roof walker, Roof jumper)
Expanded psionic handbook (Burst, Speed of thought, Up the walls)
Tome of magic (Sudden ability focus)
Sandstorm (Sun lenses)
Magic of faerun (Spellblade)
Cityscape web enhancement (assassination enhancement)
Magic item compendium (landing armor enhancement, changeling enhancement, brutal surge enhancement, knockback enhancement, mobility armor enhancement, ring of four winds)
Libris mortis (Nightsticks)

[Amphetryon]

In Eberron, he became a movie starring The Rock.

THE SPIDER KING

The spider king once ruled a vast drow city, but was killed in a war with a nearby elf kingdom. Centuries later, he is reborn with necromantic magic to wreak creepy-crawly terror once more!


Books used:Underdark, Book of Vile Darkness, Player's Handbook 1, Libris MOrtis, UNearthed Arcana, Masters of the Wild

THE BUILD
Alignment:NE
Attributes:STR10, DEX26, CON-, INT10, WIS18, CHA16(add bonuses to DEX or STR)
Race:Lesser Drow
Templates:Bone Creature, Swarm Shifter(Undead Spiders)
ACFs:Deadly Hunter
Spider KING
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Druid1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Hide3, Move Silently3, Knowledge(Religion)4, Intimidate1|Lolth's Meat, Weapon Finesse, Track|AC Bonus, Animal Companion, Nature Sense, Favored Enemy: Vermin

2nd|Druid2|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+3|Knowledge(Nature)2, Intimidate2|None|Woodland Stride

3rd|Druid3|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|Intimidate4|Combat Reflexes|Trackless Step, +10ft. movement speed

4th|Druid4|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|Handle Animal4|None|Resist Nature's Lure

5th|Druid5|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|Handle Animal5, Knowledge(Nature)5|None|Favored Enemy:Elves, +1 Monk AC

6th|Druid6|
+4|
+5|
+2|
+5|Linsten4|Verminfriend|+20ft. movement speed

7th|Druid7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
+5|Listen8|None|None

8th|Drow Judicator1|
+6|
+7|
+1|
+5|Listen10|None|War Strike 1/day

9th|Drow Judicator2|
+7|
+8|
+1|
+5|Spot2|Child of Winter|Command Spiders, Svetlarm's blessing

10th|Drow Judicator3|
+8|
+8|
+2|
+6|Spot4|None|None

11th|Drow Judicator4|
+9|
+9|
+2|
+6|Spot6|None|Svetlarm's Wrath 1/day

12th|Drow Judicator5|
+10|
+9|
+2|
+6|Spot8|Energy Resistance:fire|Spider Servant

13th|Drow Judicator6|
+11|
+10|
+3|
+7|Spot10|None|None

14th|Drow Judicator7|
+12|
+10|
+3|
+7|Knowledge(nature)7|None|Svetlarm's Wrath 2/day

15th|Drow Judicator8|
+13|
+11|
+3|
+7|Knowledge(Nature)9|Vermin Companion|Spider's Grace

16th|Drow Judicator9|
+14|
+11|
+4|
+8|Knowledge(Nature)11|None|None

17th|Vermin Lord1|
+14|
+11|
+4|
+10|, Knowledge(Nature)15|None|Chitin+1, Vermin Companion 1HD

18th|Vermin Lord2|
+15|
+12|
+5|
+11|, Knowledge(Nature)19|Natural Bond|Blood Drain

19th|Vermin Lord3|
+15|
+12|
+5|
+11|, Knowledge(Nature)22, Craft(Alchemy)1|None|Spider Hand

20th|Vermin Lord4|
+16|
+13|
+6|
+12|, Knowledge(Nature)23, Craft(Alchemy)4|None|Chitin+2, Swarm Armor[/table]

OTHER SPECIAL ABILITIES
Bone Creature-2 1d4 claws, immunity to cold, d12 hit dice, +2 natural armor.1/2 piercing and slashing damage
Racial- Dancing Lights 1/day, Daze 1/day, Touch of Fatigue 1/day.
Swarm Shifter-Shapechanger subtype, +10 bonus on disguise checks to appear as a swarm of normal spiders, Swarm Form
SWARM FORM STATS
Swarm of undead spiders
10ft. space, 0ft. reach
Speed: 20ft.land/20ft. climb
Special Attacks:Swarm Attack, Poison (Ex): Swarm attack, Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 swarm HD + Cha modifier, initial and secondary damage 1d3 Str, distraction
Special Qualities: Immune to weapon damage, tremorsense 60 ft., Hive Mind

SPELLS PER DAY
Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

14th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

15th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

16th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

17th|5|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

18th|5|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

19th|5|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-

20th|5|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-[/table]

CHECKPOINTS
LEVEL 5
The character is already looking pretty powerful, with a very high AC, 2 claw attacks, an animal companion,swarm shifting, and a few spells. The main downside is that it dosen't do much damage with each hit, although the animal companion should help with that

LEVEL 10
During this stretch, a lot more flavor is added with verminfriend and child of winter, as well as command spiders. Spell progression has slowed drastically, but to make up for that you now have full BAB, as well as the war strike ability

LEVEL 15
Your animal companion is now a beautifully toxic spider! In addition, you get another spider to boss around, and the ability to gain spider traits. The Sveltarm's Wrath ability helps with the low damage being dealt, and fire resistance protects against the most common form of splash damage.

LEVEL 12
At this point you have an animal companion and a spider, so you pretty much have three attackers, two of which are poisonous. you have fire resistance, meaning it's safer for you to stay in swarm form, and a good range of spells.

LEVEL 20
In the end, what you end up with is a versitale, hard to hit character. The vermin lord abilities give even more AC, and a little spider familiar for fun. The swarm attack is probably the best damage dealer you have, and your two spiders can provide flanks for each other. Pretty much a one man encounter, which is nice

[Amphetryon]

This entry contends for the title of MOST METAL ENTRY.

Tesla Barrison Del’Armgo
The Holy Diver
Half-Drow
32 Point Buy
Str 14 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 8

Holy Diver, you’ve been down too long in the midnight sea,
Oh what’s becoming of me?
Tesla Barrison Del’Armgo entered the final chamber, nude, covered in gore, carrying nothing with him but the sword and mace that were his weapons. A trio of Selvetarm’s clerics stood in a semi-circle around an alter at the center of the room. A drow female was chained to the alter; the light was too low in the room for Tesla to make out her identity. Just another part of the test, the half-drow thought.

“You’ve passed through the test of the mind,” the cleric to his left said. Tesla thought back to that test but couldn’t remember much. He’d always been half mad, and the test had assaulted what was left of his sensibilities, but to those used to fighting off madness the first test held little he hadn’t already mastered.

“And the test of the body,” the center cleric said. Tesla’s mouth moved into the grin of a predator. His body was still covered in the blood and guts of the monstrous spider he’d just slain, the symbol of Lolth, both their greatest strength and oldest foe. Tesla was covered in wounds besides, but he had emerged triumphant regardless.

“This is the final test, the test of spirit,” the final cleric said. “Simply slay the female, and you will become a Drow Judicator”. The proclamation made Tesla grin wider at the simple nature of the final test. He rushed forward to take his place and kill the female.

As he approached the alter, he saw that the drow strapped down to the alter was his mother, matron of house Barrison Del’Armgo. The female who had sired him, then left him to rot in the underdark. His smiled split his face from ear-to-ear as he raised him mace to crush her skull.

But as his mace reached its highest point, he realized it wasn’t his mother strapped to the alter; it was his sister. A sudden rush of memories came rushing back to Tesla. Images resolved themselves, then formed coherent memories that he had thought lost over time.

He remembered his sister explaining to him why he was born; a human warrior had been captured, and Matron Barrison Del’armgo had hoped to breed larger, stronger warriors from him. But Tesla was the only one born, and he had been deemed a failure. Even at an early age, being raised in an environment, had taken a toll on the young half-drow.

Tesla had grown up ostracized and responded more often than not with violence. His straightforward attitude was discouraged in the subtle, backstabbing world of the drow. His mother sent him to melee-magthere, with the hope of having some discipline instilled in him. But after he killed for other students in the first year of training he was sent back home; the instructors didn’t dare kill the boy but didn’t want to deal with his violent tendencies.

His mother recognized his fighting potential, but didn’t want to deal with his temper either. She exiled him from the house, with his sister being the lone voice standing up to keep the unstable young drow in the house. But it wasn’t enough, and the young half-drow was exiled.

He was found by clerics of Selvetarm, who took in him and embraced his madness, rather than resenting it. For the most part, they simply pointed him at their enemies and let nature take its course. It was an equitable arrangement.

The clerics saw the hesitation. Had it been his mother, she would already lay dead before Tesla. But he had nothing against his sister; she hadn’t been kind, by any means, but she had stuck up for him. He wasn’t sure if he should reward such faith with death.

“Finish her. Selvetarm commands it!” Tesla felt something rising deep within himself, felt the madness returning as it always did. He let out an incoherent scream then brought the mace down upon his sister’s skull. Her head exploded in a shower of blood and brain, covering Tesla and the clerics. The bright red stood out against their black robes.

The madness lifted and Tesla realized what he had done. He fell to his knees. The clerics approached and laid their hands on his shoulders. “Rise, brother”.

The Build
{table=head]Level|Class|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Duskblade|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|Knowledge (Arcana 4, Religion 4, Nature 4, History 4, The Planes 4)|Knowledge Devotion|Arcane Attunement, Armored mage (light)

2nd|Fighter|
+2|
+4|
+0|
+2|Intimidate 5|Two Weapon Fighting|Bonuse Feat, Hit-and-Run ACF

3rd|Fighter|
+3|
+5|
+0|
+2|Intimidate 1, Handle Animal 4|Combat Relfexes, Lolth’s Meat|Bonus Feat

4th|Duskblade|
+4|
+6|
+0|
+6| Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)||Combat Casting

5th|Duskblade|
+5|
+6|
+1|
+6| Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)||Arcane Channeling

6th|Duskblade|
+6|
+7|
+1|
+7|Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)|Improved Two Weapon Fighting|Armored Mage (medium)

7th|Duskblade|
+7|
+7|
+1|
+7| Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)||Quick Cast 1/day

8th|Duskblade|
+8|
+8|
+2|
+8| Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)||Spell Power +2

9th|Duskblade|
+9|
+8|
+2|
+8| Knowledge (Arcana 1, Religion 1, Nature 1, History 1, The Planes 1)|Double Hit|Armored Mage (heavy shield)

10th|Drow Judicator|
+10|
+10|
+2|
+8| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||War Strike 1/day

11th| Drow Judicator |
+11|
+11|
+2|
+8| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Command Spiders, Selvatarm’s Blessing

12th| Drow Judicator|
+12|
+11|
+3|
+9| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)|Robilar’s Gambit|

13th| Drow Judicator|
+13|
+12|
+3|
+9| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Selvatam’s Wrath 1/day

14th| Drow Judicator|
+14|
+12|
+3|
+9| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Spider Servant

15th| Drow Judicator|
+15|
+13|
+4|
+10| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)|Arcane Strike|

16th| Drow Judicator|
+16|
+13|
+4|
+10| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Selvetarm’s Wrath 2/day

17th| Drow Judicator|
+17|
+14|
+4|
+10| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Spider’s Grace

18th| Drow Judicator|
+18|
+14|
+5|
+11| Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)|Practiced Spellcaster|

19th| Drow Judicator|
+19|
+15|
+5|
+11|Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||Judgement, Selvetarm’s Wrath 3/day

20th|Duskblade|
+20|
+16|
+5|
+12|Concentration 1, Diplomacy 1, Intimidate 1 Knowledge (Arcana 1 Religion 1)||
[/table]

{table=head]Spell Level|Spell|
0|acid splash, disrupt undead, ray of frost, touch of fatigue
1|ray of enfeeblement, shocking grasp, true strike, swift expeditious retreat, burning hands
2|dimension hop, touch of idiocy, scorching ray, spider climb
3|vampiric touch, ray of exhaustion, dispelling touch, doom scarabs[/table]


General
Tesla is a half-mad half-drow who finds his way into the loving arms of clerics of Selvetarm, making him a drow judicator. Half-drow is an interesting race that allows us to qualify for anything as a drow, saving us the +2 LA. The build focuses on mixing magic and TWF, especially when arcane strike comes online later. Tesla would definitely prefer to jump into the melee, where he fights best.

Level Progression:

When I see lightning, you know it always brings me down,
Cause it’s free and I see that it’s me, who’s lost and never found.
Levels 1-5
Tesla begins his career as a pretty standard fighter/duskblade combo. He focuses on TWF, using knowledge devotion to boost his damage output versus just about any monster he comes across; even at low levels he can get a +2 fairly reliably, and that number goes up as he levels. Ray of enfeeblement and shocking grasp are the big damaging spells at this level, helping up damage output significantly.

I cry out for magic, I feel it dancing in the light,
It was cold, lost my hold, to the shadows of the night
Levels 6-10These levels increase the power on what Tesla’s already doing and set up the big combos for later in the build. Imrpoved TWF and increases in knowledge skills up the damage, and double hit improves damage output with combat reflexes. At 10th we get our first level of Drow Judicator and the War Strike ability. Combining War Strike (with con damage) and ray of enfeeblement (with str damage) or touch of idiocy (mental stat damage) in Arcane channel results in a huge debuff to a single target. A quick cast true strike makes sure the combo hits. Other spells, like dimension hop and spider climb provide mobility and utility, as well as fitting the spider theme nicely.

Hanging from the cobwebs in your mind,
Looks like a long long way to fall.
Levels 11-15Level 15 is really were this build hits the sweet spot. At level 12 we get Robilar’s Gambit, combined with double hit, means Tesla strikes back twice whenever someone attacks him. At 15, arcane strike comes online; the bonus to attack and damage from spells sacrificed apply to all attacks during a round, including attacks of opportunity coming from Robilar’s Gambit, allowing Tesla to jump into a fight, then put a hurt on anyone who dares to fight back. Vampiric touch and ray of exhaustion help up the damage/debuff potential. Your spider servant is a sword spider, ready to jump into the fray with you.

There’s no sign of the morning coming, there’s no sign of the day,
You’ve been left on your own, like a rainbow in the dark.
Levels 16-20These levels finish up increasing the things we’re already good at. Doom scarabs is a weak spell at level 20 but the image is 100% thematically appropriate. The judgment ability plays nicely into the theme as well.

Sources
3.5 SRD
Complete Champion
Drow of the Underdark
Player’s Handbook 2
Underdark


RIP RJD

[Amphetryon]

After his fighting days, he went on to an illustrious career with the Red Sox.


Yaz'dril the Pincer of Loth


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19500165/Drow.jpg

Yaz'dril the Pincer of Loth
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Drow LA|
+0|
+0|
+0|
+0|N/A|N/A|N/A

2nd|Drow LA|
+0|
+0|
+0|
+0|N/A|N/A|N/A

3rd|Hexblade 1|
+1|
+0|
+0|
+2|Bluff 4, intimidate 4, Know arcana 4|Combat reflexes|Curse

4th|Hexblade 2|
+2|
+0|
+0|
+3|Bluff 5, intimidate 5, Know arcana 5|N/A|Arcane resistance

5th|Hexblade 3|
+3|
+1|
+1|
+3|concentration 2, intimidate 6|Loth's Meat|Mettle

6th|Hexblade 4|
+4|
+1|
+1|
+4|concentration 5, intimidate 7|N/A|Dark Companion

7th|Paladin of Tyranny 1|
+5|
+3|
+1|
+4|Know Religion 4|N/A|Detect/Smite Good

8th|Paladin of Tyranny 2|
+6|
+4|
+1|
+4|Know Religion 5, Handle Animial 1, Ride 1, Sense motive 1|Mounted Combat|Divine Grace, Deadly Touch

9th|Paladin of Tyranny 3|
+7|
+4|
+2|
+5|Handle Animial 2, Ride 2, Sense motive 3|N/A|Aura of Despair, Divine Health

10th|Paladin of Tyranny 4|
+8|
+5|
+2|
+5|Handle Animial 3, Ride 3, Sense motive 5|N/A|Rebuke undead

11th|Drow Judicator 1|
+9|
+7|
+2|
+5|intimidate 8, Handle Animial 4, Ride 4, Survival 1|Power attack|War Strike

12th|Drow Judicator 2|
+10|
+8|
+2|
+5|intimidate 9, Handle Animial 5, Ride 5, Survival 2|N/A|Command Spiders,Selvetarm's blessing

13th|Drow Judicator 3|
+11|
+8|
+3|
+6|intimidate 10, spellcraft 1, Ride 6, Survival 3|N/A|+1 level of existing spellcasting class

14th|Drow Judicator 4|
+12|
+9|
+3|
+6|intimidate 11, spellcraft 2, Ride 7, Survival 4|Divine Might|Selvetarm's wrath 1/day

15th|Drow Judicator 5|
+13|
+9|
+3|
+6|intimidate 12, spellcraft 3, Ride 8, Survival 5|N/A|Spider servant(phase Spider)

16th|Drow Judicator 6|
+14|
+10|
+4|
+7|intimidate 14, spellcraft 4, Ride 9|N/A|+1 level of existing spellcasting class

17th|Drow Judicator 7|
+15|
+10|
+4|
+7|intimidate 16, spellcraft 5, Ride 10|Ride by Attack|Selvetarm's wrath 2/day

18th|Drow Judicator 8|
+16|
+11|
+4|
+7|intimidate 18, Survival 6, Ride 11|N/A|Spider's grace

19th|Drow Judicator 9|
+17|
+11|
+5|
+8|intimidate 20, Survival 7, Ride 12|N/A|+1 level of existingspellcasting class

20th|Drow Judicator 10|
+18|
+12|
+5|
+8|intimidate 21, Survival 9, Ride 13|Scared Vengance|Judgment, Selvetarm's wrath 3/day[/table]

Final Spellcasting is as a hexbalde 4 and Paladin 7



Starting abilities
Str 14 Dex 10 Con 14 INt 11 Wis 13 Cha 16
lvl4-int, lvl8-wis lvl12-cha lvl16-cha
Final Scores
Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 INt 14 Wis 14 Cha 20

Final Skill Ranks
intimidate 21, Survival 9, Ride 13,spellcraft 5, Handle Animial 5, Sense motive 5, Know Religion 5, concentration 5, Bluff 5, Know arcana 5.


A beginning(lvl1-4)
Miles below the Gnollwatch Mountains of Dambrath sits the Drow city of T'lindhet, it is a Drow city like many others, governed by great houses and the matrons. Yaz'dril is just another unwanted son of a house who no longer has a name, but when it did they sent this son of the drow to the academies, melee and arcane and he performed... adequately.

Yaz'dril receives and education combat and arcana but his performance makes him a Hexblade, not greatly focused on combat or particular skilled with magic he makes due with the tools he has, debuffing others
with his dark companion so a better fighter or mage can finish them while counting on his mettle, arcane resistance and natural SR to see him through.


Loths House(5-8)

In the infighting normal among Loth's children houses rise and fall, and when a house falls it takes the lesser sons with it, unless they pledge their allegiance to the spider queen's clerical servants.

Yaz'dril shifts his allegiance from his house to the clerics of loth serving as a Paladin of Tyranny riding spiders, assisting clerics in hunting down good infiltrators and bringing all his debuffing capability to bear including his aura of despair so cleric and wizard allies spells will crush their enemies.

Judge(9-13)

The shifting political climate in a drow city is a delicate balance between the cleric matrons and the male mages. working with both groups Yaz'dril is given a sudden insight by a whispering voice as to the loyalties of a mage, and in a desperate struggle overcomes him, earning the title of Judicator.

The first half of the judicator levels Yaz'dril usually waits for the heretic to be assigned his patrol or contrives a reason to meet them alone and piles on the debuffs and attempts to alpha strike them down with all he can, power attack, war strike, divine might and Selvetarm's wrath. Hexbalde and pally spells let him try for and alpha strike and win, if not it should force them into retreat to be hunted later.

Jury and Executioner(14-18)

Loths Silence is hard on her clerics, but a Drow Judicator cares not about the silence, just about bringing justice to her enemies. Political dissidents form the surface or heretics propping up an undead loving goddess all will fall before him.

The spider servant with a phase spider, share spells, ride-by-attack makes his alpha strike tactic so much more effective. This is where he really shines a large debuff means your 2d6 con plus your spiders poison will drop most foes in the opening round, if not then he can phase away an try again tomorrow.


Build notes

While this build could Get into the SI earlier this presentation gets an ability at every level and makes use of all of the abilities, stacking them together to make alpha strikes stronger or yourself more resistant.

Storyline wise the build would be able to operate during Loth's silence and the turn attempts are good for dealing with undead since they dont take con dmg.

Options not used- if you need to deal with favored class exp then you can alternate hexblade and pally, if you use LA buyoff then another level of pally with the underdark knight alternate class feature gives you more options to approach your enemies or escape a bad situation.

Items-While the build needs no items, it benefits from stat boosters, especially Cha, a wounding, venomous two hander for a weapon helps in dropping them in the first round.

Sources

Underdark
Unearth Arcana
Comp Warrior
PHB

[Amphetryon]

He's creepy. Or crawly, take your pick.


Character Information

General Info

Race: Lesser Drow
Alignment: NE
Age: 40 Levels 1-5, 80 Levels 6-10, 120 Levels 11-15, 160 Levels 16-20
Height: 5 feet
Weight: 100 lbs
Eyes: Red
Hair: White
Languages: Undercommon, Common, Drow Silent
Abilty scores

Attributes;
Str13
Dex10
Con14
Int12
Wis17+5(levels)
Cha8
Level Breakdown

Dan De'Unere
{table=head]Level| Class |Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save |Ref Save | Will Save | Skills | Feats |
Class Features
1st| Druid1 |
+0 |
+4 |
+0 |
+5 | Concentration+6, Knowledge(religion) +3, Knowledge(nature)+5 , Intimidate+1, Spellcraft+5 |Combat Reflexes | Vermin Companion, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy
2nd| Druid2 |
+1 |
+5 |
+0|
+6 | Concentration+7 , Knowledge(religion)+3 Knowledge(nature)+6 ,Intimidate+1, Spellcraft+6 |-| Woodland Stride |
3rd | Druid3 |
+2 |
+5 |
+1 |
+6 | Concentration +8, Knowledge (religion)+3, Knowledge (nature)+7, Intimidate+2, Spellcraft+7 |Lolth's Meat | Trackless Step
4th| Druid4 |
+3 |
+6 |
+1 |
+8 | Concentration +9, Knowledge (religion) +4, Knowledge (nature) +8, Intimidate+2, Spellcraft+8 |-| Resist Natures Lure
5th| Druid5 |
+3 |
+6 |
+1 |
+8 | Concentration +10, Knowledge (religion) +4, Knowledge (nature) +9 ,Intimidate +3 , Spellcraft +9 | - |Vermin Shape (1/day)
6th | Druid6 |
+4 |
+7 |
+2 |
+9 | Concentration +11 , Knowledge (religion) +5, Knoledge (nature) +10 ,Intimidate +3 , Spellcraft +10 | Natural Spell |Vermin Shape (2/day)
7th| Druid7 |
+5 |
+7 |
+2 |
+9 | Concentration+12, Knowledge (religion) +5, Knowledge (nature) +11, Intimidate +3 , Spellcraf t+11, Ride+2 | - |Vermin Shape (3/day)
8th| Druid8 |
+6 |
+8 |
+2 |
+10 | Concentration +13, Knowledge (religion) +5, Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate+3, Spellcraft +12 , Ride +4 | - |Vermin Shape(Large)
9th| Drow Judicater1 |
+7 |
+10 |
+2 |
+10 | Concentration +13, Knowledge (religion) +6, Knowledge (nature) +12 , Intimidate +4, Spellcraft +12, Ride+5| Improved Initiative |War strike (1/day)
10th| Drow Judicater2 |
+8 |
+14 |
+5 |
+13 | Concentration +13 , Knowledge (religion) +7, Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +5, Spellcraft +12, Ride +6 | - | Command Spiders, Selvetarm's blessing
11th|Drow Judicater3 |
+9 |
+14 |
+6 |
+14 | Concentration +13, Knowledge (religion) +8, Knowledge (nature) +12 , Intimidate +6 , Spellcraft +12 , Ride +7| - | -
12th| Drow Judicater4 |
+10 |
+15 |
+6 |
+15 | Concentration +13 , Knowledge (religion) +9, Knowledge (nature) +12 , Intimidate +7 , Spellcraft +12 , Ride +8 | Natural Bond | Selvetarm's wrath (1/day)
13th| Drow Judicater5 |
+11 |
+15 |
+6 |
+15 | Concentration +13 , Knowledge (religion) +10 , Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +8, Spellcraft +12, Ride +9 |-| Spider servent
14th|Drow Judicater6 |
+12 |
+16 |
+7 |
+16 | Concentration +13 , Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12 , Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +12, Ride +10 |-|-
15th| Druid9 |
+12 |
+16 |
+8 |
+16 | Concentration +14, Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +13, Ride +11, Hide +2 | Quicken Spell | Venom Immunity
16th | Druid10 |
+13 |
+17 |
+8 |
+17 | Concentration+15, Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12 ,Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +14, Ride +12, Hide +4|-|Vermin Shape (4/day)
17th | Druid11 |
+14 |
+17 |
+8 |
+17 | Concentration+16, Knowledge (religion) +11 , Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +15 , Ride +13 |-| Vermin Shape (Tiny)

18th| Druid12 |
+15 |
+18 |
+9 |
+18 | Concentration +17, Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12 , Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +16, Ride +14, Hide +6 | Practiced Spellcaster |Vermin Shape (plant)
19th| Druid13 |
+15 |
+18 |
+9 |
+18 | Concentration +18, Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +17, Ride +15, Hide +8 |-| A thousand faces
20th| Druid14 |
+16 |
+19 |
+9|
+20 | Concentration +19, Knowledge (religion) +11, Knowledge (nature) +12, Intimidate +9, Spellcraft +18, Ride +16, Hide +10|-| Vermin Shape (5/day) [/table]
Spells Per Day

Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th
1st|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2nd|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3rd|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4th|5|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
5th|5|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-
6th|5|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-
7th|6|5|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-
8th|6|5|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-
9th|6|5|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-
10th|6|5|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-
11th|6|6|5|4|4|2|-|-|-|-
12th|6|6|5|4|4|2|-|-|-|-
13th|6|6|5|4|4|2|-|-|-|-
14th|6|6|5|4|4|3|-|-|-|-
15th|6|7|5|5|4|3|1|-|-|-
16th|6|7|5|5|5|4|2|-|-|-
17th|6|7|6|5|5|4|2|1|-|-
18th|6|7|7|5|5|4|3|2|-|-
19th|6|7|7|6|5|5|3|2|1|-
20th|6|7|7|6|6|5|4|3|2|-[/table]
Background and Snapshots
Level1-5

Dan's given name is Dan Moonsilver, he was born to a clan of drow that lived deep in the Twilight Forest. They were at one with nature, most were rangers and druids, with a few Illusionists and Sorcerers. Dan began training as a druid at the ripe age of twenty, and he progressed along with others off his age group. At first there was nothing strange about him, apart from being wise beyond his years, but when his friends and classmates began to form bonds and friendships with animals of the forest he began to delve deeper and deeper into the caves through which his clan had ascended from the underdark. He would disapear for weeks at a time, returning thin and frail, then one day he returned with a spider the size of a man at his side, Frewwen he called it. His elders worried he may be turning to the dark heritage of thier race, so they called a summit. They came together and they told Dan of thier past, of thier years spent living deep underground, fighting with themselves and other houses. They told him of thier old house name De'Unere, and of the shcism that seperated them, sending the good to the surface and leaving the evil to die in the city of thier cursing spider queen. Then lastly they told him of the Spider Queen, a terible being enwraped in evil and chaos. From that moment dan knew that Lolth was the only god he could ever worship, he kept it hidden, but deep down lurked evil. Years later His training was coming to an end, and he was faced with his final test, Wild Shaping, assuming the qualities of an animal. When his turn came he transformed not into a animal, but into a monstrous spider, an unworded rebellion, he left without being asked and descended into the underdark.
At Level 5 Dan plays like most other Druids,he uses a reach weapon and shared buffs to stay alive and defeat enemies, he can Vermin Shape into a medium monsterous spider to be identical to his Vermin Companian, causing confusion. This is a weak point for the build because he does not have Natural Spell yet, meaning he cannot cast while Shaped.
Level6-10

Dan adventures through the underdark, finding exiting new vermin and plants, he still yearns to find a drow city and his Spider Queen. Eventually after years of searching and surviving he finds Freegrothugengfew, the city of his ancesters. He enters the city through one of the tunnels, a gaurd stops him and asks his name"my name is Dan De'Unere." The gaurd respectfully steps to the side and lets him in. The De'Unere house was falling on hard times, and after initiating Dan through a ritual, they allowed him to become a Judicater. He had found his place, he was the only male noble left in house De'Unere, and he soon learned this was a good thing
At level 10 Dan is starting to aquire an army spiders from the Command Spiders ability, he also has fourth level spells and a fairly powerful Vermin Companian, He has Natural Spell and can stay in Spider Form for the entire day.
Level11-15

Shortly after Dan arrives in Freegrothugengfew the Matron Mother of house De'Unere dies, leaving Rsix, Dans diistant cousin to replace her after the rest of her daughters mysteriously die in the iddle of the night. Rsix takes Dan as her mate, making him the Patron of the house. She also starts a campain of ascension, killing off the houses directly above house De'Unere with small, tactiical strikes. Dan's role is to fly into the compound and slaughter the nobles with his two spider companians, he also directs his spider army(Command Spiders) to attack the foot soldiers, who surrender as soon as the nobles are killed. House De'Unere grows with each victoryaquiring new soldiers and magic Items.
At Level 15 Dan can buff himself and both of his very powerful Vermin with Anti-Life Shell or Bite of the Were____. He can also cast Death Ward and Owl's Insight, other goodies include Quill Blast, Quickened Daylight and Baleful Polymorph. His main boon is buffing himself and sharing to his Spider Servent and Vermin Companian, he also has the advantage that most drow are reluctent to attack a spider.
Level16-20

house De'Unere is now one of the most prominent houses in Freegrothugengfew, Both Dan and Rsix are now high level divine casters. The house has reached a comfortable powerpoint, and now they look behind, trying to defend themselves from other power seekers. Dan runs solo operations, stealthing into complexes in the middle of the night to kill of nobles and commanders. He also begins to grow board and wonders further and further into the underdark
At this level Dan has CL20, he can cast an 8th level spell and share it to his very powerful spiders, The three of them can then kill the Big T or anything else that cares to challenge them to a fight(try Stormrage, Three of these guys flying around will make an epic dragon piss himself)
Magic Items;

This build doesn't rely on any magic Items and can function just fine without any, however the following will help
Wisdom/Initiative Boosting Items
Magic Barding for Spiders
Magic Armor/Weapons (perfurably Wild Magic Armor)
Tome of Wisdom
Anything that functions in Wild Shape
General Magic Items
Sources

ACF
Vermin Shape DotU page 58
Vermin Companian (http://www.wizards.com/default.aspx=dnd/re/20040705a)
Feats
PHB-Combat Reflexes, Quicken Spell, Natural Spell, Improved Initiative
Underdark-Lolth's Meat
Complete Adventurer-Natural Bond
Complete Arcane-Practised Spellcaster
Race
Player's Guide to Fearun-Lesser Drow

[Amphetryon]

His piety hangs by a spider's thread.

Daresh Mlezniir, Selvetarm’s Sentinel

The Story...
Never give or receive quarter, and hope to die amid the bloodlust of battle against overwhelming odds.

It is unknown when Daresh was born. The deepest vaults in Ssamath, the City of Spells, hold texts over four thousand years old that mention his name.

The powerful servitor of the Spider That Waits was supposedly born in the now derelict city of Tlendinhiir, once located in the Upper Earthroot. In life, he had been a mere fighter who was called to Selvetarm’s service soon after his creation. After Selvetarm’s corruption by Lolth, however, he undertook a ritual to transform himself in undeath, and swore never to rest so long as his god was bound in Lolth’s service.

He began a crusade against Her clergy in his city, and the infighting eventually depleted the city of enough fighting forces so that one of their rival cities swooped down on their moment of weakness and wiped it out. At the end of the slaughter, barely one hundred of Daresh’s forces stood standing, and none of Lolth’s clergy had survived.

He sent out his warriors to seek out every corner of the Underdark, to set free the word of his glorious crusade, as he ventured lower and lower into the maze of caverns near his former home, seeking a site for a base of operations.

The next reference to Selvetarm’s Sentinel was nearly two millennia later, when a massive force of warriors emerged from the bowels of the Lowerdark and completely overwhelmed a minor city near Brundag, leading the leaders of Undrek’thoz to believe that he was based somewhere beneath the Yuirwood, ancestral birthsite of Selvetarm.

Although Undrek’Thoz searched for his forces for nearly a decade, no sign was ever found, and they eventually gave up pursuit.

It is only now, with Lolth being silent once again, and with Selvetarm showing no signs of stopping him from attacking the forces of his hated mistress, that he was begun to show himself once more, wiping out drow enclaves in the Earthroot, slowing taking on larger and larger cities.

Only time, and the length of Lolth’s silence, will tell how long the Servitor will continue to attack Lolth’s forces.

-Q’arlynd Melarn of Ssamath, 7 Hammer, Year of Rogue Dragons (DR 1373)


The Build...
War is the ultimate expression of individual power, and only through battle and death can you realize the respect of your comrades.

Daresh Mlezniir
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st| Fighter 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Balance 2, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (Religion) 2, Ride 4|Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Heavy Mace)|Bonus Feat

2nd|Fighter 2|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Balance 2.5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge (Religion) 2.5, Ride 5|Combat Focus|Bonus Feat

3rd|Fighter 3|
+3|
+3*|
+1|
+1|Balance 3, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (Religion) 3, Ride 6|True Believer|

4th|Fighter 4|
+4|
+4*|
+1|
+1|Balance 3.5, Intimidate 7, Knowledge (Religion) 3.5, Ride 7|Combat Stability|Bonus Feat

5th|Fighter 5|
+5|
+4*|
+1|
+1|Balance 4, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Ride 8||

6th|Fighter 6|
+6|
+5*|
+2|
+2|Balance 4.5, Intimidate 9, Ride 9|Combat Reflexes, Lolth’s Meat|Bonus Feat

7th|Pious Templar 1|
+7|
+7*|
+2|
+4|Balance 5, Knowledge (Religion) 7||Mettle

8th|Drow Judicator 1|
+8|
+9*|
+2|
+4|Intimidate 10, Knowledge (Religion) 8, Ride 11||War Strike 1/day

9th|Drow Judicator 2|
+9|
+10*|
+2|
+4|Intimidate 12, Knowledge (Religion) 9, Ride 12|Combat Vigour|Command Spiders, Selvetarm’s Blessing

10th|Drow Judicator 3|
+10|
+10*|
+3|
+5|Intimidate 13, Knowledge (Religion) 11, Ride 13||

11th|Drow Judicator 4|
+11|
+11*|
+3|
+5|Intimidate 14, Knowledge (Religion) 13, Ride 14||Selvetarm’s wrath 1/day

12th|Drow Judicator 5|
+12|
+11*|
+3|
+5|Intimidate 15, Knowledge (Religion) 15, Ride 15| Imperious Command |Spider servant

13th|Drow Judicator 6|
+13|
+12*|
+4|
+6|Intimidate 16, Knowledge (Religion) 16, Never Outnumbered (skill trick)||

14th|Drow Judicator 7|
+14|
+12*|
+4|
+6|Intimidate 17, Knowledge (Religion) 17, Ride 17||Selvetarm’s wrath 2/day

15th|Drow Judicator 8|
+15|
+13*|
+4|
+6|Intimidate 18, Knowledge (Religion) 18, Dismount Attack (skill trick)|Improved Toughness|Spider’s grace

16th|Drow Judicator 9|
+16|
+13*|
+5|
+7|Intimidate 19, Knowledge (Religion) 19, Ride 19||

17th|Drow Judicator 10|
+17|
+14*|
+5|
+7|Intimidate 20, Knowledge (Religion) 20, Ride 20||Judgement, Selvetarm’s wrath 3/day

18th|Pious Templar 2|
+18|
+15*|
+5|
+8|Intimidate 20.5, Knowledge (Religion) 21, Ride 21|Blindfight|Smite 1/day

19th|Pious Templar 3|
+19|
+15*|
+6|
+8|Intimidate 21.5, Knowledge (Religion) 22, Ride 21.5|Weapon Specialisation (Heavy Mace)|DR 1/-

20th|Pious Templar 4|
+20|
+16*|
+6|
+9|Intimidate 22, Knowledge (Religion) 23, Ride 22|Combat Awareness|Bonus Fighter Feat [/table]
*Note: He wants to undergo the Ritual of Crucimigration at the earliest opportunity; once undead, only certain Fortitude saves will apply.


The Spellcasting...
Magic is merely another weapon in the hands of the warrior.

Spells per day
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th

1st|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-

5th|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-

7th|1|-|-|-

8th|1|-|-|-

9th|1|-|-|-

10th|2|-|-|-

11th|2|-|-|-

12th|2|-|-|-

13th|2|1|-|-

14th|2|1|-|-

15th|2|1|-|-

16th|2|2|-|-

17th|2|2|-|-

18th|2|2|1|-

19th|2|2|2|-

20th|3|2|2|0[/table]

Spells are chosen from the Blackguard spell list, not the Cleric.

*Note: without access to Wisdom boosting equipment, Daresh will never use his 4th level spell access, as his base Wisdom is insufficient to give him a bonus spell of 4th level.


The Explanation...
Hone your fighting skills constantly and teach those who will follow into the fray.

General Information
Daresh Mlezziir, NE male Necropolitan Lesser Drow
Fighter 6/Pious Templar 4/Drow Judicator 10

Ability scores:
Strength 16, Dexterity 14, Constitution 6, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 15, Charisma 12, final scores of Strength 18, Dexterity 14, Constitution -, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 16, Charisma 14

On the path
Early levels

Daresh is extremely fragile. It’s recommended to not play him before he undergoes the Ritual of Crucimigration, as he’s prone to die to the most delicate of hits. If he needs to be played pre-ritual, take advantage of your fighter levels and load up in the heaviest armor that you can afford, and carry a tower shield. Swallow the -2 on your to hit roll – you’re just trying to survive for a couple of levels.

Mid levels

Here’s where he really starts coming into his own. With Combat Focus activated, his saves of +13/+7/+10 (with Selvetarm’s Blessing and ability bonuses at 9th) are misleading. His Will save is actually +14 (due to Combat Focus)(or +16 versus spells), and his Undead type combined with Mettle insure that many of the spells don’t affect him anyways. His once/day save bonus (from True Believer) is usually used on an important Reflex save. By now, he should be 2-handing his Heavy Mace and ‘wielding’ an Animated heavy shield for full Power Attack Synergy.

In my opinion, Daresh has reached his peak here at 9th level. He’s got most of his iconic abilities running, and with Combat Focus running for 13 rounds, he’s got a nice +8 bonus on checks or rolls to resist bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, and trip attempts, as well as fast healing 4 and a +4 to Will saves, making Will, ironically enough, his strongest save. He’s got his powerful 1/day War Strike as well as the start of his Pious Templar spell, which include inflict spells to heal himself. Blade of Blood is a fun spell to prepare, as even getting the full effect (and dealing 5 damage to yourself) is nearly completely negated by his fast healing in the same round.

Late levels

Starting at 12/13th level, you begin to actually use Daresh’s Intimidate skill. While at first you’ll likely have to rely on a item to bump your charisma up to 15 for Imperious Command, by the higher levels it’s easy enough to nab a single Inherent bonus to bring it up to 15 permanently.

Daresh gets his spider companion and his pseudo-smite effect here, as well as the powerful Judgement ability (DC21). He’s a bit tougher with Improved Toughness, while his perfect BAB continues to pay off. He’s chosen a phase spider companion to help him in flanking an in general mobility.

15th level you grab Dismount attack. If your DM allows you to treat a phase spider as a nightmare (see Adaptations), this gets even nicer, as you can charge in on the Ethereal plane and dismount in the Material.


End game

As a capstone of sorts, you get the wonderful Combat Awareness (with at least 2 other [Combat Form] feats), letting you know adjacent enemies’ exact hit points, but also letting you know exactly where they are with your 5ft blindsight. Weapon Specialisation is nothing special at this level, but hey – free damage is free damage, right? An additional (true) smite per day, with a flat +4 to hit/damage and DR 1/- (again, free is free) rounds out the build.


Adaptations

A) See if your DM will allow you to undergo your Ritual near a desecrated altar – an extra 2hp/HD are nothing to look down upon. If so, then it either frees up a feat (Improved Toughness) or gives you an extra 40hp at 20th level.

B) If your DM allows the phase spider’s ethereal jaunt ability to be used as the nightmare’s, then it’s an even more potent choice.

C) As for equipment, nab the Fearsome armor enhancement (+5000gp) from Drow of the Underdark for an easy a boost to your Intimidate skill.


Use of the Secret Ingredient

War Strike: Provided you can get close enough to an enemy caster (maybe riding your phase spider, please see Adaptations), this could prove fatal. Even on a successful save, you’re still going to be reducing their constitution by 1d6.

Command Spiders: In his quest to free his master from Lolth’s grip, he’s bound to come upon servitors of the Spider Queen, so any advantage is one that he’ll take. Particularly potent against Verminkeepers and Arachnomancers (Und).

Selvetarm’s Blessing: Can I get a ‘Hells yes’ to a +3 profane bonus to all saves? Note that this stacks with items that grant a resistance bonus. Since he has a lower Charisma score, this is actually superior for him compared to a Paladin of Tyranny/Slaughter or a Blackguard’s equivalent ability.

Selvetarm’s Wrath: Once more, free damage is never turned away, even though it’s extremely limited time per day.

Spider Servant: As above, as well as mobility – it’s got a climb speed, and in the Underdark, it’s an extremely valuable movement mode. Also makes for good scouting, as well as intelligent conversation for an otherwise solitary character (it’s intelligence is only one point below his).

Spider’s Grace: Useful to set up a flanking position with his spider companion – with it active, they can both creep along a wall or a ceiling, or even engage in combat there.

Judgement: An extremely useful way to thin out the battlefield of low-Fort save enemies (arcane casters, for example). At a usable DC (21) and excellent range, this is golden for him. Especially once you note that he sets the parameters of the judgment each time he uses it.



The Build Sources...
It is only through the glory of battle that one overcomes the weak limitations of the flesh.

Player’s Handbook
Player’s Handbook 2
Player’s Guide to Faerun
Underdark
Drow of the Underdark
Complete Scoundrel
Monster Manual
Complete Divine
Libris Mortis
Complete Warrior

[Amphetryon]

He's followed by the Day of Bright Amnesia.


Knight of Dark Memory

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081112173960/forgottenrealms/images/6/6b/Crinti.jpg

Dambrath (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Dambrath)
Most blessed of the Surface Nations.
Long ago the revered Drow came to us.
They taught us of pain and dark wisdom.
They made us.

Both Drow and Man.
To rule the surface.
Until they return.
And teach us anew.


The Shaman becomes Meat (ECL 6)

Dark Memory is of Dambarth, a country with a strong tradition of barbarians and shamans. Until the Drow came. They conquered Dambarth, and they made concubines out of the most pleasing of its people. In time there were children, half human, half drow.
They are called the Crinti.

The Drow grew tired of their new conquest and retreated back to their cities below, away from the painful sun. They left their children, the Crinti to rule in their place, so they wouldn't have to.

Dark Memory is Crinti, though a male still in the upper class of Dambarth. He takes the old ways of the totemists, and uses them to serve his mistress.

At this point Dark Memory is a pretty standard totemist. He starts out preferring the Landshark boots for full attacks, and at sixth level combines this with Thunderstep Boots to deal bonus damage on each attack, and to stun anybody he hits.

Blink shirt gives him some extra mobility, and Sphinx Claws and Phase Cloak will be quite useful in the future.


The Meat becomes Knight (ECL 13)

Dark Memory has become a Knight of Selvetarm and aids the Shadow Marauders (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Crinti_Shadow_Marauder) in spreading the glory of Dambarth and its deep mistresses.

He has picked up a small amount of arcane training but this is almost entirely used on True Striking and gaining extra bursts of speed when necessary. Instead of using Landshark boots, he now prefers the claws of the Girallion, using Sphinx claws to still full attack.

Judicator brings him new attack options, and better resistances, as well as the ability to command any spider swarms he encounters to better disrupt his enemies.

His favorite thing about being a Judicator though, is the mount. Dark Memory rides an intelligent fiendish sword spider. And with his totemist training, he has taught the spider a few tricks. By corrupting the spirits of dead Shedu, his spider is telepathic. And Telepathy brings mindsight.
His mount tells Dark Memory the location of any intelligent mind within 100 feet.

For his part Dark Memory shares with his mount "Bits" his own personal soulmelds and spells. This gives Bits four additional claw attacks, pounce, extra damage on a charge, and each time somebody gets damaged by one of Bits's charge attacks, they have to make a fortitude save or be stunned. With his unique impalement ability Bits can damage people ten times on a charge, on top of Dark Memories four claw attacks.

Dark Memory also shares his spells with Bits. When Dark Memory casts true strike, both he and Bits benefit. His usual preference is to True Strike then charge, him opening up with a combination War Strike / Wrath attack, and Bits opening up with a Smite Evil Impalement. Although Impalement deals damage with five or more weapons, it is still a single attack roll.


The Knight becomes Judicator(ECL 20)

Dark Memory has finally finished off Judicator, and expanded upon its abilities. Binding Phase Cloak to his shoulders lets him and Bits pass through walls and floors, finally becoming a sort of charging mole build. Not being easily to target lets Dark Memory take his time setting up True Strike charges. Dimension Hop gives him extra mobility over Blink Shirt for when he wants to teleport but doesn't want to end his turn.

Spider's Grace gives him another attack to his routine, and since it is a spell like ability, he might just be able to share it with his mount as well. Bits is stronger then before, with Rapidstrike letting him use Impalement twice per round getting him:
10 + Impalement damages, 4 Claws, and two bites per charge.
A potion of enlarge person effects both Dark Memory and Bits, and increases the amount of damage rolls per each of Bit's impalement attacks.

Ride by Attack and Spirited Charge increases Dark Memory's damage, nothing is stopping him from switching over to a traditional lance either.

Ride by attack also increases mobility, letting Dark Memory and Bits pop out of a wall, charge somebody and stun them, and then go into the next wall. Bits knows where all intelligent creatures are within 100 feet, making finding targets easy.

Additional power can be gained with magical items, whether its enhancing Bits's natural attacks, using rods of quicken spell, potions of enlarge person, or gear to increase speed or give flight.



The Knight's Record

Crinti (Half Drow)
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Totemist 1|
+0|
+2|
+2|
+0|K. Religion 2, Intimidate 2, Ride 4|Loth's Meat|Girallon Arms, Sphinx Claws, 1 Essentia

2nd|Totemist 2|
+1|
+3|
+3|
+0|K. Religion 2.5, Intimidate 2.5, Ride 5||Totem Chakra, Phase Cloak, 2 Essentia, 1 Bind

3rd|Totemist 3|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+1|K. Religion 3, Intimidate 3, Ride 6|Combat Reflexes|Totem's Protection

4th|Totemist 4|
+3|
+4|
+4|
+1|K. Religion 3.5, Intimidate 3.5, Ride 7||Blink Shirt, 3 Essentia

5th|Totemist 5|
+3|
+4|
+4|
+1|K. Religion 4, Intimidate 4, Ride 8||Chakra (Crown, Feet, Hands)

6th|Totemist 6|
+4|
+5|
+5|
+2|K. History 1, K. Geography 1, Ride 9|Shape Soulmeld: Thunderstep Boots|2 Bind

7th|Duskblade 1|
+5|
+7|
+5|
+4|K. Nobility 1, K. Nature 1, Ride 10||Arcane Attument, Armored Mage (Light)

8th|Drow Judicator 1|
+6|
+9|
+5|
+4|K. Arcana 1, K. Religion 5, Ride 11||War Strike 1/Day

9th|Drow Judicator 2|
+7|
+10|
+5|
+4|K. Arcana 2, K. Religion 6, Ride 12|Open Least Chakra: Feet|Command Spiders, Blessing

10th|Drow Judicator 3|
+8|
+10|
+6|
+5|K. Arcana 3, K. Religion 7, Ride 13||

11th|Drow Judicator 4|
+9|
+11|
+6|
+5|K. Arcana 4, K. Religion 8, Ride 14||Selvetarm's Wrath 1/day

12th|Drow Judicator 5|
+10|
+11|
+6|
+5|K. Arcana 5, K. Religion 9, Ride 15|Share Soulmeld|Fiendish Sword Spider Servant

13th|Drow Judicator 6|
+11|
+12|
+7|
+6|K. Arcana 6, K. Religion 10, Ride 16||

14th|Drow Judicator 7|
+12|
+12|
+7|
+6|K. Arcana 7, K. Religion 11, Ride 17||Selvetarm's Wrath 2/day

15th|Drow Judicator 8|
+13|
+13|
+7|
+6|K. Arcana 8, K. Religion 12, Ride 18|Open Lesser Chakra: Shoulders|Spider's Grace

16th|Drow Judicator 9|
+14|
+13|
+8|
+7|K. Arcana 9, K. Religion 12, Ride 19||

17th|Drow Judicator 10|
+15|
+14|
+8|
+7|K. Arcana 10, K. Religion 13, Ride 20||Judgement, Selvetarm's Wrath 3/Day

18th|Duskblade 2|
+16|
+15|
+8|
+8|K. Nobility 3, Ride 21|Mounted Combat, Combat Casting|

19th|Fighter 1|
+17|
+17|
+8|
+8|K. Nobility 4, Ride 22|Ride By Attack|

20th|Fighter 2|
+18|
+18|
+8|
+8|K. Nobility 5, Ride 23|Spirited Charge|[/table]

Spells and Soulmelds

Duskblade Spells Known:
1. True Strike, Swift Expeditious Retreat, Jump
2. Swift Invisibility, Dimension Hop

Soulmelds:
Girallion Arms (Totem)
Sphinx Claws (Hands)
Phase Cloak (Shoulders)
Blink Shirt


Thunderstep Boots (Feet)



Fiendish Sword Spider

Bits
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Magical Beast 1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|Jump 4|Shape Soulmeld: Shedu Crown|Impalement, Poison, +5 Racial Spot, +8 Racial Climb, Smite Good 1/Day, Darkvision 60 Feet, Resist Cold/Fire 5

2nd|Magical Beast 2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|Jump 5||

3rd|Magical Beast 3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|Jump 6|Multiattack|

4th|Magical Beast 4|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|Jump 7||DR 5 Magic (Magic Natural Attacks)

5th|Magical Beast 5|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|Jump 8||

6th|Magical Beast 6|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+3|Jump 9|Open Least Chakra: Crown| Int 5

7th|Magical Beast 7
+7|
+5|
+5|
+3|Jump 10||

8th|Magical Beast 8|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+3|+3|Jump 10|Resist Cold/Fire 10, Int 7

9th|Magical Beast 9|
+9|
+6|
+6|
+4|Jump 12|Mindsight|

10th|Magical Beast 10|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+4|Jump 13|| Int 9

11th|Magical Beast 11|
+11|
+7|
+7|
+4|Jump 14||

12th|Magical Beast 12|
+12|
+8|
+8|
+5|Jump 15|Rapidstrike(Impalement)|DR 10 Magic

13th|Magical Beast 13|
+13|
+8|
+8|
+5|Jump 16||
[/table]


Sources and Half-Drow

Half-Drow Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting P. 16
Among other things Half-Drow count as Drow. Now they might not be accepted in normal Drow society, but the country of Dambarth is not normal Drow society, and is ruled by Half-Drow who call themselves Crinti.
Their main gods are Lolth and Loviatar, but I wouldn't see Selvetarm being out of place there.

Totemist: Magic of Incarnum
Soulmelds: Magic of Incarnum
Open x Chakra, Bind Soulmeld, Share Soulmeld: Magic of Incarnum

Duskblade: Player's Handbook II
Mindsight: Lords of Madness P. 126
Rapidstrike: Draconomicon P. 73

[Amphetryon]

Your average puppy-boiling variety Paladin. Wait.

starting stats 32 point buy str 16, dex 12, con 8, int 11, wis 12, cha 19, end stats
Str 18
Dex 12
Con 8
Int 12
Wis 12
cha 21

One of the drow mercinare, Jarlax, most successful and talented members is Sorin. Sorin is well known for being one of Jarlax's murder squad members and for good reason to. Even in melee marta he was different, as all the other students learned much quicker than he did, he learned how to kill his own like no other. He instead practiced to exploit the weaknesses of the drow race that way he could win honor for his house. Though not as talanted as the legendary Drizzit du Uden he was very special in his own right. It was not until they went to learn with the clerics though that his powers really came to be. After the ritual process was complete he felt energized and heard his god speaking to him. He felt the divine energy running through him now, and soon learned that he could even cast spells. It was not long though before his house was eliminated. Like is the custom in Drow society to destroy those who have what you want, in this case it was rank. But the attacking house had failed to kill him and thus they were all executed. Since then he has been with jarlax and his band killing anything jarlax sends him to. Some say it was his magic that made him so powerful, but Sorin knew the truth, it was the one person he could always trust his spider.

Now for this build I would focus on almost completly defensive items due to the low ac you will have, mithral full palte, and a mithral animated heavy steel shield to start off,as well as drowcraft. Besides that I would get things that increase either your cha or wis because both hold an important part in this build. For your two weapons I personal would chose a short sword and a rapier that way it will be easy to score critical hits with them, and a lance on the side for when he is mounted.


Sorin
{table=head]level|class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Paladin of tryany 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Ride 1, Knowledge religion 1, Intimidate 1, Listen 1|Loath's meat|Aura of evil, Detect good, Smite good 1/day

2nd|Ranger 1|
+2|
+4|
+2|
+0|Ride 2, Knowledge 2, Intimidate 2, Hide 1, Move silently 1, Listen 2|New Feats|Favored enemy (arcanist), Track, wild empathy

3rd|Paladin of tryanny 2|
+3|
+5|
+2|
+0|Knowledge 4|Elf hunter (drow)|Divine grace, deadly touch

4th|Paladin of tryanny 3|
+4|
+5|
+3|
+1|Intimidate 4|New Feats|Aura of despair, Divine health, +1 cha

5th|Paladin of tryanny 4|
+5|
+6|
+3|
+1|Intimidate 5, listen 3|New Feats|rebuke undead

6th|Ranger 2|
+6|
+7|
+4|
+1|Ride 3, Intimidate 6, move silently 2, hide 2, listen 4|Combat reflexs|Combat style ( two weapon focus)

7th|Drow judicator 1|
+7|
+9|
+4|
+1|Intimidate 7, ride 4|New Feats|War strike 1/day

8th|Paladin of tryanny 5|
+8|
+9|
+4|
+1|Intimidate 8, Listen 5, Move silently 3|New Feats|Smite 2/day, Animal companion (spider), +1 Int

9th|Ranger 3|
+9|
+9|
+4|
+2|Ride 5, Intimidate 10, Listen 6, knowledge 5, Hide 3|Devoted tracker|Endurance

10th|Drow judicator 2|
+10|
+10|
+4|
+2|Intimidate 13, Ride 8|New Feats|Command spiders, Selvetarm's blessing

11th|Ranger 4|
+11|
+11|
+5|
+2|Ride 9, Intimidate 14, Move silently 5, Hide 5, Listen 7|New Feats|Animal companion ( same as special mount)

12th|Rogue 1|
+11|
+11|
+7|
+2|Ride 10, Intimidate 15, Hide 7, Move silently 7, Listen 8|Mounted combat|Sneak attack +1d6, Trap finding, +1str

13th|Drow judicator 3|
+12|
+11|
+8|
+3|Hide 8, Ride 11, Move silently 8|New Feats|+1 paladin spellcasting

14th|Drow judicator|
+13|
+12|
+8|
+3|Hide 9, Intimidate 16, Move silently 9|New Feats|Selvetarm's wrath 1/day

15th|Drow judicator 5|
+14|
+12|
+8|
+3|Move silently 10, Intimidate 17, hide 10|Ride by attack|Spider servant(stack with animal companion and special mount)

16th|Drow judicator 6|
+15|
+13|
+9|
+4|Listen10, Intimidate 19|New Feats|+1 paladin spellcasting, +1 str

17th|Drow judicator 7|
+16|
+13|
+9|
+4|hide 11, intimidate 20, move silently 11|New Feats|Selvetarm's wrath 2/day

18th|Drow judicator|
+17|
+14|
+9|
+4|hide 12, Listen 11, move silently 12|Sprinted charge|spider's grace

19th|Drow judicator|
+18|
+14|
+10|
+5|move silently 13, Listen 13|New Feats|+1 paladin spellcasting

20th|Drow judicator 10|
+19|
+15|
+10|
+5|move silently 14, hide 14|New Feats|Judgement, Selvetarm's wrath 3/day, +1 cha[/table]

Spells per day

1st|0 Ranger|1 paladin|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|0 paladin|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

[Amphetryon]

And he works as a photographer.

Abilities after racial bonuses from Lesser Drow
Str 12 Dex 20 (increases go here) Con 12 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8
Anansi
Build

{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|New Class Abilities

1st|Ranger 1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|Hide 4, Intimidate 2, Move Silently 4, Know (dungeoneering) 4, Know (religion) 2, Survival 4 |Combat Reflexes|Track, Favored Enemy (Aberrations), Wild Empathy

2nd|Ranger 2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|Intimidate 1 (2.5), Know (religion) 1 (2.5), Move Silently 1 (5), Survival 1 (5), | |Combat Style (Two-Weapon Fighting)

3rd|Ranger 3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|Hide 1 (5), Intimidate 1 (3), Know (religion) 1 (3), Survival 1 (6)|Lolth's Meat|Endurance

4th|Ranger 4|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|Hide 1 (6), Intimidate 1 (3.5), Know (religion) 1 (3.5), Survival 1(7)| |Urban Companion (Hairy Spider)

5th|Swashbuckler 1|
+5|
+6|
+4|
+1|Intimidate 1 (4), Know (religion) 1 (4) Move Silently 1 (6), Survival 1 (8)| |Weapon Finesse

6th|Drow Judicator 1|
+6|
+8|
+4|
+1|Ride 2 |Improved Two-weapon Fighting|War Strike 1/day

7th|Drow Judicator 2|
+7|
+9|
+4|
+1|Ride 2 (4)| |Command spiders, Selvertarm's blessing

8th|Drow Judicator 3|
+8|
+9|
+5|
+2|Ride 2 (6)| |

9th|Drow Judicator 4|
+9|
+10|
+5|
+2|Ride 2 (8)| Deft Opportunist|Selvetarm's wrath 1/day

10th|Drow Judicator 5|
+10|
+10|
+5|
+2|Ride 2 (10)| |Spider Servant

11th|Drow Judicator 6|
+11|
+11|
+6|
+3|Ride 2 (12)| |

12th|Drow Judicator 7|
+12|
+11|
+6|
+3|Gather info 1 |Robilar's Gambit|Selvetarm's wrath 2/day

13th|Drow Judicator 8|
+13|
+12|
+6|
+3|Gather info 1 (2)| |Spider's grace

14th|Drow Judicator 9|
+14|
+12|
+7|
+4|Gather info 1 (3)| |

15th|Drow Judicator 10|
+15|
+13|
+7|
+4|Gather info 1 (4)| Greater Two-weapon Fighting|Judgement, Selvetarm's wrath 3/day

16th|Cavestalker 1|
+16|
+15|
+9|
+4|Balance 2, Climb 2| |Advanced spelunker

17th|Cavestalker 2|
+17|
+16|
+10|
+4|Balance 3 (5), Climb 1 (3)| |Underdark affinity, hide of stone +1

18th|Cavestalker 3|
+18|
+16|
+10|
+5|Jump 4| Double Hit|Lesser cavesense

19th|Cavestalker 4|
+19|
+17|
+11|
+5|Hide 3 (9), Jump 1 (5)| |Exotic combat style (EWP Spiked chain, wield spiked chain 1 handed)

20th|Bloodhound 1|
+20|
+19|
+13|
+5|Hide 6 (15)| |Mark (1), Swift Tracker[/table]


Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Does Whatever a Spider Can

Level 5
What exactly is it that this build does, you may ask? Catching thieves just like flies may be something of a difficult task for the everyday melee fighter due to reach being an issue, judicator helps mitigate this somewhat. The phase spider companion that it grants allows a great deal of mobility that is otherwise difficult with a character that otherwise lacks spells. While the spider's grace ability does eventually come online, the phase spider will help pick up the slack until then.

Dex is the most important ability. Lesser drow helps by boosting it, though the hit to con hurts. Between all of your classes giving a good fort save and Selvetarm's blessing, fort saves shouldn't be much of a problem, hence weapon finesse being used to take dependence away from str and also to provide qualification later down the line for the TWF chain (pun intended as you'll see later)

Due to not being able to take a lot of levels of ranger, your animal companion effective druid level is not very high, so the urban companion using the hairy spider as a familiar will provide better utility for spy and recon work. Due to his Fine size and unassuming nature, it's very unlikely he will draw attention to himself.

lvl 10
By now, your phase spider is helping you sneak around in the shadows. By the virtue of command spiders and your hold in the underdark, you can likely find a harpoon spider by the time you finish your judicator levels, since that's the best 5HD vermin you're likely to get. your BA is quite respectable, so you're counting the seconds until robilar's gambit comes online and you can enjoy swinging away at opponents with all the AoOs you'll be able to enjoy with deft opportunist making it a little easier.

lvl 15
Robilar's gambit and greater two weapon fighting are taking turns ruining your enemies' lives. if someone provokes an AoO from you, they will die. Spider's grace allows a quick getaway if things go awry. Otherwise, combat is much the same as earlier

lvl 20
This is what it's all about. This is the exotic spice I've been keeping in
my wall safe until the eve of the contest. the really fun part comes from the exotic combat style. it not only allows EWP with a spiked chain, but lets you wield it 1-handed. That's right. it lets you two weapon fight with a pair of spiked chains. you threaten out to 20 feet and are able to demolish anyone in that range. double hit, robilar's gambit, and deft opportunist all conspire to make you deadly accurate with this combination, and bloodhound lets you track down anyone who's foolish enough to think they can escape you and your network of spiders.

sourcesPHB, underdark, complete warrior, cityscape web enhancement, http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a, PHB2, Drow of the underdark, miniatures handbook, complete adventurer

backstory

Anansi, Anansi,
Sees whatever a spider can see
In the caves, everywhere
If you're drow, you don't care

Illithids he doesn't fear
He hunts them all, far and near
Walls and floors are his domain
Turn away or you're not sane
Hey there! I think it's Anansi

[Amphetryon]

That's the last of them. On your mark, get set, JUDGE!

[Aeryr]

Yay! Some really interesting builds!

Some variations of drow and even of half drow.

A lot of love for druids though.

Good luck to every contestant and be proud it was a though SI.

My second build that ended not working was a warblade - pious templar of lolth - lasher - drow judicator

Using a lot of poisons with her whip.

Ups: Sorry Chairman

[Amphetryon]

Aeryr, please amend your post so that you're not indicating which builds you didn't submit. Thanks.

[Narsis]

I've gotta say I love Shidril. She's gotta be one of my favourite builds that i've seen in IC.

[BobVosh]

9 Builds? Kinda light as of recent.

Maybe we won't have judges die of exhaustion :D

[mattie_p]

Unfortunately I was not able to submit an entry this round, due to lack of time and lots of suck (in the concepts I came up with), but I look forward to reading each submission and wish all the competitors luck.

[Piggy Knowles]

My idea was a changeling mulhorandi divine minion of Set, with Racial Emulation. The original build idea was Wizard 6/Master of Flies 4/Drow Judicator 10 (or Wiz 5/MoF 4/DJ 9 if LA buy off wasn't allowed).

Used some outsider polymorph shenanigans to pump Con way up, use Spider's Grace, and harvest the high DC venom. I used the Poison Immunity feat to remain immune to it, and would coat myself in it as I grappled enemies (free action bear form via divine minion) to drain their strength and keep them grappled. Also had the ability to take swarm shape via Master of Flies, use pied piper to call spiders and command them, and summon swarms and turn them into hiveminds with Dark Speech.

Fluff was that I was an agent of Set trying to extend his influence underground by infiltrating the Drow.

The problem? Getting five ranks in Escape Artist by level five! The only way I could do it and still pull all my tricks off was to use a sorcerer with draconic heritage, which really didn't fit the flavor and would have delayed some of the tricks until late levels...

[Zeb]

Surprised there were no Ftr/Rog/Ass/Judicator, thought it would be all the rage with the alt features in DotU and 3/10 spell progression still helps.


Note to self: next submission bank more time for transforming the build to competition format.

[dantiesilva]

Quite surprised at alot of the builds and not in a good way. Though ideas are good, execution does not seem to fit in my eyes.Well we see what the judges score.

[Venger]

My idea was a changeling mulhorandi divine minion of Set, with Racial Emulation. The original build idea was Wizard 6/Master of Flies 4/Drow Judicator 10 (or Wiz 5/MoF 4/DJ 9 if LA buy off wasn't allowed).

Used some outsider polymorph shenanigans to pump Con way up, use Spider's Grace, and harvest the high DC venom. I used the Poison Immunity feat to remain immune to it, and would coat myself in it as I grappled enemies (free action bear form via divine minion) to drain their strength and keep them grappled. Also had the ability to take swarm shape via Master of Flies, use pied piper to call spiders and command them, and summon swarms and turn them into hiveminds with Dark Speech.

Fluff was that I was an agent of Set trying to extend his influence underground by infiltrating the Drow.

The problem? Getting five ranks in Escape Artist by level five! The only way I could do it and still pull all my tricks off was to use a sorcerer with draconic heritage, which really didn't fit the flavor and would have delayed some of the tricks until late levels...



I feel great sorrow that I will not be able to see this build in action. I would most certainly have voted for it for honorable mention.


I was surprised to not see any changelings with racial emulation in this. I suppose people wanted to avoid spending the feat.

I really wanted to go master of flies too but I also reached something of a stumbling block with entry.

dark speech also looked good but it was hard to find enough ability points to fuel it since the SI makes you kinda MAD already.

I love the divine minion template to get into master of flies.

one way that you can break the cross-class cap is by using favored contact (I think there's one for escape artist) but that tragically is ineligible for retraining later on (since it'd make later build choices retroactively illegal)

spider-bear sounds pretty lulzy though.

[The Gilded Duke]

Hah, I like the divine minion of Set idea. I had considered going with racial emulation as well, but the whole cross setting thing pushed me away from even attempting it. I also considered going Savant, just because Savant is a lot of fun. I also thought about using that class from Tome of Battle to do some ranged attack strikes, but did something else instead.

As far as formatting goes Zeb, I now find it easier to write it directly into the formatting from the start. I usually take the example table, and copy and paste it into an HTML document in Open Office, which makes it nice and readable. Then once the table is done, I copy and paste it onto the boards as a reply, and modify and preview and adjust it until it looks right. Then just copy and paste it into a private message. Just make sure not to post your build by accident.

[ExtravagantEvil]

Huh, One of my ideas that I wanted to submit was in fact a Vermin Lord build, going DJ 6/Vermin Lord 6 I think instead.

Whenever I was thinking about making builds for this, I always was thinking that the one honestly interesting feature about the class was the Spider Servant, and that's all I focused on in my thoughts.

One Idea was a Bard/Intimidate Lockdown Build, focusing on bardic debuff spells, darkness, and creating an ambusher who sat at the city gates, wanting to keep to himself.

The Second was a Druidic Natural Weapon master build (The Vermin Lord)

All in all, I never thought of Soulmelds as a good way of improving this class, and generally I liked what I saw here, and could not think of builds as good as these, given the base.

Also, I hardly new enough about Forgotten Realms to reference certain tricks that make for interesting builds on a theocratic PrC like this.

[Golden Ladybug]

Sadly, I wasn't able to get my build finished in time :smallfrown:

My first idea was Swordsage/Assassin/Drow Judicator, using The general Shadow Hand tricks with Sneak Attack and DJ's strikes. I then gave up on that, because it was really a glaringly obvious usage (the PrC calls out the usage of Assassin, after all).

The idea I was working on most recently was a Paladin of Tyranny entry, and using its Aura to make the save against War Strike's 2d6 Con damage a bit more threatening, and combining Smite Good with Selvetarm's Wrath to throw lots of damage around. The problem was, it started at ECL 9, and had nothing unique to offer past that point. I considered taking levels of Ranger and using Devoted Tracker to stack Paladin Mount and Spider Servant, but I thought that would be construed as stretching things too far. A penalty to elegance at best, an outright rule violation at worst.

I'll be interested to see if anyone was pursuing the same tactic(s) that I had been.

EDIT: Well, there is one that might've been following my train of thought, using Paladin of Tyranny at least. A very interesting looking Iron Chef

[DemonRoach]

Iron Chef: Drow Judicator
{table=head]Name|Race|Build

Shidril|Half Drow|Fighter 6/Totemist 2/Cleric 2/Drow Judicator 10

Spider King|Lesser Bone Swarm Shifter Drow|Druid 7/Drow Judicator 9/Vermin Lord 4

Tesla|Half Drow|Duskblade 8/Fighter 2/Drow Judicator 10

Yaz'dril|Drow|Hexblade 4/Paladin of Tyranny 4/Drow Judicator 10

Dan De'Unere|Lesser Drow|Druid 14/Drow Judicator 6

Daresh|Necropolitan Lesser Drow|Fighter 6/Pious Templar 4/Drow Judicator 10

Knight of Dark Memory|Half Drow|Totemist 6/Duskblade 2/Fighter 2/Drow Judicator 10

Sorin|Drow|Paladin of Tyranny 5/Ranger 4/Rogue 1/Drow Judicator 10

Anansi|Lesser Drow|Ranger 4/Swashbuckler 1/Drow Judicator 10/Cavestalker 4/Bloodhound 1
[/table]

That look about right?

I was going Changeling Rogue/Cloistered Cleric/Warshaper/DJ/Swordsage/Crusader, but it was so diptastic I couldn't bring myself to finish it :smalleek:

[Aeryr]

Uhm... Changeling?

I feared that since racial emulation is from an eberron book it would be frowned upon.

Personally I like Tesla's build, but of course Tesla is awesome in the first place. :smallcool:

Checking the builds again, no love for Lolth Touched? It is a really strong template that fitted :smallconfused: (I was quite sure that we would see lolth touched lesser drows)


Wizard 6/Master of Flies 4/Drow Judicator 10

That is really interesting, but only dragon heritage works for escape artists. I would probably try to fit a shadow dragon on its back story some shadow dragons have interests in the underdark and that could click towards becoming a drow judicator. :smallsmile:

[Xodion]

{table=head]Name|Race|Build
Sorin|Lesser Drow?|Paladin of Tyranny 5/Ranger 4/Rogue 1/Drow Judicator 10
[/table]


Sorin is a regular Drow - they get an Int and Cha bonus after the point buy and start with 19 Charisma.

[Amphetryon]

dantiesilva, as I just reminded Aeryr, please edit your post to avoid revealing details about which build you submitted or didn't submit. Really, folks, that sort of thing is getting out of hand. It's in the OP, and I need to make multiple reminders of it each and every contest.

[dantiesilva]

Hey ladybug did you look at the builds? There is a paladin ranger build in their that used that. And the feat allows paladin and ranger levels to stack for animal companion and special mount. As for your other half I don't see why it would be penalized after all a paladin is the servant of a good and gets his mount from his good, and the drow judicator is the gods enforcer almost without the...OMG Divine champion would have been perfect flavor wise for this build, O well maybe next time I wont forget something like that. Then again three days to pump out what I did I'm not that disappointed. Can't wait to see judges calls, its what I live for.

[Piggy Knowles]

Uhm... Changeling?

I feared that since racial emulation is from an eberron book it would be frowned upon.

Yeah, I worried about that, but changelings are also published in MM3 (p24-25), and the idea of a half-doppelganger, half-human creature in the realms isn't really much a stretch. And hey, I used a warforged dedicated to Ilmater with a Secrets of Xen'drik prestige class in the Initiate of Pistis Sophia competition and got a gold medal for it...

[DemonRoach]

Uhm... Changeling?

I feared that since racial emulation is from an eberron book it would be frowned upon.



It would likely have been an elegance hit, the intent was to make up for it other areas :smallwink:

[deuxhero]

Too bad the class calls out FR Drow deities for qualification, because otherwise nothing in the mechanics ties it to the FR (the rest of the book yes, but otherwise good)

[Feytalist]

I was expecting to see paladins of tyranny, duskblades and a coupla rangers. I was not disappointed :smallbiggrin:

I had a vague bardsader idea bouncing about in my head, but I couldn't do much with the SI special abilities, so that went nowhere fast.

I also toyed with a ranger SotAO build, but that felt too obvious so I canned it.

[Thurbane]

If I'd gotten around to an entry, it was going to be a Paladin of Tyranny/Fighter, spiked chain tripper type. It's a real shame the PrCs 2 best abilities (War Strike & Judgement) are both once/day. I thought the Empower Supernatural Ability feat (ToM) would be a good fit to boost War Strike's CON damage, but at once/day (both the ability and the feat), hard to justify.

My honorable mention goes to Tesla Barrison Del'Armgo...yeah, I'm a big Dio fan. :smallbiggrin:

[Feytalist]

My honorable mention goes to Tesla Barrison Del'Armgo...yeah, I'm a big Dio fan. :smallbiggrin:

My Honorable Mention too. And the whole time I had Holy Diver playing in my head.

Oh, and of course, this: For Dio (http://www.cracked.com/blog/for-dio-the-only-appropriate-tribute/).

[Golden Ladybug]

Hey ladybug did you look at the builds? There is a paladin ranger build in their that used that. And the feat allows paladin and ranger levels to stack for animal companion and special mount. As for your other half I don't see why it would be penalized after all a paladin is the servant of a good and gets his mount from his good, and the drow judicator is the gods enforcer almost without the...OMG Divine champion would have been perfect flavor wise for this build, O well maybe next time I wont forget something like that. Then again three days to pump out what I did I'm not that disappointed. Can't wait to see judges calls, its what I live for.

I did not actually see that; I don't always read over the entirety of the builds, and that particular entry was formatted poorly, at least in my opinion :smallfrown:

The problem I had with using Devoted Tracker here is that it specifically allows you to designate your Animal Companion as your Special Mount, and provide the benefits of both to the one animal.

The problem arose in that trying to shoehorn the Spider Servant into a feat that specifically calls out a different ability is not something allowable under the rules. If a player were to ask me to make an exception, and let them use their Spider Servant in place of an Animal Companion, I would certainly let them, but that's still not something that would necessarily fly for Iron Chef.

[gbprime]

Well I would have been unique with my entry, anyway. I was going Lesser Drow Battle Sorcerer with the Insectile Template. (Assassin's Stance synergizes nicely with Nightstalker Transformation and still allows you to power Arcane Strikes.) I just couldn't make it synergize with the Judicator PrC.

Good luck all.

[dantiesilva]

Thanks. So how long does judging normally take?

[Aeryr]

Well I would have been unique with my entry, anyway. I was going Lesser Drow Battle Sorcerer with the Insectile Template. (Assassin's Stance synergizes nicely with Nightstalker Transformation and still allows you to power Arcane Strikes.) I just couldn't make it synergize with the Judicator PrC.

Good luck all.

That was a really interesting concept it was certainly unique, pity that you didn't push it further.


Thanks. So how long does judging normally take?

Judging is like cooking, it takes time, don't rush the judges, they will do a great work. :smallsmile:

[Venger]

Thanks. So how long does judging normally take?

well, judges have until the 9th. having judged myself back in cryokineticist, and participating since shadowdancer, I've observed the average to be about 1 day per entry, which is around what it took me for that round in between other things. based on this, I'd figure on seeing judgings around the 4th, 9 days from the 27th.

[Thurbane]

Thanks. So how long does judging normally take?
The first judge often gets their scores in surprisingly quick, while the last will often only post just before the deadline. Although with 9 entries, judging might come a little faster than the last few rounds.

[Xodion]

I got two and a bit judgings done on Sunday, but I was busy tonight and again on Wednesday. We have the long long Jubilee weekend at the end of the week, and though I am packing up to move house, I will still have plenty of time for judging :smallsmile:

[gbprime]

That was a really interesting concept it was certainly unique, pity that you didn't push it further.

All I got out of the Judicator was the 3/10 casting, resulting in 18 BAB and 13 sorcerer levels. Had I used Eldritch Knight instead, it would have scored 19 sorcerer levels. And when Eldritch Knight is a more efficient way of building the character, you know you're doing something wrong. :smallamused:

[Aeryr]

I got two and a bit judgings done on Sunday, but I was busy tonight and again on Wednesday. We have the long long Jubilee weekend at the end of the week, and though I am packing up to move house, I will still have plenty of time for judging :smallsmile:

Good to hear, I hope that moving is not a bad thing.


All I got out of the Judicator was the 3/10 casting, resulting in 18 BAB and 13 sorcerer levels. Had I used Eldritch Knight instead, it would have scored 19 sorcerer levels. And when Eldritch Knight is a more efficient way of building the character, you know you're doing something wrong. :smallamused:

Yeah that is probably true.

[mattie_p]

Changeling with racial emulation was mentioned previously by Piggy Knowles and The Gilded Duke, and was, in fact, what I was considering but didn't get anything working in time. But here is an idea I just had today. Unfortunately, way too late for submission. Eh, c'est la vie.

Changeling Savage Bard 4 / Fighter 1 / Ur-Priest 5 / Drow Judicator 10. Chaotic evil is required, and fits a drow anyway.

Fighter is needed at level 4 to get Combat Reflexes as a bonus feat. Needs Int of 14 to buy your last skills cross-class for Ur-Priest. Ur-priest allows you to buy 4 ranks of intimidate cross-class. You end up with Ur-Priest casting of 8.

Feats go 1) Iron Will, 3) Spell Focus (Evil), 4) (Fig bonus) Combat reflexes, 6) Racial Emulation, 9) Lolth's Meat.

Fluff - He is a temple raider. No, seriously, steal the fluff from the previous IC competition, and he is it, penetrating the drow temple heirarchy, even stealing spells from their deities via Ur-priest.

Props to piggy knowles for inspiring this.

[OMG PONIES]

Changeling with racial emulation was mentioned previously by Piggy Knowles and The Gilded Duke, and was, in fact, what I was considering but didn't get anything working in time. But here is an idea I just had today. Unfortunately, way too late for submission. Eh, c'est la vie.

Changeling Savage Bard 4 / Fighter 1 / Ur-Priest 5 / Drow Judicator 10. Chaotic evil is required, and fits a drow anyway.

I toyed with an Ur-Priest for this, but couldn't answer the age-old question: why is the Secret Ingredient better than more Ur-Priest?

[mattie_p]

I toyed with an Ur-Priest for this, but couldn't answer the age-old question: why is the Secret Ingredient better than more Ur-Priest?

Well, considering I came up with this today (four days late), I think I can be forgiven for not having a quick answer to this. Really good question, though, and one all competitors ultimately have to answer.

[Amphetryon]

The build I contemplated and wondered if we'd see:

Lesser Drow Barbarian 2/Duskblade 3/Drow Judicator 10/Ravager 5.

[WinWin]

That would require the character to survive the initiation rights of Erythnul and Lloth/Seveltarm.

Even if you could customise the PrC requirements of Ravager to a Realms deity such as Malar, they fluff requirements of the two PrC's do no sync up. At all.

I spent about an hour thinking of a method of becoming a Yochlol Judicator ability damage/poison/venomfire/defuff terror. Certainly possible, but only by tanking the spellcasting required to pull it off.

I had another idea that involved the vile feats from DoTU and PgtF, as well as the feat that allows you to spray poison from Serpent Kingdoms, in order to deal acid damage and multiple bite poisons, at will. Had heavy feat requirements though, plus it did not sync up with the melee focus of Judicator.

[Amphetryon]

That would require the character to survive the initiation rights of Erythnul and Lloth/Seveltarm.

Even if you could customise the PrC requirements of Ravager to a Realms deity such as Malar, they fluff requirements of the two PrC's do no sync up. At all.

I spent about an hour thinking of a method of becoming a Yochlol Judicator ability damage/poison/venomfire/defuff terror. Certainly possible, but only by tanking the spellcasting required to pull it off.

I had another idea that involved the vile feats from DoTU and PgtF, as well as the feat that allows you to spray poison from Serpent Kingdoms, in order to deal acid damage and multiple bite poisons, at will. Had heavy feat requirements though, plus it did not sync up with the melee focus of Judicator.
Yes, fluff is immutable and paramount. That's why the were-spider (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106) did so poorly in the Stonelord contest. :smalltongue:

[WinWin]

What about Adaptations? Underdark is a Forgotten Realms-specific book, clearly. While minimal changes arguably need to be made to allow Drow Judicator to work as written in, for example, Greyhawk, other settings would require more extensive reworking to make the crunch and fluff setting-appropriate. This is especially true of Eberron, where Drow venerate scorpions, not spiders. As such, using Eberron-specific fluff or crunch for this contest is not appropriate; the same is true of any other setting where spiders do not play an important part in Drow culture and religion.


IC consistancy.

[Amphetryon]

Erythnul is not an Eberron-specific deity, to the best of my knowledge.

[WinWin]

To my knowledge, Erythnul is not Lloth or Seveltarm, either.

[Aeryr]

Nor the drow judicator nor the ravager asks you to revere any God. You can devote yourself to anyone or no one and still meet the prerequisites. Also Amph suggestion used duskblade, arcane magic, no need to revere a God then.

If the problem is a fluff one, it is not crunch, you can write your backstory around it.

[Amphetryon]

To my knowledge, Erythnul is not Lloth or Seveltarm, either.

From the very text you quoted:

"While minimal changes arguably need to be made to allow the Drow Judicator to work as written in, for example, Greyhawk <snip>".

You are objecting, apparently quite strenuously, over a fluff consideration on a build that isn't in the contest. I'm forced to wonder if it's personal.

[BobVosh]

Yes, fluff is immutable and paramount. That's why the were-spider (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106) did so poorly in the Stonelord contest. :smalltongue:

You had to go back 2 years to find an example? :P

On another note, its hard to believe that stonelord was 2 years ago, it feels so much more recent...

[Amphetryon]

You had to go back 2 years to find an example? :P

On another note, its hard to believe that stonelord was 2 years ago, it feels so much more recent...

Didn't have to, but Old Lob did so well in the scoring, and was so far from where the fluff originally pointed, that it sprung immediately to mind.

[WinWin]

From the very text you quoted:

"While minimal changes arguably need to be made to allow the Drow Judicator to work as written in, for example, Greyhawk <snip>".

You are objecting, apparently quite strenuously, over a fluff consideration on a build that isn't in the contest. I'm forced to wonder if it's personal.

Why would I have a personal issue with someone on the internet?

More to the point, why would disagreement be assumed to be personal?

I was just pointing out that your own idea conflicted with the rules for this competition. Rules that you laid out.

[Piggy Knowles]

I've done fairly well stretching fluff to its limit. Again, I'll point out my gold medal in the Initiate of Pistis Sophia competition. I definitely strayed from the fluff as written a good bit, but I did so intentionally, and build up my own mythology around the build. (In fact, that was a pretty good case of the fluff I'd thought up informing the crunch, rather than the other way around.)

Anyhow, Lolth exists in the Greyhawk pantheon, which means that the idea of a build involving both Lolth and Erythnull really isn't particularly far-fetched. You'd have to find a reason as to why a servant of Erythnull was going through Lolth initiation rites, or vice versa, but I don't think it would be an insurmountable hurdle. I'd probably have a lot of fun coming up with a story for that...

[dantiesilva]

Actually they told you how to do that in the book Daughter of the Drow. Loth allows her priestess from time to time join other religions of worship so she has her eyes in them and thus she is better capable of beating them. So not that far fetched at all. The build would cause no problem what so ever.

[Amphetryon]

I've done fairly well stretching fluff to its limit. Again, I'll point out my gold medal in the Initiate of Pistis Sophia competition. I definitely strayed from the fluff as written a good bit, but I did so intentionally, and build up my own mythology around the build. (In fact, that was a pretty good case of the fluff I'd thought up informing the crunch, rather than the other way around.)

Anyhow, Lolth exists in the Greyhawk pantheon, which means that the idea of a build involving both Lolth and Erythnull really isn't particularly far-fetched. You'd have to find a reason as to why a servant of Erythnull was going through Lolth initiation rites, or vice versa, but I don't think it would be an insurmountable hurdle. I'd probably have a lot of fun coming up with a story for that...
Exactly. It's fluff that isn't against the rules laid out in the Adaptation FAQ, but that would need a backstory to justify.

[Amphetryon]

Any updates, judges?:smallsmile:

[Zeb]

Alright guys, if I need to drop out and judge :smalleek:

Let me know soon...

[Amphetryon]

Alright guys, if I need to drop out and judge :smalleek:

Let me know soon...

I'm not about to pull your fine entry of [REDACTED] from the contest, Zeb. I'm hoping it's the end of finals/start of summer madness that's causing the quiet.

[Aeryr]

I hope so too.

Xodion said that he was going to work on judging, lets hope he has enough time to do so.

[dantiesilva]

I'm hoping it just finals otherwise my first test was in vain

[mattie_p]

I've been swamped til now, and didn't sign up as an official judge, but I might try my hand if I don't see progress soon. As I didn't enter, I qualify as an impartial judge.

[OMG PONIES]

I'm working on some judging.

[Xodion]

Sorry guys, I've been busy putting things in boxes this weekend, but I've done 5 of the entries already and I'm hoping to be done by the middle of the week :smallsmile:.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Sorry guys, I've been busy putting things in boxes this weekend, but I've done 5 of the entries already and I'm hoping to be done by the middle of the week :smallsmile:.

This is good news - can't wait!

[Occasional Sage]

I'm not about to pull your fine entry of [REDACTED] from the contest, Zeb. I'm hoping it's the end of finals/start of summer madness that's causing the quiet.
For some reason, "REDACTED" appears in my phone browser as a link (though it doesn't work). I thought for a minute that we got a sneak peek!

[Amphetryon]

For some reason, "REDACTED" appears in my phone browser as a link (though it doesn't work). I thought for a minute that we got a sneak peek!

Zeb submitted the one with Drow Judicator levels. :smallwink:

[ThiagoMartell]

My judgings.

Shidril
Originality: 3.5
I expected a half drow, specially one with the drow fighter alternate class feature, but totemist caught me unaware.

Power: 3
Melee staying power, mobility, not much other than that. Standard.

Elegance: 2
You depend on active spell effects to qualify for some feats and that is usually frowned upon. The Loviathar thing also hurt you here - the class is pretty much based on Selvetarm.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
You use it, sure. But your tricks don't depend on it. Not bad, but not good either.

Total: 11.5

The Spider King
Originality: 5
Druid? Swarm Shifter? Wow, that was unexpected. Doing that surely took some guts. The flavor meshes up quite well.

Elegance: 1
Not listing your sources gave me a lot of trouble. Yes, you listed the books, but I had to guess from where each thing had come. Both swarm shifter and bone creatures has no listed LA, that's not the same as LA +0.

Power: 5
Between all those immunites and three sets of actions, plus Druid spells, you get the job done.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 1
The punch here is all in the templates. The one thing you actually use from the SI is the companion... and you alredy had one.
Total: 12

Tesla Barrison Del'Armgo
Originality: 3
What, clerics of Selvetarm killing a drow female in FR?! As if!
I was toying with Duskblade entry myself. I'm giving you a penalty here because the fluff doesn't match the crunch - the crunch is of a crazy, berserking warrior... and the fluff is that of a high Int warrior, a spellcaster even. I like Holy Diver, though, so you got a bonus, it evens out.

Power: 2
You could use more punch. Specifically, you lack Somatic Weaponry, so you can't cast your spells while you fight with two weapons. Also, you mention two weapons, but Arcane Strike specifies only one weapon. A double weapon would have saved you a lot of trouble. I don't see how you get good enough AC to use Robilar's Gambit safely.

Elegance: 4
The build flows fluidly, I'll give you that.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
The combo debuff is a nifty trick, but that's about it.

Total: 12

Yaz'dril
Originality: 5
I didn't expect anyone to eat that +2 LA, and you did. You even had the guts to go for a panther (dark companion)!

Power: 1
You can debuff, but that's about it.

Elegance: 5
The build flows perfectly, the classes fit together, there is a lot synergy.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
The SI complements your class features, but the core of the build are the debuffing you collected from your previous levels.

Total: 14

Dan De'Unere
Originality: 3.5
Yet another lesser drow... but another druid? Unexpected.

Power: 5
8th level spells. Enough said.

Elegance: 3
This was hard to judge. No glaring flaws, and it is a simple build, but it feels like it's missing something.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 2
Your theme is strong, but so many Druid levels hurt you here. Your build is Druid, the SI only slows you down.

Total: 13.5

Daresh Mlezniir, Selvetarm’s Sentinel
Originality: 3
Nothing special here.

Power: 4
I see a lot of potential here, between immunities, mettle and your offensive abilities from the SI. You also managed to get the highest level casting from Pious Templar.

Elegance: 4
The build is simple and it flows quite well. No complaints.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
You got the most out of the other classes, so the SI was basically your best choice in advancement. All of your offense comes from it. Nice.
Total: 15

Knight of Dark Memory
Originality: 4
Love your theme, love the name. All of the fluff is very well done.

Power: 4
Well, a mounted charger. Totemist also gave you a lot of extra options. I think your companion is the most well built, as well.

Elegance: 2
Duskblade feels tacked on just so you had some spellcasting to progress. Not getting the 3rd level for Arcane Strike is almost a sin. Also, finishing with Fighter left a bad taste in my mouth.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5
The one thing you actually use is the companion, but you use it very well.

Total: 13.5

Sorin
Originality: 3
Everything is very commonplace.

Power: 1
I don't know what you were trying to achieve. This is a very weak melee build.

Elegance: 2
You got your fluff mixed up. Jarlaxle is the leader of Bregan D'aerthe, the name of the company is not Jarlax. Also, Selvetarm is Lolth's protector and Bregan D'aerthe is kind of counter establishment. Feels weird. Didn't like all that dipping as well.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 2
You ignored the caster level advancement completely and didn't explain much about your animal companion. The lack of anything to fall upon offensively is what saves from a lower score.
Total: 8

Anansi
Originality: 4
Evil Spider-Man amused me. Dual wielding spiked chains? Interesting.

Power: 3
You lack defensive endurance to make use of all your attack features. Lack of spells hurt.

Elegance: 5
Everything adds to the theme and even the dips feel justified. Congratulations.

Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
You don't do anything special with it.

Total: 15

[Aeryr]

Yay! Judgings are on!

Thanks Thiago :smallsmile:

{table=head]rank|Name|Race|Build|Points|Thiago

1st|Daresh|Necropolitan Lesser Drow|Fighter 6/Pious Templar 4/Drow Judicator 10|15|15

1st|Anansi|Lesser Drow|Ranger 4/Swashbuckler 1/Drow Judicator 10/Cavestalker 4/Bloodhound 1|15|15

3rd|Yaz'dril|Drow|Hexblade 4/Paladin of Tyranny 4/Drow Judicator 10|14|14

5th|Dan De'Unere|Lesser Drow|Druid 14/Drow Judicator 6|13.5|13.5

5th|Knight of Dark Memory|Half Drow|Totemist 6/Duskblade 2/Fighter 2/Drow Judicator 10|13.5|13.5

7th|Tesla|Half Drow|Duskblade 8/Fighter 2/Drow Judicator 10|12|12

7th|Spider King|Lesser Bone Swarm Shifter Drow|Druid 7/Drow Judicator 9/Vermin Lord 4|12|12

8th|Shidril|Half Drow|Fighter 6/Totemist 2/Cleric 2/Drow Judicator 10|11.5|11.5

9th|Sorin|Drow|Paladin of Tyranny 5/Ranger 4/Rogue 1/Drow Judicator 10|8|8
[/table]

[Amphetryon]

Per contest rules listed in the OP, the minimum score for any category on a legal entry is 1.

[Venger]

Per contest rules listed in the OP, the minimum score for any category on a legal entry is 1.
Bone creature and swarmshifter are LA - and thus inapplicable for a PC, so they're not legal, which is why I believe ThiagoMartell gave spider king a 0

[OMG PONIES]

I've got three entries completed, so six more to go.

[Venger]

I've got three entries completed, so six more to go.

cool! looking forward to it

[ThiagoMartell]

Per contest rules listed in the OP, the minimum score for any category on a legal entry is 1.

Edited. Changed it to a 1. Total is now 12.
But as Venger mentioned, I think the build was illegal.

[TerrickTerran]

Thiago, your points for Shidril add up to 11.5 but you listed the total as 12.

[ThiagoMartell]

Thiago, your points for Shidril add up to 11.5 but you listed the total as 12.

Edited and corrected. Thanks.

[Aeryr]

I updated the table :smallsmile:

BTW I also see spider king as an illegal build, well it is legal for an NPC but I believe that that is not the spirit of the contest.

And since Shidril scoring commented I fail to see how Shidril doesn't use the spider servant in any of her tricks, but that is just a personal opinion.

[Zeb]

Do contestants vote for honorable mention via PM?


Or can we just put it out there?

[Venger]

Do contestants vote for honorable mention via PM?


Or can we just put it out there?

contestants PM honorable mentions so they don't let it be known which entries aren't theirs

[dantiesilva]

Swarm shifters level adjustment is -- its cr is +1 just looked it up in libris mortis to be positive, so that would be up to our host to call either way.

[Amphetryon]

Swarm shifters level adjustment is -- its cr is +1 just looked it up in libris mortis to be positive, so that would be up to our host to call either way.

CR =/= LA; "LA -" is a legitimate impediment to playability, which the OP lists as one of the criteria.

[dantiesilva]

So not legal?

[Amphetryon]

So not legal?

So NPC only, given that DMs generally have much greater latitude when it comes to what can apply to their critters.

[ThiagoMartell]

So NPC only, given that DMs generally have much greater latitude when it comes to what can apply to their critters.

But the contest is mainly about PCs, right?

[Amphetryon]

But the contest is mainly about PCs, right?"Mainly" being the key word.

[ThiagoMartell]

"Mainly" being the key word.

I was just checking if Elegance 1 was acceptable. If the contest is mainly about PCs, Elegance 1 fits. If the contest is only for PCs, then I should have gone with Elegance 0, since it would be an illegal build.

[OMG PONIES]

I was just checking if Elegance 1 was acceptable. If the contest is mainly about PCs, Elegance 1 fits. If the contest is only for PCs, then I should have gone with Elegance 0, since it would be an illegal build.

I think the question really comes down to how the entrant presented the character. If it was presented as an NPC, Elegance 1. If it was presented as a PC, Elegance 0.

Judging update: I have six builds done and three to go.

[OMG PONIES]

Sorry for the double post, but I've completed my judging! A small departure from my usual judging style, at the end of scoring I looked at each category. If there was more than one entry tied for highest score in that category, I awarded a bonus of +0.5 "Best in Category" to the one I think stood out in that particular regard. If there was a single highest-rank entry in that category, no further bonus was awarded, since I didn't want the rich to get richer and the poor to get angry.

Shidril: 12 12.5 13

Originality: 3
Fighter 6 was used by another entry (-0.5)
I was going to deduct for using the much-loved Dungeoncrasher, but I have to admit: falling onto your foes and Dungeoncrashing into the floor is a classy way to apply damage regularly, since most non-fliers are usually within 5 feet of our chosen solid object. This build has smatterings of Old Lob, except instead of making your walls to Dungeoncrash you use the floor. That's enough of a twist that it's worth a bonus, plus you made a falling character that's more than "LOL I weigh 4000000 pounds and fall on you" (+0.5).

Power: 4
Preparing nothing but Enlarge Person would have netted you a penalty here, but the ability to prepare any other cleric spell and burn it for Enlarger Person in a jiff saves you from being too much of a one-trick pony (+0.5).
While not every DM will allow you to burn uses of Command Spiders to fuel Law Devotion, I don't think there's enough debate about it to warrant any Elegance comments. Instead, it gives you something non-spidery to do that can help you kill your enemies or stay alive--dealer's choice. It's definitely one of my favorite feats in the game, what with the way it scales with level and provides a bonus type rare enough that it shouldn't interfere with too much (+0.5).
You wind up with third-level spells and, while I appreciate the versatility, there was no mention of using any spells besides Enlarge Person and Bull's Strength...ever. This just seems like wasted potential (-0.5).
You're going to be Dungeoncrashing and Power Attacking quite a bit. This reliable bonus damage couples with your class features to make sure you're triggering Lolth's Meat as much as possible for a fun little bonus (+0.5).

Elegance: 1 1.5
Cannot find "Drow Heritage" feat anywhere, even in the listed source Drow of the Underdark...any help could cause me to give back points (-0.5). Ah, appears it was the "Drow Legacy" feat. Carry on (0).
Since you are medium-sized, you do not qualify for Knockback unless under the effects of Enlarge Person (-0.5).
Since your CON is 14, you do not qualify for Open Lesser Chakra due to its CON requirement of 15 (-0.5).
Since you are medium-sized unless under the effects of Enlarge Person and your STR is 20 before items at 18th level, you do not qualify for Awesome Blow due to its STR requirement of 25. Also, this is more of a nitpick, but Awesome Blow can't be used in conjunction w/ Knockback/Dungeoncrasher. Those two are bull rush attempts, whereas Awesome Blow is a separate ability. Granted, you still have Knockback/Dungeoncrasher if they save against your Awesome Blow, but it feels a bit redundant. Still, the deduction is not for the redundancy but the failure to qualify for the feat at all times (-0.5).
There's great question as to whether "all effects related to race" applies to qualification for prestige classes. For an alternate example, see Races of Eberron's Racial Emulation feat with language indicating "all other purposes." However, the Stoneblessed from Races of Stone uses the "all effects" language and calls out prestige classes specifically. Questions abound as to whether this is an exception to the "all effects" language or an explanation of it, so no deduction (0).

UoSI: 4 4.5
Required skills are taken merely to qualify and not maxed or used (-0.5)
Sharing Soulmelds gives your character another way to amp up the Spider Servant (+0.5).
Just a nitpick, but sharing Enlarge Person [keyword there] with your non-humanoid mount does diddly squat. I do like that you were looking for ways to optimize the Share Spells ability with your main schtick, but I can't give a bonus in good faith since you didn't make it work (0). Except for the fact that you caught the clause that I missed, which does allow this to work, thereby giving you some extra oomph out of the Share Spells ability. That's worth an extra bonus (+0.5).
Nice nod to the myrlochar's Hold Person ability in conjunction with coup de grace to get the most oomph out of Lolth's Meat (+0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).


Spider King: 9

Originality: 4
Druid entry truly caught me by surprise (+0.5).
You embrace your theme of "spider collector" pretty thoroughly, especially with Vermin Lord (+0.5).
Please include a backstory in future entries (-0.5).
Best in category (+0.5).

Power: 1.5
Why not take more druid (-0.5)?
Deadly Hunter seems like a downgrade, even vs. the limited wildshape of a 7th-level druid (-0.5).
Druid casting is great, but no mention of which spells are being used doesn't help me see how powerful your character is (-0.5).

Elegance: 1.5
LA -- is not the same as LA +0 (-0.5).
I can't find the Energy Resistance feat anywhere, and Improved Energy Resistance (RoF) requires you begin with natural resistance to a form of energy, which I also didn't see (-0.5).
Hide, Move Silently, and Knowledge (religion) are not class skills for druids (-0.5).
You minimize the presence of dead levels (+0.5).
Feats from Eberron were used, but please keep in mind that the flavor of drow in Eberron is greatly changed. Among other things, they revere scorpions instead of spiders. Because of this, your DM may not allow you to take the SI as written (-0.5).

UoSI: 2
Required skills are taken merely to qualify and not maxed or used (-0.5)
Nine levels were taken (0).
None of the class features were highlighted, though war strike and the spider servant were mentioned in passing (-0.5).



Tesla: 11.5 12

Originality: 2
Fighter 2 was used by another entry (-0.5).
The Combat Reflexes/Robilar's Gambit/Double Hit combo was used by another entry (-0.5).

Power: 4
Full BAB was maintained throughout (+0.5).
Robilar's Gambit with Double Hit is one of my favorite combos. So much so, in fact, that I've used it myself in the past (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11872327&postcount=228) (+0.5).
Knowledge Devotion, Drow Fighter ACF, and Arcane Strike nicely complement the two-weapon fighting style you've chosen. Oh, and these delicious bonuses to damage also apply to your attacks of opportunity...thank you for pointing that out (+0.5).
However, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting is sorely missed (-0.5).

Elegance: 1.5
You don't qualify for Knowledge Devotion at first level, since it requires 5 ranks in any Knowledge skill (-0.5).
With a DEX of 16, you don't qualify for Improved TWF or Double Hit. Of course, one could assume that you placed your 4th-level attribute point into DEX, but you know what they say happens when you assume (-1).
Without four ranks in Spellcraft, you do not qualify for Practiced Spellcaster (-0.5).
The presence of dead levels was minimized (+0.5).
There's great question as to whether "all effects related to race" applies to qualification for prestige classes. For an alternate example, see Races of Eberron's Racial Emulation feat with language indicating "all other purposes." However, the Stoneblessed from Races of Stone uses the "all effects" language and calls out prestige classes specifically. Questions abound as to whether this is an exception to the "all effects" language or an explanation of it, so no deduction (0).

UoSI: 4.5
Entry requirements are not maxed or used in any way, but Combat Reflexes serves as a springboard for a great combo so no deduction (0)
Nice combination of war strike with duskblade spells for a huge stat drain. However, when I asked the chairman it seemed that a touch spell or arcane channeling was not a normal melee attack, and thus could not activate war strike. If I misunderstood the chairman, this would become a bonus (0). I did misunderstand (+0.5).
While they were just passing mentions, I like how you incorporated duskblade spells that fit thematically--especially spider climb and doom scarabs (+0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).

Yaz'dril: 14

Originality: 2.5
One of only two entries to go full drow in this round (+0.5).
A quick Google search of the Secret Ingredient yielded an identical build chassis for debuffing enemy saves vs. War Strike (-0.5).
The backstory could have been a little longer. As is, we get no true idea of who Yaz'dril is (-0.5).

Power: 2.5
So you have SR, Arcane Resistance, Divine Grace, Selvetarm's Blessing, AND Mettle? That gives you a chance to shrug off some magic off the bat and pumps your saves to an impressive degree. Slap a ring of evasion on and laugh at anything that allows SR or a save (+0.5).
No mention of which hexblade or paladin spells you use means we can't tell how versatile your spellcasting is (-0.5).
Aside from Power Attack, Divine Might, and the ever-limited Selvetarm's Wrath, you don't have many damage boosters. The feat chain is begun with Mounted Combat and Ride-by Attack, so even taking Spirited Charge would have helped with your damage output. You have some debuff potential, but most of the tactics are used a limited number of times per day. As is, Yaz'dril is a mainly defensive character--and you admit that in your entry (-0.5).

Elegance: 4.5
There are no dead levels (+0.5).
LA Buyoff is not assumed, but possibilities are accounted for in the Build Notes section (+0.5).
While two base classes are used, they are perfectly balanced to keep the build as simple as possible if the DM doesn't favor dips. Also, you mention how to rearrange if your DM uses multiclass penalties (+0.5).

UOSI: 4.5
Intimidate is maxed as much as a +2 LA character can (+0.5).
While your description of your class features is not very detailed, it shows a high degree of thought--ranks in Ride while using the Spider Servant as a mount, finding a way to damage a common creature type that doesn't take CON damage, and focusing on making One Big Hit with which to deliver your War Strike (+0.5).
All ten levels taken (+0.5).


Dan De'Unere: 13 13.5

Originality: 3.5
Druid entry was definitely unexpected (+0.5)

Power: 4.5
As a druid who gains 9th level spells (though your write-up only says 8th...what am I missing?), your power is undisputable. You lose elemental wild shape, huge wild shape, 1 use/day of regular wild shape, and Timeless Body, but come on--ninth level spells (+0.5)!
Natural Spell is present in all of its glory, allowing you to use spells and wild shape together (+0.5).
Speaking of spells, you highlight a tour de force of some of the ones you'll be using most often, which helps show the oomph of your character (+0.5).
Spider Shape is way weaker than traditional wildshape; while I applaud you for actually embracing the theme enough to take it, but you give up the versatility of wild shaping into all different animals to become a monstrous spider (-0.5).
Best in category (+0.5).

Elegance: 3.5 4
There are no dead levels (+0.5).
The link provided for Vermin Companion did not work, and the only other instance of that I know is a feat. If you can direct me to a working link showing it as a class feature, I will give back points (-0.5).. Thanks for the link (0).
It doesn't get much simpler than druid/secret ingredient (+0.5)
UoSI: 1.5
Entry requirements were not maxed or used in any significant way (-0.5).
Some of your class features are redundant--spider servant gives you two weaker spiders whereas continuation in druid would allow your vermin companion to grow stronger. Spider Shape from druid levels is in many ways superior to Spider's Grace, and you get to use it more times per day. It seems like taking any levels in the Secret Ingredient actually weakened these class features while giving weaker versions of them (-0.5).
Only six levels of the Secret Ingredient were taken (-0.5).


Daresh: 13.5 14

Originality: 3
Fighter 6 was used by another entry (-0.5)
Excellent backstory--you make your character into somewhat of a living legend...er, unliving (+0.5).
Power: 4
The other entry that used Fighter 6 did it to take full advantage of Dungeoncrasher, which severely amps up to power on a fighter. Going with vanilla fighter instead gets us nothing but some additional bonus feats (-0.5).
Starting with a low CON makes sense if you plan on going Necropolitan. However, starting with a -2 modifier to CON means that you might die before you can do so on your own terms to become undead. You mention this yourself, and recognize that the early levels might be dangerous (-0.5).
You gain access to 4th-level blackguard spells via Pious Templar (+0.5).
Blade of Blood, Power Attack, Smite, Selvetarm's Wrath, and Weapon Specialization all work together to boost damage output, and the fast healing of Combat Vigor is a fun way to minimize the drawback of Blade of Blood (+0.5).
Defensively, your character is prepped to deal with pretty much anything that comes his way. DR and fast healing work to counter hit point damage, Mettle and high saves work together with Selvetarm's Blessing to help shrug off plenty of effects, and undead traits mean you're immune to a bevy of effects as soon as you can become Necropolitan (+0.5).
Full BAB is maintained throughout (+0.5).
Elegance: 2.5 3
Nice overlap in the entry requirements of the Secret Ingredient and Pious Templar. Sometimes it's the little things that count (+0.5).
Relying on item bonuses to qualify for feats is tricky, since it relies on your DM providing the item you need. In a MagicMart setting, it works. In some other games, it might hamper the build (-0.5).
Blind-Fight seems a bit redundant with Combat Awareness' blindsight (-0.5). Sorry I missed that it was a prereq for Combat Awareness (0).
UoSI: 4
Entry requirements are maxed, and Imperious Command makes its [surprisingly] first appearance in the competition. I thought we'd see this a lot more, as the Secret Ingredient requires ranks in Intimidate (+0.5).
It's hard to make a good case for this Secret Ingredient when you say the peak of the character is when they only have one level in it (-0.5).
However, your treatment of the Secret Ingredient shows attention to detail--especially the detail of fighting enemy casters. Your undead immunities and hardy saves ensure you'll be able to get into melee with them, and class features like War Strike enable you to pile on the hurt while you flank with your Spider Servant--one thing that wasn't mentioned in the other entries (+0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).

Knight of Dark Memory: 9.5

Originality: 3
Fighter 2 was used by another entry (-0.5).
While totemist was splashed elsewhere, its focus here and corresponding fluff were an interesting departure. It gave the character a very tribal feel, which was definitely unique (+0.5).
Power: 2
Chargers need a way to full attack, and Sphinx Claws delivers that for you along with the usual totemist goodies (+0.5).
For a mounted fighter, the Mounted Combat feat chain doesn't come online until very late in the game. I know your mount is received relatively late, but this feat chain begins a full five levels after you acquire the Spider Servant (-0.5).
Dipping Duskblade without staying in an extra level for Arcane Channeling is a missed opportunity, especially when a level of fighter could have been dropped. Spirited Charge is not worth more than Arcane Channeling by a longshot (-0.5).
Specifying that you're just using Truestrike really hampers the rest of your casting. You're trading in a standard action for a surefire bonus on your next attack, but even first-level duskblade spells can do more than that (-0.5).
Elegance: 1
You take Open Least Chakra (Feet) when Totemist 5 already opens that chakra (-0.5).
No listing of ability scores means it's impossible to tell whether or not you qualify for the feats you take. Additionally, it makes it hard to judge your character overall (-0.5).
You can take Rapidstrike (leg blade) but cannot take Rapidstrike (impalement) since you do not have at least a pair of impalement attacks (-0.5).
You're an ubercharger that depends on your mount to do some of the heavy lifting. However, your mount cannot incorporate impalement into a full attack, as it is a special attack and not another in a series of natural weapons (-0.5).
It is clear that duskblade was wedged in solely to meet spellcasting requirements and fighter was added to grab the mounted combat feats you needed. It clutters up what could have been a very elegant build of Totemist 9/Duskblade 1/Drow Judicator 10 that accomplished the same things (-0.5).
The appearance of dead levels was minimized (+0.5).
There's great question as to whether "all effects related to race" applies to qualification for prestige classes. For an alternate example, see Races of Eberron's Racial Emulation feat with language indicating "all other purposes." However, the Stoneblessed from Races of Stone uses the "all effects" language and calls out prestige classes specifically. Questions abound as to whether this is an exception to the "all effects" language or an explanation of it, so no deduction (0).
UoSI: 3.5
Entry requirements are met but are not used or maxed (-0.5).
Sharing Soulmelds gives your character another way to amp up the Spider Servant (+0.5).
All other class features beside the Spider Servant receive a passing mention at best (-0.5).
Best overall presentation of the Spider Servant (+0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).

Sorin: 8.5

Originality: 3
Ranger 4 was used by another entry (-0.5)
One of only two entries to go full drow in this round (+0.5).

Power: 1
Yikes, a CON that low without plans to go Necropolitan means you'll be swimming in the shallow end of the hitpoint pool. For a caster, that's acceptable. For a warrior like yourself, it seems like a death wish (-0.5).
It seems like we have a "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario on our hands. Unfortunately, this is where the absent explanation is crucial--unless you tell us what your character can do, we don't know. Sorin is not a skillmonkey nor a caster, but he also lacks any significant combat tricks except "I full attack again" (-0.5).
Besides your low HP, your admittedly low defenses mean that life will be very dangerous for you (-0.5).
No mention of the paladin spells used means there's no way to tell if they're doing the heavy lifting in your build (-0.5).
Elegance: 2
Mixing paladin, ranger, and rogue like that will result in a multiclassing penalty (-0.5).
Since you have Smite Good instead of Smite Evil, you don't qualify for Devoted Tracker. A sane DM will allow it to work, but RAW it does not (-0.5).
There are no dead levels (+0.5).
Beside the multiclassing penalties, the level of rogue just feels very out of place in this build (-0.5).
UoSI: 2.5
Entry requirements are met, but not maxed or used in any way (-0.5).
There is absolutely no mention of the use of any of your class features. In this competition, it can be helpful to let the judges know how you plan to use the levels that you're taking (-0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).

Anansi: 12

Originality: 3
Ranger 4 was used by another entry (-0.5)
The Spiderman inspiration was clever...(+0.5)
But I still would have liked to see an actual backstory (-0.5).
Cavestalker was definitely unexpected, but matches the theme beautifully (+0.5).
Bloodhound was also unexpected, and a great fit to the character. I only wish there had been more of it (+0.5).
The Combat Reflexes/Robilar's Gambit/Double Hit combo was used by another entry (-0.5).
Power: 3
Full BAB is maintained throughout (+0.5).
Double Hit and Robilar's Gambit is one of my favorite combos. So much so, in fact, that I've used it myself in the past (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11872327&postcount=228). The inclusion of Deft Opportunist ensures you'll land your AoOs (+0.5).
However, you lack the damage boosters to make all of these hits viable. Creatures with DR will laugh at you (-0.5).
No indication of ranger spells used makes it hard to judge the effectiveness of your casting (-0.5).
Elegance: 3
Mixing Ranger and Swashbuckler like that will result in a multiclassing penalty (-0.5).
There are no dead levels (+0.5).
UoSI: 3
Entry requirements are met, but not maxed or used in any way. Combat Reflexes serves as the springboard to a great combo, so no deduction (0).
Class features receive only a passing nod (Command Undead, Spider's Grace, Spider Servant) while others are ignored entirely. It feels like this build would have been stronger and more theme-appropriate with more levels in either Cavestalker or especially Bloodhound (-0.5).
All ten levels were taken (+0.5).

[Venger]

well, it looks like that's that. thanks, ponies!

[Occasional Sage]

Ponies, why does Druid entry get a bonus for multiple entries, when Fighter and Robilar's/etc get penalized dit appearing more than once?

[Venger]

Ponies, why does Druid entry get a bonus for multiple entries, when Fighter and Robilar's/etc get penalized dit appearing more than once?

as was ranger for sorin and anansi

[OMG PONIES]

Great question; sorry I couldn't find my criteria to post them. I deduct from Originality if more than one entry includes the same number of levels in the same class. For example, I deducted the two builds that went Fighter 6 and the ones that went Ranger 4. I did not deduct our two duskblades because Duskblade 2 is very different than Duskblade 8, and the same can be said for our two druids.

In regards to the Robilar's/Double Hit combo, I don't like to deduct for using common feat chains. However, there's a difference between two chargers (common archetype) and two builds that focused on the same specific combo (unfortunate coincidence). I'd like to think my own use of that combo in a previous round isn't making me too subjective, but if our chairman believes it is I will adjust my scores.

[Venger]

Great question; sorry I couldn't find my criteria to post them. I deduct from Originality if more than one entry includes the same number of levels in the same class. For example, I deducted the two builds that went Fighter 6 and the ones that went Ranger 4. I did not deduct our two duskblades because Duskblade 2 is very different than Duskblade 8, and the same can be said for our two druids.

In regards to the Robilar's/Double Hit combo, I don't like to deduct for using common feat chains. However, there's a difference between two chargers (common archetype) and two builds that focused on the same specific combo (unfortunate coincidence). I'd like to think my own use of that combo in a previous round isn't making me too subjective, but if our chairman believes it is I will adjust my scores.

oh, that's right, you do usually do that. never mind, then. here's your criteria from shadowdancer. I don't think they've changed:



Due to the high number of builds submitted and my inability to get psyched about my entry in its final state, I'll judge.

My Criteria

Originality: simply put, does your character stand out in a crowd? Having common build elements (class chassis, particular feat/trick combos) with the WotC example will not gain you any points, and having common build elements with other entries in the same round will lose points.

On the other hand, using a unique entry class will gain points. Using a class I didn't think could even qualify or would never think to use will gain even more points. Since I encourage good writing, a solid and engrossing backstory may earn you a bonus as well. However, brevity is important; just because a backstory is long does not mean it is good.

Power: to boil this category down to its essence, how strong is your build compared to a similar chassis without the Secret Ingredient? Additionally, how does that comparative strength fare over the course of a standard adventuring day? Nova powers are good, but shouldn't be all a character relies on.

Elegance: at its core, I look at three things for this category--simplicity, legality, and progression.
Simplicity is straightforward: would most DMs be willing to allow this at their table, or does it involve jumping through hoops/penalizing yourself? It is worth noting that I will no longer be penalizing for dips unless they are incredibly convoluted or result in multiclass XP penalties. The big culprit here will be rules interpretations that, while not outright illegal, could cause significant controversy by RAW. If you're doing something quirky, please back it up. As per contest rules, flaws will see a deduction of 1 point apiece in this category.
Legality is similar: we are showcasing optimization work, so let's make sure we understand the rules. Failing to qualify for the SI is dealt with below. Failing to qualify for a class will lose you 1 point per class, while failing to qualify for a feat will lose you 0.5 points per feat. Other rules issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Progression is the most subjective of the three: how does the build flow? Does it feel like one continuous class, ramping up steadily in ability through all 20 levels?

Use of Secret Ingredient: This is ultimately a contest about the Secret Ingredient. As such, three things will be considered--qualification, optimization, and completion.
Qualification: First and foremost, failure to qualify for the Secret Ingredient will result in an automatic score of 1 for this category. Beyond that, however, I will look to see what you did with anything required for qualification. Is it simply there to get you into the Secret Ingredient, or is it a viable part of your character's identity?
Optimization: do you use all of the class features granted by the Secret Ingredient to their fullest? Do you make them better via synergy with existing class features, feats, etc? Class features that are not mentioned will see a penalty here. Ideas that do not pan out fully will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; I'd rather see you try something truly original and fail than play it safe.
Completion: Are all levels of the Secret Ingredient taken? If not, is sound reasoning provided for why not finishing the SI makes the build a better [Secret Ingredient] than more levels in the SI would have?

[Occasional Sage]

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation.

[Thurbane]

Nice one Ponies...I wonder if we'll squeeze in any more judging before the deadline?

Oh, and as usual, my wish list for the next ingredient: :smallbiggrin:



Dragon Disciple (DMG)
Urban Soul (RoD)
Shadowblade (ToM)
Death Delver (HoH)

[A_S]

As a druid who gains 9th level spells (though your write-up only says 8th...what am I missing?), your power is undisputable. You lose elemental wild shape, huge wild shape, 1 use/day of regular wild shape, and Timeless Body, but come on--ninth level spells (+0.5)!
The SI only gets two levels of spellcasting in the first six levels, so a Druid 14/DJ 6 has 16 levels of spellcasting, enough for 8th (not 9th) level spells. Unless I'm missing something.

Not sure if it changes anything for judging, since 8th level Druid spellcasting is still damn good.

[OMG PONIES]

Ah, there it is! I kept thinking "spellcasting advances at 3rd, 6th, and 9th" and didn't remind myself that the build in question only took 6 levels. Still, to your point, 8th level spells are also strong. The bonus to power stands.

[Venger]

Nice one Ponies...I wonder if we'll squeeze in any more judging before the deadline?

Oh, and as usual, my wish list for the next ingredient: :smallbiggrin:



Dragon Disciple (DMG)
Urban Soul (RoD)
Shadowblade (ToM)
Death Delver (HoH)


cool! I'd love to build an urban soul. that class has always seemed fun if not useful per se.

death delver's list is decent, even if the class is a little lackluster.

I'd like to see these


Acolyte of the Skin (CArc)
Fiend-blooded (HoH)
any of the thrall/disciple classes from BoVD
Oozemaster (MotW)

mostly acolyte of the skin though

[Zeb]

I would definitely enter again if the SI was Death Delver...

But since I want it aint gonna happen:smallsigh:

[dantiesilva]

Thanks ponies that helped explain a lot. If I were to have blank blank blank I'm sure it would have done better. Now I know detail detail detail. And to not wait till the last three days to try and make a build, not bad for first time though.

ps. After looking at CAdv. it hit me that for Sorins build it does not go into RAI but is still RAW for the feat Devoted tracker. CAdv states though in a different situation that the abilities of the two classes are considered the same for feats. Of course the class features I'm describing are Sneak attack, skirmish, and sudden strike. Though all different in there own ways they are all considered the same for feat selection, so would it not be the same with the change of the words evil and good for a paladin saying if it were not the case you could take almost no divine feats as a paladin of tryanny because it does not have the exact name. Thus making UA a banned book basically because you are making classes worst by penalizing them.