Scrap-Iron Chef Challenge; In the Playground II

[Vknight]

Well most Iron Chefs and other Challenges of the sort focus on a prestige class. This Challenge will focus on things like ideas, templates and all those other goodies and incorporating them too make a build.


Contestants: You will need to present a write-up of your build at, the following points: 5th level, 10th level, 15th, 20th, and if you have one 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: The Secret Ingredient will be a template or idea for a character. Which must be empathized in the build.
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.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is allowed[on a case by case basis], 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 agree with Kuulvheysoon.

Cooking Time Ends: Friday, July 24th, EST 11:45pm, 2013.

Judging: Judges will be rating on a 1 to 5 scale.
1(Very Poor), 2(Poor), 3(Average), 4(Above Average), 5(Amazing)
On the following categories.
Power; What can the build do, the power of the build in general, and the builds strength in combat. We can handle some cheese but not too much.
A tier one does not immediately win over a tier 4 in power. Because power is not just the classes own strengths but the strengths put into it from the build. Power is nice but make sure it hits the idea of the challenge

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 multi-classing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points. Obscurity does not drop points, not saying what book it, is from does(I.E, site your sources for were you got a feat/class/etc. from), this is to help the judges for ease of reference

Flavor; A certain amount of love is needed for any build. This is that extra spice the characters story. Those that cannot write awesome character stuff or stories, work on maximizing the build idea. This is also the place to rate just how well they pulled off the build. Elegance is does it look good, and Flavor is does it feel right. So a build that works but doesn't really fit the theme scores low here.

A Note on Tier 1 Classes: Without a set you need this class it's easier to give the challenge a Tier 1 Build.
To keep the challenge fair for all of those involved, a build utilizing a tier 1 class to its fullest will only be able to get a maximum of 4.5 in Power, 4 in Elegance, and 4.25 in Flavor

Presentation: Build will be sent too me and then I'll post them. This will keep anonymity and stop bias towards one side or another.
I Took the Codes from Iron Chef because they work well
Judges will judge openly, and hopefully include reasoning on the judging

Basic Code
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]
Spells Code

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), prepared caster include a spell load-out for an ordinary day
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.

Don't Speculate on builds please and thank-you.
Leadership and other such feats/abilities are banned. Natures Cohort[or whatever the feats called] depending on the build and challenge.
In Challenges that call for LA races and/or templates, the LA buyoff rules may be applied. If their is no listed LA buyoff, then it's 0. LA Buyoff for this challenge is 3!

So What is Our Challenge?
The Master Swords-man?

What The Build Needs(Or the things it needs to qualify)
-Can't Abuse Charge Stuff(The Power Attack+Leap Attack+ Whatever), or other similar cheese.
-Include at least 2 or more tropes of fighting(especially with swords), wind attacks, running on walls what have you. Getting these without items is the real challenge of this part. Lunge Attack would count as striking with the swords air pressure as an example to help contestants. Please note which tropes your character invokes
-Oh and you have to be some type of Lycanthrope/Were creature. Bonus points for using the Lycanthrope template to make a new type of Lycanthrope.

What The Build Wants(Builders you don't need to have these there just extra challenges that the judges will/should reward you for following.)
-Use a Sword
-No 4th level or higher spells
-Grabbing a Prestige Class not from Tome of Battle. Bonus points for not grabbing a class from Tome of Battle


No Trophies sorry. Though rewards for if we do/currently have going

1st Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges and your build will be included in the first post. Gold Trophy if ever get them
2nd Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges. Silver Trophy if we get them
3rd Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges

Most Unusual Build
This goes to the build which shows the most ingenuity, creativity, and all around cleverness in the challenge. Congrats your build is posted in the next challenge and all following challenges, like 1st place but you get no Trophy.

So seeing as that is everything all the fun and creativity lets all enjoy yourselves and have fun everyone!

Build *Bites a gnome hidden under cloak*

Judges(On the note of judging if we only have 1 judge the Chariman, can also judge. 2 judges the chairman can be asked to join the judging by the judges or contestants otherwise he is to stay out of it. 3 or greater judges the Chairman is no longer allowed to be involved)
Judges you have 1 week to deliberate and give us your results

-WhamBamSam
-Kuulvheysoon(If he doesn't get time to put his build together)
-


Previous Challenges
1: The Battle Lich (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288786)

[Vknight]

Previous Challenge Winners!

The Battle Lich
King Desmond Blackwing
Curst Human Dread Necromancer 8/Crusader 1/Jade Phoenix Mage 10
"His majesty shall rise from every ash."

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs13/i/2007/026/8/3/Skeletal_Phoenix_by_Panicaddict665.jpg
The Tale
No parent wants their child to fall ill, much less royalty. So when King Duncan and Queen Adalia learned their son, rightful heir to the Blackwing line, had fallen ill with a horrible disease, they enlisted the services of the best magicians, most devout clerics, and most studied doctors in the land. One, an old man well beyond his years, had rasped a word of prophecy to them: "His majesty shall rise from every ash." Taking it as a sign of hope, the King and Queen sent their son to the elderly man for healing. But the boy who returned was not quite Desmond.

The young prince never smiled, instead taking to his room which he christened his "labratory." He was convinced that he had received no healing, but instead been cursed with life. His many experiments were brutal and traumatizing to his parents and subjects alike. But still, he had the right of kings. Duncan, afraid that Desmond would be too weak and soft-willed to rule, forced him to enlist in the military along with the common infantry and noble knights.

They hoped Desmond would take to war, but were unprepared with the gusto with which he threw himself into the fray. His reckless abandon inspired fear in his allies and foes alike; he was soon commanding legions with shouted commands and threats of violence. No battle was too daunting, no odds too overwhelming for the young man who had become convinced he could not die.

So advanced was Desmond's hubris that he hatched a plan to usurp the throne from his father--an older man, but still fit and sound of mind. It was a bloodbath, and after that fateful day none questioned if Desmond had what it took to rule with an iron fist.

As soon as he took the crown, he also began to construct his army. Desmond's troops were neither the fit nor the willing; instead, he chose soldiers from the sickly. Strangely, the same disease that had almost claimed him as a boy had started spreading like a plague throughout the land. Each time someone was about to be claimed by the disease, they were whisked to the castle and emerged a few days later, strangely quiet and blanched. They fought with great zeal at Desmond's side, and soon he had developed a military to be feared.

The subjects of the Blackwing Kingdom were once a happy folk, but that was many centuries ago. For thousands of years now, they have lived in fear...waiting for the disease to mark them as the next soldiers in King Desmond's forever-marching army. His kingdom continues unabated and will continue for millenia still, burning brightly but providing no warmth.
The Build:
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1|Curst LA|||||||Undead (augmented humanoid), d12 HDs, +3 Natural Armor, Slam Attack (1d4), Fast Healing 1, Immune to Cold/Fire, SR 12+CL, Turning Immunity, Unkillable (can only be killed by totally destroying the body via disintegrate, undeath to death, etc. or remove curse)
2|Dread Necro 1|+0|+0|+0|+2|Concentration 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (arcana) 2, Knowledge (religion) 2|Dreadful Wrath, Mother Cyst|Charnel Touch, Rebuke Undead
3|Dread Necro 2|+1|+0|+0|+3|Concentration 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge (arcana) 3, Knowledge (religion) 2||Lich Body DR 2
4|Dread Necro 3|+1|+1|+1|+3|Concentration 6, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (arcana) 3, Knowledge (religion) 3|Battle Caster|Negative Energy Burst 1/day
5|Dread Necro 4|+2|+1|+1|+4|Concentration 7, Intimidate 7, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 3||Advanced Learning (Kelgore's Grave Mist), Mental Bastion +2
6|Dread Necro 5|+2|+1|+1|+4|Concentration 8, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 4||Fear Aura
7|Dread Necro 6|+3|+2|+2|+5|Concentration 9, Intimidate 9, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 4|Arcane Strike|Scabrous Touch 1/day
8|Dread Necro 7|+3|+2|+2|+5|Concentration 10, Intimidate 10, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5||Lich Body DR 4, Summon Familiar
9|Crusader 1|+4|+4|+2|+5|Concentration 11, Intimidate 11, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 0.5, Never Outnumbered||Furious Counterstrike, Steely Resolve 5
10|JPM 1|+5|+6|+2|+5|Concentration 12, Intimidate 12, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 1, Never Outnumbered|Stone Power|Arcane Wrath, Rite of Waking
11|JPM 2|+6|+7|+2|+5|Concentration 13, Intimidate 13, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 1.5, Never Outnumbered||Mystic Phoenix Stance
12|JPM 3|+7|+7|+3|+6|Concentration 14, Intimidate 14, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 2, Never Outnumbered||
13|JPM 4|+8|+8|+3|+6|Concentration 15, Intimidate 15, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 2.5, Never Outnumbered|Divine Might|Empowering Strike
14|JPM 5|+9|+8|+3|+6|Concentration 16, Intimidate 16, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 3, Never Outnumbered||
15|JPM 6|+10|+9|+4|+7|Concentration 17, Intimidate 17, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 3.5, Never Outnumbered||Firebird Stance, Jade Phoenix Master
16|JPM 7|+11|+9|+4|+7|Concentration 18, Intimidate 18, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 4, Never Outnumbered|Versatile Spellcaster|
17|JPM 8|+12|+10|+4|+7|Concentration 19, Intimidate 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 4.5, Never Outnumbered||Quickening Strike
18|JPM 9|+13|+10|+5|+8|Concentration 20, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 5, Never Outnumbered||
19|JPM 10|+14|+11|+5|+8|Concentration 21, Intimidate 21, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 5.5, Never Outnumbered|Practiced Spellcaster|Emerald Immolation
20|Dread Necro 8|+15|+11|+5|+9|Concentration 22, Intimidate 22, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 6, Never Outnumbered||Advanced Learning, Negative Energy Burst 2/day, Undead Mastery[/table]

{table=head]Attribute|Base|Points|Curst|Total
STR|14|6|2|16
DEX|10|2|0|10
CON|8|0|--|--
INT|14|6|-4|10
WIS|10|2|-6|4
CHA|18|16|-2|16[/table]

Dread Necromancer Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|1st level|2nd level|3rd level|4th level|5th level|6th level|7th level|8th level|9th level
1|||||||||
2|3||||||||
3|4||||||||
4|5||||||||
5|6|3|||||||
6|6|4|||||||
7|6|5|3||||||
8|6|6|4||||||
9|6|6|4||||||
10|6|6|4||||||
11|6|6|5|3|||||
12|6|6|6|4|||||
13|6|6|6|5|3||||
14|6|6|6|6|4||||
15|6|6|6|6|4||||
16|6|6|6|6|5|3|||
17|6|6|6|6|6|4|||
18|6|6|6|6|6|5|3||
19|6|6|6|6|6|6|4||
20|6|6|6|6|6|6|5|3|[/table]

Maneuvers Known
{table=head]Level|IL|Maneuvers & Stances Known
1|0|
2|0|
3|1|
4|1|
5|2|
6|2|
7|3|
8|3.5|
9|4.5|Mountain Hammer, Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike, Charging Minotaur, Douse the Flames, Martial Spirit
10|5.5|Burning Blade
11|6.5|
12|7.5|Searing Charge
13|8.5|
14|9.5|Thicket of Blades, Leaping Flame
15|10.5|
16|11.5|Desert Tempest
17|12.5|
18|13.5|Castigating Strike
19|14.5|
20|15.5|[/TABLE]
The Cake:

Casting at least 3rd-level spells: We actually have 8th level spells from Dread Necromancer, with a side of 6th-level maneuvers. We can actually initiate 7th-level maneuvers, but don't learn any at Jade Phoenix Mage's 10th level.
Casting in medium armor or better: Dread Necromancers can cast in light armor, and Battle Caster allows us to up that to medium. We don't really mind if folks actually hit us though, since we're a Bucket of HP in command of an army of Buckets of HP.
Being Undead: The Curst template does that quite nicely, thanks.
Not being a cleric or druid: How about something that both of them revile?
Using some type of weapon: Dread Necromancer grants proficiency in a martial weapon, as does Crusader. Pick your favorite, but I always love me some greatsword.
Mixing magic and swordplay: Not only do we mix them, but we combine them together to strengthen both. Our spell slots can be used to supercharge our attacks, and when we hit with martial strikes we can empower or quicken spells for free. Nothing quite like tossing out Empowered Quickened Enervations while stabbing people to death, is there?
The Icing:

The Fear of the People: between Dreadful Wrath, Fear Aura, Intimidate maxed out, and Never Outnumbered, Desmond is stacking on the fear to make folks flee. Whenever he draws near, they're shaken. Casting a spell, charging, or full attacking activates Dreadful Wrath. If that doesn't work, in the next round he can still intimidate those who think themselves courageous. When they flee, Desmond strikes with an AoO. If a shaken foe thinks they can 5-foot step away, Thicket of Blades tells them they've got another thing coming. There's no escape. Granted, we could have added Imperious Command (and still can if flaws are allowed), but we don't want our subjects to cower...we want them to run.
I've Got Blisters on Me Fingers!: Mother Cyst adds a few flavorful additions to our spell list, including the ability to dominate creatures with ease before a wizard can. The real star of the show, though, is Necrotic Empowerment. It not only buffs up our poorest abilities (which helps our Will saves for things like Undeath to Death if they can actually overcome our SR), but it also provides us with 100 temporary HP. Assuming any enemy can get through those, we can keep using Stone Power (which we can activate alongside Dreadful Wrath) to regain plenty of temporary HP. More on that later.
Bring the Pain: Arcane Strike is pretty standard for gishes, but we want more icing on our damage cake. Divine Might gives us a use for our turn attempts to add CHA to our damage (easily boostable with items), and the Jade Phoenix Mage's Arcane Wrath lets us start off our impressive barrage with one big bang. The good news is that Dread Necromancers have plenty of spell slots to burn, so we can use one as a free action for Arcane Strike, one as a swift action for Arcane Wrath, and a turn attempt as a free action for Divine Might all in the same round...for when you get bored casting 8th-level Dread Necromancer spells. We also have a slew of maneuvers that allow us to drop some serious hurt, and all three of our damage boosters work with them, too.
Can't Touch This: So, we can get 100 temporary HP. But they run out eventually, right? Well, we still have Stone Power to grant more temporary HP while attacking and Dreadful Wrathing. If that's not enough, we've got d12 HDs, fast healing 1 from being Curst alongside DR 4 from Dread Necromancer and 5 points of delayed damage from Crusader. Out of combat, we can use the Dread necromancer's negative energy touch and burst to heal ourselves and undead minions/allies back to full. Assuming that an enemy can chip through all of that, and we soak up enough in our delayed damage pool that we're about to go...hello Emerald Immolation! We go out in a blaze of glory that will probably wipe out the enemy that's still standing in our war of attrition, and we come back all topped off. Did I mention we have minions that can use similar tricks?
Say Hello to my Little Friend: the great thing about the Curst template is that an evil spellcaster [present!] can create them by casting Bestow Curse on a dying subject, followed by create undead or greater create undead. Conveniently, all three spells happen to be on our list, and we've got enough slots to spam it away. So go ahead and create an army of unstoppable killing machines, because why not? Command Undead can be spammed at them, and Practiced Spellcaster along with the CL boost from Jade Phoenix Mage's Mystic Phoenix Stance will allow you to get around their pesky SR. Enjoy your unkillable, unturnable, loyal servants. Even if you need to go bye-bye via Emerald Immolation, the big belch of fire damage you do on your way out won't harm your Curst minions, because they're also immune to fire and cold. Leave them behind to finish the job.
Ask Your DM: If you can create a Curst using Bestow Curse and create undead (or greater create undead), what can you do with GREATER Bestow Curse? We can pick this up at level 20 via advanced learning, and ideally we can use this to make a Greater Curst--I'm picturing an undead with all the attributes of a Curst, but they can only be killed by a Miracle. It's pretty strong, but it had better be.

The Recipe:

Lost Empires of Faerun (Curst template)
Heroes of Horror (Dread Necromancer)
Tome of Battle (Crusader, Stone Power, Jade Phoenix Mage, maneuvers)
Libris Mortis (Mother Cyst)
Player's Guide to Faerun (Dreadful Wrath)
Complete Scoundrel (Never Outnumbered)
Complete Arcane (Battle Caster, Practiced Spellcaster)
Complete Warrior (Arcane Strike, Divine Might)
Races of the Dragon: Versatile Spellcaster


2nd Place: Avalon the Fallen General (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15563481&postcount=97)

[WhamBamSam]

Depending on whether or not Power Attack/Shock Trooper/Dungeoncrasher qualifies as "abusing charge stuff" one of the most famous former IC builds (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106) might or might not fit this to a T.

I'm not competing in the current Iron Chef, and I'm looking at more free time in the coming weeks, so I might cook something up. The criteria are certainly more restrictive than the last one, which makes for more of a challenge.

Is the LA buyoff a straight reduction like in the last challenge or true LA buyoff? It might be helpful to clarify that in the OP if it's the former and that's going to consistently be the case for this competition.

[Vknight]

This time we will treat it more a true LA buyoff, I was nicer on the last one for templates like Lich, etc.

Yes this challenge is more restrictive because its a more narrow view/idea/field but I think that which is adversary shall create greatness.

Old Lob is close enough I'd say that it would not count. I'll have to think on it but that is the way as Chairman I'm leaning.

[Kuulvheysoon]

This time we will treat it more a true LA buyoff, I was nicer on the last one for templates like Lich, etc.

Yes this challenge is more restrictive because its a more narrow view/idea/field but I think that which is adversary shall create greatness.

Old Lob is close enough I'd say that it would not count. I'll have to think on it but that is the way as Chairman I'm leaning.

You might want to have the same "free" LA as last time - keep in mind that lycanthropes (usually) need to swallow all of the Animal RHD.

I might compete here - I've got an idea, but I'll wait and see how things turn out.

[Gildedragon]

Got an idea, will join as a player.

[Vknight]

You might want to have the same "free" LA as last time - keep in mind that lycanthropes (usually) need to swallow all of the Animal RHD.

I might compete here - I've got an idea, but I'll wait and see how things turn out.

I may but I'm not perfectly even on that level

[OMG PONIES]

Hmm, interesting challenge this time. Can our Chairman explain the rationale behind the lycanthrope requirement? It hit me kind of suddenly: standard swordsman stuff, acrobatics...oh, and you have to be a cursed creature of the night, by the way. :smalltongue:

[Kuulvheysoon]

Hmm, interesting challenge this time. Can our Chairman explain the rationale behind the lycanthrope requirement? It hit me kind of suddenly: standard swordsman stuff, acrobatics...oh, and you have to be a cursed creature of the night, by the way. :smalltongue:

Actually, I'm coming to think that that's part of the criteria. "Okay, you can do this pretty easy... but if there's a twist?"

Just tossing in a random element to see how people make it work.

[Yogibear41]

No true self respecting lycanthrope would ever sully his beastial side by relying on sword techniques!! Tooth and Claw are all that we will ever need! muahahahah!

[Vknight]

Exactly.

Its a standard build this challenge. And each will hold a twist.
Last one was technically build a Gish and the twist be, being an Undead, even though I named the idea after the undead part because it sounded cool

[WhamBamSam]

No true self respecting lycanthrope would ever sully his beastial side by relying on sword techniques!! Tooth and Claw are all that we will ever need! muahahahah!That's sort of what I was thinking. "But if I use a sword then I'll lose claw attacks!"

Anyway I have two ideas. One meets all the challenges but is a complete affront to the spirit of the thing, the other is more what you're looking for idea wise, but trips up a bit on a few of the challenges. I may submit one or both of them though.

[Vknight]

That is fine WhamBamSam

and Yogibear no self respecting Swordsman would rely on claws to handle a situation which could be taken care of by his blade

[Vknight]

Also to help those not getting it

Lets start off with one end of the picture and why someone may not want to use its ability. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SuperpoweredEvilSide)Maybe we could also look at it in this light; (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SplitPersonality) or we could take a more direct and easily recognized idea. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HulkingOut) Starting to get what I was going with the Lycanthrope idea? (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ResistTheBeast)

[Kuulvheysoon]

...and my joke build was completely shot by RAW (and RAI). Damn.

[Vknight]

...and my joke build was completely shot by RAW (and RAI). Damn.

Aww its ok Kuulveheysoon, remember a serious build is always great

[ArqArturo]

Shifters count as lycantropes, AFAIK, right?.

[Vknight]

Shifters count as lycantropes, AFAIK, right?.

Hahahahah, No:smallannoyed:
-Oh and you have to be some type of Lycanthrope/Were creature. Bonus points for using the Lycanthrope template to make a new type of Lycanthrope.

As Shifter's hold only lineage to a Were creature they don't meet the requirement of being an actual type of Lycanthrope.

---------

And after deliberating on it I've decided to allow the same LA buyoff as last time.
To those not aware. Treat 3 LA as though you have paid it off with LA buyoff.

Kuulheysoon describes it as free LA payoff which I think is an apt description

[OMG PONIES]

And after deliberating on it I've decided to allow the same LA buyoff as last time.
To those not aware. Treat 3 LA as though you have paid it off with LA buyoff.

Two questions:

Didn't we do 2 LA buyoff last time?
Can we use the free buyoff towards Racial HD, or only LA?

[Vknight]

Question 1: Yes it was only 2 LA this time. Lycanthrope can either be +2/+3 for its LA so I went with 3

Question 2: Only LA.

[WhamBamSam]

On reflection, I like my IC build more than I like my idea for this competition. I think I'm going to invert my original plan, judge here, and cook in IC.

Here are my judging criteria, all scores are a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5.

Flavor
Start from a baseline score of 3.

Up to 1 point of bonus or penalty based on how well I feel your build fits the idea of the contest.

Up to 1 point of bonus or penalty to a build doing something interesting or something we've all seen it before respectively. You can fill a common niche without incurring my wrath, but I'd like to see a new spin on it. Cool factor in your crunch may see a bonus here.

Up to a 0.25 point bonus if I find your fluff to be particularly excellent.


Deliberate abuse of loopholes in the criteria will result in additional penalty. For example, I had been planning to get around the ToB class restrictions with Martial Study, and get around the spellcasting/T1 restrictions with a T2 Psion Gish. I would give myself a heavy penalty in this sub-category for this transgression, possibly even an automatic 1.

Power
Start from a baseline score of 3.

Up to 0.75 point of bonus or penalty for versatility. Do you have a variety of options or are you a one trick pony that can easily be shut down?

Up to 1.25 points of bonus or penalty for how well you do the things that you do. For example, if you're a front line fighter, how good are you at hurting things?

Elegance
Start from a baseline score of 4.

Each failure to qualify for a non-secret ingredient thing results in a 0.5 point deduction.

A rule interpretation which is highly questionable or likely not to fly at the average table will result in a penalty of up to 0.25 points depending on severity.

Up to 0.75 points of bonus or penalty based on the overall flow of the build. A clean, flowing progression will score more points, while a dip-happy build may be penalized.

A bonus of up to 0.1 points for each of the secondary challenges met.

Up to 0.25 bonus points if the build just screams classy.

[kestrel404]

Well, I was mildly interested in the first one, and now there's the optionrequirement of playing with the Lycanthrope template? I'll see what can be made for this...

[dysprosium]

Hopefully real life doesn't interfere with my entry this time.

Hear that real life?

[AWiz_Abroad]

Hopefully real life doesn't interfere with my entry this time. [/SIZE]

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide,
No escape from reality.

Boehemian Rhapsody aside, I'm going to toss my hat into the ring for this challenge.

First build contest I've been in. Is there a thread around on the boards somewhere that helps me with the formatting?

[Deadline]

First build contest I've been in. Is there a thread around on the boards somewhere that helps me with the formatting?

The formatting tables are in the first post of this thread. There is also a link to the previous round, where you can see the entries in all their glory.

You may also want to check out the Handy Tips for the Iron Chef in the Playground newbie (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287603) (although this is for the Iron Chef challenge, not the Scrap-Iron Chef challenge - they are similar). You could also look at the past Iron Chef challenges for an idea of how to format your entry. You can find a listing of all the past Iron Chef challenges in the first post of this thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294).

[AWiz_Abroad]

The formatting tables are in the first post of this thread. There is also a link to the previous round, where you can see the entries in all their glory.

You may also want to check out the Handy Tips for the Iron Chef in the Playground newbie (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287603) (although this is for the Iron Chef challenge, not the Scrap-Iron Chef challenge - they are similar). You could also look at the past Iron Chef challenges for an idea of how to format your entry. You can find a listing of all the past Iron Chef challenges in the first post of this thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294).

Thanks, Sorry for missing the obvious.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Thanks, Sorry for missing the obvious.

Don't worry, that thread is (relatively) new. No reason for you to know about it.

[Deadline]

Thanks, Sorry for missing the obvious.

I'll echo Kuulvheysoon, don't worry about it. Read up, build an entry, and submit it! It's tons of fun, and super addictive once you start.

I have a question for Vknight: You mentioned last competition that you wanted to restrict it to one entry per contestant, does that still hold for this round?

[Vknight]

Unless they have a very good reasoning, or they cannot decide on an entry.
I'll go with 1 entry; unless the contestant has good reasoning.
And I'm not sure how I'd handle if they win 1st & 2nd place

[Deadline]

Unless they have a very good reasoning, or they cannot decide on an entry.
I'll go with 1 entry; unless the contestant has good reasoning.
And I'm not sure how I'd handle if they win 1st & 2nd place

I'd recommend going with a blanket "1 entry per chef" or "multiple entries per chef". Indicating that some chefs may be allowed to enter multiples is a quick way to get accused of favoritism. That said, the chefs I've seen thus far have been a pretty laid back bunch, so it may not be an issue.

[Vknight]

Very true, very very true. But it seems so far that most if not all involved are laid back bunch and wouldn't be involved in this to try and simply win the challenge.

Hmmm
1 Entry per contestant
They can make multiple entries and figure out which they want to have involved in the challenge

[kestrel404]

But it seems so far that most if not all involved are laid back bunch and wouldn't be involved in this to try and simply win the challenge.


I like winning. ...But I like creating unspeakable abominations that cause GMs nightmares more... Decisions, decisions...

[Vknight]

Yup so be careful with your decisions and things.

Only 1 entry to be graded the other builds can be built simply for fun

[WhamBamSam]

Yup so be careful with your decisions and things.

Only 1 entry to be graded the other builds can be built simply for funSpeaking as a judge, I'd be happy to take the extra builds if each contestant were allowed more than one. It's permitted in Iron Chef and hasn't caused any problems there.

Also, I foresee future iterations of this contest where I will personally want to submit several different builds.

[OMG PONIES]

Speaking as a judge, I'd be happy to take the extra builds if each contestant were allowed more than one. It's permitted in Iron Chef and hasn't caused any problems there.

Also, I foresee future iterations of this contest where I will personally want to submit several different builds.

On the flip side, speaking as a contestant who has been guilty of entering more than once in previous Iron Chef rounds (including one where I took both gold and silver), I kind of like being limited to one. It really makes you focus more on what you want to include in that one build.

[Vknight]

See everyone has good reasons its so hard to debate and decide upon these things!
And we need to get more people involved in the contests lets see what we can do!

[OMG PONIES]

See everyone has good reasons its so hard to debate and decide upon these things!
And we need to get more people involved in the contests lets see what we can do!

I heard if you start shipping gifts to prior rounds' contestants, others hear about it and start to join in. I believe it's called "Ponies-Wants-an-iPad Marketing."

[WhamBamSam]

All I know is that I'll be really disappointed if I'm limited to a single entry in the inevitable dragony challenges to come and I wouldn't want to deprive anyone who likes lycanthropes as much as I like dragons.

As for growing the challenge I may start sigging my placing entries in IC-esque challenges, which could help. It also might be a good idea to pick some other brains for ingredients. Not the brains of competitors, necessarily, but the brains of various random people who like fantasy and have vague concepts that they'd like to see fleshed out. Not that your ideas are bad, you understand, but working from a wider range of preferences makes the challenge appealing to a wider range of preferences.

Just my 2cp.

[Vknight]

Awww don't worry WhamBamSam.

Hmmm, ah here we go.
One can only enter up too 3 entries if they are all cleared by the Chairman.
If one of the entries wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd then the rest cannot win a position on the top 3.
The Chairman must review each entry. The competitor's builds will be listed as coming from the same individual(well still keeping user name secret).
The individual who enters extra builds will list there favorite which is the only one a judge needs to grade, a judge does not need to grade any extra builds.
Each contestants reasoning, ideas, and the challenge itself will determine if additional builds will be allowed at all.
If they are they must also meet all requirements and failure to do so will result in all builds not being posted.

A build must meet all the challenges requirements to be posted/considered eligible for the contest

[WhamBamSam]

That's fair. There will probably be challenges where I bump up against the 3 build limit, but it's probably for the best.

Just an fyi to prospective contestants, I won't decline judging to additional builds.

[Vknight]

I simply put that ruling in for judges so they don't have to look through.

X = Players

Up too , X*3 in Builds and its a fair ruling for all contestants as I'll probably stay chair for awhile

And in other news, Lycanthropes are awesome but Swordsmen are more awesome

[AWiz_Abroad]

So, are we restricted to lycanthropes proper, or can Entomanothropy count as well? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a

[Somensjev]

i may try my hand at this (and hopefully submit a build this time)

[Vknight]

So, are we restricted to lycanthropes proper, or can Entomanothropy count as well? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a

Yes, answering because people not even interested in contest have asked.

And more contestants yay!

And not I-Pod's too much work. I could give out Team Fortress 2

[OMG PONIES]

You'll find that the simplest rules are the easiest to enforce. Saying "one entry each" or "multiple entries allowed" is easy to enforce. Adding caveats and restrictions makes your job as a chairman harder.

[Vknight]

You'll find that the simplest rules are the easiest to enforce. Saying "one entry each" or "multiple entries allowed" is easy to enforce. Adding caveats and restrictions makes your job as a chairman harder.

Very very very true but if I slam one way its restrictive
The other way headaches
And middle makes things complicated but fair

[Deadline]

I was just struck by an idea for this that MUST BE DONETM.

[dysprosium]

Mr Chairman,

I was checking the due date because I wanted to know how long I have for this challenge and came across a major question.

I would like to confirm the due date for this challenge. July 24 is not a Friday, it is a Wednesday. I know this because it is my daughter's birthday . . .:smallbiggrin:

[Ninja PieKing]

Do we have to show stats for all forms?

[Deadline]

Entry submitted Vknight, hope you enjoy it. :smallbiggrin:

[Vknight]

Do we have to show stats for all forms?

Yes so we can see the various forms stats.

And other questions yes I make it so that the contestants have 2 weeks of work in which they can make the build for the challenge

[Deadline]

Yes so we can see the various forms stats

Guess I'll have to re-submit to include the appropriate stats. I've got Hybrid and Animal form, but not base stats. I'll send that up soon.

[Tokuhara]

How "crazy-templated" can you get? Are we talking Human Were-Dire tortoise level or Thri-Kreen Were-Giant Octopus level?

[Vknight]

How "crazy-templated" can you get? Are we talking Human Were-Dire tortoise level or Thri-Kreen Were-Giant Octopus level?

I honestly do not have an exact answer for that question

[Kuulvheysoon]

How "crazy-templated" can you get? Are we talking Human Were-Dire tortoise level or Thri-Kreen Were-Giant Octopus level?

Thri-Kreen are Monstrous Humanoids, so you cannot apply the Lycanthrope template to them.

[Tokuhara]

Thri-Kreen are Monstrous Humanoids, so you cannot apply the Lycanthrope template to them.

I meant that level of obscenity (20 arms)

[OMG PONIES]

I meant that level of obscenity (20 arms)

In most Iron Chef competitions, you're free to submit whatever insanity you can cook up within the rules. Of course, in most Iron Chef competitions the judges all tolerate varying levels of said insanity.

[Kuulvheysoon]

I'm likely going to have to drop out of this one - but I'll be free to judge, in that case. We shall see, I guess.

[Vknight]

And that falls under insanity, that would be considered silly. And wouldn't it be 12 arms?

[Tokuhara]

And that falls under insanity, that would be considered silly. And wouldn't it be 12 arms?

Math. What is this weirdness you call "Math?"

And I was looking at just straight-up nutso, like Insectile Thri-Kreen, but some kind of nutter butter "I hit you once and you fall down" build sounds more appropriate. I may send you one, if I can figure a build and story. I am not a good storywriter, but I'll try

[kellbyb]

Count me in on this! I have a pretty good idea, but it may not turn out as well as I hope it will.

[Vknight]

Well Octopus has 8 arms
Squid has 10 arms

Thri-Kreen has 4 arms

Would it stay at 4?
Or
Would it be
2 arms become 8/10 arms; 8/10 + 2 = 10 or 12 arms
or
4 arms become 8/10 arms; and we get 8 or 10 arms
or
2 arms become 8/10 arms twice; and we get 16 or 20 arms
or
Does it just stay at 4 arms

I'm saying is does Octopus change the amount of arms.
If so on a Thri-Kreen does it change both sets of arms(16/20 variety)
If not does does it change one set and not the other(+2 variety)
Does it not change the amount of arms(4 variety)
Does it just change the group of 4 arms into Octopus/Squid equal(8/10 Variety)

And great is contestants are having troubles please inform me

I'm keeping the challenges.

2 Weeks to make builds

1 Week to judge
But it that is not enough time for contestants I can extend it a bit.

48 hours until it closes

[amdskitzo]

Why the lycanthropy requirement? It seems overly complicated to havea "dual" theme again? Or is the idea? A character idea with a race template.

The only reason i ask is because i have a great chaacter that i came up with last year, that i think would be great without the lycanthropy.

Not to mention, but wouldnt the character loee the ability to use manufactured weapons when changed?

[Vknight]

Actually, I'm coming to think that that's part of the criteria. "Okay, you can do this pretty easy... but if there's a twist?"

Just tossing in a random element to see how people make it work.

Amdskitzo, look at this quote. Kuulvheysoon gets it right before I even needed to say it, on the first page of this thread.

Each challenge will have a twist or some other clever idea

Also since this is relevant for the judging soon too come.
2 judges the chairman can be asked to join the judging by the judges or contestants otherwise he is to stay out of it.

(And are a lot of people having trouble making the exact 2 week deadline?)

[OMG PONIES]

And are a lot of people having trouble making the exact 2 week deadline?

I'm confused...is the deadline no longer the 24th? :smallconfused:

[Vknight]

I'm confused...is the deadline no longer the 24th? :smallconfused:

No it still is
I'm asking are people having trouble with the 2 week deadline.

Are people having trouble with a two week deadline?
Would be a better phrasing but they both accomplish the general goal of setting up its currently been a two week deadline and has this proven too be problematic?

[WhamBamSam]

Well Octopus has 8 arms
Squid has 10 arms

Thri-Kreen has 4 arms

Would it stay at 4?
Or
Would it be
2 arms become 8/10 arms; 8/10 + 2 = 10 or 12 arms
or
4 arms become 8/10 arms; and we get 8 or 10 arms
or
2 arms become 8/10 arms twice; and we get 16 or 20 arms
or
Does it just stay at 4 armsNothing in the Lycanthrope template indicates that were-squid would have a different number of arms than the base creature in hybrid form. For that matter, the natural attacks in hybrid form are bite/claw/claw no matter what animal you use. So a were-whatever Thri-Kreen will still have 4 arms. Except that's a lie, because Thri-kreens are monstrous humanoids, and the lycanthrope template can only be applied to humanoids and giants.

So yeah. Were-octopus Thri-kreen doesn't work. I would be fine with a similar level of craziness if it were RAW legal and not too standard a trick though. I'm pretty cheese tolerant, so long as the cheese is tasty.


Not to mention, but wouldnt the character loee the ability to use manufactured weapons when changed?There's no reason why you couldn't still use manufactured weapons in hybrid form. Animal form has that issue though.


No it still is
I'm asking are people having trouble with the 2 week deadline.

Are people having trouble with a two week deadline?
Would be a better phrasing but they both accomplish the general goal of setting up its currently been a two week deadline and has this proven too be problematic?Iron Chef does 2 weeks to cook, 2 weeks to judge, as does Zinc Saucier. So the 2 week deadline for competitors should be fine. The challenge would probably benefit from more thorough judging though, so extending that might be a good idea. I don't think I'll have trouble finishing within a week, but I'd like to leave some extra time to address disputes.

[Deadline]

My updated entry has been submitted Vknight, did you get it?

[The Ravensong]

Master Swordsman shapeshifter? Are there bonus points for Link clones?
I think I'll throw my hat into the ring for this one ;)

[Muggins]

I accept this challenge.

Are 4th level or higher powers equivalent to 4th level or higher spells for the purposes of What the Build Wants?
Edit: For that matter, may psionic classes simply elect to forfeit 4th level or higher powers in order to remain within this criteria?

[kellbyb]

I accept this challenge.

Are 4th level or higher powers equivalent to 4th level or higher spells for the purposes of What the Build Wants?
Edit: For that matter, may psionic classes simply elect to forfeit 4th level or higher powers in order to remain within this criteria?


I would say yes to both questions. You shouldn't get penalized for features that you are voluntarily gimping yourself out of.

[OMG PONIES]

I would say yes to both questions. You shouldn't get penalized for features that you are voluntarily gimping yourself out of.

But the class still has said features, so some judges may see it differently. After all, some countries still have nukes, even if they're not using them. Granted, you could always exit your psionic class prior to receiving powers of the offending level.

[kellbyb]

But the class still has said features, so some judges may see it differently. After all, some countries still have nukes, even if they're not using them. Granted, you could always exit your psionic class prior to receiving powers of the offending level.

You could always use some sort of plot gimmick like wish to explain away the lack of fourth level powers, however it would almost always be more desirable to not take any more levels past third level manifesting.

[kestrel404]

No it still is
I'm asking are people having trouble with the 2 week deadline.

Are people having trouble with a two week deadline?
Would be a better phrasing but they both accomplish the general goal of setting up its currently been a two week deadline and has this proven too be problematic?

The deadline is the deadline. Honestly, I've got my entry mostly finished, but I know a lot of people will procrastinate until the last day or two. Extending the deadline just means they'll procrastinate longer. :smallbiggrin:

[kellbyb]

Submitted my build. This is so much fun!

[Vknight]

I accept this challenge.

Are 4th level or higher powers equivalent to 4th level or higher spells for the purposes of What the Build Wants?
Edit: For that matter, may psionic classes simply elect to forfeit 4th level or higher powers in order to remain within this criteria?

Having 4th lvl equivalent things.
It's having them. If you don't get the class to the level were it can use them that is fine and dandy
It is having the option and not taking them

[BornValyrian]

Been lurking around for a while, enjoyed IC competition threads, and I will try to submit an entry as my first round as a GitP member.

Just a quick question. For natural lycanthropes, where would its racial HD go? Would they appear before any class levels? If so, do they get the x4 skill points?

[WhamBamSam]

Been lurking around for a while, enjoyed IC competition threads, and I will try to submit an entry as my first round as a GitP member.

Just a quick question. For natural lycanthropes, where would its racial HD go? Would they appear before any class levels? If so, do they get the x4 skill points?Even for a natural lycanthrope the first HD is never an Animal HD, so you take at least one class level or RHD from your base race first. Strange but true.

[Muggins]

Even for a natural lycanthrope the first HD is never an Animal HD, so you take at least one class level or RHD from your base race first. Strange but true.
Lycanthropic hit dice are confusing, and not just because of how it's displayed in the Monster Manual.

[Vknight]

That is true. Enjoy :smallbiggrin:

In other news all the Lycanthropes!

[Vknight]

Interesting note, I thought yesterday was the 24th for about the first 45 minutes of the day and almost posted all the builds that have been sent in.

[kellbyb]

Interesting note, I thought yesterday was the 24th for about the first 45 minutes of the day and almost posted all the builds that have been sent in.

That would have been fine by me. :smallbiggrin:

[kestrel404]

Interesting note, I thought yesterday was the 24th for about the first 45 minutes of the day and almost posted all the builds that have been sent in.

That would have been annoying. I've got everything done but the fluff.

[Vknight]

As a reminder too all contestants, judges, challengers.

36 Hours Until, I will no longer accept entries.
Furthermore we only have 2 judges

Contestants if you want a third judge, the chairman(me), can act as one.
That is all

[Vknight]

Build #1


Enrico Tortuga
Image
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs30/f/2008/093/f/9/LEONARDO_TMNT_by_CapMoreno.jpg
Human CG Natural Lycanthrope Were-Snapping Turtle Rokugan Ninja 13/Vigilante 5

Story
"You have done well, my son." The old were-rat's voice rasped through the underground chamber, "the Plague Rats' hideout in the lower sewers has been scattered into disarray, thanks to your efforts."

Rico's heart was filled with pride, but he contained his feelings and only responded, "Thank you Master. It is your training that made it possible."

The were-rat raised an eyebrow and stared at Rico for a moment, "I see you are taking my advice and learning to control your emotions, it suits you." He poked Rico's shoulder with his wooden cane, "Now if only you would reconsider my advice and recruit some like-minded individuals to the cause. You would do well with more of your kind to aid you."

Rico shook his head and growled, "Master, you know I won't do that. I was born this way, but I'm not going to curse anyone else just to have some company. Besides, I totally don't need help taking these Plague Rat punks down. You should have seen the look on this one guy's face when I ..." Rico's voice trailed off when his Master let out a sigh.

"Perhaps I spoke to soon, your emotions still get the better of you far too easily." The were-rat eased himself down into a cross-legged sitting position with a groan. "My affliction has been both a blessing and a curse. I have used it to help others in ways that I could not have done without it. Do not be too hasty in your decision. But we will discuss this no more tonight. The city of Waterdeep owes you a great debt, though they will never know it. A pity, too, because we could put the reward money to good use. Now, go fetch dinner from Vittorio's Apothecary. I understand that he has been experimenting with different ways to utilize various different potions. He has a new mystical foodstuff he has been working on lately. See if he will create one of these P'zas using my medicine. Drinking it in liquid form disagrees with my stomach."


Build

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

1st|Were-Snapping Turtle 1|
+0|
+2|
+2|
+0|(2+Int)Gather Information (2), Intimidate (2), Knowledge(Local) (2), Sense Motive (2)|Improved Natural Armor(B), Weapon Focus(Bite), Improved Unarmed Strike, Iron Will(B)|

2nd|Were-Snapping Turtle 2|
+1|
+3|
+3|
+0|(2+int)Intimidate (2.5), Knowledge(Local) (2.5), Sense Motive (2.5), Swim 1|-|

3rd|Rokugan Ninja 1|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+2|(4+Int)Gather Information 3, Intimidate (3), Knowledge(Local) (3), Search 2, Sense Motive (3)|Alertness|Sneak Attack +1d6, Ninja Dodge +1

4th|Rokugan Ninja 2|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+3|(4+Int)Gather Information 5, Hide 1, Move Silently 1, Search 4|-|Poison Use

5th|Rokugan Ninja 3|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+3|(4+Int)Intimidate (4), Knowledge(Local) (4), Sense Motive (4)|-|Sneak Attack +2d6, Uncanny Dodge

6th|Rokugan Ninja 4|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+4|(4+Int)Gather Information 6, Hide 3, Knowledge(Local) (4.5), Move Silently 2, Sense Motive (4.5)|Two-Weapon Fighting|Speed of Darkness

7th|Rokugan Ninja 5|
+6|
+4|
+4|
+4|(4+Int)Gather Information 7, Hide 4, Knowledge(Local) (5), Move Silently 4, Sense Motive (5)|-|Sneak Attack +3d6, Ninja Dodge +2

8th|Rokugan Ninja 6|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+5|(4+Int)Gather Information 8, Hide 6, Knowledge(Local) (5.5), Move Silently 5, Sense Motive (5.5)|-|Uncanny Dodge

9th|Rokugan Ninja 7|
+8|
+5|
+5|
+5|(4+Int)Hide 8, Knowledge(Local) (6), Move Silently 7, Sense Motive (6)|Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting|Sneak Attack +4d6

10th|Rokugan Ninja 8|
+9|
+5|
+5|
+6|(4+Int)Hide 10, Knowledge(Local) (6.5), Move Silently 9, Sense Motive (6.5)|-|Shadow Run

11th|Rokugan Ninja 9|
+10|
+6|
+6|
+6|(4+Int)Hide 12, Knowledge(Local) (7), Move Silently 11, Sense Motive (7)|-|Sneak Attack +5d6

12th|Rokugan Ninja 10|
+11|
+6|
+6|
+7|(4+Int)Hide 14, Knowledge(Local) (7.5), Move Silently 13, Sense Motive (7.5)|Darkstalker|Blindfight, Ninja Dodge +3

13th|Rokugan Ninja 11|
+12|
+6|
+6|
+7|(4+Int)Hide 16, Knowledge(Local) (8), Move Silently 15, Sense Motive (8)|-|Sneak Attack +6d6

14th|Rokugan Ninja 12|
+13|
+7|
+7|
+8|(4+Int)Hide 17, Move Silently 17, Tumble 3|-|Deflect Arrows

15th|Rokugan Ninja 13|
+14|
+7|
+7|
+8|(4+Int)Hide 18, Move Silently 18, Tumble 7|Improved Two-Weapon Fighting|Sneak Attack +7d6

16th|Vigilante 1|
+14|
+7|
+9|
+10|(6+Int)Hide 19, Move Silently 19, Tumble 13|-|Detect Evil, Streetwise +2, Spellcasting

17th|Vigilante 2|
+15|
+7|
+10|
+11|(6+Int)Hide 20, Move Silently 20, Tumble 19|-|Smite the Guilty 1/day

18th|Vigilante 3|
+16|
+8|
+10|
+11|(6+Int)Balance 4, Hide 21, Move Silently 21, Tumble 21|Staggering Strike|Quick Search

19th|Vigilante 4|
+17|
+8|
+11|
+12|(6+Int)Balance 5, Hide 22, Inimidate 8, Move Silently 22, Tumble 22|-|Speak With Dead

20th|Vigilante 5|
+17|
+8|
+11|
+12|(6+Int)Hide 23, Inimidate 13, Move Silently 23, Tumble 23|-|Quick Hide[/table]


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|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-

17th|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-

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

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

20th|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1[/table]

Spells Known:
1st - Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Prestidigitation
2nd - Alter Self, Invisibility, Tongues
3rd - Gaseous Form, Haste


Stats:

[Human Form] Starting Stats (+ Racial Mods)
Str - 14
Dex - 16
Con - 12
Int - 14
Wis - 10 (+2) = 12
Cha - 12

[Hybrid and Animal Forms] Starting Stats (+ Racial Mods)
Str - 14 (+2) = 16
Dex - 16
Con - 12 (+4) = 16
Int - 14
Wis - 10 (+2) = 12
Cha - 12

[Human Form] Final Stats:
Str - 14
Dex - 17 (+1 level increase at 4th)
Con - 16 (+4 level increases at 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th)
Int - 14
Wis - 12
Cha - 12

[Hybrid and Animal Forms] Final Stats:
Str - 16
Dex - 17 (+1 level increase at 4th)
Con - 20 (+4 level increases at 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th)
Int - 14
Wis - 12
Cha - 12


Level Breakdown

Level 5
Rico has just started out on his path. His natural Lycanthrope abilities and his Ninja skills make him a formidable fighter, though he is still more of a thug than a master swordsman. He can do solid damage if he can get his sneak attack damage, and he does good damage two-handing a katana. His AC is a solid 19 thanks to his Natural armor and Dex mod. That coupled with his DR makes him sturdy enough to take on many even leveled CRs without a sweat (as long as they don't have silver weapons!). Scent and the Alertness feat give him some reasonable detection ability to track his quarry.

Level 10
Rico's Ninja training is progressing excellently, and he is definitely no slouch in combat. He's picked up a few useful abilities. Speed of Darkness lets him add his Int mod to his initiative, to help ensure he gets his sneak attack damage off in the first round of combat. In addition, he can wield two Katanas as if he were wielding a light weapon in his off-hand, meaning his damage output shoots up. He can get four attacks in a round all at a pretty good BAB and each attack can apply sneak attack damage should he be in a position to do so. (His normal routine at this level is +10/+10/+5 Katana plus a bite at +7. He normally forgoes the bite attack when fighting a foe he isn't planning on killing, as he doesn't want to curse others with Lycanthropy. If he intends to kill his foe, however, he totally CHOWS DOWN!)

Note: Importantly, the Shadow Run ability from Rokugan Ninja overcomes the one large liability that Rico has from his Snapping Turtle heritage, his movement speed. In hybrid or animal form, a Lycanthrope can move only as fast as the base animal. For a Snapping Turtle, that is 5 feet per round. Thus far, Rico has had to either fight in human form, or get himself a pair of Boots of Striding and Springing in order to move at a reasonable speed. But with Shadow Run, he longer needs to worry! This ability increases his base movement speed by 5' * Con Mod (so +15' speed at this point, bringing him to a 20' movement speed). As his Con mod goes up, so does his base movement speed (up to a 30' speed at 20th level, before items).

Level 15
Young though he is (he is still only a teenager), Rico's Ninja training is complete, and he is a formidable opponent indeed! He is a great sneak, with Darkstalker and good Hide and Move Silently scores. He can Deflect Arrows, and can really dish out the pain with two off-hand attacks (from Improved Two-Weapon Fighting) and +7d6 sneak attack.

Level 20
Rico continues his fight for justice by devling into some of the more mystical Ninja arts, and embraces the path of the Vigilante. He can Detect Evil at will, and can commune with the spirits of the dead to find out who killed them and bring them to justice (Speak With Dead). He has some great utility casting (specifically Invisibility, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, and Alter Self), as well as the ability to put some extra icing on the pain cake with Smite the Guilty 1/day. If he has a +4 Charisma boosting item (pretty trivial by this level, and he'll want it anyway for Smite the Guilty), he also adds Gaseous Form and Haste to his arsenal of spells.


How Enrico Meets The Master Swords-man? Challenge


He doesn't abuse charging, or any similar mechanic.
He utilizes several classic fighting tropes (see Tropes, below)
He's a were-creature, and a new one at that! (snapping turtles are specifically called out in Stormwrack as vicious predators, so it definitely qualifies as an appropriate animal for the template).
He doesn't just use one sword, he uses two!
He has 1st-2nd (possibly 3rd) level spells, but no higher.
He uses nothing from the Tome of Battle.


Tropes (some via TV Tropes) of Fighting that Rico uses:

Katanas Are Just Better (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KatanasAreJustBetter) - Rico uses the ever stylish Katana.
If one sword is good, then TWO swords is twice as good! - Rico dual wields Katanas, for maximum Katana fun!
Implausible Fencing Powers (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ImplausibleFencingPowers) - Thanks to his Deflect Arrows feat, Rico can deflect incoming projectiles and thrown weapons, meaning that you never want to be the one to bring a gun to a knife fight.
Ninja Run (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NinjaRun) - While it isn't exactly a sword fighting trope, it crops up often in the medium. Thanks to his spellcasting from Vigilante, Rico can Ninja Run (Shadow Run + Expeditious Retreat), and can Ninja Vanish (Invisibility).


Sources:

Player's Handbook - (Two-weapon fighting, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus, Iron Will, Alertness)
Rokugan Campaign Setting - Oriental Adventures (Rokugan Ninja Class)
Monster Manual - (Lycanthrope Template, Improved Natural Armor)
Stormwrack - (Snapping Turtle)
Complete Adventurer - (Vigilante Class, Staggering Strike, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting)
Lords of Madness - (Darkstalker)


Judging Average For This Build
Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

[Vknight]

Build #2

Chiir-tin, the Capering Capuchin, savior of Toraan


http://wallpaper.pickywallpapers.com/lg-viewty/wukong.jpg

Strongheart Halfling Were-monkey
Swashbuckler 3/Fighter 2/Dervish 10/Swordsage 1/Battle Trickster 3

The Monkey's Tale

"Do you know Toraan City's chief deity?" asked the librarian as he scratched a letter out with a quill.
"The dancing monkey," I replied, "What of it?"
"You wanted to know the origins of the city. At first the city was occupied by ogres who enslaved the halflings in the surrounding areas. They were forced for ages, generations, to farm, mine, build and run the ogres' city. For all that time, all rebellion was stamped out."
"And this monkey god saved them", I replied, ready to get moving, "Raining fire down upon the ogres from the sky."
"Wrong", he shot back, annoyed at being interrupted. He forcefully crossed a T and continued, "Monkeys do not destroy so forcefully. Instead, he sent a champion."
"Chiir-tin. He was born a halfling, but he was different. He could take on the form of a monkey, or a cross between his form and the monkey form. He became a skilled swordsman, especially when it came to fighting large foes. He laughed as he fought. With his twin scimitars, named the Steelpaws, fighting was a game to him, a dance. He spun and twirled, flipped and tumbled, and wherever the ogres' weapons were, he wasn't. The ogres couldn't even hit him."
"He taught the slaves his techniques, disguised as a dance so the ogres would not realize they were learning how to rebel. Even today all warriors in Toraan learn the monkey dance."
"With Chiir-tin at the head of a revolution, the halflings broke free of their bonds and destroyed the ogre city they were forced to build. They then created their own city in the ashes, a lush metropolis. Even today the monkey is sacred in the city. Now let me get you that book."
"Oh no that's fine", I said, turning my head back to face the librarian (there was a rather attractive elf in the corner who had caught my attention), "but I can find it myse-"
He was gone. No trace of the librarian. I looked around and noticed the letter, where a set of paw marks ran across the parchment and the still drying ink.
A few minutes later he returned. "Here's the book you were looking for. Hope you enjoy it", he said, and winked as if sharing a secret.


Starting ability scores (hybrid and animal stats in parentheses)
Str10 dex20 (24) con12 int15 wis10 cha8

Pre-equipment final ability scores
Str10 dex25 (29) con12 int15 wis10 cha8

The build
Chiir-tin, the Capering Capuchin
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Swashbuckler 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Tumble +4, perfom(dance)+2, balance +4, jump +4, climb +4, escape artist +4|Combat expertise, two-weapon fighting, Iron will|Weapon finesse

2nd|monkey|
+1|
+4|
+2|
+0|Tumble +5, perform(dance)+2.5, balance +5, jump +4, climb +4, escape artist +4|agile |

3rd| Swashbuckler 2|
+2|
+5|
+2|
+0|Tumble +6, perfom(dance)+3, balance +6, jump +5, climb +5, escape artist +5|weapon focus(scimitar)| Grace +1

4th|Swashbuckler 3|
+3|
+5|
+3|
+1|Tumble +7, perfom(dance)+3.5, balance +7, jump +6, climb +6, escape artist +6| |insightful strike

5th|Fighter 1|
+4|
+7|
+3|
+1|Tumble +8, perfom(dance)+4, balance +7, jump +7, climb +6, escape artist +6| |Bonus feat(deadly defense), hit & run ACF

6th|fighter 2|
+5|
+8|
+3|
+1|Tumble +9, perfom(dance)+4, balance +7, jump +7, climb +6, escape artist +6, extreme leap|Dodge| Bonus feat(mobility)

7th|Dervish 1|
+6/+1|
+8|
+5|
+3|Tumble +10, perfom(dance)+6, balance +8, jump +7, climb +6, escape artist +6, extreme leap| | dervish dance, movement mastery, slashing blades, AC bonus +1

8th| Dervish 2|
+7/+2|
+8|
+6|
+4|Tumble +11, perfom(dance)+8, balance +8, jump +7, climb +7, escape artist +6, extreme leap| |Fast movement +5 ft.

9th|Dervish 3|
+8/+3|
+9|
+6|
+4|Tumble +12, perfom(dance)+10, balance +8, jump +8, climb +7, escape artist +6, extreme leap|Deceptive Dodge| Spring attack, Dervish dance 2/day

10th|Dervish 4|
+9/+4|
+9|
+7|
+5|Tumble +13, perfom(dance)+12, balance +8, jump +8, climb +8, escape artist +6, acrobatic backstab| |Dance of Death

11th|Dervish 5|
+10/+5|
+9|
+7|
+5|Tumble +14, perfom(dance)+14, balance +8, jump +8, climb +9, escape artist +6, acrobatic backstab| |AC bonus +2, Fast movement +10 ft., Dervish Dance 3/day

12th|Dervish 6|
+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+8|
+6|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+15, balance +8, jump +10, climb +9, escape artist +6, acrobatic backstab|Underfoot Combat|Improved reaction

13th|Dervish 7|
+12/+7/+2|
+9|
+8|
+6|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+16, balance +8, jump +10, climb +12, escape artist +6, acrobatic backstab| |Elaborate parry, Dervish Dance 4/day

14th|Dervish 8|
+13/+8/+3|
+9|
+9|
+7|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+17, balance +8, jump +10, climb +13, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab| |Fast movement +15ft.

15th|Dervish 9|
+14/+9/+4|
+10|
+9|
+7|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+18, balance +8, jump +13, climb +13, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab|Confound the Big Folk|AC bonus +3, Tireless Dance, Dervish Dance 5/day

16th|Dervish 10|
+15/+10/+5|
+10|
+10|
+8|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+19, balance +8, jump +16, climb +13, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab | |A Thousand Cuts

17th|Swordsage 1|
+15/+10/+5|
+10|
+12|
+10|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+20, balance +8, jump +20, climb +15, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab | |Quick to act +1, Discipline Focus(weapon focus:desert wind )

18th|Battle trickster 1|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+12|
+12|
+10|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+21, balance +12, jump +20, climb +15, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab|Shadow blade| bonus trick(wall climber)

19th|Battle Trickster 2|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+13|
+12|
+10|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+21, balance +12, jump +20, climb +15, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab, wall climber| |Bonus feat(improved two-weapon fighting)

20th|Battle Trickster 3|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+13|
+13|
+11|Tumble +15, perfom(dance)+20, balance +14, jump +20, climb +20, escape artist +6, extreme leap, acrobatic backstab, wall climber||Bonus skill trick(wall jumper), Tricky fighting[/table]

Maneuvers:
Cloak of deception
Clever positioning
Claw at the moon
Death from above
Soaring raptor strike
Wind stride

Stance: assassin's stance


Level breakdown

Level 5: Here the were-monkey starts of as a bit of a two-weapon fencer. He is one point off from full BAB, and because of deadly defense he has a bit of damage to gain when fighting defensively. He already gets intelligence to damage and dexterity as well if he catches his opponents unawares. Here he may avoid two-weapon fighting in order to hit with deadly defense. Though he will eventually use two scimitars, switch one to a short sword for the time being.

Level 10
Now our key ingredient comes into play: Dervish. He can two-weapon scimitars and should always be moving and tumbling through and around opponents. As before he has much to gain by utilizing combat reflexes. He also picks up the acrobatic backstab skill trick. This will allow him to use his hit &run ability more often, especially during his dervish dance. Unless Chiir-tin is afraid of getting walloped, he should not sacrifice more than 2 BAB to combat reflexes. He will most likely operate in hybrid form for the majority of his combat time, as that gives him an extra 2 dexterity and a 1d4 bite attack (which is slashing, so you can dervish dance with it). He can also use his opponents against themselves with deceptive dodge

Level 15
Here the Capuchin has almost finished his Dervish levels. He has 3 scimitar attacks, 4 when two-weaponing, and a bite when in hybrid form he also gains his final significant advantage: his size. He can run in and out of Large creature's space, or medium if he is in monkey form, and can render them flat-footed against him. That is aside from the trip attempt that he can do when under their feet or the 50% miss chance and soft cover. If he ever needs to avoid getting attacked, Chiir-tin's best move is to monkey out and hide under a Medium or larger enemy. Otherwise he should dervish dance of death his way through his opponents, or in the event of a single foe, run around in circles in and out of his square.

Level 20
Chiir-tin is at his pinnacle now. He gets intelligence to damage, dexterity once, maybe twice with two sneak attack dice if he catches the foe flatfooted (which he can easily engineer), plus the dervish dance damage bonus. He is very mobile, able to tumble through enemies if he can't just walk in from underfoot combat and able to run up a wall of need be. He can switch places with his opponent thanks to clever positioning and either sudden leap or wind stride if he needs extra distance. He gets seven attacks which doubles to fourteen if he uses a thousand cuts. In short he is an extremely mobile skirmisher who can easily turn the tables on opponents by making them attack themselves and their allies.


Monkeying around: Further Notes

My ideas for this build are a brains-over-brawn fighter, similar to (if anybody watches/reads Game of Thrones) Syrio Forel the water dancer. He also uses wall running and a martial art dance. Further inspiration was taken from the Chinese Monkey King, Sun Wukong. His ability to force his opponents to attack each other, making meat shields, further enforce the trickster image
Tropes:
Brains over brawn (finesse over force)
Wall running/acrobatics
Trickster fighter

If flaws are allowed you can shift feats to those flaws and take martial study and stance for assassin's stance. You can then trade in the level of Swordsage and the last battle trickster level for two Tempest levels, reducing you twf penalty. My suggestions for flaws are shaky and frail.

If traits are allowed, my suggestions would be Quick and Aggressive.

If feat retraining is allowed, feel free to retrain weapon focus at level 3. If you and your dm are comfortable ruling interactions between expeditious dodge and deceptive dodge, feel free to retrain that if you attain 40ft. Speed (as presented he caps out at 35 ft.)

Suggested gear: +5 tome for dexterity and intelligence, +6 gloves of dexterity and +6 headband of intelligence, two +5 keen scimitars, +5 mithral breastplate

Sources
Player's Handbook
Complete Warrior
Drow of the Underdark
Complete Scoundrel
Dragon Compendium Vol. 1
Player's Guide to Faerun
Races of the Wild

[Vknight]

Build #3

Rednaw

http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/9/1051x768_3065_Temple_Guard_2d_fantasy_dinosaur_bea st_warrior_picture_image_digital_art.jpg
Race: Half-Ogre Half-Giant Afflicted Giant Crocodile Lycanthrope
Class: Paladin 5/Warmind 7/Animal HD 7
Starting Attributes :
14 str, 14 dex, 14 con, 12 int, 14 wis, 8 cha
Starting Attributes After Racial Modifiers :
30 str, 10 dex, 20 con, 10 int, 14 wis, 6 cha


The life and times of a man at war:
Little is known of Sir Rednaw's childhood. Given his lineage, it can be assumed that he was raised away form civilization, though reconciling that with what appears to be formal schooling is somewhat difficult. However, as the child of a giant and an ogre, Rednaw would likely not have been born into much of a loving family. Both creatures are known for allowing their children for fend for themselves.
It is likely that some learned scholar found the child at a very young age and decided to attempt to raise him, possibly as a form of charity and possibly as an experiment. What precisely happened, we are likely never to know, since Rednaw himself is not forthcoming. Obviously, the life suited him, as he learned quite a bit in those early years about the world and his inborn talents.
What we know about Rednaw starts with his Ordination by the dark priests of Hextor. It is possible that he was raised by these very priests in secret, though if that is the case they taught him remarkably little religion. Regardless, he began his career as a Paladin of the god of Tyranny and War, and the post suited him well enough that he remained in it for many years. During this time, he became acquainted with a wandering swordsmaster of some repute, best known for his view that efficiency in warfare is far more important than method. The strength and size of Redawn drew his notice, and in time he took the dark paladin under his wing and trained him in the ways of the Warmind.
Of course, it was shortly after his indoctrination as a Warmind that his mentor, who he had believed to be a half-dragon, turned out to be a Were-Crocodile. This revelation came when his mentor brought him into the presence of King Croc, a Giant Were-Crocodile. His 'induction' into the tribe was...traumatic. He survived the experience, and even managed to escape before he was magically bound to the group.
It became a tenet of Rednaw's beliefs that whatever does not kill you makes you stronger, and by this point his swordsmanship combined with his incredible size and strength made him nearly invulnerable.
The activities of Rednaw are fairly well documented after this point, at least for the major activities. His conquests, control over numerous city-states and leadership of armies yielded a career that was well documented, but the details are yet obscured. It is known that King Croc's tribe was wiped out, but not when or by whom. It is known that the Warmind that first attempted to control Rednaw is now dead. Many questions remain unanswered, but what we do know is that Rednaw has only started his conquest of the kingdoms.


Build:
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1|Half-Giant LA=1|||||||Giant Type, +2 Str, -2 Dex, +2 Con, Medium size, Low-light vision, Fire acclimated, Powerful build, Naturally Psionic, PLA Stomp 1/dy
2|Half-Ogre LA=2|||||||+4 str, +2 con, -2 int, -2 con, +2 nat armor, 60' darkvision, +10' move, Large Size w/ increased ability scores (+8 str, -2 dex, +2 con, +3 nat armor)
3|Paladin 1|+1|+2|+0|+0|Psicraft 2, Know(Psionics) 2, Know(History) 2|Education(History, Psionic)|Aura of evil, detect good, smite good 1/day
4|Paladin 2|+2|+3|+0|+0|Know(Psionics) 4||Divine Grace, Deadly Touch
5|Paladin 3|+3|+3|+1|+1|Know(Psionics) 6|Serenity|Aura of Despair, Divine Health
6|Paladin 4|+4|+4|+1|+1|Know(Psionics) 7, Concentration 1|Power Attack|Rebuke Undead, +1 Str
7|Paladin 5|+5|+4|+1|+1|Know(Psionics) 8, Concentration 2||Smite good 2/day, Stand Fast
8|Warmind 1|+6|+6|+3|+1|Psicraft 4|Awesome Smite|Chain of personal superiority +2
7|LA Buyoff (LA=1)
8|Lycanthrope Template LA=2|||||||+2 Wis,+2 Natural Armor, Alternate form (Giant Crocodile), low-light vision, shapechanger subtype, Lycanthrope feat (Alertness)
9|Lycanthrope Template LA=3|||||||Alternate form (Hybrid), Crocodile empathy, damage reduction (5/silver), Scent, Lycanthrope feat (Iron Will)
10|Crocodile HD 1|+6|+8|+5|+1|Control Shape 2||+2 Str, Swim 30'
11|Crocodile HD 2|+7|+9|+6|+1|Control Shape 4||+2 Str, +2 Con, Hold Breath, +1 Str
12|Crocodile HD 3|+8|+9|+6|+2|Control Shape 8|Practiced Manifester(Warmind)|+2 Str, Lycanthrope Feat(Skill Focus (Hide))
11|LA Buyoff (LA=2)
12|Crocodile HD 4|+9|+10|+7|+2|Control Shape 10||+2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con
13|Crocodile HD 5|+9|+10|+7|+2|Control Shape 12||+2 Str, Improved Grab
14|Crocodile HD 6|+10|+11|+8|+3|Control Shape 14|Destruction Devotion|+2 Str, +2 Con, Lycanthrope Feat(Endurance), +1 Str
15|Crocodile HD 7|+11|+11|+8|+3|Control Shape 16||+4 Str, +2 Con
16|Warmind 2|+12|+12|+9|+3|Psicraft 5, Autohypnosis 1|||Chain of defensive posture +2
17|Warmind 3|+13|+12|+9|+4|Control Shape 18|Cleave|Enduring body (DR 1/—)
16|LA Buyoff (LA=1)
17|Warmind 4|+14|+13|+10|+4|Control Shape 19, Autohypnosis 2||Sweeping strike, +1 Str
18|Warmind 5|+15|+13|+10|+4|Control Shape 20, Autohypnosis 3||
19|Warmind 6|+16|+14|+11|+5|Control Shape 21, Autohypnosis 4|Extra Smiting|Enduring body (DR 2/—)
20|Warmind 7|+17|+14|+11|+5|Control Shape 22, Autohypnosis 5||Chain of personal superiority +4[/table]


Psionics:
{table=head]Hit Dice|Power Points|Effective Manifester Level|Powers Known
1-5|2|0|
6|4*|1|Expansion
7|4*|1|Expansion
8|4*|1|Expansion
9|4*|5|Expansion
10|4*|5|Expansion
11|4*|5|Expansion
12|4*|5|Expansion
13|4*|5|Expansion
14|7*|6|Expansion, Call Weaponry
15|11*|7|Expansion, Call Weaponry
16|16*|8|Expansion, Call Weaponry, Hustle
17|22*|9|Expansion, Call Weaponry, Hustle
18|30*|10|Expansion, Call Weaponry, Hustle, Vampiric Blade
19|39*|11|Expansion, Call Weaponry, Hustle, Vampiric Blade[/table]
* Not counting bonus PP from Wisdom


Equipment:
In order of priority:
Greatword +5, cold iron ~50k
Platemail +5 ~25k
Cloak of Resistance +5 ~25k
Animated Heavy Shield +3 ~25k
Belt of Giant Strength +6 ~36k
Periapt of Wisdom +6 ~36k
Ring of Protection +5 ~50k
Manual of Gainful Exercise +4 ~110k
Boots of Speed ~10k
Total: 367 k (or about 1/2 standard WBL)


Notes:
There are several interesting pieces to this build.
The Master Swordsman archetype I was aiming for was the guy wielding the ridiculously large sword. After a bit, I decided that making the swordsman ridiculously large was also appropriate, since effectively wielding a weapon that's 2 size categories larger than you literally requires an Epic feat - although getting EFFECTIVE size increases is easier, it's the visual of the actual sword being huge that I was after. To this end, I had to jump through a few specific hoops.

First is the race. Originally, it started out as a Goliath Half-Ogre, and the Half-Ogre was there to turn the Goliath - a monstrous humanoid which cannot get lycanthropy - into a Giant, which can. Once I'd decided to go with Warmind as the main prestige class, it became readily apparent that Half-Giant was a far superior race - not needing to spend a feat or class levels to get that PP pool made it worthwhile right there. However, I'd already decided on Giant Crocodile lycanthropy, which required a large size creature (and Powerful Build woudn't count for that) so I kept the Half-Ogre template, even if I didn't care for its provenance - Dragon Magazine is a legal source, after all. While I think that Half-Giant/Half-Ogre is quite flavorful and interesting, at just +2 LA, it is kind of cheesy. It can be replaced by any race/class combo that leaves you large size and humanoid or giant - though there aren't many of those.

Next, in order to keep to just Paladin (since fighter just didn't seem appropriate and Warblade is overdone) and Warmind (which gets the vital Expansion power and is the only Psionic class with full BAB), I needed some way of making Knowledge(Psionic) a class skill, or else all the character's skill points would be going towards an otherwise useless cross-class skill. Thus, the Education feat, useful in lots of different builds. Since it's published in 3 seperate source books (Player's guide to Faerun as a regional feat, which would change initial skill allocations slightly, Eberron Campaign Setting as a 1st level only feat, and Ghostwalk which only has fluff requirements), it's pretty easily accepted.

There are few other things from somewhat obscure sources, like Stand Fast from the Cityscape web enhancement - a nice ability that trades a paladin's mount for the ability to boost his allies' saving throws and his resist-combat-maneuver rolls by his divine grace modifier (wisdom based, thanks to serenity feat), and the Serenity feat itself which is from the Dragon Magazine Compendium. However, none of these is really key to the character, and the only two vital features from sources outside the SRD are explained above.

Warmind 7 is the last level that gets only 3rd level psionic powers - which is mostly coincidence, since Warmind entry is as early as possible, and all possible levels are taken. However, it works out nicely for this particular build. And since Warmind gets very few psionic powers at all, that really emphasizes the 'sword arts' aspect of the class, generally only needing a single action (or in a crunch a swift action) to buff before a fight.

The Lycanthrope template, and Giant Crocodile progression are adapted from the Werewolf Savage Progression on the WoTC website here. Just replace the Werewolf Lord (Dire Wolf Lycanthrope) with 7 HD of Giant Croc, and change out the feats associated with Werewolf lycanthropy with those you get from Werecroc lycanthropy, and you get the progressions I used. If you prefer, you can just put "+2 LA, 7 animal HD" in place of the progression, with the associated skill points, feats and ability modifiers listed all applied at once - which is effectively unplayable in a game, which is why I wrote it as I did.

Finally, the whole point of the build is to be a Colossal Swordsman, wielding a Gargantuan Sword. And I mean that literally - once he gets Hybrid form, he literally becomes a Huge size Crocodile-Man (as an Ogre/Giant half-breed, this may or may not be uglier than normal) and maintains that form whenever possible. With his Control Shape skill getting maxed out and being wisdom based, he's got a good chance at that. Even in Crocodile form he's extremely dangerous, though, since he becomes a nasty grappling monster. And since he keeps his Powerful Build trait in hybrid form and can use Expansion to grow 2 size categories to Colossal, he gets to wield a Colossal+ (one size category larger than Colossal) Greatsword. Since a two-handed weapon is generally considered to be an item 2 size categories smaller than its wielder, that means the weapon itself is as large as a Gargantuan creature - so it's a sword the size of a Roc or Kraken.

PS: 1 Internet to the first person who figures out Rednaw's name. Here's a hint: Shadow of the...


The Sweet Spot:
There are a couple of really good points for this build. ECL 7, just after the first LA buyoff is quite nice, since you've got +6 BAB, a ridiculous strength score for your level, Large Size by default, wielding a Huge Greatsword (4d6 base damage), the Expansion power usable 4/day, and Awesome Smite. Between these things, you're a total murder machine - appropriate enough for a Paladin of Tyranny.
At ECL 15, which is just post-lycanthropy (either through progression or with the whole LA/HD package dumped on you), you're just fricken scary. Your default size is now Huge (hybrid form), with a truly ridiculous strength score (~55 at this point, unless you've managed to get an inherent bonus somehow), the Destruction Devotion feat allowing you to basically swing your sword through inconveniently placed trees or walls that get in the way of killing your enemies - which you can use Rebuke attempts to power as well, and of course your +11 BAB is ideal for a 3-power attack-combo of death.
However, I'm going to focus on ECL 19 (18 HD, +1 LA) as the real sweet spot, because at that point you're getting all the goodies.

Rednaw, the Tyrant of Hextor
Size/Type: Huge Giant (Shapechanger)
Hit Dice: 7d8+11d10+162 (259 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 39 (10-2 size +1 dex +7 natural +8 armor +5 enhancement +5 deflection +5 shield)
BAB/Grapple: +16/+49
Attack: +46 Greatsword (6d6+42)
Full Attack: +46/+41/+36/+31 Greatsword (6d6+42)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Stomp 1/day, Smite Good 4/day, Deadly Touch, Rebuke Undead, Sweeping Strike, Psionics, Chain or Personal Superiority +2, Chain of Defensive Posture +2
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Darkvision 60 ft, Scent, DR 5/Silver, DR 2/-, Fire Acclimated, Powerful Build, Naturally Psionic, Aura of Evil, Divine Grace, Divine Health, Aura of Despair, Stand Fast, Alternate Form (Giant Crocodile), Alternate Form (Hybrid), Hold Breath, Crocodile Empathy
Saves: Fort +32, Ref +23, Will +24
Abilities: Str 60, Dex 12, Con 28, Int 10, Wis 22, Cha 6
Skills: Autohypnosis +11, Climb +20, Concentration +11, Control Shape +27, Knowledge (Psionics) +9, Knowledge (History) +3, Psicraft +5, Swim +28
Feats: Education, Serenity, Power Attack, Awesome Smite, Practiced Manifester, Destruction Devotion, Cleave, Extra Smiting
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Level Adjustment: +1
Psionics:
Power Points: 48
Powers Known: Expansion, Call Weapon, Hustle, Vampiric Blade
Manifester Level: 10


Sources:
Education feat - Eberron Campaign Setting
Half-Ogre template - Dragon 313
Serenity feat - Dragon Compendium
Awesome Smite feat, Destruction Devotion feat - Complete Champion
Extra Smiting - Complete Divine
Practiced Manifester - Complete Psionic
Stand Fast - Cityscape web enhancement
SRD - Everything else

[Vknight]

Build #4

Valis Bloodwing
Draconic Illumian Afflicted Werebear Fighter 2/Ranger 2/Exotic Weapon Master 1/Swordsage 2/Abjurant Champion 5/Eldritch Knight 1
“As Bloodwing Valis, I was simply a component to a greater ideal. As Valis Bloodwing, I am myself.”

The Lore
Bloodwing Cabal was my home. Everything seemed to exist in perfect harmony within the walls of the stronghold. My compatriots and I worked in complete unity, like an ideal machine. However, despite our camaraderie, I always felt like I belonged somewhere else. Though I spent my days in gainful exercise and worked to advance the community, I saw myself as an outsider. My dedication to the art of the sword was the driving force in my life, but it left me trailing behind my companions, who had all specialized in different branches of magecraft. I started looking for a way to make myself just as useful as my peers. After several months of research, I believed that I had a solution. Calling in a favor from a biochemist, I injected myself with the disease of lycanthropy. It was a terrible risk, but I was prepared for it in the pursuit of usefulness to the cabal. The transformation changed me in a dramatic way that I could not have possibly anticipated.

The strength of the bear surged through my body, but at the same time, my eyes opened. It was as if a veil had suddenly been removed. In that moment, I looked at my life and saw only a lie. All this time I had been living for something that was not myself. I was not a warrior fighting for an ideal like I had imagined, but a cog in a machine. A machine far greater than I had previously known. Shaken by the revelation, I fled and never looked back.

In the wilderness, I found clarity. In the time that I used to spend advancing the cabal’s ambitions, I honed my skill the the blades. In the absence of the noise and confusion of my old life, I began to see amazing things. New patterns appeared in my mind, and as I incorporated them into my routine, my swordcraft expanded into nothing short of supernatural. I was extremely pleased. I was finally shaping myself into something worthy of my self-respect, and I had done so without the crutch of magic. However, it was not to be. Bloodwing never forgot my betrayal, and their revenge was untiring. After so many months of solitude, they finally found me.

I eluded the bloodwing inquisitors for months, but I knew they would never give up. Eventually, I would find myself surrounded, cut off, and destroyed for my defiance. As I ran, I came to a new realization. The only way I could defeat my tormentors was to take up their own art against them. Acting quickly, I ambushed one of the bloodwings and took his spellbook. Reluctantly perusing the tome, I found that the magic was not a completely different tool. That which I had disdained as a crutch for so long was simply an extension of my art. As I folded the wizard’s techniques into my own I discovered that he, not I, was the ignorant one. In my hands, the magic flowed with such an elegance that I had never seen back at the fortress of the cabal. With this realization, I broke the last bonds in my mind. I then proceeded to unleash my newfound power upon my pursuers, effortlessly defeating them in a storm of blades.

No more inquisitors have pursued me, and I have not returned for vengeance. Bloodwing was always my enemy, but I could not remain bitter. There is always more to learn, and such knowledge waits for no one. I have my own path to follow.


The Build
Starting Array: Str 16(32), Dex 15(17), Con 16(24), Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10
Increases: HD 4 DEx 16(18), HD 8 Str 15(31),HD 12 Str 16(32), HD 16 Dex 17(19), HD 20 Dex 18(20)
{table=head]HD|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
6th|Werebear Hit Dice|
+4|
+5|
+2|
+4|Balance 5, Climb 9, Craft (Weaponsmithing) 3, Jump 10, Tumble 9|Endurance, Iron Will, Multiattack, Power Attack, Track|Darkvision 60 Ft, Low-light Vision, Natural Attack
7th|Fighter 1|
+5|
+7|
+2|
+4|Extreme Leap, Nimble Charge|Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Katana)|Aesh

8th|Ranger 1|
+6|
+7|
+4|
+4|Climb 11, Jump 11, Tumble 10, Up the Hill|Track|Aeshkrau, Favored Enemy (Humanoid) +2, Wild Empathy

9th|Ranger 2|
+7|
+8|
+5|
+4|Climb 12, Jump 12, Tumble 11, Twisted Charge|Two-weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (Katana)|

10th|Exotic Weapon Master 1|
+8|
+10|
+5|
+4|Walk the walls, Wall Jumper||Twin Exotic Weapon Fighting

11th|Fighter 2|
+9|
+11|
+5|
+4|Climb 13, Jump 13, Leaping Climber|Improved Two-weapon Fighting|

12th|Swordsage 1|
+9|
+11|
+5|
+6|Balance 11, Climb 14, Jump 14|Combat Casting|Maneuvers, Stances, Quick to Act +1

13th|Swordsage 2|
+10|
+11|
+5|
+7|Balance 12, Climb 15, Jump 15, Tumble 14, Acrobatic Backstab||AC Bonus

14th|Wizard 1|
+10|
+11|
+5|
+9|Concentration 4|Scribe Scroll|Spellcasting, Summon Familiar

15th|Abjurant Champion 1|
+11|
+11|
+5|
+11|Climb 17, Jump 17|Improved Sigil (Aesh)|Abjurant Armor, Extended Abjuration

16th|Abjurant Champion 2|
+12|
+11|
+5|
+12|Climb 18, Concentration 6, Jump 18||Extended Abjuration

17th|Abjurant Champion 3|
+13|
+12|
+6|
+12|Climb 19, Concentration 8, Jump 19||

18th|Abjurant Champion 4|
+14|
+12|
+6|
+13|Climb 20, Concentration 10, Jump 20|Improved Critical (Katana)|Arcane Boost

19th|Abjurant Champion 5|
+15|
+12|
+6|
+13|Climb 21, Concentration 12, Jump 21||Martial Boost

20th|Eldritch Knight 6|
+16|
+14|
+6|
+13|Tumble 16|Greater Two-weapon Fighting|[/table]
Wizard Spells per Day
{table=head]HD|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd
14th|3|1||
15th|4|2||
16th|4|2|1|
17th|4|3|2|
18th|4|3|2|1
19th|4|3|3|2[/Table]
Stances:

Swordsage 1: Step of the Wind
Swordsage 2: Stance of Clarity

Maneuvers:
- Swordsage 1:
Burning Blade
Counter Charge
Distracting Ember
Sudden Leap
Wind Stride
Wolf Fang Strike
- Swordsage 2:

Stone Bones



Build Requirements

No Charge abuse present!
Combat Tropes Invoked:
Acrofatic (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Acrofatic):Hulking Werebears are the last thing you would expect to be pulling off flying flips and skill tricks like wall jump, Nimble Charge, or Acrobatic Backstab.
Dual Wielding (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DualWielding): Fighting with two katanas lika a boss.
Katanas are Just Better (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KatanasAreJustBetter): I could have just used Bastard Swords, but a special touch was needed.
Kung-Fu Clairvoyance (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KungFuClairvoyance): Invoked by the swordsage's AC bonus feature.
This build uses the werebear template.
Sword(s) are used.
No 4th level spells are part of this build.
Abjurant Champion, Eldritch Knight, and Exotic Weapon Master are Non-Tome-of-Battle Prestige Classes
This build contains no nuts Tome of Battle Prc's.



Strengths of the Build

Offensive Capability: With Haste active, extensive full attacks can be made and due to exotic weapon master have only a -1 penalty for dual wielding. In Hybrid form, these attacks can deal serious amounts of damage.
Durability: Fortitude and reflex saves are both strong, which helps resist negative status effects. Abjurant armor with shield and luminous armor (BoED) combined with the draconic natural armor and sword sage armor bonus keeps AC very high.
Mobility: Skill tricks help stay out of dangerous situations, while step of the wind ensures that there will be no disadvantage from terrain.
Versatility: Third level spells are great for miscellaneous situations. Maneuvers are useful when basic full-attacking wont work for some reason. Wolf fang strike is a great opener in a charge attack.


Sources

Complete Scoundrel - Skill Tricks
Complete Mage - Abjurant Champion PrC
Complete Warrior - Exotic Weapon Master PrC
Draconomicon - Draconic Template
Tome of Battle - Swordsage Class and Maneuvers



Judging Average
Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

And that is it for the builds sadly too say. Sad too say many did not make the cut off date.
Since I have gotten no response on things seems contestants and judges, and would be contestants are fine with only 2 judges ok.
Well let build talking, judging commence!

[dysprosium]

Interesting builds here.

Once again real life interfered with my entry. I thought I would have more free time than I ended up having.

My build would have been a human natural were-light-warhorse Cobra Strike Monk 2/Swashbuckler 5/Weightless Foot 10. The Weightless Foot prestige class is in Dragon 289 and was all wuxia style wall jumping/flying and stuff.

If there is a need for another judge I volunteer. I just got done with my first judging experience with the latest Zinc Saucier and it was not as harrowing as I expected it to be.

I wonder what our next combo will be and I hope to actually be able to enter it this time.

[kestrel404]

were-light-warhorse
Interesting, but unfortunately the Lycanthrope template specifies that the target animal has to be a predator, scavenger or omnivore - which is too bad since were-horses would be cool.

[dysprosium]

My counter to that line of thinking was those horses from Greek mythology that was fed the flesh of men in one of Heracles' 12 tasks.

I realize it was a stretch, but like you said were-horses would be cool.

[amdskitzo]

Once again real life interfered with my entry. I thought I would have more free time than I ended up having.


I feel your pain. I wanted to submit an entry, but I recently started a new job and my mind has been elsewhere.

My entry was going to be a were-fox duskblade/swiftblade where a fox spirit foresaw a great evil approaching his purview and brought himself to the material plane to protect its followers. It might be just as well though, many of the entries were oriental themed and mine would've been no different.

[WhamBamSam]

My counter to that line of thinking was those horses from Greek mythology that was fed the flesh of men in one of Heracles' 12 tasks.

I realize it was a stretch, but like you said were-horses would be cool.More to the point, there are no real rules in D&D for whether an animal is a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore, and in a world where Prestidigitation exists you could get a horse to eat meat.

Anyway, I've gone over the builds once, and have a general outline for my judging in my head. I'll be going over skill points, feat qualification, etc with a fine tooth comb, and writing my judging up starting this evening. Expect it to be posted late tonight or sometime tomorrow.

[Draz74]

I haven't been on this Forum much lately, and I only noticed this contest today, after its deadline.

Too bad. It would have been fun to build a Poison Dusk Lizardfolk Afflicted Were-Fleshraker Ranger 3 / Animal 4 / Thug Dungeoncrasher Fighter 6 / War Mind 7.

[dspeyer]

I was playing with a were-giant-octopus dervish, but couldn't quite get it working. Ah, well.

[Deadline]

Anyway, I've gone over the builds once, and have a general outline for my judging in my head. I'll be going over skill points, feat qualification, etc with a fine tooth comb, and writing my judging up starting this evening. Expect it to be posted late tonight or sometime tomorrow.

Looking forward to your judging!

[OMG PONIES]

More to the point, there are no real rules in D&D for whether an animal is a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore, and in a world where Prestidigitation exists you could get a horse to eat meat.

Some animals explicitly state their diet in their description:


Ape...These powerful omnivores...


Bat...The statistics presented here describe small, insectivorous bats.


Bear, Black...The black bear is a forest-dwelling omnivore...

...and so forth. Absent that, it does get a little more complicated. However, I'm missing how prestidigitation would change a creature's diet. Have you ever eaten veggie chicken patties that "tasted" like meat? Did that make you a vegetarian? :smalltongue:

[WhamBamSam]

Some animals explicitly state their diet in their description:

...and so forth. Absent that, it does get a little more complicated. However, I'm missing how prestidigitation would change a creature's diet. Have you ever eaten veggie chicken patties that "tasted" like meat? Did that make you a vegetarian? :smalltongue:I was thinking more that you could trick a "herbivore" into eating meat.

In general those are all fair points though. RAW were-horses and the like are a little sketchy. Not that it affects any of the entries here. None of these entries use herbivore animals.

[Deadline]

In general those are all fair points though. RAW were-horses and the like are a little sketchy. Not that it affects any of the entries here. None of these entries use herbivore animals.

I really wanted to make a were-donkey knight who tilted at windmills, but alas. Still, I had fun with my build, and that's what this is all about.

[Kuulvheysoon]

My counter to that line of thinking was those horses from Greek mythology that was fed the flesh of men in one of Heracles' 12 tasks.

I realize it was a stretch, but like you said were-horses would be cool.

Thracian horses - classy.

My build was something like (Afflicted) Were-Murder of Crows Gloaming Duskblade 9/Swiftblade 6.

[dysprosium]

Thracian horses - classy.

Well thank you, sir.


My build was something like (Afflicted) Were-Murder of Crows Gloaming Duskblade 9/Swiftblade 6.

Now that would have been a sight.

[WhamBamSam]

I really wanted to make a were-donkey knight who tilted at windmills, but alas. Still, I had fun with my build, and that's what this is all about.That's awesome. Please tell me he either Dungeoncrashed enemies into the windmills or had ranks in Knowledge(Architecture and Engineering) and things to bring down the windmills more effectively.

Anyway, I've finished my judging. I was a bit harsh in some places, but I wasn't intending to be mean. In general, I liked a lot of things about the builds here. Also, if I missed something, competitors should feel free to PM a dispute to the chairman.

Enrico Tortuga – 9.95

Flavor
It’s certainly in keeping with the spirit of the challenge. (+1)

On the other hand, a Ninja Turtle expy and use of Sneak Attack for damage were both extremely predictable. (-1)

Total: 3

Power
You’re something of a one trick pony turtle. You sneak around so that you can Sneak Attack. You at least have Darkstalker so that your stealth isn’t too easily shut down (+0.25), and you’re actually more mobile than you think you are as hybrid form uses the base creature’s speed, not the base animal’s (no bonus or penalty, just clarifying), but you lose your SA dice against Undead, Constructs, and are highly dependent on SA for damage (-0.5). You talk about hunting down wrongdoers, but have no tracking abilities, and your social/information gathering skills are pretty weak. On the whole, you’re not super versatile.

You are at least pretty good at your schick though. You get your fourth iterative (+0.25), get Hide/Move Silently up to max ranks eventually (+0.25), get a bunch of SA dice and can make a bunch of attacks on a full attack to get the most out of them (+0.25)

Total: 3.5

Elegance
And here’s where the big problems are. First off, Rokugan Ninja is 3rd party. It would not be legal in Iron Chef, and I don’t see anything in the OP that suggests the case here is any different. That’s a minimum score here unless the chairman says the source should be permitted or warrants a less severe penalty.

I will still cover the usual stuff though in case the minimum score is reversed.

EDIT: Apparently I was wrong, and Rokugan Ninja is a WotC 3.0 class that I was unaware of. In absence of a 3.5 update this is legal material, so minimum score reversed.

The Lycanthrope entry states that Animal is never a Lycanthrope’s first HD, so you can’t take Wereturtle until second level. (-0.5)

I have no idea what Improved Unarmed Strike is doing here. I thought at first you were using a kick/pelvic thrust/whatever Unarmed Strike as the “offhand” in your TWFing to leave one of your claws open, but you say you’re using two katanas. You also don’t actually get proficiency in simple weapons until you enter Vigilante. Anyway, it’s worth a minor ding to your overall build flow. (-0.25)

No 4th level spells/powers. (+0.1)

Uses a sword. (+0.1)

No ToB. (+0.1)

Total: 3.45

Chiir-tin, the Capering Capuchin, savior of Toraan – 10.6

Flavor
It’s definitely a were-swordsman through and through. (+1)

Underfoot Combat /Confound the Big Folk were somewhat expected though (-0.25), as was Dervish with the ban on ubercharging (-0.5).

Total: 3.25

Power
You’re pretty mobile and can make full attacks while running around which is nice and your damage isn’t shut down by common immunities, though DR can potentially be a bit of a nuisance. As melee builds go, I’d say you’re decently versatile (+0.5).

You make a lot of attacks with solid damage bonuses and have good BAB and the necessary feats to stay reasonably accurate (+0.5). I do have some reservations about your damage output, rules-wise, which will be covered under Elegance.

Total: 4

Elegance
You can’t get stances above 1st level from Swordsage 1 even if your initiator level is high enough, so Assassin’s Stance is not a valid choice. (-0.5)

You don’t get the Agile feat from being a were-monkey. Monkeys gain that feat from their HD. Their bonus feat is Weapon Finesse, which you already have. You aren’t using Agile for anything though, so no penalty. (0)

While the Lycanthrope entry states that ability scores “improve according to it’s kind,” as opposed to “adjust,” I still think it’s a slightly sketchy to say a Weremonkey doesn’t have to take the -8 adjustment to Str. (-0.15)

Your progression is a little bit dippy. (-0.25)

No 4th level spells/powers. (+0.1)

Uses a sword. (+0.1)

Uses non-ToB PrC’s but does have a ToB dip. (+0.05)

Total: 3.35

Rednaw – 11.3

Flavor
You’re mostly within the spirit of a challenge, though the “big sword guy” is generally portrayed as more of a bruiser than a master swordsman. (+0.75)

I did expect Psionic Expansion/Compression as a way to either get a bigger Goliath or smaller David (-0.25) and Half-Ogre is known cheese (-0.25), but you really went all out with the whole bigger, stronger and meaner thing and make some of those deductions back through sheer cool factor (+0.25).

Total: 3.5

Power
Your options basically amount to hitting things with your sword, but you’re sturdy with pretty good saves, even without charge stuff you’re hard to get away from thanks to your size, and your damage isn’t nullified by immunities or crippled by DR, which means it’s not trivial to neutralize you. On the whole I’d say you’ve got solid options as melee types go. (+0.5)

More to the point, you’re good at what you do. You get your 4th iterative, hit like a truck, and can do so reliably even when Power Attacking thanks to fantastic strength, a small number of smites, and Destruction Devotion. You’ve got yourself a very solid frontline melee build. (+0.75)

Total: 4.25

Elegance
How are you getting Power Attack, or any feat for that matter, on your 4th HD? I’m going to treat this as a mistake and not as taking a flaw unless the chairman specifically says I should do the latter, but it is a violation of the rules unless I’m missing something. (-0.5)

You don’t get any bonus feats other than Iron Will from being a Werecroc as none of them are specified as bonus feats in the Giant Crocodile entry. Crocodiles gain those feats from HD, and lycanthrope characters simply choose feats based to HD, as you have done. You aren’t using the feats for anything though, so no penalty. (0)

You wouldn’t be able to buy off LA at ECL 12 using true LA buyoff, as RHD don’t count according to the buyoff rules, only class levels. This competition has house ruled a straight -3 LA though, so no penalty. (0)

I want to like your overall progression, as in terms of classes it’s dip free and clean, but the knowledge skills are clearly only there to qualify for War Mind. It’s worth a slap on the wrist, I think. (-0.25)

No 4th level spells/powers. (+0.1)

Uses a sword. (+0.1)

No ToB. (+0.1)

Total: 3.55

Valis Bloodwing – 9.5

Flavor
A leaping dancing werebear dual wielding katanas? Yes, that’s pretty much exactly what we’re looking for. (+1)

Some of the classes used were a little predictable (-0.25) and the Wizard/Abjurant Champion/Eldritch Knight bit at the end of the build seems to be there for no other reason than that you were allowed up to third level spells. (-0.5)

Total: 3.25

Power
You’re decently mobile, and have a few low level swordsage maneuvers to compensate a bit for lacking a way to move and full attack (+0.25). I suspect that DR might cause you some grief, but it’s not enough to warrant a penalty (0). Your low level Wizard spells do bump up your capabilities and versatility a bit as well (+0.25).

You’re at least decent at what you do. You’ve got high stats, Power Attack, and some low level buffs to improve your damage output, and you’ve invested enough into TWFing to keep your penalties to attack rolls low. (+0.25)

Total: 3.75

Elegance
The Lycanthrope entry states that Animal is never a Lycanthrope’s first HD, so you can’t take Werebear until second level. (-0.5)

You put full ranks into skills which are not class skills for werebears in your RHD levels. (-0.5)

You don’t get Endurance or Track from Werebear, as bears get them from HD not as bonus feats. You don’t use them for anything though, and Track is actually gotten elsewhere (and still not used for anything) so no penalty. (0)

Your progression is very dip heavy. (-0.75)

No 4th level spells/powers. (+0.1)

Uses a sword. (+0.1)

No ToB PrC, but makes a ToB dip. (+0.05)

Total: 2.5

[Vknight]

WhamBamSam bad news, the Rokugan was actually published by Wizards as 3.0 material. So it is actually not 3rd party material

Redmaw's contestant forgot to include he took
Paladin of Tyranny, Holy Warrior(Complete Champion p. 49), and Stand Fast(Cityscape Web Enhancement)
So it's right he just forgot it which is a different penalty

Dysporium you can judge I'll add you too the judges.

-

And a secret reveal into the Chairman's mind.
Were Baboon 1/Samurai 5/Fighter 2/Ronin 7/Swordsage 2/Dread Commando 2

[Kuulvheysoon]

WhamBamSam bad news, the Rokugan was actually published by Wizards as 3.0 material. So it is actually not 3rd party material


So this contest doesn't follow the standard 3.0 -> 3.5 Grandfathering rules?

[kestrel404]

So this contest doesn't follow the standard 3.0 -> 3.5 Grandfathering rules?

Only if there is a 3.5 update published by WotC and they didn't include it in their build. Of course, if they used the 3rd party material instead of the WotC material, that might incur a penalty of its own.

[Vknight]

So this contest doesn't follow the standard 3.0 -> 3.5 Grandfathering rules?

Pardon?
As said if their is no 3.5 update from 3.0 then you use the 3.0 version of the class

[WhamBamSam]

WhamBamSam bad news, the Rokugan was actually published by Wizards as 3.0 material. So it is actually not 3rd party material

Redmaw's contestant forgot to include he took
Paladin of Tyranny, Holy Warrior(Complete Champion p. 49), and Stand Fast(Cityscape Web Enhancement)
So it's right he just forgot it which is a different penalty.Okay. If it really is 3.0 that hasn't been updated, it's legal, and does not warrant a minimum score in elegance. I'm honestly surprised though. Everything about that class screams 3rd party sourcebook. Is it really WotC published, and not just "WotC approved" like the Dragonlance books?

Paladin of Tyranny and Stand Fast were mentioned. The Holy Warrior variant accounts for the taking of Power Attack. It wasn't mentioned though, so I'm leaving the elegance penalty as is for the mistake.

[Vknight]

Strangely enough it is and not just WoTC approved I double checked when the contestant sent that in.

And fair enough of Redmaw

[Deadline]

Do we have Kuulvheysoon and/or dysprosium on deck for judging, or has Real Life claimed them?

[Kuulvheysoon]

Do we have Kuulvheysoon and/or dysprosium on deck for judging, or has Real Life claimed them?

Wait, I volunteered to judge this thing?

...Whoops.:smallredface: I've got a couple of hours tonight, if you guys don't mind a (slightly) rushed judging?

[dysprosium]

Do we have Kuulvheysoon and/or dysprosium on deck for judging, or has Real Life claimed them?

::Breaks shackles of Real Life:::smallfurious:

I should have this completed sometime tomorrow.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Let's do it. Comments (and complaints) can be sent to the Chair.

Enrico Tortuga - 10.25
Power
Let's see - +17 BAB means that you'll ideally be looking at 6 attacks a round, which is a plus. Darkstalker and a maxed out Hide/MS score lets you get close enough to them to get it off. Unfortunately, that's all you've really got. Against anything that you aren't Sneak Attacking, your effectiveness drops quite a bit. Although late, you've got a pretty good selection of spells known. 3.75
Elegance
Well, your skills are.... interesting. You've calculated them incorrectly (your animal HD are never your first HD, and you didn't give yourself the 'bonus' skill points for being first level). Your spells per day table made me give up and I just looked in the book - it was pretty difficult to figure out yours. Loving the OA Ninja, but it's important to note (in future competitons) that it's from Oriental Adventures - OA and the Rokugan Campaign Setting are different books, and it's easy to get confused as one is official material, and the other... isn't. 2
Flavour
Well, you're certainly dedicated to the TMNT theme. As for the Challenge here, you hit pretty much everything. I can't decide whether or not to penalise you for the clear TMNT expy. 4.5


Chiir-tin - 11.75
Power
Let's see, you've got Intelligence to damage - not bad, but considering how your bonus is only +2 (excluding items), that's not so impressive. +18 BAB means that you get all of your attacks (as a Master Swordsman certainly should). Dervish Dance is pretty cool for melee power here (ignoring DR, though, mind you), and Confound the Big Folk abuse is one of my favorites. 4
Elegance
You've apparently given yourself Agile as a Bonus Feat (it's not, Weapon Finesse is the one with the B next to it). Not taking the penalty to Strength is arguable - not illegal, mind you, but sketchy. 3.75
Flavour
Well, you've certainly got a huge emphasis on fighting in your hybrid from. You fill out all of the criteria except the ToB. No penalty, because you didn't use a PrC, but no bonus for you either. 4


Rednaw - 11.75
Power
You've got impressive damage between PA and well, frankly, Giant weaponry. Sweeping Strike is also a pretty nice thing to have. Warmind really adds quite a bit to this build between that, DR/- and manifesting. 4.25
Elegance
Unfortunately, Giant Crocodiles don't get any bonus feats- those are all due to HD. Thankfully, their loss doesn't influence your build in any way. How are you getting Power Attack at 4 HD? 2.5
Flavour
Well, you've got the stones to suck up 7 RHD, which is impressive. You hit everything else here as well. Bonus points for being my favorite build of the Challenge. 5


Valis Bloodwing - 12.25
Power
You hit the requisite +16 BAB (barely, but it's there, dammit). You've got the pure Strength to power through most obstacles, and the feats to complement it. TWF combined with your Strength adds to both damage and accuracy, a common problem that plagues TWFing. 4
Elegance
I have to question your dip of Eldritch Knight at the end there - wouldn't another level of Fighter be superior in every single way (trading a +1 to Fortitude for a Bonus Feat). You've accidentally taken Track twice (the first time illegally, I might mention), but since you get it (for free!) later, no penalty. I do not approve of the lack of Control Shape ranks (as you basically have a DC15 Wisdom check to assume hybrid form). 3.75
Flavour
Come on - a dual-wielding bear with katanas? Yeah. No penalty for ToB class (Swordsage), but no bonus either. 4.5

[dysprosium]

And here is my judging of Scrap Iron Chef II.

Some notes before we begin: No comment is meant to be personal and this is only my second stab at judging. These are some crazy builds, but that's understandable given the challenge. Furthermore, unless the Chairman tells me otherwise, I will assume that all non-standard sources were ok'd by the Chairman beforehand. He was going to let me use a Dragon Magazine prestige class after all . . .

Now for the scoring:

Enrico Tortuga 11
Power 4
We have achieved BAB 17 with four attacks, two offhand, and a bite. You have decent sneak attacks. The Darkstalker feat is a must for a sneaky type (even if you took it a little later than I would like)
Elegance 2
You qualify for your prestige class and all of your feats. However, you specifically use two katanas and without Exotic Weapon Proficiency (katana) you are going to be suffering -4 penalties for your attacks. The Deflect Arrow feat specifically mentions having one hand free. Your spell table is incorrect. Animal HD cannot be first even if you are a natural lycanthrope. Note that your hybrid form moves as fast as your humanoid form. Your Vigilante class ability of quick hide seems to have no use for you
Flavor 5
Sing with me: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Heroes in a half shell! Turtle Power! Your story is a nice homage to the genre and makes sense.
Swordfighting tropes: yes
No charging: yes
Lycanthrope (new?): yes (yes)
No 4th level or higher spells: yes
Usage of Tome of Battle: none
Chiir-tin 11.5
Power 4
Here we have a nimble monkey fighter who makes enemies hit each other when you hide on their person. BAB 18 with dervish attacks means lots of cuts but DR will be a problem without magic.
Elegance 3
You qualify for your prestige classes and your feats. Agile is not a monkey bonus feat. Did you mean walk the walls for wall climber skill trick? The scimitar which you use for your Dervish-ness is not a preferred weapon for Shadow Hand discipline so Shadow Blade bonus damage.
Flavor 4.5
The image of a dual sword wielding monkey jumping everywhere on the battlefield and opponents exemplifies the swordmaster trope.
Swordfighting tropes: yes
No charging: yes
Lycanthrope (new?): yes (yes)
No 4th level or higher spells: no spells at all!
Usage of Tome of Battle: Swordsage
Rednaw 12.5
Power 5
OMGsmash! combined with War Mind sweeping strike is just deadly. Serenity is a good offset for your poor Charisma score and you can take as good as you give. You are just a beast plain and simple.
Elegance 3
You qualify for your prestige class and all of your feats though I'm not sure how you got Power Attack when you did. Kudos for taking Control Shape as an afflicted lycanthrope. You could have a RAW issue regarding the Serenity feat with the UA Paladin variants. For me personally, the half ogre/half giant leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Flavor 4.5
You described how you wanted to be the sword guy with an enormous sword--you achieved that but you made yourself just as enormous. To me it would have been cooler if you could do it without becoming larger yourself.
Swordfighting tropes: yes
No charging: yes
Lycanthrope (new?): yes (no, were croc is in Sandstorm iirc)
No 4th level or higher spells: yes
Usage of Tome of Battle: none
Valis Bloodwing 11
Power 4
You are a two weapon fighter with magical backup coming online late in your build. Your AC will be nice with your draconic, Swordsage and (guessing) mage armor. Lots of your nicer things come online late though.
Elegance 3
You qualify for all of your feats and prestige classes. However I wonder about Eldritch Knight and the purpose it serves there. You have lots of dips. You cannot have animal hit dice first, especially with an afflicted lycanthrope. You don't have Control Shape! The moon will do mean things to you. Also, none of the class skills for your bear levels are "bear" skills so these needed to be all cross class. For your Exotic Weapon Master level, katanas are not considered light weapons for you can't use them for the twin exotic fighting.
Flavor 4
I liked your story. And the image of a sword wielding bear leaping everywhere is just frightening.
Swordfighting tropes: yes
No charging: yes
Lycanthrope (new?): yes (no, werebear is SRD)
No 4th level or higher spells: yes
Usage of Tome of Battle: Swordsage

BTW "Rednaw" is wander backwards but I admit I don't get the reference.

Please check the math and send all comments and complaints to the Chairman. Please send all of the money directly to me. :smallcool:

[Vknight]

Dysprosium just a heads up Rokugan Ninja does get proficiency with the Katana outside of that yup.

So that is our judging everyone!
Things you'd like to comment on or direct the judges towards about each build?
Cool ideas you were going to try
And after that we can end the Second Scrap Iron Chef
and I can finally decide on what should be Challenge 3! Hmmm....:smallamused:

[dysprosium]

Dysprosium just a heads up Rokugan Ninja does get proficiency with the Katana outside of that yup.

You're right. I have that book--Rokugan Campaign Setting. But it's not exotic weapon proficiency to wield it one handed. That was my point.

[kestrel404]

Well, here's the scores barring any last minute changes.

{table=head] Rank |Build |WhamBamSam|Kuulvheysoon|dysprosium|Average
1st|Rednaw|11.3|11.75|12.5|11.85
2nd|Chiir-tin|10.6|11.75|11.5|11.28
3rd|Valis Bloodwing|9.5|12.25|11|10.92
4th|Enrico Tortuga|9.95|10.25|11|10.4[/table]

VKnight, are there any challenges to the scoring, or are we ready for the reveal?

[Deadline]

VKnight, are there any challenges to the scoring, or are we ready for the reveal?

I've got a couple of comments, but I'd rather address them in discussion in this thread than eat up any more dispute time. Besides, it's doubtful that it would affect my score any. :smalltongue:

[Vknight]

I've got a couple of comments, but I'd rather address them in discussion in this thread than eat up any more dispute time. Besides, it's doubtful that it would affect my score any. :smalltongue:

Sadly so it seems and once again you take 4th place Deadline

Enrico = Deadline
Valis = Kellbyb
Chiir-tin = BornValyrian
Rednaw = Kestrel404

So congrats too those who were involved
And congrats too the winners and we seriously need to get those Trophies someway, someday.
Until that day those that win only have bragging rights

Rednaw will now appear with every challenge.

Disputes are free to happen and discussion. I'll be putting up the next challenge between Friday & Monday depending on my schedule.

Also the vote for the most unexpected build contestants and judges are free too join in on this

[kestrel404]

Well, since no one called it:
Rednaw is Wander backwards. dysprosium got that far.
Wander is the main character from Shadows of the Colossus.
I made a colossus, with fighting style as appropriate to the colossus.

Hence, reversing the name of the Protagonist.

Second:
EVERY JUDGE commented on how I managed to get a bonus feat at 4 HD. Yet none of them noticed or cared that my paladin didn't get any spells. I did not specify in the text of the Character that I was taking the Holy Warrior ACF for paladin (Trades spells for bonus feats, starting at 4th level), because I had a line in my original submission (which accidentally got deleted) stating them all. When I re-wrote it, it was missing that line. Sigh.

But that was fun, and congrats to everyone, I especially liked the TMNT cameo.

[Deadline]

I'm not quite certain why you decided not to simply quote my dispute comments in full, rather than paraphrase them, Vknight. It's difficult to get any sort of meaningful commentary going back and forth between the contestants and the judges that way.

Here are my comments in response to the judgings, re-copied here in full (with some additional thoughts outside the quotes):


The Rokugan campaign setting is official material (it was, however briefly, the official Oriental Adventures campaign setting for a brief time in 3.0):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_campaign_settings


The Rokugan Ninja class I used specifically grants proficiency with Katanas, and not in the same way a Fighter is normally proficient.


Ninja are proficient with the following weapons: Dagger, Dart, Shuriken, Katana, Ninja-to, Chain, Kusari-gama, and Blowgun.

Looks like I should have proof-read this entry better too, the spell table is all screwed up, and I completely forgot to include my Adaptations section to call out Demolition and Truedeath Crystals, or swapping out IUS for Power Attack, as the solutions to things immune to sneak attack.

And yep, I totally forgot that Deflect Arrows requires a free hand.

Given that the class is specifically proficient in 6 different exotic weapons (and never calls them out as such), I'm honestly surprised that dysprosium chose to rule that the class doesn't have the appropriate proficiency with Katanas. It is a grey area, because the Katana/Bastard Sword is, I think, the only exotic weapon that also has a Martial Weapon variation on it, so it is up to DM interpretation. RAW is fuzzy on it, and my take on the RAI is clearly different than his. And he wins because he's a judge. :smalltongue:

A couple of other comments:

I'm kind of surprised that WhamBamSam was expecting a TMNT expy (and it looks like I got dinged pretty hard on it). Guess it wasn't as unexpected as I thought. :smallbiggrin:

Also, in response to WhamBamSam wondering why IUS was in the build at all, I didn't want someone to ding me on the TMNT thing because my entry didn't know how to mix it up without swords. So ... flavor?

I had completely misread the Lycanthrope template, and took "Base Creature" to mean the animal. Bummer, because I thought my solution to the problem of movement was pretty neat (it's the whole reason I used the Rokugan Ninja class to begin with).

With a little extra proof-reading, and the addition of my forgotten Adaptations section, it looks like I could have actually been a contender! Taking a class level as my first level would have given me tons more skill points (and solved a little of the versatility issue)!

Still, it was a fun weekend build that I actually sat down and talked about with my kids, and my 5 year old will be delighted when he hears we took 4th place! :smallwink:

Thanks to the judges for taking the time to judge!

And congrats to the winners!

[Vknight]

To be honest Deadline here are the ones I expected

Turtle(Not snapping turtle normal turtle)
Hummingbird
Monkey/Ape/Baboon
Crocodile
Lion/Tiger/Leopard

Also no comment on the most unusual build Deadline you can say yours if you feel it was

[Menzath]

I had A nifty idea for an Elven were-drakken Steed duskblade/soulknife/Blade Dancer.
But I was having time issues with friends popping up and making me start working on my Hero system Campaign a good year earlier than intended.

Still interesting builds, I thoroughly enjoy seeing what ideas people can come up with and hope to have time to participate in an upcoming event.

[WhamBamSam]

I'm kind of surprised that WhamBamSam was expecting a TMNT expy (and it looks like I got dinged pretty hard on it). Guess it wasn't as unexpected as I thought. :smallbiggrin:

Also, in response to WhamBamSam wondering why IUS was in the build at all, I didn't want someone to ding me on the TMNT thing because my entry didn't know how to mix it up without swords. So ... flavor?TMNT has been a very successful pop-culture entity/license to print money based around anthropomorphic animals with swords. It's also one of the most triumphant (or egregious depending on your perspective) examples of some sword-fighting tropes, like the whole "clash with the deadly sword, then use a kick to actually hit the enemy" thing that I thought you were going for when I first saw IUS in the build. (As I mentioned in my judging, going that route would have also gotten you an extra swing for your Sneak Attacking, as it would have left a claw free.)

So yeah, I did kinda see TMNT coming, and that was worth a half point deduction (the other half point off in flavor was for seeing SA coming as the most obvious source of melee damage with ubercharging banned).

And yes, Adaptations for dealing with things immune to SA would have helped you a lot. Apart from the usual concerns of everyday adventuring, the most prominent BBEG in TMNT is a construct, as is everything that ever actually gets stabbed with a sword.:smalltongue:

Looking forward to the next challenge. I'm personally pulling for Hoardless(VoP) Dragons, but I'm sure whatever we get will be fun.

[Vknight]

I'm debating I have a list of like 20 of these
Hard too choose because I want to keep similar challenge separated by 1 challenge or so

[Deadline]

Also no comment on the most unusual build Deadline you can say yours if you feel it was

Nah, voting for yourself is poor sportsmanship, and despite the impression you may have of me, I can be quite the gracious loser (it's my natural state, after all :smallbiggrin:).

Besides, the Journey to the West expy (the Monkey King) gets my vote.

[dysprosium]

Well, since no one called it:
Rednaw is Wander backwards. dysprosium got that far.
Wander is the main character from Shadows of the Colossus.
I made a colossus, with fighting style as appropriate to the colossus.

Hence, reversing the name of the Protagonist.

That game was for the PS2 right? That explains why I didn't get the reference. I never played it but thought it was a really cool concept.

Both the TMNT and the monkey king had the best stories to me.

[Vknight]

Nah, voting for yourself is poor sportsmanship, and despite the impression you may have of me, I can be quite the gracious loser (it's my natural state, after all :smallbiggrin:).

Besides, the Journey to the West expy (the Monkey King) gets my vote.

I don't have that impression.
My impression is that you are really unlucky with fun and interesting builds
I think I may know which build is your in Iron Chef

Also Monkey King was cool sad he's small sized though nor a staff wielder

Shadow of Colossus was a fun game

[Deadline]

I think I may know which build is your in Iron Chef

You might be surprised, though you are welcome to PM me your guess. :smallsmile:

[Vknight]

Nah I'll wait and see. Can you guess which is mine?

[Deadline]

Nah I'll wait and see. Can you guess which is mine?

I have a guess, but I'll wait and see if I'm right. The anticipation is a large part of the fun, after all.

[dysprosium]

So what will our next mash up be?


incorporeal bruisers?
awakened plant thieves?
half vermin psionicists?


hmmmm?

[BornValyrian]

Well, glad you guys liked the monkey. I honestly didn't think it would be as good as everybody thought, this is my first time doing one of these contests.

[Vknight]

So what will our next mash up be?


incorporeal bruisers?
awakened plant thieves?
half vermin psionicists?


hmmmm?

23+ ideas now
Thanks Dysprosium:smalltongue:

But no not any of those just yet
I'm going another way which may be just the bit intriguingly fun
Horrible and other things

[OMG PONIES]

Has a new one of these been posted that I've missed?

[dysprosium]

Has a new one of these been posted that I've missed?

Here it is for you:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296343

[OMG PONIES]

Here it is for you:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296343

A gentleman and a scholar! Many thanks.

[dysprosium]

No problem!

It's an interesting mash up this time.