Der_DWSage
2014-10-18, 07:01 AM
Recently, my friends have decided that I'm not allowed to ride animals. I will become completely and utterly overpowered, untouchable, and unkillable. And while this is hyperbole...it gave me a fun little thought experiment. How to build a Cavalier that turns absolutely everything into mincemeat. Not something to play, especially since I'm not fond of turning the local mid-op game into rocket tag, but something to occupy time over.
So I come to you, dear friends of the Playground, for advice on how to improve on the Massive Damage Cavalier of level 8.
Here's what I have so far.
Race:Orc, for +4 strength.
Stats:22 strength at level 1, becomes 24 base strength by level 8, which is boosted to 28 strength by a +4 belt or Bull Strength.
Equipment:+1 Heartseeker Lance, Cyclops Helm, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/c-d/cyclops-helm) Champion's Banner, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/champion-s-banner) Reservoir of Physical Prowess, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/blood-reservoir-of-physical-prowess) and a +4 Strength belt. A 20th level scroll of Greater Magic Weapon is optional, but nice, and will play into the total damage calculation. All of this fits easily into the 33,000 GP WBL.
Mount's Stats:Pachycephalosaurus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachycephalosaurus) with Narrow Frame, just so he isn't constantly left behind. A flyer is nice, but the Beast Rider archetype specifically states that you can't select something with a fly speed. So, Pachycephalosaurus with 30 Strength. (23 base after size increase, +1 from levels, +2 from Animal Companion Bonus, +4 Belt or Bull Strength.)
Feats taken:Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Furious Focus. (1, 3, 5, 7, bonus feat)
Calculations:Minimum damage, unfocused. 1 (Weapon) + 5 (Greater Magic Weapon) + 29 ((9 strength modifier + 10 animal strength modifier) * 1.5) + 9 (Power Attack) * 3 = 132 damage.
Minimum damage, Challenge:As above. +12 damage (Challenge) * 3 = 168 damage.
Minimum damage, All-Out:As above. Additional +4 strength modifier from Reservoir. Automatic critical threat from Cyclops Helm. 558 damage.
Minimum damage, party buffing:1 (Weapon) + 5 (GMW) + 47 (23 Strength, add in Boiling Blood (+2), Moment of Greatness (+2), Enlarge Person (+2), and Animal Growth (+8) and * 1.5) + 9 (Power Attack) +2 (Bard Song) +2 (Good Hope) + 2 (Moment of Greatness) + 3 (UMD'd Divine Favor) + 4 (Warpriest Destruction blessing) + 12 Challenge = 261 damage. If using Cyclops Helm to get a Critical Hit, 783 damage.
...So how about it, Playground? Any other shenanigans I've overlooked in my quest for the biggest number possible by level 8? I'm sure I've missed one or two, and I'd kind of like to boost that critical hit damage into the quadruple digits.
So I come to you, dear friends of the Playground, for advice on how to improve on the Massive Damage Cavalier of level 8.
Here's what I have so far.
Race:Orc, for +4 strength.
Stats:22 strength at level 1, becomes 24 base strength by level 8, which is boosted to 28 strength by a +4 belt or Bull Strength.
Equipment:+1 Heartseeker Lance, Cyclops Helm, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/c-d/cyclops-helm) Champion's Banner, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/champion-s-banner) Reservoir of Physical Prowess, (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/blood-reservoir-of-physical-prowess) and a +4 Strength belt. A 20th level scroll of Greater Magic Weapon is optional, but nice, and will play into the total damage calculation. All of this fits easily into the 33,000 GP WBL.
Mount's Stats:Pachycephalosaurus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachycephalosaurus) with Narrow Frame, just so he isn't constantly left behind. A flyer is nice, but the Beast Rider archetype specifically states that you can't select something with a fly speed. So, Pachycephalosaurus with 30 Strength. (23 base after size increase, +1 from levels, +2 from Animal Companion Bonus, +4 Belt or Bull Strength.)
Feats taken:Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Furious Focus. (1, 3, 5, 7, bonus feat)
Calculations:Minimum damage, unfocused. 1 (Weapon) + 5 (Greater Magic Weapon) + 29 ((9 strength modifier + 10 animal strength modifier) * 1.5) + 9 (Power Attack) * 3 = 132 damage.
Minimum damage, Challenge:As above. +12 damage (Challenge) * 3 = 168 damage.
Minimum damage, All-Out:As above. Additional +4 strength modifier from Reservoir. Automatic critical threat from Cyclops Helm. 558 damage.
Minimum damage, party buffing:1 (Weapon) + 5 (GMW) + 47 (23 Strength, add in Boiling Blood (+2), Moment of Greatness (+2), Enlarge Person (+2), and Animal Growth (+8) and * 1.5) + 9 (Power Attack) +2 (Bard Song) +2 (Good Hope) + 2 (Moment of Greatness) + 3 (UMD'd Divine Favor) + 4 (Warpriest Destruction blessing) + 12 Challenge = 261 damage. If using Cyclops Helm to get a Critical Hit, 783 damage.
...So how about it, Playground? Any other shenanigans I've overlooked in my quest for the biggest number possible by level 8? I'm sure I've missed one or two, and I'd kind of like to boost that critical hit damage into the quadruple digits.