Villainous Competition XXIX: A Halloween Special

[jdizzlean]

Welcome to Round 29 of the Villainous Competition!

Previous Competitions
Round One: Leader of Armies (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?395046)
Round Two: Nature's Revenger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?400517)
Round Three: Double Agent (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?406015)
Round Four: Grave Keeper (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?413480)
Round Five: Crime Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?420704)
Round Six: Ultimate Predator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?430650)
Round Seven: Wicked Witch (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?444478)
Round Eight: Master of the Tundra (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?461482)
Round Nine: The Power of Villainous Thinking (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?474230)
Round Ten: Henchman Are Villains Too (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?478068)
Round Eleven: The Higher They Rise The Harder They Fall (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?483052)
Round Twelve: Power Comes at a Price (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?488846)
Round Thirteen: The Gadgeteer - You Are Not Batman (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?491932)
Round Fourteen: The Thing That Should Not Be (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?496091)
Round Fifteen: The Horsemen Are Drawing Nearer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?500829)
Round Sixteen: Burn Baby Burn (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?503974)
Round Seventeen: It's Alive! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?507768)
Round Eighteen: This is Heresy (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?511933)
Round Nineteen: He Slimed Me! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?516535)
Round Twenty: Elder Evil (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?521560)
Round Twenty-One: Yarr! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?527415-Villainous-Competition-XXI-Yarr!)
Round Twenty-Two: I Am The Night! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?531199-Villainous-Competition-XXII-I-Am-The-Night!)
Round Twenty-Three: Two Heads Are Better Than One! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?535437-Villainous-Competition-XXIII-Two-Heads-Are-Better-Than-One)
Round Twenty-Four: Wrong For The Right Reasons! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?541650-Villainous-Competition-XXIV-Wrong-For-The-Right-Reasons)
Round Twenty-Five: Keeper of the Gate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?550139-Villainous-Competition-XXV-No-Solicitors!)
Round Twenty-Six: Get In MY BELLY (Swallow Whole) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?556705-Villainous-Competition-XXVI-Swallow-Whole!)
Round Twenty-Seven: Multiple Personality Disorder (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?559748-Villainous-Competition-XXVII-Multiple-Personality-Disorder)
Round Twenty-Eight: Tiny Only! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?565176-Villainous-Competition-XXVIII-Bad-Things-Come-in-Small-Packages)

We're a little different than most of the optimization threads. We run on CR instead of ECL.

Contestants:
You will need to present a write-up of your build with at least one of the following points: 5 CR, 10 CR 15 CR, 20 CR, and a "sweet spot" that you feel is the high point of the build, as well as presenting a fully-fleshed out 20 CR 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:

Secret Laboratory:
Competitors will be free to use any official 1st party (WotC) 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon Compendium is allowed, but Dragon magazine is disallowed. Unearthed Arcana is allowed. Unupdated 3.0 materials, as well as web exclusives 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 or Generic Classes are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Item Familiars and Taint are also banned from the competition. Leadership and all similar abilities are banned for sanity reasons.
Builds that are fully monstrous are allowed at no penalty. All class levels are to be added on as associated class levels.

Elite array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) is the assumed ability score generation method.
Some monstrous characters can technically qualify for Epic feats as soon as their ECL is over 20. While regular Epic feats will be allowed, Epic Spellcasting and all other Epic feats that affect spells, psionic powers, or item creation are not permitted. Including these would give an unfair advantage over standard characters. For Incarnum characters, Epic Open Chakra feats are allowed; other Epic Incarnum feats are not. The Essentia Capacity increases for Epic capacity as described on p. 212. For all characters, please note that Racial Hit Dice do not count towards Epic Progression; use the regular progression even if the BAB ends up higher than 20.

Deadlines:
Contestants will have until 23:59 MST Saturday December 8th to create their builds and PM them to the Supreme Chancellor. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 23:59 MST Saturday December 22nd to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted. Deadlines are subject to extension as/if required.

Judging:
Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Build Elegance, Competence and Power, Memorable Villainy.
Keep these questions in mind when judging each category:
Originality - Is it unexpected?
Build Elegance - Is it mechanically pretty?
Competence and Power - Can it do what the concept asks of it? Is this a powerfully-built character?
Memorable Villainy - Is this a villain with style? Will it be the BBEG players long to finally kill and then talk about for weeks?
Unearthed Arcana can be penalized for elegance if the specific feature seems unnecessary or makes the playing field unfair (In this case, you can give a 1 if it makes the field unfair.)
Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. As the Iron Chef competition states, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.
You may not judge if you entered the contest, unless you withdraw your submission.

Presentation:
Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build, as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries!

Note:
There is now a hard limit on two (2) entries per competitor.

Using the table below, the easiest way to use it is to go to the top left of the private message, and click the little a/A icon. It allows you to see what you're writing.
Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to use the following table for their entry.


CR
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


Code immediately below (spoiler).

CR
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


You can use the table below for Spells.

Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Code Immediately Below,
Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-



Speculation:
Please don’t post or speculate on possible builds until the reveal, in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.
Once builds are revealed, please do not comment on errors or rules issues on entries unless you are a judge. If you have such a comment, wait until the final reveal to post it.

Get ready to share those Evil thoughts. This edition’s villain is:


Halloween Special!
I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!



Limitations



Build a Tribute to any monster/creature/character from any Halloween based creative work (movie, book, song, game, etc), List that inspiration in your sources
Ghostwalk's Ghost Template is banned
Must be chaotic, but not neccessarilty Evil
Must use Illusions in some way to mimic trickery


We will award 1st through 3rd places, and a possible Honorable Mention.
So, start your evil plotting!



Entry
Competitor
Description
Score 1
Total
Placing


The Great Pumpkinhead (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572886&postcount=49)
Thurbane
CE Greenbound Murderjack Bard 1/Arcane Trickster 8
16.75
16.75
Gold


The Poltergeist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572883&postcount=48)
Falontani
CE Guecubu 4/Unarmed Swordsage 2/Master of the Unseen Hand 5/Uncanny Trickster 3/Dungeoncrasher Fighter 6
16.5
16.5
Silver


Quoth, The Raven (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572907&postcount=51)
jdizzlean
CE Monster of Legend Giant Raven Sorc 1/Warlock 1/Dread Witch 5/ Mindbender 1/Nightmare Spinner 5/Sorc +3
15.25
15.25
N/A



Submission:
To standardize Entries, please use this format when sending it in:

PM: Jdizzlean
Subject: Villainous Competition 29, Name of your Entry
For Revisions and disputes, do the same thing. It makes it easier for me finding the entries in my mail box.
More questions? PM me with Villainous Competition 29 Questions in the header.

Tips for submitting your entry, provided by Weaselguy:


- Use capitalization and punctuation, correctly.
- Make good use of Spoilers, for cleanliness.
- Don't forget your sources. If it's something that can be found in the contents section, then book title seems to be fine. Obscure stuff, may want to include page number too.
- DeviantArt has about 9 billion pictures that you can reference, I can almost guarantee you can find one there to fit your character.
- Make good use of tables. In addition to the Build table and the Spells table, I like doing on e for my Ability Scores, just to keep it neat.
- Do a build stub at the top of your Build Table, something like Wizard 2/Fighter 3/Abjurant Champion 5/Eldritch Knight 10



As always: let's keep it nice.

I'll mention that again - LET'S KEEP IT NICE! Bickering, name calling and nasty comments on the entries or other forum members are not tolerated.

New competition rule: if I feel an individual has been overly disruptive during the course of competition discussion, I will not be accepting and revealing any entries from that individual, and they will also not be allowed to judge. Any judging they enter will not be taken into account for the final tally.

It's sad that it had to come to this, but here's a list of permanently banned (from this Villainous Competition) members:

Novolin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?148361-Novolin)
Yklikt (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?133435-Yklikt)

[jdizzlean]

Clarifications

Unearthed Arcana variant rules are limited: The variant character options (such as Wildshape Ranger and Thug Fighter) should not be penalized. Flaws and traits may be penalized by judges, whereas item familiars, gestalt, alternate skill systems, alternate magic systems, alternate crafting rules, generic base classes, LA buyoff, fractional saves/BAB, and bloodlines are banned. Anything not mentioned here is up to individual judges.

d20 Rokugan is not allowed material.

The Dragon Magazine update for Oriental Adventures is in use.

Leadership is banned. Any material that grants you leadership without you specifically taking it should be ignored and may not be traded away for another feat or ACF. Undead Leadership and Dragon Cohort are likewise banned. Wild Cohort and Obtain Familiar are allowed. If you are not sure if a specific feat violates the 'no leadership' rule, err on the side of caution, or ask me.

However, Leadership may be taken to qualify for another feat or class (such as the Great Captain feat or Legendary Leader prestige class), though a character still doesn't get its usual benefit in those cases. This is to allow characters to access unproblematic material that'd otherwise be made unavailable because of the Leadership ban.

On the subject of messaging the chair (me), a few guidelines:
- I am not here to give critiques on your build or guess how the judges might score it!
- For entries, please keep the entry to no more than 2 message, if at all possible.
- For entries, don't expect me to search through your entry and edit in or out material. Entries should be sent to me complete - if there is a later revision, re-submit the full build. PLEASE DON'T INCLUDE TEXT IN YOUR SUBMISSION YOU WANT ME TO EDIT OUT FOR THE POST - SUBMIT IT TO ME EXACTLY HOW I WILL POST THE FINISHED PRODUCT.
- Please make sure the name of your entry is clearly present in the message.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/57807489/i-volunteer-as-tribute-challengeaccepted.jpg


Everyone, have fun!

[Sian]

Tribute builds aren’t my strong suit, (specially since my taste of genres usually by-pass things in which Halloween is a significant part) so i think i’ll pass

[CIDE]

So, just so I fully understand (because I'm not sure I do) we're trying to build something to honor say.... Jack Skellington? Or theoretically Michael Myers? etc? Something along those lines? But it's not a duplicate or direct copy?

[jdizzlean]

So, just so I fully understand (because I'm not sure I do) we're trying to build something to honor say.... Jack Skellington? Or theoretically Michael Myers? etc? Something along those lines? But it's not a duplicate or direct copy?

yes, and no.

you can directly copy it if you think you can get the same shtick to work within the D&D world, but otherwise just pay homage to your source end embellish as you see fit.

[Thurbane]

Awesome! Already got a few ideas floating around for this...

[GrayDeath]

Nice, classically themed idea.
May compete.

[Archeoaevis]

Interesting. I like the concept for this one. Maybe I'll compete here, seeing as I have an idea (albeit a dumb one) already...

[SoraWolf7]

Hoo boy, it's been a while since I entered a Build competition, but this one brings back an idea that I've been wanting to try for a long time. I might be in on this.

[Archeoaevis]

My idea is rapidly moving far away from its original inspiration. I still like the concept, but it really isn't accurate to the source material anymore.

Do I need to change this, or should I just go with what I have?

[jdizzlean]

run with it, i don't expect carbon copies of things unless it's either a serious fanboy moment, or in jest. Both of course are just fine.

it's just an inspiration after all, i'm not judging, but if i was, as long as the finished product still had some resemblance to the source material, i'd be just fine w/ it.

[Archeoaevis]

run with it, i don't expect carbon copies of things unless it's either a serious fanboy moment, or in jest. Both of course are just fine.

it's just an inspiration after all, i'm not judging, but if i was, as long as the finished product still had some resemblance to the source material, i'd be just fine w/ it.
As far as resemblances go, there are only one or two remaining elements from the original concept (which was, admittedly, very vague on what it actually was). If not for me pointing it out, you probably couldn't tell.

[Thurbane]

I've solidified my idea a bit; I'm quite happy with it - now to fully flesh out the crunch of the build, write up fluff, and the much dreaded formatting! :smallbiggrin:

[Lionheart]

Hmmm, I'm struggling to come up with an idea that fits the brief and maintains originality, so I'll put my name forward to judge this round if there's no objections?

[jdizzlean]

Hmmm, I'm struggling to come up with an idea that fits the brief and maintains originality, so I'll put my name forward to judge this round if there's no objections?

that would be great, thanks!

[3SecondCultist]

So I'm likely going to be back for this round, but could I get some clarification on what people mean by 'Halloween-based'? Does that mean any classic horror monster? What about creative works that aren't explicitly shown at Halloween, but fit the general aesthetic? I'm wondering generally how large our reference pool is before committing to theorycrafting.

[jdizzlean]

it's pretty big.

doing a generic search for example of "25 top halloween movies of all time" gives you some examples like: Scream, The Shining, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Rocky Horror Picture Show...

some things are assoiciated w/ halloween because they take place on/during halloween in the source material, some are associated that way w/ costumes, some because it's horror, etc..

Really it comes down to: Do YOU think it's halloween material, and can you make a decent argument to convince someone else that it's so?

[3SecondCultist]

Really it comes down to: Do YOU think it's halloween material, and can you make a decent argument to convince someone else that it's so?

Alright then, count me in! I think I have an idea that might just work... :smallamused:

[jdizzlean]

I am also working on a build, I'll post it at the end of the rest of the reveal, but it won't be in the competition proper.

[GrayDeath]

Hmmmm, thinking about some ideas, but one question popped up:

Will there be Judging points for how well one does the Tribute? I mean its a nice theme, but 2 of my Ideas ran into the problem of "only token resemblance left".
Will for example Elegance or Memorability be penalized (say by 2 points for example) if its only very loosely based on its Inspiration, or will "remotely similar and creator thinks it fits" be the baseline?

(and no, I will bot judge this time, even should I not finish, I need some time off judging, so merely asking for the contributors).

[Lionheart]

that would be great, thanks!

Not a problem at all, happy to do it.

With regard to the question on how accurate an entry's representation will effect the judging; for me, I wouldn't put this into any single category, but most of the categories could receive a penalty or bonus for this. For example, Power could be penalised if the entry doesn't have all the capabilities of its inspiration, or if the accuracy of the representation suffers from the entry being too powerful or able to solve problems better without using the means that the inspiration would.

I won't penalise any entries for the same thing twice, so in reality it will only ever affect one category. Hope this makes sense, and looking forward to seeing entries!

[Thurbane]

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/57807489/i-volunteer-as-tribute-challengeaccepted.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/14t7xc3.jpg


I am also working on a build, I'll post it at the end of the rest of the reveal, but it won't be in the competition proper.

I used to write up pseudo-builds occasionally when I was chair. :smallsmile:

[jdizzlean]

how's everyone doing? a week left, no builds in yet :( but i blame turkey day :)

I should finish my own build today, which is likely to be quite fun :D

have another erroneous smiley for funsies :p

[Thurbane]

I'm maybe around 75% done. Having internet issues on home home PC, which is hampering progress...

[SoraWolf7]

I'm drawing a few blanks on ideas, and I only just read the illusion requirement. This will take some critical thinking for the next few days I have open.

[Thurbane]

I'm drawing a few blanks on ideas, and I only just read the illusion requirement. This will take some critical thinking for the next few days I have open.

Illusions??? Damn I hate when I miss a req. :smalleek: Somehow I managed to only read the first two lines.

Oh well, shouldn't be too hard to work into my current idea...time permitting.

[GrayDeath]

Yeah, without that part I`d have been done after 2 days.
THis way I had to scrap Idea one, idea 2 was (for me) too far away from the Inspiration.

Lets see if a third Idea strikes before the deadline....

[jdizzlean]

have another week everybody

[Thurbane]

My entry is basically complete, but I can use the extra time to neaten up formatting and triple check for errors.

[GrayDeath]

Well, I dont think it`ll help me much, Inspiration is somehow reluctant to visit at the moment, I am afraid....
Might be because of too much ... Chaos in my Flat, if I am honest ^^

[jdizzlean]

my initial idea was dropped because i couldn't find a way to make it special beyond a generic build, but if someone would like to give it a shot, pm me and i'll send you what the basics are

[jdizzlean]

It's a new week, still nothing in the inbox?

do we need more time?

scrap this round entirely and move on?

to much life in the way?

[Lionheart]

Deadline is tomorrow right?

I'm still looking forward to judging, so it would be a shame if we don't get any entries!

[jdizzlean]

Deadline is tomorrow right?

I'm still looking forward to judging, so it would be a shame if we don't get any entries!

deadline is currently this saturday, however if no builds are submitted, we'll have to go another week.

if at the end of that week still no submittals, i may post my build, close this round and move on to the next one.

ideally we can get at least 3-4 builds in to have a proper round before that happens.

[Thurbane]

deadline is currently this saturday, however if no builds are submitted, we'll have to go another week.

if at the end of that week still no submittals, i may post my build, close this round and move on to the next one.

ideally we can get at least 3-4 builds in to have a proper round before that happens.

Well, I can guarantee you'll have at least one!

[Zhentarim]

Any chaotic, but evil isn’t required?

Any particular reason for that rule?

If that is the case, I may try for something unorthadox.

[jdizzlean]

Any chaotic, but evil isn’t required?

Any particular reason for that rule?

If that is the case, I may try for something unorthadox.

just like the illusion requirement, it's a 'trick or treat' kinda thing :)

and to shake it up and give a few more options for things as well.

[Zhentarim]

besides villains that look like heroes, I struggle to see what competition you haven’t tried. lol

[jdizzlean]

besides villains that look like heroes, I struggle to see what competition you haven’t tried. lol

i got some good stuff in store for the next few rounds :belkar::belkar::belkar::belkar::belkar:

[Thurbane]

Looking forward to the reveal. I hope we got enough entries to make it interesting...

[jdizzlean]

i have one entry submitted, I'll give it until this coming Saturday and then call it, that'll have been a month to build...

[Thurbane]

i have one entry submitted, I'll give it until this coming Saturday and then call it, that'll have been a month to build...

Bummer :smallfrown:

..oh well, hope some people have last minute inspiration.

[Falontani]

I haven't looked into it because I was asked anonymously to judge, if people would like I can instead enter into this comp

[jdizzlean]

I haven't looked into it because I was asked anonymously to judge, if people would like I can instead enter into this comp

lionheart will judge, so please do enter so there's at least some competition!

[Falontani]

lionheart will judge, so please do enter so there's at least some competition!

Yessir, I'll look into it once I'm home

[Falontani]

Just a note; I should have it fully written up and sent in by 1 AM CST. I have the table down, I have roughly 80% typed up and formatted now, but I have to head into work where I won't be able to access it.

[jdizzlean]

ok,

builds incoming...

[jdizzlean]

1. This is a big ghost.

unfortunately, the formatting is getting screwed up in transfer, so here's another google doc link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15hJHVCeDFPBB1p3Sx7Q01qib6gSNdehjcjCoLilrrPY/edit

[jdizzlean]

2. I just want to say, this is one of 2 movies that screwed me up when i was a kid... so good job



The Great Pumpkinhead
http://i66.tinypic.com/6zackp.jpg

Greenbound Murderjack Bard 1/Arcane Trickster 8

Chaotic Evil Medium Plant (Augmented Fey)

Hit Dice: 15d8+1d6+8d4+192 (286 hp)

Racial Traits: speed 50 ft, climb 50 ft; +12 natural armor bonus; 2 claws 1d6, slam 1d6; plant traits; +16 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks in forested areas

Languages: common & sylvan



Ability
Array
Racial
Template
16th
20th
24th
Final


Str
10
+10
+6
-
-
-
26


Dex
13
+6
+2
-
+1
-
22


Con
14
+8
+4
-
-
-
26


Int
12
+4
-
-
-
-
16


Wis
8
+2
-
-
-
+1
11


Cha
15
+12
+4
+1
-
-
32




http://i66.tinypic.com/2l9l6ih.jpg



CR
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skill Ranks
Feats
Class Features


11
Fey Plant 1
+0
+0
+2
+2
Balance 2; Concentration 2; Escape Artist 4; Hide 4; Intimidate 4; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 4; Tumble 2; Use Magic Device 2
Darkstalker
DR 10/cold iron, magic and slashing; fast healing 3; frightening presence; grapple bonus; low-light vision; resist cold 10, electricity 10; sneak attack +7d6; SR 21; spell-like abilities; spells; sudden lunge; tremorsense 60 ft; woodland concealment


11
Fey Plant 2
+1
+0
+3
+3
Balance 2; Concentration 2; Decipher Script 2; Disable Device 1; Escape Artist 4; Hide 5; Intimidate 5; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 5; Tumble 2; Use Magic Device 2
-
-


11
Fey Plant 3
+1
+1
+3
+3
Balance 2; Concentration 2; Decipher Script 2; Disable Device 2; Escape Artist 4; Hide 6; Intimidate 6; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 6; Tumble 3; Use Magic Device 3
Evil's Blessing
-


11
Fey Plant 4
+2
+1
+4
+4
Balance 3; Concentration 3; Decipher Script 3; Disable Device 2; Escape Artist 4; Hide 7; Intimidate 7; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 7; Tumble 3; Use Magic Device 3
-
-


11
Fey Plant 5
+2
+1
+4
+4
Balance 4; Concentration 4; Decipher Script 4; Disable Device 2; Escape Artist 4; Hide 8; Intimidate 8; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 8; Tumble 3; Use Magic Device 3
-
-


11
Fey Plant 6
+3
+2
+5
+5
Balance 4; Concentration 4; Decipher Script 4; Disable Device 3; Escape Artist 4; Hide 9; Intimidate 9; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 9; Tumble 4; Use Magic Device 4
Martial Study (shadow jaunt)
-


11
Fey Plant 7
+3
+2
+5
+5
Balance 5; Concentration 4; Decipher Script 4; Disable Device 3; Escape Artist 4; Hide 10; Intimidate 10; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 10; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 5
-
-


11
Fey Plant 8
+4
+2
+6
+6
Balance 5; Concentration 5; Decipher Script 5; Disable Device 4; Escape Artist 4; Hide 11; Intimidate 11; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 11; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 5
-
-


11
Fey Plant 9
+4
+3
+6
+6
Balance 5; Concentration 6; Decipher Script 5; Disable Device 5; Escape Artist 4; Hide 12; Intimidate 12; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 12; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 6
Arcane Strike
-


11
Fey Plant 10
+5
+3
+7
+7
Balance 5; Concentration 6; Decipher Script 6; Disable Device 6; Escape Artist 6; Hide 13; Intimidate 13; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 13; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 6
-
-


11
Fey Plant 11
+5
+3
+7
+7
Balance 5; Concentration 7; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 6; Escape Artist 6; Hide 14; Intimidate 14; Knowledge (arcana) 2; Move Silently 14; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 7
-
-


11
Fey Plant 12
+6
+4
+8
+8
Balance 5; Concentration 7; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 6; Hide 15; Intimidate 15; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Move Silently 15; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 7
Martial Stance (assassin's stance)
-


11
Fey Plant 13
+6
+4
+8
+8
Balance 5; Concentration 8; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 8; Hide 16; Intimidate 16; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Move Silently 16; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 8
-
-


11
Fey Plant 14
+7
+4
+9
+9
Balance 5; Concentration 8; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 8; Hide 16; Intimidate 16; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Move Silently 16; Perform (oratory) 3; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 8
-
-


11
Fey Plant 15
+7
+5
+9
+9
Balance 5; Concentration 9; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 18; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Move Silently 18; Perform (oratory) 3; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
Staggering Strike
-


12
Bard 1
+7
+5
+11
+11
Balance 5; Concentration 9; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 19; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 19; Perform (oratory) 3; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Bardic music; bardic knowledge; countersong; fascinate; lore song; inspire awe; inspire courage +1; spellbreaker song


13
Arcane Trickster 1
+7
+5
+13
+13
Balance 5; Concentration 9; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 20; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 20; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 5; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Ranged legerdemain 1/day


14
Arcane Trickster 2
+8
+5
+14
+14
Balance 5; Concentration 9; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 21; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 21; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 5; Spot 5; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
Martial Study (shadow stride)
Sneak attack +8d6


15
Arcane Trickster 3
+8
+6
+14
+14
Balance 5; Concentration 9; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 22; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 22; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 10; Spot 5; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Impromptu sneak attack 1/day


16
Arcane Trickster 4
+9
+6
+15
+15
Balance 5; Concentration 10; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 23; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 23; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 14; Spot 5; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Sneak attack +9d6


17
Arcane Trickster 5
+9
+6
+15
+15
Balance 5; Concentration 10; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 24; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 7; Move Silently 24; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 14; Spot 10; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
Epic Destiny (mythic shadow)
Ranged legerdemain 2/day


18
Arcane Trickster 6
+10
+7
+16
+16
Balance 5; Concentration 10; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 25; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 9; Move Silently 25; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 14; Spot 13; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Sneak attack +10d6


19
Arcane Trickster 7
+10
+7
+16
+16
Balance 5; Concentration 11; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 26; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 13; Move Silently 26; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 14; Spot 13; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
-
Impromptu sneak attack 2/day


20
Arcane Trickster 8
+11
+7
+17
+17
Balance 5; Concentration 16; Decipher Script 7; Disable Device 7; Escape Artist 10; Hide 27; Intimidate 18; Knowledge (arcana) 4; Listen 13; Move Silently 27; Perform (oratory) 3; Sleight of Hand 14; Spot 13; Tumble 5; Use Magic Device 9
Epic Destiny (mythic shadow)
Sneak attack +11d6



*Note: first 15 rows (CR 11) are presented to show allocation of skills and feats only. The Great Pumpkinhead is not encountered with less than 15HD. See below for CR 11 stat block.


Spells Per Day (including bonus spells for ability score):



CR
CL
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th


11
10
3
3+3
3+3
2+2
0+2
-
-


12
11
3
3+3
3+3
3+3
1+2
-
-


13
12
3
3+3
3+3
3+3
2+2
-
-


14
13
3
3+3
3+3
3+3
2+2
0+2
-


15
14
4
3+3
3+3
3+3
3+2
1+2
-


16
15
4
4+3
3+3
3+3
3+2
2+2
-


17
16
4
4+3
4+3
3+3
3+2
2+2
0+2


18
17
4
4+3
4+3
4+3
3+2
3+2
1+2


19
18
4
4+3
4+3
4+3
4+2
3+2
2+2


20
19
4
4+3
4+3
4+3
4+2
4+2
3+2



Spells Known:

0 x6 Dancing Lights; Detect Magic; Ghost Sound; Mage Hand; Message; Read Magic
1 x5 Expeditious Retreat; Grease; Improvisation; Swift Invisibility; Tasha's Hideous Laughter
2 x5 Alter Self; Bladeweave; Blindness/Deafness; Glitterdust; Mirror Image
3 x5 Adoration of the Frightful; Halt; Haste; Major Image; Slow
4 x5 Dimension Door; Freedom of Movement; Greater Invisibility; Ruin Delver's Fortune; Unluck
5 x4 Friend to Foe; Greater Blink; Greater Dispel Magic; Mass Suggestion
6 x4 Dirge; Otto's Irresistible Dance; Superior Resistance; Wave of Pain

*Italicised spells are of the illusion school, as per round requirements
The Great Pumpkinhead
Medium Plant (Augmented Fey)
Hit Dice: 15d8+90 (161 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), climb 50 ft.
Armor Class: 27 (+5 Dex, +12 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+19
Attack: Claw +15 melee (1d6+8) or slam +15 melee (1d6 + 8)
Full Attack: 2 claws +15 melee (1d6+8) or slam +15 melee (1d6+8)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Frightening presence, sneak attack +7d6, spell-like abilities, spells
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/cold iron, magic and slashing, fast healing 3, grapple bonus, low-light vision, plant traits, resistance 10 to cold and electricity, spell resistance 21, sudden lunge, tremorsense 60 ft, woodland concealment
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +14, Will +9
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 21, Con 26, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 31
Skills: Balance +12, Concentration +17, Decipher Script +10, Disable Device +10, Escape Artist +15; Hide +23 (+39 in forested areas), Intimidate +28, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Move Silently +23 (+39 in forested areas), Perform (oratory) +13, Tumble +10, Use Magic Device +19
Feats: Arcane Strike, Darkstalker, Evil's Blessing, Martial Stance (assassin's stance), Martial Study (shadow jaunt), Staggering Strike
Environment: Pumpkin patches, forested areas
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 11
Treasure: Standard (7,500gp)
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: --

Frightning Presence (Su): When the Great Pumpkinhead charges or attacks, it inspires terror in all creatures within 30 feet that have fewer Hit Dice or levels than it has. Each potentially affected opponent must succeed at a DC 27 Will save or become panicked. Creatures with equal or more Hit Dice become shaken only on a failed save. If a victim (whatever its Hit Dice) is caught in the range of three or more murderjacks and fails to resist at least three of their frightning presence effects, she also suffers 1d4 points of Wisdom damage from the soul-numbing fear. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will - entangle (DC 21), pass without trace, speak with plants; 1 day - wall of thorns. Caster level 15th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Spells: The Great Pumpkinhead casts spells as a 10th-level bard.
Bard Spells Known (3/6/6/4/2; save DC 20 + spell level)
0 - dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound, mage hand, message, read magic; 1st - grease, improvisation, swift invisibility, Tasha's hideous laughter; 2nd - alter self, bladeweave, glitterdust, mirror image; 3rd - halt, haste, major image, slow; 4th - greater invisibility, unluck

Sudden Lunge (Su): Once per hour, The Great Pumpkinhead can move up to its speed as a free action. It often uses this ability to rush an opponent during the surprise round so he can make a sneak attack.

Woodland Concealment (Su): In woodland areas, The Great Pumpkinhead's green and brown seems to blur and fade into the brackground. Attacks directed at it when it is in a woodland area suffer a 20% miss chance.
CR 11: This is probably the sweet spot (see stat block above). The Great Pumpkinhead is a stealthy killer, backed up with almost full bard casting (offensive spells have a high DC). Sneak attack is at 9d6 thanks to Assassin's Stance (equivalent to a 17th level rogue). Staggering strike adds a rider effect with a high DC to each sneak attack, like a limited duration slow effect on each hit. Arcane Strike can stack on more damage dice to attacks. Using a one handed weapon would allow iterative attacks, and secondary attacks with a claw and/or slam. Frightening presence can wreak havoc with opponents. Sudden lunge is a great way to start off an encounter with a full attack. With Darkstalker, and a Hide and Move Silently bonus of +23 (+39 in forested areas), it will almost always be gaining surprise. Entangle with a high DC and wall of thorns are solid area control. Use Magic Device at +19 allows for pretty reliable use of wands. It has solid defences too: SR, DR, fast healing, plant immunities, woodland concealment, and Evil's Blessing for a +10 bonus to saves.

CR 15: Bardic music is secondary to the build, but some nice effects added (a level in bard is required so the PrC can progress casting). Arcane trickster boosts sneak attack, and also allows impromptu sneak attack. Ranged legerdemain can be used for Sleight of Hand shenanigans.

CR 20: Epic feats come online. Mythic Shadow gives some handy abilities: sneak attack caps out at 11d8 (2 additional dice with Assassin's Stance). If using a one handed weapon, it could get three attacks, with an additional claw and/or slam. Always on greater invisibility is good, but likely to be countered by true seeing - fortunately, Hide and Move Silently are extremely high now anyway. You may consider re-training greater invisibility as a different spell known, as it is now redundant. Spectral stride is also great for mobility. Combined with shadow jaunt, shadow stride, freedom of movement, greater blink and dimension door, The Great Pumpkinhead should always have an exit strategy if it needs to re-group and heal. Several of its offensive spells are of schools other than just enchantment, so it still has options against mind blank or similar defences.
Background/use in Campaign:

The Great Pumpkinhead is a pastiche/mashup of The Great Pumpkin (a Santa Claus type figure for Halloween in Peanuts mythos) and Pumpkinhead (a demon of vengeance from an 80s movie franchise). I decided to go with the Greenbound template, as I felt "The Great Pumpkinhead" should be of the plant type. Another option would be Woodling - but while giving plant traits, does not actually change type. Unseen Seer is also an option instead of Arcane Trickster, but I didn't want to take the hit to CL of non-divination spells. If the DM rules the bard level is not required for the PrCs to progress innate casting, the bard level can be skipped entirely. Craven is a great feat for any sneak attack focused character, but unfortunately the plant type and it's immunity to mind effects (including fear) makes it illegal for this build.
The Great Pumpkinhead is primarily an ambush attacker. As well as powerful sneak attacks, it can use spells and ranged legerdemain to harass the party unseen from a distance, and toy with them before or after an attack.
At CR 11 it will be a solid challenge to an ECL 11 party, but its efficacy as a solo villain diminishes slightly at higher levels. You may want to consider adding some mooks to assist in its attacks.
The stat block above is presented without any gear: a DM should add gear up to the relevant value that he thinks would benefit or be appropriate. At CR 11, it is proficient with simple weapons and light armor.
It could be used as a bogeyman or local legend in a campaign: a figure that attacks folks in woodlands settings, and may be summoned or enticed to fulfil missions of vengeance. Maybe the party can investigate a series of grisly and unexplained murders in a forest-adjacent town. A farmers child was killed in an accident, and he has entered into an unholy bargain to have The Great Pumpkinhead punish those he feels are responsible.



http://i68.tinypic.com/hwjrjt.jpg

Sources:

Concept Inspiration - The Great Pumpkin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pumpkin) / Pumpkinhead (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095925/)
Book of Vile Darkness - Wave of Pain
Complete Adventurer - Staggering Strike
Complete Mage - Spellbreaker Song
Complete Warrior - Arcane Strike
Dragon Magic - Adoration of the Frighful, Inspire Awe
Dungeonscape - Lore Song
Elder Evils - Evil's Blessing
Lords of Madness - Darkstalker
Lost Empires of Faerun - Greenbound
Online - Epic Destiny (mythic shadow) (https://web.archive.org/web/20100916093852/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/drfe/20080428); Murderjack (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fw/20040828a)
Player's handbook II - Friend to Foe, Halt
Spell Compendium - Bladeweave, Dirge, Improvisation, Greater Blink, Ruin Delver's Fortune, Superior Resistance, Swift Invisibility, Unluck
Tome of Battle - Martial Stance, Martial Study

[jdizzlean]

and that's it unfortunately, but pre congrats to our competitors, and thanks for judging Lionheart.

i'll be posting my own build in just a second, but while it's not part of the competition itself, please do also judge it if you're willing, and/or anyone else as well :)

[jdizzlean]

my initial thought for a build idea was Chucky. But beyond a generic ninja/rogue w/ Dark template and some shape soulmelds i couldn't think of an elegant and/or new way to do it, so i went w/ this beautiful creation instead.


Quoth, The Raven

CE Monster of Legend Giant Raven Sorc 1/Warlock 1/Dread Witch 5/ Mindbender 1/Nightmare Spinner 5/Sorc +3






from Dread Witch:

…you become adept at making people uneasy with the right word, expression, or gesture.



from Nightmare Spinner:


“Just looking at him made my skin crawl. I could see my worst nightmares in his cold, dark eyes.”

—Jendra Zorbell, paladin of St. Cuthbert







Race: Giant Raven (Frostburn 148)
Large Magical Beast
3d10+3, Init +4, Speed 20/fly 70 poor
AC 16 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +3 Nat) BAB/Grapple +3/+10
Bite +5 (1d8+3), 2 claws +3 (1d4+1)
Darkvision 60ft, evasion, low light
F4,R7,W2
S 16, D 19, C 13, I 12, W 12, C 10
Bluff +3, Listen +4, Sense +4, Spot +7, Survival +4
Flyby Attack, Multiattack*** replace w/ 2 feats for 1 and 3 HD

CR 2



Monster of Legend (MM2 213): CR +2

Change type to Outsider, gain +5 NA, increase claw damage to d6
Gain Frightful Presence, 20 ft range (fewer HD/levels) Will DC 10+1/2 HD+CHA
Gain Enhanced Attributes (Ex) +4 to DC of all special attacks, spells, and SLA’s
Gain Immunities to Mind-Affecting and Polymorphing
Increase all base saves by +3
STR +10, DEX +6, CON +10, INT +2, WIS +2, CHA +4
Gain Improved Init and Multiattack as bonus feats



Racial:

S 16, D 19, C 13, I 12, W 12, C 10

Elite Array:

S 6, D 8, C 2, I 2, W 2, C 0
S 14, D 18, C 15, I 16, W 14, C 15

Monster of Legend:

S 24, D 24, C 25, I 18, W 16, C 19

7-19 in CHA, final 23



HP: 3d10+15d4+1d6+140







Build begins at CR 5, but is separated out at 4 to account for what is gained from Racial/template/Elite array, and the initial class level. The sweet spots would be levels 13 and 17.







CR

Class

Base Attack Bonus

Fort Save

Ref Save

Will Save

Skills

Feats

Class Features





4

Monster of Legend Giant Raven



+3



+3



+4



+1



Bluff 6, Listen 6, Sense 6, Spot 6, cc-Diplomacy 3, cc-Intimidate 3



Precocious Apprentice (Scare), Skill Focus- Intimidate, (B) Improved Initiative, (B) Multiattack



Outsider type, +5 NA, Frightful Presence, Enhanced Attributes, Immunity to Mind Affecting/Polymorph, Increase base saves +3, Stat increases







5

Sorcerer



+3



+3



+4



+3



Know - Arcana 3, Concentration 3



-



Summon Familiar - Raven, Spells







6



Warlock



+3



+3



+4



+5



Conc 5, cc-Diplo 4, Intim 5



-



Eldritch Blast 1d6, Least Invocation - Beguiling Influence







7



Dread Witch



+3



+3



+4



+7



Conc 9, Intim 7



Arcane Mastery, (B) Unnatural Will



Master of Terror







8



Dread Witch 2



+4



+3



+4



+8



Conc 11, Intim 11



-



Absorb Fear, +1 SC







9



Dread Witch 3



+4



+4



+5



+8



Conc 12, Intim 12, Know -Arc 5, Spellcraft 2



-



Fearful Empowerment 1/day, +1 SC







10



Dread Witch 4



+5



+4



+5



+9



Conc 13, Intim 13, Know - Arc 7, Spellcraft 4



Practiced Spellcaster - Sorc



Delay Fear, Greater Master of Terror, +1 SC







11



Dread Witch 5



+5



+4



+5



+9



Conc 14, Intim 14, Know - Arc 9, Spellcraft 6



-



Fearful 2/day, Horrific Aura, Reflective Fear, +1 SC







12



Mindbender



+5



+6



+5



+11



Conc 15, Intim 15, Sense 10



-



Telepathy, +1 SC







13



Nightmare Spinner



+5



+6



+5



+13



Conc 16, Intim 16, Sense 12, Spellcraft 8, Know-Arc 11



Reach Spell



Bonus Spells, Fear Immunity, Inspire Fear







14



Spinner 2



+6



+6



+5



+14



Conc 17, Intim 17, Sense 14, Spellcraft 10, Know - Arc 13



-



Nightmare Phantasm, +1 SC







15



Spinner 3



+6

+7

+6



+14



Conc 18, Intim 18, Sense 16, Spellcraft 12, Know -Arc 15



-



Spirit Chill, +1 SC







16



Spinner 4



+7



+7



+6



+15



Conc 19, Intim 19, Sense 18, Spellcraft 14, Know Arc 17



Craft Contingent Spell



+1 SC







17



Spinner 5



+7



+7



+6



+15



Conc 20, Intim 20, Sense 20, Spellcraft 16, Know - Arc 19



-



Deadly Nightmare, +1 SC







18



Sorc 2



+8



+7

+6



+16



Conc 21, Spellcraft 18, Know-Arc 20, Bluff 8



-



-







19



Sorc 3



+8



+8



+7



+16



Conc 22, Spellcraft 20, Know - Arc 21, Bluff 10



Extra Slot (5th)



-







20



Sorc 4



+9



+8



+8



+17



Conc 23, Spellcraft 22, Know - Arc 22, Bluff 12



-



-











Dread Witch: +2 DC to any fear spell. +10 to intimidate checks, (B) Unnatural Will: add CHA to will saves vs fear. +1-3 CL to all spells based on save vs fear effects for the duration of the effect or CHA whichever is less, and can instead cast a 0-2nd spell free (no slot required) within CHA rounds. 2/day add fear descriptor to any spell, add DC 15+CHA will save or be shaken for 1d4 rounds in addition to spells original effects (can you say shadow evocation fireball, or fear+color spray, or fear+shadow evocation dragon breath?) Can delay any fear effect from yourself or any target up to CHA minutes 2/day. Can effect those normally immune to fear unless they have 4 or more HD more than your CL. 10ft radius aura of terror, 6HD or less make will save 15+CHA or shaken until move away. CHA/day channel aura into a touch attack, DC 15+CHA will, or panicked for 1d4+1 rounds and can target any HD, and works against fear immune targets. Automatically reflect back on caster any fear effect you save against, (which is all of them) still gain CL/spell benefits as if you had failed the save, if the original caster fails the save, all original targets get an immediate 2nd save attempt.

(there is the potential here for an infinite loop. You auto save vs fear effects due to immunity. in doing so you reflect back the fear effect to the original caster. they fail the save, you get an automatic 2nd attempt which you also auto succeed against. wash, rinse, repeat. You combine this w/ some RAWrey reading of the ability below, and your infinite loop does infinite non-lethal damage, and your target falls over. )


Nightmare Spinner:

Gain 1 extra spell slot at each level, must be used to cast an illusion spell. Immunity to Fear. 3+CHA/day Standard action fear effect, 30ft range to shaken for 5 rounds, DC 15+CHA to halve effect. 3+CHA/day add a nightmare phantasm to a figment/glammer spell, spell gains phantasm descriptor: Anytime a will save is attempted, a tiny portion of the spell transforms into a phantasm, enemies becomes shaken for 1 round (no save). Any creature affected by a fear effect you cause also takes nonlethal damage, shaken=1d6, frightened=2d6, panicked=3d6. 3/day target 1 living creature within 30ft, Will DC 15+CHA or die of fright, if save succeeds target is panicked for 1 round, any creature who’s HD exceed twice character level is immune.





Spells per Day/Spells Known





Level

0lvl

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th





5th

5



3



1



-

-

-

-

-

-

-





8th

6



4



1



-

-

-

-

-

-

-





9th

6



5



1



-

-

-

-

-

-

-





10th

6



6



4



-

-

-

-

-

-

-





11th

6



6



5



-

-

-

-

-

-

-





12th

6



6



6



3



-

-

-

-

-

-





14th

6+1



6+1



7+1



4+1



-

-

-

-

-

-





15th

6+1



6+1



7+1



5+1



3+1



-

-

-

-

-





16th

6+1



6+1



7+1



6+1



4+1



-

-

-

-

-





17th

6+1



6+1



7+1



6+1



5+1



3+1



-

-

-

-





18th

6+1



6+1



7+1



6+1



6+1



4+1



-

-

-

-





19th

6+1



6+1



7+1



6+1



6+1



6+1



3+1



-

-

-





20th

6+1



6+1



7+1



6+1



6+1



7+1



4+1



-

-

-









Bonus Spells:

5: 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1

7: 1-2, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1

15: 1-2, 2-2, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1

From 13th on, the +1 spell is a bonus slot that must be used on an illusion spell.



Spells:

0: (9) Ghost Sound, Touch of Fatigue, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Message, No Light

1: (5) Cause Fear, Color Spray, Net of Shadows, Charm Person, Silent Image

2: (5) Blindness/Deafness, Hypnotic Pattern, Misdirection, Phantasmal Assailants, Scare, Bane*, Doom*

3: (4) Phantasmal Strangler, Major Image, Mind Poison, Dispel Magic

4: (4) Phantasmal Killer, Bestow Curse, Rainbow Pattern, Shadow Conjuration

5: (3) Dream (Shadow Evocation), Nightmare, Ghost Storm or Teleport

6: (2) Eyebite or Permanency, Dream Casting (Replaces Dream)



Bane/Doom added to list from Dread Witch class



Fun things to do w/ Shadow Evocation:

Assay Resistance, Coldscream, Blacklight, Darkness, Dragon Breath, Dread Word, Energy Spheres, Fireball, Force Missiles, Great Thunderclap, Invoke the Cerulean Sign, Lightning Bolt, Mirror Sending, Rockburst, Scorching Ray, Shatter, Shout, Slashing Dispel, Theskyn’s Hearty Heave, Wall of Fire, Wind Wall, Wings of Cover, Zone of Speed

Shadow Evocation Assay Resistance+Arcane Mastery = +20 to CL check to overcome SR



Fun things to do w/ Shadow Conjuration:

Arctic Haze, Bands of Steel, Bedevil, Choke, Contagious Disease, Vile Drown, Gnome Blight, Greater Mage Armor, Nauseating Breath, Sepia Snake Sigil, Summon Monster/Undead 3, Web





The Raven is a non-combatant. He’s not going to peck you to death, and so a high BAB is irrelevant. The Raven is a tormentor, he’s going to target down your saves, apply a myriad of negatives to your stats/saves/conditions and then wreak havoc on your state of mind with illusions, fear, and intimidation. After a while, the non-lethal damage will stack up and you’ll simply fall unconscious. His familiar will deliver touch spells via ranged spell anytime he can’t, and since a familiar can speak a language, the raven familiar can speak Common in order to be a smaller version of him. A Large sized Raven might not be able to sit on a mantle, but it could sit outside on a tree or on the ground and stare at you through the window, or perch over your door on the roof and pester you every time you try to come and go. Or poke a hole in a thatch roof for example and stare at you that way, or use Mirror Sending/Message/Telepathy/Dream Casting/Nightmare etc etc to antagonize you further..



The Raven caps out at CL17, but has a +4 to DC’s on top of that, and a further +2 to Fear spells on top of that. His fear immunity gives him free 0-2nd level spells anytime something tries to scare him, typically Blindness/Deafness or Phantasmal Assailants, or increases his CL by an additional 1-3. He has multiple ways to affect targets normally immune to fear, and will always use his Fear aura for the touch spell uses and combine that w/ reach spell or his familiar.



Shadow Evocation/Conjuration open up a lot more versatility to known spells, and anyone failing a will save vs them takes the full force of their usual effects as well.



Craft Contingent is by itself extremely versatile, and the Raven could have up to 19 of them available depending on what its target is at any time. Can even get around some of the spell mechanics by setting the trigger to be when the target has been asleep for 3 or 4 hours, thus interrupting them and cancelling out their ability to regain spells for the night..



At level 17, the Intimidate check is 20 (ranks) + 10 (Witch) + 6 (‘Lock) +3 (Feat) for a base of 39. Add an additional +4 if they’re Medium, and an additional +4 if they’re small.



Not taken, but Nonlethal Substitution from BoED could be taken instead of Skill Focus Intimidate (although it would have to be taken later in the build), then anytime Shadow Evocation is cast you can shoot off a spell and have it do more non-lethal damage, which would stack w/ the bonus from Nightmare Spinner as well.

I thought of ending the build w/ 3 more ranks in Mindbender, but the class abilities require the same setup that we’d be using for our fear-mongering, (and lose another 2 CL!) and so take away from the rest of the build, thus ending w/ straight sorcerer for pure spellcasting advancement.





Complete Arcane: Warlock, Mindbender, Precocious Apprentice, Extra Slot, Arcane Mastery

Complete Divine: Reach Spell

Complete Mage: Nightmare Spinner

Frostburn: Giant Raven

Heroes of Horror: Dread Witch

Monster Manual 2: Monster of Legend

PHB: Sorcerer, Feats

The Raven- Edgar Alan Poe: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven

[Lionheart]

OK, judging commenced. I should be done in a week or so!

[NontheistCleric]

The Great Pumpkinhead


I feel like this should have been edited out.

[jdizzlean]

whoops.

done, snip yours if it's not already to late :p

sorry, brain dead from dealing w/ a sick kiddo for the past week

[NontheistCleric]

Hope the kiddo in question is well now.

[GrayDeath]

Yeah, sorry for not submitting, but I simply had no Inspiration that both worked and fit the Theme....and then it was too late to keep looking ^^

Kudos to those that got something in though!

[khadgar567]

Well whats the next topic for attempt number xXx daredevil villians or we can go for private stock for vintage villians

[Thurbane]

I was wondering: how would one build Jason Vorhees for VC? Some kind of unstoppable melee undead, presumably...

[unseenmage]

I was wondering: how would one build Jason Vorhees for VC? Some kind of unstoppable melee undead, presumably...

A Curst perhaps?


Unkillable (Ex): Only two ways exist to destroy a curst permanently. One is to destroy its body (by total immersion in acid, or a disintegrate or undeath to death spell, for example). The other is to remove the curse that keeps it from dying. The caster of the remove curse spell must succeed on a caster level check (DC 10 + the curst's HD) to successfully remove the curse.

[SoraWolf7]

Well, sadly I couldn't conceive a build that I would have been comfortable with in time to build it.

My first instinct was to do something with a werewolf or werewolf-vampire, but the illusion part once again snagged me. I couldn't even think of a way to use Shifters for it.

Second bet was trying to make Morrigan Aensland or some kind of succubus, but again, the illusion part snagged me.

Third idea was an attempt to make the Great Pumpkin, though it seems someone else had a better idea.

And the fourth and final idea was to create the Killer Lawn Gnomes from Goosebumps by making the bog-standard Whisper Gnome Illusion Specialist/Shadowcraft Mage/Shadowcrafter and then spam Mirror Image to make the tidal wave of Gnomes swarming you to death. I didn't go through with it because it was an unoriginal build and I had no story.

[Thurbane]

A Curst perhaps?


Unkillable (Ex): Only two ways exist to destroy a curst permanently. One is to destroy its body (by total immersion in acid, or a disintegrate or undeath to death spell, for example). The other is to remove the curse that keeps it from dying. The caster of the remove curse spell must succeed on a caster level check (DC 10 + the curst's HD) to successfully remove the curse.



Wow, seems like Curst would be great for a Jason Vorhees/Michael Myers type.

Just need to stack on a couple of other templates and class levels to make them tough and scary.

[unseenmage]

Wow, seems like Curst would be great for a Jason Vorhees/Michael Myers type.

Just need to stack on a couple of other templates and class levels to make them tough and scary.

Yeah, they're kind of the go-to fir scary nonsense powered monster.

[3SecondCultist]

I had a pretty niche idea for a character based around the concept of The Babadook (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/TheBabadook) (keeping things relevant with a 2014 film, cashing in on innovation as opposed to nostalgia). The monster in the story comes from a children’s book, which I thought was pretty scary.

So my idea was going to be a former Artificer - think the kind of people who run the pyrotechnics displays at festivals and carnivals for kids - getting fed up with his audience not seeing his talent, and so imbuing his most bitter thoughts into a particular book... only for his fragmented ‘book’ personality to take control of him and use him to torment and kill children.

The build itself would have been straight Artificer 20, but using Nybor’s Psychic Imprint (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20041215a) at CR 9 and having the actual character eventually fail the Will saves so that the item takes over. After that, the Artificer becomes the puppet of his own darkest desires, upgrading the book as he/it/they grow in power. I ended up not submitting largely because the rules for Intelligent Magic Items are incredibly restrictive and ill-defined, and because I thought the concept might have been a bit too obscure / super twisted.

[jdizzlean]

OK, judging commenced. I should be done in a week or so!


how goes it?

[Lionheart]

Apologies, I was hoping to be done before the Christmas/New Year break, but that didn't happen...

I have scores all worked out, just writing up a few notes now, so will post tomorrow at the latest!

[Lionheart]

Sorry for the double post, but JUDGEMENT DAY IS HERE!


Originality: 3.75 Given the concept, I think the Guecubu and Master of the Unseen Hand are obvious choices. I like the addition of dungeoncrasher and uncanny trickster though, gives a nice martial bent to a normally caster based build. I’m also disappointed that it’s not undead!

Elegance: 4.5 Good all round here I think, a nice, seamless transition through every stage. My only issue is Unarmed Swordsage which might have more to do with the oxymoronic name than its inclusion in the build…

Power: 4.25 A really good set of offensive abilities, versatile but not overly so and some high power and high DCs as well. A couple of minor weaknesses; no hide to remain undetected while possessing, no methods of avoiding detection beyond natural invisibility. Saves are good but not enough to halt a dedicated caster. As befits the source material, a Cleric is this monster's nemesis. (Can you apply sneak attack to Telekinesis?

Memorable Villainy: 4.0 A really good representation of a poltergeist, to a party that isn’t prepared and doesn’t detect the nature of the villain immediately, this will be remembered as a very difficult and frustrating encounter. It will also be an absolute blast to run as DM, being able to hurl the PCs through walls and furniture with an invisible demon is always hilarious! Players aren't liable to forget the time they walked into an empty room only for one or more of their PCs to be slammed around the place without warning, and once a PC's been possessed once, the players will be on edge for more of the same forever.



Originality: 4.5 Love it, uses my favourite monster and favourite class, and combining the two concepts very clever. Only issue is that it’s effectively the same schtick as a standard Murderjack, just with a few extra tricks.

Elegance: 4.25 Simple progression, Greenbound is pretty powerful, but can be justified given the concept. Bard isn’t my favourite thematic choice, but again, suits the fey origins of the creature. Not docking points here, just not awarding as many. I appreciate the effort to offer alternatives to increase/decrease power and capabilities.

Power: 4.5 Just like the standard Murderjack, the Great Pumpkinhead is an absolute monster, combining massive sneak attack, frightening presence, invisibility and sudden lunge to practically guarantee one PC is going down in the first combat round. Adding some pretty high DC bard spells and the SLAs from Greenbound to lock down opponents and enable sneak attacks in subsequent rounds. Spell Resistance at CR 11 is still relevant, but not insurmountable. The only weaknesses I can detect are the relatively low will save (presumably countered by taking out the casters first and), and that PCs immune to sneak attacks (while not common, not impossible) may be able to beat it in a war of attrition. Also needs to watch out for trip builds, as its mobility is a large part of its power.

Memorable Villainy: 3.5 This is where I’m going to be docking a few points for the concept, as I’ve said above, I love it, but I see one of the foci of this round being the players’ dawning realisation that they’re fighting a horror film creature, and I don’t think that’s going to come across as well as the other entries. I think the specific tactics of the Great Pumpkinhead also work against it here, as it very much lends itself to a fast TPK with the players having little opportunity to interact with it. However, against parties that detect and are able to counter it, there can be a really fun cat and mouse game to be played.



Originality: 4.25 I can certainly say that I wasn’t expecting this, so it definitely gathers some good points there. I’d never thought of the Raven as being a monster in its own right, but this build seems to really capture the spirit of the original Poe, while also using a non-standard method of combat which is refreshing for 3.5 IMO. Only loss of points for the raven being large, where I feel an ordinary sized raven fits the archetype better, and for not having any background. I want to know how the raven became a Sorceror!

Elegance: 3.0 Monster of Legend is an obvious power grab, and crops up all the time in these contests. Other penalties are for the messy progression, jumping through five(!) separate classes in fairly quick succession, with Mindbender and Warlock sticking out in particular. Some fluff may have mitigated this somewhat.

Power: 3.5 Good array of spells, and extremely effective at locking down PCs with various fear effects. It does have a lot of glaring weaknesses though: no invisibility or even Hide/Move Silently, so PCs will immediately spot the massive bird casting spells at them, and with the raven being, as you say, a non-combatant, once they engage it, it won’t last long. Paladins, archer paladins in particular, will tear it apart pretty quickly. I really want to award more points here, as it has really cool offensive abilities. The Raven would work amazingly as a second to a traditional bruiser boss, or if it had a reliable way to remain hidden, but solo it’s sadly an extremely brittle glass cannon.

Memorable Villainy: 4.5 Almost gets full marks here. If the Raven is able to use all of its abilities and properly torment and scare PCs to death, it can be a terrifying opponent, and players are far more likely to remember the mocking and the nightmares than another standard caster/melee boss. I have to dock points here because I think it would have to be pretty lucky to achieve that. In fairness, a giant bird casting subtle spells in plain sight of the PCs would be memorable in a very different way.


All negative comments are meant in a spirit of fun, so please take them in the same way. I really enjoyed every entry, and given that I wasn't even able to come up with a concept for this round, extremely well done to all participants!

[jdizzlean]

Firstly, thanks for the judging, Lionheart.
No really a dispute as such, but just in regards to your comment in Power to the relatively low Will save. Just a couple of points; firstly, plant type comes with immunity to mind affecting attacks, so that rules out a lot of Will saves right there. Also, Evil's Blessing can add Cha bonus to all saves, if TGH has a round to prepare...
But honestly, no issues with your judging, and I accept all other commentary on the entry.



obligatory 10 characters

[jdizzlean]

as for my own.

monster of legend really was some power grabbing in this case, but also because you know, The Raven is a Legend :) . the warlock dip was only really for "early entry" into dread witch, it probably could've been a few other classes, but that +6 skills for the theme of the build was to good to pass up. Mindbender was only really taken for the telepathy, but not for mindsight as is so often the case. it's easier to torment if you can do it non-verbally.

i chose not to fluff in this case as i was really trying to recreate Poe's Raven, and i felt the original source material was sufficient, (and i was a bit lazy :))

i agree wholeheartedly on the vulnerability to ranged attacks, i chose not to include things like dimension door, invisibility, and the like as i felt it would detract from the source material.

all in all, i had a real blast building this one.

after disputes, if any are taken care of, i'll get the next round up. I promise it's going to be a real doozy :nale:

[Falontani]

I have no disputes worth mentioning

[jdizzlean]

new round is up

[jdizzlean]

i have a trainee at work currently, so almost no time. I'll get the reveal posted asap, but coding takes to long to do for the moment

[Thurbane]

Hopefully this might save you some time:



Entry
Competitor
Description
Score 1
Total
Placing


The Great Pumpkinhead (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572886&postcount=49)
Thurbane
CE Greenbound Murderjack Bard 1/Arcane Trickster 8
16.75
16.75
Gold


The Poltergeist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572883&postcount=48)
Falontani
CE Guecubu 4/Unarmed Swordsage 2/Master of the Unseen Hand 5/Uncanny Trickster 3/Dungeoncrasher Fighter 6
16.5
16.5
Silver


Quoth, The Raven (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23572907&postcount=51)
jdizzlean
CE Monster of Legend Giant Raven Sorc 1/Warlock 1/Dread Witch 5/ Mindbender 1/Nightmare Spinner 5/Sorc +3
15.25
15.25
N/A

[Falontani]

My dispute not worth noting; the poltergeist in the movie was specifically called out as demons, and not undead. It actually made my job a lot harder trying to do it without just taking a ghost.