5e Throwdowns #7: Against the Grain (unusual combinations)

[Dork_Forge]

Sorry for the delay between throwdowns, the plague kicked my irl situation in the pants, but we're back!

The concept: Against the Grain (unusual combinations)

This one is hopefully going to get those mental gears grinding! For this one we are looking for unusual race/class combos, if you can throw some unusual mutliclassing in there then all the better!



Some rules for guidance:

-Your race must not give a bump to the primary stat of your main class, if your race gives a floating bonus it must not be assigned to a primary class stat.

-Please add a field at the start of your build for what you are aiming for with it (utility, damage etc.)

-In the interest of promoting creativity and diversity in these builds, Hexblade will be allowed, but requires a minimum of 5 levels as part of your overall build. If you choose any other Warlock patron this restriction is not applicable. Taking Cha from your race and down the line taking Hexblade is not considered valid for this Throwdown concept.

-No UA, only officially published materials

-You must include a stat array (Point Buy or Standard Array)

-Build to 20 with insights on how the build hands at levels 5, 11, 17 and 20 (include hp and AC at each point for each of reading)

-Multiclassing and feat optional rules in play

-Variants for races available (V. Human, Dragonmarks, SCAG variants)

-No magic items unless you have a way to create them from a class feature

-Normal starting items and gold, mundane armor upgrades be assumed to happen during tier 2 (so you can mention Plate/Half Plate in your commentary but you can only include it in snapshots for levels 11,17 and the final 20).

-Catchy names and fluff are not a requirement but are always nice to read



Suggested format:

Level 20 level split:

Race:

Stats: Str x Dex x Con x Int x Wis x Cha x

Background:

Starting level:

Any guidance or commentary you want

At 5th level:

Any guidance or commentary you want

At 11th level:

Any guidance or commentary you want

At 17th level:

Any guidance or commentary you want

At 20th level and final thoughts:



Voting:

To sort the wheat from the chaff we'll vote on builds and declare a 'winner' (a concept that will hopefully continue in future threads and put the contest into this), to vote simply make a post quoting the build you want to vote for (snipping the content to keep things getting out of hand) and say something that indicates you're voting e.g. +1, get's my vote etc.

-Each user only gets one vote but you can edit your post at any time before the deadline to change your mind.

-If you submit a build, you must vote for someone for your entry to be considered valid

-A user can submit more than one build but they must be in separate posts (and not back to back to respect forum rules)

-You cannot vote for yourself

-Each throwdown thread will run for 7 days after which no new builds will be accepted for contention, when the build deadline has closed votes will be accepted. The voting deadline will be five days after the build deadline, votes will be tallied and the winner announced (any vote edits after the deadline has passed will also not be counted, if the original vote cannot be seen the vote will be null and void).

Abserd build deadline/Voting opens: 21/09/2020 @ 9pm BST/4pm ET

Voting deadline: 26/09/2020 @ 9pm BST/4pm ET

PLEASE NOTE THAT VOTING IS NOW ONLY ONCE THE BUILD DEADLINE HAS PASSED.

I'm looking forward to what all the optimisers around here come up with so without further ado, let's THROWDOWN


The Contestants:

ftafp's 'Lung Wang the Smooth-Talker (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24710244&postcount=8) 1 Vote

kalkyrie's 'The Grand Galactic Inquisitor' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24710879&postcount=9) 2 Votes JOINT WINNER

MinotaurWarrior's 'Igor the Kite' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24711482&postcount=10) 1 Vote

MinotaurWarrior's 'Aziah Parakambahu' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24712757&postcount=11) 2 Votes JOINT WINNER


Another joint winner! Congratulations to both: Kalkyrie's 'The Grand Galactic Inquisitor' and MinotaurWarrior's 'Aziah Parakambahu'




Previous winners:

Throwdown #1: The Gish - Sithlordnergal's 'The Undying Barbarian' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24497507&postcount=27)

Throwdown #2: The Terminator - Ludic Savant's 'The Regenerator' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24520668&postcount=51)

Throwdown #3: The Solo Tour - Ftafp's 'The Hex Spoon' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24536099&postcount=21)

Throwdown #4: Powergamer's Potluck - BobtheWizard's 'The Shadow Knight' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24549849&postcount=8)

Throwdown #5: The Do-Over (Magus Maximus) - Civis Mundi's 'Pompey Problemsolver' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24596826&postcount=5) and Nix inktongue (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24598011&postcount=10)

Throwdown #6: Hard Mode (An Abserd Difficulty) - JOINT WINNERS: Waazraath's 'Just a sort of regular smiting paladin' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24628334&postcount=11) and ftafp's 'The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24618861&postcount=4)

[Lavaeolus]

-Your race must not give a bump to the primary stat of your main class, if your race gives a floating bonus it must not be assigned to a primary class stat.


Like the idea, but want to ask a quick clarification. Your primary stat is obvious in most cases, but for some classes it's a little more ambiguous.

Some classes use two stats (Paladin and Monk). I feel like the consensus would be CHA and DEX for those two, but wouldn't want to make a Mountain Dwarf Paladin only to get (not too unfairly) called out. In some ways, it feels a little out of spirit of things to still be picking races for workable stats, but is boosting a Monk's WIS or a Barbarian's CON still on the table?

Some classes 'have' a primary stat but you could conceivably build around it, to varying degrees of success. Say, a Strength Rogue or Monk, or a Dexterity Paladin or Barbarian. I expect both STR and DEX are off the table for a Fighter.

[Dork_Forge]

Like the idea, but want to ask a quick clarification. Your primary stat is obvious in most cases, but for some classes it's a little more ambiguous.

Some classes use two stats (Paladin and Monk). I feel like the consensus would be CHA and DEX for those two, but wouldn't want to make a Mountain Dwarf Paladin only to get (not too unfairly) called out. In some ways, it feels a little out of spirit for things to still be picking races for workable stats, but is boosting a Monk's WIS or a Barbarian's CON still on the table?

Some classes 'have' a primary stat but you could conceivably build around it, to varying degrees of success. Say, a Strength Rogue or Monk, or a Dexterity Paladin or Barbarian. I expect both STR and DEX are off the table for a Fighter.

I would consider a physical stat the primary for any martial, so going for a race that gave Wis or Cha but no physical improvement for a Monk/Paladin respectively would be okay.

I understand that Cha based Paladins are a thing, but since they can't attack with Cha and they don't get blasting spells I'd say that a Cha first Paladin is fair game.

[sithlordnergal]

Question, just to make sure, can my race have a penalty for the primary stat?

[Dork_Forge]

Question, just to make sure, can my race have a penalty for the primary stat?

Of course, the number just can't go up is all!

[Unoriginal]

Does it count if it's an obvious build, but one people aren't using because they think it's too weak (even if it can be made viable easily)?

Like, do we need a combo which is unusual because it's surprising, or because it's not commonly used?

[Dork_Forge]

Does it count if it's an obvious build, but one people aren't using because they think it's too weak (even if it can be made viable easily)?

Like, do we need a combo which is unusual because it's surprising, or because it's not commonly used?

It can be obvious as long as you follow the stat rules, whether or not it wins is up to you fine forumites after all, I've no issue with known quantities finding their way in.

[ftafp]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/63/b8/dc63b877d70a1d78f5accff6e920b3e3.png
Lung Wang the Smooth-Talker

Level 20 level split: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 19

Race: Kobold

Stats: Str (8-2) Dex (12+2) Con 10 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 15

Background: Noble

Purpose: Getting others to do what you want

Starting level: Order Cleric 1

Stats: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 15

A fantastically underrated subclass, the Order domain lets one of your allies make an attack as a reaction whenever you target them with a spell. This is already a profoundly useful ability, but combined with Healing Word or Shield of Faith and the Kobold ability Grovel, Cower and Beg. You can use a single turn to heal/buff the rogue, give them advantage and a free attack of opportunity, and the uses only get better at higher levels when we start twisting the meaning of 'ally'.

At 5th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 4

Stats: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 16 (ASI to Int, Cha)

It's no secret that Eloquence Bard is a powerful, powerful subclass, but how good is it? Well, let's look at what we can do. At level 4 you get

Silver Tongue: meaning that you can never roll lower on persuasion or deception than a 10
Expertise in Persuasion and Deception: meaning your roll plus your modifiers can never be lower than 19
Cutting Words: Meaning you can give your enemies a substantial penalty to their saving throws
2nd Level Spells: There's a lot of good ones here, but the absolute must is Suggestion


Why Suggestion you might ask? My dear friend, why choose anything but! Suggestion lets you compel one creature to obey your directions as long as it sounds reasonable, and between Silver Tongue, Expertise and Cutting Words you are perhaps the most reasonable-sounding voice around. Surrounded by enemies? Simply remind one of the poor fools that you and your party are the protagonists in this situation. Their side doesn't have a chance! This one fool though has no reason to die here. Follow your orders and he might even get rewarded for it! all he has to do is give you a hand. If they follow your Suggestion (which they should given their penalty to saves) you turn one enemy into an ally, and they can immediately use their reaction to show their new allegiance. Simply fantastic

At 11th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 10

Stats: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 18 (ASI to Cha)

Things only get better as you go on. Universal speech will let you make Suggestions to any creature regardless of intelligence, and the creatures you Polymorph will be able to attack the minute they transform. At level 10 you get magical secrets. Most people will suggest something like Counterspell or Haste, but personally I prefer Creation and Tiny Servant. Why those? Well, at this level you have 6th level spell slots, which means when you cast Creation you can create a large object. You know what's a large object? A Cannon. It takes three actions to load aim and fire of course but you can order your three tiny servants can do that once a round (and there's nothing stopping you from setting up multiple teams)

At 17th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 16

Stats: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 20 (ASI to Cha, Alertness)

At level 12 you get access to Mass Suggestion and from that point on every other spell is pointless. Remember what you did with Suggestion? Well, now you can turn whole groups of enemies against each other then sit back and watch the fireworks. At this point I'm going to stop giving suggestions because if you wanted to you could tell any dragon you wanted to be your lapdog and they'd just have to deal with it. The world is your oyster, so slurp it down, gag on it, sputter and choke until it drips out of your nose then swear an oath never to eat oysters

At 20th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 19

You are god. Deal with it

[kalkyrie]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/40/37/df/4037dfea5a3c205a672a7d57fce6ac21.jpg
The Grand Galactic Inquisitor


Level 20 level split: Monk 6 (Order of the Long Death) / Paladin 14 (Oath of Conquest)

Race: Variant Human (Feat: Alert. Points to Wis/Cha)

Stats: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 16 Cha 13

Background: Noble

Skills: History, Athletics, Persuasion, Intimidation

Starting level: Paladin 1

'The Grand Galactic Inquisitor' is a minor character from Venture Bros who has come to stealthily judge the planet Earth. He is also about 12' tall, shouts instead of speaks, and keeps saying 'IGNORE ME' to keep under cover.

While this is definitely a bit of a joke build, it should be feasible enough for one-shots. In the spirit of the challenge, it has the lowest possible valid stats for it's attack stats.

This build is entirely centred around charging into situations and abusing fear generation effects to lock down a battlefield. Effectively you are running into combat, screaming "IGNORE ME" at the top of your voice, and forcing your foes to do just that to you and your party.


At 5th level: Monk 4 (Order of the Long Death) \ Paladin 1

Stats: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 18 Cha 13 (ASI to Wis) HP:35 AC:19 (Splint + Shield)

In the early tier, your best ability is probably your Noble background's 'Position of Privilege'.
This means that people will assume you have the right to be where ever you are, and will make efforts to accommodate you.
This will be needed, since otherwise your party would ask questions on why there is a martial character with a +1 attack in the group. Ignore them.
Slightly more seriously, you will want to be wearing the heaviest armour and shield you can, and walking up into the enemies's face with your good initiative. You can wear armour without the Str requirement - it just slows you down.
You can use your Ki while wearing armour, so keep using bonus action dodges to stay upright. Use grapple (based on Athletics) to tie down enemies.
You can also lean on your ability to get +8 tmp hps by 'judging' nearby farm animals.


At 11th level: Monk 6 (Order of the Long Death) / Paladin 5 (Order of Conquest)
Stats: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 20 Cha 13 (ASI to Wis) HP:75 AC:21 (Full plate + Shield + Defense)

Level 7 is where the build 'turns on'.
You get the 'Hour of Reaping' ability, which let's you spam out a 30' radius fear effect every turn. Though it only lasts a turn. This is effectively a protective bubble that enemies can't freely move in if they fail their save.
Your high initiative let's you move into a room and set up the bubble.
Your party can move into the bubble and attack with reach/ranged weapons from relative safety.
If you enter 10' into a room, then enemies won't be able to skirt round you to get at your friends.
This tier also gives you Stunning Strike, in case you are facing spellcasters. Even with a Strength of 13 you can hit someone in robes.

The extra paladin levels give you an extra point of AC from Defense Fighting Style, a longer lasting fear effect in Conquering Presence, and other paladin goodness. AC is around 21, with easy disadvantage from a Ki-fueled dodge bonus action.


At 17th level: Monk 6 (Order of the Long Death) / Paladin 11 (Order of Conquest)
Stats: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 20 Cha 15 (ASI to Cha) HP:117 AC:21

You pick up 'Aura of Conquest' at level 13, which let's you lock down enemies within 10' of you who have failed their saving throws. You also add an aura giving your party +2 to saves, and 3 Fear spells a day.


At 20th level and final thoughts:

Monk 6 (Order of the Long Death) / Paladin 14 (Order of Conquest)
Stats: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 20 Cha 17 (ASI to Cha) HP:138 AC:21

More paladin spellcasting, stronger paladin fear effects, and a much stronger +saves aura.

--
In general this build is probably best around Level 7-13 in a dungeon heavy campaign.
Winning initiative and shutting down a room is the best case scenario. Worst case is monsters immune to fear effects.

You can switch to a non-Variant human for slightly higher CON and drop the Alert feat.
It definitely fits the 'unusual' criteria of the contest to take a non-variant human, but this build really wants to win initiative.

[MinotaurWarrior]

Igor the Kite

Level 20 level split:

Fiend Warlock 5 / Divine Soul 3 / Rogue 2 / Divine Soul 4-13

Race: Aracokra (Aven)

Stats: Str 9 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 14 Cha 14

Background: Rakdos

Starting level:

Igor's act in the Rakdos Circus is as a living Kite. He hates it and spends his time as far away from his fellow cultists as possible.

Cantrips: EB, Minor Illusion
Spells: Hex, Expeditious Retreat
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance, Deception, Intimidation

At 5th level:

Igor is barely connected to the cult anymore, flying just under 600ft above them most of the time.

Cantrips: EB, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Fire Bolt
Spells: Haste, Counterspell, Earthbind, Scorching Ray, Arms of Hadar
Invocations: Eldritch Spear, Repelling Blast, Lance of Lethargy
Pact Boon: Chain (imp)
ASI: Spell Sniper

Most of the build is fully online by this point. You can kite the majority of monsters outdoors. From that high up parallax is such that you can hide above a minor illusion. Haste / Earthbind are your main spells to go from "kills everything on the ground" to "kills everything that flies", Arms of Hadar is a panic button. Firebolt let's you destroy flammable cover.



At 11th level:

Igor awoke to his true nature as a semi divine being and now understand why he never truly fit in with the rakdos cult. It wasn't his poor aim, it was his lawful nature. He ran away from the cult and is now on the run.

Skill proficiency: Stealth
Expertise: Stealth, Acrobatics
Sorcerer Cantrips: Guidance, Mending, Resistance, Mold Earth, Control Flame.
Sorcerer Spells: Sanctuary, Aid, Feather Fall, Phantasmal Force, See Invisibility, Web,
Metamagic: Distant, Extended
ASI: Charisma 16

This is really the peak of this build. When you need it, you've got 20 consecutive rounds of haste and 1200' attack distance. Your at will kiting is 100' of movement a round, slowing enemies 10' and pushing them back up to 30'.

At 17th level:

New metamagic: quicken
New ASI: CHA 18
New Spells: Water Breathing, Meld into Stone, Glyph of Warding, Stone Shape, Polymorph, Teleportation Circle.

You have more tools against your most dreaded foe: the indoors. Otherwise, you are just very marginally better at defeating everything outdoors.


At 20th level and final thoughts:

New ASI: Cha 20
New Spells: Word of Recall, Plane Shift

You can now kite most gods.

[MinotaurWarrior]

Aziah Parakambahu

Level 20 level split: Divine Soul 8 / Totem warrior 6 / Lore Bard 3 / Celestial Lock 3

Race: Goliath (8ft Tall)

Stats: Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 9 Cha 13

Background: Folk Hero

Starting level:

"Two-Hits-One-Swing"

Aziah always knew he was special, but the clan chief finally acknowledged it when the tribe was attacked by Goblins and Aziah defended his forge from two Goblins, killing them both with one swing of his quarterstaff, earning a nickname.

Skills: Athletics, Animal Handling, Intimidation, Religion
Tools: smith's tools, land vehicles
Cantrips: Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade, Guidance, Mold Earth
Spells: Sleep, Mage Armor

This is probably the point at which, relative to other normal characters, you are at your most powerful doing normal things. You swing a quarterstaff for +5 to hit, 1d8+3 damage + cantrip riders, and can cast sleep.

At 5th level:

"Cave-Sealer" / "Giant-Trapper"

Aziah traveled to new lands and joined an adventuring party, and was hired to clear a mine of Goblins. The fighter and cleric wanted to charge in and fight the monsters, but Aziah and the rogue had a better idea: trap then and starve them out. The rogue tracked down all the entrances, and Aziah sealed them shut with big rocks. One week later, he moved the rocks and looted the emaciated bodies.

Then the Giants got angry with the increased activity on the mountain. Aziah took his pay from the first job in the form of ore, and constructed a series of huge metal boxes. Everyone thought it was bizarre, but the strange looks stopped when he dropped a cage over a frost giant.

Cantrips: Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade, Guidance, Mold Earth, Resistance
Spells: Glyph of Warding, Enhance Ability, Enlarge / Reduce, Jump, Misty Step, Blink, Sanctuary
Metamagic: Extend, Quicken
ASI: Athlete


You stopped doing normal things. Using Glyph of Warding to circumvent concentration limits, you can buff up to carry 2,160 pounds, or use pulleys to push, drag, or lift 8,640 pounds (4320 without pulleys). You can jump above someone and drop an iron cage on them (even if you need the 4,320lb iron box, you can cast jump, dash, and standing high jump 10ft +raise your arms 12ft). You can tear down walls. You can pull giant immovable boulders in front of the entrances / exits to dungeons sealing them off forever. Etc.

Also, because you don't use skills or make attacks, you can wear plate armor and carry a shield non-proficient.

At 11th level:

"Oilflood", "Brings-Home-With-Him", "Tower-Raiser / Razer".

Aziah got the news of his mother's death while in the middle of a mine-clearing job. To get things done faster, he walked though it with a small wall, several thousand gallons of oil, and a candle, repeatedly flooding it with oil and burning them to ash.

At the funeral, Aziah reconnected with traditional Goliath culture and began training with his younger sister in the way of the barbarian. To make sure he never forgot where he was from, Aziah carried his mother's house with him when he rejoined the party.

Back with the group, Aziah learned the party was hot on the trail of an evil wizard who lived at the top of a terrifying tower of tyranny. With the aid of a few elephants to get everything on site, Aziah built a taller tower in under half a minute, stacking sections on top of each other. Then he used a pulley to lift up a massive platform that went over the evil tower, and the same pulley to pull up a giant dome piece by piece and then drop it over the evil tower. The evil wizard didn't have teleport prepared and he suffocated. The next day, Aziah carefully deconstructed his tower and solemnly pulled down the wizard's.



Spells: Glyph of Warding, Enhance Ability, Enlarge / Reduce, Jump, Misty Step, Blink, Sanctuary, Stone Shape, Freedom of Movement, Thunder Step
ASI: Str 20
Totem 1: Elk

You're basically a slightly better version of your level five self. Because you choose the order in which speed modifiers apply, you are now able to jump up your full 24' high jump height with the jump spell while carrying extraordinary loads (speed 20, 5ft start, dash).

At 17th level:

"Dragon-Sealer"

When an ancient red dragon began teriffying the countryside, Aziah immediately knew what he had to do, even if the dragon never in a thousand years could have guessed what was coming. Overnight, he built a tall tower and placed a hoard of gold near its base, then he hoisted to the top his largest and heaviest cage yet, and used glyphs of warding to not only enhance his size and strength, but also to make himself and the giant iron prison he was carrying invisible. When the dragon descended on the hoard, Aziah lept forward and sealed the scourge under several tons of steel.


ASI: Grappler
Totem 2: Bear
Skill: Acrobatics
Expertise: Athletics, Acrobatics
Bard Cantrips: Mending, Message
Bard Spells: Unseen Servant, Feather Fall, Healing Word, Longstrider, Heat Metal, Invisibility

At level 14, you became twice as absurd when it comes to carrying, lifting, and pulling. That's really your zenith. You can now trap gargantuan monsters with less than 40 strength.

At level 17, You're good at grappling but grappling usually isn't as good as dropping cages or moving walls.

At 20th level and final thoughts:

"Retired-In-Heaven"

Aziah returned home and built a tower so tall his Kinfolk said it reached the heavens. The heavens heard this, and it became a popular spot for young celestials to hang out. Aziah became good wrestling buddies with a young Empyrean who swore they must be cousins. This new friend introduced him to his dad, and they made a deal where Aziah would occasionally do odd jobs for Mt. Celestia in exchange for their patronage.

Warlock Cantrips: Light, Sacred Flame, mage hand, prestidigitation
Warlock Spells: Hex, Armor of Agathys, Darkness, Mirror Image
Boon: Chain (imp)
Invocations: Devil’s Sight, Voice of the Chain Master


You're better at grappling, with the ability to use hex to give your foe disadvantage, but you'd still rather drop a cage on their head or remodel their surroundings.

[Dork_Forge]

Build submissions are now closed and voting is now open

I will edit the OP with a list of builds later today when I have the time, good luck to all!

[Waazraath]

My vote goes to The Grand Galactic Inquisitor. Funny concept, and this multiclass combination is definitely very much against the grain, especially with gimped attack stats and mutually disruptive class features (monk stuff + armor). Still it does have at least one workable stragegy (and when that fails, it can cast bless for the party, or block a choke point and dodge, and do some healing. I don't know why in the end it doesn't raise cha + dex (or str) since both are odd numbers, but I guess that is to keep going against the grain, even at that levels.

(I'd loved to have competed in this one btw, been a bit ill alas so didn't have time (no covid fortunately).)

[Dork_Forge]

My vote goes to The Grand Galactic Inquisitor. Funny concept, and this multiclass combination is definitely very much against the grain, especially with gimped attack stats and mutually disruptive class features (monk stuff + armor). Still it does have at least one workable stragegy (and when that fails, it can cast bless for the party, or block a choke point and dodge, and do some healing. I don't know why in the end it doesn't raise cha + dex (or str) since both are odd numbers, but I guess that is to keep going against the grain, even at that levels.

(I'd loved to have competed in this one btw, been a bit ill alas so didn't have time (no covid fortunately).)

Hope you're feeling better soon!

[ScoutTrooper]

EDIT WHOOPS didn't see submissions closed...Vote is for Aziah Parakambahu

Level 20 level split: Divine Soul 8 / Totem warrior 6 / Lore Bard 3 / Celestial Lock 3




-No UA, only officially published materials


*shuffles through theory builds piling up from Forever DM syndrome*
Uh, let's see what survives.


Cursed with a extra charge of static, and will to smash

Level 20 level split: Barbarian; Path of Storm Herald 14 / Cleric; Tempest Domain 6

Race: Kenku

Stats: Str 15 Dex 12[14] (+2) Con 14 Int 10 Wis 13[14] (+1) Cha 8

Background: Hermit or Far Traveler

Starting level: Barbarian

No, not a Dex Barb weapon build either, select your farovite polearm weapon with Reach and lets get to smashing foes. Obvious support role, the challenge to be the face of the party with an 8 CHA cause you're using mimicry, you shouldn't be a leader in anything this group does. But assisting, you go out of your way for the best possible smash. Start asking your DM what gods fancy lightning in their world, and how true to Kenku being cursed is reflected in their world.

At 5th level: Barb 4 / Cleric 1

Have your path and domains already set so people see what you're doing. Some ravenfolk thor action. Path of the Storm Herald. Going forward you are selecting the Sea option every time so the Tempest Domain synergies well with the lightning damage. I also say do it this way before you get your extra attack, but to each their own. And if the party needs for DPR, go Barbarian 5, and start Cleric 1 on 6th level.

At 11th level: Barbarian 8 / Cleric 3

Insert I didn't think I'd get this far meme.jpeg

At 20th level and final thoughts: Honestly with the No UA stuff, a lot of my theory builds for fun and unusual combinations went out the window. A Kenku Barbarian is what I want to play next at a table I'll get to be a player at (Hopefully) It started pure Barbarian, but I like the idea of lightning base theme. Crackling energy, augmenting lightning with strikes. RP'ing in Mimicry. The Kenku's name is seriously going to be a Wolf Howl. Hoping the party takes to just calling him 'Wolf'

[ftafp]

My vote is for Igor the Kite

[MinotaurWarrior]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/63/b8/dc63b877d70a1d78f5accff6e920b3e3.png
Lung Wang the Smooth-Talker



Gets my vote

[Bobthewizard]

It was a close decision, but I'll vote for the Grand Galactic Inquisitor. They're all good though.

[kalkyrie]

Aziah Parakambahu

Level 20 level split: Divine Soul 8 / Totem warrior 6 / Lore Bard 3 / Celestial Lock 3

My vote goes to Aziah Parakambahu. Dropping cages on dragons definitely fits the contest theme!

(And regarding the odd cha/dex on the Inquisitor - yes, it's definitely for going against the grain 100%, with a martial character who doesn't make attacks. A more 'optimised' version would take one or two Hexblade levels. But that's very against the theme of the contest!).

[Dork_Forge]

Voting is now closed, votes will be tallied and the winner announced shortly

[Dork_Forge]

Another joint winner!
Congratulations to Kalkyrie's 'The Grand Galactic Inquisitor' and MinotaurWarrior's 'Aziah Parakambahu'

And we are now offering a prize to winners! Winners of throwdowns will now have the option to receive a drawing of their winning build, if the winners are interested in this then please PM me with all the appearance info you have in mind for your characters. Here's some examples of the art you can expect to receive:

https://img.imageupload.net/2020/09/16/download_20200916_135954.png
https://img.imageupload.net/2020/09/26/2020-09-26-1.png
https://img.imageupload.net/2020/09/26/2020-09-26-2.png
https://img.imageupload.net/2020/09/26/2020-09-26.png
https://img.imageupload.net/2020/09/26/pseudoupload.png

[kalkyrie]

Thanks everyone, great competition!
Good to see a lot of interesting builds (and thanks for the surprise prize offer).

[furby076]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/63/b8/dc63b877d70a1d78f5accff6e920b3e3.png
Lung Wang the Smooth-Talker

At 17th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 16

Stats: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 20 (ASI to Cha, Alertness)

At level 12 you get access to Mass Suggestion and from that point on every other spell is pointless. Remember what you did with Suggestion? Well, now you can turn whole groups of enemies against each other then sit back and watch the fireworks. At this point I'm going to stop giving suggestions because if you wanted to you could tell any dragon you wanted to be your lapdog and they'd just have to deal with it. The world is your oyster, so slurp it down, gag on it, sputter and choke until it drips out of your nose then swear an oath never to eat oysters

At 20th level: Order Cleric 1/Eloquence Bard 19

You are god. Deal with it

I love it. Fun build. However, hubris and vanity killed it. When you said "any dragon" becomes "your lapdog"...well, he does, and then sits on your lap. Your small lap, against his huge tushy.

[Chugger]

Well shoot I think I am too late for this one. I was just going to say: MOON DRUID, stats are whatever - and be done with it!

[Dork_Forge]

Well shoot I think I am too late for this one. I was just going to say: MOON DRUID, stats are whatever - and be done with it!

Too late for this one but Throwdown #8 is still underway!