[Avatar d20] Passive Way monk vs. Über-mauler

[Eighth_Seraph]

Avatar d20 Playtesting Combat – Monk of the Passive Way vs. Fighter

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Arena Map
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A chill wind fills the empty arena as the wooden gates at either end of the arena open with a creak and the combatants file out from opposite sides of the arena, taking their places and sizing each other up. The bare seats and empty announcer's booth combine to give the arena an air of lifelessness as these two determined opponents prepare face each other in the ultimate battle to determine the greatest close-quarters fighter on the planet.

A man with deep brown skin and a shaven head comes from the southern gate, wearing nothing but a pair of simple cloth trousers sustained by sandy brown sash around his waist. An enormous tattoo of a scorpion dominates his upper body, with the silhouette of a stinger running up his well-muscled spine and pincers darkening his arms. Marid Al-Sikar draws a small dagger from his sash and takes his stance, looking intently at his opponent.



I'm at P13 to begin with, you're at E12, String. Ignore the letters on the map, they're the fighters from an earlier match, and I just copy-pasted. Roll for initiative.

[String]

Gong

Male Fighter 15
LN medium humanoid (Earth Kingdom)
Init +5; Senses Spot +0, Listen +0
Languages Common
--------------------------------------------------------
AC 23(10base+11 Class+1Dex+1Dodge), 21touch, 21flat-footed
HP 120/153
Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +5
--------------------------------------------------------
Spd 30ft
Melee +26/21/16 With Maul (1d10+15, 18-20 x3) or 26/21/16 (1d10+13, 18-20 x3)
Ranged +19 with Light Hammer (1d4+7; x2)
Base Atk +15/+10/+5
Atk Options Hit things; Hit things harder, throw a hammer
Special Options Power Attack, Crushing Strike
---------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 20 , Dex 13, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
SQ DR 8/-
Feats
Weapon Focus (Maul)
Quick Draw
Power Attack
Combat Reflexes
Toughness
Weapon Specialization (Maul)
Mobility
Improved Trip
Greater Weapon Focus (Maul)
Improved Critical (Maul)
Improved Initiative
Greater Weapon Specialization (Maul)
Melee Weapon Mastery (Bludgeoning)
Crushing Strike
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Maul One-Hand)
Skills Jump +24, Climb +24, Intimidate +4
Possessions: Weighted DMG IV Maul of Glory,
DR 4 Halfplate of Glory,
4 Light Hammers

A man of great stature, with a great flowing brown beard complementing the beige and green of his Earth Kingdom Army armor strode purposefully from the north gate. The weapons that hung at his side were similar, but not congruent. Four small hammers graced his belt, along with an enormous maul, a simple but equisitely made weapon of raw power and no finesse was strapped among them. Gong drew one of the smaller hammers from his belt, the weapon looking like a toy in his large hand, and held it ready.

Initiative [roll0]

[Eighth_Seraph]

Mirad Al-Sikar, Hermit of the Wastes
Among the dunes of the Si Wong desert, there is rumored to be a strange creature. Enormous scorpions are found, their carapaces cracked and crushed, their princes broken in two pieces that are quickly lost in the shifting sand. On one such scorpion, the clear imprint of human foot was displayed as a dent in its chitin plating. Since this finding, many have admired, and many more have feared, the reclusive master of the endless desert, who hones his skills by hunting the most brutal predators, and crushing their limbs with his bare hands.
Male human Monk (Passive Way) 15
TN medium humanoid
Init +3; Senses Spot +, Listen
Languages Common
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AC 27 (10 + 3 Dex + 7 class + 3 Wis + 1 Dodge + 3 Monk), touch 24, flat-footed 20
HP 67/122;
Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +6
--------------------------------------------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed +19/+14/+9 (2d8 + 2) OR dagger +24/+19/+15 (2d8 + 2)
Ranged none
Base Atk +15/+10/+5 Grapple +21
Atk Options
Special Atks Triple Take-down
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Passive Way Techniques known Flow, Disabling Hold, Timely Strike, Foot Sweep
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Abilities Str 15, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 8
SQ Improved Evasion, Still Mind, Purity of Body, Passive Resistance
Feats Close-Quarter Defense (http://www.realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Close-Quarter_Defense,)(b), Combat Expertise (b), Combat Reflexes (b), Dodge (b), Mobility (http://www.realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Elusive_Target,Mobility) (h), Improved Grapple (1), Hold the Line (http://www.realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Hold_The_Line,) (3), Parry Defense (9), Stunning Fist (6), Elusive Target (15) (http://www.realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Elusive_Target,), Scorpion’s Grasp (http://www.realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Scorpion~s_Grasp,) (12)
Skills Balance +11, Climb +20, Escape Artist +21, Jump +20, Listen +15, Sense Motive +13, Spot +13 , Swim +12, Tumble +13.
Possessions: Monk's outfit, light defending Damage II dagger of Glory, 5 smoke bombs.

Initiative
[roll0]

Erg. Go ahead and go first, then. I'm not flat-footed though, just to be clear.

[String]

The tall armored man acted first, dashing forward toward his opponent. Gong desired to test this man first. As the warrior approached the bridge, he wound back and threw the light hammer in his hand at the desert warrior, aiming to crush his face in. As the hammer careened out of his hand, he drew his maul and held it at the ready.




Move 20ft to L13, throw Light hammer at you, 30ft from me, for a -6 penalty to my attack roll 1d20+13 Damage if hits [roll0]Free action to draw Maul.

[String]

Attack Roll [roll0]

[Eighth_Seraph]

Marid takes the hit valiantly, the hammer thudding off his exposed chest. but realizes that simply cannot allow such a strong opponent to continue making such attacks. Or, at least, he cannot allow him to continue connecting. "It's time to begin, then." He mutters.

Immediately, Marid shifts into a deep, defensive stance, bringing his dagger up in front of his face, ready to deflect any coming attacks, preparing for his opponent to try another attack.

Total defense action, granting a +4 to my AC and transfer the 4 points of my Dagger's attack to my AC as well, granting me a total of +8 AC, or 35 now.

Also, note your position on the map again, I edited. Further, you can't power attack on a ranged attack. Nevermind. I I see how you got the damage now.

[String]

Seeing his opponent take a hammer to the chest and hardly bat an eye, Gong took it upon himself to test his opponent again. He ran forward again, and as he did so he held his maul in his right hand, drew another hammer and tossed it at Mirad. As the hammer sailed through the air, he shifted his hammer into a two-handed grasp again.

Free action to draw light hammer, Move to H12 (Sorry), Throw the hammer at you 20 feet away for a -4 [roll0] (I'm not using power attack. Its the range penalty, light hammers have a range increment of 10ft) Damage if hit [roll1] 5 for str, and +2 for weapon specialization, granted by the Melee Weapon Mastery (bludgeoning) feat.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Your range increment is 20 ft., actually. That's what it says in the SRD, at least. Doesn't matter in this case.

Marid easily bats the offending hammer aside with his dagger, which emits a metallic shing as the bludgeon falls to the floor. As the blade vibrates, Marid sees an opening and immediately takes it, shifting his stance into one of dedicated offense and leaping forward at his opponent.

As the blade cuts into his opponent's flesh, Marid whirls into action, grabbing hold of Gong's enormous arms and attempting to take him to the ground in a dedicated grapple.

First, I shift my dagger's bonus back into attack. Then, I'll make a charge attack at you, for which I don't really have to roll, but I guess there's always a chance of a critical failure.

[roll0]
[roll1]

If I hit, I apply my Scorpion's Grasp feat to immediately initiate a grapple against you.

[roll2]

Make your opposed roll.

[String]

[roll0] BAB + Str, right?

[Eighth_Seraph]

Sigh. Yes. That's what I get for being too ambitious too early. Your turn. I'm at g12 and within your reach.

[String]

Gong was startled as the warrior dashed forward and managed to sink his blade straight through a weaker part of his armor, cutting into flesh. Through his blinding pain, Gong was able to break the desert man's grapple before it started, and stepped his offensive up a notch. With a roar, he tightened both hands on his weapon and struck out hard at Mirad's right side, head, and then left side, his heavy blows hopefully wearing down the Scorpion warrior's defenses.

Full Attack with the Maul. Each successful hit grants a cumulative +1 to the all further attacks I make this round, as per the Crushing Strike feat. Threaten on 18-20, and I'm at H12 just for posterity

Full Attack
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
Damage
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[String]

Awesome! You have an oppurtunity! Now we get to see your Passive Way in action! Also: You seem upset. Am I posting wrong, or commenting too much?

[Eighth_Seraph]

Marid grunts in pain and fury at his own idiocy as his frenzied opponent inflicts brutal strikes upon him, but still manages to dodge out of the way of his opponent's final strike. It's time that he return to his more traditional art, the more dangerous art of subtle defense.

The scorpion warrior shifts back into his defensive stance, first making making quick jab with his left fist before cutting across with his lethal blade in two quick techniques.

Ouch, 45 damage in that one turn; plus 10 from before. 55 so far on me.

I put full Combat Expertise and shift my dagger's bonus back to AC, granting me a +9 to AC, putting me at 36 this turn. I also execute a full attack, going Unarmed Strike/dagger/dagger. The unarmed strike is also a Stunning Fist use. Mwaha. I attempt to start a grapple on the first strike that hits. If the grapple succeeds, all successive strikes are null.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]

All three attacks succeed, make three opposed grappling checks, and a Fortitude save, please. It just stinks that my first grapple was so good.

[String]

Don't you get an Oppurtunity? Or is it Opening? If you're not taking it thats cool, but just wondering.
Grapple Checks
[roll0][roll1][roll2]

[String]

Fort: [roll0]

DAMN. I passed all the checks, but the first was a tie and you have the higher mod, so I'm grappled!

Nice Fort roll, tho

[Eighth_Seraph]

I don't get an attack from Parry Defense or from my Passive Stance on your third attack, if that's what you mean. I wasn't using Combat Expertise that turn, so no parry, and your Crushing Attack dropped my AC by just enough so that I don't get to use my class feature.

Anyway, the first grapple is successful, because in the case of a tie, the higher modifier wins, per RAW. Now it's go time. You forgot to make your fortitude save vs. Stunning Fist, by the way. Anyway, I deal unarmed damage again as part of the hold, so here goes.

[roll0]

I'm also using my other two attacks that were nulled by the grapple now, which I'm pretty sure works by RAW. I take a -4 on these rolls, so the second attack is no longer successful, but the final one was a critical, which I will confirm now.

[roll1]

Bah. No crit for me. And that's my turn. Go ahead. Your turn now.

[String]

Fort Roll was 32, check above. Crit failed, but the attack still hits, roll damage please.

Gong's satisfaction at his attack was replaced by dread as he was struck by Mirad's attack and drawn into a grapple. Two more blows rained down before he could do anything and he grunted in pain. As the large man struggled with his opponent, he tried to block out the pain once more.

Attempt to escape grapple [roll0] If succesful I'll move 15 ft onto the bridge at K12. If fail I'll use my other two attacks from my full to try and break out. [roll1] [roll2]

Okay first is a critical failure, so I need two grapple checks from you, I think

[Eighth_Seraph]

I already rolled damage for the dagger hit; it was 10 damage, not including your DR. Opposed grapples comin' up. Does BAB factor into my checks? I don't think so, but I think we should decide by honor system. Honestly, what do you think?

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[String]

Do you mean 'should your grapple checks go down by 5 per chck?' I don't think so. It doesnt mention it in RAW. And I'm still grappled. Your turn

[Eighth_Seraph]

Alright, this is where I start regretting taking Elusive Target instead of Choke Hold. Anyway, I'm going to make a grapple check to pin you, then I'm making two unarmed strikes, the first of which is a Stunning attack.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[String]

So you need 3 Grapple checks outta me.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Eighth_Seraph]

Er, we just decided that the defender in a grapple doesn't take BAB penalties, remember? Also, you put 1d2 instead of 1d20 on the third check. You take damage from my second grapple, and maybe the third, and are also PINNED! Oh, and fortitude save against Stunning Fist.

[roll0]

Your turn
Marid is growing visibly irritated, the complete lack of sport in this battle frustrating his warrior spirit.

[String]

As another blow connected with him, Gong dropped his maul to free his hands. With a burst of energy, he roared and wrenched his arms up, trying to free himself and regain equal footing.

D'oh..My bad.Free action to drop my maul Grapple check to un-pin myself. BTW, this is a really tactically sound maneuver from you. Kudos.
[roll0]

[String]

Stunning fist fort save
[roll0]

[Eighth_Seraph]

Forgot to make the fortitude save, by the way. Dang, man. If I had taken Choke Hold, you could be unconscious by now. Ah well.

[roll0]

If you break out, the first roll is to pin. If not, all three are unarmed strikes. The first strike I do is a Stunning Fist, by the way. Don't forget the save.

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

And know what? I'm even going to do all of the opposed grapples for your turn right now, too. Things are about to change.

[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]

[Eighth_Seraph]

Oh, and damage.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[String]

Hit me with all three. Fort Save[roll0] If I fail, then I dont really do anything, if I succeed, then


Gong staggered slightly under the quick onslaught, but attempted once again to break free now that he was no longer pinned.


Checks to break free. If the first is successful, I pick up my maul and 5-ft step. can I do that?
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

This is my last post for the night. I'm off to sleep. Good fight so far.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Your save succeeds (DC is 20), but you're still pinned because you never managed to break out of it, and your checks just now failed to do that as well. In any case, things are about to change, like I said.

Marid gives a disgusted grunt and spits disdainfully on the strained face of his bearded opponent. Unexpectedly, he relinquishes his deadlock on Gong and delivers three sudden attacks against him, venting his anger at being denied a challenging fight.

As the blade scrapes shrilly against the cracks in Gong's armor, Marid screams in unrestrained, contemptuous fury "GET UP! GET UP AND FIGHT ME!"

Yeah, you read right. I release you from the pin as a free action, though you're prone now. I also do three attacks against you with my knife, with full Combat Expertise, gaining a +4 'cause you're prone.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

And don't forget, that Stunning Fist you took earlier means that you've dropped anything in your hands, including your maul. We're both at G12 right now, I think.

Alright, if you haven't already gone to sleep, I want you to know that I am. It's your turn, and I'll respond some time tomorrow to finish this thing off, cool? 'kay. G'night!

[String]

Gong gasped for air and then inhaled sharply and grunted in pain as the desert warrior struck at him. The last blow glanced off his armor, but the first two found flesh. The tall warrior rolled over and stood before snatching his maul off the arena floor. Turning back to his enemy, Gong's eyes narrowed as he assumed a fighting stance.

"It appears the savage has a warriors spirit." he said quietly.

Move action to stand, move action to pick up weapon, speak.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Marid's eyes glint dangerously as he hears himself referred to as 'savage'. As his opponent attempts to stand, Marid quickly employs his training, taking advantage of the opening provided to make contact and attempt to fling his opponent away in his rage.

Each action provokes and AoO. And I have Combat Reflexes. I use my Passive Way ability, Counter Hold, to initiate a Flow attempt against you with a touch attack with my dagger (Combat Expertise is still in effect, and you're still prone for the first AoO). If I miss, I try again on the second.

[roll0]
[roll1]

If I succeed on either one, I do a flow against you (We're both in H12, by the way, I'll shift to I12 as I release the grapple, I guess.), which requires opposed Strength or Dex checks, whichever is higher. I'm doing a Dex check, and I also get a +6 on my check as part of my class. If the flow fails, I try again on the second AoO.

[roll2]
[roll3]

Using my Triple Take-down ability, I also execute an unarmed strike as part of a successful flow, which will be a Stunning fist attempt.

[roll4]
[roll5]

I'm aiming the flow south-west. Let's see if either succeeds before I continue. Make your opposed Strength check against my DC 13 flow.

[String]

Strength Check [roll0]
Fort Save against the Stunning Fist [roll1]
Were both my actions interrupted?

[Eighth_Seraph]

The enormous Earthen warrior sails through the air, his great weight crashing into the water beside the bridge with a ker-sploosh!, and his body disappearing briefly beneath the surface.

Whew. Yes, they were. I'm drawing you into my square and throwing you SW 5 ft, into J11 and 5-foot deep water. You easily made the the fort save, but your maul is still at H12. However, because I didn't allow you to use your second action, you still have a move action left in your turn. You can go ahead and take it now.

DC 10 Swim check to move in these calm waters, remember the minus from your ACP, though we'll ignore weight for tedium's sake.

[String]

Wow, it's like you read my mind (I debated trying to drown you while we were grappling). Anyway: Dc 10 Swim check to move 5ft (quarter-speed) as a move action -7 for armor, +5 for str, for a -2

[roll0]

[String]

The massive fighter fought against his heavy armor's weight as he made his way for the opposite shore. He was in no hurry to have a repeat of his ignomious flight into the water.

made the check, move 5ft to K11, your turn.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Marid takes a quick step over to his opponent's fallen maul, and picks it up, considering what to do with it. Quickly deciding that only a challenging fight is worth fighting, he chucks it at his opponent savagely, not really wanting or expecting to make contact.

Staying in the water? Interesting.

It's an attack roll at a -8 to throw the maul (non-proficient and not meant to be thrown), but the AC of a square is 5, so I automatically put your maul in the water next to you. Go ahead.

[String]

Swim Check to move five feet onto land, DC 10 with the same -2. [roll0]

[String]

As Gong's weapon crashed into the water beside him, he looked back at the desert warrior. Quickly picking up his maul before it sank completely, Gong hauled himself onto the shore, shaking the water from his beard. Coughing slightly, the warrior grinned and held up two fingers.

"Round Two."

Move action to grab the maul, another move to L11. I'm standing with my maul in L11, your turn.

[Eighth_Seraph]

"Indeed"

The scorpion warrior raises his knife-wielding left hand to protect his torso, being extremely cautious after the failure of his first offensive impulse.

Total Defense, plus putting my knife's bonus into AC, totalling my armor class at 35.

[String]

Gong moved across the bridge quickly and swung his maul fiercely, aiming to knock Marid's head straight from his shoulders.

Moving 20ft to I12, and attacking with a two-point Power Attack for +4 damage (two-handed weapon). I provoke an AoO for moving into your threatened area. [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Eighth_Seraph]

I use my Counter Hold ability to use a flow instead of a normal AoO, using a touch attack with my fist.

[roll0]

If it succeeds, again with the strength check, adding in a Stunning Fisted Timely Strike and again with the tossing you into the water, in the same spot as before.

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

Make your Fort save and opposed Strength check.

[String]

Still your turn. My attack missed.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Wow. I missed. Alright, then. Your attack missed as well, by more than five, so I get an AoO thanks to both Counter Parry and the Passive Stance, so I get another attempt at this. Because I never got to flow you, I didn't get to waste my Stunning fist. Here7 it goes again.


[roll0]

If it succeeds, again with the strength check, adding in a Stunning Fisted Timely Strike and again with the tossing you, but north this time, and I use my Triple Take-Down to also trip you as I flow you, alongside the punch.

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

Make a fort save, and two opposed Strength checks, one for the flow, another for the trip if the flow succeeds.

[String]

Strength check for flow [roll0] Str check for trip [roll1] Fort Save [roll2]

So Flow Fails. Am I still in my same spot? Either way, I believe that it is NOW your turn.

[Eighth_Seraph]

URG! Man. This class needs some way to deal damage. I have no way to hurt you aside from drowning you, and even that's not going to work unless I get lucky. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Want to call it a draw? I need to make some adjustments to this style.

[String]

Yeah. I think that this could drag out for a MUCH longer time, and all I need is a Full Attack to hit or a crit and you're sunk. Let's call it an honorable draw and you can see what needs to happen with this class

[Eighth_Seraph]

Yeah. I'm thinking some sort of arm break-ish technique or dangerous counter-attacks, along with making the style Resilient, since it relies so heavily on putting itself in Danger's path.

Thanks for the help. Well played.

Having met his match, Marid quickly lefts his hands, palms-up, in a sign of peace, sheathing his dagger back into his sash. The scorpion warrior gives a stiff, respectful bow to the earthen fighter, then walks away without a word, without even waiting for a reply, considering how he may train to best him in the future.

[String]

I think that if this were a Pair vs. Pair match that it would be much different.
I mean, The main reason this battle is going nowhere is because I have a high DR. You might need something there.

[Eighth_Seraph]

Yeah. My hand and foot monk isn't suffering too much against DR, but that's because he's offense-based and is tossing a bunch of Power-attacking Decisive Strikes around with his ultra-strong kick techniques. Maybe I could make grapple moves bypass DR, since they're not strikes, but hyperextensions? Let's take this back to the warrior thread, if you're interested in helping me fix the class. I can handle it on my own if that's not your forté or if you'd rather get off the computer after a couple hours of dueling.

[String]

I may have to get off soon, but we can still toss ideas back and forth on the Warrior thread.