Apple Corer Optimization Challenge I

[Inevitability]

I don't like soulknives, but this one might just be the xeph-tion!

CG Xeph Hidden Talent Bonus Feats Soulknife 6/Elf Soulborn 3/Tribal Protector 2/Champion of Corellon Larethian 9

Ermak is a xeph who lives in the nomadic tribe traveling through the endless steppes of the east. Their greatest threat always was orcs Gruumsh worshipers from the same steppes. But apart from them these xephs are welcome to any guests, even other orcs.
Ermak found an injured elf in the steppe once. This elf was the champion of Corellon Larethian and while he lived in the tribe he taught young Ermak some exclusive elven tricks in gratitude for saving your life.
Few years later Ermak was forced to become a protector of his own people. It was a hard time, orcs assaulted xephs' tribe with great cruelty and many men died, but everything that has a beginning also has an ending. One day a squad of champions of Corellon Larethian came to the aid of the suffered tribe. When orcs were pushed back elves left xephs, but Ermak went with them - he wanted to become one of elven god champions.

Spoiler: Stats

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Abilities	Initial	Race/Template	4th	8th	12th	16th	20th	Total
STR	14	-2	1	1				14
DEX	15	2			1	1	1	20
CON	14							14
INT	14							14
WIS	8							8
CHA	14							14

Spoiler: Build

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Level	Class	BAB	Fort	Reflex	Will	Skills	Feats	Class Features
1st	Hidden Talent Soulknife 1	0	0	2	2	24: {+4} Autohypnosis: 4; {+4 CC} Diplomacy: 2; {+4 CC} Knowledge (religion): 2; {+4 CC} Survival: 2; {+4 CC} Truespeak: 2; {+4} Tumble: 4;	Lightning Fists (1), Hidden Talent (Force Screen) (B)	Mind blade, Weapon Focus (mind blade), Hidden Talent
2nd	Elf Soulborn 1	1	2	2	2	4: Autohypnosis: 4; {+1 CC} Diplomacy: 2.5; Knowledge (religion): 2; {+1 CC} Survival: 2.5; {+1 CC} Truespeak: 2.5; {+1} Tumble: 5;		Aura, smite opposition 1/day
3rd	Elf Soulborn 2	2	3	2	2	4: Autohypnosis: 4; {+1 CC} Diplomacy: 3; Knowledge (religion): 2; {+1 CC} Survival: 3; {+1 CC} Truespeak: 3; {+1} Tumble: 6;	Martial Study (Claw at the Moon) (3)	Incarnum defense
4th	Soulknife 2	3	3	3	3	6: {+2} Autohypnosis: 6; {+1 CC} Diplomacy: 3.5; Knowledge (religion): 2; {+1 CC} Survival: 3.5; {+1 CC} Truespeak: 3.5; {+1} Tumble: 7;		Throw mind blade
5th	Soulborn 3	4	3	4	4	4: Autohypnosis: 6; {+1 CC} Diplomacy: 4; Knowledge (religion): 2; {+1 CC} Survival: 4; {+1 CC} Truespeak: 4; {+1} Tumble: 8;	Midnight Dodge (B)	Bonus feat
6th	Bonus Feats Soulknife 3	5	4	4	4	10: {+2} Autohypnosis: 8; Diplomacy: 4; {+2} Jump: 2; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+5} Truespeak: 9; {+1} Tumble: 9;	Truename Training (6), Martial Stance (Blood in the Water) (B)	Bonus feat
7th	Soulknife 4	6	5	4	4	6: {+2} Autohypnosis: 10; Diplomacy: 4; {+2} Jump: 4; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 10; {+1} Tumble: 10;		+1 mind blade
8th	Soulknife 5	6	5	4	4	6: {+1} Autohypnosis: 11; Diplomacy: 4; {+3} Jump: 7; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 11; {+1} Tumble: 11;		Free draw, shape mind blade
9th	Soulknife 6	7	6	5	5	6: {+1} Autohypnosis: 12; Diplomacy: 4; {+3} Jump: 10; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 12; {+1} Tumble: 12;	Elusive Target (9), Speed of Thought (B), Word Given Form (MA)	Mind blade enhancement +1, Speed of Thought
10th	Tribal Protector 1	8	8	7	5	6: Autohypnosis: 12; Diplomacy: 4; {+4} Intimidate: 4; {+1} Jump: 11; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 13; Tumble: 12;	Melee Weapon Mastery (slashing) (B)	Bonus feat, tribal enemy, homeland
11th	Tribal Protector 2	9	9	8	5	6: Autohypnosis: 12; Diplomacy: 4; {+3} Intimidate: 7; Jump: 11; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 14; Tumble: 12; {+2} Back on Your Feet;		Wild fighting
12th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 1	10	11	8	7	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+1} Diplomacy: 5; Intimidate: 7; {+2} Jump: 13; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 15; Tumble: 12; Back on Your Feet;	Resounding Blow (12), Mighty are Fallen (B)	Corellon’s blessing, bonus feat
13th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 2	11	12	8	8	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+1} Diplomacy: 6; Intimidate: 7; {+2} Jump: 15; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 16; Tumble: 12; Back on Your Feet;		Elegant strike
14th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 3	12	12	9	8	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+1} Diplomacy: 7; Intimidate: 7; {+2} Jump: 17; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 17; Tumble: 12; Back on Your Feet;		Superior defense +1
15th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 4	13	13	9	9	4: Autohypnosis: 12; Diplomacy: 7; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 18; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 18; Tumble: 12; {+2} Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;	Dwarven Armor Proficiency (15), Deceptive Dodge (B)	Bonus feat
16th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 5	14	13	9	9	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+2} Diplomacy: 9; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 19; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 19; Tumble: 12; Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;		Unimpeded movement
17th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 6	15	14	10	10	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+2} Diplomacy: 11; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 20; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 20; Tumble: 12; Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;		Superior defense +2
18th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 7	16	14	10	10	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+2} Diplomacy: 13; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 21; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 21; Tumble: 12; Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;	Weapon Supremacy (mind blade) (18), Melee Evasion (B)	Bonus feat
19th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 8	17	15	10	11	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+2} Diplomacy: 15; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 22; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 22; Tumble: 12; Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;		Corellon’s wrath
20th	Champion of Corellon Larethian 9	18	15	11	11	4: Autohypnosis: 12; {+2} Diplomacy: 17; Intimidate: 7; {+1} Jump: 23; Knowledge (religion): 2; Survival: 4; {+1} Truespeak: 23; Tumble: 12; Nimble Stand, Back on Your Feet;		Superior defense +3

B - bonus feats
MA - Martial Art

Spoiler: ECL 6

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Soulknife 3/Soulborn 3. Not bad attack bonus, potentially good AC with heavy armor and psionic version of shield, immunity to charms and paralysis. Up to three attacks per round during active Blood in the Water stance. Nothing mind-blowing, but good enough.

Spoiler: ECL 11

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Soulknife 6/Soulborn 3/Tribal Protector 2. More numbers, but not only numbers. Now Ermak has some good synergies.
Midnight Dodge and Word Given Form is cool protection against any one opponent. Elusive Target also improves this combo.
Wild fighting gives another attack in addition to the existing four.
Mind blade enhancement opens Keen which synergy with number of attacks and Blood in the Water stance.
Melee Weapon Mastery, mind blade's enchantment +1 and smite increase chance to hit and damage before Blood in the Water will yield enough power.

Spoiler: ECL 16 (Sweet spot)

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Soulknife 6/Soulborn 3/Tribal Protector 2/Champion of Corellon Larethian 5. Unimpeded movement is the poor gold. With it variety of Dwarven Armors became more more useful for Ermak. It not only remove speed reduction, but through this lets Ermak use his Tumble skill. Elegant strike now adds +5 damage to each of six Ermak's attacks. Corellon’s blessing is extra 10 hp, it isn't big number, but also isn't excessive. Superior defense still doesn't work at its full potential, but already synergies with Dwarven Armors. Bonus feats selections isn't great with this competition limitations, but thanks for Midnight Dodge I found some useful options.
Resounding Blow is one of the few remaining feats with rider effect for crit fishers.

Spoiler: ECL 20

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Soulknife 6/Soulborn 3/Tribal Protector 2/Champion of Corellon Larethian 9. One more bonus feat, this specific isn't so useful for heavy armored Ermak, but it at least could work, for example against touch attacks. Touch AC doesn't look very high (about 16-17 only). Corellon’s wrath improves all, now seven, attacks five rounds per day. Superior defense lets Ermak use all or almost all his Dex for AC now. Weapon Supremacy is must-have feat for every weapon user in Apple Corer format. +5 on a single attack every round is cool, take 10 on one attack per round is good for crit confirmation. With seven attacks per full attack I know if this is enough. +1 AC and ability to use my weapon in grapple also are cool features.

Spoiler: Items I want

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First - Armor. I want a Mithral Battle plate (Races of Stone, p. 155). It is on of the best option with my +5 Dex mod. If I can't find Mithral, but find enough Str improvements I could use Entropium armor (Arms and Equipment Guide, p. 20) to get the same AC and max Dex, but this material doesn't change armor type (heavy armor is still heavy) and Speed of Thought unfortunately shouldn't work, however it looks reasonable to let it work anyway because Unimpeded movement allows Spring Attack work as example (of course RAW it the sole feat rule, but iirc there just aren't another suitable feats in the PHB).
I still need some Str improvements (at least +2) to use Mithral Battle plate without encumbering. If I didn't manage to find any I'll use Mithral Interlocking plate (Races of Stone, p. 155). It gives one less AC and max Dex, but also gives +2 AC if I don't move more than 5 feet in a round and max Dex +5 is enough with my Dexterity.
Another armor material option is Elven Darkleaf (Arms and Equipment Guide, p. 19). It's the almost direct analogue of Mithral with one less max Dex and without weight reduction for some reason.
Of course if it is possible I want enchanted armor.
Shield. I want a beetle buckler (Arms and Equipment Guide, p. 14). It gives +2 AC while my Force Screen is inactive or gives the effect of Deflect Arrows while it works or the main threat is ranged attacks.

In addition any Dexterity or other stats improvements, cognizance crystals, psionic tattoos of metaphysical weapon will be welcome.

Spoiler: Controversials

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1) Midnight Dodge instead of regular Dodge. It's clear by RAI it should work with feats and abilities which have wording like "your Dodge target" or "specific foe to be affected by your Dodge feat," but by RAW it isn't. I hope you agree with my understanding.
2) Mind blade and Elegant strike. Mind blade has wordings "The blade is identical in all ways (except visually) to a short sword..." and "As full-round action, he [soulknife] can change his mind blade to replicate a longsword..." This means beginning from 8th level Ermak has his own longsword despite competition limitations, because it isn't actually longsword, but only a weapon "identical in all ways" to it. And I could get all mechanical information about how it works (damage, crit range, etc.) from XPH only, without opening PHB.
3) Keen. Yes, it's from DMG, but competition limitations don't include magical items. I asked the chairman.
4) Elf substitution levels. There is wording "To qualify to take a racial substitution level, you must be of the proper race." (Races of the Wild, p. 154) While there is no word "prerequisite," it definitely is a requirement, so according to competition rules it should be dropped.
5) Lightning Fists. While it can be debatable about the interaction of this feat and the monk's weapon by RAI, the text is unambiguous - "You can make two extra attacks in a round." without any weapon restrictions or limitations.

Spoiler: Sources

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Type	Name	Book	Page
Race	Xeph	Expanded Psionics Handbook	16
Class	Soulborn	Magic of Incarnum	25
Class	Soulknife	Expanded Psionics Handbook	26
Prestige Class	Tribal Protector	Sword and Fist	35
Prestige Class	Champion of Corellon Larethian	Races of the Wild	113
ACF	Hidden Talent	Expanded Classes, Part One	link
ACF	Bonus Feats	Expanded Classes, Part One	link
Substitution level	Elf Soulborn	Magic of Incarnum	45
Feat	Lightning Fists	Sword and Fist	7
Feat	Hidden Talent	Expanded Psionics Handbook	67
Feat	Martial Study	Tome of Battle	31
Feat	Midnight Dodge	Magic of Incarnum	39
Feat	Truename Training	Tome of Magic	229
Feat	Martial Stance	Tome of Battle	31
Feat	Elusive Target	Complete Warrior	110
Feat	Speed of Thought	Expanded Psionics Handbook	51
Feat	Melee Weapon Mastery	PHBII	81
Feat	Resounding Blow	Book of Exalted Deeds	45
Feat	Mighty are Fallen	Dragon Compendium	102
Feat	Dwarven Armor Proficiency	Races of Stone	138
Feat	Deceptive Dodge	Dragon Compendium	95
Feat	Weapon Supremacy	PHBII	85
Feat	Melee Evasion	PHBII	81
Martial Art	Word Given Form	Tome of Magic	218
Power	Force Screen	Expanded Psionics Handbook	108
Maneuver	Claw at the Moon	Tome of Battle	86
Stance	Blood in the Water	Tome of Battle	86
Skill Trick	Nimble Stand	Complete Scoundrel	88
Skill Trick	Back on Your Feet	Complete Scoundrel	85