[4e] High striker Competition

[Yspoch]

Hello, fellow playgrounders!

I hope you have fun with this competition. It also might help some poor GMs not to stare in disbelief when one of their players announces just how much damage he just did...

The goal: Put out as much damage as you can muster!

The rules: Assume a critical hit with a chosen ability against a single target you have combat advantage against. Every die you would roll because of this crit is automatically maximised too. The target is not prone, has no vulnerabilites and no resistances. You can use a move and minor action before using your chosen ability, but you can't prepare more than that. You don't have an action point. You are on your own.
Edit: No (potentially) infinite damage is allowed. (Should've thought on that rule beforehand... Thanks Yakk!)

The character: Creation of the character you use must follow the offical Rules (4e) (Dragon magazine is therefore included I) - no homebrew. You can use one magic item (Character Level+1), one magic item (Character Level) and one magic item (Character Level-1). Further the character has gold coins worth a (Character Level-1) item. You can, but don't have to, use a different character for each category.

Examples:
A Level 1 Character gets one Level 2 and one Level 1 item. He has 100 gold coins (this is an exception).
A Level 5 Character gets one Level 6, one Level 5 and one Level 4 item. She has 840 gold coins.
A Level 30 Character get one Level 29 and one Level 30 item. He has 6.250.000 gold coins.

The prize: The user with most top-spots wins an internet and/or a virtual cookie. He might even get cake.

The categories: (will try to update at least once a day)

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{table]Category|Username|Charname|Race|Class|Ability|Dice |Maxdamage
Level 1
At-will||||||
Encounter| Yakk | Bob | Dwarf| Ranger | Off Hand Strike | 1d12 (AB) + 4 (AT) + 1d6 (HQ) + 1d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) + 2 (FT) + [2d12 (AB) + 1d12+1d6 (CD) + 2 (WE) + 4 (FT)] | 37 (85 TS)
Encounter| Osiris_Shadowblade| Billy | Human | Ranger | Off Hand Strike | 1d12 (AB) + 5 (AT) + 1d8 (HQ) + 1d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) + [2d12 (AB) + 1d12+1d6 (CD) + 2 (WE)] | 38 (82 TS)
Encounter| AeonWalker| Bruce Banner | Human| Barbarian/Ranger | Avalanche Strike | 3d12 (AB) + 7 (AT) + 1d6 (HQ) + 2d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) + [1d12 (AB) + 5 (AT) + 2d12 (CD) + 1(WE)] | 86 (116 FBA)
Encounter| Big_Blue_Bear| -| Half-Orc| Barbarian | Avalanche Strike | 3d12 (AB) + 7 (AT) + 2d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) + 1d12 (FA) + 3 (FT) + [1d12 (AB) + 5 (AT) + 2d12 (CD) + 1(WE) + 3 (FT)] | 83 (128 FBA)
Daily| Burley |-| Halfling | Sorcerer/Rogue | Dazzling Ray | 6d6 (AB) + 8 (AT) + 2d6 (SA) + 1d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) | 69
Daily| its_all_ogre |-| Dwarf| Ranger | Jaws of the Wolf | 4d12 (AB) + 8 (AT) + 1d6 (HQ) + 1d12+1d6 (CD) + 2 (WE) + 4 (FT) + [1d12 (AB) + 4 (AT) + 1d12 (CD) + 1 (WE) + 2 (FT) | 86 (117 FBA)[/b]



Level 5
At-will||||||
Encounter||||||
Daily||||||

Level 11
At-will||||||
Encounter|Grynning|-|Half-Orc|Fighter | Shocking Twister (PP) | 3d8 (AB) + 18 (AT) + 3d8 (SA) + 6d12+3d6+3d8 (CD) + 9 (WE) + 6 (TT) + 6 (IT) + 3d10+8 (FT) +1d8 (FA) | 247
Daily||||||

Level 21
At-will||||||
Encounter| |||||
Daily||||||

Level 30
At-Will||||||
Encounter||||||
Daily||||||
[/table]

AB... Ability (including weapon used)
AT... Attributes (including adding attributes through class features)
SA... Sneak Attack (Rogue)
HQ... Hunters Quarry (Ranger)
CD... Crit Dice (including HighCritProperty and MagicWeaponCrit)
WE... Weapon Enhancement
FBA... Free Basic Attack
TS... Twin Strike (Ranger)
FT... Feat
FA... Furious Assault (Half-Orc)
IT... Items
TT... Tempest Technique

Disclaimer: If a similar thread already exists, please redirect me to the result as I was not aware of that thread. Please keep in mind that english is not my main language. Thank you and have fun!

[Burley]

First level, I'm imagining a Halfling Chaos Sorcerer, multiclassed into Rogue, with an 18/18 or 20/16 Charisma/Dexterity spread. Wielding a Vicious Dagger, and attacking with Dazzling Ray.
So, I've got 36 (Dazzling Ray) + 8 (Cha&Dex) + 12 (sneak attack) + 12 (weapon's crit dice) + 1 (weapon enhancement)... 69 points max.

[Yakk]

I'm a character making a basic attack with a Vorpal weapon (of any sort).

By the above rules, I do infinite damage! (as the 6d12 crit damage automatically rolls 6 12s, which cause me to roll 6 more d12s, which automatically roll 12s, which...)

(Formally, I'm a level 30 cleric with 10 strength, weapon proficiency (long sword), with a +6 Vorpal longsword.)

More practically, there is no level 31 item in 4e. I'd make the level 30 character have access to one magic item per equipment slot that fits in that slot, plus gold equivalent to a level 29 magic item.

[Yspoch]

Well, as you see, I did not think of the "Vorpal"-property... but I think, we'll leave anything infinite out of this contest. But thank you very much for that reminder!

[AeonWalker]

Bruce Banner, 1st level Human Rageblood Barbarian
Str: 20
Con: 14
Feats:
Superior Weapon Proficiency (Executioner's Axe)
Warrior of the Wild (Ranger Multiclass)
Equipment:
+1 Vicious Executioner's Axe

Minor Action: Designate target as Hunter's Quarry
Encounter power: Avalanche Strike [Base damage 3[W]+Str+Con(as Rageblood)]

36 [Weapon] + 12 [Crit] + 12 [High Crit Weapon] + 1 [Enhancement] + 6 [Quarry] + 5 [Str] + 2 [Con] = 72 Damage

Note that Barbarians may make a free basic attack on a successful crit as a free action. If the damage from that is included and similarly maximized:

12 [Weapon] + 12 [Crit] + 12 [High Crit Weapon] + 1 [Enh] + 5 [Str] = 42
72 + 42 = 114 damage.

I'll assume for the purposes of barbarians not winning everything in the competition that the extra attack is not added. However, for powers with multiple attacks, are they all maximized?

[Random832]

The funny thing about that 4e vorpal - rerolling infinitely sounds impressive, but it's actually only 3.5 more average damage than 6d12 by itself.

[Yspoch]

I'll assume for the purposes of barbarians not winning everything in the competition that the extra attack is not added. However, for powers with multiple attacks, are they all maximized?

Hmm, I'll add the "normal" maxdamage from Banners attack and will write the maxdamage including the free basic attack in brackets. If someone manages to top the damage from just the Avalanche Strike I'll mention both in the table.

I'll answer your second question with a cautious "Yes?". I don't know what will come of it, but in the end this thread is especially made for insanly high numbers. So go for it!

[Blackdrop]

This is for encounter damage

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Billy, Lv. 1 Human Ranger
20 Str/10 Con/13 Dex/8 Int/13 Wis/10 Cha
Feats:
Superior Weapon Proficiency (War-Axe)
Lethal Hunter

Equipment:
(Main-Hand)+1 Magic War-Axe
(Off-Hand)+1 Vicious War-Axe

At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Damage:
Main-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 6 (Critical Bonus) = 24
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 8 (Hunter's Quarry) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 38


38 + 24 = 62 damage

Encounter Power: Off Hand Strike
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 30

62+30= 92 damage

Out of curiosity, why isn't there a Lvl. 15 bracket?

[Yspoch]

This is for encounter damage

Spoiler

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Billy, Lv. 1 Human Ranger
20 Str/10 Con/13 Dex/8 Int/13 Wis/10 Cha
Feats:
Superior Weapon Proficiency (War-Axe)
Lethal Hunter

Equipment:
(Main-Hand)+1 Magic War-Axe
(Off-Hand)+1 Vicious War-Axe

At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Damage:
Main-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 6 (Critical Bonus) = 24
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 8 (Hunter's Quarry) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 38


38 + 24 = 62 damage

Encounter Power: Off Hand Strike
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 30

62+30= 92 damage

Ah, interesting! But i believe we have to substract 10 points as Twin Strike does not add an attribute to the damage (if I'm not mistaken). I'll use the same method with the brackets as with the free basic attack from the barbarian class.

As such a dwarven ranger with the "dwarven weapon training"-feat might work even better!

Out of curiosity, why isn't there a Lvl. 15 bracket?

I guess there were more then enough categories already - I inserted the "Level 5"-categeroy because I'm personally interested (I'm playing a lvl 5 Drow Swordmage in an ongoing campaign at the moment) and because I thought it gives a "little" more flexibility in creating a character without being already in a Paragon-Path.

[warrl]

[QUOTE=Osiris_Shadowblade;6655056]This is for encounter damage

Spoiler

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Billy, Lv. 1 Human Ranger
20 Str/10 Con/13 Dex/8 Int/13 Wis/10 Cha
Feats:
Superior Weapon Proficiency (War-Axe)
Lethal Hunter

Equipment:
(Main-Hand)+1 Magic War-Axe
(Off-Hand)+1 Vicious War-Axe

At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Damage:
Main-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 6 (Critical Bonus) = 24
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 8 (Hunter's Quarry) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 38


38 + 24 = 62 damage

Encounter Power: Off Hand Strike
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 5 (Strength) + 1 (Enhancement) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 30

62+30= 92 damage

Twin Strike doesn't get Str bonus to damage.

[Yakk]

Encounter level 1, 85 damage (no barbarian crit extra attack)

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Bob, Lv. 1 Dwarf Ranger
18 Str/Whatever
Feats:
Dwarven Weapon Training

Equipment:
(Main-Hand)+1 Magic War-Axe
(Off-Hand)+1 Vicious War-Axe

At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Damage:
Main-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 1 (Enhancement) + 2 (feat) + 6 (Critical Bonus) = 21
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 2 (feat) + 1 (Enhancement) + 6 (Hunter's Quarry) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 33

Encounter Power: Off Hand Strike
Off-Hand= 12 (Weapon) + 4 (Strength) + 2 (feat) + 1 (Enhancement) + 12 (Critical Bonus) = 31

21+33+31=85 damage

[its_all_ogre]

level 1 dwarf ranger using jaws of the wolf daily and two waraxes with str 18 and dwarven weapon training feat.
one waraxe +1 one vicious waraxe+1

one hand 2d12 weapon +4 str +2feat +1enh +6 crit = 37
vicious hand 2d12 +4 +2 +1 +12 +6hq = 49

86 damage
throwing in the minor action melee basic attack on too (move action used to quarry foe as already in melee, don't know if this is allowed but)
d12+4+2+1+12= 31
117 total

(i had the above dwarf with craghammers in my game and he was BRUTAL! without criticals and this daily he was doing 50+ damage whenever he used it)

damn ninja'd!

[its_all_ogre]

goliath rageblood barbarian using encounter power avalanche strike with greataxe vicious enhancement 18 str/con HQ feat

3d12 damage +high crit +vicious+str+con +hq +enh 75

as someone said gets a free melee attack also crits(?) 41

(although i realise this is almost same build now i've typed it all up)

[Yakk]

Encounter, level 1, 123 damage.

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Dwarven Hybrid Ranger | Barbarian
18 str/whatever
Vicious Execution Axe +1
Magic Double Axe +1
Feat: Dwarven Weapon Training.

Starts with Execution Axe equipped.
Quarry target.
Devastating Strike: 12w+8p+4s+12c+1e+2d+12c = 51
Free attack from the crit: 12w+4s+12c+1e+2f+12c = 43

Drop axe. Draw Double Axe.
Off-hand strike: 10w+4s+6c+1e+2f+6q = 29

Damage Code: weapon, power, stat, crit, enhancement, feat, quarry

Total damage: 123

Meh, not enough. And requires a pre-quarried target. So...

[Big_Blue_Bear]

Level 1 Half-Orc Barbarian
Str 20
Con 14
Avalanche Strike
Furious Assault
Swift Charge
Howling Strike
+1 Vicious Fullblade (Not proficient, but dosen't matter with auto crit rule from challenge)
Power Attack

Avalanche Strike:
3d12[W]+5[STR]+2[CON]+1[Enhancement]+3[Power Attack]+12[Critcal Die]+1d12[High Crit]+1d12[Furious Assault]
So 36+5+2+1+3+12+12+12=83

RAMPAGE: Basic Melee Attack:
1d12[W]+5[STR]+1[Enhancement]+3[Power Attack]+]+12[Critcal Die]+1d12[High Crit]
So 12+5+1+3+12+12=45

If that drops enemy to 0 HP, Use Swift Charge:
Howling Strike:
1d12[W]+5[STR]+1[Enhancement]+3[Power Attack]+12[Critcal Die]+1d12[High Crit]+1d6[Power]
So 12+5+2+1+3+12+12+6=51

Damage output is either 83, 125 or 179 depending.

[oxinabox]

I had a lvl 1 Bugbear rogue that did 48 damage.
I'm in the process of rebuilding him.
He'll soon do far more but it'll be a lvl 8 build then.

[Yakk]

Level 1, per-encounter damage:
Half-Orc Barbarian|Ranger Hybrid level 1.
20 strength/whatever.
Feat: Quick Draw, Viscous Fullblade +1 and a +1 Double-Axe

(Note: not proficient with either weapon, but who cares!)

Barbarian at-will attack:
d12w+d8p+d12h+5s+1e+d12r+d12c = 62
Rampage:
d12w+5s+1e+d12h+d12c = 42
Drop axe, HQ target (minor), quickdraw a +1 double-axe as part of this attack:
Offhand blow (encounter ranger power):
d10w+d6q+5s+1e+d6c = 27
Total: 131

code:
r = racial furious assault
w = weapon die
c = crit die
h = high crit weapon
e = enhancement
s = stat (str here)
q = hunter's quarry
p = power bonus damage

For daily damage, use a 3[W] barbarian daily, and deal an extra 24 damage.
Total: 155

[Grynning]

This probably won't come close to winning for the 11th level encounter power division, but here goes:
Half Orc Tempest Fighter w str 22 at 11th, Shock Trooper PP (ups OH weaps by one die step)
Feats:
Sneak of Shadows, WP Katar, W Focus Light Blade, Backstabber, TWF, and Devastating Critical
MH Vicious Katar +3, OH magic Katar +3
Iron Armbands of Power

Shocking Twister (Shock Trooper Encounter Power)

MH Hit: 8 weap + 6 Str +3 Enhc + 2 Wp focus + 2 Tempest Technique + 2 Iron Armbands + 36 (crit) + 8 (high crit weap) + 10 (devastating Crit) +1 TWF = 78 Damage

OH Hit: 8 weap + 6 Str +3 Enhc + 2 Wp focus + 2 Tempest Technique + 2 Iron Armbands + 18 (crit) + 8 (high crit weap) + 10 (devastating Crit) = 59 damage

MH Hit: 8 weap + 6 Str +3 Enhc + 2 Wp focus + 2 Tempest Technique + 2 Iron Armbands + 36 (crit) + 8 (high crit weap) + 10 (devastating Crit) +1 TWF = 78 Damage

+ 24 Sneak attack once + 8 Furious assault

= 247 total damage

Edit: forgot to add TWF damage to MH hits

[Yspoch]

Hi all!

Thanks for your entries! I already began to fear that the topic was deemed to be to uninteresting! The table has been updated accordingly.

@Big_Blue_Bear: As the target in question has an arbitrarily high number of hitpoints, it is not ever reduced to 0. Sorry, no swift charge for you.

@Yakk: Are the rules for creating Hybrid-Characters already offical source-material? I've not added your entries in the table. They will be reconsidered as soon as i find out the "legal status" of them.

@oxinabox: You might want to submit an entry for the level 5 or 11 bracket then! I'm looking forward to it!

@Grynning: Thanks for providing a "number to beat" at the very least! I have absolutly no clue if your entry will be close to winning or not, but as there are so many options in the higher level brackets it seems people are reluctant at trying their hand at those categories. Good luck to you!
Tip: You could change the weapon proficiency feat. As others found out, it's no good for this competion altough it of course makes for a more "realistic" character concept.

Yspoch

PS: Please feel free to correct me when there is an error in the table in the first post - there are lots of numbers floating around, mistakes are easily made!

[Yakk]

@Yakk: Are the rules for creating Hybrid-Characters already offical source-material? I've not added your entries in the table. They will be reconsidered as soon as i find out the "legal status" of them.

They are at playtest level. Like the monk, or the artificer pre-eberonn player's guild.

[Don the Bastard]

Making my submission for highest 1st level at-will attack.

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B B, level 1
Bugbear, Rogue
Rogue Tactics: Brutal Scoundrel

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 11, Dex 17, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 11, Dex 15, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16.

FEATS
Level 1: Backstabber - Edit, swapping out for Warrior of the Wild

POWERS
Rogue at-will 1: Sly Flourish

ITEMS
Vicious Katar (Large) +1
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

Key notes: Dex, Str & Cha all at +3, Oversized weapon, Backstabber (Edit - Swapped for Warrior of the Wild) , Predatory eye, Vicious & High Crit Weapon.

Minor action: Predatory eye (+1d6 dam)
Standard action: Sly flourish

Damage: 1d8(Weapon) +3(Dex) +3(Cha) +2d6(Sneak Attack) +3(Str), +1d8 (High Crit), +1d12 (Vicious) +1(Enchantment) +1d6(Pred. Eye) +1d6 Hunter's Quarry = 62 points of damage. With thanks to Yakk for his optimising suggestion.

[Yakk]

Don, replace Backstabber with the feat that gives you ranger's HQ.

Gives you an extra 2 damage.