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  1. - Top - End - #31
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I got distracted by cats and left a towel too close to the flame, which caught fire, in the panic of the moment I threw the water I was boiling for the holy pasta of the day over it, and that resulted in a big "swoosh" flaming, burning hands style.




    I'll send a revised entry later then!

  2. - Top - End - #32
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by ciopo View Post
    I got distracted by cats and left a towel too close to the flame, which caught fire, in the panic of the moment I threw the water I was boiling for the holy pasta of the day over it, and that resulted in a big "swoosh" flaming, burning hands style.

    I'll send a revised entry later then!
    Cats are really creatures of the devil. Hope your home was safe and nothing happened.
    Last edited by Beni-Kujaku; 2021-05-05 at 05:01 AM.
    Resurrecting the Negative LA thread, comments and discussion are very welcome!

    Do you want to build monstrous characters with reasonable LA? Join the Monster Mash! Currently, round XII: One-Punch Monster!!! One deadly attack is all it takes!
    Nice find! Have a cookie!
    Searchable spreadsheet of 3.5 monsters by abilities, now with all online monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    3.5 allows you to optimize into godhood, yes, but far more importantly, it lets you optimize weak, weird, and niche options into relevance.

  3. - Top - End - #33
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    where do I go about asking a race clarification without spoiling my entry?, google-fu is failing me :(

  4. - Top - End - #34
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by ciopo View Post
    where do I go about asking a race clarification without spoiling my entry?, google-fu is failing me :(
    Private message to the Viscount. Or the RAW thread‚ but that is less subtle
    Resurrecting the Negative LA thread, comments and discussion are very welcome!

    Do you want to build monstrous characters with reasonable LA? Join the Monster Mash! Currently, round XII: One-Punch Monster!!! One deadly attack is all it takes!
    Nice find! Have a cookie!
    Searchable spreadsheet of 3.5 monsters by abilities, now with all online monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    3.5 allows you to optimize into godhood, yes, but far more importantly, it lets you optimize weak, weird, and niche options into relevance.

  5. - Top - End - #35
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I've got one build almost done (just gotta handle some formatting and nail down the final stats). I've got the class/feat structure for another build (and no, I don't understand how the hell I have two builds for this ridiculous ingredient) down and I love the fluff on that one, but I still have to finalize the skills and actually do a proper write-up, so that might be cutting it kind of close.

    I hate this ingredient and I'm having fun cooking despite it. Which I guess means that it's good? Kind of? In a sense?
    In the Beginning Was the Word, and the Word Was Suck: A Guide to Truenamers

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Roc View Post
    Gentlefolk, learn from Zaq's example, and his suffering. Remember, seven out of eleven players who use truenamer lose their ability to taste ice cream.
    My compiled Iron Chef stuff!

    ~ Gay all day, queer all year ~

  6. - Top - End - #36
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Thurbane's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I doubt I'll get an entry in, which is really disappointing for an ingredient I've been looking forward to.

    Work and other IRL factors mean I don't have much time to work on this.

  7. - Top - End - #37
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    The Viscount's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by Zaq View Post
    I hate this ingredient and I'm having fun cooking despite it. Which I guess means that it's good? Kind of? In a sense?
    Good, good, the years of Iron Chef have slowly made you into a Cenobite.
    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
    Awards

  8. - Top - End - #38
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Hiro Quester's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by Thurbane View Post
    I doubt I'll get an entry in, which is really disappointing for an ingredient I've been looking forward to.

    Work and other IRL factors mean I don't have much time to work on this.
    I’m in exactly the same situation. My job was a HUGE time-sink this week. It’s over, but I’m exhausted.

    It's disappointing all right. I’ve been looking forward to this ingredient. It would take all the spare time I have to get it baked, and I’m just not quite inspired enough to do that, when my whole system needs to rest.

    And my build idea is only half-baked at best. I can’t see myself having the energy and gumption for a hard-work day tomorrow figuring out how to bake the rest of these elements and the kernel of an idea I had for fluff.

    plus I have Vizinni’d myself slightly into thinking that this idea is obvious and other will probably do it better anyway.

    I’m a spectator on this one, then. Looking forward to seeing the results.
    Quote Originally Posted by danielxcutter View Post
    This. This sooooo much. I wasn't expecting *two* thread wins from you.
    Spoiler: Avatar & Iron Chef Awards
    Show
    Awesome Dragonfire Bard Avatar by Oneris. A detailed version is here.
    Iron Chef awards:
    IC C Swiftblade: Honorable Mention for Pahika Kanikani, the Wardancer
    IC CII Blade Dancer: Silver for Hu Tiaowu, the Jungle Guardian

  9. - Top - End - #39
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Both builds in. This class is a beautiful mess. Can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.
    In the Beginning Was the Word, and the Word Was Suck: A Guide to Truenamers

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Roc View Post
    Gentlefolk, learn from Zaq's example, and his suffering. Remember, seven out of eleven players who use truenamer lose their ability to taste ice cream.
    My compiled Iron Chef stuff!

    ~ Gay all day, queer all year ~

  10. - Top - End - #40
    Troll in the Playground
     
    WhamBamSam's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    If people need a little more time to get entries in, I certainly wouldn't mind an extension to finish up.

    Iron Chef Medals
    Spoiler
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    Sir Driscoll Conia - Silver - IC L

    Nick Snarespan - Gold - IC LIII

    Lucy "Legs" Silvertail - Bronze - IC LXVIII

    Bolfarg of Knoss - Gold - IC LXXVII

    Ivarr Deathborn - Bronze - IC LXXVII

    Ahmtel - Silver - IC LXXVIII

    Tocke of Nessus - Gold - IC LXXIX

    The Blessed Third - Silver - IC LXXXI

    Galahad Galapagos - Gold - IC LXXXIV

    Sai-don, Knight of the Tide - Bronze - IC LXXXIV

  11. - Top - End - #41
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    The Viscount's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    You got it.
    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
    Awards

  12. - Top - End - #42
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Khatoblepas's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Thanks so much, I just need to write up some stuff about my entry and I'll get it right in. I'm pretty pleased with what I have. It's not powerful, but it's fun.

  13. - Top - End - #43
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I submitted a build, but I disguised it in another chefs style. Use your watch detective skills to figure it out! May pazuzu save us.

  14. - Top - End - #44
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    Griffon

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I had build ideas to give the detective some high level casting to stay relevant, but it wouldn't fit that well in the overall style. As such it would utterly miss the point, as there wouldn't be any synergy with the class features.

    It becomes for me this question: "Why using the Watch Detective, if you could do a more functional X build?"
    Last edited by ThanatosZero; 2021-05-10 at 08:34 AM.

  15. - Top - End - #45
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Has any poor schmuck signed up to judge this abomination yet?
    In the Beginning Was the Word, and the Word Was Suck: A Guide to Truenamers

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Roc View Post
    Gentlefolk, learn from Zaq's example, and his suffering. Remember, seven out of eleven players who use truenamer lose their ability to taste ice cream.
    My compiled Iron Chef stuff!

    ~ Gay all day, queer all year ~

  16. - Top - End - #46
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    H_H_F_F volunteered to judge

  17. - Top - End - #47
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    GnomePirate

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    That I have. I hope I'll be able to - there's some [IRL POLITICS REDACTED] going on right this moment, and on the (in my opinion very slim) chance it devolves to a war or another event requiring mass deployment, I'll probably be unable to complete the judgement.
    Screaming defiance with the last breath

    It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.


    My judgments and medals!

    The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!

    Song, Sword, and Sorcery: my 5E homebrew half-caster bard (Version 2.0!)

  18. - Top - End - #48
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by ThanatosZero View Post
    It becomes for me this question: "Why using the Watch Detective, if you could do a more functional X build?"
    That's a question for a lot of classes in 3.5.


    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    That I have. I hope I'll be able to - there's some [IRL POLITICS REDACTED] going on right this moment, and on the (in my opinion very slim) chance it devolves to a war or another event requiring mass deployment, I'll probably be unable to complete the judgement.
    Thank you very much for your service! Hope there won't be too much problems in the near future
    Last edited by Beni-Kujaku; 2021-05-10 at 11:13 AM.

  19. - Top - End - #49
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomePirate

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by Beni-Kujaku View Post
    Thank you very much for your service!
    Really don't think we're from the same country, but thanks for the sentiment
    Besides, I'm not a soldier in active duty, there are reserve duty systems in place. But we're getting off topic.

    Hope there won't be too much problems in the near future
    Amen.
    Screaming defiance with the last breath

    It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.


    My judgments and medals!

    The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!

    Song, Sword, and Sorcery: my 5E homebrew half-caster bard (Version 2.0!)

  20. - Top - End - #50
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    Really don't think we're from the same country, but thanks for the sentiment
    Besides, I'm not a soldier in active duty, there are reserve duty systems in place. But we're getting off topic.
    The "service" I was talking about was as a judge ^^
    Resurrecting the Negative LA thread, comments and discussion are very welcome!

    Do you want to build monstrous characters with reasonable LA? Join the Monster Mash! Currently, round XII: One-Punch Monster!!! One deadly attack is all it takes!
    Nice find! Have a cookie!
    Searchable spreadsheet of 3.5 monsters by abilities, now with all online monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    3.5 allows you to optimize into godhood, yes, but far more importantly, it lets you optimize weak, weird, and niche options into relevance.

  21. - Top - End - #51
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomePirate

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by Beni-Kujaku View Post
    The "service" I was talking about was as a judge ^^
    Oh man, that makes sense. IRL Context made it confusing.
    Screaming defiance with the last breath

    It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.


    My judgments and medals!

    The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!

    Song, Sword, and Sorcery: my 5E homebrew half-caster bard (Version 2.0!)

  22. - Top - End - #52
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    GnomeWizardGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    The wait is unbearable :D

    Anyone with me ?

  23. - Top - End - #53
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    Venger's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    I'm excited to see what everyone has cooked.
    I've got a new fantasy TTRPG about running your own fencing school in a 3 musketeers pastiche setting. Book coming soon.

    Check out my NEW sci-fi TTRPG about first contact. Cool alien races, murderous AIs, and more. New expansion featuring rules for ships! New book here NOW!

    Quote Originally Posted by weckar View Post
    Venger, can you be my full-time memory aid please?
    Iron Chef Medals!
    Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition

  24. - Top - End - #54
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    It was a dark night, a cold night, a dark cold night. All detective apprentice were wandering about, waiting for their build to be judged. Like the drops of rain, falling in random places, so did everybody around. It was announced, yes. Each of them knew that there was a new judge. Yet, that only made the longing even more heavy on their conscience. Eyes darting to each other, the apprentices didn't dare engage a conversation. And so the night passed, ever colder, ever darker. But as the dawn came about, everyone turned their eyes to it. A flagrant violation of the procedure. But even I did. I understood what it meant immediately. As much as there would always be new crimes to solve, there would always be one more day after the night, one more round to optimize, one more build to submit. The dawn told me: "be patient". And even if it was against the procedure, I watched it a little longer.
    Resurrecting the Negative LA thread, comments and discussion are very welcome!

    Do you want to build monstrous characters with reasonable LA? Join the Monster Mash! Currently, round XII: One-Punch Monster!!! One deadly attack is all it takes!
    Nice find! Have a cookie!
    Searchable spreadsheet of 3.5 monsters by abilities, now with all online monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    3.5 allows you to optimize into godhood, yes, but far more importantly, it lets you optimize weak, weird, and niche options into relevance.

  25. - Top - End - #55
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Quote Originally Posted by Paragon View Post
    The wait is unbearable :D

    Anyone with me ?
    I mean, yeah, but the wait for the judge is always even longer.

    Not gonna lie, though, I'm totally excited too! This ingredient was an absolute bastard to cook with so I'm really interested to see what kinds of phenomenally weird directions people took it.
    In the Beginning Was the Word, and the Word Was Suck: A Guide to Truenamers

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Roc View Post
    Gentlefolk, learn from Zaq's example, and his suffering. Remember, seven out of eleven players who use truenamer lose their ability to taste ice cream.
    My compiled Iron Chef stuff!

    ~ Gay all day, queer all year ~

  26. - Top - End - #56
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    The Viscount's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    The wait is over! The reveal is now! (please hold off on posting until the all clear)
    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
    Awards

  27. - Top - End - #57
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    The Viscount's Avatar

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    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Not to be confused with the Vin Diesel film.

    Quote Originally Posted by Semloh Kcolrehs
    Semloh Kcolrehs, Detective Pacifier
    "With great power comes great responsibility"


    LG Human Urban Ranger1/Knight4/Watch Detective2/Apostle of Peace2/Watch Detective10/Apostle of Peace5

    Spoiler: Overview
    Show


    Spoiler: Feat Summary
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    Race Human
    Level 1 : Sacred Vow, Vow of Poverty (Human), Urban Tracking (Urban Ranger), Nymph’s Kiss (Exalted)
    Level 2 : Intuitive Attack (Exalted)
    Level 3 : Goad, Mounted Combat (Knight)
    Level 4 : Vow of Non-Violence (Exalted)
    Level 6 : Combat Reflexes, Vow of Peace (Exalted)
    Level 7 : Combat Expertise (Watch Detective)
    Level 8 : Gift of Discernment (Exalted)
    Level 9 : Dodge
    Level 10 : Nemesis (Exalted)
    Level 12 : Karmic Strike, Nimbus of Light (Exalted)
    Level 14 : Exalted Turning (Exalted)
    Level 15 : Robilar’s Gambit
    Level 16 : Touch of Golden Ice (Exalted)
    Level 18 : Hold the Line, Defender of the Homeland (Exalted)
    Level 20 : Servant of the Heavens (Exalted)


    Spoiler: Point Buy
    Show

    Race : Human
    Point Buy level 20
    (Level 4 to Dexterity, 8, 12, 16 & 20 to Charisma)
    Exalted Adjustments :
    7th +2 Cha, 11th +2Cha & Wis, 15th +2 Cha, Wis & Int, 19th +2 Cha, Wis, Int & Con
    STR 8
    DEX 13
    CON 16
    INT 18
    WIS 20
    CHA 28


    Watchuget
    A Beautiful mess for sure.

    Flavorwise : You’re the ultimate peacekeeper. Kind of a Superman feeling, you have the ability to overcome anything big bad and angry dudes throw at you and, as such, you have the integrity to use your powers to de-escalate any situations. First time a character might be able to make peace (instead of the usual “destroy evil until it looks peaceful enough”) rest upon the lands of D&D.
    Fun Fact : Henry Cavill has played Superman in The Man of Steel and Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes. So the crossover exists !

    Powerwise : You find a suspect, use your boosted taunt DCs (Test of Mettle & Goad) to make him attack you, which constitutes a crime, then you appease him with Calm Emotions, Enthrall, Pacifying Touch, … and arrest him.
    All of this is described in The De-Escalation Technique (see Combo Section below).
    Once that is done you have a legitimate reason to interrogate him and the means to make him talk : your social skills and bonuses are insanely packed (Nymph’s Kiss, WD class features, the Vows bonuses, skill synergies) so if we assume you can take 20 on your interrogation, you’ll know what you need to know.

    Skillwise : The SI and Urban Ranger are 6+Int, AoP is 4+Int leaving only the Knight 2+Int being a stain here. You’re human (+23 pts), you get Nymph’s kiss at 1st level (+20 pts), you get 14 Int (16 at 15th and 18 at 19th) for a total of 209 points spent.
    Boosts from Vows (+6 to Diplomacy), Nymph’s Kiss +2 to Cha related checks mixed with this juicy skill list makes you quite the diplomancer.
    The Investigation Technique (Combo Section also) is also a good display of how this build makes it really hard to escape you.

    Vows & codes :
    So looking at the SI and AV’s first comment that this class wasn’t allowed to do what it should be able to, it reminded me of a couple of classes with similar problems namely Knight and Apostle of Peace. If you’re going to be your own worst enemy, might as well do it to the fullest right ?
    This build includes 3 severely binding vows and 2 different and strict Codes of Conduct and still manages to do crazy things.
    Fyi, there is another version of this possible where you get into Prestige Paladin (another Oath) and then Gray Guard to get Sacrament of Trust but more about it in the Discussion Section.

    Sweet Spot
    Level 12 : Karmic Strike is a very important part for the De-escalation Technique (see Combo Section). You can also finally strike without the -4 penalty for non-lethal damage which is basically a +4 to-hit. You get your second ability enhancement, decent AC and Nemesis which makes you a hunting hound for the Moriart Sect.
    Level 15 gets Robilar’s Gambit which is the 3rd step of the De-escalation Technique, so second Sweet Spot definitely.


    Spoiler: Build
    Show

    Spoiler: Table
    Show

    Level Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features Ascetic Bonuses
    1st Urban Ranger 1 +1 +2 +2 +0 Concentration 4, Gather Information 4, Knowledge (Local 4), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 1, Search 4, Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Sacred Vow, Vow of Poverty (Human), Urban Tracking (Urban Ranger), Nymph’s Kiss (Exalted) Urban Tracking, Wild Empathy, Favored Enemy AC Bonus +4, Bonus Exalted Feat
    2nd Knight 1 +2 +2 +2 +2 Concentration 4, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 4 (+4), Knowledge (Local 4), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 1, Search 5 (+2), Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Intuitive Attack Knight’s Challenge, Knight’s Code Bonus Exalted Feat
    3rd Knight 2 +3 +2 +2 +3 Concentration 4, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 6 (+2), Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 2 (+2)), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 1, Search 6 (+2), Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Goad, Mounted Combat Mounted Combat, Shield Block AC Bonus +5, Endure Elements
    4th Knight 3 +4 +3 +3 +3 Concentration 4, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 7 (+1), Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 5 (+3)), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 1, Search 7 (+2), Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Vow of Non-Violence (Exalted) Bulwark of Defense Exalted Strike +1 (magic), Bonus Exalted Feat
    5th Knight 4 +5 +3 +3 +4 Concentration 4, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 8 (+1), Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4 (+3), Search 8 (+2), Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 - Armor Mastery, Test of Mettle Sustenance
    6th Watch Detective 1 +5 +3 +5 +6 Concentration 9 (+5), Diplomacy 5 (+5), Gather Information 4, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 8, Sense Motive 4, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Combat Reflexes, Vow of Peace (Exalted) City Watch Training AC Bonus +8, Deflection +3, Bonus Exalted Feat
    7th Watch Detective 2 +6 +3 +6 +7 Concentration 10 (+1), Diplomacy 10 (+5), Gather Information 7 (+3), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 8, Sense Motive 5 (+1), Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Combat Expertise Expertise, Obsessive Speciality, Profile Resistance +1, Ability Score Enhancement +2 (Cha)
    8th Apostle of Peace 1 +6 +5 +8 +9 Concentration 11 (+1), Diplomacy 11 (+1), Gather Information 10 (+3), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 4, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 11 (+3), Sense Motive 5, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Gift of Discernment (Exalted) Spells, Spontaneous Casting, Turn Undead Natural Armor +3, Mind Shielding, Bonus Exalted Feat
    9th Apostle of Peace 2 +7 +6 +9 +10 Bluff 3 (+3), Concentration 12 (+1), Diplomacy 12 (+1), Gather Information 11 (+1), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 5 (+1), Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 12 (+1), Sense Motive 5, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Dodge Pacifying Touch AC Bonus +9
    10th Watch Detective 3 +8 +7 +9 +10 Bluff 9 (+6), Concentration 13 (+1), Diplomacy 13 (+1), Gather Information 12 (+1), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 13 (+1), Sense Motive 5, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Nemesis (Exalted) Cooperative Interrogation, Superior Disarming Exalted Strike +2 (Good), DR 5/magic, Bonus Exalted Feat
    11th Watch Detective 4 +9 +7 +10 +11 Bluff 14 (+5), Concentration 14 (+1), Diplomacy 14 (+1), Gather Information 14 (+2), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 14 (+1), Sense Motive 5, Spot 4, Use Rope 4 - Deductive Augury 1/day, Skill Synergy (Diplomacy-Gather Information) Ability Score Enhancement +4 (Cha)/+2 (Wis)
    12th Watch Detective 5 +9 +7 +10 +11 Bluff 15 (+1), Concentration 15 (+1), Diplomacy 15 (+1), Gather Information 15 (+1), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 15 (+1), Sense Motive 10 (+5), Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Karmic Strike, Nimbus of Light (Exalted) No Subdual Penalty, Sense Secret Doors AC Bonus +10, Deflection +4, Greater Sustenance, Bonus Exalted Feat
    13th Watch Detective 6 +10 +8 +11 +12 Bluff 16 (+1), Concentration 16 (+1), Diplomacy 16 (+1), Gather Information 16 (+1), Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 16 (+1), Sense Motive 15 (+5), Spot 4, Use Rope 4 - Locate Object Resistance +2, Energy Resistance 5
    14th Watch Detective 7 +11 +8 +11 +12 Bluff 17 (+1), Concentration 17 (+1), Diplomacy 17 (+1), Gather Information 17 (+1), Intimidate 11 (+3), Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 17 (+1), Sense Motive 17 (+2), Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Exalted Turning (Exalted) Deductive Augury 2/day, Improved Subdual Exalted strike +3, Freedom of Movement, Bonus Exalted Feat
    15th Watch Detective 8 +12 +8 +12 +13 Bluff 18 (+1), Concentration 18 (+1), Diplomacy 18 (+1), Gather Information 18 (+1), Intimidate 16 (+5), Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 4, Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 18 (+1), Sense Motive 18 (+1), Spot 4, Use Rope 4 Robilar’s Gambit Forensics AC bonus +11, Ability Score Enhancement +6/+4/+2, DR 5/evil
    16th Watch Detective 9 +12 +9 +12 +13 Bluff 19 (+1), Concentration 19 (+1), Diplomacy 19 (+1), Gather Information 19 (+1), Intimidate 19 (+3), Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 5 (+1), Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 19 (+1), Sense Motive 19 (+1), Spot 5 (+1), Use Rope 4 Touch of Golden Ice (Exalted) Discern Lies, Locate Creature Natural Armor +4, Bonus Exalted Feat
    17th Watch Detective 10 +13 +9 +13 +14 Bluff 20 (+1), Concentration 19, Diplomacy 20 (+1), Gather Information 20 (+1), Intimidate 20 (+1), Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 8 (+3), Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 20 (+1), Sense Motive 20 (+1), Spot 7 (+2), Use Rope 4 - Deductive Augury 3/day, Instant Knowledge Exalted strike +4, Resistance +3, Regeneration
    18th Apostle of Peace 3 +13 +9 +13 +14 Bluff 21 (+1), Concentration 19, Diplomacy 21 (+1), Gather Information 21 (+1), Intimidate 20, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 10 (+2), Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 21 (+1), Sense Motive 21 (+1), Spot 9 (+2), Use Rope 4 Hold the Line, Defender of the Homeland (Exalted) - AC Bonus +12, Deflection +5, True Seeing, Bonus Exalted Feat
    19th Apostle of Peace 4 +14 +10 +14 +15 Bluff 22 (+1), Concentration 19, Diplomacy 22 (+1), Gather Information 22 (+1), Intimidate 20, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 12 (+2), Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 22 (+1), Sense Motive 22 (+1), Spot 12 (+3), Use Rope 4 - Censure Fiends Ability Score Enhancement +8/+6/+4/+2, DR 10/evil
    20th Apostle of Peace 5 +14 +10 +14 +15 Bluff 23 (+1), Concentration 19, Diplomacy 23 (+1), Gather Information 23 (+1), Intimidate 20, Knowledge (Local 5, Nobility 5), Listen 15 (+3), Hide 4, Ride 4, Search 23 (+1), Sense Motive 23 (+1), Spot 14 (+2), Use Rope 4 Servant of the Heavens (Exalted) - Exalted strike +5, Energy Resistance 15, Bonus Exalted Feat


    Spoiler: Spells
    Show

    At Level 20, Bonus from Wis (+2 to 1st, +1 to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th)
    Spells per Day
    Level 0th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
    1st - - - - - -
    2nd - - - - - -
    3rd - - - - - -
    4th - - - - - -
    5th - - - - - -
    6th - - - - - -
    7th - - - - - -
    8th 4 4 - - - -
    9th 5 5 1 - - -
    10th 5 5 1 - - -
    11th 5 5 1 - - -
    12th 5 5 1 - - -
    13th 5 5 1 - - -
    14th 5 5 1 - - -
    15th 5 5 1 - - -
    16th 5 5 1 - - -
    17th 5 5 1 - - -
    18th 5 5 2 1 - -
    19th 6 5 3 2 1 -
    20th 6 5 4 3 2 1



    Spoiler: Level Breakdown
    Show


    Spoiler: Level 1 – 5
    Show

    Semloh Kcolrehs comes from a poor working class family. His parents were high-ranking diplomats at the court in the days of yore but they chose to abandon what they felt was a lustful way of life to go back to simpler and more humble tasks.
    Having grown in this educated and minimalistic atmosphere, Semloh Kcolrehs is brainier, wiser and especially more eloquent than his entourage and uses all of his abilities for good. Tracking down children abducted by the Moriart Sect, his mortal enemy, is his specialty and he is known as his neighborhood’s Guardian Angel.
    To his parents’ despair, he admires the brave Knights of the Royal Guard and eventually applies to become one of them.
    He is a weird duck, having made sacred vows of poverty and non-violence, he is the only Knight without his shining armor or eye-catching mount. To him, the strength of Knights stem from their strict moral code and permanent honing through new challenges.
    He is still able to hold his own in a fight if needs be, but he favors the sap and wise attacks to defeat his opponents without endangering their life.
    Spoiler: QuickCrunch
    Show

    Social skills are good to avoid fights from even starting, Nymph’s Kiss is strong with Gather Information, Intimidate, Diplomacy (untrained but still +11), Bluff (untrained).
    During fights, not many can avoid his challenges, and even if they do, Goad can take over. Full BaB, Intuitive Strike and Exalted Strike help him hit and deal his non-lethal damage, wearing down his opponents while unimpaired by armor yet having some AC. He is not the best at what he does but he manages.
    We grab Test of Mettle, we’re ready for the SI.



    Spoiler: Level 5 – 10
    Show

    Semloh Kcolrehs realises his education makes him both less effective as a Knight and more efficient when he uses his mind. He leaves the Knight Corps and tries to find a more suitable occupation. His knowledge of the city as well as his deference to hierarchy and strong sense of justice lead him straight to the city watch. After a few interactions with the higher ups (and a word from his former chief who had taken a liking to him) he gets assigned to the Detective Watchforce.
    His background makes it so his city training goes fast. He is a born profiler, specialises in local rumors about the Moriart Sect and impresses the rest of the force by his combat expertise.
    During all this training period, he is hit with an epiphany : the power of peace.
    He realizes that the harsher the laws he abides by, the more helping he is to those around him. He furthers his vows to better match his newfound inner peace so much in fact that he becomes an apostle of it whose touch can bring order to chaos.
    A divine Gift of Discernment allows him to know beforehand whether a chosen path of actions he is considering is aligned with his moral Code.
    Spoiler: QuickCrunch
    Show

    He is a face like no other : maxed out Diplomacy, +2 from Bluff, Knowledge (Nobility), Sense Motive, Nymph’s Kiss and Sacred Vow, +4 from VoPeace, +4 from Cha makes a sweet +31 at level 10 : with a roll of 4 or more, you get people from hostile to friendly.
    We’re getting ready for the Sweet Spot with feat taxes such as Combat Reflexes and Dodge which stack with AC (VoPeace adds +2 to AC bonuses from VoPoverty) meaning at level 10 : +9 to Exalted AC, +3 to Deflection AC, +3 to Natural Armor AC, +1 Dodge, +5 Combat Expertise & 1 from Dex for a total of 22, butt-naked AC. A successful Demoralize Opponent shakens them, giving you a virtual +2 to AC but we don’t want it too high, we’ll see why. Fun addition, people attacking you risk breaking their weapons even though having this based off Con makes it less likely to happen, but it’s free and can save a lot of trouble.


    Pacifying touch is the real winner at these levels ; no save, no SR on a melee touch attack. You can now start de-escalating conflicts so you can use your social skills to win the game.
    Apostle of Peace fast casting progression gives us 2nd level spells in 2 levels ! Most of which are really useful to further the cause (see Spell section below).
    Also, the Rule of Evidence can be followed as long as you Test of Mettle anyone you suspect but can’t interrogate just yet. Once they attack, you will pacify them, one way or another ; VoPeace Aura, Pacifying Touch, Calm Emotions and Enthrall are all good candidates. Attacking an officer of the law is a crime, meaning you can take him in for questioning.
    VoNon-violence boosts Knight’s Challenge, Goad, the VoPeace Aura and our spells (compensating the low-levels somewhat) by +4, while VoPoverty starts (lvl 7) boosting our Charisma… Good luck making dem DCs.



    Spoiler: Level 10 – 15
    Show

    Having had this epiphany, Semloh Kcolrehs is more determined than ever to save the innocents from the claws of the Moriart Sect which he now considers his Nemesis. He spends his waking hours training and developing his own path to fighting Evil and he starts to rely more and more on his karma and makes more daring gambles. As time goes by, he feels the favor of the Gods watching over him as he is the conduit of their will in the realm of mortals.
    Spoiler: QuickCrunch
    Show

    Finally Karmic Strike comes online, followed by Robilar’s Gambit and this is gravy, see the De-Escalation Technique down in Combo Section.
    Socials skills are maxed out, synergies fly out everywhere so much in fact that we can bridge the gap from Helpful to Fanatic pre-epic with a roll of 13 or more. The pep talks to your team before going on an operation or the witnesses from a crime become really intense about helping you (even though you need to stay more than 20ft away from them at all times).



    Spoiler: Level 15 – 20
    Show

    The Moriart Sect is on the verge of being defeated, Semloh Kcolrehs has arrested most of their members and all that are left are the vilest fiends he needs to censure. The Gods grant him divine knowledge instantly when needed about his enemies weaknesses.
    His Golden Ice Touch is their bane, he is bathed in light and can turn the undead minions they send his way to greater effect. Furthermore, now that he knows their leader’s name, he can locate him and track him down to expel him back to the plane he came from.
    Getting rid of this scourge makes the Heavens acknowledge him as their Servant.
    Spoiler: QuickCrunch
    Show

    Finishing strong
    More Apostle means more spells up to 5th level with things like Commune, Plane Shift, Raise Dead, Atonement, Break Enchantment etc. making him a decent if not full, spellcaster.
    His ability enhancements got his Cha pumped that means his Test of Mettle, Goad, VoPeace Aura and social skills’ DCs are getting out of hand.
    The De-Escalation and Investigation Technique are capturing criminals by the buttload (Hold the Line is a nice addition)
    Oh and continuous True Seeing, Regeneration (sadly the stupid little brother), DR and the last Exalted feats come online preparing Semloh Kcolrehs for Godhood.




    Spoiler: Spells
    Show

    0th : Guidance, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light
    1st : Command, Comprehend Languages, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Detect Evil
    2nd : AId, Augury, Eagle’s Splendor, Enthrall, Calm Emotions, Ease Pain
    3rd : Helpful Hand, Remove X line, Blessed Sight, Magic Circle against Evil
    4th : Divination, Death Ward, Dismissal, Restoration
    5th : Atonement, Break Enchantment, Greater Command, Commune, Mark of Justice, Plane Shift, Raise Dead, Sacred Guardian, Scrying


    Spoiler: Item
    Show

    - Hide Shield (Sandstorm p.99) : Urban Ranger/Knight give us Shield Proficiency and this is good because you can get total cover with it. See The De-escalation Technique.

    - From a sap to avoid dealing damage at early levels without the -4 penalty to a Greathammer after level 12 (you get Improved Sudual from WD).

    - Reading the Manuals & Tomes that give stat enhancements, should be fair game and “inherent bonuses” stack with your VoPoverty “enhancement bonuses” so have at it. The one you really want are :
    Manual of Quickness of Action +5 for more AC and more AoOs.
    Tome of Leadership and Influence +5 for boosting everything you’re already good at.


    Spoiler: Combos
    Show

    Is it alive ?
    no : this is your moment, you can unleash mayhem upon thee, finally
    yes : you can’t hurt it

    Does it want to hurt anyone ?
    no : we’re guchy
    yes : see The De-escalation Technique

    Do you suspect it of anything ?
    no : you could use a beer and the Investigation Technique
    yes : make them want to hurt you with Test of Mettle then see De-escalation Technique

    Spoiler: The De-escalation Technique
    Show

    Test of Mettle + the good ol’ “duck n cover” + VoPeace aura
    You taunt them (100ft radius Test of Mettle and if that fails Goad as a backup),
    You hide (using the Bluff skill to create a diversion then get total cover),
    They mad
    Can’t range attack you (no LoS), so all they have left to do is to cast AoE spells blindly to where you might be or come and rough you up in person… and walk into the VoPeace Aura (high Cha & DC +4 thanks to Vow of Non-violence), leaving their hate and rage at the door.
    Another fun trick is having them at the edge of your VoP Aura and using twice your movement to force them in and out of the aura as much as possible, triggering a new save everytime

    If that fails
    Pacifying Touch + Karmic Strike + Hold the Line
    They managed to be next to you and still angry they will try to hit you. You lowered your AC by 4 so they should manage and, just before they do, you get a “There There” attempt on them. You have a full BaB from Urban Ranger & Knight and Intuitive Strike with a nice Wisdom so a melee touch attack should be right up your alley. If you hit, they chill out instantly, no SR, no save, meaning if you touch them, they’re de-escalated and ready for interrogation.
    An attack of opportunity "interrupts" the normal flow of actions in the round. If an attack of opportunity is provoked, immediately resolve the attack of opportunity, then continue
    .
    If you fail, they hit you and might break their weapon against your VoPeace Aura which should take them down a notch. Anyway, if they insist, you can try to AoO again “Dex” times (drinking potions of Cat’s Grace is both nice and allowed).
    Late game, if they charge you, let’em. First save for getting into the Aura, then you get one AoO when they get in melee range and then one when they attack.

    If that fails
    Robilar’s Gambit + Pacifying Touch + Calm Emotions
    So you’re in melee with people that saved against the peace aura’s high DC and either failed to hit you or you did.
    All you have to do is move your speed among them, hell you can even cast non-defensively (Calm Emotions or Enthrall DCs are boosted by VoNon-violence) triggering AoOs, and try and pacify them again.

    If that fails
    Roll another character sheet man, the dice Gods have spoken.


    Spoiler: The Investigation Technique
    Show

    1) Go fish
    You aren’t completely omniscient so you must set out to find what’s been going on in the city.
    Enter the Knowledge (local) (+WD level from Obsessive Specialty and, late game, Instant Knowledge) and Gather Information (+2 synergy from Knowledge (local), +2 Nymph’s Kiss, +2 Skill Synergy (Diplomacy - Gather Information))

    2) Social shenanigans
    i) Okay so before you even start interrogating people, you’re pretty much everyone’s BFF. Diplomacy is maxed, you get the 3 synergy bonuses from Bluff, Knowledge (Nobility) and Sense Motive, the respective +2 (perfection) and +4 (exalted) from Sacred Vow & VoPeace, the Skill Synergy (Diplomacy - Gather Information) and the +2 from Nymph’s Kiss (that’s +16).
    ii) Bluff and Sense Motive comes in a bit later, with the experience of the job, but helps you adapt to situations, getting innuendos across for instance or see through falsehood before you can flat out Discern Lies.
    The Favored Enemy organization brings an appreciated +2 Bluff, Sense Motive, Listen, Spot checks against members of the Moriart Sect that stacks with the City Watch Training’s.
    iii) Intimidate as last resort in case your diplomatic intercessions previously failed (+2 from Bluff and Nymph’s Kiss).

    3) Once a relationship is established, you have options.
    i) Use your Urban Tracking to find the witnesses of the deed and question them so as to have your Profile and Deductive Augury running to pinpoint a suspect.
    ii) Use Urban Tracking to find said person of interest directly or, if pressed by time, Locate Creature or the Helping Hand spell should do the trick.
    iii) Find out where the person of interest lives and get a warrant (given the medieval fantasy of D&D, your standing as a lawman is probably enough but you never know) to investigate the place with your awesome Search, Detect Secret Doors, Locate Object and Forensics.

    4) The end
    You’ve found your suspect.
    First, drown him in your social skills until he admits willingly to have commited the wrongful deed.
    If by some sort of miracle he resists you, Test of Mettle his a** and use the De-escalation Technique (see above).
    Now, attacking an officer of the law is a serious crime that will get you taken into custody for further questioning.
    Find anyone friendly (or even indifferent), talk to them for a full-minute (ranks+18 Diplomacy if they are Good aligned).
    Now that they’re helpful, you can conduct a Cooperative Interrogation, to make your prisoner spill the beans on the matter you’re looking into. Of course Discern Lies helps you a ton in these situations and even if you’re out, Sense Motive can take over.
    So you have arrested a dangerous criminal mastermind/demon, the streets are safer thanks to you, bask in your glory.



    Spoiler: Discussion & Sources
    Show

    - Pacifying Touch & melee touch attack.
    I see it as a melee touch attack with a permanently charged “Calm Emotion” spell as a Shocking Grasp would work. If so, it is eligible for AoOs and the fun is on.
    Also, if it is not considered an “armed” attack (as would a touch spell) then you start off an infinite loop of AoO as long as the protagonists have some left (Combat Reflexes & Cat’s Grace potion or buff helps).

    - Hide Shield and VoPoverty.
    I feel it should be allowed since simple weapons are. If you want RAW stupidity you can add spikes on the shield and say it’s a weapon…
    Anyways, if it’s not ok for your DM, pick up a table, a tree trunk or whatever that can shield you from a fireball.

    - Urban Tracking counting for Track
    The lore just feels like this is what they tried to do before the Urban Tracking ACF came online. All through the PrC, features give bonuses to skills that aren’t Ranger class but are Urban Ranger ones.
    If that wasn’t enough to convince you, try to picture a Watch Detective doing his job in the wild, that ought to do it.

    - In the Urban Ranger Favored Enemy class feature, it is said that, at the DM’s discretion, you can have a chosen organization count as such, meaning all their members as Favored Enemy. Then Nemesis comes online at 12th level meaning tracking members of your town mafia just got a lot easier.

    - Fun Fact : Getting into Gray Guard for the Sacrament of Trust is doable (my original build went this way with prestige paladin at 18 & 19 then Gray Guard at 20) and is really nice IF you consider the Codes of Conduct of all those classes & vows as one Code being the melding of all of them.
    To the point, if Semloh Kcolrehs’ Code of Conduct is a mix of VoPoverty, VoNon-violence, VoPeace, Knight’s Code, Rule of Evidence, Apostle of Peace and Prestige Paladin then the Sacrament of Trust works and gives him some leeway, Gods know he needs some.

    - Touch of Golden Ice is fair game according to RAW
    the powers of good have their own answer to poison and disease: ravages and afflictions
    Vow of Peace says
    You may not deal real damage or ability damage to such creatures through spells or weapons
    which Golden Touch isn’t. You can always use the Ease Pain Spell until they drop on the group, incapacitated at 0 Dex.

    Spoiler: “What happens when you’re caught with your pants down ?” Zaq
    Show

    Problem n°1 : Reach.
    If you can’t touch them, it’s annoying but then you reread the VoPeace Aura and realise, joke’s on them. Each and every time they enter/leave your aura (20ft.) they have to save against the DC.
    Now, Reach in the 10 to 20ft, you just step forward and backward, boosting your AC with Combat Expertise, Demoralize Opponent (Intimidate) and Dodge, and make’em save everytime.
    Reach over 20ft, any sane DM would say they “enter” the Aura to hit you meaning they need to save on every strike they make. (Don’t tell me about weapons over 20ft long. If that’s a thing they shouldn’t call for a Detective…)

    Problem n°2 : Immunity to mind affecting
    1) Your Code allows you to destroy things that are undead and constructs explicitly so that’s alright so plants and oozes should be legal game as well.
    2) Vermins, Feytouched, Half-Feys and the likes have this immunity but that is very niche
    3) Your own personal BBEG is the Mindblank ability.
    You have few ways of dealing with these situations, if they’re Evil you get Dispel Evil and Touch of Golden Ice. If not, you got your silver tongue skills (coupled with a Sanctuary, we never know, they might fail the DC) for a minute to turn them friendly.
    Antimagic Field is an 8th level spell, meaning you need 3 more levels of AoP, eating up the SI but that would make you able to deal with this god-awful spell. Might as well make it 4 levels to get Miracle.
    Oh and since that wasn’t enough, you can’t “Locate Creature” on a Mindblank user… But here your Gather Information and Profile ability ought to do the trick.


    Sources :
    Player’s Handbook – Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes
    Player’s Handbook II - Knight, Robilar’s Gambit
    Spell Compendium - Spells
    Masters of the Wild - Watch Detective
    Miniature Handbook - Goad
    Complete Warrior - Karmic Strike
    Sandstorm - Hide Shield
    Unearthed Arcana - Urban Ranger ACF, Urban Tracking, Prestige Paladin (optional)
    Complete Scoundrel - Gray Guard (optional)
    Champion of Valor - Defender of the Homeland
    Book of Exalted Deeds - Apostle of Peace, vows & feats
    Last edited by The Viscount; 2021-05-11 at 06:52 PM.
    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
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  28. - Top - End - #58
    Ettin in the Playground
     
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    Dec 2012

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    Taking a very big bite out of crime.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brother Hecatfael
    Brother Hecatfael


    "What separates man and beast is the law. Following the law knowingly is being a man. Not following the law unknowingly is being a beast. Not following the law knowingly is being a criminal."


    Spoiler: Introduction, lore
    Show

    For most of his life, the only things Hecatfael knew were trees, wild beasts, and tribal rituals. The kobold tribe he was a part of never has a lot of contact with the outside world, and Hecatfael always wondered why it had always been forbidden to go outside the forest. But his natural curiosity was quenched enough by the wondrous rituals that the tribe shaman performed to bring luck to the tribe and help hunt wild beasts. When he was 14, Hecatfael became the shaman’s apprentice, and he learned to use the power of wild beasts to increase his strength and gain powers beyond his imagination. He chose the Girallon as his totem and started to live by keeping these new arms on his back all day long.

    But the curiosity was still lurking behind Hecatfael’s head. He wanted to not only know everything in the forest, but know everything in the whole world, especially all the kinds of supernatural phenomena like what the shaman told him. One day, he could not hold it back anymore and left his village. Outside of it, he found a monastery, where he stayed for a few months. The monks were surprised to see a kobold, thinking that race had left the region several decades ago because of discrimination, even though the law theoretically protected them. The monks taught him everything they knew about combat and self-mastery.

    When he was satisfied, he came back to his village, to find that it had been abandoned. Searching the nearby woods, he found some kobolds of his village. They told him that poachers had come. They had recently learned that there were still kobolds in this forest, and had come to kill some of them and use their skin for handbags. Hecatfael understood that it was his contact with the monks who eventually led to the poachers learning of his village, and he swore to catch these criminals and bring them to justice.

    Bringing with him the pet bat of his parents, Hecatfael tracked the criminals until he reached a big city, where he did everything he could to learn as much as he could on everything he ignored. He found himself particularly drawn to more occult subjects, like the elusive Vestiges, and divine magic. But he didn’t forget the main reason why he was here. He joined the town watch, to be the closest to the informations about criminals. He finally found the poachers’ hideout, and beat every single one of them into submission, with the help of the town watch. He didn’t kill any of them, not wanting to lower himself to the level of these murderers. That’s when he decided to join the town watch. Poachers were not the only criminals in existence, after all.

    With years passing, Hecatfael became more and more convinced of the necessity of a strong and active watch. The law needed to be enforced, and criminals needed to be punished, even outside of normal jurisdiction. To help him beat any criminal, he learned deadly martial arts from the swordsage guild, combining them with his own knowledge and his link with nature to mislead his enemies into thinking there were two of him. But he always came back to the watch, that’s where justice was enforced, where every wrong was righted. He swore an oath, not only to the town watch itself, but to law and order as a whole. No criminal would ever get away when Hecatfael was tracking them.



    Spoiler: Overview
    Show

    The watch detective has two main defining features. First, he deals nonlethal damage, and second, he knows exactly where to look for criminals.
    Spoiler: I know who did this, how they did it, and where they’ll be next monday
    Show

    Between his numerous skills, Profile, Deductive Augury and Locate Things, there is a high chance he will know exactly who he is after and what the criminal in question is capable of. This is why one of the point of this build is its versatility. Given 24 hours, Brother Hacatfael can change the most fundamental parts of his build to adapt to whatever is in front of him. He is capable of picking abilities from five different kinds of magic : Incarnum, divine, Vestiges, weapon properties and martial arts. If these abilities would be quite weak by themselves, they can become much stronger if they are combined and perfectly adapted to the opponent.

    Spoiler: I don’t care if he’s a Sith Lord, he must stand trial
    Show

    But what distinguishes the good detective from the ruthless wizard is that the detective doesn’t want to kill his opponent, and that he can beat the criminal unconscious without ever risking that they die before their trial. And that is accomplished by being capable of dealing relatively small amount of nonlethal damage a lot of times, while adding bonuses each time, until the criminal falls unconscious from a thousand paper cuts, or more accurately a thousand flicks of a claw. For that, the Justiciar prestige class is quite good (if maybe a bit repetitive of the Watch Detective class features), with his capacity to increase the damage dealing ability of the detective, but also deal Strength damage to reduce the offensive capabilities of big beatsticks, who are often the ones with the highest DR (a pain for a multiattack build).

    Spoiler: Search like a hawk, strike like a snake
    Show

    All of that is accomplished by gaining knowledge of the opponent and acting while being unseen himself, which is where the numerous skills come into play, with a lot going into Spot, Hide, Listen, and Move Silently. This is also complemented by the link of Hecatfael with nature, and his knowledge of animals, notably his pet bat, who can help him both as witnesses with speak with animals, to scout from far away, and to gain a cheesy flanking in combat.


    The overall result would probably be more adapted for an NPC or a DMPC, who has more downtime than a regular adventurous party, or in an investigation-centered campaign, but should still be playable even without relying too much on his adaptability.



    Spoiler: Build
    Show

    Spoiler: General characteristics
    Show

    Desert (Unearthed Arcana) kobold variant (+2 dex, -4 Str, -2 Wis, 2 claws, 1 bite)

    Totemist 2 (Magic of Incarnum), Monk 1 (Sleeping Tiger style) (Unearthed Arcana), Binder 1 (Tome of Magic) , Archivist 1 (HoH), Watch detective 10, Swordsage (Weapon Focus(claw+unarmed)) (Tome of Battle), Justiciar 2 (CW), Kensai 2 (CW)

    28-point buy :
    Str 8 (0), Dex 15 (8), Con 13 (5), Int 16 (10), Wis 8 (0), Cha 13 (5)
    30-point buy :
    Str 10 (2), Dex 15 (8), Con 13 (5), Int 16 (10), Wis 8 (0), Cha 13 (5)
    32-point buy :
    Str 8 (0), Dex 17 (12), Con 13 (5), Int 16 (10), Wis 8 (0), Cha 13 (5)
    Ability scores with Racial modifier (28 points, lv 1) :
    Str 4, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 6, Cha 13

    Ability boosts :
    lv 4 : Dex ; lv 8 : Con ; lv 12 : Cha ; lv 16 : Dex ; lv 20 : Dex

    Ability scores at level 20 :
    Str 4, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 6, Cha 14


    Spoiler
    Show
    Table
    Level Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features
    1st Totemist 1 +0 +2 +2 +0 Concentration 4, Handle Animal 4 , Knowledge (Planes) 2, Listen 4, Ride 4, Search 1 (cross-class) , Spot 4, Survival 4 Multiattack (MM) Wild Empathy, Illiteracy
    2nd Totemist 2 +1 +3 +3 +0 Concentration 5, Knowledge (Planes) 4 , Listen 5, Ride 5, Search 1, Spot 5, Survival 5 - Totem Chakra
    3rd Monk 1 +1 +5 +5 +2 Concentration 6, Jump 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 5, Ride 5, Search 1, Spot 5, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Finesse (sleeping tiger style), Track Unarmed strike, Flurry of blows
    4th Binder 1 +1 +7 +5 +4 Concentration 6, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 1, Jump 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 5, Ride 5, Search 1, Spot 5, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Soul Binding
    5th Archivist 1 +1 +9 +5 +6 Concentration 6, Gather Information 4, Intimidate 1, Jump 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 5, Ride 5, Search 8, Spot 5, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Scribe Scroll Dark Knowledge, Spells
    6th Watch Detective +1 +9 +7 +8 Concentration 6, Gather Information 4, Hide 5, Intimidate 1, Jump 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 7, Ride 5, Search 8, Spot 7, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Open Least Chakra (Hand) (Magic of Incarnum) City Watch Training
    7th Watch Detective 2 +2 +9 +8 +9 Concentration 6, Gather Information 9, Hide 8, Intimidate 1, Jump 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 7, Ride 5, Search 8, Spot 8, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Combat Expertise Obsessive Specialty (the Planes), Profile
    8th Watch Detective 3 +3 +10 +8 +9 Concentration 6, Gather Information 9, Hide 8, Intimidate 5, Jump 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 7, Ride 5, Search 9, Spot 9, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Cooperative interrogation, superior disarming
    9th Swordsage 1 +3 +10 +10 +11 Concentration 9, Gather Information 9, Hide 11, Intimidate 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Planes) 4, Listen 7, Ride 5, Search 9, Spot 9, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Weapon Focus (Tiger Claw : Claws+unarmed), Extreme Leap skill trick (Complete scoundrel), Improved Binding (Tome of Magic) Maneuvers, Quick to Act +1
    10th Watch Detective 4 +4 +10 +11 +12 Concentration 9, Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 6, Knowledge (Planes) 6, Listen 7, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 10, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Deductive augury 1 /day, skill synergy (Hide-Move Silently)
    11th Watch Detective 5 +4 +10 +11 +12 Concentration 9, Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 6, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 5, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 11, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - No subdual penalty, sense secret doors
    12th Watch Detective 6 +5 +11 +12 +13 Concentration 9, Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 11, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Sense Weakness (Draconomicon) Locate object
    13th Kensaï 1 +5 +11 +12 +15 {B]Concentration 16[/B], Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 11, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Signature Weapon (Claws+Unarmed)
    14th Kensaï 2 +6 +11 +12 +16 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 9, Jump 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 11, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Power surge
    15th Justiciar 1 +7 +11 +12 +18 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 11, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 10, Spot 13, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Skill Focus (Gather Information) Bring 'em back alive, nonlethal strike +1d6
    16th Justiciar 2 +8 +11 +12 +19 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 14, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Planes) 9, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 13, Spot 14, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Improved Grapple Crippling strike
    17th Watch Detective 7 +9 +11 +12 +19 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 17, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 10, Knowledge (Planes) 11, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 13, Spot 17, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Deductive augury 2/day, improved subdual
    18th Watch Detective 8 +9 +11 +13 +20 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 20, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 10, Knowledge (Planes) 17, Listen 7, Move Silently 11, Ride 5, Search 13, Spot 17, Survival 5, Tumble 1 Open Greater Chakra (Waist) (Magic of Incarnum) Forensics
    19th Watch Detective 9 +10 +11 +13 +20 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 20, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 17, Knowledge (Planes) 17, Listen 7, Move Silently 13, Ride 5, Search 13, Spot 17, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Discern lies, locate creature
    20th Watch Detective 10 +11 +11 +14 +21 Concentration 17, Gather Information 12, Hide 20, Intimidate 9, Jump 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 17, Knowledge (Planes) 17, Listen 7, Move Silently 19, Ride 5, Search 13, Spot 20, Survival 5, Tumble 1 - Deductive augury 3/day, instant knowledge


    Spoiler: Build description per level
    Show

    Spoiler: Level 1-5
    Show

    At these levels, Hecatfael already starts to use a lot of different power systems. He still has a pretty bad BAB, but with good dexterity and Weapon Finesse, he should hit at least pretty often. Even more so since he has already a lot of attacks, with the kobold’s natural weapons and the flurry of blows. The point here is to make every one of these attacks matter, with my totem bind probably being Totem Avatar, with Winter Mask (with full essentia) on my face for some time. Aym also goes a long way to increase my damage output if I don’t need other vestiges. The archivist allows me to gain a little bit of versatility, even though at this level, I probably still only have cleric spells. Notably, divine favor and lesser vigor are good when it comes down to numbers alone. I might be able to train my pet bat obtained with Wild Empathy and Handle Animal to warn me of invisible enemies (I wonder if that could be a reasonable interpretation of Seek, Track or Attack). The offensive part may not be the best, but wild multiclassing allows Hecatfael to start his career with very good saves all around.


    Spoiler: Level 6-10
    Show

    Skills ! These levels do not give much in terms of pure combat ability, but they change the direction of the build from a pure brawler to a discrete, hidey, flankey brawler. With Hide, the Sudden Leap maneuver, the Extreme Leap skill trick, and Sphinx Claws now giving me Pounce, I should be able to reliably pull off a full attack on a flat-footed enemy. And for the next rounds of combat, by using Island of Blades with my pet bat as an ally, I can virtually always flank my enemies, and gain the advantage of both the Critical Strike spell or the Burning Blade maneuvers, both allowing me to deal respectable damage to the opponent in the first round of combat. It is at this level that I start to have a decent BAB, and with my multiple damage bonuses, I can start using Girallon’s arms on my totem bind to increase by 4 my number of attacks.
    It’s also around this level that I start becoming a decent detective, with a lot of Gather Information and Profile. I hope it will help understanding what I’m against to choose my vestiges (of which I have a larger choice with Improved Binding), spells and soulmelds accordingly.


    Spoiler: Level 11-15
    Show

    That’s the point where the build shines the most, by adding two levels of Kensaï. The swordsage gave us Weapon Focus on both claws and unarmed attacks, and kensaï explicitly states you can enchant multiple kinds of natural weapons at once. I didn’t take more levels of kensaï specifically to allow to change my enchantment for the least amount of XP. 448 XP to imbue 6 claws and 2 fists is not that much at this level, even less if you consider that you can imbue two claws then put on Girallon’s arms and not have to pay XP again (the paragraph from kensaï about gaining new natural weapons is pretty unclear on the subject). The versatility of this ability is increased tenfold by the skills of the watch detective, which allow me to always have the right ability on hand if I have 24 h of downtime before going to track a criminal. If I don’t want to spend 24 hours meditating or spend XP, then I can just put spell storing on most of my natural weapons, which allows for a lot of versatility without slowing the party down too much.
    Protests against the watch lead to an arise in the need of nonlethal damages, and Hecatfael becomes very good at this, and at taking criminals by surprise, with his high intelligence giving him even more infiltration skills and the Justiciar giving him a damage bonus when flanking enemies.
    That is the level where damage reduction become usual, and Hecatfael has the Sense Weakness feat, that allows him to bypass most of it with his Weapon Focused natural weapons, that is to say, almost all of them.


    Spoiler: Level 15-20
    Show

    Towards the end of his career, Hecatfael continues building on his strengths. Crippling strike allows him to neutralize most beatsticks, even those with crazy Regeneration will eventually fall to Str damage. At this point or before, I hope to get a +4 Con item (if I can only get a +2, my lv16 ability boost will be in Con) to take the open Greater Chakra (Waist). That allows me to get some measure of versatility with notably the Phoenix belt and the Manticore belt. And the last levels of Watch Detective give you even more damage bonuses on natural weapons, and let you become a perfect know-all Sherlock Holmes.


    Spoiler: Build choices
    Show

    Spoiler: Interesting Soulmelds (Magic of Incarnum)
    Show

    Everyday Soulmelds : Girallon arms, Sphinx Claws, Winter Mask+2 essentia (2d4+ fatigue when you touch your opponent ? Count me in !), or Claws of the wyrm if you rule that the touch attack doesn’t apply to each strike during a full attack (I feel like it should apply, the used terms are pretty close to the Soul Eater (BoVD)’s energy drain, who applies on each strike). Later, Manticore belt if I don’t have a flight item at this point, or Phoenix Belt for infinite out of combat healing (just use burning blade on yourself and absorb the damage to heal)
    Other Soulmelds : Kruthik claws for infiltration without losing too many attacks, Dread carapace for damage if the opponent is Frost-immune, Frost Helm for environmental issues, Threefold Mask against rogues…


    Spoiler: Interesting Vestiges (Tome of Magic)
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    Everyday Vestige : Naberius for social or Aym for damage before lv 9, then Naberius or Malphas.
    Other interesting Vestiges : Ronove to go fast and DR/magic, Leraje for infiltration, then Andromalius when I don’t care about killing people, or when people go invisible, and Dahlver-Nar for overall goodness.


    Spoiler: Known maneuvers and stances (ToB)
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    Maneuvers known : Burning Blade (1d6+IL on natural attacks, 1 rd), Shadow Jaunt (50ft tp), Moment of Perfect Mind (Concentration for Will), Action before thought (Concentration for Ref), Sudden Leap (swift Jump, allows for Weapon Focus since it is from Tiger Claw), Cloak of Deception (swift invisibility)
    Stance : Island of Blades (flank if an ally adjacent to the enemy)

    Spoiler: Interesting divine spells
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    Everyday spells : Blood Wind, Obscuring Mist, Critical Strike (divine bard/divine magician cleric).
    Specific counters : Resist Energy, Warning Shout, Embrace the Wild (blindsense, low-light vision), Bless weapon, speak with animals, swift invisibility (divine bard), Distract Asailant (Southern magician), Nerveskitter (Southern Magician),
    0th level : Deathwatch, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation (divine bard),


    Spoiler: Interesting Weapon properties
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    When you don’t need anything too specific :
    Deflecting (CW), just put it on one claw and you get one less missile per round without losing too much on damage ;
    Bloodfeeding (BoVD, it doesn’t say you have to deal lethal damage to store blood points, and dealing 10 points of additional damage per attack on the first round is pretty rad) ;
    Warning (Magic of Faerun, if you don’t have Nerveskitter) ;
    and especially Spell Storing (DMG) if you have a friend willing to cast nasty things on your arms the day before the boss fight, or you can cast Lesser Shivering Touches yourself for days if you don’t need a specific Bane ;

    Specific counters : Ghosttouch (DMG), Bane (DMG), Magebane (Complete Arcane), Dispelling (Player’s Guide to Faerun), Binding (Arms and Equipment, may be placed on several weapons if the criminal is known for escaping law magically), Sure Striking (Arms and Equipment, if you are supposed to fight Outsiders that day)




    Spoiler: Items and build options
    Show

    The first item I would like to buy as soon as possible is a Mask of the Tiger (Magic Item Compendium), giving the Track feat. That would allow me to take the Deadly Defense (Complete Scoundrel) feat instead, which would allow me to get a bit more AC without losing too much on damage per round.

    Then, a +4 Constitution item would be pretty good if I want to get the Open Greater Chakra (Waist) feat.
    Finally, an Amulet of Mighty Fists (DMG), and of course permanent Greater Magic Fang would be extremely good in this kind of build. The abilities of the AoMF could be Blurstrike (Races of the Wild), if the Island of Blades cheese is not allowed, maybe Disruption (since Undead are really an issue with this build) or Weakening (2 points of Str with each blow will be enough to incapacitate almost any caster that I manage to touch), and if I manage to buy it, Speed to allow me to hit twice with each of my attacks.

    Eventually, I would also like a diminutive animated block of riverin as a Minor Servitor (Savage Species). It won’t help me much in combat, but i twill give me the Island of Blades flank without risking to get killed by the first AoE.


    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
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  29. - Top - End - #59
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    The Viscount's Avatar

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    Dec 2012

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXI

    A head in the clouds, but a bird's eye view.

    Quote Originally Posted by Varash Cloudwatcher



    Varash Cloudwatcher



    CG Primordial Half-Giant Ranger 2 - Barbarian 1 - Soul Knife 2 - Soulbow 4 - Watch Detective 10


    Spoiler: backstory: "Details"
    Show

    Varash noticed a small swirl at the right bottom of the cloud. Almost like the signature of a painter. What a beautyful sky. "Varash! Stop drifting off and help me unloading the cart." Varash's father heaved a sack of grain from the cart over his shoulder. Varash had - again - stared into the sky instead of helping his father. If only the clouds weren't so interesting. The constant changing patterns, the vibrant colors. "Varash!" His father yanked at his shoulder and Varash finally trodded after him to the cart. "Sorry father, but that is such a marvelous cloud." "Varash, you need to learn to pay attention." "But father, I am." "Yeah, but to the completely wrong things. The cart is almost unloaded, go inside and help your mother stacking the grainsacks." Varash's shoulders slumped. "Yes, father.", he mumbled and obeyed. Why did noone care about a cloud that looked exactly like a giant eagle?
    Inside his mother gave Varash a short frown. "Varash... my little dreamer. What caught your attention today?" Varash did like his mother more than his father because she actually cared about details. "A cloud. Shaped like a giant eagle. It almost looked like a painting with the artist's signature in the bottom right." His mother smiled broadly. "Was it prettier than the grain sacks?" She shouldered a grain sack and winked at him. Varash frowned and picked up a sack too. As he stumbled forward with it he complained: "I just... I like patterns. Details. Tiny swirls, unsuual combinations. I like to see things, notice things. Why do I always get in trouble for that? It's not like I hurt anyone...." His mother dropped off the sack and opened the hatch to the storage room. "Varash, your father is not angry with you because you like details. He is angry because you overlooked his needs." Varash thought for a moment. "So i noticed the wrong detail?" "No, not the wrong detail. It isn't always about details. You didn't see the whole picture." His mother said as she passed him going for another sack. Varash thought for a long time and they hauled the sacks filled to the brim with grain in the storage room in silence. Finally Varash said: "What happens when I see the whole picture? What is the next step?" His mother paused and thought for a time. "When you manage to see the whole picture, then you can ask yourself who painted the picture and for what reason he added the details you noticed immediately and why he added details that are easy to miss." It took Varash more than 20 years to understand this.

    Spoiler: Attributes and Table
    Show


    Attributes

    Base Race + Template Class Level
    Advancement
    Final
    Strength 12 -2 - 10
    Dexterity 16 -2 +1 (8th) 15
    Constitution 10 +0 - 10
    Intelligence 12 +4 - 16
    Wisdom 16 +0 +3 (4th, 12th, 16th) 19
    Charisma 10 +4 - 14


    Table

    Level Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features
    1st LA Primordial Half-Giant Primordial: Invisibility at will, Magical Knack (+1 caster level on every SLA), Knowledge (arcana) as class skill;
    Half-Giant: powerful build, 2 Power points, Stomp PLA 1/day
    2nd Planar Ranger +1 +2 +2 +0 Search 4, Spot 4, Listen 4, Gather Information 4, Survival 4, Sense Motive 2 (cc), Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (nature) 2 (cc), Knowledge (the planes) 4 Investigate Track, 1st favored enemy: Arcanists, Voice of the city
    3rd Planar Ranger +2 +3 +3 +0 Search 5, Spot 5, Listen 5, Gather Information 5, Survival 5, Sense Motive 2 (cc), Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2 (cc), Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 1 (cc) Combat style archery
    4th Eagle Totem Barbarian +3 +5 +3 +0 Search 6 (cc), Spot 5, Listen 5, Gather Information 5, Survival 5, Sense Motive 2, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2 (cc), Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 6 Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot (B) Rage 1/day, Eagle Spiritual totem
    5th Soul Knife +3 +5 +5 +2 Search 7 (cc), Spot 5, Listen 6, Gather Information 5, Survival 5, Sense Motive 2, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 6, Autohypnosis 4 Mind blade, Weapon Focus (mind blade), Hidden Talent (Dimension Hop)
    6th Soul Knife +4 +5 +6 +3 Search 8 (cc), Spot 6, Listen 6, Gather Information 5, Survival 5, Sense Motive 2, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 6, Autohypnosis 8 Throw mind blade
    7th Soulbow +4 +5 +8 +5 Search 9 (cc), Spot 7, Listen 7, Gather Information 5, Survival 5, Sense Motive 2, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Zen archery, Precise Shot (B) Mind arrow, bonus feat
    8th Watch Detective +4 +5 +10 +7 Search 10, Spot 8, Listen 8, Gather Information 6, Survival 6, Sense Motive 3, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 4, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 7, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 City watch training
    9th Watch Detective +5 +5 +11 +8 Search 11, Spot 9, Listen 9, Gather Information 7, Survival 7, Sense Motive 5, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Combat Expertise(b) Obsessive specialty (Knowledge arcana), profile
    10th Watch Detective +6 +6 +11 +8 Search 12, Spot 11, Listen 10, Gather Information 8, Survival 8, Sense Motive 7, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 9, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Ranged Disarm (mind arrow) Cooperative interrogation, superior disarming
    11th Watch Detective +7 +6 +12 +9 Search 13, Spot 13, Listen 12, Gather Information 9, Survival 9, Sense Motive 8, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 10, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Deductive augury 1 /day, skill synergy (Spot -Search)
    12th Watch Detective +7 +6 +12 +9 Search 14, Spot 14, Listen 14, Gather Information 11, Survival 10, Sense Motive 9, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 11, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 No subdual penalty, sense secret doors
    13th Watch Detective +8 +7 +13 +10 Search 15, Spot 15, Listen 15, Gather Information 14, Survival 11, Sense Motive 10, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 12, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Dream Scion Locate object
    14th Soulbow +9 +7 +14 +11 Search 16, Spot 16, Listen 16, Gather Information 16, Survival 13, Sense Motive 12, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 13, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Mind Arrow Enhancement (merciful)
    15th Watch Detective +10 +7 +14 +11 Search 17, Spot 17, Listen 17, Gather Information 17, Survival 16, Sense Motive 13, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 14, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Deductive augury 2/day, improved subdual
    16th Watch Detective +11 +7 +15 +12 Search 18, Spot 18, Listen 18, Gather Information 18, Survival 18, Sense Motive 14, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 17, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Dream of Strength Forensics
    17th Watch Detective +11 +8 +15 +12 Search 19, Spot 19, Listen 19, Gather Information 19, Survival 19, Sense Motive 16, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 19, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Discern lies, locate creature
    18th Watch Detective +12 +8 +16 +13 Search 20, Spot 20, Listen 20, Gather Information 20, Survival 20, Sense Motive 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 8 Deductive augury 3/day, instant knowledge
    19th Soulbow +13 +9 +16 +13 Search 21 (cc), Spot 21, Listen 21, Gather Information 20, Survival 20, Sense Motive 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 11 Dream of Perception, Far Shot (B) +1 mind arrow, bonus feat
    20th Soulbow +14 +9 +17 +14 Search 22 (cc), Spot 22, Listen 22, Gather Information 20, Survival 20, Sense Motive 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (the planes) 5, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (psionics) 3, Autohypnosis 14 Close combat shot

    Spoiler: Level Breakdown
    Show

    ECL 5: Especially at low level at will invisibility is really powerful and should enable Varash to scout enemy positions and report back to the rest of the party. Eagle totem barbarian and to a lesser extent favored enemy add a bonus to the core skills of Varash and watch detective of search and spot (and listen for FE). Track and survival are kind of weird for a class that seems to revolve around cities but in reality watch detective is more about a general theme of investigator which is not at all limited to cities. Although he lacks the trap finding class feature to find magical traps, Varash very reliably should detect all mundane traps. At ECL 5 Varash rolls 1d20+14 on Search checks, 1d20+12 (+14 vs favored enemies) on Spot checks and 1d20 + 9 (+11 vs favored enemies) on Listen checks. The investigate feat expands the use of search to find clues. Varash is able to track enemies (1d20+8 or 1d20+10 vs favored enemies) and dabbles in gather information and sense motive. The various knowledge skills are meant to be rasied to 5 ranks to add a bonus in finding clues via the Investiagte feat. In combat Varash wears light or medium armor and uses an oversized longbow (or composite longbow with no strength rating). He uses Rapid Shot if possible and carries some blunt arrows to deal nonlethal damage as it is an effective method of capturing criminals. Varash avoids melee whenever possible using invisibility at will (1 minute duration) and dimension hop to (re)position himself. If forced into melee, rage 1/day together with an oversized weapon may be sufficient to deal with weaker enemies. Rage may also help with overcoming problematic fortitude saves. Demoralizing an opponent is another option if forced into melee since powerful build should help raising your chances of success (1d20+8+size modifier). Autohypnosis is not only a prerequisite for soulbow but also a great way to reliably memorize a lot of text or numbers.

    ECL 10: After one more stepstone level of Soulknife, at ECL 7 the Wisdom SAD-ness for ranged attacks is finally accomplished. Zen archery and mind arrows work very well on a character that relies on high wisdom scores which Varash needs for spot, listen, survival and sense motive checks. This also allows Varash to start using shields, as mind arrows don’t need hands. At least in the groups I played shields as loot often ended up being sold because noone wanted them. At ECL 8 city watch training is a very welcome boost to absolute core skills of Varash. Obsessive specialty (Knowledge arcana) frees up ranks for other Knowledge skills which all compliment the Investigate as soon as Varash has 5 ranks in them. Profile’s DC is quite low, which is why gather information didn’t get more ranks early in my build. Varash may be my first character that actually intends to use Combat Expertise the way it is written. When cornered in melee +5 AC together with a shield, decent (medium) armor and +2 Dexterity might be enough to stall until friends come to the rescue. If noone comes, there ist still the option of using rage. Dimension hop and invisibility at will should still cover ositioning in combat. Cooperative interrogation is a little weird but can work well with a character focused on feinting in combat and any character with bluff outside of combat. Superior disarming on the other hand is a very nice untyped bonus. Together with the feat ranged disarm Varash can very reliably disarm enemies at a distance. At ECL 10 his ranged disarm roll is 1d20+14+size modifier (BAB+ wisdom + weapon focus (mind blade) + superior disarming + size). While I don’t think it will happen too often, readying a ranged disarm action vs a charging enemy that relies on a weapon seems really fun.

    ECL 15: Deductive augury is a great class feature. A 74-80% chance of coaxing information out of the DM even only once per day is something I rate really high. Skill synergy chosen for Spot and Search is of course another great boost to the already very high checks. No Subdual penalty should work with mind arrows as I don’t see anything in the rules that forbids using mind arrows in a nonlethal way. Sense secret doors is something we grab along the way. Locate object is an SLA and therefor benefits from magical knack gained by primordial giant. Dream Scion ist the first step of the dreamtouch feat line. Varash can prebuff himself for combat or skill checks entering the dreamtouched state. At ECL 14 mind arrows can be enchanted with the merciful weapon property. In conjunction with Improved Subdual this means that mind arrows now add Intelligence and Wisdom bonus on damage which is doubly nice with Dream Scion. This means that a single mind arrow now deals 1d8+ 1d6 + Wisdom bonus + Intelligence bonus (possibly another +3 for point blank shot and favored enemy) nonlethal damage.

    ECL 20: Forensics is automatically a success unless a 1 is rolled. Discern lies and locate creature gain the same bonus as locate object. I have literally nothing good to say about instant knowledge other than the real capstone of watch detective to me is deductive augury thrice a day. Varash can try and use a successful instant knowledge (which gets alittle more likely in dreamtouched state) in conjunction with Dream of Perception for a +20 bonus on a knowledge skill check. The last two levels of soulbow enhance mind arrows further, add a bonus feat and allow for use of mind arrows in melee which is a really big help to Varash. Dream of strength and dream of perception round out the build in adding a small portion of damage (+1 insight bonus), a Fortitude save boost (and an emergency +5 boost) and a +1 insight bonus on skill checks as well as will saves. The option of adding +10 to any skill check and ending the dreamtouched state seems very useful for surely not missing any clues using the investigate feat. The added ranks in autohypnosis are meant to help tolerate poisons, resist dying and use the willpower option of autohypnosis.

    Spoiler: Sources
    Show

    Race and Template:
    Primordial Giant: Secrets of Xendrik
    Half-Giant: Expanded Psionics Handbook
    Classes:
    Skilled City Dweller + Voice of the city Ranger ACF: Cityscape
    Arcane Hunter ACF: Complete Mage
    Palnar Ranger: Unearthed Arcana
    Eagle Totem Barbarian ACF: Complete Champion
    Soulknife: Expanded Psionics Handbook
    Hidden Talent ACF: http://archive.wizards.com/default.a.../psm/20070214a
    Soulbow: Complete Psionics
    Feats:
    Zen Archery: Complete Warrior
    Ranged Disarm: Complete Warrior
    Investigate: Eberron Campaign Setting
    Dream Scion, Dream of Strength, Dream of Perception: Secrets of Sarlona

    Everything else should be on the SRD
    Last edited by The Viscount; 2021-05-10 at 08:54 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
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    The private third eye.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sibyll d'Orien

    Sibyll d’Orien
    NG Human, Psychic Rogue 5/Watch Detective 10/Ebon Saint 3/Heir of Siberys 2

    Sibyl, with frenzied mouth uttering things not to be laughed at, unadorned and unperfumed, yet reaches to a thousand years with her voice by aid of the god.
    -HeracIitus, fragment 92

    “You’ll all be able to go in a bit,” Inspector Gregor said. “Sorry to make you all stand around a body like this. But the, uh, the specialist they sent in to look at the body”—the Inspector indicated the crouching form of Sibyll d’Orien, who was hunched over the Duke’s corpse, eyes closed—”She’s gotta talk to all of you, too.”

    All six men and women shifted awkwardly, no one daring to look at the corpse of the Duke, just a few feet away. Finally, Carl Badstrom found his voice. “You expect us to get interrogated by a… by a mystic? By some charlatan who claims to read dreams and tea leaves and Gods know what else? By all the Host I thought this was Fairhaven, not some backwater little hick town.”

    “I’m as opposed to this sort of mumbo-jumbo as you are,” Inspector Gregor sighed. “It’s all claptrap if you ask me, and besides, you know as well as I do that anything but a confession or hard evidence is inadmissible. But Sibyll d’Orien is well respected in her house, and they wanted to bring her on.” The inspector yawned, his great drooping mustaches twitching. “Let’s just get this over with, yeah? Line up and do what the nice lady says.”

    Sibyll looked around, her heavy lidded eyes flashing on each of the six men and women lined up before her in turn. “Which of you saw the Duke collapse?” A young barmaid, perhaps only 16, raised her hand timidly. “Come, come,” Sibyll said. Her voice was husky and low, and they all had to lean forward to hear her. “Your name is Mandy, yes? I want you to picture the scene in your mind,” Sibyll intoned. “Picture it.”

    “But I didn’t see nothin’ really, miss,” Mandy exclaimed. “Really. I saw the Duke, yeah, and I saw him go down clutchin’ at his heart, but I ain’t seen how it happened or why. His back was to me, you know, and them other five, they were all sittin’ at the table with him but none of them was in arm’s reach. I swear I didn’t see who attacked him, really.”

    “That’s alright, Mandy. That’s just fine,” she said. “Your waking eye may not have seen who killed the Duke, but your sleeping eye, your sleeping eye sees all. Close your eyes. They’ll just distract you. Close your eyes and tell me what you see.”

    Mandy did as she was told. In fits and starts, speaking as though in a dream, she began to describe a man, vaguely at first, then with more detail as Sibyll carefully coaxed the information out of her. All the while Sibyll sketched. When she was done she held up the picture. “Is this the man?”

    “Aye, that’s him!” Mandy cried, a hand over her mouth. “That’s him exactly. But… but I ain’t never seen that man, not until you told me to close my eyes. Who is he?”

    Sibyll studied the picture. “A hired hand, no doubt,” Sibyll said. “By the outfit, a member of the Shadow Network. An assassin.”

    “Oh come now,” Carl spluttered. “The girl just said she never saw him. Are we expected to believe this?”

    Sibyll’s eyes turned to Carl Badstrom, and he shifted uneasily under their gaze. “Believe what you will,” she said, after a long and awkward moment had passed. “But we all have sleeping eyes, and they all see far more than what they let on. Carl Badstrom, yes? I know of Badstrom Textiles, of course. Come here. Hold out your hand.”

    Carl Badstrom looked nervously at Inspector Gregor, who shrugged and urged him forward. He extended his left hand, palm up. Sibyll stared at it, then slapped it. “Hey!” he shouted, looking aghast. “I thought you were going to— going to read my palm or something!”

    “This is faster,” Sibyll smiled. “And don’t worry, Carl. I know exactly who hired the Shadow Network to murder the Duke. And I know why you did it, too.”

    Level Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features
    1st Psychic Rogue 1 +0 +0 +2 +0 Bluff 4 ranks, diplomacy 4 ranks, disguise 4 ranks, gather information 4 ranks, hide 4 ranks, knowledge (local) 4 ranks, move silently 4 ranks, search 4 ranks, sense motive 4 ranks, survival 2 ranks (cc) Investigate, Track Sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding
    2nd Psychic rogue 2 +1 +0 +3 +0 Bluff 5 ranks (+1), diplomacy 5 ranks (+1), disguise 5 ranks (+1), gather information 5 ranks (+1), hide 5 ranks (+1), move silently 5 ranks (+1), search 5 ranks (+1), sense motive 5 ranks (+1), spellcraft .5 ranks (+.5, cc), survival 2.5 ranks (+.5, cc) Evasion
    3rd Psychic Rogue 3 +2 +1 +3 +1 Bluff 6 ranks (+1), diplomacy 6 ranks (+1), disguise 6 ranks (+1), gather information 6 ranks (+1), hide 6 ranks (+1), move silently 6 ranks (+1), search 6 ranks (+1), sense motive 6 ranks (+1), spellcraft 1 rank (+.5, cc), survival 3 ranks (+.5, cc)Bluff 6 ranks (+1), diplomacy 6 ranks (+1), disguise 6 ranks (+1), gather information 6 ranks (+1), hide 6 ranks (+1), move silently 6 ranks (+1), search 6 ranks (+1), sense motive 6 ranks (+1), spellcraft 1 rank (+.5, cc), survival 3 ranks (+.5, cc) Heroic Spirit
    4th Psychic Rogue 4 +3 +1 +4 +1 Bluff 7 ranks (+1), diplomacy 7 ranks (+1), disguise 7 ranks (+1), gather information 7 ranks (+1), hide 7 ranks (+1), move silently 7 ranks (+1), search 7 ranks (+1), sense motive 7 ranks (+1), spellcraft 1.5 ranks (+.5, cc), survival 3.5 ranks (+.5, cc) Sneak attack +2d6
    5th Psychic Rogue 5 +3 +1 +4 +1 Bluff 8 ranks (+1), diplomacy 8 ranks (+1), disguise 8 ranks (+1), gather information 8 ranks (+1), hide 8 ranks (+1), move silently 8 ranks (+1), search 8 ranks (+1), sense motive 8 ranks (+1), spellcraft 2 ranks (+.5, cc), survival 4 ranks (+.5, cc)
    6th Watch Detective 1 +3 +1 +6 +3 Bluff 9 ranks (+1), diplomacy 9 ranks (+1), gather information 9 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 2 ranks (+2), search 9 ranks (+1), sense motive 9 ranks (+1), spellcraft 3 ranks (+1, cc), survival 5 ranks (+1) Master Manipulator City watch training
    7th Watch Detective 2 +4 +1 +7 +4 Bluff 10 ranks (+1), diplomacy 10 ranks (+1), gather information 10 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 4 ranks (+2), search 10 ranks (+1), sense motive 10 ranks (+1), spellcraft 4 ranks (+1, cc), survival 6 ranks (+1) Combat Expertisebonus Expertise, obsessive specialty (knowledge (the planes)), profile
    8th Watch Detective 3 +5 +2 +7 +4 Bluff 11 ranks (+1), diplomacy 11 ranks (+1), gather information 11 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 7 ranks (+3), search 11 ranks (+1), sense motive 11 ranks (+1), spellcraft 5 ranks (+1, cc), survival 7 ranks (+1) Cooperative interrogation, superior disarming
    9th Watch Detective 4 +6/+1 +2 +8 +5 Bluff 12 ranks (+1), diplomacy 12 ranks (+1), gather information 12 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 10 ranks (+3), search 12 ranks (+1), sense motive 12 (+1), spellcraft 6 ranks (+1, cc), survival 8 ranks (+1) Improved Feint Deductive augury 1/day, skill synergy (gather information-sense motive)
    10th Ebon Saint 1 +6/+1 +2 +10 +7 Bluff 13 ranks (+1), diplomacy 13 ranks (+1, cc), gather information 13 ranks (+1, cc), knowledge (the planes) 11 ranks (+1, cc), search 13 ranks (+1), sense motive 13 ranks (+1) Dire strike, shadowfriend
    11th Ebon Saint 2 +7/+2 +2 +11 +8 Bluff 14 ranks (+1), diplomacy 14 ranks (+1, cc), gather information 14 ranks (+1, cc), search 14 ranks (+1), sense motive 14 ranks (+1), spellcraft 7 ranks (+1, cc) Thought theft
    12th Ebon Saint 3 +8/+3 +3 +11 +8 Bluff 15 ranks (+1), diplomacy 15 ranks (+1, cc), gather information 15 ranks (+1, cc), search 15 ranks (+1), sense motive 15 ranks (+1), survival 9 ranks (+1, cc) Inquisitor Mind interrogation, sneak attack +1d6
    13th Heir of Siberys 1 +8/+3 +5 +13 +10 Bluff 16 ranks (+1), diplomacy 16 ranks (+1), gather information 16 ranks (+1), search 16 ranks (+1), sense motive 16 ranks (+1), spellcraft 7.5 ranks (+.5, cc), survival 10 ranks (+1) Favored in Housebonus Additional action points, bonus feat
    14th Heir of Siberys 2 +9/+4 +6 +14 +11 Bluff 17 ranks (+1), diplomacy 17 ranks (+1), gather information 17 ranks (+1), search 17 ranks (+1), sense motive 17 ranks (+1), spellcraft 8 ranks (+.5, cc), survival 11 ranks (+1) Astral Trackingbonus Siberys mark (mark of passage - greater teleport)
    15th Watch Detective 5 +9/+4 +6 +14 +11 Bluff 18 ranks (+1), diplomacy 18 ranks (+1), gather information 18 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 14 ranks (+3), search 18 ranks (+1), sense motive 18 ranks (+1), survival 14 ranks (+3) Dreamtelling No subdual penalty, sense secret doors
    16th Watch Detective 6 +10/+5 +7 +15 +12 Bluff 19 ranks (+1), diplomacy 19 ranks (+1), gather information 19 ranks (+1), knowledge (the planes) 18 ranks (+4), search 19 ranks (+1), sense motive 19 ranks (+1), survival 17 ranks (+3) Locate object
    17th Watch Detective 7 +11/+6/+1 +7 +15 +12 Bluff 20 ranks (+1), diplomacy 20 ranks (+1), gather information 20 ranks (+1), knowledge (local) 6 ranks (+2), knowledge (the planes) 20 ranks (+2), search 20 ranks (+1), sense motive 20 ranks (+1), survival 20 ranks (+3) Deductive augury 2/day, improved subdual
    18th Watch Detective 8 +12/+7/+2 +7 +16 +13 Bluff 21 ranks (+1), diplomacy 21 ranks (+1), gather information 21 ranks (+1), knowledge (local) 11 ranks (+5), knowledge (the planes) 21 ranks (+1), search 21 ranks (+1), sense motive 21 ranks (+1), survival 21 ranks (+1) Mark of Stars Forensics
    19th Watch Detective 9 +12/+7/+2 +8 +16 +13 Bluff 22 ranks (+1), diplomacy 22 ranks (+1), gather information 22 ranks (+1), knowledge (local) 16 ranks (+5), knowledge (the planes) 22 ranks (+1), search 22 ranks (+1), sense motive 22 ranks (+1), survival 22 ranks (+1) Discern lies, locate creature
    20th Watch Detective 10 +13/+8/+3 +8 +17 +14 Bluff 23 ranks (+1), diplomacy 23 ranks (+1), gather information 23 ranks (+1), knowledge (local) 21 ranks (+5), knowledge (the planes) 23 ranks (+1), search 23 ranks (+1), sense motive 23 ranks (+1), survival 23 ranks (+1) Deductive augury 3/day, instant knowledge


    Spoiler: Additional Build Details
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    Spoiler: Stats
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    32 point buy:
    Str 8/Dex 14/Con 12/Int 16/Wis 14/Cha 14

    Raise Intelligence at every 4th level.


    Spoiler: Skills
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    Final Skill Layout
    Bluff 23 ranks
    Diplomacy 23 ranks
    Gather information 23 ranks
    Knowledge (the planes) 23 ranks
    Search 23 ranks
    Sense motive 23 ranks
    Survival 23 ranks
    Knowledge (local) 21 ranks
    Disguise 8 ranks
    Hide 8 ranks
    Move silently 8 ranks
    Spellcraft 8 ranks

    Skill Progression Explanation
    Sibyll’s most important skills are those related to her interrogations and intelligence gathering, in particular sense motive but also including bluff, diplomacy, gather information and search. Her secondary skills include her knowledge skills and survival. Survival is very important to Sibyll once she gains the ability to astrally track her targets, though in early levels she can mostly get by with synergy bonuses and her Wisdom. For her knowledge skills, early on she focuses on local knowledge, but as her power of prophecy grows stronger, she switches to planar knowledge as her primary knowledge skill. This also aids her in the reading of dreams.

    In general Sibyll focuses her skills first on always keeping bluff, diplomacy, gather information, search and sense motive. Her second priority is to meet all skill requirements, including stealth skills for ebon saint and spellcraft for astral tracking. Once those objectives are met, Sibyll uses any spare skill points to “catch up” on any secondary skills that fell behind while Sibyll was focusing on meeting prerequisites.


    Spoiler: Powers
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    Powers Known & PP:
    1 Psychic Rogue1- Entangling ectoplasm (0 PP)
    2 Psychic Rogue2- Conceal thoughts (1 PP)
    3 Psychic Rogue3- Astral traveler (2 PP)
    4 Psychic Rogue4- N/A (4 PP)
    5 Psychic Rogue5- Detect hostile intent (6 PP)
    6 Watch Detective1- N/A
    7 Watch Detective2- N/A
    8 Watch Detective3-
    9 Watch Detective4- N/A
    10 Ebon Saint1- N/A
    11 Ebon Saint2- Object reading (8 PP)
    12 Ebon Saint3- Control sound (10 PP)
    13 Heir of Siberys1- N/A
    14 Heir of Siberys2- N/A
    15 Watch Detective5- N/A
    16 Watch Detective6- N/A
    17 Watch Detective7- N/A
    18 Watch Detective8- N/A
    19 Watch Detective9- N/A
    20 Watch Detective10- N/A

    Final powers known:
    1- Entangling ectoplasm, conceal thoughts, astral traveler
    2- Detect hostile intent, object reading, control sound

    Note that PP totals do NOT include bonus PP from high Int. Bonus PP is gained at a rate of ½ ML * Int bonus. With level-appropriate Int-boosting items, this represents 33 bonus PP each day by level 20, or more with ML-boosting items.


    Spoiler: A Note on Action Points
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    Heir of Siberys requires Heroic Spirit to qualify, which provides extra action points. However, many games don’t use action points at all. To keep things on a level playing field, Sibyll was written under the assumption that Heroic Spirit is essentially a dead feat and that action points do not exist. If Sibyll is being used at a table that does employ them, she may wish to consider other feats to further augment them. Action Surge in particular is excellent, and one of the bonus feats available at first level to an Heir of Siberys.



    Spoiler: Build snapshots
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    Levels 1 - 5
    Psychic Rogue 5

    In these early days, Sibyll functions as your typical roguish character: namely, she stays out of the way and tries not to die, making opportunistic sneak attacks as necessary. Her psychic abilities aid considerably in this, with entangling ectoplasm being a great way to keep foes at bay. Out of combat, however, is where she shines. Her skills are exceptional, covering the social and investigative skills. These are further buoyed by her powers: Sibyll benefits from conceal thoughts for a +10 bonus on bluff checks for an hour/level and detect hostile intent, which not only provides her with an effective alternate sense and prevents her from being caught surprised or flat-footed but also allows her to make sense motive checks as a free action against anyone within 30’. Note that detect hostile intent specifically penetrates barriers, meaning she can use it to scan other rooms or areas for people with hostile intent and use sense motive to assess the issue.

    And speaking of her investigative skills, thanks to the Investigate feat she can do far more than look for traps with her search skill. She can use search to “locate clues, discern patterns, analyze evidence, and draw conclusions about what occurred in a specific area.”

    Levels 6 - 10
    Psychic Rogue 5/Watch Detective 4/Ebon Saint 1

    At level 6, Sibyll takes her first level in watch detective and picks up Master Manipulator. This feat is perhaps the single best way to wrangle confessions out of targets: if she catches someone in a lie, she can trick them into inadvertently revealing their lie and the reason behind it. With watch detective further boosting her sense motive checks (among other things) and buffs like conceal thoughts and detect hostile intent, she should easily be able to force her suspects into revealing key information and confessing if necessary.

    Combat Expertise comes online as a free feat, which in turn qualifies her for Improved Feint - not the most exciting combat feat, but Sibyll has a great bluff check and sneak attack, and Improved Feint qualifies her for ebon saint. This will become quite important to her investigations in short order. Deductive augury and profile, meanwhile, are added to her psychic crime-solving repertoire.

    Levels 11 - 15 (Sweet Spot)
    Psychic Rogue 5/Watch Detective 5/Ebon Saint 3/Heir of Siberys 2

    A lot happens in these levels. In particular, ebon saint gives her the tool she most needs to interrogate her foes: the ability to read minds outright. Thought theft is decent, giving her read thoughts, but there are a lot of limitations on it, such as the fact that a Will save negates it or the difficulty in turning surface thoughts into evidence. Mind interrogation, on the other hand, is absolutely incredible. On a dire strike she can visualize a question in her head and, if the suspect knows the answer, Sibyll immediately knows it as well - with no saving throw or ability to bluff it away! Magical evidence isn’t admissible, of course, but with Master Manipulator (now further boosted by Inquisitor for a whopping +10 bonus to her already impressive sense motive checks) she can easily use that psychic knowledge to garner a confession. With her ability to make nonlethal strikes, she doesn’t need to actively injure her foes for these dire strikes.

    And while mind interrogation allows her to wrest secrets out of the living that she can then use to force in confessions via Master Manipulator, object reading comes online and gives her a plethora of details about the physical objects around her. After finding a clue via Investigate, she can then use object reading to determine things like race, gender, age, alignment and details about the owner of these clues, which in turn can help point her in the direction of new targets to investigate.

    Meanwhile, her Siberys mark fully manifests, giving her the Siberys mark of passage for a daily CL 15 greater teleport. This comes online at the same time that she picks up Astral Tracking (Heir of Siberys grants unrestricted bonus feats in lieu of advancing a caster level for non-casters). Astral Tracking is a unique little feat from Dragon Compendium that says that if you track someone to a place where they used teleportation magic to leave, you can make a DC 30 survival check to find out where they went and use your own teleportation magic to follow them. With greater teleport and Astral Tracking, Sibyll should be able to follow her suspects to the ends of the earth. And if they travel beyond the material plane, well, she IS a respected Siberys member of House Orien and has the mechanical ability to call in favors, making a plane shift or astral caravan easily within reach.

    Her planar knowledge moves beyond just the ability to track targets across the planes, though. In these levels she also learns to interpret prophetic dreams. Dreamtelling requires a knowledge (the planes) check to study the prophetic symbolism of a dream (whether her own or another’s). If she exceeds the DC by 10, she receives the benefit of a divination spell, and if she exceeds it by 20 she receives the benefits of a commune spell. These prophetic visions assist her greatly in finding and punishing wrongdoing.

    Levels 16 - 20
    Psychic Rogue 5/Watch Detective 10/Ebon Saint 3/Heir of Siberys 2

    Finishing out watch detective provides Sibyll with a number of powerful divinations to add to her repertoire, including locate object, discern lies and locate creature. She also adds on the forensics ability to garner even more information than Investigate provides. As a capstone she receives the powerful instant knowledge ability, giving her the potential to increase her knowledge (the planes) roll by 10. This stacks with obsessive specialty, allowing for as much as a +20 bonus on her knowledge (the planes) checks, which she can in turn use to generate communes via the reading of dreams.


    Spoiler: The Rules of Psychic Evidence
    Show

    There are many psychic tools that can assist in finding a wrong-doer, but how do they comply with the rules of evidence? How do they hold up, in a world where only hard evidence is accepted, where magic or visions are barred from a court of law?

    Sibyll d’Orien, mystic and heir of Siberys in House Orien, has pledged her services to the Fairhaven Watch, and with that comes respecting their Rules of Evidence. But Sibyll does not merely set aside her prophetic visions. She who walks through dreams, who can travel among the astral plane, has no interest in abandoning such useful tools. She can read objects with a touch and learn their history. She can read dreams, her own and those of others, giving her powerful visions of the future or the past. She can step into the minds of those she comes into contact with, wresting free their most closely guarded secrets. Why give all this up?

    And so, Sibyll d’Orien has become a master of confessions. Using her investigations and her psychic prowess, she quickly uncovers the cause of crimes. No one can hide the truth from Sibyll, for she can suppress lies and even speak to the mind directly with a touch: her mind interrogation allows her to receive the answer to a question, with no way to save or avoid it. Armed with this information, she talks to her target, carefully bringing up bits and pieces of what she has learned. In doing so, she forces her targets to reveal the truth or risk lying to her - and lying to Sibyll d’Orien is nearly impossible. She can sense lies almost unerringly. And if they lie, Sibyll knows how to set a trap of words to force her target to unwittingly reveal the truth...

    Spoiler: Chef’s notes
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    On reading watch detective, my first thought was that many of the class’s abilities could easily be refluffed as the mystical powers of a seer or fortune teller, rather than those of a master detective. That idea set me off, and I decided to build around it. I wanted to build a seer who used her visions and powers to unravel a crime, and then use Master Manipulator’s trap of words to force suspects into inadvertently confessing.

    Regarding the watch detective’s abilities:
    • Entry requirements: The skills are all a breeze for Sibyll d’Orien, since she is already keeping search at maximum for Investigate, and Track is required for Astral Tracking, which she uses extensively after heir of Siberys comes online (see her levels 11-15 description).
    • City watch training: A flat bonus to several skills is quite important, in particular search (which drives Sibyll’s Investigate feat) and sense motive (arguably the most important skill to this build).
    • Expertise: While Sibyll prefers to avoid combat altogether whenever possible, anything to boost her defenses will never go amiss. More importantly, however, Combat Expertise is one of the pre-reqs for ebon saint, and watch detective gives it to her for free.
    • Obsessive specialty: As a seer, Sibyll must learn all she can of dreams, and can eventually read dreams via Dreamtelling for a free divination or commune. These are incredibly strong divinations, but they require high knowledge (the planes) checks to reliably access them. Getting what eventually becomes a +10 bonus to these checks is huge.
    • Profile: The first of the abilities that made me think of this class as some sort of seer rather than a detective. She can get an image of the perpetrator of a crime from someone who has never actually seen the perpetrator? That’s amazing! And it’s definitely easy to fluff as a psychic ability, despite its (Ex) tag.
    • Cooperative investigation: Working with the city watch, Sibyll can make good use of her high bluff checks to play good cop, and in doing so make the bad cop all the more intimidating.
    • Superior disarming: Superior disarming is an ability that exists and is something that Sibyll can theoretically do if she ever feels like wasting a turn.
    • Deductive augury: The second ability that made me think “hey, this would be a really cool seer.” Sure, it’s meant to be fluffed as a Sherlock-style logical leap, but it works even better as an actual augury. (Plus it’s useful as heck.)
    • Skill synergy: I mentioned that sense motive was probably her most important skill, right? Between this, city watch training and Inquisitor, Sibyll can put out ridiculously high sense motive checks, which are vital for Master Manipulator’s trap of words. (Boosting gather info is nice too, of course.)
    • No subdual penalty: Ebon saint’s abilities require you to study and then strike your target. Sibyll isn’t particularly interested in starting any fights, but abilities like mind interrogation are absolutely incredible (seriously, no save, no way to guard, just a full answer to a question). This allows her to nonlethally tap her target to get the full benefit.
    • Sense secret doors: “I’m getting a vision - there’s something here!” (Cue dramatically pulling aside the throw rug to reveal a trapdoor.)
    • Locate object: Oh come on, now we’re not even trying to pretend these abilities are anything but mystical anymore.
    • Improved subdual: Well, she doesn’t love combat, but she DOES have a really high Intelligence score, so adding Int to damage is nice.
    • Forensics: “Violence leaves an… impression on the body and the soul. My dreaming eye can read those impressions like a map.” With search already maximized for Investigate this DC is trivial, allowing Sibyll to “read the psychic impressions” of dead bodies to determine the cause of death.
    • Discern lies: Yet another tool to help catch her targets in any lies.
    • Locate creature: Even better than locate object! Between this, Track and Astral Tracking, you cannot escape Sibyll d’Orien.
    • Instant knowledge: Again, this is easy to fluff as a flash of mystic insight rather than a Sherlock-style deduction, and it also combines nicely with obsessive specialty to make the Dreamtelling DCs a breeze.



    Spoiler: Sources
    Show

    SOURCES:
    • Psychic rogue: Mind’s eye web series
    • Master Manipulator feat: Player’s Handbook II
    • Investigate/Heroic Spirit/Favored in House feats, heir of Siberys PrC: Eberron Campaign Setting
    • Inquisitor feat, all listed powers: Expanded Psionics Handbook/SRD
    • Ebon saint PrC: Complete Psionic
    • Astral Tracking feat: Dragon Compendium Volume I
    • Dreamtelling feat: Heroes of Horror
    • Mark of Stars feat: Dragonmarked

    Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
    Quote Originally Posted by willpell View Post
    Only playing Tier 1s is like only eating in five-star restaurants [...] sometimes I just want a cheeseburger and some frogurt. Why limit yourself?
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