1st level character challenge

[Bayar]

I am looking for someone who can come up with a 1st level character that can finish a dungeoncrawl by himself. and when I say himself, I mean he and his animal companion/familiar/mount. Not allowed to have more than one of those.


The rules:

Characters have to be level 1.
You can use anything from any 3.5 book as long as it is not banned.
Races cannot have LA. (excepton: Hobgoblins are considered as having LA 0)
No Pun-Pun.
You are not allowed to add any templates except dragonborn.
You are limited to 2 traits and 2 flaws.
Maximum starting gold for your character.
Venerable Dragonwrought Kobolds cannot take epic levels.
Point buy 32.


Banned materials:
Book of Exalted Deeds
Book of Vile Darkness
Monster Manual 2
Savage Species
Dragon/Dungeon magasines
Third-party suplements

Other banned stuff:
Merchantile background
Candle of Invocation
Leadership
Celerity
Power word: Pain
Thought bottle
Shiverring touch
Muckdweller
Amber amulet of vermin
Taint


So...what are you waiting for ? Start linking !

[Jack_Simth]

Depends on the dungeon, and the rules it plays by. Also depends on what you consider "completing" a dungeon crawl.

For instance, if the monsters don't leave their rooms to find out what the loud noises are (take a look at the listen DC on fighting, some time), and the player can rest whenever, a Druid-1 can have a reasonable chance of taking on a first level dungeon (summon nature's ally suicide runners to locate traps, buffed up Riding dog to handle monsters, leather barding on the animal companion, druid with a tower shield on the Riding Dog's back Sharing Cure spells while using the Tower Shield for Total Cover). The Druid will need to rest up after essentially every battle, but it could be done.

[Bayar]

Completing: getting to the end of the dungeon alive.

The monsters will not be stupid. And resting can be attempted safely for so long. You know...those random encounter tables are there to be rolled upon. So resting after every battle will become increasingly dangerous.

The module will be determined after I get some candidates.

[Dr Bwaa]

Ooh, so you're actually planning to play this? I'll try to come up with something.

[Eldariel]

The limitation should probably be Epic Feats. Other than that, uh, Crusader 1? That's pretty much as tough as you'll get for the first level. High Con, Dex and Str - if possible, pick up something that improves your Reach (either Aberrant Blood - Inhuman Reach or Willing Deformity - Deformity: Tall = 5' extension) and use a Reach-weapon with Combat Reflexes. Pick up Stone Power and you'll have 17+Con base HP effectively along with Martial Stance and a Healing Strike. Orc would be a solid choice for a race; possibly Dragonborn Orc if you fear you'll need to roam in daylight.

Dragonborn Orc would also buy you the Mind-aspect and thus immunity to Sleep and Paralysis, along with Low-Light Vision, Darkvision and bonuses to Spot/Listen/Search. The Dex-penalty would be troublesome, but you can save in Str and Con thanks to the racial bonuses so 16 Dex should be achievable. The mental stats shouldn't need to be that high outside Wis for Spot/Listens. Int and Cha at 8-10 would be plenty. Then you just use a Guisarme or a similar reach weapon that enables trip combined with Armor Spikes and profit (Int 13 would be beneficial for future Improved Trip though; for now, the straight Str-check sufficides). Just get Cha 8 and one rank in UMD to eventually succeed in Wand activation (if only you could get a Wand of Lesser Vigor to fix yourself up when need be). Something like Breastplate+Dex for 18 AC along with the Shield and you should be able to deal with almost all combat encounters of the level.

Having +1 BAB also helps with the whole weapon switching routine. Traps would be very difficult to deal with though.

EDIT: Oh yeah, this thread may have data you're interested in.

[Emperor Tippy]

An Elan Psion could probably make a good showing.

Feats: Enhanced Elan Resilience, Psionic Talent, Psionic Talent, Psionic Talent.

Powers: Inertial Armor, Mind Thrust, Crystal Shard (maybe something else)

Str: 8
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 18
Wis: 12
Cha: 6

PP: 15
HP: 6

That guy can survive most anything (he can trade PP to reduce damage on an attack at a 1:4 ratio and can spend 1 PP to get a +4 to saves for a round).

[CASTLEMIKE]

Off the top of my head something like a Gestalt Barbarian or Warblade // Cloistered Cleric -1. Good hitpoints, armor, skills, plus some magical healing before factoring in racial factors.

[MeklorIlavator]

Is evasion a valid tactic? I mean, if the monsters don't know that I've gone through, would that count as a victory? If so, a Whisper gnome could do very well. Not counting Dexterity, your hide is +12 and your Move silently is +8. With a Dexterity of 16 and a master work tool for the MS(padded shoes), it ends up at Hide +15 and MS +13(+1 each if Dex is 18). Not too shabby, by any means. Plus, the spell-like abilities are pretty good at first level. Build would proabably end up something similar to this:
Whisper Gnome
Str: 14
Dex: 18
Con: 14
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Cha: 6

HP:8
Skills: Hide +16, MS 14, Search +6, Spot +6, Listen +6, Disable Device +6, Tumble +8, Open Lock +8(a bit repetitive), Climb +6, and Sleight of Hand +8.

Weapon:Longsword Attack: +2 Damage: 1d6+2(+3 if wielding 2-handed)

This guy could get past pretty much anything that you'd find at first level, and endurance isn't really a big issue for rogues. Not to sure about the feat to take, possibly darkstalker(in case something has scent).

[Sstoopidtallkid]

A Desert Kobold Warlock. Start each battle with Summon Swarm, Use your massive Dex and AC to avoid being hit till the Bats/Rats/Spiders kill the enemy. Blow up anything suspicious with Elderitch Blast, and use the swarm to replace a Rogue.

A Strongheart Halfling Factotum, with FoI 4 times for 13 inspiration at first level. Max ranks in search and disable device, go nova each battle.

There's others, Like Druid 1 with a Riding Dog, but those are my picks, and perfectly playable from 1-20.

[FMArthur]

Does the character level-up through the dungeon, or is he/she fixed at first level for the entire challenge?

[F.L.]

Is the sell-your-spellbook + pile o' dogs tactic available?

[Hal]

I'm tempted to say Duskblade with Arcane Disciple in the Healing domain. Select a race to maximize efficiency.

You have spells to throw around (both crowd control and damage output). You have healing. You have several cantrips as SLAs.

The place you lack is in dealing with traps. However, that's the kind of thing that could just end up to chance. I don't know what kind of dungeon this is, but how nasty could the traps be on a dungeon designed for a level 1 character? We're not talking Tome of Horrors here.

[Cainen]

You assume combat is part of this, don't you? Especially at first level, it's a matter of luck, and you WILL NOT make something consistent enough to beat this kind of dungeon head-on without serious cheese.

I'd imagine a stealth specialist with player skill focused in crafting traps would have the easiest time, as he'd have a fallback plan if his check failed.

And, well, think of it this way - the average way to 'challenge' someone in D&D is not assigning their successes in a specific way, it's rolling against a 40-65% chance at early levels. You can't predict how the dice are going to treat you, and a single thing going wrong WILL kill you if you don't have considerable distance and thorough plans ready.

It just so happens that most classes aren't able to do this.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Why I said a Kobold Warlock. Swarm hits for 1d6 no matter what, kobold gives you +3 AC, and Dex can be boosted as high as needed. Yeah, it's not guarenteed, but nothing is. Figure on levelling at the end of the dungeon, so that's no help. Yeah, anything might be screwed, but a Warlock is less so, as is a Kobold.

[Emperor Tippy]

And my Elan Psion can take 66 points of damage before he hits 0 (although it will take all his PP).

If you figure 4 fights before resting then he can spend 3 PP per fight with 1 left over.

And that would be 4 overpowering challenges per day. If you drop it down to 2 challenges per day it becomes a lot easier.

Perhaps drop Inertial Armor for Entangling Ectoplasm and pick u pa cross bow.

[Dresil]

http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/....php?cid=16657

Here you go. If you want to use him/me as a test I'd be more than willing.

[Chronos]

This guy [whisper gnome] could get past pretty much anything that you'd find at first level, and endurance isn't really a big issue for rogues. Not to sure about the feat to take, possibly darkstalker(in case something has scent).

Remember, you can take two flaws, too. So you might also want to throw in Shape Soulmeld (Theft Gloves) and/or Nimble Fingers, too, in case this dungeon has any traps or locks in it you need to get past.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Rogue, he shouldn't have any problem with locks or traps. I would have proposed Whisper Gnome myself, as they're about the best LA 0 race out there, but he beat me to it. Factotem may work better than rogue, or scout, but I view the 3 of them as fairly equal in their role. (It's only in other people's role that the Factotem excels)

[Eldariel]

Hmm, another thread for those interested:
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boa...p?topic=1444.0

Few good ones yet left unmentioned are the DFA and the Binder. Dread Necro would probably be THE best though, since as long as you can get going, you can create a veritable army of undead to run into things and fight for you, getting more UD on the way. Tomb-Tainted Soul and you'll have infinite healing to boot. Whisper Gnome and you'll be very hard to detect, and Darkstalker to avoid those pesky Scent-creatures. Then just slay few guys, animate, profit.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Male Half-Orc Psychic Warrior 1
Flaws: Shaky and Vulnerable
Feats: Up The Walls, Psionic Talent x3.
Str 18, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 6
Powers Known: Expansion
Powerpoint Reserve: 10

Gear:
Chain Shirt, Heavy Wooden Shield, Battleaxe, Sling, 40 bullets, and 82 gp 6 sp remaining for misc. gear

The character is 6'10" and weighs 438 pounds. He is carrying 63 pounds of gear and coins, for a combined weight of over 500 pounds.

Combat: Manifest Expansion (standard action), use Up the Walls to move 10' up a wall and jump down onto up to four opponents (move action). Weighing over two tons after Expansion and having fallen at least ten feet, opponents he lands on will take 20d6 damage as per falling object rules (DMG p303), and since he jumps down he treats the fall as ten feet less and takes no damage himself. There is no attack roll needed, and no saving throw is allowed to mitigate or avoid this damage.

[DMfromTheAbyss]

just 1 quick question... Why no Muckdweller?
Just curious why this made the list.

[Chronos]

Rogue, he shouldn't have any problem with locks or traps.

Except that at first level, you're still very much at the mercy of the dice. You really don't want to roll low and accidentally set off a trap while you're trying to disarm it.

Factotem may work better than rogue, or scout, but I view the 3 of them as fairly equal in their role. (It's only in other people's role that the Factotem excels)

Starting at 3rd level (when Brains over Brawn kicks in), Factotum is a better skill monkey than Rogue, and adding your level to each skill check once per day can be a lifesaver as well. But at first level, I don't think it really makes much difference yet: All of the skillmonkeys are about on a par at that point.

[Talic]

Beguiler. Trapfinding, charming minions to use against one another. If any class is more self sufficient, I don't know what it is. Only downside is margin for error. Low life = ouch.

[ghost_warlock]

And my Elan Psion can take 66 points of damage before he hits 0 (although it will take all his PP).

If you figure 4 fights before resting then he can spend 3 PP per fight with 1 left over.

And that would be 4 overpowering challenges per day. If you drop it down to 2 challenges per day it becomes a lot easier.

Perhaps drop Inertial Armor for Entangling Ectoplasm and pick u pa cross bow.

Funny, when I read the OP, my first thought was elan psion, too.

I'd probably go Inertial Armor, Demoralize, and Vigor for my powers. Using a crossbow would probably be a good way to go.

[Talic]

And my Elan Psion can take 66 points of damage before he hits 0 (although it will take all his PP).

If you figure 4 fights before resting then he can spend 3 PP per fight with 1 left over.

And that would be 4 overpowering challenges per day. If you drop it down to 2 challenges per day it becomes a lot easier.

Perhaps drop Inertial Armor for Entangling Ectoplasm and pick u pa cross bow.

Psion, Elan.

16 Int.
14 Con
14 Str
14 Dex
8 int
6 cha

2 PP - Race
2 PP - Class
1 PP - Attribute

1st Feat) Psionic Talent +2 PP
2nd Feat) Psionic Talent +3 PP
3rd Feat) Body Fuel
4th Feat) Enhanced Elan Resilience

Ok, 10 pp base.

Each PP can soak 4 damage (enhanced elan feat). As a standard action, you can burn ability scores for extra pp (1 str, 1 dex, 1 con = 2 pp).

So we can soak 40 base.

Now, we can exchange, throughout the day, for 2 pp, and recover ability burn, for 44 hp max, + 5hp (after burn). That's 49 in day to day.

What about a bad day, where you've gotta give it everything you've got?

13 burn = 26 pp. + 10 pp base = 36 pp. 36*4=144 hp (as your hp will be at 1 at the end, you only have 1 to spare)

[Adumbration]

I might do a Dragonborn Fire Hobgoblin, with perhaps either Dragonfire Adept or Dragon Shaman. A wizard or a duskblade wouldn't be bad either. +4 Con, +2 Int, -2 Cha, +0 LA.

Are you looking for just builds, or will we be able to actually play?

[Bayar]

I am looking for you to make a build and test them in a game EACH. yeah, it will be a massive job, but someone has to win, right ?

Answers:

Off the top of my head something like a Gestalt Barbarian or Warblade // Cloistered Cleric -1. Good hitpoints, armor, skills, plus some magical healing before factoring in racial factors.

A +0 LA Planetouched like a Dark creature from Tome of Magic could be interesting.

No gestalt. It is having 2 classes. And no Dark creatures since it is a template. If it is not a template, it should be considered one.

Is evasion a valid tactic? I mean, if the monsters don't know that I've gone through, would that count as a victory?

Yes it does, but if you fail your listen/MS check...the monsters you just passed might get pissed and decide to join in the fight...with the ones that saw/heard you.

Does the character level-up through the dungeon, or is he/she fixed at first level for the entire challenge?

No. It is a level 1 chalenge.

Is the sell-your-spellbook + pile o' dogs tactic available?

NO.

The place you lack is in dealing with traps. However, that's the kind of thing that could just end up to chance. I don't know what kind of dungeon this is, but how nasty could the traps be on a dungeon designed for a level 1 character? We're not talking Tome of Horrors here.

I will roll a dungeon. It wont be ToH, but yeah, there will be traps.

http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/....php?cid=16657

Here you go. If you want to use him/me as a test I'd be more than willing.

As I said, no gestalt. But yeah, you will be testing the character.

The character is 6'10" and weighs 438 pounds. He is carrying 63 pounds of gear and coins, for a combined weight of over 500 pounds.

As crazy as it may sound, i will allow this as long as you can GET to 500 pounds. The maximum weight for a half orc is 172. I dunno how you got to 438...

just 1 quick question... Why no Muckdweller?
Just curious why this made the list.

Because they have insane racial modifiers. I mean, Kobolds need to take a feat abd become venerable for insane racial modifiers...

I might do a Dragonborn Fire Hobgoblin, with perhaps either Dragonfire Adept or Dragon Shaman. A wizard or a duskblade wouldn't be bad either. +4 Con, +2 Int, -2 Cha, +0 LA.

Are you looking for just builds, or will we be able to actually play?

Precisely why I allowed Hobgoblins to be LA 0. And yes, you will play these abominations.

[Emperor Tippy]

No love for the Elans?

How many fights will we face between rest periods? Seeing as a CR 1 is an overpowering challenge for 1 ECL 1 character. And you're only supposed to face 1 of those per day. And you are supposed to level after 3-4 of them.

[Talic]

I believe he's going for a bit more "hardcore". I.E. allowances will be made for progressing more slowly, but the character will be expected to deal with challenges appropriate for an entire party.

[Adumbration]

This should be fun... Considering what class to take at the moment.

EDIT: I shall make a Dragonborn Water Orc Orc Crusader. Who binds Savnok to get a +1 Fullplate and damage reduction 2/piercing. Sure, it takes up all the feats, but it's totally worth it.

I would rather have used a warblade or a swordsage, but coincidentally they are not proficient with heavy armor.

I may have to use this in the Arena as well...

Here he is, almost done:
http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/....php?cid=16664

I'm mostly afraid of the traps, especially pits. Enemies shouldn't be much of a problem, and he can bash through the locked doors, but if he falls in a pit, he might be in trouble.

I need to buy some rope.