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2013-10-21, 07:20 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Temptation
Originally Posted by Magralyx
Magralyx the Kinslayer
LG Succubus Battle Dancer 1/Corrupt Avenger 7
Backstory
SpoilerInto the Deep End
SpoilerGrilfa strode through the halls of her depraved dwelling, stopping briefly to examine a few of the human sized pustules growing in the walls. At last she found what she was looking for, and drew a long, sharp talon across the bottom of the growth, causing it to spill its contents on the floor. A young succubus tumbled to the floor at Grilfa's feet, blinking up at her in confusion. The elder succubus place that sharp talon beneath the younger's chin and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Greetings, young Magralyx. I have need of you in the mortal realm."
The Makings of a Queen
SpoilerMagralyx stared down at the rapidly cooling body of the captain of the Kingsguard. A pity, she thought, he was such a handsome young man. If only he hadn't been so perceptive, we might have accomplished much together. She took a moment to check the mirror to ensure that her disguise was still well in place. The image of Lady Aurelia, noblewoman and soon to be queen of King Reginald, stared back at her with a wicked grin. After that, she hauled the body of the captain partially onto the bed, and drove the decorative dagger the King had given her into his heart. She quickly assembled the scene to appear that the captain had attacked her with the intent of forcing himself on her, and that she had managed to kill him in self defense. She ripped her sleeping clothes in several strategic locations before adopting a look of terror and desperation on her face. She fell to the floor, sobbing, and then screamed, "HELP! GUARDS!"
Corruption Uncovered
SpoilerThe old inquisitor peered at Magralyx and repeated his question. "Do you even remember my son's name, wretch?" He spat the words at her with such hatred that it would have made her old mentor proud.
Magralyx, still in her human disguise, merely smirked back a him. "It is difficult to remember the unremarkable and the worthless.", she responded evenly.
The inquisitor launched to his feet and across the room with the vigor of a man 20 years his younger. "My son Simon was the captain of the Kingsguard! You murdered him in cold blood! You will not dishonor his memory with your venom!" His gauntlet drew blood as he struck her across the face. Magralyx merely smiled and licked the blood away as the inquisitor shook with rage. After a minute to regain his composure, the inquisitor's face melted back into his usual stony composure. "You will remember what you did to my son, and you will feel regret and pain at his loss." He nodded to a guard in the room who brought a large wooden box to the inquisitor.
For the first time during the interrogation, Magralyx's self confidence faltered, and her smirk vanished. "What is that? What are you going to do?"
Now it was the inquisitor's turn to smile, "I will give you the gift of remorse before you burn at the stake, witch." He lifted an ornate looking helm out of the box, and with the assistance of another guard, he placed it on Magralyx's thrashing head.
And she felt pain. A raging inferno of emotions swirled through her as her very being was torn asunder. She was suddenly overcome by revulsion at her true nature and her deeds. And true to the old man's words, she felt immense sorrow at the death of the captain of the Kingsguard.
As she writhed and screamed, the old inquisitor watched her in stony silence. After a few hours, he finally retired for the evening. He would need his rest before carrying out her sentence in the morning.
In the dungeon's below, Magralyx's screams continued, even as her agents broke her free and escaped with her into the night.
But Magralyx had been forever changed by that night. Now there were two versions of her waging an eternal war in her mind. A Demon Temptress, and a crusading Demonslayer.
Vengeance
Spoiler
The halls of Grilfa's Abyssal estate were quieter than usual. The screams of the damned being feasted upon by newborn demons echoed dimly through the building, but all Grilfa could hear were the light tapping sounds of her own feet on the stone. She retired to her chambers after checking on her charges, and was surprised to find Magralyx lounging on her bed, a wicked looking blade cradled in her lap. When their gazes met, Grilfa froze in terror.
Magralyx slowly stood, a raging fury in her eyes, "Hello mother, I've come to give you what you are owed..."
Build
SpoilerMagralyx
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Succubus 1|+1|+2|+2|+2|Bluff 4, Diplomacy 4, Hide 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge(The Planes) 4, Listen 4, Move Silently 4, Perform(Dance) (2), Spot 4|Shape Soulmeld(Impulse Boots)|2 Claws (1d6), Polymorph(1 selected humanoid form, no duration), +1 Natural Armor, Resistances (Acid 5, Cold 5, Electricity 5, Fire 5), Tongues (Su), Subtypes[Chaotic, Evil], Darkvision 60ft, Poison Immunity, +2 Dex, +6 Cha, +8 racial bonus on Listen and Spot
2nd|Succubus 2|+2|+3|+3|+3|Bluff 5, Concentration 2, Diplomacy 5, Hide 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(The Planes) 5, Listen 5, Move Silently 5, Spot 5| |+2 Int, Lesser Succubus Powers 1/day, Telepathy 100ft.
3rd|Succubus 3|+2|+3|+3|+3| - | |+2 Cha, Fly 50ft. (Average), Polymorph(3 selected humanoid forms), +3 Natural Armor
4th|Succubus 4|+3|+3|+3|+3|Bluff 6, Diplomacy 6, Hide 6, Intimidate 6, Knowledge(The Planes) 6, Listen 6, Perform(Dance) (3), Move Silently 6, Spot 6|Avenging Strike|+2 Con, Lesser Succubus Powers 3/day
5th|Succubus 5|+3|+3|+3|+3| - | |+2 Int, Polymorph (At-will, any humanoid form), +5 Natural Armor
6th|Succubus 6|+4|+4|+4|+4|Bluff 7, Concentration 5, Diplomacy 7, Hide 7, Intimidate 7, Knowledge(The Planes) 7, Listen 7, Move Silently 7, Spot 7| |+2 Cha, Lesser Succubus Powers At-will
7th|Succubus 7|+4|+4|+4|+4| - | |+2 Wis, Energy Drain 1/day, +7 Natural Armor, Resistances (Acid 10, Cold 10, Electricity 10, Fire 10)
8th|Succubus 8|+5|+4|+4|+4|Bluff 8, Concentration 7, Diplomacy 8, Hide 8, Intimidate 8, Knowledge(The Planes) 8, Listen 8, Perform(Dance) (4), Move Silently 8, Spot 8| |+2 Int, Succubus Powers 1/day
9th|Succubus 9|+5|+4|+4|+4| - | |+2 Cha, Spell Resistance (12+HD), +9 Natural Armor
10th|Succubus 10|+6|+5|+5|+5|Bluff 9, Concentration 9, Diplomacy 9, Hide 9, Intimidate 9, Knowledge(The Planes) 9, Listen 9, Move Silently 9, Spot 9, Never Outnumbered|Open Least Chakra(Feet)|+2 Wis, Succubus Powers 1/day or 3/day, Immune to Electricity
11th|Succubus 11|+6|+5|+5|+5| - | |+2 Str, Energy Drain At-will, DR 10/cold iron or good
12th|Succubus 12|+6|+5|+5|+5| - | |Succubus Powers At-will, +4 Cha, Summon Tanar'ri (Sp)
13th|Battle Dancer 1|+7|+5|+7|+5|Hide 10, Listen 10, Perform(Dance) 8, Social Recovery| |AC Bonus (Charimsa to AC), Unarmed Strike (1d6)
14th|Corrupt Avenger 1|+8|+7|+7|+5|Bluff 10, Diplomacy 10, Intimidate 10, Listen 11, Spot 11| |Armored Casting, Detect Sworn Foe, Sworn Foe(Evil Outsiders) +2, Taint Suppression, Spellcasting
15th|Corrupt Avenger 2|+9|+8|+7|+5|Bluff 11, Diplomacy 11, Intimidate 12, Listen 12, Spot 12|Combat Panache|Tainted Strike 1/day
16th|Corrupt Avenger 3|+10|+8|+8|+6|Bluff 13, Diplomacy 12, Intimidate 13, Listen 13, Spot 13| |Grim Resolve
17th|Corrupt Avenger 4|+11|+9|+8|+6|Bluff 14, Diplomacy 14, Intimidate 14, Listen 14, Spot 14| |Sworn Foe +4
18th|Corrupt Avenger 5|+12|+9|+8|+6|Bluff 15, Intimidate 15, Listen 15, Spot 15, Shrouded Dance|Arcane Strike|Frightful Fury
19th|Corrupt Avenger 6|+13|+10|+9|+7|Bluff 16, Diplomacy 16, Intimidate 16, Listen 16, Spot 16| |Tainted Strike 2/day
20th|Corrupt Avenger 7|+14|+10|+9|+7|Bluff 17, Intimidate 17, Listen 17, Move Silently (10), Spot 17| |Sworn Foe +6[/table]
Stats and Increases
Spoiler
Starting Ability Scores:
Str - 16
Dex - 14
Con - 14
Int - 12
Wis - 8
Cha - 14
Final Ability Scores (after racial adjustments and levels):
Str - 18
Dex - 16
Con - 16
Int - 18
Wis - 12
Cha - 33 (3 levels)
Corruption Score: 16 (Moderate)
Spells per day (Includes bonus spells)
Spoiler
Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
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4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
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6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
14th|-|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
15th|-|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
16th|-|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
17th|-|3|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
18th|-|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-
19th|-|3|3|3|-|-|-|-|-|-
20th|-|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
Spells Known:
Given that Corrupt Avengers have a spellbook and can copy spells into it like a wizard can, Magralyx can have any spell from her list that she likes, so long as she's picked up a scroll of it somewhere. Generally, she'd pick up the various buffing spells on the Corrupt Avenger spell list first, before focusing on spells that would help her against her Sworn Foe.
Level Breakdown
Spoiler
Level 5
Magralyx is still developing her Succubus abilities to their fullest. Her new outlook drives her to destroy her own kin and eventually, the shadow of her former self. She is an excellent party face and infiltrator, a good scout, and a good skirmishing fighter. Against Evil Outsiders, she can really lay the hurt on with Avenging Strike, and her defenses are solid (decent AC, decent saves, and Impulse Boots to provide Uncanny dodge). Natural flight at this level gives her an edge over pretty much any foe she may face. If she picks up any martial ranged weapon, she can rain death on encounters without suffering a scratch in return.
Level 12
Magralyx is now a fully fledged Succubus. Her natural armor, energy resistances, and DR make her tough to damage in combat, her spell-like abilities further enhance her face, infiltrator, and scout abilities, and the Open Least Chakra feat grants her Evasion with her Impulse Boots soulmeld. The Never Outnumbered skill trick lets her bring her considerable Charisma to bear on her foes and inflict the shaken status on entire crowds if necessary. And Greater Teleport at-will is just gravy.
Level 16 "Sweet Spot"
Holy (or Unholy, depending on how you want to look at it) cow, has Magralyx picked up a new bag of tricks at this point. First, let's start with defenses. Magralyx now adds her Charisma modifier (+11, before items) to all of her saves, thanks to Grim Resolve. Battle Dancer let's her add her Charisma mod to her AC in addition to her Dex (so it applies to Touch AC as well). And the Combat Panache feat lets her add her Charisma Mod to her AC again against any one foe she has dealt 1 point of damage to. Suddenly, she has become untouchable. On the offense front, she has picked up Sworn Foe and Tainted Strike. As an outsider with the evil subtype, she is immune to the negative effects of taint, and automatically has a taint score equal to her half her Charisma score (so a score of 16). Her corruption represents the psychic fragments of her former personality waging war with her newly formed LG personality. Sworn Foe drives her into a fury whenever she is in the presence of Evil Outsiders. Now, as an Evil Outsider herself, one could make the ruling that she is pretty much always in a fury, because she's always in the presence of an Evil Outsider. And because the chairman's ruling means she can never gain more taint, this is pretty much a +2 Strength and +2 Con for free, all the time. However, let's assume that she doesn't count. That means she can still get the bonus much of the time with her Summon Tanar'ri ability, which brings an Evil Outsider into her presence (under her control). Boom, instant fury. And it doesn't end there. You would think that Evil Outsiders would be a poor choice for a Sworn Foe, given that they are immune to Tainted Strike. However, Magralyx picked up Avenging Strike, which let's her have a smiting ability that works on her Sworn Foe. She can use her Tainted Strike on foes that are susceptible to it, and use Avenging Strike to hammer her Sworn Foes into the dirt. Lastly, she's gotten a huge boost in utility. She has a bevy of good utility spells (and some attack spells that, thanks to her enormous Charisma mod, her targets are likely to fail their saves on), and Sworn Foe boosts her Bluff, Listen, and Spot scores when dealing with Evil Outsiders, so her face, infiltrator and scout roles are enhanced. And lastly, her Social Recovery Skill trick helps to ensure that should she somehow fail a Diplomacy check, she can still pull through with a successful Bluff check.
Level 20
Topping out her career, Magralyx picks up a few handy abilities, on top of improving everything that has come before. Frigthful Fury adds an extra fear debuff when she attacks, leaving her the option to use Never Outnumbered to intimidate them and drive them into the hills with fear stacking. And Arcane Strike lets her use her spells to smite her foes, should their Spell Resistance or general immunities normally protect them from harm. Lastly, she picks up the Shrouded Dance skill trick. While she isn't a master sneak, this skill trick can buy her a moment to hide before Teleporting away and vanishing completely, should any social situation completely devolve.
Sources
SpoilerSavage Species (Succubus monster class)
Monster Manual (Succubus)
Tome of Battle (Avenging Strike)
Complete Warrior (Arcane Strike)
Player's Handbook 2 (Combat Panache)
Magic of Incarnum (Shape Soulmeld, Open Least Chakra)
Dragon Compendium (Battle Dancer)
Complete Scoundrel (Skill Tricks)
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2013-10-21, 07:22 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one.
Originally Posted by Braxton
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2013-10-21, 07:25 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
The
buckmagic stops here Originally Posted by Eillyassa Miltal
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2013-10-21, 07:27 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Poor little street rat, covered in corruption.
Originally Posted by Giorgio
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2013-10-21, 07:28 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I'm Batman
Originally Posted by Brooswayn Scourgesoul
BROOSWAYN “KNIGHT FROM THE DARK” SCOURGESOUL
NG* Hellbred (Spirit) Warblade 5/Hellreaver 4/Corrupt Avenger 10/Warblade +1
Point buy (32): Str 14/Dex 12/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 8/Cha 18 (post-racial)
Stat bumps: all to Charisma
Spoiler: The Vision
Due to speculation, I can’t bring myself to write that one line I really want to put in here. Yeah, that one. Still, imagine it’s here. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Yeah, I thought so too. Darn Speculators!
Spoiler: The Origin Story
He opened his eyes. He was sitting on the steps of a monastery. He didn’t know what he was doing there. He heard screaming around him: in the monastery, people were running away, terrified. While looking around, he caught his own reflection in a fountain: that was not the face of a human anymore.
Actually, had he ever had the face of a human? Or had he been an elf? A dwarf, maybe- he did remember spending time on mountains and in caves. Or an orc? A gnoll? A giant? He could not remember. He only remembered one thing, as clear as day, clearer than he could see his current surroundings: his parents, brutally murdered, when he was but a child. By whom? He couldn’t say. But he’d know soon enough.
Again, more screaming. People pointing fingers. He had to run.
While he began as judgmental of criminals and low-lives, he quickly had to resort to theft and swindles to survive. Before long, he was brought in a group of martial artists known as the League of Shadows: experts of martial arts and the art of fear, they took Brooswayn under their wing, and taught him all he needed to know. Brooswayn was gifted in the arts of combat and intimidation, and quickly climbed the organization’s ladder, eventually reaching the title of “Knight from the Dark”.
By that time, however, Brooswayn had realized that the League of Shadows had different plans from him. He also realized that its leader was not a man, but a shapeshifted demon, corrupting the souls of its followers. He decided to get rid of his very own mentor, and during their final combat, Brooswayn learnt a final lesson from his mentor-turned-nemesis: “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” If that was the case, he had to become fear itself.
Over time, Brooswayn became a Demon Hunter, attempting to prevent other situations like his. He eventually joined a group of people like him, who called themselves the League of Justice, and all together, they took the fight to the Demons’ own turf. While over there, however, Brooswayn’s anger and frustrations, his desire for vengeance, his bloodthirst for his parents’ murderer, all were amplified while in the Abyss. And eventually, they got the better of him: once again, his soul had been corrupted by Demons. Which only made him hate them more. And the hate led to more corruption, and the corruption to more hate. He was stuck in this never ending circle, until his partymates literally had to drag him out. But the damage was done.
His hatred had become such that he blamed Demons for everything, even his parents’ death. Over the next year, he went on one of the most successful Demon Hunts ever witnessed. However, his methods had become brutal, too much for his teammates to tolerate. But solitude was nothing to stop Brooswayn. If he could not learn which Demon had killed his parents, he’d have to kill them all, just to be sure. That way, he’d reach his redemption.
Over time, he slew hordes and hordes of demons. None bringing him the warmth he was looking for. With every blow, he felt emptier; with every wound, more enraged. Yet, he kept on going, certain he was right. Certain that it was the only way. How else could he find the demon who killed his parents? The demon who had kept him from entering the afterlife?
Unbeknownst to him, however, is the fact that every time he’d pass a fountain or mirror, he’d gaze intensely into the eyes of his parents’ murderer, of the demon who had kept him from entering the afterlife. And every time, whether from denial or ignorance, no one knows, he’d look away, searching for some other creature on which to pin the crime.
Spoiler: The Training
Neither skills nor saves include bonuses from stats. Reflexes, however, includes bonus from Apprentice (Martial Artist)
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Warblade 1|+1|+2|+2|+0|Balance 2, Concentration 4, Intimidate 4, Know Planes 2, Tumble 4|Apprentice (Martial Artist), Devil’s Favor (Bonus)|Battle Clarity, Weapon Aptitude
2nd|Warblade 2|+2|+3|+2|+0| Balance 2, Concentration 5, Intimidate 5, Know Planes 2.5, Tumble 5|-|Uncanny Dodge
3rd| Warblade 3|+3|+3|+3|+1| Balance 2, Concentration 6, Intimdate 6, Know Planes 3, Tumble 6|Power Attack|Battle Ardor
4th| Warblade 4|+4|+4|+3|+1| Balance 2, Concentration 7, Intimidate 7, Know Planes 3.5, Tumble 7|-|-
5th| Warblade 5|+5|+4|+3|+1| Balance 2, Concentration 7, Intimidate 8, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7, Never Outnumbered|Ironheart Aura (Bonus)|-
6th|Hellreaver 1|+6|+4|+3|+3| Balance 2, Concentration 8, Intimidate 9, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|Frightful Presence|Holy Fury, Furious Strike (+2/+1d6); Darkvision 60ft
7th|Hellreaver 2|+7|+4|+3|+4| Balance 2, Concentration 9, Intimidate 10, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Divine Succor (10)
8th| Hellreaver 3|+8|+5|+4|+4| Balance 2, Concentration 10, Intimidate 11, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Divine Resolve, Divine Shield
9th| Hellreaver 4|+9|+5|+4|+5| Balance 2, Concentration 11, Intimidate 12, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|Stormguard Warrior, Imperious Command(Taint)|Mettle, Divine Resolve (+4/+2d6); Darkvision 120ft
10th| Corrupt Avenger 1|+10|+7|+4|+5| Balance 2, Concentration 12, Intimidate 13, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Armored Casting, Sworn Foe +2 (Ousider [evil]), Detect Sworn Foe, Taint Suppression
11th|Corrupt Avenger 2|+11|+8|+4|+5| Balance 2, Concentration 13, Intimidate 14, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Tainted Strike 1/day
12th| Corrupt Avenger 3|+12|+8|+5|+6| Balance 2, Concentration 14, Intimidate 15, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|Skill Focus (Intimidate)|Grim Resolve; Sees in Deeper Darkness
13th| Corrupt Avenger 4|+13|+10|+5|+6| Balance 2, Concentration 15, Intimidate 16, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Sworn Foe +4
14th| Corrupt Avenger 5|+14|+11|+5|+6| Balance 2, Concentration 16, Intimidate 17, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Frightful Fury
15th| Corrupt Avenger 6|+15|+11|+5|+6| Balance 2, Concentration 17, Intimidate 18, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|Ability Focus (Frightful Fury)|Tainted Strike 2/day; Telepathy 100ft
16th| Corrupt Avenger 7|+16|+12|+6|+7| Balance 2, Concentration 18, Intimidate 19, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Sworn Foe +6
17th| Corrupt Avenger 8|+17|+12|+6|+7| Balance 2, Concentration 19, Intimidate 20, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|-
18th| Corrupt Avenger 9|+18|+13|+6|+7| Balance 2, Concentration 20, Intimidate 21, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|Arcane Strike|Unnerving Fury
19th| Corrupt Avenger 10|+19|+13|+7|+8| Balance 2, Concentration 21, Intimidate 22, Know Planes 4, Tumble 7|-|Tainted Strike 3/day, Sworn Foe +8
20th| Warblade 6|+20|+14|+7|+8| Balance 2, Concentration 23, Intimidate 23, Know Planes 4, Tumble 8|-|Improved Uncanny Dodge[/table]
Spoiler: Spells per day
Spells per day
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th
1st|-|-|-|-
2nd|-|-|-|-
3rd|-|-|-|-
4th|-|-|-|-
5th|-|-|-|-
6th|-|-|-|-
7th|-|-|-|-
8th|-|-|-|-
9th|-|-|-|-
10th|0|-|-|-
11th|1|-|-|-
12th|1|0|-|-
13th|1|1|-|-
14th|1|1|0|-
15th|1|1|1|-
16th|2|1|1|0
17th|2|1|1|1
18th|2|2|1|1
19th|2|2|2|1
20th|2|2|2|1[/table]
Bonus spells depending on Corruption, they were not included in this table**
Spoiler: Maneuvers and Stances
1st: Moment of Perfect Mind, Sapphire Nightmare Blade, Steel Wind; Stonefoot Stance
2nd: Stone Bones
3rd: Emerald Razor
4th: Punishing Stance
5th: Insightful Strike
20th: Retrain Steel Wind to Greater Insightful Strike
Spoiler: From Second Birth to Second Death
Brooswayn Begins: 5th level: Brooswayn is your average low-level Initiator. Regardless of his choice of weapon, between Demoralize (at +16, and against multiple opponents) and Insightful Strikes, Brooswayn spreads death and fear across the battlefield, using his martial training and ability to get in his opponent’s heads to fight every single evil being he comes across, hoping to get his redemption.
Knight from the Dark: 10th level: By this point, hunting evil on its own turf has gotten to Brooswayn. Even more terrifying than before (+22 to Demoralize, and Frightful Presence DC20 when attacking), he uses this ability to make enemies run away from him, and by letting them run away (Stormguard Warrior), he strikes even harder when he catches up to them.
Knight from the Dark Rises: 15th level: By now, everything about Brooswayn is scary: not only is he scary when he tries (Demoralize at +29), or when he attacks (Frightful Presence DC22), but when facing Demons***, he exudes terrifying (Frightful Fury DC 20). I mean, how badass do you need to be for Demons to run away from you?
Knight from the Dark Returns: 20th level: As he gets closer and closer to his Redemption (or so he thinks…), Brooswayn’s become a master of terror (Demoralize at +35 with no gear, Frightful Presence and Frightful Fury, both DC26). Enemies cower before him, and by playing it cool and letting them run, he strikes hard.
Spoiler: From Batmerang to Bat-Shark-Repelant-Spray
Brooswayn, like any D&D character, would benefit from good gear: Cha-boosting items, Intimidate-enhancing items, and Fearsome Armor (from DotU) are standard equipment for a fear-focused build such as this one. Aside from that, Brooswayn should focus on buying items that are either comically themed or only effective in incredibly specific and rare situations, in which case he'd definitely need some sort of extradimensional storing place. Or a young apprentice to follow him around while carrying this gear.
Aside from these, the rest of the equipment should be filled according to the character's budget. I mean, it's not like he was from a wealthy family and had inherited a fortune comparable to the budget of a large empire.
Spoiler
*Brooswayn starts off Neutral Good, and as taint gets the better of him, he slides over to True Neutral. Such alignment shifts have, historically***, been punished by ICitP judges. In this case, we have prepared twoexcusesarguments: (1) One could argue that Hellbred’s Evil Exception ability could be extended to protect Brooswayn from Taint’s alignment shift. While not RAW, it is, at the very least, arguable; (2) One could argue that this alignment shift is the whole point behind this particular SI’s fluff. Not only could they, but I just did.
**With a Constitution of 12 (assuming no gear and taking the -2 penalty from Taint Suppression), Brooswayn could reach a Corruption of 17 before going into Severe Taint, which would grant Brooswayn 2 bonus spells of each level he can cast. However, because Taint acquisition might not be under the player’s control, no particular score was taken for granted.
***Yes, I’ve used “historically” to describe a contest on a forum dedicated to a webcomic that makes fun of an outdated game. It’s serious stuff, folks!
Spoiler: Sources
HoH: Corrupt Avenger, Taint
DMG 2: Apprentice feat (p.176)
CW: Arcane Strike (p.96)
ToB: Warblade (p.20), maneuvers (all over the place), Ironheart Aura (p.31), Stormguard Warrior (p.36)
Draconomicon: Frightful Presence (p.105)
FC2: Hellbred (p.78), Devil’s Favor (p.81), Hellreaver (p.92)
DotU: Imperious Command (p.50)
CS: Never Outnumbered Skill Trick (p.87)
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2013-10-21, 07:38 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
A single poisoned rose in a grove of health
Originally Posted by Angelique A'lanale
Angelique A'lanale
Chaotic Good
Female Azurin
Duskblade 3/Soulborn 4/Hellreaver 6/Corrupt Avenger 7
Character Portrait:
Spoiler
A Half-Remembered Dream:
SpoilerAn infant's wail pierces the darkness, cutting right through flesh and piercing her heart. Her breath comes in ragged gasps and her entire body is heavy with fatigue. She has to answer... She has to rise... She can not. Something holds her down. Some force saps her strength and denies her sight.
The wail sounds again. Rising higher with what can only be pain. Something inside her cracks. She knows that cry, or should. Something drips on her lips. Hot, wet, metallic. The cry is just above her. Blood... Why does she taste blood? Now she hears laughter. Low, deep, visceral... Evil. It speaks in a language full of foul and stagnant words. She can't make it out. Her attention keeps focusing on the cry.
It sounds again and is abruptly cut off. Half-choking coughs and gurgles are all she hears. Something touches the back of her mind. Is she dreaming? This can not be real. That sounds like ... NO! Her body floods with energy and her heavy eyes snap open. Darkness is like a fog around her. The huge twisted form before her keeps her pinned to the floor with one clawed hand while the other clenches the still body of an infant, blood seeping down its limbs to the floor. A name rises on her lips as she simply stares, eyes unfocused, at the diminutive figure, one hand outstretched.
Just as the name leaves her lips and a soul-crushing despair envelopes her, her eyes snap open and a growl leaves her throat. She blinks rapidly, confused as she surveys the surrounding campfire. Danger? No... There is nothing. She sighes heavily as she frees one hand from her sword. The hand shakes uncontrollably for a few moments, until she clenches it in one guantleted fist. That dream again...
Her eyes flash. They will all PAY!
Ability Scores:
Spoiler
Ability Scores
{table=head]Ability|Level 1|Level 4|Level 8|Level 12|Level 16|Level 20
Str|15|16|--|--|--|16
Dex|12|--|--|--|--|12
Con|14|--|--|--|--|14
Int|12|--|--|--|--|12
Wis|10|--|11|12|13|13
Cha|15|--|--|--|--|16[/table]
Build:
Spoiler
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Duskblade 1|+1|+2|+0|+2|Concentration +2, Knowledge (planes) +4, Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Spellcraft +4|Power Attack, Cobalt Attack|Arcane Attunement, Armored Mage (light)
2nd|Duskblade 2|+2|+3|+0|+3|Concentration +1, Sense Motive +2| |Combat Casting
3rd|Duskblade 3|+3|+3|+1|+3|Spellcraft +2, Concentration +1|Bane Magic|Arcane Channeling
4th|Soulborn 1|+4|+5|+1|+3|Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Concentration +1| |Aura (chaotic Good), Smite Opposition 1/day
5th|Soulborn 2|+5|+6|+1|+3|Spellcraft +2, Knowledge (planes) +1| |Incarnum Defense
6th|Hellreaver 1|+6/+1|+6|+1|+5|Listen +2, Spot +1|Bonus Essentia|Holy Fury, Furious Strike +2/1d6
7th|Hellreaver 2|+7/+2|+6|+1|+6|Listen +1, Spot +2| |Divine Succor (10 points)
8th|Hellreaver 3|+8/+3|+7|+2|+7|Knowledge (religion) +3| |Divine Shield, Divine Resolve
9th|Corrupt Avenger 1|+9/+4|+9|+2|+7|Listen +2, Spot +1|Arcane Disciple (healing), Taint Feat: Font of Life|Armored Casting, Detect Sworn foe, Sworn foe +2 (evil outsiders), Taint Suppression
10th|Hellreaver 4|+10/+5|+9|+2|+8|Knowledge (Religion) +3| |Armored Casting, Detect Sworn foe, Sworn foe +2, Taint Suppression
11th|Corrupt Avenger 2|+11/+6/+1|+10|+2|+8|Listen +1, Spot +2| |Tainted Strike 1/day
12th|Hellreaver 5|+12/+7/+2|+10|+2|+8|Listen +2, Spot +1|Shape Soulmeld (Strongheart Vest)|Divine Succor (20 points), Heoric Sacrifice
13th|Soulborn 3|+13/+8/+3|+10|+3|+9|Spellcraft +3|Healing Soul|Bonus Incarnum Feat
14th|Soulborn 4|+14/+9/+4|+11|+3|+9|Spellcraft +3| |Shape Soulmeld (Soulborn) x1
15th|Corrupt Avenger 3|+15/+10/+5|+11|+4|+10|Concentration +3|Touch of Healing|Grim resolve
16th|Corrupt Avenger 4|+16/+11/+6/+1|+12|+4|+10|Concentration +3| |Sworn Foe +4
17th|Corrupt Avenger 5|+17/+12/+7/+2|+12|+4|+10|Concentration +3| |Frightful Fury
18th|Corrupt Avenger 6|+18/+13/+8/+3|+13|+5|+11|Listen +1, Spot +2|Mitigate Suffering|Tainted Strike 2/day
19th|Corrupt Avenger 7|+19/+14/+9/+4|+13|+5|+11|Listen +2, Spot +1| |Sworn Foe +6
20th|Hellreaver 6|+20/+15/+10/+5|+14|+6|+12|Spellcraft +3| |Call to Judgement[/table]
Duskblade Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st
1st|3|2
2nd|4|3
3rd|5|4
4th|5|4
5th|5|4
6th|5|4
7th|5|4
8th|5|4
9th|5|4
10th|5|4
11th|5|4
12th|5|4
13th|5|4
14th|5|4
15th|5|4
16th|5|4
17th|5|4
18th|5|4
19th|5|4
20th|5|4[/table]
Corrupt Avenger Spells per day
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th
1st|-|-|-|-
2nd|-|-|-|-
3rd|-|-|-|-
4th|-|-|-|-
5th|-|-|-|-
6th|-|-|-|-
7th|-|-|-|-
8th|-|-|-|-
9th|0|-|-|-
10th|0|-|-|-
11th|1|-|-|-
12th|1|-|-|-
13th|1|-|-|-
14th|1|-|-
15th|1|0|-|-
16th|1|1|-|-
17th|1|1|0|-
18th|1|1|1|-
19th|2|1|1|0
20th|2|1|1|0[/table]
Essentia Available
{table=head]Level|Essentia
1st|2
2nd|2
3rd|2
4th|2
5th|2
6th|3
7th|3
8th|3
9th|3
10th|3
11th|3
12th|4
13th|5
14th|5
15th|5
16th|5
17th|5
18th|5
19th|5
20th|5[/table]
Sweet, Sweet Innocence (ECL 5):
Spoiler"Be fruitful and multiply."
"Celebrate life, especially new life. A young sapling is a beautiful creation, and children are the world's greatest blessing."
"Never turn your back on a child or young creature in need."
These simple tenants are the sole reason that I made it to adulthood. Looking back, I have realized that had the elves not been followers of Arawai, I would have been left to die of exposure when my birth family abandoned me to the elements. Born in blood and tainted by the Incarnum, my mother did not survive the birthing and my father, too grieved by her death, could not accept the infant before him as his own. This babe that lay twitching from palsy and who's eyes shine with soul energy long before they could focus. The child could not be his...
I never knew my birth parents. That story was the only one I have and its ends with my father taking his own life in his grief. A part of me is saddened. The loss I feel should be much deeper even though I never grew to love them. Instead, I grew to love the elves that took me in. Burdened with several children of their own, they could not leave me die. For this, I took in everything that they were and, short of becoming an elf myself, I embodied their way of life. Arawai's tenants guided me as I grew, which was too quick, even for a human child.
The elves were no stranger to raiders and bandits. I took to the sword quickly enough and was trained as a Duskblade. A rare opportunity for a human, let alone an Azurin (that is what they called me). I excelled at it. I had siblings that were still young by elven standards and I had sworn to myself to protect them. I often drew upon my Incarnum 'taint' to empower my strikes, even as I channeled the lightning through my blade. This was just the beginning and the start of my troubles.
Whether by chance or drawn to the area by my use of the soul energies prevalent in the surrounding area, we began to see an increase in Outsider presence. Little things started happening, crops becoming fouled, water becoming polluted, bugs and disease growing in power. All this gave us warning. I was ... impatient for a solution. It has never been in my nature to wait when I could do something. One of my siblings was getting worse, having caught a fever that could not be broken.
We eventually found the creature. Looking back, it seemed so small and harmless, hardly a threat. They warned me to stay back until they could contain it but I was too far lost in a rage to listen. When my sword pierced its flesh and I felt the energy surge through the blade, I ... Something touched my soul and darkened it. Some taint of the fiend found a way in and changed something inside of me. In the moment, it merely served to send my rage into a new level of fury, one that fed upon itself. I remember seeing nothing but red, breathing heavily after I had come to and the remains of the devil were scattered across the ground. I could taste its blood and feel the ichor drenching my hair.
My sibling had perished. I had brought retribution. Whatever price I had paid to kill the fiend ... I thought it was well worth it. My innocence died that day. I had set foot upon the path that would forever guide my feet. Devils ... and their kin, the demons. Fiends. I had a grudge against them that would never be satisfied...
Breakdown:
SpoilerDuskblade allows us to keep our full BAB needed to enter into our future prestige classes while maintaining the ability to power attack with a reasonable chance to hit as often as possible. Power attack and Coblat Power serve to meet the requirements for Hellreaver and allow us to use our Essentia, so that it doesnt sit wasted. We need Duskblade so that we can consistently deliver enough damage to stay relevant.
Soulborn is not an ideal class but serves a few roles. Maintains BAB progression, delivers ability to shape a soulmeld (...eventually), smite opposition (law/evil) and gives us immunity to paralysis. Demons/Devils love to inflict disease, ability damage/drain and paralysis. The extra HP from Soulborn serves to maintain our ability to front line.
Bane Magic serves to increase our shocking grasp to the full 5d6 vs evil outsiders and shows the characters initial focus on her future sworn foe. Even her choice in weapons reveals her attention to detail and study.
When Vengence Becomes Revenge (ECL 10):
SpoilerI am ... tired as I write these words. My family, my community, my ... everything is lost. Every part of me blames THEM even though I know it was my actions that brought this ruin upon us. Both are true. While I fully understand that what I did was right, correct and just, the retribution from the fiends was of a magnitude I did not forsee. I must be a threat if they have put this much effort into breaking my will. I ... No. They can not break what is already broken, lying shattered upon the floor. Should they continue, they will only find out how sharp those little shard are as I shred their feet.
I am not ready for a full assault on their realms of evil. My sorrow is too great and the taint lies heavy on my soul. I was too zealous in my attempts to cleanse the area of their presence that I did not guard myself properly. Even worse, I have begun drawing on that taint to strengthen myself when in the presence of mine enemies. The power is ... enticing and the ecstacy I feel when I taste their blood, their flesh is enough to make me doubt myself. I pray intensely to Arawai each day to guard my soul against the increasing taint of the darkness that I am blindly rushing into each time I take up arms. I feel her light at my back and see the reflection of her love in my blade as it is raised to strike. She is with me and my steps will not falter.
The worse part of my crusade is knowing that I will never be able to conceive and multiply as Awarai directs. The taint has changed me on the inside. If I could still conceive, I fear my body would be too hostile for the new life and too dangerous to the world if it survives and is born. The anger I feel at this condition is nothing compared to the loss of my family, though it was enough to finally decide my path. Since I will not have a legacy of flesh, I will have a legacy of song and story, one that passes down through the ages. I have no delusions that I can slay them all. I will try and most likely fail. If and when I do, I will die with a smile on my face.
Breakdown:
SpoilerHellreaver. This is a prestige class that just clicks with Corrupt Avenger. It brings a level of versatility that frontliners lack (with is ability to heal itself as a swift action) and gives a smite attack that is renewable per encounter. Being CHA focused also helps with Corrupt Avenger. We also pick up Mettle, which will be highly useful.
As for Corrupt Avenger, our first level is taken at 9th, a little late but the delay is intentional. Mechanically, it allows us to have a build that has no dead levels. From a roleplaying standpoint, taking Arcane Disciple (Life) falls in line with the character's fear of losing herself to the taint, so she devotes herself to a higher power. With our bonus feat from Taint, we have taken Font of Life so that we can resist negative levels and ability drain. Combine that with Mettle, we have the ability to completely ignore those status afflictions.
Limitless Fury and Retribution (ECL 12 - Sweet Spot):
SpoilerI become more and more convinced that Awarai herself is guiding my blade. My fury against the fiends seems limitless. When I begin the feel my anger dim, it is renewed once more. The spirits of Incarnum, which I once thought tainted, are granting me their strength and absorbing pain that shoulld rightfully be mine. Perhaps it is the taint playing with my mind. Regardless, the bodies that are beginning to pile up at my feet lead me to believe I am nearly ready for my assault. I am beginning to attracted a few straglers that want to join my cause. I have no time to train them but I will not stop them from following me.
Despite my belief that I have grown too strong for simple things to affect me, I still ensure I have a plan for when my grace is taken from me. I can not let my abilities failing stop me. The fiends must not have a chance to regroup or even learn of what I am up to. I ensure every fiend is rent asunder after battle to make sure that no word of my success reaches certain ears.
My sword has sipped on the blood of so many fiends that it has now developed a taste for their flesh. I am ... determined to name the weapon though 'Demon's bane' or 'Devil's Bane' seems too simple a phrase to describe what it has done. "Angelique's FiendBlade" seems a bit too grandious as well. My deeds should live on in story and whomever wields my blade afterwords should not have to live in my shadow. Bah, perhaps some clever bard will name the blade for me. For now, I will call her "Fiend-Slayer" and we will do as her name entitles.
Breakdown:
SpoilerThis is the level not only where the build hits its sweet spot (that's truly from here to level 20) but where the build begins to become self sustaining. With the combination of Heroic Sacrifice (take 2 Con damage to refresh Holy Fury) and Strongheart vest (reduce ability damage by two), our once per encounter ability (and subsequent swift abilities) become infinite per encounter.
We can choose to use of +2 AC or +2 save divine shield/resolve without worrying about sacrificing our combat effectiveness. We can use a whole turn to heal 60 HP (swft, move, standard with Divine Succor). Our ability to harm our fiendish enemies is massive 1d8+5d6(shocking grasp)+2d6(Furious Strike)+2d6(Bane)+2d6(Holy)+7. Average is around 55 damage a strike and it generally disregards their damage reduction (lawful and silver). We can still smite opposition for a +3 to hit, +2 damage and get another +6 to damage is we use power/cobalt attack. This is enough to force a save vs death from massive damage each turn from the fiends
Best use of a combat round would probably be swft action (heal 20), move action (furious strike), standard action (arcane channel; shocking grasp). Later on, vampiric touch to heal some more.
When Revenge Becomes Grim Resolve (ECL 15):
SpoilerIt is nearly time, my friends. This might be one of the last journal entries that I make. I sleep but two hours a night, my wounds seem to heal on their own and I no longer feel fatigue. One would think that the taint, the incarnum and the holy fury inside of me would be warring for control at all times. They do not. Perhaps it is the unique combination of all three that stabilizes the volatile energies. All I know is ... I no longer feel mortal.
Do not believe that I think myself above anyone. I am too humbled by my crusade to believe anything of that sort. I have become a living weapon against the fiends. I am not sure if I could even fit in amoungst the common people. I do not remember how to relate to their problems and the concerns I have about fiends would quickly drive them to paranoia. Even those that follow me have started to see how disconnected I am. I am firmly aware that the taint has done something to my mind. I am having dreams of darkness and blood that fill me with unmentionable pleasure. I fear the day when I can no longer tell dream from reality for that is the day that I fall on my sword. The time is near for the assault on the gates of Hell and then, the Abyss.
I am off to wreak more damage on the fiends and learn more of their weaknesses. I am beginning to hear rumors of myself in the underworlds. The words they use to describe me hardly seem real. "Angel of light, slayer of fiends, death from on high". If only emotion could be put down with ink. I would sigh hopefully. If the afterlife welcomed me as such, I would gladly step into the role of Holy Avenger. No. This 'Angel' has blackened wings, perhaps nothing but stubs of twisted flesh that remains. This Angel will exact final retirbution for her fallen state and perhaps in doing so, earn a new set. Or her first.
Be fruitful and mulitply. Remember the young and treasure them. Never turn your back on a child in need.
Breakdown:
SpoilerThere are three major changes from the previous breakdown. Namely, Pauldron of Health souldmeld (immunity to disease), Healing Soul (bonus incarnum feat = more healing) and Grim Resolve (CHA to saves). Everything else can be summarized as item enhancements (more damage vs fiends, ability to hide from them, no longer being able to lose weapon, etc).
Fiends love to inflict disease. As easy as it is to get rid of it at this level, not catching it is always better. We are now immune to Disease, Paralysis, Fear when in fury, and nearly immune to negative levels, ability drain and ability damage. Combining CHA to saves and Mettle, making a save is almost a forgone conclusion. Rolling a 1? Well, who doesn't have a lucky spiked guantlet that they are always weilding? We do.
The funniest item ability that we have so far? I would say Holy Surge. 1+Cha times per day, when we hit an evil creature +3d6 damage. Its not even an action.
Grim Resolve Fuels Annihilation (ECL 20):
SpoilerIt is time. There are few words left. I am able to fight off nearly everything that the fiends can throw at me. They can not sap my strength. They can not shake my will. I am too nimble for their spells. I heal too quickly for their physical attacks to add up. I never tire between battles. Should they find a way to sap my strength, I can ignore it to fight on.
I can hide from their eyes and my steps are hidden from their ears. My fury bars them from fleeing. Their flesh enhances my strength. Normally, I would shudder at willingly devouring their flesh but the taint blunts that feeling. Anything to kill them and anything that lets me do so with ease. Awarai is still with me. I haven't moved from the path, or far enough to lose her favor. Any dark thoughts or impulse I have, I let pass. There will be time to indulge after I am finished (never!!!), or so I keep telling myself. I am not sure when I became such a good liar.
The mages are nearly finished. I can hear their chanting winding down. I laugh when I picture the fiend's expressions of surprise when a portal to the gates of Hell ejects a lone warrior. Fool-hardy? Of course. Risky? Indoubtedly. Heoric? I am no Paladin but yes, this story will live on for ages. Maybe forever if I make it back. Already the fiends curse my name. Today, they will learn there is nowhere they can hide from me.
Awarai, guide my blade. Grant me to power to ensure that no other children are lost to these creatures.
To the readers, pray for me. Keep me in your thoughts. I do this for your children and their children. Their children's children and so on.
And finally, to myself. For my anger. For my hurt. Let this assault cleanse me. If it does not, let me remember why I do this. I have already won by coming this far.
Never turn your back on a child in need...
Breakdown:
SpoilerMitigate suffering temporarily restore any ability drain/damage that we do take. I have left 312,000gp unspent in the character sheet to so that we can patch up any perceived or actual holes in the characters defense.
Why only 7 Levels of Corrupt Avenger? Level 8 is a dead level, and I believe the sixth level of Hellreaver, ability to dimensional anchor their foe, is better than another +2 to sworn foe, a stronger shaken effect and tainted strike.
Sources:
Spoiler
Magic of Incarnum (MoI)
Player's handbook (PHB)
Player's hanndbook II (PHB II)
Fiendish Codex II (FC II)
Heroes of Horror (HoH)
Complete Champion (CC)
Complete Divine (CD)
Eberron Campaign Setting (ECS)
Magic Item Compendium (MIC)
Azurin - MoI - Pg7
Duskblade: PHB II - pg19
SoulBorn: MoI - pg25
Hellreaver: FC II - pg92
Corrupt Avenger: HoH - Pg88
Power Attack: PHB - pg98
Cobalt Power: MoI - pg37
Bane Magic: HoH - pg119
Bonus Essentia: MoI - pg35
Arcane Disciple: CD - pg79
Font of Life: HoH - pg122
Shape Soulmeld: MoI - pg40
Healing Soul: MoI - pg38
Touch of Healing: CC - pg 62
Mitigate Suffering: CC - pg61
Life Domain: ECS - Pg106
All items/item abilities: MIC (see character sheets for specifics)
Last edited by Kuulvheysoon; 2013-10-21 at 10:11 PM.
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2013-10-21, 07:39 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
You know, this origin story sounds awful familiar...
Originally Posted by Shane McLaughlan
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2013-10-21, 07:42 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Fool! Be wary, or else he'll melt you down and wear you as a neck chain!
Originally Posted by Bug
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2013-10-21, 07:48 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.
Originally Posted by The Damned[COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"
The Damned of the Crab[/COLOR]Spoiler
The Barracks of the Damned are an unforgiving place, foreboding even for those sturdy Samurai and Ashigaru who defend the Kaiu Wall against the horrors of the Shadowlands. The barracks contains those who risked everything, and lost their minds and bodies to the darkness of Fu Leng; it is a monument to remind those to protect themselves and their comrades against the threat that risks embracing Rokugan should they fail in their task.
The Damned themselves are formed up into, what some might say, elite, battle unit, under the auspices of the Kuni Laboratory overseers and witch hunters; their research into the Jade and the taint following the Kuni land’s desolation at the hands of the Shadowlands Creatures lead to their obvious inclusion in the project. They rigorously tested those who were succumbing to the constant exposure of the Shadowlands Taint with the greatest of prejudice; those who showed any signs of being already “Lost” were given the final mercy of the Crab; a Tetsubo to the cranium.
Those who passed, however, were given to the Barracks; there they would be used as a Forlorn Hope, those would charge out into battle at the vanguard of the army, in an attempt to slay the marshalling forces of the Shadowlands; an amalgam of crack infantry who fight to the death knowing that should they live, they may live only one more day should they become Lost, and battlefield assassins.
Among those is one who is ranked above all else. He has no name; he did once, but that was burned on the pyre that he himself should have died on. That he survived his final battle is a story that no child would want to hear; his wounds were grievous, and infected so badly not even the touch of jade could save him. He had reverted to his bestial nature, hunting and scavenging the Shadowlands while the mutagens that envenomed his blood slowly warped him. Eventually, lucidity broke through, something unheard of, and he found himself at the Kaiu Wall, reporting for a duty that had long been considered over.
There are no ranks within the Damned; there is only those affected by the taint, and those who don’t; those who don’t are the overseers. In command of the overseers was Kuni Rihito, a grim Shugenja who saw himself purely as a murderer for the orders he gave to the Damned. It was he himself who checked the nameless, something he had not done for many a year, deliberating for 3 moon turns whether he was to killed or not. Whatever stayed his hand, none can be sure, but if ever the tainted were to have a leader, it would be this nameless Samurai; capable of embracing the taint so thoroughly he can reform his very body into a weapon, or sprout immense bat wings and fly above the enemies, hurling shards of razor-sharp bone at them. At other times, he can disappear and reappear in a completely different location, pulling apart opponents with either his claws or his Greatsword.
Making of a Monster
SpoilerThe Damned of the Crab; Azurin Paladin 5/Totemist 2/Corrupt Avenger 9/Telflammar Shadowlord 4
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Paladin 1|+1|+2|+0|+0|Hide 2, K. (Planes) 2, Move Silently 2|Midnight Dodge, Mobility|Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/day
2nd|Paladin 2|+2|+3|+0|+0|Survival 2, Hide 2, K. (Planes) 2, Move Silently 2.5| |Divine Grace, Lay on Hands
3rd|Paladin 3|+3|+3|+1|+1|Survival 2, Hide 5, K. (Planes) 2, Move Silently 2.5|Martial Study (Shadow Blade Technique)|Aura of Courage, Divine Health
4th|Paladin 4|+4|+4|+1|+1|Survival 2, Hide 5, K. (Planes) 5, Move Silently 2.5|Power Attack|Smite Evil Outsider 1+Cha/day, Holy Warrior
5th|Paladin 5|+5|+4|+1|+1|Survival 2, Hide 5, K. (Planes) 6.5, Move Silently 2.5| |Smite Evil 2/day, Charging Smite
6th|Totemist 1|+5|+6|+3|+1|Survival 4, Hide 5, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 2.5|Spring Attack, Shape Soulmeld (Astral Vambraces)|Wild Empathy, Moderate Depravity Bonus Feat
7th|Totemist 2|+6/+1|+7|+4|+1|Survival 5, Hide 8, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 3|Planar Touchstone (Catalogues of Enlightenment: Hunger)|Totem Chakra Bind (+1 Capacity), Moderate Corruption Bonus Feat
8th|Corrupt Avenger 1|+7/+2|+9|+4|+1|Survival 5, Hide 8, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 4.5| |Armoured Casting, Detect Sworn Foe, Sworn Foe +4, Taint Suppression, Tainted Strike 2/day, Lay on Hands
9th|Corrupt Avenger 2|+8/+3|+10|+4|+1|Survival 5, Hide 8, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 6|Bonus Essentia|Tainted Strike 3/day
10th|Corrupt Avenger 3|+9/+4|+10|+5|+2|Survival 5, Hide 8, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 7.5| |Grim Resolve
11th|Corrupt Avenger 4|+10/+5|+11|+5|+2|Survival 5, Hide 8, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 9| |Sworn Foe +6
12th|Corrupt Avenger 5|+11/+6/+1|+11|+5|+2|Survival 5, Hide 9, K. (Planes) 8, Move Silently 10|Open Lesser Chakra (Brow), Open Least Chakra (Arms)|Frightful Fury, Severe Corruption Bonus Feat
13th|Corrupt Avenger 6|+12/+7/+2|+12|+6|+3|Survival 5, Hide 10, K. (Planes) 9, Move Silently 10| |Tainted Strike 4/day
14th|Corrupt Avenger 7|+13/+8/+3|+12|+6|+3|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 10, Move Silently 10||Sworn Foe +8
15th|Corrupt Avenger 8|+14/+9/+4|+13|+6|+3|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 11.5, Move Silently 10|Martial Stance (Assassin’s Stance)|
16th|Corrupt Avenger 9|+15/+10/+5|+13|+7|+4|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 13, Move Silently 10| |Unnerving Fury
17th|Telflammar Shadowlord 1|+15/+10/+5|+13|+9|+4|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 14.5, Move Silently 10||Shadowsight, Shadow Jump
18th|Telflammar Shadowlord 2|+16/+11/+6/+1|+13|+10|+4|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 16, Move Silently 10|Open Greater Chakra (Waist)|Shadow Blur
19th|Telflammar Shadowlord 3|+17/+12/+7/+2|+14|+10|+5|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 17.5, Move Silently 10||Shadow Walk
20th|Telflammar Shadowlord 4|+18/+13/+8/+3|+14|+11|+5|Survival 5, Hide 11, K. (Planes) 19, Move Silently 10|Double Chakra (Totem)|Shadow Pounce, Severe Depravity Bonus Feat[/table]
Ability Scores
Str; 14
Dex; 14
Con; 16 (+3 before 18th)
Int; 12
Wis; 8
Cha; 14 (+2)
Spellcasting
As Spellcasting is not the focus of the build, I have not bothered to include individual break down level by level.
However, I have two spell lists at level 20;
Corrupt Avenger (not including bonus spells for High Corruption); 2x 1st Level, 2x 2nd Level (Darkness, Vampiric Touch), 1x 3rd level (Dispel Magic), 1x 4th level (Evard's Black Tentacles)
Shadowlord; 2x 1st Level (Chill Touch, Darkness), 1x 4th level (either Haste, or Improved Invisibility, both with a +2 Int Item).
Levels 1-5
SpoilerI am a Paladin. There is little more to it than that. With a focus on duties guarding the wall against Invasion against the Oni of the Shadowlands (Outsiders, hence K. Planes), I have less need for my Special Mount; my Charging Smite (in conjunction with Smite Evil Outsider) increasing my damage and also making it more efficient to use my Smite should I miss; Martial Study means I am likely to get my attacks in place, while Power Attacks increases my damage to a level where I am capable of dealing damage at a level that can one-shot level appropriate threats. With no other investment of Essentia available, it goes someway to helping me to stay alive, as does Mobility; after all the attacks of level appropriate Shadowlands Oni are more damaging than mine. Divine Health, Lay on Hands, Divine Grace all help me to stay alive during and after the fight.
With an interest into joining the Hiruma Scouts famed for ranging beyond the Kaiu wall, my skills focus on learning their tricks.
Levels 6-10
SpoilerHaving been accepted into the Hiruma Scouts of the Crab Clan, I went on my first mission, but I was not quick enough to flee; the Oni were stronger the deeper I went into the Shadowlands, and easily overpowered me; the corruption caused the loss of my honour, and my mind broke; whatever Kami were protecting me before had long since fled, and I succumbed to the horrors of corruption. My mind had been broken, but I was inured to pain (Shape Soulmeld; Astral Vambraces). Without the Kami's support, I took to ambush tactics (Spring Attack), but became ever more bestial and brutal, becoming more like the Oni I swore to defeat (Totemist, Hunger Domain's Bite Attack).
However, I eventually broke the spell the corruption had placed on me, and I returned to my duty; but it was not one I was expecting. I couldn't be trusted to serve alongside my former brothers in arms, and was forced to serve with the Damned. It was there that I was taught to tame the corruption, and hide it deep within, despite the pain (Corrupt Avenger, Taint Suppression), and turn the loss of my Honour and the harbored agony of the taint to destroy my foes (Tainted Strike). I dedicated myself to learn the ways of my opponents; using the darkness within to power my ability to hunt them down; Lamia Belt Soulmeld for Bluff, Yrthak Mask for Listen, Manticore Belt for Spot, and Hunters Circlet for Survival (Bonus Essentia). Despite the horrors I had witnessed and commited, my conviction stayed true (Grim Resolve), and should I ever encounter those vile Shadowlands Oni, I erupt in unstoppable violence (Sworn Foe). Even despite the Kami leaving me, I learn to channel the inner corruption into making myself stronger and tougher, (Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, False Life, Vampiric Touch, Death Knell),
Note; the Internal Corruption may lower my Constitution Score to a level which makes the Shape Soulmeld abilities (and later versions) unuseable; this can be got around in several ways. 1; by being in tainted lands. As I'm based on the Kaiu Wall, and the Shadowlands are considered tainted, hopping into the Hiruma territory over the border would turn it on for 1d4 days. 2; There are rules for cleansing tainted places; asking for the reverse to occur could conceivably be used to create a tainted location. 3; Although 3rd party, and is hence not to be included (it is simply included for completion), one of my favourite items from the 3rd party AEG book on the Rokugan Setting "Secrets of the Shadowlands" is armour made out of the Oni Chitin special material; which counts as being inside an a tainted area at all times while wearing it.
Levels 11-15
SpoilerContinuing my training with the Damned Garrison, I learn how to channel my anger and pain into my fury, scaring my opponents into submission (Frightful Fury), while I can use my corruption ever more readily (Tainted Strike). However, using the taint of the Shadowlands has begun to harm me even more; Severe Corruption is now in effect, causing further harm to myself (-6 to Con), meaning that if I'm to make use of my Tainted abilities (Meldshaping, without items) I need to dip across the Kaiu Wall, regaining that ability.
My combat damage becomes far more powerful with access to Assassins Stance at ECL15; with a Full Attack routine of Sword/Sword/Sword/Claw/Claw/Claw/Bite, I'm generating an additional 14d6 damage each round. However, that does not effectively come online until l can get Shadow Pounce later on, but if I'm in a position to Full Attack, well, use it; Evards Black Tentacle is finally online as well; with a BAB of 16 they're reasonably capable as well.
Levels 16-20
SpoilerI only take 9 levels in the SI, as by virtue of my Paladin levels converted, I have gained the same abilities, and taking an additional level would only advance minor abilities and get me an additional 3rd level spellslot. It is at this point that if the DM rules that the Dimension Door ability of the Blink Shirt does not qualify, then he undertakes the Rite to become a Shadow-walker. I also have the Basilisk Mask nearly permanently bound to my Brow for the purposes of gaining Blind Fight bonus feat.
With Unnerving Fury finally helping me debuff my enemies (Character Level based modifier, rather than Intimidate check based), I start to take levels inTelflammarShadowlord; each ability improves my tactical capabilities; Darkvision, Shadow Blur (Darkness is on my spell-list as a Corrupt Avenger), Shadow Jump and Shadow Walk, finally gaining Shadow Pounce as the builds ultimate capstone; combined with Move Action Dimension Door, Double Totem Chakra for Girallon Arms, and four iterative attacks gaining a fairly punishing full attack routine in conjunction with Assassin's Stance. Haste (from the Shadowlord spell-list) makes it one more. Assuming Greater Invisibility replaces the 3.0 Improved Invisibility spell on its spell-list as well, it ensures Assassin's Stance goes off; all in all, +20d6 damage on a Full Attack.
My other final feat I gain is to open the Waist Chakra; it is at this point that I have the Manticore Belt nearly permanently bound to myself for Fly-by attack (and flight). It is at this point that with all the important bits of Shadowlord catered for, I can choose to retrain the Spring Attack feat line into something more powerful; perhaps additional Incarnum Feats to gain more essentia; so that I can Shadow Pounce and Fly further/faster.
Notes
SpoilerNotes on Setting and Qualification
The setting is based on the Rokugan Campaign setting; the Azurin race being those of the Samurai caste (hence the extreme alignments), which utilise their incarnum for feats rather than soulmelds, while Paladin is simply a mechanically superior class for the Samurai. The usage of Forgotten Realms mechanics was an attempt to try and recreate the mechanical differences that the AEG game expansions introduced with their “Secrets of…” series, and is refluffed as such, as are references to Core mechanics (like Planes) which have parallel “differences” (like the Spirit Realms).
For aPaladinSamurai (especially anAzurinNoble) to forego his oath, it must take something big; the Damned experiencing a life threatening injury only to survive yet be infected with that which they intended to give their lives to protect against is just such one of those crisis of faiths, the corruption festering away inside.
The Telflammar Shadowlord requires either the Shadow Walker Template (a +1 Template), or Dimension Door as an SLA. The usage of the Blink Shirt Soulmeld to gain the Dimension Door ability is not strictly RAW, but is appropriate, as the Telflammar’s Shadow Pounce ability still triggers off of the Blink Shirt’s teleport action. Failing that, it is possible to attain the Template, but then to gain the Shadow Pounce ability (the entire point of going for Shadowlord), you must use LA Buy-off. If this is ruled, then the ability scores need to be changed around; I need to take +3 for Constitution during level up, leaving only +2 for Charisma. He should gain the template around the time he takes his first level in the SI.
In addition, it requires me to be from Thesk. If the campaign was set in the Forgotten Realms, then there would be no problem; however, there fluff I’m using is a slightly modified Rokugan campaign setting, replacing Thesk with being from the Crab Clan. This is again, not technically RAW, but fluff is often mutable. This does not seem an unreasonable request to make for a DM.
Please note as well that the Depravity Bonus feats were not included for the build to work; they are not used as a Prerequisite, and are used to thematically show the breaking of the Damneds’ mind (but also with a mechanical benefit); by 20th level, his utter depravity is a complete risk for the Crab, and he must constantly prove himself lest he be too much of a threat, and killed out of hand by his Kuni Overseers. As a consequence the “taint” manifests in the form of more “mutations” – opening up Chakras mechanically. In addition, if the DM enforces the suggestion that Severe Corruption changes you to Evil, then the fluff of the build slightly changes, but also Mandates that I gain it at ECL17 or later.
Items
The build is not reliant on Items. However, those which grant large bonuses to skills are always welcome in this build; particularly with regards to those at which I get sworn foe bonuses against. A Spear of the Hunt (A+EG) gets me the Track feat. Alternatively, a Custom Item of the Open Least Chakra (Brow) from the same book lets me shape the Hunters Circlet for Track, among other things if I need to.
Con is important for gaining bonuses to my Totemist DC’s, while Charisma sets the DC of my Corrupt Avenger spellcasting. Strength is important for additional combat benefits.
It is not a 3.5WotC product, but as much of the game fluff revolves around Rokugan, the use of the Rokugan expansion by AEG for 3.0 allows a far greater number of options. One of my favourite, and most applicable for this character is one mentioned in “Secrets of the Shadowlands”, which has a new material with which to make armour out of called “Oni Chitin”, which counts as the wearer being permanently exposed to Taint as if I was in a corrupted environment; this would allow me to “turn off” the Con penalty from Taint Suppression whenever I’m not in the Shadowlands; hence allowing me to use my “Open Chakra” feats without too much trouble, and without relying on items to keep the abilities “on” (with 3 levels of Corruption, I’m sacrificing 6 Con, reducing me to 13 Con without this item; I need 17 for Open Greater Chakra). Normally, I wouldn’t include a “3rd party” book, but it was too thematically appropriate to not make a mention, particularly as it is from the setting. Yet again, I must reiterate that IT IS NOT IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM integral to the build, and was simply made note of for awareness and introduction to the DM; feel free to not include.
If I’m going to be utilising thrown weapons, then about the only item needed is the Gauntlets of Endless Javelins.
Anything granting additional essentia to invest are helpful; Essentia Rings, Jewels and Helms are invaluable, as are Gloves of Incarnum Theft. On the other hand, Incarnum Focus makes it essentia binds more powerful. Soulstones make it helpful for switching out to a combat ability after a utility "Brow" bind.
Due to the low numbers of spells per day, Pearls of Power would be a massive help; Haste and Greater Invisibility, Vampiric Touch, Black Tentacles etc).
Sources
Magic of Incarnum; Azurin, Totemist, Bonus Essentia, Open Lesser Chakra, Open Greater Chakra
Planar Handbook; Planar Paladin, Planar Touchstone, Catalogues of Enlightenment
PHB2; Charging Smite Paladin ACF
Heroes of Horror; Corrupt Avenger, Taint
Unapproachable East; Telflammar Shadowlord
Tome of Battle; Martial Study, Martial Stance
Astral Vambraces; http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20060217a
Secrets of the Shadowlands (3rd party book, AEG); Oni Chitin (optional; see items)
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2013-10-21, 07:49 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
The Path of Shevarash is not an easy one to walk.
Originally Posted by Rand Turimbar
Last edited by Kuulvheysoon; 2013-10-21 at 07:50 PM.
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2013-10-21, 07:52 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist outside of our own hearts.
Originally Posted by Pantaleon Dalence
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2013-10-21, 07:55 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Stealing the innocence of children
Originally Posted by Leilani
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2013-10-21, 07:58 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
...and that should be all of them. If I missed anything, please let me know ASAP.
A lot (lot) more Spellthief than I expected, and a lot less Paladin. Interesting.
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2013-10-21, 08:00 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
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- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I could point to a couple likely reasons for less Paladin, but I'm going to guess you know what those are already. Several interesting concepts here. Originally Posted by Kuulvheysoon
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2013-10-21, 08:06 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
And here I thought we'd have a small crop of entries this round. Silly me.
- Smeagol: Half Orc Half Orc Paragon 3/Ranger 1/Barbarian 1/Avenging Executioner 5/Corrupt Avenger 10
- Sir Driscoll Conia: Lesser Aasimar Paladin 5/Swordsage 4/Bone Knight 1/Corrupt Avenger 10
- The Lost Crab: Human Human Paragon 3/Maho Bujin 7/Corrupt Avenger 10
- Designation MDCCCLXXXVI: Warforged Ranger 1/Incarnate 5/Crusader 3/Corrupt Avenger 9/Soulcaster 2
- Magralyx: Succubus Battle Dancer 1/Corrupt Avenger 7
- Braxton: Human Warblade 5/Barbarian 2/Corrupt Avenger 10/Rage Mage 3
- Eillyassa Miltal: Halfling Spellthief 10/Corrupt Avenger 10
- Giorgio: Human Spellthief 1/Rogue 3/Battle Sorcerer 12/Corrupt Avenger 4
- Brooswayn Scourgesoul: Hellbred Warblade 6/Hellreaver 4/Corrupt Avenger 10
- Angelique A'lanale: Azurin Duskblade 3/Soulborn 4/Hellreaver 6/Corrupt Avenger 7
- Shane McLaughlan: Human Spellthief 2/Duskblade 3/Unseen Seer 4/Corrupt Avenger 10/Mage of the Arcane Order 1
- Bug: Diopsid Barbarian 5/Hellreaver 4/Corrupt Avenger 10
- The Damned of the Crab: Azurin Paladin 5/Totemist 2/Corrupt Avenger 9/Telflammar Shadowlord 4
- Rand Turimbar: Forestlord Elf Crusader 6/Corrupt Avenger 10/Jade Phoenix Mage 4
- Pantaleon Dalence: Illumian Fighter 4/Ranger 1/Soldier of Light 1/Corrupt Avenger 5/Swiftblade 9
- Leilani: Human Spellthief 8/Corrupt Avenger 10/Swordsage 1/Maho-Tsukai 1
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2013-10-21, 08:12 PM (ISO 8601)Barbarian in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I'm legitimately surprised that my build's focus turned out as unique as it did.
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2013-10-21, 08:21 PM (ISO 8601)Barbarian in the Playground
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- Richland, WA
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
This looks like a good match up, I think (redacted) will do really well because they are super unique with the (redacted) style and over powered with the (redacted) ability. Vote for (redacted).
GLAI am what lurks under your bridge, I am the troll...
Not sure about what I said, go back highlight it with your mouse and wham it's magically blue for sarcasm, so like everything on the internet take it with a grain of salt.
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2013-10-21, 08:23 PM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
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- Texas
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
thanks for the table! makes it a lot easier to sample these dishes. Originally Posted by OMG PONIES
pantaleon is a swiftblade though, not a switchbladeI'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!
Iron Chef Medals! Originally Posted by weckar
Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition
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2013-10-21, 08:42 PM (ISO 8601)Ettin in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Wow cool art. Also a lot of spellthief (I kind of considered that one). Maho-Tsukai is scary. I should look into hellreaver in retrospect seems like a nice obvious option. We also have two crabs
one lost and one damned. I also love the introductory sentence of Brooswayn.
Well, gotta go back to my stupid project, which is not going to finish itself (I wish).Last edited by thethird; 2013-10-21 at 08:48 PM.
Thanks a lot Gengy for the awesome... just a sec... avatar. :)
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2013-10-21, 09:00 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Psst, even that can tip your hand a bit. Anonymity's the name of the game, folks. Originally Posted by KrimsonNekros
Cheers, mate. Caught it and corrected above; will update the spreadsheet tomorrow. Now, to get judging. Originally Posted by Venger
Can't find a source on Corrupted Avenger, though--what book is that in? All I see in Heroes of Horror is Corrupt Avenger.
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2013-10-21, 09:21 PM (ISO 8601)Ogre in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
... I'm impressed.
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2013-10-21, 09:24 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
This was my aborted entry:
Spoiler: Untitled Entry
LN Human Ranger 3/Thug Sneak Attack Fighter 3/Corrupt Avenger 10/Alchemist Savant 4
ACFs:
Favored Organization (replaces Favored Enemy)
Voice of the City (replaces Wild Empathy)
Thug Fighter (lose first level feat)
Sneak Attack Fighter (lose bonus feats)
NAME OF ENTRY
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Ranger 1|+1|+2|+2|+0|Craft (alchemy) 4 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 4 ranks, survival 4 ranks, knowledge (religion) 2 ranks, knowledge (dungeoneering) 4 ranks, knowledge (nature) 4 ranks, spellcraft 2 ranks|Track, Least Dragonmark (Mark of Making - Make Whole), Quick Draw|Rival organization, voice of the city
2nd|Ranger 2|+2|+3|+3|+0|Craft (alchemy) 5 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 5 ranks, survival 5 ranks, spellcraft 2.5 ranks, knowledge (nature) 5 ranks, knowledge (dungeoneering) 5 ranks, search 1 rank|Two-Weapon Fighting|Combat style
3rd|Ranger 3|+3|+3|+3|+1|Craft (alchemy) 6 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 6 ranks, survival 6 ranks, spellcraft 3 ranks, search 4 ranks|Endurance, Strong Stomach|
4th|Thug Fighter 1|+4|+5|+3|+1|Craft (alchemy) 7 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 7 ranks, spellcraft 3.5 ranks, survival 7 ranks||Sneak attack +1d6
5th|Thug Fighter 2|+5|+6|+3|+1|Craft (alchemy) 8 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 8 ranks, spellcraft 4 ranks, survival 8 ranks||
6th|Thug Fighter 3|+6/+1|+6|+4|+2|Craft (alchemy) 9 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 9 ranks, search 4.5 ranks, survival 9 ranks|Craven|Sneak attack +2d6
7th|Corrupt Avenger 1|+7/+2|+8|+4|+2|Craft (poisonmaking) 10 ranks, search 5 ranks, survival 10 ranks||Armored casting, detect sworn foe, sworn foe +2, taint suppression
8th|Corrupt Avenger 2|+8/+3|+9|+4|+2|Craft (poisonmaking) 11 ranks, craft (alchemy) 10 ranks, survival 11 ranks||Tainted strike 1/day
9th|Corrupt Avenger 3|+9/+4|+9|+5|+3|Craft (poisonmaking) 12 ranks, craft (alchemy) 11 ranks, survival 12 ranks|Brew Potion|Grim resolve
10th|Corrupt Avenger 4|+10/+5|+10|+5|+3|Craft (alchemy) 12 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 13 ranks, survival 13 ranks||Sworn foe +4
11th|Corrupt Avenger 5|+11/+6/+1|+10|+5|+3|Craft (alchemy) 13 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 14 ranks, survival 14 ranks||Frightful fury
12th|Alchemist Savant 1|+11/+6/+1|+12|+5|+3|Craft (alchemy) 14 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 15 ranks, survival 15 ranks|Lesser Dragonmark (Mark of Making - Minor Creation)|Efficient alchemy, poison use
13th|Alchemist Savant 2|+12/+7/+2|+13|+5|+3|Craft (alchemy) 15 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 16 ranks, survival 16 ranks||Brew spellvial
14th|Alchemist Savant 3|+12/+7/+2|+13|+6|+4|Craft (alchemy) 16 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 17 ranks, survival 17 ranks||Efficient alchemy (2 potions/day)
15th|Alchemist Savant 4|+13/+8/+3|+14|+6|+4|Craft (alchemy) 17 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 18 ranks, survival 18 ranks|Mother Cyst|Create alchemical mixture
16th|Corrupt Avenger 6|+14/+9/+4|+15|+7|+5|Craft (alchemy) 18 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 19 ranks, survival 19 ranks||Tainted strike 2/day
17th|Corrupt Avenger 7|+15/+10/+5|+15|+7|+5|Craft (alchemy) 19 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 20 ranks, survival 20 ranks||Sworn foe +6
18th|Corrupt Avenger 8|+16/+11/+6/+1|+16|+7|+5|Craft (alchemy) 20 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 21 ranks, survival 21 ranks|Practiced Spellcaster|
19th|Corrupt Avenger 9|+17/+12/+7/+2|+16|+8|+6|Craft (alchemy) 21 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 22 ranks, survival 22 ranks||Unnerving fury
20th|Corrupt Avenger 10|+18/+13/+8/+3|+17|+8|+6|Craft (alchemy) 22 ranks, craft (poisonmaking) 23 ranks, survival 23 ranks||Sworn foe +8, tainted strike 3/day[/table]
BONUS FEATS:
Weapon Finesse - Though much of XXX’s attacking is done at range, Weapon Finesse allows him to switch seamlessly into melee, using Quick Draw to draw poisoned light weapons to TWF. It also makes his touch attacks far more effective against enemies with a high touch AC.
Greater Dragonmark (Mark of Making - Fabricate) - Fabricate will drastically speed up the creation of alchemical items and poisons when crafting from scratch, and will allow XXX to function as a toolkit, crafting items as they are needed. It will also provide him with additional uses of Minor Creation.
If you are playing in a campaign where feycraft weapons are readily available, Weapon Finesse becomes less necessary. If this is the case, consider swapping it out for Dragonmark Adept (Quick Potion), which will give you an additional daily use of Minor Creation while also allowing you to make potions on the fly, or Sickening Strike, which is one of the few ambush feats that can be used melee or ranged, and can add on a sickening rider to all of your attacks with no saving throw.
Starting stats: Str 10/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 16
The basic idea was to TWF tossing poison bombs (alchemical poison vials) and alchemical spellvials of Corrupt Avenger spells. In particular, Necrotic Cyst and Vampiric Touch as splash weapons via spellvial + alchemical mixture, to deal sneak attack (and Craven) damage while also passing on the spells or poison. Also would combine the tainted strike and sneak attack/craven to boost the damage/healing from Vampiric Touch.
Used Strong Stomach to avoid the negative consequences of gaining corruption. Since gaining corruption requires you to make a save every time, and be nauseated on a failure or sickened on a success, Strong Stomach would drop that to nothing on a successful save or sickened on a failure.
Fluff was going to be that he was a member of House Cannith who discovered some sort of nastiness within his own house. I was planning on writing a story where he falls in love with someone from outside of his House, only to see her fall mysteriously ill. Eventually he uncovers that she falls ill due to some magical experimentation by House Cannith, so he swears secret vengeance against his own house.
I just... couldn't get motivated to do the write-up, for some reason. I had the table done fairly early on, and was pretty happy with the build, but every time I started on the write-up I found myself hitting a block.
Looks like some very interesting stuff this round! I've only skimmed the entries so far, but I look forward to reading through everything in greater detail.Optimization Showcase in the Playground
Former projects:
Shadowcaster Handbook
Archer Build Compendium
Iron Chef Awards!
Spoiler
GOLD
IC LXXVI: Talos
IC LXXV: Alphonse Louise Constant
IC XLIX: Babalon, Queen of Bones
IC XLV: Dead Mists
IC XL: Lycus Blackbeak
IC XXXIX: AM-1468
IC XXXV: Parsifal the Fool
IC XXX: Jal Filius
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2013-10-21, 09:29 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I've got to say, that looks pretty awesome. And I love the fact that you used Dragonmarks - I love them to bits, but nobody (else) ever seems to use them. Originally Posted by Piggy Knowles
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2013-10-21, 09:37 PM (ISO 8601)Ettin in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
It does indeed look awesome, and it is quite original.
Thanks a lot Gengy for the awesome... just a sec... avatar. :)
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2013-10-21, 09:45 PM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Never seen so many Spellthieves! And quite a few Hellreavers too. Interesting there was a few Incarnum wielders, but no Binders this time around.
I really wish everyone would get on board with writing a brief description someone near the top of their entries (i.e. CG Human Barbarian 5/Ranger 5/Corrup Avenger 10 etc.) - it makes it so much easier as a spectator (and judge) to know up front what they are looking at instead of wading through tables and working out what you actually are.
Small personal grievance, but generally an excellent quality of entries.
My winning competition entries: Kinvig Arrumskor | The Great Pumpkinhead | Wynfrith d'Acker
Torn-City - Massively multiplayer online browser based crime RPG
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2013-10-21, 09:54 PM (ISO 8601)Ogre in the Playground
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- Feb 2010
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I am also surprised with the number of spellthieves. Though, in hindsight, combining a partial arcane casting class (Corrupt Avenger) with Master Spellthief ... Brilliant. I can see spell resistance being a problem for everyone else. Not for the spellthieves. Originally Posted by Thurbane
EDIT: Yeah, I didn't make a spellthief :PLast edited by Eldonauran; 2013-10-21 at 10:01 PM.
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2013-10-21, 10:14 PM (ISO 8601)Barbarian in the Playground
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- Apr 2013
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
I don't think there's a Spellthief build that doesn't utilize that particular feat. Even as a monoclassed spellthief it's extraordinarily useful. Originally Posted by Eldonauran
I am also surprised with the number of spellthieves. Though, in hindsight, combining a partial arcane casting class (Corrupt Avenger) with Master Spellthief ... Brilliant. I can see spell resistance being a problem for everyone else. Not for the spellthieves.
EDIT: Yeah, I didn't make a spellthief :P
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2013-10-21, 10:58 PM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
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- Dec 2004
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- I wish I knew...
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Well, I suppose either of my character concepts would have worked, then.
One was a Swordsage base, named Herobrine. For those who play Minecraft, intent is obvious.
The other was a nhilist using Spellthief and UrPriest, advancing UrPriest with the SI and gaining high corruption for ridiculously high DC's and 9th level spells by level 20. In effect, this was the Power play. "The gods do not exist, the Weave does not exist. The only thing that exists is entropy and decay into oblivion, and I am that force made manifest."
I also had an idea for a Paladin/Blackguard/Corrupt Avenger, getting twice my charisma to saves, casting nearly everything as a swift action with high DC's, and beating things bloody.Last edited by ShneekeyTheLost; 2013-10-21 at 11:00 PM.
Originally Posted by The Underlord
All hail great Shneekeythulhu! Ia Ia Shneeky fthagnSpoilerQuite possibly, the best rebuttal I have ever witnessed.
Joker Bard - the DM's solution to the Batman Wizard.
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Incarnum and YOU: a reference guide
Soulmelds, by class and slot: Another Incarnum reference
Multiclassing for Newbies: A reference guide for the rest of us
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2013-10-22, 04:33 AM (ISO 8601)Dwarf in the Playground
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- Nov 2007
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- Czech Republic
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Darn. Now I'm kicking my head for not making my first idea: binder/knight of the sacred seal/corrupted avenger using paimon to fight.
Oh well, maybe my other entry will do well.
English isn't my native language, sorry for mistypes.
Shared silver medal for Nataksukan in Iron Chef LXII - Dungeon Lord.
Big thanks to Bradakhan for awesome avatar.
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2013-10-22, 07:29 AM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
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- May 2011
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- Below sea level
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L
Wow! looking over these builds I can truly say I'm impressed, by some builds more so then others. And some of those charadcter stories! I can see people have really put a lot of effort in their builds. I will start judging right away, even though it will take some time. So stay tuned.
P.S. I was under the impression that master spellthief is a hidden classfeature, just like natural spell for druids...
Warlock Poetry?
Or ways to use me in game?
Better grab a drink...
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