Results 181 to 210 of 318
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2013-01-20, 09:52 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2011
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- Texas
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I've got a new fantasy TTRPG about running your own fencing school in a 3 musketeers pastiche setting. Book coming soon.
Check out my NEW sci-fi TTRPG about first contact. Cool alien races, murderous AIs, and more. New expansion featuring rules for ships! New book here NOW!
Iron Chef Medals!
Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition
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2013-01-20, 09:56 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Its definitely because its a caster, I wasn't interested in the last one because I find casters a lot more fun to optimize, and I bet there are others who share my point of view. The fact that its the first 10/10 caster also helps.
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2013-01-20, 10:19 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Technically its a 10/10, but realistically its a 6/10 or 7/10 at best, due to the entry prereq's requiring dropped primary caster levels. Unless of course you've gone for duel 5th level casters; however the optimizers would have a heart attack due to that.
Gonna start reading through them all now.
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2013-01-20, 10:22 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
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2013-01-20, 10:26 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
My third build was going to be using initiate of Amaunator from power of faerun. Basically using spell versatility to be able to spontaneous cast any fire spell I know. But I barely had time to finish the 2nd build and I couldn't find a good angle even if i did have time. I was half hoping to see it in someone elses entry.
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2013-01-20, 10:43 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I toyed with the idea of grabbing RAI instead of RAW, and using that as an argument to enter with Shadowcaster. There was another one with Archivist/Warmage to pump Warmage Edge and DMM:More Damage, but the idea came late.
I think Dragon Disciple had 21 entries.
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2013-01-20, 11:01 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Bellona
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Wow, that's one that I missed - was on a work trip and didn't have the chance to enter or judge. Didn't realize it had so many.
I've read through most of the entries and I just need to reiterate, I'm super impressed. I thought I'd managed to exhaust most of the entry options when brainstorming this time, but there are a couple here that I didn't expect.
EDIT: And, since I've got some time as I wait for the handyman to show up, a build breakdown!
- Fuji-San: Goliath, Divine Bard 4/Wu Jen 3/Geomancer 10/Wizard 1/Marshal 1
- Meepo: Kobold, Hexblade 8/Divine Crusader 2/Geomancer 10
- Dread Roberts: Human, Bard 4/Ranger 1/Spellsword 1/Abjurant Champion 1/Blackguard 3/Sublime Chord 1/Geomancer 10
- Neewa: Unseelie Fey Vanaras, Sha'ir 1/Binder 2/Anima Mage 10/Geomancer 7
- Geto the Hermit: Human, Cloistered Cleric 3/Geomancer 10/Sorcerer 1/Mystic Theurge 6
- Me'un!tii: Darfellan, Duskblade 7/Divine Crusader 3/Geomancer 10
- Lo-Kag Rootwatcher: Goliath, Sha'ir 4/Earth Dreamer 5/Geomancer 10
- Xien Ha Feng: Neraph, Wu Jen 4/Archivist 3/Incantatrix 3/Geomancer 10
- Lou Greene: Azurin, Druid 3/Sorcerer 2/Sentinel of Bharrai 3/Geomancer 10/Holt Warden 2
- Verdant: Warforged, Druid 4/Wu Jen 1/Landforged Walker 5/Geomancer 10
- Borrower of Magic: Illumian, Savage Bard 2/Human Paragon 3/Ur-Priest 1/Geomancer 10/Sublime Chord 1/Spellthief 1/Wu Jen 1/Wizard 1
- Abelard Lindsay: Human, Artificer 3/Duskblade 5/Divine Crusader 2/Geomancer 10
- Adishesha: Aquatic Human, Cloistered Cleric 7/Nar Demonbinder 3/Geomancer 10
- Bjorn Ioreksen: Human, Spirit Shaman 3/Beguiler 1/Geomancer 10/Sentinel of Bharrai 6
- Stone Temple Pilot: Neraph, Druidic Avenger 7/Wizard 3/Geomancer 10
- Erwin Schroedinger: Human, Wu Jen 4/Monk 1/Ur-Priest 2/Geomancer 10/Assassin 1/Dragon Disciple 2
- Sweet Brown: Loredrake Kobold, Sorcerer 1/Paladin of Slaughter 4/Spellsword 1/Geomancer 10/Escalation Mage 4
Last edited by Piggy Knowles; 2013-01-20 at 12:39 PM.
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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2013-01-20, 12:29 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
@Seer, must admit I'd only skimmed at that time.
Interesting to note that all 10 levels were used in 15 of the builds, and the ones that weren't were still significant investments.
Of the classes used for entry; Wu Jen seems to be popular, with 4.
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2013-01-20, 12:35 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Bellona
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
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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2013-01-20, 12:38 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
- Location
- Runite
- Gender
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2013-01-20, 12:50 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Last edited by Vaz; 2013-01-20 at 12:52 PM.
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2013-01-20, 01:02 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I'm really rather surprised at a few of the others. I didn't expect some of those approaches! One or two look a little dubious, but apart from that everything looks interesting!
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2013-01-20, 07:54 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
2 neraphs and a green dragon disciple?
Well those are certainly unexpected. Dimes to dollars that the two neraphs are from the same entrant though.I am not seaweed. That's a B.
Praise I've received A quick outline on building a homebrew campaign
Avatar by Tiffanie Lirle
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2013-01-20, 08:27 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Minnesota
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Just couldn't get anything done this round. Some thoughts:
Sha'ir was something I was toying with, and I'm glad to see some people also went that direction. I wasn't confident enough on the rules interpretation to go with that, though. Some of my ideas on this one were pretty firmly in the area of Known Cheese too, so I dumped this pretty quick because I couldn't find much to do with Geomancer that couldn't be done with another class.
I considered Factotum/Ur-Priest. Arcane Dilettante does give you the ability to cast Arcane Spells, so I figured that this would be a fun way of picking up full Divine casting and pooping some Standard Actions. It just didn't do anything other than that, and Geomancer didn't add much. There's a LOT of better ways to get two spells in a round than Factotum, and none of the abilities of either class synergized with what Geomancer gave me.
My last idea was to use the Divine Minion template and buy off the LA, which would have been a way to get me Pounce (Lion form). I would have gone with a Full Base Attack class that upped my combat ability, then put on Trapsmith and Ur-Priest. I was trying to make this work with Fangshields Ranger and Warforged as the race. Feats would have gone quickly to Improved Multiattack. The idea here was to be a charge-pouncer with the Geomancer's extra natural attacks. I liked this idea the best, because it would have had this Terminator / Machine Chimera / Divine Instrument of Vengeance feel to it that made me giddy.
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2013-01-20, 09:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
looking at it now, there is so much i'd change. That is the beauty of the competition i guess though. it has made me want to play my geomancer. just... improving a bit. i've learned so much though while making it.
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2013-01-20, 09:45 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Bellona
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I like this concept, but it doesn't technically work - divine minion can't be applied to warforged:
Originally Posted by Magic Books of FaerunLast edited by Piggy Knowles; 2013-01-20 at 09:48 PM.
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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2013-01-20, 11:42 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Minnesota
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I did not notice that. Still, I liked it. Even though it would not have worked here, I will probably house rule it and use it in my games. It will freak my players out, if nothing else.
That said, Trapsmith sounds like a great lead in - Trapsmith 3/Ur-Priest 2 would qualify for Geomancer, and then ten levels would be exactly enough to max out both Trapsmith and Ur-Priest casting. Very nice.
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2013-01-20, 11:50 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
My entry in case it matters. Sha'ír/Shadowcaster/Geomancer/Noctumancer.
Used interpretation of Spell Versatility to cast spells using mystery parameters, voiding component costs and other fun. Focused on utility. Desert themed.
Spoiler
Originally Posted by WinWin
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2013-01-21, 05:27 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Deity's Favor, Spell Guard, Quiescent Weaving, Eldritch Tapestry, Enlarged Tapestry and Spell Versatility all combo together BEAUTIFULLY. By raw they all compound onto each other and work seamlessly.
And with Alternate Source spell from dragon magazine or with Southern Magician feat, the prequisites can be met for all these classes using only Favored Soul casting.
However, the problem with the build is that Spellguard of Silverymoon and War Weaver only advance arcane casting classes, and none of its abilities change Favored soul into an arcane casting class, therefore these 9 lvls do not advance anything.
For this build to work you would have to dip at least 1 lvl into an arcane casting class, and then advance that class with spellguard of silverymoon and War weaver. This mandatory alteration kind of hodge podges your casting and essentially mucks up the build because the whole point is to get into the juicy cleric personal spells.
It is still possible to work out these large kinks and salvage this build, and if you had done so I would of definitely given you a huge honorable mention vote, because the idea of the combination of those class abilities is top notch.
P.S. My favorite trick with Spellguard of Silverymoon is as follows:
Spellguard's ability spellguard says it works on a "character". In D&D we have 3 types of characters- P.C.'s; N.P.C.'s; and M.C.'s (Monster characters). Each of these terms are referenced several times during the rules. As a result, Spellguard can pretty much target anybody.
Tenser's Transformation....heuhueheuhe.... meets the criteria for a "Defensive spell". Spectral hand or reach spell can give u a little range on this trick. But essentially you can use this to rob an enemy of his spellcasting in exchange for some worthless melee enhancements..uheuheuehueh.Last edited by Gotterdammerung; 2013-01-21 at 05:40 AM.
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2013-01-21, 05:31 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
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2013-01-21, 05:52 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2013
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
That was my biggest issue with spell versatility if you read it as making the favored soul spells count as arcane 24h then you could argue that the favored soul spells are arcane, and from there there would only be a step to: favored soul grants spells, favored soul spells are arcane then favored soul grants arcane spells. Imho, if that reading doesn't fling, well, expecting to be able to give arcane spell casting to the favored soul via feats was probably worse.
Of course this relies on a really specific reading of spell versatility and it wouldn't really work. That, and the huge feat investment to meet prerequisites and be viable when not using the trick was what at the end kept me from using the build. I might play it in gestalt, someday thoughLast edited by thethird; 2013-01-21 at 05:52 AM.
Thanks a lot Gengy for the awesome... just a sec... avatar. :)
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2013-01-21, 06:34 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Spell Versatility only affects the parameters at the time of casting.
Hence, although you could cast Favoured Soul spells as Arcane, you would not receive any benefits from prior to time of casting.
This causes problems for Southern Magician, say
SpoilerNo; Spell Versatility only affects the parameters at the time of casting.
Hence, although you could cast Favoured Soul spells as Arcane, you would not receive any benefits from prior to time of casting.
However; Southern Magician -
Once per day per two spellcaster levels, you can cast a divine spell as an arcane spell, or vice versa. This enables you to bypass arcane spell failure due to armor, or gain additional benefit from spell that functions differently for a divine caster instead of an arcane caster, such as true seeing or magic weapon. Spells changed with this feat are often confusing to whose who haven't studied Mulan magic. Spellcasters who don't have this feat suffer a -4 penalty on attempts to counterspell or dispel this spell, and they must succeed at a caster level check (DC 11 + spell level) to detect the spell with detect magic. The actual source of the spell's power doesn't change, nor does its means of preparation. You are merely weaving the strands of magic together in an unconventional way that makes the spell behave somewhat differently.
However, spell versatility;
When he casts them, however, he can mix or match spellcasting parameters from any of his classes to gain the maximum possible advantage for any spell with a spell level equal to or less than his spell versatility score.
So, while you would satisfy entry, outside of using Southern Magician to cast Caster Level/2 spells/day as Divine or Arcane, you would still only be able to cast as a Favoured Soul.Last edited by Vaz; 2013-01-21 at 06:46 AM.
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2013-01-21, 06:40 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Unfortunately there is no way to interpret Spell versatility that way. It very clearly works only at the time of casting the spell. And even if it did work that way you can only mix the parameters of classes you possess. You don't have any arcane classes on the build so you wouldn't be able to mix that into your parameters.
It is arguable that Spell versatility can't change a divine spell into an arcane spell or vice versa. The support for this argument lies in the examples. It doesn't say something like "change your arcane spells into divine spells so that you can ignore arcane spell failure." It simply says you can ignore arcane spell failure on your arcane spells because you could ignore it on your divine spells. This would imply that divine and arcane are sources and not parameters.
P.S. You are right about gestalt. Geomancer in general is an incredibly potent addition to any gestalt campaing and is often overlooked. The possibilities are nearly endless and can get very impressive.Last edited by Gotterdammerung; 2013-01-21 at 06:41 AM.
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2013-01-21, 11:59 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Where I live.
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
Wow, the build I couldn't find adequate inspiration to finish would've been unique:
Barbarian 3/Duskblade 3/Chapion of Gwynharwyf 3/Suel Arcanamach 2/Geomancer 9.
It has a decent BAB, the ability to cast spells in a rage... and SADly is ALL THE SAD.
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2013-01-21, 12:39 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
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2013-01-21, 09:32 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
They would be prepared as spells and then could be cast using Mystery parameters, which would then alter them to (sp) or (su).
Even if you don't agree with that interpretation, the ability to cast your 3 highest levels of spells sans components is noteworthy. Considering that components become substantially more expensive and/or esoteric as the level of the spell increases.
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2013-01-22, 01:57 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
That moment when you realise you sent in the completely wrong build...
Anyway you can answer your critique with "yeah, here is my actual build"?
Urgh f##################!!!!!!!!
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2013-01-22, 02:20 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2013
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- GMT + 12
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I should have posted my other build but ran out of time...
It wasn't a full caster build, and was a bit strange, using things I'm not really up on. but basically it was this
Totemist 2>Sha'ir 1> Avenging Druid 1 > Black Blood Cultist 10 > Geomancer 8
It basically pounced on you with so many natural attacks, that all instigated grapple checks and for every hit, you did damage with all natural attacks for free (every time)
plus the grapple went off, and you could choke hold a grappled creature in to unconsciousness 1-3 rounds, then coup de grâce.
oh and had some spell casting as a 9th level Sha'ir, 1st level druid
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2013-01-22, 02:36 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
I didn't have time to finish it off, sadly, but I was going to do a Savage Bard 7/Ur-Priest 2/Geo 1/Sublime Chord 1/Geo 9, advancing both Ur/SC intermittently (So 5 levels per class).
His whole schtick would have been double 7ths (From the Wizard/Cleric lists!), using drifts to keep him out of the firing line and using his spells to end fights quickly, since he didn't have many spells per day.Open the lid and snatch a homebrewed treat from Cookie's Jar
Ponytar by Dirtytabs
Originally Posted by DudeWhyAreAllTheNamesTaken(Imgur)
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2013-01-22, 07:26 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLI
See, that's where I stopped. Once you get initiate mysteries, your apprentice mysteries stop functioning as spells, rendering them illegal as Spell Versatility parameters.
That's assuming that a DM would even let you do it in the first place - they're technically mysteries at all levels, even if they do function as spells.
...and was an ECL 22 character?