Junkyard Wars XXVII: US + M... - A

[Macabaret]

Welcome to Junkyard Stadium! It is in this hallowed pile of miscellaneous parts that we will hold a competition of Practical Optimization with three components. The catch? Competitors may not use the third item in their builds!

Goal: Create a build that showcases the selected ingredients while steering clear of the Forbidden Ingredient.

This competition has two Necessary Components and one Forbidden Component. This round's components are...

• Necessary: Unholy Scion template (Heroes of Horror p.155-157)
• Necessary: One Mark of... feat (Fiendish Codex II p.84-85)
• Forbidden: Affiliation to anything (god, entity, church, organization, ideal, etc) that isn't your Father

Spoiler: RULES

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• Creation: 32 point-buy is the presumed creation method. You may assume that you will have enough exp to reach ECL 20, and that the occasional bit of crafting, use of spells with exp components, or the like won't prevent you from doing so. However, LA buyoff is an alternate rule which is not in play.
• Workshop: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon Magazine is disallowed, and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see below. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. If you use web material, please link it. Dragon Magazine Compendium is allowed, as are Oriental Adventures (and its 3.5 updates in Dragon Magazine) and the Dragonlance Campaign Setting. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt and fractional saves are not allowed, as they create a different playing field.
• Leadership is banned: We're creating one thing, not all of the things. If your entry includes a prestige class or ACF that grants Leadership or a Leadership-like ability as a bonus feat, the feat should be ignored and is not eligible to be traded away for another feat or ACF through any means.
• Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until after the reveal in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.
• Disputes: Any scoring disputes should be sent to the Chair via PM. Valid disputes include RAW misreadings, arithmetic errors, things missed that are present in the entry, and inconsistently applied criteria. Invalid disputes include disagreements on matters of opinion, a judge not catching something not explicitly presented in the entry, and the like. Invalid disputes will be responded to via PM by the Chair, but valid disputes will be posted in-thread for the judge to review. When disputing, please indicate the judge the dispute is intended for and provide a quote of the disputed comment or comments. Note: the Chair may edit or paraphrase any disputes in presenting them to the judges.
• Presentation: You will need to present a write-up of your build at at least one of the following points: 5th level, 10th level, 15th, 20th, and a "sweet spot" that you feel is the high point of the build, as well as presenting a fully-fleshed out 20-level build in the table below. Please give a rundown of the build's abilities and playability throughout its life. Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries. Also for this reason, PLEASE do not include any material that may or may not offend any potential viewers/judges/competitors OR break forum rules. Any builds which violate forum rules WILL be withheld from posting.

Spoiler: Handy-dandy Tables You Can Use

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Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, please use the following table for their entry.

Spoiler

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NAME OF ENTRY

Level	Class	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Skills	Feats	Class Features
1st	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
2nd	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
3rd	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
4th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
5th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
6th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
7th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
8th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
9th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
10th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
11th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
12th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
13th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
14th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
15th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
16th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
17th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
18th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
19th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities
20th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	Feats	New Class Abilities

Code immediately below (spoiler).

Spoiler

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[table="class: head alt1 alt2"]
[tr]
[th][B]Level[/B][/th]
[th][B]Class[/B][/th]
[th][B]Base Attack Bonus[/B][/th]
[th][B]Fort Save[/B][/th]
[th][B]Ref Save[/B][/th]
[th][B]Will Save[/B][/th]
[th][B]Skills[/B][/th]
[th][B]Feats[/B][/th]
[th][B]Class Features[/B][/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]1st[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]2nd[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]3rd[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]4th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]5th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]6th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]7th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]8th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]9th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]10th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]11th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]12th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]13th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]14th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]15th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]16th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]17th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]18th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]19th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]20th[/td]
[td]New Class Level[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]+x[/td]
[td]Skills[/td]
[td]Feats[/td]
[td]New Class Abilities[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage)

Spoiler

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Spells per Day/Spells Known

Level	0lvl	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
1st	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2nd	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3rd	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
5th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
8th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
9th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
10th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
11th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
12th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
13th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
14th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
15th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
16th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
17th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
18th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
19th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
20th	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Code immediately below (spoiler)

Spoiler

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[B]Spells per Day/Spells Known[/B]
[table="class:head alt1 alt2"]
[tr]
[th][B]Level[/B][/th]
[th][B]0lvl[/B][/th]
[th][B]1st[/B][/th]
[th][B]2nd[/B][/th]
[th][B]3rd[/B][/th]
[th][B]4th[/B][/th]
[th][B]5th[/B][/th]
[th][B]6th[/B][/th]
[th][B]7th[/B][/th]
[th][B]8th[/B][/th]
[th][B]9th[/B][/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]1st[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]2nd[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]3rd[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]4th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]5th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]6th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]7th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]8th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]9th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]10th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]11th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]12th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]13th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]14th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]15th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]16th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]17th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]18th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]19th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]20th[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.

Spoiler: Judging

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• Scoring: Each judge is required to provide the criteria by which they are judging the builds. By "criteria," we mean a simple explanation of what the judge is looking for in each of the below categories and what kind of scoring we can expect. If a judge deems a build to be illegal, they may provide a 0 in Elegance but may not refuse to judge any build presented by the Chairman.
• The Categories: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Components.
  
  

  • Originality: Is the build unique? Does it deviate from the obvious? Does it forge its own path, or does it fall back on common, established optimization tricks? Some judges score entries for the quality of their concept & backstory as well, though not all do. Providing at least some backstory is heavily encouraged, as it helps the judges figure out who the entry is. Note that the purpose of this category is not to penalize entries that independently came up with the same idea as another entry, but rather to reward entries that explore underutilized and non-obvious areas of optimization, so, judges, try not to base your judging in this category too heavily on what other builds are doing. Multiple entries using the same element may certainly be evidence that the element is unoriginal, but you shouldn't impose anything like a "-1 for each other build using the same class" penalty.
  • Power: Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.
  • Elegance: This category was formerly titled "Build Stability." Here, we're essentially measuring how skillfully you put your build together and how you balanced flavor with power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing (meaning any multiclassing that results in an xp penalty), and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, may lose you points. Rule adherence and legality of sources is scored under this category; additionally, reliance on a questionable, controversial, or ambiguous ruling can and should result in a deduction. Neither the number of sources nor their relative obscurity should be penalized--contestants should feel free to use any books they like. Dipping should not be penalized unless it results in a multiclass xp penalty; if the system won't penalize it, neither should judges.
  • Use of Components: Was the Forbidden Component avoided? Were the Necessary Components showcased, or simply used because they were necessary?
• Disputes: Any scoring disputes will be posted by the Chairman in-thread after reviewing them privately. Valid disputes include
  
  • RAW misreadings,
  • arithmetic errors,
  • things missed that are present in the entry,
  • and inconsistently applied criteria.
  
  Invalid disputes include
  
  • disagreements on matters of opinion,
  • a judge not catching something not explicitly presented in the entry,
  • and the like.
  
  Invalid disputes will be responded to via PM by the Chair, but valid disputes should be responded to by each individual judge. Judges are obligated to respond to disputes to ensure that everyone gets a fair shake. A judge's scores will only be recognized if they have recognized all disputes. In the absence of any other judges, the entries will be judged by the chairman.

Completion Time:

• Contestants will have until 20:59 CDT Tuesday October 8, 2019 to create their builds and PM them to the chairman.
• Builds will then be posted simultaneously to avoid copying.
• Judges will have until 20:59 CDT Tuesday October 22, 2019 to judge the builds and submit their scores. Judging deadline is subject to extension as required.
• As the precedent has been set from Episode 2, should all prospective judges have posted their rulings in a neat, timely fashion and all disputes have been settled satisfactorily (to either judges, contestants, or the Chairperson), the judging period may end prematurely to give way to a new episode. No reason to keep working on a finished building and avoid moving onto the next one.

Looking for as many contestants and judges as feel like playing! We will award 1st through 3rd places, as well as a shout-out for honorable mention. The honorable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build that doesn't gain a medal. Contestants are invited to vote for honorable mention via PM. Everyone else can vote in-thread. Ready? Set? Get to the junkyard and start building!

Spoiler: Previous Competitions

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1. Junkyard Wars in the Playground I: Shadowdancer + Sneak Attack - Rogue
2. Junkyard Wars in the Playground II: Healing Spells + Ruby Knight Vindicator - Cleric
3. Junkyard Wars in the Playground III: Dragons + Theurges - Kobolds
4. Junkyard Wars in the Playground IV: BoED + Undead Type - Completes
5. Junkyard Wars in the Playground V: Dread Witch + Reaping Mauler - Fighter
6. Junkyard Wars in the Playground VI: Wonderworker + Profession Skill - Factotum
7. Junkyard Wars in the Playground VII: Metamagic Feats + LA - Metamagic Reducers!
8. Junkyard Wars in the Playground VIII: Pounce+Small Size-Barbarian
9. Junkyard Wars in the Playground IX: Earth Dreamer + Ordained Champion - Cleric
10. Junkyard Wars in the Playground X: Meldshaping + Natural Attacks - Totemist
11. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XI: Magical Darkness + Improved Familiar - Wizard
12. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XII: Dragonmark Heirs + Touchstones - Martial Weapons
13. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XIII: Mulhorandi Divine Minion + Monk - Any Other Wildshaping
14. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XIV: Racial Paragon Classes + Spellcasting - Base Classes
15. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XV: Ruathar + Stoneblessed - Human
16. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XVI: Trapsmith + Combat Trapsmith - Rogue
17. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XVII: Elemental Warrior + Jaunter - Fighter
18. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XVIII: Argent Savant + Holy Scourge - Wizard
19. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XIX: Incarnum Blade + Exotic Weapon Master - Spiked Chain
20. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XX: Xorvintaal Exarch + The Pact-Bound Adept - Sorcerer
21. Junkyard Wars in the Playground XXI: Rebuke Undead + Teamwork Benefits - [Divine] feats
22. Junkyard Wars XXII: Battle Trickster + Magical Trickster - Uncanny Trickster
23. Junkyard Wars XXIII: Spellwarp Sniper + Silver Pyromancer - Energy Substitution
24. Junkyard Wars XXIV: Vow of Peace + Saint - Divine casting
25. Junkyard Wars XXV: Silverwood Arcanist + Share Soulmeld - Soulcaster
26. Junkyard Wars XXVI: RSL + ACF - PrCs
    

[Macabaret]

A Few Notes on Formatting

1. Your PM to the chair to enter your build is limited to a maximum character limit. If you need to split your entry into multiple PMs, that's fine. But please do not split your build mid-sentence; find a nice break point midway through and split it there. Also, when sending multiple PMs for the same entry, title your PMs appropriately. Indications such as "final" or "middle bit" are bad ideas. Be abundantly clear, for example: "Junkyard Wars XIIIII: [Character name], 3/3"
   
   
2. There are tables offered in the OP. All the coding is already done for you. Please do feel free to use them. They make life easier. If you have a table from previous iterations of these competitions (from years ago), do note that they may be non-functional. The coding for the site has changed over time and your version may be obsolete or incomplete. Utilize the tools offered here. If you find them to be broken in any way, please do report it to the Chair.
   
   
3. Color tags are not needed in your tables. The tables are built to have rows of table data that alternate colors automatically. Adding color tags for every row of your tables is just adding unneccessary characters to your post.
   If you would like to change the color of your text (either within the table or in your write-ups or backstory), feel free to do so. If you do, make sure you've got everything formatted correctly.
   
   
4. Writing sentences in the same color of the background is usually a bad idea. It can be cute as a comical aside, where only those who are let in on your joke are those who can find the text. If, however, you include pertinent parts of your build or explination in such 'hidden' asides, there is every possiblity that a judge may not find it. If that happens, don't dispute judgements for not finding information that you've hidden. (Even if it is about the Darkstalker feat.)
   
   
5. Spoiler: Spoiler tags are your friends!

   Show

   No one likes to read a wall of text. Paragraphs and line breaks are certainly good ideas, but even with them, if your entry is taking up a sizable portion of a thread, using spoiler tags to shrink things down to less of an eyestrain is much appreciated.
   
   
   
6. Remember that the Chair is not your editor. I will not be sifting through your entry to fix your code. Before you submit your entry, click the preview button and make sure everything works the way you want it to. If a table is broken, fix it. If your bolded sentence doesn't stop 'bolding' where you meant it to (or, in fact, at all), fix it. Only send your entry once you've got everything as intended.

[Macabaret]

FAQ

• "Mark" feats require Brand of the Nine Hells which in turn requires being a devil. How's that going to work?
  Devil is an undefined term in this game. For the purposes of this round of this contest, being an Unholy Scion of an archdevil is sufficient for the purpose of fulfilling the 'devil' requirement of Brand of the Nine Hells.
  
  
• Familial Charm: How's it work?
  Familial Charm is an oddity in that it is actually three different abilities squidged into one. Let's take them seperately.
  

  1. An unholy scion's mother is under a constant charm person or charm animal effect (as appropriate), generated by the scion

     This is as written on the tin. All limitations of the appropriate spell exist, except that it has a duration of Permenant and is a (SU) effect instead of a spell.

  2. The scion can switch between its own senses and its mother's at will as a free action.

     Again, as on the tin. This is an at-will supernatural ability with no range, usable as a free action, and with one (and only one) possible target.

  3. The scion can use any of its spell-like abilities with its mother, rather than itself, as the source, much as wizards can deliver touch attacks through their familiars.

     Okay, let's see if we can work this one out. It works much as wizards delivering touch attacks through their familiars. So... scion and mother must be touching at the time the scion uses a touch-range SLA. The mother holds the charge as per the "Holding the Charge" section of p.126 of the Rules Compendium. She can hold it indefinately, though she must remain within 1 mile of the scion (as a familiar to its wizard). As normal, if the scion uses another SLA while a previous charge is being held, the held charge fizzles.
     The act of the mother holding the charge is a (SU) ability, and thus can't be dispelled and doesn't function in an anti-magic field. The act of the mother discharging the effect, however, is a Spell-like ability and subject to the benefits and limitations thereof.
  
  
• Can Familiar Charm essentially grant a powerful Cohort?
  No. Leadership (and most Leadership-like abilities) are banned here. I don't want to read any backstories about 20th level paladins that have been tricked by an archdevil and made to fall, giving the scion a high level blackguard bodyguard, beginning at low levels. So listen and listen good: The scion's mother is (and always will be) an un-templated member of the scion's race as it appears in its standard statblock. No statblock? Tack on one level of warrior with all skill points going to Craft and all feats taken being Toughness. Do not include a stats for the mother in your entry.
  Judges are highly encouraged to penelize any manuevering through RAW-loopholes in the above RAI with extreme prejudice!
  
  
• The OP states "Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt and fractional saves are not allowed, as they create a different playing field.", but Taint isn't only listed in UA as it appears in Heroes of Horror as well. Are we allowed to use Taint?
  I recognize that we are making [Evil] characters here, but they are also lawful. Taint appears in UA and it is an alternate rule system. Ergo, Taint is not allowed.

[weckar]

Could you elaborate on what you mean by the Forbidden widget? Does that just ban Incarnate and Ardent, or is it a fluff thing, or what?

Does it limit anything with an alignment requirement due to implied devotion to that ideal?

[Falontani]

How do you want US age thing to work? I normally use pathfinder's young template without the mental stat changes, but I doubt that would fly here

Level adjustment? Usually it's kept to keep a level playing field, but if we're all US do we need to keep its LA?

[Macabaret]

Could you elaborate on what you mean by the Forbidden widget? Does that just ban Incarnate and Ardent, or is it a fluff thing, or what?

Does it limit anything with an alignment requirement due to implied devotion to that ideal?

It bans anything that requires a devotion to a ... something.
So, no base classes (or choices thereof) that would require devout worship (e.g. Favored Soul of Wee Jas, Ardent, Cleric of Nature, etc.).
Also, no PrCs that specify a need to follow a specific entity (Radiant Servant of Pelor, for example) or inclusion in an organization (like Paragnostic Apostle).
Similarly, feats ([Initiate] feats, for example) and ACFs (i.e. Shooting Star Ranger or Lightbringer Rogue) with such requirements are not allowed.
Affiliation to churches (see Chapter 1 of Complete Champion for examples) and their benefits are banned as well.
I hope this helps clarify things. If you have any questions about something specific, feel free to ask by PMing the Chair.

As for things that require an alignment, they are in play and allowed, unless it requires devotion to that alignment. [Exalted] feats would thus be allowed (if you can meet their requirements), but the Incarnate class is not allowed.

[Macabaret]

How do you want US age thing to work? I normally use pathfinder's young template without the mental stat changes, but I doubt that would fly here

Make your character as normal for 3.5 rules (and the rules of this contest). Unholy Scion is an inherited template, so will have to be applied from the very beginning. But it doesn't require you to play a child. Start at an age you normally would for character creation.

Level adjustment? Usually it's kept to keep a level playing field, but if we're all US do we need to keep its LA?

Yes, keep the LA.

[Thurbane]

I love the Unholy Scion template, but LA +5? Ouch.

I'm also struggling a little with the thematics of "Mark of" and forbidding affiliation to anything that isn't your "father". So in effect, you must be the spawn of a devil, and you cannot worship or pledge allegiance to anything other than that devil?

[pabelfly]

I'm also struggling a little with the thematics of "Mark of" and forbidding affiliation to anything that isn't your "father". So in effect, you must be the spawn of a devil, and you cannot worship or pledge allegiance to anything other than that devil?

Seems about right from what I understand. Pretty interesting wrinkle in the character design rules, I'm really digging it.

[Thurbane]

Got the bare bones of a build in mind; I have a feeling at least one part of it will see quite a bit of use in the comp.

[weckar]

I did. Then I remembered: Oh yeah--No DragonMag.

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Okay, I have the seed of an idea. Let's see if my storytelling chops are up to the task of making this work.

EDIT: and my optimization-fu. This is rapidly looking a lot harder than I initially thought.

[pabelfly]

I did. Then I remembered: Oh yeah--No DragonMag.

A competition that let you use Dragon Magazine content, or even explicitly required it as part of its build would be really fun.

[PoeticallyPsyco]

A competition that let you use Dragon Magazine content, or even explicitly required it as part of its build would be really fun.

One or two of the Game Warper's challenges have allowed a single issue of Dragon Magazine. Made for a very flavorful component of my Wendigo build.

[jdizzlean]

Okay, I have the seed of an idea. Let's see if my storytelling chops are up to the task of making this work.

This is rapidly looking a lot harder than I initially thought.

Got the bare bones of a build in mind; I have a feeling at least one part of it will see quite a bit of use in the comp.

i'm right there w/ both of you. unlike normal, i simply put down the "pencil" after the initial notes so i can stew on it awhile.

[Quentinas]

I have two idea ... but now i have to see how put all together (and one seems obvious so i don't know)

[Sian]

Got half a (mechanic) idea as of how to get at it, if only i could find a way of doing {REDACTED} at will, which proves surprisingly difficult for all that it ought to be fairly simple IRL

[weckar]

Familial Charm appears to be the only truly unique ability here so I'd like to know: Does it have any range limit? Does it work cross-planar?

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Question: Are we saying being an Unholy Scion counts as being a devil for Brand of the 9 Hells, or do we also need to be devils (or find a way around that requirement, natch)?

[Thurbane]

Question: Are we saying being an Unholy Scion counts as being a devil for Brand of the 9 Hells, or do we also need to be devils (or find a way around that requirement, natch)?

FAQ

• "Mark" feats require Brand of the Nine Hells which in turn requires being a devil. How's that going to work?
  Devil is an undefined term in this game. For the purposes of this round of this contest, being an Unholy Scion of an archdevil is sufficient for the purpose of fulfilling the 'devil' requirement of Brand of the Nine Hells.
  

..........

[PoeticallyPsyco]

FAQ

• "Mark" feats require Brand of the Nine Hells which in turn requires being a devil. How's that going to work?
  Devil is an undefined term in this game. For the purposes of this round of this contest, being an Unholy Scion of an archdevil is sufficient for the purpose of fulfilling the 'devil' requirement of Brand of the Nine Hells.
  

Whoops, completely missed that. My bad.

[Macabaret]

Familial Charm appears to be the only truly unique ability here so I'd like to know: Does it have any range limit? Does it work cross-planar?

Yes and no. And no and yes. And yes and no.

I've added a more detailed answer in the FAQ above.

[weckar]

The scion's mother is (and always will be) a standard, un-templated member of the scion's race with zero class levels.

Darn! My intent! You caught it!

It does extend beyond touch spells, though, doesn't it?

At the master’s option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect his familiar. The familiar must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit. (...) A master and his familiar can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the familiar’s type

At the same time, the mother is not a familiar (or legitimate choice as familiar) for other purposes, yes?

[Thurbane]

Haste to get nit-picky, but if the mother is of a standard humanoid race, she cannot have 0 class levels by RAW.

Would Commoner 1 be acceptable in this case?

[Sian]

Nailed down most of the fluff and meat of the build ... but utterly stomped on which base class that would work the best

[Macabaret]

Haste to get nit-picky, but if the mother is of a standard humanoid race, she cannot have 0 class levels by RAW.

Would Commoner 1 be acceptable in this case?

[OldManGrumbling]You meddling kids!![/OldManGrumbling]


The FAQ has be edited.

[Macabaret]

Darn! My intent! You caught it!

It does extend beyond touch spells, though, doesn't it?
Quote from SRD: At the master’s option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect his familiar. The familiar must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit. (...) A master and his familiar can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the familiar’s type

At the same time, the mother is not a familiar (or legitimate choice as familiar) for other purposes, yes?

No. The mother has a similar ability to the "Deliver Touch Spells" ability of familiars (except that she can "Deliver Touch SLAs"). She gains no other abilities that a familiar has, not even the "Share Spells" ability that you've quoted.

[Macabaret]

The FAQ has now also been updated.

[jdizzlean]

gah! stop changing things lol

[weckar]

Aren't UA taint and HoH taint completely different systems? Oh well, no matter.

I figure if I make an entry I'll just disregard RAW altogether and take that hit.