Gestalt Arena Match 3

[playswithfire]

A towering figure in a dark robe enters the room where you have been milling around sizing up the competition. His face is completely obscured by his hood. He raises both hands to get your attention and speaks in a deep voice.
Gazurl, servant of emperor Ganurath and Zog, beast of the Duke of URL. He pauses for you to identify yourselves.
You have been chosen to fight. Prepare yourselves!
With that he brings his hands down and the two of you find yourself transported to the arena

OOC:
You've got time for one swift action and one standard action before you get transported in case you need to adopt a stance or activate an item.

On the map, green is open terrain, yellow is difficult terrain, red/brown is the cliffs. Arena has a 60 foot ceiling.

Opening post should have an initiative roll, anything you said after he called your name and what, if anything you did with the 'surprise round' before being transported. After that, start fighting in initiative order.

Ganurath

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start at Q14

Duke

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start at AG31

[Ganurath]

Gazurl salutes his emperor prior to the teleport, drawing his blade and holding it overhead as he awaits to be pulled into the arena.

((Move Action: Draw scimitar.
Swift Action: Punishing Stance.
Initiative - (1d20+3)[19]))

[Duke of URL]

Zog

The Duke unleashes his beast, who quickly prepares for battle. Initiative - (1d20+10)[28].

The draconic troll rises into the air and moves quickly as soon as the battle starts.

Maneuvers Readied:

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Crusader
1. Elder Mountain Hammer
2. Boulder Roll
3. Covering Strike
4. Foe Hammer
5. Charging Minotaur

Granted - (1d5)[2] (Boulder Roll), Granted - (1d4)[1] (Elder Mountain Hammer), Granted - (1d3)[1] (Covering Strike)

Swordsage/Mo9

Mirrored Pursuit, Searing Blade, Hand of Death, Strength Draining Strike, Disarming Strike, Fire Riposte, Burning Brand, Counter Charge, Sudden Leap

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Use "surprise" swift action to activate Holocaust Cloak stance and standard action as a move action to take flight.

1st turn: Double move to Y23

[Ganurath]

Gazurl couldn't help but be excited. He was in battle against a worthy foe. Everything he was screamed for this. The fire in his veins, his years of training, the will of his god the Herald of Hell... He would demonstrate his devotion in an emaculate moment where he would bring order to the mayhem of his opponent's abominable nature. He called upon his inner wells of personal strength to shield himself in anticipation of the assault from a bastard warrior no doubt created in some wizard's lab. He would defeat his foe because he had a cause, if for no other reason.

((Swift: Activate Law Devotion feat for +7 profane to AC
Free: Combat Expertise and Armor of God, each +5 to AC))

[Duke of URL]

Zog

(( Silly me, I forgot to actually double Zog's movement distance last round. Oh well, still no concerns... so... you want to play defense? Okay by me. ))

Zog touches down lightly at Q18, and lets loose a blast of acidic breath at Gazurl BreathWeapon - (6d6)[27] acid, reflex DC 24 for half damage.

Granted - (1d2)[2] (Charging Minotaur)

[Ganurath]

Gazurl rolled forward into the blast, attempting to minimize the damage by keeping low and trying to close the gap. Before charging, though, he snarls like a beast and utters a battle cry. "I soar on wings of fire!"

With that, the ruby gemstones embedded in the back of each boot roar to life, fire spitting out and fueling an aerial charge. He moves to close the gap, swerving in the air to avoid the brute's superior reach.

((Reflex half - (1d20+15)[35]
Swift: Switch to Blood in the Water stance
Standard: Command word for Winged Boots
(Yes, I describe them as rocket boots, but he's a Fire Hobgoblin and I like the flavor)
DC 15 Tumble - (1d20+20)[33]
Also, you can safely assume you're the declared target of my Dodge, as I'm sure the same goes for the reverse.
Gah, moving to Q17))

[Duke of URL]

Zog

Zog takes off near-vertically to stay with the hobgoblin, and lashes out with a series of attacks.

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Taking to the air over Q19, turning as necessary (and using up movement speed accordingly) to face Gazurl.

Low-percentage attacks here, but let's see if we get lucky... note this is from 10', so no AoO abilities unless you can increase your reach by 5'.

Unarmed - (1d20+29)[42], Damage - (1d8+18)[25], Paralyzing Will DC 17
Unarmed - (1d20+24)[32], Damage - (1d8+18)[26], Paralyzing Will DC 17
Unarmed - (1d20+19)[23], Damage - (1d8+18)[21], Paralyzing Will DC 17
Bite - (1d20+26)[32], Damage - (1d8+18)[26], Paralyzing Will DC 17
Claw - (1d20+26)[31], Damage - (1d6+18)[23], Paralyzing Will DC 17
Claw - (1d20+26)[35], Damage - (1d6+18)[22], Paralyzing Will DC 17

If both claws hit, Rend - (2d6+25)[33]

[Ganurath]

((I don't have to, you're moving out of a square that I threaten, which provokes an AoO. Unless there's something I missed, in which case ignore the first attack.))

Gazurl lashes out at the abberant troll as it makes a tactical retreat, snarling eagerly as he easily deflects the onslaught of attacks, rolling with blows along his armor and at one point watching as his devotion to Hextor alone forces a blow to stop short. Ducking and swerving as before, Gazurl makes the effort to zip past his foe and get behind his defenses so as to deliver a decisive blow.

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AoO - (1d20+28)[46] after the -5 from CE and the +7 from BM, damage - (1d6+18)[23]
Attempting to move into Zog's square with a DC 25 Tumble - (1d20+20)[39]
If successful, no AoO is provoked and the following attack is made against Zog's flat-footed AC thanks to Acrobatic Backstab. Add +4 to the roll to hit if using Combat Expertise to the max counts as a total defense action, I couldn't find the rules on it.
Scimitar - (1d20+21)[25] to hit, and damage gets the +7 from Battle ardor if the Tumble succeeds, so damage - (1d6+18)[20]

[Ganurath]

Same +28 to confirm the AoO critical despite battle ardor, since insight bonuses don't stack. Also, I meant Battle cunning in the previous post, not ardor.

Also, I know I didn't state them before, which is why I'm not going to use them if I get the okay, but I'd like to be able to use manuevers readied. ((Either editted into this post or stated in my next, as you prefer.))

Confirm Critical - (1d20+28)[41]
Damage - (1d6+18)[19]

[Duke of URL]

Zog

(( So, I take 42 damage from the AoO. You take 5 fire damage. 15 points of damage go into delayed damage pool.

Your normal attack hits. I take another 20 damage, you take another 5 fire damage. ))

Zog bellows with rage and attempts to throw Gazurl down to the ground.

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Granted: Foe Hammer
Heal 5HP (fast healing)
Activating Comet Throw, Touch - (1d20+29)[42], Trip - (1d20+21)[39] opposed STR or DEX (STR +17, Size +4), Damage - (4d6)[18] DC 32 (base 14; +17 STR; +1 perfect form) or fall prone, target square for throw is O19.

Reserving move action until I determine success/failure of throw.

Edit: Throw successful. Move to AA19. Seeing the flames have no effect, uses swift action to change stance to Child Of Shadow (concealment as long as move 10').

[Ganurath]

((Three cheers for Battle skill and the Fire Hobgoblin's fier resistance 5! Three boos for a meer 34 touch AC. Also, what's this about a delayed damage pool?))

Opposing trip - (1d20+15)[32]
Reflex save - (1d20+15)[33]
If I fail the opposed roll and the Reflex save, I'll use Back on Your Feet to get upright as an immediate action that doesn't provoke an AoO. Edit: No need, made the save.

[Duke of URL]

(( Delayed Damage Pool is a Crusader class feature -- it lets me defer some damage for up to 1 round and use that damage to boost my own attacks. Also, previous post updated with additional actions. ))

[Ganurath]

Also, I know I didn't state them before, which is why I'm not going to use them if I get the okay, but I'd like to be able to use manuevers readied. ((Either editted into this post or stated in my next, as you prefer.))

I'll delete this post and post my action once I get a response to the PM elaborating on this question, as the answer will have a substantial impact on my next action. So many opportunities to use Rapid Counter missed...

[Duke of URL]

I'm torn here -- yes, you should have maneuvers prepared. However, now you're able to choose the 6 (that's what you're allowed, I believe) maneuvers you already know will work best in this situation, which is the equivalent of an ability that normally requires a feat (Adaptive Style) and a full-round action.

Also, do note that once you expend a maneuver, it is unavailable until it is recovered. So, regardless of the opportunities, you would only have been able to use Rapid Counter once, and you couldn't have taken an AoO for the same provoking action.

[Ganurath]

Granted, but on the other hand after eliminating Steely Strike and Claw at the Moon due to only being prerequisites for higher manuevers and the White Raven manuevers that were only for the chance of a 2v2 match (WRT cheese!), it's a matter of choosing between Iron Heart Endurance (which I'd take since I already saw your sheet and knew you had a breath weapon) and Death from Above. So, it's not really getting manuevers on the fly against an opponent I've already had a chance to analyze before the fight.

[Duke of URL]

In that case, flip a coin (as it were) to determine which you would have readied.

[Ganurath]

((Time to party, then. 1 is IHE, 2 is DfA. (1d2)[2]))

Gazurl quickly shakes himself off after a rather rough landing, his boots roaring to life as he wills himself forward in an aerial charge. As he approaches, relying on his manifest devotion to protect him rather than his own agility, he analyzes his opponent. In a single moment of clarity, he sees the best way to push the offensive.

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Swift Action: Moment of Alacrity
Charge move to Z19, +4 AC from Mobility, so net change of +2 (to 59)
If it can be used as part of a charge attack, Emerald Razor. Otherwise, just a regular attack. +1 from stance
Scimitar - (1d20+24)[34] Concealement - (1d100)[19] Damage - (1d6+12)[13]

[Duke of URL]

Activating Counter Charge as an immediate action -- opposed STR check, (1d20+21)[41] (+17 STR, +4 size). If you cannot beat it, you get no attack and I move you two squares away in any direction.

[Ganurath]

Opposed check, then. If it fails, I'll have to delete the post I ninja'd you with since I wouldn't be adjacent and add something different after work.

Edit: Typo in the code, but it's moot since I can't beat your natural 20. And I had 3 crits threatening too...

[Duke of URL]

I picked a good time for a natural 20, it looks like.

Just for book-keeping, we'll make square Y18 the target of the redirect.

[Ganurath]

Gazurl reeled from being forced back, but he still had his self discipline, control of the situation, and devotion to Hextor. He flew in once more, wary of his foe's reach before making another, more aggressive attempt to strike.

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5ft step from Y18 to Z18.
Tumble DC 15 - (1d20+20)[29]
Swift Action: Raging Mongoose
Full Attack, c'mon crits!
Scimitar - (1d20+22)[29] Conceal - (1d100)[34] [roll=1d6+12[/roll]
Scimitar - (1d20+22)[26] Conceal - (1d100)[92] [roll=1d6+12[/roll]
Scimitar - (1d20+17)[21] Conceal - (1d100)[21] [roll=1d6+12[/roll]
Scimitar - (1d20+12)[25] Conceal - (1d100)[34] [roll=1d6+12[/roll]

[Ganurath]

Error in the damage codes, adjusting accordingly.

Damage - (1d6+12)[16]
Damage - (1d6+12)[15]
Damage - (1d6+12)[17]
Damage - (1d6+12)[18]

Rolls were in order, so you take 16.

[Duke of URL]

16 damage, then (only the 29 hits).

HP changes:

15 damage from delayed damage pool
5 healing from fast healing
16 - 15 = 1 damage from attack
15 damage to delayed damage pool

Might as well switch to fighting defensively, since I can't hit your AC without a 20 anyway, to get a +2 to AC. Rolls in next post, since this is an edit.

[Duke of URL]

Swift action: engage dual stance with Martial Spirit as the second stance.

Opting for full attack, which will cause me to stall and take falling damage as well. Not going to bother with attack modifiers -- only natural 20s hit, and confirm rolls will automatically fail, since natural 20s aren't auto-hit there either. For each hit, Will DC 17 or be paralyzed.

Unarmed1 - (1d20)[12], Damage - (1d8+21)[22] (+3 bonus from damage pool)
Unarmed2 - (1d20)[16], Damage - (1d8+21)[22] (+3 bonus from damage pool)
Unarmed3 - (1d20)[4], Damage - (1d8+21)[25] (+3 bonus from damage pool)
Bite - (1d20)[19], Damage - (1d8+21)[25] (+3 bonus from damage pool)
Claw1 - (1d20)[18], Damage - (1d6+21)[23] (+3 bonus from damage pool)
Claw2 - (1d20)[3], Damage - (1d6+21)[25] (+3 bonus from damage pool)

[Ganurath]

Gazurl parries and deflects the enemy blows with sword and shield, although a few swings come close to piercing his myriad defenses. He allows himself to freefall, bending his legs with the landing to minimize his strain before lunging upward in a graceful arcing slash.

((Fall to ground level, Tumble modifier is higher than DC to negate the fall damage for the short drop. Swing with Emerald Razor (which I never got to expend thanks to Counter Charge.) Also, reduce AC to 53 for Karmic Strike.

Touch AC - (1d20+22)[35] Conceal - (1d100)[42] Damage - (1d6+12)[17]))

[Duke of URL]

Zog

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Damage summary:

15 delayed damage
5 healing
17 - 15 new damage
15 damage to damage pool

Zog seems to do nothing but laugh in the face of his enemy.

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Using a full-round action to invoke the Adaptive Style feat and reorganize (and refresh) maneuvers. See character sheet for new readied maneuvers (no changes to Crusader side).

Granted maneuvers: (1d5)[3] (Covering Strike), (1d4)[4] (Charging Minotaur), (1d3)[1] (Elder Mountain Hammer)

[Ganurath]

Gazurl doesn't like being laughed in the face of, so he decides to do something about it. Specifically, he decides to jump up and attempt to bisect his opponent's face. "Death from above!" After an arcing slash at his opponent's face, he landed on the only open patch within reach of his foe.

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DC 20 Jump - (1d20+30)[41]
Notes: +7 damage and flat footed AC
Scimitar - (1d20+22)[37] Damage - (1d6+19)[25]
Land in AB18

[Ganurath]

Threatened a critical, with +7 to confirm

Confirm - (1d20+29)[36] Crit Damage - (1d20+19)[23]

[Duke of URL]

Zog

Okay... that hurt. Rather than bellowing with rage, Zog simply fades from view and tries to slip in a single deft strike.

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Damage Summary:
15 delayed damage
(5 healing)
48-15=33 damage
15 damage to damage pool
Net: 43 damage

Not fighting defensively... using:
Swift: Cloak Of Deception -- unless you can see invisible, I get +2 to attack and you lose DEX to AC (and any bonus also lost when denied DEX to AC) until the end of my turn
Standard: Emerald Razor -- melee touch Attack - (1d20+34)[44] (+2 invisible, +3 furious counterstrike), Damage - (1d8+18)[20] plus held (Will DC 17 negates)
Move: Reserved pending outcome of standard action

[Ganurath]

In retrospect, I should have turned off Armor of God on the off chance you hit again.

Will Save - (1d20+3)[4]
On the off chance that it can be applied retroactively, I forgot to roll the extra 4d6 for Death from Above.
DfA - (4d6)[8]

Edit: Damn. How long does the hold last?