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2012-04-29, 06:06 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
And now it's time for the reveal! Please refrain from posting in this thread until I give the all-clear. Thanks.
Builds:
1.Star.
2.Dolus Praeto.
3.Unnamed.
4.Durbein Stoneknock.
5.Aasterninian's Thief.
6.Zed.
7.Aundair Yannedge-Owens.
8.Eglath.
9.Arminel Rayne.
10.Theodore Logan.
11.Tia the Fox.Last edited by Amphetryon; 2012-04-29 at 07:28 PM.
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2012-04-29, 06:08 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
When you think your name is Star/Makes no difference who you are. . . . -J.C.
Originally Posted by Star
Fluff:
Spoiler
"Know your limits! Shamus drilled that into me from day one, always. You have to be sure that you can do something, and do it right. Don’t chance it, or else it’s your fault when you screw up. Don’t play a game of cards if you can’t stack the deck.”
Star was born to a loving family…well, loving before she came along. Her mother was blissfully unaware about the fact that her husband was a Changeling. It had been blind chance that Star’s two older brothers had been born as normal humans, and it had shocked Star’s father as much as anyone when his third child emerged from the womb as a genderless mass of grey flesh.
Star’s mother was enraged that her husband had never told her the truth about himself, and he was upset that his offspring forced him to acknowledge his species; many Changelings prefer to live only one life, shunning their heritage to fit in with the community they choose to live in. Star grew up in a broken home, the rift between her parents caused entirely by her own existence. She ran away when she was 7, after her father had a particularly bad night. One benefit about being able to change your shape was that there was never any problem hiding the bruises.
Star was found by an old man named Shamus, a former pickpocket and acolyte of the god Olidammara, who’d been “retired” by the City Guards when he made a slip up. Since then, he’d become bitter and slightly cynical, but he still revered the God of Rogues, and spent his time looking after a pack of street rats. He taught them his art as best he could, and made sure they all had food to eat, wine to drink and a place to hole up in out of the cold.
He was proud of Star; her abilities made her invaluable to him, as she could serve any number of roles in any number of schemes. Sometimes she would be the face, fooling the mark Shamus pointed out for her while one of the others pocketed his valuables. Sometimes she would be picking the locks of a Nobleman’s house. And sometimes, she would go with Shamus to shake down one of his competitors. She could be very scary when she wanted to be.
Level 1
SpoilerChangeling Rogue 1
Taking the substitution level to trade Trapfinding for Social Intuition, which gives Star the ability to take 10 on Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive, so already the core idea of the Build is taking shape. Her bluff checks of 18 are pretty respectable at this level, and she can demoralise in combat for the same
Shamus was getting old, and he began to rely on Star more heavily than she liked. He trusted in her abilities, and he began grooming her as his successor. He encouraged her to do more and more, and soon she was running the group, with Shamus little more than an Advisor. She had to think of new and better ways to do things, not just relying on the same old tricks.
She became known throughout the city underworld for bursts of insight, trying new things and getting results. Her band of misfits became a more respectable outfit than what it had been under Shamus, and was a legitimate thieves’ guild by the time Star was 21, with her at the head. Shamus died quietly, proud of what his protégé.
Star kept true to what he’d taught her as best she could; don’t rely on being lucky, make your own luck, and always know what your limits are...she added a little bit of wisdom of her own to his teachings however, when she passed those words on to the next generation of street rats and apprentice thieves she took in.
Know your limits, but also know when to push past them.
Level 5
SpoilerChangeling Rogue 2/Factotum 3
Star’s Int Mod is now doing triple duty on the skills front, and her three Inspiration Points can give her some nice boosts when she needs them. They let her break the cap on her Take 10 Skills and give her a little boost in combat and such. Craven keeps her damage output relevant when she needs it, but her Diplomacy and Bluff should keep her out of trouble most of the time.
Most of her skill points have been invested into the prerequisites for her Prestige Classes, and while the progression of Skill Points I have further down is serviceable, it can certainly be done better so that her skill based abilities remain consistently useful throughout, rather than dropping and rising in power at random points, but that's my fault for not organising skills better, not an inherent flaw of the idea.
Diplomacy is always getting a skillpoint each level, however, which means she always has her most potent trick up her sleeve.
There is a problem with running a fully-fledged thieves’ guild when compared to leading a small gang of street urchins. The main thing is that you start showing up on the radar of those in power. Star had inadvertently forced the hand of the city watch, as her group was too big and too established to ignore. Her guild house was stormed by the watch, and most of her friends were arrested. Star, however, escaped. She ran, and hid and lied, but she got away.
And, with nothing left, she started anew. She tried a new tactic, and began to break into houses and pocket valuables, and used the rooftops and the alleyways as her new home. The streets didn’t belong to her anymore, but she’d created a power vacuum. Someone else took over the remnants of her guild, but she wasn’t invited. She was hunted by both sides, and if it weren’t for her abilities, she’d have been chased down in days.
But even the best make mistakes.
They caught her a year after the bust on her Guild House, and they threw her into the darkness, and threw away the key. She became twisted and angry, shifting her shape to reflect that. Just as Shamus had used her to scare people in the past, she became something worth fearing.
It was only then that she met the God of Rogues.
Level 10:
SpoilerChangeling Rogue 2/Factotum 3/Thief-Acrobat 4/Temple Raider of Olidammara 1
Her first level of Temple Raider coincides with acquiring Skill Focus: Intimidate, and Star is well on the way to becoming a scary, scary person. Thief-Acrobat gives her the very useful Defensive Roll and the ability to take 10 on even more skills.
Star has also finally found the time to take Two-Weapon Fighting, so I would also propose that now is a great time to purchase some Gloves of the Balanced Hand, to gain Improved Two-Weapon Fighting without having to spend the feat
Freeing herself from the darkness was easy enough with Olidammara’s blessing; he had given her abilities beyond the normal, and the guards were not equipped to deal with them, and meeting her in the dark was the stuff of nightmares. Star took a measure of vengeance on those who had imprisoned her.
Following the instructions of her deity, Star left the city she had grown up in, and began to travel. And as she did, she started becoming more than just a thief and a manipulator. She needed to become more dangerous
Level 15:
SpoilerChangeling Rogue 2/Factotum 3/Thief-Acrobat 4/Temple Raider of Olidammara 6
Not much in the way of notable changes at this point, but overall, its a very simple idea. Get as many instances of Skill Mastery and Take 10 on everything.
Star does get a few more Sneak Attack dice from her Temple Raider levels, along with some spellcasting (none of the spells are that great though; Temple Raider has a rather rubbish list).
She tried her best to rely only on her own skill, but as time went on, it became harder and harder. It was getting harder to talk her way out of things, and she wasn’t as strong or as fast as many of her competitors. Still, she survived by the skin of her teeth, and kept on doing what she could to be true to her teacher, her friends and her god. A skin of wine for the dead and the divine after a successful job, and a grin for happy memories of better times.
Know your limits, know when to push them, know when to hang it all and trust that Olidammara is watching over you.
Level 20:
SpoilerChangeling Rogue 2/Factotum 3/Thief-Acrobat 4/Temple Raider of Olidammara 10/Exemplar 1
Capping off the Build, Star finishes Temple Raider and takes a level of Exemplar to grab some more Skill Mastery. By now she has access to the Luck Domain, which is pretty nifty and gives her 4 decent spells and a good domain power, and a boost to her Intimidate Score.
At this point, she can take 10 on 24/35 of the skills that she can actually use, and many of the ones she doesn't she can take 10/20 on naturally. She won't need to be rolling dice very often.
Crunch:
SpoilerThe Build:
SpoilerStar, Skill Master of Olidammara
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Feats|Class Features
1st| Rogue 1|+0|+1|+5|-1|Able Learner|Sneak Attack +1d6, Social Intuition (Bluff, Diplomancy, Gather Information, Intimidate, Sense Motive)
2nd|Rogue 2|+1|+1|+6|-1|-|Evasion
3rd|Factotum 1|+1|+1|+8|-1|Craven|Inspiration (2 Points), Cunning Insight, Cunning Knowledge, Trapfinding
4th|Factotum 2|+2|+1|+9|-1|-|Arcane Dilettante (1 Spell)
5th|Factotum 3|+3|+2|+9|+0|-|Brains over Brawn, Cunning Defence
6th|Thief-Acrobat 1|+3|+2|+11|+0|Weapon Finesse|Fast Acrobatics, Kip Up, Steady Stance
7th|Thief-Acrobat 2|+4|+2|+12|+0|-|Agile Fighting +1/+2, Slow Fall 20ft
8th|Thief-Acrobat 3|+5|+3|+12|+1|-|Acrobatic Charge, Defensive Roll 1/day
9th|Thief-Acrobat 4|+6|+3|+13|+1|Two-Weapon Fighting|Agile Fighting +2/+3, Skill Mastery (Balance, Climb, Jump, Tumble)
10th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 1|+6|+3|+15|+3|Skill Focus: Intimidate (Otyugh Hole)|(Trapfinding), Trap Sense +1
11th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 2|+7|+3|+16|+4|-|Sneak Attack +2d6
12th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 3|+8|+4|+16|+4|Imperious Command|Uncanny Dodge
13th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 4|+9|+4|+17|+5|-|Trap Sense +2
14th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 5|+9|+4|+17|+5|-|Sneak Attack +3d6
15th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 6|+10|+5|+18|+6|Telling Blow|Improved Uncanny Dodge
16th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 7|+11|+5|+18|+6|-|Trap Sense +3
17th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 8|+12|+5|+19|+7|-| Sneak Attack +4d6
18th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 9|+12|+6|+19|+7|Agile Athlete|Skill Mastery (Disguise, Heal, Hide, Move Silently, Spellcraft, Swim, Use Magic Device, Use Rope)
19th|Temple Raider of Olidammara 10|+13|+6|+20|+8|-|Trap Sense +4, Luck Domain
20th|Exemplar 1|+13|+6|+20|+10|-|Skill Artistry (Intimidate), Skill Mastery (Appraise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Listen, Ride, Sleight of Hand, Spot) [/table]
Star is based around utilising Skill Mastery-esque Abilities, supplemented by the small amount of casting granted by Temple Raider (which I haven't listed, seeing as it is the exact same thing here as it is in the book).
Seeing as she is a skill-based build, her potential is constrained by item use. By using her WBL, she can utilise her abilities to take 10 on practically everything to her advantage in different ways. Catch all items like Wands of Divine Insight or Guidance of the Avatar would be things she'd use often, which makes her Skill Based powers much more effective.
Her damage is mostly going to be coming from Craven and Crit-Fishing...that is, if she ever needs to fight. Her Diplomacy Score can make someone with a Hostile Attitude go straight to friendly by spending an Inspiration Point.
Overall, while she can be pretty effective out of the box, she really shines when she has access to the right gear.
Ability Scores:
SpoilerBase: Str 8 Dex 16 Con 12 Int 16 Wis 8 Cha 15
@ 20 w/Items: Str 8 Dex 26 (+4 Inherent, +6 Item) Con 12 Int 32 (+5 Level Up, +5 Inherent, +6 Item) Wis 14 (+6 Item) Cha 15
Skills Progression and Skill Tricks:
Spoiler- Bluff (4), Diplomacy (4), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (4), Intimidate (4), Jump (4), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Move Silently (4), Open Lock (4), Search (4), Tumble (4), Use Magic Device (4)
- Balance (2), Bluff (4), Climb (2), Diplomacy (5), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (5), Intimidate (5), Jump (5), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Move Silently (5), Open Lock (4), Search (4), Tumble (5), Use Magic Device (5)
- Balance (3), Bluff (4), Climb (3), Diplomacy (6), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (6), Intimidate (6), Jump (6), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Move Silently (6), Open Lock (4), Search (4), Tumble (6), Use Magic Device (6)
- Balance (5), Bluff (4), Climb (5), Diplomacy (7), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (6), Intimidate (7), Jump (7), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Move Silently (7), Open Lock (4), Search (4), Tumble (7), Use Magic Device (7)
- Balance (8), Bluff (4), Climb (8), Diplomacy (8), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (6), Intimidate (7), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Move Silently (7), Open Lock (4), Search (4), Tumble (8), Use Magic Device (8)
- Balance (8), Bluff (4), Climb (8), Diplomacy (9), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (6), Intimidate (7), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (4), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (9), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (1), Tumble (9), Use Magic Device (9)
- Balance (8), Bluff (4), Climb (8), Diplomacy (10), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (8), Intimidate (9), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (10), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (2), Tumble (10), Use Magic Device (10)
- Balance (8), Bluff (5), Climb (8), Diplomacy (11), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (10), Intimidate (11), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (11), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (3), Tumble (11), Use Magic Device (11)
- Balance (8), Bluff (6), Climb (8), Diplomacy (12), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (11), Intimidate (12), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (12), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (4), Tumble (12), Use Magic Device (12)
- Balance (8), Bluff (7), Climb (8), Diplomacy (13), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (13), Intimidate (13), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (12), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (13), Use Magic Device (13)
- Balance (8), Bluff (10), Climb (8), Diplomacy (14), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (14), Intimidate (14), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (14), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (14), Use Magic Device (14)
- Balance (8), Bluff (10), Climb (8), Diplomacy (15), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (15), Intimidate (15), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5) Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (15), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (15), Use Magic Device (15)
- Balance (8), Bluff (13), Climb (8), Diplomacy (16), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (16), Intimidate (16), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (16), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (16), Use Magic Device (16)
- Balance (8), Bluff (16), Climb (8), Diplomacy (17), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (17), Intimidate (17), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (17), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (17), Use Magic Device (17)
- Balance (8), Bluff (17), Climb (8), Diplomacy (18), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (18), Intimidate (18), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (18), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Tumble (18), Use Magic Device (18); Never Outnumbered (2)
- Balance (8), Bluff (19), Climb (8), Diplomacy (19), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Hide (19), Intimidate (19), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (19), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Spellcraft (1), Tumble (19), Use Magic Device (19), Never Outnumbered (2)
- Balance (8), Bluff (20), Climb (8), Diplomacy (20), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Forgery (1), Hide (20), Intimidate (20), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (20), Open Lock (4), Search (8), Sense Motive (5), Sleight of Hand (1), Spellcraft (1), Tumble (20), Use Magic Device (20); Never Outnumbered (2)
- Balance (8), Bluff (21), Climb (8), Diplomacy (21), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Forgery (1), Hide (21), Intimidate (21), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (21), Open Lock (4), Search (9), Sense Motive (5), Sleight of Hand (1), Spellcraft (1), Tumble (21), Use Magic Device (21); Never Outnumbered (2)
- Balance (8), Bluff (22), Climb (8), Diplomacy (22), Disable Device (4), Disguise (4), Forgery (1), Hide (22), Intimidate (22), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (22), Open Lock (4), Search (9), Sense Motive (5), Sleight of Hand (1), Spellcraft (1), Spot (4), Tumble (22), Use Magic Device (22); Never Outnumbered (2), Acrobatic Backstab (2)
- Balance (8), Bluff (23), Climb (8), Diplomacy (23), Disable Device (4), Disguise (10), Forgery (1), Hide (23), Intimidate (23), Jump (8), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (5), Knowledge (Religion) (1), Move Silently (23), Open Lock (4), Search (9), Sense Motive (5), Sleight of Hand (1), Spellcraft (1), Spot (5), Tumble (23), Use Magic Device (23); Never Outnumbered (2), Acrobatic Backstab (2)
NOTE: I have NOT factored in the Int boost from the Wishes/Tome of Clear Thought +5, so depending on when that is used, additional skill points might appear.
Skill Checks at Lv20:
Spoiler- Appraise 21
- Balance 37
- Bluff 38
- Climb 35
- Concentration 1d20+1
- Craft 1d20+11
- Decipher Script 1d20+11
- Diplomacy 42
- Disable Device 35 (Take 20)
- Disguise 35
- Escape Artist 27
- Forgery 22
- Gather Information 13
- Handle Animal 1d20+3
- Heal 12
- Hide 50
- Intimidate 47
- Jump 37
- Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) 1d20+16
- Knowledge (Religion) 1d20+12
- Listen 12
- Move Silently 50
- Open Lock 41 (Take 20)
- Perform 1d20+3
- Profession 1d20+2
- Ride 27
- Search 40 (Take 20)
- Sense Motive 19
- Sleight of Hand 30
- Spellcraft 22
- Spot 17
- Survival 1d20+2
- Swim 20
- Tumble 52
- Use Magic Device 36
- Use Rope 27
Sources Used:
SpoilerChampions of Ruin
Complete Adventurer
Complete Divine
Complete Scoundrel
Drow of the Underdark
Dungeonscape
Eberron Campaign Setting
Player’s Handbook II
Races of Destiny
Races of Eberron
Races of the Wild
This has the potential to be either a really, really disappointing entry or a curious but still kind of cool idea. Here's hoping its the latter.
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2012-04-29, 06:13 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Declaring a war on locks.
Originally Posted by Dolus Praedo
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2012-04-29, 06:17 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
You know I've been to the challenge on a build with no name. - America (paraphrased)
Originally Posted by Unnamed
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2012-04-29, 06:20 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
"What's your party role?" "I push the big red button."
Originally Posted by Durbein Stoneknock
Durbein "Trap Bait" Stoneknock, an 'Unusual' Paladin.
"Contrary to popular paladin belief, sometimes, just sometimes, it's not the best idea to throw caution to the wind and charge in to save a hostage or recover a dangerous artifact. While it may be the simplest way, and the honorable way it's also, how do we say, Lawful stupid.
we're not putting up with them shenanigans here, lad.
Don't give me that 'Oh, it's the right thing to do!' shin-dig either, cause when the big baddie decides he can't win the fight without putting the hostages in harms way, You're the one holding the bill with why things went from bad to worse.
------
Every paladin answers to a calling. Durbein Stoneknock was no different, albiet a little more unsual. Durbein had always looked for the new way to do things, even though he often lacked the experience to do so. His small community was under a tyrnannical leadership of the local baron. The baron had a bit of an underhand deal with a nearby slave ring and often times unattended children would go missing.
Durbien, in his youth, decided one day to step up and directly oppose these kidnapping personal, and proudly defied the Baron's men admist the Market place.
It didn't work out so well. in fact, it went pretty poorly. After a week of the stockades and a few tender beatings later and he learned a valuable lesson. sometimes doing the right thing hurts. well, that, and You can't just go charging in head first. sometimes you gotta outsource to some unmentionable people and Fight injustice with... well, Justice?
He found that the thieves guild wasn't to found of the New Baron, and let the Slavers get a little too much leeway for thier comforts. albiet his skills were raw, and his nature was outlandish, they didn't mind getting a helpful tip off about the Baron's movements and where and how the slaver's operated. within due time, his strangely helpful skills were noticed by a group of Temple Raiders.
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Initially invited as "Trap Bait" for the Group, the Hollow Hand started testing what Durbien could potentially do. He wasn't anything graceful, that was for sure, but he did his best to keep up and had little intrest in keeping himself safe along the run. Selfless and Enduring, a quick study and a good heart, he was a natural pawn to play with, although he was a little bit too goody two shoes for their tastes.
When asked about why he let the Hollow Hand use him like so, he would be quick to say that he was using them. Indeed, he may not have always recieved his fair share of the loot or been treated nicely, and might have, once or twice, been locked in a chest when he was ramblin' a bit too much, but Olidimmara certainly did have a special place in mind for him. And the skills he learned he would return to good use, keeping an ear to the ground for reports of missing persons cases and bounties or anything else that may test his skills and allow him to do more good for the communities they fenced their items for. Such experience is Priceless to a man harty enough to take a beating and come back kickin'.
After many years, a few hard earned scars and countless adventures later, Durbien grew to be an accepted member of the team. He started to become more graceful in and intuned to the chaos of an unexplored ruin or dungeon and once he had felt he had seen it all and been everywhere, he moved onward to his original goal. He has since been nothing shy of rumors and hopeful prayers of a dark shadow that keeps those who would impede freedom and simple liberties. though iron clad in a heavy pair of boots, you'd never see him, but the sudden absence of slaves, Vital phylactries gone missing, and the kidnapped princess vanishing back home, are all signs that Durbien Stoneknock is still around.
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Desert Dwarf Paladin of Freedom 3/The Master Inquisitive 2/temple raider of Olidimmara 10/Deepwarden 5
Str: 13
Dex: 13
Con: 18
Int: 12
Wis: 20 (+5 for level advancement)
Cha: 5
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skill points|Feats|Class Features
1st|Paladin of Freedom|+1|+2|+0|+0|Sense Motive 4, Search 2, Gather Information 4|City Slicker|Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/day
2nd|Paladin of Freedom|+2|+3|+0|+0|Sense Motive 5, Search 2 1/2, Gather Information 5|N/A|Divine Grace, Lay on Hands
3rd|Paladin of Freedom|+3|+3|+1|+1|Sense Motive 6, Search 3, Gather Information 6|Investigate|Aura of Resolve, Divine Health
4th|Inquisitive|+4|+3|+3|+1|Open Lock 3 1/2, Disable Device 3 1/2, Search 3, Sense Motive 6, Gather info 6|N/A|Zone of Truth
5th|Inquisitive|+5|+3|+4|+1|Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather Infor 6|Improved Iniative|Bonus Feat
6th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+5|+3|+6|+3|UMD 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (Religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather Info 6|Serentity|Trap Finding, Trapsense +1
7th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+6|+3|+7|+4|UMD 10, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|N/a|Sneak Attack +1d6
8th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+7|+4|+7|+4|Climb 4, Heal 1/2, UMD 10, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|Uncanny Dodge
9th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+8|+4|+8|+5|Climb 4 Heal 3, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|Combat Reflexes|Trap Sense +2
10th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+9|+5|+8|+5|Climb 4, Heal 5, UMD 11, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6||Sneak Attack +2d6
11th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+10|+6|+9|+6|Jump 5 Climb 4, Heal 5, UMD 11, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|Improved Uncanny Dodge
12th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+11|+6|+9|+6|Survival 5, Jump 5 Climb 4, Heal 5, UMD 11, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6||Trapsense +3
13th|Temple Raiders Of Olidimmara|+12|+6|+10|+7|climb 5, UMD 14, Survival 5, Jump 5, Heal 5, UMD 11, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|Sneak Attack +3d6
14th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+13|+7|+10|+7|climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 5, Jump 5, Heal 5, UMD 11, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|Skill Mastery
15th|Temple Raiders of Olidimmara|+13|+7|+11|+8|climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 5, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6, Swim 2|Devoted Inquisitor|Luck Domain, Trap sense +4
16th|Deepwarden|+14|+9|+11|+10|Swim 8, climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 5, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|Track, Trap sense +5
17th|Deepwarden|+15|+10|+11|+11|Swim 8, climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 12, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|N/a|Stone Warden
18th|Deepwarden|+16|+10|+12|+11|Swim 8, climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 19, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|Pact Tactics|Animal Messanger
19th|Deepwarden|+16|+11|+12|+12|Swim 8, climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 22, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|Trap sense +6, Uncanny dodge levels
20th|DeepWarden|+17|+11|+12|+12|Swim 8, climb 10, UMD 15, Survival 21, Jump 10, Heal 5, Search 8, Open Lock 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (religion) 1, Search 8, Sense Motive 6, Gather infor 6|n/a|[/table] Stubborn Mind
City Slicker[1]
Investigative [3]
Improved Initiative [BF]
Serenity[6]
Combat Elusiveness[9]
Double Team[12]
Endurance[15]
Pact Tactics[18]
Suggested Magic items:
Rod of Negation
Rod of Security
Staff of passage
Handy harversack
Scroll of antimagic
Scroll of silence
Wand of Baleful Transposition
Rod of Ropes
Potions of Glibness
Eggshell Bombs
Tactics:
Significantly less then Your typical tank, Mr. Stoneknock performs an unusual Niche in the party. He is classed as a paladin, but is more like a Divine Bard. Fittingly, (who hasn't wanted to kill the party bard?) absurdly hard to kill, with (Pre-Magic Items) saves of +20Fort/+17Reflex/+22Will, he can charge first, and ask questions later (Like A paladin!.. wait..) A combination of Deepwarden and the Feat Serenity helps him ignore a bit of MAD while Skill Mastery lets him ignore the chance of poor rolling from keeping him from keeping up with the rest of the Raiders. Even a finger of death trap will have to think twice on Durbin, as he gets a staggering +25 to fortitude saves against traps. Again is stands to be stated this is Before Anything that can add to his Wisdom and therefore to all of his saves.
He can be a wrecking ball in any typical dungeon, any spells or special attacks are bound to be laughed off especially Poisons, Traps, or... Poison traps? His AC is sufficient, depending on how the DM rules The max Dexterity bonus to AC in heavy armor, as Deepwarden adds Consitution to his AC instead. It's worded that whenever he would lose his dexterity bonus, he loses the Constitution bonus but unlike Monk AC bonus, there is no limit to what kind of armor he's allowed to wear. I would personally rule that he has a max Con Bonus to AC, but it still bears to be asked.
However, he truly Shines when paired with a couple Rogues. His feats were selected later on to allow him to wade past traps and jump into the midst of combatitive folk, and automatically counting them all as flanking. With the right selection of Magic items, he can do so more easily without provoking more AoOs and Combat Elusiveness was chosen over Combat reflexes, as it allowed him to better position himself with fellow Temple Raiders of Olidimmara.
His skill mastery is set to Climb, Jump, Swim and UMD. with a total of 15 ranks invested in Use Magic Device, he can 'blindly' use any magic device he finds and activate it. It should be higher, but Deepwarden has UMD as cross class and he had too many ranks to put more into it. I decided to fill out survival rather then put it into the more proactive Spot/Listen, just because it seemed more fitting to the idea of the character, tracking down kidnapped and lost mcGuffins after leaving the Temple Raiders.
---------------------
Source list:
+Unearthed Arcana+
Desert Dwarf, Paladin of Freedom,
+Complete Divine+
Temple Raiders of Olidimara
+Eberron Campaign book+
Master Inquisitive, Investigate
+Dragon Magazine Compendium+
Double Team, Serenity, Pact tactics
+Races of Stone+
Deepwarden
+Races of Destiny+
City slicker
+Tomb Of Battle+
Combat Elusiveness
-
2012-04-29, 06:24 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Aas you like it.
Originally Posted by Aasterinian's thief
-
2012-04-29, 06:26 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Kneel before Zed!. . . or something.
Originally Posted by Zed
Sky Raider Zed
Lockpicks, where we are going we don't need lockpicks!
What is a thief?
Do they wear black?
Do they mess about with tools?
Do they climb skinny ropes?
No says Zed.
A thief is someone who takes.
The Perfect Man ECL 7
Spoiler
Zed has begun his journey on his two roles, the burglar and the mounted warrior. He hasn't yet reached a true synthesis of the roles, but is good at both of them. He doesn't have trapfinding yet, but he can still use detect magic to detect auras. His familiar also has the same skills as him giving him two search checks, two disarm checks and so on. The familiar can also serve as a secondary scout, as it shares Zed's hide and move silently ranks.
He usually uses whatever mount he can afford, a hippogriff for the fly speed if at all possible. While he doesn't have Spirited Charge, that is only one eternal wand of heroics away.
The Temple Raider ECL 15
Spoiler
By now Zed has become one with his role, he is the thief, and he is the charger. Locks have never been much difficulty to one with an adamantine longsword, but by this point even walls are irrelevant.
Zed's mount is a hippogriff familiar. It shares Zed's skill checks, Zed's spells, and even Zed's Soulmelds. Zed has the Phase Cloak bound to his shoulders. When he or his mount take a move action they become temporarily ethereal allowing them to ignore difficult terrain, touch based traps, and even walls. That is when he uses Ride by Attack.
Now the usual difficulty with any flying through solid objects build is seeing just what is on the other side of the wall. Zed can cast Clairvoyance. Clairvoyance lets him scry on a specific location, no save, no sr, and it does not require concentration but instead lasts minutes per level. This is plenty of time to mounted charge a room full of temple monks. Blur and charging through the very walls helps to make sure he gets his sneak attacks in.
Now the difficult part about cavalry charging your way through a temple is the traps. Magical traps are usually the ones that cause the greatest worry. There is a limited number of triggering methods for magical traps.
Location - Must stand in particular square. Bypassed by being ethereal and flying.
Proximity - Usually activated with either an alarm spell or a detect x spell. Temple Raider gives undetectable alignment. Alarms are bypassed by a spoken pass code. These can be learned through Clairvoyance.
Sound - Defeated by move silently and the silence spell.
Visual - Defeated by Hide, Invisibility and so on.
Touch - Ethereal and flying.
Zed also doesn't need to come in charging from the get go. He and his hippogriff are perfectly capable of sneaking around corridors and searching for traps. It is also significantly harder to find a scout that can move through walls. Trapfinding combines well with detect magic to discover magical traps. Trap Sense helps him survive the few traps that he doesn't discover.
Lastly, Temple Raider has the best spell list ever... for a front line meleer. Death Ward, Freedom of Movement, Spell Immunity, Delay Poison, Resist Energy. All very useful spells (that are of course shared with his mount). And uncanny dodge never hurt.
The Uber Raider ECL 20
Spoiler
A few final Temple Raider levels and a Warblade dip finish off the build. The luck reroll can save lives, although the spell list itself isn't that impressive. Skill Mastery helps insure that he makes his UMD, Trap, and Ride checks. Zed can now reliably emulate other alignments. While previously he was using portable holes for ransacking temples, now he can use the much superior enveloping pits. A fifty foot deep storage space at just 3,600 a piece. And if anything valuable is attached to a wall, thats just a few adamantine longsword swings away.
Warblade gets him two major things, White Raven Tactics to let him charge twice a round, and Leading the Charge Stance, giving all of his group members +10 damage on all charge attacks. Craven gives him an additional +20 damage on all sneak attacks. With a good Valorous Collision Lance that is a bonus 35 damage on all his attacks. All that damage is then multiplied by four.
Full attacks on charges are easily gained by a wand of Lion's Charge kept in a wand compartment in the lance. Lion's charge like all his other spells is shared with his hippogriff familiar.
Kitchen Ingredients
Spoiler
Useful gear
"Masterwork Lockpick" Adamantine Longsword
Eternal Wand (MIC 159) of Heroics (Spell Compendium 113)
Adamantine Lance of Collision and Valorous (Unapproachable East 54)
with a wand chamber (Dungeonscape 34)
Wand of Lion's Charge (Spell Compendium 133)
Belt of Magnificence (Miniature Handbook 42)
Other Sources:
Lore Song, Mimicking Song (Dungeonscape 42)
Darkstalker (Lords of Madness 179)
Obtain Familiar (Complete Arcane 81)
Human Paragon
Shape Soulmeld (Magic of Incarnum 40)
Open Lesser Chakra (Magic of Incarnum 40)
Share Soulmeld (Magic of Incarnum 41)
Phase Cloak (Magic of Incarnum 82)
Improved Familiar Hippogriff (Complete Warrior 100)
Craven (Champions of Ruin 17)
Zed's Stats
Spoiler
Sky Raider Zed
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Bard 1|+0|+0|+2|+2|Hide 4, MS 4, UMD 4, K. Arcana 4, K. Religion 1, Ride 2, Sing 3, Search 2, Open Lock 2, Disable Device 1, Diplomacy 4|Darkstalker, Mounted Combat (b)|Bardic Music, Inspiring Courage+1, Lore Song, Mimicking Song, Fascinate
2nd|Bard 2|+1|+0|+3|+3|Hide 5, MS 5, UMD 5, Disable 2, Search 2.5, Open Lock 2.5, Diplomacy 5||
3rd|Bard 3|+2|+1|+3|+3|Hide 6, MS 6, UMD 6, Disable 3, Search 3, Open Lock 3, Diplomacy 6|Obtain Familiar|
4th|Bard 4|+3|+1|+4|+4|Hide 7, MS 7, UMD 7 Ride 3, K. Geo 1, K. Local 1, Diplomacy 7||
5th|Human Paragon 1|+3|+1|+4|+6|Disable 4, Open Lock 4, Search 5, Ride 6, Hide 8||Adaptive Learning (Ride)
6th|Human Paragon 2|+4|+1|+4|+7|Disable 6, Search 7, Ride 8, Hide 9|Shape Soulmeld (Phase Cloak), Ride By Attack (b)|
7th|Human Paragon 3|+5|+2|+5|+7|Disable 8, Search 9, Ride 10, Hide 10||+2 Wisdom
8th|Temple Raider 1|+5|+2|+7|+9|Disable 9, Search 10, Ride 11, Hide 11, MS 9, UMD 8||Trapfinding, Trap sense +1
9th|Temple Raider 2|+6|+2|+8|+10|Disable 10, Search 11, Ride 12, Hide 12, MS 10, UMD 9|Share Soulmeld|Sneak Attack +1d6
10th|Temple Raider 3|+7|+3|+8|+10|Disable 11, Search 12, Ride 12, Hide 13, MS 11, UMD 10||Uncanny Dodge
11th|Temple Raider 4|+8|+3|+9|+11|Disable 12, Search 14, Ride 13, Hide 14, MS 12, UMD 11||Trap Sense +2
12th|Bard 5|+8|+3|+9|+11|Disable 14, Search 15, Ride 14, Hide 15, MS 13, UMD 12|Improved Familiar (Hippogriff)|
13th|Temple Raider 5|+8|+3|+9|+11|Disable 16, Search 16, Ride 15, Hide 16, MS 14, UMD 13||Sneak Attack +2d6
14th|Temple Raider 6|+9|+4|+10|+12|Disable 17, Search 17, Ride 16, Hide 17, MS 15, UMD 14||Improved Uncanny Dodge
15th|Temple Raider 7|+10|+4|+10|+12|Disable 18, Search 18, Ride 17, Hide 18, MS 17, UMD 15|Open Lesser Chakra (Shoulders)|Trap Sense +3
16th|Temple Raider 8|+11|+4|+11|+13|Disable 19, Search 19, Ride 18, Hide 19, MS 19, UMD 16||Sneak Attack +3d6
17th|Temple Raider 9|+11|+4|+12|+14|Disable 20, Search 20, Ride 19, Hide 20, MD 20, UMD 18||Skill Mastery (Ride, Search, Disable, UMD)
18th|Temple Raider 10|+12|+4|+13|+15|Disable 21, Search 21, Ride 20, Hide 21, MD 21, UMD 20|Craven|Luck Domain, Trap Sense +4
19th|Warblade 1|+13|+6|+13|+15|Ride 22, Diplomacy 11||Battle Clarity (Reflex), Weapon Aptitude
20th|Warblade 2|+14|+7|+13|+15|Ride 23, Diplomacy 16||Improved Uncanny Dodge[/table]
Zed, Chaotic Evil Human Sky Raider
Strength 14 +6 Enhancement, +3 Level, +5 Inherent
Dex 14 +6 Enhancement, +4 Inherent
Con 14 +6 Enhancement, +1 Level
Int 14 +6 Enhancement
Wis 12 +6 Enhancement, +2 Class
Cha 12 =6 Enhancement, +1 Level
Zed's Spells and Manuevers
Spoiler
Bard
Spoiler
Bard Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
1st|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2nd|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3rd|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
5th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
6th|3|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
7th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
8th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
11th|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
12th|3|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
Bard Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
1st|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2nd|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3rd|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
5th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
6th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
7th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
8th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
11th|6|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
12th|6|4|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
Level 0:
Detect Magic
Ghost Sound
Prestigitation
Read Magic
Light
Dancing Lights
Level 1:
Remove Scent
Inspirational Boost
Identify
Crabwalk
Level 2:
Blur
Silence
Mirror Image
Glitterdust
Level 3:
Clairaudiance / Clairvoyance
Allegro
Raider Spells
Spoiler
Raider Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
8th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10th|-|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
11th|-|1|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
12th|-|1|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
13th|-|1|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-
14th|-|1|1|1||-|-|-|-|-
15th|-|2|1|1|0|-|-|-|-|-
16th|-|2|1|1|1|-|-|-|-|-
17th|-|2|2|1|1|-|-|-|-|-
18th|-|2|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
Zed's Power Moves
Spoiler
Leading the Attack
Battle Leader's Charge
Douse the flames
White Raven Tactics
Leading the Charge Stance
-
2012-04-29, 06:28 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Prying open the archives.
Originally Posted by Aundair Yannedge-Owens
-
2012-04-29, 06:30 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
"What did you say the intruder looked like, ma'am?" "Um, well, y'see. . . ."
Originally Posted by Eglath
Eglath
Spoiler
Sometimes a job calls for stealth, and sometimes for brute strength. You never know when it takes a cat, or even an octopus, to steal the relic from a temple. Usually it don't, but when it does, they call me. I get it done.
From the deepest caverns to long abandoned ruins, adventurers for centuries are familiar with the dungeon crawl. But what happens when the original builders of the dungeon are still using it? And the dungeon is actually a temple? Well, it is still a dungeon crawl. There are the normal variety of traps, both magical and mundane, and a large cadre of guards and clergy. There are basically have two ways of dealing with this, brute force and stealth. The ideal temple raider has both, in spades. This is the story of Eglath.
I was always fascinated with dungeons. The ruins of a temple, with a deep underground labyrinth, holds treasures unimagined, regardless of how many people have been through there before. There are always scraps of books and parchment which some mage or priest would pay dearly for, some secret door that has yet to been discovered, traps that no one has yet disabled. So when I took a job to raid a temple of Nerull, who I had just happened to have a history with, I was hooked. Time to stop being a bottom feeder and start living the high life. It is the active temples that have all the gold, gems, and artifacts. Why not make a profit off of a rival's misfortune?
Unfortunately, while we met our objectives on the small shrine, resistence and casualties were higher than expected. Time to learn some new tricks. I had already mastered the basics of wildshaping, but it was time to pursue that, all the better to get the loot. I eventually learned to wildshape into larger creatures, like the giant octopus, which is useful both underwater and on land. Ever been grappled by a giant octopus? You don't really want to. But most important was when I learned to shape into tiny creatures, like that bane of commoners everywhere, the housecat.
So I've been seeking exciting new opportunities, new destinations, and in the process, making new ruins for you to enjoy later, or in another life.
You're welcome.
The Build
SpoilerEglath Gathakanathi, CN Goliath Ranger 5/Temple Raider 8/Master of Many Forms 4/Divine Seeker 2
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Wildshape Ranger 1|+1|+2|+2|+0|Search 4, Open Lock 2, Disable Device 4, Move Silently 4, Hide 4, Spot 4, Listen 4, |Improved Unarmed Strike|1st rival organization (temple of Nerull), wild empathy, fast movement, Trap Expert ACF
2nd|Ranger 2|+2|+3|+3|+0|Knowledge (Rel) 1, Search 5, Open Lock 2.5, Move Silent 5, Hide 5, Spot 5|N/A|N/A
3rd|Ranger 3|+3|+3|+3|+1|Search 6, Open Lock 3, Move Silent 6, Hide 6|Alertness, Endurance (Bonus)|N/A
4th|Ranger 4|+4|+4|+4|+1|Search 7, Open Lock 3.5, Move Silent 7, Hide 7|N/A|Urban Companion (Cat)
5th|Ranger 5|+5|+4|+4|+1|Search 8, Open Lock 4, Move Silent 8, Hide 8|N/A|2nd rival organization (temple of Erythnul), Wildshape
6th|Temple Raider 1|+5|+4|+6|+3|Hide 9, Know Rel 2 |Improved Grapple|Trapfinding, trap sense +1
7th|Master of Many Forms 1|+5|+6|+8|+3|Anything stealth/disguise |N/A|Shifter’s speech, improved wild shape (humanoid)
8th|Master of Many Forms 2|+6/+1|+7|+9|+3|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Improved wild shape (giant; Large)
9th|Master of Many Forms 3|+7/+2|+7|+9|+4|Anything stealth/disguise|Natural Spell|Fast wild shape, improved wild shape (monstrous humanoid)
10th|Master of Many Forms 4|+8/+3|+8|+10|+4|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Natural Spell|Improved wild shape (fey; Tiny)
11th|Temple Raider 2|+9/+4|+8|+11|+5|Know Rel 3, Hide 10,Anything stealth/disguise |N/A|Sneak attack +1d6
12th|Temple Raider 3|+10/+5|+9|+11|+5|Anything stealth/disguise|Savage Grapple|Uncanny dodge
13th|Temple Raider 4|+11/+6/+1|+9|+12|+6|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Trap sense +2
14th|Temple Raider 5|+11/+6/+1|+9|+12|+6|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Sneak attack +2d6
15th|Temple Raider 6|+12/+7/+2|+10|+13|+7|Anything stealth/disguise|Craven|Improved uncanny dodge
16th|Temple Raider 7|+13/+8/+3|+10|+13|+7|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Trap sense +3
17th|Temple Raider 8|+14/+9/+4|+10|+14|+8|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Sneak attack +3d6
18th|Divine Seeker 1|+14/+9/+4|+10|+16|+8|Anything stealth/disguise|Extra Wildshape|Sanctuary, Thwart Glyph
19th|Divine Seeker 2|+15/+10/+5|+10|+17|+8|Anything stealth/disguise|N/A|Sacred defense +1, sneak attack +4d6[/table]
Spellcasting (Note, includes bonus spells for wis at level 20, without inherent and item enhancement bonuses)
SpoilerSpells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4th|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Ranger 4)
5th|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Ranger 5)
6th|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 1)
7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
11th|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 2)
12th|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 3)
13th|2|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 4)
14th|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 5)
15th|2|2|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 6)
16th|3|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 7)
17th|3|2|2|2|-|-|-|-|-|(Temple Raider 8)
[/table]
Ranger spells
Level 1-Alarm, animal messenger, calm animals, charm animals, delay poison, detect animals or plants, detect poison, detect snares and pits, endure elements, entangle, hide from animals, jump, longstrider, magic fang, pass without trace, read magic, resist energy, speak with animals, summon nature's ally I.
Temple Raider spells
Level 1-detect law, detect secret doors, disguise self, invisibility to undead, obscuring mist, protection from law.
Level 2-augury, cat’s grace, darkvision, delay poison, invisibility, lesser restoration, undetectable alignment.
Level 3-locate object, magic circle against law, nondetection, obscure object, remove curse, resist energy, see invisibility.
Level 4-air walk, confusion, death ward, freedom of movement, neutralize poison, restoration, spell immunity.
Ability Scores, final skill checks, saves:
SpoilerAbility scores:
32-point buy-Str 14, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 12
Racial-Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 12
Levels-Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 12
Inherent-Str 22, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 26, Cha 12
Items-Str 28, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 32, Cha 12
Saves: base + stats + items = total
Fort: 10 + 4 (or wildshaped creature) + 5 = 19
Reflex: 17 + 1 (or wildshaped creature) + 5 = 23
Will: 8 + 11 + 5 = 24
Skills: I didn't calculate all the skills, just ensured that each skill had enough to meet the pre-reqs for my prestige classes. Focus on stealth and you won't go wrong.
Recommended magic items:
SpoilerThis character is not terribly reliant on magic items. Of course you want cloak of res, stat boosters, etc. Magic Light armor is nice for when you are not wildshaped (but when would that be? I guess if he has a girlfriend...) dunno if wilding clasps make the armor fit octopus form. I'm gonna say no.
Main this this guy is going to want is a portable hole, as he is scoring big when he makes a run through a temple.
Playing notes/recommended tactics:
SpoilerAs mentioned in the story, wildshaping into a giant octopus is particularly unpleasant for the victims. Savage grapple allows sneak attack damage to be done with each successful grapple, and specifically does NOT cost wildshape uses, as opposed to other wild feats. For stealth, it is hard to beat a cat, although other tiny creatures are also useful. Most of his skills are designed around stealth for the initial insertion, but shaping into an octopus or bear is always useful when things hit the fan. Honestly, are there any problems that don't get better if you throw a bear, or an octopus, at it?
Craven + 4d6 sneak attack + savage grapple is an extra 33 damage on a successful grapple, which is why octopus is so great (base 2d8 +6 on a grapple, and you get 8 of them a round without using iterative attacks). Grappling is assisted by race, with Powerful build specifically not being lost with wildshape, getting another grapple bonus. Out of water? You can hold your breath for 2x con rounds, or way longer than combat should last. Once we start getting limbs sundered, shape into bear for a while, and if we need to run away, there are numerous fast, stealthy creatures, both with or without flight, to shape into, without denting the number of wildshapes per day significantly.
It was a tough decision to forgo the last 2 levels of Temple Raider, but getting the glyph bonus is potentially a lifesaver in some of the larger temples. Another sneak attack die was a bonus. Wildshaping through MoMF also allows humanoid shaping, allowing for additional potential in disguise and bluffing past mooks.
All in all, we've got stealth, we've got strength, we've got temples in ruins after we're finished with them.
The character is viable at all levels, I considered trading away ranger spellcasting but decided to keep it as they have a large and useful list of spells. Trading it would have hurt me at higher levels when access to wands and such is better. Pass without trace was, in particular, extremely difficult to give up.
If LA buyoff is allowed, I think it is time to go into Warshaper, getting the capstone of multimorph would be extremely useful for this character, but comes, obviously, post-epic
References:
SpoilerWildshape Ranger - SRD
Urban Companion/Favored Organizations - Cityscape Web Enhancement
Champion of the Wild - Complete Champion
Trap Expert - Dungeonscape
Imp favored Enemy - Complete Warrior
Master of Many Forms, Savage Grapple - Complete Adventurer
Divine Seeker - Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
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2012-04-29, 06:32 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
"Trust me. I'm a paladin. Kind of."
Originally Posted by Arminel Raynel
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2012-04-29, 06:38 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Excellent.
Originally Posted by Theodore Logan
Spoiler
8/12/14/18/14/8 (increases to int)
Dark Templated CN Human
Theodore Logan
Spoiler
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1st|Factotum 1|+0|+0|+2|+0|Appraise 4, Bluff 4, Decipher Script 4, Diplomacy 4, Escape Artist 4, Hide 4, Intimidate 4, Move Silently 4, Open Lock 4, Search 4, Sense Motive 4|Darkstalker, Font of Inspiration|Inspiration 2, cunning insight, cunning knowledge, trapfinding
2nd|Factotum 2|+1|+0|+3|+0|Appraise 1 (5), Bluff 1 (5), Decipher Script 1 (5), Disable Device 1 (5), Hide 1 (5), Move Silently 1 (5), Search 1 (5), UMD 4||Inspiration 3, arcane dilettante (1 lvl 0)
3rd|Factotum 3|+2|+1|+3|+1|Appraise 1 (6), Disable Device 1 (6), Forgery 4, Hide 1 (6), Move Silently 1 (6), Search 1 (6), UMD 2 (6)|Brew Potion|Brains over brawn, cunning defense, AD (1 lvl 1)
4th|Factotum 4|+3|+1|+4|+1|Appraise 1 (7), Disable Device 1 (7), Forgery 3 (7), Hide 1 (7), Move Silently 1 (7), Search 1 (7), Spellcraft 2, UMD 1 (7), ||Arcane dilettante (1 lvl 1), cunning strike
5th|Factotum 5|+3|+1|+4|+1|Appraise 1 (8), Forgery 1 (8), Disable Device 1 (8), Hide 1 (8), Know (arcana) 2, Move Silently 1 (8), Search 1 (8), Spellcraft 3 (5)||Opportunistic piety, inspiration 4, arcane dilettante (1 lvl 2, 1 lvl 1)
6th|Mindbender 1|+3|+3|+4|+3|Know (arcana) 6 (8), Know (religion) 1|Mindsight|Telepathy
7th|Hoardstealer 1|+3|+3|+6|+3|(skilltrick) Collector of Stories, Balance 5, Hide 2 (10), Move Silently 2 (10)||Darkvision +30ft, trapfinding
8th|Hoardstealer 2|+4|+3|+7|+3|Bluff 6 (11), Disable Device 3 (11), Search 3 (11) ||hide from dragons 1/day
9th|Hoardstealer 3|+5|+3|+7|+3|Decipher Script 4 (9), (Hide 4 (12), Move Silently 4 (12)|Delay Potion|trap sense +2, deep pockets
10th|Temple Raider 1|+5|+3|+9|+5|Disable Device 2 (13), Hide 1 (13), Move Silently 1 (13), Open Lock 4 (8), Search 2 (13)||Trapfinding, trap sense +1
11th|Temple Raider 2|+6/+1|+3|+10|+6|Use Magic Device 10 ||Sneak attack +1d6
12th|Temple Raider 3|+7/+2|+4|+10|+6|Hide 2 (15), Move Silently 2 (15), Spot 6|Practiced Spellcaster (Temple Raider)|Uncanny Dodge
13th|Temple Raider 4|+8/+3|+4|+11|+7|Hide 1 (16), Listen 4, Move Silently 1 (16), Spot 4||Trap sense +2
14th|Temple Raider 5|+8/+3|+4|+11|+7|Hide 1 (17) Listen 4 (8), Move Silently 1 (17), Spot 4 (8) ||Sneak attack +2d6
15th|Temple Raider 6|+9/+4|+5|+12|+8|Hide 1 (18), Listen 4 (12), Move Silently 1 (18), Spot 4 (12)|Font of Inspiration 2|Improved uncanny dodge
16th|Temple Raider 7|+10/+5|+5|+12|+8|Hide 1 (19), Listen 4 (16), Move Silently 1 (19), Spot 4 (16)||Trap sense +3
17th|Temple Raider 8|+11/+6/+1|+5|+13|+9|Hide 1 (20), Listen 4 (20), Move Silently 1 (20), Spot 4 (20)||Sneak attack +3d6
18th|Temple Raider 9|+11/+6/+1|+6|+13|+9|Decipher Script 2 (11), Disable Device 4 (17), Search 4 (17)|Practiced Spellcaster (Temple Raider)|Skill Mastery
19th|Temple Raider 10|+12/+7/+2|+6|+14|+10|Decipher Script 8 (19), Hide 2 (22), Move Silently 2 (22)||Luck domain, trap sense +4[/table]
Temple Raider Spells per day
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th
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|[/table]
Temple Raider Spells per day
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th
7th|0|-|-|-|
8th|1|-|-|-|
9th|1|0|-|-|
10th|1|0|-|-|
11th|1|0|-|-|
12th|1|0|-|-|
13th|1|0|-|-|
14th|1|0|-|-|
15th|1|0|-|-|
16th|1|0|-|-|
17th|1|0|-|-|
18th|1|0|-|-|
19th|1|0|-|-|
[/table]
Backstory
Spoiler
SEVEN AM, WAKIN' UP IN THE MORNING!
Ted rolled over in bed and delivered a merciless karate chop to the top of his custom alarm clock. It wasn't anything you could buy in a store, he was sure that it would be labeled a weapon of mass destruction. It was reinforced to survive plummeting off his nightstand and to keep ticking after being hit. He loaded it up with something he'd want to stop listening to as soon as possible.
He caught his reflection in the glass of the clock face. He looked far from presentable for any sort of job that his mind could come up with at this early hour. This was one of the many reasons he was so glad he worked from home.
His muscles traced him through his comfortable morning routine. It was as though his brain didn't fire a single synapse as he made his coffee and sat down in front of his byzantine computer. It was a work of art. He had built it from the skeleton up with his own two hands. Every morning when he inevitably asked himself what he had done with his life, he had his answer when he looked at his computer.
Its three monitors were positioned in a perfectly symmetric semicircle around him, looking down comfortingly at him as the beamed to life as he sat in his chair, his slim body tripping the sensor that told his machine to wake up.
There was little work to be done today, the same as every day. As he had honed his trade, he needed to pull jobs less and less often. After all, nowadays, the sorts of things Ted did drew lots of unwanted attention. Government drones wouldn't descend upon him for a few wayward pdfs, but the scale of the things he had been up to over the last few months might motivate them off their asses and out the door any day now.
He had enough money to tend to his day to day needs, but just like the fella once said, man doesn't live by bread alone. When he'd been in school, before he'd realized the skills he'd acquired through his own "independent study" had prepared him from a life of hacking and cracking more than a few more seminars with professors almost as old as the equipment they were using could have, he'd always heard that a job was more than money, that it was the fulfillment that came from what one did. At the time, he'd dismissed it as sentimental junk, but now he was beginning to be bothered by his sense of ennui.
While intellectually, he knew that to go back online to trawl for more poorly protected passwords and badly blocked up bank accounts was to paint a target on his own back, his sense of self-preservation was no match for his boredom at having the whole world at his fingertips.
His eyes flicked to the boxes surrounding his custom rig. It blocked all the signals he'd be sending out. It took up a fair amount of power, but his landlord collected enough from him every month not to ask too many questions. His tetchy brain imagined for a moment the g-men of the world flying through the skies like superman, looking in vain for him in his lead-lined room.
He checked his messages, his brain unspooling the code like spaghetti, the word substitutions his network used changing every week to buffalo the government filters and scanners: banknotes to boomerangs, passwords to pincushions. Was it a lot to keep up with? Yes. Did he have anything better to occupy his time? Not really.
There was an intriguing proposition from an affiliate, who Ted knew only as All_that_Glitterz. Apparently, according to the message, a very big fish was swimming into Ted's pond. From the intel, a foreigner who was immigrating and just now getting his assets transferred from gold doubloons and awkward fist-sized precious stones to electronic money. Probably because his grandkids had talked him into thinking it was safer, more practical.
Ted had a cocky smirk on his face. He did love going whale hunting. The bigger they were the harder they fell and all that. It was almost as though they thought they were too big to fail. Where had he heard that before? Oh yeah.
Ted logged in as JohnnyMnemonic and let Glitterz that he was in and that he'd cut him in if he could patch him in to his network of rerouters to bounce Ted's ping around. The Man shouldn't've been able to triangulate his location, but it never hurt to be too careful. It was how he'd avoided seeing the inside of a jail cell up until now, a combo he didn't plan on having broken any time soon.
JohnnyMnemonic: kk. deal me in, send me the deets.
All_that_Glitterz: watch out, guys, we're dealing with a badass over here. that's it? u don't need to know anything else?
JohnnyMnemonic: nah, they don't call me teh best for nothing. sides, less u know, better 4u. dunno if they got same laws about internet stuff where u at.
All_that_Glitterz: lol, i wouldn't worry about it if i were u. this guy's a real deevdru di vi riika, love if u could take him down a peg
JohnnyMnemonic:pfft. keep an eye on reddit, you'll hear about it. probably see "police baffled" there
All_that_Glitterz:kk
From that point, making the money disappear had been a simple enough matter. He usually didn't like to take it all from one person at a time, too risky, but the bonus Glitterz was offering was too good to pass up.
Like so much on the internet, it was over too soon, and Ted felt himself sinking back into his default state of boredom. He shifted back into his cycle and to an outside observer, nothing extraordinary had all would have just taken place. Just a man at his computer.
When he heard a knock at the door, he was surprised. He hadn't ordered anything, which was more or less the only reason anyone would stop by his place.
He opened the door and three people stood there, all dressed in black leather jackets and wearing ridiculous sunglasses.
"I think you want the guy across the hall, I don't do that stuff."
The one in the center, clearly the leader, thought Ted, if Saturday morning cartoons had taught him anything, spoke first.
"We know who we're looking for, Mr. Logan. Or should I say, Johnny Mnemonic?"
Ted's eyes widened before he could stop them.
"Before you waste our time saying you don't know what we're talking about, let me just say that we're not here to punish you. Quite the opposite, in fact."
Ted was becoming distinctly uncomfortable.
"We don't look like your police, do we?"
Ted shook his head.
"What do you mean 'your' police? Are you guys interpol?"
"No, nothing like that. We're from rather further away from that. But as we said, there is little time. The police of your locale are going to be on their way any second now, doubtless tipped off by your friend All_that_Glitters."
"How could you know that?" There was no point pretending now. He could hear sirens in the distance.
"Magic. Now are you coming with us or not? If you do, we can guarantee our protection. If not, good luck against the police."
Ted didn't have time to draw objections.
"Fine, just let me wipe my hard drive. It'll look bad enough that I'm running."
"No time," said the leader. He nodded to the bony woman on his left who hadn't spoken a word since the door had opened. "Thri?"
She nodded and withdrew a short ebony stick. She pointed it at Ted's machine and the lights on it dimmed to darkness.
"What?" was all Ted could say.
"Magnetism, it's a Wu Jen thing. Come on, we gotta go." The leader said as Thri put the stick away.
Ted stepped into the hallway, not bothering to lock up. He could always start over somewhere else. Before they had taken two steps, the other of the leader's henchmen stepped back inside.
"What are you doing?" Ted asked.
"You're going to die resisting arrest," he said, lowering his sunglasses with a wink. By the time he'd pushed them back up, Ted stared into his own face, the man's face shifting like dough rising. Before he could even ask, the door was shut and they were moving down the hall.
Thri shoved a steel flask into his hand as she and the leader bustled him onto the elevator.
"Here, drink this."
"Hey now, I don't take candy from strangers."
Thri murmured some kind of foreign curse under her breath. "Look, if we'd wanted to do anything to you, we would've done it back at your place, just drink the damn thing, it'll disguise your appearance."
Ted knocked it back, trying not to taste it. He saw his reflection in the wall of the elevator. He looked the spitting image of the man who had walked up and taken his place.
"How long?"
"Long enough," Thri said casually.
They got into the parking lot and were on the road before the cops got to his apartment. Ted let out a sigh of relief.
"Now that we're out of the danger zone, you want to tell me what the hell's going on here?"
Thri was at the wheel, so the leader turned around in the passenger seat, awkwardly pivoting his torso to talk to him.
"What exactly do you know about the man you stole from?"
Ted shrugged. "Not much. Just what Glitterz fed me."
"Did you have any reason to question that information?"
"Not really, he's been a liaison of mine for years."
"It's always the ones you least expect, isn't it?"
Ted narrowed his eyes. "Where are you going with this?"
"Have you heard any of the theories over the last few years that the ruling elite are reptiles?"
Ted rolled his eyes. Nothing was so good at making the internet look bad like a conspiracy theorist with a cracked copy of dreamweaver.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"What would you say if I told you they weren't theories?"
"I don't think I'd say anything you could repeat in polite company."
The leader smirked. "I can tell we're going to get along just fine. But your disbelief aside, that's just what's happened. Over the last few decades in your world, creatures have been infiltrating your financial system in disguise as humans. Where they're from, the economy still uses the barter system. There's only 1 worldwide currency."
"What is it? Seashells? Math problems? Pictures of Dave Coulier?"
"Nothing so esoteric. Gems, precious metals, same stuff you used to use. But it's nothing compared to your world. It's much easier for someone with a lot of money to make more here. They can put it in a bank and watch it grow."
"Won't grow much, interest rate sucks lately."
"That matters less for a creature that lives many times longer than a mortal man."
Ted blinked. "Wait. They don't have banks where they're from? What do they do, just shove it in a cave like a dragon?"
The leader said nothing.
"Oh, no way."
"Way."
"How do you know all this?" Ted asked. "About their world, I mean."
"We're from there too," said Thri as the car slowed. "We're here."
They climbed out and walked into a warehouse past a pair of armed guards that made Ted very uncomfortable. They went down a freight elevator and he saw a strange assortment of what looked vaguely like computer equipment, but with components he'd never seen. One looked something like a dentist's chair with a mess of restraints on it.
"What's that one for?" he asked.
"Training," said Thri.
"Why am I here?"
"Training." He could have sworn he detected a smile as she said so.
The leader and a few others milled around. He stood at a makeshift pulpit and raised his arms up as though to deliver a sermon.
"We've been waiting for this day for a while. It looks like we've finally found someone with the knack. As soon as his training is done, we can all go home!"
Cheers echoed through the building and Ted wondered at the integrity of the soundproofing.
"Don't worry. Permanencied silence on the walls," Thri said.
Could she read his mind?
"You say that like it's hard. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
The leader finished up his sermon and stepped over to Ted.
"Are you ready to begin?"
"I guess so… what should I call you?"
The leader chuckled. "Names are power here. Same as anywhere. Perhaps later. I need to ask something of you though."
"What?"
"You've got to take your oath before we can proceed."
"Oath?"
"Nothing too drastic, just put your hand over this book and pledge that you'll do your part for the Laughing Rogue when he calls upon you for his service, like now."
He did so. Ted didn't want to over think the implications, so changed the subject.
"What's gonna happen to me when I'm in that chair?"
"Just a little VR with a touch of illusion magic. Not too different from a rousing game of skyrim. Our world works differently from yours, and you'll need to adapt before we take you over. We needed an environment where your mind could deal with consequences but your body wouldn't suffer any adverse effects. Shall we begin?"
Ted nodded. It wasn't as though he had much choice.
He sat in the chair and it wrapped itself around him. He found himself in a smoky underground corridor, many inexplicably lit torches burning away on the walls with the leader beside him. He looked down and saw he was wearing a black shirt with a laced up chest and a hood over his head. He had a variety of junk hanging from his belt, most of it made of metal.
"Who lights all these things? Does someone live here?"
"No, this is a simulation. In our world, dragons have to protect their hoards in a more hands-on manner, so to speak. You can't just brute force your way in with a dictionary attack or sneak in with a key logger."
Ted smirked. "I knew this bat utility belt was missing something."
The leader seemed to more or less ignore him.
"Now, we've got to proceed carefully. What's the first thing you do when you're trying to get in somewhere you don't belong?"
"Cover your tracks?"
"Exactly. Look on your belt."
Ted did so and saw a number of sticks carved of differently hued woods, recognizing now that they were literal magic wands. They had those bright red metal labels from a label maker gun on them, doubtless part of this tutorial. One of them was labeled "nondetection" which seemed the logical choice. He waved it at himself in a way that felt instinctual.
"Good. Proceed."
Ted took a few steps forward and heard a high-pitched whining noise, like when you turned on a gas grill. His eyes caught a seam between two stones on the wall and saw metallic nozzles poking from between them. His eyes widened and he somersaulted forwards, the sheet of flame behind him barely missing him.
The leader was somehow still by his side.
"Don't tell me. Firewall?"
"More or less. The idea is to express unfamiliar concepts in a context you're familiar with, one way or the other."
"Is that how you acclimated your medieval members into wearing ray bans?"
"More or less."
"How'd you pick all this up?" Ted was approaching the end of the hall. The far wall looked like a bank vault made of rock. He walked up to it and let his hands trail over it until he found something that looked like a dial.
"This makes no sense," he said as he turned it, pressing his ear to the wall.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The leader grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back just as a spike came out of the wall where his ear had been. "I could hardly give you a stone keyboard. That wouldn't help at all."
"Whatever." Ted pushed the dial into the wall and the door magically disappeared, revealing a vast room of gold coins with the occasional gem shining out from the mass.
"Whoa."
"Yes. Whoa indeed." The leader said. He clapped his hands twice and the scene dissolved around them. Ted sat up from the chair and rubbed his eyes, the darkness of the underground base hitting him suddenly.
"Nice job." The leader patted him on the back.
"Can we go again?"
He broke into a smile. "I had a feeling you might say that."
PlaytipsSpoiler
Lvl 5: You function as a factotum here, albeit with your skill points spread a little on the thin side. Use inspiration on damage here when it is relevant, as it will no longer be when you get out of the low levels. Cunning knowledge is a real lifesaver on knowledge checks since they're seldom made more than once/skill/day. Brew potion can be used to carry around odd or situational things via your arcane dilettante ability, so build up a nice larder while you can. Sneak around with darkstalker and disable all the traps.
Lvl 10: You have your first temple raider level and mind sight. It is very hard for a foe to get the drop on you. Mindsight lets you know there is an intelligent enemy, what its int is, and how close they are if they're within range. With darkstalker (and later your hide from dragons ability) you can walk right up to them and they'll never know the difference. Undead being the one hole in this strategy, temple raider is kind enough to provide 3.0's invisibility to undead, so that takes care of that, especially with a duration of 10 min/lvl. This is another good candidate for a brewed potion since your CL is kind of bad at the moment.
Lvl 15: Imp Uncanny dodge is online now, so your back's a little more covered than it normally would be in case someone sees through your stealth (they shouldn't) As far as offense goes, make sure you've got a few wands in your hands (due to the 5k prereq for hoard stealer, you should have a nice nest egg for consumables like wands)
Lvl 20: luck domain is online in case anything goes *really* wrong and you need to reroll. entropic shield is a good anti trap thing that'll make you even more of a trap smith's nightmare than you already are. keep up your stealth and they'll never see you coming
Sources
Spoilerdraconomicon (hoardstealer), complete divine (temple raider), dungeonscape (factotum), lords of madness (Darkstalker), SRD (brew potion) complete mage (delay potion, favored magic foe) web (font of inspiration) http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070606 , tome of magic (dark template)
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2012-04-29, 06:40 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Making a carrere out of it.
Originally Posted by Tia the Fox
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2012-04-29, 06:43 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Unless I missed something in my inbox, that's the last of them. Ready, set, JUDGE!
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2012-04-29, 06:47 PM (ISO 8601)Barbarian in the Playground
- Join Date
- Feb 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
I might not be very good at counting, but there are more than four. I am happy that people made it before deadline.
Currently playing:
Aer the Raven in the refounding of the temple of nine swords.
Estef in From Splendor to Shadow
DMing Here be Dragons IC & OOC
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2012-04-29, 06:58 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Two submitted whilst I was fighting with the forum bugs. Originally Posted by Aeryr
I might not be very good at counting, but there are more than four. I am happy that people made it before deadline.
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2012-04-29, 07:05 PM (ISO 8601)Dwarf in the Playground
- Join Date
- May 2009
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Foiled by my own sloth! And sleep. Lots of sleep.
Was going to throw in a Human Paragon 3/Jester 7/Temple Raider 10. Clearly you can never have enough HUman Paragon after all
"No Anti-Magic field ever stopped a pouncing Barbarians Great Club"
Spoilered Stuff!
Spoiler
Favourite Threads!
Random
Spoiler
I appear to be a pixie. I knew I overflowed with natural charisma
Nooo! I have fallen to being a mere halfling! Guess I'll....umm.....throw things....and bemoan my favored class.....
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2012-04-29, 07:25 PM (ISO 8601)Ettin in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Where I live.
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Damn it! I just had my fluff left to write when you finished posting. Why!?
I was going to for a Diabolus Paladin 4/Feat Rogue 2/Temple Raider of Kord 8/Ordained Champion 5, using the Chaotic subtype that Diaboli have to qualify for everything.
Her fluff was essentially being a female and good Kratos (from God of War, natch.)
I was also thinking of going ahead and entering a Purple Dragon Wurmling Temple Raider of Aasterinian, due to how their breath weapon can be used as a sword for touch attack heaven.If you see me try to discuss the nitty-gritty of D&D 5e, kindly point me to my signature and remind me that I shouldn't. Please and thank you! Originally Posted by segtrfyhtfgj
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2012-04-29, 07:35 PM (ISO 8601)Firbolg in the Playground
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
An interesting crop of competitors this round. I was thinking of going with a Human Paragon 2/Warblade 8/Temple Raider 10, using Skill Mastery to take 10 on Concentration checks, along with a slew of Diamond Mind maneuvers (particularly the save-replacing manuevers). At 15th-level, you'd be able to auto-succeed on any save with a DC of 30 or lower once per round. A few luck feats meant that, even on higher saves, you'd have a shot at a reroll a few times per day. I'd use the Luck Domain capstone and Third Time's the Charm to get one last-ditch effort if my reroll went awry.
However, I couldn't really think of anything it could do besides "make one ridiculously high save every round." I was toying with the Temple Raider's recharge mechanic of refreshing daily spells after an hour of quiet supplication, especially since the text mentioned that you didn't need to rest. A warforged Temple Raider who kept casting spells and recharging while his friends slept seemed like a cool idea at first, but I couldn't really make anything out of it.
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2012-04-29, 07:36 PM (ISO 8601)Bugbear in the Playground
- Join Date
- Nov 2011
- Location
- Minnesnowta
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
I didn't get mine in on time, but I had a Ranger 3/Stealthy Fighter 1/ Ranger 1/Stealthy Fighter 2/Temple Raider 1/Sanctified One 5/Temple Raider 7 set up for my build, using the Savage Progression Drow (LA:0, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Int, other stuff including Hand Crossbow Proficiency) to qualify for Drow Fighter Racial Substitution. Had +16 BAB, all the neat Sanctified One abilities, maxed Stealth abilities, 2.5x Dex to damage with a Fierce (+2) Weapon, and 10/10 Temple Raider spell casting. Lousy finals getting in the way of my actual work!
There is the moral of all human tales;
'Tis but the same rehearsal of the past.
First freedom and then Glory - when that fails,
Wealth, vice, corruption - barbarism at last.
And History, with all her volumes vast,
Hath but one page...
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2012-04-29, 08:21 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- The Great White North
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
No... Way.... Originally Posted by Amechra
One of my possible ideas was a CE Very Young Shadow Dragon TR of Mask (FR). Toss on entangling exhalation, constant total concealment, and +6 to all mental abilities (crazy, I know), and you have an interesting concept. It's a shame I ran out of time. Although I learned that dragons count UMD as a class skill for their racial HD.
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2012-04-29, 08:25 PM (ISO 8601)Ogre in the Playground
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
I still haven't even had time to look at what the dang class does. Anyway off to work (again)
Originally Posted by Alabenson
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2012-04-29, 09:15 PM (ISO 8601)Troll in the Playground
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Bellona
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Some interesting entries! Can't wait to read over them in detail!
I had two ideas. One was an infiltration focused changeling rogue/shadowcaster/spymaster, who started out as a wizard, became Vecna-blooded, and then used the Creeping Darkness rules to turn those wizard levels into shadowcaster levels. The fluff was going to be a thief so good, she stole the blood of a god.
The second was a muckdweller druid, using the deadly hunter UA variant, going into wild plains outrider, who rode atop an eagle. Both he and the eagle had Darkstalker, and shared stealth abilities via the wild plains outrider ability. This one focused on poison use and ability score debuffing.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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2012-04-29, 09:29 PM (ISO 8601)Barbarian in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
I really wanted to make Androminus the rogue who stole his own soul from Ollidarma. Wasn't sure exactly how to portray it though. There was always the Dead + Freedom of Movement, or Dead + Iron Heart Surge as well as a few True Speaking prestige classes. There might be some possibilities with various soul trap spells and materials, and potentially time travel.
But none of it seemed to fit well with Ollidarma outside of fluff.Spoiler
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2012-04-29, 09:34 PM (ISO 8601)Bugbear in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Montreal, Canada
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
I had a deadly hunter druid2/human paragon3 (Iaijutsu focus)/temple raider of beshaba 10/Nar demonbinder 5 build focused on iaijutsu focus through dagger throwing (and a quasit familiar that did the same while using my skills) but the build got so complicated to create I didn't have time to finish it.
And, in the end, it really didn't do much. Was too MAD to actually accomplish anything well (scouting, damage dealing, skillmonkey ability) and its BAB was just plain terrible.
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2012-04-29, 09:35 PM (ISO 8601)Ettin in the Playground
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Where I live.
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
You know, there is no "Drow Fighter" substitution levels. You can take those ACFs without actually being a Drow.
If you see me try to discuss the nitty-gritty of D&D 5e, kindly point me to my signature and remind me that I shouldn't. Please and thank you! Originally Posted by segtrfyhtfgj
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2012-04-29, 11:49 PM (ISO 8601)Bugbear in the Playground
- Join Date
- Nov 2011
- Location
- Minnesnowta
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
Technically speaking, no, you don't need to be a Drow Fighter to take the Drow Fighter unique option. But that's a really sketchy interpretation, and it would almost certainly be a significant elegance hit, so I didn't push it. It also doesn't specify that you're a Fighter, instead saying only that you give up proficiency with heavy armor and tower shields. I don't think that there's a good argument to be made you can take a Drow Fighter ACF without being either a Drow or a Fighter. Originally Posted by Amechra
Last edited by Menteith; 2012-04-29 at 11:51 PM.
There is the moral of all human tales;
'Tis but the same rehearsal of the past.
First freedom and then Glory - when that fails,
Wealth, vice, corruption - barbarism at last.
And History, with all her volumes vast,
Hath but one page...
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2012-04-29, 11:52 PM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
- Join Date
- Feb 2011
- Location
- Texas
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
that's a pity, I would've voted honorable mention just for you having the balls to build "iron heart surge away death" into your backstory. Originally Posted by The Gilded Duke
I'd initially planned on a couple of levels of bereft into my guy's build, since there was no minmum utterance level required, but it's just somehow even more worthless than straight truenamer. I know they can be done well, like milo brushscrubber, but they kinda have to be the "meat" of the build due to how many crutches they need, and that didn't end up being possible with the number of skills temple raider requires that aren't on the truenamer list.
are you talking about hit and run tactics? because yep, you're right. it's a common mistake since it was introduced in Dotu, and most of the stuff there is drow-only.You know, there is no "Drow Fighter" substitution levels. You can take those ACFs without actually being a Drow.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! Originally Posted by weckar
Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition
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2012-04-30, 12:31 AM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Terra Australis
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
First build I was working on was a Faerie Dragon, but I couldn't make the Search ranks required. Then I tried to make a (templated) Illumian with uber high DEX, taking 4 levels in Jaunter, and using his DEX for TRoO bonus spells through his sigils. Couldn't get to work as well as I would have liked, either. One of these days I'll get an entry in!
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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2012-04-30, 01:08 AM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
- Join Date
- Feb 2011
- Location
- Texas
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
TroO? what's that an acronym for? Originally Posted by Thurbane
First build I was working on was a Faerie Dragon, but I couldn't make the Search ranks required. Then I tried to make a (templated) Illumian with uber high DEX, taking 4 levels in Jaunter, and using his DEX for TRoO bonus spells through his sigils. Couldn't get to work as well as I would have liked, either. One of these days I'll get an entry in!
jaunter is wonderful, but the spring attack chain is painful. cobra strike monk helps mitigate a little (seems the easiest entry anyway)
sneakiest thing with illumian is taking bonus spells from str and going momf. get zillions of bonus spells.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! Originally Posted by weckar
Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition
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2012-04-30, 01:30 AM (ISO 8601)Titan in the Playground
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Terra Australis
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII
TRoO = Temple Raider of Olidammara.
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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