New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 69
  1. - Top - End - #1
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Welcome one and all to the thirtenth Zinc Saucier challenge, where Playgrounders come to test their skill in the art of beautiful and bizarre (and bizarrely beautiful) builds. We’re moving, shaking, and doing our thing.

    The challenge? To come up with a build that has the same abilities and feel as the Secret Ingredient WITHOUT actually using it!

    For the thirteenth challenge get ready to whirl with abandon, from Complete Warrior page 25, the Dervish!

    Our challengers will have about 2 weeks to build a complete build from levels 1-20 using a 32 point buy and all official WOTC D&D 3.5 materials (excluding dragon magazine, but including any WOTC online enhancements) with the abilities and feel of a Dervish without actually using any levels in it.

    Entries must be submitted by Saturday, 11:59pm GMT, 11 May, 2013.

    Contestants will be judged and awarded a score out of 5 in each of 5 categories;

    * Innovation (Uniqueness in character concept, race, class, etc)
    * Power (How powerful and versatile it is compared to the base class)
    * Elegance (What can only be described as how well the build "flows", i.e not using lots of 1-2lv dips, sacrificing flavour for power or using flaws)
    * Ingredient (How well the build captures the abilities and feel of the base class)

    Presentation would be best in the style of how the iron chef does their presentations, however any style is allowed so long as it is clear on how the build was made.

    Recommended style:
    Spoiler
    Show
    NAME OF ENTRY
    {table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

    1st|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    2nd|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    3rd|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    4th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    5th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    6th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    7th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    8th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    9th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    10th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    11th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    12th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    13th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    14th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    15th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    16th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    17th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    18th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    19th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    20th|New Class Level|
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |
    +x
    |Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities[/table]

    Copy and Paste:
    Spoiler
    Show
    [b]NAME OF ENTRY[/b]
    {table=head][b]Level[/b]|[b]Class[/b]|[b]Base Attack Bonus[/b]|[b]Fort Save[/b]|[b]Ref Save[/b]|[b]Will Save[/b]|[b]Skills[/b]|[b]Feats[/b]|[b]Class Features[/b]

    1st|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    2nd|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    3rd|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    4th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    5th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    6th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    7th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    8th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    9th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    10th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    11th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    12th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    13th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    14th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    15th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    16th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    17th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    18th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    19th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

    20th|New Class Level|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|[center]+x[/center]|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities[/table]


    For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage). For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list, similar to this:
    Spoiler
    Show
    Spells per day/Spells Known
    {table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

    1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

    Copy and Paste:
    Spoiler
    Show
    [b]Spells per day/Spells Known[/b]
    {table=head][b]Level[/b]|[b]0lvl[/b]|[b]1st[/b]|[b]2nd[/b]|[b]3rd[/b]|[b]4th[/b]|[b]5th[/b]|[b]6th[/b]|[b]7th[/b]|[b]8th[/b]|[b]9th[/b]

    1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]


    Please do not post details of your build on the board before it is ready, so as not to spoil the surprise for others.

    Sauciers may submit as many builds as they want but please don't use leadership, as we don't want to overfeed the judges.

    Previous challenges;
    1. Soulknife
    2. Bard
    3. Monk
    4. Assassin
    5. Barbarian
    6. Warlock
    7. Paladin
    8. Warblade
    9. Pyrokineticist
    10. Ninja
    11. Druid
    12. True Necromancer


    A few administrative notes:

    Quote Originally Posted by Iron Chef Chairman
    Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is disallowed, and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see Elegance below. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere, as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I hate 'em.

    Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.

    Elegance could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, may lose you points. Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may be an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not.

    Is Dragon Compendium Allowed? Yes, but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

    What about 3.0 materials? 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

    Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources? The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.

    What about online sources in general? If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

    Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars and Gestalt have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. Bloodlines are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman (see below). Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

    What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean? As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while I am chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

    What's the minimum score in a category? Assuming an entry is legal, the minimum score in any category is 1. If a judge is convinced that an entry is illegal by the RAW, the judge may give a 0 or decline to score a given entry. Because this contest focuses on Player Characters, an entry that is not technically allowed for a PC, but is viable as an NPC, counts as a legal entry, but may receive a minimum score at the judges' discretion.
    Level adjustment buy-off (from Unearthed Arcana) is expressly prohibited, because this is an ECL 20 build. You are not granted a set experience point total to use. Bloodlines are permitted, but at the cost of +1LA per bloodline level (this is a change from the rules in UA where the character's ECL does not increase).

    This competition is inspired by the Playground Iron Chef Competitions and uses mostly identical rules.


    Also it comes with double prize money.

    Allez Sauciers!
    Last edited by mattie_p; 2013-05-02 at 10:49 AM.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    dysprosium's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    the periodic table
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by mattie_p View Post

    For the thirteenth challenge get ready to channel your inner wilderness, from Complete Warrior page 25, the Dervish!


    Allez Sauciers!
    chairman check the copy/paste


    dervish. i'm going to have to think of something . . .
    Last edited by dysprosium; 2013-04-14 at 06:46 PM.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Snowbluff's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2011

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    ... This PrC has been obsolete for so long.

    I don't think I'll make this the first one I'll participate in.
    Avatar of Rudisplork Avatar of PC-dom and Slayer of the Internet. Extended sig
    GitP Regulars as: Vestiges Spells Weapons Races Deities Feats Soulmelds/Veils
    Quote Originally Posted by Darrin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Snowbluff View Post
    All gaming systems should be terribly flawed and exploitable if you want everyone to be happy with them. This allows for a wide variety of power levels for games for different levels of players.
    I dub this the Snowbluff Axiom.

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by dysprosium View Post
    chairman check the copy/paste


    dervish. i'm going to have to think of something . . .
    Fixed it, thanks. Eh, if that is the only error I can live with it. I made the same error in True Necromancer and no one caught it. I won't bother fixing now.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Sep 2011

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Still going? I've got a neat idea, so I'll enter this time.

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Pixie in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2012

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    I have an entry in the works, who do I submit it to.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by amdskitzo View Post
    I have an entry in the works, who do I submit it to.
    Once you finish it, send it to me via private message to preserve anonymity.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Z3ro's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2010

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Hmmm...Dervish is one of my favorite PrC. I may have to throw an entry together, should time allow.
    I don't know about angels, but it's fear that gives men wings - Max Payne

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    OK, due to unforseen circumstances, I am extending the contest an additional two weeks. The new deadline is 11 May 2013.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Troll in the Playground
     
    herrhauptmann's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2007

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    How do you feel about fractional bab/saves? "Okay, but lacking elegance?"

    I've got a build that is legal without fractional, but it would get slightly higher saves and bab with fractions.

    edit:
    Is there a high penalty for not including a lot of fluff/backstory for the character?
    Last edited by herrhauptmann; 2013-04-29 at 07:17 PM.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by herrhauptmann View Post
    How do you feel about fractional bab/saves? "Okay, but lacking elegance?"

    I've got a build that is legal without fractional, but it would get slightly higher saves and bab with fractions.

    edit:
    Is there a high penalty for not including a lot of fluff/backstory for the character?
    No to fractional, but add a note. Judges like those kind of play notes. Backstory should be like a mini skirt, long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to keep things interesting.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    So submission number two is in. A little more than one week left until the extended deadline. Deadline was extended due to the recent outage, as well as my upcoming move into an apartment.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Goblin

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Carolina
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    I honestly cant think of a build for this challenge. Tried wracking the brain. So I look forward to seeing the entries and seeing what they pulled off.

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Snowbluff's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2011

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Really? Maybe I should post my build to show you what I was talking about earlier, Callin.
    Avatar of Rudisplork Avatar of PC-dom and Slayer of the Internet. Extended sig
    GitP Regulars as: Vestiges Spells Weapons Races Deities Feats Soulmelds/Veils
    Quote Originally Posted by Darrin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Snowbluff View Post
    All gaming systems should be terribly flawed and exploitable if you want everyone to be happy with them. This allows for a wide variety of power levels for games for different levels of players.
    I dub this the Snowbluff Axiom.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Goblin

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Carolina
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Yea I just could not think of ways to emulate the SI.

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by Snowbluff View Post
    Really? Maybe I should post my build to show you what I was talking about earlier, Callin.
    Well, if you don't enter, at least wait until after the deadline to reveal your secrets.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Troll in the Playground
     
    herrhauptmann's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2007

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by mattie_p View Post
    So submission number two is in. A little more than one week left until the extended deadline. Deadline was extended due to the recent outage, as well as my upcoming move into an apartment.
    I've got a build done, heck, it's even formatted for the forums.
    I just don't have any fluff/backstory for it.

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    dysprosium's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    the periodic table
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Submitted my build for this contest.

    Good luck everyone.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Troll in the Playground
     
    herrhauptmann's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2007

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Put mine in the other day.

    I hope the submissions are put up soon.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    I'll have them up shortly. Probably an hour early or so, I have a game tonight and need to get them up beforehand. I'll be too tired after. 4 Entries so far.

    EDIT: Time to get ready to go. Here are the four entries. Please refrain from posting until we're done.
    Last edited by mattie_p; 2013-05-11 at 04:43 PM.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Singing and dancing a lullaby...

    Quote Originally Posted by Vanya
    Definition:
    Spoiler
    Show

    der·vish
    n.
    1. A member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, some of which perform whirling dances and vigorous chanting as acts of ecstatic devotion.


    Beauty:
    Spoiler
    Show
    No one knows the real name of Vanya Nuru, "beautiful death" in Elven. Some believe she was the daughter of a famous dancer who was murdered and vowed to carry on her mother's legacy while protecting the innocent. Witnesses and survivors of Vanya report that she sings a lullaby filled with sorrow and sadness while fighting.


    Grace:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Elf Bard 4/Battledancer 6/Bladesinger 10

    Starting Attributes:
    Str 16 Dex 16* Con 10* Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 14

    *after racial modifiers

    Build Breakdown
    Spoiler
    Show

    {table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

    1st|Bard 1|
    +0
    |
    +0
    |
    +2
    |
    +0
    |Balance 4, Concentration 4, Hide 4, Move Silently 4, Perform(Sing, Dance) 4, Sense Motive 5, Tumble 4|Combat Casting|Bardic Music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, Inspire courage +1

    2nd|Bard 2|
    +1
    |
    +0
    |
    +3
    |
    +3
    |Balance 5, Concentration 5, Hide 5, Move Silently 5, Perform(Sing, Dance) 5, Sense Motive 5, Tumble 5|---|---

    3rd|Bard 3|
    +2
    |
    +1
    |
    +3
    |
    +3
    |Balance 6, Concentration 6, Hide 6, Move Silently 6, Perform(Sing, Dance) 6, Sense Motive 6, Tumble 6|Dodge|Inspire Competence

    4th|Bard 4|
    +3
    |
    +1
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    |Balance 7, Concentration 7, Hide 7, Move Silently 7, Perform(Sing, Dance) 7, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 7|---|---

    5th|Battle Dancer 1|
    +4
    |
    +1
    |
    +6
    |
    +4
    |Balance 8, Concentration 7, Hide 8, Move Silently 8, Perform(Sing, Dance) 8, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 8|---|AC Bonus +0, Unarmed Strike, Unarmed Damage 1d6

    6th|Battle Dancer 2|
    +5
    |
    +1
    |
    +7
    |
    +4
    |Balance 9, Concentration 7, Hide 9, Move Silently 9, Perform(Sing, Dance) 9, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 9|Combat Expertise|battle dancer's performance

    7th|Battle Dancer 3|
    +6
    |
    +2
    |
    +7
    |
    +5
    |Balance 10, Concentration 7, Hide 10, Move Silently 10, Perform(Sing, Dance) 10, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 10|---|---

    8th|Battle Dancer 4|
    +7
    |
    +2
    |
    +8
    |
    +5
    |Balance 11, Concentration 7, Hide 11, Move Silently 11, Perform(Sing, Dance) 11, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 11|---|Bonus speed +10ft, Unarmed Damage 1d8

    9th|Battle Dancer 5|
    +8
    |
    +2
    |
    +8
    |
    +5
    |Balance 12, Concentration 7, Hide 12, Move Silently 12, Perform(Sing, Dance) 12, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 12|Weapon Focus(Longsword)|Dance of the Vexing Snake, AC Bonus +1

    10th|Battle Dancer 6|
    +9
    |
    +3
    |
    +9
    |
    +6
    |Balance 13, Concentration 7, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing, Dance) 13, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 13|---|Dancer's Strike(magic)

    11th|Bladesinger 1|
    +10
    |
    +3
    |
    +11
    |
    +8
    |Balance 14, Concentration 8, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 14, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 14|---|Bladesong Style

    12th|Bladesinger 2|
    +11
    |
    +3
    |
    +12
    |
    +9
    |Balance 15, Concentration 9, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 15, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 15|Snowflake Wardance|Lesser Spellsong

    13th|Bladesinger 3|
    +12
    |
    +4
    |
    +12
    |
    +9
    |Balance 16, Concentration 10, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 16, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 16|---|---

    14th|Bladesinger 4|
    +13
    |
    +4
    |
    +13
    |
    +10
    |Balance 17, Concentration 11, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 17, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 17|---|Song of Celerity(2nd)

    15th|Bladesinger 5|
    +14
    |
    +4
    |
    +13
    |
    +10
    |Balance 18, Concentration 12, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 18, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 18|Overwhelming Assault|---

    16th|Bladesinger 6|
    +15
    |
    +5
    |
    +14
    |
    +11
    |Balance 19, Concentration 13, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 19, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 19|---|Greater Spellsong

    17th|Bladesinger 7|
    +16
    |
    +5
    |
    +14
    |
    +11
    |Balance 20, Concentration 14, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 20, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 20|---|---

    18th|Bladesinger 8|
    +17
    |
    +5
    |
    +15
    |
    +12
    |Balance 21, Concentration 15, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 21, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 21|Einhander|Song of Celerity(4th)

    19th|Bladesinger 9|
    +18
    |
    +6
    |
    +15
    |
    +12
    |Balance 22, Concentration 16, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 22, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 22|---|---

    20th|Bladesinger 10|
    +19
    |
    +6
    |
    +16
    |
    +13
    |Balance 23, Concentration 17, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Perform(Sing) 13, Perform(Dance) 23, Sense Motive 7, Tumble 23|---|Song of Fury[/table]


    Songs:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Spells per day/Spells Known
    {table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

    1st|2/4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    2nd|3/5|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    3rd|3/6|1/3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    4th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    5th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    6th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    7th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    8th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    9th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    10th|3/6|2/3|0/2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    11th|3/6|3/4|1/3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    12th|3/6|3/4|1/3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    13th|3/6|3/4|2/3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    14th|3/6|3/4|2/3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    15th|3/6|3/4|2/4|0/4|-|-|-|-|-|-

    16th|3/6|3/4|2/4|0/4|-|-|-|-|-|-

    17th|3/6|3/4|3/4|1/3|-|-|-|-|-|-

    18th|3/6|3/4|3/4|1/3|-|-|-|-|-|-

    19th|3/6|3/4|3/4|2/3|-|-|-|-|-|-

    20th|3/6|3/4|3/4|2/3|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

    1st-level Songs:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Accelerated Movement
    Charm Person
    Combat Readiness
    Improvisation
    Phantom Threat
    Feather Fall

    2nd-level Songs
    Spoiler
    Show

    Bladeweave
    Blur
    Curse of Impending Blades
    Eagle's Splendor

    3rd-Level Songs
    Spoiler
    Show

    Allegro
    Haste
    Love's Lament
    Sonic Shield

    4th-Level Songs
    Spoiler
    Show

    Blinding Beauty
    Inner Beauty
    Greater Invisibility




    Routine:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Using her songs to increase her mobility, ability to hit while possibly hindering her enemies ability to move, counterattack otherwise escape, Vanya is a beauty on the battlefield.


    Improvisation:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Being the skilled dancer she is, it is easy for Vanya to adapt to anything. One can swap out the levels in Blade Dancer for equal levels of Swashbuckler, gaining Weapon Finesse, Grace and Insightful Strike. In this case, Vanya wields a Rapier(switching Weapon Focus at 9 accordingly) and replaces her feats at 12 and 15 with Mobility and Spring Attack.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Who was that again? Well, it's tricky...

    Quote Originally Posted by Ayce
    Ayce (say: Aisha)
    Stats at level 1.
    Str 14 Dex14 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 15
    At level 20
    Str 14 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 20
    15 Bab. Fort 9. Ref 15. Wis 22.

    Spoiler
    Show
    {table=head]Level|Class|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Skills|Feats|Class Features
    1st|Bard 1|0|0|2|2|Perform:Flute4, Know:Arcana4, Concentrate4, Listen4, Spot4, Tumble 4, Balance4, Prof:Astrologer4|Dodge, Able Learner|Bardic Music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage+1|Feats|Class abilities
    2nd|Bard2 |1 |0 |3 |3 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble, +1balance,+1Profession |None|None
    3rd|Bard3 |2 |1 |3 |3 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble, +1balance, +1Profession|Mobility|Inspire Competence
    4th|Bard4 |3 |1 |4 |4 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble, +1balance, 1survival|None|None
    5th|Bard5 |3 |1 |4 |4 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble, +1balance, +1survival|None|None
    6th|Bard6 |4 |2 |5 |5 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble, Nimble Stand|Snowflake Wardance|Suggestion
    7th|Spellsword1 |5 |4 |5 |7 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen|Nonek|-10% ASF, +1 Bard CL
    8th|Swiftblade1 |6 |4 |7 |9 |+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble|Spring Attack|Swift Surge +1/+0ft
    9th|Swiftblade2 |7 |4 |8 |10|+1Perform, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble|Extra Music|Blurred Alacrity, +1 Bard CL
    10th|Swiftblade3|8 |5 |5 |8 |+1Survival, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate,+1listen, +1spot, +1tumble|None|Sudden Casting, +1 Bard CL
    11th|SublimeChord1 |8 |5 |8 |12|1 Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, 1UMD, Nimble Charge|None|Bardic Music, Bardic Lore
    12th|SublimeChord2 |9 |5 |8 |13|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +1UMD, Up the Hill|Combat Expertise|Song of Arcane Power
    13th| Swiftblade4 |10|5 |9 |14|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +1UMD, Twisted Charge|None|Arcane Reflexes, swift surge +1/+10ft
    14th| Swiftblade5 |11|5 |9 |14|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +1UMD, Swift Concentration|None|Evasive Celerity, +1 SC CL
    15th| Swordsage 1 |11|5 |11|16|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +3UMD, Back on your Feet|Desert Wind Dodge (Dodge at level 1 becomes Deceptive Dodge)|Quick to Act +1, discipline Focus(Weapon Focus: XXX)
    16th| Swiftblade6 |12|6 |12|17|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +3UMD, |None|Fortified Hustle, +1 SC CL
    17th| Swiftblade7 |13|6 |12|17|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +1UMD, +3UMD,|Bounding Assault| Swift Surge +2/+10ft
    18th| Swiftblade8 |14|6 |13|18|+1Intimidate, +1Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +3UMD,|Scorching Sirocco|Diligent Rapidity, +1 SC CL
    19th| Swiftblade9 |15|7 |13|18|Never Outnumbered, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +3UMD,|None|Perpetual Options +1 SC CL
    20th|Sublime Chord3|15|8 |14|18|+2 Spellcraft, +1Know:arcane, +1concentrate, +3UMD,|None|Class abilities
    [/table]
    Skills
    Spoiler
    Show
    Tricks:
    • Back on your Feet
    • Nimble Stand
    • Up the Hill
    • Nimble Charge
    • Twisted Charge
    • Swift Concentration
    • Never Outnumbered.

    Skill Ranks:
    • Spellcraft 23
    • Know:Arcana 23
    • Concentrate 23
    • UMD 22
    • Intimidate 8
    • Survival 3
    • Listen 13
    • Spot 12
    • Tumble 12
    • Perform 12
    • Balance 8
    • Profession:Astrologer 6

    Spell Tables
    Spoiler
    Show

    Spells known (Bard)
    {table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd
    1st|4|-|-|-
    2nd|5|2|-|-
    3rd|6|3|-|-
    4th|6|3|2|-
    5th|6|4|3|-
    6th|6|4|3|-
    7th|6|4|4|2
    8th|6|4|4|2
    9th|6|4|4|3
    10th-20th|6|4|4|3
    [/table]


    Spells Known (Sublime Chord)
    {table=head]Level|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
    11th|3|1|-|-|-
    12th|4|2|-|-|-
    13th|4|2|-|-|-
    14th|4|2|1|-|-
    15th|4|2|1|-|-
    16th|4|3|2|-|-
    17th|4|3|2|-|-
    18th|4|3|2|1|-
    19th|4|4|3|2|-
    20th|4|4|3|2|1[/table]

    Spells per day (Bard)
    {table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd
    1st|2|-|-|-
    2nd|3|0|-|-
    3rd|3|1|-|-
    4th|3|2|0|-
    5th|3|3|1|-
    6th|3|3|2|-
    7th|3|3|2|0
    8th|3|3|2|0
    9th|3|3|3|1
    10th-20th|3|3|3|2
    [/table]

    Spells per day (Sublime Chord)
    {table=head]Level|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
    11th|2|1|-|-|-
    12th|2|2|-|-|-
    13th |2|2|-|-|-
    14th|3|2|1|-|-
    15th |3|2|1|-|-
    16th|3|3|2|-|-
    17th |3|3|2|-|-
    18th|3|3|2|1|-
    19th|4|3|3|2|-
    20th|4|4|3|2|1[/table]



    Casting and Maneuvers
    Spoiler
    Show
    Bard Spells.
    • 0
      Detect magic
      Read Magic
      Summon Instrument
      Mending
      Songbird (SC)
      Ghostharp (SC)
    • 1
      Improvisation
      Phantom Threat
      Invisibility, Swift
      Silent Image
    • 2
      Whirling Blade
      Alter self
      Glitterdust
      Magic Savant
    • 3
      Dispel Magic
      Haste
      Listening Coin

    Sublime Chord Spells
    • 4
      Celerity
      Dimension Door
      Greater Invisibility
      Mirror Image, Greater
    • 5
      Dominate Person
      Dragonsight
      Hold Monster
      Teleport
    • 6
      Antimagic Field
      Greater Dispel Magic
      True Seeing
    • 7
      Bite of Werebear
      Elemental Body
    • 8
      Ghostform

    Martial Maneuvers
    {table=head]Level|School|Name
    2|DW|Fire Riposte
    2|DW|Flashing Sun
    2|DW|Burning Brand
    4|DW|Searing Charge
    1|SS|Island of Blades Stance
    2|SS|Cloak of Deception
    2|SS|Shadow Jaunt
    [/table]


    Backstory:
    Spoiler
    Show

    Ayce grew up among the nomadic Romani as they were driven from their usual haunts in the prosperous lands of Duke Rastor. While times in the wasteland were not easy, the Romani still found the time for dance and music, particularly as Ayce bardic abilities blossomed in her teens.
    By her twentieth year, the Romani found themselves under siege from all sides in their new home which had turned hostile. As each person learned martial abilities, Ayce's casting began an exponential growth as she learned to further enhance her spells. Particularly one spell, Haste.
    This continued for several years until the Romani were able to take sanctuary on the lands of a church of Oghma. At peace for the first time in a decade, the Oghmanites went among the Romani learning their stories and spreading their own knowledge, among them.


    Spoiler
    Show

    Notes:
    • If using fractional bab, end up with 16.75 bab, instead of 15. While saves are instead 8.833 Fort, 15.33 Ref, and 22 Will
    • Dodge is used as a prereq for mobility. When gaining Desert Wind Dodge, text for the feat states that I can lose the feat dodge, and replace it with another feat for which I meet the prereqs. So Dodge becomes Deceptive Dodge (from Dragon Compendium, which 1/round allows me to redirect a missed attack to a target of my choice who is in reach of my attacker. Only works on my dodge target, and only while fighting defensively.
      • I don't need to swap it for another Dodge type feat, but for a character built to move around in combat, I figure redirecting my enemies attacks back to them will help.
      • Never outnumbered helps with that too, a lone warrior isn't too scary, but not only is she able to intimidate everyone, those still fight find themselves hitting their allies by accident.
      • Between her dodge bonuses, and her miss chances, that should be pretty frequent.
    • I know the build looks sort of MAD, but I wanted to try a character that didn't have a two stats 16 or higher, particularly in their casting stat.
      • Dex could be dropped to favor Str and/or Cha since I don't have weapon finesse.
    • Could, perhaps should, reduce ranks in UMD to boost Intimidate to help with her 'Never Outnumbered.' But I've always felt that UMD was a very rogue/bard-type skill, in addition to being quite useful/powerful. Particularly when compared with feinting and intimidating in combat with D20 rules.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    A sublime barbaric dancer.

    Quote Originally Posted by Firefly
    Firefly
    Spoiler
    Show
    The Deadly Dancer twirled her scimitars through a pair of orcish necks, felling both adversaries. Despite her fatigue from the battle, more of the horde advanced. It seemed there would be no end to the defense of the great city. She may very well fall in battle this day. The Deadly Dancer would not accept her fate quietly, though. She still had the strength to fight, and reinforcements were on the way.

    She blazed through another squad of the enemy military, blades twirling and ripping, but with a few of the orcish battleaxes catching her skin in nonvital areas. Cursing the evil gods under her breath, she knelt down and wrapped the wounds in bandages, then drank a potion of endurance.

    Another squadron called for a proper dance. She whirled and dashed along their front line, cutting down most of them, then doubled back and cut open the rest. The dance continued. She advanced to another raging line of brutes approaching from more to the north. Panting, she struck out, dancing along the line, scimitars shining and catching the red light reflected from blood--

    Her blade caught against another, and she reflexively pulled it back. So did the opposite foe, which the Deadly Dancer now recognized as an ally, percieving the wake of bodies on the other side of the line. Their paths crossed in the exact center of the line of expired orcs, their weapons meeting in the clang. The ally's enchanting, fey appreance mingled with an incongrous order to her movement. A balance of law and chaos in one being, one being with lovely insect wings and bright violet bob-cut hair. Perhaps that mixture would explain the draw towards dance. Angular eyes surveyed the Deadly Dancer. The ally refused to land from her flight, but did smile. The Deadly Dancer turned her blade towards the the rest of the approacing army, and the ally did in turn, sparing but a wink of acknowledgement.

    Together, they danced in combat. This ally, the Firefly, had her sparse differences, but the two fought as one. The Deadly Dancer used curving motions and two scimitars to attack many orcs. The Firefly preferred flying in straight lines, but could strike many more with a singular blade. When thier dances ended, they began anew. They battled together in harmony, loose-fitting copies of one another, as the cracks in a beutiful mirror reflection.

    Finally, both near to collapsing, the battle ended. With other reinforcements holding the line at the gates, the Deadly Dancer and the Firefly had cleared much of the army outside. After the five delightful dances, they approached each other. They clicked their scimitars together once again, a show of fire-forged friendship.

    Together, two dervishes returned home to be healed of their battle wounds.


    Basics
    Spoiler
    Show
    Firefly is a True Neutral Half-Fey Lesser Zenythri Barbarian 17/Exemplar 1.

    Point buy: STR 16, DEX 14, CON 16, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 8

    After racial modifiers: STR 18 (level-up pluses go here), DEX 18, CON 14, INT 14, WIS 12, CHA 10


    Build
    Spoiler
    Show
    FIREFLY
    {table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

    1st|Level Adjustment|
    --
    |
    --
    |
    --
    |
    --
    |||

    2nd|Level Adjustment|
    --
    |
    --
    |
    --
    |
    --
    |||

    3rd|Barbarian|
    +1
    |
    +2
    |
    +0
    |
    +0
    |Craft (Weaponsmithing), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Flyby Attack|Fast Movement, Illiteracy, Ferocity 1/day

    4th|Barbarian|
    +2
    |
    +3
    |
    +0
    |
    +0
    |Craft (Weaponsmithing), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Uncanny Dodge

    5th|Barbarian|
    +3
    |
    +3
    |
    +1
    |
    +1
    |Craft (Weaponsmithing), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Great Flyby Attack|Trapfinding

    6th|Barbarian|
    +4
    |
    +4
    |
    +1
    |
    +1
    |Craft (Weaponsmithing), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Ferocity 2/day

    7th|Barbarian|
    +5
    |
    +4
    |
    +1
    |
    +1
    |Craft (Weaponsmithing), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Improved Uncanny Dodge

    8th|Barbarian|
    +6/+1
    |
    +5
    |
    +2
    |
    +2
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Power Attack|

    9th|Barbarian|
    +7/+2
    |
    +5
    |
    +2
    |
    +2
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||DR 1/--

    10th|Barbarian|
    +8/+3
    |
    +6
    |
    +2
    |
    +2
    |Diplomacy (CC),Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Ferocity 3/day

    11th|Barbarian|
    +9/+4
    |
    +6
    |
    +3
    |
    +3
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Martial Study (Burning Brand)|

    12th|Barbarian|
    +10/+5
    |
    +7
    |
    +3
    |
    +3
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||DR 2/--

    13th|Barbarian|
    +11/+6/+1
    |
    +7
    |
    +3
    |
    +3
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Greater Ferocity

    14th|Barbarian|
    +12/+7/+2
    |
    +8
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Combat Reflexes|Ferocity 4/day

    15th|Barbarian|
    +13/+8/+3
    |
    +8
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||DR 3/--

    16th|Barbarian|
    +14/+9/+4
    |
    +9
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Shifting Stance

    17th|Barbarian|
    +15/+10/+5
    |
    +9
    |
    +5
    |
    +5
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal|Skill Focus (Tumble)|

    18th|Barbarian|
    +16/+11/+6/+1
    |
    +10
    |
    +5
    |
    +5
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||DR 4/--, Ferocity 5/day

    19th|Barbarian|
    +17/+12/+7/+2
    |
    +10
    |
    +5
    |
    +5
    |Diplomacy (CC), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance) (CC), Handle Animal||Relentless Ferocity

    20th|Exemplar|
    +17/+12/+7/+2
    |
    +10
    |
    +5
    |
    +7
    |Diplomacy (x5), Tumble, Survival, Listen, Perform (Dance), Handle Animal|Robilar's Gambit|Skill Artistry, Skill Mastery[/table]


    Explanation
    Spoiler
    Show
    Level 5: It's all Barbarian, all the time! ACF list is in order: Skilled City Dweller, Ferocity, and Trapkiller.

    Due to level adjustment, you will start the game being rather fragile. Make good use of your fly speed and Flyby Attack to avoid dying to everything. But by the time the party is level 5, you should have enough health from those d12s to do something.

    Even at level 5, you can act like a Dervish by using Ferocity and then Great Flyby Attack, hitting everyone next to your path. With your Dexterity improved by Ferocity, Great Flyby Attack should let you hit everyone in your way. Do it with a scimitar, of course.

    This isn't all you can do, though. Trapkiller lets you find traps for the party. You get a +2 bonus to the nerfed Survival check for being a Zenythri, luckily.

    Level 10: Power Attack needs no introduction, but you'll be using it by two-handing a scimitar. This build is pretty straightforward, and has nothing new.

    Level 15: Burning Brand is for additional reach when the enemies won't stay in a line for you, and Combat Reflexes is nice with your high Dexterity. Also of note is that your Ferocity is now Greater Ferocity. Combat Reflexes is honestly mostly for...

    Level 20: Robilar's Gambit. Needs no introduction. We also have a random level of Exemplar at the end of Barbarian, which masters Perform (Dance), Jump, and Tumble, with Skill Artistry going to Tumble. See below.

    I'm not really sure this section is necessary; the build is really simple.


    Imitation of the Secret Ingredient
    Spoiler
    Show
    AC Bonus: Ferocity, Shifting Stance, and Greater Ferocity actually team up to +4 AC instead of +3.
    Dervish Dance: Imitated by entering Ferocity and then using Great Flyby Attack over and over. THis allows Firefly to hit everyone in a rough line; rougher if she uses her Burning Blade for the encounter. Like a dervish, she ends up with exactly 5 uses of the dance. The to-hit and damage increase doe not quite get to +5, but the strength bonus from Ferocity provides up to +3. Firefly also cannot do so in armor heavier than light or lose access to her fly speed, cannot concentrate, and gets debuffed at the end of it all--sickened, specifically, but that's close. Moving in a straight line means that Firefly cannot turn around in the same way that a Dervish can, but extended reach with Burning Blade can get hard-to-reach enemies.
    Slashing Blades: As a fey with Craft (Weaponsmithing), Firefly can make a feycraft scimitar. Ta-da, now it's basically a light weapon. We don't care, but it counts. We can still two-hand the thing for Power Attack, though, since the lightness applies to Weapon Finesse only.
    Movement Mastery: Exemplar's Skill Mastery.
    Fast Movement: Barbarian Fast Movement. It doesn't get to +15', until you realize that Firefly's fly speed is double land speed, so that's effectively +20'. This is limited by load and armor as well, if not the exact limits.
    Spring Attack: This is Flyby Attack.
    Dance of Death: Attacking more people during a dance? Firefly can hit up to 7 within her reach, and this is before Gloves of Dexterity. She always "cleaves". If you insist on the actual Cleave feat, get a Sylvan Scimitar.
    Improved Reaction: Ferocity as an immediate action; get a +3.
    Elaborate Parry: C'mon, I can't do everything. This bonus is pretty unique, actually.
    Tireless Dance: Relentless Ferocity.
    A Thousand Cuts: This is what a Belt of Battle does, basically. Grab an extra full-round action once a day, then strafe-attack twice.


    Sources
    Spoiler
    Show
    Fiend Folio: Half-Fey
    Monster Manual II: Zenythri
    Player's Guide to Faerun: Lesser Planetouched
    Player's Handbook II: Robilar's Gambit
    Savage Species: Great Flyby Attack
    Cityscape: Skilled City Dweller and Ferocity
    Complete Adventurer: Exemplar
    Magic Item Compendium: Belt of Battle
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    A sage of the dance.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tabitha
    Tabitha
    Spoiler
    Show

    CN female human Battle Dancer 5/Binder 3/Swordsage 12
    Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 15
    +1 Dex at level 4, +1 Cha at level 8, rest go to Dex


    Build
    Spoiler
    Show
    {table=head]Level|Class|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Skills|Feats|Class Features

    1st|Battle Dancer 1|
    +1
    |
    +0
    |
    +2
    |
    +0
    | Balance 4, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Jump 4, Listen 4, Perform (dance) 4, Tumble 4|Expeditious Dodge, Mobility, Improved Unarmed Strike (B)|AC bonus (Cha to AC)

    2nd|Battle Dancer 2|
    +2
    |
    +0
    |
    +3
    |
    +0
    | Balance +1, Hide + 1, Jump +1, Move Silently + 1, Tumble +1| |dance of reckless bravery (+4 vs fear effects for her and allies)

    3rd|Battle Dancer 3|
    +3
    |
    +1
    |
    +3
    |
    +1
    | Balance +1, Hide + 1, Jump +1, Move Silently + 1, Tumble +1|Evasive Reflexes|

    4th|Battle Dancer 4|
    +4
    |
    +1
    |
    +4
    |
    +1
    | Balance +1, Hide + 1, Jump +1, Move Silently + 1, Tumble +1| |bonus speed +10 feet

    5th|Battle Dancer 5|
    +5
    |
    +1
    |
    +4
    |
    +1
    | Balance +1, Hide + 1, Jump +1, Move Silently + 1, Tumble +1| |dance of the vexing snake, +1 dodge AC

    6th|Binder 1|
    +5
    |
    +3
    |
    +4
    |
    +3
    | Intimidate 3|Swift Tumble|soul binding (1 vestige)

    7th|Binder 2|
    +6
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    |
    +4
    | Intimidate +1, Concentration 2| |pact augmentation (+2 insight to initiative), suppress sign

    8th|Binder 3|
    +7
    |
    +4
    |
    +5
    |
    +4
    | Intimidate +1, Concentration +1, Sense Motive 1| |

    9th|Swordsage 1|
    +7
    |
    +4
    |
    +7
    |
    +6
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1|Improved Binding, Weapon Focus (B)|quick to act +1, discipline focus

    10th|Swordsage 2|
    +8
    |
    +4
    |
    +8
    |
    +7
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |AC bonus (Wis to AC)

    11th|Swordsage 3|
    +9
    |
    +5
    |
    +8
    |
    +7
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |

    12th|Swordsage 4|
    +10
    |
    +5
    |
    +9
    |
    +8
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1|Adaptive Style|discipline focus (insightful strike)

    13th|Swordsage 5|
    +10
    |
    +5
    |
    +9
    |
    +8
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |quick to act +2

    14th|Swordsage 6|
    +11
    |
    +6
    |
    +10
    |
    +9
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |

    15th|Swordsage 7|
    +12
    |
    +6
    |
    +10
    |
    +9
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1|Sidestep|sense magic

    16th|Swordsage 8|
    +13
    |
    +6
    |
    +11
    |
    +10
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |discipline focus (defensive stance)

    17th|Swordsage 9|
    +13
    |
    +7
    |
    +11
    |
    +10
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |evasion

    18th|Swordsage 10|
    +14
    |
    +7
    |
    +12
    |
    +11
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1|Combat Acrobat|quick to act +3

    19th|Swordsage 11|
    +15
    |
    +7
    |
    +12
    |
    +11
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |

    20th|Swordsage 12|
    +16
    |
    +8
    |
    +13
    |
    +12
    | Balance +1, Concentration +1, Hide +1, Jump +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Tumble +1| |discipline focus (insightful strike)[/table]

    Maneuvers and Stances
    {table=head]Level|Known|Readied|Stances

    1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    9th|6|4|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    10th|7|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    11th|8|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    12th|9|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    13th|10|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    14th|11|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    15th|12|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    16th|13|7|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    17th|14|7|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    18th|15|8|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    19th|16|8|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

    20th|17|8|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]


    Design Notes
    Spoiler
    Show
    Tabitha starts as a standard Battle Dancer. She has unarmed strikes, a bonus to Armor Class from Charisma and dancing abilities that can help her allies against fear and by 5th level she can Tumble at her full movement speed at her normal movement rate.

    Tabitha next enters the Binder class with the ultimate goal of being able to bind Paimon. She can bind vestiges as she needs early on in her Binder career. Once Tabitha gains 9th level and gains the Improved Binding feat she binds Paimon exclusively. Though all of Paimon’s Granted Abilities are excellent for Tabitha, the ones that are of particular interest are the Dance of Death (another dance style that mimics the Dervish), Paimon’s Blades (Weapon Finesse with rapiers and short swords), Paimon’s Dexterity (+4 untyped bonus to Dex [yes, thank you]), and Paimon’s Skills (+4 untyped bonus to Tumble and Perform [dance]).

    Tabitha ends her pre epic career by going the rest of the way in Swordsage with a starting initiator level of 5 thanks to her previous careers. She also gains a bonus to her Armor Class based on her Wisdom bonus as well as more bonuses to initiative. Her maneuver and stance choices will help her continue her development of newer and more deadly dance styles. Desert Wind would be flavorful considering the real life inspiration of the Dervish class. Diamond Mind has to be considered by any Swordsage. By 19th level she hits 8th level maneuvers.


    Source List
    Spoiler
    Show
    Cityscape -- Swift Tumbler feat
    Dragon Compendium -- Battle Dancer
    Miniatures Handbook -- Sidestep feat
    Player's Handbook II -- Combat Acrobat feat
    Races of the Wild -- Expeditious Dodge feat
    Tome of Battle -- Swordsage, maneuvers, stances, Adaptive Style feat
    Tome of Magic -- Binder, Improved Binding feat
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Those are all four. Begin discussion, but preferably without revealing your own entry. Allez judges!
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Goblin

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Carolina
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Who are the judges?

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by Callin View Post
    Who are the judges?
    That remains to be seen. Would you like to offer your services, perhaps?
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Goblin

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Carolina
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Sure Will. If I can get the particulars of what im judging.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    mattie_p's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    <<Undetected>>
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    Quote Originally Posted by Callin View Post
    Sure Will. If I can get the particulars of what im judging.
    Well, Dervish is in Complete Warrior. If you have access to that, you can judge. The "Use of Secret Ingredient" component is comparing the class features the various entries have cobbled together, and seeing what they have obtained and what was missed. The rest of it is basically the same judging Iron Chef gets.
    Blank 3.5 Character Creator Iron Chef Style Tables (in Google Sheets)

    Chairman Emeritus of Zinc Saucier.

    Avatar by Derjuin, sing her praises to Elysium.

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    So now you're claiming that spellcasting "lacks a clear, supernatural element?" Being supernatural is literally the only point of magic.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Snowbluff's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2011

    Default Re: Zinc Saucier XIII: Melee madness for lucky 13

    I am very interested to see how this turned out.
    Avatar of Rudisplork Avatar of PC-dom and Slayer of the Internet. Extended sig
    GitP Regulars as: Vestiges Spells Weapons Races Deities Feats Soulmelds/Veils
    Quote Originally Posted by Darrin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Snowbluff View Post
    All gaming systems should be terribly flawed and exploitable if you want everyone to be happy with them. This allows for a wide variety of power levels for games for different levels of players.
    I dub this the Snowbluff Axiom.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •