10th Level Smackdowns?

[Errant]

I'm working my way through the Sultan's of Smack thread here, which I find very impressive (especially since I rarely have time to develop more than the NPCs I need for my campaign as it is), but so far not very useful.

How many 20th level characters can a DM use in an average campaign world before you start loosing all sense of verisimilitude?

I have only once (in 16 years of playing DnD) played anything like 20th level characters and my guess is that's not unusual.

So, since I figure 10th level characters would be far easier to use in an "average" campaign (as "final challenges" for a group of lower-level PCs, etc), I thought I'd start this thread to either seek 10th level "smackdown" character write-ups (without having to wade through dozens of near/epic level write-ups), or a pointer to a thread where this is already covered?

Anyone prepared to help me out?

 

[CRGreathouse]

On the last boards, there were two threads (IIRC) that covered low-level smackdowns: a 10th-level smackdown thread and a low-level (1-6?) smackdown.

Unfortunately, I don't think remember any specific examples, didn't save the thread, and don't think it's coming back any time soon.

 

[Errant]

Aack! How'd I get two of these threads running??

I thought I remembered reading something on the old boards...

Unfortunately, as far as I know, those threads may as well now never have been posted.

 

[Pielorinho]

My fave 10th-level smackdown is a Ftr4/Brb2/Tribal Protector2/Frenzied Berzerker2. Make him a half-orc with a 22 str, weapon focus: greatsword, improved crit: greatsword and weapon specialization: greatsword, and he can attack at +20/+20/+20/+15 for 2-12+18, critting on 17-20. Even without any magic items, can easily do 100 points of damage on a full attack. Add in gauntlets of ogre power +4 and a +2 sword, and you're up to +24/+24/+24/+19 for 2-12+23. And don't forget to power attack.

Daniel

 

[Alhandra]

My fave 10th-level smackdown is a Ftr4/Brb2/Tribal Protector2/Frenzied Berzerker2.

What abilities does the Frenzied Berserker bring to this Smack?
It sounds really good, Daniel.

 

[Pielorinho]

What abilities does the Frenzied Berserker bring to this Smack?
It sounds really good, Daniel.

Frenzied berserker brings two main abilities:
+6 strength bonus when frenzying
One extra attack per round. This is the biggie, especially combined with the tribal protector's extra attack per round.

Assuming the character is going against a tribal enemy, is power attacking for max damage, and criticals and does max damage with each hit, this character could do 344 points of damage in a round. That's before you add in magic equipment. Each +1 weapon bonus adds +8 to the damage total, as does each +2 str bonus; each +4 str bonus adds 24 to the damage total.

Of course, if all you're going for is max damage assuming all hits are maximum crits, go for the war scythe, and do somewhere around 600 points of damage in a round.

Daniel

 

[Victim]

The Frenzied Berserker brings +6 Str to smack.

I've got a mixed bag of characters in my rogue's gallery thread, some of whom employ smack down like strategies. I have a similar character to the tribal protector/frenzy, but I haven't posted it yet to protect MotW. I should have some earlier versions up though.

I really like my fighter rogue with a greatsword. At level 10, a level of ranger would be an option, thus allowing dual weilding Greatsword + armor spikes. Of course, taking rogue for the skills and to strive for opportunist might be a better choice in a campaign. With his magic items, 9th level, a flat footed opponent and a full attack action, he could attack at +15/+15/+15/+10 for (2d6+8)+4d6 per hit. IIRC.

Also, most mounted paladin smackdowns are easily accomplished at low level, in the right circumstances. Power attack + smite evil + spirited charge + lance = lots of damage. With 16 STR, 3d8+45 should be possible at level 6 with no magic items. Adding things like Rhino hide armor, STR and CHA buffs, and magic weapons makes it even sicker. Assuming Bull's str for 2, a +1 lance, and rhino hide, damage becomes 4d8+68. That kind of damage should be rather significant to level 6 enemies. Heck, it's pretty significant to 10th level opponents too, but you'd probably miss.

 

[Jairami]

<points out that the accepted level for a smackdown is 16, not 20, and that the smackdown's represent the culimination of that particular tactic's gimmick---meaning that all can be used right up to level 16, they just are better once you get there>

Ahem. 10th level smackdown.

Human Sorcerer 10.

Starting CHA 18. +2 for levels, +4 for +1 buckler of command, +6 for cloak of charisma +6. CHA 30.

Feats:

1 Spellcasting Prodigy.
1 Spell Focus: Evocation
3 Spell Focus: Enchantment
6 Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
9 Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment

DC for enchantment or evocation spells

1 25
2 26
3 27
4 28
5 29

DC for feeblemind against a spellcaster

5 34

Bump these DC's as necessary with the following spells.

2nd level Enhance Magical Flow (Duration 10 min/lvl)
4th level Spell Enhancer (Free Action to Cast affects next spell)

Conceivably giving a DC 37 Will Save against an enemy spellcaster or be permanently reduced to a blithering idiot.

In any case, here's your offense.

Feeblemind. Otiluke's Resilient Sphere. Polymorph Other.

Be smart, you won't live long as an arcane spellcaster if you aren't observant. If he's wearing big armor he probably doesn't mind being slow. Encase him in a Resilient Sphere and get him out of your way.

If the target is obviously a spellcaster, feeblemind him.

If the target doesn't fit any viable description but definately isn't a warrior, polymorph him into a large mouth bass and watch him asphyxiate.

Choose your targets carefully and in order of threat to you and your party. If you choose well, and use in game common sense, you should end up out of game against his weak saving throw (or using a feeblemind which grants a bonus that could negate that strength of his).

The average bad saving throw of a CR 10 opponent is +5 to +7. Needing a natural 20 to save or be eliminated. The average good will save of a CR 10 enemy caster is +9 to +12. Still requiring a natural 20 even without the two spell enhancer spells.

What'cha think?

 

[Pielorinho]

Also, most mounted paladin smackdowns are easily accomplished at low level, in the right circumstances. Power attack + smite evil + spirited charge + lance = lots of damage. With 16 STR, 3d8+45 should be possible at level 6 with no magic items.

I just started playing a level six ftr4/brb1/tribal protector1 in RttToEE. My non-min-maxed dwarven druid died horribly, so I decided to try for a power play character until the druid's body could be recovered and (possibly) raised.

The character has a +1 greatsword, his only magic relevant to hitting. Well, not quite true -- he also has a cleric buddy who casts bull's strength on him. When raging and attacking his tribal enemies (temple cultists -- how convenient), assuming he rolled a 3 or 4 on his bull's strength roll, he's hitting at +17/+12 for 2d6+19 points of damage. He can easily devote 3 or 4 points of power attack into that, bumping his average damage per hit up to 30 points. Add in some cleaves and some criticals, and he can cuisinart in many situations.

Lemme tell you what: taking this character against zombies was pure pleasure. I hate playing him when not in combat, but he's got the hot-knife-through-butter thing down pat.

Daniel

 

[Errant]

Originally posted by Jairami
<points out that the accepted level for a smackdown is 16, not 20, and that the smackdown's represent the culimination of that particular tactic's gimmick---meaning that all can be used right up to level 16, they just are better once you get there>

<pointing out that I wasn't privvy to the process of 'accepting' the appropriate level for smackdowns but I was hoping to see some more combos around the given levels in the same way you started the latest incarnation of the thread I pointed to at the top & I am grateful for the contribution>

Originally posted by Jairami
Ahem. 10th level smackdown.

Human Sorcerer 10...
...

What'cha think?

I think that's a Sorcerer capable of commanding some serious respect!