I liked the idea of Sabathius42's smackdown thread, but the 24-hour timeframe introduces lots of weird effects. I also thought it would be interesting to have a more realistic target.
So here's the setup (edited per Iku Rex's suggestions):
Build any 12th-level character using core materials only (PHB, DMG, MM1) and 28-point buy. You can buy the standard 88,000gp worth of gear, but no consumable items (potions, wands, etc.) are allowed. There's also a single, minor house rule: Anyone polymorphed into a hydra only gets a single bite attack -- the multiple brains are considered to be an (Ex) special quality.
You start out on a flat, featureless plain, 100' away from an adult brass dragon (CR12). You have five rounds to deal as much damage to it as possible (assume it has enough hp to live through all your attacks). After that, it uses its breath weapon once and then gets to make two rounds of full attacks against you. The final score is the amount of hp damage you inflicted minus the amount of damage you suffered in return (expected value, according to normal probabilities). Only damage you inflict during the initial five rounds counts, not any damage you might inflict while the dragon is making its return attacks. Also, only hp damage is counted, not other effects (even death effects).
Any buffs that you can keep up for at least 4 hours (possibly by using multiple spell slots) can be in place at the start of the fight. Anything else needs to be cast/activated during the five rounds.
Some more details about the dragon: In order to prevent too much specialization against the specific target, the creature has the same stats and abilities as an adult brass dragon, but it has no creature type, neutral alignment, no fire subtype (and no fire immunity or cold vulnerability), and it's not considered an arcane caster. Also, its breath weapon will be of a random energy type (fire, cold, lightning, acid) rather than just fire. You know the energy type as soon as the encounter starts (as if you had just seen what color dragon it is) but not beforehand.
The dragon is kind enough to stay on the ground and not use any of its spells or spell-like abilities, and you're unaffected by its frightful presence. You also don't have to worry about its attack of opportunity when closing with it.
Some stats for when you attack the dragon:
AC 27, touch AC 9, DR 5/magic, SR 20. Saves are Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +13.
When it attacks back:
Breath weapon 6d6 (reflex half, DC 23) -- random energy type, see above.
Full attack: Bite +24 (2d6+6), 2 claws +19 (1d8+3), 2 wings +19 (1d6+3), tail slap +19 (1d8+9).
Plus one more full attack as above.
So here's the setup (edited per Iku Rex's suggestions):
Build any 12th-level character using core materials only (PHB, DMG, MM1) and 28-point buy. You can buy the standard 88,000gp worth of gear, but no consumable items (potions, wands, etc.) are allowed. There's also a single, minor house rule: Anyone polymorphed into a hydra only gets a single bite attack -- the multiple brains are considered to be an (Ex) special quality.
You start out on a flat, featureless plain, 100' away from an adult brass dragon (CR12). You have five rounds to deal as much damage to it as possible (assume it has enough hp to live through all your attacks). After that, it uses its breath weapon once and then gets to make two rounds of full attacks against you. The final score is the amount of hp damage you inflicted minus the amount of damage you suffered in return (expected value, according to normal probabilities). Only damage you inflict during the initial five rounds counts, not any damage you might inflict while the dragon is making its return attacks. Also, only hp damage is counted, not other effects (even death effects).
Any buffs that you can keep up for at least 4 hours (possibly by using multiple spell slots) can be in place at the start of the fight. Anything else needs to be cast/activated during the five rounds.
Some more details about the dragon: In order to prevent too much specialization against the specific target, the creature has the same stats and abilities as an adult brass dragon, but it has no creature type, neutral alignment, no fire subtype (and no fire immunity or cold vulnerability), and it's not considered an arcane caster. Also, its breath weapon will be of a random energy type (fire, cold, lightning, acid) rather than just fire. You know the energy type as soon as the encounter starts (as if you had just seen what color dragon it is) but not beforehand.
The dragon is kind enough to stay on the ground and not use any of its spells or spell-like abilities, and you're unaffected by its frightful presence. You also don't have to worry about its attack of opportunity when closing with it.
Some stats for when you attack the dragon:
AC 27, touch AC 9, DR 5/magic, SR 20. Saves are Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +13.
When it attacks back:
Breath weapon 6d6 (reflex half, DC 23) -- random energy type, see above.
Full attack: Bite +24 (2d6+6), 2 claws +19 (1d8+3), 2 wings +19 (1d6+3), tail slap +19 (1d8+9).
Plus one more full attack as above.
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) But for starters I think a basic ranger/fighter archer might provide a good basline for damage output.
