Duels of Impending DOOM! An exercise on PVP/PVE battles

[Erywin]

Ok I have mentioned this in a few other threads, but I decided to give it one of it's own Blarg and I have been making up characters and pitting them against each other in the PITS OF DOOM (tm). Basically what we do is set out guidelines for character creation (level, pt buy, books, etc.) and then have a few duels with the characters one on one, we plan on moving onto group battles once we have a stockpile of characters. I also plan on sending parties against advanced monsters to see how they hold up.

We will be using a few custom maps and a bunch of DDM maps that Blarg has.

This thread will detail the different builds and tactics for the different characters, as well as keeping score on wins and losses.

Feel free to chime in with character ideas and tactics.

Cheers,
E

 

[Erywin]

Event #1 - Rules and Scorecard

Rules

- 32 pt buy
- 5th level, with wealth appropriate for a PC
- Complete books, Eberron books, UA, Races books, DMG 2, PHB 2, XPH, Heroes of Battle, Heroes of Horror, Libris Mortis, Lords of Madness, MIC, Magic of Incarnum, Minis Handbook, BO9S
- Spells only from Core
- HP = Full at 1st, 50% +1 ever level after
- All skills are class skills

Scoreboard

(Wins/Loses) Build

(2/0) Human Druid 5
(0/2) Dwarf Barbarian 3/Fighter 2
(2/0) Dragonborn Warforged Warblade 4/Artificer 1
(0/2) Raptoran Duskblade 5
(1/0) Human Ranger 1/Scout 4
(0/2) Spellscale Swordsage 1/Battle Sorcerer 4
(1/0) Azurin Duskblade 2/Warblade 3
(0/0) Duskling Barbarian 1/Dragonshaman 4
(0/0) Human Crusader 1/Cleric 4

 

[Erywin]

Event #1 - Fights 1 & 2 Character builds

My first build, inspired by the High AC Barbarian thread, going to get him a composite bow so that he has a better ranged attack for the next go round.

[sblock=Dwarven Barbarian 3/Fighter 2]Male dwarf barbarian 3/fighter 2
CN Medium humanoid (dwarf)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60ft.; Listen +1, Spot +1
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AC 24 (26), touch 14 (16), flat-footed 21 (23)
(+3 dex, +6 BP+1, +3 HSS +1, +1 shield spec., +1 ring of prot +1) (+2 whirling frenzy)
hp 53 (3d12 +2d10 +15)
Fort +10, Ref +8 (+10), Will +3
(+2 vs. poisons, +2 vs. spells and spell-like)
Defenses +4 vs bullrush and trip on solid ground
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +1 dwarven waraxe +9 (1d10+5)
Melee +1 dwarven waraxe +11 (1d10+7)
Melee +1 dwarven waraxe +9/+9 (1d10+7)
Ranged (2)throwing axe +9 (1d6+3)
Other +1 vs goblinoids, +1 dmg when under half hit points
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Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; Grp +8
Feats Shield Specialization (Heavy Steel Shield), Power Attack, WF (Dwarven weapons), WS (Dwarven Waraxe)
Skills (-6 ACP) Climb +5, Jump +5, Intimidate +7
Gear +1 breastplate, +1 heavy steel shield, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, brute gauntlets (MIC 83), 3 CLW potions, lesser Rubicund Frenzy Crystal[/sblock]

Blarg's first build, totally devastating against my barb Flying mount + empowered Produce Flame hurts ALOT.

[sblock=Human Druid 5]Female human druid 5
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +5; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2
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AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19, ranged 24 (least crystal of arrow deflection)
(+3 dex, +3 darkwood heavy shield +1, +6 darkwood breastplate +1)
hp 43 (5d8 +15)
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +7
(+4 vs spell-like abilities of fey)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Shortspear +3 (1d6)
Ranged Shortspear +6 (1d6), 5 shortspears
Ranged Sling +6 (1d4), 20 stones
Spells Prepared (CL 5th):
3rd - empowered produce flame, spike growth
2nd - cat's grace, flaming sphere, barkskin +2
1st - cure light wounds, produce flame, entangle
0 - cure minor wounds, flare, resistance, light, detect magic
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Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 8
Base Atk +3; Grp +3
Feats Mounted Combat, Empower Spell, Natural Bond
Skills Ride +13, Concentration +11, Spellcraft +8, Knowledge (Nature) +10
SQ Wild Shape 1/day, Resist Nature's Embrace, Trackless Step, Woodland Stride, Nature Sense
Gear (2) scrolls of Magic Fang, wand of cure light wounds, lesser rod of extend, +1 darkwood breastplate, +1 darkwood heavy shield, least crystal of arrow deflection[/sblock]
[sblock=Dire Bat Animal Companion]Dire Bat animal companion
Large Animal
Init +6; Senses blindsense 40 ft.; Listen +14, Spot +8
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AC 24, touch 15, flat-footed 16
(-1 size, +6 dex, +7 natural)
hp 41 (6d8 +18)
Fort +8, Ref +11, Will +7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spd 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d8 +6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 18, Dex 23, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +5; Grp +13
Feats Alertness, Stealthy, Flyby Attack
Skills Hide +4, Move Silently +11
SQ Evasion, Link, share spells[/sblock]


We had two fights with these builds so far, both times Blarg's druid roasted my dwarf First fight he took flight on his bat and just hit me with an extended/empowered produce flame while making me run around in the entangle and spike growths. Second fight was without the companion but due to the large size of the map, I had a hard time closing the distance as I rolled some pretty bad saves vs his spells. Looking forward to the next set of characters.

 

[blargney the second]

Teehee.

 

[Erywin]

Event #1 - Fights 3 & 4 Character builds

Ok, so I got a little distracted and got busy, here are the next two builds

First off is my Raptoran Duskblade 5, this character is based off of my old character when Blarg was DMing half the Mercenary Campaign. Main schitk is diving attack for double damage with a quickened true strike and Power Attack for full.

[sblock=Raptoran Duskblade 5]Male raptoran duskblade 5
CG Medium humanoid
Init +2; Senses low-light; Listen -1, Spot +1
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AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17
(+2 Dex, +6 armor, +1 deflection)
hp 43 (5d8 +15)
Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spd 20 ft.; fly 30 ft (good)
Melee ranseur +8 (2d4 +4)
Ranged mw footbow(+3) +8 (1d8 +3), 20 arrows
Spells Known (CL 5th):
2nd (3) - touch of idiocy
1st (6)- magic weapon, ray of enfeeblement, truestrike, shocking grasp, resist energy
0 (7)- acid splash, disrupt undead, ray of frost, touch of fatigue
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; Grp +8
Feats Power Attack, Improved Flight, Combat Casting
Skills (ACP -4) Concentration +11 (+4 combat casting), Spellcraft +10, Jump +17, Sense Motive +7
SQ Glide (Ex), Flight (Ex), Pact with Wind Lords, Unerring direction, Armored mage (medium), Quickcast 1/day, Arcane channelling (standard)

Gear +1 breastplate, cloak of resistance +1, mw footbow (+3), ranseur, ring of protection +1, acrobat boots, arcanist gloves, bracers of quickstrike, potion of CLW, potion of shield[/sblock]

Next is Blarg's Dragonborn Warforged Warblade 4/Artificer 1. Truely an interesting build in Blarg's fashion, notable points are 73 HP after using his tattoos, DC 20 breath weapon and a darn annoying tactic that involved throwing the smokestick then standing in the middle of the cloud as I circled around.

[sblock=Dragonborn Warforged Warblade 4/Artificer 1]Dragonborn warforged warblade 4/artificer 1
LN medium construct (living construct, dragonblood)
Init +1; Senses Listen -1, Spot +7
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AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19
(+1 Dex, +9 armor), uncanny dodge, crystal of least arrow deflection
+2 dodge vs dragons
hp 63 (4d12 +1d6 +25)
Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +2
Immune poison, sleep, paralysis, disease, nausea, fatigue, exhaustion, sickened, energy drain, frightful presence
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Spd 20 ft.
Melee +1 guisarme +7 (2s4 +4/x3)
Ranged sling +5 (1d4 +2, 50 ft.)
Ranged breath weapon (3d8 acid, DC 18 Ref half, 1d4 recharge, 25 ft. line)
Infusions Known (CL 1st):
1st (2)- bane weapon, magic vestment
Manuevers Known (IL 4th):
Stances: punishing stance, stance of clarity
Strikes: emerald razor, disarming strike, sapphire nightmare blade, charging minotaur
Counters: moment of perfect mind
(+2 to confirm criticals)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 8
Base Atk +4; Grp +6
Feats Adamantine Body, Heroic Spirit, Scribe Scroll
Skills (ACP 0) Use Magic Device +7, Craft +10, Concentrate +13, Sense Motive +7, Intimidate +7
SQ Disable Traps, Artificer Knowledge, Artisan Bonus, Item Creation, Weapon Aptitude
Gear noxious smokestick, corsair's eyepatch, dragon spirit cincture, +1 guisarme, least crystal of energy assault (acid), halberd, sling, least crystal of arrow deflection, tattoo of animal affinity, tattoo of force screen, potion of repair light damage[/sblock]

Well after 2 battles, both of which Blarg won I was hoping to get him skewered on my polearm but he kept running scared. I managed to get off a ray of enfeeblement on him the second round which slowed him down a bit but that breath weapon is seriously hard to get around

Cheers,
E

 

[Erywin]

Event #1 - Fight 5 Character builds

Next up,

My Spellscale Swordsage 1/Battle Sorcerer 4, not entirely built for this level. When we advance these characters he is going for Jade Pheonix Mage.

[sblock=Spellscale Swordsage 1/Battle Sorcerer 4]Male spellscale swordsage 1/battle sorcerer 4
NG Medium humanoid (dragonblood)
Init +3; Senses low-light; Listen +2, Spot +2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15
(+2 Dex, +5 armor)
hp 33 (5d8 +5)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +1 rapier +6 (1d6 +1, 18-20)
Ranged mw longbow +6 (1d8, x3)
Spells Known (CL 4th):
2nd (3) - hideous laughter
1st (6)- true strike, magic missile, shield
0 (6)- ray of frost, light, touch of fatigue
Maneuvers Known (IL 3rd):
Stances - blood in the water
Strikes - sapphire nightmare blade, shadow blade technique, blistering flourish
Boosts - burning blade, sudden leap, distracting ember
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 10, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 19
Base Atk +3; Grp +3
Feats Extra Readied Maneuver, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Diamond Mind)
Skills (ACP 0) Concentration +10, Jump +10, Balance +7
SQ Blood Quickening
Gear mithril breastplate, +1 rapier, boots of agile leaping, cloak of resistance +1, healing belt[/sblock]

Blarg's Human Ranger 1/Scout 4, he wanted to try to basically make a mage killer. I've got to say it was pretty effective.

[sblock=Human Ranger 1/Scout 4]Male human ranger 1/scout 4
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +5; Senses Listen +2, Spot +10
(+4/+2 vs favored enemies)
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AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14
(+4 Dex, +4 armor)
hp 38 (5d8 +10)
Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +3
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee bayonet sword +2 (1d8/x3)
Ranged mw light crossbow +10 (1d8 +2/19-20)
Ranged bola +4 (1d3s)
Other hammersphere +6 (3d6 +2 force/x3, 170 ft.)
favored enemies (arcanists +4, constructs +2
+2d6 +2 skirmish damage (60 ft.)
ignore ranged cover bonuses to AC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +4; Grp +5
Feats Rapid Reload, Crossbow Sniper, Swift Hunter, WF (light crossbow), Track
Skills (ACP -1) Tumble +13, Balance +13, Jump +13, Hide +11, Move Silently +11, Escape Artist +11, Spot +10, Know (arcana) +10, Survival +10
SQ
Gear mw chain shirt, mw light crossbow, 30 bolts, bayonet sword, bola, goggles of foefinding, skirmisher boots, hammersphere, amber amulet of vermin (huge scorpion), potion of cat's grace, potion of shield, oil of magic weapon, potion bracer[/sblock]

We only got one fight out of these two due to lack of time but it was fun. I goofed and didn't manage to get a Hideous Laughter off in time and Blarg ended up winning again Notice a theme to these battles, although I can't wait to try out most of my guys at level 10 where they get really fun

Cheers,
E

 

[blargney the second]

Have you got the stats for my Azurin Duskblade/Warblade? That guy was a nasty piece of business.
-blarg

Edit: BTW, anybody reading this thread can feel free to yoink these guys if you ever need some lowish-level bad guys to challenge your PCs.

 

[Erywin]

Yeah I have the Azurin statted up but wanted to get the Swashbuckler built properly to post him as well...

And yeah, feel free people to yoink or comment as you see fit

 

[Erywin]

While I am working on the next set of characters, think I will throw the ones already posted up on the d20 NPC Wiki.

Cheers,
E

 

[Erywin]

On thursday during a background session for one of the PCs, I used these guys for the other Players to play. It was a blast Heh I used the Scout/Ranger against the main PC who's backstory we were doing He is a Ninja/Wizard, needless to say he got squished but managed to survive due to his abrupt jaunt ability.

Cheers,
E