Epic Smackdown, what's your party? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Epic Smackdown, what's your party? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Legendarius
12-02-07, 02:54 PM Thanks to all who provided feedback on my earlier, what are the rules questions, in the thread "quick question - what's his base attack?".

The question now is, if you assume a basic straight gladiatorial combat in an arena between two or more parties of four ECL 25 epic characters, what would your party of 4 look like?

A party could include powerful unclassed monsters as well as core races/classes, races with racial HD, prestige classes, templates, etc.

I'm thinking of coming up with a few different squads, with some kind of theme per squad (such as all spellcasters, the core four, all drow, all warriors, etc.).

My core four for example might be as follows (but could be all the same race for example):
elf wizard 25
halfling rogue 25
human fighter 25
dwarf cleric 25

Only restriction is that there needs to be some logic for the four to work together beyond being forced. I wouldn't expect a fiendish evil necromancer to be on the same squad as an aasimar paladin for example.

As a bonus, what official D&D mini would you choose to represent the character?

L
archerpwr
12-02-07, 04:56 PM Wizard 6/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4/ Swiftblade +5
Cleric 4/ Ordained Champion 5/ Prestige Paladin 1/ Knight of the Raven 15
Druid 25
Rogue 4/ Swashbuckler 3/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1/ Swordsage 2/ Swashbuckler +15

Something like that.
BillTheManiac
12-02-07, 05:12 PM Wizard 4/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4/Swiftblade +4/oh, swiftblade's a base class? This guy's only lvl 22 anyways
Cleric 4/ Ordained Champion 5/ Prestige Paladin 1/ Knight of the Raven 15
Druid 25
Rogue 4/ Swashbuckler 3/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1/ Swordsage 2/ Swashbuckler +15
Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck?
Khan the Destroyer
12-02-07, 05:16 PM He's probably using Daring Outlaw. (That may be slightly incorrect, I can't remember the name of the feat for sure at the moment.)
Taeldrin Laesrash
12-02-07, 05:22 PM Warblade 20/Swashbuckler 3/Psychic Warrior 2
Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 14/Archmage 5
Druid 20/Planar Shepard 5
Feat Rogue 20/Lion Totem Barbarian 1/something 4

Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck?

The 3-level dip for Intelligence to damage is pretty nice.
BillTheManiac
12-02-07, 05:26 PM Warblade 20/Swashbuckler 3/Psychic Warrior 2
Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 14/Archmage 5
Druid 20/Planar Shepard 5
Feat Rogue 20/Lion Totem Barbarian 1/something 4

The 3-level dip for Intelligence to damage is pretty nice.
He did like 13 levels. 18, actually.

It's funny how much the same classes come up. Well, just druid and totem barbarian. And rogue variants. I wonder how balanced 3.5 is...
archerpwr
12-02-07, 05:33 PM Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck?

He's probably using Daring Outlaw. (That may be slightly incorrect, I can't remember the name of the feat for sure at the moment.)

Bingo. Swiftblade is here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327). The only class feature that isn't cool is the bonus feats.
BillTheManiac
12-02-07, 06:01 PM Archerpwr: You started epic swiftblade 2 levels 2 early.
archerpwr
12-02-07, 06:04 PM Archerpwr: You started epic swiftblade 2 levels 2 early.

I typed that way too fast. It's fixed now. You can't even enter swiftblade with wizard 4.
Krusk
12-02-07, 08:24 PM Wizard 3-focused conjurer/ master specialist 10/ Malconvoker 7/fatespinner 5
His job will be to be the meat shield and healer. By summoning and gating in monsters to stand in front and soak up blows. He will heal by gating in angles that can heal.

wizard3- focused necromancer/ Master specialist 9/ archmage 5/ fate spinner 5/ nightmare spinner 3
His job will be the traditional save or die master. In addition he will be quite adept at negative buffing the enmies.

wizard 3- focused abjurer/master specialist 10/ archmage 5/ initiate of 7 fold veil 7
His job will be debuffing the enemies/ turning their spell casters off/ protecting the party.

Lastly we will have
Wizard3- focused enchanter/ master specialist 10/ archmage 5/ fatespinner 5/ mindbender 2
his job will be convincing any enemy combatants that fighting to join the teams side.

Races can really be whatever, probably gnome or an elf subrace with an int boost though.

Any of the prestige classes can be dropped in order to make the group core only, but if they are all non archmages will take 5 levels in archmage. And if focused specialisation is not allowed that is ok.
Tshern
12-05-07, 09:37 AM Artificer 25
Wizard 5/Incantatrix 10/Fatespinner 4/Mindbender 1/Epic Incantatrix 5
Druid 10/Planar Shepherd 15
Cleric 5/Ordained Champion 5/Sacred Excorcist 15

I guess my theme could be Pure win.
Avatar of Kokusho
12-05-07, 10:25 AM Hmm...
Abjurer 4/Warmage 1/Ultimate Magus 10/Fatespinner 5/Epic UM 5
Monk 15/Martyred Champion of Ilmater 10
Paladin 10/Pious Templar 5/Grey Guard 10
Warlock 25

Ouchies, maybe?
Nessaj
12-05-07, 02:40 PM Ranger 17/Scout 3/Master Thrower 5: Epic feat Distant shot, making ranged touch attacks with Exit Wound Wounding X Burst Teleporting Daggers and full skirmish + favored enemy progressions with Swift Hunter. Daggers crit 17-20 x3 thanks to MT. Give multiple types of daggers + Palm Throw for additional fun (holy, shadow striking, etc, all Teleporting, of course) Actually stands a chance of spotting the Epic Rogue. If I ever get a chance to play an epic game this is my char :D

Favored Soul 20/Pious Templar 1/Paladin 4: Holy Crusader...Good saves across the board, Mettle + Ring of Evasion means save a Nat 1, any spell that has a save just doesn't matter. Extraordinary Spell Aim + Pemanent Emanation (AMF) means the above matters even less lol. Brilliant Aura is a fun pick too...And then there's the usual Divine Metamagic: Persistent Spell, etc...

Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 10/Incantatrix 7/Archmage 5: Pokemon for the win. Grab all the fun items and class abilities that buff your pets like Imbued Summon Monster spells...Gates...And then there's all those no-save conjurations, walls, teleportation, etc...There's a reason no one prohibits Conjuration.

Druid 20/Nature's Warrior 5: Not really feeling creative on this last slot...If I put my mind to it I might try and fit Warshaper in here somewhere, but I just came up with this last one on the fly. The others I'd already thought of :P
Avoraciopoctules
12-08-07, 12:46 AM If I were designing a party of 4 level 25 NPC gladiators with a theme:

A. Goblinoids

1. A Greater Barghest with HD raised until it counts as Level 25. He takes the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat and distracts the [enemy] party with his antics. He'll have most of the party's treasure in the form of nifty disposable items.

Miniature:
Hellhound
44/80 C

2. Hobgoblin Warblade 15/Bloodstorm Blade 10. He stays at midrange between the the cleric and enemies while making ranged attacks at soft targets.

Miniature:

Half Orc Fighter
43/80 C

3. Goblin Cleric 20/Hierophant 5. He uses Heal and Harm spells at range to support the barbarian after casting an epic version of Blink (This would let him shift around his location as an immediate action and have a high miss chance even against ghost touch items.) .

Miniature:
Nebbin
28/80 U

4. Bugbear Barbarian 21. She charges and fights until healed three times. She then moves back and joins up with the hobgoblin Warblade, and they fight cooperatively from then on.

Miniature:
Orc Berserker
73/80 U

This party would likely be a group of champions from nearby humanoid tribes, come to test the power of the nation hosting the gladiatorial event.

Yes, I only have Harbinger and Dragoneye miniatures. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mg/20031116a has pictures of the miniatures I'd use.
Sinfire Titan
12-08-07, 01:33 AM Half-Ogre, Half Blue Dragon Duskblade 20. Party Tank.
Karsite Warlock 10, Binder 10, Hellfire Warlock 3. Party Arcanist/Healer/Undead Control.
Inspired Factotum 20, Chameleon 4. Party JoAT.
Azurin Healer 5, Combat Medic 5, Druid 15. Party Medic/Major Tank.

All alignments are Lawful something.

Party Synergy: Factotum has taken FoI as many times as needed, but uses Mounted Combat extensively. He has maxed out Int, and wields a lance. Duskblade wears Mithral Medium armor, acts as a mount for the Inspired, and uses Rapidstrike to it's full potential with Arcane Channeling. The two have agreed to this unsteady alliance, reasoning that they will work far better together than if the Duskblade just tried tanking. Factotum blocks incoming attacks with Mounted Combat, uses Ride-By Attack for lance cheese. Duskblade opens combat with BW, follows up with Dragon Tail feat in 2nd round for a Full Attack. His height makes the Factotum's lance usable while the dragon is in melee.

Warlock is LE, acts as the blaster with Hellfire Invocation/Binder of Naberius cheese. ICE: Eldritch Blast on self, using Boost Spell Resistance from BoVD and Arcane Mastery to heal himself.

Druid Healer goes without saying.
NoldorForce
12-08-07, 03:28 AM Druid 10/Planar Shepherd (Fernia) 15 - All sorts of Wild Shape/Wish cheese. And full druid spellcasting.

(Changeling) Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 13/Recaster 5/Argent Savant 1 - Cracked out caster level (Consumptive Field), cracked out damage prowess (metamagic + Snowcasting + Cold Snap), and spontaneous Miracle. MDJ doesn't hurt either.

Artificer 25 - Crafting silliness. And Persistent Unfettered Heroism.

Egoist 10/Monk 1/Slayer 14 - Unarmed strikes at 24d8 damage. And party buffing for REALLY CHEAP with Linked Power + Mass Missive (or Energy Missile for those mind-affecting-immune folks, which should be all of them).
Cord de'Beron
12-08-07, 04:56 AM Characters in my 4 year old campaign and its ad its end.:

Half Golem Human Fighter 20, 1 Legendary Dreadnought
On level 18, was constructed into a half-golem after he almost died by an explosion from a destroyed artifact with was used to hold a bit of spell fire essence.

Githzerai Cleric 5, Thaumaturgist 5, Dweomerkeeper 15 (homemade version)

Moon Elf Ranger 15, Wizard 7, Arcane Archer 5

Mulan Human Necromancer 6, Red Wizard 13, Arch Mage 4, Netherese Arcanist 2

Human Rogue 2, Bard 20, Harper Scout 3

Shield Dwarf Wizard 10, Guild mage of the Watchfull Order 10, Fighter 1, Runesmith 3
Tshern
12-08-07, 07:38 AM Doesn't Legendary dreadnought require BAB 25?
larry_the_titan
12-09-07, 03:14 PM Artificer 25 - Crafting silliness. And Persistent Unfettered Heroism.

Come on you could do so much better then just Persistent Unfettered Heroism. For a Artificer Persistent Sirine's Grace+Persistent Bite of Werebear. By 25 level an Artificer could Persist Shapechange, if not before that.
NoldorForce
12-09-07, 05:03 PM Persistent Unfettered Heroism, combined with Wand Surge, is the key to the "infinite spells" trick (by LordOfProcrastination); I was referring to that. So instead of spontaneous (and possibly Persistent) Miracle, you can get infinite Miracles.

You'll probably still want some of the Egoist's buffing, however, considering the indefinite scaling power of psionics.
Cord de'Beron
12-11-07, 07:44 AM Doesn't Legendary dreadnought require BAB 25?

yes, but as i was on end my campaign soon, we have changed the requierments so my players was able to get it. We also changed the abilities in it a bit. The Netherese arcanist requierments has also been changed.
As we also changed the Arcane Archer abit.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Legendarius 12-02-07, 02:54 PM	Thanks to all who provided feedback on my earlier, what are the rules questions, in the thread "quick question - what's his base attack?". The question now is, if you assume a basic straight gladiatorial combat in an arena between two or more parties of four ECL 25 epic characters, what would your party of 4 look like? A party could include powerful unclassed monsters as well as core races/classes, races with racial HD, prestige classes, templates, etc. I'm thinking of coming up with a few different squads, with some kind of theme per squad (such as all spellcasters, the core four, all drow, all warriors, etc.). My core four for example might be as follows (but could be all the same race for example): elf wizard 25 halfling rogue 25 human fighter 25 dwarf cleric 25 Only restriction is that there needs to be some logic for the four to work together beyond being forced. I wouldn't expect a fiendish evil necromancer to be on the same squad as an aasimar paladin for example. As a bonus, what official D&D mini would you choose to represent the character? L
archerpwr 12-02-07, 04:56 PM	Wizard 6/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4/ Swiftblade +5 Cleric 4/ Ordained Champion 5/ Prestige Paladin 1/ Knight of the Raven 15 Druid 25 Rogue 4/ Swashbuckler 3/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1/ Swordsage 2/ Swashbuckler +15 Something like that.
BillTheManiac 12-02-07, 05:12 PM	Wizard 4/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4/Swiftblade +4/oh, swiftblade's a base class? This guy's only lvl 22 anyways Cleric 4/ Ordained Champion 5/ Prestige Paladin 1/ Knight of the Raven 15 Druid 25 Rogue 4/ Swashbuckler 3/ Lion Totem Barbarian 1/ Swordsage 2/ Swashbuckler +15 Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck?
Khan the Destroyer 12-02-07, 05:16 PM	He's probably using Daring Outlaw. (That may be slightly incorrect, I can't remember the name of the feat for sure at the moment.)
Taeldrin Laesrash 12-02-07, 05:22 PM	Warblade 20/Swashbuckler 3/Psychic Warrior 2 Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 14/Archmage 5 Druid 20/Planar Shepard 5 Feat Rogue 20/Lion Totem Barbarian 1/something 4 Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck? The 3-level dip for Intelligence to damage is pretty nice.
BillTheManiac 12-02-07, 05:26 PM	Warblade 20/Swashbuckler 3/Psychic Warrior 2 Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 14/Archmage 5 Druid 20/Planar Shepard 5 Feat Rogue 20/Lion Totem Barbarian 1/something 4 The 3-level dip for Intelligence to damage is pretty nice. He did like 13 levels. 18, actually. It's funny how much the same classes come up. Well, just druid and totem barbarian. And rogue variants. I wonder how balanced 3.5 is...
archerpwr 12-02-07, 05:33 PM	Doesn't swashbuckler supposedly suck? He's probably using Daring Outlaw. (That may be slightly incorrect, I can't remember the name of the feat for sure at the moment.) Bingo. Swiftblade is here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327). The only class feature that isn't cool is the bonus feats.
BillTheManiac 12-02-07, 06:01 PM	Archerpwr: You started epic swiftblade 2 levels 2 early.
archerpwr 12-02-07, 06:04 PM	Archerpwr: You started epic swiftblade 2 levels 2 early. I typed that way too fast. It's fixed now. You can't even enter swiftblade with wizard 4.
Krusk 12-02-07, 08:24 PM	Wizard 3-focused conjurer/ master specialist 10/ Malconvoker 7/fatespinner 5 His job will be to be the meat shield and healer. By summoning and gating in monsters to stand in front and soak up blows. He will heal by gating in angles that can heal. wizard3- focused necromancer/ Master specialist 9/ archmage 5/ fate spinner 5/ nightmare spinner 3 His job will be the traditional save or die master. In addition he will be quite adept at negative buffing the enmies. wizard 3- focused abjurer/master specialist 10/ archmage 5/ initiate of 7 fold veil 7 His job will be debuffing the enemies/ turning their spell casters off/ protecting the party. Lastly we will have Wizard3- focused enchanter/ master specialist 10/ archmage 5/ fatespinner 5/ mindbender 2 his job will be convincing any enemy combatants that fighting to join the teams side. Races can really be whatever, probably gnome or an elf subrace with an int boost though. Any of the prestige classes can be dropped in order to make the group core only, but if they are all non archmages will take 5 levels in archmage. And if focused specialisation is not allowed that is ok.
Tshern 12-05-07, 09:37 AM	Artificer 25 Wizard 5/Incantatrix 10/Fatespinner 4/Mindbender 1/Epic Incantatrix 5 Druid 10/Planar Shepherd 15 Cleric 5/Ordained Champion 5/Sacred Excorcist 15 I guess my theme could be Pure win.
Avatar of Kokusho 12-05-07, 10:25 AM	Hmm... Abjurer 4/Warmage 1/Ultimate Magus 10/Fatespinner 5/Epic UM 5 Monk 15/Martyred Champion of Ilmater 10 Paladin 10/Pious Templar 5/Grey Guard 10 Warlock 25 Ouchies, maybe?
Nessaj 12-05-07, 02:40 PM	Ranger 17/Scout 3/Master Thrower 5: Epic feat Distant shot, making ranged touch attacks with Exit Wound Wounding X Burst Teleporting Daggers and full skirmish + favored enemy progressions with Swift Hunter. Daggers crit 17-20 x3 thanks to MT. Give multiple types of daggers + Palm Throw for additional fun (holy, shadow striking, etc, all Teleporting, of course) Actually stands a chance of spotting the Epic Rogue. If I ever get a chance to play an epic game this is my char :D Favored Soul 20/Pious Templar 1/Paladin 4: Holy Crusader...Good saves across the board, Mettle + Ring of Evasion means save a Nat 1, any spell that has a save just doesn't matter. Extraordinary Spell Aim + Pemanent Emanation (AMF) means the above matters even less lol. Brilliant Aura is a fun pick too...And then there's the usual Divine Metamagic: Persistent Spell, etc... Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 10/Incantatrix 7/Archmage 5: Pokemon for the win. Grab all the fun items and class abilities that buff your pets like Imbued Summon Monster spells...Gates...And then there's all those no-save conjurations, walls, teleportation, etc...There's a reason no one prohibits Conjuration. Druid 20/Nature's Warrior 5: Not really feeling creative on this last slot...If I put my mind to it I might try and fit Warshaper in here somewhere, but I just came up with this last one on the fly. The others I'd already thought of :P
Avoraciopoctules 12-08-07, 12:46 AM	If I were designing a party of 4 level 25 NPC gladiators with a theme: A. Goblinoids 1. A Greater Barghest with HD raised until it counts as Level 25. He takes the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat and distracts the [enemy] party with his antics. He'll have most of the party's treasure in the form of nifty disposable items. Miniature: Hellhound 44/80 C 2. Hobgoblin Warblade 15/Bloodstorm Blade 10. He stays at midrange between the the cleric and enemies while making ranged attacks at soft targets. Miniature: Half Orc Fighter 43/80 C 3. Goblin Cleric 20/Hierophant 5. He uses Heal and Harm spells at range to support the barbarian after casting an epic version of Blink (This would let him shift around his location as an immediate action and have a high miss chance even against ghost touch items.) . Miniature: Nebbin 28/80 U 4. Bugbear Barbarian 21. She charges and fights until healed three times. She then moves back and joins up with the hobgoblin Warblade, and they fight cooperatively from then on. Miniature: Orc Berserker 73/80 U This party would likely be a group of champions from nearby humanoid tribes, come to test the power of the nation hosting the gladiatorial event. Yes, I only have Harbinger and Dragoneye miniatures. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mg/20031116a has pictures of the miniatures I'd use.
Sinfire Titan 12-08-07, 01:33 AM	Half-Ogre, Half Blue Dragon Duskblade 20. Party Tank. Karsite Warlock 10, Binder 10, Hellfire Warlock 3. Party Arcanist/Healer/Undead Control. Inspired Factotum 20, Chameleon 4. Party JoAT. Azurin Healer 5, Combat Medic 5, Druid 15. Party Medic/Major Tank. All alignments are Lawful something. Party Synergy: Factotum has taken FoI as many times as needed, but uses Mounted Combat extensively. He has maxed out Int, and wields a lance. Duskblade wears Mithral Medium armor, acts as a mount for the Inspired, and uses Rapidstrike to it's full potential with Arcane Channeling. The two have agreed to this unsteady alliance, reasoning that they will work far better together than if the Duskblade just tried tanking. Factotum blocks incoming attacks with Mounted Combat, uses Ride-By Attack for lance cheese. Duskblade opens combat with BW, follows up with Dragon Tail feat in 2nd round for a Full Attack. His height makes the Factotum's lance usable while the dragon is in melee. Warlock is LE, acts as the blaster with Hellfire Invocation/Binder of Naberius cheese. ICE: Eldritch Blast on self, using Boost Spell Resistance from BoVD and Arcane Mastery to heal himself. Druid Healer goes without saying.
NoldorForce 12-08-07, 03:28 AM	Druid 10/Planar Shepherd (Fernia) 15 - All sorts of Wild Shape/Wish cheese. And full druid spellcasting. (Changeling) Sorcerer 6/Incantatrix 13/Recaster 5/Argent Savant 1 - Cracked out caster level (Consumptive Field), cracked out damage prowess (metamagic + Snowcasting + Cold Snap), and spontaneous Miracle. MDJ doesn't hurt either. Artificer 25 - Crafting silliness. And Persistent Unfettered Heroism. Egoist 10/Monk 1/Slayer 14 - Unarmed strikes at 24d8 damage. And party buffing for REALLY CHEAP with Linked Power + Mass Missive (or Energy Missile for those mind-affecting-immune folks, which should be all of them).
Cord de'Beron 12-08-07, 04:56 AM	Characters in my 4 year old campaign and its ad its end.: Half Golem Human Fighter 20, 1 Legendary Dreadnought On level 18, was constructed into a half-golem after he almost died by an explosion from a destroyed artifact with was used to hold a bit of spell fire essence. Githzerai Cleric 5, Thaumaturgist 5, Dweomerkeeper 15 (homemade version) Moon Elf Ranger 15, Wizard 7, Arcane Archer 5 Mulan Human Necromancer 6, Red Wizard 13, Arch Mage 4, Netherese Arcanist 2 Human Rogue 2, Bard 20, Harper Scout 3 Shield Dwarf Wizard 10, Guild mage of the Watchfull Order 10, Fighter 1, Runesmith 3
Tshern 12-08-07, 07:38 AM	Doesn't Legendary dreadnought require BAB 25?
larry_the_titan 12-09-07, 03:14 PM	Artificer 25 - Crafting silliness. And Persistent Unfettered Heroism. Come on you could do so much better then just Persistent Unfettered Heroism. For a Artificer Persistent Sirine's Grace+Persistent Bite of Werebear. By 25 level an Artificer could Persist Shapechange, if not before that.
NoldorForce 12-09-07, 05:03 PM	Persistent Unfettered Heroism, combined with Wand Surge, is the key to the "infinite spells" trick (by LordOfProcrastination); I was referring to that. So instead of spontaneous (and possibly Persistent) Miracle, you can get infinite Miracles. You'll probably still want some of the Egoist's buffing, however, considering the indefinite scaling power of psionics.
Cord de'Beron 12-11-07, 07:44 AM	Doesn't Legendary dreadnought require BAB 25? yes, but as i was on end my campaign soon, we have changed the requierments so my players was able to get it. We also changed the abilities in it a bit. The Netherese arcanist requierments has also been changed. As we also changed the Arcane Archer abit.