Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-04-06, 06:15 PM	As many of you may know, the mighty Steve Irwin, affectionately known as the Crocodile Hunter left the Prime Material Plane yesterday; the victim of a stingray barb to the heart. In his honor, that we may remember the great hero, I propose a contest to create the best Steve Irwin Ranger PC. The rules of the contest: 1. The PC must be a ranger or have some ranger levels 2. While proposed PCs can be humorous, please have some respect for the dead. That's it for now, I think. If something comes to my attention it will be noted and this post willbe updated. Happy Croc-Hunting!
FeceMan 09-04-06, 08:39 PM	Steve Irwin is a level two expert. He has ranks in survival.
parad0cz 09-04-06, 09:12 PM	I was thinking about it... Kinda tough actually. He's no killer after all. And you have to get the right mix of fantasty and reality. Ranger, duh. Grappler. Thats the ticket. I would let my player take a wrestling feat at second level for combat style. Then Reaping Mauler. Sleeper lock is PERFECT for croc capture. Feats he would have: Improved Unarmed Strike. Close Quarter Fighting, Improved Grapple, Clever Wrestling. Maybe Earth Embrace, but not for animals. Frankly, i wouldnt want to be a spellcaster tinkering with the local fauna around this guy. I would love to have some Stunning Fist/Weakening Touch for the guy, but he isnt a monk. As for stats... High Physical Stats by crickey! High Int too, maybe the highest stat for him. Wis... not so much. Pretty charasmatic bloke too. Skills? Wow, where to begin? Know Nature, Survival, Swim, Climb, Jump, Tumble, Listen, Spot, Search, Survival, Handle Animal. Use Rope! Some perform maybe, some escape artist? A very skilled man. Definatly a croc animal companion. I liked the Sheila idea. What would you add? Heck, with a bit of flavor change the Justicar might even work well. He probably resides now in the Beastlands, traveling between Krigala and Brux. May Ehlonna recieve him.
Atirakis 09-04-06, 09:48 PM	Steve Irwin is a level two expert. He has ranks in survival. and handle animal.
parad0cz 09-04-06, 10:01 PM	Hah, if Irwin, acknowledged as one of the foremost in his field on the planet is a level two expert, then the rest of us are zero level commoners in fear of passing housecats. Thats like saying Steven Hawking is a level 2 expert with Know: Science, Int 18 and a Dex score of 1. Not taking into account the obvious fantasy flavour building into him for the purpose of the thread, he would be a high level expert at least.
Atirakis 09-04-06, 10:11 PM	Oh I agree that he isnt just level 2, thats a max of +11 with skill focus on his handle animal and survival.
Stardrake 09-04-06, 11:00 PM	He should have a few levels of Bard, as well--you don't do as well at entertaining folk as he did without both natural charisma and training (significant Perform ranks)
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-05-06, 12:14 AM	Well, as far as any sort of "competition" is concerned, I'd say parad0cz is winning. With feat choices and all, by far the most developed. Captures the essence of our dearly departed Croc Hunter well.
SpawnOfMorgoth 09-05-06, 12:31 AM	I have a twelve year old son, so I spent many hours watching Croc Files when he was a wee little one. When the press went ga-ga over Steve taking his baby into the Croc exhibit I saw nothing wrong with it (having seen him so often in similar situations)… I felt much more uncomfortable with MJ doing his baby dangle then Steve-O tucking the kid under one arm while feeding a croc. Wondered if he was ever going to mount a successful PR campaign to overcome that incident, and sad to see that the largest press coverage he gets since that time is his obit. Well, here goes my shot at defining Steve. I used 3.5E rules but avoided supernatural and magic abilities to reflect our mundane world. Therefore Steve has between one and three levels of Ranger (no spells) and no animal companion darn it. As for his phenomenal ability to sense danger and usually totally avoid damage (and when he did get tagged he always had the attitude that ‘it coulda been worse’) which sounds like uncanny dodge combined with improved evasion, so that’s a minimum of ten levels of Rogue (again no magic or items, no ‘Ring of Evasion’ exists on our planet). Improved Evasion is also available as a ninth level Monk, but the supernatural abilities (wholeness of body/purity of body) and lack of danger sense go against the build, Steve’s lack of ‘sense’ in getting into hairy situation resulted in my giving him only an average wisdom (very bad for a Monk) and besides NO WAY IS STEVE-O A LAWFUL CHARACTER! (CG is my best guess). I am going for honesty here, not optimization. So far we have a CG human rouge10/ranger3. Yeah, I know it’s one level away (in either class) from a +11 BAB, but again, the real world isn’t an exercise in optimization. I’ll assign stats with rationale for the assignment STR 14 above average, croc wrestler DEX 21 superb reflexes (trained up in career) CON 12 outdoorsman, but on the chunky side INT 16 did well marketing himself WIS 10 can’t resist putting himself in dangerous situations CHA 16 camera, kids, and animals love this guy Flaw: (ad hoc, worth double) Adrenaline Junkie. WIS check/Will save or think that the dangerous situation he is confronting sounds like it would “be fun” or “make good film.” [suggested DC = 10 + character’s ECL – CR of situation] Bonus: Lightning Reflexes Bonus: Improved Initiative Human Bonus: Able Learner 1st Improved Unarmed Strike 3rd Dodge 6th Improved Grapple/Grab 9th Close-Quarters Fighting 12th Expertise (Unarmed) (takes –5 to hit for +5 AC when needed) Would have loved some skill focus feats or alertness, but decided that able learner combined with Rogue skill points should help compensate in the build. Lower maximums but will make for a well-rounded skill assignment.. Listed below are the skills w/ ranks/total mod. Balance 5/12, Climb 5/9, Escape Artist 16/21, Handle Animal 16/19, Listen 16/16, Knowledge (Nature) 16/21, Move Silent 10/15, Perform (Showmanship Sorry, cannot really call it acting) 10/13, Profession (Zoo Director) 10/10, Search 10/13, Spot 10/10, Survival(and tracking)16/16(18), Swim 10/12, Tumble 5/12, Use Rope 10/15 Class Feats and Special Abilities Evasion and Improved Evasion => (after dodging an attack) “You’re a Naughty Boy!” Uncanny Dodge (can’t be flanked or denied DEX AC) => “Danger, Danger!, Danger!!!” +5d6 Sneak Attack (not used, count as his knowledge of animal anatomy to strike vital points, which I only see him doing to protect human life) Favored Enemy (we'll rename it Favored Subject) : Animals Track Wild Empathy 16+d20 Combat style: two weapon =>virtual feat of Two Weapon Fighting Endurance BAB +10/+5 Base saves 6/8/4 => fort 8/ ref 15/ wil 4 AC 15 / 16 dodge / 21 dodge+expertise Initiative +9
FeceMan 09-05-06, 10:57 AM	Steve Irwin: Level four human expert. (Fine, he has two more levels.) STR: 14 [Above-average physical STR.] DEX: 14 [Above-average DEX, and he's nimble enough to avoid being chomped.] CON: 10 [Poor Fort saves + low CON means he failed his massive damage save against the stingray.] INT: 12 [Has committed all sorts of stuff to memory, so he's certainly not dumb.] WIS: 8 [He played with crocodiles for a living.] CHA: 14 [Natural entertainer.] Feats: Skill focus: handle animal, skill focus: survival, improved grapple. Max ranks in handle animal and survival. Ranks in profession (acting) and perform (oratory).
Board_Rider 09-05-06, 11:04 AM	Steve Irwin: Level four human expert. (Fine, he has two more levels.) STR: 14 [Above-average physical STR.] DEX: 14 [Above-average DEX, and he's nimble enough to avoid being chomped.] CON: 10 [Poor Fort saves + low CON means he failed his massive damage save against the stingray.] INT: 12 [Has committed all sorts of stuff to memory, so he's certainly not dumb.] WIS: 8 [He played with crocodiles for a living.] CHA: 14 [Natural entertainer.] Feats: Skill focus: handle animal, skill focus: survival, improved grapple. Max ranks in handle animal and survival. Ranks in profession (acting) and perform (oratory). Pretty much what I was going to write. I was more Ranger 1/Exp2 but this is pretty close.
Atirakis 09-05-06, 12:19 PM	All of that seems about right. Lets remember that class levels and high scores are super human, Steve Irwin was cool but he was not a high level adventurer.
Terraneaux 09-05-06, 01:23 PM	Yeah, but in terms of the world, he was pretty cool. It would make sense to me form him to be a ranger who goes into something like the 'Personality" prestige class from d20 modern.
LCD2YOU 09-05-06, 01:48 PM	The levels given from more than just a few are way too low. He was 44 years old. Overcame several adventures EACH year. Remember, you can get exp. from overcoming obstacles, not just killing things. So, here's mine: Expert 2nd/Ranger 4th/Bard 4th - 32 point build (4th and 8th level +2 to Str) Str 16 (ever wrestle a gator? Those things are a lot stronger than you think) Dex 14 (heck I've had to move out of the way of more than one angry viper) Con 14 (a little over weight) Int 12 (knowledgable but not an Einstein) Wis 8 (remember him, his new baby and the croc?) Cha 16 (The man could attract a crowd) Feats: Handle Animal Snakes, Handle Animal Croc/Gators, Dodge, Mobility and Skill Focus:Snakes Skills, Ranks only, not totals: Perform, oration: 5 Knowledge, Snakes: 10 Knowledge, Crocs/Gators: 10 Knowledge, Eco-systems: 5 Knowledge, Biology: 10 Swim: 10 Climb: 5 Jump: 5 Perform: Acting 5 Knowledge, BEntertainment Industry: 10 There's probably more, but it's time to get back to work.
Caliborn 09-05-06, 03:04 PM	Dude, high ability scores are not super human, whatever gave you that idea? Alot of people that are alive today actually have scores higher than an 18. And if you get out at all you're likely to run into someone with a 14 or so in one of there ability scores everyday. Just look at the encumburance charts, are you gonna tell me no body builders in existance can lift 300 pounds(that's an 18 for those of you too lazy to look)? This also seems to be the prevailing opinion, and I want to know why. Sure when you hit the 20 mark only a selct few individuals will apply, and a 25 or so is just not gonna happen, but we don't all have 10s across the board.
HauptSin 09-05-06, 06:25 PM	STR 14 DEX 16 CON 12 INT 12 WIS 8 CHA 16 22 point-buy, with 2 points into enhancing Charisma(Getting more public-friendly as his show got more popular) Ranger 3, Monk 2, Horizon Walker 5 Ranger nets him Track, Wild Empathy, animals as a Favoured Enemy, and Endurance. Monk gives him Evasion and Improved Grapple. Horizon Walker gets him Terrain Mastery for Aquatic, Desert, Plains, Hills, and Marsh areas. Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Lightning Reflexes, Diehard, Run Skills 13 Handle Animal 11 Listen 10 Knowledge(Geography) 11 Spot 13 Survival 10 Swim 10 Use Rope
ArcTan 09-05-06, 06:46 PM	Dude, high ability scores are not super human, whatever gave you that idea? Alot of people that are alive today actually have scores higher than an 18. And if you get out at all you're likely to run into someone with a 14 or so in one of there ability scores everyday. Just look at the encumburance charts, are you gonna tell me no body builders in existance can lift 300 pounds(that's an 18 for those of you too lazy to look)? Str 18 characters can not only *lift* 300 lb. over their head, they can also *carry* 300 lb. on their backs all day while only being slowed as much as an ordinary person having to carry 100 lb. on his back. Moreover, they can *lift* 600 lb. (if not over their head) and stagger around with it for some time before having to drop it somewhere. That's pretty strong. There are weightlifters in the world who can do that, sure, but they're exceptional. The world record, by the way, for lifting a weight over your head is Hossein Zadeh from Iran with 580 pounds, which is a Str of about 22. On the other hand, I very much doubt he could carry 580 pounds on his back all day and survive and remain mobile. Also I doubt that he could lift twice that -- a half ton -- even up to his knees or move that weight any distance. The thing is that the Str score represents the strength of your whole body overall, while weightlifting represents the strength of some particular muscles in your body -- hence you get distorted scores if you just use one task to represent them. I don't think Zadeh actually takes +6 to Jump checks, for instance.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-05-06, 11:43 PM	Ranger 5/ Reaping Mauler 5/ Scout 1/ *Lowland Stalker 3/ BeastMaster 1/ Exemplar 5 Ranger because he is one. Reaping Mauler because he's good at grappling. Scout and Lowland Stalker because that's what he does all the time. Beastmaster because...well he IS a beastmaster, and Exemplar Because he exemplifies one of the Greatest Rangers and Human Beings :) Feat Progression 1: Improved Unarmed Strike, Able Learner 3: Clever Wrestling 6: Skill Focus: Handle Animal 9: Skill Focus: Diplomacy 12: *Free* 15: *Free* 18: *Free* Stats Str: 14 Dex:14 Con:16 Int:16 Wis:12 Cha:22 (+5 levels) Handle Animal: 23 ranks+6(Cha)+3(Skill Focus)+4(Skill Artistry)+2(Masterwork Tool (cool suit)=36 He always takes 10, so that's 46! Animals tend to like this guy :) Diplomacy is 46 is well. People like this guy too :D There you have it, my D&D interpretation of the great Steve Irwin. * Class is actually Highland Stalker. However, I feel Lowland is more appropriate. I'd replace Mountain Stride with Lowland Stride to move through Brush, swamps, and whatnot.
Mystyc 09-06-06, 01:47 AM	CON: 10 [Poor Fort saves + low CON means he failed his massive damage save against the stingray.] Shenanigans. There was no save on this one -- that ray hit was a 20/20/20 if ever there was one. Haupstin's build looks best so far, although I might shave off a couple levels of HW and reorganize some feats.
Atirakis 09-06-06, 02:09 AM	Human Expert 10 Str 16 Dex 16 Con 16 Int 13 Wis 8 Cha 16 Feats Skill Focus, Survival Skill Focus, Handle Animal Improved Grapple Track Max Ranks Handle Animal Survival Profession, Animal Handler
Atirakis 09-06-06, 02:10 AM	Handle Animal: 23 ranks+6(Cha)+3(Skill Focus)+4(Skill Artistry)+2(Masterwork Tool (cool suit)=36 He always takes 10, so that's 46! Animals tend to like this guy A cool suit is not a masterwork tool...
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-06-06, 03:10 AM	ah, give me a break it's a joke. A masterwork tool could be anything that the DM finds appropriate ;)
Atirakis 09-06-06, 03:28 AM	Shenanigans. There was no save on this one -- that ray hit was a 20/20/20 if ever there was one. Agreed. That was no failed save that was a freaking death blow. I mean it got him in the heart!
Artisan 09-06-06, 04:52 PM	Natural 1's: The bane of every legend...
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-06-06, 06:38 PM	Yes, it was definitely a 20/20/20 that felled the mighty Steve. I am personally inclined towards two entries: parad0cz and Bill Bisco. parad0cz developed the grappling theme aspect very well. Bill Bisco made a very well rounded Crocadile Hunter character. Plus I find the masterwork cool suit the sort of humorous-but-still-respectful touch I was looking for. I would like to see this developed a bit. A pair of magical khaki shorts of croc wrangling would be very amusing. Just don't overdo it. Something like that would be cool though.
Atirakis 09-06-06, 06:47 PM	I hate to have to burst your bubble but realistically he was just a mid to high level human expert...
Psychoticpsymon 09-06-06, 07:37 PM	Here here, I've got an impression for you. "Crikey, a stingray!"
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-06-06, 07:50 PM	I hate to have to burst your bubble but realistically he was just a mid to high level human expert... Besides weapon choices, I see no reason for him not to be a ranger. I do agree that Bill Bisco's was a bit powerful at 20th level, but I don't see him as an expert. He didn't just know a lot about animals, he lived with them. He spent a large amount of his life out in the wilds with the animals, doing conservation work, and all manner of CG rangerly deeds.
Atirakis 09-06-06, 07:55 PM	If anything he is an Expert X/Ranger 1-3
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-06-06, 08:20 PM	*see Post on the next page
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-06-06, 08:21 PM	If anything he is an Expert X/Ranger 1-3 I could deal with that. Just give him some proper skills and feats and that should be OK.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-06-06, 10:04 PM	Perhaps I need to defend a little bit better why Steve is such a Legendary figure and Deserving of Many Levels. http://irwinpwnage.ytmnd.com/ Steve is now in Heaven Fighting off The Legendary Mile-High Crocodile of Lunia. He has since Gained Two Levels. The new build is Ranger 5/ Reaping Mauler 5/ Scout 1/ *Lowland Stalker 3/ BeastMaster 1/ Exemplar 5/ Risen Martyr 2** **Yes, I know that a Risen Martyr usually returns to the Prime Material, but Steve is needed to have his full-blown powers for the betterment of all of Celestia, so he rises in Lunia.
Kethka 09-06-06, 10:20 PM	Perhaps I need to defend a little bit better why Steve is such a Legendary figure and Deserving of Many Levels. http://irwinpwnage.ytmnd.com/ Definately epic level
SpawnOfMorgoth 09-07-06, 12:08 AM	Perhaps I need to defend a little bit better why Steve is such a Legendary figure and Deserving of Many Levels. http://irwinpwnage.ytmnd.com/ <snip> Great link! Makes me think we should start a "Legendary Feats of Steve" thread ourselves.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-07-06, 12:40 AM	That is an excellent Idea :thumbsup:
Illanir 09-07-06, 02:34 AM	Very cool idea! Just to toss this out, and I know their magic might make them not in the "real" world, but because of their connection to nature, would a level of druid be inapropriate somewhere? I love what has been put up so far! Much love and may he forever wrestle on the upper planes!
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-10-06, 01:43 AM	Perhaps I need to defend a little bit better why Steve is such a Legendary figure and Deserving of Many Levels. http://irwinpwnage.ytmnd.com/ Steve is now in Heaven Fighting off The Legendary Mile-High Crocodile of Lunia. He has since Gained Two Levels. The new build is Ranger 5/ Reaping Mauler 5/ Scout 1/ *Lowland Stalker 3/ BeastMaster 1/ Exemplar 5/ Risen Martyr 2** **Yes, I know that a Risen Martyr usually returns to the Prime Material, but Steve is needed to have his full-blown powers for the betterment of all of Celestia, so he rises in Lunia. Steve Irwin defeated Chuck Norris?!? That's not just epic level, that's worthy of demi-god status at least!
raidzuo 09-10-06, 05:02 AM	Does anyone else think this is ****ing sick?
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-10-06, 01:09 PM	Does anyone else think this is ****ing sick? This was actually intended as a respectful memorial to a fallen hero through D&D representation of his abilities. I personally apologize if anything we have said has offended you.
Psychoticpsymon 09-10-06, 01:12 PM	Don't apologize to that moron.
Mystyc 09-10-06, 01:53 PM	Don't apologize to that moron. Seriously. I apologize for nothing in this thread. This is a D&D board, and we do D&D-related tributes. If you don't like it, you're in the wrong place.
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-10-06, 10:23 PM	I was just trying to avoid a confrontation. I didn't want anyone to start trolling and get the tread closed. I don't think we've done anything wrong in principle, or actually even in specifics, but you never know what someone might take offense to, so . . . screw it. There really is nothing to apologize for. Let's get back to the tribute. Steve Irwin is a demi-god of nature, and provides access to plant and animal domains. EDIT: and good and protection
Mystyc 09-11-06, 01:06 AM	Steve Irwin is a demi-god of nature, and provides access to plant and animal domains. His favored weapon is the unarmed strike, but only when used to deal nonlethal damage.
Atirakis 09-11-06, 04:08 AM	Steve Irwin Human Male Expert 6 Ranger 1 Str 16 Dex 16 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 16 Feats Skill Focus, Survival Skill Focus, Handle Animal Improved Grapple Clever Wrestling Track* Ranger Bonus Feat Special Abilities Wild Empathy Skills Handle Animal 10 + 3 = +13 Survival 10 -1 = +9 Knowledge, Nature 10 + 0 = +10 Profession, Animal Handler 10 + 0 = +10 Move Silently 10 + 3 = +13 Spot 10 -1 = +9 Listen 4 -1 = +3
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-14-06, 09:13 PM	:bump:
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 09-14-06, 11:35 PM	Nothing would give me more pleasure than to outdo Atirakis's build, :rolleyes: I just don't have the time right now. Perhaps a bit on the weekend.
Aliandrin 09-15-06, 01:49 AM	Shenanigans. There was no save on this one -- that ray hit was a 20/20/20 if ever there was one. Haupstin's build looks best so far, although I might shave off a couple levels of HW and reorganize some feats. Amen to that. If anyone ever tells me that 20-20-20 is not an autokill because it is not realistic to kill someone with a 200 HP with a dagger, I will say simply, "Steve Irwin. Stingray." ...In real life, anything that has a natural weapon of any kind can get a lucky shot in and kill you. If a mouse were to be let to crawl up someone's neck, and bit in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, that person would bleed instantly enough to faint before tending himself (if the mouse punctured the vein/artery going to the brain instead of away from it), then bleed out and die. I have been arguing that this is true for years.
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-15-06, 02:51 AM	Amen to that. If anyone ever tells me that 20-20-20 is not an autokill because it is not realistic to kill someone with a 200 HP with a dagger, I will say simply, "Steve Irwin. Stingray." ...In real life, anything that has a natural weapon of any kind can get a lucky shot in and kill you. If a mouse were to be let to crawl up someone's neck, and bit in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, that person would bleed instantly enough to faint before tending himself (if the mouse punctured the vein/artery going to the brain instead of away from it), then bleed out and die. I have been arguing that this is true for years. The vien/artery you are looking for is the Carotid Artery. Most people mistakenly believe it is the jugular that will cause you to bleed to death, but it is the carotid. 99% of the time a blow to the carotid artery occurs from a triple 20. The occasional maxed out crit exists, in those rale circumstances when the victim of this injury can be saved (assuming they have enough HPs)
Seraphine_Harmonium 09-17-06, 06:49 PM	Are we going to so easily abandon Steve Irwin, mightiest of rangers? Does his legend fade so quickly? Alas poor Steve.