So I got inspired a while ago (but I am slow replying to the boards) by
this and
this I was wondering how good a tier 5 party we could make. Yes it is a board's challenge but once I get my builds finished I will participate too. I enjoy large parties so we needn't limit the PC number to 4
Things that will hurt:
[spoiler]All characters must be about
tier five! A Character may take up to level 10 in a tier five, and up to
level 1 in a tier 4 from any tier 4 class, and up to 20 in a tier 6 class
Prestige classes are limited to the
tiers +0, -1 and -2. Keep in mind they might be very difficult to qualify for so "early" entry tricks might be your only hope.
Start at level 2 (but this does not mean character have no backstory. Characters should have a backstory like LA1 and a class level, etc). Why not level 1? Because it erases starting wealth inequality (and I dislike rolling).
WBL and
multiclass penalties are enforced.
The most broken aspects of the game are
fixedAll characters must play small, ugly
goblins. At
no point may they have any
LA.
Some WLD circumstance house rules will be in effect:
The no traveling-through-walls whether by being ethereal, melding into stone, etc
The no teleportation out or transporting other things in. So no summoning effects, etc.
No turning into another creatures. Polymorph, wildshape, etc give DMs a headache. The exception are those with the shapechanger subtype (if no set list only 1 form must be chosen). Lycanthrope animals can't be templated and such templates make you not gain HD or effects derived from it (skills, hp, feats, ECL, the stat points on the highest stat). Furthermore only natural lycanthropes have the true animal form and both forms only get 1/4 the dominant physical stat, then 1/2 the next stat boost.
XP is gained based on area (this is good if you are good enough to go quickly through the areas). This means no 'farming' easy encounters for crafting XP.
The DM maliciously rolls a random encounter exactly when it would hurt the PCs and they know this (but they will also be told if they are being allowed a temporary safe area.)
This campaign is generally pretty harsh. Expect extreme environments.[/spoiler]
Things that will help:
[spoiler]
Max rolls on hit point rolls.
Tripple on the
first HD.
The
DM will be nice enough to '
throw in' the specific
items /
creatures /
NPCs you need. It aint a magic mart, but you still get the big stuff that you need. This will allow PrC qualification (from fluff) and generally building the kind of character you want.
LA buyoff includes racial HD or LA per level, because having it not count for the level needed to buyoff but still counting for the xp penalty is kinda contradictory.If a Savage progression of your race is allowed you can use it to lower your LA or HD (just remove the undesired levels). You still decide, as usual, the order of application for inherited templates.The inherited/acquired template distinction is lost for each time your character is 'dies' or is 'reborn' (necropolitan, dragonborn, etc.). This just keeps book-keeping easier and is some cool fluff IMO. Keep in mind I'm flexible about which is which depending on fluff (feral or draconic post dragonborn should be acquired)ECL = Floor[HD/2-LA] + LA + Class levels:
Obviously racial casting won't be allowed and skill points for the first level are only done once. Also BaB can't exceed 20 this way and natural healing are not effected by the free racial HD
The LA buyoff does include the free racial HD so their can be more buying off and players actually can play cool races
Example: The ECL of a minotaur (LA2, HD6) is 3+class levels: (6/2 - 2)rounded down + the 2 LA. Basically you get up to 2*LA+1 in free HD and each 2 additional HD adds 1 ECL (just like for NPCs). The +1 helps you play no LA, 1 HD non-humanoids in 3.5
[/spoiler]
The Horribly Painful Point Buy System:
[spoiler]Use a
40 point stats TOTAL. This means you get
34 points to add in addition to the following stats
1 Str
1 Dex
1 Con
1 Int (but will be brought to 3 automatically if no points are put in)
1 Wis
1 Cha
An example is: 7str, 8dex, 10con, 3int, 8wis, 6cha [7+8+10+(1, not 3)+8+6 = 40]
Another example is: 1str, 1dex, 18con, 18int, 1wis, 1cha [1+1+18+18+1+1 = 40][/spoiler]
FAQ:
[spoiler]Q: Isn't this
impossible?A:
No I don't think so. Obviously getting healing and detection are a high priority.
Q: Why would you ever have such an
evil point buy system!?!
A: Because
I like it rough 
and this is a solid way to do that. Obviously getting +stat items will help.
Q: But
I can't use x class! (Crusaders for cheap healing, Dread necro for minion upkeep, etc)
A: Yes, I know. That's part of the challenge.
Don't worry too much. Its not like a DM for this kind of a grizzly campaign would throw shape-shifting dire tortoise Incantrix Clerics at you.
Q: I have this awesome Prestige Class that's still +0 but I
can't meet the prerequisites!
A: Well maybe you just can't. But unless its terribly specific or violates an above rule,
I doubt it. I'm sorry I don't have my early PrC thread up on 339 yet. But everytime I think about it and go over there... AH MY EYES!
Q: So I think I have something viable but it stinks of
cheese!
A: Check the dirty trick handbook fixes (a simply Crtl+F search will do) for the BLATANT offenders. Otherwise
bring it on![/spoiler]
