Quick ToB optimization for my table top game tonight.

[ksbsnowowl]

[BoSheck]

Did you go for the Arcane Stunt variant Swashbuckler?  Thats always a good time, and it gives up so little, IMHO.

Honestly, Improved Initiative would be really great for the Swordsage if he's able to cross the arena and fire off an attack 1st turn.  If it's too big, then it matters a little less.  Combat Expertise would be a winner in a situation like this too, as PCs deprived of their gear are a lot easier to hit.

Or, you know, Telling Blow is reasonable, but you've got enough ways.  Craven might we worth considering, actually.

On the Crusader:  Thicket of Blades + Combat Reflexes.  Or with those two feats you could pick up the Devoted Spirit Tactical Feat, I think.  AFB right now.

[Redeemer of Ogar]

I agree on the Improved Initiative.  In fact, if you don't come up with something else you prefer you might just give the crusader Imp Init and Power Attack.  It's a classic choice for NPCs.

[Risada]

For the Swordsage: You could pick the skill trick that makes a creature you tumble through flat-footed so the next hit gets SA damage (Acrobatic Backstab I guess).
+1 for Craven.

For the Crusader: Devolted Bulwark and Faith Unswering are nice choices, as well as Combat Reflexes and Improved Initiative.

[SixthDeclension]

I agree with Imp. Initiative, it can mean a lot in arena combat.

And are you trying to kill them, or just scare them?

[ksbsnowowl]

Did you go for the Arcane Stunt variant Swashbuckler?  Thats always a good time, and it gives up so little, IMHO.

If you go with Arcane Stunt, you can't take Daring Outlaw.  No thanks.

Honestly, Improved Initiative would be really great for the Swordsage if he's able to cross the arena and fire off an attack 1st turn.  If it's too big, then it matters a little less.  Combat Expertise would be a winner in a situation like this too, as PCs deprived of their gear are a lot easier to hit.

The arena is 14 squares by 20 squares, with rounded corners (more an oval than a rectangle) so not huge.  Both of those are decent suggestions.  I'll have to think which would be best.  Craven will be a bit much - I do want the PC's to win, but just barely.

On the Crusader:  Thicket of Blades + Combat Reflexes.  Or with those two feats you could pick up the Devoted Spirit Tactical Feat, I think.  AFB right now.

I could take the tactical feat, but I think it would frustrate my players too much.  This is going to be their first introduction to Tome of Battle, so Thicket of Blades with Combat Reflexes will be enough problems for them.  Being able to charge and then follow them around will perhaps be too much, and it'll be too much for me to keep straight during the combat.  I might also take evasive reflexes though.... that combined with Thicket and Combat Reflexes would give a bit of a "following" annoyance, without making it too much for the PC's to handle...

[ksbsnowowl]

And are you trying to kill them, or just scare them?

Just scare them.  I do want them to live, but only just barely.  It will be an interesting balancing act, and it will be a bit of a surprise for my players, as none of them own Tome of Battle.

Also, keep in mind that it is a (team based) free-for-all.  The giants will be attacking the Tome of Battle foes as well as the PC's.

I'll also have a dire lion or two in reserves as a "surprise" to pop out of the floor at critical moments (either to make trouble for the PC's or to "save" them for a moment if things get too hairy).

[SixthDeclension]

And are you trying to kill them, or just scare them?

Just scare them.  I do want them to live, but only just barely.  It will be an interesting balancing act, and it will be a bit of a surprise for my players, as none of them own Tome of Battle.

Also, keep in mind that it is a (team based) free-for-all.  The giants will be attacking the Tome of Battle foes as well as the PC's.

I'll also have a dire lion or two in reserves as a "surprise" to pop out of the floor at critical moments (either to make trouble for the PC's or to "save" them for a moment if things get too hairy).

I have attempted to do this before, and I'm still not sure if it was because one of my players is defunct, but it killed him. Twice. Three times.

[ksbsnowowl]

I have attempted to do this before, and I'm still not sure if it was because one of my players is defunct, but it killed him. Twice. Three times.

Three times in the same encounter?  Or you've tried this (at least) three times?

The only player of mine that has issues is the raptoran, so he'll have quite an advantage in this, if he joins it.  He won't be allowed to leave the ring, but he can decide how to engage this all-melee combat on his own terms.  Of course, his understanding of movement and tactics is so limited he might die anyways...

[SixthDeclension]

Three times in the same session. He kept on getting....never mind. It is just not worth it. I'm seething with anger that 2 hours of my life was wasted that day.