Community

The following appears almost word-for-word as LordofProcrastination wrote it:


This thread has a very specific purpose. It is to be a nexus for all of the tricks, combinations, and builds which, if allowed as-is, can almost immediately ruin a game.

Disclaimer: Intentionally ruining a game is an immature and selfish thing to do. We don't condone it. However, since there is a significant demand on the CO Board for such techniques, we might as well be efficient about it.

Background: While the majority of Character Optimization either occurs in the realm of theoretical exercise or play-enhancing-build-improvement, we are continually flooded with requests for options which downright destroy the game. The requesters might be trying to prove a point to someone back home, "challenging" the capability of the CO Board in general, or just curious. The problem is that every time these requests pop up, they are either ignored or haphazardly replied to, frequently producing a whole new round of re-explanation, cross-linking, and debate. This thread aims to make the whole process a lot smoother.

Methodology: The "Campaign Smashers" thread will provide a list of major combos/builds which have the capability to utterly disrupt a game. The list will include a brief explanation of each combo/build and a link to the major thread(s) discussing them. For the combos/builds which don't have their own threads, or are hard to read/access, members of the CO community can contribute their own short write-ups/explanations which will then be inserted into the main listing.

Criteria: Deciding what really smashes a campaign is a tricky thing. Many optimized builds are really powerful or completely dominate in a single aspect of the game. However, this list will be dedicated to the ones which most directly and immediately can unbalance any semblance of reasonable play. Yes, having a +300 Jump check, top-notch spellcasting capabilities, or all-around-robustness is a major optimization success, and may even be "broken" in some respects, but it won't instantly make the character/game unplayable.

For now, we're using a working definition of a "Campaign Smasher" as: [indent][/indent] Some "benefit of the doubt" will be given to semi-disputed combos/builds. This thread isn't about debating particular options, it's about coordinating access to them.

Format: Divided by general level-availability, and then alphabetically. Note that some builds are clearly powerful both at high and low levels. Placement in the listings here is based on where they "come into their own."

• [size=+1]Title of Combo/Build:[/size] Executive summary of combo/build. Absolutely bare-bones.
  • Links to further explanation, development, or debate. Credit to the primary/original posters.

• [size=+1]Bestow Power:[/size] Discounted manifesting repeated for unlimited power points.
  
  • Explained Here and here by RadicalTaoist and psly4me
    
  • Fission version by cyberpunk
  
  
• [size=+1]Consumptive Field:[/size] Repeated overlapping castings of consumptive field, sometimes accompanied by a dual-caster-level-progression combo, can lead to limitless Str and CL.
  • "infinate" caster level loop by deathwishjoe.
  
  
• [size=+1]Diplomacy Specialists:[/size] Continually high Diplomacy bonuses which render all NPC interactions entirely one-sided.
  
  • Record Diplomacy Build by Interested2
  
  
• [size=+1]Dragonwrought Kobold Oldies:[/size] Kobolds with the Dragonwrought feat qualify for Epic Feats at low low level.
  • The Cheesewrought Instabold by LordofProcastination et al.
  
  
• [size=+1]Electroshock Therapy:[/size]Changing shape into a Shambling Mound or Zeugalak and hitting oneself with a repeated source of electrical damage to produce limitless Constitution or Dexterity. Converted by other traits into outrageous bonuses elsewhere.
  
  • The Beast by Squirrelloid
  
  
• [size=+1]Energy Transformation Field:[/size] A permanent spell which can produce limitless single-spell outputs in a specific location.
  • Explained Here by Vanigo.
  
  
• [size=+1]Festering Strength:[/size] Festering Anger disease + Cancer Mage (or some other mitigation factor) to produce limitless Strength.
  
  • Explained here by Dark Kyosuke.
  
  
• [size=+1]The Ghola Character:[/size] An attempt to equal the grandeur of Pun-Pun while abstaining from manipulate form.
  
  • The Ghola Character by Tleilaxu_Ghola
  
  
• [size=+1]Limitless Spells per Day:[/size] The Wand Surge feat and combos for giving renewable action points results in a free spell castable every round in a day.
  • Endless Spells by LordofProcrastination.
  
  
• [size=+1]Make a Wish:[/size] The Gate clause of the Candle of Invocation leads to wish-related hi-jinks. And by hi-jinks, we mean infinite wishes.
  • The Infinite Wish Loop: Candle of Invocation Optimization by BarbeChenue.
  
  
• [size=+1]Nasty Gentlemen:[/size] Symbionts used to multiply the effects of spells up to thousands of times over.
  
  • Dirty Trick #4 by LordofProcrastination
    
  • Dirty Damage Combo by psly4me
  
  
• [size=+1]Perpetual Damage Machine:[/size] A damage feedback loop which produces infinite bonuses to attacks, skills, and saves.
  
  • Dirty Trick #2 by LordofProcrastination
    
  • The Omniscificer by LordofProcrastination
  
  
• [size=+1]Pun Pun:[/size] Use of the Sarruhk's Manipulate Form ability to acquire all capabilities in the game.
  
  • The most powerful character. EVER by Khan the Destroyer
  
  
• [size=+1]The Synchronicity Shuffle:[/size] Using the synchronicity power in conjunction with Psycrystal Containment and an infinite source of power points leads to an infinite-action loop.
  • Explained here by DisposableHero_.
  
  
• [size=+1]Tainted Spellcasting:[/size] Undead and evil-subtype characters are immune to the negative effects of Taint, which can be used in the Tainted Scholar prestige class to gain an unlimited virtual spellcasting ability.
  • Explained Here by Kresalak
  
  
• [size=+1]Templates for Free:[/size] By either using Effigies, the tauric template or lycanthropy, it is possible to stack up a massive amount of templates for minimal LA investment.
  
  • Mr. Roboto by deathwishjoe

• [size=+1]The 1d2 Crusader:[/size] Infinite damage by maxing damage on every roll thus activating Aura of Chaos with every roll.
  • The 1d2 Crusader by Bassetking
  
  
• [size=+1]Charge-Specialization:[/size] Charge-related damage multiplication effects can be combined, outputting thousands of damage in a single round.
  • Legal UberCharger by swanusd
    
  • Outcharging the UberERCharger by Gideon_Gideonson
    
  • UberERCharger by Tempest Stormwind
  
  
• [size=+1]Component-Free Wishing:[/size] Combos like the Cheater of Mystra and the Dupe Tricks can provide for the repeated casting of Wish with no costly XP investment.
  • Awaiting Write-up or Link (AWOL)
  
  
• [size=+1]Dupe Tricks:[/size] A variety of combinations can allow a character to create multiple duplicates of him/herself.
  • Legion by Tleilaxu_Ghola.
    
  • "Infinite" Stuff by Odytoboman.
    
  • Psionic Time-Copies by DisposableHero_.
    
  • Dirty Trick #3: Attack of the Clones by LordofProcrastination.
  
  
• [size=+1]Emancipated Spawn Reincarnation:[/size] The Emancipated Spawn prestige class along with modes of Xp loss and retrieval enable adding up many lifetimes of experience into a single character.
  • The Ascended v2 by SigmaJargon
  
  
• [size=+1]Forever Monty:[/size] Manipulate time to become invincible.
  • Pun, or complete invulnerability without Manipulate Form by psly4mne.
  
  
• [size=+1]The H.I.V.E:[/size] Verminlord's hivemind ability mixed with summoning swarms of creatures to add to the character's incredible spellcasting capabilities.
  
  • The H.I.V.E. by SigmaJargon
  
  
• [size=+1]Hulking Hurler:[/size] The weight-based improvised-weapon damage chart combined with geometrically advancing lifting load corresponding to strength results in outrageous damage.
  
  • The Hulking Hurler Thread by group effort
  
  
• [size=+1]Ice Assassin:[/size] When combined with a method of removing material components, the ice assassin spell can replicate any creature/god/character for you.
  • Summary of uses listed by Tleilaxu_Ghola.
  
  
  
• [size=+1]The Jovoc Generator:[/size] An endless cycle of damage, graciously distributed to everyone nearby courtesy of the Jovocian Aura of Retribution.
  • Jovoc Generator (And the Jovocian Bomb theory) listed by Lyinginbedmon.
  
  
  
• [size=+1]Multi-Evolved Undead:[/size] Undead control followed by hyper-aging to accrue stacking applications of the Evolved Undead template for a super-minion.
  • Juju Mastery by SigmaJargon
  
  
• [size=+1]Nanobots:[/size] Uses hundreds or thousands of helpers to produce skill, attack, and AC bonuses ranging from the hundreds to the hundreds of thousands.
  
  • Nanobots Conquer D&D by LordofProcrastination
    
  • Nanoaffinity by RadicalTaoist
  
  
• [size=+1]True Creation Economics:[/size] A repeat-use command item of True Creation can effectively produce limitless quantities of valuable goods, exchangeable for gold.
  
  • Low on Cash? by Gideon_Gideonson
  
  
• [size=+1]Wish/Word:[/size] Two builds which mis/ab/re-use the wording of the Wish spell and the Holy Word/Blasphemy set of spells.
  
  • The Wish and the Word by K and Frank Trollman

• [size=+1]Epic Verminlord:[/size] Combination of the Verminlord's hivemind ability and Epic Leadership for a humongous hivemind.
  
  • Infinite Everything with the Epic Vermin Lord by Gideon_Gideonson
  
  
• [size=+1]Epic Spells with Follower Mitigation:[/size] Epic leadership garners hundred or thousands of followers, who can each contribute spells in the ritual casting of a created epic spell, reducing the price of the spell and enabling massive epic-seed combinations into a single power spell of negligible cost.
  
  • Awaiting Write-up or Link (AWOL)
  
  
• [size=+1]Permanent Emanation:[/size] Learn an immensely powerful and nearly uncastable Epic Spell, then take Permanent Emanation for fun and profit.
  
  • Post #42 by psly4mne
  
  

[size=+1]And Now...[/size]

This is going to be a growing list. No doubt I've missed some worthy entries and no doubt more will grow over time. By all means, please post to fill in the blanks or expand the ranks. And remember, next time someone asks for "teh most bahroken stuff CO can doo!!," save yourself the trouble and send them here.

*Recent updates*

7/31/07
Added "Jovoc Generator" to the list
"Energy Transformation Field" has moved up from Semi-smasher
Added "Candle of Invocation"
Added "Monty"

8/2/07
Added "1d2 Crusader"
Added Epic Leadership/Epic Spellcasting combo
"Component Free Wishing" has moved up from Semi-smasher
Added "Outcharging the UberER Charger" to Charge builds
Added "The Ghola Character"
Added "Behold!"
Added "Dirty Trick #5: 'Save' Game Mechanics"
Added Permanent Emanation trick

To get something on this list, remember to post a link to the thread. I do not have time to go thread-hunting for something.

Thanks in advance. Posting may now begin.

While his work impresses me, I must admit that the Ghola character gives me a headache. Probably the first post. :D

Anyway, it never mentions a build that I could see. Any ideas at what level it can be accomplished?

Also, while impressive, the Permenant Emanation really falls more in line with the Epic Spell/Leadership abuse. Once we find a link to that thread (or a new one about it), I think that should cover it.

About your builds...Monty is in, but the others I'm not sure about. Infinite cohorts is a nice one, but may rely on to much DM interpretation. Without such DM rules, it's actually a pretty easy one to catch.

The Thief one is interesting, but seems more like a neat trick that a way to smash a campaign.

Opinions?

Gideon_Gideonson]To get something on this list, remember to post a link to the thread. I do not have time to go thread-hunting for something.

Thanks in advance. Posting may now begin.

I really don't want to have to go hunting for stuff. I don't know where most of this is, and haven't seen most of it to begin with. If you can, PLEASE post wrote: