From the Lab #1: A Blow-By-Blow Unoptimized Encounter
I am, as (I suspect) are many around here, fairly well sick of people talking about the difference between optimized and unoptimized characters at high levels. To give us some data, I'm going to run five characters through a simple encounter.
Methodology
The characters, who will be posted below, were built by selecting a class and then repeatedly hitting "Choose For Me" on the new Character builder. (And for sitting through that, I thank Zathris.) They are available for old or new CB here. Their names didn't make it into the files, but they are Krusk the Fighter; Zanne the Swordmage; Naivara the Sorcerer; Steeple the Artificer; and Lilli the Binder. The encounter is G4 from the last Scales of War (so minor spoilers, I guess) and converted to MM3 guidelines. (Thanks to the redoubtable kilpadtds.) The dice will be rolled in groups of 100 at dicelog.com, and used as a list in numerical order. The rolls will be posted as soon as I figure out how.
Both the characters and the monsters will act as directed by me, in proper initiative order. The players will attempt to use all encounter powers ASAP but only use one daily per four rounds, rounded up (So 1-5-9), barring disaster on their sides' part; monsters will be played as indicated in Dungeon 175. A round-by-round map will be available, courtesy of the tool Ditzie.
If the combat takes too many rounds, I reserve the right to call it. (See hypotheses.)
Hypotheses
--Having the CB make your entire character is not a good idea. --The combat will last longer than five rounds or result in a TPK with relative ease, which is below developer expectations
Monster Stats
Monster stats, along with kil's commentary, follow.
Interesting. Encounter powers were already on the MM3 standard, for non-elites.. I upped the At-Will damage (including the Aura in my damage budget). I did not include the Aura on the death burst (because you won't take it next turn) or the Recharge power (because it's CB:10 vs. aura 5), and I didn't discount for control at all. It didn't come with an Elite Action, so I turned the RBA into a minor action. HP are about normal for insubstantial creature, but I don't have the exact formula used there. Defenses didn't need adjustment.
Deathshrieker
Level 30 Elite Skirmisher
medium shadow humannoid (undead)
38,000
Initiative +28 Senses Perception +23; darkvision Despair (Psychic) aura 5; an enemy that starts its turn in the aura takes 10 psychic damage and is slowed until the start of it's next turn HP 386; Bloodied 193 AC 42; Fortitude 42, Reflex 44, Will 42 Immune disease, fear Poison Resist 30 necrotic, unsubstantial Vulnerable 15 radiant Saving Throws +2 Speed fly 8 (hover) Action Points 1
Slam (standard, at-will ) Necrotic
+35 vs AC; 4d8+10 necrotic damage
Scream of Doom (minor, at-will 1/round)Psychic
Ranged 20; +33 vs. Will; 4d8+10 psychic damage
Death Rattle (when the deathshrieker is reduced to 0 hp ) Necrotic
Close burst 10; +33 vs. Fort; 5d12+10 necrotic damage and the target is weakened (save-ends)
Screams of the Damned (standard, )Psychic
Close Burst 10; +33 vs. Fort; 5d12+10 psychic damage, and the target is dazed (save-ends)
Alignment Chaotic Evil
Languages Common
Skills Stealth +31
Str 26 (+23)
Dex 32 (+26)
Wis 16 (+18)
Con 28 (+24)
Int 10 (+15)
Cha 27 (+23)
Equipment
Iron Golem
The "Elite Action" here is Cleave. As a soldier, the mark gets moved to an effect, and To-Hits go down by two. Defenses didn't need adjustment, although that swing is larger than normal. This is a pretty weak creature, given it's limited range. For damage purposes, I counted it's aura as 5-autodamage, on the assumption it will be on half the time.
Terrifying Iron Golem
Level 30 Elite Soldier
Large shadow animate (Construct)
38,000
Initiative +21 Senses Perception +16; darkvision Noxious Fumes (Poison) aura 2; While the golem is bloodied, each creature that enters the aura or starts its turn there takes 10 poison damage HP 552; Bloodied 276 AC 46; Fortitude 46, Reflex 40, Will 38 Immune disease, poison, sleep Saving Throws +2 Speed 6 (Cannot shift) Action Points 1
Iron Blade (standard, at-will )
Reach 2; +35 vs AC; 3d10 + 16; Effect: the target is marked (save-ends)
Cleave (Standard, at-will)
The golem makes two iron blade attacks, each against a different target
Dazing Fist (Immediate Interrupt, when a creature marked by the golem and within its reach moves or shifts, at-will)
Reach 2; targets the triggering creature; +33 vs. Fortitude; the target is dazed (save-ends).
Breath Weapon (standard, ) Poison
Close Blast 3; +33 vs. Fort; 5d8 + 13 poison damage damage and ongoing 15 poison damage (save-ends)
Alignment Unaligned
Languages -
Str 30 (+25)
Dex 17 (+18)
Wis 13 (+16)
Con 28 (+24)
Int 3 (+11)
Cha 3 (+11)
Equipment : Large Longsword
Lich Castellan
Oh boy, this is a long stat block. The create has multiple Elite Actions, so I eliminated some to shorten the stat block. The Distain attack seems to have been nerfed by changed aimed at PCs, so I added a no-save exception (and a 1/turn restriction). I also turned the Staff of Storms "daily item power" into a "break up Nova turn" bloodied action power. I kept the +1 bonus to accuracy it seemed to have from it's artillery sub-role. I actually reduced the damage on Gaze of Command but increased it's recharge
Lich Castellan Wizard
Level 30 Elite Controller
Medium natural humanoid, human(undead)
38,000
Initiative +21 Senses Perception +27; darkvision Despair (Psychic) aura 5; an enemy that starts its turn in the aura takes 10 psychic damage and is slowed until the start of it's next turn HP 556; Bloodied 278 ; see also second wind Regeneration: 15 (if the lich takes radiant damage, regeneration doesn't function on its next turn) AC 44; Fortitude 42, Reflex 43, Will 41 Immune disease, poison; Resist 15 necrotic Saving Throws +2 Speed 8 Action Points 1
Death Touch (standard, at-will ) Necrotic
+34 vs Reflex; 4d8 + 10 necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized (save-ends)
Lightning Bolt (standard, at-will) Lightning
Ranged 20; +34 vs. Reflex; 4d8 + 10 lightning damage, and the target slides 3 squares and is dazed (save-ends)
Orb of Shadow (standard, at-will) Necrotic
Ranged 20; +34 vs. Fortitude; 3d10 + 10 necrotic damage, and the target slides 3 squares and is blinded (save-ends)
Gaze of Command (minor, recharges when no creature is affected) Gaze, Psychic
Ranged 5; +33 vs. Will; 2d10+9 psychic damage, and the target is dominated (save-ends)
Ranged 5; +34 vs. Will; 2d8+15 psychic damage, and the target is teleported 20 feet above any unoccupied space within 20 squares, no save. A creature that falls takes 2d10 additional damage.
Get Off! (no action, when bloodied) Lightning
Close Burst 10; +33 vs. Reflex; 5d8+15 lightning damage; Effect: all targets are pushed 3 squares.
Lich's Disdain (standard, sustain minor, recharges if the zone is not sustained ) Lightning, Necrotic, Zone
Area burst 2 within 20; +33 vs. Fortutude; 4d8+10 lightning and necrotic damage. The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of the lich's next turn. The zone is difficult terrain, and any creature that starts its turn within the zone takes 20 lightning and necrotic damage.
Second Wind (standard; encounter) Healing
The lich spends a healing surge and regains 139 hit points. The lich gains a +2 bonus to all defenses until the start of its next turn.
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
Lilli activates Bridge of Shades, moving as indicated, and attempts to Banish to Darkness the Golem. She misses.
Krusk moves as indicated, using the Bridge, charges the Golem, and misses. Golem is marked.
Zanne moves as indicated and marks the Deathshrieker.
The lich uses Gaze of Command on Krusk and succeeds, Lich's Disdain against Zanne and succeeds, and Lightning Bolt against Zanne and succeeds. Krusk takes 16 and is dominated; Zanne takes 60 and is proned and dazed. Steeple attempts a Rejuvenating Infusion, targeting the lich and triggering on Krusk, but misses.
Steeple uses Curative Infusion on Zanne, healing him to full, then uses Grave-Dust Cloud to catch all three baddies and Krusk. He misses all three, and Krusk does not spend the surge. (It would be a waste at this point.)
The deathshrieker moves, uses Screams of the Damned and hits everyone, then uses Scream of Doom against Steeple and hits. Zanne takes 40; Krusk takes 45 and is dazed; Naivara takes a critical hit (70) and is dazed; Steeple takes 76 and is dazed; Lilla takes 35 and is dazed.
The iron golem ignores Krusk, who is dazed and can't AoO or CC, moves, and charges Lilla and hits. Lilla takes 36 damage and is marked.
Naivara decides to risk moving closer in order to get in range with her powers. She fails her save versus dazed.
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
At the beginning of her turn, Lilla saves against dazed, but takes 10 damage and is slowed by the deathshrieker's aura. Lilla uses Darklands Eclipse to catch both the golem and the shrieker. She misses the latter, but an Offering of Blood changes that to a hit. Lilla takes 30 damage and is bloodied; the shrieker takes 11 damage, ongoing cold and necrotic 10, and is slowed; the golem takes 19 damage, ongoing cold and necrotic 10, and is slowed. She then activates Tribune's Authority and flies away.
Krusk moves as the lich directs. At the end of his turn, he saves against dominate and stun.
Zanne stands up. At the end of his turn, he saves against both dazed conditions.
The lich moves, then uses Gaze of Command and Lich's Disdain against Krusk and hits with both. Krusk takes 46 damage and is dominated and prone.
Steeple heals Lilla for 73 with Healing Word. At the end of his turn, he fails to save against dazed.
The shrieker takes 5 ongoing damage, moves adjacent to Naivara, and uses both Slam and Scream of Doom against her as she can't make OAs. Both hit. Zanne is not close enough to ensnare. Naivara takes 69 damage and is bloodied. The shrieker takes an action point and uses Slam against her again and hits. Naivara takes 29 damage. At the end of its turn, the shrieker fails to save against ongoing and slow.
The iron golem takes 10 ongoing damage, moves, and uses Poison Breath against Naivara and the lich, who is immune. It hits for 40 damage and ongoing 15 poison. Naivara is dying. The iron golem takes an action point to use Iron Blade against Naivara. Naivara takes 29 damage.
At the beginning of Naivara's turn, she takes 10 damage from the shrieker's aura and 15 ongoing damage and promptly dies.
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
You're the straightest shooter I know on these boards. You don't mince words about your opinions, and I respect that about you. The whole fiasco you described in the last State of the CO Forum was particularly enlightening (and kind of disappointing with regards to how they see us).
Ah, Tsuyo. When your post isn't one sentence long full of asterisks, you have much wisdom to share with us .
From the IRC:
(19:52) RuinsFate: You know, I was gonna agree with something PalOn said... but I think I'm just gonna through my lot in with tsuyo's sudden train-wreck grade interjection.
(01:45) Nausicaa: yes your rage is a righteous rage :D (01:45) Nausicaa: righteous rage of torpedo
Slam (standard, at-will ) 
Necrotic
Scream of Doom (minor, at-will 1/round) 
Death Rattle (when the deathshrieker is reduced to 0 hp )
) 
Cleave (Standard, at-will)
Gaze of Command (minor, recharges when no creature is affected) 
Lich's Disdain (standard, sustain minor, recharges if the zone is not sustained ) 
.