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TerabyteTavern
08-27-2022, 05:58 PM
Greetings,

Folks have suggested I post this here as I'm trying a challenge that is unique, and some say insane, that more people might be interested in for theorycraft and the achievement, IF I succeed.

Hardcore League Season 6 with no party, no gear, and no excuses.

In D&D 3.5 there is the Book of Exalted Deeds, and within is the Vow of Poverty feat. This feat, in short, says that you've sworn off material possession and wealth and in exchange, you gain inherent bonuses to help compensate for the lack of magic or even finely crafted items.


To fulfill your vow, you must not own or use any material possessions, with the following exceptions: You may carry and use ordinary (neither magic nor masterwork) simple weapons, usually just a quarterstaff that serves as a walking stick. You may wear simple clothes (usually just a homespun robe, possibly also including a hat and sandals) with no magical properties. You may carry enough food to sustain you for one day in a simple (nonmagic) sack or bag. You may carry and use a spell component pouch. You may not use any magic item of any sort, though you can benefit from magic items used on your behalf—you can drink a potion of cure serious wounds a friend gives you, receive a spell cast from a wand, scroll, or staff, or ride on your companion's ebony fly. You may not, however, "borrow" a cloak of resistance or any other magic item from a companion for even a single round, nor may you yourself cast a spell from a scroll, wand, or staff. If you break your vow, you immediately and irrevocably lose the benefit of this feat. You may not take another feat to replace it.

Here's how I'm interpreting it for my project, how it is going, and some of my thoughts:

Goal - Level 20
Restrictions - Vow of Poverty

No equipment or consumables! (Exception of specific quests objectives and conjured)
No Hirelings (Can't pay them!)
No Mounts or Teleport items! (Such luxuries!)
Solo Only! (Can't be carried by others.)
Renown can be collected. Any items that must be collected (such as to advance to the next quest in a chain) are tossed immediately.


Notes:
Guild buffs are allowed as they are granted to me by the guild. It is as close as I get to receiving buffs from party members.
I'm not running any spells that need components if I can avoid it. I'm trying not to need Eschew and can't buy components.
Also, I can't have any currency, so I cannot reset my Action Points. Each point spent is locked in. I can't change strategies at certain power milestones.
I should also attempt to run quests where feasible. For practical and 'legit-ness' reasons, I'm not going to grind all the way to 20 by wildernesses if I can reasonably complete quests.

Progress as of 08/27/2022: Deaths - 4 | Hounds Killed - 198 | Highest (and current) level

Build so far:


Character name:
Classes: 5 Favored Soul, 5 Warlock, 2 Barbarian
Race: Tabaxi· · · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral Good

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·20%
Str:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·HP:· · · · 243 · · ·AC:· · 15
Dex:· · 10· · 0 · ·12 · · ·PRR: · · · ·16
Con:· · 18· · 0 · ·21 · · ·MRR: · · · ·16 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 25
Int:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·Dodge: · ·1/27 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · ·0
Wis:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·Fort:· · · 10% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
Cha:· · 18· · 0 · ·24 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · .8
DR: 3%
Immunities: Magic Missiles, Fear, Magic Missiles

Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Warlock(1)· · · ·Standard: Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Pact: Warlock: Pact: Great Old One
2 · · Favored Soul(1) ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
3 · · Barbarian(1)· · ·Standard: Toughness
4 · · Barbarian(2)· · ·Constitution: +1 Level up
5 · · Favored Soul(2) ·Battle Feat: Grace of Battle
6 · · Warlock(2)· · · ·Standard: Maximize Spell
7 · · Warlock(3)· · · ·
8 · · Warlock(4)· · · ·Warlock Save Bonus: Thought Shield
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Favored Soul(3) ·Standard: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Child Of Faith: Child of Faith
10· · Favored Soul(4) ·
11· · Favored Soul(5) ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Acid
12· · Warlock(5)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Warlock Pact Spell: Pact Magic: Knock
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Warlock(6)· · · ·Warlock Pact Ability: Warlock: Entropic Ward
14· · Favored Soul(6) ·Deity: Unyielding Sovereignty
15· · Favored Soul(7) ·Standard: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Heart Feat: Stout of Heart
16· · Favored Soul(8) ·Constitution: +1 Level up
17· · Favored Soul(9) ·
18· · Favored Soul(10) Standard: Empty Feat Slot
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Fire
19· · Favored Soul(11)
20· · Favored Soul(12) Beloved Of Faith: Beloved of the Divine
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Constitution: +1 Level up

Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Points· · · 4 ·1· 3 ·3· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7.0 · 28.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 26.0
Concentration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 26.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 26.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 26.0
Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 19.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 19.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 27.0
Jump· · · · · · · 4 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·14.0 · 53.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 19.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 19.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 26.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Search· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Spot· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
Swim· · · · · · · 2 ·½· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2.5 · 21.5
Tumble· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 19.0
Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 31.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Points -8 -2· 2 ·2· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 1, Universal 1 (39 unspent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabaxi - Points spent: 2
Core1 Nimble Cat I
Tier1 Cat Scratch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frenzied Berserker - Points spent: 8
Core1 Die Hard
Tier1 Die Harder - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Athletics - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Blood Tribute - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enlightened Spirit - Points spent: 26
Core1 Eldritch Aura
Tier1 Spiritual Defense - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Body - 2 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Soul - 3 Ranks
Core2 Aura of Courage
Tier2 Spiritual Bastion - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Power of Enlightenment: Light I - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Spiritual Ward - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Eldritch Burst - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Charisma
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Charisma
Tier4 Spiritual Retribution - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Brilliance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feydark Illusionist - Points spent: 7
Core1 Find Familiar: White Tressym
Tier1 Study the Arcane - 2 Ranks
Tier1 Illusory Weaponry
Tier2 Bend Light
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favored Soul Spells
L1: Bless · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 19
L1: Cure Light Wounds · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 19
L1: Divine Favor· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 19
L1: Nightshield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 19
L2: Cure Moderate Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 20
L2: Lesser Restoration· · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 20

Warlock Spells
L1: Entangle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 19
L1: Expeditious Retreat · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 19
L1: Resist Energy · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 19
L2: Knock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L2: Protection From Energy· · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/904865229488414763/1013187455534497902/unknown.png

This is my 5th iteration, though all four previous attempts died at or before level 4. Hounds are a massive threat till level 5 when the Conjured Shadowblade, which is my primary damage source, gets an upgrade. My first few iterations I started as Fey Pact, but realized that GOO was going to give me more advantages. Expeditious and Entangle at level 1 is huge. Movement speed is the greatest weapon and defense available at low levels. Healing from the first level of Favored Soul at level two was necessary as I couldn't rely on party or hire heals to build up levels and put it off for later.

Every season I learn more about the game and how to be a more resourceful player. This season has been teaching me even more about battlefield management and reading how enemies move and attack. The restrictions of being straight naked throughout have made tremendous pressure to get better at physically moving, kiting in close quarters, and getting run-by and flanking attacks while solo.

My plan is to take one more level of Warlock, getting the GOO 25% Fortification and 5 MRR bonuses. It's one of my few sources for any Fortification. Then the rest of my levels will be Favored Soul to get more heals, and more hit points.

I'm looking to get Shining Through online before I level and debating still on my last Action Point this level. I want to get Displacement ASAP, but with the CR 14 Hounds having a TON more hitpoints than the CR 13 hounds, as well as a bit more damage and speed, I really need to find a way to drop them faster. Once I hit level 15, I'll get my final version of the Shadowblades and a bump in DPS, but levels 13 and 14 are going to be rough surviving hounds.

I've run what quests I felt I comfortably can, many on normal, a chunk on hard, and a few on Elite, like Stormcleve Outpost. I try to keep monster manual xp awards in mind for picking what quests and optional I might pursue.

Everyone is welcome to come watch me, as I only play this character on stream for transparency and accountability. My channel is TerabyteTavern on twitch. https://www.twitch.tv/terabytetavern I consistently stream Happy Hour every Friday from 7pm to 9pm Eastern (US) and occasionally on weekends and weekday evenings if the clouds part and give me the opportunity. There are some clips there you can check out to see some of my near-death moments, including getting glitched and trapped into some water in Newcomers, of course with no water breathing and on Hardcore. That was the most terrifying to date.

Thank you all for your interest, and I'm happy to discuss things.
(Cordovan: Hope this is ok here. Didn't see any good places to post this as I can't post in Fansite News and the link to the community rules at the top of the forum is dead, so I'm hoping this doesn't fly in the face of a rule.)

drathdragon
08-27-2022, 06:54 PM
i love the crazyness of this idea.

please let us know if you survived enough to gain lvl20 and beyond.

fatherpirate
08-27-2022, 10:52 PM
Good luck

Mofus
08-28-2022, 12:48 AM
All that but guild buffs are allowed? The buffs can be worth more than all the rest. But still, good luck, hope it works out for you.

Kayze
08-28-2022, 04:52 AM
Given the restrictions, I recommend going warforged for the immunities, underwater action, and fortification. Spending 7 points in the warforged tree gets you 100% fortification.

slarden
08-28-2022, 07:48 PM
Interesting idea. Good luck with your season - sounds like you are having fun.

I am mostly running characters on full ftp accounts this season - those limitations don't seem huge at first glance but are quite severe and add to the challenge significantly.

However, I am using gear :)

Saekee
08-29-2022, 06:59 PM
I did this right before they released reaper. https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/473087-Songs-from-the-Slums?highlight=song+of+the+slums

I used a halfling for some reason. This character had PLs that helped. I had to do Monk due to no weapons, splashed wiz to get spellcasted buffs. Remember that some mobs dispell...The EK imbues did not work without wraps equipped though.

TerabyteTavern
08-30-2022, 10:18 PM
Thank you all for your interest and recognition of this attempt.

To address a few thoughts and comments...

Guild Buffs
The Vow of Poverty, as written in 3.5 allows for adventuring with a party and having spells charitably shared with the avowed. It also grants a number of boons to the avowed so they can keep pace with their more 'normal' adventuring companions. I see guild buffs to fill this role. Let's look at some of the guild buffs available to this first-life, gearless hardcore character with a level 100 guild:

+2 to all ability scores
+5/10/15 to all energy resistances
+1/2/3 Reflex and Fortitude, +2 Will saves
+5-10% energy absorption
+20 HP and 25 SP
+5/10/15 Unconsciousness and +20 Healing AMP
+ 5% Experience Bonus
+5/10/15% Fortification
+2/4/6 Damage on Critical Hits

This is not a comprehensive list, but I picked out some of the highlights that I feel have most benefited me. They are substantial.

However, let's compare that against a single hypothetical piece of (admittedly REAL nice RNG armor)
Defensive Feycraft Armor of Deathblock - ML 10
Armor Bonus +5, Max Dex Bonus 11
+77% Fortification
+6 Constitution
Deathblock
Blue slot: +12 PRR & MRR Sapphire (400 Remnants)
Colorless Slot: +5 Charisma Diamond (500 Remnants)

Now, that is one cherry piece of gear, but I do that to demonstrate, that even without named items, at level 10 you can get +5 or 6 to stats you gear for, +77% fortification (which could be 100% with heavy fort sapphire at ML8), Deathblock, which is something I can't get at all, and a chunk of PRR and MRR and a touch of AC.

As you might imagine, that one piece of gear would be a huge game changer, eclipsing the guild buffs.

Why not Warforged?
Actually, that is a really good question and could open a whole different range of options. This season, with the hounds, there is a NEED FOR SPEED. That initial burst of Feline Agility when you can stop and pick your battlefield and wait for the hound helps a lot in flanking and dodging their slower loping attack pattern. I've also found the Cat Scratch cleave to be handy early on and want to grab the Fall damage immunity and make it up to the 3-second speed charge. But, you are right. Warforged has a ton of 'inherent' stuff to offer. And would open up Artificer, Wizard, and Sorc as being healing options. As I consider continuing toying with this concept on Live (where I can experiment and push much more) it is going to be near or at the top of the list.

Free-to-Play accounts
Completely fresh free-to-play accounts can be very stifling in terms of what plays well enough to climb HC. I like the greatsword Paladin because you can make Retribution work fairly well while being nicely tanky using some Sacred Defender with the basic human. Now, if you are basic FTP and going for Reaper ... What? How? Huh? ... Hat's off to you, you mad person.

Saekee's Songs from the Slums
That is cool! I like your screenshots and storytelling. The game was so different 6 years ago. Now, with a scaling spell-turned weapon with the Shadowblades (or new Flameblades) you can carry a lot more damage with you than bare-knuckled brawling. My other project, before Hardcore landed, is my Taverndrunk who drinks potions of wonder on viewer command and sees what I can pull off with a non-monk handwraps user. Currently a Kensai fighter. Seeing that you had to compromise on the handwraps to get EK to play along, the conjured blades give an option that EK will respect and work with. Also, the issue with champions is a pain I nearly feel. Of course, if I get one shot by a champ, it's rerolling time on HC. Between packs of mobs on hard or higher and hounds, my paranoia runs hot AND cold. I'm sure some Past Lives helped out a bit with bolstering your bottom line and confidence. If I keep on playing with this idea on live, PLs will be a major factor in pushing my luck into harder difficulties and quests. Mad respect Saekee for being OG. I wonder if you'll revisit the concept now with Sacred Fist Paladin?

Thank you all for the points of discussion. I'm definitely interested in alternate build theories that might be more successful.

Kayze
08-31-2022, 01:07 AM
Why not Warforged?
Actually, that is a really good question and could open a whole different range of options. This season, with the hounds, there is a NEED FOR SPEED. That initial burst of Feline Agility when you can stop and pick your battlefield and wait for the hound helps a lot in flanking and dodging their slower loping attack pattern. I've also found the Cat Scratch cleave to be handy early on and want to grab the Fall damage immunity and make it up to the 3-second speed charge. But, you are right. Warforged has a ton of 'inherent' stuff to offer. And would open up Artificer, Wizard, and Sorc as being healing options. As I consider continuing toying with this concept on Live (where I can experiment and push much more) it is going to be near or at the top of the list.
You already have expeditious retreat from warlock. Picking up sorc lets you cast feather fall. Favored soul only brings nightshield, lesser restoration, and cure moderate wounds. You can drop favored soul entirely and pick up mm immunity from any number of other sources. Unfortunately, much of the advantage of going wizard is lost if you are unable to scribe spells, so might as well go sorc for the faster cast, CHA main stat, and bigger SP pool.

Without gear to boost DC and spellpower, spells will mostly be for utility, focusing on SWF shadowblade as the main attacking tool. As such, the best pact for this character will be Fiend, giving us Rage and Fire Shield. GOO is useless because PK and entangle requires gear DC investment. Statwise, you will need to invest into strength to prevent helplessness from enfeeblement.

For Warforged vs Tabaxi: To get a 3 second feline agility, you would need to invest at least 11 AP. If you are going down the frenzied berserker tree already anyway, why not pick up the sprint boost for +50% movement speed (as opposed to the +20% or +30% from investing 16 AP)? Mithral body feat lets you take advantage of shape vestments core in ES, and you also get an extra 15 melee power in the warforged tree, not to mention the 100% free fortification, +2 con, and repair amp.

Here is a sample warforged build, using only 76 AP (as I assume you will not be playing past 20), and not taking any level 4 sorc spells. Extend makes using rage and haste more manageable, though it can be replaced with maximize instead if you really feel the need for better repairs. Quicken is mostly not needed because of sorc casting speed, but can be a consideration if you constantly find yourself interrupted (since we will have low concentration).



Classes: 10 Warlock, 7 Sorcerer, 2 Barbarian
Race: Warforged · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·20%
Str:· · 14· · 0 · ·18 · · ·HP:· · · · 724 · · ·AC:· · 21
Dex:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·PRR: · · · ·47
Con:· · 18· · 0 · ·28 · · ·MRR: · · · ·34 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 50
Int:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·Dodge: · ·0/25 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · ·0
Wis:· · ·6· · 0 · · 6 · · ·Fort:· · ·100% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 30
Cha:· · 16· · 0 · ·29 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 18
DR: 3%
Immunities: Sleep, Energy Drain, Nausea, Sickness, Exhaustion, Paralysis, Fear, Magic Missiles, Magical Controls and Compulsion, Death effect, Level drain, Freedom of Movement, Magic Missiles


Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Warlock(1)· · · ·Standard: Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Pact: Warlock: Pact: Fiend
2 · · Barbarian(1)· · ·
3 · · Barbarian(2)· · ·Standard: Mithral Body
4 · · Sorcerer(1) · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Warlock(2)· · · ·
6 · · Warlock(3)· · · ·Standard: Extend Spell
7 · · Warlock(4)· · · ·Warlock Save Bonus: Fiendish Resilience
8 · · Warlock(5)· · · ·Warlock Pact Spell: Pact Magic: Rage
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Warlock(6)· · · ·Standard: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Warlock Pact Ability: Warlock: Dark One's Luck
10· · Warlock(7)· · · ·
11· · Warlock(8)· · · ·Warlock Save Bonus: Fiendish Resilience
12· · Warlock(9)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Warlock Pact Spell: Pact Magic: Fire Shield
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Warlock(10) · · ·Warlock Resistance: Fiendish Resistance
14· · Sorcerer(2) · · ·
15· · Sorcerer(3) · · ·Standard: Offhand Versatility
16· · Sorcerer(4) · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Sorcerer(5) · · ·
18· · Sorcerer(6) · · ·Standard: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
19· · Sorcerer(7) · · ·

Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Points· · · 4 ·3· 3 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 · Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · · · · · · · · · · ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· · · · 7.0 · 16.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Concentration · · · · · 1 · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · 1 · · 9.0 · 30.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·8.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 44.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·8.0
Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 11.0
Search· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Spot· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·8.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 32.0
Tumble· · · · · · · ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 10.0
Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warforged - Points spent: 13
Core1 Improved Fortification I
Core2 Constitution I
Tier1 Inscribed Armor - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Repair Systems: Mechanist - 2 Ranks
Core3 Improved Fortification II
Core4 Constitution II
Core5 Improved Fortification III
Tier3 Memories of the Last War I: Front Lines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enlightened Spirit - Points spent: 39
Core1 Eldritch Aura
Tier1 Spiritual Defense - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Soul - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Body - 3 Ranks
Core2 Aura of Courage
Tier2 Spiritual Bastion - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Resist Energies - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Spiritual Ward - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Charisma
Tier3 Eldritch Burst - 3 Ranks
Core3 Shape Vestments
Tier4 Brilliance
Tier4 Spiritual Retribution - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Charisma
Tier5 Spirit Blast - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Beacon
Tier5 Shining Through
Tier5 Displacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frenzied Berserker - Points spent: 11
Core1 Die Hard
Tier1 Cracking Attack - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Extra Rage - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Blood Tribute - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Sprint Boost - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eldritch Knight (Sorc) - Points spent: 6
Core1 Eldritch Strike
Tier1 Improved Mage Armor - 1 Ranks
Tier1 Toughness - 3 Ranks
Core2 Spellsword
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tainted Scholar - Points spent: 4
Core1 Tainted Spellcasting
Tier1 Feigned Health - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feydark Illusionist - Points spent: 3
Core1 Find Familiar: White Tressym
Tier1 Illusory Weaponry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorcerer Spells
L1: Expeditious Retreat · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: Merfolk's Blessing· · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: Repair Light Damage · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: Shield· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 20
L2: Bear's Endurance· · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 21
L2: Repair Moderate Damage· · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 21
L2: Spawn Screen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Necromancy· · · 21
L3: Haste · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 22
L3: Repair Serious Damage · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 22
Warlock Spells
L1: Command · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 20
L1: Feather Fall· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: False Life· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 20
L1: Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L2: Rage· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 21
L2: Blur· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · · 21
L2: Invisibility· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · · 21
L3: Fire Shield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 22
L3: Dimension Door· · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 22
L4: Protection from Elements· · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Technically speaking, you can use omnispell stones with ddo points for spell components as they are not worth anything and are not purchased with currency. Imo, this reduces difficulty much less than using guild buffs, and fits with the "you may carry and use a spell component pouch" portion of the vow.

Alternatively, here is a cleric version that has a trance, 160% positive healing even as a robot, death ward, animal domain for hp, and runs quicken. The trade off is no haste or merfolk's. This version is probably stronger because of death ward, trance, heavy armor, and a bigger hp pool.



Classes: 10 Warlock, 7 Cleric, 2 Barbarian
Race: Warforged · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·20%
Str:· · 14· · 0 · ·18 · · ·HP:· · · · 782 · · ·AC:· · 22
Dex:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·PRR: · · · ·59
Con:· · 18· · 0 · ·28 · · ·MRR: · · · ·29 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 80
Int:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·Dodge: · ·0/25 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · ·0
Wis:· · ·6· · 0 · · 6 · · ·Fort:· · ·100% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
Cha:· · 16· · 0 · ·29 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 20
DR: 3%· ·2\Adamantine · 5\-
Immunities: Sleep, Energy Drain, Nausea, Sickness, Exhaustion, Paralysis, Fear, Magic Missiles, Magical Controls and Compulsion, Death effect, Level drain, Freedom of Movement


Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Warlock(1)· · · ·Standard: Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Pact: Warlock: Pact: Fiend
2 · · Barbarian(1)· · ·
3 · · Barbarian(2)· · ·Standard: Quicken Spell
4 · · Cleric(1) · · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Warlock(2)· · · ·
6 · · Warlock(3)· · · ·Standard: Adamantine Body
7 · · Cleric(2) · · · ·Domain: Animal Domain Tier I
8 · · Cleric(3) · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Warlock(4)· · · ·Standard: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Warlock Save Bonus: Fiendish Resilience
10· · Warlock(5)· · · ·Warlock Pact Spell: Pact Magic: Rage
11· · Warlock(6)· · · ·Warlock Pact Ability: Warlock: Dark One's Luck
12· · Warlock(7)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Cleric(4) · · · ·
14· · Cleric(5) · · · ·Domain Feat: Animal Domain Tier II
15· · Cleric(6) · · · ·Standard: Offhand Versatility
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Deity: Unyielding Sovereignty
16· · Cleric(7) · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Warlock(8)· · · ·Warlock Save Bonus: Fiendish Resilience
18· · Warlock(9)· · · ·Standard: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Warlock Pact Spell: Pact Magic: Fire Shield
19· · Warlock(10) · · ·Warlock Resistance: Fiendish Resistance

Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Points· · · 4 ·3· 3 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 · Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · · · · · · · · · · ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· · · · 7.0 · 11.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Concentration · · · · · 1 · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · 1 · · 9.0 · 26.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·8.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·4.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 37.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 12.0
Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·4.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Search· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·9.0
Spot· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 12.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · ·2.0
Tumble· · · · · · · ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · ·5.0
Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warforged - Points spent: 11
Core1 Improved Fortification I
Core2 Constitution I
Tier1 Repair Systems: Healer's Friend - 3 Ranks
Core3 Improved Fortification II
Core4 Constitution II
Core5 Improved Fortification III
Tier3 Memories of the Last War I: Front Lines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enlightened Spirit - Points spent: 39
Core1 Eldritch Aura
Tier1 Spiritual Defense - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Soul - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Resilience of Body - 3 Ranks
Core2 Aura of Courage
Tier2 Spiritual Bastion - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Resist Energies - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Power of Enlightenment: Light I - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Spiritual Ward - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Charisma
Tier3 Eldritch Burst - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Brilliance
Tier4 Spiritual Retribution - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Charisma
Tier5 Spirit Blast - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Beacon
Tier5 Shining Through
Tier5 Displacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frenzied Berserker - Points spent: 11
Core1 Die Hard
Tier1 Cracking Attack - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Extra Rage - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Blood Tribute - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Sprint Boost - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warpriest - Points spent: 8
Core1 Smite Foe: Smite Foe (Melee)
Tier1 Divine Might - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Toughness - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Smite Weakness
Core2 Resilience of Battle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tainted Scholar - Points spent: 4
Core1 Tainted Spellcasting
Tier1 Feigned Health - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feydark Illusionist - Points spent: 3
Core1 Find Familiar: White Tressym
Tier1 Illusory Weaponry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleric Spells
L1: Cure Light Wounds · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · ·8
L1: Bless · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · ·8
L1: Divine Favor· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · ·8
L1: Nightshield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · ·8
L1: Protection from Evil· · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · ·8
L1: Shield of Faith · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · ·8
L2: Cure Moderate Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · ·9
L2: Bear's Endurance· · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · ·9
L2: Eagle's Splendor· · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · ·9
L2: Lesser Restoration· · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · ·9
L2: Spawn Screen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Necromancy· · · ·9
L3: Cure Serious Wounds · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 10
L3: Remove Blindness· · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 10
L3: Remove Curse· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 10
L3: Remove Disease· · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 10
L4: Cure Critical Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 11
L4: Death Ward· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 11
L4: Freedom of Movement · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 11
L5: Cure Light Wounds, Mass · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 12
L6: Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 13
L7: Cure Serious Wounds, Mass · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 14
L8: Cure Critical Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 15
Warlock Spells
L1: Command · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 20
L1: Feather Fall· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: Expeditious Retreat · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L1: Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 20
L2: Rage· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 21
L2: Blur· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · · 21
L2: Invisibility· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · · 21
L3: Fire Shield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 22
L3: Dimension Door· · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 22
L4: Protection from Elements· · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LittleLexi
08-31-2022, 02:11 AM
This is an incredible feat to even attempt. I salute you and wish you the very best!

Keep us updated and stay alive out there :)

TerabyteTavern
09-02-2022, 10:56 PM
I managed to secure level 13 during tonight's Happy Hour.

Ran Invitation to Dinner on Normal and the Hate of Strahd was the most threatening mob. Managed to kill the Portrait of Strahd and get a completion, which paired with some Slayer and MM xp, got me the Action Points I needed to get Shining Through online for some chunky low-cost Temp HP and Spirit Blast for a little more spike cleave damage. With as much power as I could get, it was time to test the CR14 Hounds.

Ran to the end of Into The Mist on hard after clearing things out, and waited. Last time I did this, I was essentially dead to rights, but killed the hound and popped out the door with only 28 hp and around 10 stacks of Kinect DOT. This time, I could face the hound and 'take' the bite damage enough to beat down the hound before it managed to stack that high. Between Shining Through, Blood Tribute when ST is on cooldown, the Brilliance HP aura refresh, and the ability to heal, I can keep up health fairly well even while getting beat by just a single hound. I'm not going to be any more ready, I figured, so time to take on Rahmat's tomb on hard.

As I got in and oriented myself, I remembered that the hounds were not the only reason I was worried about this quest, or sands in general. Mummy Rot is a thing. I figured I would be alright, just dodging around breaking open the mummies and only have to deal with the gnolls, hopefully whipping through before a hound spawns. The Champion Caster Orange-named Gnoll and all his friends decided otherwise. What was supposed to be an agile quick charge through the quest became much more concerning as I get held, dispelled, and pelted by gnolls, and quickly land in hound spawning territory, I try to bolt. I run back towards the entrance, so I can bail out as a save. Unfortunately, spamming my 360 cleaves as I ran, a handful of mummies I broke out on my way started joining the train. Nothing leashes.

Once I healed up as the first of the train caught up, and while it was a bit of a rough fit, I managed to work through the backlog, but came out with Mummy Rot, Mummy Curse, and Pernicious Mummy Rot. So, once I dropped the champion, I deal with a hound, and due to all the hitpoints I have to take down on mobs, I deal with one more before the quest ends. Lesser restoration staves off the effects of the Mummy troubles and with a small handful of kills outside the quest I am ready to level.

The original plan was to take level 13 as a Warlock level 6 to get 25% Fort & 5 MRR. However, chatting with the viewer we collectively realize that taking FVS 6 for the level had many times more immediate utility. Still pestered by Mummy Rot, Taking FVS 6 I grab Remove Curse and get Unyielding Sovereignty, which combined let me shake my Mummy Rot without begging for mercy and have one more save my rear ability.

Next level will be FVS 7, taking the extra 70 HP right away and 10 more for each more FVS level. I'll probably pick up the Warlock 6 at 15 to get that Fort. The only thing that gives me a slight pause is that if I skip that Warlock level and stay FVS, I'll come out with 10 more hp and Word of Recall at level 19, which quickened can be a skip out to save myself during the last level of this challenge. (Remember, no Teleport items, No [easy] Escape.)

My next two action points will go into Displacement SLA in ES, and that'll be the last of what I spend there. Then I get to start picking up nice-to-have things. Fall Damage Immunity, Deflect Arrows, Sprint Boost, Good Hope and Close Wounds. I'll have to make some decisions on the fly as to how I might want to alter some of my previously planned build in favor of what seems higher priority on the ground.

Thank you all for following my Avowed adventures. I'm hoping it will start picking up speed again and should be a sprint once I hit the new Shadowblades at level 15. Oh, and we have well over 200 hound kills now, with a handful being these new and improved CR14 punks.

TerabyteTavern
09-10-2022, 12:23 AM
Overconfidence Kills.

Level 13, nearing 14 vs CR 15 Brilliant Hunt Hound in Hard Chamber of Kouroush. I got tripped, went to 0 and the dots killed me before the regen from stabilizing popped me up. Hound was all but the last 2% of HP, if that, from dead.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/904865229488414763/1018018807626866708/unknown.png

11 Quests on Elite, 36 on Hard, 32 on Normal. Wilderness and Monster Manual XP helped out to accelerate or cover some sticky spots.

Death #5. 4 Lives remain. I'm more worried about time.

LurkingVeteran
09-10-2022, 08:19 PM
Interesting idea. Without gear, you are going to have trouble hitting stuff (atk) or landing most spells (DC) at some point. Warlock makes sense, but I would look into PM as well. Some spells have no save, like sonic blast, scorching ray, ice storm, acid rain, solid fog, polar ray, arcane tempest, meteor (part) and the negative dots. I guess your spell power with most will be terrible, but Finger and necrotic will steal deal decent damage on a save as well. As a bonus the skeletal knight and even summons might actually be useful. Gnome with color spray is probably safest.

You can get like 50hp early on out of PM + EK and PM/forged immunities are really nice when your saves are terrible.

I guess you really want to pick all SLAs since you can use meta/emp. Straight FvS or DD /DA Cleric might be another option. FvS is tankier but Cleric (Fire, Order, Light, Air) has more low-cost SLA. Both have SLA healing. DA gets +150 incap range and immunities, but light is an issue.

TerabyteTavern
09-11-2022, 09:39 AM
Interesting idea. Without gear, you are going to have trouble hitting stuff (atk) or landing most spells (DC) at some point.

This is why I chose to go with the Conjured Shadowblades as my primary combat tool. Every 5 levels it upgrades to a roughly level-appropriate version, including hit bonuses. As of level 13, I hadn't had much trouble hitting things, just not hitting anywhere near as hard as a well-geared character might. DCs on the other hand become near impossible around level 8 content. Entangle from GOO Warlock is very useful in the early levels, but as mobs scale up, it starts becoming something they can ignore.


As a bonus the skeletal knight and even summons might actually be useful. Gnome with color spray is probably safest.

You can get like 50hp early on out of PM + EK and PM/forged immunities are really nice when your saves are terrible.

I guess you really want to pick all SLAs since you can use meta/emp. Straight FvS or DD /DA Cleric might be another option. FvS is tankier but Cleric (Fire, Order, Light, Air) has more low-cost SLA. Both have SLA healing. DA gets +150 incap range and immunities, but light is an issue.

The pet Skeleton is a good strategy in that it also scales and doesn't use gear nor does it look at your stats much to work. Summons however would require spell components or Eschew. If I were to modify rules to allow spell components (which to be fair are allowed in the 3.5 rules) I would only use 'found' components, as I would still not handle plat to buy them. Summons also have kinda limited windows of usefulness.

Color spray suffers from the DC issue now, unlike when it first came out and didn't properly do the save checks.

Of course, all the Immunities from WF and Undead forms are very nice, and the bonuses to stats, HP, and things like incorporeal or the incap range are incredibly valuable. But with forged, you either play at a disadvantage Charisma wise when it comes to the blades, or change strategies to an Int-centered plan, and I'm not sure there is a viable damage source in an Int strat. Same applies to Wiz/PM as spells quickly fall off due to no Spellpower and you burn through SP, even with meta'd SLA as you have to spam them. And, as you mentioned, there is the light problem and Brilliant Hounds.

TerabyteTavern
10-09-2022, 10:59 AM
It's been a minute!

After our death at level 13, we've been back at it and have something to show for it!

Our Vow of Poverty Tabaxi is now at level 17 as of our Saturday evening stream and will be making progress today, Sunday just after this posting and I hope to set up for a grand finale of hitting level 20 Friday night (10/14)! I want to do some post-analysis once I complete this project and I want to know what you all want to know! So, please ask questions and I will endeavor to address what I can!

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/904865229488414763/1028696739890339850/unknown.png?width=1440&height=544

TerabyteTavern
10-09-2022, 09:28 PM
I spoke too soon.

Dead at level 17, gaining enough xp for 18 with my dying breath. Sorami Gardens, looking for a single lion to kill for some monster manual xp. Within mere frames, I was struck by a Ray of exhaustion by a Wu-jen Blackbone and then touched by a Shadow I never even knew was there.

Dead.

I don't have enough time to start again, so here is where the HCL 6 Vow of Poverty story ends.

The future for Avowed lies in a transfer somewhere... to continue the experiment, but with a bit more margin for error. I'll be able to push higher difficulties and riskier quests. I would like to ask the question: How far can a Vow of Poverty concept go? Heroic Completionist? 5k Favor? Reaper Content? That will be the question of this project going forward.

I believe I had it solved and if I had been a little more patient and cautious, I would have achieved level 20. The hounds were a challenge. Had several close calls. The limit of Quest Level +2 was a challenge, and at times severely limited my options for quests to gain xp.

But at the end of the day, the challenge was No Gear, No Parties or Hires, No Consumables, No Coin, and No Excuses.

See you at the Tavern. Next round's on the house!

adamkatt
10-09-2022, 10:10 PM
Hey man, nice shot.

Mofus
10-09-2022, 10:11 PM
Sorry it didn't work out for you, but congrats on the effort and progress you made. Good luck on season #7.

drathdragon
10-10-2022, 03:27 AM
first off: APPLAUSE

Then let me say that ... i feel intrigued by what you did, next season i wanna try this formula.

TitusOvid
10-10-2022, 09:54 AM
Thx for this. I had fun watching.

Cheers,
Titus

Phoenicis
10-10-2022, 12:14 PM
I spoke too soon.

Dead at level 17, gaining enough xp for 18 with my dying breath. Sorami Gardens, looking for a single lion to kill for some monster manual xp. Within mere frames, I was struck by a Ray of exhaustion by a Wu-jen Blackbone and then touched by a Shadow I never even knew was there.

Dead.

I don't have enough time to start again, so here is where the HCL 6 Vow of Poverty story ends.

The future for Avowed lies in a transfer somewhere... to continue the experiment, but with a bit more margin for error. I'll be able to push higher difficulties and riskier quests. I would like to ask the question: How far can a Vow of Poverty concept go? Heroic Completionist? 5k Favor? Reaper Content? That will be the question of this project going forward.

I believe I had it solved and if I had been a little more patient and cautious, I would have achieved level 20. The hounds were a challenge. Had several close calls. The limit of Quest Level +2 was a challenge, and at times severely limited my options for quests to gain xp.

But at the end of the day, the challenge was No Gear, No Parties or Hires, No Consumables, No Coin, and No Excuses.

See you at the Tavern. Next round's on the house!

Interesting concept, haven't watched the streams but I love the idea. Would be sweet if the SSG implemented the feat, only allowed at L1 and locked you out of most awards. Yeah, I know, You can voluntarily follow this plan, but oh the temptation... Having an actual feat would allow bonuses as long as you met the strictures, similar to not being centered turns off several monk features.

CaptainPurge
10-10-2022, 09:27 PM
Is there a way you can fit in spawn screen or do you just practice active shadow avoidance?

TerabyteTavern
10-12-2022, 07:16 PM
Is there a way you can fit in spawn screen or do you just practice active shadow avoidance?

2nd Level FVS spell, so yeah, in theory. Generally, I had been playing Shadow keep-away. In retrospect, not the best plan perhaps. But also, I had no clue to be on the lookout for them out there. I had simply forgotten because I'm not out there often ever.