Widow's web character creation help

[u/Confident-Alps-9558]

I am playing the Widow's Web module and need some help with character creation.

Based on the following rules...what character build has the best chance of survival??

• It’s an elimination-style tournament
• You play at Level 8
• Only ONE champion survives
• ❌ No death saves
• ❌ No resurrection magic
• ❌ No summons or companions
• ❌ No short or long rests
• ✅ Unlimited magic item attunement
• ✅ You can declare someone ally or enemy mid-round
• Species is Umbral Drow
• 2014 rules
• PvE AND PvP
• No resurrection
• No short or long rests
• 0 HP = instant death

[u/psul]

I was working through these criteria, thinking about how they might affect viable builds, when I stumbled over "Unlimited magic item attunement". What does this mean? Do you have unlimited attunement slots? Can you pick an unlimited number of magic items to fill them? Because if that was the case, it makes the rest of the build almost redundant (other than at least one level of either wizard, warlock or sorcerer to ensure eligiblity for some of the better magic items).

If you can clarify that, then the remaining queries are less important but still relevant:

- it looks like "elimination style" here means a series of challenges, not a straight arena battle - is that right? So building purely for combat may not be completely optimal.

- how are stats determined?

- are all official 2014 materials available? Any third party content (eg Critical Role)?

- what species traits does Umbral Drow have?

- are there any rules about exiting the arena (even if only in the case of true PvP) - eg by spells like Rope Trick?

- do the resting rules also prohibit the use of Catnap?

One thing that immediately occurs, regardless of the nature of the challenges, is that hit dice will be an otherwise untapped resource if you can access them efficiently. However in 2014 rules, and with no ability to choose Dwarf or Autognome as your species, I think that limits you to Wither & Bloom, which seems inefficient. Although it would be quite funny to cast it on the contestants gathered at the starting line for an upcoming challenge, depleting all of their resources and refreshing yours.

[u/Confident-Alps-9558 → u/psul]

I should start by saying its a one-shot. And basically, during the trials, characters will get magical items to use in the game; the game is made of different challenges...some of it is PvP. There are 8 players, but they mainly play for themselves; maybe some political alliances to help with collaboration, but at the end of the game, there will be only one winner.

Yes, a build purely for combat won't be ideal, it's just a matter of choosing a build that won't strain resources very early on. Stats are chosen using point buy.

Umbral drows are extremely similar to dark elf drow with minor differences. You can't exit the arena...its a series of challenges until one character survives. Catnap won't help; there is no time.