New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 10 of 14 FirstFirst 1234567891011121314 LastLast
Results 271 to 300 of 395
  1. - Top - End - #271
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I can't find my BoVD at the moment, but it sticks in my mind a Disciple of Mephastopheles gets an ability to bypass fire immunity. Although maybe that's only with their class-granted hellfire abilities.
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  2. - Top - End - #272
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Kesnit View Post
    I can't find my BoVD at the moment, but it sticks in my mind a Disciple of Mephastopheles gets an ability to bypass fire immunity. Although maybe that's only with their class-granted hellfire abilities.
    Correct. As written, it's only with their Hellfire and Hellfire Storm abilities.
    Last edited by Amphetryon; 2010-07-25 at 06:14 AM.
    Iron Chef in the Playground veteran since Round IV. Play as me!


    Spoiler
    Show

  3. - Top - End - #273
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by ShneekeyTheLost View Post
    Only it's not immunity penetration, it's changing the elemental flavor. Which is not the same thing at all. It would likely score you 0 from the judges in both Elegance AND Use of Secret Ingredient, so I don't see as how anyone in the contest would be interested in it.

    Sometimes, you just want to light a fireproof cigar. Not freeze it, or shock it, or smash it. And even if you would settle for it, you are generally wanting to do it more than three times per encounter.

    Sorry, but your suggestion is about as sound as offering a suggestion for someone to take 11 levels in Monk when they ask for some way to increase their damage output... citing the higher unarmed damage and flurry numbers as reasons.
    I believe we are both rather angry. Peace?

    (On a related note, I don't think giving Fire Immune creatures vulnerability overwrites their immunity. See here)

  4. - Top - End - #274
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jun 2010

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    The link did not clarify anything. You may agree with some of the statements made, but there was no consensus. I personally think that it would temporarily make the creature succeptable, providing the spell bybassed SR and saving throws. Considering that there are alternative higher level spells that are permenant, that is not an abusive interpretation. I am not saying that my interpretation is the correct one, the other points made are equally valid.

    Bestowing a (Subtype) such as (fire), (cold) or (fiendish) is relatively easy. Mid-high level, but permenant spells. Even a few items have this effect. It is difficult to find a practical, offensive version of these spells though. It has no bearing on the outcome of this competition, but it is related to the theme of this competition. Finding a method by which a Fire weilding hero can burn even those immune to flames.

  5. - Top - End - #275
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I believe 5/7 people agreed it did nothing (71%). The ones disagreeing were the OP, and a poster noting that "evokers need all the help they can get!". I got the feeling it was fairly close to a consensus.
    Additionally, it's rather impractical because of the saving throw and Spell Resistance, as you mentioned. DC 14 from a scroll/wand/spell storing weapon? Not happening at the levels where immunity is common. The 3 round duration isn't great either.

    Also, Searing Spell. Sadly, doesn't apply here. Searching, I can't immediately find anything else.
    Last edited by Arbitrarity; 2010-07-25 at 09:12 AM.

  6. - Top - End - #276
    Banned
     
    true_shinken's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Draz74 View Post
    I agree with this.
    So do I, Draz.


    Quote Originally Posted by Arbitrarity View Post
    Also, Searing Spell. Sadly, doesn't apply here. Searching, I can't immediately find anything else.
    I couldn't get my build done in time because the time I got to work on it, I spent trying to find a way to circumvent fire immunity. ^^
    Sadly, everything I found was limited to specific class features (like hellfire warlock and disciple of mephistopheles) or to spells (like sanctified one of kord).
    Last edited by true_shinken; 2010-07-25 at 09:51 AM.

  7. - Top - End - #277
    Banned
     
    The Vorpal Tribble's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    The Mindfields
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Young Pyro
    Spoiler
    Show
    Last edited by The Vorpal Tribble; 2010-07-25 at 02:47 PM.

  8. - Top - End - #278
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Keld Denar's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I'm working on my judging right nowish. Got a BBQ and a gym apointment, but I'll have time to work on it tonight. Tomorrow I'm helping a friend move after work, so if I don't finish tonight, I'll get to it Tuesday evening at the absolute latest. Good entries though, like em a lot!
    Quote Originally Posted by Fax Celestis View Post
    AILHAY THULUCAY! AILHAY THULUCAY! AILHAY THULUCAY!
    _________________________________
    A beholder’s favorite foods include small live mammals, exotic mushrooms and other fungi, gnomes, beef, pork, colorful leafy vegetables, leaves, flower petals, insects, and birds.

  9. - Top - End - #279
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    My judging is done, but I want to give a little time to let it rest and for me to think about it. (I did it over the course of 2 days, so want to go back over it all at once later to make sure I was consistent.) I should have it up tomorrow.
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  10. - Top - End - #280
    Titan in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Broken Damaged Worthless

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Yeah, gentlefolk, sorry for the delay in my scores as well. I may not even be able to judge this one, life's been hammering me something fierce the last few days, and finding the time to judge this is... yeah. Probably not gonna happen.

    I think I will bow out of the judgments. My sincerest apologies, but I've got too much striving for my time, and I can't dedicate to this.

    All that I say applies only to myself. You author your own actions and choices. I cannot and will not be responsible for you, nor are you for me, regardless of situation or circumstance.

  11. - Top - End - #281
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2007

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I'm almost done judging, but there are a few things that I'm still thinking over. That said, I should have it posted by tomorrow night.
    Quote Originally Posted by SkyBoundFencer
    NOBODY POST I AM HUGGING AN INFERNAL

  12. - Top - End - #282
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Kesnit View Post
    My judging is done, but I want to give a little time to let it rest and for me to think about it. (I did it over the course of 2 days, so want to go back over it all at once later to make sure I was consistent.) I should have it up tomorrow.
    This makes me happy and sad all at once.
    Iron Chef in the Playground veteran since Round IV. Play as me!


    Spoiler
    Show

  13. - Top - End - #283
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Private-Prinny's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by arguskos View Post
    Yeah, gentlefolk, sorry for the delay in my scores as well. I may not even be able to judge this one, life's been hammering me something fierce the last few days, and finding the time to judge this is... yeah. Probably not gonna happen.

    I think I will bow out of the judgments. My sincerest apologies, but I've got too much striving for my time, and I can't dedicate to this.
    This is unfortunate, but life > a char-op competition. I'll see if Wings of Peace is interested in taking the open chair.
    Quotebox
    Spoiler
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr.Moron View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Optimystik View Post
    'Adding up numbers' is completely independent of roleplay. What you're saying makes as much sense as "peeling a banana is not a good way to drive."


  14. - Top - End - #284
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Amphetryon View Post
    This makes me happy and sad all at once.
    Dare I ask why?
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  15. - Top - End - #285
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2007

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I assume it makes him happy that you're done, and sad that you haven't posted it yet.
    Quote Originally Posted by SkyBoundFencer
    NOBODY POST I AM HUGGING AN INFERNAL

  16. - Top - End - #286
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by senrath View Post
    I assume it makes him happy that you're done, and sad that you haven't posted it yet.
    If so, I should have my scores posted early tomorrow morning, so only a few more hours. (Something about sleep...)
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  17. - Top - End - #287
    Banned
     
    The Vorpal Tribble's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    The Mindfields
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    With all the hard thinking these require can I presume they are difficult to judge?

  18. - Top - End - #288
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by The Vorpal Tribble View Post
    With all the hard thinking these require can I presume they are difficult to judge?
    Actually, yes. There were a lot of entries and a lot of approaches to the Secret Ingredient. Also, though I can't speak for the rest of the judges, there were a few entries that I liked as a reader, but when I looked at them as a judge, there were issues I could not overlook. That make it harder for me to judge.
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  19. - Top - End - #289
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I decided to just go over the scoring tonight rather than wait for the morning. So without further ado...
    ----------------------------

    My scoring starts with a base of 2.5 and moves up or down from there. With respect to Use of Secret Ingredient, all entries used all 10 levels, so there was no need to mark anyone down for that. I also did not mark down for entries that felt like Pryo was tacked on because it was required, rather than being integral to the build. Instead, I gave bonus points to builds that I felt integrated the PrC with the rest.

    The Forgotten
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 3.0. The mix of Pyro and Cryo was an unexpected twist.
    Power: 2.5. Nothing in this build screams "I can do it all," but it also doesn't scream "I can't do anything."
    Elegance: 1.5. Your Paladin levels seem to be splashes without contributing anything significant. Although the build, as a build, makes sense, I just do not see how the mix of fire and ice come into play as part of the backstory.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.0. The use of Cryokineticist kind of makes the secret ingredient redundant.
    Overall Score: 9 / 2.25


    Varholm Grimhide
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 3.0. I like how you used a psionic PrC rather than base class to meet the power point requirement.
    Power: 2.5. ToB helps any melee class, but it does have the weaknesses you pointed out in the overview.
    Elegance: 2.0. I hate marking you down since, as a reader, I liked your build. But the flaws were a negative.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5. It seems Pyro was tacked on, rather than being an integral part of the build.
    Overall Score: 10 / 2.5


    Tummo of the Three Candles
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 4.0. Half-fiend, Bard, and Soulknife. OK, I'm sold.
    Power: 4.0. The spell-like and psi-like from the half-fiend template add a lot to this build's power.
    Elegance: 3.5. You did it with 4 classes (counting the template as a class) and everything works together and builds on itself. Also, the fact you got just about everything based off CHA.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5. Pyro fits with the rest of the build and does not seem to be stuck on for the contest.
    Overall Score: 15 / 3.75



    Spiffy (love the name, BTW)
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 2.5. Wilder and Rogue, nothing terribly unique there.
    Power: 2.5. It's a damage dealer, and nothing else.
    Elegance: 2.0. The backstory explained why Spiffy gains the tentacle, eyes, and Pyro, but without the story, they all come across as tacked on.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5. As above, it seems Pyro was tacked on because it had to be, rather than being an integral part of the build.
    Overall Score: 9.5 / 2.375



    Balko the Farmer
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 3.0. Use of Ardent was not expected.
    Power: 2.0. This build strikes me as a one-trick pony - attack from shadows for damage. Against enemies vulnerable to that, it works. But as your ending shows, it fails against high level casters.
    Elegance: 1.5. You rely on debatable entry into your final class, and admit one of your attacks is only useful if the character gains more INT.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.0. In what is becoming a common issue, it seems Pyro was tacked on because it had to be, rather than being an integral part of the build. Bonus points for actually using the special requirement "Must have set fire to a structure of any size just to watch it burn."
    Overall Score: 9.5 / 2.375



    MiLaash
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 4.5. As you said, you managed to take a psionic PrC without any classes that grant PP.
    Power: 2.5. Another one-trick pony - attack. Bonus points for finding ways to debuff saves so your one-trick has a decent chance of working.
    Elegance: 1.5. While I like the originality of qualifying for the class without dedicated PP, doing so relies strongly on your DM letting you pull that trick. Your 3 levels of Half-Fey seem tacked on for the bonuses and extra abilities.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5. Again, it feels like Pyro was tacked on. Pyro stacks well with Hexblade, but Binder seems an off addition.
    Overall Score: 11 / 2.75



    Taliesin Pyrain
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 4.5. Again, you managed to take a psionic PrC without any psionic classes.
    Power: 3.5. Another 1 trick pony, but with even more ways to stack debuffs so that the trick can actually work. Bonus points for having so much based off CHA.
    Elegance: 4.0. CHA-based class after CHA-based class after CHA-based class, and the BG is a logical continuation of Hexblade.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5. I debated this one for a while since at first glance, Pyro seems tacked on. But rereading it and thinking about it, the CHA-based abilities of Pyro fit well with the CHA-based abilities of Hexblade and BG, and they fit together to make a melee combatant who can do more than just swing his pointy stick. Bonus points for actually using the special requirement "Must have set fire to a structure of any size just to watch it burn."
    Overall Score: 14.5 / 3.625



    Mirage
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 4.5. Another person taking a psionic PrC without a psionic class.
    Power: 2.5. Fire, fire, and more fire. Great if enemies are not immune to fire, poor if they have fire resist.
    Elegance: 2.0. I like how everything builds off of fire, but it seems SORC and Arcane Heirophant were stuck on as afterthoughts to fill the last few levels.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5. This entire build is based on fire, and Pyro fits right into that mix.
    Overall Score: 12.5 / 3.125


    D. Merwin Elbert
    Spoiler
    Show
    Originality: 4.5. Again, entrance without the use of a psionic class.
    Power: 4.0. A nice mix of damage and battlefield control, as well as option for enemies that resist / are immune to fire.
    Elegance: 3.5. The classes fit together well.
    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.0. I think I see where you were going with this build, but Pyro again just seems stuck on. Bonus points for actually using the special requirement "Must have set fire to a structure of any size just to watch it burn."
    Overall Score: 15 / 3.75
    Last edited by Kesnit; 2010-07-25 at 09:19 PM.
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  20. - Top - End - #290
    Banned
     
    The Vorpal Tribble's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    The Mindfields
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Kesnit View Post
    Actually, yes. There were a lot of entries and a lot of approaches to the Secret Ingredient.
    Just be glad we all kept entries down to 1 page this time
    Last edited by The Vorpal Tribble; 2010-07-25 at 11:44 PM.

  21. - Top - End - #291
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jun 2010

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by The Vorpal Tribble View Post
    Just be glad we all kept entries down to 1 page this time
    I'll make it bigger next time. I promise.

  22. - Top - End - #292
    Troll in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Fayetteville, AR
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I've been a bit busy, but my ratings are coming along. I'll try to share them as soon as possible.

    Also, if we're rating from 1 to 5 (rather than 0 to 5) wouldn't the correct average score be 3?

  23. - Top - End - #293
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Kesnit's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Eastern US
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by aethernox View Post
    Also, if we're rating from 1 to 5 (rather than 0 to 5) wouldn't the correct average score be 3?
    I don't think it matters, so long as each judge is consistent in their own scoring system. All the scores are combine in the end, so if I went back and added .5 to all my scores, it wouldn't change the final outcome.
    Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

    Proud member of the "I Love Anyway" Club

    Thank you, Ceika, so much for the avatar!

  24. - Top - End - #294
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by senrath View Post
    I assume it makes him happy that you're done, and sad that you haven't posted it yet.
    You assumed correctly.
    Iron Chef in the Playground veteran since Round IV. Play as me!


    Spoiler
    Show

  25. - Top - End - #295
    Banned
     
    The Vorpal Tribble's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    The Mindfields
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by WinWin View Post
    I'll make it bigger next time. I promise.
    I can only promise to try to not make it bigger.

  26. - Top - End - #296
    Banned
     
    true_shinken's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by Private-Prinny View Post
    This is unfortunate, but life > a char-op competition. I'll see if Wings of Peace is interested in taking the open chair.
    If you need a new judge, Prinny, I'm all for it.

  27. - Top - End - #297
    Banned
     
    The Vorpal Tribble's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    The Mindfields
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Quote Originally Posted by true_shinken View Post
    If you need a new judge, Prinny, I'm all for it.
    I'd say just go for it. If all the judges get back, it's all good, and if not, there's the votes.

    Also something to keep us occupied with until the other judges post their results.

  28. - Top - End - #298
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Keld Denar's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    I got 3.5 contestants judged today. I'm saving them all in a word file, and will reveal when I'm done. Just thought I'd give you guys a teaser to salavate over in a truely Pavlovian way.

    Quote Originally Posted by Fax Celestis View Post
    AILHAY THULUCAY! AILHAY THULUCAY! AILHAY THULUCAY!
    _________________________________
    A beholder’s favorite foods include small live mammals, exotic mushrooms and other fungi, gnomes, beef, pork, colorful leafy vegetables, leaves, flower petals, insects, and birds.

  29. - Top - End - #299
    Troll in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Fayetteville, AR
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    D. Merwin Elbert
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 3.5
    The use of Jade Phoenix Mage was pleasant and surprising, and the coupling of it with Swordsage is thematically pleasing.
    The use of the character himself, however, isn't especially original. Conceptually, it fits perfectly and I'm not bothered by his use, but it's, you know, literally not original.

    Power: 2
    Swordsage and Warmage offer a decent amount of versatility at early levels, and you eventually get a decent power boost from Jade Phoenix Mage. However, Warmage isn't an especially powerful casting base for JPM, and it seems to me that you progressively decline in relative power as levels increase. Your levels in Pyrokineticist, while required for the contest, severely limit your spellcasting potential and your initiator capabilities, and you never quite hit 16 BAB naturally. You have a nice amount of bonus damage, though, and Flame Lash does provide helpful touch attacks, regardless of your non-proficiency.

    Elegance: 4
    The character fits the concept quite well, and I like the build's presentation, as a whole. The character functions well without any odd interpretation of the source material.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
    Pyrokineticist is an excellent fit to the character, it comprises a good deal of his offensive talent, and you took the class to completion. Pyrokineticist probably isn't the most optimal class for the character himself, but conceptually it works quite well.

    Total: 13.5//3.375


    Mirage
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 4
    Druid was among the last base classes I expected to see here, and Killoren is a unique race that is often neglected.

    Power: 2
    Your multiple sources of low level spellcasting and initiator abilities offer a great degree of versatility, but your levels in pyrokineticist forsake much of the casting power you could have accessed. Your wildshaping capabilities are also crippled. The character is certainly playable, but like you said, it's solidly tier 4.

    Elegance: 2.5
    You used a lot of alternate class features, which, save for one, I'm mostly fine with. However, the Arcane Swordsage variant is really vaguely suggested and relies on a lot of DM interpretation to implement well, in my opinion. A lot of the multiclassing doesn't make a great deal of sense to me, that of the sorcerer levels, especially.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
    Pyrokineticist detracts more than it adds in this case more than most others, but I'm glad that you've at least gone to lengths to make sure it fits the character, thematically.

    Total: 11.5//2.875


    Taliesin Pyrain
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 3.5
    While stacking fear effects is one of the handful of melee go-to archetypes, the use of Heat Death and the debuff suite combine to make a rather unique concept. A CE Lesser Aasimar who is sworn to Pandorym was fairly unexpected, as well.

    Power: 4
    The battlefield control granted by Imperious Command and synergistic fear effects at low levels makes this build quite devastating for a time, and the utility granted by the debuffs coupled with Heat Death creates a character that is quite versatile in combat at most, if not all, levels.

    Elegance: 3.5
    The build hits several power breakpoints, but almost always remains relevant, and it progresses in a straightforward manner. You use an Elder Evil for bonus feats, but it fits thematically. I'm inclined to like the character, as a whole.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
    You reach the classes capstone, you make use your class abilities, and your other classes synergize with the abilities you get out of Pyrokineticist fairly well.

    Total: 15//3.75


    MiLaash
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 4
    Binder is a nice touch, and you seem to be the only contestant that thought of it. Your binding is rather relevant at several stages of game play, and it gives you a lot of versatility, in and out of combat. Half-Fey was also quite surprising, as far as that goes.

    Power: 4
    You've achieved a rather heinous DC on Heat Death, not to mention your SLAs, many of which are quite useful. You've also got a source of non-magical flight and several versatile out-of-combat options. As a back-up, you can deliver Power Attacks via touch attacks, which isn't terrible at all.

    Elegance: 3
    The Azure Talent trick is cute, but iffy; I would honestly consider docking you for it, but since the build isn't reliant upon the trick at all, it's acceptable.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
    You didn't take the class to completion; in fact, you're the only entry that didn't do so. It's not a very big deal, since the capstone is more than a bit underwhelming. Your class and feat choices synergize well with what you use Pyrokineticist for, at least, and there is a nice bit of charisma-synergy.

    Total: 14//3.5


    Balko
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 3.5
    Shadowlord, eh? I like Ardent quite a bit, but Shadowlord is uncommon enough to deserve a boost here. It's also really, really, good.

    Power: 3.5
    Teflammar Shadowlord is pretty great, since Shadow Pounce lets you get three full attacks per round. You don't have a large source of bonus damage to exploit that many attacks with, though, aside from Greater Weapon Afire. Craven would be nice, and I think that you probably should have taken one less level of TSL; if you moved your feats around, you could have taken Practised Manifester: Ardent at some point and taking Ardent 6 at level 20ish would give you up to 5th level powers and another point of BAB. I think it would offer a bit more to the build than Hand of Death, personally.

    Elegance: 3
    On one hand, you went into Pyrokineticist via a psionic class, and you took the PrC to completion. On the other hand, you resorted to using magic items to meet feat requirements, and, while I agree that it's fair, you used a somewhat shady entry to Shadowlord, all things considered. So, I don't really think that you net any points (or penalties) here.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5
    I really don't feel like Pyrokineticist does very much for the character, and that the character levels would be better suited elsewhere. Honestly, the character would likely have been better off taking Ardent levels instead.

    Total: 12.5//3.125


    Spiffy
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 3
    A chaotic evil gnome pyrokineticist is both endearing and the slightest bit cliché. The illithid interactions, however, are quite nice.

    Power: 3
    You have a good deal of damage dealing potential, however your bonus damage is (regrettably) made up of what are two of the most often avoided types of damage; fire and precision damage. If one or the other is neutered, it really cripples your damage. Wands of gravestrike and the like can help your sneak attack, but the fire damage is much more of a liability. Darkstalker is good, though.

    Elegance: 3.5
    You take the class to completion, and your base and prestige class progression are all rather straight-forward. There's nothing notably bad to say, here.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
    I don't really feel like you get a lot out of most of the Pyrokineticist levels. You make excellent use of the bonus damage, but you continue taking the PrC after you max that, and you could probably do much more with those levels.

    Total: 12.5//3.125


    Tummo
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 5
    A Synod Half-Cerebrillith is, well... nothing that I had ever expected to encounter. Additionally, you used Bard and Soulknife, of all things, for your pyrokineticist. Exploiting Cha-Synergy was expected going into this competition, but you did it in what is perhaps the most unique way presented.

    Power: 2.5
    Your build has little offensive capability outside of standard attacking and your SLAs, but you never get past a BAB of 10. That seems more than a little troublesome. You make up for it with the (as always) excellent Snowflake Wardance, but you're still limited by your lack of iterative attacks. Additionally, your ability to add Charisma to Damage on full attacks relies on Action Points and a feat you don't get until ECL 20.

    Elegance: 2.5
    It's nice that you (and most other contestants) took the secret ingredient to its capstone, but the fact that your build relies on action points (which aren't always available) and uses the very roughly described custom Half-Fiend rules requires that I deduct a bit from your score. I really appreciate the manner in which your character is presented, however.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
    You use Pyrokineticist for the bonus damage (on a large number of weapons, to be fair) and slight charisma synergy. That's perfectly acceptable, but I don't feel like you did anything especially clever with the class to warrant extra points here.

    Total: 13//3.25


    Varholm Grimhide
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 3.5
    Using Shifter to qualify for Warshaper, and using Kensai in the same build as Pyrokineticist, is pleasingly original.

    Power: 3.5
    You accrue a decent chunk of damage in an amusing manner from a decent range. You're also helpfully less reliant on traditional weaponry. Your out of direct combat utility is lacking, however.

    Elegance: 1.5
    The build takes two flaws and relies on a rather awkard reading of the Ordered Chaos feat. I'm not sure that the flaws were really that necessary, as (like you point out) you later take two rather superfluous feats (Vestigial Wings and Beasthide Elite). Additionally, you have to syphon off XP for Kensai, which is a bit awkward in and of itself.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
    You don't do anything special with the secret ingredient itself, since you're mostly just pumping your own unarmed damage. That's fine, but it doesn't really give you much here.

    Total: 12//3


    The Forgotten
    Spoiler
    Show

    Originality: 4
    The concept of these many conflicting ideals being used in harmony by one character is rather nice. It's not a concept we usually see in D&D, though I'm slightly more familiar with it in other media. The racial choice was fairly uncommon as well, and it fits the character.

    Power: 3.5
    You don't have a great deal of tricks, but you're quite decent at what you do. The lack of a third iterative attack is a bit of a bummer, though.

    Elegance: 2
    Ordered Chaos can be interpreted in several ways; more than one of which I'm sure would disassemble your build. Additionally, the use of Wilder and Paladin seem semi-random, to be honest. A clear explanation of the build as a whole might remedy this.

    Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5
    Combining Pyrokineticist with Cryokineticist makes for an interesting character, yes, but it's kind of the antithesis of building around pyrokineticist.

    Total: 12//3


    I really hope I didn't miss anyone. That would be more than a bit awkward.
    Last edited by ex cathedra; 2010-07-27 at 02:12 AM.

  30. - Top - End - #300
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

    Join Date
    Dec 2006

    Default Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII

    Three characters (Taliesin, Merwin, Tummo) look like they're all separated by less than a point for the lead. SUSPENSE!
    Iron Chef in the Playground veteran since Round IV. Play as me!


    Spoiler
    Show

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •