Iron Chef Optimization Challenge XI

[OMG PONIES]

That it does. I'm worried that not a single judge has posted scores yet--I'm afraid that the scores this time around may be too close for comfort.

[BobVosh]

Just to let anyone who is anxious know, I'm running a whee bit late, but omw as far as judging goes.

*edit* I just got called into work. I got 5 out 9 done. I feel bad as I really wanted to get this done today since I don't like keeping people waiting. =(

[Kesnit]

I regret to say RL got ahead of me over the weekend and I have not finished judging yet. Tonight is not going to happen since I am in class until 8. I should get to it tomorrow and hopefully will be done by Wednesday.

[DaragosKitsune]

My judging will be submitted at the first viable opportunity, some time this week is likely, but RL takes precedence.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

...play them some filler, Johnny!

[Keld Denar]

Blah. So its 11 PM. I got to work at 7 AM. We burst a water main at the plant today. I've walked about 12 miles today, getting all my contractors coordinated and set up. Judging will happen, but it probably won't be tomorrow or Wednesday. After we get the water back on, at least...

[Amphetryon]

*Contestant paces restlessly. Cue comment about suspense.*

[Kesnit]

Almost done. I should have my scores up in about an hour.

[Keld Denar]

BTW, do whoever asked, here is the template. Just copy/paste it into word as many times as there are entries, fill in the blanks (name on top, scores in the bold tags and justification after the comma). Then copy/paste the whole thing back into a post. Formatting done and done.

[b][/b]
[spoiler]
[u]Originality:[/u] [b][/b],

[u]Power:[/u] [b][/b],

[u]Elegance:[/u] [b][/b],

[u]Use of Secret Ingredient:[/u] [b][/b],.[/spoiler]

[Kesnit]

Moudo
Originality:4 Use of Twisted Lord came out of nowhere, which is what this category is about. (+1)
Power: 3.5. He has a broad base of abilities that are useful out of combat. (+1). Heavy reliance on Bluff and SA in combat, which is a weakness against mindless creatures and those immune to SA. (-.5)
Elegance:4. 3 classes, none of them dips. (+1).
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5. While Moudo uses his class abilities, a lot of his build comes down to Twisted Lord abilities, rather than the SI. (-.5)
Total: 14 / 3.5

Sizok
Originality: 3.5 Dromite. 'Nuff said. (+1). Use of Compression to take advantage of Size Advantage. (-.5)
Power: 5. She has a broad base of abilities that are useful out of combat. (+1). Several ways to draw and hold enemy attention without much danger. (+1)
Elegance: 2. As I stated in my judging criteria, I REALLY dislike 1-2 level dips. (-1)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5. Really plays up the size advantage. (+.5)
Total: 14 / 3.5

Wruk
Originality: 3.5 Use of Compression to take advantage of Size Advantage. (-.5) Use of the organization and building around it. (+1)
Power: 1.5. Against dragons and the organization, this character is good. Against anything else, some of the tricks and strengths go away.
(-.5). As I stated in my judging criteria, I also reserve the right to mark down a build with too much power. Mindsight qualifies, and in a big way. (-1)
Elegance: 2. As above, I don't like dips (-1)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2. While Wruk uses his class abilities, the build is much more about the organization and dragons, rather than the SI. (-1)
Total: 9 / 2.25
Note: I feel horrible for judging Wruk so low because, as a build, I really enjoyed him. But I had to judge him as an entry in the competition, and for that, he just didn't seem to fit.

Nekoya
Originality: 4. I admit, my first reaction when I saw "Tibbit" was 'how is this going to work?!' But you did a nice job of explaining why a cat-person would be connected to Gnomes. (+1)
Power: 4.5. Melee and ranged capabilities, plus tripping. (+1.5)
Elegance: 3. Nothing really remarkable in this category.
Use of Secret Ingredient 2.5. A competition based on a class called "Blade Bravo" that does not use a blade? (-1) Really plays up Size Advantage. (+.5)
Total: 14 / 3.5
Note: I laughed at the reference to past competitions.

Raakhama'karma
Originality: 3. Githzerai is unexpected, but you don't do anything with it.
Power: 1 As you wrote, your combat techniques with rapier and unarmed don't work. Flurry only works with Monk weapons (which rapier is not), and the PC does not have TWF to reduce the penalties of using rapier and fist (-4/-8). I would be surprised if he could hit anything.
Elegance: 1. I don't like dips, and you have 2 of them. (-1.5). Your reasons why the PC can take Stone Blessed are a stretch. (-.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5. As a medium character, you lose a lot of the benefit of Size Advantage. (-.5)
Total: 7.5 / 1.875

Ssejkosjth
Originality: 2.5. Compression (-.5)
Power: 3.5. As I read your build, I could not help but think of Reepacheep and his mice in The Chronicles of Narnia, running around,
poking enemies in the feet. However, it works. (+.5)
Elegance: 2.5. Mish-mash of ToB and psionics. It may play well, but it looks...unrefined. (-.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3. Really plays up the size advantage. (+.5) But this sounds like you started with PsyWar and SS, then tacked the special ingredient on top. (-.5)
Total: 11.5 / 2.875
Note: How did you name this character? Close your eyes and drop your hand on the keyboard?!?!?!

Jack the Were-Monkey
Originality: 5. Snicker. Snicker louder. ROFL. A were-monkey???
Power: 4. Another build that made me think of Reepacheep, but does it better.
Elegance: 3.5 Maneuvers feel like they play well into SI abilities. (+.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5 Really plays up the size advantage. (+.5)
Total: 16 / 4

Dulcinea
Originality: 3. Nothing really remarkable.
Power: 4. Nice party contribution with her frequent, widespread debuffs. (+1)
Elegance: 2. Dipping (-1).
Use of Secret Ingredient: 4. Tactics play directly into SI's abilities. (+1)
Total: 13 / 3.25

Jakob
Originality: 2.5. Compression (-.5)
Power: 3. Nothing really remarkable.
Elegance: 1.5. The Assassin dip, plus you don't take more than 5 levels of any class. (-1.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2. Only used 5 levels. (-1.5). Really plays up the size advantage. (+.5)
Total: 9 / 2.25

[Thurbane]

Just a general question about ICO challenges - are custom magic items allowed (following DMG guidelines), or do they not count as being an official source?

[Cieyrin]

Just a general question about ICO challenges - are custom magic items allowed (following DMG guidelines), or do they not count as being an official source?

Custom items have been done in the past, though they generally get hit in the Elegance category, such as during the Master of Masks contest with the masks getting extra buffs.

[OMG PONIES]

Thank you Kesnit, for being our first brave judge to post scores. Perhaps this will inspire the others? As I thought, some pretty close scores in the pack, but anything can happen still.

[Kesnit]

As I thought, some pretty close scores in the pack

I didn't mean to give a lot of 14's. I just determine the scores, then add them up. It wasn't until the 3rd 14 that I realized there was a pattern. (As a defense, Sizok was originally 14.5, but when I started finding several builds using Compression, I had to go back and dock her.)

[Draz74]

Well, Kesnit's scores for my entry were ... not what I expected. Better in some categories, worse in some categories, so I guess overall I can't be upset.

[OMG PONIES]

Any chance we could get an updated ETA from the other judges?

[WinWin]

Sorry for the delay. A mild virus put me behind in my studies. Been playing catch-up all week.

I found it difficult to be consise in my scoring, as the quality of entries was surprising. I found many things to like about every submission. Please direct any complaints or corcerns through the chairman, I'll be online over the next few days so I'll try and address them in a timely fashion.

Moudo. Quite the little monster. Upon my first read I have to confess I did not care for the build, or think I would score it so well. Upon further examination, the strengths of Moudo began to make themselves apparent. Could be fun to play in a Realms specific campaign.
Originality 4. One of the few builds that uses fighter, has a mastermind background and leads into an obscure PrC. Some of the tactics suggested are common throughout all the builds presented, but you manage to personalise it somewhat with some interesting build choices.
Elegance 4.5. Very little wasted space. Only 2 'empty' levels, due to a judicious selection of ACF's and PrC's. The fact you managed to pull this off with only 3 classes is impressive. I think the flow of new abilities and tricks make a character fun to play over the course of a campaign. A minumum of specific gear required is another boon.
-0.25 I made a deduction here because I noticed an irregularity. I believe the Zhentarim Soldier ACF would replace the normal Thug progression, granting the bonus feat but not the SA. It would not overly effect the build, but may delay some progression.
Power 3. A good selection of skills and feat choices. Moudo has a lot of RP potential, stealth, mobility and quite a few combat tricks. The abberant feat choices diminish some of the disadvantages of small size. Despite the lack of wasted space, I see little here that is really overwhelming. Good, but not great.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 3.75. Slightly delayed entry, but Moudo uses all of the features of Blade Bravo well. There are also quite a few synergies that add to the strengths of the PrC.

Sizok. A Drenai swashbuckling gish. In my experience the Drenai are an underused, but flavourful race. It is also refreshing to see the use of Psionics (even if Compression sees a lot of use in this IC).
Originality 3.75. I like what you have done with Sizok. It has an interesting approach and is certainly a thematic build. Unfortunately, the character is not the only one that relies on Compression, Swashbucker levels and Stonelord.
Elegance 3.5. Every level has been chosen for a reason. You also have no shortage of new tricks and powers to keep play interesting. Unfortunately the gear required to function at full efficacy hurts you a little here. Leaving room for some modification helps you adjust this character to the needs of a campaign. Very playable.
Power 3.5. The wilder abilities are subtle, but pay off. Any subversion of the action economy is a great boon in all levels of play. A very melee specialised build, but also has some other capabilities to help a party. A little bit of a late bloomer, but nontheless effective.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 3.75. You have clear expectations of the Secret Ingredient and adjusted your build accordingly. The late entry hurt you somewhat, but you make use of all features of Blade Bravo.

Wruk. Took a little research and a few re-reads in order to fully comprehend. Another build that I initially overlooked, but once I read the compelling backstory and pieced together the different elents of the builds I was impressed.
Originality 4.75. Not the only Psywar or Ranger, but the backstory, combined with Dragonstalker and an Aquired Template really got my attention.
Elegance 2.5. A litany of sources. Not to mention that some of the Exarch abilities are very DM dependant. I wanted to score Wruk higher, but the build explaination seems to be cut off somewhere in the middle. Regardless of these complaints, Wruk has been methodically optimized and has little wasted space.
Power 5. Very specialised. Very Niche. Very Deadly. The use of a few unknown (to me) optimisation tricks makes Wruk an effective and nigh-unstoppable assassin.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 4. A clever use of Blade Bravo. Even with the limited build explaination, I can see that the PrC is used well here.

Nekoya. I am not a fan of Tibbits. I'll try to keep my bias in check though.
Originality 4.25. More Stonelord...Warlock, Ruathar and a distinctive race choice help set you apart from the pack in this category.
Elegance 4 Simple. The use of some online material may chafe in some games though. Leaves plenty of room for modification or adpatation which I find to be a strength here.
Power 4. Could be fun to play. You turn a size disadvantage into a strength, which is kind of the point of Blade Bravo. A specialised build, but you have quite a few tricks available.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 4.5 All your bases are covered and all features are touched upon.

Raakhama'karma. Githzerai raider. I can see where you were going with this build, and I like it, but the quality of other entries forces me to come down a bit hard on you.
Originality 3.5. Swashbucker, Ranger and Stonelord are fairly common build elements. The use of Gith and Monk Help you out here.
Elegance 2.5. The inclusion of the secret ingrediant seems a little forced.
Power 2. Some of the elements seem at odds with each other. The mobility chain does not work that effectively with SA or monk strikes IMO.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 2.5. You use all 10 levels.

Ssejkosjth. Dragonborn bulwark.
Originality 4. Not the only Swordsage or Psywar, but I like what you have done here.
Elegance 3. You have a great progression here, which makes play interesting. It does seem that your build is reliant on some specific gear though.
-0.5 Initiator levels only benefit from Martial Adept levels and PrC's that grant new Maneuvers and Stances known. I might let this slide in a game I was DMing, but I can't do so in a competition. You simply do not gain access to some powers that help your build function the way you want it to.
Power 4. Definately hard to kill. Fairly specialised though.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 3.75. The progression seems all over the place. On my first read it seemed as though you wanted the build to do well in spite of Blade Bravo, not because of it. You use all the granted features well though.

Jack. A were-monkey pirate/ninja. It needs some cyborg and zombie.
Originality 4.5. I like this build. Not the one one that uses swordsage or swashbucker though.
Elegance 3.5. Too many elements hurt your score here. By your own admission you wanted more to work with. On the other hand, this would be an entertaining character to play in almost any campaign. The additional options provide a means by which the character can be adapted to a more High-Op game.
Power. 4. A late bloomer, but has some decent melee options. The skills and skill tricks provide many great options in a swashbuckling campaign.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 4.25. The only thing hurting your score in this category is the quality of other builds.

Dulcinea. Variant Paladins are always nice to see.
Originality 5. Unique.
Elegance 4.5. You kept things simple. The only thing hurting your score is the litany of sources, which may cause some DM's to roll their eyes.
Power 5. A variety of low/medium binder abilities. Decent melee options. The phrenic adaptation would be a great in a High-Op game. Normally when I see a Spring Attack build I groan, but Paimon turns this character into a supernatural Dervish.
Use of Secret Ingrediant. 5. All features are explained coherently and taken into account with this build.

Jakob. A jaded mercenary is a cool concept.
Originality 5. Another perfect score here. I like the idea of the anti-Gnome. Incorperating Lurk and Factotum really sets you apart nd offsets the slight Stonelord penalty I was going to apply.
Elegance 4. Simple. A clever use of ACF's. A reliance on a few key items, but not excessively so.
Power 4.5. Versatile. A lot of options available.
Use of Secret Ingrediant 3.75. The levels you do have are used well. You miss out on a few class features, but the benefits of Size advantage, Flourish and Goad are apparent

[Ozymandias9]

Please direct any complaints or corcerns through the chairman, I'll be online over the next few days so I'll try and address them in a timely fashion.

As a not to all contestants and judges:
I am accepting and reviewing disputes. However, I won't be submitting them to the judges until we have all (or nearly all) the scores in. I'll only be submitting them to the judges if the scoring gap could conceivably (it need not be likely, only possible) change the rankings.

The only exception would be if there is a mathematical or factual error apparent in the judging (if, for example, they score you down for something not actually present in the build). Those I will submit as I receive them.

Moudo.
Elegance 4.25. Very little wasted space. Only 2 'empty' levels, due to a judicious selection of ACF's and PrC's. The fact you managed to pull this off with only 3 classes is impressive. I think the flow of new abilities and tricks make a character fun to play over the course of a campaign. A minumum of specific gear required is another boon.
-0.25 I made a deduction here because I noticed an irregularity. I believe the Zhentarim Soldier ACF would replace the normal Thug progression, granting the bonus feat but not the SA. It would not overly effect the build, but may delay some progression.

For clarification here, are you awarding a final Elegance score to Moudo of 4.25 or 4.

The same question applies (with the values of appropriately altered) for Ssejkosjth's elegance score.

[WinWin]

For clarification here, are you awarding a final Elegance score to Moudo of 4.25 or 4.

The same question applies (with the values of appropriately altered) for Ssejkosjth's elegance score.

Final score was bolded, 4.25. If I am incorrect about the ACF, then award an additional .25.

Sorry for any confusion. I still have a few cobwebs in my head.

[Ozymandias9]

Final score was bolded, 4.25. If I am incorrect about the ACF, then award an additional .25.

Sorry for any confusion. I still have a few cobwebs in my head.

Ok. That's what I though. I only asked because you bolded the deductions too.

[WinWin]

I really should use the spell-checker...

I'm surprised that I am only the second judge to score. Looking forward to the outcome.

[true_shinken]

Looks like this will be a tough one!

[WinWin]

For ease, I have compiled scores below.

Moudo 15.25 / 3.8125
Sizok 14.5 / 3.625
Wruk 16.25 / 4.0625
Nekoya 16.75 / 4.1875
Raak'hama'Karma 10.5 / 2.625
Ssejkosjth 14.75 / 3.6875
Jack 15.75 / 3.9375
Dulcinea 19.5 / 4.875
Jakob 17.25 / 4.3125

edit: My scores. Someone else can do a total

[true_shinken]

Totals after two judges:

Moudo 29
Sizok 28.5
Wruk 25.25
Nekoya 30.75
Raak'hama'Karma 18
Ssejkosjth 26.25
Jack 31.75
Dulcinea 32.5
Jakob 26.25

Dulcinea is on the lead, with Jack less than a point behind.
This looks like it will be a close one! The next judge might change everything!

[Ozymandias9]

A purely rules based arbitration for Win-Win

Here's the full text for the 3rd level ACF:

Bonus Feat : A Zhentarim Soldier gains Skill
Focus (Intimidation) as a bonus feat at 3rd level.

It does not mention 'replacing' any class feature for Fighter, because the default Fighter has no class feature at 3rd level. Sneak Attack Fighter replaces bonus feats with a Rogue's SA progression. I can find no WotC-official ruling that the two variants, combined, do not grant both bonuses.

While I would probably have ruled the way the judge did, there doesn't appear to be a presented rule to back that up. Since there are no rules governing the priority of ACFs and Variant Classes, I'm asking Win-Win to decide whether or not his noted deduction stands for an ambiguous rules situation rather than a clear violation.

[Keld Denar]

Since its an ACF, not a substitution level, and it involves seperate items, I'd say its legal. Contrast with taking Lion Totem Barbarian levels at the same time as the Whirling Frenzy variant. They reference different features, and thus should interact together fine.

ION, I'm on lunch break right now, and I'll probably be working tonight till late. Its also VERY likely I'll have to come in this weekend and put in more hours. I'll probably finish up this work week with like, 80-90 hours. My appologies for not getting my judging in. I have like, 2 done, so I'm making progress in the snippits of free time I have, but I don't like to put a lot of effort in if I won't have time to complete an entry so I don't break train of thought while I'm judging. If I was the last judge to submit, I'd drop out at this point, but it looks like I still have some time. Again, apologies, but RL is kicking my ass atm...

[OMG PONIES]

It's all good, Keld. Your company should throw you some kind of party when all that mess clears up.

[Keld Denar]

Well, I'm flex time, so if I work 80 hours this week, I get essentially a week of paid vacation at the time of my choosing. And there WILL be much drinking involved.

[OMG PONIES]

Nice. Still, a bon voyage party, complete with drinking on the company dime.

[true_shinken]

Since its an ACF, not a substitution level, and it involves seperate items, I'd say its legal. Contrast with taking Lion Totem Barbarian levels at the same time as the Whirling Frenzy variant. They reference different features, and thus should interact together fine.

...but it is a substitution level. It even has a level-by-level table. I'd say it does not work.
You'd also get less skill points than standard Thug.