Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XIX

[BobVosh]

Only UA variants result in points deducted. All other variants are allowed, though not chainable, and any non-published variant is assumed illegal (looking at unarmed swordsage). I'll add the last bit to my criteria.

Clarification requested: Chaining variants?

[kestrel404]

Clarification requested: Chaining variants?

Chaining Variants is a dodgy TO trick which uses the fact that some variants give you class features from other classes in order to get THOSE variants onto a class that was never intended to have them - like taking a wild-shape ranger and then trading wild shape for something else using a Druid class variant.

But I'd like to point out that the only class variant I've ever been penalized for using was the 'prestige bard', and that was only by one judge. UA is a perfectly legal source of material, you just can't use the RULES variants (like Gestalt or Alternative magics) and the Prestigious base classes are sort of 'by GM consent only' materials, which is why I was dinged for them.

[BobVosh]

Chaining Variants is a dodgy TO trick which uses the fact that some variants give you class features from other classes in order to get THOSE variants onto a class that was never intended to have them - like taking a wild-shape ranger and then trading wild shape for something else using a Druid class variant.

Should have known it had a name, ya I know that silliness. I'm not too worried as I know I have no chance of winning, but I hope for not last. High expectations -.-

[Cartigan]

Man, just as I sorted out my skill point problem, I realize I might as well just reroll the entire thing because I'm making the most obvious one possible that everyone else is also making.

[OMG PONIES]

I think I've got a pretty decent idea, though I'm struggling to make it anything new. Due to our shortness of judges, I MAY pull my old switcheroo. I'll let you know, shink.

[kestrel404]

As far as I can tell, there are two 'most obvious' builds (one for honorable, one for dishonorable), each of which has dozens (at least) of viable variations. This is a 'good' prestige class, which means it combos well with several other prestige classes and mechanics. Don't worry too much about matching up too closely with someone else's build - chances are it will be different enough that you're not going to get hit too hard for originality.

Spoilered for mild/vague build speculation

Spoiler

Show

Honestly, the only way I can see ANYONE getting full points for originality here is by focusing in on the less powerful and more esoteric aspects of the class. But really, anyone who makes really good use out of Seamanship and Steady Stance has my vote for pure genius.

[Amechra]

OK, I can't post up my build. It has too many problems in it, and would take too much time to fix.

So, I will be judging.

My criteria are, well, the standard criteria (you know, the ones everyone else uses, practically?), except I will not penalize dips or alternate base classes.

C'mon people, wow us with your brilliance!

[Zaq]

Dammit, I just thought of a cool idea.

Oh well. I will not waver. I said I would judge, and I stand by it.

(If anyone else comes up with the build, though, I'll have a hard time not looking favorably upon it. No hints.)

[OMG PONIES]

I think I finally struck upon a build with a few nasty tricks of its own, and a backstory to go with it.

[Cartigan]

I hate backstories, mine are always droll.

[true_shinken]

I forgot to tell, but I made the cut on March 21st because it's my birthday

[Eiko]

Looking to enter this, t'is my first time however. To whom or where do I send/post my build once its done?

[OMG PONIES]

Send it via PM to the birthday boy, true_shinken.

[Forb]

Grr. Unfortunately, stuff happened and I have had to work much more than previously planned. I won't be able to submit an entry in time.

Thanks for letting me see my name on the list, though!

Hopefully next time. :]

[Cartigan]

I deem this a pain in my arse. I think I may be misnumbering my skills when moving them from my spreadsheet to the table.

On another note, I noticed the forum translates the BB tagged br to an html tagged br after the fact which doesn't line break and then looks stupid. Odd.


EDIT: Entry away. Time to lose. I mean, me, I'll lose.

[Xodion]

A question for the judges, especially Zaq: what is the preferred way to list skills in the table, by total ranks or by ranks taken that level? Both seem to be commonplace in Iron Chef, and neither one seems to be better than the other for ease of reading and judging.

[Zaq]

Good question. There isn't a unanimous way of doing it. Either method is OK with me as long as you're consistent, but if you put the ranks added at that level, be sure to tell me what the total is afterward. Don't just say "Intimidate +2." Say "Intimidate +2 (12)" or something. So, I'd be equally happy with:

Level 9: Intimidate 9, Bluff 12
Level 10: Intimidate 10
Level 11: Intimidate 12, Bluff 13

OR

Level 9: Intimidate +1 (9), Bluff +1 (12)
Level 10: Intimidate +1 (10)
Level 11: Intimidate +2 (12), Bluff +1 (13)

Either of those will make me perfectly happy. If you can find another method that's equally readable, go for it. Readability and consistency are what I'm after.

[Cartigan]

Maybe it would be easier to offload skills to their own table, but what do I know.

On a related note, how should Skill Tricks be represented if taken.

[Thurbane]

I'm a bit rusty on coverting timezones (I'm in Australia), how many hours until the deadline? Still hoping to get my entry in...

[Xodion]

I think it's tomorrow, 26 hours from now, so we should have plenty of time. I'm certainly not going to be finished in the next couple of hours

[Cartigan]

I'm a bit rusty on coverting timezones (I'm in Australia), how many hours until the deadline? Still hoping to get my entry in...

Just figure out your difference from GMT - it's noon GMT Monday.

[Xodion]

Just figure out your difference from GMT - it's noon GMT Monday.

Not quite, it says 11.59 pm, so it's 1 minute before midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning GMT (CUT is GMT, isn't it?)

[Cartigan]

Not quite, it says 11.59 pm, so it's 1 minute before midnight on Monday night/Tuesday morning GMT (CUT is GMT, isn't it?)

If you havn't submitted it by 11:59, you won't have submitted it by 12:00

[Kesnit]

If you havn't submitted it by 11:59, you won't have submitted it by 12:00

Not necessarily. Not long ago, I was involved in a competition where the paper had to be submitted by 8PM. In the frantic last-minute corrections and due to slow upload times, the paper was submitted at 8:01. (It was still judged; there was just a slight deduction.)

[Zaq]

And in reality, it's whenever Shink gets the chance to post. I would not recommend planning to submit it late, but I've submitted things past the deadline before. It's bad form and I can't in good faith recommend it, but we've historically been lax about it.

[BobVosh]

Dropping out. So busy all of sudden. I haven't even had a chance to start this guy, which is too bad as I was totally going to have fun with his story.

[Amphetryon]

*pant pant* Build submitted.

[OMG PONIES]

Building now, should be done by 6 PM Eastern time (US)...that's before the deadline, right?

[Cartigan]

Building now, should be done by 6 PM Eastern time (US)...that's before the deadline, right?

Just, I think.

[OMG PONIES]

Perfect, that's my style.

EDIT: omgsubmitted.