Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXII

[Amphetryon]

Just out of curiosity, for future class competitions, can you adapt Forgotten Realms-specific Substitution levels to other settings by changing which gods they use?

I'm just asking because I just thought about how cool some of them are, and how many of them could easily be adapted for other settings.

While technically allowed, I would suspect such adaptations might get hit with Elegance penalties from several of the judges.

[Cieyrin]

Fixing new page bug.

[Amphetryon]

How goes the process, folks?

[Sgt. Cookie]

I have all the levels, feats, skills etc all decided. All I need to do is write it up. I also need to write up a background.

[Xodion]

I've done all the number-crunching for both entries, and mostly written up one. I had hoped to get least one entry finished by now, but I got drawn into the fighter vs swordsage contest

[Amphetryon]

Just a few more days now, folks.

[Feytalist]

It's been strangely quiet this challenge. Think everyone's too deep into their rulebooks to comment? Heh.

I had to study for my silly Advanced Stochastic Processes qualification, so I'm out this round. Still very firmly in the viewer's seat, though.

[gbprime]

Betcha we still get a dozen entries or more.

[Sgt. Cookie]

Maybe, maybe not. It is somewhat of a hard PrC to optimise to though. I wouldn't be surprised if many people simply use it as a "rogue gish" more than anything else.

[Menteith]

I have a build I'm reasonably happy with. I statted it up last week, but I've been finishing up my semester and haven't had time to write a decent backstory. Should be able to finish that this weekend, and turn it in before the deadline.

[Yorrin]

I think Sgt. Cookie is right in the sense that you start working with it and from a mechanical standpoint you start asking... why does this thing exist? Why not be a Rogue 13/Cleric 7 and be more powerful? I think that's something that should be taken into consideration as we approach the judging of this round.

[mattie_p]

Well, I, for one, finally came up with my concept today. This was a beast, and well worthy of an Iron Chef competition. Despite the challenges of working with this ingredient, I finally worked out a (what I think is) decent build and theme for the backstory. We will see, I guess.

Can we confirm that only one judge has posted judging criteria? I'm reviewing the thread, and one Z3ro has posted. gbprime and vilpich have also volunteered, unless their criteria is posted in other threads (and if so, linky linky) please post again? I need to do all I can to improve after my mediocre performance last time.

[Empedocles]

Originality: High scores here will be awarded to interesting class/ingredient combinations or interesting ways of combining more obvious ones. I won't penalize you if your build is similar to another person's unless said build isn't...original. Bonus points for neat combos and tricks, and penalties if you use blatantly obvious and well known tricks (in which case they're hardly tricks anymore, anyways).

Power: Basically, I won't give a good score here unless the power level remains at approximately mid tier 4 or higher through all 20 levels. It's great if he's semi divine at 20th level, but pretty much useless if he already died at 2nd. The most important thing for me is just keeping the power constant. The best scores will go to people whose power is based off of the secret ingredient, not just their base class.


I have nothing to add to Z3ro's criteria for elegance and use of the secret ingredient. Just know I think I'm going to be harsh on elegance, and if something about it doesn't feel right thematically or mechanically, I will deduct points.

Elegance: The toughest category to judge and assess. Dipping will be penalized, but dips that make thematic sense (ranger dipping barbarian) will be penalized less than dips that do not (rogue dipping paladin). More importantly, the build should make sense at all levels, 1-20. Abilities that are useless at the level they are taken, but come on line later, will be penalized. Maintaining flavor and flow through the build will be rewarded, while taking out of place levels/abilities will be penalized. This is also the category that will see deductions for questionable use of rules/illegal builds. Expect points lost if you utilize something that most DMs would rule against.

Use of the Secret Ingredient: In the effort of clarity, I'm going to make this category a little simpler. Did you take all 10 levels? How many of the abilities granted did you use, and how essential are they to your build? Would your build be better off achieving its goal with another class, rather than the secret ingredient (using this ingredient for example, would your sneaky thief build be better off as 20 levels of rogue)?

[Akal Saris]

It might also be quiet because of the timing. This is finals week for a lot of graduate schools in the United States, and maybe for most colleges as well. That's probably a lot of our usual contestants who are under stress right now!

On another note, I haven't been doing IC for ages because I've been super busy with work for the past 6 months...and now I just got a promotion! *happy dance*

[Thurbane]

I just couldn't get the first two concepts I had to work properly, and I've been crazy-busy both with work and social life, so unlikely I'll get an entry in.

[Jeriah]

I have a great entry, but it keeps falling apart around level 15... I just can't seem to quite pull it together.

[kestrel404]

While I've been too busy recently to compete this time, I'd be happy to be a judge this round.

[gbprime]

I have a great entry, but it keeps falling apart around level 15... I just can't seem to quite pull it together.

It's no good, I can't maneuver!
Stay on target.
We're too close!
Stay on target!
Loosen up! [boom]
Gold Five to Red leader, lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
I copy, Gold Leader.
It came from... Iron Chef!

...

[Yes, it's that kind of day at work today. ]

[Yorrin]

finals week for a lot of graduate schools in the United States

This. This is why I got my entry in early and havent been really talkative.

Grats on the promotion, btw

[Xodion]

I have been too busy preparing and writing up both builds only the backstories to finish now, which I probably shouldn't have left until last. How many points do you think I'll lose if I don't finish one of them?

[Amphetryon]

I have been too busy preparing and writing up both builds only the backstories to finish now, which I probably shouldn't have left until last. How many points do you think I'll lose if I don't finish one of them?

I would suspect (without making this a decree or recommendation to the judges of any sort) it would be enough of a deduction to make the fully finished build the only one likely to have a chance to win, place, or show.

[Amphetryon]

Only 4 entries so far, with a little over 11 hours to go. Good luck, folks.

[OMG PONIES]

Only 4 entries so far...

May be slim pickings this round. I stopped my building when I couldn't get my pony to do any tricks beside the one. Leaving for vacation on Thursday, but may be able to sneak in some judging if the field of entries is small.

[Cieyrin]

In my typical IC fashion, didn't get around to making a build. BUT. Gonna make this my 4th judging (IC 5, 13, 16, 32? Definitely no pattern in that, sounds like something a football quarterback would say, though.), since we need to bring back a healthy number of judges providing critique and making contestants cringe in anticipation. Looking at my last guidelines, I think I'll be sticking to 'em.

My Judging Guidelines:

Spoiler

Show

Originality: What sets you apart from the pack? Is this character cookie-cuttered from a guide/based off of legend or comic book hero? While homages are great and all, making your own super hero with his own back story is better than rehashing Batman/Kickass.

Speaking of story, having a story helps give your build a cohesiveness that a simple build may not otherwise convey. It only helps your score, though excessive size of story or lack there-of will not penalize your score. Not all of us are the next great fantasy writer, after all.

A final note is using obscure sources isn't necessarily a boost to originality. i.e. Incarnum and Binding aren't instant Originality points.

Power: How does your character compare to what his role would suggest he be able to do? If he's supposed to be a tank, how well does he soak up damage and keep threats on himself? If he's a support character, how well does he boost his friends so they can trounce the opposition and/or solve situations? D&D is largely combat-based but that doesn't mean that you'll do combat all the time, so having some way to contribute when you're not smashing faces is also a measure of staying power to the campaign in general.

Notes and tactics on your capabilities is a plus here, as, while I'm well versed in much of the game system, I can't claim to be competent in every aspect and I'm only human. If you have a unique trick that may not be apparent, point it out!

Elegance: How well does the character work mechanically? Does it flow reasonably with class and feat choices?

Cherry picking from classes is frowned on, though if you need such to get into a PRC, that's not the same. Flaws and LA buyoff aren't elegant, though mentioning them as an option is perfectly appropriate. Having LA and/or racial HD isn't an automatic Elegance hit, though it may take away from other categories if taken unwisely. Taking material from multiple settings isn't an Elegance hit, as that's merely a matter of appropriate fluff to mesh things together. I'm sort of a stickler for multiclass penalties, so having them does not make for an elegant character. Citing your sources makes this easier to adjudicate and helps in the Elegance category as well.

Final Note: If your build turns out to be illegal for some reason, you'll take a hit, but I'll judge it on the merits of what still works. Your scores won't automatically be 0'd because you forgot that you don't have Heavy Armor Proficiency to qualify for a PRC.

Use of Secret Ingredient: Is the SI vital to the build or would it have been better off with something else? Is the character built with the PRC in mind or is it tacked on to qualify to enter? How well do you use the features of the PRC?

MAJOR NOTE: Having all levels of the SI does not mean you used it well. It typically helps but not having all levels is not an automatic reduction in UoSI.

So *puts on his long dusty judging hat and cleans his judging monocle* bring on your dishes, and I will give my skewed opinion on whether you used too much salt!

[Piggy Knowles]

I've got a build in mind, I have the levels and feats and tactics worked out and a story in mind, but I haven't even begun writing it up. Work conference took me out of the loop for a while, unfortunately. If by some miracle I get enough time to put it together today, I'll still try to submit. However, there's a much better chance I won't have an entry this round.

I will try to judge if I can't submit, though!

[Sgt. Cookie]

And, submitted.

[Yorrin]

5, 13, 16, 32? Definitely no pattern in that

y = 3 x^3 + -20.5 x^2 + 48.5x + -26

Your next contest will be number 79

[DeAnno]

y = 3 x^3 + -20.5 x^2 + 48.5x + -26

Your next contest will be number 79

Number of data = Degrees of Freedom does not a significant fit make

[Yorrin]

Number of data = Degrees of Freedom does not a significant fit make

Oh look! You speak math! I am found out

[mattie_p]

And submitted, good Chairman. I had a new thought today which I had to incorporate, which definitely caused me to re-work a few things.