Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXIV

[Gotterdammerung]

I played with the idea of going undead, a type that normally doesn't qualify for the half-dragon template, but can qualify for this PrC. Unfortunatly, it was just too complicated to find any benefits.

I toyed with this exact same idea. But couldn't get much traction. I also was working on a changeling duskblade 4/ warshaper1/ dragon disciple 10/ warshaper 3 / Soul eater 2.

Ultimately, I had to stop both builds. I shattered my arm and it now takes me a long, long time to type with one hand (unless i try to rush, but the it ends up looking like this musoellfd crsp). I just dint have the will to push through typing a hole entry pivking at each key one finger at a time.

Good luck, eberybody. Be back when I am healed up. 5 more weeks to go (i hope).

[Amphetryon]

Sorry to hear about your arm, Gotterdammerung. Heal quickly.

From an observer:

Zeb's arithmetic is off for Samantha: His listed points add up to 15, but he has his score for her listed as 14

[Amphetryon]

ATTENTION, CONCERNED OBSERVERS AND COMPETITORS: Please refrain from sending multiple requests to my inbox regarding the same issue, and, if possible, combine your concerns into a single PM. Given the high number of entries, multiple PMs from a given Playgrounder regarding a specific build or issue will only fill my inbox and prevent other folks from getting a chance to speak up. Thanks.

From Samantha:

Now that Thiago has elaborated his meaning, I have to elevate my question to a dispute. Samantha does not "[qualify] with one class and apply the bonus spells to a different class." She qualifies via Southern Magician on Spirit Shaman casting (advanced via Swanmay), and it is this casting she uses Dragon Disciple to boost. Because of this, I humbly ask Thiago to re-review his Elegance score for Samantha.

[Zeb]

From an observer:
Quote:
Zeb's arithmetic is off for Samantha: His listed points add up to 15, but he has his score for her listed as 14

Fixed

Also caught up on reading the other judging, was my penalty for lack of Draconic too harsh or was I just the only one who noticed/cared?

[Amphetryon]

Fixed

Also caught up on reading the other judging, was my penalty for lack of Draconic too harsh or was I just the only one who noticed/cared?

It was stated up-front, in keeping with the PrC's prerequisites, and consistently applied to contestants, so it falls under "harsh but fair."

[Z3ro]

Fixed

Also caught up on reading the other judging, was my penalty for lack of Draconic too harsh or was I just the only one who noticed/cared?

Just an observation for you Zeb, on the subject of consistency; you deducted all the builds which did not take draconic by giving them a flat 1 for not qualifying for the SI. That's fine, it's your criteria, but Tael also did not qualify for the SI (via not having spontaneous spellcasting) yet did not receive a 1 in UoSI. Just a thought.

[Zeb]

Signature spell counts for spontaneous casting by my reading, and the incorrect spell selection for the feat was a deduction in elegance as I presumed the table was wrong and it was supposed to be shivering touch.

[Z3ro]

Signature spell counts for spontaneous casting by my reading, and the incorrect spell selection for the feat was a deduction in elegance as I presumed the table was wrong and it was supposed to be shivering touch.

Fair enough.

[Amechra]

Signature Spell actually does not qualify you by RAW; it only lets you cast a single spell spontaneously, while Dragon Disciple requires you to be able to cast arcane spells spontaneously.

Therein lies the rub; it's the same reason that Precocious Apprentice doesn't qualify you for being able to cast 2nd level spells.

Unless, of course, you are a Wizard of the Sun and Moon (I think.)

[Kuulvheysoon]

Signature Spell actually does not qualify you by RAW; it only lets you cast a single spell spontaneously, while Dragon Disciple requires you to be able to cast arcane spells spontaneously.

Therein lies the rub; it's the same reason that Precocious Apprentice doesn't qualify you for being able to cast 2nd level spells.

Unless, of course, you are a Wizard of the Sun and Moon (I think.)

Oh, that's clever. I hadn't even thought of that. Nicely done!

[OMG PONIES]

Final(?) Tallies After Three Incredible Judges

{table=head]ENTRY|PLACE|TOTAL
Sam|GOLD|47
Dracotaur|SILVER|46
Samantha|BRONZE|45.5*
Phaen bol Andras|Fourth|44.1
Yul'uth-ca|Fifth|42.1
Jeanette Crawford|Sixth|40.5
Iajuku|Seventh|40.25
Balaur|Eighth|39.5
Leofriadinesal|Ninth|38.25
Tael Yerenor|Tenth|36.25
Zordon Blue|Eleventh|35.75
Orvalo|Twelfth|35.25
Draco Drago|Thirteenth|34.25
Asheel|Fourteenth|32.9
Avi|Fifteenth|32.5
Wodan Silverblood|Sixteenth|32.35
Katria|Seventeenth|31.85
Xiroth Stirving|Eighteenth|31.25
Assassin|Nineteenth|30.1
Tyrus Blackscale|Twentieth|27.4
Son of Edi|Twenty-First|25.25
Salomon|Twenty-Second|24.1
Bowser|Twenty-Third|14.5[/table]

*score updated after dispute--previous tables do not contain this update.

[Menteith]

I believe we'll have at least one more judge. Koboldcleric mentioned they'd be judging, but it would take longer. This has been my favorite Iron Chef so far - huge number of participants & judges both, and great jobs from everyone!

[Xaragos]

Wow one challenge I would have been able to get an interesting build into lol. Tis ok, we were blessed with a mini Xaragos in the process :)

[ThiagoMartell]

Added +0.5 elegance in my judging of Samantha.

[gbprime]

Also caught up on reading the other judging, was my penalty for lack of Draconic too harsh or was I just the only one who noticed/cared?

You can be as harsh or as lax as you like, just make sure its fairly applied to everyone.

For example, our third judge seems to have deducted from originality if any two builds (or more) used the same race. Since even core races received this penalty, it's fairly applied.

[Amphetryon]

Late word from Tael:

I only just realized that i have a typo in my build. I meant for my signature spell to be shivering touch, not chill touch, an understandable mistake. Would it be possible for you to let the judges know this? Thank you.

[_flint_]

I really wanted to do a gravetouched ghoul dread necromancer6/dragon disciple10/idk whatever2

but i'm too lazy

[BerronBrightaxe]

I was working on something along the line a Barb2/Sorc4/RageMage2/Abj.Ch2/DD10, with a PA/pounce build and (extended) wraithstrikes. Due to time I wasn't able to find a good build with it.


Also if you are a Dragonborn of Bahamut, would you still be able to become DD? Considering you are a humanoid, it would seem you are able to enter the prestige class. I wonder, because I didn't see anyone who became dragonborn.

[kestrel404]

Also if you are a Dragonborn of Bahamut, would you still be able to become DD? Considering you are a humanoid, it would seem you are able to enter the prestige class. I wonder, because I didn't see anyone who became dragonborn.

Not a problem. Dragonborn gain the dragonblooded subtype, while dragon disciple cares about the Dragon type - while related in some ways (the Dragon type automatically lets you qualify for requirements that include the Dragonblooded subtype) having the dragonblooded subtype is not sufficient to disqualify you from taking the prc.

On the other hand, you couldn't enter with a Dragonwrought Kobold.

[Aeryr]

After several RL problems (having been without internet for most of the week, and this one is going to be busy) I won't be able to judge every build as fairly as I would like... so count me out as a prospective judge

[Madara]

On the other hand, you couldn't enter with a Dragonwrought Kobold.

Unless you wanted to risk the judges opinion on DW Kobolds being True Dragons. It would probably be one of the first times you'd be hoping for the other ruling.

[ThiagoMartell]

Unless you wanted to risk the judges opinion on DW Kobolds being True Dragons. It would probably be one of the first times you'd be hoping for the other ruling.

Makes no difference. DWK kobolds have the dragon type. They are lesser dragons.

[Amechra]

So... what is the final verdict? It's been two days since judging closed.

Everything OK where you are, Amph?

[Gotterdammerung]

So... what is the final verdict? It's been two days since judging closed.

Everything OK where you are, Amph?

Can I use your time machine?

(its july 11th, judging closes july 14th)

[Venger]

Can I use your time machine?

(its july 11th, judging closes july 14th)

what better present to nic cage's daughter in "con air" ?

[Menteith]

what better present to nic cage's daughter in "con air" ?

More updates to Homestuck?

[Amechra]

Woops, sorry; I must remember not to drop hints around the impending apocal-

Crap.

[Thurbane]

Wondering if many (any?) more judges are in the wind? I was genuinely (and most pleasantly) surprised that with this many builds, three stepped up to the plate already...

[Xodion]

In the end I didn't submit anything either, RL got way too hectic. Looks like this was an awesome contest though. Well done to the judges for getting through all of those entries so quickly, that is amazing - I guess we didn't need to extend the deadline after all.

Looking forward to seeing the next Ingredient, and wondering if I can recycle some tricks I thought of during this round...

[Garwain]

A hint on the next SI perhaps?