Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXVI

[Gotterdammerung]

the whole double bluff thing gets everyone:

step 1: X is so obvious
step 2: I will not do it. everyone will be doing it
step 3: everyone will have this line of thought. it is back on the table
step 4: everyone will have the above line of thought. it is back off the table.
step 5: repeat step 3&4 until you pick one to settle on.

"Never match wits with a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line!!!!! an IC trophy is on the line!!!"

[Thurbane]

Fair enough, you fine people have convinced me to go with my original idea, assuming I get the time to get an entry in.

Work and social commitments are kicking my butt at the moment.

[Amphetryon]

Is it [REDACTED]?

I dislike this whole "not being able to talk about builds" thing, but at the same time recognize its necessity.

Still, considering how obvious you think it is, I do believe it's the same idea I have. Either that, or a different idea that I thought was equally obvious but disregarded. Guess we won't know until the end, huh?

EDIT: ...one entry per person?

EDIT-EDIT: There's an error in the link to the latest Iron Chef (Death Delver).

EDIT^3: Do we use fractional saves/BAB? Is it optional? Something to be noted in adaptations?

Folks have regularly entered as many as 3 builds in a single contest.

Table's been fixed, though for the life of me I can't tell you what changed in the copy-pasta.

Fractional BAB/Saves are best left for adaptation notes.

[T.G. Oskar]

After last competition, I still find the need to vindicate myself (even though I fell short to a worthy competitor), but this isn't my plate.

However, just for a change of theme...I might be tempted to do judging this time, while I wait for the appropriate challenge. If work and circumstances permit, and given that lengthy and extensive explanations are still in order, I could cook up one extensive, pain-staking, funny and sincere judging as I usually do.

Now, don't take my word for it; I'll do it as much as work allows me to, but since the no-holiday period is effectively over, and the only trouble would be the logistics of when will I reach work (and hence my books), I think I can take the challenge.

I also want to see the intricacies of how everyone works the PrC, because it's quite awful, and it's still on the operating table for a much-needed retooling, so seeing it working on a build might just inspire me to complete it.

[eggs]

I might have an idea; I'll give this a shot.

[dantiesilva]

I am almost done with a build sadly it is way to obvious so i do not think i will be competing this round. As others have mentioned 2 things jumped at me, both were obvious choices but the power they could pack if worked correctly. Saddly I have never used both classes so though I know what they can do I can not optimize them. I will try to get my build in, but doubt it very much. I wish everyone good luck though and hope I am not disappointed and cursing myself if i don't put my build in to see that it did not show up.

[The Gilded Duke]

And done. I think I might have done something new with the class even. Once I had the idea I couldn't stop working on it.

[Amphetryon]

*Opens private message. . . reads build. . . well, now. . . . . . you, um. . . *

Best of luck, y'all.

[Kazyan]

Called it.

I do hope the deadline doesn't outpace me--some better fluffing is in order, and a way for the entry to not scream who made it.

[DemonRoach]

Folks have regularly entered as many as 3 builds in a single contest.

Personal experience tells me its better to spend more time fine tuning one build, though that might be due to experience and talent limitations

I'd kinda hoped Acolyte would always be mentioned and never actually used, but oh well.

*Opens private message. . . reads build. . . well, now. . . . . . you, um. . . *

Best of luck, y'all.

Well, that's comforting

[Menteith]

I want to shank alignment restrictions in a dark prison cell. Maybe if I keep looking I'll find what I need, but I think I'll actually need to start a new build altogether. Le sigh.

[eggs]

Not using fractional BA must be what going insane feels like.

I keep being shown up in every respect by one of the most painfully obvious builds that I can imagine when I look at the class... I'm almost tempted just to use it.

[GreenSerpent]

To be honest, this is my first IC and it's turning out to be... easier than I thought in some ways. Harder in others.

I presume that the Power category though is judged on how strong it is for its role in the party? For example a Frenzied Berserker would probably get a higher score for power if it was competing against a Fighter for a BSF role?

[OMG PONIES]

I presume that the Power category though is judged on how strong it is for its role in the party? For example a Frenzied Berserker would probably get a higher score for power if it was competing against a Fighter for a BSF role?

It depends on the judge. Some grade Power on a universal scale, so a Wizard will always receive a higher score than a Truenamer. Others (like myself) compare each entry to the same chassis without the Secret Ingredient, which is closer to what you were mentioning. Others still have their own systems.

[Amphetryon]

It depends on the judge. Some grade Power on a universal scale, so a Wizard will always receive a higher score than a Truenamer. Others (like myself) compare each entry to the same chassis without the Secret Ingredient, which is closer to what you were mentioning. Others still have their own systems.

Further, some will grade Power relative to other entrants, while some grade Power versus a theoretical ideal.

[GreenSerpent]

Hmmm, well, I come out pretty well anyway.

Fluff-writing time. Hopefully it'll work out well

[Dusk Eclipse]

I just hope I have enough time for my submission. I am kinda exited with my idea.

[OMG PONIES]

I really like the fluff I've got brewing, but mechanically I've only got a few tricks popping out. I'll try to cobble it together into a build, but I'm afraid I may not be using every part of this buffalo.

[Venger]

I really like the fluff I've got brewing, but mechanically I've only got a few tricks popping out. I'll try to cobble it together into a build, but I'm afraid I may not be using every part of this buffalo.

I am having exactly the same problem.

(squint)

I really hope you didn't have the same idea that I did. That would be terrible for both of us.

[The Dark Fiddler]

I want to shank alignment restrictions in a dark prison cell. Maybe if I keep looking I'll find what I need, but I think I'll actually need to start a new build altogether. Le sigh.

I know what you mean. My original concept (which turned out to be unworkable) had about 4 different alignment restrictions, all mildly to completely contradictory. Skill points are also being a pain.

I really like the fluff I've got brewing, but mechanically I've only got a few tricks popping out. I'll try to cobble it together into a build, but I'm afraid I may not be using every part of this buffalo.

I feel the exact same way. I fear we may have the same build brewing.

[Venger]

I know what you mean. My original concept (which turned out to be unworkable) had about 4 different alignment restrictions, all mildly to completely contradictory. Skill points are also being a pain.



I feel the exact same way. I fear we may have the same build brewing.

now I'm sure I know what you and ponies are doing. I am afraid that I too think you are building the same thing, and kudos to you, that was my first thought too (of course) but that's why I decided ultimately not to go with it. best of luck to both of you

[GreenSerpent]

*whew* So I'm not building the same character as either of you!

Mine has no alignment problems, luckily~

[Amphetryon]

Folks, please ease up a bit on hinting at which build is likely to be yours at the reveal. Thanks.

[OMG PONIES]

I can firmly say I have no clue what anybody is building, myself included .

[Kuulvheysoon]

I honestly don't care about anybody's build at this point, as I am judging!

Criteria

Spoiler

Show

Power: This is going to be based on the specific prestige class’s level of power. How much can you do with the chassis provided, and how much does it amount to?

Originality: Is it innovative? You’re liable to lose points here if I found your concept extremely boring (though a ‘poor’ class choice can be rectified with a justified backstory).

Elegance: How does the build flow? General mechanics will also go here, as will penalties for dips and flaws.

Use of Secret Ingredient: Can I see why you took Acolyte of the Skin? Do you make the most of the prestige class’ abilities? Did you take all of the levels?

[The Dark Fiddler]

I honestly don't care about anybody's build at this point, as I am judging!

Doesn't that mean you have to care about everybody's build?

[Dusk Eclipse]

Doesn't that mean you have to care about everybody's build?

I think he says he doesn't care what people are building, because he doesn't have to worry other peoples using the same trick...

[Kuulvheysoon]

I think he says he doesn't care what people are building, because he doesn't have to worry other peoples using the same trick...

I likely could have phrased it better (when I initially posted), but this is pretty much the point that I was trying to get across.

My thanks, Dusk Eclipse, for being eloquent when I could not.

[Dusk Eclipse]

No problem, now back to the books for me....

[Kazyan]

Most of the mechanics have crystallized out, and I actually haven't drifted as wildly from my original concept this time. Is that usually a good thing?