Iron Chef Optimization Challenge XII

Ozymandias9 · 09-25-2010, 10:52 PM

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef XII. Here in Optimization Colosseum, contestants will endeavor to create an optimized and flavorful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

Contestants: You will need to present your build at at least one of the following points: 5th level, 10th level, 15th, 20th, and a "sweet spot" that you feel is the high point of the build. Feel free to present as many of these as you like, and please give a rundown of the build's abilities and playability at all of the levels you didn't show. The rules are as follows:

Menu: For most challenges, the "special ingredient" will be drawn from Core plus Completes. There will, from time to time, be special challenges that showcase secret ingredients from other books--for example, the XPH.

32 point-buy is the presumed creation method, but we have generally allowed other levels of point-buy.
If you do use a different point-buy, please make your case for its necessity in your entry. Keep in mind that for using exceptionally large or small point-buys may warrant deductions in elegance and/or power.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is disallowed, and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see Elegance below. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I hate 'em.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until ~~11:59pm CUT on Thursday, September 30th~~ 11:59pm CUT on Friday, October 1st to create their builds and PM them to the Chairman, Ozymandias9. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying.

Judging: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Secret Ingredient.

Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.

Elegance could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points.

I am going to have to ask the contestants to PM me about any disagreement with the judges. Under no circumstances is a contestant to defend themselves inside the thread, since it breaks anonymity. For a brief refrence of what is and is not a valid dispute, confer this post.

Presentation: Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build, as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries!

Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to use the following table for their entry.

Spoiler

NAME OF ENTRY

Level	Class	Base Attack<br>Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Skills	Feats	Class Features
1st	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
2nd	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
3rd	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
4th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
5th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
6th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
7th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
8th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
9th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
10th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
11th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
12th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
13th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
14th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
15th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
16th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
17th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
18th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
19th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities
20th	New Class Level	+x	+x	+x	+x	Skills	New Feats	New Class Abilities

Code

Spoiler

For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage)

Spoiler

For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.

Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until the "reveal," in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.

Leadership is banned; we're producing a meal, not a seven-course banquet for a hundred diners.

So! Who wants to sign up as a contestant, and who wants to sign up as a judge? Looking for about 5 judges and as many contestants as feel like playing!

In what is becoming a theme, this will be the contest's fourth special challenge. This week's special ingredient is:

The Expanded Psionics Handbook's War Mind!

As a note, this week's ingredient is also available as part of the SRD.

Allez optimiser!

Judges
gallagher
Private-Prinny
Dubious Pie
Keld Denar
OMG PONIES
True_Shinken
The Vorpal Tribble

Contestants
Cadian 9th
The Gilded Duke
Greyfell
BobVosh
WinWin
Amphetryon
IdleMuse
TerrickTerran
playswithfire
Rancor1
T.G. Oskar

Past Competitions

Iron Chef I: Entropomancer
Iron Chef II: Psibond Agent
Iron Chef III: Cancer Mage
Iron Chef IV: Stonelord
Iron Chef V: War Chanter
Iron Chef VI: Master of Masks
Iron Chef VII: Green Star Adept
Iron Chef VIII: Pyrokineticist
Iron Chef IX: Animal Lord
Iron Chef X: Mythic Exemplar
Iron Chef XI: Blade Bravo

Post Edit History
10/8/10 9:50 PM CUT Updated Judges List

Spoiler

Cadian 9th · 09-25-2010, 11:00 PM

Declaring interest as a contestant!

War mind, huh? This'll be fun!

The Gilded Duke · 09-25-2010, 11:22 PM

Contestant time! War Mind! Yes! Hahaha.

Greyfell · 09-25-2010, 11:23 PM

In like Flynn. War mind.... Mmmmmm *ponders*

This ought to be interesting.

BobVosh · 09-25-2010, 11:26 PM

Going for contestant this time.

gallagher · 09-26-2010, 12:22 AM

if it isnt too much to ask, i would like to participate as a judge. especially because i would like to see some amazing war mind builds!

WinWin · 09-26-2010, 03:47 AM

Hell yeah. I hope the judges are not lactose intolerant.

BobVosh · 09-26-2010, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinWin

Hell yeah. I hope the judges are not lactose intolerant.

You going to try to constipate them with cheese?

Amphetryon · 09-26-2010, 05:29 AM

Competing in this one.

EDIT: War Mind in the SRD

OMG PONIES · 09-26-2010, 06:17 AM

Hmm, I'm in as a contestant, but that may change to judge.

IdleMuse · 09-26-2010, 06:41 AM

Whoa, short time this time round... Maybe I should put aside ALL of tomorrow to compete.

TerrickTerran · 09-26-2010, 07:26 AM

I'd like to judge if possible. I love psionic builds.

Private-Prinny · 09-26-2010, 10:37 AM

I'm in for judging. I'll update this post with criteria in a bit.

Edit: Here they are. Instead of a rigid system, I just use general guidelines.

Originality

Spoiler

Power

Spoiler

Elegance

Spoiler

Use of Secret Ingredient

Spoiler

playswithfire · 09-26-2010, 11:52 AM

I'll try to compete, but not sure I'll have the time to throw something together.

Greyfell · 09-26-2010, 12:04 PM

yeah this is a rather short turn around... might have to be a little light on the back story this time :)

true_shinken · 09-26-2010, 12:40 PM

Warmind. Nice. I'm in as a contestant this time.

Zaq · 09-26-2010, 01:58 PM

Ah, the War Mind. One of those classic PrCs with great (or at least cool) abilities and no real natural entry or followup class. I don't have the time to compete or to judge, but I'll be watching this with some interest. I hope that people will be really aiming for the Originality angle this time... it would be interesting to see several different takes on this. Offhand, I can think of two semi-obvious ways to go (which is distinct from having a natural entry point), but we'll see how people go beyond those.

Dubious Pie · 09-26-2010, 02:12 PM

Sign me up for judging.

Heliomance · 09-26-2010, 06:17 PM

Why such a short build time?

OMG PONIES · 09-26-2010, 07:22 PM

I'm guessing with the length of time the last round took, Ozy wanted to abbreviate this one to keep a semi-regular pace. Also, I'm coming up zeroes right now in terms of character concepts. I may switch to judging, unless I can drum up a concept tomorrow.

Cadian 9th · 09-26-2010, 07:45 PM

Just asking, but I presume 1st level "dip" is not too bad, so long as the rest of your build is straight classes? (I.e. only 4.)

Failing that, are soverign archetypes allowed for DW kobolds?

Keld Denar · 09-26-2010, 09:19 PM

I like judging! Copy/Pasta

One thing...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE include your PP per level, at every level where your PP total changes. I don't want to have to go back and calculate your PP all the time to see how much staying power you have at various levels. Failure to do so WILL result in point deductions. Period.

My Criteria
Originality: Does the submission use unexpected sources or material? Does it avoid over-used qualification methods? Does it use the secret ingredient in an unusual or clever way? This section is an amalgam of the build itself and how the build is presented.

Power: What tier is this build? How does it compete against similar roles in terms of versatility, skills, damage, control, resiliance, etc. Does the inclusion of <Secret Ingredient> actually make this build more powerful? Is the build well-optimized? Are there any noticable saggy spots where the build underperforms? Is the build versatile (able to respond to a variety of challenges, both combat and non-combat), on top of any specialized tricks it may contain. Does the build use large amounts of LA and/or RHD that could lead to a slow start? Be as detailed as possible. If there is something your build does that is powerful, yet not completely obvious, you should probably expand upon it. If an important yet subtle feature in your build is missed by the judges, its mostly your own fault.

Elegance: Does your build progress well? Does it avoid requiring flaws and variant rules (not including published Alt Class Features like Racial Subs)? Do you avoid overly dipping classes like cleric 1 that are obviously for bonus feats/class abilities? Does the build play well in a party, or does the presence of a party inhibit its functionality. Does your build subscribe to various power break points if it doesn't complete a PrC? Do you avoid using Taint and Dark Chaos shuffling? Other judges might, but I have no problem with a player drawing from a multitude of sources. As far as I'm concerned, if material in a source book improves your submission, use it. This section is the one most affected by your back story and build presentation, but the submission itself is still very important here. PLEASE CITE ALL SOURCES USED!

Use of Secret Ingredient: How important is the secret ingredient in this build? Would you refer to the build as being A <Secret Ingredient>, or are you just splashing the PrC in there? Does the flavor of the build fit that of the PrC? Do you use the PrC in a clever, synergistic or powerful way? Do the special abilities of the secret ingredient augement or are augemented by other abilities in the build? If you didn't use all levels of the secret ingredient (and you don't always have to), do you have good reasoning why not, and did you exit at an acceptable power break point? This section is an amalgam of the build itself and how the SI interacts with the rest of the build.

Ozymandias9 · 09-26-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heliomance

Why such a short build time?

It's 5 days from when I posted it. When I did 7 I was told it was a long period. I'm quite willing to extend it if a significant number of participants think Friday 10/1/10 would be better.

Keld Denar · 09-27-2010, 01:58 AM

That was partly my fault. I got slammed at work and it really impacted my free time to judge. I don't anticipate having that problem again (unless there is another major break somewhere in the mill, at which point the plant would probably close for good...).

Nerdanel · 09-27-2010, 04:42 AM

I think I'll take the plunge and participate for the first time. It'll be interesting to see how many people had the same idea.

Player3 · 09-27-2010, 05:07 AM

I would also like to participate.

The Vorpal Tribble · 09-27-2010, 12:21 PM

Huh, I didn't even know the last one ever got finished. Got busy with the PrC competition in the homebrew forums.

*reads*

Still amazes me sometimes how often with this competition my entries are loved or considered a favorite and yet still score badly... sometimes in every category

It depends on the judge's specifics when I see them whether I enter this one or not. I didn't read the fine print in the last competition and have some serious issues with a few of them. Those don't seem to be judges this round however, so hopefully won't be a problem.

Keld Denar · 09-27-2010, 12:32 PM

Note, I edited in a new line in my judging criteria, notated by bolded text.

"Does the build play well in a party, or does the presence of a party inhibit its functionality."

This is something I realize I judged on in a couple of the last few competitions. Some builds just don't play well with others. Builds that rely overly much on excessive amounts of stealth and/or deception tend not to work well in a party comprised of a drunken, fullplate wearing dwarf and a pyromaniac wizard, etc. Not saying that these builds wouldn't work ok in a group, but that they don't reach their fullest potential in a group or tend to pull the spotlight away from the group. Plain and simple, would the build make a better NPC (especially NPC "boss" type) than a PC.

If any of you have any questions about this, or would like more clarification, just ask.

OMG PONIES · 09-27-2010, 12:46 PM

Oy, definitely judging. My only original ideas each had wrinkles I couldn't iron out. Criteria coming shortly.

EDIT: And here they are...

Originality

1: The build is either a duplicate or a collage of pieces gleaned from well-known charop builds.
2: The build closely mirrors another submission in election (race/class/etc) and/or execution (entry/combos/tricks). Please note that, in such situations, both submissions will receive the reduced score.
3: The build is fairly straightforward, though some small elements may have been unexpected.
4: The build is unexpected in either election (race/class/etc) or execution (entry/combos/tricks), but not both.
5: The build was entirely unexpected and unique, both in election and execution.

NOTE: I also evaluate the character's backstory as a component of my originality score. Particularly unique and decent stories may receive a small bump (up to +1), though drab or cliche stories will not be penalized. I understand that the build itself is the focus of the competition, but I feel that a finely crafted or well-engineered concept can really give a build identity.

Power

1: The build, as presented, cannot function in its chosen role. Examples include a wizard with 9 INT or an illegal build.
2: The build functions more weakly in a party than a similar build without the secret ingredient, relying entirely on items or adequate preparation rounds.
3: The build functions as well in a party as a similar build without the secret ingredient. Though the build can still function without items or adequate preparation rounds, it does so at a reduced capacity.
4: The build functions as a stronger party member than a similar build without the secret ingredient. Though the build can still function without items, it may operate at a reduced capacity without adequate preparation rounds.
5: The build excels at its chosen role/roles within a party, eclipsing a similar build without the secret ingredient, even in the absence of items or adequate preparation rounds.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that I evaluate submissions against similar builds, rather than against each other. I will evaluate a caster submission against the strength of other casters, a skillmonkey build against the strength of other skillmonkeys, and so on.

Elegance

1: The build presented is illegal by any reading of the rules, functions only upon an intentional misreading of the rules, or contains 3 or more "dips" (defined as less than two levels in any class).
2: The build presented is overly complex, or relies on conflicting class features (either mechanically or in terms of flavor). No more than two dips.
3: The build presented is simple and straightforward enough that most DMs would allow it at their table. No more than 1 dip.
4: The build presented, while streamlined, efficient, and free of dips, relies on a variant such as LA buyoff or variant classes/races presented in Unearthed Arcana. Please keep in mind that such elements can be presented as possible adaptations with no reduction to Elegance. However, if the build cannot function without the variant used, the deduction will be taken.
5: The build presented is so streamlined that it all seems to blend together as one larger class.

NOTE: As per contest rules, flaws will cause a deduction of one point each, to a minimum score of zero. Also, while I will not penalize cheese in terms of power, it may cause a reduction in elegance.

Use of the Secret Ingredient (UoSI)

1: The build does not qualify for the Secret Ingredient, renders the class features useless in some way, or hampers class features gained elsewhere by taking the Secret Ingredient.
2: The build has utilized, but not showcased any of the class features acquired.
3: The build has showcased at least one class feature acquired, and taken at least half of the levels of the Secret Ingredient.
4: The build has taken every level of the Secret Ingredient, or provided a persuasive explanation as to why not doing so was beneficial. Most class features acquired are showcased, but not all.
5: The build has taken every level of the Secret Ingredient, or provided a persuasive explanation as to why not doing so was crucial. Every class feature acquired is showcased.

NOTE: As mentioned, by my criteria a character can fail to use every level of the Secret Ingredient and still receive a perfect score in this category. It's not just about how much you use...it's about why you use it, and how you use it.

Please note that submitting an illegal build will cause you to receive scores of 1 in Power, Elegance, AND Use of the Secret Ingredient. While I do not like to penalize multiple times for the same thing, there is no excuse for submitting an illegal build to this contest. Please double check your entry requirements and feat prerequisites.

If there are any questions or comments on my criteria, let me know via PM or through the chairman.

EDIT TO THE EDIT: Criteria adjusted to reflect the minimum score of 1.

Amphetryon · 09-27-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keld Denar

Note, I edited in a new line in my judging criteria, notated by bolded text.

"Does the build play well in a party, or does the presence of a party inhibit its functionality."

This is something I realize I judged on in a couple of the last few competitions. Some builds just don't play well with others. Builds that rely overly much on excessive amounts of stealth and/or deception tend not to work well in a party comprised of a drunken, fullplate wearing dwarf and a pyromaniac wizard, etc. Not saying that these builds wouldn't work ok in a group, but that they don't reach their fullest potential in a group or tend to pull the spotlight away from the group. Plain and simple, would the build make a better NPC (especially NPC "boss" type) than a PC.

If any of you have any questions about this, or would like more clarification, just ask.

Just so I'm clear on this one, are the "drunken, fullplate wearing dwarf and a pyromaniac wizard" going to be the de facto expectation for the other members of the presumptive party, or do you want us to spell out the other members of the adventuring party, or how do you envision this influencing scoring? I only ask because I know that some builds work poorly with others; a battlefield-control wizard who specializes in divide-and-conquer techniques often works at cross-purposes to a cleave-monkey, while the pyromaniac is a better fit (but is less optimal otherwise), for example.