Results 361 to 390 of 395
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2010-08-01, 01:09 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2004
- Location
- The Mindfields
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
No apologies necessary, especially if Prinny sent you a certain note. I drilled a bit as well
Highlights include:
Tummo has three attacks by his first level, not 2 by 20th.
Snowflake Wardance doesn't require Inspire Courage.
To judges in general
I'm not writing a story for points. I'm writing it because it helps me focus on creating. I've also judged here before and a story definitely helps. I'm gonna keep writing them either way.Last edited by The Vorpal Tribble; 2010-08-01 at 01:16 AM.
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2010-08-01, 01:16 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Y'know, I completely missed the fact that you had natural weapons as well when I was judging. Ah, well, it wouldn't have made any difference, as the 0.5-1.0 extra points that would've given you from me wouldn't have been enough to bump you up a place.
Originally Posted by SkyBoundFencer
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2010-08-01, 01:19 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2004
- Location
- The Mindfields
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Which, by 20th level, means 3 secondary attacks all at the same BAB.
Example: Instead of 20/15/10/5 it'd be 20/15/15/15.
Ah, well, it wouldn't have made any difference, as the 0.5-1.0 extra points that would've given you from me wouldn't have been enough to bump you up a place.
Either way, the winners deserved the win.
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2010-08-01, 01:41 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Location
- Utah
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Hmmm, so now my two Iron Chef submissions have won 1st and 2nd place. I guess I can be pretty happy with that even if my hopes for MiLaash were even higher, right?
SpoilerIt doesn't count as boasting as long as I point out that Akal Saris's record is still far more impressive, right?
I'm not sure how to feel about all these people saying they were rooting for MiLaash, though. I'm flattered, but it also makes me a little frustrated to know what I should have done better ...
Not that she was a perfect build. There are lots of little things that have been pointed out that could have improved her a bit -- some of which I don't even recognize. Hexbands? I've sadly never noticed their existence before.
I will point out that, in some cases, I just didn't feel like going to the level of detail and effort to point out every little magic item or other optimization trick that the basic build could stack onto it. For example, I just assumed that any build with high Intimidate would naturally take the Never Outnumbered skill trick. Hmmm, what's the right balance to strike between spelling out everything (and making a really loooooooong entry to read) and assumptions?
Anyway, congrats to Arbitrarity for a great build and a common interest in Hexblade/Pyro synergy.
Thanks, and apologies if my comments had an angry tone.
Edit: Prinny, I feel I should point out that the trophies spell "optimiZation" wrong.Last edited by Draz74; 2010-08-01 at 01:54 AM.
You can call me Draz.
Trophies:
Spoiler
Also of note:
- Winning Entry of Gestalt Build Challenge IV
- 3rd Place in Iron Chef XI (Blade Bravo)
- Judge of Iron Chef XXIII (Divine Champion)
I have a number of ongoing projects that I manically jump between to spend my free time ... so don't be surprised when I post a lot about something for a few days, then burn out and abandon it.
... yes, I need to be tested for ADHD.
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2010-08-01, 02:16 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2010
- Location
- Lancaster, UK
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
"Hex grids are the way forward! And slighty to the side..." - Studoku
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2010-08-01, 05:48 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
When's the next one? Scion of Tem-Et-Nu
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2010-08-01, 08:02 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2010
- Location
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
I'll throw a vote to Ardent Dilettante again for the next Iron Chef.
Or some class with it's own casting. Vigilante, perhaps?
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2010-08-01, 10:05 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2010
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Quotebox
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2010-08-01, 10:10 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2004
- Location
- The Mindfields
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
I'd like to propose a suggestion again.
Is there any possibility of a standardization of basic presentation? Enough so that they are basically the same so judges can find everything, but can be added to as the entrant wishes?
I try to change mine up each time to keep it from being obviously my entry, but most of the change-ups are subpar, and no offense to the other entrants, but half the time its very difficult to go through yours and find everything. I'm not saying mine is the best, but I've experimented until I found what is, to me, the easiest to go through.Last edited by The Vorpal Tribble; 2010-08-01 at 10:10 AM.
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2010-08-01, 10:13 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2010
- Location
- Lancaster, UK
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
"Hex grids are the way forward! And slighty to the side..." - Studoku
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2010-08-01, 10:14 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2010
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Quotebox
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2010-08-01, 02:47 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Agh, I dunno. I spend a bit too much time on these, since I feel I MUST find every trick, spend all my skill points manually, and point things out, otherwise there's a good chance a judge will miss something. Examine what happened to Tummo, where misunderstanding of Snowflake Wardance and missing that he had natural weapons cost him significantly in the power department. Examine how both of us got called "one trick ponies" who just attack. I feel, as a contestant, it's my job to present my build as accurately and completely as possible. Heck, I even try to spend money on my magic items, though I'll probably stick to a list of useful items next time.
Of course, that effort is mostly worthwhile. Looking at the compiled scores, you can see a pretty serious gap between the top 4 builds and the rest, and that's based on effort.
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2010-08-01, 03:21 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Examine how both of us got called "one trick ponies" who just attack. I feel, as a contestant, it's my job to present my build as accurately and completely as possible.
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2010-08-01, 05:07 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2008
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Well, congrats to everyone. I was dying to tell the one who posted the Dr. Marvin after the character of the Stand: whoah! great choice. So go for it Amphetryon.
I feel I could have done much better, this time. And let me tell you, Kesnit: Balko may effective be weak on certain casters, but to pick Elminster as example couldn't be the best: being a CR 39 and the epitome of the annoyingly unkillable NPC, he would be above any of the entries.
Hmmm, what's the right balance to strike between spelling out everything (and making a really loooooooong entry to read) and assumptions?
That said, I will maybe forfait the next: if all goes good, I'll be on holidays
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2010-08-01, 05:17 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
I didn't actually recognize VT's entry until it was unveiled, but I don't pay too much attention to that stuff ^^;;
Handbooks: (Hosted on the new MixMax forums)
[3.5] The Poison Handbook
[3.5] (New) Master of Shrouds Handbook
[3.5 Base Class] Healer's Handbook
Trophies!Spoiler
Thanks to Strategos and Jumilk for the awesome Iron Chef trophies!
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2010-08-01, 08:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Eastern US
- Gender
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2010-08-01, 09:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2008
- Location
- In an Octopus's Garden
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Congrats to everyone who posted a build, and especially to Draz74 and Arbitrarity. I feel like I learned so much more about the contest, just for attempting a build this time. I've read some of the past contests, and tried to think about what I would do with GSA, but it was definitely different, sitting down, level by level and making sure it all worked. It was also much more exciting to follow the entries, because I knew what it was like to try to work with the secret ingredient. I hope to get further next time.
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2010-08-01, 11:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2009
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Congratulations to the winners. And to all the contestants, in fact: it was an impressive competition.
When I judge, I generally don't look at the quality of the story writing when scoring. Instead, the story is an earmark for elegance-- basically, it's proof of concept that the build can realistically result in a believable character for collective storytelling. If anything, a story that is too well laid out demonstrates this less well than one that is more flexible.
Anyhow, I wasn't able to compete in this one, but as I've watched I had an idea and I wanted to know if any one had some feedback.
The basic concept is:
SpoilerSwordsage 5/Pyro10/Shadowsmith5 with Vow of Poverty taken at level 14 or so (when the character hits Shadowsmith 3). Shadowsmith will use the recommended adaptation of a fire theme for the class abilities, and the smoke adaptation for the mysteries. Swordsage would focus as much as possible on Desert Wind.
Shadowsmith and Pyro both provide non-permanent, non-valuable weapons-- so you can bypass the limitation to simple weapons. VoP will give those weapons an enhancement bonus, Pyro will give it the Weapon Afire chain, and Swordsage will net an initiator level of 12. Shadowsmith will also eventually be high enough to provide similar armor if you choose.
The character would also have a decent source of self-powered flight:
IIRC, there was a thread here on GitP a while back that reached a consensus that Body Fuel with Strongheart Vest could be used to freely replenish PP by RAW. While I doubt that many DMs would allow it for an actual manifester (or even, perhaps, at a table with actual manifesters), but since its only being used to power one class ability here, I imagine that most DMs would probably let it pass.Last edited by Ozymandias9; 2010-08-01 at 11:28 PM.
78% of DM's started their first campaign in a tavern. [...]Where did you start yours?
A street riot in a major city that was getting violent.
Spoiler
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2010-08-02, 03:53 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2008
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
@Kesnit: Just for laugh Glad you've taken this way
@Ozy: Uhm... Not bad, really, expecially Pyro/Shadowsmith. I'm perplexed by VoP: in general, is a bad choice and it get worst if you give up the feats it grants. It would become really effective if taken early and with the allowance of non-exalted bonus feats (a bunch of "Martial study", for example, would be sweet). Else, I never understand why to give up DMG, MIC, Weapon and Equipment, Weapon of Legacy (expecially MIC has very cheap and powerful magic items).
Also, while expecially fitted by the character taste, Desert Wind is the worst school: most of offensive moves are Ref half (so weak with Evasion), most of maneuvers are Su (AMF and you're out) and there are other ways to move around as per (or better than) the mobility maneuvers.
My first idea was Githyanki, Swordsage 5, Pyro 9, Telflammar Shadowlord 3. The problem was Shadowlord qualification: given the same un-elegant qualification with mobility armor and Assassin's Stance, there was the shadow jump/dimension door problem. Only solution was to add the +1LA template associated, but doing so meant only 8 levels of Pyro and the loss of the only other ranged attack. (not to mention the possible "how in the hell a Githyanki can take a template allowed only to eastern, faerunian races?" background problem).Last edited by Ingus; 2010-08-02 at 03:55 AM.
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2010-08-02, 05:48 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
So far:
1 challenge based on a PrC from Complete Divine
2 from complete scoundrel
2 from complete warrior
1 from complete arcane
1 from book of vile darkness
1 from expanded psionic
May I suggest something from complete mage, psionic or adventurer?
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2010-08-02, 06:02 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
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2010-08-02, 06:18 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Australia
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Well, as much as I'd like to suggest Mindbender; if we go with one from the other two books I'd suggest either Wild Soul or Nightsong Enforcer.
As your time spins and sets what you love you can forget this I hope, I believe it's insomnia fantasyA2 S3 Connor, The New Albion Guide To Analogue Consciousnessthe tortoise had a dream that he was free. when he woke up, he was married. some things are better than freedom.freedom, kōan 129. koanoftheday.com
Kris & Lyra by me.
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2010-08-02, 06:28 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Fayetteville, AR
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
It's difficult to find a flavorful class that's both interesting to build around and not associated with large amounts of premade optimization. For example, I consider a lot of the prestige classes in CAdv inappropriate for the contest, because they either lead to obvious builds (for example, Wild Plains Outrider, Master of Many Forms) or they don't really bring anything interesting to the challenge (Ollam, Tempest).
For the next challenge, I'd like to suggest Soulbow, honestly. It's most often dipped and forgotten, and it has a rather unique ability. However, the fact that we just finished Pyrokineticist makes me think that it's a bit inappropriate. Taking that into consideration, as well as the sources that have been used... I'd actually like to see Daggerspell Mage in the next contest. But that's just me.
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2010-08-02, 06:44 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
My 2cp, take it for what it's worth: Soulbow is problematic as an Iron Chef entrant because there are limited paths in, the timing of another psionic-based PrC immediately after Pyrokineticist notwithstanding. DSM, on the other hand, is a 9/10 casting class, which feels more powerful than the general tenor of any of the previous Secret Ingredients. This might make it a poor choice.
Dread Pirate could be fun. Arrrr.Last edited by Amphetryon; 2010-08-02 at 06:44 AM.
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2010-08-02, 06:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Australia
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
As your time spins and sets what you love you can forget this I hope, I believe it's insomnia fantasyA2 S3 Connor, The New Albion Guide To Analogue Consciousnessthe tortoise had a dream that he was free. when he woke up, he was married. some things are better than freedom.freedom, kōan 129. koanoftheday.com
Kris & Lyra by me.
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2010-08-02, 06:55 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Fayetteville, AR
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Dread Pirate grants leadership as its capstone.
I mean, seriously.
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2010-08-02, 06:55 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Shiver me timbers. It gives a Leadership-like ability - followers only - as its capstone, which probably means a bad choice.
EDITS: 1) I was ninja'd regarding a pirate. Style points for aethernox.
2) Any thoughts on Bloodhound? It was fairly cool back in the day, but doesn't get much discussion time these days.Last edited by Amphetryon; 2010-08-02 at 07:07 AM.
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2010-08-02, 07:04 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Australia
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Oh right I forgot about that as well...
As your time spins and sets what you love you can forget this I hope, I believe it's insomnia fantasyA2 S3 Connor, The New Albion Guide To Analogue Consciousnessthe tortoise had a dream that he was free. when he woke up, he was married. some things are better than freedom.freedom, kōan 129. koanoftheday.com
Kris & Lyra by me.
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2010-08-02, 07:54 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Animal Lord and Bloodhound have simple entry requirements.
Vigilante could be cool. I'd flavour my entry like an insane superhero wannabe.
Virtuoso seems pretty flexible in terms of entry.
Exemplar is bound to be entertaining.
Flayerspawn Psychic could be fun, but it seems to be very mind-effecting focused.
Complete mage classes are heavy-weight casters/invokers for the most part, so a gentlemans agreement might be needed to avoid some caster cheese.
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2010-08-02, 08:15 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge VIII
Animal Lord is a good choice, probably better than Bloodhound, due to Bloodhound's 10-minute requirement.
Vigilante is just so bad, though I'd love to argue for the table to be used RAW.
Virtuoso is a 9/10 casting class; see my previous objection on that.
Examplar gets bandied about in some TO work, so a gentleman's agreement will be needed there as well.
Flayerspawn Psychic has the problem of following on the heels of another Psionic class.
Just my random thoughts and opinions.