Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 07:56 PM

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef XIII. 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 Sunday, October 24th 2010 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 reference 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!

Everyone knows that the best part of Halloween is the candy. Since, however, there are no candy-themed PrCs, we'll go to the 2nd best: the costumes! In particular, being a costumed super-hero.

This week's special ingredient is:
Complete Adventurer's Vigilante

Allez optimiser!

Judges
Kesnit
Razmath
Grynning
Cieyrin
WinWin (Alternate)
BobVosh

Contestants
Amphetryon
ranagrande
DaragosKitsune
darbythegambler
Tvtyrant
OMG PONIES
true_shinken
Akal Saris
Duke of URL
Dark Nohn
bondpirate
Rancor1
The Guilded Duke
raitalin
WinWin*

*Judging instead if needed

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
Iron Chef XII: War Mind

Post Edit History
6:54 AM CUT 23OCT10: Submission Deadline extended 24 hours

Spoiler

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 07:57 PM

<Reserved: Entry and Judging Posts listing>

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 07:58 PM

Notes on Disputes

Because of concerns about the thread becoming unfriendly, the contest has had a standing rule for some rounds now that builds should not be defended in the thread, by the chef that created them or anyone else.

Instead, please PM all disputes to the chairman, Ozymandias9.

The sole exception I am willing to accept to this policy is as follows: judges may discuss issues purely pertaining to rules legality (that is, D&D 3.5 rules) of a build, either at their own discretion or at the prompting of the chairman. Because we don't want the perception of breaking anonymity (even when it is not actually broken), contestants are asked to forward any insight they have on these matters through the chairman rather than directly posting.

Disputes will generally be posted after judging, though delays in judging might cause them to be posted sooner.

__________________________________________________ _______________

In deciding which disputes to present during my time as Chairman, I have made some rough guidelines. As a note, these represent my rules as chairman, and are not to be taken as an indication of what guidelines future or returning chairmen might follow on the matter.

Spoiler

These are general guidelines: a sufficiently extreme case may result in an exception, so please don't hesitate to send in disputes. On the other hand, don't take it as a personal slight if I don't feel the issue is sufficiently extreme.

In addition, while care must be taken to avoid undo speculation, the fact that something isn't a valid dispute does not mean that it isn't a valid topic of discussion for the period preceding the submission deadline.
In particular, insight regarding scoring methodology as it relates to the Special Ingredient is encouraged.

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 07:59 PM

Special Ingredient Rules Clarification:

Since there is seemingly regular confusion about the topic, for the purpose of this contest, the Vigilante's 3rd and 4th level spells per day are to be read thus:

Level 3rd 4th
5 0 -
6 1 -
7 2 0
8 3 1
9 3 2
10 3 3
The spell list provided with the class in Complete Adventurer (which is taken from that book and the PHB), is not to be taken as exhaustive. Bard spells from other allowable sources are permissible, so long as they are of the appropriate level and the prescribed schools.
Since there exists a legitimate rules ambiguity as to whether or not the class carries the Bardic ASF exemption, both readings will be considered valid. Judges are instructed to use whichever reading they feel benefits the contestant's build most.

Prior Ruling Overturned on review

Spoiler

Bard's have their Arcane Spell Failure exemption for light armor listed as an element of the armor proficiencies, not as an aspect of their spell-casting. Vigilante's do not, thus, do not gain the benefit as an aspect of their bard-style casting

If anyone can provide me errata (or similar rules clarification) listed for this or any other bard-casting related class that contradicts this ruling, I will alter it accordingly.

Amphetryon · 10-16-2010, 08:39 PM

Competing.

Complete Arcane's Vigilante?

Zaq · 10-16-2010, 08:42 PM

Vigilante! There's a hell of a class. Unbelievably awkward. I need to think about this one.

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphetryon

Competing.

Complete Arcane's Vigilante?

Oops.

I mean... clearly it says Complete Adventurer. You must have misread the post, citizen. Remember, not accepting revisions to history is Double Plus Ungood.

Edit: And another, this time about "not taking care care to avoid undue speculation"

Urpriest · 10-16-2010, 08:49 PM

The Secret Ingredient is Batman! Yay!

Greyfell · 10-16-2010, 08:50 PM

As much as I'd like to try, I will not be in on this one. The last two tries showed me I just need more time to make a cool character, and I'm also adjusting to a new schedule at work.

I look forward, however, to rooting from the side lines :)

Amphetryon · 10-16-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozymandias9

Oops.

I mean... clearly it says Complete Adventurer. You must have misread the post, citizen. Remember, not accepting revisions to history is Double Plus Ungood.

Edit: And another, this time about "not taking care care to avoid undue speculation"

Clearly I misread. Thank you for correcting my error, friend computer.

Happiness is mandatory.

Dusk Eclipse · 10-16-2010, 09:24 PM

:Why must all (post DMG)PRG classes with their own spellcasting be Cha Based?

I might need to rething my first idea....

Thurbane · 10-16-2010, 09:30 PM

Question about the spells a Vigilante can learn:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAd

A vigilante’s spell list includes all spells from the bard spell list that belong to the following schools: abjuration, divination, illusion, necromancy, and transmutation. The spell list below includes all spells from the Player’s Handbook and this book that qualify. (Treat 0-level bard spells as 1st-level vigilante spells.)

Does this mean he is limited only to spells from PHB and CAd...or would other Bard spells from the allowed schools (Spell Compendium etc.) be available?

The Vorpal Tribble · 10-16-2010, 09:44 PM

I... know exactly what to do with this.

Keld Denar · 10-16-2010, 09:53 PM

I think I'm gonna bow out of judging this one. I've had fun on the last 5 I've judged, but its becoming less and less fun and more and more work. I will still troll the heck out of this thread and keep tabs on you kiddies...

Akal Saris · 10-16-2010, 10:29 PM

I'm BATMAN!

Real life continues to defeat me in every encounter, but if it relents I would love to participate in this one. There's actually a character who I would love to re-create using this PrC =P

(A character who is not a super-hero...)

ranagrande · 10-16-2010, 10:30 PM

I wanted to enter the last one, but didn't give myself enough time. So, this should mark my debut.

DaragosKitsune · 10-16-2010, 10:33 PM

I'm throwing my hat in the ring this time. I will compete.

Ozymandias9 · 10-16-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thurbane

Question about the spells a Vigilante can learn:

Does this mean he is limited only to spells from PHB and CAd...or would other Bard spells from the allowed schools (Spell Compendium etc.) be available?

Other bard spells are allowable. I've added this to the post dealing with rulings specific to this class.

BobVosh · 10-16-2010, 11:40 PM

I know what I want to do, but it is going to be hard to figure out how to make this class do it.

(going to try for it, contestant)

darbythegambler · 10-16-2010, 11:43 PM

I'm new, so I'm a little nervous

but I'll try my hand at it too. First step... see what the Vigilante is.

BobVosh · 10-17-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darbythegambler

First step... see what the Vigilante is.

Step 2: Cringe.

Tvtyrant · 10-17-2010, 02:13 AM

I am competing as well. Though I do not know the way. (of the table design you use.)

OMG PONIES · 10-17-2010, 06:21 AM

This is the class I was expecting for Iron Chef XII. I'm competing.

BobVosh · 10-17-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMG PONIES

This is the class I was expecting for Iron Chef XII. I'm competing.

Can...can you see the future? What am I thinking of right now?!

Amphetryon · 10-17-2010, 08:23 AM

For those entries with more than one casting class, how would you like the table formatted?

BobVosh · 10-17-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphetryon

For those entries with more than one casting class, how would you like the table formatted?

I think the common thought is one table for each class

true_shinken · 10-17-2010, 11:58 AM

HELL YEAH! VIGILANTE!

\o/

I'm in as a contestant this time around!

Ozymandias9 · 10-17-2010, 12:57 PM

I'll update the the post with current contestants momentarily. We're still lacking in the judging department, so if you have interest (and time) please speak up.

This would also be a good time to invite first-time contestants to take a look at past entries (and their scores) to get a good idea of what is generally expected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphetryon

For those entries with more than one casting class, how would you like the table formatted?

As long as it's easy to read and cover's the applicable levels, I'm not going to be picky. Separate tables seem easiest to read for me, but if you have an Idea for how to make it easier to read, go for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvtyrant

I am competing as well. Though I do not know the way. (of the table design you use.)

The code for the tables is spoilered at the bottom of the sample tables.

The Vorpal Tribble · 10-17-2010, 02:00 PM

For help in considering races, was wanting just some clarification on how LA is handled. I believe I recall some doing LA buy-off, and wanted to make sure it was legit?

Keld Denar · 10-17-2010, 02:10 PM

Considering last competition's Ultimo Tarrasco bought off +2 LA (half ogre) and still won, I'd say its safe to say that its acceptable.