Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXV

Amphetryon · 07-14-2012, 06:13 PM

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef XXXV. 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 a write-up of 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, as well as presenting a fully-fleshed out 20-level build in the table below. 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. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere, as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. 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. This comes up often enough to bear mention in the rules: Dragon Compendium is allowed.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 11:59PM GMT on Saturday, July 28th, 2012 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairman, Amphetryon. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 11:59PM GMT on Saturday, August 11th, 2012 to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted.

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. Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may be an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not.

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 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. If your entry includes a prestige class or ACF that grants Leadership or a Leadership-like ability as a bonus feat, the feat should be ignored and is not eligible to be traded away for another feat or ACF through any means.

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

This week's special ingredient is:
Heroes of Horror's Death Delver
We will award 1st through 3rd places, as well as a shout-out for honorable mention. The honorable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build. Judges, contestants and guests alike are invited to vote for honorable mention via PM.

Allez optimiser!

Contestants

Judges

The Builds

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
Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante
Iron Chef XIV: Seeker of the Song
Iron Chef XV: Drunken Master
Iron Chef XVI: Assassin
Iron Chef XVII: Ardent Dilettante
Iron Chef XVIII: Unseelie Dark Hunter
Iron Chef XIX: Dread Pirate
Iron Chef XX: Incandescent Champion
Iron Chef XXI: Ghostwalker
Iron Chef XXII: Dervish
Iron Chef XXIII: Divine Crusader
Iron Chef XXIV: Tactical Soldier
Iron Chef XXV: Scion of Tem-Et-Nu
Iron Chef XXVI: Shadowdancer
Iron Chef XXVII: Mindbender
Iron Chef XXVIII: Cryokineticist
Iron Chef XXIX: Consecrated Harrier
Iron Chef XXX: Initiate of Pistis Sophia
Iron Chef XXXI: Shadow Sentinel
Iron Chef XXXII: Temple Raider of Olidammara
Iron Chef XXXIII: Drow Judicator
Iron Chef XXXIV: Dragon Disciple

Amphetryon · 07-14-2012, 06:14 PM

FAQ:
Is Dragon Compendium Allowed? Yes, but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

What about 3.0 materials? 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources? The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Similarly, materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.

What about online sources in general? If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars and Gestalt have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. Bloodlines are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman. Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean? As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while Amphetryon is chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

What's the minimum score in a category? Assuming an entry is legal, the minimum score in any category is 1. If a judge is convinced that an entry is illegal by the RAW, the judge may give a 0 or decline to score a given entry. Because this contest focuses on Player Characters, an entry that is not technically allowed for a PC, but is viable as an NPC, counts as a legal entry, but may receive a minimum score at the judges' discretion.

Madara · 07-14-2012, 06:45 PM

I like this, its a very open PrC. As always, nice choice, Amphetryon

Zeb · 07-14-2012, 07:36 PM

Wow it's not my birthday but it sure feels like it.

If the chairman is just working through the DD abbreviated Prestige classes I'm glad this one is next.

Now to be a contestant or a judge...

Dumbledore lives · 07-14-2012, 08:13 PM

Well the entry requirements are relatively easy and open, and after reading through the class that is all I have to say right now. Much contemplation is required.

dantiesilva · 07-14-2012, 08:15 PM

Throwing my hat in as a judge

Kazyan · 07-14-2012, 09:56 PM

But, I can't work with thi--

No, wait. Maybe. Yeah, I can create something. Just gotta go book diving.

Thurbane · 07-14-2012, 10:01 PM

Oh, I am soooo in as a contestant! I've actually been working on a Death Delver build while waiting for the Dragon Disciple comp to wrap up!

Amechra · 07-14-2012, 10:04 PM

I might be able to do something with this...

Fun times are ahead. Lots of them.

Oh, and I nearly sent this as a report; funny, that.

Kuulvheysoon · 07-14-2012, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thurbane

Oh, I am soooo in as a contestant! I've actually been working on a Death Delver build while waiting for the Dragon Disciple comp to wrap up!

Well, looks like you've got your wish, then.

I've got a build idea or two - let's see if I can make anything out of them before the 28th, eh?

Menteith · 07-14-2012, 10:38 PM

Away from books right now, which is killing me as I can't actually remember anything about the PrC. Count me in as a contestant!

Venger · 07-14-2012, 10:57 PM

welp, looks like I'm in.

I hope my guy/gal/thing does better than my rocky/harry potter mashup last time

Piggy Knowles · 07-14-2012, 11:24 PM

Hot dang, looks like I called it!

I will try my best to get a build in. Last contest had the double whammy of car accident plus major power outage, but I think I should be able to get something in this time around.

Tim Proctor · 07-14-2012, 11:27 PM

I'm in and know the rules this time...

T.G. Oskar · 07-15-2012, 12:20 AM

Hot dang! Death Delver is actually a pretty fun PrC. Still not the one I'm sniping for (actually, not one of the ones I'm sniping for), but it's tempting enough to pinch my desires to compete. It's tough, but manageable, and it can stand on its own pretty well.

Heck, I already got two ideas. Don't count me in, but I'll see what I can do (if work doesn't interrupt me).

Amechra · 07-15-2012, 01:01 AM

Only two? I have like 5.

dantiesilva · 07-15-2012, 01:23 AM

For power level I am looking at how it stands up against the other competitors, not at the finish build but throughout the whole build. Does it use any of the SI abilities to boost it up by great amounts.

For elegance I am looking at how well the classes flow together. If their is more then one person with the same class you will be deducted points, but you may make it up in power by outshining those that made the build as you did. Did you have your feats planned out and they fell into place perfectly, these are some of the things I will be looking for.

As with elegance points will be taken more so for multiple people making the same build for originality. If it seems like it is to obvious don't do it. or make it your own, after all you do get points if you outshine those that have the same basic build. You will result in an automatic 1 if I can find the build online made by someone else for the fact that you created nothing only copied someone else work, so please try to refrain from it. And please backstorys can never hurt you, trust me I learned it the hard way that with a backstory you score much higher then without.

And lastly the use of the SI. Saying it is not hard to qualify for if you do not meet all the requirements when you take the first level you shall lose 1 point. Next will be did you take all ten levels and did they benefit the build. If you just took them because you had to and could of made something better by using other Prc points will be taken.

Well this is what I will be judging by so good luck contestants. And I'm truthfully getting scared with all these submissions I hope we have more then me.

OMG PONIES · 07-15-2012, 05:51 AM

Dantiesilva, can you please elaborate upon why having a build similar to another contestant will result in deductions under both Originality and Elegance?

_flint_ · 07-15-2012, 09:13 AM

Oh, man, I would never use this SI in a build, this is going to be tough.

dantiesilva · 07-15-2012, 09:46 AM

Because i have seen other judges do it. And at the same time they will gain points in power for it if it outshines the rest.

Roguenewb · 07-15-2012, 12:44 PM

I'm going to go with the same build everyone else first thought of, and then ditched on the thought that its too obvious. Come on Fake-Out!

Amphetryon · 07-15-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dantiesilva

Because i have seen other judges do it.

Which judges, in which contest(s)?

KoboldsAreLittl · 07-15-2012, 12:55 PM

Ooooh. I am in also. Hopefully I can do better than I did last time.

Tim Proctor · 07-15-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphetryon

Which judges, in which contest(s)?

Last round, this guy based just about every score on Originality and whether another contestant used the same class. Is that not how it is supposed to be? If not can we get some guidance on what Originality means?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z3ro

Spoiler

Amphetryon · 07-15-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Proctor

Last round, this guy based just about every score on Originality and whether another contestant used the same class. Is that not how it is supposed to be? If not can we get some guidance on what Originality means?

The question is about deducting from both Originality AND Elegance based on being similar to other entries.

T.G. Oskar · 07-15-2012, 03:04 PM

It's usually best if you don't worry too much about Originality and focus on the other three, particularly if you don't have much op-fu.

However, if you do care: the times I've judged, Originality tends to focus on unusual things done with the build that others don't, and that aren't expected already. For example: entry with a different class as expected (entering Assassin through a Paladin, for example) tends to be original, and so does entering through, say, a dip in Beguiler and then probably one or two more levels in another class. On the other hand, Rogue is essentially the expected entry point, so that deducts some points.

Another quip that judges evaluate are the stories. I can't say all of them evaluate the stories (whether in-depth or just through a cursory look), but if the story is refreshing and interesting, and explains well why each piece of the build fits where it goes (instead of being forced upon), then it nets points on Originality. This has a load of explanations, but a clever backstory may reveal an otherwise unthought reason why to enter a PrC that might not be suited for X or Y class, one that may actually flow well into an existing story. This, though, overlaps a bit with Elegance, which is essentially the "presentation" of the build (as per the "presentation" of the plate on the actual IC/IC America show).

Another original point is introducing obscure sources that may not be actually considered. This also conflicts with Elegance (sure, you used an obscure source to get one race/PrC that really fits and can blow one's mind, but how accessible IS that source anyways?), but it depends on how much the judge can be surprised.

In short: if something surprises the judge in how the build is presented, because it makes it stand out, that adds to Originality. However, if that bit seems tacked on, or just added to make it stand out but adds nothing to the class, then it most definitely worthy of a penalty to Elegance (as it sacrifices power for flavor). The measure of it, though, varies with each Judge.

Now, based on Elegance and how other builds compare...if a build is Elegant, it will be elegant every iteration. It's not incomprehensible that two, three, or even ALL minds reach the same conclusion, and since this is a blind-judged competition, it's impossible to ensure all entries will differ. Similarity in builds shouldn't punish Elegance, as if the build works magnificently because of it, then it should be praised instead of penalized (specifically if it's simple, which alongside with effective hallmarks Elegance). Two distinct builds that use the same trick isn't a penalty to Elegance; it's showcasing the trick as a worthwhile (or not-worthwhile) one, and one iteration may be better than the other (which is the realm of Power). I don't intend this to influence the standards of any judge, but it's something that merits being pointed out.

Madara · 07-15-2012, 05:44 PM

1. Count me in for this one. I have 4 ideas narrowed down to two, and I'll end up submitting my favorite of the two.
2. Question: There is a column for class abilities. What about listing racial abilities? Should they be listed at level 1? Can I list them separately if I find them important?

Kazyan · 07-15-2012, 06:31 PM

*muffled voice from within pile of books* But, it's right there. I can't with that. Everyone's going to...

This one's hard.

Zeb · 07-15-2012, 06:42 PM

Rules question, a loose reading of the Spontaneous cure/inflict ability:

Spoiler

could be applied to other spellcasting than Death Delver?

Amphetryon · 07-15-2012, 06:43 PM

@Madara: List everything you think is important to your entry. You'll almost always be better off listing more than you think you need, rather than less.