The Iron Chef in the Playground Thread of Contest Records

[true_shinken]

Hello, guys.
I'm true_shinken, current chairman of the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge.
Ever wanted to know the highest score ever given? Or who got the first place more often? Well, here is the place to find out.
I collected info from all contests, but there are bond to be mistakes. If anyone has anything else to contribute or any suggestions, I'd be greatly grateful.
Many thanks to OMGPonies for his famous spreadsheet with all results.

Now for the records:
Number of Judges:
1. Both Iron Chef III and XI had 7 listed judges, 5 of them posted scores.
2. Iron Chef V had 7 judges listed, but only 3 of them posted scores.

Number of Contestants:
1. Iron Chef II had 30 contestants!
2. Iron Chef I had 27 contestants!

Number of Submissions:
While there are always lots of contestants, not everyone manages to get their builds on time.
1. Iron Chef XII had 11 submissions.
2. Iron Chef V and XI had 9 submissions.
We usually have around 7~8, but IC II and XIV had only 5 actual submissions.

Highest Score (single judge):
1. Dulcinea from IC XI got a fantastic 19.5, almost a perfect score.
2. Our beloved Fistbeard Beardfist, Jack (IC XI) and Ultimo Tarrasco Jr (IC XII) all managed to get 18.5
3. Lots of submissions managed to get 18 points, but I think it's still noteworthy - Lirea (IC II), Hugo Clopin (IC II), Noxius (IC III), Old Lob Many Eyes (IC IV), Sway (IC IX), Milo (IC X), Bosleigh Edon (IC XII).

Highest Score (total):
I didn't compile this. The number of judges depends on the round in question. If anyone does this, however, I'll add it here.

Number of 1st places:

1. Standing overall champion is Akal Saris with 4 gold trophies: Jorath, Hand of Annihilation (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8207286&postcount=173) (IC I), Noxius (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8337459&postcount=109) (IC III), Old Lob (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106) (IC IV), The Green Knight (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8580412&postcount=115) (IC V).
2. Second place goes to OMGPonies with three gold trophies: Dr. Milo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9208735&postcount=95) (IC X), Dulcinea the dancer's saughter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9321125&postcount=154) (IC XI) and Chieftain Nini the Whiskey King (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9823813&postcount=131) (IC XV).
3. All the other winners, with one trophy each: BoonL (Lirea the Dark Dancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8207286&postcount=173), IC II), Draz74 (Jereth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8798025&postcount=127), IC VI), The Vorpal Tribble (Little Starry Eyes (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8888409&postcount=147), IC VII), Arbitrary (Taliesin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8991346&postcount=221), IC IX), Gilded Duke (Ultimo Tarrasco Jr (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9465081&postcount=102), IC XII), Amphetryon (Rhys (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9626930&postcount=180), IC XIII) and gbprime (Primal Vagabond (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9741704&postcount=82), IC XIV)

Number of 2nd places:

1. We have a tie! Akal Saris (IC II, VII), Ozymandias9 (IC V, X) and The Vorpal Tribble (IC IX, XIII), each got second place twice.

Number of 3rd places:

1. Surprisingly, only Amphetryon got third place more than once. He did it on IC IV, VII and VIII.

Most Frequent Judges:

1. and arguskos (IC II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) graced us with his judgings a grand total 6 times.
2. Both Grynning (IC II, IV, XIII, XIV, XV) and true_shinken (VII, VIII, IX, X, XII - hey, that's me!) were judges on 5 competitions.
3. Both Keld Denar and The Vorpal Tribble were judges on 4 ICs (V, X, XII, XIV for VT and VIII, IX, X, XI for Keld).
4. We have three judges who judged in three ICs. They are 9mm (III, IV, IX), Ozymandias9 (VI, VII, IX) and kesnit (VIII, XI, XIII).

Chairmen:
1. Heliomance: IC I - V
2. Private-Prinny: IC VI - X
3. Ozymandias9: IC XI - XIII
4. true_shinken: IC XIV and XV

Trophy Makers:
1. Strategos made trophies for IC II-XI. 2 trophies each contest for a total of 18.
2. Jumilk made trophies for IC XIV and XV. 4 trophies each contest for a total of 8.

Highest total score: 81.5 (Round VI's Jereth by Draz74)
Highest average score: 4.40625 (Round IV's Old Lob Many-Eyes by Akal Saris)
Highest number of classes: 7 (Round IX's Fistbear Bearfist by Eldariel and Round XI's Jakob the Liar by OMG PONIES)*
Lowest number of base class levels: 1 (Round X's Alexei by Chineselegolas)**
Most original (all-time): 5 (Round XIII's Sally by the Vorpal Tribble)
Most powerful (all-time): 4.75 (Round XIII's Alexander Noct kestrel404)
Most elegant (all-time): 4.5 (Round I's Fayne Parthinia by BenTheJester)
Best use of the secret ingredient (all-time): 5 (Round I's Eruth Taal by BooNL and Round II's Lirea by BooNL)
*For the curious, the builds were Dwarf Ranger 3/Barbarian 2/Deepwarden 2/Fist of the Forest 3/Bear Warrior 1/Warshaper 4/Bearlord 5 (Fistbear) and Dark Kobold Lurk 3/Swashbuckler 3/Stoneblessed 3/Blade Bravo 5/Assassin 1/Drow Fighter 2/Factotum 3 (Jakob)
**For the curious, the build was Half-elf Cloistered Cleric 1/Half-Elf Paragon 3/Human Paragon 3/Squire of Legend 3/Mythic Exemplar 10

Books Most Used:
1. Complete Warrior was used for the secret ingredient 3 times.
2. Complete Scoundrel, Expanded Psionics Handbooks, Complete Adventurer and Complete Arcane have been used twice each.
3. Complete Divine, Book of Vile Darkness, Complete Champion and Races of Stone have been used once each.

Highest Margin of Victory*: 9.5 (Round IV)
Lowest Margin of Victory*: 0.5 (Rounds III & XIII)
Highest Point Spread**: 38 (Round III)
Lowest Point Spread**: 12.5 (Round I)
Total number of unique competitors: 52
Total number of entries 108
Most frequent competitor: Amphetryon (10 entries)
*Between first and second place
**Between first and last place[/QUOTE]

Curiosities:
IC I, XII and XIII had no trophies.
IC II was the first one with trophies: gold for 1st place and silver for the runner-up.
Despite 30 registered contestants, IC II only had 5 entries.
The famous 'allez optimiser' motivator was used by the first time on IC III.
Strategous actually won one of the trophies he crafted himself, the silver trophy from IC III.
Half the contestants in IC V submited entries.
Only twice have contestants revealed their builds before time was due. Hand_of_Vecna did it on IC V and true_shinken on IC VI.
The standardized entries were only introduced in IC VIII, along with the 'dispute round'.
The latter was caused by a discussion during round VII. Said discussion got a member banned from the forum.
Keld Denar really ruined my 3rd place with his judging in round XI. I kind of did the same to him on round VII. Talk about coincidence.

Iron Chef's Hall of Heroes
I: Jorath by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8011614&postcount=116)
II: Lirea by BooNL (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8207286&postcount=173)
III: Noxius by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8337459&postcount=109)
IV: Old Lob Many-Eyes by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106)
V: The Green Knight by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8580412&postcount=115)
VI: Jereth by Draz74 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8798025&postcount=127)
VII: Little Starry Eyes by The Vorpal Tribble (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8888409&postcount=147)
VIII: Taliesin Pyrain by Arbitrarity (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8991346&postcount=221)
IX: Sway by WinWin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9111589&postcount=106)
X: Dr. Milo Brushscrubber by OMG PONIES (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9208735&postcount=95)
XI: Dulcinea by OMG PONIES (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9321125&postcount=154)
XII: Ultimo Tarrasco, Jr. by The Gilded Duke (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9465081&postcount=102)
XIII: Rhys by Amphetryon (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9626930&postcount=181)
XIV: Markus VanDerHomme by gbprime (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9741704&postcount=82)
XV: Chieftain Nini the Whiskey King (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9823813&postcount=131)

[Amphetryon]

Thanks for starting this.

How are there only 9 listed winners of 14 - soon to be 15 - Iron Chef contests?

I'd have sworn Vorpal Tribble was close to the number of 3rd place finishes I've accumulated to date...

[true_shinken]

Thanks for starting this.

How are there only 9 listed winners of 14 - soon to be 15 - Iron Chef contests?

I'd have sworn Vorpal Tribble was close to the number of 3rd place finishes I've accumulated to date...

Hm, I obviously screwed up, that's why ^^

[Greenish]

Woohoo, a compilation thread! Could you have the links to all the winners in here too?

I think my all time favourite was the good Ol' Lob. Oh, and it looks like maybe we should ban Akal Saris. :smallbiggrin:

[true_shinken]

Woohoo, a compilation thread! Could you have the links to all the winners in here too?

I think my all time favourite was the good Ol' Lob. Oh, and it looks like maybe we should ban Akal Saris. :smallbiggrin:

Hm, links to all the winners, that's an excellent idea. Working on it.

[Private-Prinny]

The standardized entries were only introduced in IC VIII, along with the 'dispute round'.
The latter was caused by a discussion during round VII. Said discussion got a member banned from the forum.

Probably the low point in my run as chairman. I never thought running a forum contest could actually become downright stressful.

After round VII, I almost killed the Iron Chef.:smallsigh:

[Akal Saris]

Heh, I was also wondering how there were only 9 gold metals among 15 contests :smalltongue:

My favorite of my own entries was actually Noxius, since I really enjoyed putting together the mechanical half of the character. I think my favorite entry from another contestant was Strategos's Annabelle Cartwright (also IC III), though there have been lots of terrific entries.

[Grynning]

Oh, this is cool! I should make one correction - I did not actually post counted scores for round III, and while my name is on the list for round V, I had IRL issues come up and never actually judged it. So counting XV, I am tied with you (True_Shinken) at 5 successful judgings, it'll be 6 total after XV if you count my scoreless commentary from round III.

Annabelle was a very memorable entry from III, it's too bad Strategos hasn't competed more. I gotta say Old Lob is still one of my favorites, but Gazebo Jones from XV is shaping up to be another one of my all-time faves, even if he doesn't win.

[true_shinken]

Probably the low point in my run as chairman. I never thought running a forum contest could actually become downright stressful.

After round VII, I almost killed the Iron Chef.:smallsigh:

It wasn't your fault, Prinny. You actually introduced lots of good concepts in your run. The way you handled the disputes was very good as well, setting a model both Ozy and I followed.
Don't be too hard on yourself. :smallbiggrin:



Oh, this is cool! I should make one correction - I did not actually post counted scores for round III, and while my name is on the list for round V, I had IRL issues come up and never actually judged it. So counting XV, I am tied with you (True_Shinken) at 5 successful judgings, it'll be 6 total after XV if you count my scoreless commentary from round III.
OK, I updated the OP about this, thanks for letting me know ^^


Annabelle was a very memorable entry from III, it's too bad Strategos hasn't competed more. I gotta say Old Lob is still one of my favorites, but Gazebo Jones from XV is shaping up to be another one of my all-time faves, even if he doesn't win.
My favourite was Little Starry Eyes. I just read and went 'what? that's awesome!' immediately.

[arguskos]

Probably the low point in my run as chairman. I never thought running a forum contest could actually become downright stressful.

After round VII, I almost killed the Iron Chef.:smallsigh:
And because of that discussion, I will never judge one of these contests again.

Of course, it wasn't your fault (hell, it could rightfully be called mine in many respects).

I'm amused though, that I'm the most frequent judge, despite not having judged since VII. I might come back for a "return tour" at some point. But I doubt it. :smalltongue:

[Thurbane]

Which contestant holds the record for most number of classes on one character? :smalltongue:

[Keld Denar]

Keld Denar really ruined my 3rd place with his judging in round XI. I kind of did the same to him on round VII. Talk about coincidence.

^^ lolwut?

[OMG PONIES]

Shink, this is great! I can send you my spreadsheet if you want, or I can field any requests that require number crunching.

[true_shinken]

Shink, this is great! I can send you my spreadsheet if you want, or I can field any requests that require number crunching.

Well, if you know the higher total scores ever achieved, that would be awesome ^^

[Amphetryon]

I think my favorite entry from those I've put forward to date was Daken. He honestly wasn't originally an homage to the Dark Wolverine when I started putting him together, but by the time I'd finished, he was a fair representation. I really liked the way he worked and progressed at each level.

[Lapak]

Well, if you know the higher total scores ever achieved, that would be awesome ^^I'm not sure if you want highest total score or highest average score here, as total score varies so much based on the number of judges.

[true_shinken]

I'm not sure if you want highest total score or highest average score here, as total score varies so much based on the number of judges.

If we could have both it would be better, I believe.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Shink, this is great! I can send you my spreadsheet if you want, or I can field any requests that require number crunching.
*Truant Officer Tribble walks in and grabs you by the ear for playing hookey from campaign*

[T.G. Oskar]

I'm not sure if you want highest total score or highest average score here, as total score varies so much based on the number of judges.
If we could have both it would be better, I believe.

Agree on that. It would deal with the highest score ever shown (which, as we've seen, is not a 20), and the build with the highest average so as to show which build is essentially the best of the best.

Goes to ask which got the lowest score (period) and the lowest score (overall), to show the worst of builds. I bet mine might actually appear there (not Violet Rose, but poor, poor Nuaeral (aka Geoffrey), of whom I am deeply ashamed of even placing into the competition (I mean, not only it was a bad build; someone actually did better using the exact same line of thought). And I'm still looking for vindication, actually.

[Amphetryon]

Agree on that. It would deal with the highest score ever shown (which, as we've seen, is not a 20), and the build with the highest average so as to show which build is essentially the best of the best.

Goes to ask which got the lowest score (period) and the lowest score (overall), to show the worst of builds. I bet mine might actually appear there (not Violet Rose, but poor, poor Nuaeral (aka Geoffrey), of whom I am deeply ashamed of even placing into the competition (I mean, not only it was a bad build; someone actually did better using the exact same line of thought). And I'm still looking for vindication, actually.
My Birdlord, Bertram Urrni (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9111582&postcount=105), got a 6 total score from Keld. That's among the lowest I can recall.

[Cieyrin]

My Birdlord, Bertram Urrni (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9111582&postcount=105), got a 6 total score from Keld. That's among the lowest I can recall.

I don't recall which IC it was but there was one entry that Tribble refused to score, so, on that count, perhaps the lowest score should be '-'. I believe that IC was the first one I judged in, too, which is why I remember it.

Also, I need to judge another contest, if not only to make it to 3 judgings but to get a neat judge's badge. :smallbiggrin:

[The Vorpal Tribble]

I don't recall which IC it was but there was one entry that Tribble refused to score, so, on that count, perhaps the lowest score should be '-'.
Well, it wasn't done. I regret nothing :smallyuk:

[Cieyrin]

Well, it wasn't done. I regret nothing :smallyuk:

I meant no offense, just saying that that should be the lowest graded one.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

I meant no offense, just saying that that should be the lowest graded one.
That wasn't a RAWR at you. Just a general judgly RAWR in general.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Vorpal, do you remember what build was that? now I am curious.

[Thurbane]

Which contestant holds the record for most number of classes on one character? :smalltongue:
In answer to my own question, there is at least 4 builds that use 6 classes, (or 6 builds, if you count RHD as classes), so there's no clear leader in that category.

[OMG PONIES]

I'll be consulting my spreadsheet at work tomorrow (woot Excel 2007 with array function support) and answering any open queries, including Thurbane's (as I think at least one build used 7+ classes).

I will not, however, field any queries regarding the lowest scores. While they are innocent, such things can quickly become mean-spirited or simply remind people of past failures. This competition is about the best of the best, so let's focus on that rather than the worst of the best. Any posts about low scores should remain first-person. I remember my entry for ICO IX, Felix, got rightfully trounced by 9mm, I think. I may have received a 6 in that one.

COMING SOON (read: tomorrow)
Highest total score
Highest average score
Highest number of classes
Lowest number of base class levels
Most original (all-time)
Most powerful (all-time)
Most elegant (all-time)
Best use of the secret ingredient (all-time)
Links to all medal winners.

Feel free to put in any other requests. Shink, feel free to add whatever to the first post once I get it on here.

[Grynning]

While they are innocent, such things can quickly become mean-spirited or simply remind people of past failures. This competition is about the best of the best, so let's focus on that rather than the worst of the best.

I very much agree with this. ICITP has always had a very positive spin (except for a few occasions, like the oft-mentioned ICVII debates), and we should keep it that way. I think that the spirit of the contest has always been one of praising the best builds but also acknowledging the creativity and honest efforts of all of the chefs.

I have enormous respect for everyone who's ever submitted a build for competition, because even though this is a silly contest on a message board about silly games, it's still somewhat terrifying to put something you conceived, labored on and wrote out up for public criticism.

[true_shinken]

I very much agree with this. ICITP has always had a very positive spin (except for a few occasions, like the oft-mentioned ICVII debates), and we should keep it that way. I think that the spirit of the contest has always been one of praising the best builds but also acknowledging the creativity and honest efforts of all of the chefs.

I have enormous respect for everyone who's ever submitted a build for competition, because even though this is a silly contest on a message board about silly games, it's still somewhat terrifying to put something you conceived, labored on and wrote out up for public criticism.

This man is a man of wisdom. I'd vote Grynning for president.

[OMG PONIES]

Here are the promised records--round XV has been excluded, since it's not yet complete. I'll update once it's done.

Iron Chef's Hall of Heroes
I: Jorath by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8011614&postcount=116)
II: Lirea by BooNL (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8207286&postcount=173)
III: Noxius by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8337459&postcount=109)
IV: Old Lob Many-Eyes by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106)
V: The Green Knight by Akal Saris (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8580412&postcount=115)
VI: Jereth by Draz74 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8798025&postcount=127)
VII: Little Starry Eyes by The Vorpal Tribble (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8888409&postcount=147)
VIII: Taliesin Pyrain by Arbitrarity (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8991346&postcount=221)
IX: Sway by WinWin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9111589&postcount=106)
X: Dr. Milo Brushscrubber by OMG PONIES (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9208735&postcount=95)
XI: Dulcinea by OMG PONIES (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9321125&postcount=154)
XII: Ultimo Tarrasco, Jr. by The Gilded Duke (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9465081&postcount=102)
XIII: Rhys by Amphetryon (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9626930&postcount=181)
XIV: Markus VanDerHomme by gbprime (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9741704&postcount=82)

Highest total score: 81.5 (Round VI's Jereth by Draz74)
Highest average score: 4.40625 (Round IV's Old Lob Many-Eyes by Akal Saris)
Highest number of classes: 7 (Round IX's Fistbear Bearfist by Eldariel and Round XI's Jakob the Liar by OMG PONIES)*
Lowest number of base class levels: 1 (Round X's Alexei by Chineselegolas)**
Most original (all-time): 5 (Round XIII's Sally by the Vorpal Tribble)
Most powerful (all-time): 4.75 (Round XIII's Alexander Noct kestrel404)
Most elegant (all-time): 4.5 (Round I's Fayne Parthinia by BenTheJester)
Best use of the secret ingredient (all-time): 5 (Round I's Eruth Taal by BooNL and Round II's Lirea by BooNL)

Let me know if there are any other records you're interested in.

*For the curious, the builds were Dwarf Ranger 3/Barbarian 2/Deepwarden 2/Fist of the Forest 3/Bear Warrior 1/Warshaper 4/Bearlord 5 (Fistbear) and Dark Kobold Lurk 3/Swashbuckler 3/Stoneblessed 3/Blade Bravo 5/Assassin 1/Drow Fighter 2/Factotum 3 (Jakob)
**For the curious, the build was Half-elf Cloistered Cleric 1/Half-Elf Paragon 3/Human Paragon 3/Squire of Legend 3/Mythic Exemplar 10

[Thurbane]

Highest number of classes: 7 (Round IX's Fistbear Bearfist by Eldariel and Round XI's Jakob the Liar by OMG PONIES)*

*For the curious, the builds were Dwarf Ranger 3/Barbarian 2/Deepwarden 2/Fist of the Forest 3/Bear Warrior 1/Warshaper 4/Bearlord 5 (Fistbear) and Dark Kobold Lurk 3/Swashbuckler 3/Stoneblessed 3/Blade Bravo 5/Assassin 1/Drow Fighter 2/Factotum 3 (Jakob)

Hmm, must have miscounted when I looked at those. Thanks for the update. :smallsmile:

[T.G. Oskar]

I very much agree with this. ICITP has always had a very positive spin (except for a few occasions, like the oft-mentioned ICVII debates), and we should keep it that way. I think that the spirit of the contest has always been one of praising the best builds but also acknowledging the creativity and honest efforts of all of the chefs.

I have enormous respect for everyone who's ever submitted a build for competition, because even though this is a silly contest on a message board about silly games, it's still somewhat terrifying to put something you conceived, labored on and wrote out up for public criticism.

I'd rather have someone tell me my build sucks in my face (even if I might end up a bit QQ later or perhaps a bit angry and defensive) than get a pat on the back for "effort". Sometimes, when you make a good build and you don't win, Effort is commendable, even laudable. But when you know deep down that the build is bad, and you hear stuff like "I couldn't have pulled something better", it feels like condescending.

But that's me. If someone goes and tells my build is bad and I agree, I'd say it. If I feel the build is bad and someone bashes it, I'd fight for it. But if someone took the time to help that build be better, I'd thank that guy because it aids me on optimization; maybe by knowing the tricks and yet retain that tip of trying new stuff, I might eventually win a hard-won contest one day. Or even a hard-earned second prize.

I feel that's a much more positive spin, and I'd dare say a bit more honest, but honesty is as hard to detect as sarcasm nowadays.

[OMG PONIES]

I agree with you, T.G. Unfortunately, some people aren't as candid or receptive to criticism, while the criticism of others can sometimes be less than constructive. For those reasons (and others) Grynning and I were dissuading people from focusing on the negative elements of the competition. To satisfy the curious, Amph and I both recalled receiving 6s in ICO IX, while VT mentioned a build he refused to score.

I remember a light-hearted thread a while back about the worst homebrew that sparked some debate and derailed the thread. I don't want that to happen here, so I'd prefer that we focus on the positive records. :smallbiggrin:

[Grynning]

I'd rather have someone tell me my build sucks in my face (even if I might end up a bit QQ later or perhaps a bit angry and defensive) than get a pat on the back for "effort". Sometimes, when you make a good build and you don't win, Effort is commendable, even laudable. But when you know deep down that the build is bad, and you hear stuff like "I couldn't have pulled something better", it feels like condescending.


Well, for me at least, GITP is for recreation, and while friendly debate, however spirited, is fun, and constructive criticism is useful, I don't want the words "angry and defensive" to ever enter into it. Sure, not every build may be stellar, but...
a) as I mentioned before, just building an IC character and putting it into competition is a bit difficult for a lot of people (I've yet to actually do it, which I'm sure some people have noticed; some day I'll have to get a taste of my own medicine)
b) we're talking about D&D characters. The qualities upon which they are being judged are highly subjective and very difficult to quantify, as the contest has proven many times over, and as this forum as a whole has proved many times more. I'm not going to tell someone a character "sucks" because that's basically like telling someone their imaginary friend isn't as cool as mine. I will put scores on it, within the guidelines of the contest, sure, because that's what I volunteered to do as a judge, and I'll say what I liked and didn't like, but that's as far as it goes in my book.

[WinWin]

okay...not sure if this is the right area.

Tried to post in the IC 15 thread and I am forbidden. New protocol in place to ensure happy citizens?

[true_shinken]

okay...not sure if this is the right area.

Tried to post in the IC 15 thread and I am forbidden. New protocol in place to ensure happy citizens?

Nothing that I know of, WinWin.

[WinWin]

Seems to be an issue with copy/paste no problem.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Huh, never noticed Sally got 5's across the board for Originality. Wouldn't have thought his the most original. Not being modest, I'm just talking about those I've submitted. Then you throw in all other whacky entries and I'm still going 'eh?'

[BooNL]

Wow, I've been again for a while and I can't believe these contests are still going strong! Very cool to see and kudos to everyone!

I'm actually surprised to see my name listed in the 'best use of secret ingredient' award. I was sure someone would have kicked my from that throne by now.

But never, I will take these achievements to my grave!

Like I said, I've been away for a while but I have lurked the IC threads a bit. I've seen a lot of cool builds come and go and I'm always itching to see what Akal Saris and The Vorpal Tribble come up with.

I might actually decide to join one of these competitions again, though I'd have to read up on a lot of DnD stuff again. I've been slacking and this might be a good opportunity to get back on track :smallbiggrin:.

[Grynning]

Most powerful (all-time): 4.75 (Round XIII's Alexander Noct kestrel404)



I think the round number is wrong on that one, because I can't find that character, and I don't remember Vigilante being a particularly high-powered round of Iron Chef :smallwink:

[OMG PONIES]

I think the round number is wrong on that one, because I can't find that character, and I don't remember Vigilante being a particularly high-powered round of Iron Chef :smallwink:

I think he was referred to as "Nightwatch" as well, though my spreadsheet uses original character names rather than titles. While Round XIII wasn't too powerful, his was a Sublime Chord build that obtained 9th-level spells, hence the high power.

[Grynning]

ooooohhhh yeah....that'll teach me to post before my coffee and cigarette.

[OMG PONIES]

No problems. The legwork of putting together my spreadsheet meant becoming innately familiar with most rounds of the competition, so the sad part is that I posted the additional clarification above without needing to consult my spreadsheet *cough*nerd*cough*

[true_shinken]

*cough*nerd*cough*
That's all of use, dude. That's all of us.
I actually should be doing a essay on japanese literature now, but instead I'm here.

Added the list of books used for the secret ingredients to the OP.

[Akal Saris]

Yeah, I should be writing about how many nuclear weapons the US should have in its arsenal in 2025, but instead I'm re-reading through the 7 or 8 contests that I didn't participate in =P

[OMG PONIES]

Since I got bored, here are some more records (Rounds I-XIV)!

Highest Margin of Victory*: 9.5 (Round IV)
Lowest Margin of Victory*: 0.5 (Rounds III & XIII)
Highest Point Spread**: 38 (Round III)
Lowest Point Spread**: 12.5 (Round I)
Total number of unique competitors: 52
Total number of entries 108
Most frequent competitor: Amphetryon (10 entries)

*Between first and second place
**Between first and last place