Iron Chef Optimization Challenge In The Playground XLIV

[Haluesen]

Eh yikes. A little more complicated than that then. Guess I need to look over my plan and see if it needs all the levels, and any possible reasoning why it wouldn't.

Truth be told I could make a character using the SI and everything thought out in 2 days. But I don't feel like I would really have it right and would probably make a few mistakes along the way in haste. So I guess here it is better for me to take the 2 weeks to really think it out. Thanks everyone for explaining this to me!

[Piggy Knowles]

Disclaimer: Not everyone is a chef of Piggy Knowles' caliber. Use levels of the SI at your own discretion. That being said, I will point to T.G. Oskar's Mortimus Vozh as another great build that attained silver using only 9 levels of the SI. He well explained his reasons, though.

That was a great example - a bold move, especially because Death Delver's capstone was so iconic, and was what almost everyone else really played up in their builds. I liked Mortimus Vozh a lot.

Here are some other builds that got medals despite not taking full levels in the SI. (And there are more, I'm sure!)

[mattie_p]

I did win second place with Eglath, in Temple Raider, despite taking 8/10 levels, and an incomplete skill list (ran out of time). The penalties did hurt, though, at least a little.

[The Viscount]

I doubt we'll see many builds without 10 levels of the SI. That capstone is so...so...so actually a capstone.

[Kazyan]

Muhahaha I have enough tricks to submit two builds. This is a good ingredient, really. But I think elegance will take some knocks, at least.

[Haluesen]

Well, truthfully while it is a great capstone, taking all of it, I can see as bad for the build I'm working on. It takes away more than it gives, without saying too much. So either I need to accept that and go on, or I need to get a new idea.

Yeah I'm one of the kind of people who over-stresses about choices like this. I'm scared...

[The Viscount]

Don't worry too much. I mean, we all get worried about this sort of thing sometimes. I'm pretty worried someone might use a similar build to mine, but the best we can do is cook on and flavor to the best of our abilities. At the end of the day, it's really about what is most faithful to the character, at least in my opinion.

[Haluesen]

Alrighty I'll try not to get too worked up. Honestly I just have fun making interesting characters. But I didn't know a thing about real optimization, or focused character building, until recent months, basically all learned from here. Played D&D a while, just all the people I was associated with never got much into all of what I learned here. Funny when you think about it. And hasn't spoiled the game for me a bit!

So, in my over excited and very really tired way, I say I hope everyone involved in this has a lot of fun. I'm certain to. Even if I still have a lot to learn from the fine people here.

And for the record: that last sentence, so absolutely true.

[Alanto]

Well, I've never entered one of these before, but it sounds fun and I've got a concept in mind. I'll get to cooking...

[Vaz]

So far, all of my builds are actually just 10 level City Dweller builds with the SI added on.

Unless I can get something decent decent soonish, then I'm going to be going to pop my judging cherry.

[rockdeworld]

Truth be told I could make a character using the SI and everything thought out in 2 days. But I don't feel like I would really have it right and would probably make a few mistakes along the way in haste. So I guess here it is better for me to take the 2 weeks to really think it out.

Someone once told me something like "always throw out your first two ideas." I don't know how true that is, since my first two ideas have done well in the past. But in the previous comp, I built and submitted 2 builds that didn't get above 11th (one was the joke build that wasn't posted), and the 3rd got gold. Point is: why not just finish building this one and start another, and see where that gets you? If I think of my first build as practice, the second is easier to make.

[Shining Wrath]

yes we have. I have referred to the process as vizziniing myself

Never go up against Shining Wrath with Iron Chef medals on the line! MWAHAHAHAHA urk! topples

[Amphetryon]

Never go up against Shining Wrath with Iron Chef medals on the line! MWAHAHAHAHA urk! topples

I knew I left my iocaine powder around here someplace.

[Haluesen]

@Alanto Yay more new people! I'm not alone!

@rockdeworld Hmm good advice, I might just do that. I like my first idea, but not really from an optimization point of view, which is what I guess this challenge is about, so I might have to end up replacing it. But if I do, I may just mention the idea to others for opinions on how it would work as just a character on its own merits. May be a fun idea for a future campaign. ^^

@Shining Wrath and Amphetryon XD I just laughed my face off at this (somewhat). Props for first thing in the morning comedy. If I had cookies to give I would.

[Deadline]

I'll be cooking again this time around, unless my test dishes fall flat.

[mattie_p]

Two ideas, which one to work on first. Who am I kidding, I'll do both at the same time.

[darklink_shadow]

I am starting to wonder if I will actually have any free time to work on these. Stupid college, interfering with my hobbies.

[dysprosium]

I hate when real life gets in the way!

[Phippster]

I'm interested in competing. Definitely seems like a fun ingredient for my first time cooking.

[Callin]

Gonna try my hand in the Majors. Cooking a Dish

[Darkcouch]

Was almost ready to put my dish in the oven, rerolled my reading comprehension and passed this time, and realized that my build wasn't even close to being legal. Now I'm drawing a blank. I'll throw my hat in as a probable judge this go round.

[Kazyan]

So, one of my builds turning out neatly. The other one is tanking Elegance and screaming YOLO. Does this happen to anyone else?

[Callin]

No idea honestly. This is only the second contest i have entered lol. My idea is built but im struggling with certain areas.

Like the sweetspot and background.

[Phippster]

So, one of my builds turning out neatly. The other one is tanking Elegance and screaming YOLO. Does this happen to anyone else?

I'm working on two builds at the moment as well, and I'm having a similar problem with the first. I actually feel as though it'll do well on Elegance, but I'm struggling to not have them absolutely tank in power. I think I've got a solution, but it's still not looking all that hot.

[The Viscount]

No idea honestly. This is only the second contest i have entered lol. My idea is built but im struggling with certain areas.

Like the sweetspot and background.

Sweet spot is a relatively minor aspect. If you denote one of your level snapshots your sweet spot, it's fine. If nothing's feeling too strong just pick one. Background is an elusive thing. Usually enough to get a feel for what your character is like is fine. We've had backstories long enough that the build took up 2 posts, and we've had backstories of a few haiku.

@Kazyan: When I built Bjorn Ioreksen I was certain I was going to get a hit to elegance for abusing versatile spellcaster, but the power score called to me. Then I built Tacgnol, which was sacrificing Elegance for originality. The former panned out, the latter didn't. Elegance is an odd category.

[Callin]

Thanks Viscount! Makes it a bit easier now.

edit. the Snapshot. Does that mean a complete and total build. HP and items and such?

[Venger]

Thanks Viscount! Makes it a bit easier now.

edit. the Snapshot. Does that mean a complete and total build. HP and items and such?

don't do items, or judges will penalize you for being overly reliant on equipment. (and equipment takes forever to buy) just list a few important items if you think they're necessary for a trick or something, we'll assume your character has normal stuff (item to boost primary ability mod, bag of holding, etc) hp's not necessary since we know what HD your classes have from your citations and know your con score at any given lvl

[sabelo2000]

Wow, lots of new Chefs expressing interest this round. Welcome to you, gals and guys, I look forward to your competition!

[Amphetryon]

don't do items, or judges will penalize you for being overly reliant on equipment. (and equipment takes forever to buy) just list a few important items if you think they're necessary for a trick or something, we'll assume your character has normal stuff (item to boost primary ability mod, bag of holding, etc) hp's not necessary since we know what HD your classes have from your citations and know your con score at any given lvl

Addendum: If it is important that your Character uses a particular weapon/magic item, or you simply wish to highlight how a particular item would enhance your Character's abilities or options, you should probably list it, in an "options" section if nowhere else. Otherwise, a judge may not notice a particular synergy or trick that becomes self-evident when that item is available. Likewise, if you're building a particularly hardy Character - or a particularly frail one who avoids direct combat and contributes in other ways - a passing indication of expected HP range at one or more given level(s) can potentially help a judge understand your Character's role.

[Vaz]

Right, I've got my build. Think I'm going to go ahead with it.