Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLVI

[Mishkov]

I'm really impressed by the diversity of builds coming out of such a weak ingredient. It's cool seeing things like divine mind and (the not submitted) truenamer getting used!

[Venger]

I'll vote the Fixer for HM. I mean, forsaker on top of this SI?

[OMG PONIES]

Absolutely beautiful, Deadline. Sometimes it's not the power of a build that earns it gold, but complete devotion to such a ridiculously awesome concept . As we're waiting for our illustrious judges (who have their work cut out for them not in quantity as much as quality this time), a little plug: I've updated the winners in the Hall of Heroes initial thread. As more free time emerges, I'll be working on the details of each round and the Google Doc spreadsheet itself.

[Deadline]

Thanks Ponies! We certainly got a good laugh about it here.

This just in for those who haven't done it yet. Judging is Nintendo Hard. (Doing my preliminary skim through of the builds to check for validity and/or errors.)

[Immabozo]

I'm sorry I wasn't able to join. Next time.

[Haluesen]

Even though I have a dish in there, can I still vote for honorable mention? I promise not to vote for myself.

[Draz74]

Even though I have a dish in there, can I still vote for honorable mention? I promise not to vote for myself.

I believe this is actually encouraged -- although you should vote via a PM to Kuulv, not in a public post.

[Haluesen]

I believe this is actually encouraged -- although you should vote via a PM to Kuulv, not in a public post.

Ah right, well that makes sense. Of course deciding will be hard...a lot of these builds are very unique and unpredictable. Well either way I guess there's no rush in deciding.

Go judges go! Good luck with this!

[Macabaret]

your build and idea is awesome. I want it to win gold (though I know this to be impossible)

...that build is awesome. While it's terrible that you didn't get to enter this time, do you think you may be able to make more for subsequent contests? I'd love to see more of your work.

Seriously, that backstory and the way it ties into the build is craaaaazy (in a great way).

That is really awesome, my Truenamer/Cipher Adept also used word given form (because it is one of the best martial arts out there) but yeah, your build is probably better.

Macabaret, that build is wonderful. I truly regret not being able to compete against you, though I know your build wipes the floor with mine.

Three Little Pigs origin story = win.

Jumping on the wagon for loving that build for Huff N. Wolfe. The story idea is hilarious and the power would probably blow most of the competitors away.

Thank you, all, for your words. They are all very much appreciated.

This competition is over, people. Macabaret, where should I send your internet?

I has the internets?

You may, of course, send all awards, prizes, commendations, monetary grants, flowers, gift baskets, trophies, et al. for Huff N. Wolfe here. (Though, it is highly suggested that you build a display room off of the main hall which has no access to any load-bearing walls.)

[OMG PONIES]

You may, of course, send all awards, prizes, commendations, monetary grants, flowers, gift baskets, trophies, et al. for Huff N. Wolfe here. (Though, it is highly suggested that you build a display room off of the main hall which has no access to any load-bearing walls.)

You just...keep...winning. Mandatory cooking next round.

[The Viscount]

I'm honestly surprised we were able to cook up 13 builds this round. It's really amazing with such an SI.

Speaking of, anybody got any guesses for next round? I have a hope our chairman will be merciful and give us something a little...better next time, perhaps blackguard. I still hope for GGS eventually, just not right after this one.

[Haluesen]

A lot of people seem to request blackguard. What's so great about it? Also what is GGS?

[Venger]

A lot of people seem to request blackguard. What's so great about it? Also what is GGS?

nothing's really great about it that's the point.

GGS is the viscount's pet project, gnome giant slayer. It's an abhorrently awful class from complete warrior. it would be a hilarious secret ingredient.

[OMG PONIES]

GGS is the viscount's pet project, gnome giant slayer. It's an abhorrently awful class from complete warrior. it would be a hilarious secret ingredient.

Gnomes are always fun--I've long been kicking around some ideas for Dulcinea v 2.0 .

[thethird]

Speaking of, anybody got any guesses for next round? I have a hope our chairman will be merciful and give us something a little...better next time, perhaps blackguard. I still hope for GGS eventually, just not right after this one.

Now I am picturing a build with the GGS... You are evil, I want to cook that...

[Deadline]

I've got my Gnome Giant Slayer build ready to go. Just give the word.

In other news, my Judging is roughly 1/3 complete.

[thethird]

Yay!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

[dysprosium]

In other news, my Judging is roughly 1/3 complete.

Ooooh! Can'ts waits for the judging!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

It would not surprise me at all if people did. I know I have plenty of ideas in my head (now if only I had the time to put them all down . . .)

[Piggy Knowles]

Yay!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

Overall no. I like the process of building under a deadline, and I think I'd lose a lot of my enthusiasm if I had a build already planned out. There is one prestige class that I'm hoping to see, though, and I have been playing around with builds for that for ages because I think it's a cool class for all its faults.

I recently came up with a build that is one of my favorite creations to date, but I'm keeping it secret because I know it's eventually going to come up as an ingredient...

[Haluesen]

Well alright then so I wasn't wrong in disliking that class. I've never cared for the paladin, so when I look at blackguard I just think slightly tweaked nega-paladin, pass. But now if it comes up as a secret ingredient then I will just have to do it. No greater challenge than working with an ingredient you actively hate, right?

I think I'd actually prefer gnome giant slayer, just for all of the fun flavorful options I can think of.

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

I guess so. I can't imagine how that would be done though. It takes me almost the full 2 weeks to make one build knowing the secret ingredient. All of you people who have been in for a while must be superhuman.

Yay for Deadline! Keep up those judging skills.

[thethird]

Overall no. I like the process of building under a deadline, and I think I'd lose a lot of my enthusiasm if I had a build already planned out. There is one prestige class that I'm hoping to see, though, and I have been playing around with builds for that for ages because I think it's a cool class for all its faults.

I recently came up with a build that is one of my favorite creations to date, but I'm keeping it secret because I know it's eventually going to come up as an ingredient...

Cool good to know, I might sketch some builds if I get the time. By the way Piggy I posted in your archer compendium, I don't know if you saw my thrower build.

[Piggy Knowles]

Cool good to know, I might sketch some builds if I get the time. By the way Piggy I posted in your archer compendium, I don't know if you saw my thrower build.

You know, I saw that and meant to comment and update the initial post, but I got distracted with a campaign I'm planning. I'll update it this evening, thanks for the prod!

[Vaz]

I know that while I browse through books for the PrC's and combinations, I tend to open up google, and look for synergystic combinations. For example, in my build in this round, I have previously googled regarding [Redacted] which directed me to a thread on like the 12th page of google which had a feat in a relatively obscure book. It's not overly powerful (or else it would be as well known as say Reserves of Strength, or Phaerimm Hatchlings etc), but it's hard to find mention of even while searching for it. So, I felt a) unique, and b) mechanically and c) thematically awesome.

The problem was, I had found the combination way back in Shadowblade; now I know how well I did in that (Template Stacking Infinate Strength Thrower that literally could not have got ANY use whatsoever out of the SI), and I've learned (ish) to play the judges game, of what they like to see. Back in Shadowblade, I couldn't find a way to use it that I liked (as I was still trying to come up with Geomancer levels of optimizing, as that was my first ever IC entry), and so dropped it, but I've got a notepad full of "neat tricks" and "cool prestige classes". In this round, I've discovered a way to use the [Redacted] only [redacted] in combination with [redacted]. It's a pretty nifty thing, but it would not fit in this SI. However, it has been shifted to the bottom of the file for me to search. This notepad is printed out, and then scratching off every trick which would not synergistically (Is that a word? If not, it is now) work or thematically match.

The only build I have swimming around is for Slime Lord. I do so love that class, it's got several different optimizing abilities (similar to how Talon of Tiamat or Urban Soul had), and I enjoy working with it. However, the first full game I played I took the Slime Lord as a PrC "reward" (my DM at the time allowed PrC's to qualify regardless of prerequisites as long as I fit the fluff/in game hoop-jumping; i.e, a Power Attacking Fighter that simply stayed still would not have qualified for say Dervish, but in that game, I completed enough tasks for a cleric of Ghaunadaur that my DM waived the prerequisites. I never got to finish the campaign due the DM being called away to sea, but the few times I was able to use it, it helped massively.

However, due to having that build already "perfected", I'd also still attempt to make at least 1 other entry, or else, like previously stated, you miss out on the fun of actually creating something.

[Venger]

Yay!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

sometimes, but it's rare. I think one or two people had a build ready for acolyte of the skin since we were asking for it every round, but for the most part, no.

[OMG PONIES]

In other news, my Judging is roughly 1/3 complete.

How about that! Thanks for the update.

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

While I may not have a dish on the backburner at all times, I keep various garnishes at the ready. For instance, I initially thought of my Earth Dreamer/Mobile Spellcasting combo during the assassin round, but it didn't see use until Geomancer.

[Thurbane]

Yay!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

I never get as far as full formatting or tables, but I have several build stubs and backstories for some of the PrCs that commonly get requested.

As for Blackguard, I think you could actually make a decent build using all 10 levels - it's better than a fair chunk of previous SIs.

[Deadline]

Yay!

Do people cook stuff up in advance?

I should clarify, I only have build ideas/stubs, I don't write anything up until the competition, because honestly, who has that kind of time?

[Limited Gish]

I was thinking about entering, just to see how I could fare, and was attempting something along the lines of Zinc Saucier, but in an interesting way:

Basically, I aimed for a Druid with both the Druidic Avenger variant and the other variant that replaced Wild Shape for Monk AC, Ranger favored enemy and Ranger tracking abilities, and chose to get into Fist of the Forest while at it. The full build would have been as follows:

Druid (Druidic Avenger) 7/Cipher Adept 2/Fist of the Forest 3/Cipher Adept 8
...

This. This was pretty much my whole build as well. I also considered factotum, but gave up before I could do much of anything with it.

[thethird]

How is the judging going? Do you need energy drinks judges?

Other than Deadline and Whiteleaf (who submitted criteria) is anyone judging?

[Deadline]

How is the judging going? Do you need energy drinks judges?

Other than Deadline and Whiteleaf (who submitted criteria) is anyone judging?

I've got 4.5 builds left to go, then a quick review of my comments to ensure everything makes sense. My weekend is pretty packed, so I may not get the finished judging out until next week. I'd like to shoot for tomorrow night though.