Results 61 to 87 of 87
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2022-10-22, 12:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2022
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- Canananananada
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
A corrupt detective, a changeling seducer, a truenaming fiendbinder, a "galaxy brain fighter", a walking example of Kobold nonsense, and an earth-gliding diviner...it's an interesting mix, certainly! :D Quite a few things I didn't expect at all, and it's nice seeing the various paths people took with Cerebrex (be that focusing on the anti-magic side, or the sense gaining, or the prominent skill boosts, or even a bit of strange wording). I was thinking about making some sort of build that used Aggression Mastery as a way to get into rage-focused classes, but I wanted to focus down on the Monster Mash instead, so lol on that. XD Good job to all the chefs!
Oh gods. Sybil definitely does seem like a bit of a nightmare to build and play, but man, the idea of just solving your own boosted riddles to get free divination spells is hilarious. XDLast edited by Frostmoon; 2022-10-22 at 12:02 AM.
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2022-10-22, 02:06 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2015
- Location
- Alamogordo
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
I'm honestly impressed by how none of the submissions this time are dips. They're all deep into the Ingredient.
Characters I've enjoyed playing for more than four sessions:
Falgar the Swiftblade
Revain Sumeth, Whip Fighter Extraordinaire
Malvin Firel, Cleric of Corellon, Destroyer of Undeath
Vongur Dorent, Primeval Champion of Poverty
In defense of the Vow of Poverty
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2022-10-22, 03:25 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2014
- Location
- Arcadia
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
A couple build ideas I had but didn't end up going with:
Spoiler: Gnome illusionistMy initial thought was to go variant illusionist 5 to get Hide as a permanent class skill (check the wording and compare with the variant enchanter, which explicitly gives its skills as wizard class skills only). At level 5 you get your intelligence modifier on Hide, which I'd use to argue Eidetic Memory enhances it. Cerebrex gives quite a few things that are nice for a stealthy character (dex bonuses, blindsight, arguably mindsight immunity) so it seemed like a good fit.
Race would probably have been tinker gnome (small size +2 dex +2 int babyyy) and the whole thing would've had an industrial espionage vibe. Scry on workshops, steal spells, bop casters with Rage if they run into you. Maybe at higher levels I'd have entered some classic Gnome Wizard Nonsense, like Shadowcraft Mage.
Spoiler: ArchivistNot anything very concrete here, I just thought 'hm, cerebrex gives you Rage and Clairvoyance, are there int-based casters that do not have those already'. Southern Magician isn't as painful to get for a class that otherwise has no requirement feats, and Dark Knowledge has some pretty good synergy with cerebrex.
Spoiler: Batman!!!Skilled-City Dweller Wild Shape Ranger 5 into Vigilante (CAdv), focusing on intelligence and charisma because wild shape takes care of your physical stats. Turn into a desmodu hunting bat, flit between buildings harassing the cowardly and superstitious criminals of your hometown. Vigilante actually has a pretty solid list (Bard spells, minus conjuration, evocation, enchantment) and the missing schools can be compensated for with Shadow Conjuration and social skills.
With Quick Hide (cause a diversion to hide as a move action with a +4 bonus), you could pull the classic batman escape, further boosted by Cerebrex's capstone if necessary. Quick Search had some okay intelligence-skill synergy as well. Most importantly, Cerebrex gives you a bunch of Clairvoyance sensors... which let you spot people committing crimes, thereby making them valid targets for the Vigilante's Smite the Guilty. Ranger gives you Track, which goes nicely with Scent (surprised to see no builds use those two together).
The main issue was the feat-hunger. Vigilante requires Alertness, you really need Extra Wild Shape, but you also gotta get Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft as class skills somewhere, which requires getting Keeper of Forbidden Lore and Knowledge Devotion in the first 10 levels (though you probably wanted Knowledge Devotion anyway ig). I toyed with the idea of making the build an elf to use Aereni focus (higher spellcraft!), and because 'crazy crimefighting elf who lives in a tree that predates the city around it' is evocative, but requirements would've gotten a bit tight.
Spoiler: Fleshwarper (fave)Cerebrex is one of the few arcane PrCs to give Heal as a class skill. Heal is notably required for the (ill-designed) Fleshwarper, which requires 10 ranks of heal for its prerequisite feat Graft Flesh. There's some ways around the requirement, but they tend to be race-specific (Aereni Focus, glimmerskin halfling, human paragon), incur multiclass penalties (any dip), or require feats (Blood Magus, Divine Oracle). If you're a Changeling Wizard trying to combine the excellent Morphic Familiar with Fleshwarper goodness, what else are you to do?
The resulting build I came up with was Nax the Brainbraider, Changeling Diviner 5 / Cerebrex 4 / Fleshwarper 3 / Cerebrex +4 / Fleshwarper +4. The build ends up with 15th-level wizard casting and 8th-level spells, three Aberrant Familiar features, two Elder Secrets, Rapid Grafting, and two Graft Masteries, in addition to all the stuff provided by Cerebrex and the shenanigans of Improved + Morphic + Dragon familiar.
The build misses out on cerebrex capstones, but it emulates them elsewhere (Inscrutable Mind is basically the same as Secret of the Mind Flayer, Neural Glimpse is replicated by the variant Diviner's Prescience, Twist the Neural Skein is bad and should not be replicated).Last edited by Inevitability; 2022-10-22 at 04:25 AM.
Creator of the LA-assignment thread.
Come join the new Junkyard Wars and build with SLAs and a breath weapon!
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2022-10-22, 03:37 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2020
- Location
- Jerusalem
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Good work, contestants!
I've spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to find a way to do something with appropriate int checks. Skills are easy to pump, pure ability checks not so much. I was sure I could find something that needed puzzle solving as a source if power. I didn't - though I also looked at Sybil, among many other things.Screaming defiance with the last breath
It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
My judgments and medals!
The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!
Song, Sword, and Sorcery: my 5E homebrew half-caster bard (Version 2.0!)
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2022-10-22, 06:44 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2021
- Location
- France
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Yeah I've looked at Sybil too but it was hard to squeeze all of this into the build.
Daremeto mentioned dreamtelling but I'm sad I didn't see it used, I was looking forward to it.
Is there any judges out there ? Zaq can have another go at rating truenaming stuff haha
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2022-10-22, 10:31 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Table!
Name Alignment / Race Class Levels Chef Total Place Ilias Fessor LE Human Human Paragon 3/Master Inquisitive 2/Assassin 3/Unseen Seer 2/Cerebrex 10 Tri-Tongued Taylor NE Changeling Changeling Rogue 1/Arcane Stunt Seduction Swashbuckler 4/Mountebank 1/Chameleon 3/Cerebrex 10/Disciple of Baalzebul 1 Nathaniel TN Illumian Spontaneous Divination Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Fiendbinder 5 Ted TN Human Zhentarim Soldier Sneak Attack Thug Fighter 5/Cultist of the Shattered Peak 5/Factotum 1/Cerebrex 9 Nivniv TN Dragonwrought Dragonborn Kobold Stalwart Sorcerer 1/Wu Jen 1/Singer of Concordance 3/Mage of the Arcane Order 4/Cerebrex 9/Wyrm Wizard 2 Lara Mipsholme LE Human Spontaneous Divination Enhanced Awareness Diviner Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Earth Dreamer 5
Is there any judges out there ?Last edited by loky1109; 2022-10-22 at 04:55 PM.
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-10-22, 05:29 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2011
- Location
- Texas
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Speaking of stubs that didn't pan out, due to cerebrex's sense focus, I had considered a dish featuring ardent dilettante, but the redundant scent (that unfortunately doesn't say "if you already have scent, extend it 30 feet" like most places that give darkvision) made me hesitant, as did the onerous requirements for more than 3 levels.
I've got a new fantasy TTRPG about running your own fencing school in a 3 musketeers pastiche setting. Book coming soon.
Check out my NEW sci-fi TTRPG about first contact. Cool alien races, murderous AIs, and more. New expansion featuring rules for ships! New book here NOW!
Iron Chef Medals!
Amazing Princess Mononoke avatar by Dispozition
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2022-10-23, 03:12 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2015
- Location
- Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
If i had had time last week, i would have finished and submitted this.
Lesser Tiefling, TN
Focused Specialist High Conjurer
1. Wiz: Rapid Summoning, Enhanced Summoning, Spell Focus (conj)
2. W
3. W: Extend
4. W 4
5. Master Specialist: Skill Focus (Spellcraft)
6. Paragnostic Apostle: Call of Worlds, Metamagic School Focus
7. Cerebrex
8. Cerebrex 2
9. Malconvoker: Deceptive summons, Darkstalker
10. Mindbender: Telepathy
11. Cerebrex 3
12. Cerebrex 4: Cloudy Conjuration
13. Malconvoker 2: Planar binding
14. Cerebrex 5
15. Cerebrex 6: Summon Elemental- Reserve
16. Cerebrex 7
17. Cerebrex 8
18. Malconvoker 3: Skill Focus (Bluff), Simbul's Spell Matrix
19. Cerebrex 9
20. Sanctified One Sanctified Spell
14th level caster, buffed rapid summons, kinda uses Cerebrex.
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2022-10-25, 06:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2021
- Location
- France
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
May the real slim judgey please stand up
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2022-10-30, 12:10 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Last edited by loky1109; 2022-10-30 at 12:12 AM.
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-10-30, 02:24 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2014
- Location
- Arcadia
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Creator of the LA-assignment thread.
Come join the new Junkyard Wars and build with SLAs and a breath weapon!
Interested in judging a build competition on the 3.5 forums but not sure where to begin? Check out the judging handbook!
Extended signature!
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2022-10-30, 05:46 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2020
- Location
- Jerusalem
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Screaming defiance with the last breath
It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
My judgments and medals!
The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!
Song, Sword, and Sorcery: my 5E homebrew half-caster bard (Version 2.0!)
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2022-10-30, 06:57 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-11-08, 04:12 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
I started to work on judging. Can promise it'll be very fast, but I hope not stay stuck for too long.
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-11-08, 06:02 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Thank you very much for your efforts.
Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
Awards
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2022-11-16, 07:32 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2021
- Location
- France
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
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2022-11-16, 04:04 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-11-20, 06:06 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Location
- Moscow
- Gender
Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
I found I need to refresh my judging criteria.
Next I found I don't like my power criteria when judging 4 of 6 entries was done.
But now it's time!
SpoilerOriginality. Start is 3. Most subjective part. I look at races, classes, prestiges, feats and clever tricks. Combo that involves SI may be reviewed in UoSI section.
Power. Start is 0. I have four parts 1.25 points in each.
"Magic". Including Sp, Su, psi, martial and any specific abilities your entries have. Variety, amount, metas, other options, etc.
Offense. How good are you at making damage apart from magic? Attack bonuses, damage, attack options, rider effects, etc.
Defense. Your hp, saves, AC and other defense options.
Support. Any "out-of-combat" things. Being face, scouting, making money, tracking, mobility options etc.
Elegance. Start is 5. I search for any mistakes, inaccuracies, ambiguity and give you a penalty. In rare cases when I find something pretty clever I can add some bonus.
TO RAW is always less than RAI. There is no way you could make me believe in d43 damage dice and similar nonsense.
Cross-setting materials isn't something harmful until you know when to stop.
Multiclassing isn't sin, either. Multiclass XP penalty - opposite.
I don't like missed opportunities. If you take toughness five times it isn't pretty elegant in my book.
I look at formating. Your entry should be easy to read. All skills in place, all feats clearly came from (regular, bonus, some free, etc.), there are right full sources, etc.
UoSI. Start is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - +1 if all is ok. If it isn't... Well, if issue could be easily solved maybe 0, maybe something between. If issue is unsolved you just get 1 point in UoSI.
Do you entry SI early? - up to +0.5.
Do you finish SI? - up to +0.5.
Do you use all SI abilities (Enigma's Bane, Scent, Aggression Mastery, Symphony of Nerves, Blindsense & Blindsight, Telepathic Immunity, Eidetic Memory, Clairaudience/clairvoyance, Twist the Neural Skein, Neural Glimpse, Inscrutable Mind) at all? - up to +0.25 each.
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? - up to +0.5 each.
It isn't enough just to have, for example, Scent and saying: "It is useful for everybody and for me, too." No, you should have something on top of that, in Scent example it could be Track.
Combo, in turn, is something that you need to come up with. Synergy of Scent and Track isn't a great find, it is writen directly in their description.
Do you use SI prerequisites or just take it and forget? - up to +0.25.
Maybe SI makes your entry worse than it could be without SI? - up to -1.
And now judging itself!
Spoiler: Ilias FessorSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
Human? Never seen it before (-0.5)!
Human paragon... Well, paragon classes aren't things I was expecting very much (+0.25).
Master Inquisitive? Enter SI via Assassin and Unseen Seer? Unexpected (+1).
Feats... There are pro (Research, Investigate, Dragonmarks) et contra (Craven, Darkstalker, Martial Study & Stance, Knowledge Devotion). I call it a draw (+0).
Swordcane? This is really new for me (+0.25)
I like your fluff (+0.25).
Total: 4.25
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. Full Assassin's casting, plus Dragonmarks, plus Zone of truth, plus one stance and one maneuver, plus free Silent Spell. Not bad (+1).
Offense. Three attacks even only on 20th level. You were not good in direct fight at early levels, but later it was being rectified. Damage with SA is good enough, too. Of course you aren't a competitor for some barb-pouncer, but still well-respected. There are some very useful buffs (+0.75).
Defense. Poor Fortitude. Not a great amount of hp. Nothing special for AC improvement besides Neural Glimpse, but it anyway isn't great. Your spells do not help much, either. Only +0.25.
Support. You shine here. Great skillset, Darkstalker, Investigate, Research. And spells: Instant Search, Guidance of the Avatar, FoM, Alter Self, various Invisibilities, Dimension Door. Not all maxed up, but it is worth +1.
Total: 3
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
First, I don't like your skill presentation (-0.25).
And... That's all I can find. Almost perfect!
Total: 4.75
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - Yes (+1). It's more for the Elegance section, but I should mention I like it very much you didn't take Alchemy before entering Assassin!
Do you entry SI early? - No, it is long way and you have no options to shorten it (+0).
Do you finish SI? - Yeah (+0.5).
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - Yes (+0.25) and you have nice combos with Investigate and Research (+0.5).Scent - you just have it (+0).Aggression Mastery - another used ability (+0.25) and another unexpected combo (+0.5).Symphony of Nerves - it isn't something mind-blowing, but this ability definitely is used (+0.25).Blindsense & Blindsight - you just have it (+0).Telepathic Immunity - well, you give me reason to give you +0.1.Eidetic Memory - you have enough Int-based skills for me to say: you use this ability - +0.25.Clairaudience/clairvoyance - well used (+0.25) with great combo with Brilliant Energy Arrow Death Attack. Well deserved +0.5.Twist the Neural Skein - combination with DA is something unique (+0.1).Neural Glimpse - +7 on not upped skills? +7 on AC without any other AC improvement? I don't buy it (+0).Inscrutable Mind - you just have it (+0).Do you use SI prerequisites? - All prereq skills upped to max and you have Magical Appraisal and you have partial prerequisites overlap between SI and Unseen Seer. Plus I like the fact that Cerebrex raises your casting to the apex. I think it is clear +0.25.
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - clearly no (-0).
Total: 4.7
Total: 16.7
Spoiler: Tri-Tongued TaylorSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
I should agree with you, the main idea of your build isn't expected (+0.5). As like Swashbuckler, Rogue and Mountebank (+0.75). But about changeling and Chameleon I can't agree. It isn't very expected for this particular round, but in my book they are expected by default (-0.25).
Some of your feats are interesting (+0.25) and Swashbuckler's dead level is a nice finding (+0.25).
Total: 4.5
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. You have some from Chameleon at least up to 3rd level (see in the UoSI) or even up to 5th if I will be lenient. But even so, only arcane spells. Yeah, Chameleon's "spell list" is the best spell list, but only arcane limitation is painful (+1).
Offense. Swashbuckler gave you a good start, free Weapon Finesse and Insightful Strike are cool, but later you stalled. Yes, you managed to get a third attack at 19th level, but your damage is how much? 1d6+5 and sometimes +1d6+20 SA? Yeah, Chameleon's spells are good addition, best buff or even some damage if you want. This helps (+0.75).
Defense. Also isn't your strongest side. Arcane Stunt is cool, but it isn't enough. Saves... Well, they are about normal. Hp doesn't blow my mind. Chameleon again saves the day, but it still can't fully fix all. I give you +0.5 here.
Support. Yeah! It is yours! All (almost) skills on the planet, Wanderer's Diplomacy, Seduction, Social Intuition, Minor Change Shape, various bonuses to skills. Well done (+1.25).
Total: 3.5
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
For what reason did you take Open-Minded? I understand you need skill points... Wait a minute! You don't! You easily could take this 5 point instead of Autohypnosis, or Balance, or Tumble, or Escape Artist. This is a wasted feat (-0.25).
I don't like your skill presentation very much. With Able Learner, Open-Minded, many skill-heavy classes I want to see at least how many skill points you have at each level and how many skill points you invest in every skill. I’m not even asking about a full list of skills on every level, not just skills that you rise up (-0.5).
dead levels web enhancement is good, but link would be better. It is your main feature, present it to me (-0.25).
Alignment issue (-0.5). Yes, it is solvable, but it still is an issue.
I don't understand why you took no skill-tricks. They are very tasty for you, Social Recovery for example. I'm surprised (-0).
You have a Bluff-based build. And during ten levels you didn't max it out! I see you didn't understand how Able Learner works (-0.5).
I'm not sure what skills are considered class skills exactly.
Total: 3
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - Oh... You didn't. Totally.
You can’t use any abilities gained from your aptitude focus, ability boon, or mimic class feature abilities to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other option.
Do you entry SI early? - No.
Do you finish SI? - Yes.
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - I don't see you use it.Scent - emulate darkvision-having humanoid is something. I'd give you sum +0.2 here and in Blindsense & Blindsight.Aggression Mastery - nothing special.Symphony of Nerves - nothing very special, but at least you have Weapon Finesse.Blindsense & Blindsight - see Scent.Telepathic Immunity - nothing special.Eidetic Memory - well, I see you argue about int-based Bluff and I think somebody could buy it. Plus you have variety of true Int-based skills.Clairaudience/clairvoyance - nothing special.Twist the Neural Skein - okay, I see strange synergy with Arcane Focus.Neural Glimpse - used.Inscrutable Mind - there is synergy with False Pretenses.Do you use SI prerequisites? - there are some double qualify and almost max prereq skills.
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - No.
Total: 1
Total: 12
Spoiler: NathanielSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
Illumian. I like illumians and don't see them often (+0.25).
Fiendbinder? You wowed me (+1).
Spontaneous Diviner generalist Wizard... It isn't an unknown variation, but you didn't try to use it to qualify for Versatile Spellcaster or something like (+0).
Catalogues of Enlightenment - overused (-0.5). Over feats... Let's say it's a draw.
Total: 3.75
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. Definitely you aren't a full wizard and don't have 9th level directly. But you have some workarounds! I give you full 1.25 points here.
Offense. We both know it isn't yours. You have Knowledge Devotion if you need to hit somebody with a dagger, but that's all,.. if don't count magic. But with magic it is a different case (+0.75).
Defense. Saves, AC, hp are marginally. Yes, Bulwark of Reality is a good spell, but for somebody who relies on touch spells as much as you it doesn't look enough (+0.25).
Support. You have a not bad variety of skills, 14 known languages, two Craft Item feats, useful spells, your familiar and minions are worth mentioning, too. And you have a way to get money even while it's debatable (+1).
Total: 3.25
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
Second, Nathaniel has a massive +57 (see Notes & Discussions) to the Truespeak check (at level 17), check that will be opposed by either a Truespeak check (which only the Logokron and Word Archon have trained at +36 and +27 respectively) or … a Charisma check. And since they have to roll a Charisma check, this triggers the “diagram” note in Magic Circle against Evil that increases the DC of the spell by 5 up to 29 (31 for TB).
If the creature tries a Charisma check to break free of the trap (see the lesser planar binding spell), the DC increases by 5
Your calculations in the Recharge Higher Order Ability section are generally right, but you forgot one thing:
Originally Posted by MotP, p. 127
The “Touch spell combined with Su touch ability from Cerebrex” section
...
2nd Create Magic Tattoo
Alter Fortune is a divination spell so Nathaniel can spontaneously cast it should he roll a Nat1 on the Truespeak check.
I'd be very glad to see a full list of your known languages since you decided to put some skill points into Speak Language. No penalty, just mention (-0).
Forgery of Faustian Pacts... I see what you do here. But I don't sure it can be done.
Mortals must sign in their own blood to render the contract binding.
And even if you forge a pact I don't sure your alignment doesn't switch to LE.
Plus, I don't think you are first so smart. Devils should have some protection against such fraud.
I don't see any DM let it fly more than once, maximum twice (-0.5).
At level 20, you might even be able to sign a Pact with the Tormented Soul bound to you.
Create Magic Tattoo : Hey, another Int skill that is a prereq for Cerebrex ! I’d let Craft (alchemy) count for this purpose but if your DM doesn’t agree
Truename Research and Collector of Stories.
When you attempt a trained Knowledge check to identify a creatureOriginally Posted by SRD
Blindsight 60ft joins the fray of the detection modes Nathaniel has access to and he can use them through [...] even Clairaudience/clairvoyance
Originally Posted by SRD
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - Yes (+1).
Do you entry SI early? - Yes, earliest possible entry (+0.5).
Do you finish SI? - Yes (+0.5).
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - Truename Research is good use of that (+0.25)Scent - you just have it (+0).Aggression Mastery - you have some use for that ability (+0.1)Symphony of Nerves - you just have it (+0).Blindsense & Blindsight - synergy with Scrying spells counts (+0.25).Telepathic Immunity - it mostly fluff, but it's something (+0.1).Eidetic Memory - very valuable ability for you. It's just numbers, but it's important numbers (+0.25).Clairaudience/clairvoyance - you just have it (+0).Twist the Neural Skein - you just have it (+0).Neural Glimpse - you just have it (+0).Inscrutable Mind - you just have it (+0).Do you use SI prerequisites? - you max prereq skills, but alchemy, you try to smuggle it for tattooing, but I didn't buy it, of course you use spellcasting. I give you +0.2 points here.
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - Every two Cerebrex's levels are +1 to Truespeak, yes, but I could imagine this build like Wizard 5/Cerebrex 6/Fiendbinder 9 and maybe it'd be a better option (-0.25).
Total: 2.9
Total: 12.15
Spoiler: TedSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
Human (-0.5).
Zhentarim Soldier Sneak Attack Thug 5? I don't expect it (+0.25), while the combo of Zhentarim Soldier and Imperious Command is well known (-0.25).
Factotum is so so here (+0).
Cultist of the Shattered Peak? Never heard about it (+1)!
Able Learner without Chameleon? Mage Slayer? Stand Still? It is slightly weightier than Darkstalker and Spiked Chain on the other hand (+0.25).
Total: 3.75
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. It's bad. You have some, but it's worth only +0.25 points.
Offense. Well, you have some options, your main weapon is good, Mage Slayer and Stand Still are very annoying for spellcasters and you are good at intimidating (while Intimidate isn't very good itself), but you actually don't have damage to talk about. DA is a sorta gamble. I give you +0.5 points.
Defense. HP is low. AC is low. Saves are almost normal. +0.25 points here
Support. Trapfinding, good variety of skills, intimidating options. Not bad, but not good either (+0.5).
Total: 1.5
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
Champions of Valor Web Enhancement (Zhentarim Soldier). I wanna see the link (-0.25).
Your skills' presentation doesn't make my life easier, but you at least gave me Final Skill Ranks (-0.25).
Aggression Mastery really caught my eye. By touching a target (not a touch attack, just a touch without roll)
Practiced Spellcaster? Do you really need it? Why is CL 9 so valuable to you? I think this is the waist feat (-0.25).
You optimize Intimidate and you don't take Never Outnumbered? What (-0.25)?
You get 4 ranks in Craft (Alchemy) when you don't have any spellcasting. RAW allows you to do this, but it looks inelegant in my eyes (-0.25).
You didn't qualify for Stand Still, you don't have 13 Str (-0.5).
Total: 3
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - Yes (+1).
Do you entry SI early? - No (+0).
Do you finish SI? - 9/10 levels means (+0.25).
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - you just have it (+0).Scent - you just have it (+0).Aggression Mastery - yes, you use it, but very straightforward (+0.1)Symphony of Nerves - well-used ability (+0.25).Blindsense & Blindsight - you just have it (+0).Telepathic Immunity - you just have it (+0).Eidetic Memory - you have enough Int-based skills, it's count (+0.25).Clairaudience/clairvoyance - you just have it (+0).Twist the Neural Skein - you have some use of this ability (+0.25).Neural Glimpse - you don't have it at all (+0).Inscrutable Mind - you don't have it at all (+0).Do you use SI prerequisites? - You even didn't max prerequisite skills apart from Spellcraft and you almost don't rely on your spellcasting. It's +0 points.
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - Hm... I think no, no penalty here (-0).
Total: 2.1
Total: 10.35
Spoiler: NivnivSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
Dragonwrought Dragonborn Kobold Sorcerer? Easy -1.
Wu Jen? Something slightly unexpected (+0.5).
Mage of the Arcane Order and Wyrm Wizard? Well... not unheard, but not a very frequent guests (+0.25).
Feats... Nothing wowed me. Plus Planar Touchstone (Catalogues of Enlightenment) - overused (-0.5).
Total: 2.25
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. You have a good variety of spells up to 7th level with your clever trick! +1.25
Offense. You aren't a good combatant with your low physical stats and low BAB, but magic of course gives you some valuable alternatives (+0.75).
Defense. Your hp, AC and two of three saves don't seem like something great and, yes, magic (+0.5).
Support. You aren't skill-monkey, but manage to do something with your skill-points. Plus Travel Domain spells, plus Alter Self - good (+1).
Total: 3.5
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
First, you have no way to make me believe in this “automatically” nonsense. It just doesn't work. Dixi. It's good for you this isn't your main bet. I thought about 0 total, but your entry works if we just replace SoC levels with Sorcerer levels (-2).
I like you didn't insist on the Venerable age (-0), but Dragonwrought Dragonborn is a kinda mess. Yeah, it works by RAW, but I see many DMs who will have objections and questions in this regard (-0.25).
True Neutral Dragonborn. Sorry, but it doesn't work. Dragonborns of Bahamut are Good. Dragonborns of some other God maybe, but RAW them don't exist (-0.25).
I very much like your "knows" trick, but I don't think every DM lets you make it (-0.25).
Cross-setting materials... Well. It is, but it isn't a big deal (-0).
You mixed up your base saves on 18th and 19th levels. Also you mixed up your spell progression. You skipped 17th level (Mage of the Arcane Order 2), but didn't skip 19th (Wyrm Wizard 2) (-0.25).
I like what you did with Weapon Familiarity and the Rite of Rebirth (+0.25).
Total: 2.25
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - You don't qualify for SoC and this means you didn't have 3rd level spells at the point when you enter SI. It can be easily solved so you get your +0.75.
Do you entry SI early? - Almost as early as it is possible (+0.5).
Do you finish SI? - 9/10 levels. I give you +0.25.
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - Higher Order power of the Catalogues of Enlightenment counts (+0.25).Scent - I see some use with Sudden Widened AoE spells. It isn't enough to name it "combo", but here I give you +0.1.Aggression Mastery - you give me nothing here, I give you nothing, too (+0).Symphony of Nerves - and again (+0).Blindsense & Blindsight - you just have it (+0).Telepathic Immunity - more 0s.Eidetic Memory - Well, you have enough Int-based skills. That let me say: you use this ability - +0.25.Clairaudience/clairvoyance - you just have it (+0).Twist the Neural Skein - you definitely use it and have nice combos with it. Take your +0.25 and +0.5 for your combos.Neural Glimpse - you don't have it at all (+0).Inscrutable Mind - you don't have it at all (+0).Do you use SI prerequisites? - Well, at least you are leveling prereq skills, but don't do something special with them. You even didn't mention them anywhere in your entry beyond the build table and of course you use your spellcasting (+0.2).
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - actually... not. Your Twist the Neural Skein combo saves the day (-0).
Total: 3.05
Total: 11.05
Spoiler: Lara MipsholmeSpoiler: OriginalityStart is 3.
Earth Dreamer is something new (+0.5).
Diviner Wizard is not (-0.25).
Feats... Some expected, some unexpected. Draw (+0).
You are human, right (-0.5)?
Total: 2.75
Spoiler: PowerStart is 0.
Magic. You have 8th level and... some spells? Well, you are a wizard and theoretically your repertoire is limited only by money. With Alacritous Cogitation and Spontaneous Divination ACF you are pretty flexible (+1).
Offense. I think you do something with your spells, but I don't know what exactly. You mentioned Shadow Evocation and that's all. Out of spells your offensive potential is very low. I give you +0.25 points.
Defense. Again, I think spells help your defense somehow, but without any guidelines I can't evaluate it. +0.25 points for broad potential.
Support. Here you at least have something apart from Schrödinger's spells. Vatic gaze, Earth Sense, Earth Dreamer's features, Darkstalker, good enough skills. It is worth +1 points.
Total: 2.5
Spoiler: EleganceStart is 5.
First, please, next time give the judge your spells. I penalized you for its absence enough in the Power section, but I should mention this here.
Your skills presentation is hard to read. At least I can understand how many skill points you put in skills (-0.25).
I was forced to guess what race you are. For your luck, it was easy (-0).
Spell Penetration and Greater version? Why? Do you have some troubles with enemies' SR? I don't know, but even if so, you'd better get Practiced Spellcaster. It gives +4 CL for all, not only against SR. Two waisted feats (-0.5).
Vatic Gaze is a cool feat, but...
You make a Sense Motive check (DC 5 + target's caster level).
Generally, your entry looks unfinished. A little here, a little there. I want to give you another -0.5 penalty for this.
Total: 3.5
Spoiler: UoSIStart is 0.
Do you qualify for SI? - Yes (+1).
Do you entry SI early? - Yes, but there is 5-level gap after 2nd level (+0.4).
Do you finish SI? - Yes (+0.5).
Have you found some interesting combos involving SI abilities? Do you at least use them?
Enigma's Bane - there is some potential synergy between Enigma's Bane and Earth Dreamer's Earth Dream, there is a sentence "receive a short, often cryptic, answer." And if you mention this I'd give you, maybe +0.1, but I found it by myself, so you get +0 points here.Scent - you just have it (+0).Aggression Mastery - you just have it (+0).Symphony of Nerves - you just have it (+0).Blindsense & Blindsight - you just have it (+0).Telepathic Immunity - you just have it (+0).Eidetic Memory - you have some Int-based skills (+0.25).Clairaudience/clairvoyance - you did mention synergy between Earth Sight and this ability, but unfortunately "Unlike other scrying spells, this spell does not allow magically or supernaturally enhanced senses to work through it." Otherwise, you just have it (+0).Twist the Neural Skein - this ability has some synergy with Vatic Gaze. Give you (+0.2).Neural Glimpse - well, you can get another +6 to your Sense Motive (+0.1).Inscrutable Mind - you just have it (+0).Do you use SI prerequisites? - You use spells and you maxed Knowledge (arcana) and almost maxed Spellcraft. Concentration and Alchemy just did their qualification job and abandoned forever (+0.1).
Maybe SI makes your entry worse? - It looks like it isn't worth 9th level spells (-0.25).
Total: 2.3
Total: 11.05
Table.
Name Alignment / Race Class Levels Chef loky1109 Total Place Ilias Fessor LE Human Human Paragon 3/Master Inquisitive 2/Assassin 3/Unseen Seer 2/Cerebrex 10 16.70 16.70 1st Tri-Tongued Taylor NE Changeling Changeling Rogue 1/Arcane Stunt Seduction Swashbuckler 4/Mountebank 1/Chameleon 3/Cerebrex 10/Disciple of Baalzebul 1 12.00 12.00 3rd Nathaniel TN Illumian Spontaneous Divination Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Fiendbinder 5 12.15 12.15 2nd Ted TN Human Zhentarim Soldier Sneak Attack Thug Fighter 5/Cultist of the Shattered Peak 5/Factotum 1/Cerebrex 9 10.35 10.35 5th Nivniv TN Dragonwrought Dragonborn Kobold Stalwart Sorcerer 1/Wu Jen 1/Singer of Concordance 3/Mage of the Arcane Order 4/Cerebrex 9/Wyrm Wizard 2 11.05 11.05 4th Lara Mipsholme LE Human Spontaneous Divination Enhanced Awareness Diviner Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Earth Dreamer 5 11.05 11.05 4th Last edited by loky1109; 2022-11-21 at 08:58 PM.
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-11-20, 09:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Thank you very much!
With American Thanksgiving approaching, I'll give until the 28th for disputes, if any.Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
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2022-11-20, 10:08 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Even though I have no dog in this fight, massive thanks to loky1109 for judging! So hard to get judges here right now. We really appreciate the investment of your time.
My winning competition entries: Kinvig Arrumskor | The Great Pumpkinhead | Wynfrith d'Acker
Torn-City - Massively multiplayer online browser based crime RPG
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2022-11-21, 12:16 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
No disputes.
I've got a new fantasy TTRPG about running your own fencing school in a 3 musketeers pastiche setting. Book coming soon.
Check out my NEW sci-fi TTRPG about first contact. Cool alien races, murderous AIs, and more. New expansion featuring rules for ships! New book here NOW!
Iron Chef Medals!
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2022-11-21, 06:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Screaming defiance with the last breath
It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
My judgments and medals!
The Iron Chef Optimization spreadsheet!
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2022-11-22, 07:00 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
A few disputes here:
Originally Posted by TedOriginally Posted by Tri-Tongued TaylorOriginally Posted by NathanielKolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
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2022-11-22, 08:50 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
Spoiler: TedOriginally Posted by Ted
Elegance changed to 3.25.
Total changed to 10.6.
Spoiler: Tri-Tongued TaylorOriginally Posted by Tri-Tongued Taylor
Spoiler: NathanielOriginally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
I think I understand and partially agree with your disagreement about the Defense. You still have low saves, AC, hp, but I see you aren't so melee type as I said. I don't see any clear way for your minions to improve you Defense directly, however. I don't count "Defend me" command, because it isn't actually about defense, it's "the fiend attacks the first creature to attack you".
Add +0.25 points in Defense and +0.25 points in Offense - +0.5 in Power total.
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
So answering your question:
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Plus idea of holding the charge of Create Magic Tattoo broke my mind slightly, but as I said it's just grumbling.
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
I know this "if it doesn't work when just change it for" things, I made such in my own entries and got my penalties for this and I think these penalties were deserved.
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Yes, it's all in "ask your DM territory" and that's an issue. We can't be sure it works, can't be sure how it works, can't be sure how many times it will work, but I think we should be sure in real game with real DM it will not work infinitely and without drawbacks. It's very clever TO exploit that even can be limited used in real game. It's very cool! That's why it's only -0.5 (with +0.25 in other places), but not -1 or more.
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
At the end we have...
Originality +0.5 points. +0.25 was already mentioned and after reading your dispute and writing my answer I understand all Forgery of Faustian Pacts stuff is worth some points here. Changed to 4.25.
Power +0.5 points and changed to 3.75.
Remove -0.75 penalty from Elegance and change it to 3.
And UoSI get +0.1 points and changed to 3.
Total score now is 14.
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
Originally Posted by Nathaniel
I should say, before all numbers were counted I wanted to give you HM, but you at 2nd place at the end of the day, so this isn't required.
Updated table.
Name Alignment / Race Class Levels Chef loky1109 Total Place Ilias Fessor LE Human Human Paragon 3/Master Inquisitive 2/Assassin 3/Unseen Seer 2/Cerebrex 10 16.70 16.70 1st Tri-Tongued Taylor NE Changeling Changeling Rogue 1/Arcane Stunt Seduction Swashbuckler 4/Mountebank 1/Chameleon 3/Cerebrex 10/Disciple of Baalzebul 1 12.00 12.00 3rd Nathaniel TN Illumian Spontaneous Divination Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Fiendbinder 5 14.00 14.00 2nd Ted TN Human Zhentarim Soldier Sneak Attack Thug Fighter 5/Cultist of the Shattered Peak 5/Factotum 1/Cerebrex 9 10.60 10.60 5th Nivniv TN Dragonwrought Dragonborn Kobold Stalwart Sorcerer 1/Wu Jen 1/Singer of Concordance 3/Mage of the Arcane Order 4/Cerebrex 9/Wyrm Wizard 2 11.05 11.05 4th Lara Mipsholme LE Human Spontaneous Divination Enhanced Awareness Diviner Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Earth Dreamer 5 11.05 11.05 4th Last edited by loky1109; 2022-11-22 at 08:55 PM.
If you could make anything and everything welcome to the Zinc Saucier XLV: Figaro
My competition's medals.
Spoiler: For purposes of clarity1109 is September, 11 - my birthday.
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2022-11-23, 03:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
No disputes here.
Creator of the LA-assignment thread.
Come join the new Junkyard Wars and build with SLAs and a breath weapon!
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2022-11-28, 06:01 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
It's time for the reveal!
Name Alignment / Race Class Levels Chef loky1109 Total Place Ilias Fessor LE Human Human Paragon 3/Master Inquisitive 2/Assassin 3/Unseen Seer 2/Cerebrex 10 Inevitability 16.70 16.70 1st Tri-Tongued Taylor NE Changeling Changeling Rogue 1/Arcane Stunt Seduction Swashbuckler 4/Mountebank 1/Chameleon 3/Cerebrex 10/Disciple of Baalzebul 1 Inevitability 12.00 12.00 3rd Nathaniel TN Illumian Spontaneous Divination Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Fiendbinder 5 Paragon 14.00 14.00 2nd Ted TN Human Zhentarim Soldier Sneak Attack Thug Fighter 5/Cultist of the Shattered Peak 5/Factotum 1/Cerebrex 9 Defeated Victor 10.60 10.60 5th Nivniv TN Dragonwrought Dragonborn Kobold Stalwart Sorcerer 1/Wu Jen 1/Singer of Concordance 3/Mage of the Arcane Order 4/Cerebrex 9/Wyrm Wizard 2 WhamBamSam 11.05 11.05 4th Lara Mipsholme LE Human Spontaneous Divination Enhanced Awareness Diviner Wizard 5/Cerebrex 10/Earth Dreamer 5 Venger 11.05 11.05 4th
Congratulations on an excellent round. New round up shortly.Kolyarut Avatar by Potatocubed.
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2022-11-29, 07:10 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground CXXII
For all that cerebrex looks like an useless class, I'm really happy with how many uses I found for it. Looking back, the blunder with Taylor's prerequisites was something I should have spotted, but my other entry winning by such a large margin makes more than up for it. Looking forward to the next round!
Creator of the LA-assignment thread.
Come join the new Junkyard Wars and build with SLAs and a breath weapon!
Interested in judging a build competition on the 3.5 forums but not sure where to begin? Check out the judging handbook!
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