Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground L

[Socratov]

Oh, and by the way, if you feel the need to reference the following sentence: "You either die a hero, or see yourself become the monster" or similar phrases, you can expect a half point deduction in orginality. The only possible exception to this is using pig latin, dog latin or any other mammal's latin (feel free to explore possibilities)

[thethird]

*snip*

So tempting... *proceeds to shoot own foot*

My entry is finished, only the fluff needs to go.

[Venger]

So tempting... *proceeds to shoot own foot*

My entry is finished, only the fluff needs to go.

So your character is Batman Vizzini: The Corruption Piñata?

Best dish ever.

[nedz]

So your character is Batman Vizzini: The Corruption Piñata?

Best dish ever.

And Robin the Boy Counter Vizzini Depraved Paladin Blackguard Wonder

[thethird]

So your character is Batman Vizzini: The Corruption Piñata?

Best dish ever.

Hey, I'm actually naming my entry Batman Vizzini's Corrupted Cheese fondue Piñata. But don't tell anyone.

[Eldonauran]

My entry is finished, only the fluff needs to go.

I right there with you.

How much is too much fluff? Cause I could probably write a bloody shortstory on this character.

[yougi]

Oh, and by the way, if you feel the need to reference the following sentence: "You either die a hero, or see yourself become the monster" or similar phrases, you can expect a half point deduction in orginality. The only possible exception to this is using pig latin, dog latin or any other mammal's latin (feel free to explore possibilities)

You should have said that before I wrote a 50,000 word backstory!;)

I right there with you.

How much is too much fluff? Cause I could probably write a bloody shortstory on this character.

I'm right there with you both. Seems like I have much more to say about the fluff than about the crunch.

[Piggy Knowles]

How long or short really depends on you. Some judges go almost solely on your character's crunch, and ignore the backstory elements, while others seem to really enjoy what people put in.

Personally, I can go on at length, and so I have a self-enforced rule to keep my fluff short - if the entry is too long to fit in a single PM, it's probably too long period. Once I break that character limit, I start going back and trimming.

I've broken the rule several times when I felt it was worth it, but overall I try to stick to that. I love a good backstory, but I think too much can just be overwhelming. I personally try to give a taste of the character, enough to be interesting and intriguing, but not so much that the entry gets bogged down.

[Venger]

I also love to write backstories (they're my favorite part of IC, honestly)

Judging by my past experiences, I would try to have your backstory be short enough to where it plus your entry will only take up 1 post total. When it's longer than that, judges don't tend to read it.

if you can't cut that much material, then just be very careful with your spoiler tags so your entry is easy to read.

[thethird]

Of course I'm the person that would take word count with a grain of salt, after I did my Cipher Adept entry all of its superindexes were kicking the word limit in the family jewels.

This time I'm going for a really short backstory and see how it goes.

[Eldonauran]

I also love to write backstories (they're my favorite part of IC, honestly)

Same with me. The mechanics are one thing. They are like gears in a machine that get the chasis moving and can be a work of art. The backstory... Well, that's like taking clay in your hands and breathing life into it.

Judging by my past experiences, I would try to have your backstory be short enough to where it plus your entry will only take up 1 post total. When it's longer than that, judges don't tend to read it.

if you can't cut that much material, then just be very careful with your spoiler tags so your entry is easy to read.

Oh, I can summarize quite well. There are just certain ... parts that will lose their ... um, edge if I am too brief. We are dealing with taint here and with a prestige class that has sworn vengence at the cost of themselves. I would be amiss if I wasn't able to reach out and grab your emotions, squeezing them until you are .

[123456789blaaa]

While large and detailed backstories can be great and fun, sometimes not saying something is more effective than saying it. Let the audience's imagination do the work for you.

[KrimsonNekros]

I wish we could use Ravenloft for this, I just see potential oozing out with a Visatani built around this class.

[Vaz]

I wish 3rd party content was allowed as well, there is a certain setting of relevance in my build that I wish was allowed.

[Tim Proctor]

I think its better to keep it to a couple paragraphs at most.

[thethird]

imho you can use any fluff you want, you are not allowed to use the crunch of any 3rd party.

Also, be careful of what you say because you might Vizzini you into becoming another Batman Vizzini Corruption Piñata, and we need no more of those.

[Eldonauran]

I think its better to keep it to a couple paragraphs at most.

A couple paragraphs?

I used a couple paragraphs merely explaining mechanical benefits gained in each of the 5 level breakdowns. And the sweet spot deserved a few paragraphs all by itself.

Also, be careful of what you say because you might Vizzini you into becoming another Batman Vizzini Corruption Piñata, and we need no more of those.

Or do we?

[OMG PONIES]

All joking aside, there has been a ton of speculative posts this round. Can we please keep things a little more under wraps, original or otherwise?

[thethird]

Chairman I've submitted a build, in case some of the ruling changes enough for any of my decisions to not be applicable I will probably go back and edit it, could you check your in-box?

[Deadline]

And just like that, just as I was getting used to not having an idea, one drops right in my lap. I like it, it's interesting, and I hope it's reasonably original.

Here goes nuthin'.

[KrimsonNekros]

Are we assuming the characters start with some degree of corruption at level 1, or are they pure at inception?

[Eldonauran]

Are we assuming the characters start with some degree of corruption at level 1, or are they pure at inception?

This is taint we are talking about. Nothing is sacred.

[thethird]

Do assumptions, justify assumptions, even if they are fluff based.

[KrimsonNekros]

Do assumptions, justify assumptions, even if they are fluff based.

This is taint we are talking about. Nothing is sacred.

Ok thanks. Just checking for feat progression.

[Gwachitallemall]

Well this looks fun.. I'm in. Just waiting for some ruling verifications before I finish up my build.

[yougi]

Well, pushing aside my thesis that needs finishin', my students' papers that need correctin', and a client's document that needs editin', because this build is goin' somewhere.

Man, I hope I get a halfway decent result for this.

[Eldonauran]

I'm wrapping up the mechanics part of my build now. Just completed the level breakdowns (for levels 5, 10, 15 , 20 and the sweet spot). I've got so many ideas floating in my head on how I am going to bring it together.

So exciting

[KrimsonNekros]

I'm up to level 12 on my build. Unfortunately it doesn't really start coming together until level 6. Honestly just seems a bit hodgepodge up till then.

[Korahir]

I'm up to level 12 on my build. Unfortunately it doesn't really start coming together until level 6. Honestly just seems a bit hodgepodge up till then.

pls don't post thing s like that as it helps me (a judge in this round) identify your build and i don't want to be biased or influenced in any way. Please refrain from anything hinting at your build. Whenever you are tempted to post something like that post instead:

My build is using [redacted]. I hope to get high originality.

For your post:

I'm up to level [redacted] on my build. Unfortunately it doesn't really start coming together until level [redacted].

[OMG PONIES]

I'm up to level [redacted] on my build. Unfortunately it doesn't really start coming together until level [redacted].

But then wouldn't you still know any entry that takes off right out of the gate isn't Krimson's?