Are the competitions going to be the same every year? I wanted to jump in last year, but I was tied down with work. Starting a couple of months ahead of time would make things easier.

Yeah, that's kinda been my thought too. I've been brainstorming ideas for wondrous items.

While the basic format has been the same both years, there have been differences. I would guess that next year's will also have differences. In addition, next year's is certainly going to use the full Pathfinder RPG rules, which aren't out until August, so at the very least you probably want to hold off on any rules mechanic work until then.

Both years have had the open call as a 200 word or less wondrous item, so it's a fairly good bet that it will be the same in 2010, but I wouldn't be shocked if something else was used either.

While the basic format has been the same both years, there have been differences. I would guess that next year's will also have differences. In addition, next year's is certainly going to use the full Pathfinder RPG rules, which aren't out until August, so at the very least you probably want to hold off on any rules mechanic work until then.

Both years have had the open call as a 200 word or less wondrous item, so it's a fairly good bet that it will be the same in 2010, but I wouldn't be shocked if something else was used either.

Also, while starting on a wondrous item now might seem an opportunity to give your submission the polish that could help get your item selected, later rounds ensure that the eventual winner will be someone who can come up with clever ideas and write thousands of words explaining them, doing so with just a few days notice.

I'm really glad they didn't institute a "wondrous" swimsuit round in the competition last time. Everyone else should be, too... ;-P

I've just returned from Paizocon and whilst I was there I got a chance to meet Neil Spicer, Jason Nelson, and Clinton Boomer along with other creative minds that contribute to Pathfinder and I want you guys to know that you've really inspired me to give the RPG superstar a try. Thanks guys and it was really nice to meet you.

I've just returned from Paizocon and whilst I was there I got a chance to meet Neil Spicer, Jason Nelson, and Clinton Boomer along with other creative minds that contribute to Pathfinder and I want you guys to know that you've really inspired me to give the RPG superstar a try. Thanks guys and it was really nice to meet you.

Kosivo0121 wrote:

I've just returned from Paizocon and whilst I was there I got a chance to meet Neil Spicer, Jason Nelson, and Clinton Boomer along with other creative minds that contribute to Pathfinder and I want you guys to know that you've really inspired me to give the RPG superstar a try. Thanks guys and it was really nice to meet you.

It was great meeting you as well, Kosivo. Definitely throw your hat into the ring for 2010.

And, with that, a number of wondrous hat submissions are born.

And just FYI, you totally should have attended PaizoCon, my friend. It was well worth the trip. And I would have loved to have met you in person. See if you can't make plans to come out next year.

Kosivo0121 wrote:

I've just returned from Paizocon and whilst I was there I got a chance to meet Neil Spicer, Jason Nelson, and Clinton Boomer along with other creative minds that contribute to Pathfinder and I want you guys to know that you've really inspired me to give the RPG superstar a try. Thanks guys and it was really nice to meet you.

It was great meeting you as well, Kosivo. Definitely throw your hat into the ring for 2010.

JoelF847 wrote:

While the basic format has been the same both years, there have been differences. I would guess that next year's will also have differences. In addition, next year's is certainly going to use the full Pathfinder RPG rules, which aren't out until August, so at the very least you probably want to hold off on any rules mechanic work until then.

Both years have had the open call as a 200 word or less wondrous item, so it's a fairly good bet that it will be the same in 2010, but I wouldn't be shocked if something else was used either.

What he said.

Also, while starting on a wondrous item now might seem an opportunity to give your submission the polish that could help get your item selected, later rounds ensure that the eventual winner will be someone who can come up with clever ideas and write thousands of words explaining them, doing so with just a few days notice.

About starting early on the wondrous item...I'm sure that everything that's been said about the importance of being able to do great work quickly is true. BUT, it wouldn't hurt to put everything you can into the wondrous item now. Standing out of the immense crowd of submissions in the open call round is a pretty big hurdle to get over, in my opinion. Being mechanically solid, interesting/original, and filling a needed niche isn't necessarily enough to get your item into the top 32 (as evidenced by the comments from Clark and Sean in the "Critique My Item" threads).

Then again, maybe if you can't get enough "mojo/moxie" in your submission to catch the judges' attention without spending a ton of time on it, you don't belong in RPG Superstar. I'm just hoping that's not true :-). (I'm also hoping I'll stand a better chance next year if I don't repeatedly use a word that gives Sean K Reynolds a headache!)

(I'm also hoping I'll stand a better chance next year if I don't repeatedly use a word that gives Sean K Reynolds a headache!)

Elora wrote:

(I'm also hoping I'll stand a better chance next year if I don't repeatedly use a word that gives Sean K Reynolds a headache!)

Can't go wrong with that strategy!

Are you talking about irregular plurals? Because I've had it up to my irides with that discussion.

But no...the word in question is "rouge". Yes, rouge, not rogue. That is, lipstick, not thief. As in, I named my item "Rogue's Rouge".

I thought it would be clever, descriptive and at the same time educational to the spelling-challenged. Perhaps even to the point of inspiring intelligent discussions around the game table regarding the proper placement of the letter "u". Alas, Sean's overworked brain kept interpreting "rouge" as mis-spelled "rogue".

Lesson learned.

I'm really glad they didn't institute a "wondrous" swimsuit round in the competition last time. Everyone else should be, too... ;-P

Tarren Dei wrote:

And, with that, a number of wondrous hat submissions are born.

Actually, my backup magic item (i.e., the one I didn't choose over the last leaves) was along those lines. :-)

And just FYI, you totally should have attended PaizoCon, my friend. It was well worth the trip. And I would have loved to have met you in person. See if you can't make plans to come out next year.

I was a bit busy that weekend.

Do they know what day it is next year? I should try to find an education conference in town on the same week.

Cute kids, TD.

Cute kids, TD.

OT @ TD:

OT @ TD:
** spoiler omitted **

OT @ TD