The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Armory

[Gabriel Almer]

So, I guess by now we've all done our research and I'm curious: What are your favorite pathfinder monsters?

I've always liked the otyugh - it doesn't have any cool special abilities, but in its own way, it's kinda cute (similar to how other people feel about owlbears and flumphs).

As a GM, I really enjoyed the forgefiend (so many options to mess with the PCs!) and the astradaemon (one of the few high-level-monsters that lives up to its CR).

[Wren Brown]

I have always liked darkmantles. Flying cave squids that try and eat your head for the FTW. Oh, and darkness.

[Scott LaBarge]

Jacob Kellogg wrote:

I just wish I knew whether I could talk yet.

Just say it in Lizardfolk. Nobody ever takes Lizardfolk.

[Taylor Hubler]

Jacob Kellogg wrote:

I just wish I knew whether I could talk yet.

Me too. The rules say:

Rules wrote:

During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.

My question is, what counts as public voting rounds? Is the public voting round over when voting closes or when the next round starts?

[Ben Parkin]

Gabriel Almer wrote:

So, I guess by now we've all done our research and I'm curious: What are your favorite pathfinder monsters?

I've always liked the otyugh - it doesn't have any cool special abilities, but in its own way, it's kinda cute (similar to how other people feel about owlbears and flumphs).

As a GM, I really enjoyed the forgefiend (so many options to mess with the PCs!) and the astradaemon (one of the few high-level-monsters that lives up to its CR).

Constructs of all kinds. If you want me to get a little more specific, I've always had a thing for golems, and more recently clockwork.

I planned a whole campaign around the question "How many ways can I use constructs in encounters?" once. The party then immediately went off the rails, and I had to improvise, but then I should have known better. :P

[Jacob W. Michaels]

In previous years, once voting on a round was done, you could talk about it. So you'd be able to talk about your maps now. My reading of the rules indicates nothing's changed, but I'm not a judge.

[Chris Shaeffer]

Not too worried for once, but if I can't get over my writer's block then I am smurfed either way. :|

[Wren Brown]

So how many of this year's Top 32 are repeat offenders contenders?

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Jacob Kellogg wrote:

Question: Are we allowed to talk about our maps as soon as voting officially closes today, or do we need to wait until winners are announced tomorrow before we can take the gags out?

Once voting has closed, you may discuss your map entires if you wish.

Which means yes, you can talk about them now.

[Pedro Coelho]

Russ Brown wrote:

So how many of this year's Top 32 are repeat offenders contenders?

If I'm not forgetting anyone, I believe that would be Brian Fruzen, Charlie Bell, Chris Schaeffer, Christopher Wasko, Jacob Kellog and Kalervo Oikarinen. 6 altogether.

[Jensen Toperzer]

Kytons.

Kytons are my favorite. I always liked the concept in Dungeons and Dragons, but Paizo's Hellraiser-esque expansion of them is just. Wow. I always felt the D&D versions were just sort of... lacking, here we have a devil that's just. Idk. Different than other devils? And then Paizo takes them and expands them into their own really unsettling sort of outsider, beyond devils and demons, beyond pleasure and pain.

Of the Kytons, the Interlocutors are my favorite. Someday, I'd love to write a whole adventure path just about Kytons.

Regarding maps: I'm going to wait until the winners are revealed, then I'm gonna make a separate thread about mah map (and magic item too).

[Jeff Hazuka]

Gugs.

shudder

[Taylor Hubler]

Kobolds all the way. They were the first monster I killed as a player, first monster I ran as a GM, and always fun to run ever since.

[Chris Shaeffer]

I remember really liking this gnome from AD&D back when I got the starter set as a kid.

Also this more rat-like kobold from the same edition.

On second thought, maybe I just like Tony DiTerlizzi's art.

[David H]

Intellect devourers.

[Jensen Toperzer]

that is because DiTerlizzi is amazing

[Taylor Hubler]

And now that I have comments and a revised (unfinished) map posted I can go back to monster design.

Chris, I believe that is the same starter set my first kobolds came from. Pretty cool!

[R Pickard]

Well, today at 5 I find out one thing: whether I have to report to jury duty tomorrow.

Then somewhere between 6 and 8--i.e., when the Paizo boards stop breaking--and/or I do or do not get a notification email, I find out if I've got to finish up a monster.

0_o

Good luck everyone.

Favorite Pathfinder monster...

I'm a general fan of outsiders... really like the newer ones Paizo came up with like Aeons and Asuras and Empyreals.

[Template Fu]

I am obviously more evil than most -

My favorite monster is...:

The players!

[Scott LaBarge]

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

[Feros]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

*Ahem*

...and did you follow the proper procedure when trying to commune with Drunken Hero? And if so, how's the hangover?

[Template Fu]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

Your parameters are ...

CR 1,
No Templates,
No Outsiders,
No Humanoids,
No Dragons,
No Fungus,
No Oozes,
No Jellies,
No Molds,
No Slimes,
No Undead,
No Plants,
No Constructs,
No Swarms,
No resist fire, cold, electricity or poison immunities,
No Existing Mythological Creatures reworked to PF stats,
Small or Medium only.
LN, LE, NE only.

They must simply come from each entrant's devious imagination only :D

Hmmm, Mr. Daigle might think that's a little constricting... :P

Ok, dragons are allowed then BUT only if they are one of the colors of the rainbow AND their breath weapon is either a cone of joy and delight pacifying enemies or a line of soapy bubbles that make enemies struck float away...

Will that do for you Scott?

Template Fu
Representing Cayden Cailean

:P

[David H]

Template Fu wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

Your parameters are ...

CR 1,
No Templates,
No Outsiders,
No Humanoids,
No Dragons,
No Fungus,
No Oozes,
No Jellies,
No Molds,
No Slimes,
No Undead,
No Plants,
No Constructs,
No Swarms,
No resist fire, cold, electricity or poison immunities,
No Existing Mythological Creatures reworked to PF stats,
Small or Medium only.
LN, LE, NE only.

They must simply come from each entrant's devious imagination only :D

Hmmm, Mr. Daigle might think that's a little constricting... :P

Ok, dragons are allowed then BUT only if they are one of the colors of the rainbow AND their breath weapon is either a cone of joy and delight pacifying enemies or a line of soapy bubbles that make enemies struck float away...

Will that do for you Scott?

Template Fu
Representing Cayden Cailean

:P

So.... Grumpy Cat? No wait... he's tiny. Giant Grumpy Cat then.

[Wren Brown]

*bzzzt* Giant is a simple template! DQ!

[R Pickard]

Template Fu wrote:

I am obviously more evil than most -

** spoiler omitted **

Yes, but those aren't Pathfinder monsters, those are monsters drawn to Pathfinder. There's a difference.

Template Fu wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

Your parameters are ...

CR 1,
No Templates,
No Outsiders,
No Humanoids,
No Dragons,
No Fungus,
No Oozes,
No Jellies,
No Molds,
No Slimes,
No Undead,
No Plants,
No Constructs,
No Swarms,
No resist fire, cold, electricity or poison immunities,
No Existing Mythological Creatures reworked to PF stats,
Small or Medium only.
LN, LE, NE only.

They must simply come from each entrant's devious imagination only :D

Hmmm, Mr. Daigle might think that's a little constricting... :P

Ok, dragons are allowed then BUT only if they are one of the colors of the rainbow AND their breath weapon is either a cone of joy and delight pacifying enemies or a line of soapy bubbles that make enemies struck float away...

Will that do for you Scott?

Template Fu
Representing Cayden Cailean

:P

See, that looks totally fun to me.

[R Pickard]

Russ Brown wrote:

*bzzzt* Giant is a simple template! DQ!

I'm not the one who suggested it!

[Jensen Toperzer]

R Pickard wrote:

Well, today at 5 I find out one thing: whether I have to report to jury duty tomorrow.

Then somewhere between 6 and 8--i.e., when the Paizo boards stop breaking--and/or I do or do not get a notification email, I find out if I've got to finish up a monster.

0_o

Work on your monster during jury duty. What else you goan do?

*E* I have layout to work on for AAW today (... which I am behind on, because I woke up late...)

But this evening I'll be posting my map in a separate thread. Woo.

[Anthony Adam]

Just touching base with this years Top 32 - I know most of you are waiting for your Template Fu map reviews and I will be posting more shortly.

I am very busy right now, but hope to post some more by the end of the week. Please bear with me. Those reviews are coming, on the slow train... >.<

[David H]

Russ Brown wrote:

*bzzzt* Giant is a simple template! DQ!

Those rules said nothing about simple templates! :P

[Template Fu]

David Higaki wrote:

Russ Brown wrote:

*bzzzt* Giant is a simple template! DQ!

Those rules said nothing about simple templates! :P

*low throaty growl from the green beastie*

No Templates means No Templates (any size or type)! :D

As an aside, this is a good example for everyone to ensure they read each rounds rules and stick to exactly what they are asked for.

If a global "don't do this" is in the real round rules, don't do it at any level because we, the voters, will call you out on it (and that is not a "passive" will, that's a "we really mean it" one :P)

Grin, good luck everyone, not long now till 16 of you face another deadline and 16 of you get to kick back, relax, have a mai-tai or equivalent and know that you get another chance next time ;)

The real pain begins when you make the Top 8! (or so I have been told :P)

[Monica Marlowe]

Template Fu wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I have a soft spot for trickster monsters that aren't so much about eating your face as they are about playing pranks -- stuff like the faerie dragon and some other small fey. With a bit of creativity they can make for some great gaming sessions.

On a different note: I cast commune last night seeking information from Cayden Cailean concerning the parameters of the Monster round. Only response: "Hic!"

Your parameters are ...

(Ridiculous list)

Will that do for you Scott?

Template Fu
Representing Cayden Cailean

:P

I don't know about the "Representing Cayden Cailean" bit, he seems more open to me :-)

[Monica Marlowe]

Did you all see the news piece about projecting D&D maps?

[Jensen Toperzer]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Did you all see the news piece about projecting D&D maps?

haha we used to check out computer labs in college and do this with the whiteboards and projectors

AHEAD OF OUR TIME

*e* Not really an "interactive" map in that case though, it was just me as the DM scribbling around with a dry erase pen

still easier than using LEGO minis like we were doing.

[Kalervo Oikarinen]

3D Virtual Tabletop on a tablet and then cast onto a TV has been working pretty well. Players can join the game on their own tablets to move a token or just tell where they want to move.

[Chris Shaeffer]

The group I run at the university uses the whiteboard projector in our conference room. :)

[Wren Brown]

I have the projector, but have only been using it to project supplemental information (npc & monster pics, handouts, etc) on the wall.

[Monica Marlowe]

We've talked about mounting a downward facing projector over our gaming table, you know, once we win the lottery.

In other news, is everyone else eating Tums like they're candy? I had a job interview a couple hours ago, I wonder how many more stressful things I can put in one day?

[Feros]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

We've talked about mounting a downward facing projector over our gaming table, you know, once we win the lottery.

In other news, is everyone else eating Tums like they're candy? I had a job interview a couple hours ago, I wonder how many more stressful things I can put in one day?

Have a kid participate in a sporting event. >:)

[Wren Brown]

I've got the Jeopardy theme song stuck in my head right now...
do do do do...

[Ben Parkin]

Russ Brown wrote:

I've got the Jeopardy theme song stuck in my head right now...

do do do do...

I feel like I'm on Chopped.

[Chris Shaeffer]

Or Top Chef? Which judge is Gordon Ramsay?

[Ben Parkin]

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

Or Top Chef? Which judge is Gordon Ramsay?

Top Chef. I assume. It's not Chopped, so process of elimination...

[Wren Brown]

crap, I have a 3:00 meeting I have to go to. Stupid gainful employment!

[David H]

It's ok Russ, when you're done, you should work on your monster instead :)

[Jacob Kellogg]

Congrats to the Top 16!

I'll be back. :)

[R D Ramsey]

Nar-Voth, interesting monster twist. Some room to shine with exceptional Golarian-Fu.

Good luck Top 16!

[David H]

Happy: I made it to the next round!
Sad: All of my ideas do not work for the Round 3 twists. Nerds.

Back to the drawing board!

[Feros]

Congratulations for the Top 16! Good work!

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated on Round 2, as a contestant, alternate, voter, or member of the community. This was something new and hard, and there are lots of ways it could have gone wrong (and a few in which it did, which we tried to fix asap).
This contest only works when people get involved, and I appreciate the hard work, great results, and excellent feedback that made Round 2 worth doing!

[benjamin wilkins]

Congratulations to all of the top 16! Well deserved progression to be sure. I look forward to voting in the next round, and I'm sure you will each put forward something truly exciting. Best of luck to each and every one of you.