The point about the stereotypes is not that making something that fits one of them is a bad thing. You could make boots and get into the top 32.
However, last year, there was a trend that bad items tended to fall into similier groups or have similier traits.
There are some stereotypes which are probably best avoided, such as swiss army knife items, however even with clear cut best to avoids like that, we have examples of a well done ones having made it into the final 32.
If your item is outstanding, it will likely make it despite being a from one of these groups.
I suspect this year we will see a very different list of steriotypicial bad entries.
Very well said!
We have nothing against good boots or good augury items or even good coin items. In fact, those items would rule. For some wierd reason, we got a ton of bad ones. So we included them on our list of "bad item stereotypes" that we judges saw last year.
That list should not be construed as some rule that boot items or coin items or whatever are bad. They arent.
There are some things to take from the list as generally bad, such as +6 items or just another figureine of wondrous power items or modern items done as magic items or spell-in-a-can or creature-in-a-can.
But my guess is that this year we will see a whole different list of stereotypically bad items for whatever reason.
To reiterate: there is nothing inherently wrong with boot items, food items, cloak items, augury items, coin items, etc.
Clark
Yeah, Swiss Army Knife, Spell-in-a-Box, +6 Items and such are always bad ideas.
Well done boot, augury, food, polymorph and such items are welcome, there just was lots of those last year. This year we might have overabundance of boring crowns or tomes.
Very true.
Yeah, Swiss Army Knife, Spell-in-a-Box, +6 Items and such are always bad ideas.
Well done boot, augury, food, polymorph and such items are welcome, there just was lots of those last year. This year we might have overabundance of boring crowns or tomes.
I'm expecting lots of attempted Migrus
clones this year, i.e., items that aren't highly functional but really stick with you because of their creepiness.Who will catch lightning in a bottle this year?
If people think that is a viable strategy, after all our posts about that issue, then they are free to pursue that strategy. I guess we'll just have to see whether it works or not. Of course, my feeling on the matter could likely be divined from my numerous recent posts about it. I have said over and over that we werent looking for gonzo last year and that it wasnt the gonzo element that made those submissions stand out.
Clark
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
aka KissMeDarkly
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I think you really wanted to design an artifact not a wondrous item :)
Uh-oh. I'm working on my item right now and looking at the COST (800k+ so far), I've been thinking my item may have become an artifact. The cause stems from the idea being something I've never come across (in my limited game experience) so I'm trying to work it out. I may have to retool the item to be less powerful and allude to the Artifact OR perhaps have its power be a reflection of a Player's level which I'm not sure would cause it not to be an artifact.
I think you really wanted to design an artifact not a wondrous item :)Uh-oh. I'm working on my item right now and looking at the COST (800k+ so far), I've been thinking my item may have become an artifact. The cause stems from the idea being something I've never come across (in my limited game experience) so I'm trying to work it out. I may have to retool the item to be less powerful and allude to the Artifact OR perhaps have its power be a reflection of a Player's level which I'm not sure would cause it not to be an artifact.
You can scale down most magic items, even ultra-powerful ones. You can reduce the area of effect; reduce the number of times you can use the item in a day, a week, or even longer; hell, even make it a one-shot item. You could also design a hefty drawback for using the item; not quite a curse, but something that makes a PC think twice before whipping out the +6 beatin' stick of colossal ass-kicking. =]
BD
whipping out the +6 beatin' stick of colossal ass-kicking. =]
BD
I want one of those!
Does "colossal" refer to the size of the stick, the size of the ass, or the size of the beating that it's going to lay?
I'm betting the size of the beating, and that it's a stick sized for medium characters for use on medium to huge sized rear-ends...;)
Okay, okay.
I was saving this for the upcoming Blackdirge's Big Book of Beat-Downs, but since you asked...
Beatin' Stick of Colossal Ass-Kicking: This short baton is made of ironwood and etched with dwarven runes that translate to the following: Ain’t nobody above an ass-kicking.
The beatin’ stick acts as a +5 club with the following properties.
- Three times per day, as a swift action, the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking can designate a single target within 60 feet for a “beat down.” If the target of the “beat down” is struck with beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking within 3 rounds, it suffers the effects of a crushing despair spell, and cries “like a little b%#!~” for 10 rounds.
- Once per day, as a standard action, the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking can declare, “it is on.” When “it is on,” the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, and is hasted, as the spell. The duration of “it is on” is one minute.
Strong evocation (ass-kicking) and transmutation, CL 17; Craft Magic Arms & Armor; Bigby’s beat down, crushing despair, haste; Price 185,000 gp; Cost 92.500 gp + 7,400 xp.
This could have been my entry for RPG Superstar; you know, if I were still eligible and it wasn't a weapon. =]
BD
Ok, Blackdirge, that freakin' rawked!
Ok, Blackdirge, that freakin' rawked!
Well, then you'll be sure to pick up Blackdirge's Big Book of Beat-Downs when it's released, right? =]
You know, it's also a great example of a bad item that would get you bounced from the competition almost immediatley.
Bad Name - Check!
Not a woundrous item - Check!
Joke item - Check!
Uses the word "ass" far too many times in a 200-word span - Check!
BD
Okay, okay.
I was saving this for the upcoming Blackdirge's Big Book of Beat-Downs, but since you asked...
Beatin' Stick of Colossal Ass-Kicking: This short baton is made of ironwood and etched with dwarven runes that translate to the following: Ain’t nobody above an ass-kicking.
The beatin’ stick acts as a +5 club with the following properties.
- Three times per day, as a swift action, the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking can designate a single target within 60 feet for a “beat down.” If the target of the “beat down” is struck with beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking within 3 rounds, it suffers the effects of a crushing despair spell, and cries “like a little b@@~@” for 10 rounds.
- Once per day, as a standard action, the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking can declare, “it is on.” When “it is on,” the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, and is hasted, as the spell. The duration of “it is on” is one minute.
Strong evocation (ass-kicking) and transmutation, CL 17; Craft Magic Arms & Armor; Bigby’s beat down, crushing despair, haste; Price 185,000 gp; Cost 92.500 gp + 7,400 xp.This could have been my entry for RPG Superstar; you know, if I were still eligible and it wasn't a weapon. =]
BD
Is there something similar to a synergy bonus for using that in conjunction with a can of improved whupa#s ?
Suggested Alternate powers for the Beatin' Stick:
1. Once per day, as a swift action, the wielder of the beatin’ stick of colossal ass-kicking can declare,"Let's get ready to rummmmmmmmmmmmmmblllllllllllllllllllle." The beatin' stick then functions as a Rod of Splendor and a Rod of Smiting for the next 10 rounds.
2. Once per day, as a swift action, the wielder of the beatin' stick can inquire, "Can you smell what the (insert PC name here)is cookin'?" The wielder and all of of his allies within 60 feet gain the effects of a Heroes Feast spell.
By the way, I've already started the "Bad Item Stereotypes -- Part Deux" thread in the Judge's Chambers for this year. We'll see what goes on the list this year.
You know, it's also a great example of a bad item that would get you bounced from the competition almost immediatley.
Bad Name - Check!
Not a woundrous item - Check!
Joke item - Check!
Uses the word "ass" far too many times in a 200-word span - Check!BD
Bigby's Beat Down also isn't in the SRD. (There, of course, it's just 'Beat Down'. Bigby is closed content.)
Bigby's Beat Down also isn't in the SRD. (There, of course, it's just 'Beat Down'. Bigby is closed content.)You know, it's also a great example of a bad item that would get you bounced from the competition almost immediatley.
Bad Name - Check!
Not a woundrous item - Check!
Joke item - Check!
Uses the word "ass" far too many times in a 200-word span - Check!BD
Yeah, that too. =]
I hold out hope that the judges will notice the brilliance of the beatin' stick, and allow me to enter the contest despite my ineligibility. Although, I guess the beatin’ stick would have to become gloves of b!tch-slappin' or something of that nature to qualify as a wondrous item.
All the above is a joke, for those with broken sarcasm detectors. =].
Although, I guess the beatin’ stick would have to become gloves of b!tch-slappin' or something of that nature to qualify as a wondrous item.
Dueling Gloves
This pair of white leather gloves is designed to improve one's grip and stability when wielding one-handed weapons (+1 against disarm). Once per day, the owners of the gloves may 'demand satisfaction', placing a magical compulsion upon a target creature within normal melee reach. A DC 21 will save successfully resists the effect. If the target fails its save, it is compelled to confront the owner at dawn with two one-handed weapons of its own choosing.(A glove slap, just a little glove slap, I demand satisfaction...glove slap baby!)
Although, I guess the beatin’ stick would have to become gloves of b!tch-slappin' or something of that nature to qualify as a wondrous item.Dueling Gloves
This pair of white leather gloves is designed to improve one's grip and stability when wielding one-handed weapons (+1 against disarm). Once per day, the owners of the gloves may 'demand satisfaction', placing a magical compulsion upon a target creature within normal melee reach. A DC 21 will save successfully resists the effect. If the target fails its save, it is compelled to confront the owner at dawn with two one-handed weapons of its own choosing.(A glove slap, just a little glove slap, I demand satisfaction...glove slap baby!)
Wow, you know, that might even make an honest-to-god wondrous item entry. It's a little jokey, but I think a good designer could make it perfectly viable in a serious campaign. Obviously, you'd have to change and define the abilities a bit more, but the idea is solid as hell. I actually like this as a serious entry.
BD
Gossamer ShirtI liked this item too, on a couple of levels. But it was a bit of a creature in a box, which was another design problem in our view. It also does a lot. I liked its theme and its focus. It was tightly designed to that theme, which to me is a big plus. This was one of those items that might have made the cut into a magic item book. It is not run of the mill. It was better than that. But I think we all felt it did a bit too much and was a bit overpowered. I recall Wolfgang saying something along the lines of "Damage reduction pixie polymorph? With flight and greater invisibility?" I think we all had that same reaction. Plus, we all kind of read it and said--ok, this person just wants to play a faerie. Maybe that is an unfair critique. Please remember, we had over 800 of these to read and first impression matters.
That said, I sure hope you submit again this year. It is clear to me that you have the creativity to get this done. Good luck this year!
W00t! Thanks for your comments Clark - you don't know how awesome it was for me to find this post. It makes me especially happy that I decided to fritter away a "snow day" today when I really should have been studying to write up and post the item that's been brewing in the back of my mind during the past couple of weeks. Until today, because I've been busy taking some courses, I was seriously debating whether or not I would submit anything this time around. I hadn't even had a chance to read the message boards until now.
In any case, you pretty much confirmed my suspicions - the gossamer shirt was an Unnecessary Swiss Army Creature in a Box. ;)
I do feel a compelling need to point out that it wasn't actually "damage reduction pixie polymorph with flight and greater invisibility" but rather "damage reduction pixie size reduction with flight and greater invisibility". ;D
You're half right about the "wanting to play a faerie" thing. I actually got the idea because of someone who had participated in a "D&D Dueling" event I run at a convention every year who had wiped the floor with his pixie rogue build, mainly due to the combination of size, invisibility and non-magical flight. While the shirt could only grant magical flight the whole "pixie combo" is still a real killer. Too killer actually, which is one of the reasons the item was restricted to just 3 uses per day and a maximum of 10 minutes per use.
That said, in retrospect, if I was creating this item for the 2009 contest, I would probably drop the damage reduction all together and specify invisibility rather than greater invisibility at will (so attacking would cancel it but it could be reactivated in the next round). Thus it would still be focused around a pixie theme with less overall abilities, less powerful abilities and much less than "being" a pixie.
For what I just submitted, I'm confident the theme is just as strong. Now I just have to hope I picked the right abilities to "WOW" all the judges. :)
:-j(enni)
Bad Polymorph items? Is that basically any item that allows any type of polymorph? The item I'm designing has a 1/day polymorph that fits perfectly into the concept, but if it results in me shooting myself in the foot, I'll go with a different design.
I think the idea is that polymorph has been done a million times, and that some people think they're coming up with something original when they make a shape change item. But there's just not much niche space left there.
I should really have read this thread before I submitted my item. Oh well; as the sports teams in Cleveland have taught me, "there's always next year!"
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.... I cant help myself.
I absolutely love D&D. Always have. I love the creation process. So when Erik called and sheepishly asked if I wanted to be involved--telling me all the long hours and no pay--I jumped at it. It is just my cup of tea (seer's tea, in fact).
I love this process.
Back when Paizo had Dungeon and Erik was running things I told him I wanted to do an artilce for Dungeon called "Page to Table," where I talk about practical tips for running the various adventures in that month's mag at your home game table. ......
Plus I like hearing myself talk. That's probably the bigger and more honest reason :)
If I may humbly make a suggestion why don't you get a hold of Atomic Array and do an annual podcast on this subject??
There are a lot of people who would find this interesting, I count myself one of them.
.... I cant help myself.
I absolutely love D&D. Always have. I love the creation process. So when Erik called and sheepishly asked if I wanted to be involved--telling me all the long hours and no pay--I jumped at it. It is just my cup of tea (seer's tea, in fact).
I love this process.
Back when Paizo had Dungeon and Erik was running things I told him I wanted to do an artilce for Dungeon called "Page to Table," where I talk about practical tips for running the various adventures in that month's mag at your home game table. ......
Plus I like hearing myself talk. That's probably the bigger and more honest reason :)
If I may humbly make a suggestion why don't you get a hold of Atomic Array and do an annual podcast on this subject??
There are a lot of people who would find this interesting, I count myself one of them.
Seconded.
If I may humbly make a suggestion why don't you get a hold of Atomic Array and do an annual podcast on this subject??
There are a lot of people who would find this interesting, I count myself one of them.
Seconded.
Thirded!!
If I may humbly make a suggestion why don't you get a hold of Atomic Array and do an annual podcast on this subject??
There are a lot of people who would find this interesting, I count myself one of them.
Seconded.Thirded!!
Fourthed