Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4
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Gonzo, a term I needed to look up, might be too strong a word.It is truly sad that Muppet Show references aren't commonly known anymore. Anyone that watched it knows exactly what it means when something is Gonzo (i.e. WAY out there).
Fair enough - but 'gonzo' also refers to Dr. Gonzo, the no-holds-barred journalism style of Hunter S. Thompson, from which springs the name of the eponymous Muppet.
In that case, 'gonzo' is 100% pimp-licious awesome.
Also, verbose.
I'd like to see 1 line stats for cohorts etc, rather than full stat blocks. Just enough to tell me what the villains have to work with without distracting from them.
Maybe something like:
Cohort: Joe Bloggs (Human Fighter 2)
or
Animal Companion: Fred (Riding dog, 4HD)
or
Familiar: Trevor (Toad, Master level 5 abilities)
Gonzo, a term I needed to look up, might be too strong a word.It is truly sad that Muppet Show references aren't commonly known anymore. Anyone that watched it knows exactly what it means when something is Gonzo (i.e. WAY out there).
Fair enough - but 'gonzo' also refers to Dr. Gonzo, the no-holds-barred journalism style of Hunter S. Thompson, from which springs the name of the eponymous Muppet.
In that case, 'gonzo' is 100% pimp-licious awesome.
Also, verbose.
Wikipedia had Thompson's gonzo, luckily gonzo had its own entry in the thesaurus.
I endorse awesome (as I see it).
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4
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"Smokey, a brown bear trained to grapple and put out fires on command, is Druid-Man's constant companion."
Druid-Man also owns an intelligent magical shillelagh named "Shyllylygh" (Ego: 17, blah blah blah) and dates a lifestyles & recreation reporter for the local Farmer's Market paper named Jill (half-elven Expert 5th/Rogue 1st).
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I'm really struggling with how to instruct regarding stating up animal companions and cohorts and things.
What if I said: "Animal companions, familiars and cohorts from the Leadership feat may be stated at the authors discretion though it is not required. Other henchmen, lackeys or non-cohort followers shall not be statted though they can be referred to in the description section at the author's discretion."
Is that clear enough guidance if I went that way?
I like this as a compromise, but personally I'd go with "stat the villain only". This is about the villain. I don't care what the henchman looks like or can do other than what you say about him/her/it in the descriptive text. If you say it in the text, we should assume that you can create a build that does that. We don't need to see it.
If the author wants to stat a lackey up for reference - cool beans. If they want to post it in a General Discussion thread - OK. Just don't put the stats in the submission. It will not wow me and if I have to read more than two stat blocks in a submission, your villain isn't good enough to stand on their own in this contest.
If the author wants to stat a lackey up for reference - cool beans. If they want to post it in a General Discussion thread - OK.
I believe that would get them disqualified for expanding their entry after the deadline.
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I believe that would get them disqualified for expanding their entry after the deadline.
If the author wants to stat a lackey up for reference - cool beans. If they want to post it in a General Discussion thread - OK.
Fair point. Scratch that suggestion then (until after Round 3 voting closes). The rest stands.
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IMO, if it's a Class Feature (Familiar or Animal Companion) it should probably have a stat block. It's part of the characters CR, after all.
If the villain has Leadership (and what great villain *doesn't* have minions?!?), the Cohort and Followers can get a one sentence blurb. 'Contessa deMalice has a love-besotted War-Troll Barbarian 2 named Gorm Three-Claw as her Cohort, and some say, consort, and a motley crew of Bugbears and Gnolls as Followers.'
If 3 of the 16 villains, and that's not a large pool, are a displacer beast, a balor's severed toe and a talking potion bottle, three talented authors have wasted their time and mine.
I would so vote for a villainous, talking potion bottle.
Just sayin'.
I was going to say exactly the same thing. It would have to be a well-done villain, of course, and have a stat block. But if done right it would instantly be my number one pick.
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As far as lackeys and minions and cohorts and companions go:
Stat them if you dare, leave it to the designer's option. But make it part of the word count tally. It simply leaves the designer more room for error, I would recommend including a brief description of those things but focus on the villian.
If you want to make your villian a companion, cohort, minion, lackey etc. I think that should be acceptable as well, then the author simply needs to give a brief description of its master, owner, boss, etc.
I don't see why you couldn't take any of those risks if you wanted to? I don't know that I would recommend it. I certainly wouldn't require stat blocks for flunkies, lackies, minions, etc... blah, blah, blah.
A brief description leaving the reader wanting more should be sufficient.
I was going to say exactly the same thing. It would have to be a well-done villain, of course, and have a stat block. But if done right it would instantly be my number one pick.
See, that's the deadly allure of gonzo.
If you get it just right, it's a grand slam. But swing a little early or a little late and you've got just another foul ball.
It's a very, very thin line.
Personally, I think a true superstar could walk that line.
But there's someone playing a little safer and hitting a home run, you know that for sure.
Go gonzo, and you MUST have the grand slam. Anything else is a mistake.
I read about 75% of the posts in this thread, so pardon me if this has already been covered/suggested.
This sounds like a crazy question, but - any restrictions on alignment?
There were clearly some evil countries entered. What if you play in an evil campaign? The villain might also be evil, or it might be that goody-two shoes paladin who keeps messing with your evil plans.
At the beginning, the villain was described as an "antagonist" for the PCs. A person of good alignment could well be an antagonist, but I can also see people crying out "Hey you were supposed to design a villain not a hero!"
This might be self-correcting because so few people would care to vote for the LG "villain", but I thought I'd ask about it anyway.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Now, you guysall know that Wolfgang Baur runs Open Design, which solicits interest from potential patrons and designs adventures customized along what those patrons want to see.
Some time ago, Wolfgang proposed an adventure he called "Angels of our Better Nature," dealing with the effects of a Lawful Good angelic takeover of a town. (No violence, no lying, no stealing. And the angels decide what constitutes a transgression.)
The idea of a Good-aligned "villain" didn't generate a lot of support. And that was, I suspect, among its most favorable audience, all fans of that author's work.
How many good-aligned antagonists have you seen in DUNGEON over the years?
So, in regards to a LG villain, you might be able to pull it off, but you know, that doesn't seem the easiest tack to take.
Lots of good suggestions and input already but I want to add my support for:
1. No Joke Entries
2. SRD only
3. Range of CR.
Definately one question I have concerns spellbooks, Now as written a wizard gains 2 spells per level yet he or she starts out with knowing all 0th level spells. Is there in the SRD a limit on spellbook size? This hs been a question I've had forever. I've looked half-heartedly a few times but never found anything. Any help here would be appreciated.
In the Tactics portion (Which is a part of the stat block and thus not counted against the word count correct?) just how detailed should this be? The Villain is at best in a void lacking a setting so we can only say so much about what his or her tactics would be. I am presuming it should be a limited amount of 'If allowed time to prepare Villain X will do this relying on that and doing this other thing in combat but if surprised Villain X will rely on some these and attempt to do this as soon as possible' Would this be accurate?
Now as stated earlier in this thread this is to be a villain not a new monster or someone with a collection of new magic items but would customized or alternate forms of existing magic items be possible? IE: A +4 ring of Charisma rather than a cloak, or a +8 robe of armor rather than bracers?
Also will Experience Points be a part of the stat block? Spellcasters for example use XPs for certain spells or should we just list the excess they have avaliable for such spells?
I know some of these are minor questions but this is the place for such questions to be asked before the 3rd round.
The Villain is at best in a void lacking a setting so we can only say so much about what his or her tactics would be.
As an unsolicited suggestion, I believe a villain without a setting is going to seem very odd.
I would bet the winning entries are going to be among the most efficient at implying a setting while staying within the word limitations.
Sense Motive is WIS-based.
Example: Sense Motive +10 means little; Sense Motive +10 (+4 Cha, 4 ranks, +2 synergy bonus)* lets the editor break down the block to make sure it's correct.)
*Do you see what's wrong here by the way? :D
Got half of it. Then you went on to the other half.
It would be a synergy bonus FROM another skill... (like if you have 5 ranks in Bluff, your Diplomacy score would say [+2 synergy] regardless of how many ranks you had in Dip.
Speaking of SM, I know SM gives synergy TO Diplomacy, but does it get synergy FROM anything? Not that I recall, but I'm too lazy to go look.
Correct on it gaining the bonus from another skill. However, SM does not get a synergy bonus. It would be listed with it (usually). I checked the online SRD after I put this example together just to be sure. :)
Definately one question I have concerns spellbooks, Now as written a wizard gains 2 spells per level yet he or she starts out with knowing all 0th level spells. Is there in the SRD a limit on spellbook size? This hs been a question I've had forever. I've looked half-heartedly a few times but never found anything. Any help here would be appreciated.
A spellbook is limited in number of pages (100 pages where each spell takes up a number of pages equal to its level and 0 level = 1/2). However, a wizard may own as many books as they like. The trouble is in valuing the extra spells above the 2 per level: They must come from scrolls, other spellbooks, or custom reseach. These have wildly differing costs and are a reason why I would either argue against a hard wealth cap for villians or give an Official ruling on how much spells cost.
So, in regards to a LG villain, you might be able to pull it off, but you know, that doesn't seem the easiest tack to take.
Agreed. I still think if done right it can be scary. Good luck to everyone for this bit. Now it starts to get tight. I like Clark's advice. "Give us a good villain first."
Now, you guysall know that Wolfgang Baur runs Open Design, which solicits interest from potential patrons and designs adventures customized along what those patrons want to see.
Some time ago, Wolfgang proposed an adventure he called "Angels of our Better Nature," dealing with the effects of a Lawful Good angelic takeover of a town. (No violence, no lying, no stealing. And the angels decide what constitutes a transgression.)
The idea of a Good-aligned "villain" didn't generate a lot of support. And that was, I suspect, among its most favorable audience, all fans of that author's work.
How many good-aligned antagonists have you seen in DUNGEON over the years?
So, in regards to a LG villain, you might be able to pull it off, but you know, that doesn't seem the easiest tack to take.
The only LG 'Villian' I can think of is Kore from Goblins. And I'd argue that he's not LG. WotC has tried to explore White as villians a few times, but those have always been LN or LE instead of LG.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Now as stated earlier in this thread this is to be a villain not a new monster or someone with a collection of new magic items but would customized or alternate forms of existing magic items be possible? IE: A +4 ring of Charisma rather than a cloak, or a +8 robe of armor rather than bracers?
Ah, a good question.
Seems pretty clear that we should not be making up new magic items, but what about just an alternate 'body slot' for a standard item, like those mentioned above. I would tend to think that sort of alteration would be fine, but it would be nice if the judges made a note about it.
I'm pretty sure that our rule will be no new abilities or items or spells, etc. This isnt a creature design test, it is a villain design test.
If I may be so bold, you may want to refer to the last issue of Dungeon if you have it. In it, they rank the top 10 villains of all time from Dungeon adventures. That is a pretty cool list. In there are some low levels guys, like Balabar Smenk and some high level ones. There is a dragon (or two). Those are villains.
No submitting your entry for review to another person for a stat block math check. We want to know if YOU can do it.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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No submitting your entry for review to another person for a stat block math check. We want to know if YOU can do it.
Hey, Clark, it's your competition to play the way you want it to, but...
On several occaissions, the judges have urged entrants --particularly those for whom English is a non-native language-- to have someone else read over and check their grammar and composition skills. This seems analogous.
Yeah, I guess it seems more "superstar" for somebody to be able to calculate his or her own characters' stat blocks, but this seems to be a rule that is not only impossible to enforce, but also a little counter-productive.
Designers make use of playtesters and live-in "editors". It seems reasonable that entrants have the same resources.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I'm pretty sure that our rule will be no new abilities or items or spells, etc. This isnt a creature design test, it is a villain design test.
If I may be so bold, you may want to refer to the last issue of Dungeon if you have it. In it, they rank the top 10 villains of all time from Dungeon adventures. That is a pretty cool list. In there are some low levels guys, like Balabar Smenk and some high level ones. There is a dragon (or two). Those are villains.
I would if I had it. :(
So Clark, no new items is fine, but what about alternate body slots (robe or vest of resistance or charisma instead of a cloak, for instance)?
Actually, speaking of dragons, that does bring up an interesting question for non-humanoid villains, since a dragon presumably could not wear a cloak but might want an item of that type.
Sure, maybe it's an oddball case, but hey, this is the time to ask the questions!
Just curious if we can use minions or refer to creatures that are not necessarily in the SRD, either by name or short description? I mean not stating them out at all, just referring to the names.
Examples: The Bronze Golems thats acts as guardians of the tomb are decrepit things, built with ancient metals, blood and toil.
or
Occasionally Lord Voke sends out messengers to do his bidding, Phanatons, which look like a cross between a raccoon, a monkey, and a flying squirrel.
Bronze Golems, Phanatons and generally anything looking like raccoon, a monkey, and a flying squirrel are not in the SRD. Just curious how anal we have to be here (note, I'm not planning to use any of those).
Clarify SRD-only or any OGL. (EDIT: I would personally prefer SRD-only, to show what can be done with less, or more limited, resources. It also prevents the problem of an author using a creature or PrC from a source that someone might not have, leading inevitably to questions like "What the hell is that?" or "Where does that come from?")
If OGL is allowed, I'd recommend the contestants be careful with what they use. I'm not familiar with most third-party OGL supplements, so you'd have to explain every OGL feat, ability, class, prestige class, template, etc. for me to understand what they do. And that all eats into your word count.
Also, let me beat a dead horse and submit: regardless of the format requested by the judges, lead with your best material. I think that many of the best country entries led with some flavor text or a brief description that summarized the cool bits about their countries. Once you've grabbed the attention of the audience, then you can bore them with your stat block. :)
Once you've grabbed the attention of the audience, then you can bore them with your stat block. :)
I'm probably a minority, but I'll likely just skim most of your stat blocks. :-)
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Mechanically - Your CR is going to be the most important thing I look at. If you make the bad guy CR 15, I should not be able to punk him with six PCs of 1st level.
Creatively - You need to give me a really good reason to hate this guy. Why would I as a DM want to use him or as a player want to defeat him.
That will be the two areas that I will be looking most closely at. If you can WOW me with those two things you are likely to get my vote.
actually I'm curious about how voting will work next round: pick 5, pick 1, or somewhere in-between?
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 8
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Gonzo, a term I needed to look up, might be too strong a word.It is truly sad that Muppet Show references aren't commonly known anymore. Anyone that watched it knows exactly what it means when something is Gonzo (i.e. WAY out there).
Fair enough - but 'gonzo' also refers to Dr. Gonzo, the no-holds-barred journalism style of Hunter S. Thompson, from which springs the name of the eponymous Muppet.
In that case, 'gonzo' is 100% pimp-licious awesome.
Also, verbose.
Mustn't forget the Great Gonzo, the Neanderthal of Rock n Roll HIMSELF, Ted Nugent!
Here is the sample stat block format:
VILLAIN NAME, TITLE CR X
Sex Creature class X
AL Size type (subtypes)
Init +X; Senses special senses; Listen +X, Spot +X
Aura info
DEFENSE
AC X, touch X, flat-footed X
(armor, deflection, Dex, natural, size, etc. alphabetical)
hp XX (XdX+X); fast healing X; regeneration X (conditions)
Fort +X, Ref +X, Will +X; racial save modifiers
Defensive Abilities all defensive abilities except the following, listed alphabetically; DR amount/type; Immune type; Resist type amount; SR XX
OFFENSE
Spd XX ft., other movement types
Melee type +X (XdX+X) and
type +X (XdX+X)
Ranged type +X (XdX+X) and
type +X (XdX+X)
Space X ft.; Reach X ft.
Special Attacks list all special combat actions here, in alphabetical order. Do not list feats.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL Xth):
At will—spell name (DC XX), spell name (DC XX)
1/day—spell name (DC XX), spell name (DC XX)
Spells Known (CL Xth):
1st (X/day)— spell name (DC XX), spell name (DC XX)
0 (X/day)— spell name (DC XX), spell name (DC XX)
Spells Prepared (CL Xth):
1st—spell name (DC XX, x3 [if multiple prepared])
0—spell name (DC XX), spell name (DC XX)
TACTICS
Before Combat List any spells and/or abilities used before combat. His stats should reflect these spells.
During Combat List all combat tactics here, including spell, feat, and magic item use.
Morale List here under what condition the creature flees combat, if any.
Base Statistics If the creature has buffs and other effects active that modify his stats, the base stats should be quickly summarized here.
STATISTICS
Str XX, Dex XX, Con XX, Int XX, Wis XX, Cha XX
Base Atk +X; Grp +X
Feats Feat, Feat, Feat
Skills Skill +XX, Skill +XX, Skill +XX, Skill +XX (+XX conditional); add general conditional skill modifiers here.
Languages language, language; special communications
SQ add all special qualities here, listed alphabetically
Combat Gear gear used in combat; Other Gear gear not used in combat
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Special Ability (Ex/Sp/Su) List special ability info here. Special abilities (including special qualities) are all explained here, in alphabetical order.
[Begin villain text description here.]
Hmmm. I want to be able to provide a cut and pastable block that includes the right formatting for bolding and stuff. I'll have to work on that. Maybe I can see if I can get Vic and Gary to post the above sample block with the tag codes in it so that it is easier for everyone.
Do you guys have any questions about the proposed format of the stat block?
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Fair enough - but the 'Nuge made a reference to killing Barack Obama, which I found in poor taste. As such, I actually HAVE made an attempt to forget him.
Mustn't forget the Great Gonzo, the Neanderthal of Rock n Roll HIMSELF, Ted Nugent!
That does put a rather different spin on the Motor City Madman, the Ten Fingers of Doom, Terrible Ted. Too bad.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4
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Hmmm. I want to be able to provide a cut and pastable block that includes the right formatting for bolding and stuff. I'll have to work on that. Maybe I can see if I can get Vic and Gary to post the above sample block with the tag codes in it so that it is easier for everyone.
Do you guys have any questions about the proposed format of the stat block?
Holy crap, that's perfect.
Two questions about the block:
1: Where should the 'shown work' go?
2: Are we allowed to put the description above the stat block, or does the stat block have to come first?
Here is the sample stat block format:
Why do the stats tend to list space and reach after ranged attacks? It would make far more sense to me if it was listed after speed (in keeping with dimensional issues) and right before melee attacks (which a creature's reach greatly affects).
Just curious.
Two questions about the block:
1: Where should the 'shown work' go?
2: Are we allowed to put the description above the stat block, or does the stat block have to come first?
I changed my mind. Duplicating the stat block a second time with the "math" just made the submissions too long. Instead, you will show your work inside the stat block in parens or brackets.
For instance "Jump +10 [5 ranks, +2 Str, etc...]"
That will be in the instructions.
You can put the descriptive stuff wherever you want it--all before, all after or some before and some after. But however you break it up the word limit applies to all of the description content.
As it is right now, the rules read:
RPG Superstar Round Three Assignment: Design a Villain
For this round, contestants must create a villain for a fantasy campaign world, as might appear in a published adventure or campaign sourcebook. The submission consists of three parts, only one part of which has a word limit:
Part 1: The villain’s name and descriptive title (essentially, the title of your submission)
Part 2: The villain’s stat block. This part has no word limit, but you may NOT use the Tactics section or other sections of the stat block as a way to avoid the XXX word limit of Part 3. In the stat block, you must “show your math,” meaning that for any numerical entry or other data requiring a demonstration of how you arrived at the particular entry you must include that information in parentheses or brackets with brief description of the source of the bonus or penalty as needed. You are not allowed to explain design choices or provide additional details other than to show your math.
Part 3: A description of your villain, which can be no more than XXX words.
Your villain must be CR XX or less.
The following content MUST be included in the description portion of Part 3: physical description, motivation(s)/goal(s), and scheme(s)/plot or adventure hook(s). Aside from this mandatory content, everything else is up to you within the given word limit.
Unlike Round 2, you MUST use the accompanying sample stat block format as closely as possible for your particular villain, though we acknowledge that each villain will be a bit different and may require slight variances. Failure to us the provided stat block format may result in disqualification.
You are free, however, to use whatever format or headings you desire for the text description section for Part 3 so long as it includes the mandatory content above. In fact, you may break up the content from Part 3 and place some or all of the content before and some or all after your stat block as you so choose. Keep in mind, though, that all content that is not from Part 1 or Part 2 counts towards your Part 3 word count, no matter how you split it up.
As it is right now, the rules read:
(snip a bunch of irrelevant rules stuff)
Sure sure, but you left out that part that the villain must eat halflings for dinner, with gnome petit-fours for dessert.
Can't forget the important stuff.
Your villain must be CR XX or less.
I'm happy to see no lower limit on CR. I didn't want to see villains akin to Mr.Glass from Unbreakable being disallowed.
Also, let me beat a dead horse and submit: regardless of the format requested by the judges, lead with your best material. I think that many of the best country entries led with some flavor text or a brief description that summarized the cool bits about their countries. Once you've grabbed the attention of the audience, then you can bore them with your stat block. :)
Actually, I read so many stat blocks that I look at that before any description for most creatures I'm dealing with. The stat block tells me "should I bother with this?" Well, that and the picture, but unfortunately we don't get pictures here.
As such, I think what will turn out to be the winning format will involve a little teaser, the stat block, and then the detail text. But that's just my opinion.
AND NO WORD SMART QUOTES!!
Your villain must be CR XX or less.I'm happy to see no lower limit on CR. I didn't want to see villains akin to Mr.Glass from Unbreakable being disallowed.
Yeah, that is what we judges thought. At first we thought about a CR range. But a few things swayed us.
First, we figured this audience is savvy enough to reward a well-designed CR 4 villain over a poorly designed gonzo CR 20 villain, for example.
Second, there can be some awesome low CR villains. As you will read in the Rule 3 FAQ, we noted that when Dungeon mag ranked the best villains of all time from the magazine that Balabar Smenk was higher up the list of best villains over guys like Dragotha. So low CR villains can be awesome.
Third, we have an amazing group of contestants here. And we didnt want to tie their hands creatively.
Question, before the results come in on the off-chnace I've made it through (and for everyone lese otherwise!): are psionics in the available sources list? I'm not sure whether they're SRD, OGL or what.
Edit: seen results: nevermind!
FWIW...psionics are in the SRD.
Question, before the results come in on the off-chnace I've made it through (and for everyone lese otherwise!): are psionics in the available sources list? I'm not sure whether they're SRD, OGL or what.
Edit: seen results: nevermind!
People, you have to have a better handle on what is in the SRD and what isnt. There is simply NO EXCUSE for not knowing.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Here is a question that is ambiguous in the rules:
Exactly what magic item slots for worn gear does a non-humanoid creature have?
Rings: Must have fingers - pretty easy.
Gloves: Must have hands (not claws or flippers or whatever) - easy again.
Bracers: Hmmm... interesting. Probably you have to have 'arms'--limbs you don't walk on. The giant crab in White Plume Mountain had a bracer on its foreclaw. What about a dragon, though, or another creature that uses its foreclaws for walking sometimes but not always?
Hat/helmet: Must have a head - but what if the head is not humanoid, like for a dragon or some such? (and no, I'm not planning on making a dragon villain, much as I like them)
Boots: Must have feet, not hooves or claws.
Necklace/amulet: As long as it has a neck, should be fine.
Eyes/goggles: As long as it HAS eyes, that should be fine.
Those ones are pretty easy to figure logically. Vest, robe, belt, cloak, those are a little trickier. Sure, a dragon would look silly with a cloak (for some reason an evil Underdog comes to mind), but if it has a neck, it COULD wear it. The question is whether it would do its magic mojo (kind of like putting bracers on your legs would not work).
Other animals and creatures can wear barding, which is armor, which essentially takes the 'robe' slot. Even given that, I dunno. That seems like a big stretch to see a warhorse wearing a barding-robe. Belt or vest seem like a pretty big stretch.
So my humble opinion is that belts, vests, and robes are pretty much out for non-humanoids.
Cloaks are in the iffy category, and I would love a judge's interpretation.
Other body slots seem to depend on the creature's shape.
I have never seen a clear explication of exactly what non-humanoids may and may not wear when it comes to magic items, and I'd love to see it.
Rules have been posted. Now its up to you...