lighters and (b*$@+in') uber wands?
Edit- Heh, nice auto-replace, guys.
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"Misspelled inscriptions underline these elegant woodcuts of mildly amusing kittens."
Okay, I'll bite...I know Clark posted something similar in prior years, just to give folks a glimpse of what the judges saw a lot of in terms of heavily-used ideas.
First, let's talk about lighting...as in lighting conditions and the Pathfinder rules for illumination and varying grades of light and darkness. We saw a lot of items playing in this space. Some good, some not so good. Some that apparently didn't realize Pathfinder RPG handles lighting a little differently than 3.5. And many of these "lighting" items strove to affect incorporeal undead.
Secondly, we saw a lot of items playing around with the weapon special property rules...i.e., wondrous items that allowed you to extend a magic weapon property (such as bane, flaming, frost, and yes, even vorpal) to your weapons. Many of them approached this idea from different directions. Some featured it as the cornerstone of their design. Others tacked it on as something extra to what their wondrous item could do. And they too were all over the map. Some good, some bad. One element that I looked at pretty closely on these is the exponential cost that should reasonably be factored in. If, for instance, you allow an item to add the flaming property to a weapon that already has the frost property...do they stack? Do they cancel each other out? Or, if you add a property that's worth a +2 bonus to a weapon that's only got a +1 weapon property bonus on it, you should really consider the fact that your wondrous item is allowing the equivalent of a suite of properties that should be a +3 total if everything is allowed to stack. And, that kind of thing carries with it an exponential cost.
Thirdly, I seem to recall seeing several items that wanted to flirt with time...as in, let you go back in time a short way, look back into time, influence time, etc. Not a lot of items in this category. But enough to stick out as something I remember seeing.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Maybe Sean or Mark or Ryan has another.
EDIT:
Oh! And shrouds. We saw a bunch of shroud items this year. All kinds of different effects for them. Again, some good, some not so good.
My two cents,
--Neil
Still a shocking dearth of psionically-charged hive-mind ooze swarm related items.
Personally, I was going to submit an epic item cleverly priced at 10,000gp that would let you go back in time, but Sean bogarted my idea. So I went with my second choice of a weapon crystal that adds ghost touch and incorporeal bane while emitting a permanent daylight/ghost trap effect.
Man..........
With what you have posted Neil, my item falls right into one of those categories......:(
all I can picture is my childhood bully dancing around while chanting "Your not original, your not original".....lol
Funny you should mention psionic Set. If psionics where allowed I, as well as quite a few others, would have submitted psionic based items....lol
Baby's wearing costumes giving the party the bird.
Man..........
With what you have posted Neil, my item falls right into one of those categories......:(
Just because it fell into one of those categories doesn't mean it was bad, Vikking. It just means there were other designers playing around in that space or using the same idea.
Oh, and I just remembered another meme item. I'll go back and add it since I can still edit my post.
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Still a shocking dearth of psionically-charged hive-mind ooze swarm related items.Personally, I was going to submit an epic item cleverly priced at 10,000gp that would let you go back in time, but Sean bogarted my idea. So I went with my second choice of a weapon crystal that adds ghost touch and incorporeal bane while emitting a permanent daylight/ghost trap effect.
Isn't the judging still going on? Shouldn't we still not reveal what items we submitted to keep them anonymous?
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Thanks Neil. :)
The year to year submission patterns have always fascinated me.
What causes one item type to be prevalent rather than others? Are there events which trigger a subconscious reaction to design an item based around it or is it something else? Just another one of those odd items which will probably never be answered. :)
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Isn't the judging still going on? Shouldn't we still not reveal what items we submitted to keep them anonymous?Still a shocking dearth of psionically-charged hive-mind ooze swarm related items.Personally, I was going to submit an epic item cleverly priced at 10,000gp that would let you go back in time, but Sean bogarted my idea. So I went with my second choice of a weapon crystal that adds ghost touch and incorporeal bane while emitting a permanent daylight/ghost trap effect.
Yes it is and you should not reveal what item you submitted.
For example, I should not tell you that I submitted the Kitscher's Mitt, a leather gauntlet which is covered in artificial gems and seems to glitter (as per glitterdust). At will, the wearer may utilize the effects of daze (DC 15) and once per day may attempt to dominate a target (DC 20).
There is only a single Mitt, they are not created in pairs, and the enchantment only holds on left handed gauntlets. Additionally, if ... oh, I think I may have said too much already ...
seriously, yes, the judging is still going on and yes, you should avoid talking about your actual submitted item until after the results are posted on 1/18/11.
[b]EXPLOSIVE RUNES ... couldn't resist
Isn't the judging still going on? Shouldn't we still not reveal what items we submitted to keep them anonymous?Still a shocking dearth of psionically-charged hive-mind ooze swarm related items.Personally, I was going to submit an epic item cleverly priced at 10,000gp that would let you go back in time, but Sean bogarted my idea. So I went with my second choice of a weapon crystal that adds ghost touch and incorporeal bane while emitting a permanent daylight/ghost trap effect.
Lachlan,
I'm not sure, but I think gbonehead was being sarcastic. I don't think he'd reveal his item like that.
Dean (TMW) :)
Lachlan,
I'm not sure, but I think gbonehead was being sarcastic. I don't think he'd reveal his item like that.
Dean (TMW) :)
It seems like a safe assumption. He did invoke the Sword of Killing Hitler in that post.
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It seems like a safe assumption. He did invoke the Sword of Killing Hitler in that post.Lachlan,
I'm not sure, but I think gbonehead was being sarcastic. I don't think he'd reveal his item like that.
Dean (TMW) :)
I'm sure he was. But, someone else could have thought he was being serious and start discussing their "true" entry, followed by others. I just don't want people being disqualified over a joke. He should put disclaimers.
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I find it interesting that one of the top 32 in past years (not sure which year off the top of my head) was a torch that affected incorporeal undead (essentially took away their incorporealness), and that there are some items that were produced this year, that did either the same or similar things.
Is that people not doing their homework and submitting items that might appear not to be real creative since its been done before… or did they think their idea was better than the one that was done before?
I'm sure he was. But, someone else could have thought he was being serious and start discussing their "true" entry, followed by others. I just don't want people being disqualified over a joke. He should put disclaimers.It seems like a safe assumption. He did invoke the Sword of Killing Hitler in that post.Lachlan,
I'm not sure, but I think gbonehead was being sarcastic. I don't think he'd reveal his item like that.
Dean (TMW) :)
Wouldn't help. Such posts are always DR 20/stupid.
Thanks Neil. :)
The year to year submission patterns have always fascinated me.
What causes one item type to be prevalent rather than others? Are there events which trigger a subconscious reaction to design an item based around it or is it something else? Just another one of those odd items which will probably never be answered. :)
I wonder this myself. Sometimes its obvious (Map items the year after whatever Harry Potter movie had the Marauder's Map. Chalk items after Pan's Labyrinth, etc) other times, though, its a mystery.
Sometimes the release of new video games, computer games, and novels can factor into the mix as well. Other times, I think it's just a percentage of people looking for non-standard items or little-used rules to target so they'll stand out. Only, when a half a dozen other people do the same thing, the opposite happens.
On that note, I would have expected a fair number of items to riff on APG content in some way this year. Did that bear out?
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I find it interesting that one of the top 32 in past years (not sure which year off the top of my head) was a torch that affected incorporeal undead (essentially took away their incorporealness), and that there are some items that were produced this year, that did either the same or similar things.
Is that people not doing their homework and submitting items that might appear not to be real creative since its been done before… or did they think their idea was better than the one that was done before?
Really it could be a mix of both, and of a new way of looking at it.
For example, a harp made of bone, strung with magically hardened hair, could be played to charm undead X/day and a bard could use bardic music rounds to make them corporeal. Same function as the torch, but a new method of delivery.
Likewise, if someone submits a(nother) tankard, it doesn't mean that they're trying to improve the tankard of the cheerful duelist. It could just mean they've a new method of making the mug.
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Other times, I think it's just a percentage of people looking for non-standard items or little-used rules to target so they'll stand out. Only, when a half a dozen other people do the same thing, the opposite happens.
"Sure," I think to myself, "There aren't any magical coins in the book. Nice niche to fill."
Or... they've done their homework (per se) and come away thinking they could overcome the judges' objections.
It's like designing an item that trespasses into auto-reject territory.
So, tempting. Fail the Will Save, etc... I can be guilty of that.
Also, with the tremendous turnout, there are a lot of newer people to the contest, haven't had a chance to understand "sarcastic font" or read between the lines. There's definitely a learning curve.
I submitted a last minute item a year or two ago. This is my first legitimate go at it.
On that note, I would have expected a fair number of items to riff on APG content in some way this year. Did that bear out?
Oh, yeah. As soon as word went out that the APG was fair game, it's quite clear that a lot of people jumped straight on that bandwagon. Whether it was appealing to a new base class or borrowing one of the new APG spells for inspiration and use in an item's construction requirements, the APG material saw plenty of use. Much to our delight.
Now, that said, I don't believe we favored APG content over anything else. The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. There is something to be said, however, for Superstar potential when someone dives into a new Pathfinder element (whether it's the lighting rules or the alchemist class) and doing something innovative with it. That's what Paizo wants in their freelance designers. Hence, that's why every year the judges encourage folks to be innovative. Sometimes new rules or new content contributes to that. Other times, it's taking something old(er) and making it new again.
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On that note, I would have expected a fair number of items to riff on APG content in some way this year. Did that bear out?Oh, yeah. As soon as word went out that the APG was fair game, it's quite clear that a lot of people jumped straight on that bandwagon. Whether it was appealing to a new base class or borrowing one of the new APG spells for inspiration and use in an item's construction requirements, the APG material saw plenty of use. Much to our delight.
<snip>
Interesting
I will with great difficulty refrain from relating the tale of what I did or didn't do with the APG material with my entry and how I arrived there after making several different decisions previously. And/or the lighting, weapon special property, time, and/or shroud qualities of said item, or lack thereof.
It's going to be a long two weeks.
...Oh, yeah. As soon as word went out that the APG was fair game, it's quite clear that a lot of people jumped straight on that bandwagon.
Now, that said, I don't believe we favored APG content over anything else. The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. ...
I tried to jump on that bandwagon.
I missed.It rolled by crushing me under adamantine treads, squashing me into a barely recognizable lump of auto-reject #4.
Really I need to put more ranks in jump. :)
Was? Not is Neil? *grin*
It's not surprising that a bunch of items fit the same meme. As a matter of fact, it'd be very surprising if the talent was spread out evenly enough so as to not have meme-clumping.
Basically, it's an extension of the Birthday "Paradox".
Still, cool to know. I can't wait to see some of these items!
...The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. ...Was? Not is Neil? *grin*
It was for the initial sorting of Keep vs. Reject. It may still be as we winnow down the Keep pile to determine the Top 32. That process is on-going.
It was for the initial sorting of Keep vs. Reject. It may still be as we winnow down the Keep pile to determine the Top 32. That process is on-going....The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. ...Was? Not is Neil? *grin*
winnow....?
did you mean whittle|
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It was for the initial sorting of Keep vs. Reject. It may still be as we winnow down the Keep pile to determine the Top 32. That process is on-going....The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. ...Was? Not is Neil? *grin*winnow....?
did you mean whittle
I think he meant winnow. Definition #4.
I think he meant winnow. Definition #4.
Beat me to it. Winnow is probably one of those 98 cent words.
It's funny ... all this discussion was making me second-guess my item, but I just re-read it for the first time since I submitted it and I feel a bit better.
Whether it's one of this year's superstars or not, I'm happy with it; I don't think it was a bad effort.
And there's always next year :)
Definitely a Gilligan's Island reference, "...the winnow would be lost."
Beat me to it. Winnow is probably one of those 98 cent words.I think he meant winnow. Definition #4.
Made me laugh.
Whether it's one of this year's superstars or not, I'm happy with it; I don't think it was a bad effort.
And there's always next year :)
Same here. I do feel very good about my item; in a crowd like this, that certainly doesn't mean I'll be in the top 32, but it is the best I can expect of myself.
Beat me to it. Winnow is probably one of those 98 cent words.I think he meant winnow. Definition #4.
Made me laugh.
Same here. I do feel very good about my item; in a crowd like this, that certainly doesn't mean I'll be in the top 32, but it is the best I can expect of myself.Whether it's one of this year's superstars or not, I'm happy with it; I don't think it was a bad effort.
And there's always next year :)
+1
thank you for saying my words, Mr. Quimby ;)
I hope I don't break any rules... What is (is a) 'meme'?
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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I hope I don't break any rules... What is (is a) 'meme'?
In this case, it refers to a common theme that shows up in several entries, without any intentional link.
For example, if they got 100 items, and 20 of them were candles that had effects, we'd say candles were the 'meme'. No one submitted a candle knowing that others did, but there were a lot of candles.
But where does 'meme' (the spelling/word) come from. I'm fine with the "idea" or meaning.
Just curious.
It was for the initial sorting of Keep vs. Reject. It may still be as we winnow down the Keep pile to determine the Top 32. That process is on-going....The focus was still on what made for an awesome item. ...Was? Not is Neil? *grin*winnow....?
did you mean whittleI think he meant winnow. Definition #4.
Well thats a new word for me, though I highly doubt I would ever use it in a sentence, my brain dont do funny words liken that. Now wheres me shotgun, I haves me a pig sticker to go to, yeeehaaaa.....lol
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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But where does 'meme' (the spelling/word) come from. I'm fine with the "idea" or meaning.
Just curious.
FYI.
Meme or more commonly seen on the internet: internet meme.Edit: For example, I predict that referencing Neil Spicer's "98 cent word" will become a common meme on the Paizo forums in the near future! :P