Submission Counter

[Thomas LeBlanc]

It would be pretty cool if there was a submission counter on the Superstar front page. Something that was updated once every couple hours or even twice a day. Would allow us to see how many submitted, but prevent submitters from knowing their number.

[Neil Spicer]

Every year there are folks who ask about the number of submissions to RPG Superstar and Paizo has always chosen not to release those numbers. So, calls for adding a submission counter are likely to go unheeded, as well. And honestly, what does it matter? Why is it important to know how many others are in the competition? Just to get a sense of the odds? In my opinion, it's far more important to measure yourself against the individual effort you put forth on your item submission than worrying about how many others are trying to get their foot in the door with you.

And frankly, spending time worrying about the size of the item pool and the rest of the competition isn't worthwhile, in my opinion. Focus that energy on being the best you can be at your craft. Shut out the rest of the world and narrow down on that which you can control for this first round: your item. Then, once you make it into the Top 32, that's when you can look around to get a sense of your competition. And even then, I'd advise you to only do that after you've sorted out the next round's submission. You won't have time for much else until you get into that lull while voting is going on...

Just my two cents,
--Neil

[Clark Peterson]

Historically the number of submissions has not been released. Trust me when I tell you in all my years of judging (I didnt do it last year) there have been LOTS.

There are quite a few reasons for not revealing the numbers. The best is, its up to Paizo and they have decided not to. Plus, it distracts from the contest itself. Some people would get discouraged if they saw the actual number and decide not to submit, and that would be a shame. Also, it would lead people to get sidetracked speculating on why the numbers were higher one year than another and no one needs that stuff.

So, in short, good idea, I respect your passion and curiosity and it is a good idea in theory, but its not going to happen.

Now take that passion and work it into a wondrous item and we'll see if you make the one count that matters: Top 32!

Clark

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Clark Peterson wrote:

Now take that passion and work it into a wondrous item and we'll see if you make the one count that matters: Top 32!

Clark

Golem's Counter

Aura moderate divination and enchantment; CL 7th
Slot --; Price 7 gp; Weight 5 lbs.
Description
This goblin device was created to count pickles in jars and displays wondrous numbers that beguile weak minded creatures. The golem's counter can be used to exactly count numbers of similar or exact items and displays the number on its surface. The user must be able to focus the objects or the containter holding the objects to be counted for 1 minute.

Once per year, only the numbers of Round 1 submissions to the RPG Superstar competition will be displayed. Any creature which views the golem's counter during this time makes a DC 15 Will save or become fascinated by the numbers displayed. This condition lasts until the creature can no longer see the numbers. Sightless creatures are not affected.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, hypnotic pattern, scrying; Cost about tree fiddy gp

[Jerry Keyes]

Thomas LeBlanc wrote:

Golem's Counter
Aura moderate divination and enchantment; CL 7th
Slot --; Price 7 gp; Weight 5 lbs.
Description
This goblin device was created to count pickles in jars and displays wondrous numbers that beguile weak minded creatures. The golem's counter can be used to exactly count numbers of similar or exact items and displays the number on its surface. The user must be able to focus the objects or the containter holding the objects to be counted for 1 minute.

Once per year, only the numbers of Round 1 submissions to the RPG Superstar competition will be displayed. Any creature which views the golem's counter during this time makes a DC 15 Will save or become fascinated by the numbers displayed. This condition lasts until the creature can no longer see the numbers. Sightless creatures are not affected.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, hypnotic pattern, scrying; Cost about tree fiddy gp

This item is clever and sorely missing from the current rules, but there are a few problems.

• The opening line describes the function but not the form. What does it look like?
  
• "user must be able to focus the objects"? Did you mean, "focus ON the objects"?
  
• CL is too high.
  
• Change, "Any creature which views...". Perhaps to, "Any creature viewing...".
  

Good use of the template and the item is creative, if not for some minor errors I could see using this item.

I vote KEEP (for now).

</tease>

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Jerry Keyes wrote:

• The opening line describes the function but not the form. What does it look like?
  
• "user must be able to focus the objects"? Did you mean, "focus ON the objects"?
  
• CL is too high.
  
• Change, "Any creature which views...". Perhaps to, "Any creature viewing...".
  

1- Who knows? Can goblins ever make something exactly the same twice?

2- yes, D'OH!
3- prolly true
4- oh noes! grammar...

The above plus the Wonderous item thread have me in worries about my submission. Maybe I should have "claimed" English as a second language. Math is my first of course!