Voters' Incessant Praise

[Cheapy]

Let's get some positivity goin', eh?

What aspects of items have you liked, even if you had to vote against them? This is quite different from "What items did you like?", mind you. Remember, no identifying items.

One of my favorites has been an item that dealt with channel energy in a cool way, providing utility for channel energy, but not in a way that's overpowered (well, not too overpowered :))

I've also been pretty impressed with some of the items that have been able to meld cinematic awesomeness with solid rules design. Those have been a real treat.

[Treppa]

I've seen quite a few fun, cool items that I'd be happy to use.

The best one was a simple bonus to a skill check, which I said I'd never upvote, but... the flavor text and hand-waving mechanics of the item were so much fun and so evocative that it took me back to my first year or two of gaming, when everything was magical and fun.

I'm enjoying the chance to "judge".

[Lightminder]

Thanks for this thread. Visually rich items that fill me with wonder, subtle cleverness a simple difference that buffs another option.

[Kiel Howell]

Materials of which an item is made and its function and the writing...

I hope to see you in the Top 32!

[Landon Winkler]

A lot of the items, even ones that I didn't like mechanically, had good ideas behind them and strong themes. There have been lots of things I could see introducing in my games, even if I might have to streamline mechanics.

Cheers!
Landon

[Kiel Howell]

Ohh OHHH!

Even though I didn't jive with the writing style...it was a fun idea and I liked what I pictured in my head. Plenty of that this time around.

[Feros]

Some items that have a strong, cool visual image to them at work. There is one that is a bridge item that has a very cool visual attached to it, even though the effect is somewhat mundane.

There are a number of useful items that are decent, and some of the plot devices could actually be quite useful in that aspect.

[Treppa]

I've been impressed with the care some entrants have taken to balance their items. It's not as easy as it seems, and there have been some imaginative solutions that stay on-theme with the item. Bravo!

[Drejk]

I seen lots of decent items but only few that really sparked.

And I don't mean vampiric chick attractor.

[Treppa]

Oh, right. I've also learned a few new spells and a feature of whetstones that has been added since the last time I studied whetstones extensively.

[Cheapy]

I'm really liking this item that has a secondary effect that ceases once the primary effect is used, like some sort of indicator. The submission has some issues, but I like the idea of having two abilities, and tying both together, rather than being a swiss-army-knife.

[Chris Shaeffer]

Ah, here's a thread I can get behind. Thanks Cheapy. :D

I prefer items that expand options rather than provide numeric bonuses. The few I have seen like this are really interesting!

I prefer when items do something physical and visual, rather than just shuffling abilities or bonuses around.

I REALLY like when items have multiple abilities that just make sense. Say, this tendril thingy can grapple opponents and shove 'em around... OF COURSE it can pick and move objects around too! :D

I secretly like a lot of the backstory on items, even if I do think it's out of place in the competition. ;)

[Ignotus Advenium]

My top criterion is creativity. There are definitely some very creative items that are refreshing to find and read. A few are well written, too, which sends them to the top of my list. I'm not copying or saving any, though, so it's hard to remember them all—until one comes up again, and I think, oh yeah, that's cool.

In general, I like items that have flair and style, but are brief, easy to read and understand, and have good mechanics. The keepers are the creative items that followed the rule of KISS.

[Pandora's]

Cheapy wrote:

I'm really liking this item that has a secondary effect that ceases once the primary effect is used, like some sort of indicator. The submission has some issues, but I like the idea of having two abilities, and tying both together, rather than being a swiss-army-knife.

There is a high chance that is my item. If you'd be willing to toss me a PM so I can confirm the name, I'd be interested in your feedback.

[Jacob Trier]

Fine initiative, Cheapy.

There are some very evocative descriptions and item names out there this year.

Also, like Chris, I have noted a number of items that focus on expanding options rather than just provide a numerical bonus or a collection of spell effects.

[Treppa]

I have liked the battlefield-changers, which tend to be flavorful and allow players some control over their environment without being uber-powerful.

[Jeff Lee]

*sigh* I wrote out a long, detailed post only to have it vanish when the site went down as I hit the submit button. Let's try again, shall we? I'll be sure to copy it before I submit again.

First, If you dedicated time and energy to building the best item you could to submit to the contest, then kudos to you. You're already a winner. Keep in mind that another monstrous thread here is simply people venting their frustrations and blowing off steam. If you truly put in effort on your item, then you've nothing to worry about. Also remember that creative people need to develop thick skin early. There will always be people that don't like your work as well as you do.

I'm slowly building a list of excellent items that I hope get to the Top 32 this year.

There are many other items that, while not Superstar, are solid, well-designed items that I have enjoyed reading. I might even yoink a few of these for my home game.

Regardless of what's posted in the other thread, if someone desires honest critique of their item and posts after the Top 32 are announced, looking for feedback, I'll happily provide. I won't be nice, and I'll be brutally honest, but I'll tell you exactly what went wrong and how to fix it so that you'll have a better chance to create a contender for next year's contest.

[Antariuk]

I have seen several really interesting submissions.

One deals with a common danger of adventuring. It is precise enough to not confuse players but at the same time offers enough spots for the GM to get involved. It might be a bit pricey, but I really like the overall theme.

Another item focuses on teamplay (there are several entries on that topic I saw so far), and offers a small benefit that I haven't seen this way on other, more common items. The actual effect in play might not be all that spectacular, but I think it's nice.

And this one terrain modifying item... not quite sure yet how to judge it, but it sure is very evocative and I would love to run an encounter with this.

[Matt Goodall]

Nice thread!

Keep up the good work people.

To those who submitted, remember it is all about doing your best work. If you didn't know or realize a particular thing about their submission, no harm done, life is all about learning new things.

I really believe that public voting for the first round makes the competition better (even with the venting in the other thread). Because if you vote enough, you get a really good idea about what works and what doesn't.

I'm hoping (and expecting) to see some of the items in the Top 32 this year come from those who were hardcore voters last year.

[Kiel Howell]

And just like that I found an item that gives a flat numerical bonus...that I really like.

[Cheapy]

WOW!

An item that deals with bleeding that I actually like.

[Tokoz]

Cheapy wrote:

WOW!

An item that deals with bleeding that I actually like.

Yes, there is one that is stomachable so far. I still don't like it overall, but I will up vote it against quite a few others.

**edit**
I'll add that there is a sort grudging respect I have the item. It is a good idea. It's just the whole blood thing is so over-used it's hard for me to separate that part out. The problem being mine. Not the item's.

[Monica Marlowe]

I love it when I can read the item through once and have a good sense of what it does without having to puzzle out why my PC might have it or how they may have gotten it.

[Jacob Trier]

If there is anything the public voting has taught me, it is how hard it is to be truly innovative and creative when it comes to designing a submission.

Heck, I already spotted two items with themes very similar to my own.

Despite that, there is plenty of unique and innovative items out there, and a LOT of decent ones that are not quite Superstar, but good enough for a magic item book.

I also have extra sympathy for any item where it is obvious that the author applied him/herself with regards to formatting and attention to detail. That shows commitment, and makes it much more likely that the item is the very best the author has to offer and not just something thrown together on a whim. And that automatically scores bonus points with me.

[Antariuk]

mamaursula wrote:

I love it when I can read the item through once and have a good sense of what it does without having to puzzle out why my PC might have it or how they may have gotten it.

Well, there are those where I immediately think of adventures and scenarios where they would make a great treasure hoard or just bring something unique to an encounter or site.

But I agree, the good and simple ones are probably the best because they have more universal value.

[Tokoz]

Sometimes, I think seeing your own idea again is a good thing. It means you at least hit on something that another person feels is needed.

I was kind of happy to read an entry that does about what mine does. The presentation was decent and it seemed like a good attempt to balance was made.

I think my presentation was better. (But of course I understand perfectly what I wanted.)

[Magical_Beast]

Just found a nice item that plays well off of a standard adventuring trope. Points given for cleverness and fun factor.

[Amy Gillespie]

There is an item I have seen several times. I like it. It is flavorful, fitting to the world, and has a bit of a Fun flair.

May not be up everyone's alley, but it has grown on me.

[Tokoz]

Yes! There is one that I will be sadly disappointed if it doesn't make the top 32 (because yes, people do have different tastes) and another that I'm just really hoping for.

[Nazard]

Something to keep in mind is, just because an item's design space is not something that interests you, it doesn't mean it wouldn't appeal to others. I personally dislike anything to do with gunslingers, but that doesn't mean gunslinger items are automatically bad.

It does make it hard to stay objective, though.

[mln84]

Jeff Lee wrote:

*sigh* I wrote out a long, detailed post only to have it vanish when the site went down as I hit the submit button.

Oh, so it's your fault. Thanks a bunch. ;)

[Curaigh]

Lots of things that I am enjoying:
The bad items are much fewer than last year. The GEfBMI is the solid majority.
Even those that miss proper formatting are still easy to read.
My Keep Pile, despite just attaining Star Voter, is a decent size already :)

Also Cheapy, just because. :)

Please be careful not to give out too much info on an item. If you can't praise an item without giving too much info, trying just saying 'you, yes you' and respond on the 21st.

[Tokoz]

True. I'm willing to look at it even if does use timestop or if it is really gross. I do try to mostly concentrate on utility and balance.

[Jacob Trier]

Just saw a short, luck-themed item that I really liked.

[Jeff Lee]

mln84 wrote:

Jeff Lee wrote:

*sigh* I wrote out a long, detailed post only to have it vanish when the site went down as I hit the submit button.

Oh, so it's your fault. Thanks a bunch. ;)

Yes, I'm afraid it was. No good deed goes unpunished.

[Jacob Trier]

I just voted for an item that I have previously voted against on several occasions, and also mocked in the rambling thread.

The problem with this particular item is, that the main idea draws upon a real-world trope, which makes it seem almost a joke item.

This is unfortunate, because the item itself is well written and nicely formatted. The author has talent, but has misjudged the reaction this particular item would invoke with the voting crowd.

The judges have previously highlighted that the primary task of this contest is to find good designers, not good items. And sometimes a poor choice of theme can overshadow solid design chops completely. So, if you have some items you auto-reject because of their basic premise, pause and look deeper before you vote.

[Mikko Kallio]

Items that make me think "wow, I haven't seen that before" in a good way.

Items that allow the players to be creative.

It's a nice thread, but there's a lot less to read here than in the other one. :(

[Kiel Howell]

Unfortunately Mikko...it's because there's roughly 75% more bad items than really good.

[Tokoz]

theheadkase wrote:

Unfortunately Mikko...it's because there's roughly 75% more bad items than really good.

I'd more say that 75% are things that any of my players could have come up with. =P

Because, you know, this is supposed to be the good thread. =P

[Magical_Beast]

theheadkase wrote:

Unfortunately Mikko...it's because there's roughly 75% more bad items than really good.

And tastes vary. Your keeper may be someone else's auto-reject...

[Evan Draughon]

I would be very interested to hear the different approaches to the contest. These few weeks are going to drive me mad lol

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Making my personal Top 32 list this year is much harder than it was last year. There are a few item types I have said I would never vote for, but have managed to impress me. Still lots of voting to go and can't wait to see what other surprises await!

[Terry Dutton]

I was going to submit an item, and for the life of me I couldn't get the sodding thing to work. The mechanics were clunky and stupid and overpowered and abusable and ARGHBLSAHFL. So I ditched it and made something else.

Then I'm going through the voting and damn me, someone else had the exact same idea as my first item. And it was simple and pure and did exactly what I'd spent frigging weeks trying to wrestle with.

I voted it down out of spite.

(No I didn't.)

Jeff Lee wrote:

*sigh* I wrote out a long, detailed post only to have it vanish when the site went down as I hit the submit button.

If you use Firefox, get the Lazarus Form Recovery addon. It auto-saves everything you type so you can just instantly reload forum posts if the site goes all seppuku on you.

[Magical_Beast]

Hahahaha! Awesome!

Walked the line between cool & amusing very well. Upvoted in spite of minor formatting quibbles.

[Jacob Trier]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

It's a nice thread, but there's a lot less to read here than in the other one. :(

Give it time, Mikko - the other thread has a significant head start.

[Mikaze]

Like this thread. :)

[Kiel Howell]

There's a good idea. I would like some revisions to it but the core idea is fun.

[Don Hastily]

I definitely think that at least two people were listening to this song while writing their item.

DESTROY THE ORCS!

[Tokoz]

There's one I've seen three times now that is really simple. It only does one thing and can't be used in combat, but it is so freaking cool I'd vote for it over my wife's entry, my son's entry, and even my own entry.

[Oceanshieldwolf]

I'm liking some monster-inspired items...