There hasn't been an UnCon in a long while. We should get some sort of event/game/thing going to bring the community together. Hopefully we can even get the ORCs involved.
The thing is, I've been trying to come up with an idea, but despite the best head bang against the monitor, I'm getting a headache rather than a good idea.
So, I throw it out to you, the Community. What sort of thing, (if any) should we do to bring us closer?
Is such a thing even a good idea, or have I hit my head once too many times?
It would also help if we could bring back custom titles for the XDMC winners. hint, hint...
- Background Competition: Given a specific PC build set-up, write a background in ### words or less.
- DPR Competition: Not for the faint of heart, this competition would give the CharOp crowd a challenge: maximize the DPR of a non-optimal race-class combination at a specific level.
- This could have variants: most damage in a single nova round (with and without an AP); highest damage over four rounds; etc.
- Companion Competition: Breathe life into the companion role. Present a familiar, mount, beast, spirit, etc companion, complete with background and personality. Everything but the stats.
- Hide Your Phylactery: Assuming the PC uses the Lich ritual, how would you protect your phylactery in a 4e mechanics world?
XPCC ideas (in contrast to XDMC):
- Background Competition: Given a specific PC build set-up, write a background in ### words or less.
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
Are the MtG competitions edition neutral. (I have no idea.)
Mu. Magic doesn't really have editions the way D&D does.
Maybe UnCon should be edition neutral.
Any competition that involves mechanics can't be edition neutral. In the four ideas I posted, Background and Hide-the-Phylactery could be editionless, although the latter might involve game mechanics that would require edition knowledge.. Companion can probably be edition neutral. But the DPR Competition would have to be edition-specific.
Because of this, I would suggest that an UnCon cannot be edition-neutral. Instead, those things that involve game mechanics would have to be edition-specific. On the assumption that any new UnCon would be Board-by-Board, there could easily be previous-edition competitions.
An edition neutral UnCon could be a way to have all DnD players participate, not just the 4e crowd.
Cause we all love DnD, there is no right or wrong with edition preferences. They are just rules.
then the contest would have to be on a board by board basis then,one for the previous editions and one for 4th
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
No. You're the only person in the entire world who plays D20 Modern.
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
No. You're the only person in the entire world who still plays D20 Modern.
get it right :PEach participant sends in a short list of keywords to whomever runs the show. Then, the organiser sends each participant the keywords of another random user. Then, everyone writes a character background and/or short story using those keywords. Then, everything goes back to the organiser, and then everyone receives the background and/or story in their mailbox.
Just an idea of course so feel free to call me an idiot if you don't like it (I know you want to!)
Fluff is edition neutral.
And mechanics are not. Any competition that involves fluff can be edition-neutral. Any competition that involves mechanics must be edition-specific. On the assumption that an UnCon has many competitions, there WILL be mechanics-based competitions. And each of those MUST be edition-specific.
Besides, 3.x is not the same as 2nd or 1st, why mix them together and keep them seperate from 4e?
What does this have to do with whether a given mechanics-based contest is edition specific? Do you think that there would be a competition called "Non-4e DPR Contest?"
Fluff is edition neutral.
And mechanics are not. Any competition that involves fluff can be edition-neutral. Any competition that involves mechanics must be edition-specific. On the assumption that an UnCon has many competitions, there WILL be mechanics-based competitions. And each of those MUST be edition-specific.Besides, 3.x is not the same as 2nd or 1st, why mix them together and keep them seperate from 4e?
What does this have to do with whether a given mechanics-based contest is edition specific? Do you think that there would be a competition called "Non-4e DPR Contest?"
I disagree. You can have different editions in the same contest. For example, you evaluate submissions on whether they respect the rules of said edition and on rule mastery of that edition.
Like I said, you can have a Giant Slayer kit, a Giant Slayer prestige class and a Giant Slayer theme in the same contest. It would be easy to decide the winner if you use a grid with clear criterias like quality of spelling, quality of fluff, rule mastery... to evalutate and rank submissions.
XDMC has such a grid with clear criterias. Each submission is evaluated according to a grid and the submission with the most point win. Just lift the other edition ban XDMC has. Like I said, why promote segregation? We are all DnD fans.
As for DPR contest, those are special exceptions. Each edition can have a DPR contest within UnCon, no need to subdivide UnCon and isolate contest in a ceertain parts of the boards.
By this point, editions segregation may help the internet boards like here. Honestly.
To each own his fandom's site, so we are live in peace.
I'd very much prefer a non-rules contest if we're going edition neutral.
XDMC has such a grid with clear criterias. Each submission is evaluated according to a grid and the submission with the most point win. Just lift the other edition ban XDMC has. Like I said, why promote segregation? We are all DnD fans.
Who could be qualified to judge those competitions. It would have to be someone well-versed in every edition of D&D. I don't know anybody who would qualify. I'm pretty well-versed in AD&D, 2e, 3e, and 4e, but if someone posted a BECMI entry, I'd be lost.
I really don't think having a mechanics competition is going to work unless it is restricted to a single edition. Having multiple contests for each edition is going to require more judges than I think we could recruit.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I disagree. You can have different editions in the same contest. For example, you evaluate submissions on whether they respect the rules of said edition and on rule mastery of that edition.
Good luck finding a judge (or judges) with sufficient system mastery of each edition to fairly judge each entry by a different set of rules.
As for DPR contest
I am not understanding your objections. Are you saying it is okay to have a separate DPR contest for each edition, but that it is not okay to have a separate contest for any other mechanics-based contest contest? What aspect of game mechanics do you NOT see as justifying a separate contest so that the entrants are operating on the same level playing field?
I dunno. I’m don’t actively play 4E, but I’d be very interested to see people create Forgotten Realms themed 4E Paragon Paths and/or Epic Destinies as part of some sort of contest.
I think a contest for adventure scenarios set in the post-Spellplague Realms might be fun too, in that those of us who don’t use 4E but who like writing adventure plots can have something to do.
So I guess I’m throwing my hat in with making the crunchy contests 4E-specific, but leaving room for fluff contests in the current era of the Realm too.
What does “XDMC” and “XPCC” mean, exactly?
What does “XDMC” and “XPCC” mean, exactly?
eXpert Dungeon Master Competition
eXpert Player Character Competition (although I made this one up to stay parallel)
www.wizards.com/Company/About.aspx?x=wz_...
Please keep your posts polite, respectful, on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
It still requires more judges. So we either run additional competitions or find judges who can judge two editions at once.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
It still requires more judges. So we either run additional competitions or find judges who can judge two editions at once.
Either of which is easily doable. The regular UnCon has different judges in differents areas of the forums for completely different games. Would this be particularly different?
But if the games we run depend on who we can get to judge, isn't the whole thing moot? If someone wants to run a AD&D contesst, are we going to turn them away because we're only runnign 3e and 4e contests? I doubt it. So why are we talkign about what editions would be run at all.
How are judges chosen, anyway? Do they need qualifications?
1. Lack of support. At one point, much of it was organized and presented by WotC wizOs or other like entities
2. Unfortunate timing. The last UnCon was scheduled for September - but it was the September following the August turmoil that brought us the new foums/groups/etc. There was an effort to get things together after that here but it got mired in waiting for responses from WotC and then the organizer left the forums.
3. Lack of leadership. When the last organizer (a volunteer) left, we didn't have anyone replace him/her immediately, so it went on the backburner.
Not everything for the UnCon was contests. That said - for the PbP groups portion, it was an effort to just get people in the door. Since UnCon hasn't been running, some of the groups have been trying various "membership drives." Gleemax Roleplaying and Paranoia Paradise have both done inter-group activities while the Core Coliseum has run a few contests in hopes to draw others in.
I would definitely be in support of a new UnCon-style community event if it could be organized well and get some support from WotC in terms of advertising (the old UnCon used to get a page with links to the many events going on - I would hope we could get at least this).
It would also help if we could bring back custom titles for the XDMC winners. hint, hint...
- Background Competition: Given a specific PC build set-up, write a background in ### words or less.
- DPR Competition: Not for the faint of heart, this competition would give the CharOp crowd a challenge: maximize the DPR of a non-optimal race-class combination at a specific level.
- This could have variants: most damage in a single nova round (with and without an AP); highest damage over four rounds; etc.
- Companion Competition: Breathe life into the companion role. Present a familiar, mount, beast, spirit, etc companion, complete with background and personality. Everything but the stats.
- Hide Your Phylactery: Assuming the PC uses the Lich ritual, how would you protect your phylactery in a 4e mechanics world?
XPCC ideas (in contrast to XDMC):
- Background Competition: Given a specific PC build set-up, write a background in ### words or less.
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
Are the MtG competitions edition neutral. (I have no idea.)
Mu. Magic doesn't really have editions the way D&D does.
Maybe UnCon should be edition neutral.
Any competition that involves mechanics can't be edition neutral. In the four ideas I posted, Background and Hide-the-Phylactery could be editionless, although the latter might involve game mechanics that would require edition knowledge.. Companion can probably be edition neutral. But the DPR Competition would have to be edition-specific.
Because of this, I would suggest that an UnCon cannot be edition-neutral. Instead, those things that involve game mechanics would have to be edition-specific. On the assumption that any new UnCon would be Board-by-Board, there could easily be previous-edition competitions.
An edition neutral UnCon could be a way to have all DnD players participate, not just the 4e crowd.
Cause we all love DnD, there is no right or wrong with edition preferences. They are just rules.
then the contest would have to be on a board by board basis then,one for the previous editions and one for 4th
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
No. You're the only person in the entire world who plays D20 Modern.
IF we do this one,can I submit a D20 Modern background for a character?
No. You're the only person in the entire world who still plays D20 Modern.
get it right :PEach participant sends in a short list of keywords to whomever runs the show. Then, the organiser sends each participant the keywords of another random user. Then, everyone writes a character background and/or short story using those keywords. Then, everything goes back to the organiser, and then everyone receives the background and/or story in their mailbox.
Just an idea of course so feel free to call me an idiot if you don't like it (I know you want to!)
Fluff is edition neutral.
And mechanics are not. Any competition that involves fluff can be edition-neutral. Any competition that involves mechanics must be edition-specific. On the assumption that an UnCon has many competitions, there WILL be mechanics-based competitions. And each of those MUST be edition-specific.
Besides, 3.x is not the same as 2nd or 1st, why mix them together and keep them seperate from 4e?
What does this have to do with whether a given mechanics-based contest is edition specific? Do you think that there would be a competition called "Non-4e DPR Contest?"
Fluff is edition neutral.
And mechanics are not. Any competition that involves fluff can be edition-neutral. Any competition that involves mechanics must be edition-specific. On the assumption that an UnCon has many competitions, there WILL be mechanics-based competitions. And each of those MUST be edition-specific.Besides, 3.x is not the same as 2nd or 1st, why mix them together and keep them seperate from 4e?
What does this have to do with whether a given mechanics-based contest is edition specific? Do you think that there would be a competition called "Non-4e DPR Contest?"
I disagree. You can have different editions in the same contest. For example, you evaluate submissions on whether they respect the rules of said edition and on rule mastery of that edition.
Like I said, you can have a Giant Slayer kit, a Giant Slayer prestige class and a Giant Slayer theme in the same contest. It would be easy to decide the winner if you use a grid with clear criterias like quality of spelling, quality of fluff, rule mastery... to evalutate and rank submissions.
XDMC has such a grid with clear criterias. Each submission is evaluated according to a grid and the submission with the most point win. Just lift the other edition ban XDMC has. Like I said, why promote segregation? We are all DnD fans.
As for DPR contest
By this point, editions segregation may help the internet boards like here. Honestly.
To each own his fandom's site, so we are live in peace.
I'd very much prefer a non-rules contest if we're going edition neutral.
XDMC has such a grid with clear criterias. Each submission is evaluated according to a grid and the submission with the most point win. Just lift the other edition ban XDMC has. Like I said, why promote segregation? We are all DnD fans.
Who could be qualified to judge those competitions. It would have to be someone well-versed in every edition of D&D. I don't know anybody who would qualify. I'm pretty well-versed in AD&D, 2e, 3e, and 4e, but if someone posted a BECMI entry, I'd be lost.
I really don't think having a mechanics competition is going to work unless it is restricted to a single edition. Having multiple contests for each edition is going to require more judges than I think we could recruit.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I disagree. You can have different editions in the same contest. For example, you evaluate submissions on whether they respect the rules of said edition and on rule mastery of that edition.
Good luck finding a judge (or judges) with sufficient system mastery of each edition to fairly judge each entry by a different set of rules.
As for DPR contest
I am not understanding your objections. Are you saying it is okay to have a separate DPR contest for each edition, but that it is not okay to have a separate contest for any other mechanics-based contest contest? What aspect of game mechanics do you NOT see as justifying a separate contest so that the entrants are operating on the same level playing field?
I dunno. I’m don’t actively play 4E, but I’d be very interested to see people create Forgotten Realms themed 4E Paragon Paths and/or Epic Destinies as part of some sort of contest.
I think a contest for adventure scenarios set in the post-Spellplague Realms might be fun too, in that those of us who don’t use 4E but who like writing adventure plots can have something to do.
So I guess I’m throwing my hat in with making the crunchy contests 4E-specific, but leaving room for fluff contests in the current era of the Realm too.
What does “XDMC” and “XPCC” mean, exactly?
What does “XDMC” and “XPCC” mean, exactly?
eXpert Dungeon Master Competition
eXpert Player Character Competition (although I made this one up to stay parallel)
www.wizards.com/Company/About.aspx?x=wz_...
Please keep your posts polite, respectful, on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
It still requires more judges. So we either run additional competitions or find judges who can judge two editions at once.
I think logistics dictates that contests remain either edition neutral (as well as setting neutral), and thus mechanics neutral, or 4e-specific. I don't want to add to the edition wars, so I would recommend the former. I just wonder if the contests will feel too vanilla if they are mechanics-free.
I would be ok with edition-specific contests using 3.x and 4e, since those are the two most common editions used. Just because WotC refuses to support their old product doesn't mean the forums can't, dude.
It still requires more judges. So we either run additional competitions or find judges who can judge two editions at once.
Either of which is easily doable. The regular UnCon has different judges in differents areas of the forums for completely different games. Would this be particularly different?
But if the games we run depend on who we can get to judge, isn't the whole thing moot? If someone wants to run a AD&D contesst, are we going to turn them away because we're only runnign 3e and 4e contests? I doubt it. So why are we talkign about what editions would be run at all.
How are judges chosen, anyway? Do they need qualifications?
1. Lack of support. At one point, much of it was organized and presented by WotC wizOs or other like entities
2. Unfortunate timing. The last UnCon was scheduled for September - but it was the September following the August turmoil that brought us the new foums/groups/etc. There was an effort to get things together after that here but it got mired in waiting for responses from WotC and then the organizer left the forums.
3. Lack of leadership. When the last organizer (a volunteer) left, we didn't have anyone replace him/her immediately, so it went on the backburner.
Not everything for the UnCon was contests. That said - for the PbP groups portion, it was an effort to just get people in the door. Since UnCon hasn't been running, some of the groups have been trying various "membership drives." Gleemax Roleplaying and Paranoia Paradise have both done inter-group activities while the Core Coliseum has run a few contests in hopes to draw others in.
I would definitely be in support of a new UnCon-style community event if it could be organized well and get some support from WotC in terms of advertising (the old UnCon used to get a page with links to the many events going on - I would hope we could get at least this).