Grand-Master Level GM - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Grand-Master Level GM

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Greyson
Nov 21, 2008 12:32:16 Is the Grand-Master level GM program still going? Does anyone know? THIS link is still active, but it's among the D&D 3.5 archived pages.
#2
WolfStar76
Nov 21, 2008 14:00:43
Is the Grand-Master level GM program still going? Does anyone know? THIS link is still active, but it's among the D&D 3.5 archived pages.

It's never "really" been an active level since GM testing was instituted. It's my understand that this is a level that was grandfathered in from when your GM level was determined by how many events you ran - and with how many players.

To the best of my knowledge there's never actually been a 3.5 (much less 4E) Grand-Master or Paragon-Level test.
#3
Keith53
Nov 21, 2008 22:24:54 If my memory is correct, Ian intended there to be a F2F meeting or game session as part of the Grandmaster GM program, which was to start a few years back at Origins, but was cancelled shortly before the con, and never mentioned again. I think it was a bridge too far (or too big of an effort). Maybe also a who would test the testers.

Keith
#4
WolfStar76
Nov 22, 2008 7:59:18
If my memory is correct, Ian intended there to be a F2F meeting or game session as part of the Grandmaster GM program, which was to start a few years back at Origins, but was cancelled shortly before the con, and never mentioned again. I think it was a bridge too far (or too big of an effort). Maybe also a who would test the testers.

Keith

I believe it says on the GM-Levels page that yes, there would be a written test and an "interview" for Grand-Master and Paragon levels.

While this is probably a step too far for the RPGA, it's not an nusual way for OP groups to do things. Upper Deck Entertainment does it this way for each of its judge levels.

With their system, anyone can take an online test for level 1. To reach level 2, you have to take a written test and interview with someone of level 3+. The highest level is 5 - and UDE employees can test anyone (they're all assumed to be level 5, by virtue of being the game's designers).

This means the only way, realistically, to test for higher judge levels is to attend various UDE events (regional tournaments, "Darkmoon Faire" (wandering convention), GenCon, etc) where a pool of "professional judges" are available to offer people tests.

Of course, the reason for this under UDe is that higher level judges increase the number of "points" being played for in every match at a tournament. If you win under a better judge, you score more points.

In the RPGA, aside from bragging rights, there's no real value to a higher judge level at this time.

I imagine part of why the D&D judge program is being rexamined at this time is to see if:
A) What value higher levels might bring to the program
B) How does the RPGA want to test for those higher levels.

I, personally, hope that before any final decisions are made, Chris and Ian open up discussion to those of us in the judging community.

/ramble off

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Greyson Nov 21, 2008 12:32:16	Is the Grand-Master level GM program still going? Does anyone know? THIS link is still active, but it's among the D&D 3.5 archived pages.
#2 WolfStar76 Nov 21, 2008 14:00:43	Is the Grand-Master level GM program still going? Does anyone know? THIS link is still active, but it's among the D&D 3.5 archived pages. It's never "really" been an active level since GM testing was instituted. It's my understand that this is a level that was grandfathered in from when your GM level was determined by how many events you ran - and with how many players. To the best of my knowledge there's never actually been a 3.5 (much less 4E) Grand-Master or Paragon-Level test.
#3 Keith53 Nov 21, 2008 22:24:54	If my memory is correct, Ian intended there to be a F2F meeting or game session as part of the Grandmaster GM program, which was to start a few years back at Origins, but was cancelled shortly before the con, and never mentioned again. I think it was a bridge too far (or too big of an effort). Maybe also a who would test the testers. Keith
#4 WolfStar76 Nov 22, 2008 7:59:18	If my memory is correct, Ian intended there to be a F2F meeting or game session as part of the Grandmaster GM program, which was to start a few years back at Origins, but was cancelled shortly before the con, and never mentioned again. I think it was a bridge too far (or too big of an effort). Maybe also a who would test the testers. Keith I believe it says on the GM-Levels page that yes, there would be a written test and an "interview" for Grand-Master and Paragon levels. While this is probably a step too far for the RPGA, it's not an nusual way for OP groups to do things. Upper Deck Entertainment does it this way for each of its judge levels. With their system, anyone can take an online test for level 1. To reach level 2, you have to take a written test and interview with someone of level 3+. The highest level is 5 - and UDE employees can test anyone (they're all assumed to be level 5, by virtue of being the game's designers). This means the only way, realistically, to test for higher judge levels is to attend various UDE events (regional tournaments, "Darkmoon Faire" (wandering convention), GenCon, etc) where a pool of "professional judges" are available to offer people tests. Of course, the reason for this under UDe is that higher level judges increase the number of "points" being played for in every match at a tournament. If you win under a better judge, you score more points. In the RPGA, aside from bragging rights, there's no real value to a higher judge level at this time. I imagine part of why the D&D judge program is being rexamined at this time is to see if: A) What value higher levels might bring to the program B) How does the RPGA want to test for those higher levels. I, personally, hope that before any final decisions are made, Chris and Ian open up discussion to those of us in the judging community. /ramble off