[OOC] The Stands

[Cleokatrah]

I was going to do an app for WOD Mage but after taking a look at the anniversary version, I can honestly say that learning Arabic might be easier. Hopefully, I will think of something for somewhere, though, and life will let me participate this year.

[Shadwfirdrgn]

Newbie here, just wondering, what exactly is outplay. How does it work and would you suggest a newer member sit out or try their hand?

[GodRosen]

Originally Posted by Shadwfirdrgn

Newbie here, just wondering, what exactly is outplay. How does it work and would you suggest a newer member sit out or try their hand?

The short and simple of this game as I understand it is "be the better player." Now there is of course more to it than just that. We are looking for creativity, minimal mistakes mechanicly, and all other things PBP gaming. As regard to weather or not to join even as a newbie, I would say go for it. I judge Iron DM last year (RPG Crossing's other site competition) and there was someone who joined the site just to compete. Its a competition if you don't win, its ok, there are several things one gains from this competition. We judges give feed back

[GhostlyDaemon]

Originally Posted by Shadwfirdrgn

Newbie here, just wondering, what exactly is outplay. How does it work and would you suggest a newer member sit out or try their hand?

I've only been on this site a few months and I've applied, so go for it! Just view it as another PbP game but this one, you can win something! Plus like GodRosen said, we'll be given feedback on our entries, posts, etc, so it'll help us get better at RPing as well, so it's a win-win either way!

[GodRosen]

Sorry phone problems.

We give feedback wich can help you imrove your writing. Then finally many people watch and read Outplay the longer you last in Outplay the more you are showing off your writing capabilities. Then of course if you come out on top then it shows you are the best and you may even get requests to join other's games.

I hope this helps and I hope to you the best chances of success in this competition.

~Judge Rosen

[Rolzup]

A question regarding multiple apps:

Can you submit apps for the same character under different systems? Same guy, just statted up under different rules?

Frank Wonderblatz, 11th Level 5e Monk, or 11th Level Pathfinder Monk, or 11th Level 3.5 Monk....

I've got a preference for System A, and will state as much in my app, but I'm thinking of hedging my bets in case there's not enough entries for that system. Because, frankly, I really like the PC that I'm coming up with, and want to give him a chance. Normally, I wouldn't think that it would matter...but with the rules changes it might compromise the whole anonymity thing.

What say ye, oh mighty judges?

[RonarsCorruption]

Rolzup, so long as they work in multiple systems, go for it - same restrictions as normal for multiple applications.

Shadw, I absolutely encourage you to apply. The game is mostly a challenge about being a creative writer and player, and even if you don't get in, you can have lots of fun just hanging out and chatting with everyone here, too.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Originally Posted by Shadwfirdrgn

Newbie here, just wondering, what exactly is outplay. How does it work and would you suggest a newer member sit out or try their hand?

Going to address the question of 'What is Outplay'. Think of it like a reality TV show format. If you get in, you are placed in a bracket with 4 other competitors. You will be presented with a scenario that requires different skills to get through (thus the different rounds). Each round will last one week, typically with a DM update every day. At the end of the week, the game is 'paused' for a week while the judges review your performance, and pick who will go onto the next round.

You can look at the last several years of Outplay to get an idea of how that plays out.

We might have done well to stick a disclaimer on Outplay that if you suffer from high levels of anxiety, high blood pressure, have a history of heart conditions, are currently or thinking about becoming pregnant, experience dizziness, drowsiness or feelings of depression, have mild or severe allergies, fear of heights, fear of strangers, fear of spiders, are constantly hungry, suffer from insomnia, dyslexia or rectal retinitis; these are all great reasons to join Outplay!

[Mr Anopheles]

Hello all,

Newbie here too. What out of character information do we need to give in our applications for the DMs?

Because this is not a full campaign I've decided I want to play an unusual race/class combination. All well and good, and I imagine this is an ideal setting to playtest my little fella, but it means that I'll probably make some odd build choices on the character sheet. Do I need to give notes about the reasons for these choices? I've skimmed a thread of previous entrants, and making the numbers add up is obviously important, but as I can't see any secret stuff, I don't know if it is usual to give comprehension or design notes.

It all looks like fun, I wish everyone luck.

[Birched]

13th Age Folks Just a heads up that the new sheet version went in a few minutes ago. A bit more whitespace, which I don't love, but it was hard to accommodate all the 'check box for more' within the basic design we use. I abandoned the basic layout more and more as time went on.... You will probably need to clear your cache to use it properly if you used the old sheet, as the css and js files have changed without changing name.

[DAquilina]

Originally Posted by Mr Anopheles

Hello all,

Newbie here too. What out of character information do we need to give in our applications for the DMs?

Because this is not a full campaign I've decided I want to play an unusual race/class combination. All well and good, and I imagine this is an ideal setting to playtest my little fella, but it means that I'll probably make some odd build choices on the character sheet. Do I need to give notes about the reasons for these choices? I've skimmed a thread of previous entrants, and making the numbers add up is obviously important, but as I can't see any secret stuff, I don't know if it is usual to give comprehension or design notes.

It all looks like fun, I wish everyone luck.

It really helps in the application round if the judges have a complete picture of your character, so I would recommend including some justification for design choices in the story. Make your mechanics meaningful.

[ekidnu]

@Mr Anopheles: Ideally, the mechanics of your build should be explained by your concept; if you need to explain the reasons for choosing certain traits/feats/etc, the mechanics and concept probably haven't been integrated well enough.

For example, suppose I created a fighter and picked a trait (PF system) to make Use Magic Device (UMD) a class skill and maxed his ranks in it—but there's no mention in his description or background of using or being interested in magic items. I would consider this a problem. Sure, UMD is a solid mechanical choice to give access to cheaper magic, but it's not supported by any of my fluff. Your concept should already explain your build choices.

Note: Explaining how the numbers add up is a different matter. If you have a gazillion bonuses to something, or are combining bonuses in a tricky way, you should add a note explaining how you get the total bonus. In general, it's a good idea to make life as simple as possible for the judges and DMs.

Note 2: This is just my two cents. The judges and DMs may have very different opinions.

Note 3: And Outplay is indeed a lot of fun. I think the best reward is just the opportunity for some great gaming with great players. You want to advance not for any awards, but just to keep on gaming.

[Blackfyre]

I've been really looking forward to Outplay to be held again! Now I only need to decide on a character...

[Vallesh]

Originally Posted by Mr Anopheles

Hello all,

Newbie here too. What out of character information do we need to give in our applications for the DMs?

Because this is not a full campaign I've decided I want to play an unusual race/class combination. All well and good, and I imagine this is an ideal setting to playtest my little fella, but it means that I'll probably make some odd build choices on the character sheet. Do I need to give notes about the reasons for these choices? I've skimmed a thread of previous entrants, and making the numbers add up is obviously important, but as I can't see any secret stuff, I don't know if it is usual to give comprehension or design notes.

It all looks like fun, I wish everyone luck.

From what I know you only really to show you are mechanically correct in your choices. So as long as you can show from where you received the choice (class, race, background, feat, etc) then you'll pass the mechanics part fine. Generally all secrets are exposed when that round is finished, from the last years you're seeing all that anyone posted when you look through the applications. A mechanical spoilerbutton is included by many to show the details of their choices.

However, if you want to put in your background/RP about these choices that is also good as it can give more depth to your character, and explain the odd choices as you say. Especially this year when anyone can vote for their favourite application rather than judges selecting.

When it comes down to it its really up to you how much information you'd like to include; from just the basic mechanics to an exact breakdown and reason. There is such a variety in applications depending on your bracket. Just do what you feel comfortable with or follow a style you liked in a previous year's application.

[DAquilina]

If we create a separate character sheet for additional actors (mount, familiar, animal companion, cohort, etc), do we also link that sheet to the Outplay campaign, or just link it on the original sheet?