Idea for a New Thread

RPGguy · Post by **RPGguy** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:20 pm

There are truly some devious minds on these boards and some legit masters of *epic* character building within the BG2/ToB context.

So I'm thinking we should start a YouTube thread. Each post within the tread consists of the following:

1. Your character concept defined in one short paragraph
2. A complete listing of your character's attributes (28 character levels minimum)

-STR/DEX/CON/INT/WIS
-AC
-THAC0(s)
-attacks per round
-all special abilities acquired
-resistances/immunities
-ability bonuses
-anything else relevant to the build

3. A complete schematic of precisely what equipment you have in each slot

4. A summary paragraph of why your character pwns!

5. And then a Youtube clip of your character in action against one of the game's iconic encounters (demigorgon, a dragon, etc...), demonstrating the build.

6. Some narration of what we are viewing in the video clip

Each post in the thread dedicated in this manner with no questions or banter in between posts. Related commentary/discussion/observations/questions can take place in a complimentary thread, but elsewhere.

Would love to see some of Cren's creations personally (sorry, not meaning to put you on the spot). I think such unabashed meta-gaming 'templates' would make a lot of lesser players salivate and breed new life into the series for them. Not to mention it will be interesting to see if any healthy competition spawns amongt the board's elite class.

I know vbulletin supports hypertext code for youtube videos. The only question remains, will the site allow it? It's pretty easy to implement.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:14 pm

I appreciate the special mention.

However, I think that something like this would be better suited for the "Strategy" section for each of the Baldur's Gate sub-sites here on GameBanshee. If it's fine with Buck, then there would be no need for this thread and you could submit your work to him to be posted there.

This would be useful for newer members and lurkers of GameBanshee since the regulars have beaten these topics to death, though we've never done a live video (for which I have no software for). My personal concern with shooting a video for what you suggested is that it may be tedious watching watching it when the player is abusing the pause function.

RPGguy · Post by **RPGguy** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:32 pm

Crenshinibon wrote: However, I think that something like this would be better suited for the "Strategy" section for each of the Baldur's Gate sub-sites here on GameBanshee. If it's fine with Buck, then there would be no need for this thread and you could submit your work to him to be posted there.

So long as it includes points 1/2/3/4/6 above so people have full understanding of what they are seeing, I don't care where we put it. Although, if we have it in a thread, then we won't b bothering or tasking site admins.

since the regulars have beaten these topics to death

Exactly, and the information is fragmented all over the place. It's irritating. Would love to have a centralized source and I'm sure the "regulars" would appreciate having a common reference so they can avoid typing things out over and over again. It's much easier to simply link someone to the thread and add some commentary if desired.

My personal concern with shooting a video for what you suggested is that it may be tedious watching watching it when the player is abusing the pause function.

Any person who is truly interested in taking their characters to the highest level will have no problem with it and they will gain a lot of insight as to when people are pausing, and what they are doing during those pauses. Plus the nice this about youtube video is you can pause, FF, rewind with almost no lag.

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:25 pm

You could also go through the threads and just compile the information right here, in the opening post, giving credit where it is due. I remember that I started a thread a while back, discussing character builds. That might be a good place to start.

The only reason for the video I see is to demonstrate the character's power as everything else would be in the written part. I'm not too fond of that part. A compilation sounds fine, but a video seems kind of pointless to me.

RPGguy · Post by **RPGguy** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:34 am

Crenshinibon wrote:but a video seems kind of pointless to me.

You couldn't be more wrong, respectfully.

Without the video, it's all just a theoretical discussion. And just because someone can build a character to a pre-defined description, it doesn't mean they can use it properly.

The video is necessary to illustrate the strength/power of the build (a teaching aid) but also to serve as evidence that the person giving advice actually built it and knows what he/she can do with it. Otherwise, it's just theory...like I said.

Of course, I don't doubt a word you say personally. I've read enough of your stuff to know that you can uber-build anything. But if anyone can add a build-model to the thread, it's important to have it backed up with a video as a general principal.

Just remember, the video is for the n00bs and lesser players (like me). It's not for guys like you. Don't deny them that.

: 2 cents

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:41 am

RPGguy wrote:You couldn't be more wrong, respectfully.

Without the video, it's all just a theoretical discussion. And just because someone can build a character to a pre-defined description, it doesn't mean they can use it properly.

The video is necessary to illustrate the strength/power of the build (a teaching aid) but also to serve as evidence that the person giving advice actually built it and knows what he/she can do with it. Otherwise, it's just theory...like I said.

Of course, I don't doubt a word you say personally. I've read enough of your stuff to know that you can uber-build anything. But if anyone can add a build-model to the thread, it's important to have it backed up with a video as a general principal.

Just remember, the video is for the n00bs and lesser players (like me). It's not for guys like you. Don't deny them that.

: 2 cents

With the "video" it would still be theoretical because in a game with load/save you wouldn't know if it was take 100 of the character in action or take 1.
It all comes down to the "random" roll of the die.

RPGguy · Post by **RPGguy** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:04 am

Well, it's apparent you guys aren't as jazzed about the idea as I was.

Thought it was worth a shot. No worries. That's just life in the big city.

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:12 pm

Crenshinibon wrote: My personal concern with shooting a video for what you suggested is that it may be tedious watching watching it when the player is abusing the pause function.

It can be fixed by doubling the video speed in the pause-abuse section. My personal concern is the god damn HUE reverse i get in my vids

As for the thread. Yes, for videos showing how to beat boss X or Y. No, for videos beign shoot of a solo character with humongous level and cheesy-cheese items. Less of a show-off who's got a bigger 'un, more of a guide for those who have problems with specific fights (that's what Gamebanshee is for me, place where you go when you have a game related problem.).

Kind regards

Edar Macilrille · Post by **Edar Macilrille** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:25 pm

Crenshinibon wrote:I appreciate the special mention.

However, I think that something like this would be better suited for the "Strategy" section for each of the Baldur's Gate sub-sites here on GameBanshee. If it's fine with Buck, then there would be no need for this thread and you could submit your work to him to be posted there.

This would be useful for newer members and lurkers of GameBanshee since the regulars have beaten these topics to death, though we've never done a live video (for which I have no software for). My personal concern with shooting a video for what you suggested is that it may be tedious watching watching it when the player is abusing the pause function.

Well, you are a power-gamer and I have learned a few tricks from you i seem to recall.

FRAPS is a free screen and short vid caption program, it is free for DL. I use it for Europa Barbarorum.

Edar Macilrille · Post by **Edar Macilrille** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:27 pm

Stworca wrote:It can be fixed by doubling the video speed in the pause-abuse section. My personal concern is the god damn HUE reverse i get in my vids

As for the thread. Yes, for videos showing how to beat boss X or Y. No, for videos beign shoot of a solo character with humongous level and cheesy-cheese items. Less of a show-off who's got a bigger 'un, more of a guide for those who have problems with specific fights (that's what Gamebanshee is for me, place where you go when you have a game related problem.).

Kind regards

Now there is a good idea for us. Vid of the nastiest challenges from various different strategies...