2013 arena challenge time

[gut]

On previous arena challenge games, we rolled random characters and also chose some. This time I think I should pre-generate a few and see how we each handle the same characters in different ways.

Some other ideas:

Have the PC start out standing by dak, with all ratling dealers dead and the level pacified. This would simplify the whole 'sprint to the arena' part, which was cumbersome and unwanted in the first place. Also would eliminate any problems associated with random mobs interfering with healing, which is also undesirable imo.

EDIT: scratch this idea, as the old cheat method I knew no longer seems to work. I will look for another convenient one. -_-
Lay out a few items on the floor and allow the player to select only 1 (or such) to use. This would allow for variety in how the characters play. Like a wizard can choose only 1 offensive book and 1 defensive? A barbarian can choose between a healing potion or a more powerful weapon? Archers could choose the more powerful arrows/quarrels or more abundant rocks?

We should somehow celebrate the new races/classes. Maybe restrict the available race/classes to the new ones?

So do these ideas sound good? What other ideas can we include? I'll try to get something interesting going asap, as I want to free up the period leading up to Christmas for other challenges.

[Blasphemous]

Sounds like fun. What PC level are we talking about? 1?

[GordonOverkill]

I'm definitely in for the challenge! Still I must say that I really liked the rush to the arena and preparation of the characters during last years challenge, so I would not complain if that would be part of this year's tournament again.

[grobblewobble]

Sounds a lot of fun. I like the "pick your item" idea.

We should somehow celebrate the new races/classes. Maybe restrict the available race/classes to the new ones?

How about pregenerating 4 characters that are each a combination new race / old class or new class / old race?

[Singbird]

Could you explain how this challenge works?

[JellySlayer]

In the original challenge, you had to start a (random, I think) character, travel directly to the Arena, then, as soon as you arrived, immediately begin attempting fights. Winning the challenge required clearing all 20 regular fights plus the ~10 bonus fights until they run out of monsters.

There may have been some specific rules about the maximum number of turns that could elapse before arriving, or that you could reroll if you go eaten by jackals in the wilderness or whatever, but that's the gist of it.

[gut]

hmm, one other thing to take into consideration. Did they nerf the name-the-invisible-monster bug?

If so, we should really try to think of some way to deal with li-ho(a)n-kay. It is so unfair to draw the ogre mage.

[JellySlayer]

Yes, name the invis is fixed (and, I think similar things like giving items may also be?).

If we're all using the same PCs, it might make sense just to give them a see invisible to start with. Fighting the ogre is still tough with it at the level we're dealing with, especially compared to the other bosses.

[gut]

how about a starting wand of wishing? We could put rules about when and where it could be used, and for what.
This would ensure that players could only pick one item and also (if it has 2 charges) give a way of leveling the fight with li.

[Al-Khwarizmi]

How about just giving the characters the AMW? It gives cold resistance and see invisible.

If you think it's OP, we could only allow it for the fight with Li-Hon-Kay.