Couple of links for "Lago Paranoia"

[awaken DM golem]

(filters and all equals limited den access)


Level 30 playtest
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19634286/Level_30_playtest?pg=1

Level 30 Playtest with unoptimized characters?
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19633930/Level_30_Playtest_with_unoptimized_characters?pg=1

I think more recently, some guys are getting CO parties into the level+5 range.

[Bozwevial]

That second topic just irks me for whatever reason. Not just because it's stupid easy to refluff things so they fit your character better, but also the contradiction between the initial premise "let's see how mediocre, unoptimized characters do" and the characters presented who display at least some degree of optimization (even if it's to deal damage/whatever). Yes, deride optimization as being part of a theoretical, imaginary universe and then turn around and use it, albeit only slightly, in your example party.

I dunno, you'd think that after years of having the forum right there they would have at least dropped the mindless optimization-bad, mediocrity-good stance.

[awaken DM golem]

Yeah, there was a lot of that (them) at wotc 4e CO, and there still is.
They had no idea where the game was going,
but wanted to put brakes on 4e before it started.
Too bad ... and it's still a little lite in the "cakes". (they are too)