Bonus questions from Zak.
1. Worst game you ever played
L5R. I don't know if it was just the DM, or if it was a bad system, or if it just wasn't the system for me, but I really just did not enjoy it.
2. Interesting rule embedded within otherwise baleful game
It's been a while, but Alternity had some interesting ideas that just ended up being too clunky together.
3. Game you never played but you knew it sucked just looking at it
FATAL? That's probably cheating. I could never get past the cover for Exalted.
4. Game you most wish didn't suck
Alternity. It was interesting and different, and the Star Drive setting was cool, and I wish they had done more with it.
5. Game about which you have the most mixed feelings
Just about any of the Star Trek games.
6. Old game most in need of an upgrade
Tales from the Floating Vagabond
7. Game you can run with the least prep
Basic D&D
8. Game with awful art (and who you wish you could hire to fix that)
I'm really tired of the Wade Reynolds style art. I'd like to see it replaced with something less overworked. I'm not sure who I'd pick to replace him.
9. Best houserule you've seen in action and now use in your own games.
In my 5e games, I allow inspiration to be used after the initial roll.
10. Game you've most changed your thoughts/feelings about
Monopoly. I loved it as a kid, and now... I just think it isn't a very good game.
11. Game you'd use to run just about any setting if you had to
D6 system.
12. Game that haunts you and you're not sure why
I know why I'm haunted by various games! There isn't one that niggles at the back of my skull.
13. Game that would probably be most fun to play a bee in
Nobilis, or a superhero game probably.
14. Best Star Wars game?
D6, though I have enjoyed the current version the times I've gotten to play it.
15. Game that's good in theory but you're kind of on the fence about it to be honest
40K RPG. It's such a great setting, but...
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
#RPGaDay2015 Part 2
17. Favorite fantasy RPG
Dungeons and Dragons. Really, is there any other choice? Not for me...
18. Favorite SF RPG
d6 Star Wars, thought Traveller is really cool too.
19. Favorite supers RPG
Don't have one.
20. Favorite horror RPG
Again, don't have one.
21. Favorite RPG setting
My own weird new world? Birthright. The original Forgotten Realms.
22. Perfect gaming environment
My dining room!
23. Perfect game for me
5e has me very happy at the moment. I don't know that there is a perfect game though...
24. Favorite house rule
In my 5e game, I let my players use their inspiration after they've made their initial roll.
25. Favorite revolutionary game mechanic
Reaction rolls at the beginning of an encounter.
26. Favorite inspiration for your game
My players and G+. Both are a constant and imaginative bunch.
27. Favorite idea for merging two games into one.
I've got nothing... *shrug*
28. Favorite game you no longer play
Nick Mizer's Stonehell game on G+.
29. Favorite RPG website/blog
I'm going to have to go with G+. While there are many inspirational blogs that I love, G+ brings everything together.
30. Favorite RPG playing celebrity
Vin Diesel
31. Favorite non-RPG thing to come out of RPGing
My love of history and interest in architecture.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
#RPGaDay2015 part 1
1. Forthcoming game you're most looking forward to:
I don't think I've got anything coming out that I'm particularly looking forward to....
2. Kickstarter game you're most pleased you backed
DCC's Peril on the Purple Planet
3. Favorite new game of the last 12 months
5th Ed D&D
4. Most surprising game
-5e D&D was about as good as I'd hoped, and better than I expected.
-I had no idea that anyone was working on Star Wars REUP, and there it was!!
5. Most recent RPG purchase
A Red and Pleasant Land. So worth it!
6. Most recent RPG played
Played, DCC. Ran D&D 5e
7. Favorite free RPG
Star Wars REUP.
8. Favorite appearance of RPGs in the media
Gygax in Futurama.
9. Favorite media you wish was an RPG
I don't think I have one at the moment that isn't already an RPG...
10. Favorite RPG publisher
LotFP and Goodman Games.
11. Favorite RPG writer
Zak is probably the most inspiring, but I also really enjoy Michael Curtis' work.
12. Favorite RPG illustration
13. Favorite RPG Podcast
Iron Tavern
14. Favorite RPG accessory
Vornheim
15. Longest campaign played
The D&D 5e game I'm running Friday nights.
16. Longest game session played
Back in HS there were some marathon weekend games, but I'm also pretty sure we probably did a week long one at some point too...
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
General DMing Questions from Venger
Over at Venger's Old School Gaming Blog, Venger posed some questions about DMing. These are my answers.
On average, how satisfied do you feel about your GMing? Does that feeling or your perception change when you're at the table running (in the moment), hours after, days after, months or years after?
I'm usually satisfied, if not pleased, with my DMing. I put a lot of effort into my time in the big chair, and as long as I feel like I'm doing that, I'm happy.
Have you ever had a (you assumed) moderately satisfied player from the past come up to you months or years later and tell you how much he appreciated your GMing or that you were a great GM compared to what he encountered later? Ever had a player tell you how much you sucked?
I have been complemented by past players, and it's a great feeling! I've yet to have someone come and tell me I sucked.
Does grumbling, complaining, whining, etc. bother you when it comes to either house rules or a particular ruling vs. book rules (RAW)?
Not really. I tend to be fairly relaxed when it comes to the rules, and I usually try to work with my players to come to a mutually satisfactory decision. On those rare occasions I've had to rule by DM fiat it's usually because of something the PC's don't know.
Do you ever feel that you don't receive enough credit, recognition, accolades, understanding, or appreciation for your GMing?
After winning the IRON GM competition, I can't really say that I do.
As a GM, do you feel the need to "entertain" players beyond your usual GM duties?
I'm not entirely sure what Venger meant by this. In general I feel like the duties of being a DM are enough that I can leave non-DMing player entertainment to the players!
Do you think it's best to keep yourself separate or apart from the group to some degree, similar to an employer around his employees? Or are you just "one of the guys" and completely informal and chummy with the players when you're not actually GMing? What about when you are GMing?
Depends on the group, and how comfortable I am with them. My usual take is to be a little bit reserved from the players at the table. Away from the table, it's all good.
How often do you get one or more players in your group asking if he (or she) can GM soon? How do you feel about that? Do you generally take it as a compliment because obviously you make it look easy and fun? Or do you take it as an insult for encroaching upon your turf?
Again, this depends on the group. Some groups it never happens, and others it's semi-regular. I appreciate when it happens, so that I get a chance to see things from the other side of the screen.
How often (if ever) do you wonder how much players are enjoying the game, each session, the campaign, and your GMing? Do you regularly ask for feedback? If you do, are changes ever implemented?
I ask when I'm unsure of how they thought the session went. Sometimes it's easier to tell than others. A year+ ago I was asking more regularly than I am now.
What are the three most important qualities for a GM to have?
A sense of fairness, patience, and the ability to react to off the wall ideas.
Do you have a particular word, phrase, question, or statement that you frequently employ during the adventures you run? What is it?
"Is that what you're actually going to do?"
How long, generally, before you start to feel GM burnout?
Usually it's around 9 months to a year if I'm running things solidly. At this point I thought I'd be there already, but I think the holiday break helped, as does my Sunday night C&C game where I'm a player.
On average, how satisfied do you feel about your GMing? Does that feeling or your perception change when you're at the table running (in the moment), hours after, days after, months or years after?
I'm usually satisfied, if not pleased, with my DMing. I put a lot of effort into my time in the big chair, and as long as I feel like I'm doing that, I'm happy.
Have you ever had a (you assumed) moderately satisfied player from the past come up to you months or years later and tell you how much he appreciated your GMing or that you were a great GM compared to what he encountered later? Ever had a player tell you how much you sucked?
I have been complemented by past players, and it's a great feeling! I've yet to have someone come and tell me I sucked.
Does grumbling, complaining, whining, etc. bother you when it comes to either house rules or a particular ruling vs. book rules (RAW)?
Not really. I tend to be fairly relaxed when it comes to the rules, and I usually try to work with my players to come to a mutually satisfactory decision. On those rare occasions I've had to rule by DM fiat it's usually because of something the PC's don't know.
Do you ever feel that you don't receive enough credit, recognition, accolades, understanding, or appreciation for your GMing?
After winning the IRON GM competition, I can't really say that I do.
As a GM, do you feel the need to "entertain" players beyond your usual GM duties?
I'm not entirely sure what Venger meant by this. In general I feel like the duties of being a DM are enough that I can leave non-DMing player entertainment to the players!
Do you think it's best to keep yourself separate or apart from the group to some degree, similar to an employer around his employees? Or are you just "one of the guys" and completely informal and chummy with the players when you're not actually GMing? What about when you are GMing?
Depends on the group, and how comfortable I am with them. My usual take is to be a little bit reserved from the players at the table. Away from the table, it's all good.
How often do you get one or more players in your group asking if he (or she) can GM soon? How do you feel about that? Do you generally take it as a compliment because obviously you make it look easy and fun? Or do you take it as an insult for encroaching upon your turf?
Again, this depends on the group. Some groups it never happens, and others it's semi-regular. I appreciate when it happens, so that I get a chance to see things from the other side of the screen.
How often (if ever) do you wonder how much players are enjoying the game, each session, the campaign, and your GMing? Do you regularly ask for feedback? If you do, are changes ever implemented?
I ask when I'm unsure of how they thought the session went. Sometimes it's easier to tell than others. A year+ ago I was asking more regularly than I am now.
What are the three most important qualities for a GM to have?
A sense of fairness, patience, and the ability to react to off the wall ideas.
Do you have a particular word, phrase, question, or statement that you frequently employ during the adventures you run? What is it?
"Is that what you're actually going to do?"
How long, generally, before you start to feel GM burnout?
Usually it's around 9 months to a year if I'm running things solidly. At this point I thought I'd be there already, but I think the holiday break helped, as does my Sunday night C&C game where I'm a player.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
#RPGaDAY 22-31
22nd - Best Secondhand RPG Purchase
Dungeon Crawl Classics. I picked it up last Christmas for $25.
23rd - Coolest looking RPG product / book
I'm going to again go with the DCC core book.
24th - Most Complicated RPG Owned
3rd Edition D&D with splatbooks. It really just got to be too much, which is why I stopped playing, and was thrilled with 4e.
25th - Favourite RPG no one else wants to play
Star Trek. As much as I love the show, I've never gotten anyone that's been willing to play the game, in any version. The closest I've gotten was a free-form storytelling game on a forum.
26th - Coolest character sheet
Maybe it's not cool, but I loved this sheet.
27th - Game You’d like to see a new / improved edition of…
Tales from the Floating Vagabond
28th - Scariest Game you’ve played
Honestly, playing in Stonehell with a level 2 fighter. I'd worked really hard for that level 2, and we were going into the section filled with undead.
29th - Most memorable encounter
It's a tossup between throwing the same hydra at the party 3 times, or having my god of moths go toe to toe with the god of war in a sword fight... and winning. :-)
30th - Rarest RPG Owned
I don't know that I actually own a rare RPG... Maybe the Star Wars supplements?
31st - Favourite RPG of all time
Rules Cyclopedia D&D always.
Big thanks to Autocratik for putting this list together, and to everyone else who participated.
Dungeon Crawl Classics. I picked it up last Christmas for $25.
23rd - Coolest looking RPG product / book
I'm going to again go with the DCC core book.
24th - Most Complicated RPG Owned
3rd Edition D&D with splatbooks. It really just got to be too much, which is why I stopped playing, and was thrilled with 4e.
25th - Favourite RPG no one else wants to play
Star Trek. As much as I love the show, I've never gotten anyone that's been willing to play the game, in any version. The closest I've gotten was a free-form storytelling game on a forum.
26th - Coolest character sheet
Maybe it's not cool, but I loved this sheet.
27th - Game You’d like to see a new / improved edition of…
Tales from the Floating Vagabond
28th - Scariest Game you’ve played
Honestly, playing in Stonehell with a level 2 fighter. I'd worked really hard for that level 2, and we were going into the section filled with undead.
29th - Most memorable encounter
It's a tossup between throwing the same hydra at the party 3 times, or having my god of moths go toe to toe with the god of war in a sword fight... and winning. :-)
30th - Rarest RPG Owned
I don't know that I actually own a rare RPG... Maybe the Star Wars supplements?
31st - Favourite RPG of all time
Rules Cyclopedia D&D always.
Big thanks to Autocratik for putting this list together, and to everyone else who participated.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
#RPGaDAY in August #15-21
15th - Favourite Convention Game
Nobilis, because who doesn't want to be a god?
16th - Game you wish you owned
Is it cheating to say "all of them?" If so, then I'm going to pick the new Star Wars games.
17th - Funniest Game you’ve played
Tales from the Floating Vagabond - it helps to be drunk/really tired.
18th - Favourite Game System
BECMI D&D
19th - Favourite Published Adventure
That's a really tough call... Of the one's I've run, I really enjoyed Quest for the Silver Sword, and I've run it a couple of times now. Of the ones I've read, it's hard to pick one... Maybe the DCC adventure 81 - The One Who Watches from Below? And that's if I stick with just pure adventures, and not include boxed sets, megadungeons, etc.
20th - Will still play in 20 years time…
Some from of old school D&D I hope...
21st - Favourite Licensed RPG
d6 Star Wars
The #RPGaDAY in August event is hosted over at Autocratik.
Nobilis, because who doesn't want to be a god?
16th - Game you wish you owned
Is it cheating to say "all of them?" If so, then I'm going to pick the new Star Wars games.
17th - Funniest Game you’ve played
Tales from the Floating Vagabond - it helps to be drunk/really tired.
18th - Favourite Game System
BECMI D&D
19th - Favourite Published Adventure
That's a really tough call... Of the one's I've run, I really enjoyed Quest for the Silver Sword, and I've run it a couple of times now. Of the ones I've read, it's hard to pick one... Maybe the DCC adventure 81 - The One Who Watches from Below? And that's if I stick with just pure adventures, and not include boxed sets, megadungeons, etc.
20th - Will still play in 20 years time…
Some from of old school D&D I hope...
21st - Favourite Licensed RPG
d6 Star Wars
The #RPGaDAY in August event is hosted over at Autocratik.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
#RPGaDAY 8-14
I don't want to tie up 31 posts with this, which is why I'm grouping it together in weekly batches.
8th - Favourite character
I'm a pretty big fan of Nick the Pike, a 6th level flailsnails fighter with the enmity of a devil, and a wish in his back pocket. Currently he's hanging out on Krynn.
9th - Favourite Die / Dice Set
I'm still a fan of my self-inked black Game Science dice.
10th - Favourite tie-in Novel / Game Fiction
THis one is tough, since it's been a long time since I last read game fiction. Most recently I think was probably Diane Duane's Harbinger Trilogy for Alternity's Star*Drive setting. I recall it doing a good job showing what this new setting was really like, as well as exploring some of the mysteries in it.
11th - Weirdest RPG owned
Honestly, probably Nobilis. Yes, same answer as the most intellectual RPG. I think it fits pretty well into both categories.
12th - Old RPG you still play / read
Rules Cyclopedia D&D!! It's still my go-to game, the rules set I compare all others against.
13th - Most Memorable Character Death
Boarface had his skeleton removed. That sucked a bunch.
14th - Best Convention Purchase
A big stack of Birthright stuff for pretty cheap. Still haven't read all of it yet.
The #RPGaDAY in August event is hosted over at Autocratik.
8th - Favourite character
I'm a pretty big fan of Nick the Pike, a 6th level flailsnails fighter with the enmity of a devil, and a wish in his back pocket. Currently he's hanging out on Krynn.
9th - Favourite Die / Dice Set
I'm still a fan of my self-inked black Game Science dice.
10th - Favourite tie-in Novel / Game Fiction
THis one is tough, since it's been a long time since I last read game fiction. Most recently I think was probably Diane Duane's Harbinger Trilogy for Alternity's Star*Drive setting. I recall it doing a good job showing what this new setting was really like, as well as exploring some of the mysteries in it.
11th - Weirdest RPG owned
Honestly, probably Nobilis. Yes, same answer as the most intellectual RPG. I think it fits pretty well into both categories.
12th - Old RPG you still play / read
Rules Cyclopedia D&D!! It's still my go-to game, the rules set I compare all others against.
13th - Most Memorable Character Death
Boarface had his skeleton removed. That sucked a bunch.
14th - Best Convention Purchase
A big stack of Birthright stuff for pretty cheap. Still haven't read all of it yet.
The #RPGaDAY in August event is hosted over at Autocratik.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
#RPGaDAY 1-7
I'm a little late getting to this, but I didn't want to let it slip by completely. So here's my first 7 items!
1st - First RPG Played
D&D Classic Edition that came in the black box with that wonderful red dragon leaping up.
2nd - First RPG Gamemastered
The same as #1
3rd - First RPG Purchased
My first RPG purchased was FASA's Star Trek: The Role Playing Game, 2nd Ed. (1983) which I picked up sometime around... 1987 or early 1988. I really had no idea what it was, but I knew I loved the new Star Trek, and it was a Star Trek game, so I had to buy it (probably with birthday money).
4th - Most recent RPG purchase
DCC's Sailors on the Starless Sea and the One Who Watches From Below
5th - Most Old School RPG owned
Swords and Wizardry, probably. Though I think my Rules Cyclopedia is a close second.
6th - Favourite RPG Never get to play
Star Wars (d6)
7th - Most “intellectual” RPG owned
Nobilis.
1st - First RPG Played
D&D Classic Edition that came in the black box with that wonderful red dragon leaping up.
2nd - First RPG Gamemastered
The same as #1
3rd - First RPG Purchased
My first RPG purchased was FASA's Star Trek: The Role Playing Game, 2nd Ed. (1983) which I picked up sometime around... 1987 or early 1988. I really had no idea what it was, but I knew I loved the new Star Trek, and it was a Star Trek game, so I had to buy it (probably with birthday money).
4th - Most recent RPG purchase
DCC's Sailors on the Starless Sea and the One Who Watches From Below
5th - Most Old School RPG owned
Swords and Wizardry, probably. Though I think my Rules Cyclopedia is a close second.
6th - Favourite RPG Never get to play
Star Wars (d6)
7th - Most “intellectual” RPG owned
Nobilis.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
My Ten Favorite RPG Products of All Time
A couple of weeks ago Dyvers posted a list of his top 10 RPG products, and he also wanted to hear what his reader's lists were. I'm a little behind in my blog feed, and I only just read his post, but I still wanted to get in on this one. These are my top 10, in no particular order.
10. Star*Drive Campaign Setting for Alternity - I love this setting. It's a semi-explored, semi-colonized area of space with everything you could ask for - mystery, political intrigue, military conflict, strange new works, precursor artifacts... I've stolen liberally from it for numerous games, especially Star Wars. It was a shame when TSR got the rights to Star Wars, and killed the Alternity line.
9. Star Wars 2nd Edition - Before the prequels, before the expanded universe, West End Games published over 140 adventures, supplements, and journals expanding Star Wars in all sorts of interesting ways, all the while keeping true to the feel of the universe and keeping the rules set remarkably unencumbered with unnecessary bloat.
8. Stonehell by Michael Curtis - Stonehell was one of the first, if not the first, OSR product I ever bought. Michael Curtis' megadungeon encapsulates what is to me the essence of what a megadungeon should be. While the Castle of the Mad Archmage might be closer to Gary's style of megadungeon, and Barrowmaze has fantastic theme and mood, and ASE captures the gonzo, Stonehell is closer to what I want to play and to run, and I can't wait for the second half...
7. Birthright Campaign Setting - While it isn't perfect, Birthright manages to do a lot of really interesting things, and not just with domain management. Realm spells handles "10th level" type magic really well, bloodlines and the abominations are amazingly interesting and flavorful, and playing in a land that isn't points of light or on the frontier was a nice change of pace... if only I could have gotten more players to want to play....
6. Creature Catalog - I've written about it before, but this is the best collection of monsters out there. Sure, there are some stinkers and overlap, but there are so many great beasts that make up for it.
5. Nobilis - It's a work of art as much as a game.
4. Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue - I can't tell you how many hours I spent I flipping through this D&D version of the Sears Catalog. It's just got such wonderfully setting appropriate and flavorful items and descriptions.
3. OGL - I have to praise the Open Gaming License. While it isn't exactly a product by itself, so much of the OSR wouldn't exist without it. Plus I got a lot of good mileage out of 3.x.
2. D&D 4e Core Books - Yes, a bit of a cheat with this, but 4e does a lot right. I know there are many in the OSR (and many outside of it too) who think it isn't worth the paper it's printed on, but I am still impressed, especially coming to it after the bloat of 3.5. 4e let me run games with minimal prep, without having to have a massive statblock that took hours to prepare for high level monsters that my players would kill in minutes.
1. The Rules Cyclopedia - This had to come in at #1. It's my desert island RPG.
10. Star*Drive Campaign Setting for Alternity - I love this setting. It's a semi-explored, semi-colonized area of space with everything you could ask for - mystery, political intrigue, military conflict, strange new works, precursor artifacts... I've stolen liberally from it for numerous games, especially Star Wars. It was a shame when TSR got the rights to Star Wars, and killed the Alternity line.
9. Star Wars 2nd Edition - Before the prequels, before the expanded universe, West End Games published over 140 adventures, supplements, and journals expanding Star Wars in all sorts of interesting ways, all the while keeping true to the feel of the universe and keeping the rules set remarkably unencumbered with unnecessary bloat.
8. Stonehell by Michael Curtis - Stonehell was one of the first, if not the first, OSR product I ever bought. Michael Curtis' megadungeon encapsulates what is to me the essence of what a megadungeon should be. While the Castle of the Mad Archmage might be closer to Gary's style of megadungeon, and Barrowmaze has fantastic theme and mood, and ASE captures the gonzo, Stonehell is closer to what I want to play and to run, and I can't wait for the second half...
7. Birthright Campaign Setting - While it isn't perfect, Birthright manages to do a lot of really interesting things, and not just with domain management. Realm spells handles "10th level" type magic really well, bloodlines and the abominations are amazingly interesting and flavorful, and playing in a land that isn't points of light or on the frontier was a nice change of pace... if only I could have gotten more players to want to play....
6. Creature Catalog - I've written about it before, but this is the best collection of monsters out there. Sure, there are some stinkers and overlap, but there are so many great beasts that make up for it.
5. Nobilis - It's a work of art as much as a game.
4. Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue - I can't tell you how many hours I spent I flipping through this D&D version of the Sears Catalog. It's just got such wonderfully setting appropriate and flavorful items and descriptions.
3. OGL - I have to praise the Open Gaming License. While it isn't exactly a product by itself, so much of the OSR wouldn't exist without it. Plus I got a lot of good mileage out of 3.x.
2. D&D 4e Core Books - Yes, a bit of a cheat with this, but 4e does a lot right. I know there are many in the OSR (and many outside of it too) who think it isn't worth the paper it's printed on, but I am still impressed, especially coming to it after the bloat of 3.5. 4e let me run games with minimal prep, without having to have a massive statblock that took hours to prepare for high level monsters that my players would kill in minutes.
1. The Rules Cyclopedia - This had to come in at #1. It's my desert island RPG.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge (4/4)
22 What is the most gonzo kitchen sink RPG you ever played? How was it?
Probably Tales from the Floating Vagabond. It’s pretty permissive of just about everything, yet it all works, just so long as you keep it gonzo.
23 What is the most broken game that you tried and were unable to play?
Not an RPG, but a card game about evil babies in an orphanage. Great concept, fun art, all but unplayable. It just didn’t work.
24 What is the most broken game that you tried and loved to play, warts and all?
Another card game - We Didn’t Playtest This.
25 Which game has the sleekest, most modern engine?
Star Wars Edge of Empire is pretty slick. I don’t know if it’s the most modern, but it’s the slickest I’ve played.
26 What IP (=Intellectual Property, be it book, movie or comic) that doesn’t have an RPG
deserves it? Why?
I’m having a hard time coming up with a movie or TV show that needs an RPG, but there are plenty of books that could use it: Myke Cole’s Shadow Ops series, The Kris Longknife series, The Vorkosigan Saga… all of which deserve at least a setting book, if not a full RPG.
27 What RPG based on an IP did you enjoy most? Give details.
I have to say Star Wars, any version. It’s just such a great setting.
28 What free RPG did you enjoy most? Give details.
Labyrinth Lord has gotten the most use as a rosetta stone of sorts, but the one that really caught my attention was Microlite20. For non-D&D RPGs, I’m going with Open D6
29 What OSR product have you enjoyed most? Explain how.
Stonehell and Vornheim. Stonehell because it showed me how a megadungeon could be handled on both sides of the DM’s screen. Plus it has a lot of fun bits in it. Vornheim because it’s so short yet still so inspiring.
30 Which non-D&D supplemental product should everyone know about? Give details.
I'm taking supplemental to mean not core, and not D&D to include anything from the OSR. That really limits my suggestions since I'm so D&D-centric.I'm actually going to pick a book that isn't an RPG book at all, but I think would be of interest to anyone that runs a game: The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. It's a great book that looks at what the world would be like if humans suddenly, and instantly disappeared from the face of the Earth. Here's a spoiler, it doesn't take long for most of our civilization's infrastructure to disappear completely. Definitely worth the read.
31 What out-of-print RPG would you most like to see back in publication? Why?
Tales from the Floating Vagabond. It’s available as a PDF, but it really needs to be back in print!
Big thanks to Tedankhamen for a good set of questions. Made me realize I need to expand my horizons a little, RPG-wise.
Probably Tales from the Floating Vagabond. It’s pretty permissive of just about everything, yet it all works, just so long as you keep it gonzo.
23 What is the most broken game that you tried and were unable to play?
Not an RPG, but a card game about evil babies in an orphanage. Great concept, fun art, all but unplayable. It just didn’t work.
24 What is the most broken game that you tried and loved to play, warts and all?
Another card game - We Didn’t Playtest This.
25 Which game has the sleekest, most modern engine?
Star Wars Edge of Empire is pretty slick. I don’t know if it’s the most modern, but it’s the slickest I’ve played.
26 What IP (=Intellectual Property, be it book, movie or comic) that doesn’t have an RPG
deserves it? Why?
I’m having a hard time coming up with a movie or TV show that needs an RPG, but there are plenty of books that could use it: Myke Cole’s Shadow Ops series, The Kris Longknife series, The Vorkosigan Saga… all of which deserve at least a setting book, if not a full RPG.
27 What RPG based on an IP did you enjoy most? Give details.
I have to say Star Wars, any version. It’s just such a great setting.
28 What free RPG did you enjoy most? Give details.
Labyrinth Lord has gotten the most use as a rosetta stone of sorts, but the one that really caught my attention was Microlite20. For non-D&D RPGs, I’m going with Open D6
29 What OSR product have you enjoyed most? Explain how.
Stonehell and Vornheim. Stonehell because it showed me how a megadungeon could be handled on both sides of the DM’s screen. Plus it has a lot of fun bits in it. Vornheim because it’s so short yet still so inspiring.
30 Which non-D&D supplemental product should everyone know about? Give details.
I'm taking supplemental to mean not core, and not D&D to include anything from the OSR. That really limits my suggestions since I'm so D&D-centric.I'm actually going to pick a book that isn't an RPG book at all, but I think would be of interest to anyone that runs a game: The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. It's a great book that looks at what the world would be like if humans suddenly, and instantly disappeared from the face of the Earth. Here's a spoiler, it doesn't take long for most of our civilization's infrastructure to disappear completely. Definitely worth the read.
31 What out-of-print RPG would you most like to see back in publication? Why?
Tales from the Floating Vagabond. It’s available as a PDF, but it really needs to be back in print!
Big thanks to Tedankhamen for a good set of questions. Made me realize I need to expand my horizons a little, RPG-wise.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge (3/4)
15 What pseudo or alternate history RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
Vampire, set during the Renaissance in Italy. It wasn't a very alternate history, but in our game the Pope was a ghoul.
16 Which RPG besides D&D has the best magic system? Give details.
As much as I prefer more structured games, more free form games like Fate can handle magic really well. The flexibility really lets it shine.
17 Which RPG has the best high tech rules? Why?
I'm still a big fan of how Alternity handled it.
18 What is the crunchiest RPG you have played? Was it enjoyable?
It was a beta test game, kind of Steampunk/Deadlands. I don't remember what it was called. It was ok, but clear why it was never published.
19 What is the fluffiest RPG you have played? Was it enjoyable?
FATE. It was fun.
20 Which setting have you enjoyed most? Why?
For volume of play, the Forgotten Realms. For inventiveness, Star*Drive for Alternity.
21 What is the narrowest genre RPG you have ever played? How was it?
I don't think I've ever really played a game that maintained a really narrow genre. Some started out that way, but they never remained so for very long.
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge
Vampire, set during the Renaissance in Italy. It wasn't a very alternate history, but in our game the Pope was a ghoul.
16 Which RPG besides D&D has the best magic system? Give details.
As much as I prefer more structured games, more free form games like Fate can handle magic really well. The flexibility really lets it shine.
17 Which RPG has the best high tech rules? Why?
I'm still a big fan of how Alternity handled it.
18 What is the crunchiest RPG you have played? Was it enjoyable?
It was a beta test game, kind of Steampunk/Deadlands. I don't remember what it was called. It was ok, but clear why it was never published.
19 What is the fluffiest RPG you have played? Was it enjoyable?
FATE. It was fun.
20 Which setting have you enjoyed most? Why?
For volume of play, the Forgotten Realms. For inventiveness, Star*Drive for Alternity.
21 What is the narrowest genre RPG you have ever played? How was it?
I don't think I've ever really played a game that maintained a really narrow genre. Some started out that way, but they never remained so for very long.
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge (2/4)
8 What spy RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
The only spy RPG I’ve played was a d20 Modern GI Joe style game. Honestly, it wasn’t that fun, and in this case I think it was more the lack of experience the DM had and the lack of familiarity with the genre of the players that is what made it fail.
9 What superhero RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
I’ve never played a superhero RPG.
10 What science fiction RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Star Wars, and mostly when it doesn’t involve anything from the major plotlines of the movies/books/comics.
11 What post-apocalyptic RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
Dungeons and Dragons. Ok, so maybe thats a cop-out answer, but it's still true. For all the quasi-medieval trappings of the game, it's pretty clear that things in most D&D settings are after the fall of some pretty powerful civilizations.
12 What humorous RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Tales from the Floating Vagabond was great. It’s got crazy art, Definitely the sort of game you want to play with an irreverent group.
13 What horror RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
I’ve never been a fan of horror as a genre either in movies, books, or in games. However, Betrayal at House on the Hill is a fantastic board game!
14 What historical or cultural RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Again, I haven't played any historical RPGs, though in high school there was a brief 1 or 2 session viking game using the green covered historical setting D&D campaign book. I don't remember too much about it, just that we raided some French coastal church.
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge
The only spy RPG I’ve played was a d20 Modern GI Joe style game. Honestly, it wasn’t that fun, and in this case I think it was more the lack of experience the DM had and the lack of familiarity with the genre of the players that is what made it fail.
9 What superhero RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
I’ve never played a superhero RPG.
10 What science fiction RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Star Wars, and mostly when it doesn’t involve anything from the major plotlines of the movies/books/comics.
11 What post-apocalyptic RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
Dungeons and Dragons. Ok, so maybe thats a cop-out answer, but it's still true. For all the quasi-medieval trappings of the game, it's pretty clear that things in most D&D settings are after the fall of some pretty powerful civilizations.
12 What humorous RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Tales from the Floating Vagabond was great. It’s got crazy art, Definitely the sort of game you want to play with an irreverent group.
13 What horror RPG have you enjoyed most? Why?
I’ve never been a fan of horror as a genre either in movies, books, or in games. However, Betrayal at House on the Hill is a fantastic board game!
14 What historical or cultural RPG have you enjoyed most? Give details.
Again, I haven't played any historical RPGs, though in high school there was a brief 1 or 2 session viking game using the green covered historical setting D&D campaign book. I don't remember too much about it, just that we raided some French coastal church.
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge (1/4)
This is the first set of posts from Tedankhamen's March Madness 31 day Obscure Game Blogging Challenge. As with last month's 40th anniversary questions, I'm opting not to do a question a day.
1 What was the first roleplaying game other than D&D you played? Was it before or after you had played D&D?
My first non-D&D RPG was West End Games’ Star Wars. And it was several years after I started playing D&D.
2 In what system was the first character you played in an RPG other than D&D? How was playing it different from playing a D&D character?
My first character was a Han Solo type smuggler with a modified YT-1300. Original hua? It was different from anything I’d ever played in D&D, because at that point I was almost exclusively playing elven wizards.
3 Which game had the least or most enjoyable character generation?
Decipher’s Star Trek RPG was the most frustrating system to make a character in. The books were so terribly organized that you needed a flowchart with page numbers (that I found online from someone else who was equally frustrated) to make sure you got everything.
4 What other roleplaying author besides Gygax impressed you with their writing?
I’ve only recently become impressed with Gygax, honestly. Aside from that I’ve never been really impressed by RPG writing, except maybe for Nobilis. There are some bloggers who've impressed and inspired me, but more for the content than their style.
5 What other old school game should have become as big as D&D but didn’t? Why do you think so?
D&D made it because it was first. By no stretch of the imagination is it the “best” game out there, except that it has become the universal language of RPGs. Which game should have? I honestly have no idea.
6 What non-D&D monster do you think is as iconic as D&D ones like hook horrors or flumphs, and why do you think so?
I’m not sure there is one that doesn’t come from a licensed property. If we include them I’d say various aliens from Star Wars. Given that just about everything has been turned into a D&D monster...
7 What fantasy RPG other than D&D have you enjoyed most? Why?
I haven’t played any fantasy RPGs that aren’t D&D/D20 derived.
1 What was the first roleplaying game other than D&D you played? Was it before or after you had played D&D?
My first non-D&D RPG was West End Games’ Star Wars. And it was several years after I started playing D&D.
2 In what system was the first character you played in an RPG other than D&D? How was playing it different from playing a D&D character?
My first character was a Han Solo type smuggler with a modified YT-1300. Original hua? It was different from anything I’d ever played in D&D, because at that point I was almost exclusively playing elven wizards.
3 Which game had the least or most enjoyable character generation?
Decipher’s Star Trek RPG was the most frustrating system to make a character in. The books were so terribly organized that you needed a flowchart with page numbers (that I found online from someone else who was equally frustrated) to make sure you got everything.
4 What other roleplaying author besides Gygax impressed you with their writing?
I’ve only recently become impressed with Gygax, honestly. Aside from that I’ve never been really impressed by RPG writing, except maybe for Nobilis. There are some bloggers who've impressed and inspired me, but more for the content than their style.
5 What other old school game should have become as big as D&D but didn’t? Why do you think so?
D&D made it because it was first. By no stretch of the imagination is it the “best” game out there, except that it has become the universal language of RPGs. Which game should have? I honestly have no idea.
6 What non-D&D monster do you think is as iconic as D&D ones like hook horrors or flumphs, and why do you think so?
I’m not sure there is one that doesn’t come from a licensed property. If we include them I’d say various aliens from Star Wars. Given that just about everything has been turned into a D&D monster...
7 What fantasy RPG other than D&D have you enjoyed most? Why?
I haven’t played any fantasy RPGs that aren’t D&D/D20 derived.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
D&D 40th Anniversary Blog Hop (post 4/4)
Day 22: First D&D-based novel you ever read (Dragonlance trilogy, Realms novels, etc.)
One of the Dragonlance short story compilations - Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes:Tales volume 2. The one with the three women in fur bikinis on the cover. I have no idea what story the cover referenced, but I do remember one about a dagger, which I thought was really cool.
Day 23: First song that comes to mind that you associate with D&D . Why?
Roll a D6, for obvious reasons.
Day 24: First movie that comes to mind that you associate with D&D. Why?
The Sinbad movies. A crew of adventurers on quests is pretty much exactly how I imagine it.
Day 25: Longest running campaign/gaming group you've been in.
My high school group ran for 4 years, but lots and lots of campaigns. My longest campaign was probably my first 3.0 campaign.
Day 26: Do you still game with the group that introduced you to the hobby?
No, I’m not in touch with anyone from elementary school anymore.
Day 27: If you had to do it all over again, would you do anything different when you first
started gaming?
I’d take it less seriously, and remember that it’s a game, and that it’s ok just to have fun. It doesn’t all have to be epic adventures.
Day 28: What's the single most important lesson you've learned from playing D&D?
Players will screw with their DMs in any game. Learning how to roll with it is the only thing you can do.
Big thanks to Stelios V. Perdios of d20 Dark Ages for hosting!
One of the Dragonlance short story compilations - Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes:Tales volume 2. The one with the three women in fur bikinis on the cover. I have no idea what story the cover referenced, but I do remember one about a dagger, which I thought was really cool.
Day 23: First song that comes to mind that you associate with D&D . Why?
Roll a D6, for obvious reasons.
Day 24: First movie that comes to mind that you associate with D&D. Why?
The Sinbad movies. A crew of adventurers on quests is pretty much exactly how I imagine it.
Day 25: Longest running campaign/gaming group you've been in.
My high school group ran for 4 years, but lots and lots of campaigns. My longest campaign was probably my first 3.0 campaign.
Day 26: Do you still game with the group that introduced you to the hobby?
No, I’m not in touch with anyone from elementary school anymore.
Day 27: If you had to do it all over again, would you do anything different when you first
started gaming?
I’d take it less seriously, and remember that it’s a game, and that it’s ok just to have fun. It doesn’t all have to be epic adventures.
Day 28: What's the single most important lesson you've learned from playing D&D?
Players will screw with their DMs in any game. Learning how to roll with it is the only thing you can do.
Big thanks to Stelios V. Perdios of d20 Dark Ages for hosting!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
D&D 40th Anniversary Blog Hop (post 3/4)
Day 15: What was the first edition of D&D you didn't enjoy? Why?
2nd edition was the second version of D&D that I played, and for a long time I loved it, but by the end it was just so bloated that I stopped enjoying it, and didn’t pick up dice again till 3.0.
Day 16: Did you remember your first Edition War? Did you win? ;)
From nearly the beginning I was a big proponent of 3.0, and got into many a conversation about its merits over 2e. I sold lots of copies, so I’d say, yes, I think I did win.
Day 17: First time you heard that D&D was somehow "evil."
It was never a thing that I really ran into, just something that happened during the “dark times” that I managed to miss.
Day 18: First gaming convention you ever attended.
I have yet to attend a gaming convention, though I’ve been to a number of cons that included gaming. The first one was probably CastleCon (which doesn’t exist anymore).
Day 19: First gamer who just annoyed the hell out of you.
The first? No idea. After working for years at a comic shop there were too many to count in so many different ways.
Day 20: First non-D&D RPG you played.
West End Games’ Star Wars. Only got to play it a few times, and then it was the White Wolf games all the way.
Day 21 : First time you sold some of your D&D books--for whatever reason.
I got rid of a bunch of 2e stuff a few years ago. Aside from that, I’ve held on to everything else.
2nd edition was the second version of D&D that I played, and for a long time I loved it, but by the end it was just so bloated that I stopped enjoying it, and didn’t pick up dice again till 3.0.
Day 16: Did you remember your first Edition War? Did you win? ;)
From nearly the beginning I was a big proponent of 3.0, and got into many a conversation about its merits over 2e. I sold lots of copies, so I’d say, yes, I think I did win.
Day 17: First time you heard that D&D was somehow "evil."
It was never a thing that I really ran into, just something that happened during the “dark times” that I managed to miss.
Day 18: First gaming convention you ever attended.
I have yet to attend a gaming convention, though I’ve been to a number of cons that included gaming. The first one was probably CastleCon (which doesn’t exist anymore).
Day 19: First gamer who just annoyed the hell out of you.
The first? No idea. After working for years at a comic shop there were too many to count in so many different ways.
Day 20: First non-D&D RPG you played.
West End Games’ Star Wars. Only got to play it a few times, and then it was the White Wolf games all the way.
Day 21 : First time you sold some of your D&D books--for whatever reason.
I got rid of a bunch of 2e stuff a few years ago. Aside from that, I’ve held on to everything else.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
D&D 40th Anniversary Blog Hop (post 2/4)
Day 8: First set of polyhedral dice you owned. Do you still use them?
Maybe? if so, they’re mixed in with all my other ugly dice.
Day 9: First campaign setting (published or homebrew) you played in.
Thunder Rift with it’s german names, japanese catmen, and skaven hanging out with wererats.
Day 10: First gaming magazine you ever bought (Dragon, Dungeon, White Dwarf, etc.)
Dragon. It was a long time before I ever picked up Dungeon, and by the time I got around to White Dwarf it was just a giant advert for Games Workshop.
Day 11: First splatbook you begged your DM to approve.
The complete book of elves.
Day 12: First store where you bought your gaming supplies. Does it still exist?
The Comic Store in Lancaster PA. It’s still there, and still not much of a game store.
Day 13: First miniature(s) you used for D&D.
A combination of the paper fold up minis from the intro box and the minis from HeroQuest.
Day 14: Did you meet your significant other while playing D&D? Does he or she still play?
(Or just post a randomly generated monster in protest of Valentine's Day.)
No. Yes.
Maybe? if so, they’re mixed in with all my other ugly dice.
Day 9: First campaign setting (published or homebrew) you played in.
Thunder Rift with it’s german names, japanese catmen, and skaven hanging out with wererats.
Day 10: First gaming magazine you ever bought (Dragon, Dungeon, White Dwarf, etc.)
Dragon. It was a long time before I ever picked up Dungeon, and by the time I got around to White Dwarf it was just a giant advert for Games Workshop.
Day 11: First splatbook you begged your DM to approve.
The complete book of elves.
Day 12: First store where you bought your gaming supplies. Does it still exist?
The Comic Store in Lancaster PA. It’s still there, and still not much of a game store.
Day 13: First miniature(s) you used for D&D.
A combination of the paper fold up minis from the intro box and the minis from HeroQuest.
Day 14: Did you meet your significant other while playing D&D? Does he or she still play?
(Or just post a randomly generated monster in protest of Valentine's Day.)
No. Yes.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
D&D 40th Anniversary Blog Hop (post 1/4)
I know this D&D 40th Anniversary Blog Hop, hosted by d20 Dark Ages, is supposed to be a daily thing, but I'm going to split it into a mere 4 posts, which will go up every Saturday in February. Enjoy!
Day 1: First person who introduced you to D&D . Which edition? Your first character? My mom played D&D with a group when I was little. I didn’t play with them, but I remember looking at the books, and being enthralled. She later got me HeroQuest, and then the black box D&D starter set. My first character was a fighter from the intro adventure.
Day 2: First person who you introduced to D&D. Which edition? Their first character?
I introduced D&D to Mike, who I played the intro adventures with. I think his first character was the same intro fighter I played.
Day 3: First dungeon you explored as a player-character or ran as a DM.
The intro dungeon from the black box.
Day 4: First dragon your character slew (or some other powerful monster).
The first big bad that I slew was a vampire. I don’t know that I’ve ever actually gone up against a dragon…
Day 5: First character to go from 1st level to the highest level possible in a given edition. (Or what's the highest level character you've ever ran?)
Greywolf the Archmage. Total monty haul character.
Day 6: First character death. How did you handle it?
That same intro adventure set I’m sure killed off a character or two. I’m pretty sure we just rewound the clock, and kept going.
Day 7: First D&D product you ever bought. Do you still have it?
The first D&D product I ever bought was a dragon magazine. I don’t have it anymore, at least not physically. I do have a PDF of it.
Day 1: First person who introduced you to D&D . Which edition? Your first character? My mom played D&D with a group when I was little. I didn’t play with them, but I remember looking at the books, and being enthralled. She later got me HeroQuest, and then the black box D&D starter set. My first character was a fighter from the intro adventure.
Day 2: First person who you introduced to D&D. Which edition? Their first character?
I introduced D&D to Mike, who I played the intro adventures with. I think his first character was the same intro fighter I played.
Day 3: First dungeon you explored as a player-character or ran as a DM.
The intro dungeon from the black box.
Day 4: First dragon your character slew (or some other powerful monster).
The first big bad that I slew was a vampire. I don’t know that I’ve ever actually gone up against a dragon…
Day 5: First character to go from 1st level to the highest level possible in a given edition. (Or what's the highest level character you've ever ran?)
Greywolf the Archmage. Total monty haul character.
Day 6: First character death. How did you handle it?
That same intro adventure set I’m sure killed off a character or two. I’m pretty sure we just rewound the clock, and kept going.
Day 7: First D&D product you ever bought. Do you still have it?
The first D&D product I ever bought was a dragon magazine. I don’t have it anymore, at least not physically. I do have a PDF of it.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Zak's RPG Profile Questions
Zak posted a set of profile questions, and suggested that we place them someplace permanent. I'll be adding them to the About the Archmage page here on my blog.
I'm currently running (at home): An intermittent 4e game, and starting up a LL game.
Tabletop RPGs I'm currently playing (at home) include: None
I'm currently running (online): Random flailsnails games
Tabletop RPGs I'm currently playing (online) include: Random flailsnails games
I would especially like to play/run:
I’d like to play an ongoing regular game.
I’d like to run an ongoing regular classic D&D game.
...but would also try: playing just about anything.
I live in: Baltimore (just outside)
2 or 3 well-known RPG products other people made that I like: Stonehell, Barrowmaze, Adventurer, Conqueror, King RPG
2 or 3 novels I like: The Broken Empire series, tThe Lost Fleet series, and The Earthsea cycle
2 or 3 movies I like: Disney’s 3 Musketeers, The Hunt for Red October, 10th Kingdom
Best place to find me on-line: Here on my blog and G+
I will read almost anything on tabletop RPGs if it's: old school in flavor and new school in organization.
I really do not want to hear about: anything overly detailed.
I think dead orc babies are - boring.
Game I'm in are like a well thought out heist that goes terribly wrong.
Free RPG Content I made for Rules Cyclopedia D&D is available here.
You can’t buy RPG stuff I made because I don’t have anything for sale!
I talk about RPGs here on my blog and on G+ under my name.
I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!
I'm currently running (at home): An intermittent 4e game, and starting up a LL game.
Tabletop RPGs I'm currently playing (at home) include: None
I'm currently running (online): Random flailsnails games
Tabletop RPGs I'm currently playing (online) include: Random flailsnails games
I would especially like to play/run:
I’d like to play an ongoing regular game.
I’d like to run an ongoing regular classic D&D game.
...but would also try: playing just about anything.
I live in: Baltimore (just outside)
2 or 3 well-known RPG products other people made that I like: Stonehell, Barrowmaze, Adventurer, Conqueror, King RPG
2 or 3 novels I like: The Broken Empire series, tThe Lost Fleet series, and The Earthsea cycle
2 or 3 movies I like: Disney’s 3 Musketeers, The Hunt for Red October, 10th Kingdom
Best place to find me on-line: Here on my blog and G+
I will read almost anything on tabletop RPGs if it's: old school in flavor and new school in organization.
I really do not want to hear about: anything overly detailed.
I think dead orc babies are - boring.
Game I'm in are like a well thought out heist that goes terribly wrong.
Free RPG Content I made for Rules Cyclopedia D&D is available here.
You can’t buy RPG stuff I made because I don’t have anything for sale!
I talk about RPGs here on my blog and on G+ under my name.
I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Random Wizard is Trolling Again
The Random Wizard posted another set of Ten Troll Questions:
(1). Should level drain take away one level of experience points from the character? Yes or No? If no, what should level drain do?
I go back and forth on this. I really prefer ability score drain over level drain. For one thing, it's way easier at the table. For another, unless the monster traditionally drains/eats memories, why XP loss? It just never made much sense to me.
(2). Should the oil used in lanterns do significant damage (more than 1 hp in damage) if thrown on an opponent and set on fire? Yes or No? If yes, how much damage should it do?
I go with the 1d8 damage for 2 rounds rule.
(3). Should poison give a save or die roll, with a fail rolled indicated instant death? Yes or No? If no, how should game mechanics relating to poison work?
Conditionally, yes. But that's a pretty rare poison. I like there to be a wide variety of poisons that do a whole bunch of different things.
(4). Do characters die when they reach 0 hit points? Yes or No? If no, then at what point is a character dead?
I'm going to like the death and dismemberment table more and more. Of course, if someone coup de grâce the one at 0hp, then yeah, dead.
(5). Does the primary spell mechanic for a magic user consist of a "memorize and forget system" (aka Vancian)? Yes or No? If no, what alternative do you use?
Yes, but I also use cantrips.
(6). Should all weapons do 1d6 damage or should different weapons have varying dice (1d4, 1d8, etc...) for damage?
I never liked the everything does d6 damage thing.
(7). Should a character that has a high ability score in their prime requisite receive an experience point bonus? Yes or No?
Yup.
(8). Should a character with an strength of 18 constitution get a +3 bonus to hit points, or a +2 bonus to hit points, or a +1 bonus to hit points or no bonus to hit points? And should other ability scores grant similar bonuses to other game mechanics?
An 18 gets you +3, as per the Rules Cyclopedia.
(9). Should a character have 1 unified saving throw number, or 3 saving throw types based on ability scores (reflex, fortitude, will), or 5 types based on potential game effects (magic wand, poison attacks)? or something else?
I like the 3 save system from 3.x and 4e. The 5 saves from classic D&D just seems unnecessary complex with no payoff.
(10). Should a cleric get (A) 1 spell at 1st level (B) no spells at 1st level (C) more than 1 spell at 1st level?
Starting clerics get ZERO spells at first level. Being granted miracles (even minor ones) doesn't happen right away. Besides, they already have better armor, HP, and weapons than the magic user, plus turning undead!
(1). Should level drain take away one level of experience points from the character? Yes or No? If no, what should level drain do?
I go back and forth on this. I really prefer ability score drain over level drain. For one thing, it's way easier at the table. For another, unless the monster traditionally drains/eats memories, why XP loss? It just never made much sense to me.
(2). Should the oil used in lanterns do significant damage (more than 1 hp in damage) if thrown on an opponent and set on fire? Yes or No? If yes, how much damage should it do?
I go with the 1d8 damage for 2 rounds rule.
(3). Should poison give a save or die roll, with a fail rolled indicated instant death? Yes or No? If no, how should game mechanics relating to poison work?
Conditionally, yes. But that's a pretty rare poison. I like there to be a wide variety of poisons that do a whole bunch of different things.
(4). Do characters die when they reach 0 hit points? Yes or No? If no, then at what point is a character dead?
I'm going to like the death and dismemberment table more and more. Of course, if someone coup de grâce the one at 0hp, then yeah, dead.
(5). Does the primary spell mechanic for a magic user consist of a "memorize and forget system" (aka Vancian)? Yes or No? If no, what alternative do you use?
Yes, but I also use cantrips.
(6). Should all weapons do 1d6 damage or should different weapons have varying dice (1d4, 1d8, etc...) for damage?
I never liked the everything does d6 damage thing.
(7). Should a character that has a high ability score in their prime requisite receive an experience point bonus? Yes or No?
Yup.
(8). Should a character with an strength of 18 constitution get a +3 bonus to hit points, or a +2 bonus to hit points, or a +1 bonus to hit points or no bonus to hit points? And should other ability scores grant similar bonuses to other game mechanics?
An 18 gets you +3, as per the Rules Cyclopedia.
(9). Should a character have 1 unified saving throw number, or 3 saving throw types based on ability scores (reflex, fortitude, will), or 5 types based on potential game effects (magic wand, poison attacks)? or something else?
I like the 3 save system from 3.x and 4e. The 5 saves from classic D&D just seems unnecessary complex with no payoff.
(10). Should a cleric get (A) 1 spell at 1st level (B) no spells at 1st level (C) more than 1 spell at 1st level?
Starting clerics get ZERO spells at first level. Being granted miracles (even minor ones) doesn't happen right away. Besides, they already have better armor, HP, and weapons than the magic user, plus turning undead!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
What D&D Character Would You Be?
This doesn't come as anything close to a shock, though before it's been half elf wizard/ranger.
What D&D Character Would You Be?
I Am A: Neutral Good Elf Wizard (5th Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-12
Dexterity-13
Constitution-12
Intelligence-15
Wisdom-12
Charisma-13
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment when it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Elves are known for their poetry, song, and magical arts, but when danger threatens they show great skill with weapons and strategy. Elves can live to be over 700 years old and, by human standards, are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. Elves are slim and stand 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall. They have no facial or body hair, prefer comfortable clothes, and possess unearthly grace. Many others races find them hauntingly beautiful.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Detailed Results:
Alignment:
Lawful Good ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Neutral Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (19)
Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Lawful Neutral -- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16)
True Neutral ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (15)
Chaotic Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16)
Lawful Evil ----- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Neutral Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Chaotic Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Law & Chaos:
Law ----- XXXXXXX (7)
Neutral - XXXXXX (6)
Chaos --- XXXXXXX (7)
Good & Evil:
Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXX (9)
Evil ---- XXXX (4)
Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Dwarf ---- XXXXXX (6)
Elf ------ XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (14)
Gnome ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Half-Orc - XX (2)
Class:
Barbarian - (-6)
Bard ------ (0)
Cleric ---- (-6)
Druid ----- XX (2)
Fighter --- (-4)
Monk ------ (-21)
Paladin --- (-21)
Ranger ---- XXXX (4)
Rogue ----- (0)
Sorcerer -- XX (2)
Wizard ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
What D&D Character Would You Be?
I Am A: Neutral Good Elf Wizard (5th Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-12
Dexterity-13
Constitution-12
Intelligence-15
Wisdom-12
Charisma-13
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment when it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Elves are known for their poetry, song, and magical arts, but when danger threatens they show great skill with weapons and strategy. Elves can live to be over 700 years old and, by human standards, are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. Elves are slim and stand 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall. They have no facial or body hair, prefer comfortable clothes, and possess unearthly grace. Many others races find them hauntingly beautiful.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Detailed Results:
Alignment:
Lawful Good ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Neutral Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (19)
Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Lawful Neutral -- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16)
True Neutral ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (15)
Chaotic Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (16)
Lawful Evil ----- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Neutral Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Chaotic Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Law & Chaos:
Law ----- XXXXXXX (7)
Neutral - XXXXXX (6)
Chaos --- XXXXXXX (7)
Good & Evil:
Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXX (9)
Evil ---- XXXX (4)
Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Dwarf ---- XXXXXX (6)
Elf ------ XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (14)
Gnome ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Half-Orc - XX (2)
Class:
Barbarian - (-6)
Bard ------ (0)
Cleric ---- (-6)
Druid ----- XX (2)
Fighter --- (-4)
Monk ------ (-21)
Paladin --- (-21)
Ranger ---- XXXX (4)
Rogue ----- (0)
Sorcerer -- XX (2)
Wizard ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
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