Order of the Stick: How long will they put up with Miko?

[Lazarous]

Thing is, it's a joke that has ceased to be funny. As players themselves, many readers identify with the Oots "players". So they have an immediate visceral reaction to "DM railroading" that is entirely and unavoidably negative, and spoils the strip.

If Roy had said "Stupid dice." that might have been funny. This ... not.

Just read todays strip, then read the giant's description of combat. That felt...extremely contrived. Its not as if he even really tried to justify how miko could take on the entire party, he just kinda said...yeah, she's a twf, but she hits consistently with 4/5 attacks, uses flawless tactics while V decides to NOT cast fly and get out of reach as his first action (among a long list of OOST horrid combat choices).

I can sympathise a bit better now with people not liking that particular strip, cause it really was a deus ex machina that said 'no, you lose' after specifically pointing out how a lone miko against a prepared oots wouldn't prevail. Meh.

edit:

The funniest part was the completely misplaced over-confidence of the team; Roy's grumbling about railroading is just icing on the cake, since Rich demonstrated that Miko's victory was neither implausible or impossible.

A twf specialist hitting with 4/5 attacks against a properly equipped warrior either indicated a massive level disparity or DM fiat. The combat rounds he posted had abysmal tactics by the order, miko never failed at anything she tried, and her horse single handedly disabled the party rogue. Her horse. This was railroading, not plausable in the slightest .

 

[shilsen]

Thing is, it's a joke that has ceased to be funny. As players themselves, many readers identify with the Oots "players". So they have an immediate visceral reaction to "DM railroading" that is entirely and unavoidably negative, and spoils the strip.

If Roy had said "Stupid dice." that might have been funny. This ... not.

I think you have a point. I tend to look at OotS as a funny take-off on things (both good and bad) which go on in many typical D&D campaigns, and have absolutely no identification between my own games and characters and the OotS characters/story. So I thought this one was darn funny

 

[Psychic Warrior]

Oh great. Miko runs the party now? OotS has taken a big turn for the worse (and Durkon is a dirty traitor whom i hope Roy kills when he gets free - assuming the 'DM' ever lets them free again).

I really don't see a lot of funny happening here. So the next 10 strips will be Miko dragging the OotS to her Lord in chains? Hopefully we'll go back to where the real comedy gold is - with Xylon!

 

[Sammael]

Today's OotS: :thumbsdown:

The combat explanation was contrived, and the comic unfunny. It's been getting worse and worse lately. I don't think even Xykon can save it anymore.

I think Rich should go back to one comic per week. Back then, he was giving them more thought instead of just trying to get them finished on time.

 

[Bullgrit]

Might there be humor in watching the OotS try to escape the railroad plot at every opportunity? Sort of like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? They realize that no matter what they try, they'll be dragged back to the plot.

Bullgrit

 

[diaglo]

I think you have a point. I tend to look at OotS as a funny take-off on things (both good and bad) which go on in many typical D&D campaigns, and have absolutely no identification between my own games and characters and the OotS characters/story. So I thought this one was darn funny

the OotS is our group. almost exactly.

which is why i have to agree with most everyone else.

the next strip should include... Miko and Durkon only. the rest of the strips players walked out.

 

[diaglo]

Might there be humor in watching the OotS try to escape the railroad plot at every opportunity? Sort of like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? They realize that no matter what they try, they'll be dragged back to the plot.

Bullgrit

having lived thru campaigns with Bad DMs the only humor in this is not funny. it is just vindictive. the players try as best they can just to wreck the campaign so they can get someone else to be the DM.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

Might there be humor in watching the OotS try to escape the railroad plot at every opportunity? Sort of like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? They realize that no matter what they try, they'll be dragged back to the plot.

Bullgrit

Not really. i like to see the OotS succeed once in a while. Since Miko entered victories have been few and far between (unless Dm fiated into exsistance)..

 

[diaglo]

i also don't buy the surprise round.

Belkar clearly said he'd like to see her(Miko) try. meaning he was ready for battle. i think the pally's horse should be dead.

 

[Sammael]

Yeah, there is no way there should have been a surprise round. Everybody was aware of everybody else, and the atmosphere was decidedly hostile.