The Rick James School of DMing

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

I have a serious problem with #9. Are you stating that any DM using a non WotC product is an ego aggrandizing, railroader with bad hair?

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Another Rick James fun fact: the first band he was in that was signed to a record deal included Neil Young.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Rick James Speaks!

I have a serious problem with #9. Are you stating that any DM using a non WotC product is an ego aggrandizing, railroader with bad hair?

Not precisely; I am not criticizing all independent companies. However, it is my professional opinion that many independents produce roleplaying materials that are extremely unbalanced; Bastion Press and Mongoose Publications are just two of the biggest culprits.

To clarify: the main point of commandment #9 is that an unreasonable DM reserves the right to screw over his/her players with non-standard/unbalanced/fiat material.

 

[Desdichado]

Not precisely; I am not criticizing all independent companies. However, it is my professional opinion that many independents produce roleplaying materials that are extremely unbalanced; Bastion Press and Mongoose Publications are just two of the biggest culprits.

What do you mean by "professional opinion?" You'd probably get a better consensus around official FR material being unbalanced and overpowered than independent d20 publishers in general.

I don't think anyone's arguing that there's some bad third party publications out there, but the implication that they're worse than WotC isn't widely accepted by ENWorlders in general, it seems.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Many Third-Party Publications are Highly Questionable

What do you mean by "professional opinion?" You'd probably get a better consensus around official FR material being unbalanced and overpowered than independent d20 publishers in general.

I don't think anyone's arguing that there's some bad third party publications out there, but the implication that they're worse than WotC isn't widely accepted by ENWorlders in general, it seems.

Actually, there a lot of bad third-party publications out there.

3.5 FRCS materials fall within WotC guidleines and are acceptable, so long as they are not combined with region-specific materials from other campaign worlds.

Also, regarding the alleged superiority of third-party publications to WotC: if a gamer honestly believes that companies like Bastion and Mongoose produce better products, then they are certainly welcome to their opinion.

Personally, I think these people are nuts, but to each his own.

Come to think of it, your suggestion that ENworlders prefer third-party publications to WotC products (such as the FRCS) is worthy of another poll. You should start one.

 

[Desdichado]

I'm not alleging that third party products are better than WotC products (necessarily, although some of them are), merely that ENWorld in general is famous for being friendly to d20 publishers. If your stance is that in general d20 products aren't as good as WotC, and that FR are totally balanced and great to use in any setting, then you'll probably find that few people agree with you. Few vocal people, anyway.

I've never heard anything specifically about Bastion being unbalanced, and I'll agree that Mongoose has a "hit and miss" record. But again, I'm not sure if you're implying that those two companies write unbalanced mechanics, or d20 publishers in general.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Oh Really?

If your stance is that in general d20 products aren't as good as WotC, and that FR are totally balanced and great to use in any setting, then you'll probably find that few people agree with you. Few vocal people, anyway.

Care to put that to the test? Start a poll .... I'm curious.

Also, please don't misquote me. I never said that FRCS material is great to use in any setting. I only said that the FRCS was a balanced setting.

3.5 FRCS materials fall within WotC guidleines and are acceptable, so long as they are not combined with region-specific materials from other campaign worlds.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Take it to the People!

I'm not alleging that third party products are better than WotC products (necessarily, although some of them are), merely that ENWorld in general is famous for being friendly to d20 publishers.

True, but not everyone here is a shill for an independent company. People can make up their own minds, and I'm willing to bet there are a lot of other gamers out there who feel that many non-WotC d20 products are poorly designed.

I've never heard anything specifically about Bastion being unbalanced, and I'll agree that Mongoose has a "hit and miss" record. But again, I'm not sure if you're implying that those two companies write unbalanced mechanics, or d20 publishers in general.

As I already mentioned earlier, many d20 publishers write unbalanced and/or error-riddled material; Bastion and Mongoose are just two of the worst offenders.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

It's Definitely a Celebration!

Anyways, I digress. After all, this thread is about the Rick James School of DMing ....

"No your honor ... I did not torture that player with a crack pipe."​

 

[Dark Jezter]

I have no idea who Rick James is

He's a habitual line-stepper who put his feet on Eddie Murphy's couch, and he thinks that cocaine is a hell of a drug.