DCC Level 0 Character Funnel is a Bad Concept

[payn]

In Portal Under the Stars, the funnel adventure in the DCC Core book, isn't it see up so that the characters are basically stuck in the dungeon until they figure out how to get out? I don't have the book with me, though, so I'm not sure if I'm remembering it right.

Sounds right. A magical walk way appears and the village goes to explore. Once inside trapped and now realize they are in "the cube".

 

[MNblockhead]

The one thing to keep in mind is that some of those odd-shaped dice couldn't pass a chi-squared test if you gave them the answers.

In my D&D game, when I played in person, I had a fairly expensive set of aluminum precision dice from gravity dice, in colors to match the medieval achemical colors matching the elements the polyhedrals represented.

For DCC, weird, unbalanced, cheap plastic dice seem to fit the feel. The luck of inexact manufacture is just another part of the charm.

My dog-bitten, cheap, pale blue basic dice that came with the basic box set I got in the 80s, with its use-rounded edges won't pass any chi-sqared test either, but it passes the test of my heart.

And, anyway, there are apps, websites, and VTTs to randomize number if one really cares about more balanced randomization.

 

[Von Ether]

Yeah, there should be some funnels which force the characters to basically try to escape, so you avoid the "why would we keep on going" question. I have an OSE funnel module called Zed and Two Noughts which works like this.

I do agree that while some folks really love the zany funnel, it really is optional. Starting from 1st level is fine and reasonably common.

In fact, the Lankhmar Campaign box advises not to run a funnel and walks you through a non-funnel character creation process. I enjoy funnels as great little ice breaker one-shots.

I have to Goodman props, they know -or have built- an audience they know how to cater to. For me DCC is like one of your geeky friends who I enjoy hanging out but I also need a break from after a while.

 

[Swanosaurus]

Sounds right. A magical walk way appears and the village goes to explore. Once inside trapped and now realize they are in "the cube".

TBH, I never read the scenario in the corebook ... it's always the covers that draw me to DCC adventures, and since that adventure doesn't have one, I skipped it.

 

[Retreater]

There are other things I dislike about DCC (e.g. the dice, the reliance on charts), but since the thread is about the Character Funnel aspect specifically, I'm not going to dwell on those factors. Yes, I can skip the Character Funnel, but I'd still be left with a chunky book of charts and to tell my players to use dice rolling apps.
It's unfortunate for me to see one of my favorite publishers from the 3rd edition era spending the bulk of their effort making what seems like a parody game (akin to Hackmaster).

 

[Mannahnin]

There are other things I dislike about DCC (e.g. the dice, the reliance on charts), but since the thread is about the Character Funnel aspect specifically, I'm not going to dwell on those factors. Yes, I can skip the Character Funnel, but I'd still be left with a chunky book of charts and to tell my players to use dice rolling apps.
It's unfortunate for me to see one of my favorite publishers from the 3rd edition era spending the bulk of their effort making what seems like a parody game (akin to Hackmaster).

I don't think it's a parody game at all.

But I also don't think it's the right game for you if you hate the charts and the dice. Both of those things are deliberately chosen for the aesthetic experiences they give. The charts add unpredictability and flavor, which is meant to be fun, and the dice attempt to recapture the feelings we had as kids first seeing polyhedrals- that alien oddness and sense of possibilities beyond what mass market boardgames with their d6s and spinners could offer us. As well as giving an alternative to the dice modifiers we're all well used to by now. Both of those things are meant to be novel and unexpected and recapture some of the magic we experienced "back in the day" before this all was well-trod territory for us.

It just seems a mismatch of aesthetic preferences.

Thankfully there are a TON of other games out there. And while it would definitely require more work than converting between OSRs (which can often be done on the fly), if you like the modules I'm sure you CAN convert them.

And if you like Goodman's publications otherwise, I definitely recommend the OAR series if you don't have them already.

 

[Swanosaurus]

There are other things I dislike about DCC (e.g. the dice, the reliance on charts), but since the thread is about the Character Funnel aspect specifically, I'm not going to dwell on those factors. Yes, I can skip the Character Funnel, but I'd still be left with a chunky book of charts and to tell my players to use dice rolling apps.

Well, then you're probably really better off just playing something else. Though you can hardly fault the publishers: They are pretty upfront about DCC beign a) a big book, b) full of spell, crit und fumble tables and c) using funky dice.
I know how it is to think that I will like something only to find out that actually, it's not my cup of tea, so I can empathize.

 

[Retreater]

And if you like Goodman's publications otherwise, I definitely recommend the OAR series if you don't have them already.

I do have a number of the OARs (and waiting on the Dark Tower to be delivered) - the Isle of Dread 5e conversion/expansion was one of the best 5e adventures I've run.

Also picked up The Crypt of the Devil Lich collectors set - that one was a great memory since I played in the first GenCon tournament (even have my picture in the book).

So yeah, it's just kind of a bummer that I don't mesh with Goodman's flagship product.

 

[Von Ether]

On the plus side, their articles on Appendix N writers and their works are cool freebies.

But yeah, their main aesthetic gives the vibe of a vary talented high schooler in the 1980s who is crafting the ultimate campaign he and his buddies will be talking about up to their 40s when they decide to bring the band back together.

 

[MNblockhead]

There are other things I dislike about DCC (e.g. the dice, the reliance on charts), but since the thread is about the Character Funnel aspect specifically, I'm not going to dwell on those factors. Yes, I can skip the Character Funnel, but I'd still be left with a chunky book of charts and to tell my players to use dice rolling apps.
It's unfortunate for me to see one of my favorite publishers from the 3rd edition era spending the bulk of their effort making what seems like a parody game (akin to Hackmaster).

Not sure if you every play using a VTT or digital app. But try playing DCC with a VTT or the Purple Sorcerer app.

Warhammer Fantasy is similar in its love of tables. When table lookup and rolling is automated it brings the great flavor without imposing friction in the flow of play.

I love the randomness of spell casting in DCC and Warhammer, but would hate dealing with it if I were playing pencil & paper only.