Recent content by johndesmarais

Yes - If it’s a game that I intend to play or run; or if it’s a game I want to read.

I have this problem with Hero System (Champions). I’ve played it from 3rd edition through to 6th, and find that they have started to merge together in my mind of late.

I got a minor amount of grief over the “waste of time” that it was, until I pointed out to my mother that her two Bridge groups each met once a week for a couple of hours each and she let the whole matter drop.

This is the primary reason I’m more likely to OSE than original B/XD&D, even though they are basically the same game. OSE presents the rules in a much easier (for me) manner for consumption.

Hmmmm… my issue is actually not getting my players to try new games, but having enough time to play all of the games I want to try.

By most measures it’s an inferior tool. It lacks many of the advanced features of Foundry, and isn’t as simple or clean as Owlbear.rodeo - all of which actually appeals to me as my feature needs are low, but slightly higher than Owlbear.rodeo. Plus, I have a very large library of resources that...

I’d love to play (not run) Masks of Nyarlathotep and Horror on the Orient Express with a group that really leans into the CoC tropes.

Roll20 for all the wrong reasons.

I find this a bit amusing. I get it (which is why I always recommend new GMs use the established setting and foes) but don’t feel it. I’m starting a new Champions campaign that is set in a pre-established IP so generally I won’t be able to use the villains from the Champions villains books - and...

Champions (or the Hero System) is pretty well balanced (so long as the GM keeps an eye out for intentionally dodgy constructs) - but not in the way many people think of balance. Its balance is not from the perspective of “all characters built on X points will be equally effective.” Its balance...

Were I to guess, I would say that it took an indeterminate and unpredictable amount of time to negotiate the rights, and the once that was done they needed to start moving immediately.

It has a unified mechanic like what 3rd edition introduced (D20 + mods, roll over TN for all resolution), but manages to hold onto much of the AD&D feel that 3rd lost (IMO).

It’s a game I like a lot, with one large irritant. I don’t like how the game presents the way Primary and Secondary attributes work. As presented, the target number for the roll changes depending on whether the roll is based on a Pri or Sec attribute. This means either the GM has to keep track...

Funny. I’ve never listener to the podcast, but for some reason I’ve always made an association between it and Monster of the Week in my head.

As several others has said, one-shots are a great way to see if new players are a good fit at your table.