Search results

My gut reaction is to say "screw him" - thats bad DMing. As a DM, though, I'd think about other factors (and these aren't necessarily related to you). Does this person or group have a history of changing characters? Do I have some cool thing/event/situation lined up in the next adventure or two...

I've run groups of 6-8 people fairly regularly - usually with Savage Worlds (or recently C&C) so the combat system is by nature a bit quicker, but I think some of these should still apply. Here are some suggestions, in no particular order: Splitting up is bad. Whille tempting, I've found it...

I like DCC 28 Into the Wilds quite a bit, and it could be a good precursor to ToEE. Its got a Keep on the Borderlands feeling, combined with some very cool original elements.

These are my two favorite systems. Both are light, fast, fun systems with a good message board community, and both excel at letting you focus your DM prep time on the creative parts, not the mechanical bits. Savage Worlds is a multi-genre game, while C&C is definitely rooted in fantasy (and very...

I don't agree at all with that assessment. Lets take the dragon. On average, prior to a Con bonus (if any), a 10th level 1e Fighter would have 53 HP or so (with a 16 CON, that'd be 71 HP). With a super generous DM, he might actually 60-70 HP (or 80-90 with a high CON). That 10th level Fighter...

You're not equating technology with design skill; I would. Technology is nothing more than implemented skill and knowledge; game/module writing (while more artistic) isn't much different. Just as the design skill of computer engineering has gotten better, so has the design skill of RPG creation...

Exactly. Only, I am a grognard. But otherwise, spot on.

I agree. I read it as everyone is going to be special now, all the time. Me? I don't like that design philosophy.

That just makes me think of this: "If everyone is special, then no one is."

We typically eat prior to the game session, and often together. We'll take occasional breaks to go grab whatever dessert like snackage someone brought (cakes, cookies, etc). We take the breaks so that the DM (usually me) gets a fair shot at them. Actually, come to think of it, since I usually...

I won't order from RPG Shop ever again. EVER. I don't care what the product is. Fool me once, all that stuff. I've had good experiences with both Paizo and Amazon. I really like Paizo, the company. I really like the Amazon discount (and free 2 day shipping with Amazon Prime - and as a family we...

In addition, you might ask them to describe a previous adventure or two. Maybe ask them how they got their best magic item or two together.

I don't think its bad DMing at all. But I echo what has been said pretty clearly: Make sure your players know your intents and restrictions up front, and make sure that sounds interesting to them. Its not good to DM a game that no one wants to play in, just like its not good to DM a game you...

You know, as much as I love 1e and don't particularly like 3x, I gotta give it to Wizards that they certainly managed to clean out the pile of discrepancies that resided in the earlier rulebooks. If nothing else, 3x is a much more internally consistent ruleset, compared to 1e. (Of course, I...

I voted for PCs die when they make stupid mistakes, and the DM never pulls punches, but its really more PCs die when they die, and the DM never pulls punches. I don't punish players for making mistakes or "bad" decisions (sometimes that provides the most fun roleplaying moments), but I also...

I only have the characters make SIEGE rolls if the outcome is in doubt. For example (unlike normal D&D, either 1e or 3x), if a Ranger is tracking, unless there is something unusual about the tracks (rain, funky terrain, a deliberate attempt to hide them, etc), I'd rule that the Ranger's tracking...

Well, thats one way to try to put words in my mouth. No, I think your example is utterly ridiculous and not at all relevant to the conversation at hand. I simply wouldn't play in a tournament like that. But I also wouldn't blame paintball for the failing of that one tournament.

What an inane example. How about instead, lets say you're playing a roleplaying game. The point of the game is to have fun. You're playing with a DM or a group, and you're not having fun. It doesn't matter if they're cheating or not. Why not go play with another group or DM, and quit blaming the...

I actually like a combination of both. Some people aren't as creative or perceptive as their characters are supposed to be; I don't want to penalize them for that, just like I don't want to penalize someone for not knowing how to fight as well as their character (not to mention more fantastic...

I was going to post something almost exactly like this. We're all friends and often do things outside of game night. That helps quite a bit. For game night, we try to play twice a month, and that is usually a good month. We've even co-opted a few of the wives/fiancés, and they're part of the...