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If a character has invested in being very good with a 2 handed battle axe, why punish them repeatedly? One aspect of the game encourages specialization, then another aspect makes that specialization mostly useless. You can accomplish the goal of shifting the balance of an encounter with the...

One question a designer should ask is does a mechanic make the game more fun, just add complexity or worse, sideline one or more players during an encounter? Example is the Damage Reduction system in D&D type games. Early versions had a few monsters that needed silver or magic to hit. But...

For those work place folks that say "I would like to play...", bring some character sheets to work and see if you can get them to sit down over lunch and fill out a character sheet. If they are not willing to spend 1 or 2 lunch hours doing a bit of educational prep work, pretty safe putting...

A group I am playing with is using a VTT as a play aid due to our gaming site not being suited for a physical table. Many times we the players wind up sitting around while the GM takes an hour or more to prep for the day's session. Each of the last 3 sessions have involved a 15+ minute pause...

The Midnight setting by Fantasy Flight is a rather bleak setting where Evil has won and much of the character's activities is just staying alive and there is little chance that anything they do will change the overall world events. Similar to if the hobbits failed to destroy the One Ring and...

A classic example of an encounter where the critter shouldn't be killed is the ST-TOS episode, Devil in the Dark. The one with the Horta that is disrupting critical mining operations. Of course our heroes beam down and start shooting at it and people die. Eventually one(Spock) realizes that...

This was pointed out by an illustration on page 10 of the AD&D PHB. A dunce wizard vs one with brains. On the page describing Intelligence. The next page has a drawing of someone tripping over a banana peel on the page describing Dexterity. A fair number of the illustrations in the AD&D...

My views roughly align with Snarf's. Except that I consider PF2 a variant. The ORC version is a direct result of Paizo wanting to "License Proof" themselves after the latest Hasbro "Let's modify the license terms" experiment. But the core D&D mechanics are still there. The classes, 6...

One thing to add to the list - the GM not having stuff ready. Sucks when the game halts while the GM preps an NPC or map. Or the map doesn't match the scenario because the GM couldn't/didn't find the proper map. Also not finding a decent token for NPCs and continually using one of the default...

The PF1 Ultimate Equipment guide mentions the Handy Haversack has 3 storage pouches that function like a bags of holding. 2 smaller side ones and a main pouch. The PF blurb on bag of holding mentions if it gets pierced by a sharp object like a spear, everything inside vanishes somewhere...

Computer monitors are also getting cheaper as long as you aren't going for the latest 'gaming' version. Can sometimes find old versions in thrift stores for cheap. Dell Ultrasharp monitors come with a stand that lets you easily raise/lower the monitor. If you already have a laptop at the...

The Pathfinder 1 version is the Handy Haversack. You can pull the desired item as a move action with no attack of opportunity. Such things are almost required gear once you get to the place in your career you can afford one. Assuming your world/area has such things.

A group I game with used one of my older TVs as a flat map surface for about 3 years. TV did fine. Currently in storage as that host had to take a break from hosting and no one currently has a suitable table. Newer TVs should do fine as they tend to run even cooler. I made a stand using the...

Not to mention what to do with a staff while in one of the most important places in many adventurers lives, the tavern. Lay it across the table where it will knock drinks off? Lean against a wall where it will fall over? Try to balance across your lap in a chair? Check it at the door with...

I really wish that folks that license these IPs would quit thinking that they need to design Yet Another RPG Rule System(YARPGRS). Instead do something like Powered By GURPS and put a brief note in the front of your Core book that says 'To use this product, you also need access to <rule book...

I know that folks say that black haired women in the back is human, but her ear sure looks pointed in that illustration. Are pointed ears a requirement to be a party member? Maybe she got too close to a mechanical rice picker in her youth?

GURPS Fantasy is probably what you would want. Yes, there are elves and dwarves listed, along with many other options. Most are racial templates you apply to the character in question. Easy to ban any you don't want infecting your world.

1 The next campaign. Traveller. James Bond. Bunnies and Burrows. Doesn't really matter what. Just a way to get there. 2 A 10x10 room with nothing in it. The prior owner of the tree used the tree as a home(sound familiar?), the sphinx as a guardian and the room as a safe. The prior owner...

Prepping for the "Christmas in July" celebration? Argument to be made this IS how they meet a Scrooge quota. Maybe their AI got summer solstice and winter solstice mixed up? At least we know this wasn't just a WOTC thing.

Steve Jackson Games - The Fantasy Trip. Core rule book In the Labyrinth does include elves and dwarves but they are not essential to the game or setting. Several other intelligent races are available for use as PCs. Base setting is Cidri. There is a Bestiary. Possible to play Octopi as PCs...