Search results

Understood. Likewise I don't think we'd have a good time together. I try to always use this same kermit avatar wherever I go, so you should be able to recognize me and can nope away.

Fair enough. I agree he was flawed because who isn't? But I do not agree that the punishment -- the public flogging he still receives when his name comes up (not from you now, but in general someone always comes out to indict him) -- fits his alleged crimes. Also, thanks for Spider-Man!!!!!

Fair points. Gotta say...I could never play with or DM for a player who insists on a literal interpretation of the rules. Could not tolerate it, so I guess the feeling would be mutual.

Not speaking for anyone else, but I don't reveal all my cards (dice) at the table either. I do literally pretend sometimes if I feel it's for the greater good. If we only have 30 minutes left to play before the Cleric has to go home, I might use a little DM magic to disable that last trap in...

Poor Stan. I believe he was also unfairly criticized -- nay, vilified -- for things he actually did not do. He was widely accused of stealing credit for creating characters, but anyone paying attention way back in the day knew how influential Lee was to Marvel comics and most of their entire...

"You can't talk someone into liking apples." What if you tell them the doctor is Hannibal Lecter, and the only way to keep him away is...

You just wrote, "gives me anything I'd want from Ranger..." That means things that are important to you, not someone else, so that's it in a nutshell right there. If you don't care specifically about Hunter's Mark, Natural Explorer, Nature's Veil and the other class-specific features, then...

Interesting comment. In my case, I have deep, core belief aversions to cowardice and hypocrisy. I have zero problem admitting that I railroad and that I use illusionism, or "DM magic," or whatever we call it, to keep a good game going. I'm not going to pretend I don't use them, and I have no...

If your brain can imagine a way to bring the new first-timers or out-of-towners into a session that doesn't make you barf a little in your mouth and shake with revulsion, it's a valid approach. Take the concept of player agency and apply it to yourself as DM. You can do it however you want...

Hmm... Bit on the nose there with the knife-twisting, but I agree that most DMs with more than a few years under their belt probably have more in common stylistically than they don't. Also, I think we may agree that humans in general, even when they're able to improvise better than most, still...

Only speaking for why Ranger's necessary for me -- because no class is necessary for everyone... First, they are cool, and I like them. 😁 Also, Natural Explorer and related stuff lets the whole group track, forage and hide better than other combos of feats and skills do. Hunter's Mark with...

I should make this my profile signature.

Because I like them?

Has Jack gotten a tetanus shot within the past 10 years?

Yes, I still play them the same way, same monocultures, which I always understood as akin to Japan or Saudi Arabia -- culturally closed off, not very welcome to foreigners. For instance, I never took the characterization of drow society in FR by its social critics as something other than a...

This was good! "That way, the long history ceases to become a chain and becomes a toolbox."

I know I'm t-boning this discussion, which has become a bit of a bare-knuckle fight, but I tend to agree. I've mentioned that I do railroading (I think some would call it that). I do try to coax (coerce?) my players back into the adventure funnel when I've created one and they've hopped out. I...

You're lucky. I've known DMs who can improvise everything and show up to gameday with nothing prepared, no maps, lists of fantasy names, NPCs, nothing. Too stressful for me. I've done it from time to time over the years, and it hurts my brain and fries my nerves. When I prepare it's so much...

I was posing it to the group. Of course I allow them to go to the tavern and then devise a way to organically encourage them to head back to the catacombs (basically, I railroad them). I can't remember a time in 40 years that hasn't worked. If I prepared for a session in the catacombs...

Agreed. And if that fails because they verbally agree to stay on track but still unintentionally chase the blinky lights and get easily distracted, just railroad them and make sure they don't notice. Sometimes people need a little help staying on task. 🙂 (Yes, I realize that you probably hate...