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  1. p_johnston

    D&D General Dealing with bad luck (From behind the DM screen).

    So we've been playing the 13th age 2e playtest during my weekly games for the last little while and it's been....rough. Especially the last couple of weeks I can tell the mood at the table has been pretty down and the fights have been pretty rough due in large part to a combination of...
  2. p_johnston

    D&D (2024) Using AI for Your Home Game

    So if someone in their home game uses a random picture from from pintrest that someone posted for an NPC is it theft? Maybe. But its a theft where no one (including the artist usually) cares because no one is hurt and nothing is lost. I can see why people want to apply the same logic to AI. But...
  3. p_johnston

    Critical Role Is Critical Role Scripted (behind the scenes)

    So my post was in reply to you stating that they have said their CR game is still like their home game (a topic you brought up). I was merely pointing out the ways in which that is obviously not true. I can understand why they want to pretend like it is (it's a lot easier to relate to just a...
  4. p_johnston

    Critical Role Is Critical Role Scripted (behind the scenes)

    So I will say that while I think that is...like 90% true they do make concessions towards it being a show produced for an audience that I am fairly certain wouldn't happen during an at home game. In a home game the number 1 priority is "make sure everyone at the table is having fun" with a...
  5. p_johnston

    Critical Role Is Critical Role Scripted (behind the scenes)

    I suspect part of the "its scripted" stuff comes from the fact that they're all professional actors and trained in improv so 1) their off the cuff looks really smooth and professional 2) if Matt's hinting at "please go do this thing" they're a lot more likely to both pick up and go along with...
  6. p_johnston

    Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks Talks AI Usage in D&D [UPDATED!]

    I do fine it mildly amazing that a company that makes so much money off of selling creative works would be happy about something that they're hoping can make creative works without the Artist. Because if it gets to that point.....why do i need Hasbro/Wotc? Because the next logical step after...
  7. p_johnston

    D&D (2024) Current Stealth Rule Actually Works As Is. If Moving Out of Cover After Hiding Makes Enemies Immediately "Finds You", Hide Would Be Totally UNUSABLE.

    So the thing that i always disliked about rogues hide spaming in combat wasnt the semi-permenant advantage. Thats fine, let them get sneak attack, let them hit so they dont just waste a turn. My problem with spam hiding was it can easily turn into "the rouge is invincible because no one can see...
  8. p_johnston

    Do you need or prefer physical dice when playing?

    So i will say personally i prefer dice but not for any tactile reason. For most rolls finding, rolling, and adding the dice is usually as quick or quicker then a most dice rollers for me. Add to that the fact that my electronics in person are usually dedicated to notes, maps, or music and even...
  9. p_johnston

    D&D General Who shouldn't play D&D

    I mean taking the question at face value I don't think their are particular skills required to play d&d beyond the basics of reading, writing, math etc. even those it's more a matter of making it harder to play the game without them rather then not being able to. as for preferences D&D is built...
  10. p_johnston

    D&D General What do you prefer to give/get XP for?

    I put a huge variety but the truest answer is "it depends on the campaign." While i generally prefer milestone (generally 1 level per mini story arc) when i use xp i use it to help provide a mechanical way to reinforce the type of campaign I want. If I want a campaign focused on monster hunting...
  11. p_johnston

    Fallout London

    I've played the first few hours and (very) early review. Its a very fun and impressive fan project but you can see some rough edges that tell you its a fan project. The thing that impresses me most is how much they've added to make it feel like a london fallout while still maintaining the...
  12. p_johnston

    D&D 5E Legendary Resistance shouldn't be optional

    So I think you might have a different definition of a good use of a LR is from some of the other people on this thread. I'll agree that just blowing all the LR on the first few saves is usually not great and kinda defeats the purpose (though depending on the enemy/how tired my party is I might...
  13. p_johnston

    D&D (2024) How many of you would implement the drop to 0 HP, get 1 level of exhaustion house rule?

    So I actually currently use this variant at my table (0 HP = exhaustion. Each level of exhaustion = -1 to all d20 rolls) Along with an optional rule that PC's can turn critical hits into normal ones by taking a level of exhaustion (Stolen from Level Up). I also let players recover more...
  14. p_johnston

    D&D 5E Legendary Resistance shouldn't be optional

    So you'll notice that monsters only ever have 3 LR and thats not just because they like to keep things consistent. At a guess they found that 3 LR is the equilibrium point between "This doesn't do anything to keep the boss alive" and "players feel like save spells aren't worth anything at all...
  15. p_johnston

    D&D 5E At what level do your heavy armored characters get their plate mail?

    Generally level 3 to 5 (though its semi rare my party goes the heavy armor route). If im being conscientious ill drop it as loot around level 3, if im being forgetful they have enough gold by level 5
  16. p_johnston

    D&D General Weekend Fun: What Fantasy Movie Does Your Ideal D&D Campaign Look Most Like?

    So i picked a few (and the true answer is it shifts with mood and time) but the one that feels most like it for me is the Princess Bride. It has Silly, fun, touching and serious moments as the story needs. Cutting back to the real world to see how the players/child is feeling about it...
  17. p_johnston

    User Name and Avatars: Origin Stories

    My username is....my name. I never super cared if people can identify me online so most places I just use my last name (also Johnston is not so unique a name that it would be easy to track me down). As for the Pic I just really love New Vegas. Might be my favorite game of all time. I've...
  18. p_johnston

    D&D General On Early D&D and Problematic Faves: How to Grapple with the Sins of the Past

    Wow i need to stop writing pre coffee. My brain miss files to many things otherwise. H.P. Lovecraft not H.G.Wells.
  19. p_johnston

    D&D General On Early D&D and Problematic Faves: How to Grapple with the Sins of the Past

    An interesting read, thanks. Personally I find my line in the sand is when I feel buying a product is in some way directly supporting a cause/belief I think is wrong. If I buy a cthulu book it's not supporting a HG wells or his beliefs because he's long dead. If I buy Harry potter...
  20. p_johnston

    "My Character Would Know That"

    Personally I can find it a hard line to walk sometimes because I don't want to punish players because of a miscommunication/misunderstanding but I also don't want to play their characters for them. The best solution I've found is if the player is making what I feel is a stupid decision that...
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