D&D 5E Justin Alexander's review of Shattered Obelisk is pretty scathing

[Sparky McDibben]

I didn't know Justin was banned from EN World. Anyone know the story there? Feel free to PM me rather than post it here.

Thirded? Fourthed? Not sure, but interested.

As far as the writers are concerned, I'm getting really concerned about Amanda Harmon's work. She did some really good stuff on Starfinder, from what I hear, and I gave her a break on Strixhaven, given that she had just come over, but this is starting to make me nervous.

 

[pukunui]

Perkins loves himself some "whimsey". Unfortunately it doesn't always work tonally with what others are doing.

For example, I have a feeling the "spider web skating" goblins in Out of the Abyss, an overall pretty bleak and scary adventure, might be his doing.

I like his whimsy actually. I just don't think he's as good a DM or adventure writer as some people make him out to be. He's not bad but he's not the god of D&D either.

 

[Parmandur]

I like his whimsy actually. I just don't think he's as good a DM or adventure writer as some people make him out to be. He's not bad but he's not the god of D&D either.

Well, no. That's Matt Mercer's job.

 

[Reynard]

Everything else aside:

Are we stil actually worrying about the "logic" of a dungeon adventure that is designed in an explicitly gamist way? Come on. You knew what you signed up for when you picked up the D&D PHB: dungeons AND dragons (or hydras, as the case may be).

There are likely very reasonable complaints to be made about any WotC adventure. The designers behind them are a) human, b) have preferences, and c) working under time constraints. Nothing is going to be perfect. But your complaint is "the adventure does not delve deeply enough into the ecology of this series of rooms full of monsters"? In 2023. I'm sorry, but no.

 

[darjr]

Everything else aside:

Are we stil actually worrying about the "logic" of a dungeon adventure that is designed in an explicitly gamist way? Come on. You knew what you signed up for when you picked up the D&D PHB: dungeons AND dragons (or hydras, as the case may be).

There are likely very reasonable complaints to be made about any WotC adventure. The designers behind them are a) human, b) have preferences, and c) working under time constraints. Nothing is going to be perfect. But your complaint is "the adventure does not delve deeply enough into the ecology of this series of rooms full of monsters"? In 2023. I'm sorry, but no.

At least things have names!

 

[pukunui]

Well, no. That's Matt Mercer's job.

I don't think Matt Mercer's all that either. In that Force Grey show he DMed, he ruled that a PC got squashed flat (dead) in a trap with no save or other way of avoiding death. Just DM fiat. Boom. Gone. Put me off watching him. (Not that I've ever been particularly interested in watching over people play D&D but I gave the Force Grey show a try because it was short ...)

 

[Reynard]

I don't think Matt Mercer's all that either. In that Force Grey show he DMed, he ruled that a PC got squashed flat (dead) in a trap with no save or other way of avoiding death. Just DM fiat. Boom. Gone.

Good. Sometimes logic trumps rules.

 

[Parmandur]

I don't think Matt Mercer's all that either. In that Force Grey show he DMed, he ruled that a PC got squashed flat (dead) in a trap with no save or other way of avoiding death. Just DM fiat. Boom. Gone. Put me off watching him. (Not that I've ever been particularly interested in watching over people play D&D but I gave the Force Grey show a try because it was short ...)

He is kind if old school.

 

[FallenRX]

Add me to the list of folks who didn’t know this and are very curious for the details

I remember it was something about Justin not getting something from the kickstarter of the new Enworld site years ago, him confronting morrus about it, and then banning him, at least thats hos sode of the story

I know justin doesnt allow the promotion of enworld in his circles due to that, as he feels morrus scammed him.

 

[Parmandur]

I remember it was something about Justin not getting something from the kickstarter of the new Enworld site years ago, him confronting morrus about it, and then banning him, at least thats hos sode of the story

I know justin doesnt allow the promotion of enworld in his circles due to that, as he feels morrus scammed him.

Color me skeptical.