My experiences with last night's D&D Encounters

[Hawke]

Consider the poking done.

Excellent... I think step one would be a template for the DIY types...

and... step two, I'd love if the character builder could output to this format. =)

Anyone know if you open up that sample pdf in Adobe Acrobat (full version) if you can edit it?

 

[mudbunny]

I don't know about the .pdf file, but the .4e character sheet allows you to edit the boxes. So it might be possible to make something resembling the sheet in the program itseslf.

 

[darjr]

I don't know about the .pdf file, but the .4e character sheet allows you to edit the boxes. So it might be possible to make something resembling the sheet in the program itseslf.

bruh... what?

please explain.

There is this flash software that imports the xml file into Shado's color landscape character sheet. It has source in it so someone could modify it to work with other sheets, maybe? I've been meaning to tear into it but havn't had the time. Shado's Generator

 

[Festivus]

The only problem that I am having is that my RPG fix is not even close to being met. In fact, it seems as though I am just really getting started and it ends. I am not sure if this is due to the fact that I am used to ~4 hr sessions, so I am giving it the ole college try to see if I adapt. But, like my girlfriends in high school would tell me (right before they broke up with me), "This is a 'ME' problem".

I have noticed a bunch of new people and most everyone is having a ton of fun. So I think WOTC hit this out of the park.

First, I totally agree about length, wish it was a smidge longer (like 2 hours) but I won't complain too much, regular Living Forgotten Realms games are 4 hours and I get quite a few of those in.

Second, I think a HUGE driving force is the video done with the guys from Robot Chicken. My meetup gets at least one person a week added to it, with them saying "I was watching a video on youtube with the guys from Robot Chicken..."

They need to do another one of those series soon.

 

[skinnydwarf]

Glad to hear that you had lots of fun. If you have any ideas or thoughts on how to improve tthings, please either PM me or post them here, and I will pass them on to WotC.

I had a blast with the Encounters at PAX, so I went last night (to Your Move Games as well, but I wasn't in Piratecat's group).

I do have one suggestion: in addition to tracking gold, experience and renown on the "Player Tracker" sheet, you should also be able to track current HP and healing surges. I just have one of the character cards for a sheet, and no dry erase markers, so I was keeping track of that stuff on a slip of paper that could easily be lost between sessions.

Fortunately my character is a ranged attacker (and a coward) and hasn't taken any damage yet, but I did lose a healing surge while opening the magical door.

 

[Baumi]

Wow this sheets is AWESOME!

I hope that someday we will have different print-choices for the Character Generator (original, pre-gen format like in KotS and these)...

 

[Kzach]

One thing that surprised me, though, is that folks weren't trying to role play within the group. That may be a side effect of tossing together six strangers.

Have you done much Living games play?

IME, even with regular players, Living games tend to be very light on roleplaying. I think it's a combination of not only the format of the modules which promote a very linear and linked play-style, but also the general type of person attracted to the format, ie. people with small amounts of time and who can't form regular home groups and just want to get their game on and so want to finish modules ASAP.

 

[Chainsaw]

Have you done much Living games play?

IME, even with regular players, Living games tend to be very light on roleplaying. I think it's a combination of not only the format of the modules which promote a very linear and linked play-style, but also the general type of person attracted to the format, ie. people with small amounts of time and who can't form regular home groups and just want to get their game on and so want to finish modules ASAP.

I've played alot of LFR with strangers/newbs and I agree that these issues contribute.

 

[Piratecat]

The only problem that I am having is that my RPG fix is not even close to being met. In fact, it seems as though I am just really getting started and it ends.

I felt that way, too!

I'll possibly be running a 7pm game there next week, as one of the normal GMs can't make it. Be sure to introduce yourself if you see me. I'll be the tall guy whose name is "Kevin."

And I used to do Living City games (man, I'm dating myself; that was 2e!) where there was a fair amount of roleplaying. Living Greyhawk seemed to have less of it, possibly due to an influx of players, but I didn't end up playing many of those. I was a RPGA "Classic" players, and that format was dying right about then.

 

[amysrevenge]

Have you done much Living games play?

IME, even with regular players, Living games tend to be very light on roleplaying. I think it's a combination of not only the format of the modules which promote a very linear and linked play-style, but also the general type of person attracted to the format, ie. people with small amounts of time and who can't form regular home groups and just want to get their game on and so want to finish modules ASAP.

Yeah, it ends up being self-selecting. Folks who like it stick around, folks who don't like it try it and don't come back. I used to try to convice people who didn't like it to keep at it, but I've realized that just although it's perfect for me, the style is really not for everyone.