Victim
First Post
I don't think that every character needs to be perfectly optimized and always use the optimal tactical move. People have the right to build and play the characters that they want.
I agree that the format makes it harder to coordinate things between players. For example, Tarkus has a prepared spell list loaded with Prayers and Divine Favors. In a face to face, when Keia and I went through the buffs we were casting, I might say "Hey, Argent, isn't Tarkus going to buff?" That's the whole point of loading up on Divine Favor, right? If the player had forgot, then I've just given out a reminder. If the player was saving them for some reason, then we hear it in about 2 seconds.
But here, I see that a caster with buffs isn't using them: are they saving them, have they forgotten, or have they just not gotten around to posting it yet? I don't get the whole picture until later, when the rather distressing sight of cleric smiting his enemies without using any of his spells to help.
In this case, the problem probably stems from another miscommunication: some people were using a number of short duration effects, probably with the expectation of a SWAT style attack - bust in quickly and take down/capture the baddies. On the other hand, someone expecting a thorough and time consuming exploration of the enemy guildhouse(?) would save his short duration buffs and use a CLW wand for healing. Now the fast guys are getting slowed down by the others: "the clock is ticking on my spells, the bad guys are responding, and this moron is using something that will take 15 rounds to work? AHH!" While the slow guys are like: "WTF? This idiot is rushing in before I can heal him, we're not checking for traps and secret doors, and now we're in a fight before I cast my spells. AHH!"
Additionally, I think it's reasonable to expect each person to contribute meaningfully, even if in a limited arena. For example, if I hadn't taken Glitterdust, See Invisibility and Dispel Magic, despite the fact that my character knows that enemies have Improved Invisibility and other buff spells, I'd expect a number of valid complaints. We'd have a tougher time if we couldn't see the enemies. Similarly, if my main strategy was to wade into battle weilding my MW rapier, even fully buffed, Darian would be a drag on the party. Just because you want to play a useless, dangerous wacko (not saying anything about anyone's character here) doesn't mean the other characters have to travel with you and give you a share of the treasure.
Considering that many of the characters have supposedly worked together in the past, I'd consider the OOC arena to be the perfect place to discuss general tactical matters. One might expect Zelestine, Groknar, and Tarkus to be familiar with each other's abilities and possibly have a number of pre-arranged plans, if the 1/2 orcs can remember them. Similarly, William, Darian, Verra, Lysander, Bellus and the late Rex knew each other and probably had some plans worked out. The problem might be that the original main plan was to hang back for either buffs or to not be in the way when Darian and Rex start blasting. Then when the fighters charge in, they either have more buffs or the enemies have been weakened. On the other hand, the characters are mostly martial, so their main plan is "Get them!" So when we agree to follow the usual plan, nothing works.
One of the neat things about Play by Post is that play can continue while we talk OOC. I strongly suggest we make use of this feature.
I agree that the format makes it harder to coordinate things between players. For example, Tarkus has a prepared spell list loaded with Prayers and Divine Favors. In a face to face, when Keia and I went through the buffs we were casting, I might say "Hey, Argent, isn't Tarkus going to buff?" That's the whole point of loading up on Divine Favor, right? If the player had forgot, then I've just given out a reminder. If the player was saving them for some reason, then we hear it in about 2 seconds.
But here, I see that a caster with buffs isn't using them: are they saving them, have they forgotten, or have they just not gotten around to posting it yet? I don't get the whole picture until later, when the rather distressing sight of cleric smiting his enemies without using any of his spells to help.
In this case, the problem probably stems from another miscommunication: some people were using a number of short duration effects, probably with the expectation of a SWAT style attack - bust in quickly and take down/capture the baddies. On the other hand, someone expecting a thorough and time consuming exploration of the enemy guildhouse(?) would save his short duration buffs and use a CLW wand for healing. Now the fast guys are getting slowed down by the others: "the clock is ticking on my spells, the bad guys are responding, and this moron is using something that will take 15 rounds to work? AHH!" While the slow guys are like: "WTF? This idiot is rushing in before I can heal him, we're not checking for traps and secret doors, and now we're in a fight before I cast my spells. AHH!"
Additionally, I think it's reasonable to expect each person to contribute meaningfully, even if in a limited arena. For example, if I hadn't taken Glitterdust, See Invisibility and Dispel Magic, despite the fact that my character knows that enemies have Improved Invisibility and other buff spells, I'd expect a number of valid complaints. We'd have a tougher time if we couldn't see the enemies. Similarly, if my main strategy was to wade into battle weilding my MW rapier, even fully buffed, Darian would be a drag on the party. Just because you want to play a useless, dangerous wacko (not saying anything about anyone's character here) doesn't mean the other characters have to travel with you and give you a share of the treasure.
Considering that many of the characters have supposedly worked together in the past, I'd consider the OOC arena to be the perfect place to discuss general tactical matters. One might expect Zelestine, Groknar, and Tarkus to be familiar with each other's abilities and possibly have a number of pre-arranged plans, if the 1/2 orcs can remember them. Similarly, William, Darian, Verra, Lysander, Bellus and the late Rex knew each other and probably had some plans worked out. The problem might be that the original main plan was to hang back for either buffs or to not be in the way when Darian and Rex start blasting. Then when the fighters charge in, they either have more buffs or the enemies have been weakened. On the other hand, the characters are mostly martial, so their main plan is "Get them!" So when we agree to follow the usual plan, nothing works.
One of the neat things about Play by Post is that play can continue while we talk OOC. I strongly suggest we make use of this feature.
