The Vin Diesel Interview on Conan (now with transcript)

[der_kluge]

A lot of people might have missed this link on Saturday (I did, but I scrolled back through the news and saw it, but the actual link is spelled incorrectly). Here is the correct link:

http://www.dieselsounds.com/connanc.mp3

In it, Vin Diesel talks about his character, "Melkor", and describes him as a "Drow witchhunter with double-specialization".

I'm not sure I know exactly what "double-specialization" is, but I have to admit, uttering the phrase "Drow witchhunter with double-specialization" on Conan O'Brian without sounding like some munchkin dork is about the coolest thing I've ever heard. He didn't even bother to explain what a "drow" was (he even pronounced it correctly), so it was like he was just talking to D&D players out there.

Incidentally, I didn't see any other threads on this, so if there was one, you can close this one.

edit: fixed my link.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Double specialization is from earlier editions of the game.

 

[MarauderX]

That link is kinda dead... did you misspell something too?

Great to know that he is into it, and hope he switches to 3.5 if he finds the time.

 

[DragonLancer]

Just go to the main site and the link is there.

 

[Desdichado]

Is there a transcript? I don't have speakers at work, and wouldn't want to listen to it here even if I did.

 

[Allanon]

Although it's certainly nice that people like Vin Diesel play D&D it's still sad that it's considered weird, strange, unexpected, etc. to name but a few reactions I found on the Internet.
Just search for "Vin Diesel+Dungeons+Dragons" on Google for instance. You'll find two reactions":

The first one stating how weird, or unexpected it is. The tone of the articles reflecting a statement bordering on the "AWHH, how cute, even mr. Diesel has strange Quirks". It is seen as an excentricity.

The second one you'll find on boards like this or webpages by D&D enthousiasts. They'll state their disbelieve and see it as a statement to the world that D&D is not nescesserily nerdy. "look even Vin Diesel play(ed)'s it".

I know D&D isn't a mainstream hobby, and I don't expect that it will be sometime soon, but why is it so hard for people to just accept that D&D is normal. It's just as strange as playing chess and nobody ever gives that extra attention. This is mostly aimed at the first response type of people.

Although anyone who thinks that Vin Diesel playing D&D is a defence for playing, listen to the last part of the Conan interview...

Edit: Darn typo's

 

[Aaron L]

It seemed to me that Vin was kinda apologizing for playing.

 

[Voadam]

Is there a transcript? I don't have speakers at work, and wouldn't want to listen to it here even if I did.

Same situation so I'll second your request.

Was it on Friday's Conan? Will it replay this evening on Comedy Central?

 

[Aaron L]

It's several months old, actually. The same discussions took place then too.

 

[Voadam]

Re: The Vin Diesel Interview on Conan

I'm not sure I know exactly what "double-specialization" is,

From 1e D&D unearthed arcana, after getting specialization which gives better attack rate and +1 to hit and +2 to damage you can spend a second proficiency and increase the bonuses to +3 +3

The fallen drow ranger who turned into a fighter in my longterm campaign had this in short swords, the transition to 3.0 affected him a bunch.