What has ENBoard done for you?

[Shadeus]

After seeing all the threads on the 3-year anniversary of the boards and the poll on how you got here...it got me thinking what a positive impact this website has had on my life. I thought it might be interesting to see what things you have learned or have resulted from the existance of these boards.

For me?

1. Back when 3E first came out, I learned how Attacks of Opportunity worked. I can't tell you how infinitely helpful these boards have been in understanding this tricky concept.

2. How to apply metamagic feats to spells. I always thought metamagic feats were kind of a waste. Isn't it better to cast a cone of cold instead of an empowered fireball? Sometimes, sometimes not.

3. The boards have helped me to become the rules lawyer I am today. [Is that a good thing?]

4. The smackdown threads are very interesting. Although I personally never create such characters, I often use snippets of them in specific ways.

5. The book reviews are amazing giving me insight into a supplement before I buy it. I now can hunt down d20 material instead of seeing what the FLGS has to offer.

6. Being able to meet fellow gamers around the Chicago area thanks to GameDays organized by Creative Mountain Games (and Games Plus). It's a good chance to chit-chat about gaming gossip as well as just have a good time.

So thanks Morrus for all your hard work.

How have the ENBoards affected you?

 

[arwink]

1) Taught me to pay more attention to rules I would otherwise have ignored for years

2) Made numerous friends that I talk to on a daily basis.

3) Gave me my first gaming publication (Thanks Morrus and RW)

4) Taught me to keep better notes about my games, so I can write up my storyhours. This has had a greater effect on my DMing than I ever would have thought.

5) Introduced me to the wonder that is Piratecats storyhour, making me awe at what DnD games could be like and giving me something to strive for

6) Introduced me to the first new player I've had in around five years, and the most new players I've had at one time in ten or so.

7) Convinced me to buy many products that I otherwise would have ignored.

And I know I'll think of more once I het reply

 

[seasong]

I joined six months ago, to join the discussion about the WotC Setting Search. These boards helped me make mine as good as it was, and I'm proud of it despite not making it in.

After that, these boards helped me hash out the house rules I'm currently using.

A few months ago, I got to play in IRON DM ENWORLD, making it to the final round (although regrettably losing the final round). I had a lot of fun, and it inspired the start of my new campaign.

And then, at the urging of some of those who watched my entries in Iron DM, I started a Story Hour with the new campaign.

So: setting search, house rules, new campaign, and a writing project. Not bad for 7 months.

 

[MerakSpielman]

For me:

1) wasted a bunch of time I should have been working (yes, I post mainly at work)

2) made me an annoyance in my D&D group: "Actually, this has been hotly debated on the message boards. The concensus has generally been..." and I go on to contradict the DM.

3) given me a place to practice my writing skills (see my story hour)

4) given me endless entertainment.

5) Given me some of the best ideas for my campaign ever. i.e., allowed me to get lazy about being creative.

 

[Darkness]

Too much to list, LOL.

But primarily, I've made a lot of very good friends here.

 

[alsih2o]

well, besides giving me a certain piratecat to vent my creative frustrations on...


i have drawings about to be published. i have made a few neat pieces (ceramic) for some nice people. i have learned more about the game with my books closed and the computer on than i did with the books open and the computer off.

i have, in the short span of 7 months (it has only been 7 months?!?!?) made some great friends i am now dying to meet in person.

but lets get real about its main use. i am a better player and a better d.m.
i am a better artist for the exchanges i have had here.

i have had direct contact with great folks at creative mountain games, ambient press, campaign suite and many others who would be just products if not for these boards.

AND i have learned many neat things my computer will do so that i could use the boards as fully as possible.

everyone thanks morrus, and i do to, but i wanna send a big shout out to all the mods, volunteers and admins for all their spectacular work in keeping this the type of place i want to hang out in.

 

[Shadeus]

Wow, its amazing all the things you forget to mention when you read others posts. I find myself quoting the board more often than I would like to admit as well....

 

[Gospog]

The biggest impacts for me have been from the Story Hours and the EnWorld Boston events.

The Story Hours have taught me some great GMing tricks, and given me examples of Gming skills to emulate.
They've also given me a forum (literally) to share my RPG stories with the world.

The EnWorld Boston events have introduced me to a ton of genuinely cool people. I've gotten more than one new player and more than one new friend from these events.

 

[Henry]

It's been three years for me. Three long, long, years.

In those three years I have:

Met Eric, PA, and another former poster named Archvillain (depends on if Archvillain is "Phillyphil" or not). All three are three of the greatest people you could hope to meet.

I learned what cool people Kevin & Russ & the rest of the admins/mods are.

I have learned much about patience, tolerance, and cultural perspectives of people I never would have had a chance to otherwise.

I have gone from a rules lawyer to a rules demon to my local groups. I am, however, still an apprentice to the masters of this board.

I have gained a resource that I can put an RPG question into and usually get an answer within an hour or less.

Notice the two least important things in the list?

 

[diaglo]

For me:

1) wasted a bunch of time I should have been working (yes, I post mainly at work)

2) made me an annoyance in my D&D group: "Actually, this has been hotly debated on the message boards. The concensus has generally been..." and I go on to contradict the DM.

3) given me a place to practice my writing skills (see my story hour)

4) given me endless entertainment.

IMC, i agree with these 4.