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Post by sixdemonbag on Jun 24, 2018 22:32:40 GMT -6
Is that the limit, or are others of us who expressed interest allowed to join in? I don't want to post the links publicly. I want to keep this a small and (more importantly) private group. I can't imagine the chaos if I just posted the links on here, considering Gronan is a pretty big celebrity in these quarters. Anyway, for anyone else, please see this post for more background and information, if you are interested. Thanks y'all.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Jun 24, 2018 22:26:15 GMT -6
I've never used Discord, but if you walk me through it... I've sent you a PM with more info.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Jun 23, 2018 21:53:34 GMT -6
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Post by sixdemonbag on Jun 23, 2018 17:54:12 GMT -6
Not yet tetramorph . Just waiting for @gronanofsimmerya to say the word. I forgot to post this earlier, but here's a quick "roll call" for those already signed up and ready to play on the "Gaming with Gronan" Discord server: smubee scottyg clownboss Gene M. raisin Fearghus Starbeard sixdemonbag That's most likely enough for two groups of four, but I will, of course, defer to Mr. Mornard as to the number and size of groups he prefers to run. I think we would all be willing to accommodate in any way necessary. For those in the #general chat, please let me know if any circumstances have changed for you, so we can make any adjustments to the groups that need be. Fight on!
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Post by sixdemonbag on May 17, 2018 13:52:19 GMT -6
snorriI'd be remiss not to mention that my own personal houserules veer more towards Searchers of the Unknown than any actual "clone". So basically 3lbb + SotU philosophy + various monsters, spells, and magic items from mostly official sources.
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Post by sixdemonbag on May 17, 2018 12:36:45 GMT -6
Delving Deeper is my favorite to read. S&W Whitebox would be my preference to actually run. Both inspired me to purchase the official OD&D PDFs. The various B/X clones never clicked for me compared to the original which is one of the most clear and concise RPGs ever written regardless of genre.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Apr 27, 2018 19:24:31 GMT -6
I definitely like the idea of Skeletons/Zombies having a variable and thus unpredictable number of HD. This would create some extra tension for the players. Also note that the not-so-obvious balance to this increased toughness would be that they are still susceptible to relatively easy turn undead throws. So yeah, they might be a little (or a lot) tougher, but they are still pretty easy (or automatic) for a mid-to-high level cleric to turn. Works for me. I don't see any reason to limit them to (un)human once it's been established that they could have any number of HD. Zombie/Skeleton ogres, trolls, giants, or dragons? Sure, why not?!! As to why the spell isn't on the cleric list: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Post by sixdemonbag on Apr 18, 2018 14:19:49 GMT -6
Your structure seems pretty spot-on, unless you want to include "no advancement" as a third option A good, practical example of this would be a Con one-shot where everyone just rolls up a 3rd level PC and never advances. Good point and a nice observation. I actually did a pretty thorough analysis of the affects of XP in the 3lbbs here:odd74.proboards.com/thread/12532/xp-affect-find-out
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Post by sixdemonbag on Apr 17, 2018 11:38:01 GMT -6
That's kind of what I'm leaning towards, as well. It seems like CL and ST are two poles: You can define characters with a single choice and single rating, or with multiple choices and multiple ratings. Games with a skill subsystem alongside the class system, with improvement points or new skills being added as level increases, are hybrids, somewhere in the middle, as are games that focus heavily on multiclassing. That's my view also. "Metacurrency" is the term I've seen a few places. It could really be applied to either "pole". It's existence or absence could define a third (optional) pole/pillar. For your classifications, metacurrency simply gives players some limited DM powers. So the distribution and/or consolidation of "DM powers" is what is affected here by metacurrency. I'm not sure what a catchy name for that would be. What do you think? I have to agree with you here as well. At first blush, the D&D spell system resembles a "skill tree" but in reality your choice of spells is either DM fiat or prescribed. The player can't "unlock" a subset of spells by choice. Spells as "consumable equipment" (limited only by class and level) is the correct interpretation as I see it, too. Cool stuff.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Apr 17, 2018 7:08:34 GMT -6
Interesting question and TBH I'm drawing a blank beyond those two. Class/Level and Skill Points/Tree (and hybrids) seem to encompass every RPG I'm familiar with.
I wonder if the M-U and Cleric spell tables would qualify as a hybrid approach? Progression is predefined but the actual spell loadout can usually be chosen by the player. Might be a stretch though...
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Post by sixdemonbag on Apr 17, 2018 7:01:52 GMT -6
I love stuff like this waysoftheearth . I've been looking forward to the final annotated manuscript since you mentioned it to me a while back. Prior to the official PDF releases, DD was my favorite retroclone for integrating more Chainmail into the 3lbbs and staying faithful to the original text. FWIW, S&W Whitebox also was a favorite of mine mainly for its simplicity and "pick up and go" nature.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 22, 2018 23:21:53 GMT -6
Wonderful!! I don't see any problems with that at all. The server is now up and running. I've had some really good conversations with clownboss , smubee , and scottyg already. I'm only 35 and those young pups, clownboss and smubee , make me feel old!! With just the four of us, we already have at least 3 countries represented!! Gronan: Once you are ready, just let me know, and I'll send you a link to the server. Once there, you can get a feel for it and ask me any questions you may have. Discord is essentially Skype but targeted for groups of gamers. You can use your phone, web browser, or the Mac/PC/Linux app (I like the PC/Mac app, but it worked fine on my iPhone). If you wanna just hop on and look around, PM me and I'll shoot you the link (expires every 24 hours unless I create a permanent one). The chat rooms are logged so you can always catch up on our (riveting?) conversations at your convenience. Very exciting!!!
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 22, 2018 15:47:33 GMT -6
Quick update for everyone: I went ahead and set up a free, open-source Discord server for our own personal, private use. I called it "Gaming with Gronan" for lack of a better name, lol. The client can simply run in a browser or you can download the standalone app: discordapp.com/Video and overlays are completely optional and voice will be the primary method of communication. There is text/chat capabilities as well, of course. I think for this trial balloon, it's a good idea to keep things simple and "old-school" as much as possible. IMO, Roll20 is nice but might be overkill for our needs at this point. I have the invite links ready to go, as well. Simply PM me, if you are interested, and I'll send you the link and walk you through joining the server if need be. We can all join and test it out without playing first. This way we can introduce ourselves and possibly schedule an initial session. There is no timetable or deadline for any of this. I have not been in contact with Gronan, so this is purely me getting the ball rolling on my own accord. There is no pressure to join or participate at all. Gronan: Take as much or as little time as you need. We can set all this up in the background, so-to-speak, and meet-up whenever or "if ever" you are able and willing. I just want us to be ready to go when you are with minimal delay. My only question Gronan: Is there any limit to the number of players that you feel comfortable reffing? We are currently at 7 (not counting myself, and I'm unclear about Stormcrow's intent. I don't want to presume that just because I handle the tech/logistics that I automatically get to play. That is in no way my intent here). All: feel free to PM me or reply to this thread with any concerns, questions, or suggestions and if you'd like an invitation link. If anyone else happens to be online when you join, be sure to say "Hi" and don't be shy!!!!!
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 18, 2018 10:48:26 GMT -6
So how about this? Give unarmed hits whatever low damage you think they deserve - 1-2 points or whatever, but then say that IF you bring an opponent to zero with them, they're simply knocked out, not dead That’s pretty much exactly how I do it. I add a small modifier if reaching a vulnerable spot is more difficult but not impossible (like some helmets). If punching something would clearly hurt one’s hand more than the subject of attack, then damage isn’t really possible except against oneself! Getting a monster to zero hit points while being unarmed would be difficult enough as it is without needing more penalties. Hit points being abstract as they are, you can always role play what bringing the opponent to zero HP entailed. Did you rip his helmet off and choke him out? Knockout punch? Wear down his cardio? Vulcan neck pinch? A little creativity can narrate almost any outcome. And keeping a single set hit points is just easier as faster. I do really like the HD vs HD method for grapples involving multiple opponents. For 1-on-1 I roll d20 + level/HD vs. d20 + HD which amounts to the same thing without the bell curves (more variance).
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 17, 2018 15:01:34 GMT -6
sixdemonbag, I fear in replying that I will pull this thread off-topic, but, well, here goes. When I play and I find myself part of a party up against a dragon we never go for kill we always go for subdual! We either hawk it for gold or one of us acquires a fancy new mount. But we have a campaign world zanny enough to sustain this approach! Fight on! No worries. I think there is plenty of overlap with grappling, subdual, and unarmed combat. I was really just curious what others thought about extending the specific dragon rules to the general case. At first blush, it seems like players would always want to take advantage of the better odds. For dragons, the one-off rule is pretty fun. It was an interesting suggestion and I was just pondering the ramifications.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 17, 2018 11:48:19 GMT -6
My only issue with the “dragon subdual damage method” is that it makes the standard method of combat irrelevant. Why wouldn’t you always declare subdual damage instead of causing damage normally?
You get a free chance to incapacitate every round with no penalty. At which point, you could still just kill it anyway.
Basically, I’m saying subdual in the dragon example is WAY too powerful to be used regularly and there isn’t any reason not to always do it that way.
Thoughts?
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 17, 2018 10:20:49 GMT -6
If the opponent is wearing armor but no helmet, you could you use the Helm of Reading rule and give a 10% chance of success of hitting the head after a successful hit is made. I like this a lot. This would boil down to a -2 to hit (sort of) which is simple, elegant, and (arguably) supported by the rules!
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 17, 2018 10:18:08 GMT -6
A well-timed, well-placed punch can do a surprising amount of damage. It can even instantly incapacitate someone. Watch any boxing or MMA fight for proof (and they wear padded gloves!). So, I would say roll normally against an unhelmed opponent with damage being 1d2 (I like some randomness to the damage roll).
For attacking a helmeted opponent, I'd have the attacker roll with disadvantage (5E-style) or maybe -2 or -3 to hit, instead. This way, a level 1-3 fighter could still hit AC 2 without any additional mods.
That's my 2 coppers.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 15, 2018 13:45:39 GMT -6
I’m so confused.
Do we enjoy playing D&D or not? Whether it’s 5E or OD&D, we are all just making sh!t up with our friends (presumably) while pretending to be a different person in a fantasy world.
Complexity, tastes, and origins vary.
Trying to apply any kind of “objectivity” to any of this seems foolhardy.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 13, 2018 10:50:06 GMT -6
You both know I'm down, obviously.
FWIW, that's how I play currently and it works great! I can set you guys up with a Discord server, Skype, Roll20, or something similar. Feel free to PM me, or just sign me up, or whatever. I'll provide my email/contact info via PM if that's helpful. I'd just hate for poor Gronan to get bombarded with requests though.
Either way, I'd like to play, and I can help facilitate any necessary logistics or tech issues.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 12, 2018 12:52:00 GMT -6
Here's mine:
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:47:50 GMT -6
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:43:49 GMT -6
I have a few of the Master's Tome screens. I have a bunch of art by John Bauer, Frank Frazetta, and Arthur Rackham. For OD&D I use John Bauer images on the outside and the inside is the relevant tables from the Ready Ref Sheets. I don't fudge rolls, so I don't worry about players seeing my d20 rolls. I do use a bunch of d6s to mark out monster HP, however, so the screen does conceal how much HP monsters have left. Nice collection of art you have there. Very jelly.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:41:32 GMT -6
Ah, thanks for the link. If I were to use one, I would MUCH rather use one like this, that I can arrange myself, than a premade one that I can't customize.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:35:22 GMT -6
Ok, so confession time. I've only ever read (and own) the MM, MM2, and FF in PDF. I've never actually read the PHB or the DMG.
Would you all say that these would be worth checking out even if I have no plans on ever running 1E? For background, my first D&D was RC and 2E, and I've been running OD&D for the last year or so.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:30:41 GMT -6
Speaking of accessories, how does everyone feel about DM screens?. I bought a “make your own” type screen made to hold the sheets landscape rather than portrait. I rather like mine but don’t always use it. Are you referring to the reference sheets, character sheets, maps, something else or all the above? Sounds very interesting, nonetheless.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 12:20:29 GMT -6
Speaking of accessories, how does everyone feel about DM screens?
I don't really like them, personally. I like to roll, as a DM, out in the open. I really like being surprised by rolls as much as the players do, and rolling out in the open, I find, adds a lot drama. And luckily, OD&D (3lbbs especially, and M&M Vol.1 specifically) is simple enough to not need any reference info on the screen either.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 11, 2018 11:52:25 GMT -6
The only accessories I've ever used are dice to represent characters and important environmental features during more complicated combat scenarios. Beside that, on occasion I'll hand out some maps. These maps are crude, hand-drawn, and almost never to scale. Apparently, I failed my cartography check IRL. Ha.
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 10, 2018 23:03:25 GMT -6
Historical question: Does anyone know the first rock/metal song to feature "Fantasy" lyrics? I know that "Ramble On" was released in 1969. Were there any bands integrating Tolkien/Moorcock or other obviously fantasy references into their lyrics prior to Hawkwind/Led Zep??? It had to be Black Sabbath right?
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Post by sixdemonbag on Mar 10, 2018 22:30:42 GMT -6
Great review! Between this and providing things like TWERPS 2E for all of $3, Gamescience has some pretty unique old-school offerings. Again, very nice review!!!
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