tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.comments2024-03-15T02:22:44.898-06:00Classic RPG RealmsSizzaxehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comBlogger686125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-82643141622712909372022-11-22T19:12:14.411-07:002022-11-22T19:12:14.411-07:00I totally get it. Having been gaming purely onlin...I totally get it. Having been gaming purely online the last couple years and finally getting to do some in person gaming again(though only with 1 player so far) I can definitely say in person is 1000 times better. However, having said that, I realized a long time ago that no game is better than a bad game. So if you're not enjoying it, don't feel like you have to keep playing. In the modern era online play does provide that option to play what we want with who we want, though inevitably something is lost through the medium.Lance Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817319325489613672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-58280373004235644462022-03-02T20:28:41.661-07:002022-03-02T20:28:41.661-07:00Comparing 6e to a saltmarsh is just awesome lolComparing 6e to a saltmarsh is just awesome lolLance Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817319325489613672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-32455081093019386972022-01-21T08:25:30.332-07:002022-01-21T08:25:30.332-07:00I really like the HackMaster combat system and hav...I really like the HackMaster combat system and have been grafting something similar into RuneQuest III. RQ3 already has the Attack vs Defense roll with a successful block or parry absorbing damage with any remaining getting through to armor. Hit locations are also a part of the system and 'TOP' is determined by how much damage the body part can sustain. But it uses strike ranks based upon 1 attack per 12 seconds and the reach of the attacker and his weapon. I am working on switching this to a time count and only using strike rank for the initial contact where a longer reach gets the first attack as long as surprise is not a factor.<br />This is your Speed and sets the pace of your average attack with a particular weapon. Say 1 attack per 6 seconds. This could be adjusted downward by -20% Attack skill for each second Speed is reduced or to get an attack bonus by adding 50% to your Speed. In this case 9 seconds for a Speed 6 attack. Aiming takes time and gives you a +/- bonus to the hit location roll based upon how many seconds you wait for the perfect shot. <br />The idea grafts on easily and I have always like 'real' time vs segmented time. It opens up quite a few combat options simply by playing with the Speed of the attack. Fatigue and damage sustained will result in slowing your Speed among other things.<br />The main reason I am contemplating this vs just running HM is that I like organic skill growth based upon actually using a skill vs spending some in game currency to advance. Levels and expanding hit points are fun but forces ever increasing threat levels. A good shot with a sword to soft underbelly should not go unnoticed. HM hit points are much better regulated than D&D, (IMHO), and if your TOPed an evil GameMaster could easily treat you as a helpless victim. A mace shot to the gourd is a mace shot in the gourd and experience should not keep your skull from splitting.<br />All in all HM5 looks great and I would love to give it a go as a D&D replacement but for 'gritty realism' I believe RQ3 with a count up would be exceptional. I like RQ3 over other iterations because it still separates attack/defense into 2 skills, has melee vs missile hit location for all creatures, and has the resistance chart which I feel is a useful tool.<br />One thing I find appealing about HM combat is that a melee attack never misses unless he fumbles. It can only be defended against. This makes sense because I cant imagine anyone, regardless of skill, swinging a baseball bat at an immobile target and missing. In fact, I would hate to have to dodge someone actually trying to thump me with one. In RQ3 if you have a 50% attack chance you will miss 50% of the time even if the target does nothing. In the hands of an unenlightened GameMaster you could swing at a log and miss half the time. (There are modifiers) If the target is skilled or unskilled your chance to hit remains the same and only if you hit does his parry/dodge skill comes into play as an active defense. But most people running RQ3 would allow an uncontested attack to hit, (I would think), assuming that the 50% given above represents attacks against passive defense instead of no defense.<br />I am rambling.<br />Thank you for the write up. It was a great review of the system and seconds my general assumptions about it.Mikushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10611502098261372931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-2696734173398640962022-01-09T19:41:31.731-07:002022-01-09T19:41:31.731-07:00Wrong think in this comment.Wrong think in this comment.Ferrsaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272773515739215364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-69890200099871246702021-11-18T12:08:33.776-07:002021-11-18T12:08:33.776-07:00Is there an official name for the Aquatic Worm Hyd...Is there an official name for the Aquatic Worm Hydra? Because I made a video on your monster<br />https://youtu.be/Y4GxpdIpbnIAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13601295411622131056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-7460519750434626362021-05-24T12:08:53.996-06:002021-05-24T12:08:53.996-06:00Thanks Gladwain! I will include some of the first ...Thanks Gladwain! I will include some of the first 5e mods that I included next time. Stay tuned :-)Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-25161588338011129232021-05-22T14:46:49.644-06:002021-05-22T14:46:49.644-06:00Fun module! My first experience with group D&D...Fun module! My first experience with group D&D play was in S1 circa 1983-ish. I joined the group after they had already reached the haunted house. Within just a few minutes of sitting down at the table, having waited hours for a spot to open up, I fell victim to a collapsing balcony and died. It was glorious! <br /><br />I ran the adventure a few years later and it's great as-is, even as a standalone module. It can lead a DM in so many directions by simply changing the nature/motivations of the smugglers.<br /><br />Good luck, I look forward to reading the updates!Gladwainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00413469802188161990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-4173694557614515172021-05-14T14:13:25.369-06:002021-05-14T14:13:25.369-06:00Yeah, I was :-) Or should I say, am. In fact I'...Yeah, I was :-) Or should I say, am. In fact I've been working on a few things that may make it into actual play someday. Thing is, my current players are really invested in 5e. I don't want to force them to switch just because I prefer it. This has been a long time dilemma for me--from way back in my school club days. This kind of give me a bit of both worlds. Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-85503946501735748602021-05-09T13:35:04.505-06:002021-05-09T13:35:04.505-06:00Thought you were going to try working with a more ...Thought you were going to try working with a more “basic” system.<br />; )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-77495629903030689142021-05-07T07:25:12.683-06:002021-05-07T07:25:12.683-06:00I'll post updates as we go! Thanks Paleo!I'll post updates as we go! Thanks Paleo!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-21519640918218282202021-05-07T07:06:29.768-06:002021-05-07T07:06:29.768-06:00Sounds like an awesome journey! Would love to hea...Sounds like an awesome journey! Would love to hear more about how it goes.paleologoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640356065053822793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-18825110856519790052021-03-28T22:39:16.488-06:002021-03-28T22:39:16.488-06:00Yep I did StuRat, BFRPG is a wonderful project. Do...Yep I did StuRat, BFRPG is a wonderful project. Doesn't exactly lend itself to a zine, at least not usefully. The open source approach is not only noble, it has proven incredibly successful!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-45232203242622171882021-03-18T16:17:52.154-06:002021-03-18T16:17:52.154-06:00Thanks for answering!
Yeah, I’ve been catching up...Thanks for answering!<br /><br />Yeah, I’ve been catching up (as I can) on your old posts and knew you were running 5E for the fam. I’m sorry work’s taken a toll on your gaming...these are rough times for a lot of folks.<br /><br />I’ve been playing AD&D with my kids lately and (despite toning things down to a “PG” level), it’s been a pretty good time. I appreciate these posts of yours, though it breaks my heart a little that you’re unable to run your game of choice. In my home, the DM gets to choose the game, and we already have different editions we prefer (my boy runs B/X, my daughter does a highly modified free form thing). So far, that’s worked for us.<br />: )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-61078667003904295432021-03-18T07:30:41.282-06:002021-03-18T07:30:41.282-06:00Thanks BJ, yeah my game history seems to follow a ...Thanks BJ, yeah my game history seems to follow a pattern. I have played every edition but continue to come back to AD&D as my preferred system of play. I started with AD&D in '81 and played it for years. Then after a hiatus from gaming, was roped into DMing a 3.5 game, which I'd never played. This was back in like '06 just as 4e came out. My players were younger and wanted the latest thing so we gave 4e a whirl. That was when I began to really become disillusioned with the state of D&D. I tried to get my players to go to OSRIC, but we ended up playing Pathfinder for a time, until I put my foot down and refused to run anything but AD&D or OSRIC. So we played that until I changed jobs and was thrust into another hiatus. My own kids bought 5e for me for Christmas one year so I agreed to run that for them. That's the home game you referred to. But I just stopped that recently. My work life is crazy stressful right now, but I have also lost all enthusiasm for 5e. My blog has always been a sort of tribute to AD&D, but I cover all sorts of things. Thanks for asking!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-72571650745954820862021-03-17T18:50:19.884-06:002021-03-17T18:50:19.884-06:00Huh, that’s interesting (about 5E and their approa...Huh, that’s interesting (about 5E and their approach to magic items). Based on the couple sessions of 5E I’ve listened in on (via podcast), I’d agree with your assessment that’s NOT what they’ve achieved.<br /><br />Are you still running your 5E home game? Are these missives on “the spirit of AD&D” meant to instill some of this old magic in players of 5E? Or have you finally gone back to AD&D (and these posts explain the reason why)? Just curious.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-87476315297854384252021-03-16T07:33:57.320-06:002021-03-16T07:33:57.320-06:00Hey, not a problem. I enjoyed reading your post. E...Hey, not a problem. I enjoyed reading your post. Enough, actually, to write a post about it myself, following my train of thought a bit further :) Maybe you'd like to check out a longer version of my comment above:<br /><br />https://the-disoriented-ranger.blogspot.com/2021/01/roleplaying-games-might-not-be-games.html<br /><br />I write a lot about that idea that rpgs are a (new) form of medium ...Jens D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18394303166081684904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-9229664496225052622021-03-16T06:49:07.549-06:002021-03-16T06:49:07.549-06:00If a 5E character falls off a bridge into a river ...If a 5E character falls off a bridge into a river of lava, does it receive a “death save?” What if a cavern collapses on them? What about a character hit by (and failing a save for) a disintegrate spell or finger of death? Can 5E characters still be turned to stone...and their statues shattered? Can they starve to death if trapped/lost in some subterranean labyrinth?<br /><br />I don’t run (or play) 5E. But if I did, I’d run it like D&D: hard and deadly. Because it’s D&D. I’d find some way to incorporate challenge into the game. Does that make me a dick? Is the game supposed to be devoid of challenge? JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-15876109921326469402021-03-15T13:22:01.692-06:002021-03-15T13:22:01.692-06:00I love it Jens! Thanks for the insightful comment....I love it Jens! Thanks for the insightful comment. The idea of RPGs as an entirely new media is very intriguing, maybe the subject of another blog post! Thank you for taking the time to stop by!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-48893971274618558532021-03-15T13:15:55.545-06:002021-03-15T13:15:55.545-06:00Wise indeed my fellow adventurer, wise indeed...Wise indeed my fellow adventurer, wise indeed...Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-62409673656529826982021-03-15T13:15:04.925-06:002021-03-15T13:15:04.925-06:00Exactly Joe! The danger was real!! And we loved it...Exactly Joe! The danger was real!! And we loved it!!!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-63122277566381312062021-03-15T12:01:27.322-06:002021-03-15T12:01:27.322-06:00Character levels 1-3 were tough due to low charact...Character levels 1-3 were tough due to low character hit points, non-magical weapons and common armor. Good times!!Joe Pickarsdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750237680818306445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-14730487468271680632021-03-12T07:29:22.007-07:002021-03-12T07:29:22.007-07:00For this reason, all my fighter PCs bring a short ...For this reason, all my fighter PCs bring a short sword (or axe) AND a maceNoah Stevenshttps://noahms456.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-82981240447567361882021-01-24T03:37:45.677-07:002021-01-24T03:37:45.677-07:00Great post! Lots of food for thought and some inte...Great post! Lots of food for thought and some interesting rabbit holes to follow up on ... There is a broader, more psychological approach to this that talks about how we learn by exercising abstract (or virtual, if you will) situations that need some sort of problem solving. We actually only learn that way, or rather, you could say that the very thing that distinguishes us from other animals is the ability to evaluate the dangers in our environment with our minds instead of our bodies. Exercising this can mean reading books or playing hide and seek or (the new kid on the block) playing role playing games. The thing is (and here I agree), it actually needs problems to be solved. There needs to be some sort of "danger" to actually learn something from it. I think Piaget wrote about this (learning, playing to learn).<br /><br />That said, I'd argue that if the semantic meaning of "game" shifts from "actively learning something meaningful" to "mindless entertainment to consume", it not only legitimizes 5e as a game, the definition itself also works better to describe reality right now. Big publishers want rpgs to be reduced to theme park entertainment ... So while I actually agree with you when you say there could be an argument made that 5e isn't even a gamel, it might be that "proper" rpgs aren't games instead and need to distinguish themselves somehow (my approach would be to look at how rpg is a new form of media and how that relates to, for instance, literature ... in that sense, the rules we use are an expansion on language when we tell stories). Anyway, my two cents. This was good reading. Thanks again!Jens D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18394303166081684904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-84567766602683094882021-01-11T21:21:14.019-07:002021-01-11T21:21:14.019-07:00"Ask any old grognard and they'll tell yo..."Ask any old grognard and they'll tell you they died in their first game or two, sometimes within the first half hour of the game. I did."<br /><br />Pretty sure I was on "Sparrowhawk XXIII" before I EVER had a PC reach second level!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10231423670489116607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549940298295825812.post-51854453023104006882020-11-11T10:16:48.255-07:002020-11-11T10:16:48.255-07:00You said it better than I did in 1000 words :-) Gr...You said it better than I did in 1000 words :-) Great comment vicberg!Sizzaxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715649618278080709noreply@blogger.com