43 new of 58 responses total.
Welcome Jonathan!
'ey Jonathan. :) Heh, played Marvel with my older brother as a GM. Weirdest game... I honestly just love Mage, this is why I run two and participate in a third. I love the variations you can do with simple human characters with extra-ordinary powers. They're humans which means the players can get into them more easily- unlike vampire (which I have found very few people can accurately portray) or even Werewolf. Yes with low dice it can be kind of daunting- then again beginning characters in any game aren't going to be that powerful. It's all in how you use your skills. In Mage my character Claire had all of 2 Arete and 2 in correspondence (1 matter) someone tried to shoot her, she opened a tiny correspondence hole, bullet went right in, exited behind her. It the dusky light it just looked like the shooter missed. <grins> Some people get really realy powerful characters- but because of their poor skills they still don't use them up to potential. Not to say I'm great or anything, just trained to be creative in power usage. Makey sense?
I guess my main reason for not liking filling in dots is all those Standardized Tests throughout school. Also, I don't like the idea of counting how many dice earned a "success". But ultimately, I think my main problem with White Wolf games was a bad GM.
that's probably the bulk of it.. the success system takes some getting used to. My understanding is that it was created by the makers of Shadowrun, and therefore, it's not original; it's just something everyone's not used to. For a time, I think the industry was moving towards standardized dice systems that employed similiar mechanics, or at least, fewer dice were involved. Marvel Super Heroes used d10 and I think most West End games (Star Wars, Highlander) used d6. I know Shadowrun used d6. I'm not sure what games were using d20 besides D&D, or rather used multidice in many combinations. Wizards of the Coast's purchase of TSR made d20 much more prominent again; the revamped system for 3rd ed. AD&D is used for most all their recent games. The weakness of d20 is that it takes time, patience, and access to reference to handle. I've grasped the success system (with one die, either d10 or d6) well enough that I can hack out a White Wolf game, or something similar. I have played D&D for quite a while, but I still haven't memorized which dice is appropriate for which circumstance. 3d6 determines stats, d8 determines most monster HP.. but I can't remember which to use where if I don't have a book. Also, forget about me running too many games without a module. Julie is wanting to do Star Wars with me right now, but she is relying heavily on modules published by Star Wars Gamer magazine. I'm not much different.. it is okay sometimes to wing it, but I still need some structure, especially for games I think deserve it.
The good news for me is: 1.) the member of my gaming group who has mono is recovering 2.) with the help of some people on the Wizards of the Coast chat rooms, I got an idea for my transportation-deficient member. If someone has to pick him up, he gets to pay for gas. As far as d20 is concerned, I successfully ran 1/2 of a Diomin adventure online.
Okay, I finally made it back! <grins> Still haven't finished reading Agora. Anywho, I don't mind the 'successes' system. It makes sense to me. What doesn't is damage. Damage of course dependent on what interpretation you make based on what rules. It seems silly that if you hit someone with five successes you can do as little as one damage. As for running a game? With White Wolf I would REALLY rather not have modules. I prefer running the game out of my head. For the Star Wars game I was in- same concept, no modules used the GM made the story up. If there's a question over whether to use a module or not I would basically think it all depends on the creativity of the GM. That and are they 'hack and slash' or are they interested in that bizarre notion of Character Development.
Hmm . . . thanks to D&D3E and the d20 system, roleplaying has become more geared towards munchkins as people choose their class and skills based primarily on combat potential. I have come to the realization that due to distance problems I need to run online games, get a new gaming group, or recruit new members to my gaming group to replace the distance problem one.
re #22- I don't agree. I don't think that people necessarily JUST base their character's class and skills on combat potential. At least not in the game I'm in. Course I always make the disctinction between 'role-playing' and 'roll- playing.' A good game is when the dice rarely get used (combat scenes aside).
Then I really need to stop hanging out at the Wizards of the Coast chat rooms, too many munchkins. Last time I was there, some moron was saying that certain classes (i.e. warrior types) with high Wisdom learn the anatomy of dragons. If any character class is highly concerned with anatmoy, it's Rogues and Rangers first, Wizards, Clerics, and Druids second - and warriors last.
I'll agree on both sentiments. 'role-playing' and 'roll-playing.' Thanks, Anne, I'll have to remember that.
re 325- no charge. ;) (this time...) re 24- I've found online chat rooms can be awful places to either role- play or discuss role-playing. Too many infants who really want God characters that can do it all. My personal opinion is too long for me to get into right now. Hmm... maybe there should be an item on this, I know I could go on and on about types of characters. Thoughts?
Go ahead. I heard that one person interviews his players before he allows them into games, and one of the questions is a munchkin repellent question: what is the most powerful being any of your characters has ever defeated? If they answer with the name of a god, he doesn't allow them in his game.
Okay, one of these days I really will get around to making the item, honest!
Howdy all, names Ed and I am right now running two table top roll playing campaigns, Seventh Seas and a Teenagers From Outer Space campaign. I've played in D&D, Big Eyes Small Mouth, Deadlands, Harn....just to name a few. I first got into the hobby at 14 and have stayed with it on and off. I also recently played in a LARP run by Anne Moore, although I missed her most recent LARP, if anyone on here played in it I would love to know how it panned out.
Not familiar with many of the games you mentioned.. ..care to explain?
Welcome Ed! BTW did you mean "roll" playing or "role" playing? (This isn't meant to insult your grammar, to the mind of a gamer they mean different things) jaklumen, I can tell you a little about 2 of those games: Big Eyes, Small Mouth is a generic anime-based RPG; Deadlands is a fantasy Wild West game.
vidar-- I am a gamer right to the bone, so of course I am aware of the differences in meaning of "roll" and "role". There are some folks I call "roll" players, i.e., they rely more on the dice and mechanics of the game. Sometimes they are hack n slash cheeze monkeys. I am a bit of a LARP freak, and I've experimented with freeform gaming that involves no dice and 100% trust in your players in order to just weave a story. I take "role" playing seriously-- I have not met many gamers who really took pride in character development and acting skills to get their PCs out of a jam. Clearer? Big Eyes, Small Mouth-- anime! Ha ha, got it! Sounds fun-- I've played Ranma 1/2 (made with GURPS rules) and Bubblegum Crisis with an acquaintance of my wife's.
That first part was meant for Ed. I've known the difference for a long time.
whoops! I should have looked back at earlier responses, hehe.
I thought you merely juxtaposed my "there" and my "is" then added a question mark to the end of my sentence.
<pokes Ed> How long have you been gaming with Anne Moore? Chances are you either know my sister or brother-in-law.
ed you old diaper flinger!
SINCE this conference has been dead for a LONG time, I'm going to suggest a new game. I will DM it if necessary. Please DON'T email me your characters, just post them somewhere in here. I may not be on for several weeks. I hope someone sees this before a month as passed . . . I forgot . . . what the quest I'm proposing will be about . . . it will be set in a kingdom, so far unnamed, and the characters will have to defeat an evil mage. I will allow anyone with the proper craft or feat AND out-of-game knowledge to invent semi-modern technology, i.e. someone knows the formula for gunpowder and tells me, and they have Craft: Weaponssmith or whatever it is, so they can make guns. Not very *good* guns, but guns nonetheless. They'd have to repair them themselves, of course. I hope I didn't forget anything else.
I'm ready. Did you start a new item for this?
Looks like he hasn't. I haven't been on Grex all that much recently.
<blinks> What kind of game system will this be set up in?
From the lead in: D&D3E with modifications for players who actually know the formulae for gunpowder to allow weak guns. <shrugs> I know from experience using Grex to game isn't the best idea in the multiverse.
re #39: No, I didn't, and I'm not ready re #41-42: just about right. Unfortunately, this is the only place I *could* do it.
Sorry, I forgot to mention this: I will start an item when I think of a proper name for it.
I've found a name for the kingdom, but I can't think of a name for a quest, and I don't have much time at the moment. The kingdom is called Tavanth. Could anyone who wants to join post character names & *short* summaries here (as per original item purpose)?
Well just because I finally got back to post, both a roll player and a role player, depending on the system. But I prefer role playing myself, keeps my enjoyment level up. As well to comment on Anne's post on god charecters, oh yes, I know of the players who love god charecters, here's my typical GM run in with them. "So tell me about your charecter" "Well he is an orphan with extreme martial arts abilities and is rated deadly with both hands and feet. He is a fully trained gun expert with high marksmanship and is known for having an incredibly quick draw. Former trained US army sniper, honorable discharge with no recall status. No friends, no connections, and no obligations. Will kill on command." "Thank you, and does he have hobbies, interests? What is his goal?" "To shine his guns and use them."
Sorry to scroll the forum but I thought I would post this, is anyone in the Ann Arbor area interested in a campaign I am trying to start, based in the 1920s and 30s, pulp adventure, using a modified "Over the Edge" system? Please feel free to let me know.
resp:46 LOL
Over the Edge system? I'm not familiar with that. Although, I probably shouldn't stick my neck out too far in interest... my time availability is next to nil. Both a good thing and a bad thing. Man, you'd think being unemployed would give a person time to get fun things done.... <Grins>
I manage to get some RP time in although I'm unemployed too. Dunno, maybe it's because the WTW system makes efficient and effective use of my time. Granted, it's mostly Cam, and I have to deal with people's issues right up front, but hey, I'm a convert to LARP. Hmmm.. haven't done anything D&D like yet, but.. perhaps that could change. RadCon's coming up, i.e., there will be a convention in my home tri- town area soon.
I'm also in the unemployed boat, and doubt much of my time is going to be tied up until January when I'll resume my search for jobs, and be finishing off my degree. Not to mention RoS taking up a minimum of 9 hours of my time a week.
Vidar- yeah, I'm pretty much not working on getting a job until after January 1. I'm curently in 2-3 games and occassionally run more- so adding another one in to an already busy social schedule is proably not a great idea for me.
>>knock knock<< Anyone home? Hi! Kae's here to let you know that she likes Traveller, Gamma World, and In Nomine. She finds D&D combat unnecessarily ponderous, and thinks its character generation system stifles creativity. She also believes that d20 could be the harbinger of doom for all RPGs. The guys at the local game shops love her because she spends real money on her dice collection. She is currently involved in an In Nomine campaign, playing a Lilim named Ginger who recently traded all the favors owed to her by the other PCs to Lilith, for protection against a praticularly nasty NPC. HeeHee! Carnage...!
We're home.
Why is d20 the harbinger of doom for all RPGs? Elaborate here, or perhaps in another item?
I'd imagine it's because of the "genericization" of RPGs that seems to be happening because of d20: most games are compatable with others, causing RPG writers to lose the will to write their own mechanics. Just a guess, mind you, but I don't play GURPS for a similar reason.
Hello I'm here! Sorta
I think posting to this conference requires a dice roll for a level 17 necromancy spell. Here goes! Hi, newbie Grexer papa here. My name is David Meyer and at the time of this post I am a fifty-something US expatriate living in Japan. As for my RPG background, I played a little AD&D and Traveler about forty years ago! Ten years or so ago I got into MUD-based RP for a while (and will post in the more-relevant conference momentarily). Then a few years ago played some web-forum-based RP. All good fun. I'd be interested in a bbs-conference-based RP game, if such a creature were to return from internet limbo.
You have several choices: