Tabletop Roleplaying Games (D&D, Pathfinder, CoC, ETC.)

[Wormy]

That's...because... it's meant to be a jab at Red Dawn. The movie where the SOVIET UNION, not Russia, invaded the US.

It was released in the late 80s, as both a tongue in cheek view of things, as well as a way to cope with the weirdness of the end of the Cold War. Not meant to be a critique of modern Russia, not by a long shot.

I wasn't being entirely serious, I just like jabbing at Tsaraboos and Putin-simps.

I know that was the intention, Costikyan even laid it out as such in the text. "If you're uncomfortable, think of it like Lord of the Rings as done by William F Buckley."

Then again, I think that'd also make it "Woke" since Bill Buckley is considered a left wing cuck for not falling into the Trump cult either.

Also reminds me; didn't Costikyan get in trouble for his anti-Gator tweet involving pistols at dawn?

Damn, I need to eat...

 

[robobobo]

Anyone know of any good tutorial videos on how to use Fantasy Grounds software? I've tried figuring out how to make my own map in it and can't figure it out. Please tell me I can make a map in it and don't have to make it in photoshop and export it, because the map maker is what keeps bringing me back to roll20.

You can make maps in Fantasy Grounds.

https://youtu.be/p6hfSqe5mtw

 

[Capsaicin Addict]

I use MapTool and cheat like hell. You can convert maps from PDFs into images (the Snipping Tool is good for this if the map isn't too big) and then just cram them into MapTool and rescale them till they're the proper size. Good times.

 

[ZMOT]

Yeah, 4e was the first digital push. If I remember right (my timeline might be a bit screwy, I didn't make the jump to 4e until about mid-way through with the 'new red box' because I had friends who were D&D newbies and people said the 4e starter kit was decent) 4e had print and digital available at the same time up through PHB3, when Wizards got all "Muh Piracy" and were little bitches about digital from then out.

Before D&DBEyond they had "D&D Insider". Which was great for 4e - there was a character builder that auto updated your character sheet, made a passive skill/ability mod cheat sheet you could pass to the GM, made printable power cards, printable treasure cards, etc. There was a stand-alone "demo" of the builder for 4e that went to level 3, and I believe you can still find it.

also one thought I had earlier: we lucked out. usually the first one to do something that hits widespread popularity is the definition of it, and I sure as fuck don't want VTTs helmed by WOTC to the point something like forge would've never come out - on top of being the biggest pusher for digital only (more than they already are).

And yeah, there were ads in some of the material, I might even have some of them, talking about a VTT that was going to be 3-D with lighting,animations, and all sorts of cool shit. But it never materialized - I never heard about the Dev offing himself, but I'll take that as true.

most TTRPGs are more than a mechanical dungeon crawl, I think the closest would be something like NWN1 multiplayer, but even that had limitations. so in the end a lot of wasted resources on stuff most people don't want or need. while there is stuff like talespire or even various stuff to get the "real" experience in VR with some augmentations, I don't really see it going anywhere (especially not with the old paid product approach, if you can't tap into the weaponized autism of modders I doubt it will ever be feasible. bazaar vs cathedral to use an open source example).

I strongly disagree.
I think its a good idea/good move for Paizo but a very bad move for PF 2e. Releasing modules for another system is pretty much taking the L, and if I was playing PF 2e I'd take that as a sign the system is heading to being officially abandoned.

which would happen either way if the money's not there, least this way some of that new money is probably going back into their own main line (for now). they're also not the first ones to do it, some run both given how piss easy it is to release content for THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE MOST POPULAR RPG (to avoid licensing fees), not to mention given the absolute shit state of wotc's own official material (the few crap that comes out and isn't just a vehicle for authors on drivethru to sell 3pp stuff in the first place) which dndcucks gladly still pay 50 bucks for "because there is so much other great stuff in it".

TLDR: while it's a good implication that pf2e isn't as successful as they want, it's always a good business idea to fleece money out of a large demographic of retards with no standards. see: videogames.

 

[Big Man on Campus]

Y'all got any tips for running a VtM campaign for 3 ppl? i'm new to DMing

 

[Ghostse]

which would happen either way if the money's not there, least this way some of that new money is probably going back into their own main line (for now). they're also not the first ones to do it, some run both given how piss easy it is to release content for THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE MOST POPULAR RPG (to avoid licensing fees), not to mention given the absolute shit state of wotc's own official material (the few crap that comes out and isn't just a vehicle for authors on drivethru to sell 3pp stuff in the first place) which dndcucks gladly still pay 50 bucks for "because there is so much other great stuff in it".

TLDR: while it's a good implication that pf2e isn't as successful as they want, it's always a good business idea to fleece money out of a large demographic of retards with no standards. see: videogames.

Like I said in the tl;dr on that, its really bad news for PF2e, its great news for PF3e. PF2e was far too late for the 4e crowds because I don't think Paizo released anything 4e (who can blame them) so PF2e taking about 7 years after the end of 4e was too late. PF2e was too different for PF1e powergamers to get down with, and anyone who liked 4e had been homebrewing for a decade and didn't need someone to tell them what to do.
When Wizards releases 6e, Paizo if they have any sense should be ready with PF3e which will be to 5e what PF1e was to DnD 3.5e. I have a feeling I won't like it (or its players) any more than I like a PF1e munchkin, but can't deny its a good move for the company.
Intel needs its AMD.

Spoiler: Further Sperging

I've posted before but D&D's real power is their (at this point) 50 years of material that is more or less compatible (or convertable) that uses the same language, same tools (dice). Even the bastard child 4e, you can take Keep on the Borderlands and swap out the monster stat blocks with something level appropriate and boom, 4e adventure path, which is why they use odd words in weird ways (like unnamed "Saves") in 4e.

PF2e trying to be its own thing doesn't tap into that history and vocabulary. PF1e did as a 3.5 clone. PF2e didn't bring anything to the table anyone still playing PF1e in TYOL 2019 cared about. PF1e also, from annecdote, seems to have gotten the 2e "PCs should die-die" crowd to jump ship, or at least engage in heterodoxy.

Anyway that a lot of autism to say
My main point was Blaizen was saying people saying this meant PF2e was dead were wrong. I was telling him the haters were probably right about PF2e, but it would let Paizo make money and continue on as 5e module publisher.

I am annoyed whenever I see everything being released as "5e!" but also can't fault any publisher/writer for taking easy money. I will say Wizards learned only the worst lessons from 4e but whoever was in charge of their licensing department was an evil genius for throwing the doors open wider than they were for even 3.5e, and working with DTRPG to do the DM Guild thing.

 

[Adamska]

Y'all got any tips for running a VtM campaign for 3 ppl? i'm new to DMing

What are you running and where are you running it? Are you basing it on the by Night books or your own magical brain creativity? What did your players pick for their vampires or ghouls?

Because until I get more details there are only a few rules that I can come up with for the game. The very first is always remember they're supposed to be hiding their vampiric side. There's a masquerade, and all cities have a prince who keeps the peace and keeps the normals from knowing about them. If they're willy-nilly about power use and don't try to keep things quiet, have the sherriff (prince's leg breaker) "talk" to them. Repeat offenses likely will get them killed.

Second rule is if you're running on magical brain creativity? Plan out the big figures in the city, and about 1 - 3 weeks worth of material. Any less and you might need to call it early due to them blazing through it. Any more and they will via pure accident hop off and go somewhere else. This isn't as big a deal if you use By Night books, since those have a lot of shit planned.

Third element is to make sure that all three have something to do. It shouldn't be superhard since a team of three is pretty solid for a group in the WoD, but I feel the need to bring it up since it is an issue new STs face. I faced that issue before. If they have a habit of talking over each other a lot, don't feel bad if you do a "talky stick" sort of thing where only one at a time speaks if it's an issue.

 

[anti SJW]

 

[Jet Fuel Johnny]

You can make maps in Fantasy Grounds.

https://youtu.be/p6hfSqe5mtw

I use MapTool and cheat like hell. You can convert maps from PDFs into images (the Snipping Tool is good for this if the map isn't too big) and then just cram them into MapTool and rescale them till they're the proper size. Good times.

Thanks guys.

I want to move off of Roll20 and I grabbed Fantasy Grounds Unity Ultimate Pack on Humble Bundle for Steam for $5.

 

[ReturnedHermit]

Has anyone here ever played a Binder from Tome of Magic 3.5?
I spent about two weeks building and learning the class before the campaign was cancelled. This was perhaps the most angry I have ever been at tabletop.
The design of the class is so bizarrely complex I can't even imagine who or what they were trying to appeal to with that one. Is there anything similar in more recent books or other games? I'm just salty I didn't get to play it to be honest.

 

[Capsaicin Addict]

Has anyone here ever played a Binder from Tome of Magic 3.5?
I spent about two weeks building and learning the class before the campaign was cancelled. This was perhaps the most angry I have ever been at tabletop.
The design of the class is so bizarrely complex I can't even imagine who or what they were trying to appeal to with that one. Is there anything similar in more recent books or other games? I'm just salty I didn't get to play it to be honest.

I've looked over the class a bit. It's... really confusing. It's interesting, don't get me wrong. But it plays like nothing else.

Personally, I think they set it up to distract people from the unbelievably shitty Truenamer class.

 

[ReturnedHermit]

I've looked over the class a bit. It's... really confusing. It's interesting, don't get me wrong. But it plays like nothing else.

Personally, I think they set it up to distract people from the unbelievably shitty Truenamer class.

Truenamer is indeed garbage with no purpose. Binder has some busted configurations, but you have to work your ass off just to play the class badly it seems.

 

[Snekposter]

Truenamer is indeed garbage with no purpose. Binder has some busted configurations, but you have to work your ass off just to play the class badly it seems.

I can't wait until the Autistic Analysis of D&D 3.5e Classes gets finished (if ever), simply because Truenamer will be the capstone of all capstones to that long-ass slog.

 

[Adamska]

I can't wait until the Autistic Analysis of D&D 3.5e Classes gets finished (if ever), simply because Truenamer will be the capstone of all capstones to that long-ass slog.

If you mean the thread probably not unless I randomly regain the drive to write down each class again; Complete Warrior was rather draining.

If you mean the video series, I'd love to do an episode on it, though it'd be more of the Complete books first. For that to happen though, the Diopsid needs to have fate stop fucking his shit up.

 

[Snekposter]

If you mean the thread probably not unless I randomly regain the drive to write down each class again; Complete Warrior was rather draining.

Damn shame. It was quite entertaining while it lasted, though.

 

[Brain Problems]

I use MapTool and cheat like hell. You can convert maps from PDFs into images (the Snipping Tool is good for this if the map isn't too big) and then just cram them into MapTool and rescale them till they're the proper size. Good times.

Similar vein but what do you think of MapTool overall? I have a friend that wants to start a game and is trying to figure out which online VTT to use and it's between this, Roll20, and Foundry. Foundry is the one that looks the most interesting to me but it's also $50 USD + tax versus MapTool being... $0

 

[I-chi]

Been getting into more and more Pathfinder 1st lately across two Adventure Paths with the same DM ( Skull and Shackles having run for the past eight months, War For The Throne which just started last week ) and I've come to an epiphany with how much more I appreciate the tools at hand to be able to do so much more mechanically than I was ever able to in 5th through flavor. As much as I still enjoy 5th as a decent beginner's toybox, I'm kind of starting to prefer the former for actually building my ideas now.

Another system I've been dipping into has been Cypher after our WoD game hit a snag. It's been great so far! Without going too heavy into the specifics, it scratches that constant itch for personalization while making it incredibly easy to roll up a character's stats and fill in all the blanks yourself. Similarly, it's very friendly for the DM who doesn't feel like rolling dice and can work a game almost entirely through a basic framework and an idea of what situations they can plan out or improvise. I don't know about being able to do ANYTHING with it, but for a cheeky Superhero game it's been going pretty great so far.

 

[Starscreams Cape]

Take it from someone who enjoys 4e: Your system getting dropped by the publisher matters more than you think. Yes, shit is all well and good for the moment, but when your system is dead you will have trouble bringing in new players. And unless you are on-boarding newbies, as terms change meaning you will have to help your players unlearn a lot of concepts.
Its like with all the Tranny shit and CRT getting shoved into books now: sure its fine now, you've got your player, your campaign, and if Pazio goes belly up you don't care. But you'll need to replace players at some point. People move, die, get into relationships, have kids, change jobs.

Granted, PF2 has a real SRD available which helps with player education and getting people to try out the system.

I'm another unironic 4e fag, and most of my group was too. But we're pretty minis/combat heavy, so it was a natural fit. We were pretty pissed WotC abandoned it relatively quickly and we switched to a few different systems as a protest, including PF1e, finally settling on 5e. In hindsight we could have gotten more out of 4e, but generally speaking you're right - it's hard to keep up synergy playing with a dead system. As you get older it does become easier, but back then we were still going to Gencon every year and liked to have the latest thing.

It's a shame - I didn't even know PF2e was an homage to 4e. But Paizo's woke bullshit is a complete nonstarter anymore. Not one dime from me again.

 

[Capsaicin Addict]

Similar vein but what do you think of MapTool overall? I have a friend that wants to start a game and is trying to figure out which online VTT to use and it's between this, Roll20, and Foundry. Foundry is the one that looks the most interesting to me but it's also $50 USD + tax versus MapTool being... $0

It's not bad for free software. The token resources I've downloaded aren't all that good -- you're better off grabbing TokenTool (also free), then just pulling images off the web and slapping a circular frame on them and saving them. They're a lot more visible.

Your big issue is remembering what layer you're on, and keeping the fog of war in play.

 

[knightlautrec]

Y'all got any tips for running a VtM campaign for 3 ppl? i'm new to DMing

Agree with everything Adamska said and more.

Also remember VtM is personal horror, stress on the personal always.

One thing I do is make my players do a influence map to each other as the coterie and to people in the city. I have them create one boon (a person or thing who has helped them in the past. Someone who helped them in a breech, a Nossie who did them a solid) and one bane (a person or thing that has hindered them. Their Sire's other Childe, a diablerist that tried to hurt them etc)

The influence map to their coterie should consist of lines of moments that helped define their relationship. One line is good to one player, the other is conflict to the other player. So perhaps (for example) the Ventrue of the group holds the Gangrel in high regard because that Gangrel saves them from a shovel head. But in contrast the Gangrel has conflict with the Ventrue back because maybe the Ventrue inadvertently knocked down a building their herd had influence on or domain.

Help them build these wider city connections, let them add their own lil mythos and lore to the game and then use it. They're their worse enemies in that regard. Force them to expand on their history always. Force them to think about their characters night to night activities, encourage ambitious actions and goals.

Then, you start plotting conflict around those goals and building your net. I would encourage you as a ST to always try to make your plots connect and have strands leading into one another even if by a lil touch. Things don't happen in a vacuum and a powerful enemy has their fingers into everything usually. So make the ghost of those fingers known. It'll be very satisfying when they reach that head of the serpent down the line and realise it had a circle.

Anyway. I could sperg about VtM and WoD STing all fucking day.