So I have a brand new group.
Brand new rules.
I got the Starter Set, read the adventure. Tossed it. Fired up our first game. (Not to say I didn't like the adventure - I liked it very much. I'm not a published adventure kinda guy.) After char-gen and tightening up everyone's backgrounds, we hit the ground running.
I find the game flows very well. The heart of this engine seems to give me everything I want out of D&D. I ran into a couple of nit-picks - the Stealth/Hide rules (I have a lightfoot halfling thief in the party and he wants to gain adavantage every single round by using his Naturaly Stealthy ability in combat. This is already heating up threads on the official forums. Of course I made a GM call - no worries), otherwise it went very very well.
I'm DIGGING the fuck out of the Advantage/Disadvantage mechanic and the unified Proficiency Bonus for skill/ability checks. All the classes were operating exactly as I abstractly felt they should without me having to reign anything in. I set my game in Calimport (if you're FR unfamiliar - it's like fantasy-Baghdad in the southern west-coast region where the Starter Set has their starting point on the main continent) - so it's blazing desert. I used the Advantage/Disadvantage rules liberally to give the brutal environmental effects a bit of color to the game. Everyone dug it.
I felt better about running this game than I have for D&D-writ large for *many* years. After the game the whole group was just sitting there smiling and cackling about how the game flowed in context with the adventure. There was the occasional rule-reference moment, but that was on us, nothing major. Our resident spellcaster and cleric got to flex their shit (as much as you can at 1st level) - but felt very beefy with the new casting system.
The rogue and fighter worked perfectly together, duking it out with hobgoblins with wild-but-tactical-abandon. That little halfling bastard showed everyone what being a dirty sneak-attack thief was all about... it was a little scary. The mechanics backed up their concepts nicely. Same with the resident archer who was lighting up fools (except for the single fumble of the night - and he shot their donkey in the head and killed it. damn... I forgot to give them XP for that!!! /writes down reminder).
The next morning I was telling my wife about the game and the reception to it, while I was telling her how the new players felt afterward (very very pumped and positive) - I got a text at that exact moment from my new player, telling me how much fun he had last night and was looking forward to next week.
Yes it was good.
/smokes cigarette.
Very good.
Quote from: tenbones;770952So I have a brand new group.
Brand new rules.
I got the Starter Set, read the adventure. Tossed it. Fired up our first game. (Not to say I didn't like the adventure - I liked it very much. I'm not a published adventure kinda guy.) After char-gen and tightening up everyone's backgrounds, we hit the ground running.
I find the game flows very well. The heart of this engine seems to give me everything I want out of D&D. I ran into a couple of nit-picks - the Stealth/Hide rules (I have a lightfoot halfling thief in the party and he wants to gain adavantage every single round by using his Naturaly Stealthy ability in combat. This is already heating up threads on the official forums. Of course I made a GM call - no worries), otherwise it went very very well.
I'm DIGGING the fuck out of the Advantage/Disadvantage mechanic and the unified Proficiency Bonus for skill/ability checks. All the classes were operating exactly as I abstractly felt they should without me having to reign anything in. I set my game in Calimport (if you're FR unfamiliar - it's like fantasy-Baghdad in the southern west-coast region where the Starter Set has their starting point on the main continent) - so it's blazing desert. I used the Advantage/Disadvantage rules liberally to give the brutal environmental effects a bit of color to the game. Everyone dug it.
I felt better about running this game than I have for D&D-writ large for *many* years. After the game the whole group was just sitting there smiling and cackling about how the game flowed in context with the adventure. There was the occasional rule-reference moment, but that was on us, nothing major. Our resident spellcaster and cleric got to flex their shit (as much as you can at 1st level) - but felt very beefy with the new casting system.
The rogue and fighter worked perfectly together, duking it out with hobgoblins with wild-but-tactical-abandon. That little halfling bastard showed everyone what being a dirty sneak-attack thief was all about... it was a little scary. The mechanics backed up their concepts nicely. Same with the resident archer who was lighting up fools (except for the single fumble of the night - and he shot their donkey in the head and killed it. damn... I forgot to give them XP for that!!! /writes down reminder).
The next morning I was telling my wife about the game and the reception to it, while I was telling her how the new players felt afterward (very very pumped and positive) - I got a text at that exact moment from my new player, telling me how much fun he had last night and was looking forward to next week.
Yes it was good.
/smokes cigarette.
Very good.
Nice! Many of my same impressions as I've been playing it as well, particularly the bolded part.
Excellent!
How did you find the backgrounds worked for Calimport? Any modification?
Quote from: jadrax;770959Excellent!
How did you find the backgrounds worked for Calimport? Any modification?
The backgrounds in the basic rules are *pretty basic*. The mere fact that most of the Backgrounds are pretty straightforward and designed obviously to go with a particular class - they work fine for that. What I'll say is this - they can and should be a very powerful character-building mechanic in the PHB. There is a *LOT* of potential here.
The Background mechanic strongly remind me of the same mechanic in Fantasy Craft - Specialties.
And I'm digging it. One of my players for this campaign is playing a young Acolyte of Tempus (God of War) and he's from WAAAAAAYYYY up North. They're basically Vikings. So for his background, he didn't take Acolyte - he took 'Soldier' to show his more martial background living on the high-ice duking it out with orcs and ogres and shit. But the fact this option was available was very pleasing to him. He felt he wasn't cheating his character by taking something like Acolyte which was clearly meant for the Cleric class.
I'm betting the PHB will be packed with some good ones like Fantasy Craft is.
On the side note - it was hilarious describing this 6'4" hulk of a viking - all sweaty and red-faced/sunburned marching through the deserts of Calimshan like a BEAST... and then surprise of everyone finding out he's a priest. (of course... then they realize he's a priest of a war-god...)
As for the "Life Domain" being the only available one at this point. I was going to re-engineer it to be the War Domain. I looked back at the Life Domain in previous editions - and it can certainly be done. I just figured with the PHB dropping in a few weeks, we'll just play as is.
Edit: The Backgrounds are fine as is. Nothing required modification. I'm trying to keep my knee-jerk reaction that wants a bit more complexity restrained. Because our gameplan is to update to the PHB as soon as it drops.
Quote from: tenbones;770952I find the game flows very well. The heart of this engine seems to give me everything I want out of D&D. I ran into a couple of nit-picks [...]
I felt better about running this game than I have for D&D-writ large for *many* years. After the game the whole group was just sitting there smiling and cackling about how the game flowed in context with the adventure.
This basically mirrors my experience with the new version during our playtest sessions. I am truly, positively surprised by the accessibility and fun of the game as it is. Sure, there are nitpicks and, let's say aesthetic differences (I don't like the rapid HP regeneration and I think that as many free spells as you want even when they are just cantrips basically banalize and trivialize magic in general), but my impression -and that might very well be the best thing about the edition so far - is that it seems relatively robust and open, that is ready to be adjusted to one's personal preferences.
Okay, I could be completely wrong about this, and this might be just some preliminary enthusiasm for the game which might burn out quickly when the rules loses their novelty. But right now, I doubt that.
Yeah, I haven't had a chance to play yet, but I've played enough D&D (of all editions and brands) to recognize a version that is pretty well glued together. The key is prevent those dickish players from getting a short rest in after every encounter. Not on my watch!
I thought about that too. But you know, they can only spend up to their HD in short-heals? So it's *not* that big of a deal.
Especially at low levels. We'll see how well it works at higher ones. I'm betting, and this is my crapshoot guesstimate that it will be fine up until around 9th or 10th... then it might get a little dodgy.
THAT said...
Keep in mind the rules in the forthcoming DMG will have alternatives to HP/Healing etc.
so it might not be an issue at all.
Quote from: tenbones;771243I thought about that too. But you know, they can only spend up to their HD in short-heals? So it's *not* that big of a deal.
Especially at low levels. We'll see how well it works at higher ones. I'm betting, and this is my crapshoot guesstimate that it will be fine up until around 9th or 10th... then it might get a little dodgy.
THAT said...
Keep in mind the rules in the forthcoming DMG will have alternatives to HP/Healing etc.
so it might not be an issue at all.
When I DM, my rule for healing is:
Short rest: you can use HD
Long rest: you get your HD back. No other healing
So I don't play with "all hp back at long rest". I find that my houserule emulates deadly AD&D style extremely well, as the players felt like they were on the edge a lot. Especially with not being able to get a short rest whenever they felt like it :)
Quote from: Sacrosanct;771245When I DM, my rule for healing is:
Short rest: you can use HD
Long rest: you get your HD back. No other healing
So I don't play with "all hp back at long rest". I find that my houserule emulates deadly AD&D style extremely well, as the players felt like they were on the edge a lot. Especially with not being able to get a short rest whenever they felt like it :)
I like this. Officially swiped!
Quote from: Sacrosanct;771245When I DM, my rule for healing is:
Short rest: you can use HD
Long rest: you get your HD back. No other healing
So I don't play with "all hp back at long rest". I find that my houserule emulates deadly AD&D style extremely well, as the players felt like they were on the edge a lot. Especially with not being able to get a short rest whenever they felt like it :)
That's pretty good Sacro.:)
Quote from: tenbones;771243I thought about that too. But you know, they can only spend up to their HD in short-heals? So it's *not* that big of a deal.
Except Fighter's Second Wind. And Short Rest is at least 1-hour, and there is no limit on them per day in Basic outside of hours left in the day (unlike Long Rest, which is limited to one per 24-hour period).
Quote from: Opaopajr;771270Except Fighter's Second Wind. And Short Rest is at least 1-hour, and there is no limit on them per day in Basic outside of hours left in the day (unlike Long Rest, which is limited to one per 24-hour period).
Technically yes but who actually works 15 minutes and takes an hour break and works 15 minutes and takes an hour break and still has a job or actually accomplishes anything relavent? You can't cure stupid and if you want to game stupid that's not the game's problem it's yours.
Yeah, resetting your HD 'reserve' during a long rest without full HP recovery is an excellent adjustment to the rules.
Quote from: Marleycat;771274Technically yes but who actually works 15 minutes and takes an hour break and works 15 minutes and takes an hour break and still has a job or actually accomplishes anything relavent? You can't cure stupid and if you want to game stupid that's not the game's problem it's yours.
Adventurers who want to level up and game the lack of wandering monster tables?
Quote from: Opaopajr;771288Adventurers who want to level up and game the lack of wandering monster tables?
Hehe, patience the PHB is coming and that means the BASIC doc. will be updated with such things like wandering monster tables and other MM/DMG goodies.:)
Quote from: Opaopajr;771288Adventurers who want to level up and game the lack of wandering monster tables?
Lack of wandering monsters? The starter adventure has them. They are not particularly GOOD random encounter tables but they are there.
I only noticed last night that you only recover up to half of your HD after a long rest. Until now I was under the impression that you got all of them back + the full HP top off, which seemed like A LOT even for hi-octane Micheal Bay D&D.
So that mitigates that rule a little bit, but maybe still not enough. Sacrosanct's version seems workable.
I do really like the added resource management that comes with burning Hit Dice during short rests though.
As for the 15-minute thing I'd hate to be stuck in a group with people that bickered over when to take rests, or with someone who nova'd every battle and insisting on breaking afterwards. It should be a fairly simple group decision based on circumstances and common sense. "If these two need to rest, we'll rest. Dave, stop blowing your wad every fight or you're going to get left behind."
And if it's the entire group doing it they get a boot to the head (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5kGUW6M7W0).
Quote from: Raven;771295As for the 15-minute thing I'd hate to be stuck in a group with people that bickered over when to take rests, or with someone who nova'd every battle and insisting on breaking afterwards. It should be a fairly simple group decision based on circumstances and common sense. "If these two need to rest, we'll rest. Dave, stop blowing your wad every fight or you're going to get left behind."
AKA my gaming group through all of 3e.
Sigh.
'Ok, the cleric nova'd! Now it's time to hunker up in a magic shelter until tomorrow.'
That's kinda funny. I haven't used a wandering monster table in... fuck... forever.
in the back of my head, I kinda know what's appropriate in the area of where the PC's are. I kinda just wing-it. I sort of think of cool monsters/encounters that could happen in a given area, or during a trek, I just let the landscape just dictate itself.
Forest with lots of wild game? This might be a good place far enough from civilization (but not too far) for a camp of poachers/orcs/goblins or whatever.
Or if I'm feeling like the PC's are getting sloppy, or feeling secure -how about an interesting positive encounter with a built-in adventure hook I make up on the spot just to divert them when they get to their destination. A random battle-sight, a lone dying person who pulls out a sealed scroll tube with a powerful lord's stamp on it...and a one-word destination/name.
I've never been big on random tables - but I recognize they have their uses.
As Marleycat stated, we're still doing Basic. when the PHB lands, then the quibbling will be in full force. Heck, if it's as modular as it COULD be... people might be playing very different styles of game at each individual table. I think that's a *good* thing.
I never experienced the 15-minute thing or Novas. Simply because my PC's generally respected their characters abilities not as "superpowers" - but as things hard-won in the game within the context of the world we played in. It would be like the fucking Pope running around taking selfies of himself while he did Create Water on the children of Rome during the summer. While it might be fun to do as a one-off, generally at that level they were too concerned with dealing with real problems in the game. Of course everyone has their own view of heroic-fantasy, mine tends to run towards - big powers = big responsibilities. The key is to give them not just what they can handle, but what they've earned, both the good and the bad.
Quote from: tenbones;771302That's kinda funny. I haven't used a wandering monster table in... fuck... forever.
in the back of my head, I kinda know what's appropriate in the area of where the PC's are. I kinda just wing-it. I sort of think of cool monsters/encounters that could happen in a given area, or during a trek, I just let the landscape just dictate itself.
Forest with lots of wild game? This might be a good place far enough from civilization (but not too far) for a camp of poachers/orcs/goblins or whatever.
IMO, what you've just described is the thought process that goes into making a good wandering monster table, not reason you wouldn't use a wandering monster tables.
I'm OK with the healing conceit if it coincided with what I was using for my setting. Like, medieval Band of Brothers party comprised solely of Fighters, moving from battle to battle over the day. Then a party of 1st lvl Fighters using Second Wind every other hour is understandable for a more heroic mood.
The challenge is modulating the mechanics to my needs. And to be honest the product is too new to tell. I have my ideas how to dial up or down healing rates, but I need experience with the baseline product to not only know what needs adjusting, but how.
Though I do have my concerns about the interconnectivity of other mechanics to Short Rest. But integrated mechanics is something that usually concerns my inner DIYer. Separate mechanics may be fiddly, but being discrete avoids many unintended consequences.
So far it looks like the fighter and warlock would be affected most by altering short rest by itself.
Quote from: Natty Bodak;771306IMO, what you've just described is the thought process that goes into making a good wandering monster table, not reason you wouldn't use a wandering monster tables.
Well yeah... but then it kinda defeats the purpose of *needing* one. At least for me.
But I totally get why people use them. It's just I never considered it until it was brought up. I've just been doing this for so long, it's kinda second-nature. I'm always on the cruise for good monsters to use though. Don't you guys still peruse Monster manuals just for inspiration?
when I first started GMing... I used the wandering monster tables so much that my players knew exactly what roll got what monster without me even saying anything (I rolled in the open).
After a while all those ecology-articles in Dragon and wildlife shows sort of gelled... LOL
Quote from: tenbones;771431Well yeah... but then it kinda defeats the purpose of *needing* one. At least for me.
But I totally get why people use them. It's just I never considered it until it was brought up. I've just been doing this for so long, it's kinda second-nature. I'm always on the cruise for good monsters to use though. Don't you guys still peruse Monster manuals just for inspiration?
when I first started GMing... I used the wandering monster tables so much that my players knew exactly what roll got what monster without me even saying anything (I rolled in the open).
After a while all those ecology-articles in Dragon and wildlife shows sort of gelled... LOL
I do but I love tables full of random stuff. It's why I'm hoping 5e can replace FantasyCraft for me. That game is awesome but it doesn't have the support I prefer and it's 3x which I have grown to loath as a GM
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Quote from: tenbones;771431Well yeah... but then it kinda defeats the purpose of *needing* one. At least for me.
But I totally get why people use them. It's just I never considered it until it was brought up. I've just been doing this for so long, it's kinda second-nature. I'm always on the cruise for good monsters to use though. Don't you guys still peruse Monster manuals just for inspiration?
when I first started GMing... I used the wandering monster tables so much that my players knew exactly what roll got what monster without me even saying anything (I rolled in the open).
After a while all those ecology-articles in Dragon and wildlife shows sort of gelled... LOL
I'm a card carrying member of the compulsive sourcebook reader support group. I love poring over sourcebooks for inspiration!
I wonder if we expect different things out of wandering monster tables. For me they are a way to take my thoughts about what monsters might be encountered in a certain region, along with a short blurb about what they might be doing, and the put it into a randomizer. This lets me do some of the creative work up front, and then have it be random. I'm not particularly prone to being overly narrative, but doing something like this is a little safety valve as well as a preparation aid.
Quote from: Marleycat;771432I do but I love tables full of random stuff. It's why I'm hoping 5e can replace FantasyCraft for me. That game is awesome but it doesn't have the support I prefer and it's 3x which I have grown to loath as a GM
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Marleycat you are spot on. Same with me. I should be careful to say when it comes to random tables, I'm specifically talking about wandering monsters when I say I don't use them.
I will happily use a random table for loot, or other things. I obsess over what's roaming around an area even in random encounters because a big part of how I GM is getting the PC's used to a certain norm in their "territory". Anything out of place, or uncommon, is a notable event. Where it appropriate I do a lot of land-management for those powerful enough to claim territory. So I sort of obsess over that in my mind. Even when they're adventuring.
When it comes to FC... I can't love that game enough, but like you, I want MORE MORE MORE of it. Alas...
3.x/PF is dead to me. PF2.0 will certainly get a look. I'm *really* hoping 5e pans out as well as it appears to be. /toes crossed