Quote from: Shasarak;1128943I always love a good Alignment discussion.

I actually like this one.

http://easydamus.com/alignmentreal.html

"I'm not neutral evil, I'm Ambitious!"

How did a voice actor-turned-GM get this level of hobby cred? He doesn't even run real D&D: his group flashbangs the rules to their liking.

It's D&D for marketing purposes, the way companies advertise with the fine print ("void where prohibited, some exclusions may vary").

Critical Role is bullshit. It isn't real D&D. Just like reality-TV isn't reality.

Pundit, ignore that cat, because the hobby reads YOU --- if you make Mercer important, he becomes so. He's attached to Mearls and Koebel, both fallen icons.

Pundit gives him a lot of credit because the sheep follow him, but I could crush his invulnerable persona in a few sentences.

He matters about as much as you let him.

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;1130013I actually like this one.

http://easydamus.com/alignmentreal.html

"I'm not neutral evil, I'm Ambitious!"

THAT deserves its own thread! Very cool find.

Quote from: Theory of Games;1130018How did a voice actor-turned-GM get this level of hobby cred?

Viewership and the imprimatur of WotC.

However, its questionable how much his viewership actually plays. Your comparison to "reality TV" is quite apt.

But D&D as a business has always relied on customers who don't actually play the game, but purchase the ancillaries.

While worthless to the actual play hobby, they are a valuable revenue stream.

Combine that financial aspect with the fact Mercer is an ideological ally and the WotC symbiosis makes total sense.

Quote from: CTPhipps;1130007Am I the only one who thinks "Believe All Women" is a perfectly valid take and that the whole Tara Reade thing isn't enormously hypocritical as the caveat can still include, "Until there is substantial evidence that the claim is untrue?"

I mean, it feels like a lot of people have a GOTCHA moment when it's...not really?

After posting your anecdote (that I think is believable) about the African American studies professor?

Women are human beings. Human beings lie. There is a strong social situation revolving around rape, rape accusations and false rape accusations. Some women have demonstrably used false rape allegations to further some goal, like to avoid recrminations for infidelity, for one example.

No, I'll believe someone when I have sufficient reason to believe them, measured against the seriousness of the claim. I don't simply "Believe women".

The Tara Reid situation is strikingly hypocritical, and I'll bet you 100 internet dollars the Democrats change their tune in a few years when, in hindsight,  it weakens their position regarding sexual assault claims. Likely the next time they want to use that tactic against a Republican.

Greetings!

The Liberals can fucking choke on their hypocrisy. Of course they are hypocrits. Their "Values" only apply to whenever they want to burn some Republican at the stake. Fellow travelers need "Understanding and compassion, and the benefit of the doubt." Strange how when it is a liberal, they often want to "Look at all the evidence" before rendering judgment.

*laughing*

It makes me think of clowns and absolute frauds like HUGO SCHWYZER!:D

Yeah. It's amazing how much the fucking Liberals live entirely by the neurosis of *Projection*. For everything in their fucked up, pathetic, shitty lives.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Theory of Games;1130018He doesn't even run real D&D: his group flashbangs the rules to their liking.

Tweaking rules to your liking is "real D&D" you fucking fake Scotsman.

Particularly since their rules tweaks have literally become official 5e rules in two books now, as opposed to your house rules which have appeared in zero official rules.

Jesus, the utter hypocrisy that runs rampant on this site sometimes...

Quote from: CTPhipps;1130007Am I the only one who thinks "Believe All Women" is a perfectly valid take and that the whole Tara Reade thing isn't enormously hypocritical as the caveat can still include, "Until there is substantial evidence that the claim is untrue?"

I mean, it feels like a lot of people have a GOTCHA moment when it's...not really?

Except that there was enormous evidence suggesting that Ford's allegations against Judge Kavanaugh were untrue, and yet the Left kept demanding that we UNQUESTIONINGLY accept her account, and that if we didn't we were pure evil.

And on the other hand, there's VASTLY MORE substantiating evidence that there's something to Reade's allegations against Biden, and the Left doesn't care at all. In fact, several important figures on the Left have gone so far as to say "I actually DO believe Tara Reade, but I just think it's far more important to beat Donald Trump, so I'm still going to totally support someone I think is a sexual abuser if it will stop the Orange Man".

And that is absolutely pure hypocrisy.

Quote from: Mistwell;1130081Tweaking rules to your liking is "real D&D" you fucking fake Scotsman.

Particularly since their rules tweaks have literally become official 5e rules in two books now, as opposed to your house rules which have appeared in zero official rules.

Jesus, the utter hypocrisy that runs rampant on this site sometimes...

You are correct. I feel comfortable adding that while yes, all RPGs are "tweakable", saying Mercer doesn't run D&D RAW and that can cause friction with new players, is a fair assumption. That's not Mercer's fault and I think it's unfair to label him a "crap DM". I'm also comfortable saying that I don't really care how Mercer runs D&D and while I would likely disagree on politics with him, I won't disparage his success, his book or that 5e and CR are smartly wed. Even though I'm not a CR fan I enjoy the spotlight it's helped shine on our hobby.

Quote from: RPGPundit;1130103Except that there was enormous evidence suggesting that Ford's allegations against Judge Kavanaugh were untrue, and yet the Left kept demanding that we UNQUESTIONINGLY accept her account, and that if we didn't we were pure evil.

And on the other hand, there's VASTLY MORE substantiating evidence that there's something to Reade's allegations against Biden, and the Left doesn't care at all. In fact, several important figures on the Left have gone so far as to say "I actually DO believe Tara Reade, but I just think it's far more important to beat Donald Trump, so I'm still going to totally support someone I think is a sexual abuser if it will stop the Orange Man".

And that is absolutely pure hypocrisy.

Did you see that Biden himself said that if what she says is true he wouldn't vote for himself?

Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1130113You are correct. I feel comfortable adding that while yes, all RPGs are "tweakable", saying Mercer doesn't run D&D RAW and that can cause friction with new players, is a fair assumption. That's not Mercer's fault and I think it's unfair to label him a "crap DM". ....

While not a fan of CR, it is a bit unfair to say he is a crap DM.

Because we don't know what kind of DM he would be when there are no cameras running, and he is not putting on a show.

Quote from: Mistwell;1130081Tweaking rules to your liking is "real D&D" you fucking fake Scotsman.

Particularly since their rules tweaks have literally become official 5e rules in two books now, as opposed to your house rules which have appeared in zero official rules.

Jesus, the utter hypocrisy that runs rampant on this site sometimes...

That doesn't dismiss the bullshit appearance of D&D Critical Role tries to be.

Fuck your Fanship. Fuck you and your guy who doesn't know how the "Sleep" spell works.

System mastery is a real thing, despite you Story-banging lollies that troll this site.

Quote from: Theory of Games;1130127That doesn't dismiss the bullshit appearance of D&D Critical Role tries to be.

Fuck your Fanship. Fuck you and your guy who doesn't know how the "Sleep" spell works.

System mastery is a real thing, despite you Story-banging lollies that troll this site.

I don't watch CR. I am not a fan of his (though I am liking the Wildemont subclasses). Nor am I a fan of storygames.

I just think you're a complete jackass for saying he doesn't play "real D&D" because he tweaked the rules. Nor does one need system "mastery" to play D&D.

It doesn't cost anything to not be a WotC shill, either.....

Quote from: CTPhipps;1130001I think that gamers, as a whole, should take these accusations seriously and maybe not use them to score cheap political points.

Oh come on! Havent you heard? There is no politics in gaming! It is all just made up stories.

Quote from: CTPhipps;1130007Am I the only one who thinks "Believe All Women" is a perfectly valid take and that the whole Tara Reade thing isn't enormously hypocritical as the caveat can still include, "Until there is substantial evidence that the claim is untrue?"

I mean, it feels like a lot of people have a GOTCHA moment when it's...not really?

No. From experience I can tell you this is not new. This has been going on for decades and again is a cyclic thing as women abuse it till we have DontBelieveWomen, again, and the cycle starts to roll around once more.

Dont believe anyone! Listen to both sides and sort it out. If you cant sort it out then step back because its not your place to just believe "BECAUSE!".