I'm attacking the darkness! Crap, I rolled a 2: Dungeons and Dragons Discussion

[Seravi Edalborez]

Just chiming in to echo that professional DM is pretty rad. A friend I've known for like forever always keeps trying to get me to play a session but I honestly lack the interest to get immersed into tabletop settings anymore, and our groups are always extremely small to begin with. I have a real appreciation for the medium but it's difficult for me to feel invested. I grew up on a lot of PC games that used the 3.0 and 3.5 rulesets behind the scenes though.

I did have one character I used at one time that I liked though. Half-orc sorcerer (Grimbar) who was sort of a diplomat/mediator, but had the odd quirk that he always referred to himself in the third person. Also had a custom low tier spell that gets everyone around him drunk (Grimbar's Instantaneous Inebriation).

[Zetanio]

If anyone is playing 4E they should reevaluate their life choices.

I liked roll20 for the ease of use as well but quickly ran into giant roadblocks when trying to get all the character info set up and track HP/Bonuses/Advantage etc.

It was too clunky. I dislike online games for the inability to slap my players in the back of the head if needed

[nicholai]

I don't hate Roll20, it can work well enough to get things across. Every online game I've played has used discord for chatting, it's great for being able to have a chat room etc for stuff that comes up during the week or quick questions etc. Plus it's super easy to add people/mute etc for people that just wanna watch or listen in.

[Marootsoobutsu]

If anyone is playing 4E they should reevaluate their life choices.

I liked roll20 for the ease of use as well but quickly ran into giant roadblocks when trying to get all the character info set up and track HP/Bonuses/Advantage etc.

It was too clunky. I dislike online games for the inability to slap my players in the back of the head if needed

Yeah, if you're patient enough to code it all, or at least motivated even if you aren't patient, you can automate darned-near *everything* in Mote. MapTool, too, though Mote allows for deeply nested ifs and switches more readily than MapTool does, and Mote is receiving more frequent attention than MapTool does. And if you're doing vanilla Pathfinder or 3.5 with minimal/no home brew or house-rules, there are frameworks already in place that handle almost everything.

I did have one character I used at one time that I liked though. Half-orc sorcerer (Grimbar) who was sort of a diplomat/mediator, but had the odd quirk that he always referred to himself in the third person. Also had a custom low tier spell that gets everyone around him drunk (Grimbar's Instantaneous Inebriation).

Memorable things like that are part of why I love the game-- and I swear, it seems like everyone has a half-orc character that they loved (my first ever PC was a half-orc Barbarian who would "pick locks" with a strength check). He remains to this day one of my two favorite characters I've ever played, PC or NPC.

I don't hate Roll20, it can work well enough to get things across. Every online game I've played has used discord for chatting, it's great for being able to have a chat room etc for stuff that comes up during the week or quick questions etc. Plus it's super easy to add people/mute etc for people that just wanna watch or listen in.

I have dedicated little Skype rooms for my stuff, because yeah-- people have stuff they need to talk about (schedule conflicts, questions or concerns about leveling up, character arc discussions, or arguing with themselves about what clues they've received mean). It's conceivable that I'll set up a Teamspeak server at some point to make things more convenient, and to allow ALL my players to confab more easily, whether they are in the same game or not. But that's a little ways down the road-- my current computer, for some reason I've not been able to diagnose, just gives me the bird and shuts down when I try to use TS for more than an hour. My voice program I'm relatively flexible on if a particular group prefers something else, but if there's division on preference, I just default to Skype because it's easiest for me to use, and I'm all about that easiest-for-me-to-use.

[Deftscythe]

That said, it's been a couple of years since I used Roll20, and it might have gotten better since I used it

First, thanks for the really in depth answer. I'll check Mote out. As to the part I quoted, I don't know if Roll20 was purchased by some big company or maybe it's just the current boom of TTRPG streaming on Twitch but they've really been putting a lot of work in to improve their capabilities over the past 12 or so months. Just as an example the engine does now support dynamic lightning and putting auras on tokens to help determine buff radius.

That being said, I've barely ever used it as a DM so I don't know if that experience has changed as significantly. Not trying to convert you since you're obviously very invested into your current system, just trying to give an even-handed picture for people who might not yet have committed to one online gaming option or another.

Edit:

I have dedicated little Skype rooms for my stuff, because yeah-- people have stuff they need to talk about (schedule conflicts, questions or concerns about leveling up, character arc discussions, or arguing with themselves about what clues they've received mean). It's conceivable that I'll set up a Teamspeak server at some point to make things more convenient, and to allow ALL my players to confab more easily, whether they are in the same game or not. But that's a little ways down the road-- my current computer, for some reason I've not been able to diagnose, just gives me the bird and shuts down when I try to use TS for more than an hour. My voice program I'm relatively flexible on if a particular group prefers something else, but if there's division on preference, I just default to Skype because it's easiest for me to use, and I'm all about that easiest-for-me-to-use.

You should look into Discord. I swapped from Skype a few months ago and brought all my friends along with me and we love it. You can set up a server with multiple chat and voice channels with different permissions and user groups very easily and all for free. Also, it's not hosted on your PC so bandwidth is not an issue. The only thing it doesn't do that Skype does is video chat/screen sharing but it sounds like you weren't using that feature on skype either.

[Marootsoobutsu]

First, thanks for the really in depth answer. I'll check Mote out. As to the part I quoted, I don't know if Roll20 was purchased by some big company or maybe it's just the current boom of TTRPG streaming on Twitch but they've really been putting a lot of work in to improve their capabilities over the past 12 or so months. Just as an example the engine does now support dynamic lightning and putting auras on tokens to help determine buff radius.

That being said, I've barely ever used it as a DM so I don't know if that experience has changed as significantly. Not trying to convert you since you're obviously very invested into your current system, just trying to give an even-handed picture for people who might not yet have committed to one online gaming option or another.

In all fairness, for most players, either one would probably work about as well. I went looking at Roll20, and I still have to say that Mote is superior for map creation (but most maps should be made on another program, and just get dropped in), and it is *far* superior with its macro options and detail-maintenance. With that said, Roll20 has a lower investment point, and with characters who have sheets easily maintained and few stat-interactions, the difference isn't really going to be all that noticeable. Smaller parties also will see a smaller difference, since likelihood of Bards, buffing-wizards, Marshals and the like goes way down, cutting down expected complexity. Roll20 also has the potentially important bonus of being more tablet/smart-phone friendly (though my understanding is Mote is working on adding this in the near future. The more you can efficiently track everything on your sheet, the more Roll20 becomes wholly viable. The more complexity you integrate in the game, or the less your sheet can easily track, the more weight Mote picks up. And, if you are meeting in person, Roll20 is probably superior for tablet groups, in that you don't need full laptops for everything to swing (though I'm looking forward to getting a projector, and then just pass the mouse for folks on their turns to move their token). I kind of downplay Roll20 a lot, because I was spoiled by MapTool's utility first, but I recognize that it very much has a part of the VTT market that fits its niche just as well, or better, than MapTool/Mote.

My preference is heavily predicated on the fact that A) when I play characters, they are *very* complex, and try to make use of every +1 that they can get (without deviating from concept), and roll20 doesn't handle that anywhere near as well, and B) as a DM, the complexity that I want available to players who want it cannot afford to be slowed by the constant "Did I remember every +1?" And, as long as I have internet access, even if no one else can get on Mote for *whatever* reason (right now I have one guy who, anything he tries to run with java crashes), the game can still get run as long as I can screen share.

You should look into Discord. I swapped from Skype a few months ago and brought all my friends along with me and we love it. You can set up a server with multiple chat and voice channels with different permissions and user groups very easily and all for free. Also, it's not hosted on your PC so bandwidth is not an issue. The only thing it doesn't do that Skype does is video chat/screen sharing but it sounds like you weren't using that feature on skype either.

Video chat I don't use *now* (I don't even have a webcam), but it's definitely something I'd be using if I went to Twitch. And I do use screen sharing on Skype fairly often for limited durations or if, (as mentioned above) a player has problems with java for whatever reason. I might give it a go-- certainly the usefulness of not calling the whole crowd if folks want to talk is a bonus.

[Deftscythe]

http://dnd-5e-homebrew.tumblr.com/po...matthew-mercer

So I'm currently playing a Bard in 5E and I've just hit fourth level. My DM has said that I can use this homebrew by Matt Mercer, specifically the feat at the end. I've decided that one of my techniques will definitely be Dissonance that lets me make saves more difficult, but I'm having trouble deciding on the second. I think I've got it narrowed to either Aria of Suspense, which lets me help the party vs ambushes and traps or Hasten Tempo which lets me move people up in initiative. Both seem like strong effects and both are(afaik) unique to this feat.

If anybody wanted to weigh in and help me make this decision I'd love to hear it.

[Zetanio]

Hasten Tempo, I'm all about that initiative jump.

[synistar]

Each conducting technique has its merits. I take it you're not in this college and the feat allows you to take two techs right? Anyways Dissonance helps your party hit stuff and good as a reaction. Not sure how far it falls off since it only consumes the bardic inspiration for the flat +2 DC to dex saving throw.

Majestic Anthem looks pretty damn good as a damage shield (d6+cha mod in an AoE of 60 ft, up to d8 when you hit lvl 5)
Sprint is flexible since your allies can use the mobility.
Hasten Tempo seems nice if your party lacks Dexterity or if you have shitty initiative rolls.
Crash seems interesting as a damage boost, and is on reaction as well, especially the knock prone part. Good against targets with low Strength scores.
I can see Aria being useful if your DM really does the dungeonerring well, but that all depends on DM.

[BaneTheBrawler]

The initiative thing sounds pretty universally good to me, whereas the ambush thing... how often do you actually get ambushed?

[Deftscythe]

Each conducting technique has its merits. I take it you're not in this college and the feat allows you to take two techs right?

Correct. I'm college of lore.

Anthem is a good effect but the turn off for me was that it only lasts until the end of my next turn.

Sprint could be good but i just don't feel like it's as powerful as the other choices and since I only get to take this feat once I want the best.

Hasten Tempo: Our party doesn't really lack dex, but I think doing stuff like moving our mages up to the top and then let melee clean up or getting our cleric ahead of someone who's about to go unconscious or make death saves.

Crash is definitely strong but we're doing Strahd which, while I haven't spoiled myself, I'm assuming will involve lots of undead who tend to be walking bags of strength.

You make a good point about Aria. Might need to consult the DM.

[BaneTheBrawler]

So I've been thinking about retraining my Fighter level on my Cleric/Fighter1Brawler1 I looked it up and the cost for retraining at level 3-4 (i'll be level 4 tonight) isn't very high, tbh. I'll probably be able to afford it even after buying my Handy Haversack. I'm mostly dissatisfied with how... bleh that fighter level is. It gives me some useful feats, like proficiencies, but otherwise isn't really interesting. On the other hand, my brawler level is great. Lets me do some really cool shit.

What are some classes you guys think might be useful? Versatility and fun are the two things I'm looking for here. This character is for PFS play, so I'm limited to Paizo sources, iirc. I'd originally had in mind a level in something that would let me take the Familiar feats, because I've got a couple really cool Familiar boons, but haven't found anything that would get me close to that with only one level... though after tonight, I'll have a feat to burn towards that end. Would also be interested in things which give me heavier proficiencies, since I like heavy armor and mixing it up in melee.

[Zetanio]

You can pick either of those three and take 3 levels in it and have more fun imo.

Level 1 is pretty meh for most classes.

I get wanting to multiclass but you REALLY gimp yourself doing it that early.

If you're all for melee armored, go Fighter. That's the best fit. Cleric works too but it's more spell-based than a Fighter.

This is mostly from a 5E perspective but I've got PF experience as well.

[BaneTheBrawler]

so, i'm actually thinking of this for lore reasons. the character's backstory is that he was the child of two warlords who were trying to build their empires into something better, and he was born as part of an alliance between them... but while he was still young, his parents' fledgling kingdom was destroyed by an alliance of the local oligarchs. it would have been a minor uprising on the scale of national history, so I figure it could reasonably pass unnoticed in the lore of PFS.

so he went off and became a cleric, but he still has that initial training from his parents for how to command. and he's a cleric of cayden cailean, so the level in brawler is cos it's useful and also cos he'd have been in bar fights a lot and picked up some skills.

So cleric and brawler fit the character but fighter... eh. it kinda does, but not really. i'm thinking cavalier, order of the land. all about smiting them oppressive regimes. also, looking at it, I don't lose all that much by spending three levels on non-cleric, so i'll drop another level in cavalier to get the order ability. and cavalier gives me pretty much all the same proficiencies as fighter.

for now, though, i'mma be cleric1/cavalier1/brawler1.

[Cantih]

It's nothing major, but a humble bundle RPG book deal went up, and considering the overlap between this thread and the books thread, ya'll might be interested.
https://www.bluegartr.com/threads/99...scussion/page9

Brian Clevinger - Atomic Robo - Evil Hat - FATE
George R. R. Martin - A Song of Ice & Fire - Green Ronin - Custom System
Charles Stross - The Laundry Files - Cubicle - Basic Role Playing
Jim Butcher - The Dresden Files - Evil Hat - FATE
Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn - Crafty Games - Custom System

[BaneTheBrawler]

amazing.

[BaneTheBrawler]

So I actually retrained my character into an Inquisitor, instead of Cleric, and have been having fun. I can definitely see why you guys were pretty wary of multi-classing. While my skill mix was extremely powerful at first, as the group has started to level up I'm becoming significantly weaker, relative to the others. Then again, the others in question are long-time RPGers... and a Sorceror and Barbarian. So I don't feel too bad. And I'm learning, retraining my spells and such as I find out about better stuff. Fortunately, I'm done with my multi-class levels. I'd considered maybe dropping more than 2 levels into other classes, but Brawler's Flurry + Bonus Feat or Cavalier's Order of Land Catch Off Guard ability aren't really worth a whole class level, given what I'd be giving up at Inquisitor 16 and lower. So I could eventually drop one more level into another class without losing too much, but no more than that, and I can't think of any classes that would give me enough extra flavor stuff to be worth dropping from effective caster level 20 to 19.

However, I think things will begin to turn around again after my next session, when I get Inquisitor's Solo Tactics. That'll let me Martial Flexibility into Teamwork feats, and then pretend everyone else has them.

[BaneTheBrawler]

So I'm working on a character duo for my GF and I (for PFS). The idea is to take advantage of the Artillery Team (and other Teamwork) feat to do absurd things.

I've come up with something I think will work.

A Bolt Ace Gunslinger with high dex. Feats go primarily into ranged-attacks.

A Grenadier Alchemist with high int and reasonable dex. Feats go primarily into reloading ranged weapons.

The Grenadier Alchemist gets Explosive Missile discovery at level 4.

[Zetanio]

You are VERY boom or bust (hehe) with that. If one of you isn't available or pinned you are nigh-useless in battle.

[BaneTheBrawler]

Well, it's designed for PFS play, so we'll be hanging to the back of the party and SHOULDN'T be in the line of fire.

I'm also trying to work out a way for us to independently competent at close range (both characters will be plenty fine attacking on their own at range- they each have their own crossbows, and alchemist will always be able to just chuck the bombs). Given the high dex scores both characters have, I was thinking maybe Weapon Finesse, but I'm not sure about spending a feat on that when we're going to need so many ranged feats.

The Alchemist can gain proficiency with a single martial weapon. I was thinking perhaps rapier, or sword-cane.