21
Oct

Pathfinder RPG… is it needed?

   Posted by: tenkar   in Random Thoughts

This question has occured to be ever since Paizo announced they were going to put their own spin on the 3.5 rules… do we really need an update to 3.5 when we have 4e?  I still don’t know, but I have found the Pathfinder Chronicles to be very well written and engaging.  I have a plan to convert the first story arch to C&C rules at some point, probably using the FG II VTT.  But do I even need to do that if Pathfinder RPG fixes the main issues in 3.5?

These are things that keep me up at night… at least for a few minutes at a time… heh.

I am much more interested in the Pathfinder RPG after listening to a podcast of Paizo’s publisher and lead designer discussing the ruleset.  Listen for yourself at http://thetome.podbean.com/

I generally have little interest in podcasts, but I am willing to give them another shot after listening to this one.

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20
Oct

I’m a PDF’er!

   Posted by: tenkar   in Random Thoughts

I have to admit I’m pretty big on buying my gaming material in PDF format.  The main reason for this is PDFs don’t take up any physical space and if I lose the file I have at least 5 downloads from RPGNow and I believe unlimited downloads from YourGamesNow.  Save space, less filling ;)

Then again they are more conveinient to convert for use with Fantasy Grounds or other VTT programs.

The fact that most cost significantly less then their dead paper version is lighter on the wallet.

Bathroom reading needs a dead tree product, and I generally prefer to have a dead tree copy of the main rules for easy reference, but for modules and campaign material I pretty much go PDF all the way.

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19
Oct

Assimilation Weekend

   Posted by: tenkar   in Random Thoughts

This weekend started a merger of sorts.  My MMORPG group (currently playing WAR) and one of the other players in the weekly FG2 Dark Heresy game met in game in WAR.  The MMORPG game is partly composed of my old DnD group.  Amazingly enough the group didn’t scare off my fellow FG2 gamer with all the abuse he received in Ventrillo… it was almost like collge hazing.  He actually came back for a second session ;)

With luck the two groups will have an official in game alliance in the next few days.

I have an observation tho:  my MMORPG group is far removed from pen and paper RPGs at this point… even with voice communication we find it hard to focus.  We have a blast, but productivity is often lacking.  Ross (my fellow FG2 player) added that focus this weekend.  Holy crap but we were on a roll!  Huzzah!

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Well, I’ve said it elsewhere so i might as well repeat myself… it may very well save someone $16.40 ;)

(from my review at RPGNow.com)

Wow… what can I say. I was really looking forward to a good 4e adventure for FG2. Regretfully, this isn’t it. Why? Maybe it’s my aversion to bad character names, especially ones stolen directly from movies and tv shows. The banker? Young Mr Grace (Are You Being Served?). The name of the General Store? Wonky Willy (Willy Wonka anyone?). Ethel Murtz (I Love Lucy) and Joe? They are gnome farmers. There is a Guicci Bag of Holding and a Fendi Bag of Holding. There is an attack by rubber chickens.

Now if one wanted to edit out all the show stopping references to modern day media and products there might be a salvageable adventure in here. Both the artwork (used to reference some of the visuals) and the maps are passable for the most part. Or perhaps not. The first half of the adventure reads like a railroad… you even have a tool of bouncing fireballs to keep the party moving forward.

It IS useful if one decides to digest it as a reference as to how to build a complex adventure in FG2… I’m tempted to use it as a template, but not much more. It is a pricey template.

(end of my original review)  I gave it 2 out of 5 stars… pretty generous for the sour taste it left in my mouth, and the sizable hole in my paypal account.

Apparently tho, it has great appeal to all-female IT gaming groups, ’cause they have something I apparently lack:  brains (or so they inferred).  Then again, I had planned on DMing this adventure… not so my reviewer, she played as a PC through all 12 adventures in this super module AND bought a copy for herself apparently (RPGNow only allows those that purchase a product to review it).

They laughed and cried… maybe I approached this from the wrong angle.  Maybe I should have laughed at the audacity that someone had the nerve to charge over $16 for this possible homage to the oh so horrible TSR Classic… Castle Greyhawk.  There were supposedly multiple gaming sessions to be had from that monstrosity also.  As for crying… I haven’t cried during an RPG session since I was 10… it hurt when my first PC to make it to 5th level got killed.

In all seriousness, DW Publications should have labled their product a tounge planted firmly in cheek farcicle adventure.  They would have avoided my 2 star review (as I would have avoided purchasing something totally unsuited for my gaming style) and would be sitting pretty with the 5 star “we laughed, we cried… it was the bestest adventure in the history of gaming” review that popped up after mine.

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16
Oct

Fantasy Grounds II

   Posted by: tenkar   in Reviews

Probably the best known Virtual Table Top software on the market.  It’s not cheap (over 40 USD for the GM software and over 20 USD for the Player software) but it comes the closest to replicating pen and paper roleplaying at the dining room table with your friends.  Just like RPGs in general, there is a learning curve, so it is probably easier to get your feet wet as a player then to jump in the GM’ing right away.

More to come

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16
Oct

Hopeful

   Posted by: tenkar   in Random Thoughts

I am hopeful that tonight’s Dark Heresy game via Fantasy Grounds II is a go.  We’ve had a few down weeks and I am itching to play.  All my gaming these days is either via FG2 or Warhammer: Age of Reconning.  My favorite part of gaming is the socialization aspect, and I get a chance to do so in both mediums ;)

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