The D&D thread of attacking the darkness and RAVENLOFT!

[ManaByte]

Looks like WotC grew a brain. They brought back Ravenloft!

[Sho Nuff]

Ok that's actually pretty awesome. Ravenloft was amazing.

[ManaByte]

I would kill for GoG to release Stone Prophet and Strahd's Possession.

[magus]

ravenwhat?

[Corporal]

That's the boardgame, right?

How does it compare to "vanilla" D&D?

Seems to be well-loved on BGG.

[ManaByte]

Dunno. I haven't got it yet since it's $70.

[ManaByte]

Been reading up on it and apparently the Ravenloft set is REALLLLLLLY good. I may pick it up in a couple weeks since Amazon has a decent discount on it.

There's also a normal fantasy D&D board game coming out in February along the same lines as the Ravenloft set.

Sometimes you can't get a DM so these sets seem really cool.

[Joe Molotov]

I read some Dragonlance/Ravenloft crossover novels back in the day. 

[Diunx]

Someone post that "neeeeerd" pic plz.

[Sho Nuff]

Dude I would kill for a decent Ravenloft CRPG.

[ManaByte]

So was Eberron like the biggest flop, ever? Wizards shoved it down everyones throats with 3rd, and now it's dead with them not planning any more 4th released beyond what they've already done.

[Nintendosbooger]

Isn't Ravenloft the home of Lord Soth, from the Dragonlance series? Last I read of him was in the Chronicles trilogy, carrying off Kitiara.

[chronovore]

So was Eberron like the biggest flop, ever? Wizards shoved it down everyones throats with 3rd, and now it's dead with them not planning any more 4th released beyond what they've already done.

I liked what I read of Eberron's world, but wasn't in a place to pick up DnD books the whole time. Or run RPGs. I actually own a couple novels set in the world. 

[ManaByte]

I just finished reading Gauntlgrym. Can't wait for part 2. Salvatore basically killed off all the Drizzt characters except Drizzt and Jarlaxel.

[chronovore]

The first one I read was one of the worst books I've ever finished. Thief of Blood or something like that. Oh, man, it was wretched. I don't know why, but I bought a couple more in the world but written by different authors than the first book. I should just buy the world book; it fires my imagination up more than the novel anyway.

[ManaByte]

The first one I read was one of the worst books I've ever finished. Thief of Blood or something like that. Oh, man, it was wretched. I don't know why, but I bought a couple more in the world but written by different authors than the first book. I should just buy the world book; it fires my imagination up more than the novel anyway.

That's not a Salvatore Drizzt book.

[chronovore]

The first one I read was one of the worst books I've ever finished. Thief of Blood or something like that. Oh, man, it was wretched. I don't know why, but I bought a couple more in the world but written by different authors than the first book. I should just buy the world book; it fires my imagination up more than the novel anyway.

That's not a Salvatore Drizzt book.

It is an Eberron book though, which is what I thought you were talking about.

Ebberon is pretty awesome, and I have no idea how to rank its sales / popularity, but I know that I like it and have almost all its 3.5 sourcebooks as well as the 4E campaign and players books.

Neato. Ever play in the world, or just own the books? I'm commonly guilty of owning RPGs I've never played.

[ManaByte]

DDO patched today. Added Half Orcs and Half Elves as playable races.

[Phoenix Dark]

If there's one gaming thing I wish I had done as a kid or teen, it would be playing DnD. Seemed like it would have been right up my alley at the time. Now with MMOs/RPgs/hack n slashes readily available to me, it probably wouldn't be as fun.

[Eel O'Brian]

it would, because it still has two things the others don't - unpredictability and randomness

[ManaByte]

Correction, DDO patches tomorrow. New races apparently free for VIPs and something like $10 for free players.

[Phoenix Dark]

it would, because it still has two things the others don't - unpredictability and randomness

Hmm I might do it next year. There's a comic store a few minutes from my house that has DnD/tabletop/etc events too

[ManaByte]

Hopefully you'll have a DM to kill you in many wonderful ways

Many stores do Wednesday night D&D Encounters, which last about an hour or two.

[chronovore]

it would, because it still has two things the others don't - unpredictability and randomness

Hmm I might do it next year. There's a comic store a few minutes from my house that has DnD/tabletop/etc events too

It's really a different experience than playing a computer game -- at least, if it's done right, it's really different. It /is/ possible to run the whole thing as a turn-based combat simulation on a map running at 1/100th the speed it runs on a PC, but where the game-form shines is when the player tries to do something unexpected, especially to solve a problem creatively.

In a PC game, getting through a bar-room brawl is generally a question of HP and weapon skill, but in a tabletop RPG your character can try to defuse the situation through some improvised roleplaying: sympathy, threats and intimidation, or even just retreating through the pantry and barring the door with a broomstick... PC games are as malleable as they have been programmed to be, tabletop games are as malleable as the agreement between player and referee allows.

[Human Snorenado]

...I may or may not be returning to pen and paper role playing after about 13 years away this Thursday.  Man I'm a big ol' fuckin dork.

[chronovore]

I am jealous of your ability to be a big ol' fuckin' dork. I would probably give up videogames for tabletop time with a good group.

[ManaByte]

I miss horribly broken 2nd edition classes like the awesome Chronomancer.

[ManaByte]

Just bought the D&D Essentials Rule Compendium (so I don't have to lug around the PHB hardcover) and a bag of dice. Will probably try to play Encounters next Wednesday night.

[ManaByte]

Because it never gets old:
http://www.rpgmp3.com/downloads/data/av-deadalewives-dnd-part-1-stream.mp3
http://www.rpgmp3.com/downloads/data/av-deadalewives-dnd-part-2-stream.mp3

[chronovore]

I miss horribly broken 2nd edition classes like the awesome Chronomancer.

Hey, I should try that class.

[Disposable White Guy]

JayDubya, what do you use for your online groups?  I used to have an IRC circle but it fell apart over time.

[Human Snorenado]

We almost got fucking owned by a bunch of wolves.  Level 1 characters ftl.  :/

I also found out why my rogue shouldn't be a front line character when he got his ass handed to him by a couple of wolves after like one round of combat.  I did end up killing 2 of the 5 wolves we downed before we ran into the nearby tower; gonna make some pimp boots or maybe a coat out of those fuckers.  Our party is kind of fucked up tho; we had a dwarven cleric (kind of front line but not really), a monk, a necromancer and a warlock.  Oh, and me.  Fortunately we're meeting up with the rest of our party next session, where we'll get a paladin, a minotaur fighter and a ranger.  At least I won't feel obligated to try and fight on the frontlines then, although I do have to say having such a big party (8 players!) is gonna be a pain in the ass.  I can already tell that the guy playing the necromancer wants everything to be about him and will get bitchy if it's not.  Maybe I need to kill his character in his sleep.

[ManaByte]

Has anyone DMed a solo adventure for anyone? I know the rules usually have solo exp numbers, but have you ever converted a small group adventure to solo?

[chronovore]

Has anyone DMed a solo adventure for anyone? I know the rules usually have solo exp numbers, but have you ever converted a small group adventure to solo?

I have. Add some NPCs, but let the PC have as much of the glory as possible in battle and problem solving.

[chronovore]

We almost got fucking owned by a bunch of wolves.  Level 1 characters ftl.  :/

I also found out why my rogue shouldn't be a front line character when he got his ass handed to him by a couple of wolves after like one round of combat.  I did end up killing 2 of the 5 wolves we downed before we ran into the nearby tower; gonna make some pimp boots or maybe a coat out of those fuckers.  Our party is kind of fucked up tho; we had a dwarven cleric (kind of front line but not really), a monk, a necromancer and a warlock.  Oh, and me.  Fortunately we're meeting up with the rest of our party next session, where we'll get a paladin, a minotaur fighter and a ranger.  At least I won't feel obligated to try and fight on the frontlines then, although I do have to say having such a big party (8 players!) is gonna be a pain in the ass.  I can already tell that the guy playing the necromancer wants everything to be about him and will get bitchy if it's not.  Maybe I need to kill his character the player in his sleep.

Fixed.

Bitchy, drama queen players oddly never seem to take it well when you destroy their precious character. The next PC they roll will be catered to defending itself against you, destroying you, and/or being as bitchy as ever but directed at you though there is no in-character reason they could ever manifest.

[Human Snorenado]

Nah, I can already tell the dm is gonna get tired of his "EVERYTHING IS ABOUT MEEEEE" shtick, especially with EIGHT FREAKING PLAYERS to take care of.

[Disposable White Guy]

JayDubya, what do you use for your online groups?  I used to have an IRC circle but it fell apart over time.

All you really need is the freeware MapTool (TokenTool if you want to make your own pogs), and it's best to have some kind of VoIP (TeamSpeak, Ventrilo, Mumble, etc).

You can track everything like normal, or you can automate as much or as little as you want.

For more advanced stuff, you can download a "Framework;" someone else's campaign file with built-in properties and macros that help quickly set up a D&D character. 

In the one I use, you can import your character summary from the Character Builder directly onto a pog... then the pog has all of the character's hit points, defenses, skills, etc. built in.  You then use the macros to set-up their weapons and implements and all their powers.  It's all automated; you click a power, the MapTool RNG "rolls" for you.  If you swing a sword, it applies your attack roll vs. their AC, and if you hit, damage is automatically applied.

Wow that sounds awesome.  I'm looking into both next weekend and see if anyone I used to play with still has interest (or valid emails).  Thanks!

[ManaByte]

Posted in the comics thread, but

[Human Snorenado]

Ugh no just no.

[ManaByte]

If Wizards were smart, they'd get this in stores ASAP:

[CatsCatsCats]

Rise from the grave, nerds.


Soooo, a guy at work is courting me for a group to play 4e. Any tips on getting started for someone who has never played at tabletop game at all? Been starting to read the players handbook.

[chronovore]

Best thing is just to show up and listen as other people play. If you have a decent DM, they'll hold your hand for several sessions, helping you acquaint yourself with the best use of your character's abilities. Other players will be helpful as well.

"Learning the rules" is nearly impossible to complete before you start the game; at least, that's how it is for me. There is so much to know in D&D, much of it is specific to character class as well, making it even less contextual to learn.

[CatsCatsCats]

I think I'll at least try my hand at character creation before showing up, maybe try to learn the leveling process.

[Himu]

I wish they'd make a digital D&D game. Like a mobile one for iPad or pc or something.

[chronovore]

I think I'll at least try my hand at character creation before showing up, maybe try to learn the leveling process.

Sure! That's a great idea.

If you're hoping to use the character you roll in the game you've been invited to, ask the DM first what character classes are not represented in the current player roster, and/or what restrictions may be in place.

[CatsCatsCats]

I'm a dwarf cleric and it's been really fun 

I wish they'd make a digital D&D game. Like a mobile one for iPad or pc or something.

Someone was telling that they do it over Skype sometimes, check this out maybe? http://www.sarahdarkmagic.com/content/playing-dd-over-skype

http://www.d20pro.com/

[chronovore]

There's also this:
http://roll20.net

I'm using it with a group of like-minded nerds every week. Works pretty well, even has HTML5 enabled video chat built in, if you're using Chrome.