So I finally got to play my druid to good effect the other night. Holy awesome!
I've never been a fan of the traditional "Summon Nature's Ally" but in 4E It's fricken awesome. I summoned 3 big snakes to take care of business for me. And they did. BAD ASS.
That is all. Really don't have a lot to share about the session, even though it was like, close to 8 hours long, other than I had a great time. I highly recommend playing a Druid in 4e.
Do it!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
My Third Dose of 4E Goes Badly
So if you've been reading here, or perhaps just following my twitter stream, you know that I'm playing around a bit in 4E.
My brother and a couple friends have been playing for some time, and invited me to join. Problem is, they're 11th level.
We played a small "aside" campaign at 3rd level, which wasn't so bad for me, as I've been playing D&D for a long time anyway. I read through the rules, and generated a character using the WoTC Character Creator. Algernon Lawrence Ward. ...The game was started buy a friend who for some reason had mandated that names were just basic, if perhaps a little 17th century England... One of the characters in the game is Matt. Very confusing for me...
Anyway, he's a warlock striker, and was oodles of fun to play! Unfortunately, that "aside" was only about two sessions long. But the intent was to get used to the combat mechanics, which I think it really kinda did.
We scheduled the "main" game, and I spoke with the DM about the type of character I wanted to play. I've always had this idea in mind for a Druid type character, who wasn't much of a animal - guy... though of course, being a druid he'd have to have some affinity, but his main focus is plants. I had in mind something of a pyromancer, though instead of fire, plants... A... Plantmancer, if you will.
The character I had in mind is a very neutral person. He doesn't like to kill, but will if he must. If he can instead incapacitate, or somehow diffuse whatever danger is going on, he will. Obviously, a controller type.
This is kind of a divergence for me, I'm far more comfortable meeting resistance head-on. I've always been more in my element as a 3.5e fighter, or some kind of DPS (Striker, in 4e), but I love the role play aspect of D&D the most, so at the end of the day, I don't mind not knowing the mechanics so well, since role play never really changes.
My DM created a pretty fantastic character for me, and the day finally came to play him. I had a previous engagement early in the day, which ran over the time I thought it would, and I found myself a bit late to the D&D session that was actually AT my house... So we rushed home.
Halfway home, I realized that a substantial amount of my peripheral vision was missing. I was getting a migraine.
I get migraines maybe four or five times a year. If you look them up, I get just about every single symptom you can find, and perhaps one or two you may not. A migraine for me, has historically been the end of my day.
I (very nervously and carefully) drove the rest of the way home, and found my DM sitting in his car outside my house... Fortunately, he'd only been there about fifteen minutes or so. We went inside, I took my drugs, and resolved to power through this migraine.
I didn't make it far. I couldn't focus, I couldn't retain information. I was reading my abilities, and by the time I got three words into the description, I'd forgotten the first two. I was exceedingly disappointed, but I had to turn in. I gave my sheet to the DM and asked if he'd mind taking over. I went to bed, asked the gang to hit the lights on their way out.
I caught up with the gang the next day, conveyed my apologies and such. "Your character is pretty f*cking awesome," they told me.
I can't wait to play him...
Hell, I don't even have a name for this guy yet!
So needless to say, my third go at 4e was a bust. My next weekend was equally disappointing, if you'd like to read about it, it's here... Has nothing to do with D&D, but includes the brewing of beer, so... It's still pretty awesome.
My brother and a couple friends have been playing for some time, and invited me to join. Problem is, they're 11th level.
We played a small "aside" campaign at 3rd level, which wasn't so bad for me, as I've been playing D&D for a long time anyway. I read through the rules, and generated a character using the WoTC Character Creator. Algernon Lawrence Ward. ...The game was started buy a friend who for some reason had mandated that names were just basic, if perhaps a little 17th century England... One of the characters in the game is Matt. Very confusing for me...
Anyway, he's a warlock striker, and was oodles of fun to play! Unfortunately, that "aside" was only about two sessions long. But the intent was to get used to the combat mechanics, which I think it really kinda did.
We scheduled the "main" game, and I spoke with the DM about the type of character I wanted to play. I've always had this idea in mind for a Druid type character, who wasn't much of a animal - guy... though of course, being a druid he'd have to have some affinity, but his main focus is plants. I had in mind something of a pyromancer, though instead of fire, plants... A... Plantmancer, if you will.
The character I had in mind is a very neutral person. He doesn't like to kill, but will if he must. If he can instead incapacitate, or somehow diffuse whatever danger is going on, he will. Obviously, a controller type.
This is kind of a divergence for me, I'm far more comfortable meeting resistance head-on. I've always been more in my element as a 3.5e fighter, or some kind of DPS (Striker, in 4e), but I love the role play aspect of D&D the most, so at the end of the day, I don't mind not knowing the mechanics so well, since role play never really changes.
My DM created a pretty fantastic character for me, and the day finally came to play him. I had a previous engagement early in the day, which ran over the time I thought it would, and I found myself a bit late to the D&D session that was actually AT my house... So we rushed home.
Halfway home, I realized that a substantial amount of my peripheral vision was missing. I was getting a migraine.
I get migraines maybe four or five times a year. If you look them up, I get just about every single symptom you can find, and perhaps one or two you may not. A migraine for me, has historically been the end of my day.
I (very nervously and carefully) drove the rest of the way home, and found my DM sitting in his car outside my house... Fortunately, he'd only been there about fifteen minutes or so. We went inside, I took my drugs, and resolved to power through this migraine.
I didn't make it far. I couldn't focus, I couldn't retain information. I was reading my abilities, and by the time I got three words into the description, I'd forgotten the first two. I was exceedingly disappointed, but I had to turn in. I gave my sheet to the DM and asked if he'd mind taking over. I went to bed, asked the gang to hit the lights on their way out.
I caught up with the gang the next day, conveyed my apologies and such. "Your character is pretty f*cking awesome," they told me.
I can't wait to play him...
Hell, I don't even have a name for this guy yet!
So needless to say, my third go at 4e was a bust. My next weekend was equally disappointing, if you'd like to read about it, it's here... Has nothing to do with D&D, but includes the brewing of beer, so... It's still pretty awesome.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
WotC Announces 5th Edition D&D: Should We Care? | GeekDad | Wired.com
WotC Announces 5th Edition D&D: Should We Care? | GeekDad | Wired.com: " especially considering that the current edition, which was released in June of 2008, has had such a sh"
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Saturday, July 7, 2012
First Encounter with Fourth Edition
I played my first round of fourth edition last night, and I have to say it's a pretty big difference from 3.5.
I've heard a lot about it, and there are nothing but strong feelings about it either way... Some love it, some hate it.
Frankly, I think if it's looked at as it's own game instead of being expected to be a continuation of an old game, it stands fairly well on it's own.
I had a significant amount of adjusting to do, but most of the time it was me saying "Really? That's it? Huh."
For example, I played a warlock. I've always gravitated toward casters, and I found it very... unusual that I could keep using the same spell over and over. Granted there are spells you can only use once a day, but other spells you can just keep using over and over... No running out of spells. I also didn't have to prepare spells at night. Once again, very strange.
I'd used the D&D online character generator, which meant that everything I needed was like, RIGHT there on the character sheet. My spells, effects, my bonuses, my damage... all right there.
I didn't have to look in a book, not once during the whole session. In 3.5, it was not uncommon to find me leafing through a book to find the effects of a spell or a feat, etc...
All in all, it was a short exposure to the game, but I have high hopes. I think I'm going to enjoy it.
I've heard a lot about it, and there are nothing but strong feelings about it either way... Some love it, some hate it.
Frankly, I think if it's looked at as it's own game instead of being expected to be a continuation of an old game, it stands fairly well on it's own.
I had a significant amount of adjusting to do, but most of the time it was me saying "Really? That's it? Huh."
For example, I played a warlock. I've always gravitated toward casters, and I found it very... unusual that I could keep using the same spell over and over. Granted there are spells you can only use once a day, but other spells you can just keep using over and over... No running out of spells. I also didn't have to prepare spells at night. Once again, very strange.
I'd used the D&D online character generator, which meant that everything I needed was like, RIGHT there on the character sheet. My spells, effects, my bonuses, my damage... all right there.
I didn't have to look in a book, not once during the whole session. In 3.5, it was not uncommon to find me leafing through a book to find the effects of a spell or a feat, etc...
All in all, it was a short exposure to the game, but I have high hopes. I think I'm going to enjoy it.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
New Character questionnaire
My group found this questionnaire online somewhere a while back, and I don't remember where, or I'd give due credit...
Answer all questions to help flesh out your character!
Player (you) Name:
What is the character's full name? Nicknames?
What is the color of the character's hair, eyes, and skin?
What is the character's general appearance?
What is the character's age?
Where was the character born?
Describe the character's family.
Has the character begun his/her own family?
Has the character ever done anything else (besides adventuring) for a living?
General attitudes & approach:
When or how was the character educated?
What are the character's political and religious beliefs?
What is the character's moral code?
Does your character have any prejudices?
How would your character handle an insubordinate servant?
What would the character die for? What would they be willing to sacrifice
the lives of their friends for?
Who is the one person your character trusts the most?
How would your characters parents describe him?
What was the best moment of the characters life? Worst?
What flaws does the character have? Is he quick to judge people? A slob?
What advice would you give your character?
List the 5 most important people in the character's life.
What is the character’s “big secret”, and what will happen if it is discovered?
"Hey, I've got an interesting job for you..." Name 3 jobs that your character might find interesting.
How will the character die? What would you consider a good end to a life well lived for this character?
What might someone seeing the character for the first time think?
Does the character have any goals?
What is the character's personality?
Any reoccurring mannerisms?
What is this character's "thing"? That is, what action, activity, saying, motion, mannerism, etc., would be considered their "trademark", such that if I were to do it, others would say "oh, now you're acting like [this character]"?
What is her first reaction to a situation?
What would be the ultimate magic item for this character?
What would be the worst curse this character could ever receive?
Are there certain things the character just cannot do? Get close to people; perceive himself realistically, etc. That is, what do people who know this character well criticize about them?
What does your character hate?
What does your character love?
How does the character perceive government? Those who are opposed to the government?
How did the character gain his abilities?
What motivates him to act as a hero now?
How did his peers treat the character as a child? His elders?
What does your character hope to accomplish by adventuring?
Why is this goal more important than his safety? (i.e., Why would you take up adventuring, rather than being a nice, safe accountant?)
What is the character's kryptonite? What is their weakness or what will paralyze them with fear?
What does the character do to relax?
Describe the characters ideal mate.
What is in your character’s pockets, right now?
What do they normally carry in their pockets that they don't have right now, but wish they did?
What is the silliest thing your character has ever done?
What is the character's full name? Nicknames?
What is the color of the character's hair, eyes, and skin?
What is the character's general appearance?
What is the character's age?
Where was the character born?
Describe the character's family.
Has the character begun his/her own family?
Has the character ever done anything else (besides adventuring) for a living?
General attitudes & approach:
When or how was the character educated?
What are the character's political and religious beliefs?
What is the character's moral code?
Does your character have any prejudices?
How would your character handle an insubordinate servant?
What would the character die for? What would they be willing to sacrifice
the lives of their friends for?
Who is the one person your character trusts the most?
How would your characters parents describe him?
What was the best moment of the characters life? Worst?
What flaws does the character have? Is he quick to judge people? A slob?
What advice would you give your character?
List the 5 most important people in the character's life.
What is the character’s “big secret”, and what will happen if it is discovered?
"Hey, I've got an interesting job for you..." Name 3 jobs that your character might find interesting.
How will the character die? What would you consider a good end to a life well lived for this character?
What might someone seeing the character for the first time think?
Does the character have any goals?
What is the character's personality?
Any reoccurring mannerisms?
What is this character's "thing"? That is, what action, activity, saying, motion, mannerism, etc., would be considered their "trademark", such that if I were to do it, others would say "oh, now you're acting like [this character]"?
What is her first reaction to a situation?
What would be the ultimate magic item for this character?
What would be the worst curse this character could ever receive?
Are there certain things the character just cannot do? Get close to people; perceive himself realistically, etc. That is, what do people who know this character well criticize about them?
What does your character hate?
What does your character love?
How does the character perceive government? Those who are opposed to the government?
How did the character gain his abilities?
What motivates him to act as a hero now?
How did his peers treat the character as a child? His elders?
What does your character hope to accomplish by adventuring?
Why is this goal more important than his safety? (i.e., Why would you take up adventuring, rather than being a nice, safe accountant?)
What is the character's kryptonite? What is their weakness or what will paralyze them with fear?
What does the character do to relax?
Describe the characters ideal mate.
What is in your character’s pockets, right now?
What do they normally carry in their pockets that they don't have right now, but wish they did?
What is the silliest thing your character has ever done?
Thursday, May 17, 2012
I Miss This...
Man, it's been a while since I posted something worth reading! Good grief!
I forgot how much I liked this blog. :)
I'll be back soon, and I'll be posting some thoughts that don't suck.
I promise. :)
I forgot how much I liked this blog. :)
I'll be back soon, and I'll be posting some thoughts that don't suck.
I promise. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)