Kavrae
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Ok people, I'm gonna learn you something today. Namely how to not suck at roleplaying and stop making your GM want to use his books as a bonfire for your all too timely end. Which is exactly what he wants to do every time he hears you say the words "mysterious backstory" or "amnesia".
First up is this obnoxious shit. "I'm a lawful good, I would NEVER ..." Just shut up now. Stop using these generic, oversimplified labels as a justification for your pathetic attempt at making a personality. They're no better than the astrological signs your platinum blonde vegan cousin uses to determine her next ex boyfriend.
You're a paladin and your class requires it? Fine. Pick one. That's step ONE. Now stop being lazy and actually make a personality that's more interesting than a piece of ketchup stained cardboard. You hate lying? GREAT! Did your parents lie to you about Santa Clause? I don't care! So long as you come up with something.
This will make your GM actually give two fucks about your character. He might think twice about killing them off. Then again, maybe not. Either way you might actually remember "Fred the Barbarian" as more than just a bundle of numbers this time.
Next we have the opposite side of this rust-stained coin. Mr "Tragic Backstory that takes up 30 pages". Notice how everyone is face down in their pizza with cartoon sleep bubbles? Of course not. You're too busy going over the fourth horrible thing to happen to your Ratfolk Bard during his first year of life.
The trick here is balance people. If I can sum up your character in fewer words than it takes to describe my favorite turkey sandwich, get your ass back to writing. If you've written the start of a short novel, break out the erasor, because no one cares.
On that note, if you wrote your sob story in ink or, gods forbid, printed it out? May Orcus have mercy on your soul.
Now that we've got all the boring stuff out of the way, lets get down to the fun part. Making shit happen! No, seriously. Do something. Anything! ARGH!!
I don't care how elaborate and perfectly crafted your Monk / Wizard / Rogue / Lord Gryffinder's personality is if you don't do a damn thing with it. If you're a kleptomaniac, start stealing shit! Hard-assed veteran from the 3rd regiment of the Dwarven infantry? Well then what the hell are you doing helping that elf rob his neighbor? Go start an epic quest for the king!
Short version - if you're going to write something about this persona, then live up to it. Make things happen that follows your half-assed background. Stop doing shit that they would never do just to follow along. You're playing the character, not duplicating your own pathetic life.
"I hit the dragon with my sword. It does 15 damage with 19 accuracy." Huh? Oh, I'm sorry was that it? That was fucking pathetic! We're here to roleplay an epic adventure, not throw numbers at each other until we get a tax return.
If you want that shiny loot, you've gotta work for it. Make me believe that you're actually fighting for your life with everything those scrawny gnomish arms have. Put some personality and creativity behind your fights. Or at the very least, giving me some cliche line about swinging your blood-stained sword with straining muscles and a loud grunt. Just don't be surprised if the next barmaid you encounter is carrying a concealed sword and a sleeping potion.
Did the neanderthal playing the Half Orc Fighter across the room just make fun of your fake accent? Well I applaud your efforts at actually giving a damn about the game! Now find the nearest solid object and throw it at his head. You don't need that shit. You're too busy fighting a god-damned dragon and collecting treasure.
Look up. You see the picture with the lines and the labels? Forget it. It doesn't mean a bloody thing to you. Tier lists and progression charts are for min-maxers that want to kill gods with their little toe; which you clearly aren't ready for if you can't so much as barter a beer off a bartender.
Wizards are tier 1 OP "kiss my ass or die" powerful? Who cares. A good player running a Dwarven Bard with one leg and no gear will run circles around your guide-created "god character".
Pick a class and race that you like. They don't have perfect synergy? Fuck it. Do it anyway. Give them an interesting personality. Something YOU want to play. Something that makes a good story. Now play it. Do things that aren't optimal. Make shit up and follow your "what if" crazy ideas. In short, stop being boring because a guide said so!
Part 1 (Players) - http://imgur.com/gallery/WbelP
Part 2 (GMs) - http://imgur.com/gallery/dEDJ8
Part 3 (Getting Started) - http://imgur.com/gallery/ROoqG
Part 4 (Systems) - http://imgur.com/gallery/qeqdl
WarUnicorn
Using amnesia or unknown parentage is a nono in any groups i play, cause the DM will fuck with your character, ours prefer an indepth story
diregamer
Amnesia can be done right but you have to expect shit to show up. Friends that you don't remember parents are both liches etc
pellanor
Eh. Everybody has their own way to play. Find what works for you and your group. Also there's nothing wrong with power gaming responsibly.
bradSlasher
Next up, how not to DM: be helpful and not a judgmental fuck.
Kavrae
Coming up tomorrow!
xWolfGuyx
Currently playing a 5e skeleton sorcerer that was brought back to life by accident. "I've got a bone to pick with you".
diregamer
God the disguise checks but the hide checks. "you are exploring a dungeon there is a pile of bones that stands up and does a song and dance
FuckThisThingInParticular
Lawful =/= "awful". If some savage law demanded a paladin to eat human flesh would he oblige? No! An alignment doesn't make you a bellend!
NightRush
When people play paladins as "lawful stupid", I point out to them that John McLane from Diehard is 100% LG and an ideal paladin.>
NightRush
>If you try to play your alignment, you're just gonna be a bore. Play your character, alignment is a flux (WORST case, paladins can atone).
Justapartofyourimagination
Had a chaotic neutral gnome geomancer that had leaves, a horn, and a camel hump on his body.....
MarisaPrisma
I have a Gnome Barbarian that does three things; makes his friends' enemies bleed, makes everyone laugh, and feeds himself and his pony oats
Justapartofyourimagination
also the occasional irresistible urge to have sex with animals... which led him to try to fuck a dragon once. He didn't make it.
Kavrae
This is why you always ask first. And a healthy buff to Cha doesn't hurt either.
Justapartofyourimagination
It was a good time. and it was mid fight.... bad timing
ZealotOfRovagug
On the other side of this, don't make a mechanically awful character. You can't have an adventure if you can't pass the first climb check.
Kavrae
This is true. While being a master of combat isn't necessary, you should at least bring one useful thing to the party that no one else has.
KaneToth
I agree with most of this. The creative fighting bit can seriously bog down a game though. Just a touch of flourish! Not an essay!
Clauddamage
I agree with you but I think op meant say what your character does not just ''I rolled a 19''
Draygen
Unless you're playing Scion. If you're playing Scion, the creative fighting is practically mandatory.
KaneToth
True, but also in Scion the more creative you are the better you do or some such. Its forum RP the tabletop game from how its been described
tardis63
We would put it on the DM to determine how hits landed, generally, being the storyteller.
danzigsam
Agreed. Its tabletop, not an MMO.
KobaltKnight
I know I could never play a tabletop because when I play video game RPGs, I try to accomplish everything possible, regardless of if it (1)
KobaltKnight
would make sense for my character to do it. Am I playing an evil asshole who kills for fun? Well I better be nice to my party members, I (2)
KobaltKnight
wouldn't want to upset them and miss out on any possible rewards. (3)
diregamer
Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. And if they are watching your back, better make sure they can.
danzigsam
I can't never really get IMMERSED in a video game like I can with live people. I get bogged down in stats and points. Live is different
pharmboy
I'm reminded of the tale of Sir Bearington.
dthninja2
Always upvote Sir Bearington.
ZissouTenenbaum
Ah, yes - Sir Bearington:
GotBannedForPostingThatGifAMA
ROARS IN AGREEMENT
Kavrae
One of my favorite stories; second only to Jason Swift.
RichardJohnsonTallywhacker
Don't forget about the Dread Gazebo!
Bromley20
It is long but seems similar in spirit to Jason Swift but not quite as epic. http://m.imgur.com/bAMtRin
Thedogmatrix
Who's Jason Swift?
Kavrae
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?248776-More-Funny-D-amp-D-Stories/page8
HandyWangCoffin
I don't know much about DnD but the phrase "I charge the cliff" had me laughing.
Kavrae
Then I shall consider this a success!
Kavrae
He is the manliest of warriors to ever grace the top of the table.
VinnieJonesDiary
Started a throwaway D&D game on a trip away,2 years later & it's still going. My psychotic gnome barbarian is even comin back from the dead!
MarisaPrisma
Gnome barbarians are the best!
VinnieJonesDiary
2. Which effectively caused him to ascend to godhood and he now rules his own chaos realm. He's being brought back to save the mortal realm.
VinnieJonesDiary
He was made as a joke but turned out really good, then died by being thrown by his best friend into pure chaos made real
MarisaPrisma
I made my barbarian about 7 years when i was 12. I was convinced by my older brother, turns out he was just messing with me.
Kavrae
That is an impressively long game. Congrats.
Galahir950
1/2 I am a part of a D&D that has multiple DMs who each control their own region. Each week is 1 year in game time and this has been going
Galahir950
2/2 for a couple years. Every NPC you encounter is actually an NPC or relative of a PC. It is also structured to allow you to miss "years"
VinnieJonesDiary
One of the best moments was when we accidentally started a civil war & the DM just broke down laughing saying 1/2
VinnieJonesDiary
"you guys have no idea just how far off script you are"
Kavrae
No good plan survives first contact with the players. Heheh
winsol
I had a level 1 character charge a portal and end up in the far realm because a player dared him. It was only suppose to be open for 5 secs.
motorwaffle
Don't make your quirks hold up the rest of the game though. If you're a klepto, don't halt the whole game for too long stealing EVERYTHING.
diregamer
It's RP not Skyrim
MinigunDuckHunt
"I'm gonna learn you something" *stopped reading*
Kavrae
That's known as a "hook". It's intentional and gets far more people to notice than something more formal or "correct".
diregamer
TL;DR games are awesome, play them and play them like the awesomest awesome that you can be.
SilveratusFur
One thing to add, keep the story going. No single decision should talk more than half and hour. And no GM should allow it to stall like that
diregamer
Situational. If the party stops to talk for a half an hour in character then let them, as long as it is in character.
SilveratusFur
I'm talking about them unable to make a decision OOC
HockeyKong
Oh man let me tell you about that turkey sandwich. So I get it at Terri's in Kingston. The owner is a horse's ass and the deli staff (1/?)
HockeyKong
runs from friendly to surly, but oh god its the tops. The turkey itself is regular Boarshead. Never dry and NEVER slimy like you get (2/?)
HockeyKong
with some of those cheaper brands. And you cut it really thin like a good New York Deli knows how to do. Ever since I moved to Boston (3/?)
HockeyKong
I haven't found a place that knows how to slice turkey. The seem to think thickness should be measured in millimeters for some shit (4/?)
HockeyKong
reason. Like HELLO, micrometers. any way I never get lettuce. For some reason I hate lettuce. I love tomatoes though. When they're (5/?)
HockeyKong
real cold like they've been in a walk-in and the flesh is *just* right and the pulp is that perfect tomato jelly. The buns come from (6/?)
Overclockworked
I get not min-maxing, but nobody is going to run circles around a wizard.
maddogg2216
I would disagree about min-maxing. combat is the only thing relegated to mechanics, the system itself is telling you to be combat effecient
maddogg2216
Cleric is a contender. Artificer I might argue is better. It's a bit more bland and harder to pull off but you can make ANYTHING.
Roshnator
Wizards can do a lot of damage but it's limited. A Cleric with LOT'S of turn attempts and meta-magic feats (Persistent Spell) rule the day.
Overclockworked
I just finished playing a campaign as a super fun spear Cleric build :) Buffs for days
Jaimeaux
A monk with higher initiative does.
Tangerine102
Divination specialist wizard.
SomethingWittyIDK
Contingency time stop shenanigans. Let me know how that goes for you.
pain938
Contingency time stop is useless. You can cast a spell as an interrupt to get a full action then 24-hour timestop and leave.
SomethingWittyIDK
There you go. Haven't played a mage in years, I forget the cheese sometimes.
quietwalker
Wizards are only great if they've given unlimited downtime, unlimited resources, and full foreknowledge. DM's can easily 'fix' that problem
mcmalice
I'd just implement a rest break requirement of like, 8 hours for a short rest, and 24 for a long rest. Make it a big decision to spellcast
quietwalker
I made hit points combat-only, and the goal was to drop at least one character in every battle. Full HP after a minute, but not spells ...
HypoMix
yep someone was saying wizards are superior to rouges. yeah IF they happened to memorize all the spells that day and have time to cast them
Henshaw
People who say this shit have never played with me as Wizard, and I suspect haven't seen a competent one. It's easy to be decently-prepped
mcmalice
I'd just implement a rest break requirement of like, 8 hours for a short rest, and 24 for a long rest. Make it a big decision to spellcast
HypoMix
how so? the idea of exploring is you wont know whats in there. if you are taking multiple damage each round you need to make concentn-checks
Henshaw
Exploring is almost never fully blind, and if it is, you're doing it wrong. Gather basic info about where you're going in town. (cont)
maddogg2216
This is what the contingency spell is for. Wizards are supposed to be prepared for everything if they're doing it right.
HypoMix
you can only have one contingency spell at a time and you can only get it at lvl11. pit trap or arrow trap?
maddogg2216
How are you triggering a trap as a wizard, unless you're wandering off on your own which you shouldn't do the other party members deal w/it
imjared19
Heh my friend had someone like that in one of her games. She stopped actively searching for traps. He stopped boasting pretty quickly.
Tangerine102
Easy. Flood spell list with Summon Monster 1/Communal Mount and sent the animals down the maybe-trapped hallway.
imjared19
This guy wasn't the smartest in the book and basically was trying to play Gromph without saying that's who he was. He quit, surpisingly. /s
HypoMix
at level 20 summon monster lasts for 2 mins, good luck keeping that up for a whole dungeon. also horses cant open doors.
WhiteDrake
To be fair, min-maxing *is* a playstyle of 3.5, and it can be very rewarding, as long as that's what everyone at the table is playing.
pain938
Agreed. Only dude in our group that was willing to DM was a notorious min-maxer, so he tended to throw absurd things our way expecting us to
pain938
Breeze through.
Kavrae
Oh I definitely agree. It has to be something that is agreed upon, and generally only works when the players have a bit of experience.
MrNailbrain
I did a campaign like this. The infamous Age of Worms pre-written adventure that kills something like 90% of parties that attempt it.
NuclearWinterIsComing
I think writing a long backstory should be fine, make a 50 page story. But don't hoist it on the others, summarize and play as that person.
SwordDistributingLadyintheLake
I wanted to play DnD, but it seems like too much work just to be able to enjoy.
Gelrick
Just need the right people that will help you understand the game and make it fun
chaosofslayer
My favorite character I ever played was ex-pro basketball player gnome.
mwcampbell92
This guy I used to play with played a retired amateur baseball player with a god complex. It was the greatest thing ever.
Kavrae
You know.... I don't generally think about sports in my games. I should add that in at some point.
HeatFromFire
http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-01-25.jpg
Adthay
I love these, I've got a player like this, he keeps making useless characters and they keep dying
HeatFromFire
http://theglen.livejournal.com/16735.html
Stabbadabbadoo
I have one too and I do my best not to kill him but... "The house is burning, but the front door is open" "Okay, we run outside" says the 1/
Stabbadabbadoo
2/ Fighter and sprints "I go upstairs" says Always Dying Guy. "What?" I ask. "I run upstairs and start climbing onto the roof, I want a 2/
Stabbadabbadoo
2/ better vantage point to shoot them" and he stays there until the house burns down. Or "I go into the forest" he says "Into the dark 3/
Stabbadabbadoo
3/, werewolf infested forest, without any light, without any of your friends, to hunt food, despite you having been given free food at 4/
HeatFromFire
http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015-02-22.jpg
JoeClassico
Please tell me there's more of these.
BellyflopFromOrbit
Sorry no. More of the comic, but not more of the D&D D:
nevans88
Manly guys doing manly things http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/ it's a fantastic comic
Maindric
Not the same, but ties in well: http://dndorks.com/images/comics/11012006_750.jpg
HeatFromFire
http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-03.jpg
Killersmail
realy cool story bro
AvielMenter
Well of course a Dwarven Bard with only one leg would run in circles.
Therval
hop*
Jexxazrez
I like you sir
AvielMenter
I'm unused to hearing that.
Arr0gantExp3rt7
I want to GM but dont know how any suggestions?
13Alpha
Play a lot and read/re-read all the source material. After you do that accept that you don't know everything and that you will make mistakes
Kavrae
Have you played in any games yet as a player? That's always the first step.
Arr0gantExp3rt7
No never played. One of my dads colleagues leads a D&D group. Kinda interested in that
evilterran
Some folks record their sessions & put them on twitch.tv or youtube, you could watch a few for ideas. Or just hit up roll20.net & play some!
SomethingWittyIDK
Step 1: don't follow some random internet dude's interpretation of the "right" way to play. Find a playstile that fits you/your players.
TheLoneBrick
Check out Geek and Sundry's Critical Role on YouTube (or Twitch). Fantastic example of roleplaying done well.
Kavrae
You can either play "live" on something like roll20 OR (my preference) play by post somewhere like rpgcrossing.net Forum based.
HypoMix
rule one: make it up.
Kavrae
I would suggest starting as a player, not as a GM. As it will allow you to learn the rules without the headache of leading others.
Arr0gantExp3rt7
Ok so i started with rpgcrossing, but ifk if i have the right idea, i mean i went to this one thread and it was like a story
diregamer
If you would like some more, I would be happy to help. Also, roll20.net
Kavrae
Send me a private message as a reminder and I'll see what I can do to help after this league match or in the morning.
diregamer
If you would like some more, I would be happy to help. Also, roll20.net
SomeDetroitGuy
Get a low level prefab and run it.
diregamer
Yes and no. There are unfortunately some out there that are complete snot. Find the one in the back of the Ebberron book, that one works
mwcampbell92
Be the opposite of this guy, because he sounds like the least fun GM ever.
assertiveguy
Don't take your games too seriously. If everyone is having fun, it's ok. There's no right or wrong way to play it.
LassKibble
Came to say this, know your group, know the people in it, ask what's okay and what isn't okay. This post is just a GM power trip.
Kavrae
If there is a specific point you disagree with please say so. This is not a power trip. It's an entertaining writing style for generic RP.
magneticgumby
http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/be/bed39e4c5ed7dd384e0a9365d05863569cda86d78d8d1e2f071cafbd6393e650.jpg
youreathing
I used to game a while back and I completely agree. Never got into any args with friends. Now, cue all the angry nerds to downvote you. :D
DanielAnix
But there IS a right or wrong way to play with each group. I hate the guy who plays casual and complains we take the game too serious.
assertiveguy
Indeed. It's all about knowing your group's expectations and acting accordingly.
IMayOrMayNotWriteSometimes
I once played a mentally challenged, hammer throwing dwarf who had a strange affinity for chairs. My DM made me kill him because 1/2
IMayOrMayNotWriteSometimes
he wanted his campaign to be "more serious, like game of thrones." It was the most disappointing point in my pen and paper life. 2/2
tirusr
*thankyou.gif I am too lazy to find.
Waidonut
Started playing with froends for the first time and we're all noobs not taking it too seriously, having a blast.
dwilson0725
Froends are the best.
linkskywalker14
It should be noted that the advice above is all from the amateur-thespian school of tabletop RPGs. Not all referees play this way.
Kavrae
Every now and then it is fun to play a one-off hack-and-slash or other genre. But that's more of an exception than the norm.
Adthay
No one I play with really likes to roll play but watching them use their in game skills to solve problems is still great
bradSlasher
No, this has has nothing to do with hack-n-slash. @linkskywalker14 is absolutely right. OP needs to learn how to balance player needs.
bradSlasher
But OP is getting there. He's matured to like stage 2 of 5. Keep developing your GMing craft.
linkskywalker14
For you, perhaps. For most people I know it's a game about overcoming challenges via creative thinking, not a game about acting.
Kavrae
Tis both. Pure roleplay without a decent challenge gets a bit taxing. Whereas nothing but puzzles and battles feels a bit shallow.
Henshaw
This should be in your post, somewhere. The intro to "everyone does this differently, and you will fight about it sometimes"
Kavrae
I will include something about this in the GM post later.
keioto
Not every game is the same, not every gm is the same, not every group is the same. I play 8 unique* games and some are laborious at times.
linkskywalker14
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/1e/1e48392d8df59bcfbc11f7decbcac7a1155839151e5fece526e011d44ccd468e.jpg
asotzen
Shut up you pretentious twat. You play role playing games to role play.
linkskywalker14
The thespian aspects of role playing games are a later invention.They're not badwrongfun, but they're also not the One True Path.
Adthay
Can't speak for anyone else but I play roll playing games to have fun, most people I play with don't have a backstory for their people.
DanielAnix
That's great, as long as you don't join groups of RPers and complain. I've seen far too much of that.
Adthay
Oh no, I only play games like this with close friends I can't imagine doing this sort of thing with an outer group
DanielAnix
Awesome! I'm glad you are having fun playing the games.
MuteSecurityServices
I don't understand criticizing a long backstory. I could write books on characters' backstories, but it's not like you get it all at once1/2
MuteSecurityServices
My character's backstory isn't known to other characters and often not even other players, only through interaction is it learned.2/2
Kavrae
That is excellent. Unfortunately, some (many) feel the need to make sure everyone knows everything about their character from the get-go.
ColonelCasual
And then the damn rogue gets you killed before you can put any of it to use, frigging cheapskate didn't even need that potion!
MuteSecurityServices
Joke's on you: I am the rogue.
ColonelCasual
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
xLickMyCritx
As someone who GM's all the time, love this love everything about it
ZeroDarkJoe
I started playing d&d a little over a year ago. We finished 2 campaigns and now I'm the next dm. I'm very excited.
Dumbstatz
I miss it so much! its been like 2 years
[deleted]
[deleted]
Adthay
It's healthy to realize when you're roleplaying as an asshole and to change that character for the better
bilbo
Always a GM, never a PC. I want a print-out to hand out on the first night of each campaign I do.
AcadianBacon
I GM almost every week, and although I agree with some of it, frankly a lot of this is just obnoxious.
bestpangolin
What is obnoxious about it? (I'm new to D&D and don't really know all the ins and outs yet so the more insight / knowledge the better)
AcadianBacon
(2/2) usually deal with it. There's tons of different ways that players AND GMs do things, you can't just funnel that into a formula.
AcadianBacon
This person has a very specific view of how a player should act. Let people play how they want and if it doesn't work the GROUP will (1/2)
AcadianBacon
For example, the 'I do X damage' thing. When they fight, depending on how they do something, I'll describe what happens based on the result.
AcadianBacon
It's all apples and oranges, and is too large of a thing to bottle up into a list of do's and don't's. Just let people play, I say.
bestpangolin
Good stuff, thanks!
Adthay
I agree whenever I see a list like this it's clear that this guy needs to talk to his own party instead of strangers on the net.
AcadianBacon
Yeah, it just sounds like passive-aggressive venting.
glaciertheicebeamer
Another tip, try other games besides D&D. Not that it is bad. Just expand your horizons.
LGMHorus
Play anything. Cloak and dagger, super heroes, gritty reality, horror, comedy. You'll have fun.
iSoulend
I'm ashamed by the lack of warhammer here, both classic and 40k
Keairan
I've tried out Call of Cthulhu, and want to do GURPS.
YourWaifuIsTrash
This, especially if you have a particular genre you're going for other than "fantasy adventure". RPGs can be surprisingly specific; 1/2
YourWaifuIsTrash
In fact, for almost any large-ish book/movie franchise (Harry Potter, Evangelion, Star Wars), there's an RPG of it, fanmade or official.
KaliaGrey
If you splice in the backstory and rename a few things, Don't Rest Your Head would make the perfect Madoka Magica RPG.
Kavrae
Definitely. Another two of my favorites are Exalted (for political games) and Shadowrun, for modern cloak and dagger.
Cariyaga
I fuckin' love Shadowrun. Finishing up my shaman-face for 5E right now. He uses a spraypaint canister as his fetish and is a street artist.
Halykan
I am down to play Exalted (and run it) under pretty much any circumstances at any time. And I prefer Earthdawn to Shadowrun (RIP FASA).
LGMHorus
Shadowrun is a grossly under appreciated scenario.
Draygen
I also have a home made Fallout game using the World of Darkness D10 system.
Clitastrophe
I love this one: http://eclipsephase.com/resources And of course there is also Pathfinder, Mutants and Masterminds, World of Darkness...
theShredMonocle
Unhallowed Metropolis, sukkah!!!
kisselFL
My friends don't give a shit about the role playing. We just play Munchkin, but in such a manner it drags on for hours.
TheLostShepherd
.
mikaelakerfeldt
Dark Heresy, talk about background potential!
oreogolem
Best part of 40k barely makes it to the tabletop.
Rinewen
Rifts is always fun and Shadowrun is amazing :D
CDubbs
Rifts and Harnmaster are my favorites.
Rinewen
I really need to start playing Rifts again. So many games, so little time :(
RainesLastCigarette
If you're into tabletops and you've never played Paranoia, you're missing out.
RedArmyBushMan
Shadowrun is an excellent game that melds fantasy and scifi. Black Crusade is a great game if everyone wants to be the biggest dicks ever
ghsdkgb
I will always be here recommending the Fate system. Just finished an awesome, 3 year campaign in the Dresden Files RPG
maddogg2216
I've played a Dresden LARP using fate, worked out really well.
zpirate
I love Fate! I have GM'd a Harry Potter themed game and I'm planning to try Fate Accelerated for some one-shots for tabletop beginners.
MerrySnmgfiehp
Heyyy!!! I had great fun with this system, except the DM let one player make a character who was basically a knight of the cross with guns..
ghsdkgb
We had a weredragon, a Tengu monk with a Denarius, and a naagloshii scion. We were cool with pretty much whatever.
Volumnius
Hi, big Dresden fan here. Is the Dresden Files RPG pretty good? I don't know much about it
ghsdkgb
It's great. Much bigger focus on telling the story and creating interesting characters. Pretty good about not letting rules bog down play
YourWaifuIsTrash
How is DFRPG? I love the books and have always wanted to try it, just wasn't sure how good it was compared to, say, D&D.
ghsdkgb
It's different. Much more accessible and it keeps the action quick. Very rules-light in comparison, but still models the world really well
YourWaifuIsTrash
That's good; sometimes rules-light can be better. Dread gets by with "just pull a Jenga block out instead of rolling dice" and is awesome
ghsdkgb
Yeah I love all the different systems people come up with. Fate gets by with the same four dice with every roll.
xaviouswolffe
I second this. As a GM I love running GURPS. It gives me so much more flexibility than what D&D offered me.
crystal5213
Personally, GURPS is my favorite, mainly for the reason OP made this: less numbers, more roleplaying
ISuperBelieveInYouTadCooper
Yay GURPS!! Love the quirks and dis/advantages options.
StenKalltKiller
Gurps is great if you have seasoned players who can understand what the numbers in the books mean but it is definitely not a starting system
CalvadosConfiture
Sounds Like its time to break out.....another Tabletop Post. Also; Never trust White Wolf Indexes
Halykan
Ha, oh man. I love WW games and hate all their players.
DaytimeLantern
Dungeon World, yo.
Widgetboy
Anything with the Apocalypse World engine. Every indy game maker at Gencon and Origins is using Apocalypse World, and I'm loving it.
Burritoheart
I picked up the book last month and have been waiting to run it.
gnilmit
This, a thousand times THIS!
thegoddamn18thavenger
FATE, Monster Hearts, Dark Heresy 2E, nWoD.
woots111
Reign is an excellent RPG, so excellent in fact that i will link to the FREE DOWNLOAD:http://gregstolze.com/features-tag/reign/ (1/2)
woots111
Download that shit, and even if you don't play it read his summary on the effects of magic in a world, it highlights everything (2/3)
woots111
Wrong with DnD magic. (3/3)
OldManOx
Used to play a halfling who had won a war elephant in a poker game and insisted on carrying his ladder around with him so he could ride it.
SteveCraft
I have a character who is a Dwarf with crippling student debt and turns into a werewolf whenever he drinks.
Nandabun
Hey man, in EQOA I made a halfling warrior. People used to laugh at me, but I knew something they didn't..
DinoQueenJoules
Im playing an M&M game as a guy with luck powers. But nobody believes Im doing anything. They just think I'm walking around pointing at shit
StarmanUltra
http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003226
TheThingsTheyCarried
HumanFighter who got failed every perception check and missed an entire battle because he was too distracted by the one bandit he killed.
whywritemythesiswhenihaveinternet
I had a beguiler with a very low strength but a lot of gear for skillmonkey things. So I had a donkey named Flapjack who was my best friend
whywritemythesiswhenihaveinternet
and the party bard and I would make up songs about him and he helped me carry my forgery equipment and other such things. Best donkey ever
LillyVixen
I used to play an Orc Druid who threw his pet bear at people and couldn't read. He was fun...
MrRandom314159
I play the straight man, or Arthur Dent would be more accurate. Mostly because I feel like someone should point out the oddity of sitting /1
MrRandom314159
On top of three horses stacked on top of each other, on a floating disc, dragging an orcish throne behind, with four people poking out. /end
MrRandom314159
I also like to imagine they smile slightly and enjoy the absolute absurdity that is their life. /real end
Jarv10k
Had a friend with a dwarven warrior who used tavern chairs as his main weapon. They would explode when 20 was rolled.
Mayonnaiseismyinstrument
I was playing the other day, nothing really unusual until he stated vomiting celestial lions.... I love this game
JakeRichmond
I played a halfling druid who was short for his race - he had to be carried around everywhere before he got his war dog mount.
StarmanUltra
15 ft base run speed? Aint nobody got time for that shit. We're carrying your 25 lb ass.
JakeRichmond
Exactly - but I made up for it with insane spell luck and damage...and I never met a kobold I couldn't kill...
JakeRichmond
Exactly - but I made up for it with insane spell luck and damage...and I never met a kobold I couldn't kill...
acunninglinguist
Fucking brilliant.
StarmanUltra
Favorite character: Useless bard/fighter, self-appointed leader. Took credit for everything. Took a large gold reward meant for the party.
Kavrae
This, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why we play this game. Also, what did you name your War Elephant?
jcj94
Bulbous of the long Penis. Could steal anything. Con? Guilt complex. Had to give it back. Stole a female's panties. "You dropped 'em" 1h l8r
Septcanmat
(1/?) I had an elven sorcerer. Who died. And become a flesh golem. With a giant stone chest piece. And a glowing red soul Crystal.
SomeGamingDragon
In a DnD game one of our science teachers hosted in high-school my friend was a dark knight who carried a chicken. The chicken was the 1/2
SomeGamingDragon
2/2 one that really possessed the knights soul. Everyone thought it was a pet.
Lucky246
I created a murderous jester (chaotic neutral)whos been banned in almost every kingdom so far and found a sword that possess the power of -
Lucky246
Power of Edon (lawful good) the jesters body becomes possed by Edon and Edon only atays with him because 1 he thinks he can make the jester
Lucky246
A good guy and 2 its one of the only bodys that can hold his energy
Lucky246
The jester also juggles grenades and collectively has killed 56 kings and an estimated 3000 people though he claims more
peruuuuuuuusin
Im a half-elf weretiger ranger who has a penchant for whiskey and i like to collect enchanted items for the honor of my clan.
TheSwedishCryptid
I made a thief once. Who was like Barney Stinson. And had a rulebook about the thieves. Rule Numbero Uno: Don't steal from the thieves guild
TheSwedishCryptid
"Rule Numbero Dunno?: Learn Spanish." He was actually more of a combo of Barney and Johnny Bravo & Joey From friends. And called Joey Bravo
TheSwedishCryptid
And always did references to the Rules. But I didn't track which rule was which. So at one point, my friend said But that's rule Number 11!
TheSwedishCryptid
Not rule number 45! and then I countered by "Well it's so important it was mentioned twice. That's rule number 46!"
OldManOx
I named it Jumper, because I wanted to train it to jump fences like the Cavalier's war horse. I was not the brightest halfling. (8 INT)
ihathis
I would give you so much bonus xp for that.
Amythyst
hated her but also loved using her as a distraction.
Amythyst
I had a premade dwarf fighter with 7 WIS one time. I played Leeroy Jenkins style. I also a human rogue in the same party I was playing. He
Amythyst
*also had a
Smajdalf
CanadianThemedName
As a GM. Can you play in my games? I have a Half-Orc Barbarian, Human Fighter, Elven Ranger and Elven Druid...They are not creative.
[deleted]
[deleted]
CanadianThemedName
You can indeed. Same with the rest of the cast. Just this group in particular go for tropes over anything imaginative.
TheHoser
I was a half orc barb in my first campaign, with 4 INT. Sentences and polysyllabic words were unknown concepts to Grar
DougDimmadomeOwnerOfTheDimsdaleDimmadome
Can my Gnome Bard-Barian join? His name is Hugh Morris, and he beats the fun into people with his own fighting style called Guffaw-Fu.
TisNagim
I'm making a gnome necromancer, mostly because he wanted to make new friends
NeptuneKingOfTheSeas
Awwww, he just wants friends! <3
3654798521
my half pixie half dragon ran around naked to be invisible...
AeonsShadow
What do you want? I have a halfling bard who cant make a roll to hit the broad side of a church, a human Warlock(insert wacky powers here),
AeonsShadow
And a Pixie. No class to speak of. Just a Pixie with a Rod of Wonder. Fear for your life.
raptorheyzues
I'd vounteer as tribute becaues my current character is Zealous Eunich war priest who's soul mission is to get a super-weapon to wipe 1/?
raptorheyzues
out an entire race. Even he doesn't think it'll work. He does have knowledge on a place to look, it'll take some effort though. 2/2
HollowEye
Can I play in your games? I once played a lunatic warrior who was "delusional" about being a prince, which he was, but after [1]
HollowEye
being imprisioned for some dacades/centuries, the small kingdom was long gone and the land was ridden with goblinoids, and the worst was [2]
Evilgojiberries
Could you use a dragon aspect with bulemia?
FlickTigger
I had a Rouge that was obsessed with having the most powerful weapons possible. This led to me stealing a catapult and horses.
Kavrae
This is not the proper method of making ground meat. It is, however, the proper way to demotivate a rival army.
FlickTigger
The horses was because it was too big for me to move. It took 4 horses to move it. It was ment to attack castles.
FlickTigger
I cried when I couldn't get it across a bridge to escape from the army I stole it from. I tried to talk my party into rescuing Sasha.
CultofCedar
See the game sounds like fun but is it just make up things and the dm decides how things play out? I wish you could play online with people
TotinosPizzaRolls
Yeah I could never really grasp it. Just making stuff up. Like what?
Kavrae
You can. Via skype (or similar) or play by post. There's a system of rules (some are quite loose) that helps keep things in line.
CultofCedar
Some one should make like a game where you can play online and visualize it all unless thats what you mean lol
DruidNature
That would literally end up as a RPG... That's what RPGS were made for. It's impossibly really to do anything else.
AnExpertInThisField
You're actually describing RP communities in SL (Second Life) make a character, make any damn thing you want, find a good RP sim, and go!
Aischylos
you should try boardgame my friend, it might just be what youre looking for.. http://www.boardgame-online.com/
Kavrae
Roll20 allows for sharing maps, videos, music, etc with the players. Though the game IS primarily played in the theater of the mind.
ihaveatinyPP
As a DM I agree with all but the creative fighting. To me that should be saved for crits and special moments cause it drags out fight
jadespider
This becomes more relevant the bigger the group. If your in a toe to toe slug fest between fighters, just roll it.
NoWisdomWithoutRegret
My DM railroads like fucking crazy. He does all the creative fighting bits. Also, good luck doing your own thing related to your backstory.
Ashwynn
As a DM, I did all the rolls 4 both sides behind curtain and added modifiers +/- based on the plan a player had and narrated the effect.
HaberdasherInGold
Don't dicemonger. Rolling dice is a huge part of the experience.
Ashwynn
depends on the people. I gave them options. They picked this one.
aduntoridas
What this person said. Relevant: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1098.
PaulParten
As a DM I awarded bonuses for actually cool, FEASIBLE stunts as long as they had the rolls to match. Plus, double the fumbles if they fail.
YourWaifuIsTrash
Same, crits, finishing blows, and any kind of daily-use ability call for a little RP, but doing that for every attack drags things out.
Crowlands
In all my games, you declare attack with a touch of flavour, I give the details when I calculate damage.
DanielAnix
To say nothing of it is usually...not very good. Non-professional writers describing the same thing hundreds of times is boring, not fun.
altaccountforder
Yeah true
PartyOverImOut
As DM I like to describe what happens when the player attacks
MyrinFyre
Agreed, I only allow "creative control" when a party member can wipe out more than half the monster's health at once.
TheLoneBrick
A brief sentence describing the action would still be fun. If it starts to drag too much, have the DM do it.
Crowlands
DM doing it makes sense. If you declare some epic hit that gets DRed down to less than a tenth of their HP, it gives a feeling of disconnect
maddogg2216
Yea in 3.5 when you hit that level 15 mark our combats started to take an entire 3-4 hour session in and of themselves.
Skiafluff
I can't stand DMing my friends because I have to tell them to do things. "Fucking talk to each other" and they just kinda sit there.
HeraldOfTheBadger
I had a player who tried to do creative fighting a bit too hard .. you do not have two weapon fighting, describing it better is still -6/-8
blueblueglassmoon
I think it's a system/genre/tone issue. If you're playing apocalypse world narration is basically mandatory. Pathfinder? Not so much.
amishcannoli
My friends and I did a ridiculous Star Wars RPG campaign. One battle, we were on a small vessel with our ship tailing us. Droids were over 1
ivegotnothin
Over what?!?!
Kavrae
That's fair. Depending on the party's playstyle and group size, it can certainly drag things out too much.
Alpine262
Very much depends on your group. Players that think out their turns during other turns are God's.
Kavrae
I can't believe I missed this! This is amazing point that comes up all too often.
TallDude
Had a DM describe fights in too much detail, took forever. Made me just say "Fireball. Save DC 27. 38 damage" so we could actually progress.
ElioNope
This goes further still in 4th edition. there's enough detail to the combat in just the mechanics, no time to write novels each attack.
KingoftheIntroverts
We had one guy who, every damn turn, wanted to do something memorable, his turn took a legit full 2 or 3 minutes. Jackass...
sonofposeiden
I fucking hate when people agonize over every detail just to come up with a stupid move!!! Ruins the game for everyone
Adthay
I find that that is usually the same guy who is playing standard protagonist #3
sonofposeiden
Unless it's their first time, then love and forgiveness abounds
KingoftheIntroverts
He had played enough times. It wasn't that he was figuring out how to do something as much as what dumbass thing was possible to do.
KingoftheIntroverts
"I grab the rope, cut it, fly up, somersault, fire my crossbow in midair, swing with my sword as I land, then try to intimidate them." UGH.
HaberdasherInGold
Pathfinder. Gunslinger using a double hackbut and the Leaping Shot feet. Simple maneuver, but you always feel like an action hero.
LordFancyPantaloons
i love my musket master! lol
imjared19
"Sure, but it will take you six turns to do it."
KingoftheIntroverts
"Hold on, I can spend an action point, and I have this ability, and this other thing, and lemme look for the rule in this, no, that book."