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    • Evil_Reverend

      Evil_Reverend is now friends with the_grey_elf and 4 other people.

      the_grey_elf
      Mager
      Bronnzai
      timriley
      DavidBGoode
      June 28, 2012 at 6:35am
    • Evil_Reverend

      Feat Taxes and Bloat
      A while ago, I talked about feats and some of the pitfalls associated with...
      June 13, 2012 at 12:25pm
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      1 person likes this blog post.
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      2 / 105
      name_less_one
      name_less_one
      I, for once, would strongly disagree with "Let's focus back on roleplaying" opinion. I don't need rules and mechanics to roleplay. The most useless "rule" for me and mine is to let GM decide the outcome of some action. I mean, hey, I've been running games for years. I KNOW I can decide an outcome of any action, and I don't need a 40$ book to tell me that.
      What I want, in fact, is a system that would RELIEVE me of some of the decision making and let me focus on world-building and...

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      1 person likes this discussion post.
      July 22, 2012 10:15 AM PDT
      Ramses42
      Ramses42
      If feats are gone - and I can see the disadvantage with them. There is a Pathfinder player in one of groups that is called Cheese Wiz(ard) for a reason... What will replace them? How do you distinquish your character? Themes could go a long way on that, so could class ability choices. Currently there is not enough of the game to see what this looks like. But, there needs to be a way to make a specialist fighter, a wizard that is better with some types of magic, a rogue that is better with a...

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      August 7, 2012 10:16 PM PDT
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Magic properties 2".

      May 23, 2012 at 10:21am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • Evil_Reverend

      Sword +1, Flame Tongue
      The first magic item I remember finding when I started playing Dungeons &...
      May 23, 2012 at 10:21am
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      3 people like this blog post.
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      2 / 259
      jesterg86
      jesterg86
      What about artificers?
      July 18, 2012 3:30 PM PDT
      Righel
      Righel
      I like having some example unique items pre-made in the books. Especially some throw-backs and classics. But they're usually more of a jumping off point for me. I like to design my own items and I don't particularly care for rules (and a chapter thereof) to tell me how to do it "the right way". I generally disregard these rules and generate my ideas. My players enjoy the weapons, items, and artifact I create, and that's the important part. I work hard to make balanced items that don't break...

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      August 5, 2012 10:33 PM PDT
    • Evil_Reverend

      Skills and Task Resolution
      Since 2nd Edition, the principle methods of character customization lived in...
      May 16, 2012 at 9:49am
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      1 person likes this blog post.
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      2 / 177
      name_less_one
      name_less_one
      I agree with some observations. One thing that frustrated me to no end in 4ed was that players looked up to "Skills" section of their character sheets as some kind of choice menu.
      Considering that skill system is mostly used out of combat, in roleplaying situations - it felt like it was overly restricting. Furthermore, penalizing party for failures created a situation where players would pass on interesting ideas because their characters are unlikely to make the roll.
      I also didn't...

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      July 22, 2012 10:31 AM PDT
      rghammill
      rghammill
      I think that ability checks could work for all 'skill' checks. But there are two things missing from that basic approach. The first is that some skills really do require learning and, secondly, people can get better with practice.
      But I think it's a very simple prospect to address both while still retaining the same mechanic.
      First is to have a small list of skills that require training (acrobatics, swimming, etc.). There would have to be a mechanic for limiting the number and types....

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      1 person likes this discussion post.
      August 13, 2012 3:16 PM PDT
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Feat Choice".

      May 2, 2012 at 10:17am
    • Evil_Reverend

      Avoiding Choice Traps
      A couple years ago, I started a new 4th Edition campaign for some friends. I...
      May 2, 2012 at 9:59am
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      2 / 226
      Rablin
      Rablin
      If we are headed down a thematic route for feats both the separate types and the one feat gives all benefits aproach could fit. Maybe as said below feats need to move away from single mechanic bonuses and encompass a broader effect with multiple bonuses to all aspects of the game. This may mean fewer feats but there could be variations on a feat to give slightly different bonuses and add more flavour to the characters.
      July 9, 2012 11:43 AM PDT
      Gnurd0
      Gnurd0
      I definately like separating the combat bonuses from the other types of bonuses. Having feats focus on combat, while things like backgrounds and "traits" can handle other types of benefits sounds like it will allow players the ability to choose things that they would like their character to have without worrying about lagging behind in combat.
      July 12, 2012 2:53 PM PDT
    • Evil_Reverend

      Tone and Edition
      A few years ago, I woke up and realized what I thought was fantasy...
      April 27, 2012 at 2:15pm
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      2 people like this blog post.
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      2 / 292
      Marandahir
      Marandahir
      I'm a big believer in "Getting to Yes." Present the options, all the options, to the players, and see what they latch onto. Then build a game around what they are playing. If they want to play a Tiefling, don't screw them over for wanting to play the Tiefling. Build a story that will accommodate that choice. If the player WANTS to have risks involved with the racial choice (because those risks could be a roleplaying MINE, like having to wear robes to disguise a devilish appearance), that's...

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      September 27, 2012 7:22 AM PDT
      GMChris
      GMChris
      My campaign is quasi-historical, so I'm constantly saying no to races I haven't already distorted history to accommodate. I don't care one way or another about the frequency designations, because it should vary greatly from setting to setting.
      March 19, 2013 8:27 AM PDT
    • Evil_Reverend

      Backgrounds and Themes: A Closer Look
      A little while ago, I pulled back the curtain so I could show you what we...
      April 20, 2012 at 7:49am
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      2 / 171
      Gnurd0
      Gnurd0
      I just wanted to comment that I think this is brilliant design. It allows DMs the flexibility to allow players to be what they want to be, without having to shoe-horn in other classes, or force them to feel like they aren't able to be as successful in what they want by making them deal with cross-class skill restrictions. At the same time, you have an "easy out" as the DM by either forcing class based backgrounds and themes or iliminating them completely. Brilliant work so far, can't wait to see...

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      July 12, 2012 12:38 PM PDT
      ulrikbb
      ulrikbb
      The party background concept makes my spine tingle too. I love it when my party cooperates well and have things in common. It inspired me wildly as a DM.
      August 7, 2012 4:27 AM PDT
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Even more crazy or new stuff (elaborate in the comments)".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:34am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Gain noncombat bonuses in the pursuit of evil or the protection of others ".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:34am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Resist damage from evil foes ".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:34am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Smite evil foes ".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:34am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Protect his or her allies ".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:34am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Be an expert at mounted combat ".

      April 20, 2012 at 5:33am
      1 person likes this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Simulating Combat".

      April 13, 2012 at 5:26pm
      3 people like this poll.
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Morale".

      April 13, 2012 at 5:24pm
      1 person likes this poll.
    • Evil_Reverend

      Run Away!
      When 3rd Edition hit the shelves, the morale rules disappeared. I can only...
      April 13, 2012 at 9:42am
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      1 person likes this blog post.
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      2 / 114
      Enigmatical
      Enigmatical
      But aren't you saying that the only way to resolve combat encounters is via combat? I always saw morale as being an alterantive to combat, and something that allowed for tactics to become useful.
      In fact, one of the main goals of any given combat (just as Sun Tzu) is to actually find a weakness in your opponent and expoit it. Many of the greatest battles have been won, not because they were superior in battle, but because they knew where to strike and that those they were facing were still...

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      May 18, 2012 8:06 PM PDT
      abortedlord
      abortedlord
      Ok, you have a drow running at top speed into a cavern which the party haven't explored yet at all. What is chasing him down going to get you?
      A throng of drow, all of them with arrows pointed right at your face. If your players are silly enough to walk into that scenario they deserve that scenario to play out and you're doing them a disservice by not allowing this to unfold.
      Besides, there is no need for it to be a total wipe out for the party. The drow have the PCs at a distinct...

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      June 13, 2012 8:57 PM PDT
    • Evil_Reverend

      Beyond Class and Race
      I want to play a fighter. I want to play a dwarf. I want to kick the crap...
      April 6, 2012 at 10:47am
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      2 / 254
      Rablin
      Rablin
      This approach is the core of a good RPG, guidelines and QuickStart rules but a solid framework for customisation. It is what I have almost always done to every RPG that tried to be too prescriptive.
      July 9, 2012 6:44 AM PDT
      RadperT
      RadperT
      Couple more ideas for you–Barrister, Demagogue, Magical Duelist (please make counterspell work), Mighty Caster, Persistent Caster (saves, eschew components, spell resistance), Versatile Caster (and this is the one who messes with distance, area and duration).
      August 4, 2012 4:49 PM PDT
    • GMChris

      GMChris voted in the poll, "Raise Dead".

      March 30, 2012 at 12:18pm
      1 person likes this poll.

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    About Me

      About Me: I am a contract designer for Wizards of the Coast working from my office in Murfreesboro Tennessee. I've been exclusive with Wizards for several years now. Before that, I was a game designer and developer for Green Ronin Publishing, where I managed d20, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and A Song of Ice and Fire RPG. In addition, I've also contributed design to d20 game books for Fantasy Flight Games (Grimm and Midnight), AEG (World's Largest Dungeon), Goodman Games (Power Gamer's Strategy Guide), Paradigm Concepts (Witch Hunter), Black Industries (Dark Heresy), Necromancer Games, Kenzer & Co, and a few others.

      For more information, free mechanics, and a window into my head, be sure to check out www.robertjschwalb.com
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    Hey thanks! Way back in 2nd edition, I ran Dragon Mountain as the capstone to my campaign. Bobby played Mourne, a half-drow from an Underdark city very similar to another famous drow city. Mourne came across a cursed magic item that nudged him closer to undeath each time he drew on its power. Mourne was full-blown undead by the time the PCs reach DM. He managed well against the vile kobolds, but was ultimately killed when caught in one of the many trapped rooms (the one with the boiling water iirc). Although the character died, he later became an important NPC in the next campaign when I substituted Mourne for Acererak in Return to Tomb of Horrors.

    Evil_Reverend
    May 24, 2010
    11:22 AM
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    Great Shades of Darkness article! Care to provide more detail on this: Rob dedicates this article to Bobby Turman, who lost Mourne to kobolds in Dragon Mountain Reading a Power: many years ago. Thanks, David S.

    davidgiven
    May 24, 2010
    9:08 AM
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