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MasucciMage

Dan Masucci

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MasucciMage updated their profile.

August 14, 2012 at 5:53pm
MasucciMage shared an article.

Wandering Monsters www.wizards.com

July 25, 2012 at 9:23am
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Rule-of-Three: 07/17/2012 www.wizards.com

July 17, 2012 at 8:32pm
MasucciMage shared an article.

Cartography www.wizards.com

June 20, 2012 at 9:22pm
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2 / 42

EldradWolfsbane

Nothing is as bad as the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms Sourcebook. MOST OF THE TOWNS AND CITIES DESCRIBED HAD NO MAPS. The 4th edition was just as bad! It sucked IMHO.
You must have MAPS of ANY TOWN DESCRIBED! With a few hotspots of the area.
Now look at FR 2nd edition AD&D almost every city or town had a simple map. The DM could really get us into those worlds.

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August 24, 2012 11:37 PM PDT

Chiguayante

The ONE thing I would love to see from D&DNext as far as maps go is for you to hire Brandon Kruse (dandddoodles.blogspot.com/2009/07/fallcr...) to do your maps. These are amazing and the best example of D&D maps I've ever seen. If all of the city/town maps were by Brandon then I'd be very very happy.

September 12, 2012 9:47 AM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

Monster Design in D&D Next www.wizards.com

June 11, 2012 at 8:06pm
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Depictions www.wizards.com

May 23, 2012 at 8:03am
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2 / 204

nukunuku

I also agree with the style guidelines listed - great start!
And Westerness has a great point: "rating" is still very subjective, and the US (presumably the biggest market) is quite prudish compared to many other first world countries. I think many have already said this but it's worth repeating: it's probably easiest to start with a slightly more prudish standard to push the broad-based appeal, and open up more risqué materials for those who want it. That seems to be the standard...

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May 30, 2012 1:53 PM PDT

Jennifer_Foss

This list sounds perfect. As far as the survey, I'm not sure which level to pick, but I'd like to see definite hints of "sexy" in D&D artwork. Cover most of the bum and bust (is that armor realistic), but you can definitely allude to them (and everything else is fair game). Give equal "sexy" treatment to males. Remember Hennet from 3.5? There's nothing wrong with some male chest. Focus on very expressive facial expressions. Accentuating the eyes also usually has good effect. In a fight...

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June 4, 2012 7:25 AM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

The Long Shadow of D&D www.wizards.com

May 18, 2012 at 7:07am
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2 / 72

Pyrate_Jib

Great article! I remember fondly when those books were first mine! Never got a chance to own the OD&D but I had a friend who did own them.

May 24, 2012 6:25 AM PDT

mlsgrad99

There are a few free PDF converters on the market. Install one, click on the "Printer Friendly" link at the end of the article, and turn that view into a PDF file. Not perfect but close enough.

June 2, 2012 8:02 PM PDT

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Triple Threat wizards.com

May 9, 2012 at 11:29pm
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2 / 61

Castlemaster

I call improvisation the 3rd (and last) requirement of DM'ing. I often wonder if people are simply creative or can learn creativity, because creativity, by nature, is outside the norm. Your previous articles have eluded to preparation (having a list of NPC names), which I use. But I also wonder if maybe, as creative people, we can't describe our ability any more than an athlete could describe their movements (research has shown that teaching a skill and having proficiency are actually two...

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May 11, 2012 4:43 PM PDT

x_spearmint

I was actually planning to use a variant of what follows on a table soon.
"A stranger emerges from the shadows and begins to present you with a quest."
"From the scowl that now creases his face, he obviously recognizes you."
"A barmaid obstructs your view for what was apparently long enough for your contact to slip away."
"Whatever you were meant to know would seem, for the moment, lost to you."
"The barmaid in front of you falls to the ground, convulsing."
"Did the...

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May 15, 2012 1:20 AM PDT

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MasucciMage updated their profile.

April 29, 2012 at 3:26pm
MasucciMage updated their profile.

April 29, 2012 at 3:24pm
MasucciMage shared an article.

News on D&D Next www.wizards.com

April 25, 2012 at 10:38pm
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Waxing Gygaxian www.wizards.com

March 22, 2012 at 7:26am
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2 / 42

Dragna

I am really chomping at the bit to see these winning dungeons and their concepts.

March 25, 2012 5:04 PM PDT

Whitewater

My pick, as well. Not the easiest rooms and corridors in the world to describe to players, but such an incredibly enjoyable experience. I really enjoyed this adventure, as well as the fact that there were numerous paths to reach the central chamber. These elements, combined with the deadly inhabitants and sheer variety of dungeon challenges (a raging river, an illusionary harem, and magical puzzles and riddles just to name a few), make this adventure a true classic.

March 26, 2012 7:51 AM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

Drawing Stick Figures www.wizards.com

March 21, 2012 at 7:06am
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2 / 119

JHKroll

Oh, I don`t get why people want so much B&W, or manga/anime art in other cases, inside D&D. They`re a bit niche, IMO, specific for old-school pulpy 80`s fans or WOW players, children, otakus, and others..., respectively.
They all deserve attention, but I think you should focus on this: Dungeons & Dragons. An imaginative game, in which we pretend to be different people in an alternative and ''fantastically believable'' world, living great misteries and adventures. So, how to...

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March 29, 2012 7:24 PM PDT

thewaever

To be honest, the only criticism I had of 4E D&D when it was released was the art. The art's style was fine. The problem I had was the horrible composition of most of the characters in the piece. Anatomy & physics are what I'm talking about.
Physics...
The "double shot" elf on p. 110 of the PHB1. Even granting the suspension of disbelief required for a fantasy game, this piece is physically unimpressive. That first arrow fell about 6 feet in front of the archer. There's no way...

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April 7, 2012 7:23 AM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

Consume, Engage, Cherish wizards.com

March 14, 2012 at 7:28am
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2 / 116

Hyomaru

I voted for "a combination", but in retrospect I really am a "consume" guy. That said, I personally feel that the 4e MM was a little under-fluffed, and I'd like to see more of that brought back (I really like the 4e phb and dmg, though).

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April 26, 2012 8:43 PM PDT

Armath

I think that there should be a bit of visual fluff for inspiration, but at the same time I don't want them interfering with the alignment of the text, or the organization of my charts. I feel as although I very much liked the balance in 3e books, that's one complaint I had. I liked the info blocks in 4e, although from memory, I could deal with them being a little more uniform, and a little less "cram all this crap in a tiny card."
Ultimately, the PHB should have the instructions clear and...

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May 30, 2012 12:25 PM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

A Rose By Any Other Name www.wizards.com

March 7, 2012 at 3:54pm
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2 / 230

ntman

11, if your going to change something, change it all the way around and not just alter it a tad. So my thought is go all out.

July 17, 2012 11:57 PM PDT

rghammill

I agree with making it look less 'game-like' and more sophisticated. Number 7 would be my favorite, but to be honest, none of them really do it for me. In fact, neither do the previously published ones. The various logos for the Forgotten Realms have been much better in my opinion.
I guess the original (Advanced) Dungeons and Dragons (brown/white boxes through the 1st ed) worked because it definitely looked like a game for adults, not kids. In many cases (again, the current Forgotten Realms...

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August 13, 2012 8:38 PM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

Art and Artists in D&D www.wizards.com

February 29, 2012 at 8:06am
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2 / 63

Migelito16

Larry Elmore, and it's not even close. I still love those Dragonlance covers. When making one of my first 4E characters, I did a Google image search of his library to find my PC's picture.

May 22, 2012 11:13 PM PDT

rghammill

In most cases, when the art of a single artist was used to define the game (for major releases anyway), I wasn't happy with the result. In fact two of my least favorite artists were the most featured.
Elmore (not one of the two) has some great stuff, and his work for Dragonlance really tied the line together. And while it's far above some of the other staff artists, it also had a distinctive style that doesn't always appeal to me either. They tend to be very bright, very 'posed', and I'm...

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August 13, 2012 8:23 PM PDT

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MasucciMage shared an article.

The Circus Is In Town www.wizards.com

February 16, 2012 at 7:02am
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2 / 96

Gillies48

At the end of the day I really do not aim to limit my players and their choices. Almost all of my group are rookies and to limit them seems unfair. That being said I was making a riverworld campaign and I let everyone know that certain races were not in the world. Now my newest player wanted desperately to play a changling (and I hate those guys). I said that "I can't see how to fit this race into my world/story." Then I sat on it... What a great opportunity to have her shine as a roleplayer...

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February 22, 2012 12:11 PM PST

NECooley

In the campaign I'm starting this isnt much a a problem. I have two humans (artificer and ranger), an Eladrin (spellsword), and one Shardmind (Paladin). The Shardmind will be an interesting concept and I plan to use him and his appearance to heavily sway peoples views.

February 22, 2012 4:36 PM PST

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MasucciMage shared an article.

Uniting the Editions, Part 3 Addendum wizards.com

February 14, 2012 at 8:08am
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2 / 164

Shamanstarr

yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, HOWEVER, not every opinion belongs in every discussion. If the premise of the discussion is not involved with your opinion, then all you do is waste your time, and the time of the readers in regards to the forum by expressing said opinion here. Repetitive behavior in such a manner is really the definition of insanity, afterall. Not only that, but threadjacking to unrelated opinions is generally a mark of rudeness and lower than average intelligence....

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March 12, 2012 7:05 AM PDT

Shamanstarr

Not to be overly contradictory, but I actually find Healing Surges and Action Points to be two of the big triumphs of 4e. Healing surges in combat must be triggered by powers, and represent the body's ability to sustain healing. Their internal reserve. Anyone can't just use them, they get 1 2nd Wind, and after that, must rely on powers or magic items, just like other editions. The real advantage of Healing Surges came in the between encounters area, when you could heal up without expending...

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March 12, 2012 7:11 AM PDT

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ghrneto voted in the poll, "Of the following choices, select any rules elements or character options you would like to see appear as part of an optional “rules module” in the next version of D&D.".

February 14, 2012 at 8:05am
ghrneto voted in the poll, "Of the following choices, select any rules elements or character options you would like to see appear as part of the core rules in the next version of D&D.".

February 14, 2012 at 8:04am

Older Activities

About Me

About Me: I'm a married, stay-at-home dad. I hate creating subject lines for e-mail. I'm passionate about the things I love but easily bored by most other things.

I've played D&D since 1987 and presently 4th Edition and some Pathfinder. I prefer home-brewed games to RPGA events. I'm the Encounters DM for my local gaming store where I do my best to keep the players on their toes.

I'm also an indie writer/director. My films have screened collectively at over 140 film festivals around the world. I'm currently in post production on two films.

Stop by and check out my site at www.FountainheadPictures.com. If you want more information about me... ask.

Movies: My Top Ten:

12 Angry Men

The Shawshank Redemption

A Simple Plan

The Dark Knight

The Green Mile

L.A. Confidential

Get Shorty

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Lord of the Rings (yes, they're only one film!)

Far and Away

TV Shows: Game of Thrones, Rome, The X-Files, Friday the 13th The Series, 24, The Simpsons, Futurama, Twilight Zone, Star Trek (with Kirk), Man Vs. Food, UFO Hunters, Lots of stuff on the History Channel and HGTV.

Books, Comics and Graphic Novels: George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows

Lord of the Rings

Stephen King: Salem's Lot, The Stand, Dreamcatcher, It

Harry Potter

The Dragonlance Chronicles & Legends Trilogies

Eberron's: The Heirs of Ash Trilogy

The Riftwar Saga

Elfquest

The Simpsons comics

Drizzt comic adaptations

Dungeons & Dragons comic series

Dark Sun comic series

Music: Chris Isaak, Blink 182, The Ramones, Thomas Newman, Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and pretty much everything else.

Wizard Book Lines:

Dark Sun
Dragonlance
Eberron
Forgotten Realms
Other D&D

Hobbies: D&D, films, reading. I'm always watching or reading something. Writing, playing guitar and as much D&D as I can get in.

Likes: My family, great food, being creative, food, gaming, reading, eating, and food, did I mention food? And almost too many other things to name.

Dislikes: People texting while driving or talking on their cell phones while on checkout at stores!

My Games:

Dungeons & Dragons

Other Games I Play: Clue. I'm working at becoming a master Inquisitive. I feel pretty confident that it was Col. Mustard in the study using the candlestick.