Wow, I'm glad my games don't sound like this.....

DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:46 pm

[Warning: Adult Language in Podcast!]

So over in Wizards' website they have a bunch of podcasts of the Penny Arcade crew playing along with Chris Perkins, who is hailed as one of the best DM's at Wizards. Now maybe it's just me but I've listened to a few of these in the past and he comes off as one of the most bland and boring DM's around. Now granted I'm no method actor behind the screen, but still....

Also, these guys have been playing 4e since a bit after 4e came out and they still don't remember their abilities, etc. I find it telling that there's too much going on and to keep track of because they constantly forget their powers, magic item abilities, etc. Notice the amount of "I forgot this!" or "Uhhh....is that a standard action...?", etc. I'm can't see how anyone could possibly get any type of suspension of disbelief if that's how most 4e games go. Granted I've had my share of rules arguments, but my games generally aren't like this. They seem to be having fun though, so I guess that's all that matters. Man I wish I could get a group to go with C&C instead of 4e!
Although I do give props for the Karate Kid reference!

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:44 am

Everyone has a different definition of "fun" so if they are having fun at these sessions then it's all win. Personally, I agree with you and prefer a streamlined game with less to keep up with. It helps *me* suspend disbelief and carry on with the storyline. YMMV, there is no wrong game to play as long as everyone enjoys what they're playing.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:35 am

In my opinion it does not bode well when people who help create the game don't know the rules.

Our game day groups know the rules better!
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Sir Ironside · Post by **Sir Ironside** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:11 am

If this podcast is supposed to be a sell me thing, they failed miserably with me.

This is suppose to be the "#1" DM that WoTC has? And, it is still boring for me... I definitely now know that 4e is not for me with no doubts lingering behind. I've heard more role-playing at a Warhammer mini's tournament.

I've made the right move by buying into C&C.

Yes they are having fun, good for them and my comment has nothing to do with that. It is just my opinion and how awesome I am at making the right choice.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:37 am

Not impressed.
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seskis281 · Post by **seskis281** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:08 pm

"U SLANE MY LOOT"

= T O O M A N Y R U L E S

It's all a matter of perspective.... of course. Just a different approach to gaming, some of which may be generational in cultural influences (mental montage of a fantasy version of "You've the best" from the Karate Kid for instance.)

But it's surely a very different game from what I play.

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Frost · Post by **Frost** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:52 pm

I didn't make it through the whole thing, but, hey, it did sound like they were enjoying themselves. More power to them.

Actually, it makes me wonder how my D&D 3.5 game sounds.
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CharlieRock · Post by **CharlieRock** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:06 pm

Treebore wrote:
In my opinion it does not bode well when people who help create the game don't know the rules.

Our game day groups know the rules better!

Yeah.
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DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:11 pm

Frost wrote:
I didn't make it through the whole thing, but, hey, it did sound like they were enjoying themselves. More power to them.
Actually, it makes me wonder how my D&D 3.5 game sounds.

Yeah, same here; I wonder how our 4e games sound? I know we don't take as long with our powers and such, but still, it makes me wonder. If I had one of those fancy digital recorders I might try it sometime just to see. The only time I recall us stopping in our 3.x days was for when we argued if such-and-such an action caused an attack of opportunity.

Like I said before though, they seem to be having fun so more power to 'em. This did get me to thinking back to my 2e days when we'd play AD&D or Buck Rogers XXVc. We never really used maps or anything and just described everything. The first time I really used a "battlemat" was with the adventure "Quest for the Silver Sword" that had a map of Barrik's Keep, and even then it was just so people had an idea of the layout; we didn't even use minis or anything. Same with when my buddy would DM Buck Rogers; the boxed set included a couple maps of the insides of rocket ships and what-not and that was the only time we used them. Everything else was done inside our head and our sessions really seemed much more enjoyable then, so maybe the minis and the mats really do take away something. Hmm..something to think about I guess. Either that or it's just rose-colored glasses.....

Frost · Post by **Frost** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:48 pm

I used minis back in my 2e days and the game still moved quickly. It's really the rules more than the minis. 3e started the trend of tying the rules to miniatures play more and more. I don't think minis hamper the game though, but the rules. It's when a player has to start figuring out his path of movement (i.e., to avoid AoOs) that mini usage bogs down the game. If the minis are just used as a device to show where things are, the game still moves quickly.

I guess the irony of it is that D&D evolved from the Chainmail miniature rules.
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Barrataria · Post by **Barrataria** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:37 am

I am so far removed from current gaming culture I can't express, but it all sounds very, very metagame-y to me. In fact, it sounds remarkably like the Warhammer guys I overhear at the not so FLGS once in a while.

I have had many players not interested in roleplaying, but this is really, really dry. Their interaction seems totally limited to kibbitzing on each other's combat maneuvers.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:56 am

I am quite sure most people would be quite glad their games don't sound like the one I play in, as well.
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DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:24 am

Frost wrote:
I used minis back in my 2e days and the game still moved quickly. It's really the rules more than the minis. 3e started the trend of tying the rules to miniatures play more and more. I don't think minis hamper the game though, but the rules. It's when a player has to start figuring out his path of movement (i.e., to avoid AoOs) that mini usage bogs down the game. If the minis are just used as a device to show where things are, the game still moves quickly.

I guess the irony of it is that D&D evolved from the Chainmail miniature rules.

Yes, 3e with it's AoO's, really started this trend. AoO's, reach weapons, threat ranges, etc. all combined to make 3e's combat bog down sometimes, especially if you have rules lawyers that like to try and manipulate the rules to their advantage. Most of the sub-systems in 3.x were needlessly complex such as grappling, rushing, etc. Pathfinder has fixed some of that with a basic "combat maneuver bonus" and "combat maneuver defense" which work like AC and BtH.

I was never sure why 3.x designers didn't go a simpler route like TLG for reach weapons where if you're wielding a pole-arm style weapon you get to whack someone first when they move into combat range. Seems simple enough to me and keeps combat moving. 4e has thankfully simplified that part of the game while adding unneeded complexity with the introduction of the marking aspect. So they take one step forward and two back. Hopefully if our new group forms I will DM and it will be C&C! One can dream anyway......

papercut · Post by **papercut** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:54 pm

Wezley Crusher has become a mean geek, it is rather amusing. Wez-ley
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Post by **Breakdaddy** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:26 am

papercut wrote:
Wezley Crusher has become a mean geek, it is rather amusing. Wez-ley

Wil Wheaton is kind of a geek icon, and has been for a pretty good while now.

papercut · Post by **papercut** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:09 am

Breakdaddy wrote:
Wil Wheaton is kind of a geek icon, and has been for a pretty good while now.

I know, I heard him once on TWIT and it kinda turned me off to some of the geek culture, even turned me off to some of my personality!
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gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:40 am

Funny, Will's always been a funny and intelligent bloke every time I've encountered him. He's possessed of a self effacing humor folks like me appreciate.
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concobar · Post by **concobar** » Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:50 pm

I like the pod casts. I think they are pretty darn funny.
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Wow, I'm glad my games don't sound like this.....

Wow, I'm glad my games don't sound like this.....

huh