[QUOTE=Rats808;50187197]Psykers only outclass people in utility. If you want to deal high amounts of damage, ramp up your Strength and carry a two-handed melee weapon; you'll be doing more damage than your Psyker, and you won't have to risk killing yourself and the party to do it.[/QUOTE]
Well, considering the setting, that's actually entirely fitting. You're never supposed to be safe, and lack of risk-control is part of it. It makes sense in lore and it makes sense in gameplay - if you don't want to be fucked over by chance, reduce risk by not having Psyker with you.
[QUOTE=gufu;50188705]Well, considering the setting, that's actually entirely fitting. You're never supposed to be safe, and lack of risk-control is part of it. It makes sense in lore and it makes sense in gameplay - if you don't want to be fucked over by chance, reduce risk by not having Psyker with you.[/QUOTE]
It makes sense in setting, sure.
In gameplay? Fuck no. It's one of the worst gameplay decisions I can possibly think of.
Sessions N+ of XCOM, featuring Human conspiracy, live captures, Eurovision, kidnappings, and lasers! [sp]oh god it's been so long I can't cover every single mission.[/sp]
[url=https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1485655&p=49608583#post49608583]As of our last update[/url], XCOM had just managed to fend of a big old terror attack in Gdańsk, and had even managed to capture a live Bonecracker out of the deal.
The next highlight was a distress call from one of XCOM's field agents, the one who'd worked with them to root out alien infiltration in Turkey. He'd discovered a cache of alien supplies, butafter he and a recovery team put it on trucks to move it to the nearest airport, a band of well-organized and well-equipped mercenaries ambushed them and stole the trucks. Cue Operation Brutal Heat.
Using the recon drones on their Interceptors they manage to track down the hijacked convoy, and beat them to their destination- an empty loading dock. Which 'More C4' proceeds to booby-trap to hell and back. [url=http://i.imgur.com/P22PfU6.jpg?1]The ambush worked pretty damn well[/url], they weren't able to take any prisoners and some of the mercs managed to escape, but they did secure a few truckfuls of alien goodies.
Of course, this just raises the question of why the hell they were fighting [i]humans[/i].
Other highlights... They manage to disable an Outsider without killing it, discovering the whole 'turns into a crystal' business. The [url=http://www.ufopaedia.org/images/6/6c/Chryssalid.gif]Bonecracker[/url] they captured molts into a [url=http://www.ufopaedia.org/images/d/d0/Chryssalid_2_%28EU2012%29.png]Roofer[/url], solving one mystery as to how the two creatures are related.
Next up, they get a special request from their funding council- Eurovision 2016 is coming up, and for the sake of civilian morale they'd really like it to go on without getting blown up by aliens or anything like that. And so a squad is sent on Operation Shattered Future, to work with the event staff and keep things kosher. [url=http://i.imgur.com/kIUA6lK.jpg?1]A few Tall Guys attempt infiltration[/url], but some smart patrolling and a [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Globen_SkyView.jpg/800px-Globen_SkyView.jpg]commanding field of fire[/url] made tidying up nice and simple.
To keep up on research, they go to recruit a few more specialist scientists- Paola Ribsi, an Italian bionics expert, and Dr. Amu Araya, a South African neurologist. The first's expertise is needed to help investigate how the hell the aliens use Meld in their cyborgs, the second's understanding of nerve mechanics will be essential for mind-probing captured aliens. Operation Forgotten Stranger is given as the general name for these specialist retrievals. Paola is retrieved without incident, though she's understandably a bit jumpy. Dr. Araya, however, is missing when XCOM arrives- his correspondence with the organization had been compromised, and the mercenary outfit that had tangled with them before swooped in to try and kidnap him before XCOM could. [url=http://i.imgur.com/GibcXfT.jpg?1]'Try' being the operative word.[/url]
...At some point in here they captured a live sectoid, and interrogate it to learn some nifty knew medical data. Also, perhaps more excitingly for them, they finally finish researching LASER RIFLES. Just the basic kind, using all-human technology and no elerium or anything, but still.
Tune in next time for mercenaries and a secret alien base! And feel free to ask questions because there's no sane/reasonable way for me to include everything in these 'summary' posts.
[QUOTE=BarnacleDrive;50187913]
As far as animal behaviours I'm not too sure- there's differences between a curious, exploratory personality, a purely aggressive territorial animal, or a mother defending its young, but those are all pretty standard.
The owlbears that have been in captivity might have differentiating scars, they might have learned to hate anything magical (which I'd allow for bears being able to smell/detect on a person) or other strange learned behaviours.[/QUOTE]
Just to expand on this idea, think of the lives the owlbear had, and where they lived. Did one live in a cave on a river, becoming proficient at handling themselves in and around the water while they caught fish? Did another have to stave off packs of wolves and other creatures from his territory, growing used to shows of force?
On another note, there's interactions with sentient beings. To expand on the hating anything magical: some novice casters thought they could manage to control the owlbear as the druid once had. But the means they used didn't work (say a ritual binding) and caused the owlbear immense pain. The casters tried to defend themselves with magic but were slaughtered. The owlbear hates any form of magic it can't remember the druid as having used. You could play it as any low level spell from the Druid spell list (say level 1 and cantrips) does not provoke the owlbear. But high level spells might cause the owlbear to cower or flee. The owlbear still bears scars from the encounter, and may try to avoid contact with humanoids.
[QUOTE=elowin;50188836]It makes sense in setting, sure.
In gameplay? Fuck no. It's one of the worst gameplay decisions I can possibly think of.[/QUOTE]
Thid is like one of the most minute complaints ive heard about tabletop
At this point ive played more 40k than any system and its never been a problem. In setting it makes perfect sense (remember, it -is- a roleplaying game), and in gameplay it not only serves as a great deterrent from overdoing your spells but ad a really great way to spice up any encounter if something does go wrong
You dont like the setting, thats fine, but its a fantasticly designed system thst fits psykers to a tee
[I]As the petrification fades you suddenly regain consciousness. You glance around the room and realize that unfortunately the fight is now over. Your Potion of Growth having no effect this entire battle aside from making you a giant statue while your party members battled the malicious warlock.[/I]
"I'd like to make the most this moment then, and check my pants to see if my dong is as giant as the rest of me."
[I]You take a moment to check out your... assets. You realize that whether a side effect of the potion or the bitter cold not everything is as proportional as you'd like."[/I]
"Oh well... I'd like to haul my giant ass over to the corner and cry then. Can I roll to cry?"
[I]I'll allow it.[/I]
To continue on the theme of this particular mission in Mekton being full of bad luck, Smas takes a round in the leg that almost blows the limb clean off. Good times, I am finally satiating my blood lust.
[QUOTE=No Party Hats;50190485]Thid is like one of the most minute complaints ive heard about tabletop
At this point ive played more 40k than any system and its never been a problem. In setting it makes perfect sense (remember, it -is- a roleplaying game), and in gameplay it not only serves as a great deterrent from overdoing your spells but ad a really great way to spice up any encounter if something does go wrong
You dont like the setting, thats fine, but its a fantasticly designed system thst fits psykers to a tee[/QUOTE]
It's never been a problem for you, and it's never happened to me either, but suddenly winking out of existence with no save possible isn't fun, it doesn't spice up the encounter, and because the risk is so minimal it doesn't really serve as much of a deterrent either. It's not a risk/reward thing, at all.
As I said before, there are much better ways of doing this. If you want to have an actual discussion about this, how about you reply to the post where I outlined my position.
[QUOTE=elowin;50192132]It's never been a problem for you, and it's never happened to me either, but suddenly winking out of existence with no save possible isn't fun, it doesn't spice up the encounter, and because the risk is so minimal it doesn't really serve as much of a deterrent either. It's not a risk/reward thing, at all.
As I said before, there are much better ways of doing this. If you want to have an actual discussion about this, how about you reply to the post where I outlined my position.[/QUOTE]
I don't think arguing really matters because its not like it'll change the rules.
[QUOTE=Jrose14;50192779]I don't think arguing really matters because its not like it'll change the rules.[/QUOTE]
It matters about as much as just about any other conversation regarding almost anything else.
The purpose of an argument is to get your opinion out there, and if not actually change the other sides opinion, at least get them to understand where you're coming from, and get you to understand them.
If you take the position that it doesn't matter because it won't actually change the thing over which you're arguing, well, almost every post in this thread doesn't really matter. And almost everything everyone does on a day to day basis, really.
[QUOTE=BarnacleDrive;50187913]You could think about/research different types of owls and their behaviours to differentiate the owlbears. One could be a snowy owl, fully white, speckled, wholly nocturnal. One might be like a burrowing owl and have its lair in a buried pit rather than a natural cave, or, depending on your environments, could prefer snowy high mountains.
As far as animal behaviours I'm not too sure- there's differences between a curious, exploratory personality, a purely aggressive territorial animal, or a mother defending its young, but those are all pretty standard.
The owlbears that have been in captivity might have differentiating scars, they might have learned to hate anything magical (which I'd allow for bears being able to smell/detect on a person) or other strange learned behaviours.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Ogopogo;50189638]Just to expand on this idea, think of the lives the owlbear had, and where they lived. Did one live in a cave on a river, becoming proficient at handling themselves in and around the water while they caught fish? Did another have to stave off packs of wolves and other creatures from his territory, growing used to shows of force?
On another note, there's interactions with sentient beings. To expand on the hating anything magical: some novice casters thought they could manage to control the owlbear as the druid once had. But the means they used didn't work (say a ritual binding) and caused the owlbear immense pain. The casters tried to defend themselves with magic but were slaughtered. The owlbear hates any form of magic it can't remember the druid as having used. You could play it as any low level spell from the Druid spell list (say level 1 and cantrips) does not provoke the owlbear. But high level spells might cause the owlbear to cower or flee. The owlbear still bears scars from the encounter, and may try to avoid contact with humanoids.[/QUOTE]
really good suggestions guys! thanks :)
[t]http://i.imgur.com/ShBcG8M.jpg[/t]
[editline]24th April 2016[/editline]
Roll20.jpg
Today in Demon:
[quote]The meeting that Spade and Diamond set up, and Spade invited John to, last session, finally happens. But Spade isn't there, so it's just John and Diamond/Elizabeth, a 14-year-old girl. Also, another Demon shows up, because his bike broke down a few yards away from where they were having their meeting. Initially, they all introduce themselves, and discuss their pre-Fall missions, a bit.
Then an Angel attacks. Elizabeth runs, Roger(the new guy) does a partial transformation to manifest his plasma drive(as a big clock on his chest), and John gets shit blasted. Literally. The Angel Blasts him with trash goop. John and Roger try to flee, getting on Roger's motorcycle, but the Angel flies after them and hard-disables it, doubling up on the EMP that went off when it arrived, while Elizabeth takes the hint and runs the fuck away. Roger runs, and John shoots at the Angel, but it proceeds to turn his gun into plastic.
John finally gives in and destroys his Cover, Going Loud and killing the Angel with one shot from his Rivet Gun arm. The two of them then duck into a random doorway that Roger uses to take them to his Bolthole, and start discussing their plans to get John a new Cover.[/quote]
TL;DR first combat encounter with an Angel, one player had to Go Loud to not die, next session is probably going to involve him trying to get a new Cover.
[QUOTE=MenteR;50193221]really good suggestions guys! thanks :)[/QUOTE]
Whoops, forgot to mention something about the:
"You could play it as any low level spell from the Druid spell list (say level 1 and cantrips) does not provoke the owlbear. But high level spells might cause the owlbear to cower or flee."
Non-druid, low level spells (one which would pose less threat) would cause some manner of aggression. Whether it attacks or not would depend on how many and what spells were used.
Well, I just rolled three 1's in a row during my game.
So this is how it feels to fail epically.
[QUOTE=_Vendetta_;50195422]Well, I just rolled three 1's in a row during my game.
So this is how it feels to fail epically.[/QUOTE]
Real pros don't need dice to experience that feeling.
[QUOTE=_Vendetta_;50195422]Well, I just rolled three 1's in a row during my game.
So this is how it feels to fail epically.[/QUOTE]
My previous paladin earned the nickname of Captain Slow, for his abysmal initiative rolls. I actually kept track of it, and in the 30 or so times he had to roll before he died roughly three quarters of them were 5's or lower.
And now I've been reduced to -14 hp, and failed my first death saving throw.
Ho boy.
-snip-
[QUOTE=Archimedes;50190664][I]As the petrification fades you suddenly regain consciousness. You glance around the room and realize that unfortunately the fight is now over. Your Potion of Growth having no effect this entire battle aside from making you a giant statue while your party members battled the malicious warlock.[/I]
"I'd like to make the most this moment then, and check my pants to see if my dong is as giant as the rest of me."
[I]You take a moment to check out your... assets. You realize that whether a side effect of the potion or the bitter cold not everything is as proportional as you'd like."[/I]
"Oh well... I'd like to haul my giant ass over to the corner and cry then. Can I roll to cry?"
[I]I'll allow it.[/I][/QUOTE]
I am a merciful god.
Had my first real character die yesterday, I feel a bit cheated but I guess his time had come.
I always have a second character half ready just incase the dice hate me.
Anybody ever tried to run a castlevania style sandbox game? I have some plans for it using pathfinder, and I spent a bit of time sketching a bit of a rough outline as to how it would work. Was thinking originally of keeping the candles and torches dropping items like the game itself, but later scrapped the concept and just converted it to being a small xp bonus with occasional gifts like magic items, being given to a character as part of freeing all the souls in specific rooms.
My idea had it begin like it does in Castlevania 3's first level, with a town base being attacked by undead and an augmented CR 4-5 skeleton knight as the first boss, encountered in the town graveyard. Then I thought of a trip through the dark forest, like a small hex crawl with some encounters and a couple minor dungeons, to a nearby monastery to gather clues as to what happened, only it turns out everybody inside was killed, and the party has to rescue the survivors.
[QUOTE=HazzaHardie;50197500]Had my first real character die yesterday, I feel a bit cheated but I guess his time had come.[/QUOTE]
I almost had a character die from taking a grenade to the face. Thank god for burning luck and a merciful GM.
[QUOTE=ElectricSquid;50197636]I almost had a character die from taking a grenade to the face. Thank god for burning luck and a merciful GM.[/QUOTE]
At least he/she's got a badass face scar now, right?
GM'd shadowrun for the first time, the best mook dodge/full defense roll was a 3, against a 6, with the majority being 1's, same story with their soak.
What did they do to deserve such bad dice :v:
To be frank mooks in shadowrun are basically just roadbumps for any runner who bothered to invest in learning to shoot
Hence why they come in money-saving 12-packs
[QUOTE=Ogopogo;50195511]My previous paladin earned the nickname of Captain Slow, for his abysmal initiative rolls. I actually kept track of it, and in the 30 or so times he had to roll before he died roughly three quarters of them were 5's or lower.[/QUOTE]
My first character had -2 to initiative and it felt like half the encounters I rolled a total of -1 init
[QUOTE=_Vendetta_;50195422]Well, I just rolled three 1's in a row during my game.
So this is how it feels to fail epically.[/QUOTE]
You should join my Roll20 games, where this happens multiple times per session, usually in more than 3s.
i remember back when i was like 15 or whatever we were playing AD&D 2.0 (i think) and our party was dying to a death knight, and then the party's ranger rolled [B][I]FOUR FUCKING NATURAL 20'S IN A ROLL AND KILLED THE DEATH KNIGHT[/I][/B]
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