Minor game stuff from around the web for commentary...

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sun Aug 02, 2015 3:13 am

Well, for all of his problems, shitmuffin's writing is not one of them. He's a good idea guy ("snakes are books "), and can write compelling text, it's his design philosophy, and the level of mechanics and balance he bothers to put on his ideas that's the problem.

Meanwhile, the current version of D&D might actually be a shittier game than OD&D.

Count Arioch the 28th · Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:38 pm

No links because the pathfinder threads on 4chan tend to not last for more than a day or so, but people are throwing a shit fit about Initiate Psychic Duel. Basically, it's a 3rd level spell that you can lock someone into a psychic duel. It takes both you and the other person out of combat (you are physically there but you can take no action other than psychic duel actions which are special and too convoluted to get into here).

So yes, a level 3 save or die spell that causes you to be helpless is something that makes people throw fits about being overpowered. Yeah, it's a decent spell, but I say if a GM is using single boss monsters like it was a shitty JRPG then they kind of deserve to have them locked out and beaten to death.

Count Arioch the 28th · Sat Aug 22, 2015 1:26 am

So yeah, Metalsucks.net reviewed Myfarog...

http://www.metalsucks.net/2015/08/21/ad ... farog-rpg/

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:44 pm

Count Arioch the 28th wrote:So yes, a level 3 save or die spell that causes you to be helpless is something that makes people throw fits about being overpowered. Yeah, it's a decent spell, but I say if a GM is using single boss monsters like it was a shitty JRPG then they kind of deserve to have them locked out and beaten to death.

Technically it's a level 2 spell. But yeah, since it immobilizes the caster, it's strictly worse than hideous laughter. I've been trying to get a feel for the psychic duel subsystem, and the barrier to entry is just too high to justify the minigame's complexity. Not just the entry requirement, but the cost to yourself for performing any action within the duel (either lose spell slots or end up fatigued at best).

Honestly, a psychic grapple mechanic would be easier to make and understand. Have a mental stat modified CMB and create some combat maneuvers that use it, make them accessible with a trait (seriously, frogurt level), create a classification of spells (not just one or two) with psychic combat maneuver requisites, etc. We all understand that Mindscape Duels are awesome; but because we have rules to learn and finite patience, the complexity just isn't worth it unless you make most of the damn supplement centered around it.

Count Arioch the 28th · Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:30 pm

virgil wrote:
Count Arioch the 28th wrote:So yes, a level 3 save or die spell that causes you to be helpless is something that makes people throw fits about being overpowered. Yeah, it's a decent spell, but I say if a GM is using single boss monsters like it was a shitty JRPG then they kind of deserve to have them locked out and beaten to death.
Technically it's a level 2 spell.

Goddammit, you're right. I somehow translated "Can be cast at 3rd level" to "third level spell" in my head.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:51 pm

So, this is a thing on The Porn Gamer Who Must Not Be Named's blog right now-

Supposed praise from various of us for his Vornheim tea party. I certainly don't recall ever saying anything to that effect RE:

GreatGreyShrike · Post by **GreatGreyShrike** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:56 pm

Check this thread: http://www.tgdmb.com/viewtopic.php?t=51963

You totally said that about the snakes=books idea from 4 years ago. I didn't check all the quotes, but the couple I did seem to be accurately transcribed from that thread about that idea. They should clarify that people were just talking about the snake book thing that the first quote is about, rather than the work as a whole, though.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:03 pm

Yeah, I allow the idea that I have said that, but I've never said it about Vornheim. Now, if he'd like to send me a review copy and ask for my actual opinion as a journalist, I would be willing to provide that for him, and do so fairly, but I do not like words being put in my mouth or taken out of context, given, as I previously mentioned, that I am a journalist.

Gnorman · Post by **Gnorman** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:43 pm

Wow, that's some pretty misleading removal of quotes from proper context right there.

Way to go, Shitmuffin. Just when I think you couldn't be more of an asshole, you prove me wrong.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:56 pm

He's also deleting comments he doesn't like. On advice from one of my former Journalism instructors/advisors, I posted a simple comment stating the true subject of the quote attributed to me, and said that I have not read Vornheim, but hope it's good.

It was deleted.

I posted again, simpler, (even) nicer, and instead of mentioning the Den at all, I simply signed the comment "-Prak"

Again it was deleted.

SO.

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:08 pm

Let it never be said that Zak S is honest. I will give him that. He will lie about just about anything.

Maxus · Post by **Maxus** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:15 pm

If we want to bring him in, I'll remove my Google Alerts Chaff from my sig.

Given shitmuffin's absence despite him being talked about a lot, I think it did work..

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:56 pm

Maxus wrote:If we want to bring him in, I'll remove my Google Alerts Chaff from my sig.

Given shitmuffin's absence despite him being talked about a lot, I think it did work..

I'm not saying we want him here. I mean, what like having his blatantly dishonest attempt to claim praise for his shitty rule system is going to magically make him admit he is wrong and stop doing it?

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 12:57 am

I'm debating screen calling his shitty tirade against mess on twitter and posting it here for amusement and commiseration.

erik · Post by **erik** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:18 am

I thought it was funny. Of course he's deleting your posts Prak, you're being trolled. Blatantly.

RelentlessImp · Post by **RelentlessImp** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:27 am

Isn't presenting quotes in a misleading manner a matter of libel?

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:29 am

RelentlessImp wrote:Isn't presenting quotes in a misleading manner a matter of libel?

Yes. Are you going to prove damages? No.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:29 am

Yes, I believe it is. At the least it's called advertising. Of course, it's not like I can afford a lawyer.

RelentlessImp · Post by **RelentlessImp** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:32 am

Kaelik wrote:
RelentlessImp wrote:Isn't presenting quotes in a misleading manner a matter of libel?
Yes. Are you going to prove damages? No.

Maybe not, but Shitmuffin is a coward. If anyone's really that upset that their name (and Frank might be able to prove damages, given that it's his actual name and he's a doctor that has to worry about reputation) is on there, a C&D letter from an actual lawyer might be enough to get it removed.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:34 am

I don't think I have the energy for another Zak Smith shitfest.

Kaelik · Post by **Kaelik** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 2:05 am

RelentlessImp wrote:
Kaelik wrote:
RelentlessImp wrote:Isn't presenting quotes in a misleading manner a matter of libel?
Yes. Are you going to prove damages? No.
Maybe not, but Shitmuffin is a coward. If anyone's really that upset that their name (and Frank might be able to prove damages, given that it's his actual name and he's a doctor that has to worry about reputation) is on there, a C&D letter from an actual lawyer might be enough to get it removed.

That is not how damages work. If anything, the fact that he used to be a professional game designer, is designing his own games currently, and selling them, is how he could argue damages. Being a doctor who likes shitty RPG systems isn't something that actually looks like damages at all.

Dogbert · Post by **Dogbert** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 4:41 am

Count Arioch the 28th · Wed Sep 02, 2015 7:11 am

He REALLY wants us to pay attention to him for some reason. Let's not.

Maxus · Post by **Maxus** » Wed Sep 02, 2015 7:57 am

Count Arioch the 28th wrote:He REALLY wants us to pay attention to him for some reason. Let's not.

I like the cut of your jib, your Countship.

Longes · Post by **Longes** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 7:37 pm

Spoony is defending 3d6 in order on the basis of "You haven't tried it!" and "Numbers don't matter, the story does!"