TheRPGSite

I'm not trying to start an mud slinging contest here so no snarky sutff. (not that I expect it from any of you).

I don't like using minis and it seems that a lot of (not all by any means)TP stuff is either garbage or breaks the system.  So I tend to like the core books minus the minis and  homebrew setting. AoO: don't like them and don't use them. I like using spell point system instead of the standard magic system. Crits are not confirmed and always do auto max damage times crit multuplier. I like less magic items, to me it shouldn't be possible to by many of the more powerfull magic weapons. Most magic items are heirlooms,taken from defeated enemy's, or found during adventuring. In large cities it may be possible to buy a +1 or +2 item but then it would likely not be advertised that seller had it.

What's your flavor of D&D.

I run a pretty standard game of D&D set in Eberron, with all the bells and whistles (meaning with lots of supplemental material). However, dragging 15 kg worth of books (core books, DMG2, MM3, XPH, Spell Compendium, Complete Books, Eberron CS, Races of Eberron, Explorer's Handbook, Player's Guide to Eberron, Sharn, Five Nations, Magic of Eberron), plus assorted notes and stuff, back and forth to the game sessions is getting a little old.

I do have a couple of house rules, but I do run with AoOs, grids, counters (instead of miniatures), and so on. So I guess I'm the anti-McCrow.

Next campaign I run will probably use the Red Hand of Doom adventure/campaign as a basis. I'd likely use just as many books, just replacing the Eberron stuff with FR stuff instead.

I don't really like D&D for multiple reasons so when I do play it is usually straight up whatever is around because I don't like the system enough to want to bother changing it and am playing only to do something with my friends.

Quote from: VarajI don't really like D&D for multiple reasons so when I do play it is usually straight up whatever is around because I don't like the system enough to want to bother changing it and am playing only to do something with my friends.

Yeah, if my current group wasn't playing D&D 3.5 right now I would like niot be playing it @ the moment. It is easier to find people who play it and it is a decent change of pace from our regular game.

awww...geez I just realized I posted this in the wrong form... oh well:o

I like my players to have a lot of sources, so I'll allow almost any book.  As long as I can look at it, either in print or as a pdf.  In ther past year or two this has become a bit of a problem becuaes I have so many books and pdfs.  So now I'm thinking of having a list of DM approved races and classes, with feats and magic items I'll stay pretty  easy going.  It is easier when their from WotC books though as E-Tools usually has support for it.

As to magic I usually run a pretty magic rich campaign, I am running in the Forgotten Realms.  In any city the characters can usually buy most magic items worth up to 4,000-5,000 gold pieces.  There are magic stores in the cities but they usually handle only limited use items like potions, scrolls and wands.  Now this limit does fluctuate depending on the size of the city and how it views magic.  Anything over and above that they have three choices; have it made, make it themselves, or find it while adventuring.

In battles I use a dry erase mat and minatures.  It helps to eliminate any confusion or misunderstandings.  I use the normal critical rules, you roll to confirm an dthem roll damage twice.  Attacks of opportunity I still use as it makes sense to me.  But the NPC's use them just as effectively as the players.

I make my NPC's up as if I was building a character for myself to play.  So if they have a big two handed weaponn then I'm going to be taking feats that increase its effectiveness.  Now I have run into problems with this since I equip my NPC's the same way I would making a character of that level.  So after a couple of encounters with groups of NPC's the party is swimming in armor and weapons.  I had one adventure where the party had to go into town and buy 2 wagons with horses just to haul their loot back home.  So now I've moved into having NPC's drink 2-3 potions before going into battle or getting spells cast on them by a NPC wizard.  I am also using more monsters instead of humaniods and making extensive use of templates.

Getting ready to start a campaign. It will be Eberron using heavily tweaked Arcana Evolved rules. I'll be running a converted Return to The Temple of Elemental Evil. I'll also be using chunks of Iron Heroes and the combat defence rules from the Malhavoc Best of D20 vol.1.

I like miniatures and AOO. I'm actually making AOO a bigger part of my game. :)

We run 100% off of Klooge.  That is to say, our DM has the entire module and maps in the Klooge software, and projects it on a screen.  Us players use laptops or a common mouse to move our characters on the screen.  This means means we can make movement EXACT, and not be tied to the 5x5 square concept, and we can also see the radius of our spells and light sources EXACTLY.  If a monster is slightly outside of our available light sources, then it's dark in that area (but not to the DM, who sees everything).

It's neat, but it has it's drawbacks.  Like a set-up and break-down time.  And the need for keeping character sheets updated in Klooge all the time.  And the lack of that personal feeling you get with miniatures or just words.

Quote from: MistwellWe run 100% off of Klooge.  That is to say, our DM has the entire module and maps in the Klooge software, and projects it on a screen.  Us players use laptops or a common mouse to move our characters on the screen.  This means means we can make movement EXACT, and not be tied to the 5x5 square concept, and we can also see the radius of our spells and light sources EXACTLY.  If a monster is slightly outside of our available light sources, then it's dark in that area (but not to the DM, who sees everything).

It's neat, but it has it's drawbacks.  Like a set-up and break-down time.  And the need for keeping character sheets updated in Klooge all the time.  And the lack of that personal feeling you get with miniatures or just words.

Sounds interesting.  My groups have always discussed how we could computerize our games more.

I play pretty much a straight DnD 3.5. I don't monkey around with the rules at all for the most part because I would rather play then write rules and if I needed to jack with them, then I would play something else. AoO's I have no problem with what-so-ever.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerAs to magic I usually run a pretty magic rich campaign, I am running in the Forgotten Realms.  In any city the characters can usually buy most magic items worth up to 4,000-5,000 gold pieces.  There are magic stores in the cities but they usually handle only limited use items like potions, scrolls and wands.

I run in Eberron, which is also pretty magic-rich (at least in places like Sharn, the city that makes Waterdeep look like a backwater :) ). I allow PCs to buy magic items, but they can't buy anything other than reasonably common scrolls, potions, and occasionally wands "over the counter." Well, they might get lucky and find someone who has something for sale, but generally magic items have to be commissioned. It's not hard finding someone willing to make most stuff in Sharn (at least as long as it can be made by someone 10th level or lower), but it does take time. The way I see it, people don't make items worth thousands of gold pieces without knowing they can sell them (or use them themselves), so most expensive items are made on commission.

QuoteSo after a couple of encounters with groups of NPC's the party is swimming in armor and weapons.

My PCs are currently slightly over-equipped (I reckon by about a level), but I'm working to rectify that with a couple of adventures where they won't get much treasure.

Quote from: DackeMy PCs are currently slightly over-equipped (I reckon by about a level), but I'm working to rectify that with a couple of adventures where they won't get much treasure.

Another thing you can do is make a lot of the treasure works of art and jewelry.  Perhaps some rugs and tapestries or even a small library of valuable books.  Things perhaps that the PC's might want to keep (especially if theirs wizrads or sorcerers) perhaps to decorate their own abode.  Or if their are characters that like to flaunt wealth include stuff you know that they'd rather keep and wear rather than sell.

I run a moderate* magic low-wealth D&D game with a bevy of house rules and changes to classes and spells to reinforce that.


* Some people describe it as "low" magic - but it is not truly low (as in Conan), as there are plenty of magical items around and some people throwing fireballs - there are just downsides to magic and the overall amount is far below D&D "standard".

Currently a heavily modified D&D with Game of Thrones combat (and most character classes), homebrew magic system, and homebrew setting. Magic items are incredibly rare, I've only used miniatures once (for a battle in a crowd scene that would have been too complicated to explain verbally), and players know that raise dead and the like are simply not available. It's been fun.

I have to say, and I think Mike will back me up on this, it really does not matter to me what system I am playing. We are playing 3.5 DND right now but it does not affect how I play. We tried Hero and that was out and out painful...but I played the same sort of role oriented character I always do.

Mike is just intimidated by Moonbeam and needs comfort. :)

Bill

Oh yeah, Willpax's post reminded me:

Despite running a role-playing heavy game, I LOVE tactical combat and believe environment and motivation are everything in a fight.  I have a ton of minis and use them for nearly every serious combat.

Quote from: HinterWeltI have to say, and I think Mike will back me up on this, it really does not matter to me what system I am playing. We are playing 3.5 DND right now but it does not affect how I play. We tried Hero and that was out and out painful...but I played the same sort of role oriented character I always do.

Mike is just intimidated by Moonbeam and needs comfort. :)

Bill

Well how could a Half-Orc barbarian not be intimidated by a Druid would wields the Stick of Doom and Darts of Death.:p

Quote from: the ultimate nullifierOh yeah, Willpax's post reminded me:

Despite running a role-playing heavy game, I LOVE tactical combat and believe environment and motivation are everything in a fight.  I have a ton of minis and use them for nearly every serious combat.

I love tactical combat but to tend to do something like Battletech or WarHammer to get my tactical combat fix instead of using something like a RPG.  I don't mind using minis to help clarify a situation but find they get in the way more often than they help in running a clean RPG battle.

Nothing too fancy.  Just straight up 3.5 D&D, more or less, with a few odd house rules that have been around so long we think they are normal rules at this point.  We use minis to depict combat, as it just makes it easier for everyone to see what is going on.  Core books and the Forgotten Realms setting, with a few other books that have been allowed based on the campaign or player request.

I try to keep it all simplified.  The less I have to remember, the more I can concentrate on play.

Quote from: VarajI love tactical combat but to tend to do something like Battletech or WarHammer to get my tactical combat fix instead of using something like a RPG.  I don't mind using minis to help clarify a situation but find they get in the way more often than they help in running a clean RPG battle.

My problem is the "motivation" part.  That is, straight up mini games do not interest me as much if I do not feel invested in the battle the way you do in an on-going campaign - so really I need both to feel satisfied.

Also, despite my love of tactics ultimately playing your character correctly is more important, which means if you think he'd make a dumb mistake, you make a dumb mistake even if it is not tactically sound. :)

Quote from: the ultimate nullifierAlso, despite my love of tactics ultimately playing your character correctly is more important, which means if you think he'd make a dumb mistake, you make a dumb mistake even if it is not tactically sound. :)

I can certainly understand the motivation thing.  I ran a Battletech game for a year or two.  One day was RP the other day was tactical battle.  I've done the same with Warhammer 40k.

Quote from: the ultimate nullifierAlso, despite my love of tactics ultimately playing your character correctly is more important, which means if you think he'd make a dumb mistake, you make a dumb mistake even if it is not tactically sound. :)

You are a wise man.

Generally our D&D games start out with the best of role playing intentions and then quickly break down into number crunching once combat begins.  Then after that the role playing is normally lessened and the strategic game play element is increased.  

Usually the biggest factor on when this switch happens though is dependant on the DM.  If the DM keeps combat more story based then the role playing tends to stick around a lot longer and keeps the min/maxing at bay.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerOr if their are characters that like to flaunt wealth include stuff you know that they'd rather keep and wear rather than sell.

I think my players are like 99 percent of every other player out there in that they will sell all of it to buy more magic items. Next campaign, I swear to God I am going to make the buying and selling of magic items much more difficult.

Quote from: KnightcrawlerAnother thing you can do is make a lot of the treasure works of art and jewelry.  Perhaps some rugs and tapestries or even a small library of valuable books.  Things perhaps that the PC's might want to keep (especially if theirs wizrads or sorcerers) perhaps to decorate their own abode.  Or if their are characters that like to flaunt wealth include stuff you know that they'd rather keep and wear rather than sell.

That wouldn't work. My players are all about getting the most gear out of their money, and about saving as much money as possible.

Put it like this: They arrive in Sharn with an airship they've "liberated" from the guy who stole it from house Lyrandar. They are greeted by a representative of the house who says "Thanks for returning our ship. Here's the 10,000 gp reward."

What do they do next, during the week or so downtime? Do they party on, spending at least SOME of their money on the time-honored ale & whores? No. They go to work, and roll their craft or profession checks to earn a few measly gold pieces.

So, any tapestries or paintings or the like I introduce as treasure will most likely be ruthlessly treated as just treasure.

Quote from: DackeThat wouldn't work. My players are all about getting the most gear out of their money, and about saving as much money as possible.

Put it like this: They arrive in Sharn with an airship they've "liberated" from the guy who stole it from house Lyrandar. They are greeted by a representative of the house who says "Thanks for returning our ship. Here's the 10,000 gp reward."

What do they do next, during the week or so downtime? Do they party on, spending at least SOME of their money on the time-honored ale & whores? No. They go to work, and roll their craft or profession checks to earn a few measly gold pieces.

So, any tapestries or paintings or the like I introduce as treasure will most likely be ruthlessly treated as just treasure.

Well, to be honest they are doing that because the system is rewarding them for doing that.  They have no incentive to spend money on partying, or decorating their homes, or anything else except to say "I did it".  If you want them to spend money elsewhere you need to give them a reason to.

Maybe spending on Ale and Whores will turn gold into XP.  Or partying it up makes him really self assured, getting a +2 to Will saves for a month or so.

This problem exists in other games, but is made worse in D&D because treasure is expected and assumed, it correlates directly to combat power, and there's not really anything else to spend your money on.  In 1e magic items generally weren't for sale, but gold was needed for training (and gave XP directly).  2e was even weirder, as there were no training except as an optional rule that was IME seldom used, and nothing to spend it on.  So you'd have characters with fortunes and nothing to do with them.  In 3e your characters have something to spend that hard-earned gold on, but don't be suprised if they spend it all on that.  What else are they supposed to do with it?

Quote from: MaddmanIn 3e your characters have something to spend that hard-earned gold on, but don't be suprised if they spend it all on that.  What else are they supposed to do with it?

Speaking mostly for myself, I see it more as a matter of scale. IIRC, they got about 4-5 grand each for the adventure they were on. Sure, I expect them to spend a lot of that on getting new gear and upgrading what they have - it's a big part of what the system is about, after all. It's the "Oh, and I spend a week in the smithy so I can earn fifteen gp more."

If it were me, after getting that much money I'd blow at least a hundred or so on living it up for a month until the next adventure, and not bother with making a dozen gp more with work. When I have 5 grand in cash, I'm not going to feel the loss of a hundred gp, after all.

Quote from: DackeSpeaking mostly for myself, I see it more as a matter of scale. IIRC, they got about 4-5 grand each for the adventure they were on. Sure, I expect them to spend a lot of that on getting new gear and upgrading what they have - it's a big part of what the system is about, after all. It's the "Oh, and I spend a week in the smithy so I can earn fifteen gp more."

If it were me, after getting that much money I'd blow at least a hundred or so on living it up for a month until the next adventure, and not bother with making a dozen gp more with work. When I have 5 grand in cash, I'm not going to feel the loss of a hundred gp, after all.

Sounds like they've got the MMORPG-Grind thought process sneaking in.

Have a group of flamboyant NPC's start claiming credit for thier works. Bards start naming the NPC's instead of the PC's for thier adventures, giving them credit. When the PC claims that THEY are the ones who did it, have the person look at him and say: "You? The smith's apprentice? BWAH-HA-HA!"

Have them arrive in a city to find out that the local baron has donated a mansion to the "Great Heroes" and that someone has moved in. Nobody will believe the PC's because they don't "look like that sort of people."

Start requiring libraries to demand a donation of goods or money in order to look at the more rare tomes. Noble families asking to meet them for a job opportunity, then see the PC's, or hear they were working in a smithy and saying: "We're sorry, while I'm sure you have the skills, it would not look right for us to be involved with people of such low station."

Don't transfer ale & whores/parties & dinners into XP, but make it so they can either go look for trouble, or they don't get anything beyond: "Please stop this guy from stealing my business" from beggars and shit.

If they want to be merchants, they can be merchants.

Adventurer's are flamboyant, bombastic and live life on the edge and for the moment.

In my Arcana Evolved game, I use battle maps and minis for the big, important battles.  With all the spells flying around & with the number of players I have, it's extremely convenient.

For smaller battles, or ones I intend to keep fast-paced and free-wheeling, we ditch the map and just scribble relative positions on a piece of paper or whatnot.  Sometimes I use the battlemat because it's convenient but kludge the distances & ignore squares.

Since AE is a pretty small line, my players just use the core book and the Transcended supplement.  I use whatever monster supplements I can get my hands on as a DM.  We have enough spells thankyouverymuch so don't use any spell expansions.

I would sooner end the campaign than use a tactical battle map in my CoC d20 game, but fortunately we're talking D&Dish games here. ;)

-O

I'm still working on simplifying D&D 3.5 to make it play faster for use in a Warhammer Quest type set-up.  My group simply doesn't have time to get together beyond once every other month or so, so it's been all about something we can at least get the taste of D&D without having to remember all sorts of stuff for a true campaign.

That said, we tend to play with some added bells and whistles.  New races, new classes, the occasional new rules drawn from a lot of different D20 sources.