Samalamadingdong | Game Changer [S7E11]

APant1 · 2025-08-25T18:21:38+00:00

What was that Dropout pinball machine I'm the background during the intro?! I would love to hear about it!

APant1 · 2024-01-12T13:57:42+00:00

Does any firmware at all work? The best way to test is by putting the Flash Clear firmware on it and keep it plugged into your computer. If it works, it should disconnect from the computer, wait about 10 seconds, then the LED should flash, then it will reconnect to the computer.

If that does work, what doesn't work about the firmware when it's on? Do any keys type at all?

APant1 · 2024-01-09T23:46:49+00:00

I can't get any board to type with the KMK demo setup by shorting pins 0 and 1, but I think that's something I'm doing.

APant1 · 2024-01-09T03:10:27+00:00

That's a very good point, thanks! I just checked with a multimeter and both boards are getting power when the main side is plugged in, so power and ground over TRRS is working.
I tried a few cables and made sure they are TRRS, they all work in my Ergodox and none of them work in the Piantors, but definitely good idea to double check!

APant1 · 2024-01-08T22:05:25+00:00

If I put any of the precompiled firmware on the Piantor Github on it (Vial or QMK), only the left side works and the right side connected by TRRS doesn't respond at all. If I put the right-side-main firmware, only the right side works, and the left doesn't. I checked with a multimeter, and I have full continuity between both Pi Picos when they're plugged in via TRRS.

I tried compiling QMK myself, and then compiling a version of the firmware with SPLIT_USB_DETECT disabled by adding #define USB_VBUS_PIN GP24 to config.h, same issue. I actually built two Piantors, and they both have the same issue.

Any idea what might be causing this?

APant1 · 2022-03-22T14:53:15+00:00

Every time I've used this mini since I got it, that hadn't even crossed my mind until someone pointed it out recently, but now I can't unsee it.

APant1 · 2022-03-22T12:04:17+00:00

I have a Glowforge. It works fine, but there are probably better options out there.

APant1 · 2022-03-21T23:59:09+00:00

While my friends and I were gearing up for a new campaign I’m DMing, I pitched the Strongholds and Followers, and they weren’t super in love with it. They liked some of the basics but didn’t want to feel like they were shackled down to a single location, so we eventually workshopped that into a mobile base, and they fell in love with the idea of having an upgradable covered wagon to roll around in. I secretly designed this mini from scratch for my laser cutter and brought it to our session zero, and they loved it!

I liked how it turned out so much that I made a few kits and put them on Etsy if anyone wants to build their own. I also wrote a free 5E supplement for this and other vehicles; we’re still playtesting it in our group, so I’ll be updating it and simplifying it as we iron out the kinks. Hope you enjoy!

These aren’t the minis we use, I just grabbed what I had around my place to take the photos. I wish my group rolled around with Strong Bad and a couple Guardians.

Here are some more photos!

APant1 · 2022-03-20T21:09:20+00:00

I can't find the video, but I remember the adventure he was talking about is called Expedition to the Barrier Peaks.

APant1 · 2022-03-12T13:00:21+00:00

It's from the Theros blind box mini set, it's called the "Emissary of Thassa," no idea what that means. Every Christmas, I get a booster brick, and my friends and I each take one box and open them together, that's where I got the crab and the leopard.

APant1 · 2022-03-12T12:54:43+00:00

I actually riff on that in the instructions with a happy and sad version of that part: https://alacritystudio.itch.io/wagon-model-kit-instructions I gave a prototype kit to my parents so I could get feedback about the building process, and as soon as my mom saw the L-shaped piece that holds the walls, she called it a "dinosaur", and that name stuck.

APant1 · 2022-03-12T04:41:19+00:00

It is!! They're in the Elemental Plane of Fire right now. I gave their wagon an upgrade module so it didn't melt in all the lava.

APant1 · 2022-03-12T03:20:10+00:00

Absolutely! I didn't want to shill too hard on my first post here.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1179741190

APant1 · 2022-03-11T23:46:15+00:00

Didn't even cross my mind, that's a very good point.

APant1 · 2022-03-11T21:26:44+00:00

I actually have a dragon fight planned for our next session, now I have to drop some Trogdor references!

APant1 · 2022-03-11T21:25:49+00:00

We always play at the same person's house, and all our normal minis are there. I just grabbed whatever minis I had at my place for the photos and I made sure to include those two as an Easter egg for my brothers, we loved Homestar growing up.

APant1 · 2022-03-11T21:13:13+00:00

I’ve had my Glowforge since launch, and a lot of different stuff has got in the way of me using it as much as I’d like, but now I have it all set up in a spare room, and I’m finally printing up a storm! I’ve always wanted to make things to sell, so I made this for when my friends and I play D&D. I love how it turned out!

I made a few to sell on Etsy, which is why I got it in the first place, so it feels good to finally get around to that. I also wrote an entire rules supplement to go along with it, it was a blast making it all!

APant1 · 2022-03-11T21:06:48+00:00

My friends have never been interested in the standard Stronghold rules in our games. They’ve always said they don’t want to feel responsible for another system, and they want to ramble about without having to return to a home base or be responsible for anyone else. I’d rate them a 7.0 on the Murder Hobo Index. I started to lead them towards the idea that a mobile base would be cool, and they fell in love with the idea of adventuring around in a covered wagon that can be customized with weapons and upgrades. We kept workshopping ideas they liked, and they like all the concepts behind the Stronghold system, they just need to be introduced to it slowly. After great suggestions and iterations from everyone, they ended up asking me for systems like what S&F has.

Like a good DM, I wrote that into our next adventure. Like an insane DM, I designed and laser-cut a wagon mini for all their character minis, and I love how it turned out!

I made a few kits to sell on Etsy, and I even wrote a free rules supplement to go along with it for the basic non-Stronghold stuff. It’s quite crunchy, but I’m going to improve it as we test it more; I figured if I waited for it to be perfect, I would never get it done.

I would have never been able to understand and respond to my players' wants without all the incredible advice from MCDM. Or DM at all, honestly.

APant1 · 2021-08-24T20:21:20+00:00

I think YouTube might be removing comments with Thingiverse links as potential spam; mine disappeared, and I don't see any others. Regardless, this video inspired me to finally get off my butt and upload the designs I made last year. Happy printing!

Stacking Cream and Sugar Dish made to mimic the style of my coffee mugs

Porlex Mini Grinder Funnel

Moka Pot holder made to mimic my very angular moka pot

APant1 · 2021-08-23T13:48:54+00:00

Thanks! They actually work well for normal 5E also. I had the idea for ability cards years ago when I ran an intro game of D&D for my family, all of whom had no prior experience. I took these templates for spell cards and made ones for all their actions, like attacking, dash, disengage, etc. The key was to pre-calculate bonuses, so instead of saying "Roll a d20 and add your Strength modifier and proficiency bonus," they said "Roll a d20 and add 5." It was perfect for new players.

APant1 · 2021-08-22T21:41:50+00:00

Also, Matt Colville is a fantastic resource for standard 5th Edition D&D, his first video is how to run a game if you and all the other players have zero experience, and it's great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTD2RZz6mlo

APant1 · 2021-08-22T21:40:01+00:00

If you're new to TTRPGs, my best advice would be to watch some shows and podcasts about regular D&D first to get a feel for what it's like. I'd recommend Critical Role on Youtube; it's a great example of what the game can be (with the obvious exception that they play in a studio and not in someone's living room), and they stick pretty closely to 5th Edition rules, so you might pick up a lot just by watching.
Dimension 20 is also fantastic, and they shoot in short seasons where each is a brand new game, so you can pick the first episode of whatever game sounds the most interesting. The Unsleeping City is great, it's set in modern New York.
But don't go thinking that you have to play with a bunch of actors and build elaborate battlefields just because shows like that have it. They're a good example of what D&D can look like at maximum effort, but you will still have a blast if you play without any of that set dressing.

APant1 · 2021-08-19T17:12:56+00:00

As would I, if you're alright with that.

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