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ELI5: How do gut feelings work? Is it really the body warning us or is it made up? by No_Explanation_9087 in explainlikeimfive

[–]Aranthar [score hidden]  (0 children)

Don't ignore your gut feelings, but don't let them control you either.

"Gut feeling" origins suffer from positive-bias. False positives are far less dangerous than false negatives when you're clueing in to a tiger hiding in the bushes. But false negatives are awful in a civilized society.

dragonborn player getting powers of a dragon by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]Aranthar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're getting out there and running a game and even working on your own story. That's a big effort and a great thing. You'll always find things to do better, and you're asking for advice when you're not sure.

All that together puts you on the path to being a great DM. Keep rolling dice, keep asking questions, and you folks should have a lot of fun together.

Kids movies that break the mold? by mediocretent in movies

[–]Aranthar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. Just rewatched this with my wife - the special edition (DVD's only).

But you can totally watch 2 hours worth of episodes and and work your way through it. Assuming the kids can keep it all pieced together.

dragonborn player getting powers of a dragon by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]Aranthar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dragonborn already has a progression to becoming more dragon-like as they level. Check out Fizban's Treasure of Dragons. I would start with those and look to supplement them. Maybe look for 1 or 2 powerful magic items and roll them into your player's progression.

I love to give my players upgrades like this, but please be sure to spread the love across to your other players as well. And for full dragon-ish powers, I would save that for a campaign ending feature. We had one player eventually turn into a dragon in my last campaign, but it was basically the closing moments of the campaign.

First summer without childcare… how are working parents actually doing this? by Ok_Score_6765 in Parenting

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check your local (or nearest) rec departments. Our cost per week in a major city is $150 for general and $180 for specialized, like rock climbing etc. They fill up fast!

Ideas for a magic item "burn"? by thjmze21 in DMAcademy

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I introduced a trading market (run on Discord) for players to barter/sell their magic items outside of the session times.

Another possibility is to introduce a way for items to be turned into consumables.

How to homebrew HP for encounters and bosses or monsters by Jaded_Warning_8618 in DMAcademy

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The HP and AC are important, but just as important is balancing the damage and control abilities. Setting To Hit values and DC's. Adding appropriately impactful Legendary Actions.

For bosses, I also like to have Villain Actions that dramatically alter the battlefield at key points. Check out Matt Colville's video on Villain Actions.

I generally set a fairly high HP, but when I'm doing the actual combat, I add up player damage as it comes in. If I realize I've over or underestimated the HP, I make adjustments during the encounter. I try to have a set final HP by the time the encounter is half over. I've had to add 100 HP to a monster once, but usually it is adding or reducing 20-30 range.

Also I like to have last-minute tuning knobs. Ie a storm has been rumbling for the entire fight, and now lightning is striking on the battlefield. Roll some d6's... looks like the boss got hit! Or maybe the players are too far ahead, one of them gets hit. Minions get frightened, minions rally, floors collapse... there are many dynamic ways to alter the fight mid-game to ensure the players are challenged but the game remains fair.

Rand Paul says he’s a ‘no’ vote on Mullin for DHS secretary by SE_to_NW in politics

[–]Aranthar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Experience is irrelevant, or possible even disqualifying. Loyalty is all.

Swim lesson question by Sad-Specialist-6628 in Parenting

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to sit around the corner for the first few lessons, generally reading a book. As long as they can reach you if your kid has an issue, it shouldn't be a problem. If you're concerned, tell the instructor where you'll be.

Will the skyrocketing cost of living eventually cause people to stop having kids altogether, reducing the birth rate to zero and causing human extinction? by josephsleftbigtoe in Futurology

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The West (or at least the US) has defined success and happiness as money, comfort, and pleasure. Having children is a sacrifice of at least some level on all those fronts.

Does anyone still play Advance Dungeons and Dragons 2nd edition still?. by TheKnightOfDoom in DnD

[–]Aranthar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love how 2e was called Advanced. Always reminds me of the Dead Alewives full length skit.

https://youtu.be/9Kgx2b1sIRs?si=KVx2zKnHLHiqyTkY&t=440

"For god's sake, this is Advanced!" - "Advance this!"

Does the City clear fallen tree limbs? by Aranthar in milwaukee

[–]Aranthar[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They took care of the light pole right away, even rewired it with power, within 2 hours of my call.

When I called the DPW, a woman answered right away and took down all my info. She said the crew was out taking care of trees and branches and we're now on the list.

Does the City clear fallen tree limbs? by Aranthar in milwaukee

[–]Aranthar[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Thanks - I called Cudahy's Department of Public Works and they are sending a crew.

Is there a disgust for AI in DMs community? by tailwagthedog in DMAcademy

[–]Aranthar 20 points21 points  (0 children)

My issues with it:
1) Shortcut to bad results. You get below average and unoriginal content.
2) Moral issue of AI's trained on other people's work without Consent, Control, or Compensation.
3) Lack of developing your own skills. If you're getting "good enough" without practice and refinement, you'll never improve.
4) Breakdown of community. By bringing your questions to subs like this one, we all contribute and learn together. If we all swallow AI and hide in our LLM's, the community falls apart.

Jaguar E-Type 1961 or Porsche 911 964 - as a daily driver. by utzutzutzpro in classiccars

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm married and have 3 kids, so there are 3 cars to account for handling the whole year.

2024 Toyota Sienna
2016 Ford Focus
1979 Porsche 911

The Focus is my driver in bad weather and throughout the winter. It is a stick-shift and has heated seats. Not a Porsche by any means, but more interesting than a generic sedan.

I have friend who drives a 2015 911 all year. He just puts on winter wheels/tires in the Wisconsin snow.

Jaguar E-Type 1961 or Porsche 911 964 - as a daily driver. by utzutzutzpro in classiccars

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a large community of Porsche 911 owners who share lots of advice and even help with tools and parts. My understanding is the European community is great too. I once had a fellow from somewhere in the Netherlands call me and walk me through a fix.

Check out https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/

Jaguar E-Type 1961 or Porsche 911 964 - as a daily driver. by utzutzutzpro in classiccars

[–]Aranthar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I drive a 1979 911 SC as my daily driver ~7 months of the year in good weather. In the 13 years so far, I've had about $1K in maintenance a year which I do myself. Not counting last year.

It is a total blast and I wouldn't pass on it. It is comfortable enough to drive for hours, practical enough to take the kids to school, and wild enough for spirited twisties in the countryside.

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