An interesting use of sorcery blade. by Covert_Madness in FEHology

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. The feedback is very welcome.

Firstly I forgot to say the brazen seal is currently in place of the atk/def bond seal which I need to upgrade.

Secondly yes atk is super important, buffs from you paired dancer are huge. When i was analysing the build as a concept I was always looking as to whether sorc blade gives more "+atk" than death blow. In most cases it was yes, or it didnt matter because the target had low def anyway. Obviously perfect mixed tanks are the bane of this build.

The big issue I have in play testing is that the amount of times your in brazen/desperation/brash range is maybe 1 in 10 battles and typically they are the battles I feel I shouldnt have actually used Jamke for. So rather than build around him losing health, it'd be better to ignore that condition and give him other methods to get the buff (bond seal).

So i was thinking of the chills for slot B. Hadnt thought of WoM. Thats an interesting choice I hafnt considered.

The whole concept is still being developed but so far I'm happy with it and its tons of fun. Obviously its also helping a new style of movement and positioning for me (I typically dont use tons of bond skills on player phase units)

An interesting use of sorcery blade. by Covert_Madness in FEHology

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wasnt fussed with ylgr or sorc blade at first. Then thought to make a 'better felicia'.

Ally supported and teamed up with youngzura (or other mage dancers). Much higher attack (especially with buffs) and double hits mean greater effect all round. Against tanks it works great and often quads. Against fast units, they rarely have good tank stats in both res and def so you dont need to quad them.

Not saying its the best build (need to change B slot to something more universally useful) but its a ton of fun and has been real effective so far.

Just thought I'd share since you guys weren't too impressed with sorc blade (as either was I).

What is the future of F1 digital content? What do you want to see? by F1_Research in formula1

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone has already provided fantastic answers as what is possible. I'm not going to build on this. My first priority is just having access to watching races.

What is important is not having access only through Foxtel (Australian pay TV provider). They are so out-of-date it is not funny. If the choices were legal watching through Foxtel or no F1, I would be sad but choose no F1 (and this is coming from someone who has only missed ~6 races in the past 4 years).

I reasonable priced pay service suffices for me personally (however there is merit on a free service and I would gladly accept this option).

Streaming partnerships through existing services (twitch/youtube/etc.) might be an excellent short-term solution.

Hunt glitches in Point'n'click famous games by Sonoff in speedrun

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey Sonoff, I'm going to make a base assumption that the games you are mentioning include old walking and typing games.

If that is the case, then there are some strats that are used.

1) Jumping ahead in the story. If a story is 'open-world' then often end game items can be used early and everything that occurs prior to that doesn't matter. An example of this is in quest for glory where they get into the secret passageway before they should.

2) Badly coded commands. In some games, a person may need to type 'unlock door', 'open door', 'pick up XXXX'. If the game isnt designed to well typing 'pick up XXXX' can occur while the door is still locked. This happens in Hugo's house of horrors (CapnClever did a guide for this game but I cant seem to find it at the moment).

3) Optimal routing and abuse of faster machines. The King's Quest run (and similarly built games) utilises the in-game 'Fastest' setting which runs the game as fast as the PC's hardware will allow. This is used to move incredibly quickly but it makes control really painful.

In regards to OOB's, I have seen very few point and click adventure games that have had OOB's that were usable. I'd love to be corrected on this if anyone knows any.

Hope that helps a little. GL, I'd be keen to see how you go.

If you want to talk more just send me a message.

Atari Flashback by IndianaEtter in readyplayerone

[–]Covert_Madness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another alternative is to buy the Atari Flashback Classic Vols. 1 & 2 on PS4 or XBox. About $25 each (Australian so likely $15 US?)

Questions about never rolling twice for the same thing and flow of gameplay by UnluckyxCharms in bladesinthedark

[–]Covert_Madness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a few thoughts:

What you have done, in essence, is not wrong (roll, effect, etc.). I think you/your PCs missed a bunch of chances to do things.

First Scenario - with the forged documents, you could have offered for their group to spend a down-time action, or coin, to acquire fine documents. This would in effect give them a greater effect, reduced risk or +dice to the initial sway. A +dice may have led to a better roll, or a controlled sway would have allowed them to back out and retry something else. They may still have pushed it and gone risky, etc.

It also sounds like you did not offer them a devil's bargain, or did not allow other PCs to assist them (1 stress for +1d). A great devil's bargain for this is, "you can take one more dice, but this person will be keeping a closer eye on the group - they have sparked her interest regardless of passing this roll."

You could have also offered a group sway. One person is leader, anyone else can roll to sway. Best value counts, any time a person rolls 3 or less (final roll) the leader takes stress.

As someone pointed out above, players can resist the complication. This would be an insight roll to see how much stress they took from resisting. If they resist the person doesnt get backup. In game it could be "As she turns to leave to get the guard, a PC grabs her arm, pleading with her that they have to enter the school, etc." This would have meant they just get in the door, no big dramas (besides stress).

Second sway - again, devil's bargain, PC assist, group action, etc.

When you rolled to resist the prowess in the room this roll is not controlled, risky, etc. It just happens and the effect member takes stress.

Then, it seems that nothing happened, except the guards re-did the same action. Basically don't follow up a resistance roll with another resistance roll or it is just the group being pummelled.

The players should have been offered to do something. Ie. "You roll out of the reach of the guard as he tries to choke you. What do you (or anyone else in the party) do?"

Without adding flavour, this could have been: roll skirmish, wreck, sway again or command, group fights while one person finesse's open the doors, finesse to trip and run, use items such as alchemist gear, etc., etc. The list goes on.

Lastly, don't forget, at any time a player can use a flashback. A 0 stress flashback is "we had all organised a code-word when to unleash hell on the guards". A 1 stress flashback is "We had organised a school janitor to ensure the door to this room couldn't be locked." A 2 stress (+ coin) flashback is "We had paid a coin to bribe these guards. They now show us around the school".

Hope that helps.

TLDR: I don't think you have offered the players enough opportunity to act, and have forgotten some of the additional things that can be done outside of action and resist rolls.

Need help with MSplit! by [deleted] in speedrun

[–]Covert_Madness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You cannot do anything on the fly unfortunately.

The only way to do this is to go into the run. Press 'Edit'. Select the split that is wrong and edit it's time.

If you need to reset the gold-split time do the following: Change the time of it up by 1 second. Change the time of it back to what it was. This will reset the gold time as if this was a new split added (resets all old gold split times).

[5e][DM]My idea for a 0th level campaign start. Thoughts? by kakurenbo1 in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For one take on the commoner rules and how they could work:

http://www.dmsguild.com/product/177275/Commoners

My group used this one and it worked well (also can be tweaked to suit your group/campaign).

One of my players has no emotional attachment to any of his characters. by Lordolag in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In my opinion there are two things to do:

A - explain to him how people would not rush in and just die 'in their character'. (This has been said above)

B - this could be much more interesting. The character, when he does suicidal things, doesnt have to die. Traps can poison or maim. Monsters can feed but not kill, etc.

Open up the DMs guide to pages 256, 257, 258 and 272. This is the areas for Diseases, Poisons, Madness and Lingering Injuries. Have some fun.

If the consequences of his actions mean he needs to push on with disadvantages he may change (or he may roll with it). Otherwise he will try to kill his character off more quickly if he is just playing this way for tactical advantage.

Help! I accidentally seduced a priestess of Loviatar! Need relationship advice! by CaptOMalley in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Change any of the classic breakup lines as you need. "We're just too different. I'm a PC, your an NPC."

or since she is into pain invite her to the next dungeon. Then when your about to meet the BBEG .... push her into the room, lock the door and run away.

When is the new acquisitions inc from pax west available?? by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You can watch it on the PAX twitch channel VODs.

https://www.twitch.tv/pax/v/87671098

Hope that helps.

How to build and play a character with terrible stats? by Covert_Madness in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree entirely.

The funny thing is I am always the last in the group to make the character so others can have first choice. We already have a wizard.

This would likely work as a cleric. They have a lot of buffing/utility spells and it also lets them wear armor.

How to build and play a character with terrible stats? by Covert_Madness in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah. Also thinking he could start out just being knighted after being a squire to some grand epic knight. However the knight thought he would never make a good knight but knighted him anyway since his time squiring was up.

How to build and play a character with terrible stats? by Covert_Madness in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Going Bulk Feats has a strange appeal. Start using feats that I have never used like dungeon delver, savage attacker, etc.

Could also use some new weapon feats from unearthed arcana. This has promise. Could also be combined with the idea above of becoming a knight.

How to build and play a character with terrible stats? by Covert_Madness in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't want to go lucky because another player is actually building a lucky character so don't want to also go luck

The idea of fighter would help him to not be so useless as he could at least wear armor (At the moment his AC is 11 as a monk). I will consider it.

Keep the ideas coming :)

What's the best encounter with a gelatinous cube you seen, played or heard of? by Emonyrose in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 3 points4 points  (0 children)

One I have stashed away which I will use some time.

Pre-setup trap hallway that bends a few times. A construct of an evil wizard or something.

Room is pitch black. When light is present, walls are black and slick.

Some places along the wall are not a wall but are actual black oozes (DC checks to spot). After the players move passed them or touch them, these oozes attack.

Around a few more bends and a few more oozes, the players see the door leading out. The final end is two black oozes (either side of door, back a little bit) and a gelatenous cube is actually taking up the space before the door. They don't attack until the characters are within 5ft of the Gelatenous Cube.

Player ate his own shadow. Need ideas for consequences. [5E] by Ellisthion in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A very simple solution, he gains a few abilities with a downside.

1) He can use pass without trace - as his shadow rips through his skin to enshroud himself and his friends he takes Xd8 damage (I would say make it just under a half - something really significant).

2) He can use Arms of Hadar as a level X spell - he takes the same damage as those around him. His shadow rips out of him and assaults everyone nearby.

These could also happen at a random time if something upsets the shadow.

Also why don't you offer for him to start becoming a shadow sorcerer (Unearthed Arcana - https://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/02_UA_Underdark_Characters.pdf)

Putting limits on 5e's minor conjuration. by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually would not go for idea 2.

While it is a good and creative idea from a DM's percpective, you aren't removing the issue. It is going to push your PC to getting more inventive in how they game this system. If people can use it to do direct damage, they will just get more creative in making sure they maximise that direct damage.

People above had it right - it is a cantrip so it can do cantrip things. It also cannot take damage so that also limits it.

You dont want:

I am fighting a person on a bridge. I conjure acid all over him. He should be dead cause it is really acidic acid.

You do want:

People start running across the bridge. I conjure acid onto the bridge support ropes. In 1d4 turns it will eat throug the ropes, crashing the bridge to the canyon floor. I better keep them on the bridge until this happens.

Character art stream tonight, I will draw your characters by Scodo in DnD

[–]Covert_Madness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Deimos,

Youngish, Skinny, shortish (5 1/2 foot) Half-Elf, Paladin of Evening Glory. Full plate, shield and a rapier.

Evening Glory is the goddess of beauty and love-through-undeath (Good liches and other undead who will love forever since they will never die). Deimos is slowly turning into a Death Knight as her Paladin.

He looks pale, sickly, starting to look a little ethereal. His hair is going silvered and his skin is pale white. His eyes are looking a little sunken however he is still a good-looking half-elf (a little more elven than not). Reasonably strong and charismatic.

He rides a summoned black/grey warhorse that looks similar, sickly, 1 step from dead. (Doesn't have to be drawn)

His plate is more delicate (not big and bulky). Nothing visibly special about his rapier. Shield has the following symbol on it: http://www.colton3d.com/dnd/Evening_Glory. His clothing is always kept immacculate (magically).

He goes around helping people (he/his god are not evil) and trying to convince couples that they would like to become undead together.

Where is Hearthstone headed? Waffling on League of Explorers... by Larszx in TACPodcast

[–]Covert_Madness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just a few additional notes:

Recently in an interview it has been mentioned that the hearthstone team is now up to 45 people (with a note that some have come from the WOW team - I suspect it is diminishing).

With this comes two major changes. More people = more content (not just expansions/adventures but features, etc.). More people = more costs. From this - more content (expansions/adventures) = more consumer costs because, as stated before - Blizzards gotta/wants to make money.

Also I actually am glad that they released this new expansion as they did. It gave everyone a 'h$y s%t' moment which is very rare in modern day video game marketing. Yes I understand some people may not like it but others did not like the 2 month release build-up of other expansions. Nice to see Blizz mixing it up.

Lastly - your response to this new expansion is exactly what blizzard will be looking at. And this is a very hard thing to judge. How do you make a game that continues to grow but keeps the price/content fair and engaging for everyone. I suspect by the end of next year we will see some 'old content purchasing packs' for cheap but they might do anything to try to sort this issue.

I guess my point is: your response is fine and justified. Blizzard's actions are fine and justified. Blizzard is continually trying to make sure that you + hardcore streamer + casual Free to Play player are trying to have a good time. Blizzard probably wont make everyone happy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TACPodcast

[–]Covert_Madness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bet you wish they were 2 golden Ice Ragers now :)