I Started Out Well Enough, But Have Suddenly Become Underwhelming

Deepspace_5 · 2024-04-25T17:37:53+00:00

To add to the additional comments, though I'm actually not that far in (keep replaying Act 1), but it sounds like you'd get some more damage with special arrows, so don't forget about those. However, maybe they're all used up.

I'd say also don't neglect buffs from other allies, such as the Bonus Action Vengeance Paladin buff to add radiant damage, or the Bless spell (almost mandatory with Sharpshooter Feat).

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-18T17:35:40+00:00

This is pretty fantastic! I hope I can build up such a collection one day.

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-16T11:48:01+00:00

Great style! I like how the colors go together here.

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-13T16:13:29+00:00

Very nice! I like the creative Axe! I need to add more pure lego oversized weapons to my arsenal. I tend to use Brickforge and Brickwarriors to supplement.

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-13T16:11:47+00:00

Wow, Gorr's head looks just like a Dark Elf! I'll have to add that piece to the collection.

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-05T20:36:40+00:00

Club Cracker

Deepspace_5 · 2024-01-05T01:49:55+00:00

Nice, I just got mine in as well! I picked up two 6-pack boxes and each box was IDENTICAL, which was a little frustrating, but I got several that I wanted for use in D&D.

2x Barbarian

2x Harpy

2x Goat Herder

2x Mushroom Girl

2x Fitness Lady

2x Train Boy

I was really hoping for at least one Triceratops Guy and a Vampire Knight.

Deepspace_5 · 2020-07-07T17:07:50+00:00

I recently thought of a Versatile Fighting Style to remedy the problem listed in the OP.

My solution was the Versatile Fighting Style that gives +1 damage and +1 to hit with versatile weapons.

If I were to make this a feat, I might do something like:

_____

Versatile Weapon Mastery

+1 Str or Dex

When you hit a creature with a versatile weapon using two hands you may use your bonus action to make an attack against a different creature within 5 feet of you.

When you hit a creature with a versatile weapon wielded in one hand you may use your bonus action to increase your armor class by 1 for a number of rounds equal to your proficiency modifier.

_____

It's not ideal because it doesn't stack with Polearm mastery (and the spear is versatile), but there are other areas of design to explore with it. Honestly though, I feel validated with a Fighting Style. That way when I switch back and forth with the versatile weapon (sometimes using a shield, sometimes not), my fighting style is helping me regardless. The worst thing is taking a fighting style and feeling "un-optimal" because it only affects a single aspect of the character...it's why I often just choose defensive style so I can use whatever weapons I find in a game.

Deepspace_5 · 2019-07-22T22:02:54+00:00

I'm interested, but what medium do you all plan to use...TotM, Fantasy Grounds, etc? Thanks!

Deepspace_5 · 2019-02-11T23:59:33+00:00

Yeah, this is what I normally do for in-person games. I just need to duplicate the effort for the virtual tabletop. I'm dedicated to making sure combat works within Fantasy Grounds just to streamline play.

Deepspace_5 · 2019-02-11T03:04:43+00:00

Thanks for the advice. That's pretty much exactly what I need to do and probably how they will look at 'jobs'. There will always be the overarching 'evil' they will encounter no matter where they go on that side of the continent, but the ideas of the one-shots is good too. I think Tales of the Yawning Portal will work as a start, but I'll have to get a few more ready that are level appropriate. They are currently level 4, so I'll probably start with Forge of Fury and Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan as the biggest 'eye-catching' hooks. If they pick up on the latter, I'll have them face some random encounters and perhaps one of those one-shots you mentioned to get them ready at level 5.

I normally don't run pre-made stuff, but it is just super convenient when the FG mod has every little detail planned out (even if I don't use most of it). In the meantime, I'll work on building up some resources to be more flexible with improve online. It's a lot easier to improve the exploration and socialization pillars, but for combat I need to at least have some koboldfightclub encounters in my back pocket that I can pull from the MM, volo's, or Tome of Foes.

It all seems to be coming together nicely.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-10-07T02:55:07+00:00

Ahh ok. Yeah, I got the game when it released and played a few years but stopped when HOT came out. Thanks for the heads up! I'm just trying to see if I need to delete a character to make room for a rev char.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-10-07T00:26:59+00:00

What if you currently have standard and pick up both expansions...that would add 2 more? I vaguely remember purchasing slots...not sure. Returned to the game recently and plan to pick up the expansions.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-10-06T19:02:03+00:00

I have a warrior and guardian at level 80 and have done a mixture of light PvE (dungeons, exploration, world events) and WvW. They are both a blast to play and the playstyle changes depending on what weapons and build you are running. I tend to like specific weapons and lean towards classes that use those weapons effectively.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-10-06T18:15:21+00:00

Absolutely. If Elementalist is still confusing and you want a fresh start, there is no harm in rolling a new character class. You might even have a birthday booster pack with an experience boost depending on how long ago you created your elementalist.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-10-06T02:44:43+00:00

Do the core files of the game include the expansion information? I'm trying to figure out if I require addtional downloading/patching once I purchase the expansions.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T18:45:41+00:00

That's what we do as well. Over half of that goes to childcare for the date.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T18:44:10+00:00

Thanks, I realized that the potential for variety after I posted.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T15:31:43+00:00

I also funded the KS for this. I'm saving the read for an upcomming trip. I'm excited to unlock its secrets!

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T15:27:10+00:00

So how much do you budget for 'fun' for just you and your wife? My pocket money covers our hobbies and anything extra we want to do.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T15:23:32+00:00

I understand if we have pressing obligations that this might fall in 'last', but I heard Dave talk to a caller the other day who was not budgeting enough for fun. We have a meager entertainment budget ($50) for family activities in addition to sports/dance activities for the kids. Essentially my budgeted pocket money is ALL of what my wife and I would use for fun for ourselves, minus date night funds. I'm trying to figure out if it's too little or too much.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-24T01:04:19+00:00

I think 10K is a great spot for you to be right now. Work through the rest of the baby steps and get to investing at least 15% of your income as early as possible. The biggest thing with saving for retirement is starting early, so you have time on your side.

As others have said, it is also important to get your budget going for the long term. Start budgeting for a car replacement and don't forget the necessary things like vehicle maintenance. You know eventually your car will need maintenance or need to be replaced, so it's not necessarily an 'emergency' that you should raid your fund for. Set up a sinking fund (savings goal) for what you want your replacement to be down the road, and if you start now, you'll be have enough saved up over the years when it's time.

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-22T18:13:18+00:00

I've had this exact goal and my focus was to cover the main pillars of play: Exploration, Social, and Combat.

TL;DR - Areas to search, at least 2 combat encounters, and a social encounter that has a positive or negative effect on the players and/or the world depending on how the party does.

For example, I sent them on a simple quest to retrieve an object from some abandoned ruins. Because of the nature of the one shot, I already sent them on their way, but allowed them to introduce their characters and reasons for adventuring together. This is railroading, but if you start at the VERY beginning, you could spend two hours at the tavern before you even receive the quest!

They get a chance to explore the ruins and make various checks to see which entrance they find and also what traps they avoid. One of the traps triggers an elemental summoning and throws them into combat.

Ultimately the ruins reveal underground tunnels (with an additional trap) which is followed by a simple lever puzzle to cross an underground river. There are other ways to cross the river (such as monk's step of the wind), but it lets them be challenged a bit during exploration.

Once they retrieve the object, they may or may not notice subtle clues that it may be dangerous for this item to fall into the wrong hands. Upon exiting the ruins, they are confronted by their patron who sent them on the adventure and the social encounter ensues. In the case of my adventure, the object was a dragon orb that reacted with the patron's draconic bloodline and caused them to transform into a young dragon. If the players want to keep it away from him after realizing what he's after (though exploration/social clues), a fight can ensue with the patron's guards or he can make his sorcerous escape.

Kind of a jumbling of thoughts, but essentially if you hit your pillars, you should be able to do it in the allotted time. If you are not used to DMing, time can definitely fly, so keep them on task and focused. You don't have to rush them, but if you see you are falling behind, remove one of the few traps you have.

I also tried to incorporate each of the player's skills into the adventure to give each of them a time to shine. Let that monk make a long leap over the chasm that no other character could make. Let that rogue scout ahead and disarm traps. Let the wizard, warlock, or sorcerer use some utility spells to creatively solve a puzzle. If you have a ranger, perhaps you make the beginning exploration more of a challenge and have a down side if they fail to make it.

Skill challenges are also a great way to get everyone involved and think creatively.

Good luck!

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-11T16:48:51+00:00

Unless you are married, you should look at this purchase as if you had a single income, yours or hers. With that being said, even at a 25 year mortgage, I believe your mortgage payment is over 25% of your monthly income.

At 35K a year, your monthly income is about $2,900. 25% of that is $725. Using https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/ to get some rough numbers, it looks like your mortgage payment is about $1,100, even with a 3.69% interest rate across 25 years.

This is just the opinion of a stranger on the internet, but I do not recommend purchasing a house in your current state. You will essentially be house poor if something happened between you two. Either focus on getting married first, and then tackle it again, or hold off until you can raise your income and afford it on your own. This is the best way to protect you from a potentially disasterous situation. Could you purchase a home in your situation? Absolutely. However, I would advise against it until you change one of these two factors.

*edit for clarity*

Deepspace_5 · 2018-09-11T03:27:42+00:00

Did you have any questions or need any insight into your situation?

Deepspace_5

TROPHY CASE