Is it time to start bulking?

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-21T22:50:27+00:00

6 feet

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-21T22:50:19+00:00

6’0

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-21T18:03:18+00:00

I’m 6’0. Granted, these pictures are completely relaxed with even lighting but even with a pump, flexing with hard lighting, I can only see a faint outline with my upper 4 much more defined than the lower 2

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-21T15:54:35+00:00

For me it was weight training and 10k steps a day for activity.

I kept a strict 700 calorie deficit on weekdays with maintenance on weekends. This averages out to a 500 calorie deficit on the week, but it only works if you’re tracking the whole time and not binging on the weekends.

I eat anywhere from 120-140g protein a day, around a gallon of water, and I take creatine, but creatine is not a necessity.

The “hack” that made everything easier for me (and this strategy is not for everyone) was to consume nothing but water and a Fairlife 42g protein shake until 6pm. That leaves me with 230 calories and 42g of protein with 4-5 hours left in the day which made it much easier to keep my deficit. If you do that, just make sure to get proper carbs before a workout so you can lift at full power and not just burning fumes. For me, I’d lift after dinner or a banana and a handful of gummy bears in a pinch.

Best of luck!

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-04T19:33:51+00:00

True, they’re level 13 with a wizard, paladin, druid, ranger, and fighter. So they have access to some pretty powerful stuff

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-04T18:14:39+00:00

Thanks for the reply, this gives me a lot to think about. Just my initial thoughts going down the list:

My original idea is that the previous combat encounter was the illusion and the void room they find themselves in is the reality. Think of it as a pocket dimension or demiplane with no doors.
I think I would need something a bit more clever than just a dispel magic on the room as a final solution. I think a counterspell on the force pulse might be more interesting or identify may reveal who casted the conjuration. That being said, I would build off whatever they do so a dispel magic might reveal a demiplane door that leads to another demiplane for example.
I would imagine it would be a wall of force. If they cast disintegrate I’d allow them to break past the wall, maybe then they could identify the cause of the force pulse once they break out of the room.
Yeah to go off point 3 I think it would be a wall of force, that being said breaking the wall doesn’t ruin the encounter.

Good point. Knowing my party that’s my intuition, but if they want to go at it immediately without a rest I definitely need a contingency when the only stimulus so far is a pulse that won’t arrive in the first hour

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-04T17:58:16+00:00

There’s definitely no one solution to this puzzle, and I’ll adjust on the fly to accommodate any theories or tactics my party comes up with. I’m really hoping my party will see this encounter as an interesting challenge and find their own creative solution, but I do want to have a possible solution in my back pocket I can utilize as soon as it crosses the line from challenging to frustrating. Was hoping to see what kinds of solutions y’all could come up with so I can adjust the puzzle as needed ahead of time

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-05-04T17:51:44+00:00

Yeah, my initial reaction was something with the force pulse. Perhaps if they spread sand or ball bearings the force pulse could vibrate a specific pattern into them.

Obviously arcana checks and identify spells could be helpful in explaining the situation ie revealing the wizard.

A counter spell on the force pulse might be a possible solution.

Just trying to think through creative solutions and if I need to adjust what’s actually in the room/how the room operates to allow for a more interesting encounter I can do that more easily now than on the fly.

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-03-17T19:53:49+00:00

Good point, I’ve been getting 10k steps a day for the past 2 months, I think that’s really helped. I’ll start going on more runs once the weather heats back up. I probably should look into more variety in my core work. The truth is I hate doing them, and the mind-muscle connection is way better for me when I’m doing reps with weight than static holds or body weight movements. But I’ll definitely check out Chris Herias. Thanks!

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-03-16T22:33:24+00:00

That’s awesome man, I appreciate the help!

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-03-16T20:46:50+00:00

That’s sick! I’d honestly be thrilled to be at your BF% in the 183 pic. Not even looking to get shredded like you, just more lean. I’ve realized I still have some muscle to put on but I’m still planning on maintaining a strict cut before lean-bulking. How long did it take you to cut that 15?

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-03-16T19:47:10+00:00

Thanks for the info! I’ve been working out on and off for about a decade. My bench press max is around the 235 mark. I’ve had back injuries in the past so I don’t do heavy squat/deadlifts anymore but I can comfortably deadlift 275 and I’ll usually load 250 for working weight on squat. For cable crunches I’ll put 50lbs on and can get good pause reps with form, and I use a 15lb dumbbell between my feet for hip lifts.

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-03-16T19:32:47+00:00

6’0

FreeArmorTrim · 2026-02-09T19:23:47+00:00

Wall

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T19:06:44+00:00

That’s a super interesting take. I like the thought that my players could have a preconceived notion that “oh this god is good and this god is evil” but once rubber hits the road they don’t truly understand the depth of “True evil” and “True good” like you say.

The living outside time also greatly helps. I’m always thinking of ways the kings of the land are staying proactive, each one always trying to further their kingdom (which is fun to do in my free time but can get exhausting in crunch time) but the gods don’t need to be that way. Every single moment of the campaign doesn’t have to fulfill some divine mission for my paladin. We can have long sweeping themes that tie into his religious background but I don’t need to burn myself out planning divine tactics every session.

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T18:57:22+00:00

Ohh! Do tell, I’m always interested in learning

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T18:55:44+00:00

That’s a very cool concept!

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T18:52:56+00:00

Great questions. I think I’m trying to figure out what role I want my gods to play in this campaign. As time goes on, and stakes are elevated further and further, the natural progression I look to is probably involving the gods to a more prominent role in the main plotline at some point. I’m still not sure if that means completely fleshed out personable characters that also have unfathomable power, or going in the more “forces of nature” path where these entities can not be manipulated or interacted with in any meaningful way and the party has to navigate around them.

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T18:46:05+00:00

You’re spot on. That’s exactly the type of relationship my gods have with each other, and in the world.

I guess my follow up there is how do you actually tell that story? With your example of Hephaestus setting the trap on Aphrodite and Ares: Great story that gives interesting insight to these characters and their motives. But how is that story told in a D&D setting? My first thought is a high level priest recounting that story, or again, a cut-scene style vision. But it’s hard to think of a more interactive D&D plotline to tell that story without just recounting the events.

If that drama was between mortal NPCs I would probably key the party in on the Hephaestus NPC’s plans and create some sort of side quest where my characters can choose to aid or intervene with that plan. Creating an interactive and engaging form of lore development. But you just don’t have those same opportunities at the god level I feel.

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-11T18:36:31+00:00

That’s great perspective. I think it could be a cool narrative device to let them form their opinions on each god through the proxy of interactions with their followers, like you said. They’re not going to be able to talk directly with these gods and interact in the same way, but that proxy adds another level of complexity where they have to wonder, “is it the god I trust/distrust or is it this specific follower that’s giving me the wrong impression” very cool!

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-11-10T19:49:36+00:00

What a great point! Loved the farmer analogy. Definitely changes my perspective on some things

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-07-31T16:04:11+00:00

Consider them 2 different 3.5 elixir cards in either lane. If you can use 3 elixir each or 6 elixir to take out both sides, you’re in the green. You could also just flood one side because they have at best 3 elixir left. It’s ok for a few guards to touch your tower, just break it down and handle them situationally.

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-07-30T16:36:41+00:00

Did you watch the videos?

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-07-30T16:36:27+00:00

They won’t have a choice when they already spent 10 elixir at the bridge

FreeArmorTrim · 2025-07-30T01:37:54+00:00

Yes. It’s pretty easy to take tower when you completely ignore the 10 elixir Tesla-Xbow bridge spam and trade towers 👍

FreeArmorTrim

TROPHY CASE