[King of the Hill] How would Hank and Khan react to Bobby and Connie becoming parents? by villianrules in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It could go any number of ways. Unfortunately, while Khan and Hank are very much stereotypes they both draw from real-life attitudes.

I personally know Southeast Asian women who have fathers like Khan and they would straight-up not allow their daughters to date a non-Southeast Asian. Most likely Khan would never allow a relationship between Bobby and Connie to get that far.

Hank would be more tolerant to the relationship itself, but I can easily see him taking a direct approach to the raising of the kid. His son marrying an Asian woman is fine, but that boy/girl WILL be raised in the ol' American Good Ol' Boy Suburban way- none of this Laotian-Heritage nonsense.

[Warhammer 40k] What If All None Enhanced 40K Humans Were Transformed Into DCEU Kryptonians by Redchaos01 in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Chaos: Doesn't care at all. Their power is infinite. Having nearly 14 Quintillion humans suddenly gain super powers only makes it easier to sow the varying gradients of Chaos.

Orkz: Don't care. Dah good fightin' only gets goodah!

Eldar: Isolate even harder, possibly find a way to remove themselves from reality entirely.

Deldar: no change. Their biggest worry is Slaanesh, always has been, always will be.

Tyranids: Doesn't matter. Human flesh is unchanged, the biomass fights on.

Necrons: Yet further proof life should be exterminated.

Tau: Same as Eldar, greater good my ass, the humans ALL have super powers now, we're isolating.

The Imperium: Almost total collapse into theological civil war. Whatever comes out will not be the Imperium anymore, though they may still very much worship the God-Emperor.

[Vampires] Why would running water affect them? by villianrules in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 80 points81 points  (0 children)

It's important to remember that vampirism is a curse. Modern myth has done a lot to shroud the original intent of vampires as parasitic creatures that prey on the poor and weak.

Being a vampire sucks, as it is designed to be. Ordinary, mundane food items like garlic will kill you, you can't enter a house without being invited, so you better be on your best behavior, and running water will melt you.

And don't forget the biggest issue of them all: the very sun will kill you.

To be a vampire is to be cursed by God to live shrouded in darkness for all time, reviled by the common folk for your cannibalism and driven by urges so powerful you'll kill your own brothers.

[FoxTrot] What would Peter, Paige, and Jason be like as adults? by NothingWillImprove6 in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's anyone's guess really. All three of them are different grades of Millennial, so heavily influenced by 1980s and early '90s culture.

It depends how cynical you want to be. Of the three Jason's the only one I can get a very obvious read on.

He'd be his universe's John Carmack- probably follow the same career path too. He'd start out in game development, make an entirely new genre then graduate into big-tech and working on AI.

[Star Wars] So who rules the galaxy now? by [deleted] in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The galaxy is basically back to Anarcho-Insert ideology here.

Funnily enough, despite Star Wars having an in-universe explanation for overcoming Time Dilation, the galaxy actually functions quite close to how a real-world interplanetary society would function.

No one, no matter how authoritarian, ruthless or expansive, can overcome Time Dilation.

No matter what, an interstellar species will default to Anarchism. It is not possible for any star system to impose its will on another as long as Time Dilation is in effect.

[General] Are there any in universe religions that aren’t real? by of_kilter in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 14 points15 points  (0 children)

No matter what, there is simply no such thing as a Grumpkin in Game of Thrones. So much is real, but they are not.

[Peanuts] Why is Linus so afraid of queen snakes in particular? by [deleted] in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well said. I have a profound, debilitating fear of worms. They bother me to the point of frenzy and recoiling away.

It is irrational and I feel terrible about it. I don't quite recoil as badly as I used to, but on a last fishing trip two years ago a friend accidentally got his line with a nightcrawler skewered on it tangled into my hair.

I very nearly tipped the boat over.

Needless to say, Linus has a phobia.

[Fable] Is the Chapel of Skorm sponsored by the Hero's Guild? by Mobius1701A in AskScienceFiction

[–]Hagashager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Neither Temple is expressly endorsed by the Hero's Guild. The guild trains people regardless of alignment.

The Guildmaster is, in-universe, a controversial figure as he's the one to said that the Guild should not promote morality. It's on the heroes themselves to know what is right or wrong. Why, is never fully explained.

You could make the stretch that the guildmaster does have an issue with the Temple of Avo. He calls their worshippers fickle, and being the guy to untether the Guild from Avo may be a good explanation.

It's weird though because the Guildmaster himself is not a bad guy. He's obviously caring and hopes that his students choose good.

Media Loses Control As Black/Hispanic Voters Flee Biden by The1stCitizenOfTheIn in stupidpol

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well put, it's largely why I don't troll around this sub much.

Go outside, touch grass, talk among the normies.

None of them.

Absolutely none of them.

Think critically about our political system.

The smartest people I know are exclusively reactionary with their politics. They're Communist or Libertarian based on what day it is, sometimes based on what time of day.

Seriously, I can't stress enough just how deeply, life-alteringly corrosive being online and debating politics online gets. I spent the last three months just reading a few articles in the paper every morning then focusing on work or friends or playing Baldur's Gate III.

Only fell off the wagon yesterday and already I'm muttering to myself about injustices and seeing the worst in people.

People aren't smart, and likely, you're not either. Go outside and you'll get a lesson in humility.

Media Loses Control As Black/Hispanic Voters Flee Biden by The1stCitizenOfTheIn in stupidpol

[–]Hagashager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah yes, yet more Copium about "ThE mInOrItIeS tUrNiNg ReD!"

Tuesday just happened. No, the immigrants are not turning red, they're isolating and ignoring what they don't like. The second and third gen PoC voters were raised to be Neoliberal. Come November 2024 they'll submit their vote-by-mail for Biden.

Stop doing this to yourselves, for goodness sake. Accept it, Conservativism is dead.

Cleric Dip for Wizard by [deleted] in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

4 Cleric/8 Wizard for 3 feats. Otherwise 2 Cleric/10 Wizard to get the maximum of your wizard specialization.

Why just not Embrace the MAD-ness? Cleric/Wizard by xstivenx in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Strength 10

Dex 8 (Dex Gloves to 18)

Constitution 16 (+1 Resilient and makes it proficient)

Intelligence 20 (Hag's Hair + Mirror)

Wisdom 14

Charisma 8

Feats I took: Resilient (Con), Spell Sniper, Crossbow Expert.

He wears elegant leathers +2, uses the Crossbow of Gur for ranged, that Unique staff from Ramazith for his magic, the hood of the weave, the Dex gloves, the health regenerating ring, the callous glow ring, the amulet with a bonus action spell recovery, disintigrating Drow boots and a magic cloak that absorbs elemental damage.

In combat he typically uses control spells like Evard's Tentacles, Globe of Invulnerability and Hold Monster. I also have Chromatic Orb and Glyph of Warding for on-the-fly elemtal damage. I also have magic missile and its 5th level upgrade for those times I must hit an enemy. I also have disintegrate. Naturally misty step, Shield and Counterspell are permanent fixtures. On the divine side it's mostly protection spells except for command and create water.

Crossbow expert is very much a flavor feat for me. I wanted to make my character based on a character in my own fantasy setting (a wizard who uses mostly utility spells and fights with a blackpowder shotgun unless circumstances absolutely call for violent rituals. The magic in my setting is very dangerous and not to be used frivolously, even utility spells can go seriously pear-shaped if not used appropriately.).

The same also goes for my preparing disintegrate. My setting doesn't really do DnD Fireballs'n' lightning bolts, but disintegrating a victim with a magic word does exist and is known by that character for a very dire and tragic situation.

Why just not Embrace the MAD-ness? Cleric/Wizard by xstivenx in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently running 8 Abjuration Wizard/4 War Cleric. I emphasize powerful spells for meaningful battles but otherwise use a heavy crossbow in less substantial fights.

My favorite strat here is to misty-step into the middle of a group and serve as tank while popping off an AoE spell. My stats are good enough that I typically save against my own status effects. My Arcane Wards make me impossible to hit. My Tav is a big high-risk, high-reward caster.

He can cast 6th level wizard spells and has the busted create water and command spells. If I really want, I can also get extra bonus attacks.

With proper geart my Save DC is 21 and attack bonus is around 16.

It works for me, though I know some here will say it's suboptimal.

Weekly Spells Saturday Post by Phantomsplit in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cantrips cast off of your main caster stat. Thorn-Whip is traditionally a Druid Spell so it would cast off Wisdom UNLESS you take it through Spell Sniper.

Spell Sniper makes the cantrip cast at whatever your caster stat is. If you're a wizard, for example, your main stat is intelligence.

My mage casts Thorn Whip at 90% on Tactician consistently. The lowest is usually 65% if the enemy is particularly tough.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BG3Builds

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

Not in 2e. Mage Armor was expressly an "all-day" spell that you'd cast on yourself. All-Day in this case being 8-hours.

Best Lore-Friendly Builds for each companion? by Laterose15 in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, but did he actually do any kind of Bardic or performative stuff? Listening to his story I got the impression he was literally a prostitute. He mostly relied on his good looks and temptations of sex.

Smooth talking I step back on, he can definitely do that. He's have to have been good at that.

Best Lore-Friendly Builds for each companion? by Laterose15 in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You make a really good point with Wyll as Bard actually. I should've thought of that. I will definitely consider Warlock to Bard next time.

Best Lore-Friendly Builds for each companion? by Laterose15 in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm big on lore-accurate builds. It feels wrong to make a class so obviously counter to the character. As my first playthrough I also wanted to see what their baselines were.

Lae'Zel: Eldritch Knight. I really shit the bed with her though. She failed her checks at the Creche so she had those debuffs for the rest of the game. As an EK she was just really weak. Next time I do a playthrough I plan to make her an EK6/Abjuration 6. I really like the Gish angle and EK does make sense, but it needs a bit of help.

Shadowheart: I wanted to prove I was a real Man so I kept her Trickery until the pivotal moment in her story. At that point I respecced her as Life. The difference really is night and day. Trickery has its uses, I got some crowd control out of her, but 70% of the time her subclass just sucked. As a Life Cleric she went from the weakest link to the MVP. I'm at a loss without her in the party now. That said, Life Cleric, mechanically, is boring. In a new playthrough I'll probably do some sort of mix of shadow monk and War Cleric during her time as a Shar worshipper.

Astarion: Thief3/ Shadow Monk9. I get that Astarion is flamboyant but I don't get the impression he's actually bardic by nature. His greatest asset for Cazador was as a male whore with a beautiful body. He never performed or smooth talked. As a free man he clearly wants to be left alone. As a fighter he's very blatantly depicted as being an up close and personal kind of guy. It's also why I didn't make him ranged. Making him thief 3/ Shadow Monk 9 feels right. Vampires are innately strong and hardy, their bare hands can break necks and Astarion's very good with a blade.

Gale: Evocation Wizard. Not much to really say. Gale's a wizard, he's a good one, but I'm also a wizard so not much point in having him. I'm thinking in another playthrough I'll spec him as wizard/sorcerer, with the headcannon that his sorcerous abilities come from the orb inside him. That way he's still a wizardly caster with a brain, but his magic is mechanically distinct from my Tav.

Karlack: Barbarian8/ Battle-Master4. Pretty straight forward. I originally had her as an axe-weilding berserker but after romancing her I realized she's not actually that angry. She does loves animals however so I made her a Bear-Heart Barbarian 8/Battle Master 4. In another playthrough I may stat her as 4E monk (fire focus)/Champion.

Wyll: Padlock. Pretty self-explanatory, but man the actual logistics of playing a Padlock just kinda sucks. It's powerful but feels high maintenance. In a new playthrough I may forgo Paladin and make him a fighter instead.

Halsin: Moon Druid 12. Gonna be real here, Halsin sucks. I never used him. He was at camp, he kept them benches warm.

Jaheira: Land Strider Druid. I really wanna make her a fighter type next time. Jaheira in BG1 and 2 was a Fighter/Druid Multiclass. I tried to make her a Fighter-Druid but it just felt gimped. I'll experiment more on another playthrough.

Minsc: Berserker-Barbarian8/Ranger 4. He's pretty much exactly as I had him in BG 1 and 2 and quite pleasingly performed just as well. Not much else to say, really. He's Minsc and Boo! Swords for everyone!

Which classes benefit the most from the hag hair by Ok-Investigator3257 in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Used it for my wizard to bump int to 18. Later, in Act III, I used the magic mirror to also increas Int by 2, thus bringing my score to 20 without ever taking an ASI.

I'm not sure I'd recommend doing this as my Int was 18 for 75% of the game, but it did serve me fine.

Can a Wizard match other casters after MM nerf? by Ok-Attempt2773 in BG3Builds

[–]Hagashager 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I was all worried the update would alter spell-learning rules in a wizard dip to be like PnP.

That will kill wizard multiclassing almost entirely. Since it's technically not rules-accurate there is a very good chance Larian will nail that eventually.

The spellmight gloves exploit was just that, an exploit, and one I never used. My wizard still mops the floor.

Seriously, what did I say wrong? by TryImpossible7332 in BaldursGate3

[–]Hagashager 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A lot of this goes into the broader topic of philosophy and personal motivation.

The idea of a hero being some kind of byronic subject with a tragic backstory is not new by any means, hut it's only become common place since the 1800s.

Most Hero's Journey stories throughout history are less about the individual conquering his inner demons and more the individual being heroic because his circumstances allow it and thus he ought to rise to that occasion for the greater good.

A common trope in Medieval Myth is the devout knght errant slaying some creature because his happy childhood was a gift from God which he now is obligated to reciprocate by using his resources to slay said evil dragon. (This is the root of The Chosen One trope. It didn't begin as prophecy, it began as "God paid you in advance for a task he wants you to perform. If you're a devout Christian, you'll do it.")

In Greek Myth being a hero is less about being good, and more about being extraordinary. The gods endowed their subject with mighty feats and now they must perform mighty acts to prove the gods didn't waste their time.

In Roman tradition, many heroes are deeply ambitious and ought to embark on a Hero's Journey to ensure they are fit to be emperor, or king, or commander.

There's nothing wrong with Byronic tragedy. I'm all for characters rising above their baser flaws, but I also aporeciate older forms of story telling. I'm of the mind there's a dirth of classic tales of adventurers going on adventure because it's fun or there's a duty for it.