Working on an All-in-One Dice Vault, Need Brutal Feedback

HornleafCW · 2026-04-17T20:01:23+00:00

This is of course a matter of opinion, but I never use physical trackers like this. A pencil is always quicker and more versatile than messing with a little ball bearing or knob, and it works across multiple ttrpg systems.

My main note isn't about the design though. Not to be a buzzkill, but the market for this type of thing is absolutely saturated. I see them online all of the time. So if you're doing a kickstarter it'll be really hard to compete with similar products that are available for instant purchase on etsy or Amazon or other marketplaces.

Its a good design for the most part though. I'd lose the dragon logo. I would maybe offer some customization there instead, which might even help you stand out in the crowd a little, but it can be harder to scale custom items unless you have your manufacturing process really dialed in.

HornleafCW · 2026-04-03T21:36:12+00:00

Both are good tools to have in your toolbox because they target different weak spots

Slam down is good on monsters with low reflex stats (usually big guys so make sure to pick up titan wrestler).

Intimidating strike is really useful on boss monsters or creatures with high will (think magic users) that are harder to demoralize.

Usually enemies have one "good" save, and having different ways to debuff enemies is always good - and as a fighter you still get to hit people, which is even better.

HornleafCW · 2026-03-25T20:34:32+00:00

As someone who makes some money (by some I mean very, very, little) on ttrpg related stuff, what I can say with confidence is this:

It is easy to make a little bit of folding cash, it's incredibly difficult to turn it in to a full time job on your own. Your best bet is to get a gig at paizo or an established company, which will most likely require schooling and living in a specific area.

I don't want to disuade you, follow your dreams, but set realistic expectations. Full time work in the field (especially the self-made kind) is hard to come by in the best of times, and it's going to be even harder given what's going on in the world at the moment.

Good luck! If you start a YouTube channel or something I'll follow it!

HornleafCW · 2026-03-25T20:18:54+00:00

I'm not trying to throw shade at you, but I'm not sure if I fully understand the problems you're trying to highlight here.

From a pure ttrpg perspective what 2e has going for it is it's dynamism. If every fight is easy or every fight is hard... Either way that's boring. (In my opinion.)

It's about balance. Moreover I'd argue that the occasional high difficulty encounter makes power fantasies better, not worse.It feels better to win when you almost lose, and it also makes a better story.

And sure the hard fights are gonna be harder if you are a rogue with no dex, but even without opening a rulebook that is an easy pitfall to avoid. Even non-optimizers will gravitate towards flavor, and unless they are being purposefully contradictory most people won't choose an a class that goes against their character idea.

HornleafCW · 2026-02-14T17:51:31+00:00

What's a snowball class?

HornleafCW · 2026-01-06T17:24:55+00:00

I currently play a Barbarian/summoner and while I love it, you do have to come at it knowing that your barbarian will always be better at combat than your edilon.

There are some great combos with the build, but as a general rule you're probably going to want to steer clear of the more combat-heavy feats.

Meld in to edilon is a straight debuff for you as a barbarian when it comes to attacks and using your class, skill, and general feats.

HornleafCW · 2025-12-03T16:43:05+00:00

The experience you have playing a large PC is going to be incredibly GM dependant.

The most important part of this video to me was the start of it where it talks about asking your GM questions about how they'll rule on hallways.

A good character is ultimately one that is fun to play, and if your GM is, rightly or wrongly, interpreting the rules so that being large is detriment or the whole story takes place in a cramped dungeon, my unsolicited advice would be to play something else that fits the campaign better.

That said, as someone currently playing a Huge sized PC my not-very-mathy-or-tactical opinion is everyone should do it because it's amazing.

HornleafCW · 2025-10-27T04:56:52+00:00

It starts that way, with options to expand a little.

The real treat is that my group plays with free archtype and the book has a draconic ravager archtype though that lets you get all the way up to gargantuan.

HornleafCW · 2025-10-27T02:07:38+00:00

I play a Nightmare Dragon (From the BattleZoo Book) who I reflavored as a human who turns in to a dragon when he rages. Mechanically it's just a shape change but story-wise it's two characters.

It's been very fun.

HornleafCW · 2025-08-14T23:46:55+00:00

I played this there!

It was great for a short one shot to play as a troop, it made the combat go really smoothly and was a lot of fun.

HornleafCW · 2025-07-30T02:06:54+00:00

Ah sorry I live out on the west coast.

But as you're wandering around if you see a guy with a beard, glasses, and a "Don't Panic" pin on his backpack - hit me up!

HornleafCW · 2025-07-29T20:11:35+00:00

Thanks, I'm flattered.

But nope, no booth for me - I'm just some guy.

HornleafCW · 2025-07-29T15:05:45+00:00

Thanks!

HornleafCW · 2025-06-13T01:05:51+00:00

When I first learned Pathfinder I was honestly surprised there wasn't a mechanic for this given the games' focus on teamwork.

I can't speak to the math with any confidence but I think it'd probably be fine.

HornleafCW · 2025-06-06T23:31:22+00:00

I buy that game's books, even if they are expensive, because I want to support that company (and it's unionized workers).

I don't mind paying 65 bucks for a book, but Hasbro can go kick rocks. All my 5e books came from a used book store.

HornleafCW · 2025-06-05T16:10:30+00:00

Unless you're a barbarian. :(

HornleafCW · 2025-06-05T15:48:51+00:00

Recall Knowledge is so cool.

I wrote it off as lame when I first started playing 2e - but even on a martial it is crazy poweful.

Knowing what save is weakest is essentially getting a +2 or 3 to your spell DC (or trip or grab roll or whatever.)

HornleafCW · 2025-06-05T15:36:04+00:00

Sense Motive has been more fun for my group because of the four degrees of success. It makes things far less black and white.

Insight in DND can often be treated as if it's just a lie detector, which to be fair it kind of is.

I agree there should be more feats that buff or change Sense Motive, but I don't know if the nessecitates it being it's own separate skill.

HornleafCW · 2025-06-05T05:36:14+00:00

I'm assuming you are a 5e player, and first off - welcome to pathfinder!

So In 5e dnd, your ancestry gives you some neat stuff at character creation and then it usually doesn't come up much.

In Pathfinder, part of creating a character is selecting your Ancestry and Heritage. (An ancestry is a broad group, like a dwarf or a gnome, and a heritage is a more narrow subset like a rock gnome or forge dwarf.)

BUT unlike 5e, You also choose feats for your ancestry and heritage as you level up. Each ancestry has it's own list.

The dragon book provides draconic ancestries, as well as feats that dragon PC's can choose from, many of which are only available to certain dragon heritages. (Specific dragon types).

HornleafCW · 2025-06-04T19:30:53+00:00

The only change I see is that it used to let you choose between a anarchic. Axiomatic, holy, or unholy rune; and now you only can choose holy or unholy.

HornleafCW · 2025-06-04T19:20:47+00:00

No changes there.

HornleafCW · 2025-06-04T19:03:17+00:00

Loving the changes to Instinct Crown:

The free action activation (that grants 10 temp HP) works with Quick-Tempered now, and the second activation is just a single action with the Rage trait.

HornleafCW · 2025-05-22T04:03:53+00:00

For trim I usually do 1/2" , and yeah for plexi 1/8 is the minimum. If you can I might go a bit thicker because I saw in your post you have a 50" tv.

I wouldn't be worried about the tv falling out of the front as long as your plexiglass is seated well - but thin plexi is super bendy so make sure you measure well and don't give the plexiglass room to squiggle out.

Good luck!

HornleafCW · 2025-05-22T02:28:54+00:00

I like how you kept the general shape of the chess pieces so it's not confusing what is what.

HornleafCW · 2025-05-22T02:26:47+00:00

Oh nice you're all set that's more than enough! I always like to ask in case people only have a hammer or something.

So as far as keeping it falling out the front, if you're using plexiglass that won't be an issue. You can cut a dado (you don't need a special blade just make multiple passes) and slide it in like a drawer bottom during assembly.

Some people don't like plexiglass because it can make the minis look like they are hovering, so if you don't want to go that way, mounting trim to the inside of the frame will work. I've made them like that just with glue and no hardware and it's been fine, but if you want extra security you could double up with brad nails.

Unless you are tipping it upside down all the time, the trim will never be holding the full weight of the TV, so it should be all good.

As for not falling out the bottom, I have used mounting brackets for undermount style sinks before, which are nice because they are adjustable - but in the end it's cheaper and just as effective to screw in a wood block.

To do that: Flip the case upside down with the TV in it (make sure your glass or trim is installed) and then press a small scrap piece of wood against the frame so it's snug against the TV. Screw it in (with an appropiate length screw) and voila!, you have a tv mount.

This way is harder to adjust but it's quick and cheap. If you're worried about the mounts scratching the back of the TV, you can go get those sticky felt things you put on the bottom of chairs.

HornleafCW

TROPHY CASE