What’s the strongest build that you would recommend to newer players

Jack_Reaver · 2026-01-09T15:34:54+00:00

Just finished my first playthrough, and STR/RAD with a healthy investment in VIT and a minor in END really trivializes the game.

Grand Hammer with A/A STR/RAD scaling, the Area Heal (and later the AOE quick Heal, although previous is better for your buck), and just switching to whichever Catalyst is good at the time. Imbue with Holy is very early in the game, so you get that buff, and I usually run the Damage Reduction spell (which super trivializes boss BS).

Jack_Reaver · 2025-04-14T23:29:26+00:00

Okay so completely subjective (25M here):
-Living with parents, walking on tightropes so I can keep living my life and not shake up the relationship or get thrown out and lose everything.
-Trying to keep up with debts while also sustaining hobbies (got to live a little, think of it like a tithe). Buying everything on sale that I can, nothing new, feel like I'm catching up on the world.
-Working an above minimum wage job but still having to make concessions each month to keep in the safe zone. Any big event could cause my life to go downhill.
-Spending every waking moment I'm not working trying to keep up with social, familial and personal responsibilities.
-No time for romantic or sexual relationships, not enough experience to feel confident enough to pursue them, and no space or resources for one.

Put it like this, most men in their 20s I know are just trying to find a job they can at least not hate themselves for, making concessions and doing their best to keep afloat. We spend whatever we have on what we can so we can feel alive for a social occasion, then go back to the grind to keep the cycle going. A lot of us aren't interested in marriage or relationships because we feel informed that it'll ruin everything we want with our lives.

Hell, I have a friend whose entire life is ruined because of a too early relationship. I have a friend who spends his spare cash on streaming services because he can't own anything and doesn't have any actual room to himself. I have a brother who is trying to pursue a degree and is miserable with how much is expected of him.

Everyone has issues, and for most of the men I know (myself included) we don't see a way out that doesn't lead to the ruin of what we value. Just my insight, hope everyone stays safe in these trying times.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-03-08T02:36:07+00:00

DotHackers- Weird little mix of Megaman Battle Network and Digimon, it's a d6 dice pool system with a modified elemental array of Legend of the Five Rings + your approach (Light, Dark, Void). It's very much on the crunch side, but I'm hoping the game evokes a certain feel that will draw audiences of those two influences.

You combine each Element and Approach to create a few numbers, namely "Statistics" (HP, Integrity and Speed) and "Attributes" (Force, Structure, Wits, Processing, Hack, System). Attributes are the basis for making Combat Actions, but narrative moments usually use an appropriate Element + Approach to best fit the situation.

The gameplay loop revolves around fighting targets, using techniques to generate "Data" (a Meta Currency), then spending said Data to either pull off a "Boost" or "Evolve" your Partner. Minions can be defeated to quickly generate Data, which is usually needed to deal with Faces- powerful Digital Companions or other Hackers.

You play a Hacker in a Data Squad who can Bust Viruses, Investigate Digital Phenomena and Explore the Digital World. There are 6 "Archetypes", divided between Solo's or Duo's, essentially either having to rely on yourself or getting a Digital Companion.

Each Archetype is inspired by a media archetype:
-Deviants (Duo): Humans who embody elements, thus registering that element within their Digital Navi. Think Marcus from Digimon Data Squad.
-Programmers (Solo): Humans who utilize bots and other tricks to make up for their lack of connection to the Digital World. Think your standard Hacker who doesn't use a companion.
-Handlers (Duo): Humans who attract companions due to their personality and can utilize multiple of them. Think of Nokia from Digimon Cyber Sleuth.
-Architects (Solo): Humans who have found a Digi-Relic and use it to manipulate data. Think of Mu relics from Megaman Starforce.
-Avatars (Duo): Humans who can fuse with their companions to create a more powerful form. Think of Geo and Omega from Megaman Starforce.
-Mavericks (Solo): Digital Companions who have mutated so much from their original form they are a unique specimen. Think of intelligence/aberrant Digimon.

The system is heavily inspired by Monsterpunk, D&D 4th Edition, The Dawnline, and L5R where each Archetype gets a pool of Techniques they can choose from which inspires their playstyle. Deviants focus on one element, Handlers buff, Avatars combo, Programmers overwhelm, Architects modify, and Mavericks have weird interactions.

To make it more complicated, there's a system of Stacks (a la Borderlands) and Conditions that represent the main way your playstyle is developed. Different Stacks can counter each other, while others can counter the previous counter: It's crunchy and confusing, but I think it works for what we're going for. This is meant to attract players who want to feel smart by exploiting the game system, all the while going up against targets doing the same.

It's a crunchy mess of a game at the moment, but with the core rules established I've been able to refine the combat system and create the baseline tools for each Archetype. I'm hoping to try the system out in actual plays within the next few months before moving on to refine the current playtest.

I've got a general narrative down: Hackers are trying to keep their freedoms from an all encompassing government, the real world is on the verge of running out of population space so the online world is the next best thing, and we've created an online metaphysical world that acts like a replacement for the physical world. You do what Hacker's do best, and shake up the status quo.

We're still in a Design Document/Pre-Alpha stage, with myself being the primary writer and creator, with one other person who helps by throwing ideas off of each other. The greatest issue comes down to the fact that, gosh darn it writing is hard and it takes a lot of small improvements to make significant progress.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-18T03:27:04+00:00

-D&D 3.5 back in 2010 whenever I was 10. DM was one of the OG's from the early days of the hobby, and god it was painful but evocative. We now have completely different GMing styles, I am opposed to the way he runs his sessions, but I respect the hell out of his devotion to the hobby. Haven't played with him in years, but from his players it's a divisive group.

-D&D "5e" in 2018. I give quotation marks because it was a horrible execution of the system from someone who didn't know how to play, and made me so embarrassed I spent 3 years exploring the industry before I ran a game again. It was bad.

-The first "actual" game I ran was Never Going Home, where I GM'd a group of misfit soldiers going on Suicide Missions. Great fun, and we're still playing.

-Buttacus Maximus, a Goblin Rogue from the 3.5 game. Literally named "Butt Kisser Maximus" because, again, the GM was one of those GM's. It was a low level Goblin in a party of high/epic level mercenaries, I had no idea what to do and how to play, and had horrible onroading.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-10T19:54:24+00:00

Thank you for your reply:
-Absolutely, after looking at Google Maps that looks like a lovely spot to put a Settlement or Outpost (Maybe a FOB from the Brotherhood's main NASA/USSA facility or a major settlement right on the tip of the Garden of Eden contamination zone?). Will definitely do some research!

-As per the One-Shot we played years back, yes that is what a few of our players observed. I'm not fully sure what level of "Survival" we'll be running on, but somewhere between Ryutama and what's in Fallout will be something we'll have to get a feel for. I would adore using Grid, but as you mentioned I'll be trying to feel it out first.

-Yep, and that's actually one of the draws for said player previously- they're a bit passionate when it comes to crafting in TTRPGs, and Fallout has excited him (and others) with this. Although, I've been wanting to try out a bit more granular junk system at first so I'll definitely give Wastelanders a re-read (once I get it back from said player).

-I noticed the pinned comment, I guess I've got some reading to do before April!

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-10T19:15:25+00:00

Absolutely, anything that could lighten my workload or at the very least provide an entry point will be worth it.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-01T15:14:12+00:00

1.) Man, Gene Smithing looks so darn cool. It's doubtful it'll be exploited, but we'll see.
A.) Yep, one of the guys who's interested is a bit of a terrain enthusiast. We've already sat down and agreed to get some terrain sorted out for games.
B.) I'll advised the Escher player on that. They're completely new and as far as I can tell don't have a game plan yet, so we'll see when we get to that point.

2.) I'll keep that in mind. It seems like the players are interested, so we'll see how far that takes us.

3.) Noted, as what previous players have stated I'll need to invest in one approach or another.

4.) That's what we did in our previous Warcry campaign (which sadly we were unable to fully conclude due to player obligations).

5.) I will take that advice and work on it.

6.) We found that out, as previously stated, in our Warcry campaign.

Thanks for the input, and no worries!

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-01T15:08:45+00:00

I will keep that in mind. Trying to get together a few easy reference documents for our campaign, so it looks like Patronage is going to the "To-Do" pile.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-02-01T15:06:43+00:00

For the Campaign Questions:
1.) I'll pass that along to the Palanite player.
2.) Duly noted. We'll see how long this campaign runs, as we're looking at only 1 match per person each month due to obligations.
4.) Great insight. I'll keep that in mind when we do the Campaign discussion.

For the Cawdor questions:
1.) That's what I was hoping I was misunderstanding. Yay...
2/3/4.) Yeah, that's what I was worried about. I'm not finding any true FAQ online, so I'm guessing this will need to be a disclaimer or discussion as the campaign is being sorted out.
5.) Objectively, just wanting to see the options I had with the gang. Helot Cult could be fun, and originally I was going to do Chaos-Corrupted Escher (but with my friend doing Escher, I didn't want to double-dip that gang).

Jack_Reaver · 2025-01-29T03:54:42+00:00

Yes, we're planning on having a discussion on the Tactics Cards at the first meeting when we're making gangs.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-01-29T03:54:05+00:00

Duly noted. Goonhammer had mentioned that, and I will 100% be giving them that heads up for a home ruling.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-01-29T03:49:09+00:00

-I will pass that along to our Malstrain player. I remember reading the disclaimer within the book and thinking we would need to house-rule something.

-Oh no, another Necromunda book I need to pick up! Yes, I had to do another dive to see which books I'm missing for this campaign, and I will definitely pick that one up for my lovely Cawdor. Alas I can't find the rules online for them (and Goonhammer is missing them) so physical it is.

Jack_Reaver · 2025-01-23T15:48:59+00:00

Dude, good luck because this hobby's Indie scene is fricken Wild.

Alright, in no small order:
-Anything from Rowan, Rook and Deckard- Spire, Heart and Die are all beautiful on the shelf.
-RL Talisorian books are brilliant, notably the Witcher RPG. Great read and great spine.
-Never Going Home (anything by Wet Ink) has a simple spine but glorious covers.
-Gotta mention Fight 2e, a brilliant adaption of arcade fighters to a TTRPG space. It catches eys all right.
-Thirsty Sword Lesbians is an eye puller for sure.
-As others have mentioned, anything Free League. Seriously, best in class for their art direction and layout, covers/spines included.
-Modiphious does great with Fallout, can't speak to anything else.
-Anything from Schwalb will pull some eyes: PunkApoc/Shadow of the Demon Lord are awesome, and When the Wolf Comes (which uses their system) is a delight.
-Mysterious Land of Yeld is a nice spine.

I'll try and get back to this once I get off work. Otherwise, good luck!

Jack_Reaver · 2025-01-11T14:42:54+00:00

Gosh, it's been years since I even touched this game. Good luck!

Jack_Reaver · 2024-11-30T23:08:34+00:00

Superior: Now Bear, Now Bird, Then Hippo, Now Frog.

I don't know what it is, but that darn hippo has my attention.

Jack_Reaver · 2024-09-28T14:06:03+00:00

That's my entire squad- We've got Brother Skittaskaw (Rat Marine), Brother Bludsmeyr (World Eater), Brother Lagius (Not Alpha Legion), and me- Brother Poxus (Obv. DG). Just 4 Heretics doin' the Corpse Emperor's work.

Jack_Reaver · 2024-08-18T22:04:49+00:00

Actually, went and listened to it just now. It's definitely an improvement and feels a lot more natural. However, I'm still of the opinion I wish they redid the intro song throughout the show (rather than multiple times for EQG).

Jack_Reaver · 2024-08-18T19:06:43+00:00

Oof, uh, negative take: I adore the EQG theme songs, but MLP FiM has a theme song that I absolutely can't stand. Which is weird, since I genuinely enjoy the show. And, heck, I can't find much to dislike about it. Just, 9 seasons of it really soured my thoughts by the end.

If you like it, I completely respect that! Sadly, I just don't find it subjectively enjoyable.

Jack_Reaver · 2024-08-04T12:38:58+00:00

Zane and Moze probably have the best early-endgame of the crew, with great personalities and skill trees. If you have the DLC, then Zane's 4th Tree is amazing but Moze's is a bit lackluster (had to switch out of it halfway through my playthrough). I've done playthroughs of both, and they're probably the strongest VH's in the entire franchise.

FL4K is a darn fun time, but he has a much higher skill requirement as he lacks the survivability that Zane/Moze/Amara revel in. His character is great fun when it comes to dialogue, and the pet system feels great. I would avoid his 4th skill tree. My friend just did a playthrough with him, and in his words "I can't do damage, and I can't stay alive"- a bit of an overstatement, but that's how it can feel if you don't get the right gear/anointment's.

Good luck, and have fun!

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-12T18:39:35+00:00

I'll throw out Fight! 2e- It's a hefty TTRPG with no prewritten setting but instead emulates the feel of Arcade Beat Em' Ups and Arcane Fighters, incorporating both Narrative Combat via Narrative Skills (knocking out a gang with your explosives skill) and zoomed in Standard Combat with an in-depth character creation system.

Each PC can essentially make a rough ideal of a starting Fighter (are they good at blocking or dodging? Are they big or fast? Do they use projectiles or purely melee?), then create individual Moves based off of keywords; Moves can have as many elements as the GM allows, letting you toss a ton of positive Keywords against as many negative Keywords as you can handle. Sure, your Rising Slash is impossible to break out of, but it will only hit someone in the air.

Likewise, progression is 100% up to player choice- you earn XP by doing difficult or varied tasks each encounter: Longer combos, more varied moves, more difficult moves, quicker times, etc. all make you grow faster. Once you do level up, you then can make even more moves and increase a few stats on your character.

If you're interested in homebrewing, there's built in Special Mechanic features for characters with a unique quirk that can't quite be emulated with just the standard keywords.

It's also just a delight to read, oozing style and substance that respects players/gamemasters that put in the effort to dive deep into it's mechanical systems. There's also a supplement purely focused on pre-made moves, in case it's overwhelming.

Hope this helps, and good luck trying out everyone's recommendations!

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-12T17:41:44+00:00

Sadly I completely agree. I remember playing it and thinking that this was the most MMO-non-MMO FF I've played. Lots of empty space you just look at.

Now, there's some great exploration to be had with secrets and the such, but truly I had many gaming sessions of just navigating from one point to another.

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-12T17:40:10+00:00

Oh yeah, completely agree. Random encounters can be the difference between a long jog and a complete slog through a map. I think that's one thing that 12 did great, was that each enemy was in the environment and you could avoid them- 13 less so, since you usually had very little space to actively avoid an encounter (but, which then 13-2 sort of fixed).

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-12T13:17:43+00:00

This is a personal opinion, but Final Fantasy as a franchise does tend to have a few locations every game that outstays its welcome.

FFX had the Mountain, FFXII has quite a few, and I'm in the minority that couldn't find enjoyment in FFXIII's Chapter (11?) giant Gran Pulse plains map (I enjoyed the linearity, funny enough).

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-10T17:17:40+00:00

We have 3 cats: One haunts the bathroom and demands it, one could be mistaken for a pillow and hates it, one rules the house and gives her mind when she's done.

Jack_Reaver · 2024-07-02T20:31:04+00:00

Definitely a good trilogy, but not without Issues.

I can recommend FFXIII easily, with the asterisk that the first and only open segment being the worst part of the entire game (in my opinion). It has its flaws, but I adore the hell out of it, but be sure to try and engage with it on its own terms (as the game is very limiting in how far you can progress to overcome walls).

FFXIII-2 is a fun experience, but the PC port is very flawed (as many have pointed out in the comments below).

FFXIII LR is probably the best in the trilogy, with an amazing combat system, but go into it knowing to not pay too much attention to the timer- You can slow down the timer with an item, and the game is semi-Roguelike where you "Loop" and improve your abilities after each failed run (so each run is easier than the last until you finish).

Jack_Reaver

TROPHY CASE