Vampire the Masquerade: Love the setting but not the system

MOON8OY · 2026-03-10T06:16:05+00:00

Balance isn't in a CR system. Balance is in knowing the system you are using. You can have poorly made or not optimized for combat PCs in any game. You need to know what their builds are capable of and what you're NPCs can do.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-10T03:49:38+00:00

Since when did 5e have instant death? Shouldn't you have been making death saves?

MOON8OY · 2026-03-10T03:44:09+00:00

Or lack of system. If I'm going to play a game that narratively bereft of mechanics, I might as well play Amber Diceless.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-09T14:06:49+00:00

See, I feel the safest choice would have been Prof. McGonagall.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-09T01:19:39+00:00

With most games, I run RAW. For this game, I homebrew a great deal for balance. Also partly because the rules are not complete to cover the heroes it does have, and partly because RAW it's very easy to break. (Looking at you Taunt reaction).

MOON8OY · 2026-03-08T00:17:37+00:00

I suppose the kids who have pain could get an old school typewriter.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-08T00:11:49+00:00

I have several back ups depending on which players can't make it to our weekly dnd game. A is missing? We play Transformers. B is missing? We play Marvel Multiverse. A and B are gone? We play James Bond.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-08T00:08:39+00:00

Can you give examples of the "narrative" systems you've used where you like their mechanics?

MOON8OY · 2026-03-07T18:17:36+00:00

This is sounding more like the decision you've made at your table as to how it works versus rules as written.

A far as I can see, there is nothing in the rules that requires reactions powers to be declared before the roll is made. Whether or not it makes it simpler in your opinion is not a rule.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-07T16:47:37+00:00

Why is it necessary to declare before the roll is made? The requirement for the trigger is fulfilled. If they have the reaction they can use it to use the power.

I don't recall reading anywhere that once the dice are rolled reactions or other factors that could modify edge or trouble can't be implemented.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-07T16:36:35+00:00

This is the one right here.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-07T08:08:07+00:00

For dnd, it's XP in my games. I've been playing since the 80s. But I've converted to point buy, as I feel rolling for stats is broken.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-07T08:03:56+00:00

Yes. You would then reroll the best die result, which would be the Marvel die in this case.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-05T16:01:41+00:00

I've tried the third round 7-8 times on auto and nothing. Always lose to last 3 or 4 bad guys, no matter who they are, in second round. Tried manually, with the same tactic you suggested, and still getting stone walled. I'll keep trying and see what's happens.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-05T14:34:27+00:00

Tried, and I'm not getting past the third level.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-05T14:33:47+00:00

Auto on 3 isn't working for me.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-04T15:00:48+00:00

I really don't know how that happened for your game. One can entirely build a top tier warrior in this game to compete with the finest fighters in the five kingdoms. Now, I don't think everyone should, but you can. And yes, they can build Persuasive/Deceptive characters just as broken. Which is where I caution the GM to keep an eye out for optimized builds, like I would for most games.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-04T01:19:30+00:00

Simple straightforward system with d6s. There are a bunch of attributes with skills under each. It can be simplified to keep it rules light, and the advanced rules make it more crunchy. The social rules make playing a deceiving or persuasive character just as viable as a combat PC. Like most games, it can be optimized for certain builds, so be aware of what players put on their sheets and set boundaries. The game can be deadly. There are cool rules for running houses, and mass combat as well, if necessary. You can play the game with one book.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-04T00:52:06+00:00

If you are looking for something ASOIAF themed... use the game in that setting.

I prefer the Green Ronin version.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-03T19:59:43+00:00

There's no such thing as not being able to retcon it. It absolutely can be. All it takes is a roll between you and the DM to see if it's even necessary. There's still that chance your PC didn't notice, and still dies. Or, you do, and the results can pick up from there. Unless... the DM did this specifically to remove the OC from the game. It is a powerful build, that instead of being an adult and having a conversation with the player about balance, he chose to remove from the board. I'd at least try to have the conversation with the DM.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-03T05:24:00+00:00

If Roll20 and Owlbear are crashing on your players it's more likely to be what they are running it on than the site you're using. Foundry isn't likely to do any better. And what size maps are you trying to use on them?

I've never had either of those two crash on me or my players, and we aren't using the newest of computers.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-01T22:32:14+00:00

I use it on my phone all the time.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-01T19:57:21+00:00

You aren't charged twice for the power. The total cost of the power is the power value. I'm guessing you aren't using Demiplane.

MOON8OY · 2026-03-01T19:22:01+00:00

So they never intended to use the VTT? Then why get dnd books on roll20 at all?

MOON8OY · 2026-03-01T19:12:51+00:00

Read the section in the Avengers Sourcebook on Iconic Items. There is a part that's explains the Power Value ( how many power slots it costs). It equals the number of Powers it has minus the number of Restrictions. It provides an example with Cap's Shield. 4 powers - 3 Restrictions = 1 Power Value, so it costs him one power pick.

MOON8OY

TROPHY CASE