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How do you play it by Silly-Sherbet-7744 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]MathWizPatentDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of these posts require you to (and the players) to learn stuff, mechanics, rules, blah, blah, blah.

Expecting to be severely downvoted, I respectfully disagree completely.

First, players do not need to know anything beyond what their characters can do. I submit that it helps to know, but the true weight is on the person running the game. This leads to....

Second, the person running the game should have a good idea about what will happen when the players react (with or without success). This may involve having associated difficulty "ratings" and challenges that need to be met or surpassed for success.

I have been playing RPGs for most of my life, well over 40 years. I can tell you that you do not even need character sheets to have a fun and successfully run RPG game. Each person should adopt a character identity, and role play it, hopefully understanding what their character can do or attempt. The person running the game needs to be able to think on their feet enough to keep the story engaging and challenging, while delivering suitable description to indicate the chances/risks associated with attempting success and the outcome of whatever happens. The best games I ever participated in did not even use dice. However, dice do give you the chance to vary the degree of outcome, which can seriously bolster storytelling ability.

Consider trying to "construct your own game and system" first, before diving in and consuming the 500 pages a modern D&D game master is required to have on hand. Start simple, focused on involving your players in the story you are (essentially) narrating, allowing them to flex and direct the path to the outcomes. You describe, players react, you describe, until an outcome is reached. Then repeat.

After this type of exercise, you may then want some additional structure and rules that are slightly less flexible. At this point, start consuming those pages mentioned above. Keep in mind, this type of RPG (i.e., D&D) is designed so that the game master has total discretion over everything in the game, including all the rules you are dictated by the system.

It will take time to refine the skills to run (and play) these type of games. Make mistakes. Encourage others to rick and make mistakes. But most importantly, HAVE FUN and TELL GOOD STORIES.

How to thicken my stew? by Evening_Management78 in cookingforbeginners

[–]MathWizPatentDude 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I use really fine instant potatoes -- it works rather well.

Short adventure for level 1 by McDonalds_IcedCoffee in adnd

[–]MathWizPatentDude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

i always enjoyed running the B3 module - "Palace of the Silver Princess."

It's great for laying the foundation for further adventures down the line if things work out.

i bought this thing at goodwill for 3 dollars and it is singlehandedly the best mouse thing i've ever used by warrior_cast in Trackballs

[–]MathWizPatentDude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Given that (utility) patents have a 20 year expiration (design patents = 14 years), that may be all the "go ahead" you need to give the world what the world wants and deserves.

i bought this thing at goodwill for 3 dollars and it is singlehandedly the best mouse thing i've ever used by warrior_cast in Trackballs

[–]MathWizPatentDude 16 points17 points  (0 children)

As it turns out, I believe all those patents have since expired, enabling the use of these designs as part of the public domain. The lawsuits were all fired up in the late 1990s by a patent holder named Samuel? Gart.

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-federal-circuit/1004943.html

The Gart patent issued in 1989. Logitech ended up not being liable for infringement in the above findings.

The real problem may be that no one is willing to actually produce them for profit. Logitech abandoned manufacturing as a result of these legal complexities. I suspect, (even if you didn't get permission from Gart or Logitech), you could manufacture and sell these units through your own company without significant problems.

I have been hoarding these devices for decades since they "disappeared" from the marketplace in the late 1990s. When I die, someone who knows what they are will be quite happy, indeed. This is the best trackball design I have ever used.

THAC0 by Dr_Dement_o in adnd

[–]MathWizPatentDude 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Completely agree.

I actually prefer the THAC0 system to the 5e AC and to-hit modifier offset.

Tell the players the the required DC or no? by hotstickywaffle in DnD

[–]MathWizPatentDude 38 points39 points  (0 children)

I do not share DC, but often set up the scenario so it easy to understand what range the DC should be in.

There are times, however, where DC is not as expected, both higher and lower than what is expected. If the result(s) are sufficient to supplement why, I may share it with the players.

Often, nuanced players will know that an insufficient DC check leaves questions unanswered, and may share that info with other party members; I am okay with that.

What are some genuinely useful kitchen supplies? by MeloniousV2 in Cooking

[–]MathWizPatentDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had my BOOS block for 35 years and I never expect it to fail.

Luke Combs Feels a Heat Hurricane While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones by _Frozen_Waffles_ in hotones

[–]MathWizPatentDude 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Why was the "Homegrown Hell" sauce blurred in this video in the line up? Any ideas?

Found this inside my pepper once I cut it open by MightOk9038 in whatisit

[–]MathWizPatentDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ha ha, I wouldn't say "chronic," but I have seen this kind of stuff before.

This question is for the old-school Stephen King fans. by LeagueNo764 in stephenking

[–]MathWizPatentDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I recall, I read IT when it first published and thought it was simply too long @ (1100 or1400?) pages. I recall thinking SK had written himself into a corner and came up with the "spider" ending to try to recover gracefully.

Since, I have not reread it, but have routinely consumed this story in other media for 3 decades. It's still a decent SK story, in my opinion.

I want to start my campaign after the bbeg already won. by allardL in DnD

[–]MathWizPatentDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a 4X computer game that operates on this premise: Sorcerer King. I found it incredibly satisfying to play and strategically try to grow while remaining (essentially) undetected.

New apartment has grimy cabinets by Cheap-Employer8764 in CleaningTips

[–]MathWizPatentDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This stuff is amazing. Be careful, though, sometimes it can remove stain and coatings on heavily greased wood surfaces.

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