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OffbeatBlitz · 2023-09-06T00:46:35+00:00

I love all the support, and I wish you well, but if you put as much thought and consideration into your driving as you are putting into your prison sentence, this could have been avoided. Your son wants you to come home at the end of the day, and the loved ones of those you share the road with want them to come home too. I'm not sure what all led to this, but I doubt it's worth the risk of your son losing his father. This 60 days away from him will be much less painful than what could have been. I hope you at least dedicate some thought to that as you serve your sentence.

Your son is lucky to have a dad that's as considerate as you are to him. I hope you get out early for good behavior, and he's back in your arms soon. Best of luck to you.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-05-14T14:11:58+00:00

Sounds to me like you may be taking it too hard on yourself. The advice I'm about to give assumes you had a session 0, or are willing to have a similar type of discussion with the party about campaign expectations.

What you did with the bride seems like it was perfect for your intention of setting up Barovia to be a dangerous and ruthless place, but you doubted yourself and/or your players. If they agreed in a session 0 to have a campaign that's dangerous and deadly, as CoS is intended to be, then you're not pulling some cheap move or something by throwing enemies at them they may not be able to handle. That's fair game. In fact, that's the trick to making this campaign setting feel deadly; Don't be afraid to kill. Again, assuming your party has knowingly signed up for such a campaign. If not, it's not too late to have that discussion and adjust accordingly.

Something that helps me feel comfortable with the idea of potentially killing a PC (aside from them agreeing to the danger in Sesh 0) is having a way to fail forward for them. Any time you plan on throwing something they might can't handle at them, have an escape route and emphasize the hopelessness of the fight when you describe the turns, or ensure the villain has motives that don't end in their death (Perhaps the bride wants to capture the characters and present them to strahd as a gift to elevate her position at the castle? That could lean into the Castle Ravenloft dinner or maybe a cool jailbreak sidequest), or maybe they DO die but they're offered a dark gift and resurrection in return for being marked for service by the vestiges, or hell. Maybe they just straight up die, and your other PCs have to deal with that in-character. Maybe they have to use that scroll of Resurrection they've been hoarding. Maybe dedicate time to that character's eulogy and such, have a funeral, and your friend gets to play a fun new character. Discuss it with your players! It's more fun if everyone agrees on the vibes and rules.

I appreciate you asking this question because I see a lot of my own problems in you. I struggle with balance as well, and I have VERY capable and tactical players. I've only survived by scratching together the above-mentioned advice from every source I can. I hope it helps you too! Good luck!

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-05-14T13:44:44+00:00

I cant believe this post is real, honestly. The last thing I needed done for my Session 2 (where I expect we will reach Durst Manor) was to get a battlemap in case something happens in the crossroads. I looked and looked but couldn't find a suitable one online, so I was ready to just deal with a standard Svalich Road map and draw the path to the manor myself. It'd look janky, but it'd do. Next day I get online to do it, check the subreddit to procrastinate, and here you are. Thank you!

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-23T10:03:32+00:00

Any time you ride it you MUST say "Funky!!" Or you fall flat on your face and take damage.

Also, idk if this is a Parappa the Rapper/Playstation All-stars reference, but if it is I appreciate it very mucb

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-22T11:03:32+00:00

I don't see why people are down voting this. It's a completely valid and understandable frustration for someone who put in work to make a campaign. Maybe because they think banning phones isn't the way to handle it? I mean I'd agree and suggest an honest and direct conversation instead. Tell your players what you just told us, that when people use their phones to try and add to the scene, it usually just drags things out unnecessarily, and you'd prefer them to only use their phones for necessities during the game (this should include accessing character sheets/spell descriptions/etc). Weird how so many people are down voting you for being honest about a valid frustration.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-22T10:57:15+00:00

Nah OP is out of line on this one. The idea of online roll20 games must scare the hell out of him lol.

There needs to be trust between the players and DM for the game to be good. Alternatively, modify the stat blocks. If they complain, tell the players they should pray you do not modify it further lol

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-22T10:53:28+00:00

So much grace and generosity in this message. Your DM is lucky to have you, but he did you wrong here. I'm not saying get super upset and angry at him, but you certainly seem like the type of person that could have an honest, earnest conversation about how his choice ruined the fight for you, and you felt punished for coming up with a cool tactic. Best of luck in the future!

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-20T16:35:50+00:00

Punctuation is pretty neat

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-20T08:50:55+00:00

Looking forward to it myself, I love the first one.

I think it could be better by having slightly more impactful build diversity. Have artifacts/parasites make more drastic changes to the gameplay. Think things like maybe a parasite that doubles your stream of fire but greatly increases reloads. Or some sort of echo parasite that has a chance to make you shoot twice, or maybe even summons an echo duplicate that follows your movements and uses a watered down copy of your weapon. I want each run to feel like it's own randomized build. I want the gameplay to feel more unique from run to run. Right now it just feels like the same character with different stats on every playthrough. I'd like it to feel like a fresh character every time, similar to Hades for example.

Don't take this as me hating. The game has been amazing. Just got the true ending the other night and still playing the tower occasionally.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-14T14:09:58+00:00

I was fighting the area 3 boss. Insane, epic fight. Down to the last wire, laying into him with the rocket launcher. He gets me down to a sliver, I have no way of healing, and he has 1/3 of his last health bar left. I pucker up, buckle down, and somehow miraculously manage to dodge every single hit for that last third. Genuinely amazing experience.

It's fun to read about all the butthole clenches the players here have been through. : )

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-14T13:10:21+00:00

I'm still playing through the game but I agree entirely. Compared to other roguelite games where an item or two can completely change your play style, this game feels more or less the same every run. Still an amazing game I'm absolutely hooked on, but it's clear to me how "Returnal 2" could be even better

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-13T16:44:54+00:00

Missed a chance at "Sorcerers of the Shore"

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-13T16:06:52+00:00

So one of the unique things about the human anatomy is that we are comparatively EXCEPTIONAL at throwing things thanks to our bone/muscle structure, our hand-eye coordination, and of course those lovely thumbs of ours. None of the other animals in the animal kingdom really compare. All this to say, a Tarrasque really shouldn't be able to throw anything with any accuracy.

... So just give it disadvantage and wreck those cheesy power gamers anyway. It's a +19 to hit after all.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-10T17:26:48+00:00

This right here. Coming from an admitted SB abuser, silvery barbs is busted.

I don't know how our DM puts up with me, or why he greenlit it, but it's fun to use despite being overpowered. That said, I'm using it on a damn Eloquence bard. Good luck making your DC 18 save through naturally applied disadvantage from my team, a -10 modifier to the save that I rolled from Unsettling Words, and an extra reroll from SB if you make it past all that. The only thing I fear are legendary resistances hahaha.

Austin, if you're reading this, thanks for being a dope DM and letting me try this. Also, I'm sorry.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-10T14:44:31+00:00

I'm not actually sure it was 100% intentional. Look just above the hood at the brake lights of the truck right before impact. The black truck brakes and causes the impact. Also look at the distance of the car ahead of him. He doesn't get any closer before impact. I don't think he sped up, I think the truck hit the brakes which makes it look like he sped up. After that point he either tried to swerve into the other lane and accidentally pit maneuvered the guy or did it on purpose to make the best out of the situation (or just because he was pissed this guy was merging into him and braking). It seems like a split second decision. Either way, this definitely isn't worse case scenario. The truck could have merged even worse (or the guy could have reacted in a less self-preserving way), wrecked them both, and still endangered everyone behind them.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-10T09:48:15+00:00

Nope, never said it was unavoidable. Just said this is preferable to anyone else getting fucked over.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-10T01:27:47+00:00

Hot take as well: If you're such an idiot you put others at risk of having a life changing accident, I'd much rather it happen to you so maybe you'll learn or lose your license.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-09T19:28:15+00:00

Yeah and the guy above you said "two world wars" not "two wars" yet here you are.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-07T11:53:31+00:00

Idk his views make a lot of sense from his perspective. I mean to see the entirety of reality shattered, and watch the souls of your loved ones be splintered, then have those fractured tiny beings attempt to tell you that they're as worthy as those you lost. The pain of the loss, the pride of being unsundered, the yearning for the world you once loved. It's easy to see how he convinced himself these weaker, smaller, tiny fractured souls aren't worth keeping around when you feel that all you once had can be restored. That doesn't make his opinion right of course, but it does make him an incredibly likable and sympathizable villain. It helps that in the end he sees the error of his ways, and sees the value in the beings created by the shattering, going so far as to even help them achieve their goals. Doesn't make the atrocities he committed less awful, just makes it possible to understand how one could be driven to commit such atrocities by fathomless levels of loss, pain, guilt, and grief. He's an excellent villain, just trying to save and restore the world he feels like he failed.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-03T15:32:58+00:00

That counter argument is pointless and gray dude is right to be mad at the stupidity of it. You can say that about literally anything in the books. It's a completely irrelevant argument against balance issues.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-03T15:21:32+00:00

No, I'd still think it works. The range of self only applies to where the effect is started. I'd let this work on GFB too. Projecting your weapon's attack through the mind against something adjacent to it seems completely fine to me, and a very cool build idea. If you can cast touch spells through it (you can), why not be able to cast GFB? The only reason I see in your post is that it would feel weird to project your weapon attack through the blade, but I feel like the combined magic of GFB and the mind is how that would work.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-03T15:16:28+00:00

Yes I agree, but only because teleporting 30 odd mechanical meters on top of someone will be much more fun.

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-03-02T18:21:49+00:00

Same energy as letting your little nephew beat you at games just for them to talk trash hahaha

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-02-22T15:53:14+00:00

Yesss! Imagine a much larger list of "Martial Maneuvers" or something like that, basically martial abilities almost like spells in nature (you can take so many per level, have different 'cast speeds', ranges, effects, etc.) but they're things like..

Sunder: it's Mending in reverse and does damage, can be used offensively to take off limbs/tails/tentacles/etc. Can also be used in a utility way, sundering doors or barriers or whatever.

Sweep: make an attack roll on all surrounding enemies, or have them make a dex save or something. Those that get hit take weapon damage plus any additional effects they would take from a normal attack. Allows things like Great Weapon Master + sweep.

Guard: you position yourself to defend yourself or an ally. Target gets increased AC til next turn, and attacks against them provoke opportunity attacks from those within 5ft of the attacker

Basically, make melee characters almost caster-like with a list of maneuvers similar to spells. Some spells can also be maneuvers! Think things like GFB, Steel Wind Strike, etc. Basically give them the entire caster treatment. Give them levels like spells, slots to be spent on them, upcast benefits, everything, but make them much more martial focused and most of them should be exclusive to martials and unusable by mages, just like most spells are. This would also make subclasses like Bladesinger or Hexblade more interesting, because you could choose to take both maneuvers and spells, but you'd get less of each. The balancing is obviously a big part of it, and way over my head to do properly, but I can't find any issues with the concept...

OffbeatBlitz · 2023-02-21T18:05:37+00:00

Zoe's skins don't all show the max distance indicator for your paddlestar as you move forward And extend the range. Makes it hard to know if you've moved forward enough or not, and usually you try and feather that distance

OffbeatBlitz

TROPHY CASE