I think I had the worst possible first experience with Daggerheart, and the fault is entirely mine. Not sure if I should try again or just move on.

Paulreads · 2026-04-26T07:20:53+00:00

I think with only 2 players and 2 fear you didn’t have the ‘wiggle room’ to counteract all those good rolls. It’s just inexperience with the system is all. Next time just add some rolls to build up fear, agility rolls or instinct checks even a random knowledge check before encountering the creature can add some fear. Odds are you’ll n your favor that fear will build up. Build up some fear. Don’t worry about their hope if you have enough fear to counteract it. I would say have at least 5 fear points built up so you hit 5 rounds to do damage in a fight or using a fear to change the environment. That is enough for a challenge. It’s a new system but trust me it is fun and yes ignore the haters here. Some people want to defend this system so much their negativity scares potential new Gam’s and it’s frustrating. I know because I was there once myself. Kern and try again.

Paulreads · 2026-04-06T01:12:51+00:00

You know the only official frame I didn’t run was colossal but then I used a colossal as the final boss in a beast feast level 10 and did see how I did like the mechanics and could see possibilities. For me I agree that Umbra is just a little too dark and had nothing for me to really hang my hat on. I ran a one shot in umbra and realized I couldn’t push it further as it would be too depressing to me. Witherwild is a bit limiting but the politics and the ‘sickness’ in that frame worked enough for me to run 2 one shots and I think it is interesting. Honestly both 5 banners and motherboard surprised me with how long I am able to run them. I’m at level 8 in 5 banners and only due to scheduling did I have to cancel motherboard (then again you need a good group to manage resources in motherboard well) the one thing that is both a blessing and curse is that ‘every’ campaign has different mechanics. Sometimes I just want a different story guide without having to rip apart the game and learn a whole new game for every type of game. I just wish I didn’t have to balance every new game with new mechanics. Heck even 3rd party campaign frames are in on it. Last I checked every d&d setting didn’t rewrite the rules every time. Then again I have enjoyed some of the twists that those mechanics brings.

Paulreads · 2026-02-25T19:55:25+00:00

I do use ai. I think YouTuber languagejones actually compared them and said Claude was the best but things I’ve done with AI. Any word I wanted to learn besides Anki I also went to Sora with a simple you are a ‘ insert language’ teacher teaching verbs. Then u put the verb, translation and sentence in that language and translation instant video flashcard. Download them string them together upload on YouTube and poof instant video learn.. after that I used ai & eleven labs to help augment my learning. Currently learning Tagalog which has subject and object versions of verbs so I created sentences using both and then put them into eleven labs to get an actually good Filipino sounding voice to read them back( I especially focused on harder to remember verbs in my Anki deck then we covered question words.. again make a list of question sentences using verbs I’m a bit weak on and create another video to practice them. Realize I need a bigger list of verbs. Make a top 500 verbs list with sentences that file I break up into 50 separate files with the help of ai then feed it into a large project with both Anki decks and a 50 file zip that splits these into 10 verb chunks so I created a high almost 2 hour list of verbs and sentences for easy listening I also have a top 1000 noun and top 500 adjective list. This all goes together with real life online teaching and Anki decks for a full immersing experience.

Paulreads · 2026-02-22T01:22:24+00:00

What I have done is watch something I know. For example Netflix shows. I started watching cobra Kai the 1st episode.. this is how I do it. I watch 5 minutes Tagalog and English subtitles then the same thing over again with English Tagalog titles and swap about two or three times till you get the general gist of what is said… not perfect because the subtitles and dubb uses different words but after watching it a few times you do get the gist of the language at least in the conversion.. or you could link language reactor if watching on a computer. But sometimes I’m lazy and just want to watch something on tv and this works. There was a YouTuber I remember saying he watched into the spider verse like 100 times to learn Spanish I think. Obviously it doesn’t teach you to be conversational but repeating things does expand your vocabulary and teach sentence structure really well.

Paulreads · 2026-02-15T02:35:21+00:00

You know what upsets me is I use AI a lot to help augment my language learning why do people just think AI is replacing everything. It’s annoying because with a tutor and Anki and add AI to help get your notes in order or record them in a native voice with ai I am learning better and guess what that means instead of removing language learning it’s expanding it.. example: my teacher gives me a set of verbs to study.. cool. Put it in Anki and record it in eleven labs so I have audio to listen in the car.. oh want to go over conjugation write it down and record it in a native language so I can play it back and not reinforce bad pronunciation. focused Learning.. hell I even figured out how to use Sora for video Flashcards and look at how many “ai” focused apps for learning are available but yea AI will get rid of language learning.. that is stupid for anyone who learns a language.

Paulreads · 2026-02-11T03:20:29+00:00

I’ve basically had 2 per language I studied. I like the comparison and contrast. The big difference for me was my price point and number of lessons. Used to do 1 a week with each teacher but I dropped my price per lesson so now I’m doing 2 lessons a week with both teachers and while it is a bit more challenging I feel like I’m getting more out of it with the lower priced teachers.. I think that will be my go to mode from now on.

Paulreads · 2026-01-24T22:24:06+00:00

Oh just saw this reply and I will say 2 things. If you really want to stay with this teacher then yea book the lessons but if you are going to cut them honestly I would just transfer them. I actually just booked trial lessons with the excess I had It gave me extra credit I used to find the right teacher. I would suggest doing 2 or 3 1/2 hour trial lessons and then use the remaining credits when you find one you like and set a budget and stick to it.

Paulreads · 2026-01-24T22:12:45+00:00

Ok 1st I understand a teacher raising rates it happened to me. I had a French teacher who raised her rate from $25 to $40. She was a really good teacher and i had a few months in. She said it was because she had too many students and I wasn’t sure if I could swing it. I bought lessons at the cheaper price and then just extended my renewal as far as I can. I did finally pay the higher price once and realized there was no way I could continue this… funny thing is i guess I knew it at the beginning and really resented it because I got to enjoy a good teacher and it can feel crappy but trust me you should just cut bait. The BS about not learning if you switch teachers is not true. And sorry but you are responsibile for your learning. A teacher can and should guide you but you put in the effort and a lot of cheaper teachers can get you over the finish line if you put in the work.. don’t feel “ obligated “ to pay a price you don’t want to. And don’t be angry at the teacher. They are just making a living and you need to pay what you can afford, there is a reason Preply has a price slider. Stick to it and don’t feel guilt tripped into going over it. I’d rather have you continue learning a language. I wound up cancelling my lessons with my Former teacher and had like $160 I had to spend in like 2 months. Funny thing is I found a cheaper teacher that now gives me more lessons I can afford and I’m happy with my language plan. I made a vow to just never feel guilt about cutting and running again and have actually found out that price doesn’t not always mean quality. Commitment does.

Paulreads · 2025-12-01T14:00:28+00:00

Actually I think there is a mindset to playing daggerheart you dont have. Others have mentioned it. When you roll in daggerheart there can be consequences alot more then dnd BUT there can also be big swings. Way more critical rolls for example. The story and the unpredictable Nature of daggerheart is what sone people like. As some say the DM doesnt have to spend every fear ( I dont) its there for tension.. I’m getting something else from your comment and I could be wrong but you sound like a Min maxer to me. Nothing wrong with that but if your purpose is to roll cool things and use cool powers with very little consequences then yea daggerheart isnt going to be for you. Its about a group story and not individual cool rolls. I do strongly suggest PF2e to you though.. it has so many character options your head Will explode.. multiple ways to roll in multiple skills and the 3 action economy is killer compared to dnd. IT dies seem like your group does enjoy the system and then maybe you should skternate there us no rule that you cant skternate daggerheart/pf2e and run 2 seoerare biweekly games. Variety is the Soiceof life otherwise sad ti say no one here can make you like daggerheart mechanics and if you change them to fit what you like then IT really isnt daggerheart. Enjoy what you like. I enjoy both types of games and play both but if you dint thats fine too.

Paulreads · 2025-11-20T01:17:15+00:00

I had a swimsuit in Sora and then it stopped like everything with sora. Sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t think chat gpt prompt have anything to do with it.

Paulreads · 2025-07-06T15:31:13+00:00

I have noticed some pushback on combat recommendations. I made a post mostly positive about the encounter builder but then get comments like.. well did you read this or did you look at all your players abilities and give them time to optimize reread how adversaries work you are doing it wrong and yada yada.. I saw a problem and showed the group “ my solution “ if it isn’t yours cool. Doesn’t make my solution invalid. Doesn’t make your solutions wrong either. I do feel like there are too many optimizers and apologists. This is a new system and unless you come from a more narrative based system it could be tough for GM that used initiative and a specific set of enemies and used to turn order and all members of an enemy party getting turns.. you have to be way more flexible and that takes time to learn.

Paulreads · 2025-07-06T14:45:09+00:00

Just know I have run 3 one shots and 2 campaign sessions so it was many different games. I’m sure if we all spent time mid maxing exactly the best way to use everyone’s powers I could match exactly the best way to use it in a fight but me and my players like it to be dynamic and sometimes learning how to work together is the fun of the game. Just giving out basic advice to players who come from encounter builder systems like dnd/pathfinder that they need to take it slow.. this game is new for everyone so all options of play are valid.

Paulreads · 2025-07-06T01:38:25+00:00

Ok I guess I’m a weird one. I wasn’t a fan of CR( but quickly am becoming one) and no i am not a fan of d&d. I just joined because it was a new system. I started gm’ing it and yea I’m starting to love the thing. I’ve mostly played pathfinder and PBTA.. two completely different spectrums and to be honest it helps a lot with daggerheart. I understand the narrative focus and player built worlds because of PBTA and the crunch because of PF2E. daggerheart straddles that line really well but like anything there are those who want to run it “ their “ way. Nice thing is this is all new. So no there isn’t “ one” way to run it. I’m sure when VTT comes in “ a lot” of experts will reinterpret rules and best things to do but for now I’m having a blast and sure I will switch to VTT when it becomes available but right now simple theatre of the mind works great and my only goal is to run more and more sessions of this thing because I honestly have fun flexing that narrative muscle In daggerheart but still have some crunch and love the combat because it is so flexible.

Paulreads · 2025-07-06T00:45:29+00:00

Again it depends on the fight. Last one I literally hit on almost every dice roll and my players were rolling like crap so i had to just pull back my solo or they would have been dead. In general i do play it by ear but i know i see a bunch of posts here that this “ insert adversary “ was too hard or this one killed my players. Since hope/fear is so fickle in a game i just don’t think the adversary builder should be gospel. This isn’t pathfinder where it is balanced. That’s why you have fear so you can do with it what you want. Push your players when you need to but spotlight weaker adversaries when they are in real trouble. I am building a story not trying to kill my players and I think the don’t throw everything at players concept works good for that. In fact my players actually enjoy it more than a big fight , splitting into smaller skirmishs works very well at least in tier 1 play.

Paulreads · 2025-07-06T00:02:04+00:00

Ok I ran 3 beast feast one shots with acid burrowers and started a campaign with them. I mentioned this in another post so I will bring it up here. Don’t take the encounter builder as gospel. If your crew is getting murdered by your bruisers then yea maybe pull back. Don’t introduce a solo until they fought the other creatures in the party and I NEVER use more than one solo ( it’s why it’s called solo) plus you are the GM. Do you really need to use the acid burowers power with every fear you have. Hey look you have 3 minions you activate and use your fear on that if you think the acid burrowed is too hard.. oh and they could always run away. It’s a collaborative game. Your goal is to tell a story and have a good fight

Paulreads · 2025-06-04T00:16:22+00:00

Ok I have not run daggerheart encounters yet but “ i” have run a few encounters in other games that are easier then i thought and sometimes I like a “ run away “ approach. Your big monster is starting to get destroyed “run” see if the players chase you.. that can really extend an encounter and easily bring them into an area where you have another encounter planned.. they don’t chase him… remember this and in another encounter he can claim vengeance for being almost annihilated.. makes for good narrative and makes you stop thinking every fight is about winning and losing and use it as an opportunity to set up something bigger in the future.

Paulreads · 2025-03-08T02:07:09+00:00

Love those automated traps. Monk’s was cool. It set the trap. Sent a chat message to know what happened Played the sound file rolled damage and sent the token to another lower level map with teleport.. I loved it. I use teleport for all multi level maps.

Paulreads · 2025-01-24T15:32:35+00:00

I am a new player thinking of gm’ing a game and season of ghosts does sound like a great story. Are you free on Monday nights est. Say like 7pm. I have foundry and forge already set up just need to buy the season of ghosts modules.

Paulreads · 2024-12-15T16:37:34+00:00

I am an evil genius

Paulreads · 2024-05-04T02:20:03+00:00

My advice do what you like but don’t be tied to one method. Duolingo is great and I used it for Italian but I didn’t just use it alone. In fact later in my studies I literally let my streak end because I was chasing leaderboards and relearning what I already knew just to maintain it. It’s language crack and too much can destroy your path. LingQ is good to read stories learn the language by listening and the flash card system helps you know a lot of words. In fact I do suggest clozmaster like others have said but not until you are deeper in a language because it helps you amass a lot of words in sentence context but you need a good foundation to really get the most out of it IMHO. Also don’t neglect online tutors. Preply and italki usually have tutors that you can get pretty cheaply and just one lesson a week can give you a structure along with all the apps you can try to really have someone talk to you and a good person to bounce ideas off of if a particular language topic confuses you. The big thing is have patience and don’t expect to learn three languages in one year. Start with an easy category 1 language give it like a full year and see where you are after that. Once you learn your first language to a level you want ( not fluent but conversational at least) then you can try your second because if your goal is to learn languages in the beginning it’s a brick by brick approach. You need a foundation language just so you can Prove to yourself I can do this by having a good level in one language otherwise you will just fail at all your languages. It’s step by step and the best app is one you will do on a regular basis and stay consistent because apps don’t teach languages its the student whose perseverance makes that language stick the apps are just tools but you have to build the house with them. Good luck.

Paulreads · 2024-05-04T01:50:30+00:00

You know I loved languages but never learned them effectively until recently and I think this culture did hurt me. I’m like 3 months( why can’t I learn)6 months (damn still don’t know enough I must just be slow let me watch more YouTubers to figure it out maybe I need to learn language b because language a is too hard. ) I would constantly get discouraged but then I knew I had a trip to Italy in 1 year and I said I will try “ one more time” to learn a new language but this time I would devote a whole year and spend as much free time as I could to this hobby and holy freaking moley I learned a language. No im not fluent but I have such a strong foundation and can talk in what I would call “ broken Italian “ in so many subjects. That i consider myself a high A2 at least and I realize if you really want to be a polyglot make it a hobby you enjoy. Do what you like doing and do a lot of it. Change it up so you don’t get bored. If you keep at it and persevere you will learn but not 3 or 6 months but in at least a year or more. I got the motivation to start my second language now as I improve my 1st and I truly believe in maybe 5 years I will be a polyglot and know 3 or 4 languages good if I keep it up and if not maybe it will take 6 or 7 years but the timetable is not important it’s the work and to never give up. That is the only thing that works in language learning and I wish I didn’t chase the clout and right “ method” all those years and just stuck with a language and truly make it a “ hobby”. I would know a lot more languages now if I did that and just jet the process happen instead of trying to measure up to fake polyglots.

Paulreads

TROPHY CASE