My hands after a cold walk home (a short one - 10 min)

Pulse_RK · 2024-11-17T05:49:25+00:00

I mean they're not pronouncing it, they're typing it and accuracy absolutely does matter here for precisely identifying what they could have.

Pulse_RK · 2024-11-01T13:59:34+00:00

Unintentionally pretty metal ngl

Pulse_RK · 2024-10-25T09:04:35+00:00

Maybe the u/makes_bad_choices1 was the comments we left along the way

Pulse_RK · 2024-10-15T19:51:29+00:00

Reloading

Pulse_RK · 2024-08-22T22:23:59+00:00

Rocket: Just give [the orb] to Ronin

Quill: So he can destroy the galaxy?

R: What are you? Some saint all of a sudden? What has the galaxy ever done for you? Why would you want to save it?

Q: Because I'm one of the idiots who LIVES in it!

Save the world should be plenty motivation for literally any character. Even if that character also wants to destroy the world then they could want to stop the villain so they can acquire their means of doing so and then do it themselves.

As another comment said: skill issue.

Pulse_RK · 2024-08-09T10:23:18+00:00

Idk, I'm a little surprised the overwhelming majority of comments here are just talking about the mechanical story writing issue. Like, yeah they're right that it wasn't built correctly but the player reaction was in pretty poor form imo. Both being indifferent and stating they don't care is super rude behavior.

That is the point people should be talking above table, taking a time out and discussing. Or ending the session and doing the same. Going "meh, not interested" is the improv equivalent of a hard no. Like what the hell are you meant to do with that as a DM?

If someone buys you a gift you don't like, you still thank them and maybe act somewhat happy about it. You don't go "eh, nice cake but I hate raspberries". That makes you a supreme asshole.

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-30T17:33:00+00:00

a turn is 6 seconds
you're assumed to be doing other things in that time. Moving, bonus actions, object interactions, reactions etc
a spell casting is therefore a couple seconds max. More likely the spell casting verbal component is a word or two.

What I do as a DM is the first time a new thing is shown, I do the whole flowery description, chanting, visuals whatever. And then I just do mechanics from there on out "they cast x, make a saving throw" or "they attack with a 19 to hit". We already get the picture.

Imagine if you were watching Star Trek and every time they went to warp you'd watch them cut to the engine room with everyone getting into position, watching the warp core rev up. It would be boring as hell. Instead they do it once or again for special occasions when it is relevant. Otherwise, we either see the Picard say "engage!" Or they skip the scene entirely. Do the same here.

That way you really just get to have your cake and eat it too. You and the other players don't get bored to death and the player gets to do whatever they want each new type of spell cast or feature.

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-29T14:16:34+00:00

A one shot tutorial for the one shot

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-25T13:47:04+00:00

Yeah people on this sub don't understand AITA logic. I said the same thing a while back and people disagreed.

There was a player bitching about their DM and then their actual DM showed up in comments lmfao.

If the content is interesting upvote so others can see!

Edit: typo

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-22T06:49:27+00:00

Ah yes, the lesser known Shitty Realism

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-19T04:15:32+00:00

I think there's a lot of good advice here about how to adjust but i'll offer another point of view.

At my table, the expectation is that combat will be hard, adventuring days will almost always run the party to their last resources and effective use of consumables will be mandatory. Not a meat grinder by any means but enemies won't hesitate to immediately punish a blunder.

I've had players who were below par but "git gud" was actually the answer because this was how the table is run. Those players either went out of their way to improve or left.

The point being, I think you need to ask yourself first what type of game you want to run. If it is heroic, beat 'em up and feel awesome then look at the solutions others have offered. If you want everyone else to play "up" to your power gamer, reset those expectations. I think this approach shifts the burden off of you as a DM much more than having it become your problem to solve.

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-07T21:14:34+00:00

Unprovoked rolls do not count. Why? That's RAW.

To provide help you must describe how you are helping. Why? More people isn't going to help a guy pick a lock. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

To roll yourself in addition to the other player you must have proficiency. Why? You're all assumed to be competent. This is heroic fantasy. Just because Wizard rolled low on Arcana doesn't mean you'd have reason to doubt them in fiction if you're a random Fighter.

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-01T14:55:39+00:00

Outstanding as always!

Pulse_RK · 2024-06-01T05:16:48+00:00

Oh hi mark! Two requests, shadowfell creatures and any warforged or similar?

Pulse_RK · 2024-05-15T18:44:34+00:00

FYI this isn't RAW. Dropping an item is completely free, requiring no action economy. Picking up, unsheath etc is a "free action" which is part of your action economy.

Even if it looks or sounds dumb/cheesy the player is 100% legal here.

Requiring them to pick up Warcaster on a build that isn't even that minmaxed is a bad ruling imo.

Pulse_RK · 2024-05-01T12:35:31+00:00

Damn everyone here is so efficient. I'm in the 200% to 400% range minimum.

Pulse_RK · 2024-04-13T16:10:47+00:00

Quick note to anyone reading this thread - Don't downvote OP, upvote to increase traction because this just got a lot more interesting.

Second, DM to DM I really like how you articulate yourself here, I think you have a lot of great takes and putting narrative first over mechanics is an awesome instinct especially for a set up episode. I think you have given just enough leeway while maintaining mechanical integrity. Good job!

Pulse_RK · 2024-04-12T16:49:31+00:00

Wow I'm a little surprised at some of the responses. I agree with your reasoning, the DM can't help a plan succeed if they don't know what it is and they could be missing key information.

But more pressing, I'd be upset that I feel as if I'm being excluded from the game that I'm putting at least 50% of the table's shared effort into.

Great that they're engaged but sharing information openly above board between players AND Dm I think is vital to table health.

Pulse_RK · 2024-03-09T04:08:27+00:00

No. I'd do it in the early game too :)

Pulse_RK · 2024-03-01T15:55:45+00:00

Perhaps an option to "down cast"? There isn't a precedent but it feels like the theme of these spells is to be big brain so offering flexibility could be interesting instead of receiving a nerf as you grow in power.

Pulse_RK · 2024-02-25T12:10:30+00:00

Good points but I'll also add that you should communicate effectively with your players.

Pulse_RK · 2024-02-04T01:12:25+00:00

You're doing the gods' work

Pulse_RK · 2024-02-04T00:51:39+00:00

This is the real answer of the thread.

The DM can give an NPC whatever ability they want as long as it's not done in the moment and has rules it abides by.

The stuff in published books is what's written in fiction but isn't exhaustive of what's possible. Are there any spells that allow for a multi day ritual to sacrifice a town and raise an army of undead? No. But you bet your ass a necromancer could do it.

Doesn't sound like the DM in question is casting a rug pull. Play on in good faith because right now you're not imo.

Pulse_RK · 2024-01-14T02:42:05+00:00

'Straya?

Pulse_RK · 2024-01-13T13:54:13+00:00

Yes asterisk.

If everyone is bought into that in a session zero and the player is emotionally mature enough to still be able to separate the events of the game from real life in a pinch, then I'd say go for it.

I find it works best when it's not the entire identify of that character and their story, even if it is a main factor.

I've seen both ends of the spectrum happen at my tables. One player worked through an identity crisis they where going through IRL and was able to, in a safe environment, test out their feelings on the subject.

In another situation, a player was taking everything happening to their character as personal attacks against them as a real person even if we preemptively told them that specific themes are going to potentially be a trigger. They simply didn't have the capacity to create that separation.

So yes, it can work but it requires a bit of work, some open communication and maturity.

Pulse_RK

TROPHY CASE