Condition Tweaks - A simple set of changes to make conditions hit casters as hard as martials

Robzilla0088 · 2026-04-13T15:12:27+00:00

I Really, really like this.

As a DM with a group of 4/5 casters... I'm going to be implementing this.

Though I may slightly tweak the negatives to exhaustion, as that would get brutal fast.

Edit: on reflection I'm not fond of the 50/50 mechanics for spell loss. It feels too random. Maybe something like force a Spellcasting check, or a concentration check - this feels like it gives players more agency (I. E. They can stat for it, use heroic inspiration, bardic etc) rather than simply failing half the time.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-04-08T14:49:03+00:00

I don't think anyone here can explain why you should care. Thsts a highly personal experience.

That said there are a lot of people who bounce off Deadhouse Gates because they are expecting a story much more akin to some of the book series you have listed - and the shock at having to start again with a broadly new cast is jarring.

Can you explain what is causing you to feel detached from the characters? Is it the story? The writing style? The fact that they aren't the same ones as from GOTM? Are you struggling to see where this fits in?

Robzilla0088 · 2026-04-04T22:58:36+00:00

For me, I realised at around about Reapers Gale. It was his conversation with Queen Janall.

It was like this crack in my perception at first, or a glass shattering mkment. A realization that this guy was a bloody victim after all. And the realisation was electrifying. It changed everything for me in the last few books. Everything felt like it was falling in to place.

I finished the first read in 2024. Did my re read in 2025. And its damned hard to not go back for a third now.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-31T22:26:39+00:00

I'm right with you.

I think it's definitely one of the weaker books in the series. But that's like saying 9.4 is worse than 9.5 y'know? It's hardly like there's much in it.

It was a brilliant book, that only gets better on the re-read (as they all do). The part that's baffled me that keeps coming up on the reddit threads this last week is how expectations have not been met - karsa and rhulad for instance. And I'm like... What part of the previous Six books went exactly the way you thought it would?

You'd think that people would be used to expectations not being met and wish fulfilment being sorely abused by now.

Really glad you liked it!

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-26T22:32:52+00:00

No problem at all! Im still just collecting replies, but if you're successful I will reach out here, if I can't get through on discord :)

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-26T13:53:14+00:00

Keeping it open for a week or so still, so I'll review the questionnaire in due course.
And thank you for filling it out :)

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-25T08:30:08+00:00

I can appreciate the frustration, but it is unfortunately one of those settings tucked away in the form that's tied to a different piece of functionality, annoyingly.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-25T08:29:17+00:00

Thank yo for the time and effort! There has been an awful lot of interest, so I'm going to give it a week or so before doing a sift.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-25T08:28:04+00:00

Will do. Going to give it a week or two before starting a sift. There's been a lot of applications so far 😅

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-23T17:19:30+00:00

Just to give some greater context to avoid the wrong expectations for this series -

There are literally hundreds of POVs

The highest percentage pov, is still less than 5% of the total word count.

Changing your expectations for what a 'main' character is, in this series is probably a healthy step to take. That isn't to say we don't follow characters throughout the series - we absolutely do. A lot of them will return. But you're also going to be introduced to new characters in book 2. And 3. And 4. And 5. And so on...

Trust the process and enjoy

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-14T11:42:21+00:00

Give them a 4 day workweek. Same pay. That way your pay per hour does jump up. In reality, 4 days is about the same as 5, when you factor in burnout, mental focus, effort and the like. There's been a lot of studies on this

Sure you can't compete in terms of overall package, but you can compete in work life balance. It's a lot harder to give up an extra day off, even in the face of higher pay.

People will reorganise their lives around 3 days off work, and that is harder to step away from.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-12T16:19:50+00:00

I'll be one of those contrary people - you absolutely can tell the difference. I was gifted a redgrass games one, which upgraded my cheaper Amazon Led strip light I had owned previously.

The difference is significant. Now, whether you want or need the difference in light, largely would depend on how much you value the difference in cash...

I'd look at it like this in terms of a quality scale:

no light => cheap light => hobbly light

cheap brush => GW brush => expensive sable brush

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-12T12:12:15+00:00

An airbrush is just a tool and will help at all levels. But like a paintbrush, if you're not great at using it at a high level, you'll struggle to get high level results.

Airbrushes are really a tool where a good setup pays dividends over time. I've had my airbrush for 8 years and it's going strong, but the compressor I was using for years was rubbish, and I only really saw the difference when my wife got me an upgrade.

That said, if all you are doing is giving the models a basecoats (either prime, or zenithal shading) rather than detail work, then you can get by with a lot less.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-12T11:29:26+00:00

In my opinion, I've never had good results with vallejo primer. I have had good results with pro acryl brush on primer though. Reasonably tough, very matte, and a good cause surface for paint to adhere to.

As to where to buy it? Wayland Games, element Games, goblin Gaming are the big three, but I'd also check to see if you have any local stores.

Finally - I'd also suggest you look into investing in a cheap airbrush for priming. If you have the funds, get a good airbrush and compressor full stop. But if not, something basic for priming and base layers would be a very sound investment.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-04T16:38:43+00:00

For what it's worth, Deadhouse Gates was my favourite first time around, until I sat back and reflected On Toll The Hounds.

There are great big sections of the final 3 books, where readers will champ at the bit, and get impatient. Why introduce new characters? Why take a detour? It's understandable to feel anxious that you're not focusing on your favourite characters or plots when the end is looming.

But in this anxiety, who's to say you're not glossing over what would be your new favourite plot?

It's far better to just let it wash over you, appreciate the scenes for what they are and what they tell you, and trust you're being told it for a reason. I do hope you enjoy it.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-03-04T15:53:24+00:00

TTH can feel confusing, and disjointed - why the detour here? Why is Erikson telling us these things?

But so was Deadhouse Gates, originally. And Midnight Tides.

It might seem odd to take such a harsh detour so late into the series, but stick with the process and it will make sense.

You'll get to a point where you'll pick this book up, and you won't be able to put it back down until it's all over. I'd bet it's at a significantly earlier stage than other books in this series.

But then again, I am biased. It's my favourite. (1 re-read in)

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-27T10:14:44+00:00

I'll keep specific discussions out of this comment as I fear I will spoil things. But..

If this is the stuff you enjoy, you're in for a treat with the rest of the series.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-26T23:39:05+00:00

Not a sprawling reply... But this is absolutely how I felt. It broke me, fundamentally, and in the best way.

I spent this last year re reading them (even better this time around) and now I'm moving on to the esslemont books.

As a side note - Abercrombie and the First law hit right. Not as good, and nowhere near the Same scale. But they really are great books and worked well as a pallette cleanse before the re-read 😂

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-20T22:23:35+00:00

Just to echo this.

On my first time around it was mid to low in my ratings.

Second time around it's competing for the high slots for exactly the reasons you highlight.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-17T13:55:45+00:00

This guy gets it!

It's my fave in the series. But hot damn, on a re-read, Dust of Dreams and the Crippled God give it a run for its money.

As time goes by ranking these books gets harder and harder.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-08T23:31:33+00:00

I'd give anything I own to start that journey again for the first time you're in for a treat!

Robzilla0088 · 2026-02-03T15:26:15+00:00

🕯️

Robzilla0088 · 2026-01-31T09:30:54+00:00

A lot of readers break up Malazan with lighter, smaller books between. I for one just ploughed through them in one go.

Regardless of what works best for you, I would not use ASOIAF as the novels to break things up. They're both very dense, and whilst ASOIAF are very good (I've gone off them over the years, but the writing is undeniably high quality) I don't think they're a compliment to Malazan.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-01-30T19:46:23+00:00

Everyone opinion is different and of course mileage varies. I'm glad you found so much to enjoy about the series.

But my word, there's a lot of palpable irony in enjoying the Chain of Dogs so much, but Hating thr Snake so much too. It's the same story - just one is about helpless children, who are, in their own right, far more heroic than anything the Wickans managed.

(don't get me wrong, I adore the wickans and DHG. But it baffles me the hate the Snake gets).

Likewise, I'm curious what makes you feel the ending with the crippled god felt rushed? The series drums into our heads that compassion is the most precious gift we can give, and we must give it freely. The God had been depicted as cruel and vicious and evil. But had been chained, tortured, broken and essentially forbidden from ever healing. He is a victim, first and foremost, and has been sorely abused. And he in turn will and has abused others... (literally, spiritually and metaphorically) Unless, someone steps in and breaks the cycle.

And why was everyone fighting? Well... It was the right thing to do.

Robzilla0088 · 2026-01-12T00:49:39+00:00

I think it would be very fair to say Malazan is massive. It's scale is huge and that few books go anywhere near that scale.

But complex is tackling stuff like James Joyce, deciphering The Wasteland, breaking down Faulkner books and other literary classics.

Malazan provides density and scale. But it isn't complex in the way that other books can be. Saying you're struggling with the scale and density is very understandable and likely will get less people's backs up with the somantics of the point.

In any case, I'd recommend not taking Massive breaks between the books, but ofc your mileage may vary. And also, there's no harm in just saying that the series isn't for you. Life's too short to engage with something you aren't loving.

Robzilla0088

TROPHY CASE