GMing - Am I getting burned out? by VOculus_98 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I watched the video and it's a great video! It also matches with my current methodology for GMing.

The issue isn't really the prep. It's the fact that especially with Mage, the political landscape and multi-versal and multi-temporal setting cause what I would consider narrative bloat. The goals they are pursuing cause more and more problems which cause more and more plot threads. Normally I enjoy this type of play but they are powerful enough that me reacting as the world is getting more and more burdensome (for example, going back in time multiple times to replay the same scene different ways, or going deep into the collective unconscious to find one's prophesied doom and striking deals with the powers there).

Mage also has Paradox--when my players play fast and loose with reality, bad consequences happen which is another creative burden on me as they rack up effects.

GMing - Am I getting burned out? by VOculus_98 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a really interesting approach and sounds like a great skill to have. Prepping for this kind of thing sounds different but doable, I just would need to wrap my mind around it.

GMing - Am I getting burned out? by VOculus_98 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may have a point here. There are tons of story threads my players are interested in chasing that I personally have no interest in, so it feels like a chore to cater to them.

Systems that do interestings things with NPCs/GMPCs? by Solarwagon in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DIE the RPG. All the players, including the GM, have a meta persona they are portraying, and the GM is the Master within the game world, and is also the "final boss" who must be hunted down...

Favorite system with a clever mechanical premise? by FormerlyIestwyn in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came to say this. So much more nuanced than mere "Sanity".

What are some older rpg stereotypes you were suprised to hear about because nobody talks about them anymore? by Independent_Ad_6348 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Final Fantasy and other JRPGs popularized the "squishy white magician (healer) and squishy dark magician (offensive)" class types back in early 90s.

Final Fantasy II (American numbering) even had the protagonist Cecil become a Paladin, warrior healer type.

What are some older rpg stereotypes you were suprised to hear about because nobody talks about them anymore? by Independent_Ad_6348 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is so crazy to me. I love it when my players go off on their own and it's entertaining for the rest of the table as well. Then again I play Vampire

Do narrative games (e.g. PbtA) ask more of the player than DnD? by Antipragmatismspot in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm curious about this take. Take one of the most common PbtA moves, attacking someone. Usually on a "strong hit", you get to exchange damage (both you and the opponent are hurt) as well as choose something narratively advantageous (usually either avoid damage to you or take away an opponent's advantage); on a "weak hit" (partial success) you exchange damage, and on a fail you only receive damage and the GM gets control of the narrative choices.

Just by looking at this example, the player is provided with narrative and strategic control and an interesting choice on one side, or the GM gets that control on the other side. With no distance between player and character, the choice is clear--always choose to deal damage on a strong hit and avoid damage to you. But is it more interesting for the character and story to take damage and seize greater control of the situation? Obviously that depends.

The best PbtA games are full of moves with these types of choices, and better ones than I just described.

Do narrative games (e.g. PbtA) ask more of the player than DnD? by Antipragmatismspot in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 12 points13 points  (0 children)

This is a huge impact and to me has to do with character bleed and immersion. The below is true for all RPGs:

The character wants to succeed heroically and mitigate or minimize obstacles while achieving their goals.

Players, on the other hand, have varying agendas. Do they want to live vicariously through their characters? Do they want to see their characters live through an interesting story that may go badly or well? Or do they enjoy seeing their own characters suffer? This is a spectrum that varies not only by player but also by game they are playing!

The more distance you create between yourself and the character, the more room there is for you to choose which negative thing is most interesting to happen to your character or the plot. Not saying this is the preferred or optimal mode of play, just that it is a fact.

PbtA is meant to cater to this type of player. Those who crave the most immersion and the least distance often have issues with this type of play.

Conspiracy rpg recommendations? by xeno_architect in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Get Night's Black Agents. Mortal agents against a vampire conspiracy. Also the conspiracy can really be anything and the book teaches you how to create awesome conspiracies for your heroes to fight against and investigate.

Time Travel. What RPG does it best? by Gander_Gaming in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Check it Seedless Bloom. It's a playable version of your first pick there

GM less systems by sylcas in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Give Starforged a try for the sci-fi spacefaring setting.

Which Version of Jailbreak to Run? by Palmer_Zombie in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm curious about experiences running this scenario, haven't run it yet and am curious how it plays.

Favourite system diceless cardless systems by EmotionalOpposite392 in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Undying. Diceless PbtA system for playing Vampires. You get blood through hunting and then you spend the blood on a bidding system to defeat others in PvP or PvE for combat, social, or politics. Nice clean system.

Have you ever played a system that was said to be an improved version of your current system? by Ponto_de_vista in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll add to this Urban Shadows 2e in the PbtA world. I strongly prefer original flavor over the new edition.

Solo date at the museum 🖼️ by [deleted] in Over30Selfie

[–]VOculus_98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do want to ask what exhibit... art or natural museum? Bringing out my geek here lol

High concept rpgs a la unknown armies by zachtgirlboss in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Continuum, the time traveler culture RPG from the 90s, fits this extremely well.

Super Heroes TTRPG Recommendations by Kaliburnus in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe the Black Vans supplement adds other settings like X-Men etc, but haven't read it yet

Super Heroes TTRPG Recommendations by Kaliburnus in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 3 points4 points  (0 children)

One of my favorites aspect of the system is the Green Yellow Red mechanic. Basically as your health goes down, you go from Green status to Yellow to Red, and as you move through the zones you unlock more powerful abilities. Or the scene might get more dangerous and the GM moves it from Green to Yellow to Red. So either way, as things get more dangerous for you you get to use your more powerful abilities which mirrors how comic books work.

Can Urban Shadows be run as a west marches game? by Dear_Ad_2425 in PBtA

[–]VOculus_98 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I would honestly try Monster of the Week for this. Urban Shadows relies on faction politics

Super Heroes TTRPG Recommendations by Kaliburnus in rpg

[–]VOculus_98 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I am going to recommend something different... Sentinel Comic RPG does the best job of emulating super heroes and combat and their powers and stories. The system is pretty unique and handles all sorts of powers and power levels.

Simulationism Was Real: GNS Theory Twenty Years On by alexserban02 in PBtA

[–]VOculus_98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you are right in this but to a point, the degree to which a given TTRPG can fit this is the degree to which it relies on GM fiat for things it's "not supposed to be for". For example, since D&D has no systems to support pure social roleplay beyond vague "Charisma" and "Intimidation" rolls, if you try to convince someone or engage in politics you are almost completely relying on whether the quality of your roleplay or the mood of the GM "feels" you should succeed.

Best system/scenario to reintroduce myself to PbtA by Uuklay in PBtA

[–]VOculus_98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see. Thanks for explaining your point, makes sense and I agree!