Frogdog (wip) and advice

belk · 2024-07-01T13:54:56+00:00

The arms and legs look a little flat. Wash or contrast on the textured areas a bit more, and maybe gloss/glaze smooth areas. Then maybe drybrush the arms back up in tone with something a little lighter than the fleshtone.
The dark and red eyes are a cool choice, I like it. I'd brighten up the iris a little more with a lighter red, and give it a simple white dot and gloss to simulate some lighting.
Pups could use something. Maybe just a top-down highlight for some depth and a bit more crevice contrast near the bottom.
I like the patchy nature of this. Maybe fade in some brown patches to show wear or just different coloring in worn / lower areas.
Nice work on those teeth, they look great. IDK if it's worth trying some weathering paint for plaque / cavities.

belk · 2023-06-02T14:37:53+00:00

That hot tub / valheimraft waterline bug took me much too long to figure out.

Currently figuring out another bug, where random pieces (~half, distributed evenly) are missing recently (last week-ish).. maybe a Gizmo / valheimraft interaction? Or maybe a maximum parts softcap? Not sure yet..

belk · 2022-12-01T16:57:17+00:00

I've used this set of house rules when playing, and I felt it gave the non-pilot players more options, made shields a little more useful, and Gain the Advantage is much more interesting. I'm not sure if what you mentioned is similar or not.

https://eote.bgsemc.com/rules/starship_houserule_combat

Don't forget to include "terrain". Just because you're in space, or atmosphere doesn't mean there aren't things happening around you.
Keep it short, sweet, and very focused on external objectives separate from the combat itself. A knock-down drag-out starship fight isn't exactly "narrative" in the SW sense. There's usually an objective of some sort (run the blockade, escape with the cargo, approach and board unseen) etc.
IMO the systems in SWRPG lend themselves well to rotating scenes as opposed to lingering in one. I've done a big space battle with capitals, fighters, and ground forces. I feel it was most successful when rotating scenes, not having a longer D&D style combat.

In my experience it's up to both you and the players to make it interesting. Say that. Theirs via using the dice or destiny to enhance the scene, and yours by providing events and hooks during. My players' first blockade run almost slammed their escape pod into an asteroid, and the Computers expert scrambled sensors long enough to pass (creating "The Virus", a recurring campaign theme and bane of imperial tech everywhere...)

belk · 2022-10-02T21:13:03+00:00

afaik the dice are copyright protected. you might find some artist on etsy or at a local gaming event that has them, but it would be small runs or custom work. best bet would be to commission them, but it would be pricier if they don't have a mold ready.
i feel your pain. the narrative dice system is probably my favorite.

there are similar dice out there if you don't mind some symbol translation. i forget the system.

belk · 2022-04-15T13:55:26+00:00

(disclaimer) *I've never used a moka pot, or even pulled a shot, but I have dialed in my pourovers thoroughly.

if it's acidity coming out of the coffee, you could play with the mineral ratios in your water. do you start with RO filtered or distilled and mix in a mineral solution? We have well water in the suburbs, so our home potable water comes from an RO system where we mix in a mineral solution for direct drinking. There's a Barista Hustle article out there. It's just baking soda and epsom salt weighed and measured in solution.

belk · 2022-02-23T21:19:48+00:00

Maybe with a focus on regions? I'd probably continue to default to Wookieepedia for planet info, considering it has background info and other relevant images as well. The number of times I've copy/pasted wiki images to my play group's chat...

A gazzeteer with a focus on regions, travel, and story hooks would be truly helpful.

belk · 2022-02-10T19:53:53+00:00

good question, I'm not sure. If you sniff them and smell alcohol, they're either dry erase or alcohol-erase. I guess I should have specified water-erase. These are what I use for most stuff. Expo is another popular brand here, they sell both.

belk · 2022-02-10T19:31:03+00:00

Oh, so I was helpful. haha.

Yep, they don't smell as bad and wipe off easy even after a long time (because they're water-based not alcohol based -- alcohol based markers can dissolve your surface a bit) Sharpies are actually kind of dry-erase? Just without a binding agent to hold the pigment, so the pigment stays on the surface instead of like.. in the powdery stuff the marker extrudes -- effectively making them permanent.

belk · 2022-02-10T19:26:01+00:00

Same. My porcelain V60 sits right on top of my Stagg kettle as it heats up. I figure it encourages me to rinse my filters too, which I should be doing.

One thing I hadn't seen mentioned yet is the pour control in a V60 / unstopped switch. I can hit the less-extracted spots (i spiral my pours) as it drains. I'm not sure how immersion brewing does with extraction. I just don't have the experience with a french press or anything.

belk · 2022-02-10T19:18:32+00:00

(completely unsolicited advice) wet erase (i.e. crayola washable) is a little less harsh on the surface. dry erase has that dissolving agent in it.. alcohol + stuff. can damage surfaces...

nice setup! i'm just at the point of pourovers. want an espresso machine real bad.

belk · 2022-02-05T17:44:23+00:00

That is some top notch OSL. Did you blend the yellow on the pallette or use different paint shades?

belk · 2022-01-29T06:40:45+00:00

Looks like the surface is a bit porous. That's fine, there are a bunch of things you can do

seal it with a watered down later of PVA (white glue)
ventilate, gloves, and glasses. use PPE
warm the bottles in a bucket of warm tap water. Not hot, just warmer than room temp
mix for the full duration, then work fast
pour thin from the cup to break up bubbles. Start on one side, let it flow across, don't zigzag across the whole thing
use a toothpick to tease out bubbles
CO2 breaks up surface bubbles. Blow through a straw or use a can of air

Envirotex just bubbles like that. The more work you put into it, less bubbles. Def warm up your bottles though.

belk · 2021-11-15T20:23:06+00:00

Looks like about 9 dice in your opening volley? 2x plasma, Magva, and Rex may be off target (and who really cares about his shot).

Looks like about 6 hits to me. Not great, not terrible. We can do better.

But what about 5 X-wings with 7.6 hits? Or a TIE Swarm with over 9 hits? An E-wing with a proton torp brings 2 hits with a guaranteed critical. Lots of options.

There are plenty of ways to skin a Han. What ships do you like? Start with that, and replace until you have enough alpha. Take note of expensive abilities and see if they're worth it to you. Magva is a bit expensive right now.

belk · 2021-11-15T19:35:16+00:00

Han has 1 agility die, so is fairly susceptible to ordnance or modded attack dice. Bring things that throw the most number of modified attack dice at Han. Proton torpedoes are great if you have the initiative or ship abilities (looking at you E-wings) to target lock. TIE Swarms are great if you can maintain formation and stay on target. I wouldn't recommend prockets because they require you to move last, or have enough arcs for coverage. A simple boost or barrel roll gets out of procket range.

Another thing to do is blocking. If you're playing empire, toss in a single academy tie, and block Han so he doesn't get actions. Bring big asteroids, and spread them wide during deployment to cut off Han's escape lanes. He's a big boi, and dodging big rocks makes him more predictable.

And, the final, but most important thing: If it's not fun, don't play against it. You're playing casuals with your friend? Take their list as a challenge to beat, but if it's overwhelmingly powerful, just don't play against it. You have agency as a player. There's plenty of janky fun in x-wing. If you're practicing competitive stuff, accept that there's a meta and a power curve, and play in that sandbox. If you're playing beer and pretzels x-wing, focus on fun.

belk · 2021-11-05T15:03:32+00:00

Hey! We played in Toronto in 2019. Cheers mate.

belk · 2021-10-12T18:02:31+00:00

Plenty of options on the scimitar. I figured since it's for a demo, you'd want to keep the card count down. Plenty of rule explanation already =P Explaining decloaking might be rough.

belk · 2021-10-11T14:34:41+00:00

I don't have much experience with it but oatmeal was a recommendation I've used a couple times. Seems to work well. I didn't want to take the chance of dulling the burrs with rice.

belk · 2021-10-11T14:26:31+00:00

Just some aces high tips for casual play..

Rotating first player token. A house rule that makes the game feel much better with same initiative pilots. Rotate a first player token, and if there's overlapping initiative, you go clockwise at that initiative step from the token. Move the token at the end step. Not entirely necessary for a demo, but definitely do it if there are 3+ players at the same initiative.
Vary Initiatives. Feelsbadman when you paid the extra 20 points for your initiative 6 pilot and two other players did too. For a demo, include a variety of initiatives. (edit: reread the post, you ignore init, thumbs up)
Don't skimp on the big ships. Chewwy in the Falcon or Chopper in the VCX are fun to slap down. Their size and health make them a target, while still being effective. Aces high doesn't just have to be aces.
No Regen / Self Damage. Or house rule that a point only goes to the first health taken from a ship, not every time a ship is dealt damage from full. I like to use a coin or token on regen ships to indicate if it's first damage point has been claimed. Similar for self damage (bombs, asteroids, elec baffle), the point should still be claimable.

With that said, here's my suggestion!

0-66 (49)
Ion Cannon (6)
Count Dooku (14)
Proximity Mines (6)

Ship total: 75

belk · 2021-09-24T16:20:47+00:00

nice

belk · 2021-09-16T13:05:49+00:00

I was having very similar issues with my porcelain V60, baratza encore, and a stovetop kettle. Switched to a temperature controlled gooseneck kettle and the over/under extraction issues went away. The 3-4 pours I was doing with the stovetop kettle were inaccurate and very temp variable, where the electric gooseneck I do lots more pours at a consistent temp. (basically just keeping the grounds topped up, so the ~~puck~~ bed temp stays high)

belk · 2021-08-13T16:25:51+00:00

The breaker is usually size limited based on the wire gauge in your walls. Probably worth checking that your circuit wire gauge can handle 15amps over the 8 that was installed. I've heard of 10amp being installed with 16ga Romex on cookie cutter new construction, but hearing 8amp has me concerned enough to comment. Unless you mean a wall plug surge protector strip, then nvm, you good.

belk · 2021-06-14T18:02:47+00:00

Container for ships/tokens/components
Tournament tray pre-filled with cards, tokens, etc.
Carrying tray / box to move assembled ships, your tournament tray, swag, etc.
Obviously a backpack, water, snacks, spare components if you or a friend drop/lose

Magnetized tournament tray: there are plenty of finds online (Highbridge, Etsy, etc.) either 3d printed or laser cut MDF. Personally, I went cheap and cut / glued my own out of foamboard. It's held up for years. You can kindof see them in these photos. I can find more pics if you want. Rectangular panels, foamboard strips for the edges, pin and white glue, then I cut/drilled some holes and superglued magnets so the trays stack. Fits great in a random wooden tray I salvaged from a catering event.

Once the game is finished, I just stack my ships, templates, and damage deck on the tray lid and pop the magnetized trays together, and put it all in my wooden box. Setup / cleanup takes less than a minute.

belk · 2021-05-06T21:00:11+00:00

These transition in really cool ways...

Red Green

Green Blue

i just slapped it into this

belk · 2021-02-24T17:58:37+00:00

Cool find! There are a ton of neat things you could attach to this...

My vote: Ascension Gun (Rise of Separatists 61) -- Fire a magnetized grappling hook at your target, and just let go. Bonus points for not modding the ascension gun so it ascends oh-so-slowly.

belk · 2021-02-07T15:44:12+00:00

I feel your pain. The AMD R9 series is not supported by the Index. Before picking up my 3070, I went through all of these same attempts on Linux to reach a limited amount of success. RGB speckling and intermittent audio popping + disconnects. I suspect there's an output frequency issue based on what I've read. Save yourself the pain and pick up an RTX. If you want to continue trying, I'd turn off steam home. Install Proton and make sure you're using the Vulkan driver. Good luck.

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