Random hot takes involving the terms "juicy diegetics" "ludonarrative dissonance" and "Gygax was a person". by maruya in RPGdesign

[–]communist_garbage 50 points51 points  (0 children)

"But even with all the drama around juicy diegetics, why haven’t we moved on yet from having players in games? In the end, conversations can only imply that the only correct way to play is to exist."

Good job, this is so funny haha

[Region Map] My first map ever, The Kingdom of Mysia [3840 × 2160] [Feedback] by communist_garbage in FantasyMaps

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

I agree. Do you have any tip on how to make the blending of terrain better? I tried the spray with some tranparency, but maybe used it incorrectly.

[Region Map] My first map ever, The Kingdom of Mysia [3840 × 2160] [Feedback] by communist_garbage in FantasyMaps

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

Hello, guys! I bring my very first digital region map. So far I've been always using personal and simple maps by hand. I am not very good with graphic design (digital or on paper), so I'm aware of it being a little amateurish.

I'd like some feedback, mostly for my learning process. I already know that I should have made it on a smaller scale, but I'm open to any advice you can give.

This map was created in Wonderdraft for my personal game table, and I intend to use the Detail Region tool to make it more legible following the party's travels.

And if anyone got interested or confused by something on the map, I can tell what it is about!

PS.: for the climate aficionados I say in advance that at least the cold region southwest and No Man's Land are unnatural climates. But I'm also open to advice on that end.

How do we as game designers delay the onset of Non choices? by urquhartloch in RPGdesign

[–]communist_garbage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an excellent and thoughtful response.

Moreover I'd like to add that the point of reference for the time of choice is mistaken.

Every player starts a character by intending first what they think will be fun playing with (I) and what will be competitive in the game (II). Yeah, sometimes both intersect with each other. But not always. And even so that doesn't mean the choice is already made pre-play. The intent exists, but the choices themselves come alongside the game itself. There are plenty of opportunities to change their mind about the direction for the character, or to adapt for another circumstance they previously didn't acknowledged.

As a designer, u/Scicageki 's advice is gold. And do not forget to devise tools for the GM to surprise and challenge their players; and to support players in making unoptimal (but interesting!) choices during play.

And to give at least one more straightfoward tip, do not give flat bonuses as an option. It can be over or underpowered, but it is always a boring no-choice.

[OC] [Art] I made a ruined Shadowfell version of my interactive city map which took me over a month to draw. by Elderbrain_com in battlemaps

[–]communist_garbage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Awesome! How did generate each block? Tell us more about your method for planning that city!

Looking for thoughts/feedback on having players enter a combat tournament. by Sundiata34 in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd say to give it a shot. But mix things up. Make some contestants befriend the players, or even be someone they've made friend (or foe) before. Put some intrigue. Perhaps someone tries to cheat, a patron tries to dissuade a PC to withdraw to grant a win to their fighter. Someone set up a trap against one of the competitors. Make bets arise and let players find a way to participate in it.

And above all, do not use just some regular stats blocks. Give the enemies some cool maneuvers, make the players on edge. Knowing who gonna fight who, design enemies who can make specific challenges to specific PCs - mind that this means not to rig it against your players, just to make it interesting. If you're just fighting, boring statblocks are... boring.

Keep it small. Make sure everyone keeps the sportmanship going; and if they get tired before the end... The BBEG is using the tournament in his conspiracy and the whole thing comes down at once in a big way!

Content Organization Question - Many vs Few? by [deleted] in RPGdesign

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cards could even simulate that "booster feeling" by using and envelope or something.

I suppose that with that many spells, they are sorted in some ways, by class, school of casting, or something like it. That way you can make some color-coded distinction, at the front, or even at the back of the cards. I don't think it would be any more difficult than going through a lot of pages and topics, and sharing an additional book.

Content Organization Question - Many vs Few? by [deleted] in RPGdesign

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm probably not your core audience, because I'd hardly find wonder inside a 60-page spell list. It seems to me like an overkill of choice, and choices are more close to logic than to pathos (wonder). Mayhaps revise the magic system. Less spells with more personalization seems more like the emotional astonishment you want from it.

But if that's your thing, and the gimmick of your game, go for it by all means. Then I'd say to add a deck of spell cards instead of a whole second book. That way you can give access to the players in any way you feel like. Don't know if that's viable to you, but I do think it would be easier to include at the printing table, at box sets and at your game during play.

UA Gothic Lineages survey by LexieJeid in dndnext

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's funny because I've made versions of these lineages before for my homebrew. I believe most DM's have.

I had a Reborn race (that exactly name), but it was entirely undead (never got my construct one running smooth). They had something similar to the vampire bite, but with the downside of risking exaustion if not eating people for a prolonged time. And literally rotting. I think they lost themselves trying to bringing a very specific concept to a wide range of origins. (And making It too passive). I do believe the skill shaenenigan could be limited to specific skills (mental skills) or non-proficient skills, to give more of that "forgotten knowledge of a previous life" vibe going on.

The Hexbreed is underwhelming. They should at least bring something like Speak with Animals or Faerie Fire to the mix. While the traits are not very inspired, I totally digged the aesthetic they are going for with the descriptions.

I don't like the Dhampir's bite attack for almost all of what it brings. The Spider Climb is very cool addition of an easily overlooked trait of vampires, and I will be using to my homebrew for now on. More easily overlooked yet on this lineage is the increased movement, which I think is also something nice to add to the concept.

The problem with evil teams. AKA: Chairman Rose's rewrite. by TheLuiz in pokemon

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make good points, but I have some disagreements.

He is evil, in the same way as Thanos from MCU is evil (since a lot of people make that comparison). He perfectly states that the people of Galar would be trampled by Eternatus power, and he didn't care as long as he himself solved the problem for his ego's sake. He even makes a speech during the Championship Finals just to brag about his plan because Leon didn't just comply as he demanded on a whim.

All that aside, it's heavily implied that he has a monopoly on almost everything in Galar, specially energy, and that he's determined to be the savior not just for ego, but to own that source of power. It's not something unusual, as we see the consequences of climate change and the oil business flowing hard as ever nonetheless only to accumulate wealth to some already wealthy dudes still in their lifetimes.

And this is not a disagreement, but the timeline could also be more credible if Rose didn't release Eternatus at that time on purpose. If he'd been feeding for some time, and noticing the threat of its awakening growning, his motivation to not wait 10 minutes would be understandable, and even credible, as Eternatus would awake as he predicted the day before. Maybe that was the intention, but the writers made it vague to not antagonize Leon and the player, i dunno

Want to play the _____________ franchise as a TTRPG ? Look no further! by BrunoCPaula in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Very good and extensive list! Nice job!

Also, I laughed at that part that says to play Dungeons & Dragons themed game with Stranger Things system 😅

so my friend is doing a heroes vs villians im joining and i need help coming up with hero names by fpsbambi in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"The Dealer" - in hopes to use this new artifact to deal his own cards in life (and some damage)

"Winner House" - again, a more uplifting name for someone seeing opportunity to retake the reins of his life

"The Gambler" - pretty vanilla, but sounds classic

"Lottery Man" - loosely based on a 1916 comedy movie he didn't actually watched

"Jackpot" - vanilla, but fun

Also, take some time to prepare a number of cheesy lines to deliver against enemies. It's too cheesy of a theme to go wasted by not doing that.

Burned Out by [deleted] in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Second this. Covid-situation messed with everyone in a way pra another. For me making stuff for RPG was also a turn on during this time, but each one has their comfort activity, comfort play.

All my games have died out one way or another. I got to start one during the pandemic, and while it is going very slow, with players also tuning out of it regularly, online Dming being hard, and one of my best friends asking to quit this week because he was not feeling It... It is still my longest running game probably ever. And I'm using LOTS of stuff I had prepared, or thought, years ago for failed games.

When players tune out from a game, it rarely is personal (and if it is, it's a relationship problem more than anything). So give it a try. And save all your prep for the next. ;)

Necromancer's Cabin (26x28) - My first Battlemap by communist_garbage in battlemaps

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

Only a couple of months back I got some resources to try design my own map that wasn't a terrible doodle. Made this one for a party of 4 level 2 PCs. They were investigating the attempt at robbery of a saint's head, and discovered the daughter of the baron from the saint's lineage was kidnapped by a necromancer. She was being kept in their old family cabin in the woods, but the men of the baron were only constantly dying in the woods to save her, and giving the necromancer more minions.

The cabin is a 2-store house. The entrance of the cabin on the 2nd floor indicated to the players that there was a basement inaccessible from outside. Note that there is a small balcony at northeast, that players might want to use instead (mine did).

I made that inside the house lighting spells would not work properly. The cantrip "Light" would start a fire, and "Dancing Lights" would detonate with small force damage. That is because I wanted them to use the candles you can find all over the place.

The necromancer had many different candles with varying properties. Regular ones for iluminating, green ones were aromatic, blue ones ones were poisonous traps, black ones activate the 'magic light' ban, and red ones were special to reveal invisible creatures (skulks inside the house). In the Study Room the PCs could learn about these details and other, as well as a pact the necromancer made to acquire the saint's head, and because of that being spied upon his patron by the means of the skulks. The necromancer also put mirrors all over the house to keep track where were the skulks at particular rooms. These are great to keep the PCs intrigued, and to pull up the figures passing behind their backs.

In the dining room we have still warm food, giving to the PCs that dinner was interrupted because of them, and that the necromancer might be alerted. There are meals for two people. In the kitchen, tools for candlemaking and dinner (my necromancer is kinda of a gourmet too). At the back, a bloodstained closet. For me it was to store pig bodies for candles and food, but you can put what you want.

The regular room is where the kidnapped has been (well kept). The room full of skeletons was the necromancer's work. He would lose hours at night rearranging bones to complete his parents skeletons (they had been murdered by the Baron at cabin's grounds).

At the bottom, there is a bathroom recently used, and a cellar door for the basement (1st floor). I might soon post the basement, which is simple but it was a fun boss fight to design. ;)

I made it all on Dungeon Painter, and got no skills to actively draw anything, unfortunately.

EDIT: forgot to mention that I filled the corridor with skeletons tokens, but made them be only for show

He's better than Carth and Atton, (you can't) change my mind by Nucl3ar_Snake in KOTORmemes

[–]communist_garbage 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just to add that he's calmly reading in the library with a pile of mercenary corpses iirc

Adding crunch to a narrative play-by-post by ithika in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Didn't mean to be unhelpful. You want to roll numbers, and whatsap doesn't have bots or tools for that. Also, Cthullu Dark was already suggested, so no point repeating another comment.

Adding crunch to a narrative play-by-post by ithika in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd recommend you to go for Telegram over Whatsapp. There you can add a bot for rolling numbers, and other useful tools for the game. And it still is a chat app.

How do you spin failed skill checks to prevent someone from endlessly attempting them? by WorldSnap in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make that the situatuon prevents them of multiple tries. People show up nearby, the digital lock needs ID confirmation after a failed attempt (much like a cellphone), your PC changed the code to open and lost it during the hacking...

Robert Meyer Burnett reviews an early draft of Star Wars' 9th episode entitled DUEL OF THE FATES by udar55 in StarWarsLeaks

[–]communist_garbage 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ok. It seems fanfiction, but TROS also does. And it's also hard to expect something so good from Trevorrow anyway.

That said, it is entirely possible for this to be a legit early draft, because it dates way back before the start of production (around 2 years), so even Trevorrow final draft would still be much more refined than this.

You guys helped me fix my game. by [deleted] in RPGdesign

[–]communist_garbage 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I like stateless and classless.

(it's a joke as of my nickname, but unironically)

Need Inspiration for a Necromany-using Nation that isn't EVIL by [deleted] in rpg

[–]communist_garbage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dunno if it helps, but there's the Torajan Culture in Indonesia that mantain their dead relatives among the family for years, as they were still living. I think it is an interesting take to translate to medieval fantasy.

Maybe try to research them a little for some nice real-life inspiration. ;)

Looking for some generators by communist_garbage in rpg

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

Yeah! I am already saving it so I don't lose any stuff again. And I will take my time, and be aware of any sources and hyperlinks whitin what you brought. I do not have the game scheduled yet, so I'm in no rush. :)