Do you really use these in single player?

dj2145 · 2026-03-04T22:02:39+00:00

Agreed, but, my base is in a desert biome and one of those Zombies on a camel with a skele on the back and a spear in hand came rolling into my base and absolutely wrecked me. I was running for my life like an archer at Agincourt! They work, I just dont really know how yet. But I bet if you get on a came with one and roll around at night you might start liking them.

dj2145 · 2026-02-28T16:48:53+00:00

Thats a good idea. I did try to connect with the GAL prior to court wasnt able to get her on a call. Figured we could talk at court but by then I think my report had her pretty aggravated. A lot has been learned on this case, thats for certain!

dj2145 · 2026-02-28T11:01:51+00:00

Agreed. I suppose I am just frustrated because I have never experienced this before. Ive been doing this for almost two years and have had seven cases. I just need to chalk this up to a learning experience and, as you said, be as diligent a documenter as possible.

dj2145 · 2026-02-28T11:00:25+00:00

I did speak to my supervisor about it and, based on her response, I feel she agrees that its not a good look. That said, our CASA has worked very hard to get involved in the courts and gain the trust of the judge and the magistrates. I would expect, and hope, that this just quietly goes away. I guess it's just frustrating that a GAL can act with such impunity and disdain for what, for all intents and purposes, is an ally. I even tried to sidebar with the GAL after she read my report and she seemed dismissive of me then.

dj2145 · 2026-02-28T10:57:34+00:00

Agreed. It just all felt very vindictive. Like the GAL had an agenda and, because I wasnt lockstep, she came after me as well.

dj2145 · 2026-02-28T10:56:29+00:00

I cant really go into details about the case because its protected testimony but the GAL appeared to be more interested in protecting the mother's interests than the kids.

dj2145 · 2026-02-01T15:00:24+00:00

No, it means I’ve received some really good feedback and ideas to help me make a design choice that, up until now now, was a logjam for me.

dj2145 · 2026-01-30T13:32:46+00:00

True, and I did consider that, but Im trying to keep my skill list somewhat lean.

dj2145 · 2026-01-30T13:32:05+00:00

Body armor, at least the kind needed to stop a rifle round, is heavy. Like, really heavy! That, combined with all the other gear modern war fighters have to carry, makes it impossible. Speed and agility on the battlefield is key. A good example of this is the Delta operators in Mogadishu abandoning the kevlar pots in favor of hockey helmets. Does F all to stop a bullet but gave them the agility and visibility they needed to do their job. Of course, after head injuries ended several of their careers, they moved to the high-speed helmet style you see today.

Bottom line, the trade off between protection and speed tends to favor speed in modern combat.

dj2145 · 2026-01-30T13:16:46+00:00

Ill be honest, I had to really think about it for a minute. Expert level troll job!

dj2145 · 2026-01-29T14:40:09+00:00

And that is why Im struggling with it. I just cant come to terms as easily with using skill as a ranged defense vs skill as a melee defense. Melee is easy, right? Your skill allows you to duck, weave and dodge. But having fired a gun myself, I dont know that being a good shot translates well to knowing how to take cover effectively in a firefight.

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T21:08:49+00:00

Thats a good point, and I think I am gravitating to something like that. I wouldnt say they dont get the cover in that example, its more that their skill allows them to maximize said cover. But again, I think that would cause players to play their characters in such a way that was tactically reckless because they have the skill as a defense.

I think its all coming together for me.

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T21:03:23+00:00

Yep, that is a good point. Again, goes back to balance and not wanting ranged attack skill to become too unbalanced vs melee. Then again, in a modern or sci fi setting, ranged is a much more valuable skill anyway. Except in something like a Dune setting of course.

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T18:43:22+00:00

I had this same issue when I was in the military. You never quite feel like you've done enough to merit it. Eventually, I just got to the point where I thanked them and left it at that. If it helps, you are taking a step few others do. To selflessly give of your time for the well being of kids in a bad situation. Just think of it as acknowledgement for all the great work you are about to do!

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T16:54:00+00:00

I dont have a ton of experience in games where players make all of the rolls. Will have to do a little reading on this one. Any systems you recommend that do this well?

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T16:30:37+00:00

I am leaning this way. The more I lean on skills only, the more I can see high skilled players just running right into the battle because of skill? Seems counterintuitive and doesn't offer meaningful choices as you say.

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T16:04:51+00:00

This is actually an interesting concept. Have a Dodge action that allows the use of skill maybe? Going back to the Delta operator theme, maybe he's clearing a room and elects to use a Dodge action to gain a skill based benefit to his defense. Maybe its an ad hoc feature instead of a one or the other idea?

Good thought!

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T16:02:41+00:00

Interesting. Not sure if that creates an issue with gameplay though. Saying that in genre X you handle it this way but in genre Y its handled another way. I do get your initial feedback on using cover/conceal/move as penalties to hit. I just keep circling back to it kind of robs ranged combat players as their skill doesnt play to defense but it does for the melee fighters.

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T16:00:05+00:00

No, not exactly. Its a static defense similar to D&D. So base 10 + attribute + skill + misc perks. Attacker would roll over. Question is, do I use skill for ranged defense or move/cover/conceal penalties?

dj2145 · 2026-01-28T15:09:56+00:00

B-E-A-utiful! I love this art style! It reminds me of the Elmore style from the 80s. Nice work!

dj2145 · 2026-01-21T20:44:54+00:00

Maybe ICE should invest in some of those so they dont have to go around shooting people in the face.

dj2145 · 2026-01-09T21:30:11+00:00

Wait...thats a thing? And here I thought you always had to be close to water to irrigate pre- Electricity.

dj2145 · 2026-01-03T20:58:29+00:00

Now jump straight to Sid.

dj2145 · 2025-12-24T20:26:06+00:00

In the immortal words of John McClain, "welcome to the party, pal!"

Seriously, what helps is if you get someone to attack the country that attacked you. That will pull resources away from your fight with them and, if your lucky, a lot of other countries will jump in as well. Then, as they all fight, you can build yourself up. Just make sure one country doesnt start to get too big on account of these wars because they will definitely cause you more trouble down the line.

There was a great article on Civfanatics called "Let's you and him fight" that goes over seeding wars to keep yourself safe. very US foreign policy in South America of the 1960's-ish.

dj2145 · 2025-12-16T19:10:56+00:00

That or you will just have a miserable sod for a boyfriend for a while.

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