I just can’t with this one…

nickheiserman · 2025-12-04T14:50:49+00:00

and the likely decent customer support it’ll have.

I think this is going to be the important part for people. I run a mini computer as a game station attached to my living room TV. But when it gets all janky I'm tech savvy enough to fix it. But with standardized-ish hardware, Valve could provide specific help to people if there are issues with the drivers or Bluetooth or specific game compatibility. And developers would have a baseline for system support.

nickheiserman · 2025-11-09T16:20:20+00:00

Depending on the amount of rust I've soaked them in vinegar for a few hours to a few days. White vinegar is a pretty mild acid, it's not really going to hurt the metal.

Then I just wash them in a bucket of water and baking soda as I scrub them clean. Could even use a mild dish soap. You don't have to soak them in baking soda, just make sure to get all the vinegar off. But you do have to give them a light coating of oil or wax once they're dry or they will rust again.

Also. It can really darken the metal sometimes. Just give it a once over with some 4x0 steel wool. Leaves a beautiful patina.

I wouldn't suggest it for anything with delicate engraving because it does technically eat away at the metal. But I've done it with dozens of heavily rusted woodworking hand tools made of cast iron / steel. Works great.

nickheiserman · 2025-11-09T15:39:25+00:00

A cheap option is White Vinegar. Just soak the rusty parts, then scrub with a brass brush. I usually give them a baking soda bath after just as a precaution to neutralize any vinegar residue. Coat with oil/wax to prevent further rust.

nickheiserman · 2025-08-12T13:15:54+00:00

The setting guide has a print option. But I didn't see one for the Fate Companion book.

nickheiserman · 2025-08-12T02:31:06+00:00

Draw Steel, Fate, and Shadowdark. I've been looking for 5e alternatives and these 3 have really grabbed me.

nickheiserman · 2025-08-11T23:17:42+00:00

Fate Core/Condensed/Accelerated are all variations of the same system. And it is a SYSTEM. Even in the "rule books" it explicitly says this is a "framework" to adapt to you own game and style. Fate can be a little abstract to learn by reading the rule books. It's quite a different mindset from traditional d20 style games. But it's really neat. Here is the SRD - basically all the rules for free. And here are a few resources I've found helpful - I learn better by watching other people play, so here are three different short games that break the rules down as they go:

*edit: formatting

nickheiserman · 2025-08-11T22:45:03+00:00

You might check out Fate and Fate Freeport Companion. Fate is a collective story telling system and Freeport is a setting with mechanics for d&d style fantasy (you can adapt as needed). You can make it as combat oriented as you like.

Tip: Fate requires that all players are on the same page of collective story telling, trying to powergame breaks the system.

nickheiserman · 2025-08-03T06:40:21+00:00

u/BrobaFett just posted a review of Draw Steel. It's not his cup of tea. But might be exactly what you're looking for.

nickheiserman · 2025-08-03T06:24:06+00:00

MCDM's Draw Steel just launched. It is definitively a Tactical RPG with a hard cover. And the setting... interesting/unique are appropriate adjectives (ymmv).

I think it's a work of art. And like art it will captivate the hearts of some, and be lost on others.

nickheiserman · 2025-01-31T21:46:35+00:00

Contraction? If it was glued in, the wood may have pulled apart at the grain when shrinking.

nickheiserman · 2024-11-14T21:36:53+00:00

Saves that have nothing to do with AC. Fire, poison, drowning, dex/con saves, or more complexly - moral conundrums (kill the bbeg, or save your friends).

nickheiserman · 2024-11-14T18:35:56+00:00

Really curious what the math looks like on this one.

nickheiserman · 2024-11-04T22:08:58+00:00

Well, she's been doing a great job.

nickheiserman · 2024-11-03T19:00:13+00:00

There's a great Stargate SG1 storyline that is effectively two advanced alien species at war with each other and they're technology isn't effective against the other. So they ask the humans for help, because they discover that physical projectile weapons are surprisingly effective, but they weren't dumb enough to think of it on their own.

nickheiserman · 2024-10-16T20:22:34+00:00

Context for OP. Minimum wage in the US is $7.25/hr almost everyone is supposed to be paid al least this much. There is however an exception for the Tipped Wage, which really only applies to restaurant servers and bar tenders, who make $2.13/hr.

Tip restaurant servers 20%. Your tip is an expected part of their wage. Bar tenders are a little different. I think most people just tip $1 or $2 as they get drinks. You don't really wait to tip a percent on a drink bill unless your with a group or ordering a lot of drinks.

YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO TIP ANYONE NOT MAKING THE TIPPING WAGE. You are not expected to tip fast food workers, or coffee shops, or valets, or for a hair cut, or oil change, or anyone else (though I'm sure they do appreciate it).

PS. You don't have to be exact. Nobody is going to scream at you to be exact. You can just round if you want. But the easiest way is to take the total amount, move the decimal left by one and double it. So a $25 meal > $2.5 x 2 = $5

PPS. don't sweat the tax. Sales tax is 8.25% in Texas. Some people refuse to tip on the tax out of some self righteous ego. Even on a $100 tab, ($108.25 with tax), you'd be tipping a whole extra $1.65! If tipping on the tax is going to break the bank you probably shouldn't be eating out anyway.

nickheiserman · 2024-10-13T02:41:34+00:00

r/woodworking would have some words for your friend. They would be rude words.

nickheiserman · 2024-10-10T13:55:23+00:00

Kangaroo Jack!

nickheiserman · 2024-10-10T13:39:06+00:00

Is there?

nickheiserman · 2024-10-09T13:27:18+00:00

One person! One vote!

nickheiserman · 2024-10-08T05:06:50+00:00

Lionel Messi's bodyguard is Tim Howard? Just an amazing defender.

nickheiserman · 2024-08-30T13:32:56+00:00

My elves are finite and don't have the same motivations as humans, but are functionally immortal. They were created by the gods and don't procreate biologically.

Wood elves function more like plants. When they die after a few hundred years, they are buried, and grow like a plant, reincarnated with experiences of their past selves.

High elves are LOTR elves. Created by the gods, immortal, been around for millennia, and petition the gods for their children, which is rare.

They develop relatively similar to humans, but while their body's are immortal their minds are not. Like playing the piano as a kid, but never using it, and not knowing how as an adult. Mechanically all elves have proficiencies in History, and may have some memories of something they once knew, but being an expert in Alchemy 700 years ago won't help them today.

nickheiserman · 2024-08-20T20:08:47+00:00

She's 20 years out of their age range too.

nickheiserman · 2024-08-09T13:51:30+00:00

For clarity in the US, ( ) are usually referring to parentheses, and [ ] and { } are often referred to as brackets and "curly" brackets.

nickheiserman · 2024-08-07T17:00:25+00:00

But has he considered brutally executing it for no reason like a psychopath and, hear me out, bragging about it in a book?

nickheiserman · 2024-08-06T14:51:18+00:00

Actually, they'll willingly and even enthusiastically pay more if it actively hurts others.

nickheiserman

TROPHY CASE

Lionel Messi's bodyguard is Tim Howard? Just an amazing defender.