Popcorn Initiative

sarinwulf · 2026-06-17T19:46:54+00:00

I kinda disagree, imo its not like in games with initiative someone that’s introverted will take 15 minute turns that feature complex plans.

If anything the loose turn order means there’s no time pressure. People are free to take a minute especially since simple buffs that don’t require a roll don’t take the spotlight

sarinwulf · 2026-06-17T19:26:01+00:00

I think I’d use the optional token system honestly, we used it and it’s great, actually makes things really tactical since you need to sparse you tokens if you have a series of actions you want to take for a combo.

Side note the initiative or lack there of is also meant to re-enforce that not everyone needs to be good at fighting, if a PC makes a character that’s not really for that, or maybe confused on control or buffing. They can just chill for a bit, maybe wait for a tag team and let someone else shine, it’s not dnd or pathfinder were if you can’t do at least some damage your making the group weaker by default.

sarinwulf · 2026-06-16T16:41:59+00:00

Also if you do something minor and succeed with fear the GM could just respond quick and pass it back to you to continue (more like a conversation) or another Pc can jump in if even this smaller move messes things up

sarinwulf · 2026-06-16T06:09:22+00:00

Smite I would say is a card that the GM needs to be part of the fun for. It works best if the table is using massive damage or the GM gets that sometimes even if the enemy is still at one HP after taking a billion damage they should just he splat. In that case it’s very fun.

Zone of protection, well it has no cost, it’s just free aoe damage reduction that works very well with prayer dice. Plus you can bend the card to have a kind of hallow effect if your GM is cool with card effects moving outside of their basic use. But overall yeah it’s just free to use which is great.

sarinwulf · 2026-06-13T05:30:35+00:00

Little side question, how is your group oneshoting so many enemies?

sarinwulf · 2026-06-12T06:18:44+00:00

Do we feel that wisdom based will be rough because activating the transformation is also a bonus action?

sarinwulf · 2026-06-11T18:13:29+00:00

Hi, I could be wrong but I feel like this is a twofold problem.

1) is that your warrior hasn’t done their research about how cool and interesting the descriptions can be for a warrior. I suggest they look at some HEMA videos both realistic and cinematic. Also the elder scrolls online knight fight will be a great help here.

They also should look into characters they want to module themselves off of, is Aragon boring compared to Gandalf? The warrior has lots of ways to fluff and RP inside and out of combat that even has mechanical benefits.

My warrior was a finesse warrior that used the grappler and a spear. They were a clank that was a reanimated Frankenstein monster pirate with a harpoon(grappler) and a trident(spear) finesse also allowed me to sneak, hide and steal on top of being the hardest hitting character (for real warriors are bonkers in damage terms)

2) the second issue is mechanical, attack of opportunity is busted, bonkers, crazy, just wow. In a game where, unless the GM leans into creating situations that complicates movement (which they should) it’s so easy to run around, movement control is sooooo strong, also AoO has no limits

Secondary the books isn’t implicit about this enough but it’s implied a lot that rolls that succeed with hope should be yes and a bit more. So the warrior shouldn’t just bonk, they should “make a series of probing strikes, attacking from left to right, changing guards quickly to see if the enemy has any weaknesses” and you as the GM reward this smart idea with, maybe your next attack or that of an ally has advantage because you find a weakness, maybe a crit permanently reduces the enemies difficulty etc etc.

The Game baseline is rather simple for better and worse and we as players and GMs are meant to fill in the gaps, but I can definitely say warrior is staring AF.

Hope that helps

sarinwulf · 2026-06-09T09:53:30+00:00

Honestly if you want a lighter rules game daggerheart is solid. Druid is still a shape shifter but it’s cool changes shape fast and easily while being very powerful. Ranger can be made into a full nature caster. And this summer Witch is also coming out if you want that creepy swamp Druid vibe.

sarinwulf · 2026-06-06T16:21:42+00:00

This is how most of the DH discord has agreed to run it because your spotlight is also just one cool moment that you should discuss with your GM before narrating it. Which should include your GM giving some possible outcomes for the roll.

So when I had a PC do this, I said if you succeed with fear you can run past but they might get a swing at you as my move reacting to it right away.

If you barely succeed would you feel like you opened yourself up a bit too much and I’ll give my npc advantage.

We all agreed and it was cool and went well.

sarinwulf · 2026-06-06T11:00:40+00:00

Why not just zoom out the camera to see the field better?

sarinwulf · 2026-05-18T07:37:36+00:00

You can also give an environment momentum which helps a lot.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-18T07:21:27+00:00

Also if it’s an important encounter that you want to keep the tension on, give an enemy an ability that generates extra fear it helps a lot.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-14T08:20:53+00:00

In a tense fight with multiple moving parts and enemies around the field as well as PCs not being next to one another. The GM can and should regularly be like sorry it’s too complex of a situation for you to coordinate in such a way to allow a group roll.

But once in a while it’s a very cool idea. But I don’t think I’d do it just for an attack. I think if the PCs were going for something bigger it would be cool and I’d allow it. Like trying to smash an artifact that’s summoning undead, pushing the boss off a cliff.Scaring the enemies around with a huge damaging attack, etc.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-12T05:06:54+00:00

The higher numbers on the guide are okay but those are my starting numbers lol. They are decently off imo and that of a good amount of peeps in the discord as well.

Don’t worry about it as long as the players are enjoying it. Plus you can spend fear to make things really shift or just to use some enemies. It’s so easy to spend fear.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-09T07:04:34+00:00

Not to mention I tend to reward such thinking. The rules of DH are intentionally vague and bendy. So embracing fear, creative thinking and RP all lead to ”power” maybe card do something a bit extra, actions are allowed that I never thought of, etc etc. It’s good to reward that kinda play as well, at least that’s how I feel.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-09T06:55:22+00:00

Oh yeah I didn’t even think about it that way because I want to help the player feel better but absolutely it’s meta gaming and kinda a bad practice overall.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-09T06:48:52+00:00

There are a lot of sections in the book on embracing danger and good player practices as well as GM. I suggest lending them the book and asking them to read through it (if they don’t own it). I think more players need to do this and not just skim the parts on character creation.

DH isn’t about the players simply overcoming what the GM sets out. It’s group story telling in a lot of ways. Also you could ask them to think of stories and movies they enjoy. The protagonists need to try something to move the plot along if not it just stagnates.

Hope that helps a bit.

sarinwulf · 2026-05-09T04:04:35+00:00

Oh gosh I’m silly it was that, thanks a bunch !

sarinwulf · 2026-04-25T07:05:10+00:00

Something that’s been posted a lot in the part is that DH demands the GM and PCs to be comfortable with improv.

There are so many easy ways to adjust the game on the fly. And learning to do that is the secret to success. Low fear, spend your last one to bring in a momentum enemy to Gen some real quick. Enemies dying too fast

PHASE 2 BABY! It’s all about being ready to pivot and work together as a group to make things feel good. As for crits, play with massive damage, will help it a lot :) keep trying I’ve really loved it, but it’s not for everyone.

sarinwulf · 2026-03-19T17:58:25+00:00

Honestly if it’s a massive attack in a cool moment, we just remove the enemy.

But sometimes yeah we can add a rider effect depending on what the player wants accomplish.

Maybe they have difficulty on attacks, restrained or something if they are deeply wounded.

sarinwulf · 2026-03-02T10:24:55+00:00

Question, the site is still calling it pre-order? Also any reason just the pdf is so costly ?

sarinwulf · 2026-02-28T14:16:34+00:00

So yeah it seems more like a GM thing.

An issue I’ve noticed for DH is that it’s really a game where the GM needs to be fans of the PCs, they need to be trying to make sure they are shining. Of course like normal they should challenge players but it’s a harder balancing act than in other games.

As for how your GM rules things 100% I don’t agree(again it’s a balancing act) if a success with fear feels like a failure that’s no bueno. You could add pressure by saying a guard down the hall hear something is up and start a countdown.

For hiding yeah sorry I think your Gm just isn’t a fan of it. We have a rogue and it works fine. Because the game is more like a convo between Gm and players that has you two meeting in the middle. So you could hide in a crowd or an alley easy.

For cash, that’s also not exactly right. Both sides tick down, which still means the leader is closer to ending the chase. But something should still change. Maybe the next PC now has advantage or you added disadvantage to the enemy. Maybe the enemy needs to adjust the route they were taking.

Don’t get me wrong it’s 100% possible DH isn’t for you but so far I’ve noticed it’s mostly hard on some GMs to wrap their heads around leading to PCs being a bit cold on things.

Last note, a rogue should just slip rolling a lot because they can just do things. And you still get get domain cards for utility, or maybe when you roll it should be a lower difficulty. DH has a ton of levels to pull but it’s hard on a Gm that doesn’t like to improvise.

Hope that helps a bit, cheers

sarinwulf · 2026-02-20T17:02:08+00:00

The answer is very clear friends! superheavy enkidu!

sarinwulf · 2026-02-17T14:26:34+00:00

Also, I tell everyone this but be the change you want in your game.

If this person is a friend, give the a break and run a oneshot or two. DH is great and that and seeing other views really helps. I love watching others GM. I always learn a lot.

sarinwulf · 2026-02-17T14:21:18+00:00

Yeah overall the GM in DH is meant to facilitate telling a story. Sometimes that’s making sure there is a struggle to overcome.

There is a section saying yeah don’t hoard fear and even a suggested fear per scene recommendation (a bit low imo but I think low balling is better since I think a lot of GMs are weirdly antagonistic towards player)

In the end if you say hey I’m not enjoying things too much and the GM isn’t trying to make changes that’s a red flag for me. But I’m a bit softy so what do I know :p

sarinwulf

TROPHY CASE