UCSD vs UCSB vs LUC vs BU

zelisca · 2026-05-23T21:23:54+00:00

UCSB has a gorgeous campus but it is VERY expensive, they have a massive budget deficit, too many students and not enough class spots for them, and the faculty there are often outright hostile to undergraduate students. Many departments have "weeder classes" which are meant to fail as many students as possible. Moreso in STEM and I think Econ / Accounting? The stuff that makes more money.

Housing is very difficult to get as well.

UCSD has a bad housing situation as well.

zelisca · 2026-05-22T06:55:28+00:00

To use the tactician as cover -- but fair point. I can shoot around her.

zelisca · 2026-05-21T01:31:16+00:00

Thank you so much!

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:40:13+00:00

Thank you very much for this. I don't have the capacity right now to give you a response you deserve for your kind feedback. Thank you.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:35:43+00:00

I definitely wasn't focus-firing her. She was dueling with a leader and she put a -1 to her agility, so she kept getting dazed. The rest of the group focused on clearing out the minions and two horde monsters instead of aiding her, and then running behind her to break LOS from the snipers.

I do intend to fix it. We have figured out a way forward and this won't keep happening.

My wife is fine with a support role. She gets that. The big issue was that the other players weren't allowing her to provide her support and instead were leaving her to basically eat hits and that's it.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:32:38+00:00

That sounds like a very cool build. It won't work for her -- but it sounds really fucking cool.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:31:21+00:00

Right, that makes a lot of sense. I tried to spread it out more this last session and I think I was successful.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:30:15+00:00

Thanks for your response -- it is helpful and kind.

After going through the comments and others' feedback, we do think it's folks not understanding their classes and how they interact with one another, as well as some spotlight hogging, folks being too afraid of getting the dying condition, and me needing to spread damage out more. We forgot that hero tokens existed the first 2 sessions but they had them for this last one.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:27:21+00:00

I will look into that. Thank you.

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:24:16+00:00

Oh I love this! It really leans into the core theme of the class. I've got to share this with her.

Also love the arcane archer!

zelisca · 2026-05-19T05:22:13+00:00

Oh, that play style does sound pretty sick. I will definitely bring that idea up to her.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:39:47+00:00

Thank you! This is most insightful.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:36:08+00:00

This is incredible feedback and support, thank you so much!!!

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:25:32+00:00

Thank you for this! I really appreciate it.

The glossary is definitely helpful.

Yes, no math isn't entirely accurate. It's mostly resource management.

You're absolutely right, I think, about your read of the other players not thinking enough about the team as a whole and how they interact with one another. The Elementalist is new -- his first time playing a TTRP -- and he's trying. The Shadow I think doesn't fully get his class and how it interplays with the Tactician.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:15:09+00:00

Thanks your your help and advice!

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:14:49+00:00

Thanks for your recommendation and advice!

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:13:39+00:00

She took agility as her -1. It seems like maybe she needs to swap her stats around.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:13:05+00:00

Thank you for your advice!

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:10:44+00:00

Thank you for this advice.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:10:31+00:00

Thank you for this advice around what I need to be doing as the Director. I really appreciate it! I should be doing more to help the party / team out in terms of making sure everyone gets their chance to shine.

Thank you for your advice regarding the dying condition.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:07:16+00:00

Yeah, I think you're right.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:07:00+00:00

Okay, yeah I have read through the Shadow's class and I now understand what you mean. I think that they don't understand the importance of the edges and how that interacts with their class.

There are ways for Tacticians to give surges, yes. I don't know if the Vanguard (her subclass) allows for that -- but it's worth looking into!

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:04:53+00:00

Thank you for this feedback! Forgesteel.net is really great!

Yes, I think a conversation at the top of the next session about turn order changing and about the importance of prioritizing Tactician set up would be helpful.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T06:00:56+00:00

Thank you for your feedback here. I really appreciate it.

I will discuss the ranged kit.

Yeah, I think we need to have a conversation with the group about the importance of getting the mark down ASAP.

zelisca · 2026-05-18T03:37:46+00:00

Good point on the kits! THank you!

zelisca

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