The MBoard

you enter a dark room, The foul stench of mildew emanates from the dungeon walls. You immediately question "where's the mountain dew?!"

I blame my first DSlite Being stolen that sparked the nostalgia of playing DND with my good friend Jon. I mean, I had the dice, I just needed the books. I got them, Started reading up on the rules and found myself Engulfed in the possibilities of game play.

Ive played for a full year now and even recently joined the Rpga, and the newest update to the rules (v4.0) has been released, so I deemed it only appropriate to discuss, or bash, the game here.

So let's do.

I nothing D&D.

I used to play 3.5 all the time. At the moment I'm running a 4e campaign, and am in a separate 4e campaign with other friends.

4e is more fun than 3.5, I reckon. Basically just because it's simpler and has powers.

I hate MMORPG's, be it WW, DD, Runescape, even Maple Story. And forum RPG's are stupid as well. The only RPG I've stayed with up yo now is The Ninja RPG. And even that I try to avoid.

This thread is not about MMORPGS, sorry mate.

How is D&D like an MMORPG?

That's like saying Tetris is an adventure game.

SAY IT ISN'T. GO ON. SAY TETRIS ISN'T AN ADVENTURE GAME.

D&D sounds like some sort of RPG, and fantastical, medieval RPG's don't appeal to me any more than MMORPG's.

I'd really, really like to get into Dungeons and Dragons properly, but the simple fact is that all the stat juggling and rules and guidelines are freaking intimidating. I don't want to have to read a library to know whether I can do this or I can do that. I love freeform roleplaying, provided it's with smart people who know that freeform doesn't mean they can shoot purple eyebeams willy nilly.

I, too, would really like to get into D&D.

However, I don't know where I can buy a set...

D&D sounds like some sort of RPG, and fantastical, medieval RPG's don't appeal to me any more than MMORPG's.

D&D isn't a video game. It's a table top, RPG... thing.

Similar to Magic? The only TCG I'm actually good at and like is YGO.

I can school anyone in Digimon cards.

You must be real talented.

I, too, would really like to get into D&D.

However, I don't know where I can buy a set...

A set of what..?

Just "buy" the Players Handbook and that's it, you can play (you need the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monster Manuel as well if you're running a game aka DMing).

Figurines and Grids are important as well, so you can see combat.

Just read through the rules and you're good to go. Especially true in the new Fourth Edition (aka 4e), where all the rules are pretty basic. Generally you're better off finding someone who actually knows how to play first, so they can DM it and help you when you're stuck with the rules.

You must be real talented.

Why wouldn't I be? My MetalGreymon is like a #####ing tank.

Yeah and my Pikachumon kicks Ground ass.

All I do D&D-wise these days is sell it at the store. But I know enough about 4.0 to know that it's not great, and 3.5 or whatever is better or something.

We played it (with our own rules) in high school, but not mega heavily.

Our longest story-not "campaign" or whatever-was like a year, and that was the typical style old ##### with elfs and rangers and magic and flying and all that business. We did a good run on a Star Wars one, and then every other fell through. We took a couple years (at least) break and then in like January tried a Mass Effect-based one (which is what that Roccov character I made was for). We played like twice and haven't touched it since.

I actually can't get into real D&D. It's complicated enough that the nerdiness of it all sets in too much for me. And really, I'm not much into anymore, I could only actually play it with that group I've always played it with because we're old friends and have a somewhat universal approach to the whole idea. Really, I'd hate it if it wasn't with those people, and I'm not a huge fan as it is. But I get really into it WHILE playing, at least.

Similar to Magic?

Not. At. All.

D&D is only similar to ITSELF, as it is basically the grandpappy of tabletop Role Playing Games. Which are not like Trading Card Games or Collectible Card Games or Video Games or Board Games or X-Games or Blame Games or Mind Games or Picture Frames.

I hate WW.

:<

I'd really, really like to get into Dungeons and Dragons properly, but the simple fact is that all the stat juggling and rules and guidelines are freaking intimidating. I don't want to have to read a library to know whether I can do this or I can do that. I love freeform roleplaying, provided it's with smart people who know that freeform doesn't mean they can shoot purple eyebeams willy nilly.

Usually all you need is a players handbook (usually about $40) and a good Game master. Reading the PH gives you the core rules without too much complexity. Though talking to someone who runs the game about how to play is good for game quality.

D&D sounds like some sort of RPG, and fantastical, medieval RPG's don't appeal to me any more than MMORPG's.

BUT THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE WRONG YOUNG LADY!

Get a group of your geeky friends, Make one write a story, and a few levels, and it's like an MMO, Without the M or the O!!! You'd be surprised the amount of inside jokes you pop out in a four hour session. I can't stand MMO for the life of me, but sitting around a table with a hand full of friends and running a game is like therapy, Because it's statagy, and it's fun, without the boundaries of any of your CONSOLE games.

I can school anyone in Digimon cards.

GTFO



I work on my campaign more than twice a week simply due to needing to find a job and having nothing better to do than turn in applications and harass managers. Then again I'm the GM, So I have to roll the encounters, Treasure, and all that jazz. If I don't have something to run, no one can play.
I'm playing in the Forgotten Realms Setting under 3.5, While I touch up and play a few exhibition games to see how I like 4.0. As it stands I don't like it, though it has a few good suggestions. Either way,  WotC has made a lot of money by simply stating "Your the DM, Do what you want."

About 90% of the people who don't like 4e haven't played it.

You'd be surprised the amount of inside jokes you pop out in a four hour session.

Quoted for truth.

Ive played 4e about three times now, all with different DMs, but it's taking some getting used to. My group starts our first 4e group game through my co-worker friend within the next few months, but for now I'm sticking to 3.5, It just feels... Right.

D&D takes a hilariously long time to set up, but once you get it going it's a lot of fun.
I can say that, and I was only guest-playing in a game as someone's cat (and role playing it quite well) in a very short campaign. You do come out of the experience with a lot of horrible inside jokes.
"They glow when I get excited."

I've never been able to get  enough of a group around to go for a decent campaign, but eh. I'd love to DM one at some point; I think I could get away with that and be happy as a grunt programmer the rest of my life, maybe.
hell, if i make my own rule set, there's a slim chance i get a video game anyway

The biggest problem with the game is finding a group.
My father's been lucky enough to have one that's been meeting for over 20 years now (although they play WoW now, which strikes me as odd).

Hence the lined paper tacked to the cork board at the back of the hobby shop.

Or Craig's list *shudder*

Role playing outside of a video game setting is weird to me.

I went to a Halloween party once. Good booze, good music, and a huge ass bonfire.
As the night wore on, and I interacted with the people there that I knew, I realized that everyone else was acting strangely. It was then that it occurred to me;
Sometime while I was drinking and socializing, everyone else started roleplaying that they were vampires and having duels and such, proclaiming "SPARKS JUMP FROM THE FIRE AND BURN YOUR FACE!!" and the other guy would grab his face and fall down screaming.
Here, I'd thought they were dressed up like idiots because it was Halloween.

I left shortly thereafter.

Moral of the story: There's no way NOT to look dorky when you RP

RP like that is TOTALLY different than tabletop RP.
For one thing, you don't have to dress up and behave like an idiot.

See, I realize there's a destinct difference between what they were doing, and tabletop RPing.

The thing is, the people that I know who play D&D do the same type of ##### while the dungeon master tells them that they've been hit with a poison arrow and must make a saving throw.

I also realize that not everyone does that.

It is they way I see RPers though; Like Giant 5 year olds playing pretend.

D&D, to me, is just... it's just not my cup of tea, is all. I managed to be quite nerdy but generally popular throughout high school, at least with the people who mattered. I don't like hiding things about me - everyone knows I'm unhealthily obsessed with MegaMan and Hitchhiker's Guide, and they know when I've downloaded the newest batch of porn, and they know my latest dorky idea (like labeling the buttons in my car "Self-Destruct" and such).
But if I played D&D... I don't think that's something I'd be able to happily proclaim. And that's what troubles me.

I'm sure it could be fun, though, and I don't have anything against people who play it.

it's like an MMO, Without the M or the O!!!

So it's massive?!

See, I realize there's a destinct difference between what they were doing, and tabletop RPing.

The thing is, the people that I know who play D&D do the same type of ##### while the dungeon master tells them that they've been hit with a poison arrow and must make a saving throw.

I also realize that not everyone does that.

It is they way I see RPers though; Like Giant 5 year olds playing pretend.

That's only because it is.

MASSIVE.

That's only because it is.

And there you have it.

It's not that I have anything against having an active imagination, mine just shifted to theoretical physics and philosophy.

Eeeeew, LARPing is hilarious. I could never do that, because I have something called dignity.

I have no interest, nor will I ever, To play Vampire or Werewolf. Larping is just something that seems over the top in running around in soda-can-tab-chain-mail. It's more acting and stats than rolling.

About 90% of the people who don't like 4e haven't played it.

Not here.

Role playing outside of a video game setting is weird to me.

I went to a Halloween party once. Good booze, good music, and a huge ass bonfire.
As the night wore on, and I interacted with the people there that I knew, I realized that everyone else was acting strangely. It was then that it occurred to me;
Sometime while I was drinking and socializing, everyone else started roleplaying that they were vampires and having duels and such, proclaiming "SPARKS JUMP FROM THE FIRE AND BURN YOUR FACE!!" and the other guy would grab his face and fall down screaming.
Here, I'd thought they were dressed up like idiots because it was Halloween.

I left shortly thereafter.

Moral of the story: There's no way NOT to look dorky when you RP

RP like that is TOTALLY different than tabletop RP.
For one thing, you don't have to dress up and behave like an idiot.

It's called LARPing and it's extremely stupid. But funnily parodied (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVZczLuoJoU).

I have something called dignity.

You're a furry and you know it.

He's not a furry...

... he's a fuzzy.

That sounds just as bad.

FUZZY WUZZY WAS A BEAR
FUZZY WUZZY HAD NO HAIR
FUZZY WUZZY WASN'T VERY FUZZY, WAS HE?

...but I am fuzzy. :(

I'm a hairy.

Fourth ed. was poorly timed for me. It came out right as I was getting comfortable with 3.5.

It's not too bad as far as gameplay goes, and as a notoriously slow character creator / leveler, the simplicity is nice for me. However, it lacks my favoured class (Druid), and they seem to have done away with familiars / animal companions entirely, so it loses favour there.

3.5 is what I was raised on, so to speak, and it's what I'm getting used to finally as I'm playing steadily now.

I don't remember what system I was first playing with, but I had a custom race that was essentially a hind-leg-waking cat with fluent speech abilities (The DM essentially mixed a cat and halfling for stats, but with improved dex. and speed). I convinced a tailor to make a burlap sack into a little dress for my character, and went through charming people with my dancing, and running between my opponents legs to escape battle, and clawing at their legs if that didn't work. It was fun.


Fun fact: The DM called the race Caitian.

Isn't that the race from startrek?

And yeah, a few people I was hanging out with earlier said they found it hilarious how the change from 3.5 to 4 was the same as that of 2 to 3. Most people who grew up on version 2 still reckon it's better than 3.5 or 4.

I've heard a billion times from a trillion people that 4th edition is just good for beginners, and not actually better than 3.5.

Fun fact: The DM called the race Caitian.

That's not as fun a fact as advertised.

4.0 is best described by saying, W.O.W.

4.0 was made for online play as well, pay to play, monthly. It has to be easy to get into without reading too much into it. Really all you need to know is how to update and manage your stats, and the computer will do the rest. or a DM can very simply do that as well in a matter of a few minutes.

3.0/3.5 Is far more complex, More choices have to be made, and if you want to go for something truly interesting, you have to plot it out from the very first game day.

Hence how I'm going to cheat a DM into allowing my PC to be Demon folk, simply by dying.

For those who have played 3.5, and are used to it, Find 4.0 just not to fit standards. It's lack of challenge, direction, strategy.

I once cheated a DM into letting me die so I could become an arch angel. By "cheated" I mean asked over MSN the day before we started (wanted to keep my character from the previous story, but with new stuff).

I've heard a billion times from a trillion people that 4th edition is just good for beginners, and not actually better than 3.5.

*shrugs*

It's a lot more streamlined. One or two things I've noticed:

There's much less unnecessary dice rolling, for example: no more reflex/fort/will save rolls, they work like AC now, so the attack roll just has to beat the reflex/fort/will to hit.

Skills are a lot more simplified. There's fewer of them, and they all increase at a constant rate of 1 every 2 levels.

The DM rolls basically everything in a monster's turn, as mentioned previously there's no saving throws that the players need to roll. I hated this at first, but it makes things run much faster.

No more grappling. Thank god.

No more (at least not that I can see) resistance against wooden weapons, etc. Thank god. I think maybe silvered weapons is the exception to this (werewolves, etc).

Armor is so much simpler. There's basically 6 types of armor total, and then just variations and magical variations of them.

The magic system uses the same system as all the other classes. Unlike before where if you've never played a magic caster, you would need to take an entire session to learn.

No more animal companions or familiars. No more waiting a year and a day for a new one.

Races are actually more varied than "humans of different heights".

Magic weapons are actually useful now, and if the DM does things properly then basically everyone should have one by level 2.

Level 1 people don't have a dodgy 7 hp anymore.

The powers system rocks, especially if you make little power cards (with the stats on them) that you can flip over when you use them. The power system is actually where the majority of character variety and strategy comes into play.

Feats are actually useful. No more +2 knowledge (children) and stuff.

Non-combat encounters actually have a system now, and are a lot of fun.


...Yeah, bored now, but that's a few changes they've made. Some are good, some aren't.

... that doesn't sound like D&D.

It sounds like a children's story time game where the baby sitter rolls some dice.

: Edgecrusher  13 July 2008, 15:13:42

It is they way I see RPers though; Like Giant 5 year olds playing pretend.

That's only because it is.

*cough*

*removes hand*

You do not have testicular cancer.
You may go about your business.
NEXT
*snaps fresh glove on*

You walked right into that one.

You are getting rusty old man.

... walked into what?

*removes hand*

WHAT

He's like Dr. Mario.

Oh, yeah, now I know what he meant. I thought he made a typo when trying to say "removes glove from hand" or something.

That's not how you check for cancer.

*facepalm*

What good are quotes, if the person isn't even paying attention to eat his own words?!

It sounds like a children's story time game where the baby sitter rolls some dice.

Commenting on 4th Ed, and how childish it is.

Thus It would be against my moral code not to bring up the following quote about Role playing from you, earlier in the thread.

: Edgecrusher  13 July 2008, 15:13:42

Like Giant 5 year olds playing pretend.

That's only because it is.

You science people, I swear. Must I explain all my effortless jokes?

Shut up Wing, or I'll kick your ass with my level 56 Lawful Evil Paladin!

But his Lunche defense stat is 100.  You are powerless to him.

But his Lunche defense stat is 100.  You are powerless to him.

Everyone knows that there is no defense for an awesome offense like mine.

No, that's just you being offensive. It's totally different.

Right.

I'm gonna go play basketball.

That is all.

: XJ  18 July 2008, 03:39:02

But his Lunche defense stat is 100.  You are powerless to him.

Everyone knows that there is no defense for an awesome offense like mine.

30d6 Lightningbolts No saving throws.

Right.

I'm gonna go play basketball.

That is all.

This man.


Hero.

*facepalm*

What good are quotes, if the person isn't even paying attention to eat his own words?!

: Chron  16 July 2008, 16:06:11

It sounds like a children's story time game where the baby sitter rolls some dice.

Commenting on 4th Ed, and how childish it is.

Thus It would be against my moral code not to bring up the following quote about Role playing from you, earlier in the thread.

: Chron  13 July 2008, 16:46:51

: Edgecrusher  13 July 2008, 15:13:42

Like Giant 5 year olds playing pretend.

That's only because it is.

You science people, I swear. Must I explain all my effortless jokes?

Must you make a big scene about retelling the same joke I told, but in a form more suitable for the intellectually challenged?

30d6 Lightningbolts No saving throws.

This man.

Zombie. He has no life.

<.< I'm a lich, Get it right. There are so many more bonuses than zombies as a lich.

I'm sure you mean lech.

Or and Ecch.

I'm sure you mean an.

I'm sure you mean lech.

Unless you're calling him a lecher or something, he definitely meant lich.

Which are disgusting.

Shut up Wing, or I'll kick your ass with my level 56 Lawful Evil Paladin!

There is no Lawful Evil anymore, there's just the two: Evil and Joker.

I'm sure you mean an.

: Chron  19 July 2008, 00:20:15

I'm sure you mean lech.

Unless you're calling him a lecher or something, he definitely meant lich.

Which are disgusting.

Lech can sometimes be short for lecher.

Figurines and Grids are important as well, so you can see combat.

No they're not. Coins & a marker board work very well.

Or you could do neither because both of those take it to another level of dorkwadity are pretty stupid anyway.

: Mikero  19 July 2008, 05:44:51

I'm sure you mean an.

: Chron  19 July 2008, 00:20:15

I'm sure you mean lech.

Unless you're calling him a lecher or something, he definitely meant lich.

Which are disgusting.

Lech can sometimes be short for lecher.

Which is why I thought that.

Does stacking all the dice on top of eachother to make a cool little tower count as playing DnD?

Cause if so I totally play DnD

You don't just totally play Dnd, you totally win DnD.

: Panda  13 July 2008, 08:33:19

Figurines and Grids are important as well, so you can see combat.

No they're not. Coins & a marker board work very well.

Or we could just use our imagination.

Yes, that works very nicely to keep everyone on the same page and prevent people from saying "But I thought the explosive barrel was on the other side of the room..."

Whatever man, it's funnier that way. Way more fun when stupid ##### happens to stupid people instead of everything just working out well with mad teamwork and executed plans.

Except when one stupid person is stupid over and over, and though the DM is playing fair, the person feels very insulted by  it and starts trying to go postal on all the other players due to the fact that they were not paying attention to anything. Sometimes visual representations are good...

Yea, visual cues help make sure there is no confusion. A bar scene can usually work without being drawn, but the GM drawing it on request is common practice, because one needs to know where everyone & everything is before they start a brawl.

No, it's still dumb. There's no way it's justifiable, as it is completely gay.

Grid and figs adds another creative element. There's the creation of the maps, and the painting of the figs.

I've got a few figs I've painted.

 "Lets say you are fighting 50 kolbalds, Instead of keeping track of which ones are on the southern wall, you can just glance and see. For a game as slow as DND is, It is crucial. Not to mention, Instead of tallying and telling every other turn where the kolbalds are to questioning players, I can just show them"  -- Someone on youtube

"I don't like them, It makes DND seem like just another board game Instead of the epic adventure it is!" -- some other person on youtube

I use them so everyone is visualizing who is where equally.

I get WHY people use them, I just prefer not to.