Wisdom of the Masters: PvP in D&D
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Six on 13th November 2019. Killer DM: Mmmmm that felt almost too good. Lennon: I don’t think I want to know Killer DM: Of course you do, Lennon; we both know you’re constantly living vicariously through me and loving every minute of it. Lennon: I’m really not. Killer DM: Well keep lying to yourself then, but I just managed to get a TPK without any work at all. Ostron: Well, you are a big fan of the random rock fall. Killer DM: Oh no, it’s even better than that; the party killed each other! PvP combat in fifth edition is so easy and it’s great! Lennon: That’s…one perspective At some point, either through studying the rules, being the victim of a dominate person spell, or just noting how area effect spells work, players will invariably notice they’re fully capable of injuring their teammates in the same way they can with all the various…
Wisdom of the Masters: Crafting Confusion
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Five on 6th November 2019. Lennon: So, what do you think would happen if I tried to make some modifications to ROSTRO? Ryu: I think KayDee would probably harvest all your organs and then stuff you into it. You know how she is about that thing. Lennon: As with most subjects where she’s involved, I try not to think about it. Ryu: Why do you want to fiddle around with that monstrosity anyway? Lennon: I was hoping to figure out a better way to get magic items made. The regular process is just…ugh. Ryu: I would have thought Ostron looked into that with all the time he spends in the workshop. Hey Ostron? Ostron: Yeah? Ryu: Making magic items? Ostron: Ugggh Ryu: Wow, okay, I didn’t realize this was that much of a thing. Lennon: Oh let me tell you … While it isn’t a staple of many tabletop RPG systems, players and DMs more familiar…
Heroes Rise, ninety-fifth entry: Questions That Need Answers
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the ninety-fifth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday November 2nd, and released Wednesday November 6th over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Archives of Candlekeep: Psionics: The knowledge everyone hates
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Four on 30th October 2019. Lennon: Hey Ostron, I have a question Ostron: No, it is not possible to use Peaches as a ramp for your bicycle if she angles her tail the right way. Ryu: No abusing my dinosaur! I will allow her to eat you! Lennon: Okay, that wasn’t the question, though thank you for ruining my fun once again. My actual question is why are we starting this short rest with psionics in 3rd edition? Doesn’t it make more sense to start with 1e? Ostron: Oh, well, psionics from 1st and 2nd edition had convoluted and problematic rules that make it fairly easy to see how the common complaints of “psionics is pointless” and “psionics is broken” began entering common usage. However as D&D continued to improve, so did psionics…usually. Mechanical balance was theoretically a more central focus of 3rd edition. That, along with the introduction of…
Heroes Rise, ninety-fourth entry: We Reworked The Intro
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the ninety-fourth entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday October 26th, and released Wednesday October 30th over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Heroes Rise, ninety-third entry: Swedish Death Bees
Welcome, brave adventurers … to the ninety-third entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday October 19th, and released Wednesday October 23rd over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Archives of Candlekeep: Psionics: The knowledge you never knew you forgot
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Three on 23rd October 2019. Ostron: Really? You guys really want to do this? Ryu: Look, everyone keeps going on and on about psionics- Ostron: I don’t. I try to avoid it, actually Lennon: Yes, but that’s the point; people don’t quite know why. What’s wrong with psionics, why is it such a touchy subject? Ostron: All right, fine, follow me. Libby: Book Ostron: Thanks. Here. Ryu: …why do you have all of this information summarized for us already? Ostron: Do you want to ask questions or do you want information? Lennon: Um…okay. Like 4th edition, spelljammer, and warlocks- Ryu: Oh will you give it up about warlocks already? Psionics is a topic that causes a lot of controversy in D&D. Interestingly enough, this literally goes all the way back to the beginning, as the original staff of TSR (the inventors of D&D) were divided about it. As far as our research beholders have verified,…
Heroes Rise, ninety-second entry: It’s way better than D&D… It’s Wendy’s
Welcome, brave adventurers… to the ninety-second entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday September 28th, and released Wednesday October 2nd over at heroesrisepodcast.com.
Gnomish Workshop: House Rules
This article was first broadcast in Episode Ninety Two on 9th October 2019. Ryu: Oh, hey! You’re awake! Ostron: It’s midafternoon, what were you expecting? And the Gnomish Workshop isn’t the safest place to take a nap anyway. Lennon: Yeah, but…I figured since this has to do with rules mechanics…so you really didn’t need to fire up ROSTRO for this one? Ostron: Well there really isn’t a lot of math or stuff from other rulesets. I mean if you think we’ll need it I can just – Ryu & Lennon: No! / Don’t need it / Don’t bother / we’re fine Ostron: Okay, well, I think I’ve got enough to go on here. Many people have pointed out, for a variety of reasons, that D&D 5th edition is a “rules light” system. While the 5th edition rules cover most situations that arise at the table, some feel the way situations are addressed can seem simplistic at times. For…
Heroes Rise, ninety-first entry: Slobberchops, Signage & Supplements
Welcome, brave adventurers… to the ninety-first entry into our chronicle, recorded on Saturday September 28th, and released Wednesday October 2nd over at heroesrisepodcast.com.