GM Zero/GL's Giantslayer! (Inactive)

Game Master GM_Grandlounge

:-) Sounds like you know how to prepare Bratwurst!

I only had 1 brat on Father's day...

Oh, wait...bratwurst.

Nevermind.

I moved away from WI a while ago, and not a lot of bratwurst in VA! Which suits me just fine, in fairness...

Can't say brats are the best item to serve if you want something everyone will eat. But, then again, what is? But we had chicken available too.

Stopping by to see how everything is going. All my current games are now over but it looks like everything is going really well here!

Stopping by to see how everything is going. All my current games are now over but it looks like everything is going really well here!

They are, indeed. This group was, predictably, bad at solving a mystery, but we got some good RP out of it.

And now we're tearing across the swamp, hailing hydras and meeting dwarves.

Are you starting one or more new games, or enjoying the peace?

Hey, the mystery DID get solved! Eventually!

In our own roundabout way.

You guys did great.

I am zero parts german but I grew up in a city that very german basically as german as North American cities get. Which means, I know none of the language but I can get decent wurst and schnitzel if the need arises.

I will get a post in the morning.

I'm considering running some 2e PFS scenarios as PbP is still the main way I can really play Pathfinder, but I'm still taking a break for now. I don't expect to return to GMing 1e though, 2e has won me over and the APG will probably cement the system for me.

I'm considering running some 2e PFS scenarios as PbP is still the main way I can really play Pathfinder, but I'm still taking a break for now. I don't expect to return to GMing 1e though, 2e has won me over and the APG will probably cement the system for me.

I can't get the hang of 2e. I find the new rulebook baffling.

Hey Zer0darkfire!! Glad to hear you are well!!

GM Zer0darkfire wrote:

I'm considering running some 2e PFS scenarios as PbP is still the main way I can really play Pathfinder, but I'm still taking a break for now. I don't expect to return to GMing 1e though, 2e has won me over and the APG will probably cement the system for me.

I can't get the hang of 2e. I find the new rulebook baffling.

Folks are really nice about answering rules questions though, so there's that.

I play-tested it and managed to figure out most of the rules, but I still like 1e better. I keep being 'tested' to give it a try, but I don't want to buy all the rules. If only PFS allowed you to play without buying :(

Lidia* wrote:

GM Zer0darkfire wrote:

I'm considering running some 2e PFS scenarios as PbP is still the main way I can really play Pathfinder, but I'm still taking a break for now. I don't expect to return to GMing 1e though, 2e has won me over and the APG will probably cement the system for me.

I can't get the hang of 2e. I find the new rulebook baffling.

Folks are really nice about answering rules questions though, so there's that.

I play-tested it and managed to figure out most of the rules, but I still like 1e better. I keep being 'tested' to give it a try, but I don't want to buy all the rules. If only PFS allowed you to play without buying :(

Online, no one can verify you don’t have a physical copy ;)

........not that I have ever abused this rule, nosiree.

I really think that with the humble bundles and then buying the rest you need it really is absolutely ok to support Paizo with PFS1 material that you really own.

And abusing this rule is not ok.

You can play PFS 2e without the core rulebook. You can even take options from either the World Guide or Character Guide without owning it, can never remember which one.

The play-test version sucked, the actual 2e rules are fantastically better.

Hmmm...

I'll have to check out the 2e core rules, if they are all accessible in a readable format on line for free. All I ever tried was the playtest version.

<rant>
It really turned me off when there were pages of backgrounds that basically amounted to, mechanically, change some stats and gain some skills - and then add some non-mechanical pre-determined box text fluff to your character. I mean why the heck did your character have to have have been a bartender to get the stat bonuses you want. Idiocy! I would have MUCH preferred that it just said take certain variable stat bonuses and invent your own fluff. Would have saved a ton of pages and having to search for a background that suits your character's class.
</rant>

Hmmm...

I'll have to check out the 2e core rules, if they are all accessible in a readable format on line for free. All I ever tried was the playtest version.

<rant>
It really turned me off when there were pages of backgrounds that basically amounted to, mechanically, change some stats and gain some skills - and then add some non-mechanical pre-determined box text fluff to your character. I mean why the heck did your character have to have have been a bartender to get the stat bonuses you want. Idiocy! I would have MUCH preferred that it just said take certain variable stat bonuses and invent your own fluff. Would have saved a ton of pages and having to search for a background that suits your character's class.
</rant>

Well there's good news and bad news...

Give me the good news first.

At most (all?) of the stages where you get a stat bonus, you get one for Free, so you can always just pick the one that's best for your class.

Sure, but if what I want as a background for my Gnome is 'first-world exile' that gives her lore (first world), bonus to dexterity, minus to strength, and some relevant skill ranks. Can't do that. You should be able to as long as you get two stat boosts, one stat minus, a lore, and a couple of skill ranks.

Backgrounds don't have stat penalties though

Sure, but if what I want as a background for my Gnome is 'first-world exile' that gives her lore (first world), bonus to dexterity, minus to strength, and some relevant skill ranks. Can't do that. You should be able to as long as you get two stat boosts, one stat minus, a lore, and a couple of skill ranks.

I get what you're saying, but let's take the example one step further. What if I wanted to play an elf who is a 'deep delver' so he gets a minus to dexterity, a bonus to constitution and darkvision instead of low light vision.

Except that does not fit the template of 2 stats, one lore, and two ranks. No stat loss. That must have been ancestry.

Indeed. That's what I'm saying.

The backgrounds are no more or less flexible than the ancestries or classes.

It is more flexible than Pathfinder 1e was, which is more flexible than D&D 2nd edition was and so on, but it isn't an open system. There have always been limitations in the system on what can be done with a character. Coming up with a character that fits what you want within those limitations is part of the fun.

Hey all a little behind today. I will get a post up tomorrow morning.

Sorry, is this a new day after the fight with the giant?

No, it is not.

If we don't hear from the other players I will move us forward tonight. They can take double turns next round after that I will bot them. I know a lot of people are having internet issues among the world issue happening too.

Sorry I’ve been quiet of late! I’m in about 4 different fights against enemies with “Annoying to Deal With in PBP” as their main feature and it’s burning me out HARD

Gotach, I in the pugwampi fight too. Tricky little creatures.

I have a related question to how hard this fight (and the last) have been for us -

Is it time for us to level up?

I don't know that we have since starting the second book/Grandlounge took over as GM.

Am I just forgetting?

I might have been leveling up slightly faster than the books as I originally planned to let you have some time at 20, basically what all the 2e APs do now. This means your 5th level milestone might feel further than it normally would.

Honestly though, I can't quite remember if I did enact that plan or not now. Grandlounge would have to confirm.

You will level after this fight.

Okie dokie, just checking.

Ben is updated.

Ben is updated. How long does the levelling up take? does he need to refresh the Longstrider spell?

Lidia is updated. Took fey as my second favored enemy. These little weasels put all fey onto my s#+$ list.

Ulretha is almost updated.

Shouldn't take long to update The Pack.

Everyone's updated and Lidia is not the only one scarred by that battle.

The Pack took "Blind Fight" as their feat.

Ah, good, then Thyste can continue along her trajectory of “doing whatever she wants with no regard to how well it works for her friends”! Was afraid I’d have to pick up Blind Fight myself.

Although she DID hit every shot she made (or close to it), so she’s probably just confident :D

Are we still doing this per house rules? I totally forgot about this for level 3 and have never used my feat from level 1. Won't hurt my feelings if we are not.

When a character would gain a feat from level progression, such as 1st, 3rd, and 5th they may select an additional feat that is neither a combat feat, nor a metamagic feat. Ideally these feats should be something along the lines of a vigilante's intrigue feats or general skill feats. Crafting feats are ok for this, but you may not always have time to craft your magic items.

Yep, you can still take the bonus feats. All spells under 24h expire during the level up just to keep some small bit of balance. Being able to have two days of spells up could break some builds.

Thanks. Kioshi will be ready by Friday.

Ok...with HP and spells refreshed and some strength returned...are we pushing on or are we still going to camp and resume the next day?

I'm ready to move on!

Everybody says they're ready, but I think we're forgetting something :D

At levels 5, 10, and 15, everyone may choose together to take a free teamwork feat that they otherwise meet the requirements for.

Shield Wall. Obviously.

But Coordinated Defense, Coordinated Maneuvers, Distracting Charge, Duck and Cover, Intercept Charge, Lookout, Pack Attack, Shake it Off, Stone Dodger, Tandem Trip (will allow the pack to roll twice every time they hit a bite attack to trip) are my real answers.

Of those, my favorites are Lookout, Shake It Off, and Distracting Charge.