I'll add botting instructions when I have a chance. Headache is acting up.
Rules question for the GM: inventors get an ability aptly named Explode:
You intentionally take your innovation beyond normal safety limits, making it explode and damage nearby creatures without damaging the innovation... hopefully. The explosion deals 2d6 fire damage with a basic Reflex save to all creatures in a 5-foot emanation around you (if you're wearing or holding the innovation)
I also took the Variable Core class feat, which changes the fire damage from Explode to cold damage. I know it specifically says it only damages creatures, but I figured it was worth asking if it would be enough to douse flames in the affected area.
Rules question for the GM: inventors get an ability aptly named Explode:
You intentionally take your innovation beyond normal safety limits, making it explode and damage nearby creatures without damaging the innovation... hopefully. The explosion deals 2d6 fire damage with a basic Reflex save to all creatures in a 5-foot emanation around you (if you're wearing or holding the innovation)I also took the Variable Core class feat, which changes the fire damage from Explode to cold damage. I know it specifically says it only damages creatures, but I figured it was worth asking if it would be enough to douse flames in the affected area.
Yeah, that can work!
Per the Skills question: Athletics, Survival, Medicine and Intimidation.
Per Fern's question of google slides: Works great for me!
Per Fern's question of whether or not to post the baddies AC: I can take it or leave it. It's all good to me either way.
I am 100% fine with keeping it secret. We can make heavy use of "If...then..." statements. If this thing hits, then I do A, if it misses, then I do B.
I've done this a lot over the years.
Joran: Never change, lol. You have awesome levels of energy and enthusiasm and your posts all make me smile.
Lol! I appreciate it. :).
If I can carry all my groceries in one trip while balancing my drink from McDonalds, you can hold your dagger and a flask at the same time >.> Would that work for you?
Lol! Now THAT'S talented. :)
Whatever you'd prefer, Dario! Martial art gunslinger does sound awfully John Wick-ish, and could be pretty badass. =D
We've finished a round of combat, so just want to check in -- you guys like the block method we're using, so far? I think it has gone pretty well, and the more active folks have found ways to entertain themselves with a snippet of dialogue here and there while they wait, which is fun for character development.
One question I want to ask before it comes up, is how we want to handle things if someone is unable to post in a reasonable amount of time. It hasn't been a problem yet, everyone has been keeping it moving just fine, but it'll happen eventually and I'd rather have a plan in advance.
Imagine the following scenario: We're in combat. Initiative blocks have been posted. Your block begins, and you go 24+ hours from that point without posting (so starting the timer from when your block began, not necessarily from the beginning of the round).
Should I have you Delay, to give you a chance to post on your own, but it lowers your initiative into a different block for the remainder of combat? Just autopilot you for that turn (which I feel bad doing, since it's taking away your chance to do something fun)? Move to the next block but let you retcon a post when you reappear? Weigh in when you get a chance -- different folks might have different opinions on how they'd like me to handle their particular character in this situation.
The Block method is fine with me. Honestly though, ANY ol' initiative method is fine with me. :)
And I think Delaying is perfect. And I will let you know if I can't post for whatever reason. That's rarely been an issue for me.
I have been, but I can bold it if that will help!Bold would get confused with speech.
Me personally, I don't find it confusing at all. So I guess I'd have to disagree. Respectfully though! Don't let me forget that. :) I've had DM's in the past bold such things and it's never been an issue. At least not in any of the games I played in.
It's pretty easy to tell what's speech and what isn't. As far as doing the post with a bunch of hashtags, I gotta say, that just feels like more work for the DM and the DM has plenty to do already. :)
Why not simply: Block 3 is up: [Insert names here] That's way simpler than having to do a bunch of unnecessary hashtags every time.
Personally I would be for bolding it. It stands out, it's clear and it's "cleaner" I guess you could say. Your eyes cut right to it and it's easy enough to tell whether it's speech or not.
BUT, having said all that, however you wish to roll with it, Fern, is fine by me. That is nothing more than my 2 cents. And keep the change, I'd just spend it on something frivolous anyway. :)
Oh dang, totally missed this. Way behind on the Discussion
As for block initiative, I'm 100% for that. Imo, it's mandatory for smooth combat in PbP.
For Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Lore(Dahak)
For Whether or not to post AC: I'm fine either way.
For Combat Botting: Atm, Move into melee range (if not already), Rage (if not already raging), Swing.
Yeah, that can work!Rules question for the GM: inventors get an ability aptly named Explode:
You intentionally take your innovation beyond normal safety limits, making it explode and damage nearby creatures without damaging the innovation... hopefully. The explosion deals 2d6 fire damage with a basic Reflex save to all creatures in a 5-foot emanation around you (if you're wearing or holding the innovation)I also took the Variable Core class feat, which changes the fire damage from Explode to cold damage. I know it specifically says it only damages creatures, but I figured it was worth asking if it would be enough to douse flames in the affected area.
Similar ruling for Chilling Spray? Normally I don't think that instantaneous effects douse or set things on fire unless specifically written out...but Chilling Spray says that it coats the targets in a layer of frost!
Gust of Wind would be clutch right now. Fire and flying enemies.
Gust of Wind would be clutch right now. Fire and flying enemies.
LOL only because DM Fern isn't Gary Gygax ... wind & flame tends to be a problem, ya know, giving a fire MORE oxygen? What it looks like on the map is NOT like blowing out birthday candles.
The spell actually says that it puts out fire though. But yeah, I question the physics and chemistry of that too.
The spell actually says that it puts out fire though. But yeah, I question the physics and chemistry of that too.
Just re-read: for me, I think we are past "small non-magical fire" at this point (which is part of why Cev is focused on killing the mephits): to me we have "medium semi-magical" fire at the moment ;)
Yeah, I would definitely accept that ruling too.
Similar ruling for Chilling Spray? Normally I don't think that instantaneous effects douse or set things on fire unless specifically written out...but Chilling Spray says that it coats the targets in a layer of frost!
Similar for chilling spray! The AP helpfully defines the sort of things that will douse the fire, and area effect cold stuff is one of them ( though explicitly less effective than water.) Gonna try to post block 4 since all the 3's went, gimme a few.
lmao not a great round for hornet's luck
SPOILER ALERT! Yeah not really. Spoilers have gotten weird. Anything under a spoiler is now blanketed by a big grey box. It's really odd. I don't really understand the point of it but there you are.
Caiten, your call the next round. Just so that I don't steal your agency for the entire encounter.
Caiten, your call the next round. Just so that I don't steal your agency for the entire encounter.
Yes, same for you. I'm not trying to direct you on what to do. I am just giving you in-character warning of what I am planning.
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These are some oof rolls. At least those with the healing feats and spells won't be bored? Eh? Ehhhh?
No to give Fern any ideas, but - Dario, you better have a damn good powder satchel. Fireproof and all that.
Typically, items don't take damage unless specifically targeted (or unless they have specific rules saying that they do - like my familiar satchel). Fireball no longer sets things on fire. Sunder even went poof.
No to give Fern any ideas, but - Dario, you better have a damn good powder satchel. Fireproof and all that.
I do. The Satchel of Style.
No to give Fern any ideas, but - Dario, you better have a damn good powder satchel. Fireproof and all that.
I think poor Dario has had it bad enough XD We'll forgo realism in favor of not blowing up our heroes in the first 12 seconds of combat in the campaign, lol.
No to give Fern any ideas, but - Dario, you better have a damn good powder satchel. Fireproof and all that.I think poor Dario has had it bad enough XD We'll forgo realism in favor of not blowing up our heroes in the first 12 seconds of combat in the campaign, lol.
If Dario would just back up like 10' Cev could use a 2Action Heal spell on him ...
@Cevendyll: Yeah, we were given green light on combat banter earlier in this thread. In Starfinder it is even codified, but I can't point to anything specific in PF2 for it.
I grew up on Xena and Buffy and the like, a fight scene with no banter is just...dull, lol. As long as you aren't delivering an entire dissertation in six seconds it's all groovy =D
@Cevendyll: Yeah, we were given green light on combat banter earlier in this thread. In Starfinder it is even codified, but I can't point to anything specific in PF2 for it.
ugh ... I had it earlier. I will go through my search history.
Also, I cannot tell from the map: has Oren put down FM1?
He is sure putting out damage like a badass ...
@Lisi: Did you intend to hit the mephit with your spray? Your cone will quash the fires nicely, but doesn't reach him as drawn. Just checking before I continue.
@Cev: You TKP'd your dagger at the 'new' threat, as in FM#2, so FM#1 took 5 damage from Dario's first shot and 10 from Oren...which is allllllllmost but not quite enough to end it. So it yet lives, barely, which I shall allude to in my post shortly.
PERFECT - Cev will stick with FM2 (and hope his burned cohorts can hold on for a minute)
@Lisi: Did you intend to hit the mephit with your spray? Your cone will quash the fires nicely, but doesn't reach him as drawn. Just checking before I continue.
I assume he is at least hoping it will hit the mephit since he rolled damage. I wasn't paying too much attention to where he was placed initially and he mentioned something about difficult terrain - so I don't know if he could move one square farther or not.
@Lisi: Did you intend to hit the mephit with your spray? Your cone will quash the fires nicely, but doesn't reach him as drawn. Just checking before I continue.I assume he is at least hoping it will hit the mephit since he rolled damage. I wasn't paying too much attention to where he was placed initially and he mentioned something about difficult terrain - so I don't know if he could move one square farther or not.
LOL he's about 5' away from Cevendyl now; he "clambered" over the councilmembers desks I believe
I can't reach the mephit and figured that climbing up and down from the bench would count as two moves (?)--lotta difficult terrain/obstacles there. So, just dousing fire.
Oh, it's a desk? I will recite "O Captain, my Captain!", then! :D
Dario simply did a sick slide over them, so I am not sure that they are being ruled as difficult terrain or not.
If it is two actions to move on top of them, then that would be a problem since Chilling Spray is also two actions to cast. That would be four actions for the round. I think there is an action for clambering on top of a low obstacle though that is only one action.
But knowing the intent, Fern should be able to sort it out.
Edit: Ah yes. The vertical option of Leap. As long as the desks are 3 feet high or less.
Dario simply did a sick slide over them, so I am not sure that they are being ruled as difficult terrain or not.
If it is two actions to move on top of them, then that would be a problem since Chilling Spray is also two actions to cast. That would be four actions for the round. I think there is an action for clambering on top of a low obstacle though that is only one action.
But knowing the intent, Fern should be able to sort it out.
Edit: Ah yes. The vertical option of Leap. As long as the desks are 3 feet high or less.
LOL it's a townhall, not a kindergarten, but yeah ...
The desk I am currently sitting at is 2 feet 3 inches tall.
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The desk I am currently sitting at is 2 feet 3 inches tall.
Depending on the townhall, they might just be desk desks, but in many cases, the councilmember seats & workareas have privacy screening around them, kinda like how these are depicted ...
But yeah, the surface of the table I am at isn't 3 feet high.
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Since I let Dario slide along it I'll treat it like difficult terrain that cost extra movement, which is what I'm guessing Lisi meant by "two moves" since he wasn't all that far away. =)
Yeah, there was a desk slide, so there's some precedent that these aren't the judicial court desks at the Time Variance Authority :D
I mean, I guess I could have done Widen Spell, but I think I would have zapped Cev as well.
I have updated Lisi's botting info. Support and heal! Eventually, battlefield control?
I have updated Lisi's botting info. Support and heal! Eventually, battlefield control?
Sounds cool.
Looking through it I would double check that everyone is on the same page for Goodberry and Healing Plaster.
Healing Plaster essentially just creates a healer's toolkit - it doesn't actually do any healing. You still have to do that with a medicine check.
And Goodberry is fantastic out of combat. It can be really action intensive to use it in combat. Depending on how retrieving items is ruled on.
good points on both of those.
If I get annoying with these rules notes, please tell me politely but in no uncertain terms to knock it off. Most of my experience with PF2 has been as a GM and old habits die hard. I don't want to end up being a back-seat-player and not know that I am irritating people.
But... persistent damage is written the other way around - at the end of your round you take the damage first and then you get to make the flat check to remove it.
This might be moot by the time my turn rolls around, but if Lisi takes a step to the right, Oren can get in flanking with the Mephit next round.
If I get annoying with these rules notes, please tell me politely but in no uncertain terms to knock it off. Most of my experience with PF2 has been as a GM and old habits die hard. I don't want to end up being a back-seat-player and not know that I am irritating people.
But... persistent damage is written the other way around - at the end of your round you take the damage first and then you get to make the flat check to remove it.
Interesting. If you note, though, you'll see Hornet did just that. Took the damage and then rolled the flat check afterward.
I do find it interesting that there's several lines in there that say: "As determined by the GM" or some variation thereof. Funny. That reminds me a lot of 1st edition.
If I get annoying with these rules notes, please tell me politely but in no uncertain terms to knock it off. Most of my experience with PF2 has been as a GM and old habits die hard. I don't want to end up being a back-seat-player and not know that I am irritating people.
But... persistent damage is written the other way around - at the end of your round you take the damage first and then you get to make the flat check to remove it.
Interesting. If you note, though, you'll see Hornet did just that. Took the damage and then rolled the flat check afterward.
I do find it interesting that there's several lines in there that say: "As determined by the GM" or some variation thereof. Funny. That reminds me a lot of 1st edition.
From what I have heard, there is actually a bit more of the core rules that are left up to GM discretion than in PF1. D&D 3.5 and PF1 tried to list out rules for every possibility. PF2 has the Ambiguous Rules rule that essentially says that if something isn't specified - just do something that makes sense.
I've always wanted to try my hand at DMing but just don't have the time and I do realize how involved it is. But that would seem it just adds more to the DM's plate.
Do y'all feel it does? As DM's I mean?
My note about persistent damage was intending to state that Dario wouldn't have taken it right when I rolled the mephit's attack, he'd have taken it at the end of his turn. I may have worded that poorly. Hornet did it exactly the right way, though if she had used the two actions to pour a waterskin over her head or stop, drop, and roll, she'd have been allowed an extra flat check before taking the damage.
I honestly prefer the wiggle room --there are SO many crazy things that happen in D&D I feel like leaving things to the DM in weird situations allows for the rule of cool to more easily come into play. But that is just personal preference. I will say I am enjoying having time to look things up in PBP, instead of slowing the game down to do it in person. And I do not take any offense at all, Caiten, recalling rules is a team effort when the handbook is hundreds of pages long. =)
I've always wanted to try my hand at DMing but just don't have the time and I do realize how involved it is. But that would seem it just adds more to the DM's plate.
Do y'all feel it does? As DM's I mean?
Remember though, groups should set pace together, especially for PbP.
Fern has done a masterful job of keeeping a super brisk pace here, but every campaign cannot always be that way. Frequently GMs will open with what they expect ... and what they can give. When you are ready, you can just let people know you want to and what your expectations are.
I honestly prefer the wiggle room --there are SO many crazy things that happen in D&D I feel like leaving things to the DM in weird situations allows for the rule of cool to more easily come into play.
So do I. Quite a bit nicer. Especially with everything being on the same 1/level scale (except for spell level).
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I've always wanted to try my hand at DMing but just don't have the time and I do realize how involved it is. But that would seem it just adds more to the DM's plate.
Do y'all feel it does? As DM's I mean?
To give a more complete answer to this now that I have a bit of time:
Generally PF2 is really good at keeping things simple. It defines basic things in a templated way - which makes them easy to remember and easy to ad-lib. Everyone knows what their character is typically capable of and what they are not. Dice rolls are good at deciding how effective any attempted action is - and it is fairly easy to get an approximation of how successful they are likely to be before rolling them (the lack of opposed rolls is huge for this - in general one side rolls and the other uses a DC).
The rules for creating enemies is simple and effective. The guidelines for creating encounters of various difficulty levels is straightforward and - more importantly - reliable. Skill encounters of various types (social encounters, chases, hazards, investigations) have guidelines that are easy to follow and fun to play.
Really the hardest part for me is the storytelling. The mechanics define things nicely and then get out of the way.
Well that's cool. I have heard that PF2 does seem to simplify things in a greater way than PF1.
And I like what Fern said about, "The rule of cool". That really does make the game more interesting and fun.