Meowalf's page

Not every GM allows HeroLab at their table, so best to bring a printed copy or else they won't let you play.

Perhaps this is not the place to mention this. However, I feel that utilizing the technology at the table has been distracting for me. I'm sure this has been a huge debate and will continue to be, but I would like to clarify the statement above from a GM perspective.

As a GM, I encourage my players to get involved at the table as much as possible. I try to provide ample opportunities for players to RP and try to enrich combat as much as possible to make the combats challenging so there is a sense of accomplishment. I also try to make my table as fair and open as possible.

As a rule, I don't allow laptops at my table because:

1. It is a screen. I don't run games with a screen and don't hide the nasty or sympathetic rolls I make, though some might have to be hidden for RP flavor. Rolls need to be out in front of me so I can see them as everyone can see mine.

2. It is a physical barrier and a distraction. What I have often found during this my first year of table-top gaming, remember, this is personal opinion - not stereotyping, that those with laptops seem to be enthralled more with their devices than what is happening at the table itself. This is unfortunate since it limits the potential for a great table experience. As a GM I often question, are they here, or are they online?

I use my smartphone often, but quickly, to look something up as it is handy, but I don't feel it is a distraction nor has anyone come to me yet complaining about it, and likewise, if you have a smartphone or ipad device and use it to look something up, that's fine. If you are on it for several minutes, it's a distraction. I enjoy and use Herolab often, but at home. I bring a copy of my sheet and look forward to playing with others present.

That said, three times per day seems pretty fast. But again, I've never played PbP. Did everyone agree to that fast timing before the game started?

I have played a few PbP campaigns, mostly being DnD, which still applies to game pace and combat order found in PFS, and have found that the DMs that CLEARLY state their rules and expectations for their campaign usually run successfully. What worries me here is that you are expected to post three times per day. I'm going to assume that your DM probably wants the pace of the game to be quick, because PbP is often slow. I can see how a module, intended to be played in real time can be 4 hours long, but online, with other players, who have their own lives, can play the same module for months. So, to post so many times, I feel, obligates the player to rush decisions when combat isn't completely clear (ie. who's flanking who; do I have the right distance; etc.) which takes away from the tactical element. Also, the whole role play aspect takes a major hit because not all of us can produce quality writing 3 times a day to really make the posts rich and enjoyable to read.

What I have found to be successful are DM/GMs that allow players to post once per day, this is included for combat. Initiative can be by posts first, or by rolls, though the second can be rough as the entire group is waiting for one player to post not knowing that real life issues have come up. Once again, as stated by others here, that player's turn can be skipped for that round. The one post per day is not obligatory, and actually works out well as I have seen PbP campaigns "quicken" with multiple player posts per day for RP portions, and then slow down for tactically rich combat. Everyone at the virtual table understands that this is after all a game, not a job, and once that's known, with sounds rules and expectations, the game plays out smoothly. I hope this makes sense, and feel free to bring this up with your GM. Chances are if you feel this way, maybe other players do too. Hope it helps!