Dedicated Voter Season 6
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You know, one thing I've noticed with my particular gaming group, is that we have a few players (myself included when I'm being a bit flighty or have had too much caffeine) that tend to read a spell or an item, and start discussing (or determining if the GM) game effects based on the first sentence and/or paragraph. Or for spells or items that have multiple uses and/or effects, they read the paragraph that is largely about that effect and miss the first and/or last sentence of the entire description that qualifies all the effects.
As a player and/or GM sometimes I have to remind myself or others that hey, yeah, this item or spell is really cool, but it doesn't work entirely as you think because you missed the last paragraph or first sentence.
So in other words, my advice would be to keep your description of your item concise. If it has multiple complex effects, do your best to keep the player or GM from having to refer forward or backward in the description to determine how it effects things.
Just a thought I had. Sean, Neal and company may totally disagree.
Just a thought I had. Sean, Neal and company may totally disagree.
I don't know. I'll have to go check with Neal. Anyone know where I can find him? ;-)
--Neil
Just a thought I had. Sean, Neal and company may totally disagree.I don't know. I'll have to go check with Neal. Anyone know where I can find him? ;-)
--Neil
He's out with Noel, stuffing the turkey and being jolly
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Dedicated Voter Season 6
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Just a thought I had. Sean, Neal and company may totally disagree.I don't know. I'll have to go check with Neal. Anyone know where I can find him? ;-)
--Neil
Oops, sorry Neil... typing while at work, when I'm supposed to be working, sometimes creates terrible spelling errors.
Fortunately, my submission doesn't/won't have this problem.
Fortunately, my submission doesn't/won't have this problem.
I would hope not. I'm not sure why my name (spelled correctly or otherwise) would ever make an appearance in a wondrous item submission. ;-)
Fortunately, my submission doesn't/won't have this problem.
I, on the other hand, will have to make sure I don't make this mistake writing up my Neilbane Scarab.
I, on the other hand, will have to make sure I don't make this mistake writing up my Neilbane Scarab.
Hah! I highly doubt it'll bypass my damage reduction, my friend. And, by the time you detect me...
...it'll be too late!
You know, one thing I've noticed with my particular gaming group, is that we have a few players (myself included when I'm being a bit flighty or have had too much caffeine) that tend to read a spell or an item, and start discussing (or determining if the GM) game effects based on the first sentence and/or paragraph. Or for spells or items that have multiple uses and/or effects, they read the paragraph that is largely about that effect and miss the first and/or last sentence of the entire description that qualifies all the effects.
As a player and/or GM sometimes I have to remind myself or others that hey, yeah, this item or spell is really cool, but it doesn't work entirely as you think because you missed the last paragraph or first sentence.
So in other words, my advice would be to keep your description of your item concise. If it has multiple complex effects, do your best to keep the player or GM from having to refer forward or backward in the description to determine how it effects things.
Just a thought I had. Sean, Neal and company may totally disagree.
I think it is better to have a longer explanation if needed. That way people are sure about how the item works. It helps to avoid FAQ's and errata. Now if people are being wordy(long winded) just because they can then I agree with you.
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Dedicated Voter Season 6
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I think it is better to have a longer explanation if needed. That way people are sure about how the item works. It helps to avoid FAQ's and errata. Now if people are being wordy(long winded) just because they can then I agree with you.
I was more referring to complex sentence and/or paragraph structure that would create confusion in having to go back and forth rather than read it as a step by step type thing. The more I have to refer to sentence two of paragraph one to resolve sentence three of paragraph three, it becomes too clunky.
I was more referring to complex sentence and/or paragraph structure that would create confusion in having to go back and forth rather than read it as a step by step type thing. The more I have to refer to sentence two of paragraph one to resolve sentence three of paragraph three, it becomes too clunky.
I think it is better to have a longer explanation if needed. That way people are sure about how the item works. It helps to avoid FAQ's and errata. Now if people are being wordy(long winded) just because they can then I agree with you.
Bullets are you friend :)
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Dedicated Voter Season 6
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I was more referring to complex sentence and/or paragraph structure that would create confusion in having to go back and forth rather than read it as a step by step type thing. The more I have to refer to sentence two of paragraph one to resolve sentence three of paragraph three, it becomes too clunky.I believe that is best handled by putting the necessary mechanics into a single paragraph. If a single paragraph for necessary mechanics is too long, then it should be broke up into primary mechanics and qualfier mechanics if possible, otherwise you would have to break it up with a paragraph to each mechanic, in which you're just going to have a similar problem of people missing whole mechanics because they didn't read every paragraph. So I'm afraid your problem is with human nature, not the item itself.
Though there are spells and items (even skills and feats) I find irritating, that mix the flavor in with the mechanic so much that you have to hunt for the mechanics and end up missing something. Now that would be the fault of the author.
Too true. But if as an author you can alleviate much of this by being as concise and up-front as possible, then you can nip much of this in the bud.