http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308 A Rare Bird, A Strange Duck, One Funky Blog Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:50:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308/comment-page-1#comment-9751 Funky Dung Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:47:52 +0000 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308#comment-9751 <blockquote>"The rules can’t make you role play well"</blockquote> "I'm using my charisma." Tee-hee. ;) "The rules can’t make you role play well"

"I'm using my charisma." Tee-hee. ]]> http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308/comment-page-1#comment-9745 Lightwave Thu, 27 Apr 2006 14:52:15 +0000 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308#comment-9745 I must say I can't disagree more. The *fun* that comes from any group game, IMHO, has little to do with its rules and procedures. Its about everything else that goes on around the game. Its the banter, the comrodery, the time spent with friends, the jokes. But with DND there's two other elements: the story telling and the role playing (note here that DND is not roll playing, as in the roll of the dice). Yes, when I play UNO, I'm thinking about the Draw Four Wild Card as its symbol. But that's not what makes it fun. When I play Halo, I'm thinking about a good sniper rifle, but that's not what makes it fun. The rules and procedures simply create the framework for folks to have fun and role play. The rules can't make you role play well, nor can they make the DM (or Dungeon Master, who runs the game) do a good job. The time spent with others is what makes it fun. If you have a group really in to role playing then its even more fun. If you've got a Dungeon Master who is a great story teller, then its awesome.
Yes, when I play UNO, I'm thinking about the Draw Four Wild Card as its symbol. But that's not what makes it fun. When I play Halo, I'm thinking about a good sniper rifle, but that's not what makes it fun.

The rules and procedures simply create the framework for folks to have fun and role play. The rules can't make you role play well, nor can they make the DM (or Dungeon Master, who runs the game) do a good job. The time spent with others is what makes it fun. If you have a group really in to role playing then its even more fun. If you've got a Dungeon Master who is a great story teller, then its awesome.]]> http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308/comment-page-1#comment-9699 Rob Mon, 24 Apr 2006 16:47:30 +0000 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308#comment-9699 Actually, a +1 or +2 sword would be a better-designed sword. I'm not familiar with D&D. Back in college, I played briefly with Steve Jackson Games' system. There, a sword would have more hit ability based on quality of manufacture, design, etc. Were I to try making a sword, I would probably have to make it out of wood. I could in fact hurt someone with it, although one might wonder if I'd have been better off leaving it as a baseball bat. A convict in prison could make a shiv with better qualities. A metalsmith could make an even better sword. Someone with skill in damascus steel manufacture could do even better. The problem is the DM letting the players know what they have. He could tell them "This is a better looking sword" or "The craftsman knew what he was doing here!" and hide all calculations and dice throws from the players. Given the paucity of information available to the players, letting them see the dice throws and know the power of a sword makes more sense. BTW: In the SJG form, there were odds of a sword breaking. In a programmable calculator-assisted version of the game, we even kept track of wear and tear and required players to get weapons sharpened. I've still got my HP-41CV around here someplace...
A convict in prison could make a shiv with better qualities. A metalsmith could make an even better sword. Someone with skill in damascus steel manufacture could do even better.

The problem is the DM letting the players know what they have. He could tell them "This is a better looking sword" or "The craftsman knew what he was doing here!" and hide all calculations and dice throws from the players.

Given the paucity of information available to the players, letting them see the dice throws and know the power of a sword makes more sense.

BTW: In the SJG form, there were odds of a sword breaking. In a programmable calculator-assisted version of the game, we even kept track of wear and tear and required players to get weapons sharpened. I've still got my HP-41CV around here someplace…]]> http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308/comment-page-1#comment-9677 Fred K. Sat, 22 Apr 2006 22:32:54 +0000 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308#comment-9677 Hilarious and insightful post. I just wanted a vorpal blade. It could cut off folks heads. http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308/comment-page-1#comment-38696 Sixteen volts Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2308#comment-38696 <!--%kramer-pre%-->had completely forgotten that many other nations (which I shall not name here) fare a lot worse in these IQ rankings. Once again, when chasing the rabbit, the hunter is blind to mountains. As a teen, I naturally played Dungeons and Dragons. The post "Dungeons and STR+2" at Ales Rarus tells us what is the most well-known icon in D&D from a functional player's point of view. It's not a dragon, but something completely different. When we remember that well over half of all Americans are young Earth creationists, this<!--%kramer-post%--> had completely forgotten that many other nations (which I shall not name here) fare a lot worse in these IQ rankings. Once again, when chasing the rabbit, the hunter is blind to mountains. As a teen, I naturally played Dungeons and Dragons. The post "Dungeons and STR+2" at Ales Rarus tells us what is the most well-known icon in D&D from a functional player's point of view. It's not a dragon, but something completely different. When we remember that well over half of all Americans are young Earth creationists, this]]>