General OOC goofiness.

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May 1, 2019 7:04 am
Me, trying to keep up with energy expenditure:

https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/021/464/14608107_1180665285312703_1558693314_n.jpg

I've come to two conclusions: 1.) I don't like this system and much prefer the DC super hero system without even having played it yet. And 2.) This system probably really only works well for table top with the cad card visual.
May 1, 2019 8:42 am
Yeah, I think there's something to that. The generation, allocation and reallocation of stones is a really tactile mechanic that doesn't translate well into a PbP paradigm. The way that actions work is a strange mix of very strict and crunchy numbers (1 stone in Teleportation lets you teleport up to 10 feet, 2 stones lets you teleport up to 30 feet, 3 stones lets you teleport up to 1 mile) and incredibly vague feels-based handwavy fluff (when teleporting, additional stones provide 'increased precision'). All of the fluffy stuff is best handled in a quick back-and-forth negotiation with the GM, but PbP is a terrible format for back-and-forth conversation.

I don't mind this system, but it leans very heavily into collaborative storytelling where every character is empowered to achieve basically whatever they want (and half-heartedly told that it's a good idea to choose to fail sometimes on the 'failure is fun' basis). I think it requires a very different mindset to play than a more typical RPG that uses a random element to determine success.

(I think we've got a good group dynamic and I'm enjoying the characters, but yes - to an extent, I think the system is getting in the way rather than facilitating.)
May 1, 2019 11:11 am
I hesitate to even ask because it feels like we just figured out how this damn thing is supposed to function, and at least three of you just finished finalizing your character sheets--but would the lot of you enjoy slipping into a d20 based system to bring back the element of chance and to ditch this weird resource management? I'd wait until after the end of this current event, of course, and then we'd just start at whatever we would consider "the next level up" for chapter 2.

And yeah, I love our group dynamic. I really couldn't have asked for a better lot of players for my first venture into this stuff. :)
May 1, 2019 11:36 am
As much as it would suck to recreate our characters, I'd be willing to do so. This system is difficult to work pbp and I'm most of the time I'm pretty sure I'm doing it wrong. Mutants and Masterminds (or DC Heroes based on MM3) would be great. I even have the MM3 Hero High supplement for MM3 which is pretty much tailored to the kind of game we're running (minus the whole mutant thing.)
May 1, 2019 11:48 am
I'm having a great time with a great group of players. I'm fine with switching to a different system, especially if it makes it easier on everyone.
May 1, 2019 1:55 pm
I think there's lots to be favored here. DC Adventures can be complex for making characters, there's so many options, and heroes in DC are GODS, that's definitely NOT what we're doing here.

I like this system, because I can 'try harder' and then I have a better chance to succeed. Also, I can do something successfully in a repeatable way... you don't get that in a d20 system and it works awesome for PbP so the story can continue.

Marvel, yes, the resource management is 'quirky', maybe even a hassle, but let's look at what is working and drop the rest. I think it would be a simple change. Instead of sadrielle doing all the energy management, let's come up with a shorthand everyone can contribute, then sadrielle can direct or correct us instead of doing it all. I just don't think we should make any rash decisions, we're only in the second panel of this fight.

For instance, here's what running our own energy management could look like:
9 - 4 | + 3 - 5 (3 Leadership, 2 Throwing)
Explanation - The colors are just for emphasis
9 = Starting energy
-4 = 1st Panel Expenditure - we would note our current expenditure at the end...
| is the panel division
+3 = This is the recovered energy at the beginning of the new panel
-5 = The current panel energy allocation, with the two possible actions noted.

The next round would be similar:
9 - 4 | + 3 - 5 | + 3 - 4 (4 Leadership)
As a check, I can see 9+3+3 = 15, and -4-5-4 = 13, so I can't keep this up much longer.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE COLORS!
It's just a running total, the addition of which should be easy. I can see currently I should have 2 stones left, and I'll have 5 at the start of the next panel.
OR, in the name of FUN, we could scrap energy management altogether.
OR someone besides the DM could do it.

I think we can each do a little and this will work. Marvel has more of a 'street-level' feel that I like for a superhero game.
May 1, 2019 8:15 pm
I'll stick with this, too. I prefer a system that feels more cohesive, but I signed on for this system, and I'll stick with it.

I like strumdaddy's shorthand, that might help. I think it would help me more to include the total as we go so for Fee it would be

11-3-8=0 | 0+6-6=0 |

That way I see where I am at the end of the panel, then where I start next panel. But I'm bad at "maths."
May 1, 2019 8:57 pm
That's a pretty good idea! If everyone just shorthanded it in OOC that'd be great. That way you guys can sort of encourage more mindfulness about the allocation of your energy.

Mind you, I'm pretty neutral either or! My main concern is that you guys like the system, or if it just feels too clunky and awkward. Or if some of you miss the element of chance.

Because I had a wicked little idea occur to me last night in a dream... what if your energy allocation acted as your modifier for a roll that you get to control? For instance, if Billy-Bob wants to throw somethin super far, his strength indicates how much energy effort he can put into it (billy bob is a weak ass so he only has 1 strength.). So he puts all his weak energy into it for a 1d20+1.

Or Sir Lorah the squirrel is suspicious that there is a cat waiting for him around the corner. He's gotta do a perception check. He has an AN of 5 in Perception. But he wants to reserve the majority of his energy to yeet out if he sees a cat. So he does 1d20+3 perception, and has all of his energy to sprint away (speed 6) if the kitty wants squirrel lunch.

Not that I want to do that, that's even *more* management. But it would be a funny way to invite chaos.
May 1, 2019 9:52 pm
I'm more comfortable with a d20 system, but I will go with whatever is decided. My favorite saying is "This is your boat, I'm on it. Whatever you think is best, I'll go with."
May 1, 2019 10:31 pm
I'm up for either as well. I'm still learning the system so I'd still need a little help.
May 2, 2019 2:02 pm
Can I suggest that you make some, like, "private conversation" threads that are only visible to one player and the GM, so that people can talk to you discreetly without passing notes? Seeing that there are new posts is a nice "Ooh, what's happening?" moment which is rather spoiled when all the new posts are just X send a note to Y, Y sent a note to X, X sent a note to Y.
Last edited May 2, 2019 2:03 pm
May 2, 2019 3:47 pm
I would say yes to that, but as a DM, it's confusing to manage off-forum conversation and stay in-sync with the game. Setting it up is somewhat confusing also, the way permissions work in subforums. What I would suggest is that if you need to send a note, that there be a necessity to include a character move as well. It doesn't need to be spending stones or making up actions, it could be something in the character's head:

"Spencer grinds his teeth, watching carefully as the documents changed hands. He wondered if these men were as dangerous as the news bulletin proclaimed." or something like that.

I apologize because I know my last couple of posts were exactly what inspired this, or were the straw breaking the camel's back, so to speak. I'll try to follow my own advice. It was in preparation for a big reveal, and I needed to get some details straight.
May 2, 2019 7:09 pm
I'm sorry, kadeton!! I'll try to keep that in mind and only respond to notes when we're ready to move forward (if reasonably possible). Page 3 is still ongoing, just giving people their 48 hour window before pushing forward. ❤

It isn't an unreasonable request, perhaps I should have done it earlier. For me it would just be more simple to do general planning in private messages, and pertinent to scene information can still be done through notes.
May 3, 2019 1:31 am
Sorry for being tetchy about it!
May 3, 2019 3:37 pm
Sorry folks, we're super understaffed at work at the moment so my last couple of days have been dawn-to-dusk work marathons. Gotta love low-wage labour in late capitalism! Anyways, I'm getting caught up this morning.

But one cool thing: A BOOK

Dat me. :B
Last edited May 3, 2019 3:38 pm
May 3, 2019 3:43 pm
aphelion says:
Sorry folks, we're super understaffed at work at the moment so my last couple of days have been dawn-to-dusk work marathons. Gotta love low-wage labour in late capitalism! Anyways, I'm getting caught up this morning.

But one cool thing: A BOOK

Dat me. :B
Very nice!
May 3, 2019 5:59 pm
aphelion says:
Sorry folks, we're super understaffed at work at the moment so my last couple of days have been dawn-to-dusk work marathons. Gotta love low-wage labour in late capitalism! Anyways, I'm getting caught up this morning.

But one cool thing: A BOOK

Dat me. :B
Where is the like button on this thing...
May 10, 2019 7:12 pm
I'm working on an idea for Logan. I'm toying with the idea of him making little statues out of different kinds of metal, but when he makes them they'll have a fantasy twist.

If he made a statue of everyone in the group, what class would you want to be seen as?
May 10, 2019 7:25 pm
Professor Wesley would like a little bowtie on his and a philosopher stone in his hand.
May 28, 2019 7:30 pm
OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS.

Alcibiades takes like literally 30 minutes to read, YOU LAZY KIDS, and it's important!!! *headmistress tantrums*

If I catch ANY of you out on your hooligan runs I will make you put on a full play in front of your parents so help me.
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