The DND game systems...

I know that there have been a million reviews and comparisions between 5th edition DND and Pathfinder, but after playing both again and getting some better experience, I would like to chime in. 

Pathfinder - This is the successor to the OGL, Open Game License, for DND 3.5. This game is mature and has a GIGANTIC catalogue of material.  I have recently gotten the opportunity to get back into this game and I have to say that I love the complexity.  I take the time and explore my characters options and I love the organic development.  I enjoy being invested in the future of my PC and think that the complexity lends itself to that style of play very well.  That being said, it is a daunting task to create a character with any pre-focused idea.  You need to know what you want that PC to be in the end, and have alternate routes planned. 

5th ed - The latest release for the game that started tabletop roleplay!  5th edition reads and plays like it is a recruiting tool.  It is easy to make a character and start playing.  It has been out for a few years now and there is some really good material out for all of the classes.  I enjoy playing this system, but I don't get the same investment in a character that I have in other games.  It looks on the surface like there is a lot of depth in the characters, but hardly any of that has any use in the game.  It's like they created the game and taped a background system on to the finished product.  I know that seems minor and for some has no effect at all on a character, but if you are going to put it in the game at least let it do something.

It's Been a Bit...

I know that it has been awhile since I have posted our Rise of the Runelords progress, but that is because we haven't had any!  I haven't ever had to work with a DM that was outside of the circle.  I know that life happens and being a parent is hard, especially with odd parental arrangements, but it is difficult to keep interest in a game and keep a group focused with a month between games.   Anyway that is what has been happening.

Thanks and have a Happy New Year!

Developments...

We have finally made it through the first book!  I'm stoked about moving this game forward and getting into the real meat of pathfinder.  I am taking our DM up on some options that he laid out early on.  I am going to remake my Dwarven Ranger into a Dwarven Barbarian.  With the roles in the party that he has been taking up I think the abilities and tanky-ness of the Barbarian are going to fill the role better.

We have been privileged to add a new face to the party!  One of our long time friends has showed up for two sessions and added her unique brand of intensity to a Gnomish Rogue/Illusionist.  This combo will only get better and better as she levels up.

Session 12...

This session was the first time that the larger group really gelled.  We worked together, used strategy, and took down some pretty tough baddies.  I admit to being skeptical about a group of 7 people, but after a couple of sessions and a seat shuffle I think we have a good mix.  3 yeth hounds and a leveled quasit was a heck of a challenge for our 3rd level party.  I'm looking forward to how this group evolves and gets better!

"My" group...

This is a tough topic for me to discuss, but I feel like I need to address it.

There have been times during my gaming "career" where the group has been pretty thin and times where we have had an abundance or players.  We have moved all over changed jobs and marital status.  We have had health problems and argued.  As such I jealously guard admittance to our group like a bouncer at a club.  In my mind somewhere there is a price to pay to play.

Our group has its founding in our hometown during the dark times.  If you have played DND during the 90's you know what I mean.  Hiding the books, and even leading an almost double life.  Our membership has always been a dichotomy of the socioeconomic and social strata from our hometown.  We could not have been more different outside of game night.  During the game we were equal, and formed lasting bonds that have made us friends, nay, brothers for 20 years.

During our groups long history many additional members have rotated in, we have played in other groups, and played numerous other games, but we have always been at our best at the table playing DND.

For these reasons, and many more, I am pretty protective of this group, this cadre, this Band of Brothers.  I know I rub people the wrong way, or may come off as a dick, but to me this is the thing that has pulled me though every tough time and helped me celebrate the good times.  We have a fantastic group, filled with awesome players and everyone brings something unique to the table.  I have never been more proud to be a part of this group.

10 Sessions in...

After weeks of rocking the original 5 man party the group has added 2 additional players.

We now have:

A cross-dressing Elf Bard/Witch and
A swarthy Dwarven Rogue

These new players are adding new and exciting views to the mix. One of the players is bringing an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the game system to the table.  He is the GM's friend and they run Pathfinder Society games together locally. 
The other additional player is a veteran of Leviathan's 5th edition game and brings a unique flavor to his characters that only years of crushing and being crushed by the 2nd ed ruleset can bring.

While I have had my own reservations about groups getting to large and unwieldy I am trying to look at this as an opportunity to become a better player and not have to "white-knuckle" every encounter.

Thanks for reading. 

An update...

As with many gaming groups we have a pretty fluid population and game library.  Our group has just convinced a outside DM to run Rise of the Runelords for our group.  This is allowing us to all play on the same side of the screen for the first time in a very long time.  Our party has just started out and are 2 sessions in. The Company of (insert Deamortis's paladin's name) is having a blast and I can feel our synergy really taking off.

Deamortus - Human, Paladin of Erastil
Leviathan - Elven, Mage of the Hidden Visage
Rando       - Human, Cleric of Saranrae
Doesn't know - Elven, Alchemist\Anatomy Professor
Zedudicus    - Dwarven, Ranger of Erastil

Several of us have chosen the location traits and have been in contact with each other before the adventure, but others have elected for the outsider status.  Our group, now bidden as local heroes, has been taming gobbers throughout town and it has been a blast!

So, this happened...

In the last article (10,000 years ago, sorry) I was having a quandary about getting into the new version of 40k.  Well, I did.  I am the proud owner of a Space Wolf army and have paired down my Warmahordes collection to just Mercs and Trolls.  I can say that no matter how they play I am excited to assemble and paint a Space Wolf army once again.  I just finished both of the omnibus for Ragnar's story and the newer Legacy of Russ compilation.  Now I just need to put some together and learn how to play, lol. 

In other news real life has been brutal lately and I haven't gotten to play much of anything.  Hopefully the near future brings some more playtime and I can report some paint/play progress.

Warmachine Mk3 and Warhammer 40k 8th...

Let me preface this post with a statement, "I loved Warhammer 40k!".  From the moment Daemortus and Siege brought over their first armies to the moment too many Space Marine rulesets came out, I loved the lore and game.  Now that being said, the game had shifted, between 3rd and 5th edition, to a brutal competitive mindset in our meta and it just wasn't fun to play anymore, so I gave away/sold all of my 40k belongings and just walked away. 

A measly 2 years later things in life had settled a bit and I got into Warmachine and Hordes.  This was at the end of mk1 and beginning playtest for mk2.  Here was a game that was played on a smaller scale and was quick.  We had all factioned up and began playing/enjoying miniature gaming again.  The community at the time here in SGF was amazing.  The local Press Ganger was excellent and really fostered a group that could have fun.  I became a Press Ganger to help in the area and really had some wonderful times. 

That brings us to current times.  The Press Gang program has been terminated, Warmachine/Hordes has released mk3 that will be in constant playtesting, comitted to a faction release per year, and 40k has released a streamlined, seemingly playable 8th edition.  What do you do?  My favorite 40k faction has even more amazing models and playable rules.  My favorite WarmaHordes, Warmachine and Hordes, factions have been getting brutally savaged with rules changes and fundamental game mechanic changes.  I love playing WarmaHordes.  The fiction is great and the game is quick/fun to play. 

Can you be both a loyal Son of Russ and a Commander of the Kriels?

~Zedudicus

So, it has been awhile...

Gaming groups are in a constant state of flux.  There have been many factors, In my own experience, that contribute to the longevity, and success of a group.  I am going to start a series of posts about successes and failures that gaming groups go through.  These will include both personal and outside information.  I hope that any who read these posts will find some useful information about keeping groups together, or when is a good time to let a group change/die. 

Thanks as always,

~Zedudicus