Month: March 2020

Turn-Based Combat Is the Right Fit for Baldur’s Gate 3 [Escapist]

Read the full op-ed at Escapist Magazine

In late 2013, InXile Entertainment ran a backer-only poll for its then-upcoming crowdfunded tactical RPG, Torment: Tides of Numenera. The poll addressed whether the combat system should be turn-based, like the original Fallout games, or real-time with pause, like Baldur’s Gate.

The final result was a nearly even split — 48% turn-based to 47% RTwP — with over 14,000 voters, along with some heated discussions and commentary. Ultimately InXile decided to go with a turn-based combat system, and half the fanbase wasn’t happy.

At the time, both systems offered benefits. But after years of playing Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2, the Shadowrun trilogy, and the Divinity: Original Sin series, the advantages of turn-based combat for tactical RPGs have become more pronounced, and it’s a good thing that Baldur’s Gate 3 is following suit.

Read the full op-ed at Escapist Magazine

Let’s Play Gloomhaven TTS Episode 14

We play Gloomhaven on Tabletop Simulator!

Scenario #30

Party:

Kyanite, level 5 Orchid Doomstalker (Eric)
Solarin, level 5 Inox Berserker (Chris)
Volta, level 4 Savvas Elementalist (Heather)

TTS Mod: Gloomhaven – Fantasy Setup (Scripted UI)

Watch my How to Play Gloomhaven tutorial video.

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DMs Guild Review – Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel

A level 1 mini-adventure that serves as an alternate introduction to Descent Into Avernus.

A review copy of “Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

Support my work by using affiliate links for shopping and pledging via Patreon.

Designed by: Anthony Joyce, with Justice Arman

One of my biggest gripes with last year’s Descent Into Avernus 5e campaign was the introduction. Dragging an entire city into the depths of Hell is an awesome opener, yet the fresh party of PCs only witness the aftermath as refugees arrive at Baldur’s Gate.

Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel attempts to rectify this opening by introducing the cultists, the Hellriders, and the city of Elturel before its fiery plunge. The production values are impressive, though it doesn’t take its alternative opening as far as I’d like.

Continue reading “DMs Guild Review – Baldur’s Gate: The Fall of Elturel”

Tomb of Annihilation Session 72 Recap

We explore the rest of the first level of the Tomb, including two more primal god tombs.

Live streamed and uploaded every week on YouTube. Join us live on Fridays at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern!

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Previously on Tomb of Annihilation

Starring:
Mannix, level 9 Yuan-ti Inquisitive Rogue/Divination Wizard
Khaless, level 9 Half-Drow Assassin Rogue
Gillian, level 9 Triton Bard of Whispers
George, level 9 Tortle Battle Master Fighter/Rogue
Therin, level 9 Hill Dwarf Druid of the Moon

After making it through most of the first level of the Tomb of the Nine Gods last week relatively unscathed, this week’s excursions prove much more painful with undead in Moa’s Tomb, a Mimic chest, and the cruel chests in Wongo’s Tomb.

Continue reading “Tomb of Annihilation Session 72 Recap”

DMs Guild Review – Jarlaxle’s Guide to Traps

Nearly 100 pages of traps and hazards, as well as DM tips on when (and when not) to use them.

A review copy of “Jarlaxle’s Guide to Traps” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

Support my work by using affiliate links for shopping and pledging via Patreon.

Designed by: R. P. Davis with Jeromy Schulz-Arnold, Ken Carcas, D W Dagon, Justin Handlin, Bryan Holmes, Hal Howard, and Noel Proulx

Everybody loves traps. Well, Dungeon Masters love traps a bit more than players. I’ve yet to see an entire supplement dedicated to trap designs, and at nearly 100-pages, Jarlaxle’s Guide to Traps has a number to choose from. Unfortunately I found the tone wildly inconsistent, and many of the mechanical traps aren’t particularly inventive.

Continue reading “DMs Guild Review – Jarlaxle’s Guide to Traps”

Let’s Play – Ori and the Will of the Wisps #4

Technical difficulties resulted in a split two-part stream.

Weekly video game adventures. Streamed live twice a week.

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Hack and slash through Hindu mythology in Raji: An Ancient Epic [PC Gamer]

Read the full preview at PC Gamer

My knowledge of Ancient Indian culture doesn’t extend much beyond the names of Final Fantasy summons Shiva and Ramuh. But if indie brawler Raji: An Ancient Epic had existed alongside Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons, and Jason and the Argonauts in my formative years, I would have been just as absorbed by the fascinating, culturally rich world of Ancient India it presents.

Raji: An Ancient Epic explores the woefully underused world of Hindu Mythology, an intriguing setting of warring gods and grotesque demons that creates a fantastic backdrop for a hack-and-slash brawler. Unfortunately the early level demo is plagued with serious framerate issues and performance bugs.

Read the full preview at PC Gamer