Tag Archives: D&D 4E

Live GameScreen

I have to give props to Live GameScreen, and not just because I invented it. It’s the tool I’ve been using at the table for almost three years now, and along with MapTool (for online gaming) it’s the only software … Continue reading

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Schrödinger’s Gun in Games (or, That Robot Ducky is a Doombot!)

When I was younger and thus poorer, I liked to make gifts for people rather than purchase them. One year I came home from college for a weekend that coincided with my cousin’s first or second birthday party, and I … Continue reading

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Set Pieces in D&D

I’ve said before that I like designing campaigns toward some sort of set piece, and I think there’s an opportunity to explain. Here, a set piece is a significant encounter that doesn’t follow the normal flow of D&D. It’s usually … Continue reading

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Skill Challenges (or, They Wasted a Perfectly Good Mechanic)

One thing I was excited about in 4th Edition was skill challenges. I think they’re a great idea. I think they’re such a great idea that I can’t help but notice that every DM in every campaign I’ve seen has … Continue reading

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Pacing (Part 2, Short-Term)

Some aspects of pacing are pretty clear. I think most DMs understand (and players prefer) that campaigns start with something interesting to make the characters care about the story, like a surprise fight that unites the party or a mystery … Continue reading

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Pacing (Part 1, Overview)

Imagine a football game* where every play ends in a touchdown. For the first few plays, it’s pretty exciting. Returning a kick for a touchdown is the thing of sports highlight reels, as are fifty-yard passes and expert runs. But … Continue reading

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On Undead (and also, I Suppose, Reskinning)

An article today on Wizards’ website got me thinking. Let’s try a little experiment. Take a look at this creature and this creature. Assuming that you only have the pictures to go on (and, I guess, the names since they’re … Continue reading

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Weapon With Powers (Part 2)

I’ve added a few new weapons to the list. I think I’m going to end up in Eastern weapons next, though I’m running out of status ailments. Maybe I need to make a weapon like in Rurouni Kenshin, where it … Continue reading

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The Three-Character Rule (well, Suggestion)

When I first heard the idea that most players only play three characters, I think I had the same reaction as everybody else, which was basically “That’s dumb, and you’re dumb”. I kind of resented the idea that players are … Continue reading

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Weapons with Powers (Part 1)

I have a lot of problems with 4th Edition (in fact, I have a list of topics I’d like to address eventually), and one is the change in weapon tiers. 3rd Edition had “exotic” weapons, for weapons that required a … Continue reading

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