Recent content by Jd Smith1

I never do less than 4 hours, but I don't use 5e. Among its many, many faults, 5e IMO/IME stifles non-combat activity through spells and special abilities, while turning combat into drudgery. I use Zweihander, Aces & Eights, and Hackmaster to keep player input at a higher level, and combat more...

I only use pdfs, and I only buy from Drivethru.

Came to a crisis point a while back. I was sick of trying to fill my table from the stagnant pool that was the local gamer scene. So I switched to online. There are vast quantiles of good, reliable players hunting regular weekly games online. Roll20 supports vast numbers of systems (I hear good...

Exactly. The rules have a high level of detail, especially for the effects of cover, but the actual fighting is done in theater of mind. It is a crippling effect on play; I had to abandon that aspect. Also, you get one Fast and one Slow action per round, or two Slow, but there is no common...

I used Phoenix Command for years. :cool: T2k4e means well, but in practice the weapons are terrible. Pistols are useless except against animals; an average Human can soak up numerous direct hits. The only weapon worth carrying is a upper-caliber assault rifle, and while the game details dozens...

Have you used many military weapons? It not very good.

I work very hard to vet new players coming in. Most of the problems on the list involve expectations, and IMO/IME, managing expectations is perhaps the most important role of the GM. New players should understand what is expected of them by the group in order to justify their presence...

The setting is great and well-supported, but the system has terrible presentation, and is rather clumsy. I recently ran a 4e campaign, and the system needed a lot of tweaking.

By ensuring that survival requires teamwork and input.

I hate those players, and purge them when I identify them, keeping in mind that everyone has a zombie night. But the key, IMO, is your choice of system. 5e, where the PCs are not likely to lose, and its just a matter of attrition, is inclined towards disinterest between your turn. But using a...

If they can't be bothered to level up their PCs, learn the rules, or keep notes, you have, IMO, a serious problem of expectations. They seem to expect to show up and be entertained. Or they loathe 4e (not a bad thing). Maybe switch to a better, less demanding system? Then start charging them...

It should, but I have run so many campaign in it that I'm tired of it. And the lore is too dense for my current group, none of whom know anything about the setting. WH in its various flavors requires, IMO/IME, players who know and enjoy the setting. Although with the development into Lusteria...

Not products you are waiting for, but stuff you dream of finding. Mine: 1) A good hardcore modern system in the style of Phoenix Command, Millennium's End, Aces&Eights. 2) A good, detailed, well-mapped setting in pike&musket era. 3) A detailed post-apoc setting that isn't zombies (tired of)...

A GM exploiting plans with information the NPCs don't have is a very bad GM.

Well, don't take hours, and don't base a plan on perfect rolls.