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  1. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General Forgotten Realms - why do you still like running games here? +

    It’s twice as far it is from London to Paris and they are quite culturally distinct too.
  2. Paul Farquhar

    Spoilers Foundation Season 02 (Apple TV+) - SPOILERS

    I thought the last episode of season 3 failed the landing.
  3. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Borderlands - First Impressions

    True, but that becomes more significant at higher levels (and as already pointed out, the party was expected to be twice as big). But the main difference was that Basic D&D played much much faster because both sides had fewer abilities, fewer hp, and combatants went down quicker. Thus a fight...
  4. Paul Farquhar

    D&D 5E (2024) ADHD Medication Design Challenge: Let's skin this cat.

    Ritalin has been (mis)used by people without medical needs in order to cram for exams. Thus it tends to be controlled, and there is a black market. My personal experience, based on teaching children with ADHD, is that Ritalin is a mixed blessing, and can have a negative impact on creativity...
  5. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General Forgotten Realms - why do you still like running games here? +

    This is a misunderstanding of history. There have always been people who played D&D X way and people who played it Y way*. But in the past those groups were isolated, so when people who only ever played X way first came into contact with people who played Y due to increased connectivity it...
  6. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Borderlands - First Impressions

    That's a different thing. a Basic hobgoblin was nothing like a 5e hobgoblin in terms of how much threat it represented. The 5e hobgoblin has twice as many hp, a better AC and does over twice as much damage if it hits. It's also far more likely to land a hit due to it's pack tactics ability.
  7. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Borderlands - First Impressions

    In Basic hobgoblins averaged 5.5 hp, had one attack and no special abilities. It’s not really comparable. Experienced people layers will still find the encounter easy, but it’s plenty for beginners, which is who it’s aimed at.
  8. Paul Farquhar

    Spoilers Alien: Earth Spoiler Thread

    I think that’s common element in horror. The audience knows they are safe, because they aren’t dumb enough to go up into the dark attic alone, so they can enjoy the misfortunes of people who are not as sensible as them.
  9. Paul Farquhar

    Spoilers Alien: Earth Spoiler Thread

    Someone’s Law: In real life, people do stupid things all the time. In fiction it’s bad writing.
  10. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General This Makes No Sense: Re-Examining the 1e Bard

    The whole point of 1st edition is the players make the decisions. If you want someone else to do it you are playing it wrong.
  11. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General This Makes No Sense: Re-Examining the 1e Bard

    It does work, so long as you remember that 1st edition rules are just guidelines. Which is how you should be playing anyway, otherwise you will be bogged down by weapon speeds, weapon v armour type mods and other silly rules.
  12. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes on the Borderlands Review

    Lead flattens if you stand on it, and has a rough pitted surface. I.e. people wouldn’t roll on lead balls. You would do better with smooth beech pebbles. Steel isn’t just a matter of mixing a bit of carbon in with your iron. It needs to be carefully dispersed in exactly the right proportion...
  13. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes on the Borderlands Review

    Sure, there are a lot more anachronistic foodstuffs mentioned at the unexpected party in The Hobbit too. I tend to tailor what is being served to whatever culture I'm trying to convey. Coffee has been a bit of a subplot recently. Of course having a menu is itself an anachronism. Sack is a good...
  14. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General Why do we color-code Dragons?

    None, directly. BG1 was referencing Basic D&D lore, some of the kobold rumours are direct quotes from Keep on the Borderlands.
  15. Paul Farquhar

    D&D General Forgotten Realms - why do you still like running games here? +

    I know it well so it’s easy to trot out odd bits of lore. And these days I can’t be bothered with homebrewing a world. Done that. I use the stuff I like best from whatever edition. And lots of stuff from the various computer games that use the setting. It’s not my “setting of choice” it’s...
  16. Paul Farquhar

    D&D 5E (2024) Thoughts on Infinite Staircase?

    Seems unlikely unless your players are in the habit of taking a long rest after every encounter. There are wandering monsters. Could reduce his revival time to one hour.
  17. Paul Farquhar

    D&D 5E (2024) Thoughts on Infinite Staircase?

    A rest only takes 8 hours.
  18. Paul Farquhar

    D&D 5E (2024) Thoughts on Infinite Staircase?

    Same problem with Undead Restoration. Once down he is out until the end of the adventure. The PCs will just knock him down and carry on, destroying his heart at their leisure. Chabang Man Medium Undead, Neutral Evil AC 10 Initiative +0 (10) HP 54 (8d8 + 16) Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft...
  19. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes on the Borderlands Review

    Some strangeness on the bar menu. Isn't "honey mead" an oxymoron? All mead is made from honey. And are they trying to suggest that "stiff" and "dry" means with or without alcohol? In which case I don't think they know what cider is! And "bark" tea, seems to be a nod to actual tea not having been...
  20. Paul Farquhar

    Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes on the Borderlands Review

    Trouble is the bearings need to be hard steel, and I don't think it's possible to use that method with steel. Iron and other metals wouldn't be slippery or resilient enough - glass would work better for the desired purpose.
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