Tag Archives: Pathfinder

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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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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Ultimate Equipment

I wanted to write my impressions of Ultimate Equipment, but what is there to say? It’s not like reviewing a normal book, where there’s some sort of new game-bending feature (Words of Power, Ultimate Magic) or I can rail on … Continue reading

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Campaign Writeup: The Eight Arms and the Deed of Taiyun Gao

The Eight Arms and the Deed of Taiyun Gao is the third campaign to end in the Eight Arms universe, though it was the second to start (five-week campaigns do a number on my count). The Eight Arms see an … Continue reading

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A Rant on the Wizards Goblin

Sometimes I forget about the differences between D&D as intended by the developers and D&D as I play it (and have always played it, and how it’s played by the people I know, etc.) Reading today’s Dragon’s-Eye View, I saw … Continue reading

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Campaign Writeup: The Eight Arms and the Conqueror Worm

I recently concluded the second campaign in the Eight Arms universe, The Eight Arms and the Conqueror Worm. It’s part of my continuing effort to design a D&D super-adventure by building a setting organically through a series of campaigns (basically, … Continue reading

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Dealing with Character Death

The death of a character is rarely a happy event. Sometimes it’s a well-deserved comeuppance for terrible play (he said, glaring knowingly at the mirror-man sorcerer), but usually it’s a series of unplanned circumstances that leave the player and the … Continue reading

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Advanced Racism Race Guide

Considering how little I like racism, I’m shocked at how much I’m loving the Pathfinder Advanced Race Guide. It’s a lot thicker than I thought it would be, has a good balance of crunch and fluff, and provides new rules … Continue reading

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