elminster

[XtraniuM]

you guys are masters of going of topic....

[Caernarvon]

Originally posted by Elenias Nal'nair:
concerning RPGs and roleplaying one question for Caernarvon: Dost thou plan on real-life RPGing (P&P) or computer-RPGing? For the first read ahead, for the other try IceWind Dale, Planescape : Torment, Wizardry 8, Ultima ?, not Might&Magic and skip the the rest:

Yeah, I've heard I should try Planescape : Torment, and I already got Icewind Dale . I'll have to look into the others. The problem with ID is that the graphics are a bit dated (640x480) after playing BG2. It's OK because of ID's great storyline, but it does take away a bit of the "new" feeling that you get when playing a new game. Which of these would problably feel the least dated?

-mikel is right and has good arguments, specially the one that you must have a good group to fit in is important. Even more important is your GM=gamemaster (in BG2-case the computer). Everything you see and everything that happens on your screen must be TOLD by your GM unless he has some charts or maps or (even self-drawn) pictures. But the main aspect of RPGing is telling. The whole group and the GM have to tell the others what they see/do/plan/try to build etc. And all that should result the whole situation take place in your imagination.

I actually bought an AD&D board game years ago, but I wasn't ever able to get a good group together. I'm a pretty shy person though, so I'm not sure if I'll like it. But I guess you can never know until you try

-some technical hints: Since your a worshipper of real-time turn-based battles and things like initiative could cause you some headaches. Whether it's acceptible for you or not you have to try with some pro-GM.

Well, I didn't think I'd like tunr based anything, but Heros of Might & Magic 3 (It's an RTS with a little bit of RPG elements sprinkled in) was one of my favorite games ever.

-being a 'Starcrafter' and 'Emperor' I pressume you like mass-battles of some kind. In Pen&Paper 3 lousy orcs (with bows...hehe) can cause a whole 5-person-level-1 party a real hard time. So if you really plan to play my tip is to start with a higher level like in BG2. Maybe level 4-6 like 15.000-25.000XP is a good choice for hordes of lesser creatures (goblins, skeletons, zombies, orcs, spiders...) could still be challenging but also single bigger monsters are no party-killers but fun to battle.

Actually, most SC and AOK games don't have many large battles, at least not in the early game. The thing is, there are rarely (if ever) any tactics at all present. As long as both sides have a decent unit mix, the battle is won by whomever has a larger army. After playing RPGs, I found that if doesn't really matter what kind of party you have, but rather how you use all of your abilities. That's probably my favorite thing about RPGs (though the imaginative storyline, and the "Choose your own adventure book" elements are really cool as well).

Starting with decent XP is a good idea. I learned this the hard way in Icewind Dale. I think you need a very well balanced party with very good abilities to make it through the early stage of the game.

-my suggestion: search for RPG-shops of some kind in your hometown. Mostly they also sell comics, (fantasy)books, (table-top)battle-systems (like Warhammer or Warzone) and latex-masks . Regulary they organize rpg-events, specially for beginners (you know, marketing and stuff). These GMs are pro's. Attend it once or even better try some first steps yourself. You could also ask for gaming-conventions in the area. There you'll find RPGs of different kind/worlds and different player-levels.
Test it and kick or stick to it.

My next question up until this was "what's the best way to find a good group" ... but it looks like you answered that.

btw. I'm not selling RPGs at all so I'm not doing marketing-crap here...

Hehe, sure you aren't

[magusg]

If P&P fails for you, they are coming out with Neverwinter Nights this summer. It is supposed to be just like P&P AD&D, but with most of the elements besides story managed by the computer. I'm eagerly anticipating it.

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Magus, mighty sorcerer, and summoner of hordes of...magical flying swords