Daily Punch 6-26-14 Chosen of Death Feat for Pathfinder

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If you have a chose of life, you have to have a chosen of death, right?

 

Chosen of Death

You are chosen of a God who reaps the fallen and causes those to die in his or her wake.  You now must act according to his or her dark wishes.

Benefit: A number of times per day equal to your wisdom modifier you can cast inflict light wounds.  At fifth level, the becomes inflict moderate wounds.  At 10th level, the spell becomes inflict serious wounds.  And at 15th level, the spell becomes inflict critical wounds.  The DC of the spell is determined as if you were a cleric.

Note: If you act against your patrons wishes, you lose the ability granted by this feat.  You must atone as a cleric would.

 

 

Thoughts?

Daily Punch 6-25-14 Chosen of Life feat for Pathfinder

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Pathfinder would handle chosen a bit different.  How about a feat today?

 

Chosen of Life

You are chosen of a God who heals the sick and cures the fallen.  You now must act according to his or her wishes.

Benefit: A number of times per day equal to your wisdom modifier you can cast cure light wounds.  At fifth level, the becomes cure moderate wounds.  At 10th level, the spell becomes cure serious wounds.  And at 15th level, the spell becomes cure critical wounds.  The DC of the spell is determined as if you were a cleric.

Note: If you act against your patrons wishes, you lose the ability granted by this feat.  You must atone as a cleric would.

 

 

Thoughts?

Daily Punch 6-24-14 Chosen of Life Background for DnD Next

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I’ve been reading the last Sundering Book for DnD Next.  But, I haven’t seen any backgrounds for Chosen!  Let’s start to change that…

 

Chosen of Life

You come from another life, but you had to give that up to follow another path.  You’ve learned things beyond your ken, but its cost you.  You are now chosen of a God focusing on life.  Whatever his or her goals are, those are your goals now.

 

Trait- Minor Powers bestowed

You gain the cantrip Spare the dying a number of times per day equal to your wisdom modifier.

 

Proficiences

Skills: Insight, Religion, Medicine

Tools: Healer’s kit

Languages

One of your choice

 

Equipment

Choose the equipment packages of another background.   This represents your past life’s belongings.

 

Thoughts?

Ring Side Report- Board Game Review of Viva Java: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game

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Board Game– Viva Java: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game

Producer-Dice Hate Me Games

Price– ~$30 through kickstarter later at http://dicehatemegames.com/games/vivajava-dice/

Set-up/Play/Clean-up– 10 min/player (1-4 players)

TL;DR– You won’t hate this dice game by Dice Hate Me Game. 88%

 

Basics– Want a cup a Joe?  Viva Java: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game is a reimagined version of the popular eurostyle coffee game that came out from Dice Hate Me Games a few years ago.  In this game, you roll dice and try to get multiple same colored beans in a simple poker mechanic.  Each turn, if you have a brew in front of you, you score points.  If not, you roll five dice.  From these dice, you decide to either make a brew or research.  Making a brew and over taking the current brew is determined by how many of one bean type you have with more being better and then the type of bean ranked one to six.  It’s simple poker with just flushes ie. four rank three beans beating three rank six beans.  You can also get a rainbow brew if you have five beans of different colors.  If you can’t beat the current coffee brews out there, you research.  When you research you choose which beans you want to research, and mark them on a score sheet.  You can only research one bean type each turn.  When you research to certain level for each bean type, you gain some powers like reroll, upgrade one bean, downgrade one bean, or extra dice.  You can also complete a research track, lose the ability the track gave you, and gain points.  There are five different powers each game with the sixth being flavor dice.  Flavor dice are extra dice for your turn, but each time a player rolls, you can roll too.  If the other player uses your flavor dice in their brew, you gain one point hence the semi-coop nature of the game.  If you still have flavor dice on your turn, you must roll them, and those dice leave at the end of your turn.  What keeps a player from winning easily is that the current winning brew degrades over time.  Each turn, the person who scores points for that brew must remove one dice from that brew ie. six rank four bean brew becomes a five rank four bean brew.  That player then chooses to either press their luck by hoping no other player beats their brew or roll the remaining dice.  Since you have to have five dice to make a brew, it’s almost impossible for a player to go from a winning brew to a new brew.  Player continues around the table like this until the first person to get 21 points wins.

 

Mechanics– This is an interesting mix of your standard American style and euro style games.  I won’t call this a eurogame, but there are elements of a eurogame in it.  The games randomness from the dice really do hamper full, hard core thinking potential of any eurogame, but that’s also part of this game’s charm.  Yes, playing this game you will be amazingly screwed by the dice since they are random.  But, that’s part of the fun, chance nature of this game.  As for the upgrades, they provide a lot of replay value as you now get random new boards that keep the game fresh as well as adding that eurogame element.  There is even a solo version if you just want to have some fun and roll some dice quick.  I also wanted to say any game that can fix the runaway winner problem is an elegantly designed game!  I wouldn’t necessarily call this semi-coop eurogame, but that doesn’t mean I won’t call this fun, well designed game. 4/5

 

Theme– Quick dice games are hard to have an immersive theme.  Since the game has a short run time, it’s hard to get deep into anything.  I like this game a lot, and I feel like I’m building “something”.  But, that “something” is nebulous.  I don’t necessarily feel like I am a coffee shop owner against all the odds tinkering to find the best flavored brew out there.  I feel the coffee theme is a bit added on.  You get some theme, but this game is one of those that you have to drag yourself in deeper to really be in the theme of the game.  The game’s theme is not bad by any means, but don’t expect to forget who you are for several hours as you carefully plan your coffee empire.  But then again, in several hours, you could play this game at least 10 times.  I thing a bit more flavor text would have made this game on part with other dice games in the same vain ie. Elder Sign. 3.5/5

 

Instructions– Well done through and through.  I was able to get going really fast and felt like I didn’t screw up anything.  I didn’t even have to run off to Board Game Geek and plead with random strangers to understand what the heck is going on.  So, top marks for that!  I don’t know how I feel about having the research powers on cards as opposed to being the rule book or a printout sheet.  But, that is just me.  The cards are well done and explain the rules really well.  Best part of all this is that one cards is a QR code that links to the Dice Hate Me Games website that will have FAQs and new rules.  That is phenomenal and ALL game need to start doing that NOW! 5/5

 

Execution– Overall, I liked how this game came out.  It’s got some great, little additions like how all the play boards look like coasters and the burlap coffee bag the come with the game.  The dice are good quality along with all the cards and art.  One point that annoyed me was that I felt like I never had enough tokens.  5/5

 

Summary– I love this game.  It’s quick, easy, and fun.  My wife and I learned this is 15 minutes, and I spend a weekend playing this while camping.  It was a blast and even non-gamers picked it up with ease.  Like any quick dice game, it’s got some problems with theme.  Also, I don’t really think this should have been billed as a semi-co-op eurogame.  It’s got elements of those two game styles, but not enough to completely bill the game as those things in my opinion.  But, the game itself is rock solid fun.  Lots of different ways to play (and win!) keep this game very fresh.  The game even comes with three cards that can be added to the base Viva Java: the Coffee Game, so now, based on this game, I have to go buy a new game!  If you get a chance, give this one a buy if you want some quick, fun, dice rolling with some deep thinking.  88%

Daily Punch 6-20-14 Hard Weather Training Feat for Pathfinder

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Camping has been pretty hard with lots of rain and wind.  Made me think of this.

 

Hard Weather Training

You’ve spent time shooting in near tornado weather.  The rain has stung your arms, and the wind has rubbed your hands raw.  But, your shots strike true.

Benefit: Do not take penalties from shooting in any precipitation.  Also, any range attack you make while the wind force is severe or less give you no penalties.

 

 

Thoughts?

Ring Side Report- RPG Review of Bullets & Bandages  

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Product– Bullets & Bandages

System– Shadowrun 4 and Shadowrun 5

Producer– Catalyst Game Labs

Cost–  ~$5 at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/130605/Shadowrun-Bullets–Bandages

TL; DR– One of the best products I can’t use! 93%

 

Basics– DON’T DIE ON ME!  Bullets and Bandages is a new product in the Shadowrun Options line.  These products will not be Shadowrun Missions legal, but they will provide extra character options and background on the world of 2075.  This book focuses on how to be and build a healer in the shadows.  The book starts with a story and moves to describing high threat response medical care.  After the fluff, the book moves to all the different skills, attributes, abilities, and tools a doctor will need if he’s/she’s going to be an effective member of a Shadowrun team.  The book also introduces a few qualities as well as a few optional advanced rules for treating injuries, care under fire, medical equipment, spells, drugs, armor modifications, and drones.

 

Fluff or Story– This book has a lot of fluff for a short book.  The book even starts with a short story of a runner needs some care on the fly and the standard opening page looking like the reader is logging onto the net.  I liked the depth that this book went to to add new aspects of medical care for a character.  If you want to know how medical care operates in the future, this is a book you need. 5/5

 

Crunch or Mechanics– This book goes into almost nauseating detail on how to make a real medical character.  All the stats you need, the gear you want, and the rules your patients will need to live by are covered here.  There is a lot in this short book, and if you want to add optional rules and make an amazing field medic, this is the book you and your GM need to both read. 5/5

 

Execution– This book was good, but here is where it shows a few flaws.  There is a lot there, but I think a few more pictures to break up the text would have really helped.  Also, a lot of the pages are two columns next to each other with the table you need to see a few pages ahead or back.  That is slightly annoying, but not a deal breaker by any means.  In general, it’s a great book, but a few layout problems and lack of art hurt the book slightly. 4/5

 

Summary– I loved this book.  I learned the scoop on DocWagon, and how medical care in the 2070’s works.  I love what I’ve read, but this book is firmly in the options line.  Since I mostly run con games or Mission games at my local store, this book is almost useless to me.  The fluff is amazing, so that part was great and informative.  But, I can’t use a single piece of crunch out of this book.  That’s a tragedy!  However, if you want to be the medic in the Shadowrunner squad, this is the book you need to start reading and give to your GM.  If you want to go down the rabbit hole of proper medical skill use, this is your one stop shop.  93%

Blurbs from the Booth- My time at Origins 2014  

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I went to Origins, and this time I worked for Catalyst game labs.  How about we do a day by day run down of what I did, and what I thought.

 

Wednesday

This is a short day.  I got there around 5 PM, and I ran the quick demo table for Shadowrun.  I would run players through 20-40 minute Shadowrun demos and quick games of Shadowrun: Crossfire.  The quick demo table was loads of fun and, I got to play an awesome new game.

After that short shift, Catalyst had a closed meeting with all their grunts to discuss what was coming in the next year.  It’s always eye opening to see how the business of my fun/entertainment works.  Then, I got a goodie bag with a nice bowling shirt with the Catalyst logo on it.  Great times!  How about my thoughts on Shadowrun: Crossfire?  Sure!

Super Short Review of Shadowrun: Crossfire– The game is pretty good, but a little simple.  It’s a deck building game over multiple scenarios.  Each card has icons on the bottom focusing on either magic (blue), weapons (black), social (red), or technology(green).  For the beginner scenario, every player gets an obstacle card with a series of icons and numbers on the top like Red icon/3/Green icon/2.  Players take turns playing cards to use the card’s icons to solve the obstacles in front of each player following the order of icon on the obstacle card.  Continuing the example obstacle above: player one plays a red card and then three random cards with one icon each to solve the next two parts of the obstacle card.  On player two’s turn, he plays one card with an electronic icon, but can’t solve the problem so the problem damages him if it’s in front of him.  On player three’s turn, she plays two random cards for their icons, solves the problem, and all the players get a little money based on how much the obstacle is worth.

It’s a simple, fun game.  I like it, but I would like it to be a bit more complex.  Then again, I also only played a single, simple demo box example having read the rules about three minutes before I thought them.  I expect more to come from the real box along with being able to build up your characters and more deck customization.  I’m going to buy this thing like crazy.  Two things come to mind: 1) It’s Shadowrun, and my main problem with Shadowrun currently is there isn’t enough Shadowrun!  So, I’m getting this because it’s Shadowrun.  2) It’s a co-op game, and that is always fun.  Nothings is better on a cold MI winter night than curl up by the gaming table with the wife and play some co-op games.  I’m looking forward to this one.

Thursday

Thursday started the con for real!  My job at this con was “Interactive Demo.”  Apparently I’m friendly and approachable?!  The Interactive Demo is a three person team that does a short (~15 minute) demo of Shadowrun.  Shadowrun has the ~completely~ undeserved reputation of being an unapproachable math nightmare, and it was my job to make that not true.  Catalyst made an amazing demo location by making a 10 foot high by 10 foot in diameter fabric tube.  The outside of the tube is the Seattle 2075 skyline, but the inside is the amazing part.  It’s the GM screen brought to life!  10 feet tall pictures of all the main antagonist set in the hottest bar in the future!  If you get the chance to do the demo in the future, DO IT!  Here is what the demo is.  One person brings you by and explains the Shadowrun world quickly and gives you a pregen character (YES PREGENS!  I love them, so SHUT UP THE PREGEN HATE!).  Next, you try to enter the club, but more often than not, you get accosted by the second person at the demo, the bouncer.  The bouncer makes you feel like you’re in the world and gets you to start role-playing right away.  After that, inside the tube is “Mr. Johnson.”  I cosplayed a frantic Ares elf scientist or a refined Horizon’s PR troll.  Here you got to the real meat of the game.  You meet Mr. Johnson, play really quickly, and have a blast.  I had a great time and showed a lot of people the glory that is Shadowrun.  But, eight hours on your feet is killer!  I finished my day with a nap then a work out.

Friday

Payday in the real world, so time to buy some con stuff!  Started off the day with working out, then another eight hours of interactive demo awesomeness!  Had a blast doing that and played a whole bunch of Shadowrun with a bunch of new players.  After my shift, I bought all my con events for the weekend, and then  I attended the Secret Gaming Cabal Podcast meet up and meet with a friend from MI.  I dragged him into a demo of Francis Drake.  That lasted till midnight.

Super Short Francis Drake Review- Francis drake is actually two games in one.  One is resource gathering, and the second is blind betting.  In game one, players take turns moving along a dock.  Each spot in the dock is a different resource they need for their travels and to overcome different obstacles at sea.  The interesting thing is you can never move backwards along the dock. You could skip to the last place on the dock as your first move.  If you finish first, you get to place first in the second game, but you have fewer resources.  In the second game, you place discs upside down with different priorities numbers 1-4 on different spaces to spend your resources for points from the first game.  Once all the discs are placed, players resolve their actions in number and then boat order i.e.  All the 1’s resolve, then the 2’s etc…  No one knows what priority you placed on any particular location, so a little bluffing goes a long way.  Player with the most points wins after three rounds.

It’s an interesting game.  I loved what I saw.  It was fun with lots of components, but the person who explained it to us was just a little off on the rules.  That made life a little hard as we kind of screwed up who won and how to play.  I want to pick this game up, but it’s going to have to be via Amazon as its $80 at the con!

Saturday

Another day of waking up, exercise, and running Shadowrun interactive demo.  Working for Catalyst was a blast, and I look forward to doing it later.  But, it’s now my free time to enjoy the rest of the con.  I started by going to the Munchkin Tavern and spun the wheel for some free dice and playing a little Munchkin at a bar with some random people.

With an evening free I played two games.  The first was Zombiecide.  I smell a quick rundown…

Super Short Review Zombiecide- Zombiecide is a co-op game for one to six players.  Players are all trying to survive the zombie apocalypse through different scenarios.  Each turn, players get a number of actions that range from move, attack, search, open door, or other scenario specific things.  As players kill zombies, they gain experience.  When they get enough experience, new options open up for the characters as they level up.  After character actions, zombies move or attack.  Then, each zombie spawn point spawns zombies.  Here is the innovative part of this game.  At the start of the game, only a few zombies spawn.  However, as the players level up, more zombies spawn.  In fact, the player with the highest level determines how many zombies spawn, so LEVEL UP SMART and TOGETHER!  Players have two hit points.  One wound-you take a card that sits in your inventory, but two wounds-you’re dead! Each scenario determines how you win.  Our game was just get to the exit.

It’s a fun game, but it does seem like it will get kind of stale quick without a bunch of scenarios and expansions.  I had a blast, but the people who I played with were pretty cool and we all played smart/well together.

 

After Zombiecide, I moved to the Eagle Games area and played a game of Rococo.  I just wandered in, but I found some friends from AnCon.  They are a great group of guys who are working on their own game.  Another short review?  Sure!

Super Short Review of Rococo- In Rococo, you play a group of tailors trying to set up and gain the most renowned at a ball.  In terms of the game, it’s almost five games in one!  Each turn you select a number of cards (worker selection), you then take turns deciding which workers get to do which action (worker placement), one action is getting more workers ( deck building), and another action is to build dresses and either place them in the hall (area/terrain control) or sell them for money.  Each turn, you get your three actions/cards and any other cards you bought this round.  After each round, new people cards, dresses, and resources come into play.  The person with the most points at the end of the game is the best dress makers around!

I loved this game from start to end.  It was amazingly close in scoring with lots of different paths to victory.  Even though it was 10 at night on a day I’d been up since 6AM, I felt my brain just frantic with different ideas on what to do each turn!

Sunday

Sad day!  The con ends today, so I had to pack up and say good bye.  However, it was my day to hit the dealer’s room!  Today was hard ball!  I stopped by the Catalyst area to say hi, and then I went to WORK.  I made stops all over, and got some great deals.  I was able to haggle a little and get a great deal on Boss Monster!  Then, I bought Knuckle Sammich from 9th Level (All Hail King Torg!).  I moved on and bought a copy of the convention area exclusive map for Trains.  I spent a while talking with the guys at Eagle games and got a great deal on a combo of Rococo, Fleet, and some fish meeples.  Heck I was even able to pick up a copy of Roll through the Ages from a kickstarter with this guys.  I also went to the Dice Hate Me booth and bought a copy of Carnival.  That one was a no brainer as Dice Hate Me was giving a huge discount over the MSRP on the last day of the con!  TAKE NOTE PEOPLE WHO SELL GAMES!  IF YOU GIVE ME A DEAL ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CON, IT WILL OVERRIDE LOGIC IN MY BRAIN, AND I WILL SPENT WAY TOO MUCH ON YOUR STUFF!  I also made some deals with Gamelyn Games and bought a copy of both fantasy Frontier and the expansion to Dungeon Heroes and netted some extra minis.  I was even able to talk to the Asmodee guys and get a discount on the Seasons expansions since they were the demo copies for the con.  Having spent way too much, I then wanted to get a few more games in and I went to Stronghold games and tried Voluspa.  That was an awesome tile laying game.  Too bad they ran out of the expansion for that, or I might have spent a bit more.  If you guys have a combo pack at Gen Con for the base and the expansion, I’m in!  Next, I found a random group playing Tanto Cuore.  I’ve never played before, so I joined it.  Tanto Cuore is what happens if you mix a fantasy maid anime with Dominion.  Not bad, but … know your theme before you go in!  The game ended up in a tie with me and the person demoing the game.  After that, it was a short four hour drive to MI to go home and see the wife and puppy.  God, this was a great con!

 

I can’t wait to go back next year.  I’m looking forward to working with the men and women of Catalyst to run some more games next year at the show.  I got to demo some awesome RPGs, play some great games, and make some amazing friends.  I love the Origins show a lot as it’s small enough that everybody gets to know one another.  This was a great time!