TOPIC: True Grind Post-Mortem (2015 Who's Yer Con)

Picc wrote: The biggest problem I have with the Psychic Power thing is that the teeth dont do anything on their own. You need to unlock your powers with an item that will be out of print long before the teeth are done. I suspect once the initial hype dies down a bit the teeth will be a lot less popular then the rod segs.

From what I recall it was made pretty clear that in the future there will be other ways to unlock the powers other than the Amethyst Ovoid.

Don't kid yourself.

TD needs the teeth to be valuable to the game.

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Picc wrote: The biggest problem I have with the Psychic Power thing is that the teeth dont do anything on their own. You need to unlock your powers with an item that will be out of print long before the teeth are done. I suspect once the initial hype dies down a bit the teeth will be a lot less popular then the rod segs.

From what I recall it was made pretty clear that in the future there will be other ways to unlock the powers other than the Amethyst Ovoid.

Even so multi year interdependent items like that can be troublesome if they don't do anything on their own. If someone pulls a 00 that unlocks powers (or a lower rarity version is printed later) the person getting that item could have a negative impression of being told they need teeth that can only be acquired as (possibly out of print) large purchase "bonus" item. Alternatively large buyers might get upset if there are to many other non-tooth methods for raising your power level. At this point I'm sure we'll make do, but it just seems like Jeff has set himself up for a lot of complaints.

Picc wrote: Even so multi year interdependent items like that can be troublesome if they don't do anything on their own. If someone pulls a 00 that unlocks powers (or a lower rarity version is printed later) the person getting that item could have a negative impression of being told they need teeth that can only be acquired as (possibly out of print) large purchase "bonus" item. Alternatively large buyers might get upset if there are to many other non-tooth methods for raising your power level. At this point I'm sure we'll make do, but it just seems like Jeff has set himself up for a lot of complaints.

You may be right, but the Amethyst Ovoid gives you two benefits without any Teeth: immune to psychic blast and a 4-pt lv0 healing free action. It isn't great on its own but it isn't bad IMO.

I also suspect that there will be other ways to up your psychic level other than the teeth but I suspect that those will come after the teeth set is completed. Since for now the psychic abilities are pretty limited I don't think it will cause huge issues, but if that component grows a lot say 10 years from now then he would definitely need new ways to upgrade power levels.

Picc wrote: the teeth dont do anything on their own.

The tooth doesn't do anything on its own. We don't know what the other teeth will or will not do, other than act as psychic power sources.

Incognito wrote: Okay now that we've had the time to settle down from WYC, I wanted to get feedback on a few things:


#1. What are people's thoughts of the new difficulty level (the "New Nightmare")?

Too hot, too cold, or just right?

Although WYC TD'ers are not representative of the random, average player, it is interesting to note that 7 out of 8 of the runs were all on the new Nightmare setting.

And though there were no takers for the Epic level (equivalent to the Old Nightmare), it does sound like Kirk is planning on doing an Epic Grind at GenCon.

I like the "New Nightmare". It was a fun difficulty to run. The old nightmare was fun in the past too, but more stressful.

That said, you two are arguably the most experienced and versatile of the judges.

Incognito wrote: #2. What do people think of the Psychic Powers mechanic?

Only a few players used an Amulet of Wonder to increase their psychic potential. I don't recall anyone using an Eldritch Runestone (though Raven would know better since she did the coaching).

But even though we marked the psychic column for players and a fair number of players had the ability, it seems like the vast majority of them forgot to use their psychic power (even the free 4 point healing).

Thoughts?

The psychic powers are underwhelming as others have pointed out. I have hope that the powers will be changed or tweaked in the future.

As others pointed out, it's hard to recall all the one use per dungeon things we have.

Whoever said you use a laminated card with all your various abilities, thank you. That's an excellent idea that I'll be stealing for my own use.

Incognito wrote: #3. We are making steady progress towards getting players to utilize the various Character building tools so that they have their stats (and equipment lists) ready for the event.

Since there are a few different tools available, I am curious which one(s) people prefer and why they like that one over the others.

So what are the best ones from a player's point of view?

And secondarily, what are the best ones from a coach's point of view?

Generally, I and my wife, Melissa run with Henwy. As a result, I care little for the spreadsheet. It's of limited use for me. I can see how planned groups can use it to great effect, especially for the leader of said planned group.

However, I really like the app. I use it for last minute changes. I use it to determine my "Dream" builds... which, of course, leads to my purchasing more tokens. Lastly, the app is very convenient for writing down my information on the party card in the prep room. It can give the GMs there a needed break after dealing with room after room of newbies.

As for the WYC true grind...

I was in the 3pm Friday run. I was the Paladin who took used the arrow from across the room to get in that last killing shot.

The only reason I took the shot is that we were all bored watching everyone else fight and I asked Incognito if I could shoot an arrow over the magma. He said try it and see. It worked and I got the shot in with a crit.

That was a memorable time.

Graygan wrote: I was in the 3pm Friday run. I was the Paladin who took used the arrow from across the room to get in that last killing shot.

The only reason I took the shot is that we were all bored watching everyone else fight and I asked Incognito if I could shoot an arrow over the magma. He said try it and see. It worked and I got the shot in with a crit.

That was a memorable time.

Well done!

Incognito had rules about shooting across the lava *just in case* players wanted to try it, and it's always reassuring to see we haven't misjudged the players level of creativity (or bloodthirsty-ness?)

Incognito wrote: #3. We are making steady progress towards getting players to utilize the various Character building tools so that they have their stats (and equipment lists) ready for the event.

Since there are a few different tools available, I am curious which one(s) people prefer and why they like that one over the others.

So what are the best ones from a player's point of view?

And secondarily, what are the best ones from a coach's point of view?

From my point of view as a player, I love the iPhone app.

I play with various builds while waiting at the dentist's office, or on my break at work, or when I trade for a cool token at the Con. It's portable, and quick to work with... I love it.

As a Coach, I have a *slight* preference for the iPhone app because I know exactly where to look for the info I need.
The Amorgen Spreadsheet comes in a *very* close second. I love it when players bring printed sheets with all their info, so I can skim the token list and make note of important things which might not be on iPhone app (or on the player card) like Psychic powers, or Druegar's Death Die. Plus the printed sheet means I can give an extra HP bonus, if we get to keep them.

I'm not fond of the online TD character builder, but I still prefer it over nothing.

I was going to shoot across the lava but when I was told the bard song didn't get across I figured there had to be something blocking it. I mean if sound can't get there then how can an arrow, even one that can turn corners.

Yes I'm jaded and think the bard song should always apply.

valetutto wrote: Yes I'm jaded and think the bard song should always apply.

Hello. I am a Wizard...

Arcanist Kolixela wrote:

valetutto wrote: Yes I'm jaded and think the bard song should always apply.

Hello. I am a Wizard...

I'm a Dwarf Fighter

Harlax wrote:

Arcanist Kolixela wrote:

valetutto wrote: Yes I'm jaded and think the bard song should always apply.

Hello. I am a Wizard...

I'm a Dwarf Fighter

I assume you understand my point was that bardsong has NO EFFECT on spellcasting right?