Comments on: D&D4e learning curve – simple rules, complex game http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game The D&D Blog Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:04:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Shadowdancer http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5701 Shadowdancer Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:30:08 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5701 Power cards are a neccessity, esp. because you can opt to change powers at each level. As for having a visual to determine status changes we use coloured tiles (cut from construction paper and lamenated) we place the appropriate colour under the PC's miniature, once players learn the colour code it's simple to see who's under what change. A player's log is another handy tool, keeping track of choices, annecdotes, treasure, and much more. It help's when a campaign is long running and creates continuity. Power cards are a neccessity, esp. because you can opt to change powers at each level. As for having a visual to determine status changes we use coloured tiles (cut from construction paper and lamenated) we place the appropriate colour under the PC’s miniature, once players learn the colour code it’s simple to see who’s under what change. A player’s log is another handy tool, keeping track of choices, annecdotes, treasure, and much more. It help’s when a campaign is long running and creates continuity.

]]> By: Satin http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5555 Satin Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:24:27 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5555 Power cards and quick reference sheets (like Cliff's Notes, for important rules) are extremely helpful. Another thing you could do is have players experiment with creating a few characters on their own before the first game, just to get a feel for the process and so they can browse through feats, powers, and skills at their leisure without holding everyone else up. Power cards and quick reference sheets (like Cliff’s Notes, for important rules) are extremely helpful.

Another thing you could do is have players experiment with creating a few characters on their own before the first game, just to get a feel for the process and so they can browse through feats, powers, and skills at their leisure without holding everyone else up.

]]> By: MadBrewLabs http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5486 MadBrewLabs Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:32:40 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5486 Power cards. I think they are probably the number one thing that expidited the games I played in during GenCon (9 games @ 40 total) with the RPGA. Having to flip through the books takes a ton of time. Also, I would say printing effects and every action from the combat section on cards would be worthwhile too. Besides the cards, having very visible items to identify minis that are marked, quarried, cursed, bloodied, make the game faster as well. This way you can make quick decisions about options instead of waiting for a DM or player to look up/calculate/remember who has what. Also, if you have all these things available, make sure players are aware where they are in the iniative sequence and have them be prepared with their action ahead of time. I would go so far to tell players they have a 30 second to 1 minute cap on making their decision, defaulting to a standard melee or ranged attack if they reach that time limit. If most everyone is a newbie, increase the time and scale it down as they get better. Make cards for characters as well, and have them fold it and place it as a nameplate in front of them. Have them include their init mod, passive insight and perceptions, their AC and Defenses (and any potention modifiers to these), and their best three skills and their values. This keeps the DM from having to ask and players looking up, "What's your perception?" "Does a 21 beat your Reflex?" and whatnot. The beta gaming would be icing on the cake. Power cards. I think they are probably the number one thing that expidited the games I played in during GenCon (9 games @ 40 total) with the RPGA. Having to flip through the books takes a ton of time. Also, I would say printing effects and every action from the combat section on cards would be worthwhile too.

Besides the cards, having very visible items to identify minis that are marked, quarried, cursed, bloodied, make the game faster as well. This way you can make quick decisions about options instead of waiting for a DM or player to look up/calculate/remember who has what.

Also, if you have all these things available, make sure players are aware where they are in the iniative sequence and have them be prepared with their action ahead of time. I would go so far to tell players they have a 30 second to 1 minute cap on making their decision, defaulting to a standard melee or ranged attack if they reach that time limit. If most everyone is a newbie, increase the time and scale it down as they get better.

Make cards for characters as well, and have them fold it and place it as a nameplate in front of them. Have them include their init mod, passive insight and perceptions, their AC and Defenses (and any potention modifiers to these), and their best three skills and their values. This keeps the DM from having to ask and players looking up, “What’s your perception?” “Does a 21 beat your Reflex?” and whatnot.

The beta gaming would be icing on the cake.

]]> By: Yax http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5483 Yax Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:33:24 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5483 I like the beta gaming concept. I'm pretty sure that a couple of sessions would be good enough considering that characters can change 1 power every time they level up. I like the beta gaming concept. I’m pretty sure that a couple of sessions would be good enough considering that characters can change 1 power every time they level up.

]]> By: DNAphil http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5478 DNAphil Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:51:51 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5478 One of the things we did in getting use to 4e, was to have some beta gaming. That is, we all made up our characters and the GM ran a series of mini-adventures and encounters. We were allowed, during this time, to change any part of our character in-game. If a power was not working for you the way you thought, change it up for another one. Between games, you could make up different characters, change classes, or races. It was also during that time, that we really worked out how to play within our roles (not letting the strikers get tied up in Melee, etc.), and we started to figure out how to use our powers as a team, not as individuals. We did this for a few weeks, until the group really got settled into their characters, tested out their powers, and found what they liked best. Our actual campaign starts in two weeks. At that time, all character builds are locked, and we start playing the official campaign. I highly recommend the beta gaming concept. One of the things we did in getting use to 4e, was to have some beta gaming. That is, we all made up our characters and the GM ran a series of mini-adventures and encounters. We were allowed, during this time, to change any part of our character in-game. If a power was not working for you the way you thought, change it up for another one. Between games, you could make up different characters, change classes, or races.

It was also during that time, that we really worked out how to play within our roles (not letting the strikers get tied up in Melee, etc.), and we started to figure out how to use our powers as a team, not as individuals. We did this for a few weeks, until the group really got settled into their characters, tested out their powers, and found what they liked best.

Our actual campaign starts in two weeks. At that time, all character builds are locked, and we start playing the official campaign. I highly recommend the beta gaming concept.

]]> By: The Chatty DM http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/dd4e-learning-curve-simple-rules-complex-game#comment-5469 The Chatty DM Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:17:19 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/?p=631#comment-5469 Breaking the DM is apparently even more fun...You should tackle that post, it's right up your alley. Great post Yax! Enjoy the rest! Breaking the DM is apparently even more fun…You should tackle that post, it’s right up your alley.

Great post Yax! Enjoy the rest!

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