| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 07 Jul 2012 : 23:57:13
And sorry, "a little bit of everything" isn't an options because it's a boring answer. Just pick what you find yourself doing or enjoying the most  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Thrasymachus |
Posted - 25 Jul 2012 : 01:11:09
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
quote:
Originally posted by Thrasymachus
mini's (I use Warhammer pieces)
No grid. You have to guess the range. Tape measure is in hand.
I like that!
Well if you decide to implement it let me tell you it’s a little time consuming. To get some time back we implemented a few shortcuts. For example, our game table (plywood on top of saw horses) has a swing lamp clamped to the side of it. For Area of Effect you adjust the height, and then swing it over the target.
Use a red light bulb so the AoE stands out, and because everyone just looks better under red lights. |
| coach |
Posted - 11 Jul 2012 : 07:40:57
big posterboard size notepad and minis upon it |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 17:23:33
Nothing really. If one needs to know positions for some reason everything from cigarette-packs, lighters, dice to corks have been used. Come to think of it I don't think I have ever even seen a mini used. |
| GRYPHON |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 10:27:17
Graph paper maps with no minis... |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 05:03:11
quote:
Originally posted by Thrasymachus
mini's (I use Warhammer pieces)
No grid. You have to guess the range. Tape measure is in hand.
I like that! |
| Thrasymachus |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 03:59:47
mini's (I use Warhammer pieces)
No grid. You have to guess the range. Tape measure is in hand. |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 10 Jul 2012 : 00:29:13
quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer
I think we're confusing AoO (Attack of Opportunity) with AoE (Area of Effect).
I'm going to go out on a limb here say Ozreth probably meant to write "AoO's were introduced in 3e, although I guess they had a version of it in combat and tactics, but who uses that"
Oops! Yep, that's exactly what I meant. Thanks  |
| Kilvan |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 20:47:00
I played for about 10 years without using grids or minis, and it worked just fine. I started using them last year, and I must admit it offers a new dimension to encounters and create more opportunities for external elements, such as rubbles and fogs (which we used, but not so often as it was hard to keep track of).
I use the Token Tool software for minis, I never paid for a miniature per se. My grid is kinda small, about 16 x 20 squares, so not enough for whole dungeons but enough for very large rooms.
|
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:56:55
I think we're confusing AoO (Attack of Opportunity) with AoE (Area of Effect).
I'm going to go out on a limb here say Ozreth probably meant to write "AoO's were introduced in 3e, although I guess they had a version of it in combat and tactics, but who uses that" |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:52:13
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
AoE's were introduced in 3e, although I guess they had a version of it in combat and tactics, but who uses that :p
And yeah it has always been relevant but I think 3e was the first edition to have abilities that focus around movement actions, threatened spaces etc.
No, AoE's have always been around -- fireballs, cloud effects, etc.
3E may have been the first to focus on movement actions, but movement -- particularly with line of sight -- has always been relevant. |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:31:59
oops quoted myself, delete plz |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:27:48
AoE's were introduced in 3e, although I guess they had a version of it in combat and tactics, but who uses that :p
And yeah it has always been relevant but I think 3e was the first edition to have abilities that focus around movement actions, threatened spaces etc.
I wasn't bashing anything, and like I said 3e is my preferred game. Was just mentioning something that I thought was common knowledge :)
I also don't think you need minis for 3.5, especially if you are in person, it's just easier. When gaming over the internet though a lot of other issues come into effect that you wouldn't have in person, therefore rules light games just make it that much easier to run a successful game, and I was just seeing if that poster had tried this. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:11:53
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5?
Why is the need for minis edition-specific?
Meh, one can't deny that when it comes to gaming online a ruleset that dosen't favor tactical positioning is easier to manage since you dont have to bust out maptool or whatever you may be using. 3.5 with it's move actions, AOO etc and 4e with it's "push and pull" stuff. 3.5 is my game but if I were running it online like the above poster I'd probably roll with 2e or C&C as people might be more comfortable "winging it" in one of those systems.
Yeah, but in prior editions, movement, AoEs, things like that are still relevant. That's why I don't understand the statement that you don't need minis at all for other editions, but you do for 3.5. |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 19:01:24
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5?
Why is the need for minis edition-specific?
Meh, one can't deny that when it comes to gaming online a ruleset that dosen't favor tactical positioning is easier to manage since you dont have to bust out maptool or whatever you may be using. 3.5 with it's move actions, AOO etc and 4e with it's "push and pull" stuff. 3.5 is my game but if I were running it online like the above poster I'd probably roll with 2e or C&C as people might be more comfortable "winging it" in one of those systems. |
| Varl |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 18:12:29
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
Personally I've always seen minis to be an exceptional tool. They're not really needed (though its harder not to with 4E) but I really wouldn't enjoy playing without them (or some game-piece reference).
The Dungeon tiles were pretty cool but they really needed some sort of connecting aspect because one slip messed up the while map. That's why we switch to plexi-glass. With that, you could draw the map on it, put tiles under it, draw magic effects on it, etc. I like visual aids because I feel they enhance gameplay and immerson. I've even thought of characters based on minis looks and weapons.
Yes. We do all of the above too. We've found that gaming without minis or some form of representation is too open to interpretation on positioning, tactics and movement. What one person imagines is very rarely the same thing that someone else imagines.
The "I didn't move there" or "When did the orc move there?" issues die when you can see on the grid the movement of characters. |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 16:11:38
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
Alright so how many people have been using one method for a long time but in the back of their minds have been ithcing to try another but aren't comfortable switching the group over?
I can't say that I feel that way. Since the days of AD&D I've pretty much always used miniatures.
I've played with other systems where miniatures aren't required, but if I had my druthers I'd always use miniatures. Speaking for myself, of course, it just makes visualizations and storytelling easier. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 16:10:50
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5?
Why is the need for minis edition-specific?
Ozreth might be focusing on the fact that Wizards tried to rejuvenate the use of minis with D&D during the later days of 3e. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 16:01:32
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5?
Why is the need for minis edition-specific?
Sometimes the rules favor grid-based actions, powers, and positioning. It's not needed per-se, but it sure does help. This is definitly more often found with 3rd and 4th editions. That's not to say you can't use TotM-style play with 3E and 4E but I'd feel something was lost in the transition. |
| BARDOBARBAROS |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 13:19:57
Minis and grid with most things drawn out. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 10:46:09
quote:
Originally posted by Ozreth
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5?
Why is the need for minis edition-specific? |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 10:10:34
IMO older editions and/or retro clones work far better for online gaming since you don't need any representation at all. Are you guys playing 3.5? |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 07:01:58
Since i dont know any local gamers and have little free time and a small budget i am forced to use an electronic style of play only. We currently play using Steam for voice chat (as all my friends already have it), and google docs with an excel spreadsheet for the maps/minis. It means we have to use our imagination a lot more but it works well enough. I may have to try more creative ways to add a bit more life into the grid than just coloured squares |
| Ozreth |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 07:01:37
Alright so how many people have been using one method for a long time but in the back of their minds have been ithcing to try another but aren't comfortable switching the group over? |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 06:06:54
I chose "minis and a grid, with most things drawn out" but should also note we make extensive use of dungeon tiles on top of our dry-erase grid mat. For our group the Dungeon Tiles are right up there with the core rulebooks in terms of seeing everyday use. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 02:51:10
What is a mini? *G*
Ok have used tokens a few times to be fair, however tended more to be in the way then helping. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 02:17:15
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Minis are useful for showing where everyone is in a room, or for showing marching order, but I don't see much use for them beyond that (in D&D, that is). And you don't really need minis -- you can just wing it, or use whatever's handy.
What Wooly said.
I've used a variety of objects in place of actual miniatures on a board or grid -- from Lego pieces to 80's/90's G.I. Joe action figures [Hooded Cobra Commander acts as a great stand-in for Manshoon, BTW]. |
| Delwa |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 01:09:52
I use minis and a grid with no writing most of the time. I just toss glass beads wherever there's bushes or tombstones.
I use grid paper or dungeon tiles for building interiors if I can.
|
| Diffan |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 01:00:27
Personally I've always seen minis to be an exceptional tool. They're not really needed (though its harder not to with 4E) but I really wouldn't enjoy playing without them (or some game-piece reference).
The Dungeon tiles were pretty cool but they really needed some sort of connecting aspect because one slip messed up the while map. That's why we switch to plexi-glass. With that, you could draw the map on it, put tiles under it, draw magic effects on it, etc. I like visual aids because I feel they enhance gameplay and immerson. I've even thought of characters based on minis looks and weapons. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 00:47:53
Minis are useful for showing where everyone is in a room, or for showing marching order, but I don't see much use for them beyond that (in D&D, that is). And you don't really need minis -- you can just wing it, or use whatever's handy. |
| crazedventurers |
Posted - 08 Jul 2012 : 00:20:35
Nah, I run castles and Crusades and the gaming group are not reliant on mini's and a grid to play - we call it making it up, but I understand the marketing speak is 'Theatre of the Mind' for our style of play.
Cheers
Damian |
