It’s been overcast this weekend, so our solar-powered batteries haven’t had much of a chance to recharge (the generator is running as I type this). So, what have I been doing? * Reading. I’ve just picked up Katherine Kerr’s thirteenth Deverry book, which I finished reading this morning. This is a series I’ve been enjoying since my first year in University (back in 1990… I’m … Continue reading A Grey Weekend
I’ve just had a very entertaining evening spent playing games with Randy. Which games didwe play? War of the Ring – This game, published by Fantasy Flight Games, is pretty much the ultimate Lord of the Rings wargame, capturing the concept of the books extremely well. Although the game admits the possibility of varying from the books in some aspect (like the Free People winning … Continue reading Two-player boardgaming
One of the better card games I have is Citadels, currently published by Fantasy Flight Games. You’re trying to build a city of eight districts. Each turn, you draft one role (Assassin, Thief, Mage, King, Merchant, Bishop, Architect or Warlord) and then use the special ability of that role and (hopefully) build a district. It’s extremely entertaining and I strongly recommend it. Best with 5 players, … Continue reading Citadels
I see that an interview that mudbunny (sortof) conducted with me is now up on Gleemax. Enjoy! Continue reading Interview with me on Gleemax
Hmm – I’ve been nominated for the best post of the week on Gleemax again, this time for my essay on D&D Monster Naming Conventions… which, like many of my essays, was crossposted to the various sites I visit. If you liked that essay, and you’d like to see me win the award, you can vote for it on this Wizards forum thread. Of course, you … Continue reading Gleemax FFV
JeDi Wiker recently made the point on EN World that he finds the new D&D 4e monster names ((“kobold skirmisher,” “hobgoblin warcaster,” “deathjump spider”) too similar to D&D Miniatures naming conventions, which thus lessens the D&D feel of the game for him. I do think that the CMG and new D&D names are very similar, but I don’t think the design decision was “let’s make them … Continue reading D&D Monster Naming Conventions
The second encounter of this final D&D 3.5e session hadn’t taken much time at all, and it looked like the same would be true of the third. This wasn’t a session with a lot of roleplaying and exploration it; it was all about resolutions. Things I’d set up years before were finally playing out in their final form. One of the really nice things about … Continue reading A Farewell to 3rd Edition – part III
No, not the roman general. Agricola is the new Eurogame getting a lot of chatter on boardgamegeek, and I now happen to have a copy in my possession. It’s not my copy, but Mike’s, and he’s lent it to me in preparation for the game day on Saturday. It’s around 1670. You’re in central Europe somewhere. You have a 2-room hut that you live in with … Continue reading Agricola
The first encounter of our final 3.5e session had taken a little over an hour, I think, although with the confusion of people arriving and just greeting each other, it might not have been that long. Perhaps more to the point, the combat had only just reached its 5th round. The Ogres and Blasphemes got to act twice each; old father Copperleaf had four actions … Continue reading A Farewell to 3rd Edition – Part II
I’ve been busy recently with a bunch of other games, but I found myself yesterday able to get out my ASL maps and counters for another shot at teaching myself this venerable warhorse of wargaming. The ASL Starter Kits have been a real boon, although the rulebook for the third of the series is probably the worst of the series: there’s so much in it … Continue reading ASL SK#3: Sherman rides west!
