Site Update and Campaign Comments

Site Update:
There are two new links in the Handy Links sidebar.

Handbook: Ninja (minmaxboards.com)
Handbook: Index of Handbooks (minmaxboards.com)

The index of handbooks is a huge list of handbooks, even more than are listed in our Handy Links section.

Reminder, when you are building your character, be sure to check out any handbooks available for your chosen class to get the most out of your characters.

Disclaimer: Not everything in these various handbooks are completely legal. If you have any questions be sure to ask the DM before the game session. Don't wait to get called out on something in the middle of combat. It sucks for you, and it sucks for the DM to have to do it too. (Not that anyone has done this in a long time, but it does suck when it happens) ;)


Campaign Comments:
I am really enjoying the flavor and story backgrounds for everyone's characters. Every character is becoming less a page full of statistics and more and more coming to life with their own motivations, loves, dislikes, and "character."

I just want to give some notes about my games. As a DM (and when I do play as a player), I am a 100% legal min-maxer. While some people use this term derogatorily, I don't. I think its the best term to describe how I DM, and how I build characters, NPCs, and monsters.

In our current campaign, Shackled City, as we are now transitioning from the entry-level and low-level range to the mid-level range, it becomes more important to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses for your characters. Buy hps with your xps when necessary. Currently (as a rule) I am only giving max hp to major NPCs, but not the run-of-the-mill creatures and commoners.

Now is a good time to review the Combat chapter of the Player's Handbook to refresh about tactical movements during combat.

The reason I am going into all of this is once we go into chapter three, I will completely remove the training wheels, not pulling punches (so to speak). All of you (my players) are seasoned experienced role players and I can see each of you growing in the skill of character building. And I want to take this game into full gear, hard-core, no-holds-barred, shit-happens, do-or-die style of min-max 3.5 D&D gaming. In doing so, I will be giving less advice over the board (from the DM chair), and take it on faith that you know what you're doing when you make decisions for your characters. I think you're all ready for this, and I think it will become a much more exciting game for all of us.

I also want to offer to each of you personal help with building your characters, anytime. Just to get a slight more edge or for a complete overhaul of your character, or anything in between; like feat stacking and feat synergies, class and prestige class stacking, and career building. This help is always available outside of the game, through email or in person or over skype.

Everyone enjoy your weekend off (June 29th) and Happy July 4th holiday.

I hope to see you all at our next game session, July 6th.