Review: Tiny Epic Dinosaurs

In today's video, I discuss Tiny Epic Dinosaurs, the new worker-placement and resource management board game from Gamelyn Games. In Tiny Epic Dinosaurs, you construct a ranch and raise dinosaurs to sell to... well, dinosaur zoos, I suppose. You must balance the breeding of dinosaurs against the resources they consume as well as keep your ranch outfitted in order to house all the beasts. It has mechanics similar to other worker placement games such as Stone Age, Viticulture, or Lords of Waterdeep... but with dinosaurs! 

 While Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is still pre-order from the Gamelyn Games web site, [what appear to be] Kickstarter copies are starting to show up in retail such as here: https://amzn.to/3gX16YU 

 You should probably jump on that price while you can!

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Review: Monster Scenery Terrain

In today's video, I review Monster Scenery from MonsterFightClub.com. I discuss the three sets I ordered through their Kickstarter (now available to the general public) and measure their usability and value as compared to other popular terrain (*cough* Dwarven Forge *cough*).

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Review: Hero Forge Miniatures (2020)

It's been over five years since my very first review of Hero Forge custom miniatures... and a lot has changed in that time.

In addition to 3D printing technology improving, Hero Forge has significantly upped its game in its character building options and resin offerings. In this video, I look back and what was and review the latest entry level "Plastic" model I ordered from their site. Gallery shots after the video.

If this video is helpful for you, please LIKE and subscribe. The previous "Premium Plastic" review is here.

BattleTech and Alpha Strike Overview

In this video, I do a brief overview and comparison of BattleTech and Alpha Strike, as well as spend some time looking at miniatures old and new in the introductory box sets. I also note why I think Alpha Strike may be a better introduction for new players into the BattleTech universe. This is meant as a broad introduction to both games for an unfamiliar player. I don't get into the nitty gritty of mechanics and lore (of which there is a lot).

Addendum: There is a BattleTech RPG (BattleTech: A Time of War and the out-of-print MechWarrior RPG) that I was going to note briefly in the video, but forgot. I do not have experience with the RPG. I have only played the miniature skirmish games, so I don't have any particular insight into the RPG.

** LOCUST!  -- I had bugs on the brain and couldn't get past "Cicada".

Ep 10: Running the Giant Lairs - Running Storm King's Thunder

In Episode 10, I summarize events in my game after Kraken's Gamble and then dive into the challenges I faced running Grud Haug, Lyn Armaal, and Iron Slag. The first half is plot details specific to my game (i.e. - ideas for yours). My discussion on challenges running the enclaves starts around 29:00. Timestamps after the video below. 

00:00 Intro

01:00 Pacing Challenge

01:38 Summary of My Campaign

01:50 Yartir / Kracken's Gamble

05:25 Harshnag Set Up

06:48 Yartir Redux

07:15 Aboleths and Villain Contingencies

10:00 Eye of the All Father, Harshnag, & Zephyros

12:50 Frost Giant Subplot

18:15 Grud Haug - Focus on Prisoners

19:28 Lyn Armaal

22:30 Rescuing Felgelos

23:54 The Dark Side of Felgelos

25:40 A Surprising Turn

29:00 Challenges DMing Giant Enclaves

29:30 Grud Haug

30:42 Lyn Armaal Constraints

37:35 Iron Slag Issues

40:54 What To Do When Things Go Bad

41:22 Alternatives to a TPK

45:15 Keeping Players Focussed on Goals

47:00 Summing Up

49:36 Outtro

Dad sucks at video games

Today marks a slightly new direction for Raging Owlbear. I am adding a Twitch stream to my into my blogging alongside my YouTube videos. Tbis won't change the content of the blog that much. I'm still primarily interested in talking about D&D and other table-top RPGs, but I'm going to add some diversion on the side.

Tonight's steam is "Dad sucks at video games."  A stream for those of us likely to get sniped by a 12 year old just after spawning. 

Don't worry... It's not yet another Fortnight stream. I'm going to be looking at dungeon crawlers, adventure games, and classic CRPGs. It will be on-brand for the blog.

I got this idea after watching my 6 year old son master Zelda: Breath of the Wild. He was doing shield parries and flurry rushes... He was the first in our family to defeat Ganon. He doesn't even read! (I helped him with the quest text).

I'll be starting out with Minecraft Dungeons, which is a Diablo-like dungeon crawler, but with Minecraft aesthetics. I might occasionally just into classics or whatever strikes my fancy. 

But don't worry. Whatever it is, I'll be bad, so it will be good for a laugh or two. Come hang out in chat and we can talk role-playing games, video games, or whatever. Steaming at 10 PM Eastern on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Follow me here: https://twitch.tv/ragingowlbear/

GM 101: How To Say Yes

There are many ways you can say "Yes!" to your players to give them more control over narrative or lore in your campaign. In Episode 8 of my Game Master 101 series, I discuss ways you can give a player the spotlight even if it bends or breaks the rules a bit. I also discuss some other narrative controls you can hand to a player during play. 

As a new Dungeon Master, you may be hesitant to bend or break the rules in a way that benefits the players. When they ask if their PC can do something which normally they could not, think about how you can give them the opportunity to perform their requested action even if it is not covered in the Rules As Written.

TLDR: If the ask is small, and it's going to get your player more invested in the campaign or encounter, then do it.