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.

Raging Owlbear tops 1 million views!

Just 6 years ago, I started a little experiment talking about old school gaming and the D&D Next play test that was to become D&D 5th Edition. In that time, my blog has seen some really explosive months where I was getting over 20,000 views on average, and some less than stellar months when I mostly ignored the blog leading to a slump in views from its highs.

However, in over 6 years of content, there are several posts that stand out. I have reviews of which I am proud that have consistently brought in thousands of views year over year. I have posted my share of unpopular opinion pieces for the internet to pillory, doled out sometimes questionable advice... but all in all, it's been a fun experience. 

Sadly, the loss of Google+ and the comments section upon which my blog relied really hurt the interactivity with the audience (all 9 of you)... but somehow I clawed my way up to 1 million page views and the blog stays steady at around 10,000 views a month even when I ignore it.

June was one of those ignoring months... and also the month where I topped the million view mark. 

My goal for the rest of 2020 is to get the juice going again. Perhaps I'll get to 2 million before I retire the blog. The way the world is, who knows what will be in store over the next few years. 

Stay safe and stay sane... and thanks for reading -- all 9 of you. Your fingers must be aching after clicking my posts 100,000 times each. If you're relatively new to the blog, I invite you to peruse some of my favorite articles.

See you again soon!

Hackmaster - D&D Alternatives, Episode 5

In Episode 5 of my Alternatives to D&D series, I discuss what makes Hackmaster unique among old school systems. Hackmaster has dynamic "real time" combat, a flavorful magic systems, and an old school character generation that still allows a great deal of customizations.

Hackmaster Basic is available FREE to download, so this make a great "try before you buy" system to check out.