Updates

Awhile back I stopped posting my regular game recaps, thinking that these were taking time from posting on other topics. But, as it turns out, without something regular to write about, I don't end up posting anything at all!

So, I'm going to try and get back into the swing of things, and that means resuming my regular game recaps! And hopefully that will lead to more non-recap posts too.

Dungeon Fantasy RPG Kickstarter

If you haven't already heard (and I'd be surprised if anyone that reads my blog hasn't... but who knows), Steve Jackson Games has a Kickstarter for a new boxed set Dungeon Fantasy RPG.

Fans (myself included) have been saying for some time that an "Introductory" product like the D&D Basic Game, or Pathfinder's Beginner Box, is what is really missing from GURPS 4th edition. GURPS Lite is nice, but you have to direct people to it.

Using Dungeon Fantasy is a great idea, as fantasy is clearly the most popular game genre, and the DF line has done so well in PDF. Hopefully if this kickstarter (and the later retail release) does well, we'll see more physical products and other boxed sets in the future.

So, if you want more GURPS and Powered by GURPS products, I encourage you to check out the kickstarter and back it if you can. It's already in the 2nd week, so don't wait before taking a look.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/847271320/dungeon-fantasy-roleplaying-game-powered-by-gurps/

GURPS News and Wild Speculation

Well the GURPS news has been updated. Seems like the lateness is due to keeping everyone busy. Aside from the recap of the products released since last time (and there are some great ones!), there are some hints at unannounced produces.

That means: it's time for wild speculation!

First up is a mention that the editors are "assembling" the next issue of Pyramid. That term is generic enough that it could literally mean they are putting it together, and just about everything is assembled in GURPS. BUT... this is wild speculation so Robots maybe?

Next is a mention of Bill's latest work. No clues but I think it's pretty safe to say this is GURPS Adaptations.

Then we get to three Dungeon Fantasy books: something "flashy", something "otherworldly" and something "game-changing". Let's look at each:

• Lots of things in DF could be "flashy". If it was "shiny" I'd go with a treasure/loot book, but it isn't. It might refer to flash powder, so guns/cannons maybe? Many spells are "flashy" so it might be a look into changing up magic or adding new spells?
• Otherworldly and DF makes me think "Spelljammer" (for you old Grognards). Or this might be a look at the other "planes" (Astral, Elemental, etc.). That was a big part of the old D&D basic games I played in.
• Game-Changing could be just about anything. We've already had "Alternate Dungeons" in Pyramid, but this might be a more full treatment of some idea(s) from there, or something new. In any case, I expect this is alternate rules of some sort.

"Hot spots is due for some love": Paris? But what time(s)?

There is also mention of a new Monster Hunters book (yay!), but nothing I glean as a clue to what it is.

A new series "helmed" by Phil Masters? GURPS Helmets, you heard it here first! Seriously, the bit about "technicalities" makes me think we're getting a Techniques series, but it could also be something similar to Technical Grappling.

Mr. Punch's big project is something "good for GURPS as a whole". Hm, GURPS 4th Edition Revised. GURPS Beginner's Box. GURPS Magic (4th edition). GURPS 4th Edition Lite Revised....

Well, that's it for me. I could be way off base one all of these, so that that with a grain of salt. The only thing I think we can all agree on is that GURPS Half-Life 3 has been confirmed.

Google Sheets NPC Sheet

While trying out different ways to keep track of my NPCs and monsters in games, I decided to take the Google Sheets Character Sheet I had created and trimmed it down to a single page NPC sheet. Here is a link if anyone wants to copy and use for their own games.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vzaZMQzaxei_AbbRpyra2Vl6FX0MIZ8ZEaAPHuOPO18/edit?usp=sharing

Water Wizards, the Direct Damage Mages

GURPS provides damaging attacks in the form of Melee and Ranged spells. Some players don't like these spell because:

• It takes a minimum of 2 turns to attack.
• Requires 2 rolls to hit.
• With Ranged attacks, you need to be close, or have high skill, or take time to aim.
• Melee skills require you to be in melee range.

Of course there are plenty of other ways to deal damage in combat. Area spells make a nice continuing damage source for the length of most combats. There are many spells that neutralize enemies completely (on a failed resist).

Still, for those players that want to deal damage, I suggest focusing on Water spells.

As far as I can tell the water college is the only one with Regular, Resisted spells that do direct damage to the subject. Dehydrate and Frostbite are similar to melee spells like Deathtouch, Burning Death, and Rotting Death, but don’t require that the caster be touching the subject. Dehydrate takes 2 seconds to cast and Frostbite, 3. So, skill levels of 20 and 25 are required for these skills for cast every turn, but you’ll want high skill to offset the -1 per yard distance penalty for regular spells.

So, next time you have a player (or are that player) that wants a damaging attack spell that can be cast every turn, build a Water Wizard!

Warehouse 23 Top Ten

Today's Daily Illuminator has the top 10 products from March. Four of which are GURPS products. I'm a little sad that not one got a shout out in the blurb, but it is still nice to see this list.

 http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/2016-04-22

Shared Doc for Online Game Character Sheets

I game almost exclusively online. This creates a whole new set of problems than playing face to face, but there are some advantages.

One issue I had thought was making sure that my players and I were looking at the same thing when it comes to character sheets. We were using a character creation program, and my players would often load the program and use it as the character sheet. We even had the save files stored on a shared cloud based service, but there would still be issues with desync. And my UI might not match their's. So, I started looking for a better solution and found it with Google Docs.

There are several character sheet templates out there, and I have to admit that mine is mostly based on a couple of really good ones, but I made this one to fit my group's needs.

GURPS Character Sheet

The advantage of using a Google docs and sheets is that we can see edits, make notes everything updates right then. It has eliminated the issues I had before.

Take a look and feel free to copy, clone, whatever. There are quite a few calculated fields, so take care not to edit a cell till you're certain that it isn't a formula. (one of these days I may make an instructions page for this).