A post that is about D&D - Playtesters wanted.

[alexandraerin]

Update: Bases covered. Thanks!

Hey, all... I could use a little help in an alpha playtest of the rules I posted for adjudicating abstract/mapless combat in D&D 4E. This is not a call for players in an actual ongoing campaign... I stress that because I don't want people thinking they have to put themselves forward now to get into the groups that I'll be running with these rules.

I have some specific needs for this playtest, and if you don't think you can fill them, then please don't put yourself forward.

If I can round up the necessary people, then the test will be conducted at 9:00 PM Central Standard Time this Friday. So that's criterion one: are you available at that time? It could last about an hour up to a few hours. I don't know for sure.

Second, I'm looking for players to fill particular types of characters:

A Shaman.
A Fighter, Paladin, Warden, or Swordmage.
An Invoker or Wizard with burst/blast attacks, summons, and/or conjurations.
A ranged Warlock or Ranger.

Please only volunteer if you've actually played a character of one of these types at the Heroic tier and feel like you know what you're doing. I've selected the classes for a reason. No PHB3 characters because I'm still learning their capabilities myself, Shaman for the added element of the Spirit Companion, and no Druid because I'm less concerned with melee control.

Third, you must have a copy of the Character Builder, since that provides a uniform and easy to read stat summary. Since time is tight I'd rather not have to validate characters by hand or rewrite them in a format I prefer. We'll be playing the characters at Levels 1 and 5... the CB's ability to dial back a character is invaluable there.

Fourth, you must have a copy of Skype, which will be the sole program we'll be using.

The test will consist of a series of short combat encounters. Unlike a delve or actual game, they'll exist in isolation: full healing and ability recovery in between each one, no resource management. Minimal story or roleplaying, though I'll also be testing my ability to convey game-important battlefield information through description so there will be some narration.

If you meet the criteria and want to join the test, please post a comment with the position you want to fill (and with what class) and an honest assessment of your familiarity with that class/role. Please stick to relatively straightforward builds. I'm a fan of creative concept characters, but this playtest session will be about seeing how my loose rules hold up in ordinary casual play. This is not going to be a "break the system" test... that will come later, when I know the system is not broken to begin with.

Comments

[cpip.livejournal.com]

Ah, you had me 'til Skype. I don't even have a mike.

Good luck!

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

If you really want in, all you need is speakers... since there's not going to be any roleplaying, then I'm fine with you typing your actions in the Skype chat window. I'd prefer that everybody has microphones, but the fact that I know you (ish) is worth an exception.

[cpip.livejournal.com]

Actually, it seems I'm not entirely available after all -- but I am VERY interested to hear how it works out.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

That's okay, I think I have everything covered now.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

dibs on the shammy! and i can make myself free, nothing planned for Friday night.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

what level you want for this?

Okay, you're in.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Eeesh, thanks for asking, I forgot to mention. Please make the character level 5... we'll be playing at level 1 and level 5.

Re: Okay, you're in.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

Nakuna Frostcairn, dwarf shaman

level 1, level 5

ta da!

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Wow, nice integration of character theme.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

she's from way up north (you probably can't see the backgrounds unless you download the character builder file, i think?) and her family's job is to bury the dead in stone cairns (due to permafrost), or else they get up and walk around as frozen zombie things. and she has a badass transparent polar bear that follows her around as a spirit companion.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Very nice.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

... i have no idea why i made up a background for her but it was easy enough when building the character and my mind just sorta goes that way. i made up backstories for my Living Forgotten Realms characters that will never get played out :(

[gamingdragon.livejournal.com]

I can understand that I can't just roll up a bunch of stats I have to have a preaonalty to understtand why they would use a attack or fight a certain way

[kynn.livejournal.com]

oh, and i've played a heroic-tier shaman multiple times and just love the heck out of the class (my favorite leader class and favorite primal class).

[stormcaller3801.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to hop in and play a Fighter- I know the class better than any other, having spent a lot of time fiddling around with different builds and tweaks. And I've got all of Friday free. I think the only thing I've got to do to be up to date is update the CB with this month's stuff.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Remind me - were you a Fighter in one of my games?

[stormcaller3801.livejournal.com]

Yup. Broadsword & shield Fighter who had two of the amulets for the statue.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Okay. Make it so. :P

[stormcaller3801.livejournal.com]

Varis, Elf FighterLevel 5, Level 1.

Pretty straightforward, I think.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Hope you remember, tonight at 9.

[himynameishelen.livejournal.com]

If you ever run a game that you think would be suitable for a beginner, I would be completely thrilled to do the Dungeons and the Dragons one day.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for experienced players for this because it's a system test, but if it works I think it'll be easier for beginners than the default rules are in some ways. So if the fact that it'd be done fairly late at night in Tea Standard Time or whatever you all use isn't a dealbreaker, you'd be welcome to join one of the ongoing games this will lead to.

Being an experienced roleplayer is as desirable a trait in its own way as being an experienced D&D player.

[himynameishelen.livejournal.com]

My average "Bed time" of late is about 5am (I am so ~*well adjusted*~) and when "Sugar can emo on" and I RP I've been known to stay up till about 10am (and then just.. staying up) so timing isn't a dealbreaker for me.

I've been wantin' to start doing it for a while, since I think I'm not enough of a nerd and I want to make sure that I get my glasses snapped on a more regular basis.

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Okay, well, after I've got my rules in order I'll be letting you know.

[himynameishelen.livejournal.com]

Woo and also hoo!

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

You should probably start thinking about what kind of character you'd like to play. I can help you get set up with the character builder before we start. I know you don't know the game, but I'm sure you have a general idea of the sorts of archetypes involved in a D&D world.

[himynameishelen.livejournal.com]

I'll do some reading!

[luke-licens.livejournal.com]

It's been a while, but I've run a ranged Warlock. Eyebite and Misty Step usually do wonders to keep you out of the fray, but I'm curious to see how well they do in ACME. I'll have to wait until after midnight tonight to renew my D&DInsider subscription, though. The demo only lets you get to Lvl 3, but payday isn't for another 3 hours. ;)

PS: As a half elf, I can't resist the taking the Bard's Vicious Mockery as my racial encounter power. "Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!"

[alexandraerin.livejournal.com]

Sorry I didn't respond to this message before and let you know I didn't need you... I thought I had responded, but evidently I typed it up and didn't hit submit, or it didn't take. You left this right after I found a ranged striker through other means or else I would have been glad to have you.

The good news is I'm happy with the test, so if you're interested in a reboot of the Asfenar campaign I'll have info for you soonish.