Archive for the ‘News, Previews & Reviews’ Category

D&D Next: The Final Packet Frontier – To the Realms!

Friday, January 31st, 2014

MiBGFavicon-jpgI’m excited: I’m finally digging into the last rules packet plus my two D&D Next super adventures are on their way!

Murder in Baldur’s Gate and Legacy of the Crystal Shard are now officially on the table as we wrap up our tremendous Dragon Age campaign.  I might use these Forgotten Realms adventures mostly as is, or for inspiration for a new D&D Next mini-campaign.  My last “Seascape” D&D Next mini-campaign was well received – though admittedly the stories, adventures and personalities moreso than the chaos of the playtest packets – so I’m looking forward to putting the DM hat back on in February.

If you haven’t seen them yet, you get D&D Next DM Screens (awesome!) with these Realms adventures, plus they’re sourcebooks too – great value!  And sure, the playtest packets – even the final one – are “unfinished” D&D 2014, but they’re as close as we can get till the real thing hits shelves in mid or late 2014 – and that day I can’t wait for!

The playtest experience was new to everyone, so my playgroup’s reaction was mixed.  I can see where it’s frustrating changing back and forth on rules, and wondering why certain rules are so vague or plain missing.  But then again, like the packets say – it’s playtesting!  You have to expect some of that.  And ultimately, I personally enjoyed being part of the experience and sending them survey feedback. (more…)

Give the Gift of Faster Combat: Now With Metamagic!

Thursday, December 5th, 2013

Favicon-jpgfc-guide-cover-250x325-230x300Looking for a great book for your nice – or naughty! – gamers this year?

Give the gift of Faster Combat!

And great news, we’ve expanded our reach like only a metamagic feat could: find How to Run Fast and Exciting Combats on sale now at epic RPG gaming sites like:

Want to make your GM, DM or PC allies happier, and more importantly – faster – when the action is most furious?  Give them Faster Combat – and watch as each helpful gaming lesson amps up your game!

Happy Holidays!

Tony

Praise Them: Give Thanks to Your Gamers

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Favicon-jpgWhat would RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Dragon Age be without our playgroup’s insane-yet-brilliant ideas, rib-splitting wit and thundering critical hits?

Or without the vivid, breathtaking and sometimes haunting sights and sounds evoked by our game masters?

It’s a time for thanks – and turkey! – so tell your gaming group they’re why you love to play.  Praise them.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving – and your games!

~Tony

Halloween Treat: D&D’s What Monster Are You?

Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

Favicon-jpgowlbear-HalloweenD&DquizJust in time for your Halloween parties, tricks and definitely the treats, D&D’s Bart Carroll just posted a “What Monster are You?” quiz.

It’s quick, fun and filled with my kind of humor!  As a bonus, its party questions have amped up my excitement for the Halloween party I’ll be going to!

Oh, and me turning out to be an… OWLBEAR, one of my favorite D&D monsters ever, was awesome – only a girallon, displacer beast or beholder would have been as cool!

So, what monster are you

 

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!  (Great time to try some dark fantasy gaming like Dragon Age, isn’t it?)

 

P.S.  Is it 5e yet?  No?  Looks like more Lords of Waterdeep (just got its suddenly rare Scoundrels of Skullport expansion thanks to my awesome brother critting on his Perception check, YESSS!) and Dragon Age for me!

D&D Next Playtest Ends: Final Thoughts

Monday, September 30th, 2013

DnD-NextFavicon-jpg About ten days ago, the final D&D Next playtest packet was announced and released.

What a wonderful, unique opportunity it’s been to playtest and provide feedback to the designers of D&D’s upcoming 40th anniversary edition.  It’s been up and down for everyone, as playtesting is even more chaotic than I anticipated, but ultimately, we all had our fun as we test drove different rules and evolutions of the rules as the playtest went on.

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GM University: Beyond Faster Combat!

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

Faster Combat GM CourseFavicon-jpgHey everyone, Johnn and I have been plotting and plot twisting away on the follow-up course to our highly successful Faster Combat course and we’d love your opinion on the next exciting offering in our GM University series: Beginner GMs.

Like Faster Combat, we’ll take you step-to-step through your first session as GM, with an initial focus on how best to prepare for your very first game as the storyteller-in-charge!  Best of all, you’ll master this course in record time: 30 days.  That’s “turn efficiency” Faster Combat would be proud of!

After the focus on prep, then you’ll be ready for the next two 30-day micro-courses which focus on in-game and post-game success for Beginner GMs.

So what do you think fellow GMs?  Do you think this course would be helpful for new GMs?  As a smart way to introduce players in your playgroup to GMing?  As a focused refresher for existing GMs?  What do you think of the 30 day goals?  Share your ideas in the comments section and vote on the poll right here.  Thanks for your help!

Would a focused 30-day Beginner GM Prep course help you, someone you play with, or any new GM?

View Results

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-Tony and Johnn

 

Faster Combat: The Book, Released + Special Offer through April 5th!

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Favicon-jpgfc-guide-cover-250x325-230x300Miss out on the newly released Faster Combat book by Johnn Four and I last week?

Good news – we have a special offer going on through Friday, April 5th for loyal Leonine Roar and Roleplaying Tips readers, fans and followers, right here (Go ahead and click, the Perception check DC is easy, I promise!)

Our special offer includes three different feat chains options between the book and course to help you crush your combat grind.  

Now wouldn’t that be great?

A HUGE thanks to all our fans and readers across all our sites!   I’ve loved writing and talking game design and storytelling with and for all of you since February of 2011.  You help make our favorite hobby and game greater and better every day.

Remember, special offer ends this Friday, April 5th.

::Rolls a natural 20::  Yesss!

Here’s to your faster combats and sweeping stories!

Tony

 

 

D&D Next Playtest: High Levels + Monks = Pure Awesome!

Saturday, January 19th, 2013

Favicon-jpg DnDPlaytest1Our D&D Next Playtest games continue and the December packet brought a breath of fresh air – high level play and (more importantly) MONKS!

I always loved the theme and style of the bard and monk throughout D&D’s editions, but in actual play, they failed spectacularly until 4e.

But as we all know, for all 4e’s strengths, the weakness of  “supercrunching” the game with rules and too-long combat took away from a classic, balanced D&D RPG experience.

Well, I created this blog because I love D&D and RPGs because of that fine balance of crunch and flavor, story and game, strategy and roleplay.  D&D Next is doing a commendable job of bringing that essential D&D feel back, and I love that quality more than any other.

Last night, I got my first chance to play as a PC since my first D&D Next experience at a cozy and comfortable gaming event, and I jumped at the chance to play the new-to-Next-playtest monk.  I loved the 4e monk, and was left wanting to play more – what a delightful opportunity!  So my brother kindly offered to DM a 14th level game for us, and we had an absolute blast.

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To October… and Beyond!

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

Hey everyone, happy gaming and happy football Sunday!  A great day as my Patriots dropped 52 big ones and looked pretty good doing it! 

But enough about football (you know I’m a huge RPG and NFL fan, of course!), here’s an update on what October and the rest of 2012 looks like for both me and Leonine Roar.  Here’s what you can expect as the chill of autumn and winter settles in…

1) Teach D&D to Brand New Players.  Earlier this year I introduced a friend’s fiance to D&D – she’d never played anything like it and was curious.  Next, I’ll be introducing my cousin to D&D – and instead of 4e, we’re going to playtest D&D Next together along with her boyfriend, a long-time Pathfinder player.  This event goes down Saturday, we’re all very excited! 

  • What to Expect on Leonine Roar?  More advice for and observations on teaching and encouraging new players, like this one, based on my experiences this coming weekend.  I love to teach as much as I love to write, so this will be a blast – and insightful too! (more…)

Summer 2012 & What Do We Play Next?

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Hey everyone!  I know, you want more quality Leonine Roar content.  So do I! 

Work is the #1 answer.  (Ohh – D&D Family Feud?  I love that show!  I might just work on that…)  I have tons of great work right now, and love it, so that’s awesome!  

Yet, I apologize for the quieter summer stream of LR fine wine mix of RPG crunch and flavor articles, even as I’m sure many of you are also naturally sitting back and enjoying the summer and your vacations as well.

Speaking of vacations, I’ll be taking a break from and reviewing a few projects – including LR – for most of August, coming back after Labor Day weekend.

But just before I head south for my Chultan paradise to rest my mind and body – and hunt dinosaurs and find a certain frigid ring – I’ll give you some of my ideas on vacations in D&D or any RPG.  How do you fit them in?  How do you make them fun and memorable – just like in real life?  How do you add fun, exciting twists that turn them into true adventures?

So talk to you again soon, keep enjoying your summer, keep playing and thanks for reading Leonine Roar!  (And help answer my questions in my P.S. below too please, here or @LeonineRoar on Twitter, thanks!)

Tony 

 

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