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

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. Read the rest of this entry »

Give the Gift of Faster Combat: Now With Metamagic!

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

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?

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

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

D&D Video Gems: BOOM! John Madden: Dungeon Master

August 31st, 2013

Favicon-jpgIf you’ve followed Leonine Roar a while, you might know that I’m also a big NFL football fan.  I mean, I did these two hybrid D&D-meets-football polls for fun, so I must love both!

But no one collides NFL football and Dungeons & Dragons into one glorious, awesome spectacle like Blame Society Films.  Yes, the over-the-top characterization of the gamers is tired (just ask Shouting into the Void), but forget that for a moment and just sit back and enjoy Madden crashing your D&D game.

BOOM!  Classic.  Enjoy!

More D&D Video Gems?  Yes, please.

 

 

D&D Video Gems: Nick and Siri Play Dungeons & Dragons

July 31st, 2013

faviconAnother fresh, brilliant D&D video gem: fantasy, comedy and Siri collide as the dice and heads roll!

What’s your favorite line?  I laughed out loud a couple of times, good stuff!

Okay – back to GMU.

Happy Summer!

-Tony

Miss any D&D Video Gems?  Here you go, click away:

Get The Adventure Coach!

Santa’s a 30th level Half-Elf, Half-Gnome!

“Playing D&D” by SJ Tucker

“Tonight” by Allie Goertz

Top 10 Monsters

 

GM University: Beyond Faster Combat!

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

 

Secret #1 to Great Fantasy Writing and Roleplay

May 31st, 2013

Favicon-jpgMortal_Wombat_by_The_CamoThe Wombat strikes again!  I’ve been quietly watching (stalking!) this furry creature for some time now, and I couldn’t pass up sharing the Wombat’s latest brilliant post on editing.

Ooo!  Editing!!  Sure, you might asking, what the heck do I need to know about editing? Why would I even care?

Good questions.

Now ask yourself this: how much writing do I do as a player, GM, or both for my games?  Character creation backstories, character journals or in-character posts, NPC creation, world building and power group notes, adventure creation, war cries, taunts, insults, catchphrases… the list goes on.

On top of that, great writing and great roleplaying are closely connected.  Do one well, and you increase your chances of doing the other well by over 9000.  Over 9000!

Ahem.  But seriously, look at the raw editing example right here.  Read the editor’s comments.  Notice the redlines.  What was removed?  Most importantly, why?  Understand the why.  For the love of beholders, displacer beasts and Mortal Kombat fatalities (all awesome, agreed?), understand the why – for each edit.  Study, practice and ask questions until you do.

Now, I’ll also tell you the #1 secret, as I’ve written and edited all kinds of content – gaming to fiction to technical, adventures to short stories to resumes, you name it – for (wait for it…) over 9000 years.

Read the rest of this entry »

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

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