Blog Archives
The Pain of Being a Raid Boss
If you’re a fan of RPG games, you’re likely familiar with the concept of raid bosses. These bosses require a group of players to defeat and often offer some of the best loot in the game. However, have you ever stopped to think about what being a raid boss is like? In this article, we’ll explore the pain of being a raid boss in an RPG.
What is a Raid Boss?
Before we dive into the pain of being a raid boss, it’s essential to understand what a raid boss is. A raid boss is a boss that requires a group of players to defeat. These bosses are often much more challenging than other bosses in the game and require coordination and strategy to beat. Raid bosses usually drop some of the best loot in the game and are a significant part of the end-game content in many RPGs.
The Pain of Being a Raid Boss
Being a raid boss might seem like a pretty sweet gig. You get to be the biggest, baddest boss in the game, and you drop some of the best loot. However, being a raid boss comes with its own unique set of challenges and pains.
Feeling Isolated
One of the most significant pains of being a raid boss is the feeling of isolation. You’re often alone in a room, waiting for players to come and try to defeat you. Depending on the game, you might be unable to move around the room or interact with your environment. This can make for a very lonely experience.
Being a Punching Bag
Another pain of being a raid boss is being a punching bag for players. Players will be attacking you for an extended period, and depending on the game’s mechanics, you might be unable to fight back or even move around much. This can be a frustrating experience and can make you feel like nothing more than a target.
Repeating the Same Thing Over and Over
Being a raid boss means that you’re going to be repeating the same mechanics and attacks over and over again. This can get incredibly tedious and boring, especially if you’ve been the raid boss for a long time. You might start to feel like a robot, repeating the same thing over and over.
Frustration at Being Defeated
As a raid boss, you’re going to be defeated more often than not. This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’ve been defeated multiple times in a row. You might start to feel like players are just steamrolling you, and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.
The Endless Grind
Finally, being a raid boss means that you’re going to be dropping some of the best loot in the game. This means that players are going to be farming you over and over again, hoping to get that one piece of loot they’re after. This can become an endless grind, with players constantly coming back to defeat you.
Conclusion
Being a raid boss might seem like a great gig, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges and pains. From feeling isolated to being a punching bag, raid bosses have a lot to deal with. However, without raid bosses, many RPGs would lose a significant part of their end-game content.
How to Write an RPG One-Shot
Are you a fan of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) and want to write your own one-shot adventure? A one-shot is a self-contained RPG session that is designed to be played in a single sitting, usually lasting a few hours. Writing a one-shot can be a challenging but rewarding experience that allows you to flex your creativity and storytelling skills. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write an RPG one-shot, from brainstorming ideas to creating memorable characters and encounters.
Brainstorming Ideas
The first step in writing an RPG one-shot is developing a compelling idea to capture your players’ interest. You can draw inspiration from your favourite books, movies, or TV shows or create something entirely original. Here are some tips to help you brainstorm ideas:
Consider the Setting
Think about the type of world or setting you want your one-shot to take place in. Do you want it to be a medieval fantasy, a sci-fi space opera, or something else entirely? The setting will influence the type of characters, encounters, and plot you create.
Choose a Theme
What message or theme do you want your one-shot to convey? Is it about redemption, revenge, or survival? Having a clear theme can help you stay focused and create a cohesive story.
Create a Hook
A hook is something that captures your players’ attention and draws them into the story. It can be a mysterious artifact, a dangerous foe, or an urgent quest. The hook should motivate your players to engage with the story and take action.
Creating Characters
The next step is to create memorable characters that your players will care about and want to interact with. Here are some tips to help you create compelling characters:
Make Them Unique
Your characters should have distinct personalities, motivations, and quirks that set them apart from each other. Avoid creating stereotypes or one-dimensional characters.
Give Them a Backstory
A character’s backstory can provide context for their actions and motivations. It can also create opportunities for plot twists and character development.
Consider Their Role in the Story
Each character should have a clear role in the story, whether it’s the hero, the mentor, or the antagonist. Make sure their actions and motivations align with their role.
Creating Encounters
Encounters are the events and challenges your players will face throughout the one-shot. They should be engaging, varied, and balanced. Here are some tips to help you create memorable encounters:
Vary the Challenges
Encounters should vary in difficulty and style to keep your players engaged. You can include combat encounters, social encounters, puzzles, or a combination of all three.
Create Interesting Locations
The location of an encounter can add depth and atmosphere to the story. Consider creating unique and interesting locations that reflect the setting and theme of your one-shot.
Consider Consequences
Each encounter should have consequences that impact the story and the characters. This can include gaining or losing items, allies, or information.
Creating the Plot
The plot is the backbone of your one-shot. It should be engaging, well-paced, and have a clear resolution. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling plot:
Have a Clear Goal
The plot should have a clear goal or objective that the players are working towards. This can be finding a lost artifact, stopping a villain, or surviving a dangerous situation.
Include Plot Twists
Plot twists can add excitement and unpredictability to the story. They can also challenge the players’ assumptions and force them to think creatively.
Provide Choices
The players should have meaningful choices throughout the one-shot that impact the story and the outcome. This can include deciding whether to take a certain path, ally with a certain character or make a crucial decision.
Creating the Game Mechanics
Game mechanics are the rules and systems that govern the gameplay of your one-shot. They should be easy to understand, balanced, and immersive. Here are some tips to help you create effective game mechanics:
Choose a Game System
There are many RPG game systems to choose from, including Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Savage Worlds. Choose a game system that fits the setting and style of your one-shot.
Balance the Mechanics
Make sure the game mechanics are balanced and fair for all players. Avoid creating overpowered characters or encounters that are too difficult to overcome.
Include Mechanics that Match the Theme
Consider including game mechanics that match the theme and style of your one-shot. For example, if you’re creating a horror-themed one-shot, include mechanics that create tension and fear.
Writing the Adventure
Now that you have all the elements in place, it’s time to write the adventure itself. Here are some tips to help you create a well-written adventure:
Create an Outline
Create an outline of the adventure that includes all the major plot points, encounters, and game mechanics. This will help you stay organized and ensure that the adventure flows smoothly.
Write Descriptive Text
Use descriptive text to set the scene and create an atmosphere. Describe the characters, locations, and encounters in detail to immerse your players in the story.
Include Dialogue
Dialogue can bring your characters to life and create memorable moments. Write a dialogue that matches the personality and motivations of each character.
Edit and Revise
Once you’ve written the adventure, edit and revise it to ensure it’s clear, concise, and well-written. Ask a friend or fellow RPG player to read it and provide feedback.
Conclusion
Writing an RPG one-shot can be a challenging but rewarding experience that allows you to flex your creativity and storytelling skills. Following these tips can create a memorable and engaging adventure that your players will love.
FAQs
- What is an RPG one-shot? An RPG one-shot is a self-contained RPG session designed to be played in a single sitting, usually lasting a few hours.
- How long should an RPG one-shot be? An RPG one-shot should last between 3-5 hours, depending on the complexity of the adventure.
- Can I use pre-made characters in an RPG one-shot? Yes, you can use pre-made characters or allow players to create their own.
- Do I need to have a game system to write an RPG one-shot? It’s recommended to choose a game system that fits the setting and style of your one-shot, but it’s not strictly necessary.
- How many players should I have for an RPG one-shot? An RPG one-shot can be played with as few as two players and as many as six or more, depending on the game system and adventure.
Dungeons and Dragons – Homebrew Edition
Roleplaying games can get pretty busted, pretty quickly. Sometimes you need to put boundaries when players decide to put together their characters. The good folks over at Mann Shorts bravely show what happens when you open those homebrew gates to players.
Rise of the Runelords – Episode 45
Woah Woah Woah, you might be saying to yourself. Yes, all three of you who read my blog (Editor’s Note – I appreciate you). Aren’t you skipping a few episodes? (Editor here again – should these be sessions rather than episodes? Chapters maybe?)
To answer your question, yes. Yes, I am. I had wanted to keep a few in the tank so I could have somewhat constant content on here. But as you can see by the gap between posts, that is sooooo not the case. Therefore, rather than being clever, I’m being current.
However, to maintain some degree of consistency let’s touch on a few things and get you up to speed. Here’s the Rise of the Runelords recap for Episode Sessions Chapters 41-44:
Episode 41 – Following the Trail of Blood
The Saviors of Sandpoint come across a few bodies, some warmer than others, that leads down a hero’s dark past.
Episode 42 – Half-Brotherly Love
The Saviors of Sandpoint return home, only to find that some old foes don’t know when to stay away.
Episode 43 – Sandpoint Invasion
Just when they thought it was safe to get a night’s rest, the Saviors of Sandpoint find that they don’t need to go looking for trouble. Trouble will find them.
Episode 44 – Sandpoint Invasion Part Two
If you thought stone giants were bad, try dealing with an ancient clockwork dragon running a simple two-step program:
Step 1: Destroy Everything.
Step 2: If everything is not destroyed, repeat Step 1.
With that all out of the way, brace yourself for Rise of the Runelords Episode 45 – Death to Heroes and Villains!
The Saviors of Sandpoint faced stone giants, dire bears, and robot dragons. But to save their town, they will have to defeat a kingdom-destroying villain from a hero’s past. To do that, they’ll have to give everything.
Spoilers: That’s just what one of the heroes does.
Rise of the Runelords – Episode 38
After saving Turtleback Ferry from the legendary Black Magga, the Saviors of Sandpoint kicked back and relaxed. They grabbed some towels, bought some drinks with cool umbrellas in them, and caught some sun on the beach.
Maybe in Bizarro Land, but not in the mean streets of Turtleback Ferry! (Editor’s note – that should probably be ‘mean street’. I mean, there can’t be more than one road through the village.)
The mayor/religious leader of Turtleback Ferry, Maelin Shreed, was concerned about the dangerously rapid rise of the river’s water levels (not to mention the introduction of massive sea serpents into the residential ecosystem). Being situated downstream of a mighty dam that holds back several cubic miles of water, Mayor Shreed was interested in the status of said dam. He hired the heroes to brave the tribe of trolls who had taken up residence inside the dam known as Skull’s Crossing, and find out if they were in danger of being washed away.
Trolls are bad. What the Saviors of Sandpoint found at the dam was much, much worse. Find out how worse in Rise of the Runelords Episode 38 – So Many Skulls!
Rokk Talk 