Jeff Wilder
@jeffwilder.bsky.social
Happily retired super-nerd. Born in Louisville, then to Lexington, back to Louisville, then to Richmond, back to Lexington, BA in English from UK, started JD, off to San Francisco, finished JD, brief stint in Los Gatos, and finally to Daly City. Whew.
"That's not the long-missing swashbuckler hero! It's a shape-shifting demon!"
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 AM
"That's not the long-missing swashbuckler hero! It's a shape-shifting demon!"
45 years playing, highest I've gotten is 19th level!
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 AM
45 years playing, highest I've gotten is 19th level!
I'm in favor of in-combat negotiation that might (or might not!) lead to a pause in hostilities.
I think I don't mind Legendary Negotiation because it's so clear that it is just the chance to talk.
That said, maybe there are ways to abuse it that I'm not aware of.
I think I don't mind Legendary Negotiation because it's so clear that it is just the chance to talk.
That said, maybe there are ways to abuse it that I'm not aware of.
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I'm in favor of in-combat negotiation that might (or might not!) lead to a pause in hostilities.
I think I don't mind Legendary Negotiation because it's so clear that it is just the chance to talk.
That said, maybe there are ways to abuse it that I'm not aware of.
I think I don't mind Legendary Negotiation because it's so clear that it is just the chance to talk.
That said, maybe there are ways to abuse it that I'm not aware of.
Good-faith question from a new-ish PF2E GM: What makes INT the GOAT stat?
November 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Good-faith question from a new-ish PF2E GM: What makes INT the GOAT stat?
I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but in my group, instead of quoting HP numbers to each other, we describe our injury status in 20% bands, from Healthy, Battered, Bloodied, Injured, to Critical.
When I prepare statblocks, if an enemy will run or surrender, I use the same bands to say when.
When I prepare statblocks, if an enemy will run or surrender, I use the same bands to say when.
November 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but in my group, instead of quoting HP numbers to each other, we describe our injury status in 20% bands, from Healthy, Battered, Bloodied, Injured, to Critical.
When I prepare statblocks, if an enemy will run or surrender, I use the same bands to say when.
When I prepare statblocks, if an enemy will run or surrender, I use the same bands to say when.
The GM seemed to truly not understand the idea of roleplaying during combat. It very nearly put me off PF2E.
November 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The GM seemed to truly not understand the idea of roleplaying during combat. It very nearly put me off PF2E.
I'm not sure I understand the question. What's an example mechanic you'd like to see?
True story: I once had an ... exchange with a PF2E GM who insisted that low- to mid-level PCs could not possibly convince an enemy to surrender, because "there's no feat to make them do that until high-level."
True story: I once had an ... exchange with a PF2E GM who insisted that low- to mid-level PCs could not possibly convince an enemy to surrender, because "there's no feat to make them do that until high-level."
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I'm not sure I understand the question. What's an example mechanic you'd like to see?
True story: I once had an ... exchange with a PF2E GM who insisted that low- to mid-level PCs could not possibly convince an enemy to surrender, because "there's no feat to make them do that until high-level."
True story: I once had an ... exchange with a PF2E GM who insisted that low- to mid-level PCs could not possibly convince an enemy to surrender, because "there's no feat to make them do that until high-level."
I'm always so glad to see your content over here!
November 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I'm always so glad to see your content over here!
Your intent is that it do katana 2H damage?
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Your intent is that it do katana 2H damage?
Hey, when has appeasement ever gone badly?
November 10, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Hey, when has appeasement ever gone badly?
I'm avoiding reading Spore War in hopes of playing it. Someday.
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I'm avoiding reading Spore War in hopes of playing it. Someday.
Over my *cough*cough* years of gaming, I've tried to use a screen at least 10 times. I've tried published, customizable, and my own eight-panel (player- and GM-facing) landscape screens created in Publisher. None have worked for me. The barrier between me and my players isn't worth the rules access.
November 8, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Over my *cough*cough* years of gaming, I've tried to use a screen at least 10 times. I've tried published, customizable, and my own eight-panel (player- and GM-facing) landscape screens created in Publisher. None have worked for me. The barrier between me and my players isn't worth the rules access.
I think Slattery is actually a fantastic actor ... but within a pretty narrow range. (For example, if you put his lines from Mad Men in Howard Stark's mouth, or vice versa, they're still going to work, context aside.)
November 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I think Slattery is actually a fantastic actor ... but within a pretty narrow range. (For example, if you put his lines from Mad Men in Howard Stark's mouth, or vice versa, they're still going to work, context aside.)
I was a player and a wiz/builder on ShadowrunMUSH many years ago. It is definitely a gaming form that rewards those who can read and write well and quickly. I enjoyed it a lot.
November 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
I was a player and a wiz/builder on ShadowrunMUSH many years ago. It is definitely a gaming form that rewards those who can read and write well and quickly. I enjoyed it a lot.
The final two sentences in the film gut me to this day.
LFN has been redone four times (and I admit I like the Maggie Q series), but never even close to matched.
LFN has been redone four times (and I admit I like the Maggie Q series), but never even close to matched.
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 AM
The final two sentences in the film gut me to this day.
LFN has been redone four times (and I admit I like the Maggie Q series), but never even close to matched.
LFN has been redone four times (and I admit I like the Maggie Q series), but never even close to matched.
(There's also a joke in there about Grindr and hung, but I don't go for low-hanging ... uh, fruit.)
November 6, 2025 at 12:35 AM
(There's also a joke in there about Grindr and hung, but I don't go for low-hanging ... uh, fruit.)
These jokes are sub-par.
November 6, 2025 at 12:33 AM
These jokes are sub-par.
My most common experience is different, but that's because the game is PF1E. It's a good game (which is why I still play it), but it is objectively overwhelming in its options. New players need a LOT of guidance. By contrast, my ongoing PF2E game is significantly easier (we're all new to PF2E).
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 PM
My most common experience is different, but that's because the game is PF1E. It's a good game (which is why I still play it), but it is objectively overwhelming in its options. New players need a LOT of guidance. By contrast, my ongoing PF2E game is significantly easier (we're all new to PF2E).
I prefer Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
You know, in the non-Trumpian context.
You know, in the non-Trumpian context.
November 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
I prefer Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
You know, in the non-Trumpian context.
You know, in the non-Trumpian context.
What do you record with? How long are your sessions, typically? I've considered doing it, but our sessions are six hours, and it seems kinda unworkable.
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 AM
What do you record with? How long are your sessions, typically? I've considered doing it, but our sessions are six hours, and it seems kinda unworkable.
But don't the players just, you know, DO things? Mind read? Recall Knowledge? Telekinetically screw with the tavern jerkwad?
November 3, 2025 at 10:43 PM
But don't the players just, you know, DO things? Mind read? Recall Knowledge? Telekinetically screw with the tavern jerkwad?
Research and Influence -- from my limited experience from running Seven Dooms -- work fine as far as the numbers, but I agree about the dullness. I really have to work hard to make both of them evocative, and I definitely don't always succeed. (In fact, I'd estimate I barely manage 50%.)
November 3, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Research and Influence -- from my limited experience from running Seven Dooms -- work fine as far as the numbers, but I agree about the dullness. I really have to work hard to make both of them evocative, and I definitely don't always succeed. (In fact, I'd estimate I barely manage 50%.)
From my observation the feels-bad usually happens when a game is 90%-plus combat. (This isn't a dig; I like combat-heavy games sometimes!) Casters have so much cool stuff they can do that isn't destroying monsters.
November 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
From my observation the feels-bad usually happens when a game is 90%-plus combat. (This isn't a dig; I like combat-heavy games sometimes!) Casters have so much cool stuff they can do that isn't destroying monsters.
Not every situation should have a clock, but surely some do?
November 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Not every situation should have a clock, but surely some do?