So, around two years ago, I played DW on a forum with people with whom I’d played other forum games. And it wasn’t very fun. Even at the time, with the version that was floating around for Adventurers Guild members, there were tons of people raving about the fun they were having and I didn’t get it. But I didn’t know if it was the game or PBF or just us, the players.
Anyway, last night I played the second session of a game that we started on Saturday and I’m having a hell of a time playing the druid. And I’m really looking forward to playing more.
I’m not exactly taking back things that I wrote about that earlier experience — it was what it was. But this current experience is way more fun to think about and now I get it.
So thanks Adam and Sage (and Tony) (and Vincent) and the community!
Say more about the differences, if you please.
Was it a different mindset? Different experiences between then and now? What do you think were the contributing factors that made it click this time that were absent the first time?
Indeed, highlighting stats pushed some weird, slightly stilted, play.
Hrm, yeah, I ought to be able to break this down more intelligently. I don’t remember the play of the game with enough resolution to do that right now. Since it was a forum game, I can go back to Snail’s Pace and read up and maybe figure some things out. What I recall most strongly is being kind of disconnected, bored and almost entirely valueless to the party — nothing I did really worked out. But I’m not sure what would have lead to that.
Marshall’s comments about stat highlighting has reminded me that that was a thing, and also, I think marking xp on failed roll is a VERY good addition to the game. It single-handedly turns a whiff into a pleasing outcome.
maybe it was the class? In my experience, classes in DW have a strong impact on how you feel the game. I saw some players saying “it’s a meh game” and then having way more fun with a different class.
hey Christopher Weeks I am pretty sure I was in that game with you. I also felt meh about it. The stat highlighting was an issue for me, too. Glad it is gone
I’m currently in a PBF of DW using the rules that came out with the KS completion. It is running “better”, but still feels meh-ish. I’m wondering if the pace of a PBF detracts too much from an action-oriented game like DW.
Rich, yeah, it could be. Playing across a table feels more dynamic and action-oriented than about any game I’ve played. It’s pretty awesome.
Alessandro, maybe… I’m hesitant to go with that as the primary cause, but it sure might be part of it. Maybe I’ll play the ranger again to test the theory.