Goblins VIII: This Thread Contains An Unexpected Variable

[RMS Oceanic]

I have to disagree on that.

While the list does contain elements that do repeat in bad criticisms, the problem isn't a post that contains these elements, the problem is a post that contains ONLY these elements without any real content.

Indeed. Reading his point about critics that focus more on comical ways of criticism than genuine criticism, does that mean we shouldn't take the likes of the Nostalgia Critic seriously whenever he uses a point of criticism for a gag, even if he makes a good point?

[Killer Angel]

I have to disagree on that.

While the list does contain elements that do repeat in bad criticisms, the problem isn't a post that contains these elements, the problem is a post that contains ONLY these elements without any real content.

I don't totally agree with him neither, but still the post is a funny read.

[t209]

Spoiler

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I hope biscuits didn't become slave

I wonder if Biscuit is the hard tacks or the bread from KFC and Popeye. Wow, I think Orcs are friends with Rednecks if it is bread.

[Maryring]

I have to disagree on that.

While the list does contain elements that do repeat in bad criticisms, the problem isn't a post that contains these elements, the problem is a post that contains ONLY these elements without any real content.

I agree. The use of hyperbole is not neccessarily a sign of a bad critic. A good critic knows how to use those elements and still deliver a sound evaluation of the work. Seems to me he is more whining about youtube-ish "critics" on a forum, but to call those people critics is an insult to actual critics.

[John Cribati]

I agree. The use of hyperbole is not neccessarily a sign of a bad critic. A good critic knows how to use those elements and still deliver a sound evaluation of the work. Seems to me he is more whining about youtube-ish "critics" on a forum, but to call those people critics is an insult to actual critics.

Criticism: "This is bad because of XYZ"

Not Criticism: "This is Bad and you should feel bad."

[Draconi Redfir]

Criticism: "im not a fan of X, maybe you could try Y or Z instead?

Not criticism: "X SUCKS."

[Luzahn]

It often happens. The difficult part is recovering the McGuffin.



He should be a new character, I suppose he won't be killed in the next strip.

Edit: nice post by Thunt about criticisms.

It's a Skyrim dungeon. There's always a secret door to the entrance right behind the end of the dungeon.

[Brother Oni]

Out of curiosity, was there something that sparked off Thunt's post on criticism?

[Marnath]

It's a Skyrim dungeon. There's always a secret door to the entrance right behind the end of the dungeon.

It's been around a lot longer than Skyrim has.

[The Linker]

So he picked the most prominent example from his personal experiences. It was just a joke comment.

[Traab]

It's a Skyrim dungeon. There's always a secret door to the entrance right behind the end of the dungeon.

Same thing in diablo 3. Even the short little mini dungeons now have a teleporter that takes you outside. All the big quests have some form of instant exit too.

[ChowGuy]

Spoiler

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I hope biscuits didn't become slave

I wonder if Biscuit is the hard tacks or the bread from KFC and Popeye. Wow, I think Orcs are friends with Rednecks if it is bread.

Equally probable, especially given that Thunt is Canadian, that he's refering to the British/Commonwealth usage of the term, which can refer a type of to baked goods we USians temd to lump into the term "cookie" or if we're being perticularly "teacakes" Compare for example with "Biscotti.'



On the other hand, I must point out that while I have no particular respect for the Popeys's or KFC abominations that go by the name, one need not be a "redneck" to have a taste for soda-leavened as opposed to yeast leavened "bread." If you did the "Poppin Fresh Doughboy" would not be as popular as he is.

[Goosefeather]

Equally probable, especially given that Thunt is Canadian, that he's refering to the British/Commonwealth usage of the term, which can refer a type of to baked goods we USians temd to lump into the term "cookie" or if we're being perticularly "teacakes" Compare for example with "Biscotti.'

Huh. I was aware that you guys are confused about what constitutes a biscuit, but I'd never heard of 'teacake' referring to anything but one of these before! Guess you learn something new every day!

[Luzahn]

So he picked the most prominent example from his personal experiences. It was just a joke comment.

Yeah, It doesn't help that I was just playing that today.

[ChowGuy]

Huh. I was aware that you guys are confused about what constitutes a biscuit, but I'd never heard of 'teacake' referring to anything but one of these before! Guess you learn something new every day!

You never met my Irish Grandmother ;)

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Equally probable, especially given that Thunt is Canadian, that he's refering to the British/Commonwealth usage of the term, which can refer a type of to baked goods we USians temd to lump into the term "cookie" or if we're being perticularly "teacakes" Compare for example with "Biscotti.'



On the other hand, I must point out that while I have no particular respect for the Popeys's or KFC abominations that go by the name, one need not be a "redneck" to have a taste for soda-leavened as opposed to yeast leavened "bread." If you did the "Poppin Fresh Doughboy" would not be as popular as he is.

'fraid that's not how it works in Canada. Cookies are cookies. Biscuits are delicious southern food.

[Othniel Edden]

Great with either honey or gravy.

[ChowGuy]

'fraid that's not how it works in Canada. Cookies are cookies. Biscuits are delicious southern food.

Sorry. Sometimes I give Canadians more credit then they're due, eh?

(Kind of reminds me of the time few years back when I was on a job site with some Canucks (OK, it was during the Calgary Olympics, so more like a few decades back, but anyway...). On morning one of them comes in and tells me he really needs to get to the grocer's because they were out of just about evertything It was s bad that "Last night, we did't have enough of any one thing to go around so one of the girls threw the last of the kidney beans in with the rice, and, don't laugh but it was really good."

[flat what]

You mean... as in "Red Beans and Rice" - the Southern staple?

[beat]

"Uhm... well this was different. Weput cayan peeper in it."

"Well naturally! What cajun doesn't?"



And while we're on the subject

Great with either honey or gravy.

Even better deep fried and served with boudain. (some of the best boudain I've ever had outside of Louisiana was at an H. Salt Fish and Chips franchise. Run by a Vietnamese couple. Good food knows no ethnic boundaries, though I think the fact that they fried them in the same oil as the fish may have had something to do with it.)


Edit to add smilie, in case the intent wasn't clear.

[Killer Angel]

All this talking 'bout Canada reminded to me this.

(run away and hide)

[Radar]

All this talking 'bout Canada reminded to me this.

(run away and hide)

Nice! Still, there is only one true lumberjack.

[sentaku]

Nice! Still, there is only one true lumberjack.

Songs that really captures the heart of Canada,
Description of Canada
One of their national anthems

Also blog and comic update.

[The Linker]

I like that. Neat rules on deciding whether the shield's hit or not.

[The Glyphstone]

Eh. Forget the Shield of Wonder, I want stats for a Dire Galactus.

[ChowGuy]

Eh. Forget the Shield of Wonder, I want stats for a Dire Galactus.

Wel the prophesied Map of the Goblins World sounds good as well.

[Seerow]

I like that. Neat rules on deciding whether the shield's hit or not.

Honestly they seem way too clunky for actual use. I mean your general attack goes like this:


-Roll an attack
-Wielder decides if he wants the shield to be hit
--If yes, wielder makes an attack with the shield, if he beats the opponents attack by 5 or more, the shield is hit, if not, resolve attack normally.
--If no, reduce wielder's AC by 5
--If don't care, roll d%, on a 70% or less, the shield is struck.
---If the shield is struck, roll d% to determine the result.



I can only imagine running something like the last fight outside the city the goblins had. It would have taken nearly as long to resolve in real time as it did for the comic to be posted.

[Maryring]

Would probably be much easier, and less (whatever you think the shield is) to just have it trigger whenever the to-hit is between AC and AC-3.

[Seerow]

Would probably be much easier, and less (whatever you think the shield is) to just have it trigger whenever the to-hit is between AC and AC-3.

Yeah pretty much. And maybe have fighting defensively/combat expertise/full defense choose whether to add their AC to that or not.


Example: You have 25 AC with your shield of wonder. Shield triggers on any attack that is between a 22 and 24. You fight defensively and use combat expertise, taking a -9 to hit and gaining +7 to AC. The player can at that time choose to either have 32 AC with the shield triggering from 29-31, or having 32 AC with the shield triggering from 21-31.

I say this simply because I figure Thunt made it so complex just to justify Complains charging in with his shield making everyone hit his shield. But something like what I described would accomplish the same goal with a lot less extra rolling.

[Marnath]

Yeah pretty much. And maybe have fighting defensively/combat expertise/full defense choose whether to add their AC to that or not.


Example: You have 25 AC with your shield of wonder. Shield triggers on any attack that is between a 22 and 24. You fight defensively and use combat expertise, taking a -9 to hit and gaining +7 to AC. The player can at that time choose to either have 32 AC with the shield triggering from 29-31, or having 32 AC with the shield triggering from 21-31.

I say this simply because I figure Thunt made it so complex just to justify Complains charging in with his shield making everyone hit his shield. But something like what I described would accomplish the same goal with a lot less extra rolling.

Some people enjoy the extra dice rolling.

[Seerow]

Some people enjoy the extra dice rolling.

Rolling dice is good. Rolling 3 or 4 sets of dice for every attack that gets made is rather annoying.

You still have the attack roll, and the roll for shield of wonder effect if it triggers, just no percentile rolls, and no needing to remember 3 different sets of rules depending on how you're using the shield.

[Claudius Maximus]

I would definitely use Seerow's method (and I have in fact done something very similar in the past in one campaign). I don't think it's that big of a deal though. Thunt seems like the kind of old-school player who likes fidgety rules that cover a lot of edge cases and what have you.