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2011-10-06, 08:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
There seems to be some confusion over why Roy is taunting Thog, as well as some people who think Roy should have just jumped out of the way, so maybe I should break this down:
Thog is dungeoncrashing Roy, an alternate class feature for fighters from Dungeonscape (remember that Thog has two levels of fighter). This allows him to bull rush Roy into a solid object, doing 4d6 points of damage plus twice his Strength bonus (which is very high for a raging half-orc barbarian) to both Roy and the object. This is the same technique Thog used earlier on him in the arena.
Roy is using his Intimidate skill to taunt Thog into dungeoncrashing him into three specific load-bearing columns, one after another. The rules are that there is no dungeoncrash damage unless the user successfully bull rushes the target. If Roy dodges out of the way, there is no damage to the column and therefore, no way for the roof to collapse. Roy does not have the ability to damage the columns by himself without a weapon, so he is using Thog's special ability against him. Roy is thus willing to take a beating in order to stop Thog, because he does not have the means to stop him otherwise.
If you think that Roy was just getting his ass kicked until he got lucky and the roof fell, you are fundamentally misunderstanding what happened. Maybe that's my fault, but I was loathe to put in a clumsy speech balloon like, "If I can just get him to bull rush me into those three columns..."Rich Burlew
Now Available: 2023 OOTS Holiday Ornament plus a big pile of new t-shirt designs (that you can also get on mugs and stuff)!
~~You can also support The Order of the Stick and the GITP forum at Patreon.~~
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2011-10-06, 09:00 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2005
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
If my text is blue, I'm being sarcastic.But you already knew that, right?
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2011-10-06, 09:01 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2009
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- New York
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Ah, that should make things more clear. Though maybe it would have been better to mention that Thog had the dungeoncrashing variant beforehand.
Yeah, the speech balloon would have been clumsy, but perhaps if, between the panels of Roy looking at Zzdrti getting carried off and coming up with his idea (Where he has the expression), you could have put in a panel of Roy glancing at the columns. I'm just throwing a thought out there though.My webcomic!
Currently DMing:
Tales of Aequar: Runite's Rise IC
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Playing Natalia Bolts,Jadeite Nocrius, and Soren Lowell
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2011-10-06, 09:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
I thought it was more important to emphasize Roy seeing Zz'dtri getting carried off, since I had previously established that Roy was going to drag the fight out until the LG were defeated.
As far as mentioning the dungeoncrashing variant: I don't think it's actually important for readers to really understand the game mechanics of what is happening, as long as it is plausible. An enraged half-orc smashing a person into a wall so hard that the wall breaks is entirely plausible, so it shouldn't matter how it's accomplished "by the rules." Most readers are only peripherally aware of the rules anyway. I did try to figure it out for my own internal consistency, though. Since there are a few people getting hung up on "why didn't Roy do it this way instead?" I thought I would share that.Rich Burlew
Now Available: 2023 OOTS Holiday Ornament plus a big pile of new t-shirt designs (that you can also get on mugs and stuff)!
~~You can also support The Order of the Stick and the GITP forum at Patreon.~~
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2011-10-06, 09:10 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
I actually argued that Thog probably didn't have the dungeoncrasher ACL just because The Giant often takes liberties with the rules to make things more interesting.
Then again, he did help write dungeonscapeAvatar by A Rainy Knight
Spoiler: CharactersTarok and Kamo, level 6 half-orc ranger, bunyip-slayer, and all around badass.
I like half-orcs
Retired:
Aldrin Cress, level 10 human sorcerer. Hero of Korvosa.
Tireas Slate, level 4 tiefling ninja. Eternally scheming.
DMing: Dragon's Demand
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2011-10-06, 09:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2009
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- New York
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
My webcomic!
Currently DMing:
Tales of Aequar: Runite's Rise IC
OOC Map
Playing Natalia Bolts,Jadeite Nocrius, and Soren Lowell
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2011-10-06, 09:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2007
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- M'wakee, 'Sconsin
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
That was an extremely worthy update. Thog getting taken out by Roy's direct application of the colosseum itself is about as epic as I could have imagined! Rock on with your bad self, Giant.
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2011-10-06, 09:26 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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2011-10-06, 10:15 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2011
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2011-10-06, 10:36 PM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2009
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
And here I thought smashing three pillars, resulting in enormous destruction, was yet another tasteless reference to the Wikkit Gate....
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2011-10-06, 11:06 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
WAIT!
Where is Belkar?Big Ups to Vrythas for making my Avi!
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2011-10-06, 11:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
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2011-10-07, 01:59 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Roy really must have hit points out the wazoo to survive 12d6 damage plus six times a raging half-orc's Strength bonus when he was hurt to start with!
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2011-10-07, 04:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2011
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2011-10-07, 04:23 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2010
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Originally Posted by factotum View Post
Roy really must have hit points out the wazoo to survive 12d6 damage plus six times a raging half-orc's Strength bonus when he was hurt to start with!
Having hit points out the wazoo is pretty normal for a mid to high level fighter. Although I am going to guess that Thog didn't have very good luck on his damage rolls.""Jeez, this dress! i look like a dominatrix""
(self-loathing): ""Actually , you look like a sorceress or something""
""Hey, no need to get cruel""
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2011-10-07, 05:05 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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2011-10-07, 06:46 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2009
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- Gotham City
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Giant, I understood the comic correctly the first time without needing clumsy dialogue. And I'm not an expert on D&D by any means - I just thought it was obvious what Roy's plan was given the fact that Thog had similarly crashed Roy into the wall in the arena. Seems both consistent and clear to me.
So for what its worth, not all your readers were confused..."And yet, will we ever come to an end of discussion and talk if we think we must always reply to replies? For replies come from those who either cannot understand what is said to them, or are so stubborn and contentious that they refuse to give in even if they do understand." - St. Augustine
The Index of the Giant's Comments | Thanks, Bradakhan, for the avatar!
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2011-10-07, 07:36 AM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2011
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Ahh, so that's how the whole dungeon crashing works? I'm sorry, I thought he was trying to lure a faster character capable of destroying the pillars into destorying the pillar for him, while unable to effectively move out of the way.
Seeing all the stuff he put in the gaming articles and all the comics with Miko in them. It's almost like he does follow the rules, but only as a guide, not as something he should be forced to consider for every little thing he ever does. Kinda like how a DM is able to bend certain rules or ban abilities that unbalance the game, they're still following the rules, but they are not the be all and end all of the game. Like they are in videogames.
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2011-10-07, 09:50 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2006
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Yep, he had a high level fighter take rough 12d6 +48 damage and not die. Average is about 90.
A high level fighter survives 90 HP damage! That could [blatant sarcasm]never happen by the rules[\blatant sarcasm].
I'm not seeing your evidence for ignoring the rules. I'm really not. Thog has no magic bling, his strength bonus even with rage can't possibly be higher than +9 at his level, and given the comic's general level of optimization could easily be much less.
The 90 or so damage you'd expect is significant even to a fighter of Roy's level, but depending on rolls (including Roy's HP rolls) it's quite survivable even with substantial prior damage.
The pillars being broken by that little damage may be unlikely, but they didn't instantly shatter or break, they broke when enough damage had been done to the structure, and Roy mentions his Knowledge skill to spot the right spots to apply the damage.
DougL
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2011-10-07, 11:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jun 2008
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Actually I figured Roy was doing it intentionally even without knowing about the dungeoncrashing rules because of his facial expression. The flat or angry eyebrows as he's taunting and taking the hits from Thog just made me think it was on purpose, something which made a great deal of sense shortly afterwards.
Man, really the entire unarmed fight with Thog is just one big example why Roy is my favorite OotS character by a longshot.
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2011-10-07, 11:08 AM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2007
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
"I don't know why everyone always complains about being overshadowed in combat. I've always found it very relaxing."
Avatar by Threeshades. Thanks Threeshades!
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2011-10-07, 11:34 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Thog isn't dead til you see the X's on his eyes...
Also, I'm not sure the fight is really over. It might be, if the Giant is done using it as a plot point, but it could be that Thog will pop out of the rubble like a daisy and start throwing things.
I hope the fight is over, because this ending is epic, and I want to see Nale get what's coming to him.Originally Posted by The Giant
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2011-10-07, 12:26 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
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2011-10-07, 12:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2009
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- Gotham City
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
"And yet, will we ever come to an end of discussion and talk if we think we must always reply to replies? For replies come from those who either cannot understand what is said to them, or are so stubborn and contentious that they refuse to give in even if they do understand." - St. Augustine
The Index of the Giant's Comments | Thanks, Bradakhan, for the avatar!
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2011-10-07, 01:27 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2011
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Giant-
Your strip is fantastic and perfect. Its generous to the point of being self-martyring for you to say "maybe its my fault" that people mis-read it. Its not. The strip is clear and speaking for myself, a very rules-naive reader, I got Roy's actions instantly. In freshman psychology, I learned the expression "paralysis from analysis" where people who analyze an action they are taking are more likely botch it. So if you go up or down a set of stairs without thinking about every step its easy (my reading of your comic) but focus on the motion of each step walking causes stumbles (some of the forum postings). By creating a pleasant space online and an engrossing comic, I just get caught up in the story. Thanks for that.
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2011-10-07, 01:50 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Same here, the strip(s) made perfect sense to me, even if I didn't consider Thog having the Dungeoncrasher variant. Maybe it just seems like more people are confused because people generally don't bring up what they have no problem understanding, while confused people will.
Avatar by A Rainy Knight
Spoiler: CharactersTarok and Kamo, level 6 half-orc ranger, bunyip-slayer, and all around badass.
I like half-orcs
Retired:
Aldrin Cress, level 10 human sorcerer. Hero of Korvosa.
Tireas Slate, level 4 tiefling ninja. Eternally scheming.
DMing: Dragon's Demand
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2011-10-07, 03:24 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
I think it's interesting that we see a little softer side of Thog here. The whole "Thog Hate? What was Thog saying?". I'm going to be intrigued to see if, when he comes back, he is :Belkar:'s true opposite...a Chaotic Good ( or Neutral maybe?) character in an Evil party.
As the Troll Masterchef was wont to sing : "There's no Race like Gnome for the Hollendaise".
Spoiler
DM of the Arena: " Gareth goes to swing his Great Axe over his head. Gareth ( roll, roll) trips over his big toe and spins in mid air, landing flat on his back. The Great Axe returns and lands blade first in the center of his chest, causing 21 damage."
SpoilerNG Halfling Sorcerer (6th )
Ability Scores:
Strength- 11
Dexterity- 15
Constitution- 14
Intelligence- 14
Wisdom- 13
Charisma- 15
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2011-10-07, 03:37 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
Official Incense Aroma Specialist for the Vaarsuvius Fan Club!
English isn't my primary language, so please let me know if something I'm saying doesn't make sense!Continuation of ThePhantasm's awesometacular post
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2011-10-07, 05:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
No need to apologize. I'm probably one of the more generally versed readers (been playing since the pamphlets, DMing since AD&D), and I while I didn't think of the dungeoncrashing ACF, the gist of the situation was pretty clear.
Some people will get it, others won't. Heck, everyone will have opinions no matter what, so no need to spell out every detail. Thank you for an awesome webcomic.
I know all of us who post here, as well as many who don't, adore your work, and are content to argue about it.
We also appreciate the insight into your process when you do post here, but never should you feel the need to apologize for your actions. It is your stick figure world and we're merely scratches within the scribble peering out at it.
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2011-10-07, 06:59 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2008
Re: OOTS #808 - The Discussion Thread
In the end Thog is also a high-level full-BAB class with a lot of Str. Since both were unarmored Thog should be able to hit Roy on basically anything but a natural 1.
So even if Roy had wanted to dodge, he just wouldn't have been capable anyway.