[Meta Thread] Dragonstrike's Pokerole Test Game: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Dragonstrike]

A few responses from me on the praise/criticism:

- I also went through a short scenario with Mika and Karen before the test game started.  The only one I didn't do that with was Phantom/Kee since they were an almost last minute addition.  Speaking of which, thank you for joining us on this wild ride, Phantom!

- I love that the PC can be accessed from anywhere in both Let's Go and Sword and Shield, even if it does eliminate some of the challenge in some portions of those games should you abuse the mechanic.  One change I did make from them, however, was healing in the PC.  Due to the nature of the games and the mechanic, dropping mons in the PC doesn't heal them, so you have to talk to Nurse Joy to get any and all mass healing, period.  That wasn't gonna work in this campaign, though, so I settled on a delayed heal.

- PMD: Primal Shadows is going to be a bit more open world and sandbox-like than MCM was, so I figured I'd work on practicing connected plotlines and expanded player agency scenarios.  Glad to see the results turned out well and were liked!

- You did indeed find everything I had planned ahead of time.  Good job!  Part of the reason for that is because Ran's backstory involved stuff that would make more sense in his home world than the PMD world.  Expect to see sidequests relevant to every character during PMD: Primal Shadows, though!

- Boss design was probably the part I put the most thought into after the story, honestly.  A good boss fight can very easily strengthen the impact of their involvement in the story.  Next time you face a Legendary, though, expect it to be harder!

- I do feel the section where you were simply traveling down Routes 217 and 216 dragged on for a little too long with respect to the scope of this campaign, but maybe that's just because you visited the Snowpoint Temple first.

- With regards to the story I've created, my ideas draw from a lot of existing lore and facts for the pokemon series, both mainline and mystery dungeon.  However, that isn't to say there won't be original content in the future.  In fact, I plan for there to be quite a bit of original content supplementing the existing data I'm pulling from (or they could be outright working together to create something partially familiar, partially new)!

-----------------------------------------------

- I agree on the houserules thing.  We've addressed this in detail already, though, so there's no real need to elaborate further here.

- On the note of Will Pointed healing, I would like to mention that I only subtracted a Will Point if the healing move in question restored at least 1 HP.  If the move does absolutely nothing because of the dice, it doesn't make sense to me that you should pay for that.  It was a difficult to change to notice due to every instance of a Basic/Complete Heal in this game restoring more than 0 HP, but it was in place nonetheless.

- Evasion is a weird mechanic in Pokerole, so that is a perfectly valid criticism.  I may keep it how I had it in this game, I may try to rebalance it and/or limit it, but I'm definitely taking another look at it.  Anime style evasions in a primarily turn based game is definitely...odd.  I want to try and avoid the 'action delay' that Skull Ruins has as a penalty for Evading, though.  Cover's in a similar boat, but for different reasons.  The lack of a battle map for encounters and the way the action system works is gonna require me to reexamine the Cover mechanic a little.

- 4 move limit shouldn't be as much of an issue in the Pokerole Mystery Dungeon World.  Mostly because there aren't a whole lot of scenarios where it would even be relevant.  No Pokemon Trainers, after all.

- Action costs comparison noted.  I'll take another look at that, determine which one will work better for the kind of game I want to create.

- Mid campaign changes to mechanics are definitely something I want to avoid during my main game unless it's absolutely necessary.

- I don't have to lose out on pre-generated dungeons, actually.  The last floor of the Snowpoint Temple (which was actually a part of the Sinjoh Ruins due to the time-space shenanigans if ya hadn't caught on to that) was pre-generated, in fact!  After looking at the other tabletop game you showed me awhile back, Windos, and its recommendations on flowchart dungeons, I may try my hand at tileless dungeons in the future.  Traveling to the locations of Mystery Dungeons may very well also have our standard encounter format during the travel time.

- I'm still working on ironing out some of the Mystery Dungeon native mechanics.  I've not thought much about how much of an impact Gummis and Apples will have yet, or if they'll even be present at all (Gummis aren't mentioned in the MD module, and apples are reduced to currency.  :/  Fear not, though, the currency will be Poke, as standard for the PMD series).  As for recruitment...well, that's another beast entirely.  If I want to include all of these mechanics (and possibly others), I'll have to homebrew some rules.

- Speaking of a slow pacing to start with at the beginning of the game, learning to adjust to life as a pokemon is actually something that should probably naturally happen IC regardless, ironically.  It's gonna be weird and different for sure, but it'll eventually work out just fine after we've all had some time to adjust both IC and OOC, I'm sure.

- Items should definitely play a stronger role in the long term during the main campaign.  The strongest items in PMD are pretty crazy, after all!

[Dragonstrike]

I have a question for you Dragonstrike: What's the ETA on when you'll be ready to start your next campaign? Couple of weeks, couple of months, or even longer? I don't mind if their's a long wait, but I'd like to know none the less.

Original plan was to start it after the Elite 4 in Skull Ruins since that's when Iron would truly be done with the dice in his game and he would definitely have the time to join if desired, but there's not really any solid way to determine when that will occur as things are currently.  If Iron is willing to join in earlier than that, however, then I won't say no!

It's largely dependent on if/when Iron would like to join, honestly, since I'd very much like for him to be present at the beginning if he wants to play with us.

I do want to have a break of maybe 2-3 weeks minimum (possibly more depending on how quickly I can smooth out some of the WIP mechanics) before beginning my main campaign.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I guess that means I need to ask our resident SR GM directly.

@Iron, are you still interested in joining my main campaign (which is now revealed to be a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon based story/system)? And if so, when do you expect you'd be willing/able to join?

[Lord Windos]

Original plan was to start it after the Elite 4 in Skull Ruins since that's when Iron would truly be done with the dice in his game and he would definitely have the time to join if desired, but there's not really any solid way to determine when that will occur as things are currently.  If Iron is willing to join in earlier than that, however, then I won't say no!

It's largely dependent on if/when Iron would like to join, honestly, since I'd very much like for him to be present at the beginning if he wants to play with us.

I do want to have a break of maybe 2-3 weeks minimum (possibly more depending on how quickly I can smooth out some of the WIP mechanics) before beginning my main campaign.

Ah, I see. Well, like I said, waiting that long or longer isn't going to be a burdensome task, so take the time you need to make sure your campaign hits the ground running! I'd like to have Iron too with us, so waiting for their decision and when they can join up freely on the quest (if they do want to join) is perfectly alright with me too!

Of course, that being the case, this'll leave a large block of bugger all to do between the increasingly infrequent updates from Iron, so now that your test campaign is over , I do have to ask this, since its been an issue I've put off for quite awhile for everyone's shake: how interested are you doing a sequel campaign for mine? It's been about...half a year or less since that ended, and I've put off doing anything else with it besides occasionally updating Arial's side story because after how burnt out your were by the end of things, so I've been uncertain if there will be any future campaign for our lovable rouge Reiner and therefore not able to plan much because of that. If you don't want anything to do with it anymore, that's fine enough with me, but I'd like to know your answer some time soon, so that I can decide where I want to take that universe of mine, or if I should just leave it, finish up on tying all the relevant loose ends together, and start anew with another one for you guys and others to indulge in when one campaign or another ends.

[Dragonstrike]

Of course, that being the case, this'll leave a large block of bugger all to do between the increasingly infrequent updates from Iron, so now that your test campaign is over , I do have to ask this, since its been an issue I've put off for quite awhile for everyone's shake: how interested are you doing a sequel campaign for mine? It's been about...half a year or less since that ended, and I've put off doing anything else with it besides occasionally updating Arial's side story because after how burnt out your were by the end of things, so I've been uncertain if there will be any future campaign for our lovable rouge Reiner and therefore not able to plan much because of that. If you don't want anything to do with it anymore, that's fine enough with me, but I'd like to know your answer some time soon, so that I can decide where I want to take that universe of mine, or if I should just leave it, finish up on tying all the relevant loose ends together, and start anew with another one for you guys and others to indulge in when one campaign or another ends.

I have said that I would like to revisit Reiner's story at some point, even possibly finish it up.  Just not sure when exactly that will be, honestly.

[Lord Windos]

I have said that I would like to revisit Reiner's story at some point, even possibly finish it up.  Just not sure when exactly that will be, honestly.

You have said that, yes, but that was in the past, and we both know how time changes many things. 'Do you still desire to continue his story in the future?' is the question I'm trying to get at with you. If the answer is again yes, then when will the time come for their sage to continue or be concluded?

[Dragonstrike]

You have said that, yes, but that was in the past, and we both know how time changes many things. 'Do you still desire to continue his story in the future?' is the question I'm trying to get at with you. If the answer is again yes, then when will the time come for their sage to continue or be concluded?

Hah.  Throwing my own words back at me to get a more satisfactory, definite answer?  For shame

Yes, I think I could find some enjoyment in continuing that story, provided it is structured properly.  I'd rather not have another scenario like the one we almost ended on previously if we can avoid it.

As for when...not right now is the best I've got, unfortunately.  I've not given much thought to when I'll be ready to continue that adventure, honestly.  I definitely need at least a short break now that MCM is concluded, though.

[Lord Windos]

You have said that, yes, but that was in the past, and we both know how time changes many things. 'Do you still desire to continue his story in the future?' is the question I'm trying to get at with you. If the answer is again yes, then when will the time come for their sage to continue or be concluded?

Hah.  Throwing my own words back at me to get a more satisfactory, definite answer?  For shame

Yes, I think I could find some enjoyment in continuing that story, provided it is structured properly.  I'd rather not have another scenario like the one we almost ended on previously if we can avoid it.

As for when...not right now is the best I've got, unfortunately.  I've not given much thought to when I'll be ready to continue that adventure, honestly.  I definitely need at least a short break now that MCM is concluded, though.

Oh ho, yes I am! But really, are such desires really so sinful or shameful, pray tell? Perhaps that's a matter for the theologists out there to worry over  

Very well! I've already resolved not to make the same Jumping The Shark mistakes I made with CCV, so when we continue it the story it will not fly off the rails again or introduce any new 'elements' that would further compromise my universe's setting. No more super duper supernatural stuff or just plain craziness besides what's been introduced, and I'll be heavily weeding out, editing, and controlling the mess that does carry over into the next campaign. So don't worry about the Cursed Arms or Reiner getting roped into some quest(s) besides the ones he/you want from him!

Of course, I need to know what Reiner wants to do after fleeing Celadon in order for me to truly start building a story for that in mind, or at least create a story that would allow him to work towards his goals while telling the story I want to tell and not wearing either of us out, but we can discuss that later when you feel you're ready to continue. Hopefully the next time I take a crack at a campaign, we can both have an experience we can enjoy, rather one or both of us making compromises with it in order to do so.

With that said, enjoy your long break, mate! After all, you've earned it!

[Spiritmon]

Well, if things get quiet, me and Windos as been working on in some little project of us. Can't talk very much, but it is on a way related to your char. What it is? It is a surprise. Mwhahaha.

Ready to start our plan Windos when you are.

[Iron]

I have a question for you Dragonstrike: What's the ETA on when you'll be ready to start your next campaign? Couple of weeks, couple of months, or even longer? I don't mind if their's a long wait, but I'd like to know none the less.

Original plan was to start it after the Elite 4 in Skull Ruins since that's when Iron would truly be done with the dice in his game and he would definitely have the time to join if desired, but there's not really any solid way to determine when that will occur as things are currently.  If Iron is willing to join in earlier than that, however, then I won't say no!

It's largely dependent on if/when Iron would like to join, honestly, since I'd very much like for him to be present at the beginning if he wants to play with us.

I do want to have a break of maybe 2-3 weeks minimum (possibly more depending on how quickly I can smooth out some of the WIP mechanics) before beginning my main campaign.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I guess that means I need to ask our resident SR GM directly.

@Iron, are you still interested in joining my main campaign (which is now revealed to be a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon based story/system)?  And if so, when do you expect you'd be willing/able to join?

I'm not as interested in a PMD game as I am in a traditional Pokemon game, so don't delay on my account.
We can do Elite 4 Skull Ruins stuff anytime an arc ends, though.

There were a lot of people on the Discord who were very interested in a PMD game. EeveeBailey was going to host, but ended up not having enough time, so it's been suspended for months upon months. I could send you some recommendations as to who from the Discord might be good to have on the Forum RP team, if you're interested.

[Dragonstrike]

I'm not as interested in a PMD game as I am in a traditional Pokemon game, so don't delay on my account.
We can do Elite 4 Skull Ruins stuff anytime an arc ends, though.

There were a lot of people on the Discord who were very interested in a PMD game. EeveeBailey was going to host, but ended up not having enough time, so it's been suspended for months upon months. I could send you some recommendations as to who from the Discord might be good to have on the Forum RP team, if you're interested.

That's a real shame.  Oh well.

Some recommendations would be good if the recommendations are likely to actively contribute. And it's always fun to add some fresh faces every once in awhile.