Really Don't Buy Comics From Flea Markets I Realize

First back issue comics books I collected were acquired from a flea market.


They were two issues of Amazing Spider-Man. One involving the Molten Man's death (don't worry he got better) and another was a chapter in the original Roger Stern written Hobgoblin saga.


Never knew how much they cost. My dad bought them for me. I was younger than 12. Maybe younger than nine years old. More on this later...


From that day forward, I became a life-long fan of flea markets AND a life-long fan of scrounging for comic books. Checking the tables for comics and rifling through them is a must. I rate flea markets on whether comic books were there. No comics. Poor flea market.


Yet I don't recall the last time I bought a comic book from a flea market. Closest I can recall was a trade paperback containing stories from Marvel's Golden Age as Timely. Almost two decades ago.


Still, as recently as today, I attended a flea market. Missed only one booth with comics. Every other table, I scanned through the comic books upon the table. Nada. Zilch. Didn't buy a single one. Despite several catching my eye.


Maybe it's the condition of the comic? My golden age as a collector was during the Speculator Bubble. Condition is important to me - although it shouldn't. Many comics at flea markets are... overpriced for condition.


Not enough cash? Flea markets are a cash economy. My FLGCS doesn't receive cash from me when I buy my comics. Plus, there's opportunity cost inherent. If I buy a comic here, then I can't buy a comic I would've liked more later.


I already buy enough? - Suppose the sheer volume of new material and reprints I purchase deters my zeal.


Easy access to back issues at stores, in trades, digitally? - Digital and trades have replaced my zest for back issues. Very much got to have a specific issue.


Price? - Think this plays a huge role. As I never bought those flea market back issues, the price never was an issue. Nowadays, it very much is. Tables at flea markets cost money. Meaning prices I may be unwilling to subsidize because of cheaper alternatives.


Don't get me wrong. I still love flea markets. Love browsing comics there. In many ways, it replaces browsing for comics inside comic shops for me. The thrill of the hunt!


Perhaps one day I will find the flea market comic book I absolutely must have.


Next time.

First Step Toward a Truly WORLD WWE?

If you follow WWE's (World Wrestling Entertainment) press releases then you'll know they've announced a new brand. NXT UK.


NXT UK will be shot on location. The UK. With wrestlers from the UK.


Huge news indeed.


WWE is known for taking its stars abroad. Sure, locals may be used - as enhancement talent. Unless a wrestler on the roster hails from a given country, they're all foreigners.


Furthermore, WWE is mostly an American production. The predominance of shows occur in the United States. Most of the "stars" are American too.


So yes, the WWE producing a local UK product starring UK wrestlers is a significant development indeed. I'm guessing the show will be on air via local UK stations. Suppose WWE is hoping that too... In any case, I would assume NXT would be available on the WWE Network accessible to subscribers everywhere.


The latter is more important. WWE fans worldwide would be exposed to UK wrestlers in a UK environment. Thus, establishing the wrestling in the eyes of the fans and fostering a sense the wrestler is indeed from another country. Cause every wrestler who claims they from a country is from the country claimed... cough... cough...


Should NXT UK succeed, then the WWE will in all likelihood establish NXT's in other countries. Thereby, creating localized content with said country's wrestlers and flair.


Finally, the WWE would truly become a 'world' wrestling company in fact and not just in name.


Next time.

Added a New Gaming Link: Atlas of Mystara

Anyone whose relatively new to this blog, if look down the page, you'll notice a curious sight. You'll see how one year I posted about a hundred entries on this blog. Astonishing, right? I am amazed too. However, there's a secret to that phenomena.


See, whenever I saw a blog I liked enough. I would add it to my blog roll. Whenever, I discovered a gaming or comics-related link that struck my fancy. I added it to the column 'Comics and Games links'. Not the correct title, but you get my drift.


Heck, awhile back I made reference to the webcomic Darths & Droids. A perfect example of site where a link is provided outside of specific post.


I haven't done such in a long time. Not since I stopped using my blog as a pseudo-homepage. Can make Analytics confusing otherwise...


However, tonight I am making an exception to my hiatus from such a practice.


Because of social media, I learned of Thorfinn Tait's cartography projects, which are posted online. Among those projects is the D&D, BECMI (Basic-Expanded-Companion-Master-Immortal) to be precise, game setting of Mystara.


Don't want to dig out old D&D books or want to peruse maps of one Dungeons and Dragons older settings?


Well, now you can at the Atlas of Mystara!


Pretty cool site!


Happy Gaming


Next time.

The Combined SRM (Chicago & Neo-Tokyo) FAQ is Out

Ahoy, chummers!


The end of the month approaches and the next session/event of Shadowrun Missions (SRM) is upon us. Unfortunately, as circumstances dictate, I will not be there. However, Shadowrun is still on the brain. Okay, maybe not as much as if I was playing...


Why?


For starters, the Season 9 - 12(?) arc set in land of the rising sun, aka Neo-Tokyo is on the horizon. New characters. New story. New setting. New rules.


Oh by the way, gamers can still participate in the Chicago arc (Seasons 5 - 8) so rules differences between arcs require clarification.


Fortunately, the recently released Combined FAQ version 1.0 answers all those questions. Highlighted, in shiny green, blue, and yellow colors too!


The dropbox link for the Combined FAQ version 1.0 can be found HERE. You don't need a dropbox account to access the 80 page PDF document.


Quick thoughts:


There are Missions-related rules changes along with some clarifications. Have an Uncouth PC at the table? Well, you won't be able to avoid the drek any social snafu may cause now, chummer!


More of the Neo-Tokyo setting and rules are fleshed out. Very, very important as new PCs are required. Background count seems to be a situational problem. Despite the prevalence of magic, runners must be subtle as eyes are everywhere...


While I used Nuyen for Karma (Working for the People) frequently during the Chicago arc, it'll be much more expensive in Neo-Tokyo.


So far, I like the changes I see. We'll see what future Combined FAQs bring.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Initial Impression of the WWE Network

Since regaining access to high-speed internet, I have toyed with the idea of signing up for the WWE Network. Was I still into sports entertainment? Could I sit through hours of pro wrestling for it to be worth my while? Enough hours in the day?


Then a couple weeks ago, on the day of WrestleMania, I took the plunge. I signed up for the WWE Network.


So after watching WrestleMania 34 and hours of WWE programming (ironically, I've viewed Hulu-available shows such as 205 Live and NXT on the Network), here's my initial impressions.


Good: PPVs are much, much cheaper than they used to be! Plus, the first month is free to new subscribers.


Bad: Don't seem to be considered a new subscriber as I was charged already. Going to have to call...


Good: Note how I stated how I doubted my pro wrestling watching stamina? Irrelevant. I can pause a program and resume viewing whenever I desire. Kind of like Netflix and better than Hulu in that regard.


Good: Commercials are un-intrusive.


Bad: There doesn't appear to be a home screen. Some sort of programming always starts playing unless you search for a program.


So-So: A watchlist is a must if you don't want to keep searching for a program such as classic programming!


Good: Library is extensive as is. Between PPVs and what's on the WWE Network, I can easily justify the fee.


Overall: I am quite pleased! Bring on the Greatest Royal Rumble on Friday! Which I will watch in segments over the course of several days...


Next time.

Robotech RPG Tactics Unboxing Part Two: Unboxing Snapshots

Friday, I blogged about receiving my copy of the now-defunct Robotech RPG Tactics from Palladium Books and my liberation of the box from the parcel from which it arrived in. At the time, I wasn't sure when I'd blog the snapshots of the unboxing.

For posterity sake and so folks could see what the inside of pristine box looks like.

Saturday night I could resist no longer.

The inner box has artwork!

The rulebook both front and back including a base for something I have no clue yet.

What the box looked like when I opened the box. They weren't kidding about assembly needed!

The RDF 

Zentraedi

Other odds and ends.

Must confess I have no clue when I will assemble the figures. Ever.

My hobby as a modeler ended once I moved from snap on models to those requiring glue. Any models I helped create either required assistance or looked off.

However, never say never. Perhaps one day they'll be assembled! Probably not this year though...

Does this rule out my playing a game of Robotech RPG Tactics (RRT)? Not quite. I can use the bases provided as stand ins like when uses dice and other objects instead of minis while playing a table-top role-playing game. Furthermore, I am unlikely to acquire any of Wave One not included within the set nor the never released Wave Two. Yet I can play with those factions.

How so? Well, Palladium released the stats for the Wave Two mecha along paper minis for free. Before Palladium pulled them from Drive Thru RPG, I "ordered" the freebies. While I haven't downloaded any of the faction cards and paper minis from Drive Thru yet, past experience with expired license products is that purchases remain available to you. Fingers crossed, that'll hold true as well once I check...

So yes, one day, I will play a game of RRT whether it be with paper minis or with imagined mecha. You can understand why  if the latter why no pics will be provided in any future blog entries...

Thus ends my unboxing (via snapshots) of Robotech RPG Tactics!

Happy Gaming!

Next time.



Robotech RPG Tactics Unboxing Part One: Out of the Parcel

Last month, I blogged about receiving the remaining lot of the now defunct post-2000 version of Palladium Books's Robotech RPG. Genesis Pits is the book that got away. At the time, I was undecided about ordering Robotech RPG Tactics.

About that. As March ended, I decided on the spur of the moment my longstanding reluctance would cease.

I ordered a copy.

How can a Robotech fan can say no to what may be the only Robotech miniatures game ever?

A week ago my package arrived.

Since I waited this long to acquire it, why not savor the unboxing? So yesterday, I took it out of the box and took pictures.

For posterity sake of course:

In the box:

Side shots:

Front side:

Back Side:

There you have it. Snapshots of what is now gaming history.

There will be an actual unboxing... 

Maybe not next time...

Happy Gaming!

Five Take-Aways: Shadowrun (5E) Missions 3/27/2018

Once again, the final Tuesday of March came meaning my FLGCS hosted its monthly Shadowrun Missions event as part of Tuesday Night Gaming. Furthermore, tonight my FLCGS Shadowrun Missions group began the first installment of the final season of the Chicago arc. An apocalyptic beginning it was. So without further ado, here's the third Shadowrun Missions Five Take-aways of 2018.


My Epiphany from yesterday was more prophetic than I thought - Yesterday, I blogged about how PCs possessing both vehicles and vehicle skills is a must in Shadowrun Missions. This Tuesday night we learned that lesson in spades. Either a gearhead or vehicle rigger would've been much appreciated tonight. Thankfully, the GM didn't impose a crash test as a consequence of the one failed role.


Learned when auto damage occurs when critters Engulf - My combat mage's summoned and bound spirits have Engulfed opponents several times. Until tonight, I must've glossed over the portion of the text that states during each action phase until escape. Otherwise, the spirits were inflicting engulf damage on their turns. May want to brush up on the exact definition of action phase...


We play SRM mods as if they were D&D 5E AL mods: This Tuesday really brought home the realization that we've been playing as if we were playing in Adventurers League. In Adventurers League one can shamble along without any significant consequences. Not so with the eighth season of Shadowrun Missions. The final season of the Chicago arc will burn you hard for it. We've been lucky so far.  Spoilers, we succeeded but at cost to our PCs storyline-wise (and for some point-wise too).


Background count, drain, and my slow learning the process regarding 5E magic rules have hindered my proficiency playing a magician - In hindsight, quite a bit would've developed differently if I played my combat mage like I role-played my magician characters in third edition. Admittedly, I developed character quirks that make my combat mage less effective so that's part of it. However, astral rules elude me. Just don't have the confidence with them that I used to. Granted, the combat mage template doesn't jive well with the astral rules either. In third edition, drain was mitigated much easier. I'm lucky when Nox doesn't take drain damage during an entire session when he would resist drain. Background count has also deterred me from taking actions that I may otherwise try. And my PC has Cleansing metamagic too!


During Season 8 expect the possibility of PC death at anytime during a mod - Previous modules from earlier seasons of the Chicago story would follow a pattern. You never had to worry about an encounter potentially killing your PC during the beginning. Sure, some combat could have gotten nasty but nothing too bad. Tonight, we avoided our a TPK during what we thought was a role-play encounter. We're talking early in module.


Thus ends my latest edition of Five Take-Aways.


Until next time I game on Tuesday.

PCs Possessing Vehicle Skills and a Vehicle is a Must in Shadowrun Missions!

All table-top role-playing games have some measure of verisimilitude built into them. Some games such as D&D incorporate as per DM fiat. Other games such as Shadowrun incorporate realistic elements as part of its basic design. Runners operate in the shadows cause how else will they make ends meet? Sure, D&D PCs can own horses. However, horses aren't quite essential when the PCs are within a dungeon. For ease of play, horse ownership is optional. Thus, the DM will fudge travel at times.


Not the case with Shadowrun. Shadowrun has characters that can become one with the vehicle, ie the rigger. Unlike D&D, Shadowrun uses intricate vehicle rules that depending on the edition can be difficult to master. While I much prefer fifth edition vehicle rules to third, I wouldn't call myself proficient with them.


So it's safe to say, modules may very call for some fancy driving or piloting of some kind especially when the drek hits the fan. Self-driving cars or an unskilled chummer won't do either.


Shadowrun is also reflection of modern, well near-future modern anyway, life within a vast urban sprawl. No runner is hiking through the sprawl carrying a grenade launcher without attracting attention. So a vehicle transportation is needed. Particularly when time is of the essence.


I've been lucky to play Shadowrun Missions modules with a relatively stable group of players and PCs. Luckier in that at least one PC owns a vehicle and skilled enough to pilot it when self-driving vehicles won't do. Heck, I made a Smuggler (vehicle rigger) for that very reason! They're like the walking bandages cleric from D&D in that way...


However, at conventions and within my own group, that may not always be the case. Not everyone wants to play the PC that provides transportation to the rest of the group. The group simply could be too large.


As such, my simple advice to any new Shadowrun Missions player is create a PC that owns a vehicle and has at least a rank of one in the respective piloting skill.


Cause when you're entering the fourth and final season of a Shadowrun Missions storyline, you're not going to want to detour from any character advancement plans to buy some vehicle skill ranks for your PC. Maybe if your PC isn't a magician or a technomancer it's an option to spend that karma on though. Still costs karma, time, and nuyen though...


Buying a vehicle shouldn't be a problem nuyen-wise on the bright side...


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

My First Order from Palladium in YEARS Part 2

Three nights ago I blogged about placing my first order from Palladium Books in years. If not a decade. As a Robotech fan, I desired to acquire all the new wave of Robotech RPG books before the license expired at month's end. Plus, books being liquidated at 40 - 50% off helps quite a bit too. Since Genesis Pits was sold out and Palladium mentioned New Generation Sourcebook was nearing sell out status, I wasn't quite sure the latter book would still be available when they processed the order.

As of this morning my jitters were place to rest as my package was delivered. With a little too much fanfare for my liking but everything seems fine.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I took pics!



The cover for the deluxe Gold Edition of Shadow Chronicles. Looks pretty.

As Palladium normally doesn't produce hardcovers, this inlet is quite the sight!

Palladium stated less than 50 copies were available so this being the 457th out of 500 is extra special.

Here's the Masters Sourcebook (Southern Cross) and the UEEF (or UEF) Marines Sourcebook (from flipping through the pages it looks like an updated Sentinels book)

Macross Sourcebook and New Generation Sourcebook. The website states New Generation is sold out now. Lucked out.

Needless to say I am quite pleased everything I ordered arrived and intact sooner than expected. Expect reviews in the future. Would be cool if I could play a game too...

Haven't decided whether or not to order a copy of Robotech RPG Tactics or not. Buying a copy of RRT at 40% is awfully tempting as a Robotech fan. However, I am less likely to play that and fret of any thud damaging the contents inside. Won't be able to replace any damaged contents...

Next time.

My First Order From Palladium Books in YEARS Part One

Tonight, I did something I have not done in years. About a decade, I believe.


Remember back in December when I blogged about the very first Digital Palladium Books Digital Christmas Grab Bag? Well, there were other sales occurring as well. Among those sales were half off on Robotech RPG books (the post 2000s). Missed the Robotech sale. Oh well, maybe next sale. After all, the books were published years ago. Not like I was playing the RPG anyway. Then, would miss both the physical and digital Christmas Grab Bag because I couldn't remember my how to log into my old store account. Weirdly enough I could log into the message boards...


Flash forward to the beginning of the month and the news began to trickle in. Robotech RPG Tactics didn't go the way everyone thought it would. Doubted I did. But I thought it would just be typical Palladium delays. Not the cluster it actually became. However, the sordid tale of Robotech RPG Tactics is best told by others. What's even worse was that once again Palladium Books lost the rights to Robotech.


Robotech is among my favorite anime. Okay, Americanized anime. Big fan of the old line of RPG books Palladium released years ago (late 80s to mid 90s). During New Year, New Game on Drive Thru RPG, I purchased PDFs of all the old Robotech RPG books despite having access to the physical copies.


With the news the Robotech license expires at the end of the month and Palladium liquidating the Robotech RPGs books of the relaunch, the time to buy was now.


So I visit the site and suddenly my old log in pops into my mind. Yes, the same log in that eluded me back during the X-Mas grab bag. Eluded me for hours before giving. The very same log in dawns on me in a Eureka moment and I am greeted by a familiar account name.


Yes, after years. Maybe a decade. Not since I ordered the manga edition of the Robotech: Shadow Chronicles RPG and a couple years of grab bags, did I place an order with Palladium Books. Whatever Robotech RPG (not Tactics - still too rich for me) book from the relaunch (pretty much all of them) I ordered.


Overall, Palladium's "new" storefront is much more intuitive than the old one. Although, it appears everything needs to be manually re-entered with each order like the old store front. Won't know until I order again.


Since today's order is my first order from Palladium Books in years, it feels like I am ordering for the first time. As such I dub this part one. Will blog about how everything works out.


Next time.

SR5: Safer to Crash on a Motorcycle Vs a Van?!

Every time I played Shadowrun 5th edition (SR5) if a crash occurred it was while PCs were within a van. Scratch that. The Shadowrun Missions group I play with had their sole crash while the PCs were riding inside a van. Before my time. My fuzzy memories of the crash rules in Third Edition were that crashes were bad, m'kay. Ergo, all crashes were bad.


So when I skimmed the crash section in the core book, I didn't notice what the damage value is based on. Cause all crashes are bad.


Recently, I learned that wasn't the case. Learned from another gamer on social media that crashes while on motorcycle were different from being in a van.


The crashes are safer.


Yep, a motorcycle crash is less horrendous than a van crash per Shadowrun 5th edition rules.


Don't get me wrong. A van crash is bad. However, one normally doesn't consider a motorcycle crash to be ho hum.


Turns out the SR5 rules base the damage value of a crash based on the vehicles body.


A motorcyle's body will be about the same as a typical shadowrunner. Meanwhile, a van's body is greater than that of the troll tank in the group. Ergo, PCs can conceivably shrug off a motorcycle crash. Van crashes not so much...


Now there's three ways around that:


1) The GM can refrain from invoking the crash test rules, or at least the damage tests, more often in regards to occupants within a van. The occupants probably shouldn't need to make a damage resistance test when ramming some poor chummer...


2) The installation of passenger protection systems, ie seat belts and the like, from Rigger 5 which bolsters damage resistance die pools.


3) Leave the driving to the professional such as those with Control Rigs installed...


And that is new SR5 rule tidbit I learned this week. Kind of bonkers really. However, as a Shadowrun Missions player a rule my group can't easily brush aside...


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Five Take-Aways: D&D5E Adventurers League March the 6th

Finished my second Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition session in the organized play campaign of Adventurers League for the year at my FLGCS tonight. So without further ado, here's the second D&D installment of my Five Take-Aways!


Don't often spend as much time discussing PC builds as playing a module - I'm fond of paraphrasing Boromir in that one does not simply an Adventurers League module in the time allotted. Two hour modules simply aren't completed within two hours. Ditto with four hour modules. Tonight's module was a rare exception. We finished the module within two hours. I'll repeat. The module ended after two hours of play. Quite astonishing! Was going to call it a night. Instead, another player and myself spent roughly another two hours providing advice to a new player on relatively unique PC build. Unique to me anyway as I've never encountered such within AL. Granted, I haven't played many Tier 2 (levels 5 - 10) and up modules so that may be my limited experience.


A New Respect for Ray of Frost - Prior experience with the cantrip Ray of Frost didn't involve opponents with very low speeds. Tonight, we encountered such and repetitive use of Ray of Frost locked the opponent down. Changed the tempo dramatically.


Witnessed my first extensive use of  the spell Witch Bolt - Prior to tonight, Witch Bolt would occasionally be used. However, I've never seen anyone base their entire battle strategy upon it. Frequently, the spell would be disrupted or the player would drop concentration. Also, the PC rarely moved around. As such, I didn't know there was a tether-like effect limitation. Gained a new appreciation of the spell.


Never knew Kobolds had a grovel ability nor how it worked! - I've sat at tables with kobold PCs before. Pack Tactics is the bomb. Don't recall ever seeing the ability groveling used. Perhaps it was because the kobold PC at the time was busy using its action to attack. Thus, too busy to grant others advantage? Difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2? The PC was also first level too...


Think every Ranger I make whom uses Xanather's will prep Zephyr Strike... - Bought a copy of Xanather's Guide to Everything shortly after the book came out. During that time, I barely looked at spells. As Ranger hasn't been a class I've anticipated creating a PC in the near future, ranger spells certainly haven't been on my radar. As such, the spell Zephyr Strike escaped my radar. After witnessing the spell used to devastating effectiveness tonight, the spell is a must for pretty every ranger I would make that uses Xanather's as its +1. My very first exposure to the D&D ranger was Drizzt Do' Urden from Salvatore's novels. Highly mobile rangers, especially front-line rangers, is how I view the class. May revist my Drizzt clone now haha!


Gibbering Mouthers can be used in creative and evocative fashion - I remember Gibbering Mouthers since the days of the AD&D 2nd edition Forgotten Realms box set. While quirky, I never quite got them and considered the monster bland. After tonight, not the case. Not only can they used in a unique and creative manner, such as a wall, but convey a more epic ambience from their utterances.


That's my Five Take-aways from Tuesday, March 6th playing my second D&D AL session of 2018.




Oops, lost track of the number take-aways! Provided six take-aways and not five. Got carried away I guess!


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Five Take-aways: Shadowrun Missions 2/27/2018

The 27th of Tuesday, was the final Tuesday of the month. Final Tuesdays are when Shadowrun Mission events are held at my FLGCS. So with another Shadowrun Mission session out of the way, here's the second Shadowrun installment and third overall installment of my Five Takeaways.


Shattershield is an awesome spell - My combat mage only knows spells from the core book. As such I am mostly familiar with those spells. While own a legal PDF of Street grimoire (SG), my knowledge of the spells is minimal at best. Tonight,  a new player played a mage with the spell Shattershield from SG and used it to phenomenal effect. Really elevated the spell in my eyes.


Spirits are what make magicians formidable opponents - Spirits played a pivotal role in two combats. Two combat encounters would've ran different otherwise.


Hard to see a bound spirit go - After three SRM seasons, the final service of the fire elemental bound to my combat mage was finally used tonight. Rather touching. On the other hand, the fire elemental went out on a high note.


The seasons of Shadowrun Missions end on an epic note - Every season ends on a bang. We finished the 7th season and wowza!


Mana barriers don't affect living things unless something magical is about them - Actually learned we may not have been running mana barriers correct this entire time. Really changed the outcome of one battle.


That's it for this session.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

SR5: Sleaze Only Applies to Control Device When It Applies

Since as I understand it, the next Shadowrun Missions (using 5th edition rules) session is this Tuesday at FLGCS. What better way to enter the proper mindset than some blogging about how the Sixth World works, eh chummer? More to the point, how a particular rule works.


As I have mentioned before, Shadowrun Missions only occurs once a month. Any gamer will tell you that learning a game system proceeds at a slow pace if you don't play it frequently. Heck, I've stated I don't read the rules all that much between sessions. Doesn't help during the game session when the drek is hitting the fan and you need to reference a rule.


The rule could be staring you in the face and you miss it as if you glitched on test. (In SR5, if you roll more 1s than half your die pool, you glitch.)


So after last session, I decided to peruse ye olde core rule book. For a lark, I was looking at Matrix actions when my eyes happened upon the Control Device action (pg 238). There's two limits. One of them is Sleaze.


During the heat of the moment, my natural tendency would be to go with Control Device is a Sleaze action then.


Works right?


Nope.


See, Control Device is what a rigger uses to remotely direct via commlink a vehicle. Commlinks don't have a Sleaze rating. Neither does a Rigger Control Console (RCC).


So then a rigger couldn't do so. Except the description of the action says a rigger can.


Disclaimer: To be fair, part of what would could my initial confusion is that Electronic Warfare is the skill used in the Sleaze test.


Electronic Warfare is a skill riggers are recommended to have. Perusing the Matrix Actions section, it's difficult to understand why as pretty much all actions have Sleaze as the limit. Ergo, I am like the proverbial dog chasing its tail.


What is the other limit you may ask? Data Processing. Both the commlink and RCC have a Data Processing rating.


Furthermore, Sleaze is only used when the Sleaze rating is used as the limit or no test is associated with the action. Firing a gun, Sleaze not required. Opening a sliding door, yes.


Thus, Sleaze impacts the Control Device action when it does.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Belated 5 Takeaways from 1st D&D AL of 2018

On the first Tuesday of February 2018, I participated in my first D&D 5E Adventurers League (AL) module, and first D&D session, of the year. So this second Five Take-away, but first for AL, is being blogged much, much later than planned. In my defense, I was busy...


Wait, Bards Rely on Being Heard?! - In hindsight, Bards relying on their targets hearing them makes perfect sense. Yet, I didn't realize just how much a Bard relies upon their opponents attack spells in order to hurt them until this session. I learned this for reasons I will elaborate upon later...


I Have Access to Night Vision spell, Will Use Torch Instead - My tortle monk whose level 4 follows the Way of Shadow (he is a ninja after all). As such he has access to the spell Night Vision. Once again, he used a torch instead of casting it. Difference this time is I forgot to cast it as maybe only one or two other PC needed light to see. So the ninja was carrying a torch. Made an interesting visual when he tried hiding holding it aloft...


Monks Like Short Rests - I wasn't playing the only monk at the table; and both characters had Qi points. Qi points we used. Qi points we realized we could have would have should have refreshed entering the final battle. At the point I told the new player 'Oh yeah monks regain Qi after a short rest.' Not one of my finer moments as a more experienced player...


Eagle Totem Barbarians Should Not Recklessly Attack When Moving About
As far as I can recall, this was the first AL mod I played when the totem barbarian followed Eagle and not Bear. During combat, the barbarian seemed to follow the strategy of Reckless Attack All The Time. The exception was when he moving past or away from enemies. Considering doing so would negate the ability of Eagle, it makes sense.


Way of Shadow Spellcasting Played a Decisive Role in a Battle!
Much like this was the first time playing an eagle totem barbarian, this was the first time that the Way of Shadow abilities played a pivotal role during a module! As we began our final battle against what he suspected was a spellcaster, my ninja casted Silence upon them. Thus, their spell-casting was neutralized! The DM made it well known the complexion of the battle was altered significantly due to this. Oh yeah, remember the first takeaway about bards? Yeah, this is where I learned that... All worked out in the end. The Bard got to do some cool bard stuff after all. Plus, did we die?


Should be more on time with the next installment of Five Takeaways, which I will blog next week.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Marvel Digital Unlimited Upgrade Saga: The Saga Has Ended

Well, folks. I said I would blog about when the saga of upgrading my annual Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription to a Marvel Digital Unlimited Plus gift subscription was completed. Thus, the saga being over.


Today, I can say my gift subscription has begun!


Okay, technically, it began yesterday but I noticed it today. While in my mind my gift subscription began on Valentine's Day 2018, it began on the 13th. Haven't quite read anything yet as I was more exuberant that I didn't have to keep check if the Plus status started or not. Speaking of which, there's a shiny digital card too! Also, in my defense, today is also new comics day at FLGCS everywhere. Ergo, I went on my comics buying pilgrimage.


A couple observations about the gift subscriptions:


One, it's truly denoted as a gift subscription. An end date is clearly visible; and there is not auto-renewal.


Two, as I stated before, the gift subscription isn't cumulative with an existing annual subscription. Or at least upgrading from a standard to a plus isn't...


Third, delaying activation of the gift subscription by about a month and a half didn't reduce the amount of time the subscription lasts. A full year of Plus membership remains. Okay, minus a day given I didn't notice yesterday...


So, the drama of upgrading my membership has ended. I endeavor to read more of the comics available on Marvel Digital Unlimited than I have in the past. Really haven't read as much as I should which is why losing my old annual membership roughly two months early doesn't sting as much as it should.


Happy Reading!


Next time.

Marvel Digital Upgrade Saga: The Call

Been a month since I last blogged about the saga of upgrading my Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription with gift subscription I received for Christmas.. A month? Sigh... So, I procrastinated over the next installment: calling the Customer Care Center about the upgrade.

Today. I placed that call.

Overall, the call went pleasantly well. Sure, I was placed on hold a couple times. However, the music was decent enough and the hold didn't last too long while the rep was resolving the issue.

The biggest hiccup was the representative didn't know how to upgrade an existing subscription to a Marvel Digital Unlimited Plus subscription with a gift subscription. Basically, my biggest concern and why I procrastinated as long as I did...

In order to make the switch, they had to cancel my subscription then key in the gift code. Reading the gift code out loud wasn't as bad as I imagined.

And bam. My subscription was cancelled and told the gift subscription was pending. Kind of surreal that. Even more surreal is my access was originally supposed to renew in April. Despite the cancellation, I can read comics via digital unlimited still. Once one cancels a Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription, access lasts until the subscription would have ended anyway.

Was told the gift subscription would require a couple days to take effect. So it feels like my account is in a post-cancellation limbo. Hence, why I titled this entry "The Call" and not the resolution due to the pending nature of the gift subscription Plus account.

Anyway, my Marvel Digital Upgrade Saga is effectively ended. Rather pleased with how smooth the transition was. Kind of laughing at myself over how much of a mountain of an ant hill I made of the situation.

However, as the gift subscription is still pending, I consider this the penultimate installment in the saga. Perhaps, I will celebrate the finale with a reading?

As an aside, I wonder what I will do once the gift subscription ends. A thought for another day.

Happy Reading!

Next time.