Initial Thoughts on DC Universe Streaming / Subscription Service

Couple weeks ago, IT launched. Mid-month strikes me as on odd time to kickoff a monthly streaming/subscription service yet DC decided it was the perfect time to officially launch its new DC Universe. Haven't binged any movies or television shows. Didn't chat all things on DC using the forums. Can't say I've spent hours reading any of the comics offered online. What I did do was sample enough of everything (except the forums) to get an initial first impression of DC Universe. Since October is literally a day way, now makes a good a day as any to give my two cents. If I waited until October, I may as well as wait until I've done all the above, right?


Forums: Pretty much stated in my opener, I never used them. Honestly, I don't really plan to. Unless of course actual folks on DC visit the forums. Then, I will participate gleefully. Interacting with creators is tremendous fun indeed.


Television: While none of the Arrowverse shows are available on DC Universe, there are plenty of gems. The cancelled-before-its-time Constantine is here. Birds of Prey. Heck, the live-action Superboy, which was among my wishlist when I was 'deciding', is among the shows offered. There's animated shows such as the classic Superfriends as well as Bat-man: the Animated Series. Initially, I thought only the first season was available for each show. Thought it was very strange that multiple seasons were mentioned until I noticed a dropdown box wherein the user can select a specific season.


The quality of the video is top-notch. Matches quality offered by the likes of Netflix and Hulu. Speaking of Hulu, fast-forwarding through an episode of Batman:TAS did NOT trigger any breaks for advertisements. Leads me to believe, there are no commercials! Another neat feature is one's progress on an episode is saved so you pick up right where left off. You can also add a series to your favorites.


Movies: Among the initial offerings are the Christopher Reeve Superman films along with the animated movies of which DC recently released a tenth anniversary collection. As a recent purchaser of said collection, only a small handful of them are available for streaming on DC Universe upon initial launch. So I don't feel foolish along that front... Did feel the movie selection was a bit low; but it is the initial launch. Other than that I haven't streamed any of the movies yet so that awaits further comment.


Comics: Initial selection is quite extensive.  Most recent comics offered digitally, ala Marvel Digital Comics - digital issues aren't available for purchase at the moment, stop at Rebirth issue 1s. That said, there's samplings of New 52, post-Crisis, and in-between. Dark Knight Returns is available to be read digitally online. Personally, I am pumped Johns/Eaglesham's Justice Society of America's first eleven issues are offered. Looking to become familiar with Captain Marvel/Shazam before the upcoming Shazam! movie? Well, Ordway's Power of Shazam! awaits your perusal.


I've read a smattering of comics online via several platforms from Nook Digital Comics to Dark Horse Digital to Marvel Digital Unlimited on my PC. Have to say DC Universe perfectly aligns the page with screen! Art and lettering is perfectly readable. No shrinking nor enlarging is required. Don't have to toggle from panel to panel nor toggle from panel readout to full page layout. Like television shows, DC Universe saves your progress on a given comic. Plus, titles can be added to a favorites list.


The two cons I see with the digital comics is there is much duplication among titles (which is rather odd) and I haven't noticed a search option yet. If offerings rotate, the bloated list is fine. Otherwise, searching through the comics library will become a hassle once it expands.


Overall, my initial impression of DC Universe is very favorable. A heavy user might worry about the size of the initial content. If this is your only streaming service and your first foray into digital comics, I could see one binging through the library within maybe six months. On the other hand, I don't forsee myself exhausting the initial launch within twelve months of my subscription. Maybe by the fifteenth month. However, the original programming such as Titans and Doom Patrol will have debuted by then. Quality-wise, I am quite pleased as well. We'll see how my opinion changes once what's new is well-acquainted.


Periodic updates to come.


Next time!

Five Take Aways from Shadowrun Missions on 9/25/18

Huzzah! After months passing without playing my Shadowrun Missions character Nox, tonight on Tuesday Night Game sessions at my FLGCS we finally did so. We were a little rusty especially with a couple of relatively new players. Yet, not as rusty as we've been after past the hiatus or two. The eighth and final season of the Chicago arc is definitely heating up. If the next mod or two were to begin In Media Res (start with action), I wouldn't be surprised. Learned the hard way that not preparing for any eventuality leaves my character at a disadvantage. Well, I am kind of exaggerating there as only my play style was impacted...


If you read yesterday blog entry, I did use reagents quite a bit this session. My combat mage did attempt to bind a couple elementals spending a Middle lifestyle's worth to do so. The one elemental played a pivotal role... Boosting spell limits with reagents had a moderate effect. Nothing too earth-shaking; but the original limit imposed by the spell's force was exceeded on both occasions.


Now the follow-up to yesterday's blog entry is out of the way AND the focus is off me, here's five take-aways from tonight's session of Shadowrun (5E) Missions.


Never leave home without grenades or an ambulance-rigged with autodoc - If you ever saw the series Firefly/movie Serenity, there's a scene involving Reavers when Jayne says to Mal 'Don't you wish I brought some grenades!' Shadow runs involve discrete missions. Setting-wise, grenades are a bad idea. A very, very bad idea. However, once again, without one of PCs carrying grenades (and a lot of C4!) we wouldn't have gotten far in the module. A different PC's character drives a converted ambulance equipped with autodoc (a device that's kind of like bacta tank from Star Wars), which helped quite a bit and could've helped more.


So if I attack an opponent while moving past, my opponent can't attempt to strike me and halt my movement?! - As D&D 5E rules, we're well aware of opportunity attacks when opponents moves by. Furthermore, some abilities grant the ability to halt movement. Shadowrun has an interrupt action called Intercept whereby a character can spend a portion of initiative to melee strike the moving character and potentially halt their progress. We've used that to great effect against NPCs as have NPCs done so to PCs. Well, there's a loophole to that rule. Very first sentence states that if a moving character doesn't attack them then... Major revelation.


If a blow knocks me prone, my wounds can prevent me from standing?! - Speaking of another rule we discovered tonight, we learned the potential difficulty inherent in standing prone when injured. After a PC was knocked prone by a sniper's bullet, we learned not only is it an action to stand but an attribute test modified by wound penalties is required to stand! Really affected the tempo of the scene...


A one-two combo of spending then later burning the same point of Edge leads to a heroic feat - One of the new PCs had to spend a point of Edge in order to carry a downed NPC out of a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, due to the Intercept interrupt action, said PC was placed subjected to a potential attack which would have impeded his progress with the hapless NPC. The player burnt the PC's spent Edge point to NOT be hit by the attack. By the game mechanics, the PC would not have evaded the attack otherwise. Very cool indeed.


Narration is a great way to speed our progress through the module - Its hard to tell if our rust and/or experience is what slows our progress through modules. Coupled with increasing epic scope of Season 8 Chicago modules, our table simply won't complete a module within a four hour time limit. The GM bypassed many encounters by narrating the outcomes based on input given by us. We'd easily spend multiple sessions if we played out every last scene. Not an option for us.


Once I actually blog my game reports, I did something new. Using my smartphone, I took photos of some of the combat scenes as we weren't using theater of the mind. Really should have snapped pictures sooner as describing the action can be a pain otherwise.


That's all.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

SR5: Drams of Reagents Are Deceptively Expensive

If everything goes to plan, I will play Shadowrun Missions for the first time in months tomorrow. What better way to prepare than by updating my PC, Nox the Combat Mage, right? Yeah, I should've had Nox updated sooner but it beats updating the character tomorrow. How does that relate to tonight's topic?


Part of updating a character is spending nuyen. I've long come to the conclusion that magicians really should use reagents in Shadowrun, fifth edition.


Reagents are magical components by the way, which enhance magic or are required for specific magical skills such as spirit binding.


Normally, a mana-slinger won't need a ton of reagents to bolster spells or aid in summoning spirits. Improving the Force in drams on reagents won't drain the credstick. They're like pocket change, chummer. Spend more nuyen getting dirt from a contact.


Binding spirits, on the other hand, cost double digits per Force of the spirit bound. A magician's credstick won't be worth drek if multiple high force spirits are bound. A Force 6 spirit costs more than a low lifestyle in credits!


The summoner/binder magicians with multiple bound spirits can easily spend a High lifestyle worth of credits in reagents.


Mighty costly considering one dram is 20 nuyen.


Certainly explains why there aren't more than two bound spirits encountered at any given time too.


Definitely won't happen in Missions. Nox can afford it because the PC has been low cost maintenance.


So I have a new appreciation for the value of reagents and bound spirits.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Adventurers League: The Old Order Changeth!

Anyone who is followed the Marvel Comics series the Avengers is familiar with the phrase "The Old Order Changeth!". In all frankness, the same could be said of each season of Adventurers League. Starting yesterday, the 30th of August, Season 8 set in the urban sprawl of Waterdeep initiates the biggest change of them all.


Season 2: The adventurers go from Phlan to Mulmaster.


Season 3: Hillsfar replaces Mulmaster as the primary region. Oh, sanity loss is a major concern as the Madness rules are used a lot.


Season 4: Not only do the adventures leave the Moonsea area; but they leave Faerun altogether. PCs stumble about within the Demi-plane of Dread. Barovia to be precise. They're stuck there and can't leave until completing certain quest points.


Season 5: The focus of adventures leave Barovia unless they're unfortunate enough to be stuck there such as one of my PCs. I'd have to DM a couple modules to garner enough Downtime Days to free the PC. Been going on a couple years... but I digress. Anyway, the PCs operate within the Sword Coast. Region is dictated by level Tier.


Season 6: Regions, bah. We don't need to worry about a specific region. Let's go dungeon crawling instead!


Season 7: Bye, bye European environment! Jungle adventurers here we come! What, there's a death curse?! Death, pretty much means death unless you've reached Tier 3 Season 7 modules with a PC... Egads! Sure, came January, there was an opt out clause. However, you'd have to swear off much of the Season (Tiers 1 & 2). CCCs became... questionable.


Season 8: Huzzah! Resurrection magic is back again! Furthermore, plus PCs are once again operating on the Sword Coast. Waterdeep to be precise. However, Waterdeep is an urban sprawl compared to the Moonsea and is home to the mega-dungeon of Undermountain.


That, however, only scratches the surface of the changes. The experience, treasure, and gold system is changing. For example, under the old order, I wondered how a 5th level PC could afford to cast Revivify. 1,000 gold pieces is a luxury in Tier 1. After playing Tier 2 modules, the material cost is within reach. Under the new system, forget about it. You'll be lucky if a PC cleric has the resources to cast to Revivify!


A topic for another blog installment. I've only skimmed the rough draft of the new rules. Much reading awaits. Yet, a mammoth change invites further thoughts. So I will be blogging my opinion on them in the future.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Five Take-Aways: D&D 5E AL 8/28/18

If you recall, on Sunday I stated tonight's Shadowrun Missions event was cancelled yet would be willing and look forward to playing a session of Adventurers League using the fifth edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. Well, the session is over and in the books or logsheets to use the AL vernacular. While I didn't planned to when I arranged to be able to game, it means I was once again able to play D&D for an unexpected fourth time during 2018. Without further ado, here's my fourth installment of my Five Take-aways for Adventurers League (AL).


DM makes or breaks puzzle modules - I played tonight's module with a different character (PC) previously. Quite sometime though so despite recording notes for a game session I've procrastinated on blogging, there really wasn't much meta-gaming on my end with any of the puzzles. The stuff I did recall through sheer circumstance my foreknowledge didn't alter my play albeit partially cause my PC had reasons to extreme cautious by that point. Heck, I almost repeated a foolhardy move I did prior! All told I enjoyed this repeat more than the first because of how the DM ran the module and the puzzles. Many of the puzzles/traps were more obnoxiously dangerous because the solutions required dumb luck or happenstance. All while being worn down in the process. The DM provided a sense of urgency by either upping or decreasing the threat urgency and thus motivating problem solving. However, we still finished a two-hour module after three hours though


Placing the PCs into faux-initiative order during tense situations keeps the pace going - As players whenever we roll initiative the game signals, 'hey this is a fraught situation!' and we act accordingly. This is an example of how a scene was played faster this time than the last time I played through it. Granted, the DM created an atmosphere where the clock was ticking so that helped too.


First time I sat at a table with an AL illegal PC - Adventurers League forbids Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil PCs. The forbidden evil alignment PC didn't break the game largely due to the gross misunderstanding many have over alignments. Despite the player's grumblings Lawful Evil would have sufficed. What was really frustrating was being demanded to furnish proof! Which kind of leads me to...


May very well have encountered the first player that I would prefer not to play or DM for - Full disclosure: the player in question has probably every week so far this year. Compared to my whopping four times, I understand why he wouldn't consider me authority.  However, I knew the alignment restrictions before I began. Downloading or reading online the player's packets isn't difficult. Also, I did get rules issue wrong. After checking, I apologized for my error. However, I shouldn't have to provide concrete sources while he doesn't have to! He also struck as very belligerent. Maybe we just don't click. However, I don't want to deal with someone that I must operate professionally with to play a game. If we were mustering ourselves, I wouldn't muster with him. While I haven't DM'd for Adventurers League yet, I already know I wouldn't want to DM for him. I am a stickler for some things... Maybe DMing in AL isn't for me...


Arcana skill is more often than not a must in Adventurers League - No skill comes up in Adventurers League play requiring proficiency as the Arcana skill. Sure, you can stumble around without it. However, if a table doesn't include one PC with that skill figuring out the solution to some magical traps/puzzles become difficult if not downright impossible. Could be the modules I've played but Arcana proficiency is among the few consistently enforced.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

SR5: So Magicians Can Now Shut Off Other Magician's Foci

We're nearing the end of the month so Shadowrun is on my mind again. After all, Tuesday Game Night at my FLGCS hosts a Shadowrun Missions event. More on that later...


Recently, I read portions of the magic section in the Core Rulebook that I really didn't bother too much with. The Enchanting section in particular. My Shadowrun Missions PC, Nox, doesn't possess any of the skills within the Enchanting skill group. Alchemy was strange, new, and something I wasn't quite ready for. As the Missions storyline progressed (and as I bought modules I had played during DM Day sale at DriveThru RPG...), I learned a magical trap was an alchemical preparation. Quick skimming conferred an Enchanting skill was required to disarm such a trap. My knowledge of Alchemy and Dispelling skills in a nutshell. Then with advent of Season 9 and the Neo-Tokyo reboot I embarked on a deeper dive...


Alchemy is neat but requires too much to worth my combat mage's karma at this stage. Unless there's a spellcaster at the table, I am not confident how well an alchemist would perform in Missions play. Although considering how I consider Sorcery is weakened in 5th edition, I may be overthinking Alchemy's apparent weakness too much.


Using Dispelling to disarm alchemical preparations set up as traps is cool. Much better than relying upon Counterspelling when the drek hits, eh? Can be used to shut off another Awakened's active foci within line of sight...


Can be used to turn off an active focus within line of sight?!


What a nice sustaining focus or weapon focus you have there, would be a shame if someone turned it off...


Yes, there's a contested role. Yes, there's drain involved. Yes, dispelling a focus is only a mere debuff. No, a threat won't be taken out directly.


However, I don't recall Magicians being able to shut off another's focus in prior editions of Shadowrun (Maybe they could in 4th...). Dispelling a focus is a means for a magician to deal with a magical threat in a fashion other PC's can't. You're summoned spirit is whirling dervish of death except against the adept with a weapon foci? The poor chummer better possess the power Killing Hands once you've turned it off. There's a magician with an active foci who has multiple magical effects going on? The sustained spell dissipates once the focus is dispelled. Their spellcasting isn't as potent you've target their power/spell foci.


The prospect of dispelling foci is a nifty enough trick that it's worth pumping karma into for my combat mage who in all practicality only has four more modules of play left. The conjurer PC, well a PC who summons and binds spirits better than my current PC, I am considering for the Neo-Tokyo arc would love to disarm antagonists armed with weapon foci to prolong his/her spirits' longevity.


Honestly, I wish I discovered this particular use of the Dispelling skill sooner. Hindsight's 20/20 I guess.


Back to the reason why Shadowrun is once again on my mind, Tuesday Night's Shadowrun Mission event? It wouldn't cancelled three consecutive months? Yeah... See August 30th marks the beginning of Adventurers League's eight season. As a consequence, all the DM's participating in DM's Quest rewards program have this week to finish up Season 7 modules. One of the players is among that number. Unfortunately, Shadowrun is pushed back another month. Again.


At least, I will be able to play D&D 5E AL again though!


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

WWE SummerSlam 2018: The Lesnar Ends with a Whimper

Just finished watching the 2018 edition of SummerSlam a mere half an hour. As one of the big four and a long-time cornerstone of WWE PPV's, this year's SummerSlam did not disappoint!


Heck, if you inverted the awfulness of last month's Extreme Rules, that was how good SummerSlam 2018 was. Not quite as good as WrestleMania 2018 but a solid PPV nonetheless. I would have felt okay paying old-fashioned PPV prices for it.


In fact, I was going to change formats since there's no point doing a match-by-match breakdown and do good, bad, and the ugly. Quite a bit of good. There's some things I didn't like *cough* the squash matches *cough* but writing them felt like padding.


The Lesnar loss was among them.


Don't get me wrong. Lesnar needed to lose the title. His reign had grown stale. He's fighting a match in UFC. Other than Strowman, no other Raw wrestler has been booked a credible winner than Reigns.


Yes, I am not a fan of Reigns. As a babyface, he's simply not at the level to be the Top Guy. However, I can accept him finally winning the belt and defeating Lesnar. The company would be damaged long-term if he hadn't.


Note: I have not yet Raw, probably won't, but I see the Shield has reunited. So I am guessing Reigns is now a heel. Fair enough.


I liked the irony of how by not costing the champion in the usual Money in the Bank fashion, Strowman cost Lesnar the title by distracting him.


Still, the match was meh. Lesnar was booked as being far more resilient in prior matches. Must not want to take bumps in preparation for his upcoming UFC fight? The story was more about surprises than a competitive match this time around.


When Reigns won and defeated Lesnar finally, it felt... anti-climatic... The Lesnar dominance lasted too long. Reigns wasn't the decisive victor. A whimper instead of a bang.


In any case, hopefully this means when Brock Lesnar does return to the WWE he isn't booked as an indestructible monster. Cause this first go-round proves booking him as invincible simply isn't worth devaluing the rest of the roster.


Next time.

Five Take-Aways: An Unexpected D&D 5E Adventurers League End of July Session

Tuesday night. The final Tuesday night of July. So Shadowrun Missions at my FLGCS Organized Game night, correct? Unfortunately, the misfortune plaguing Shadowrun during 2018 strikes again. Hopefully, next month we play once more... Emphasis on 'we' as I've missed several modules over the last year and a half.


Fortunately, the open RPG game night the final Tuesday of the month long since morphed into a replay day for D&D 5E Adventurers League Modules. Since we advance warning Shadowrun may very well be cancelled, I brought my D&D PCs. Meaning I got to play D&D for the first time in months. March 6th to be precise. Hadn't played Dungeons & Dragons in roughly five months! Feels good. Also means...


Here's another installment of my Five Take-Aways for D&D 5E AL! My third such during the year 2018. Wow, I have only played Dungeons & Dragons three times all year! Yep, no home games when not playing Adventurers League.


Five Take-Aways D&D 5E AL July 31st, 2018


1) Looking forward to Season 8 doing away with tracking experience points - The table I played at was Tier 2 (levels 5 - 10) with a potential of six players. One player hoping to advance a PC to Tier 3 dropped out and joined the Tier 1 table because with six PCs not enough XP would be awarded. A player hoping to advance to another TIER delayed PC advancement because a table of 6 deprives too much XP. Xanather's Guide to Everything introduces an experience point-less system of character advancement, old-timers would recognize it resembles the story award concept, and beginning Season 8 AL adopts a variant. A subject for another time; but tonight serves as another example why changes need to be made especially as regards mustering tables for AL events. The participants at my FLGCS aren't too picky; but still...


2) A party comprised mostly of a single class can be quite fun in an AL mod - Before the evening started, a regular remarked how fun having a table comprised of a single class could be. Coincidentally, my table comprised of four barbarians (granted none were alike but all shared the same class) and a sorcerer/warlock is fairly darn close to a table of all barbarians! Fortunately, the module didn't punish us for being mostly barbarians. A group of raging PCs was quite fun to play indeed. Furthermore, everyone got a chance to shine.


3) Appreciate sorcerers Twin Spell much more: Whether it was on Haste or Dragon Breath, the sorcerer player used Twin Spell metamagic to effective use. Other players have twinned spells quite a bit before. Just sunk into the ole noggin the tactic/ability is all.


4) Despite practically four or five months not playing D&D 5E, I didn't lose a step - Rather surprised I didn't forget much of what I knew about playing the latest iteration of D&D 5E nor how to play my Tier 2 PC after months not playing D&D. Yes, I've been a gamer for decades. Not what I am referring to. Sometimes you miss a step or two when you don't play a game for awhile. Didn't. Really speaks to the accessibility of the fifth edition rules. Once you grasp the fundamentals of the game and your PC you're golden. Sure, I had a hiccup with some rules. Not because I forgot but because I really haven't spent much time reading and mastering the rules. Kind of a throwback to when I started in the hobby when I didn't own a Player's Handbook. Does explain why I enjoy 5E so much...


5) The DM gradually revealing the "dungeon" was nice touch - The environment our PCs were exploring was such our characters would have no clue the nature of each location or how they relate to each. A dungeon exploration module in a nutshell. Just not framed that way. Rather than describing the dungeon or drawing the dungeon as we went along, the DM covered the map and gradually revealed portions as we explored. Don't see the approach often so it merits mentioning.


That's all.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

The Elusive Teen Titans Giant 100 Page # 1!



About a couple weeks ago, I accepted I wouldn't find a copy of it. After all, I heard over the grapevine, the quantity of Teen Titans Giant 100 Page #1 Wal-Mart Exclusive was shorted. Had collected the other three; but no luck with the Teen Titans inaugural issue. After checking and re-checking to no avail, I threw in towel. Blogged my frustration even.

Today I was informed there was a re-stock. How odd? I thought. We are mere days away from August after all. Heck, the initial wave was stocked ahead of its street date in some places. Clearly, it must be the second issue. Ahead of schedule. Again. Sigh...

When I do wander over to the TCG aisle where DC Giant 100 Page are stocked, I am shocked and stand corrected.

Look what I found!

If you guessed by the picture displaying a copy of Teen Titans Giant 100 Page #1 held in my hand home means I finally own a copy, you'd guess right.

Yep, I own a copy of all four #1's!

Must say I am pleasantly surprised this baby fell into my lap. Wasn't expecting any re-stocks of the inaugural DC Giant 100 Page #1 Wal-Mart Exclusives this late during the month. Let alone the shorted Teen Titans. Definitely boosts my optimism for the program.

Bring on the second issues!

Next time.

Price Seems Right For DC's New Subscription Service

Took the last couple weeks off from blogging. During that time SDCC occurred as well as the announcement of DC's new subscription service's, DC Universe, price point. The latter is the topic for tonight's entry.


If you recall, I expressed my excitement for the new subscription service. So much, I was probably going to give it a try. After reading what the price will be, it's practically a given.


For the curious, you can read up on prices along with DC Universe's contents here.


Not bad. Not bad at all. I already pay $7.99 a month for Hulu and $10.99 a month for WWE Network. So $7.99 is well within my comfort zone for the time being. Heck CBR did a price comparison with a streaming services, cause DC Universe is primarily a streaming service, here.


For the most part I agree with CBR. The depth of backlist isn't huge. Quite frankly, it's still unknown how much DC television and film will be available. However, all the other bells and whistles along with the possibility for no commercials improves the package.


Plus there's the comics and community forum. While the latter isn't important to me, the former is pretty much the deal maker for me. If DC Universe truly has a rotating selection of a thousand comics, it'll be worth it for the digital comics alone.


Heck, one could potentially make comparisons to Marvel's Digital Unlimited. The price is a little less than Marvel's monthly subscription but on par for the annual subscription. Which is kind of weird because the annual subscription for DC Universe is cheaper than its monthly... Goes to show Marvel Digital Unlimited is better purchased on annual basis as opposed to monthly...


Yes, Marvel Digital Unlimited has an ever expanding back catalog. While DC Universe's rotating catalog troubles me, the rotation may force me to actually read the comics as opposed to adding them to my watchlist indefinitely.


Plus, unlike Marvel Digital Unlimited, the meat and potatoes of DC Universe is the television and film media. One isn't just using DC Universe to read comics.


So all things considered, the price point practically secures my purchase of a subscription. In fact, the extra three months added to pre-ordered annual subscription calls to me. Fifteen months for annual subscription prices? Hello! I've had an annul subscription to Marvel Digital Unlimited on and off for years. Saves quite a bit of hassle; and I'm not pressure to "use a month's worth" each month to get my money's worth.


There you have it. Consider me a pre-order adopter of an annual subscription holder to DC Universe.


Next time.

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 PPV Thoughts

Today is WWE's 2018 Extreme Rules PPV; and I am watching it the day of! So I will be quasi-live 'blogging' my thoughts as the show proceeds. Quasi because technically the PPV has been on for an hour or two when I started watching. However, I am providing my opinions as the show proceeds; and it's before any 'replay'. Of course, I am not posting until the PPV finishes.


Spoilers...


Kickoff show

Sin Cara vs Cien Almas

Almas wins in heelish fashion. A decent opener. Would love to see these two given more time. Given Almas is ascending the card and Sin Cara isn't, I don't believe we'll ever get the match these two could bring. 2.5 out of 5 stars

Sanity vs New Day Tables March

Sanity wins when Young puts Kofi through a table. A meh match. I've seen both groups wrestle better matches. 1.5 out of 5 stars.

Extreme Rules 

Woken Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt (c) v Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas for Raw Tag Team Championship

 Marked out when both Bray & Bo were both inside the ring.  Bo pins Hardy. New champions! Solid match. 3 out of 5 stars because of the significance of the B Team not only winning a match but becoming champions. No longer jobbers!

Kurt Angle threatens to strip Lesnar of the Universal Championship!

Finn Balor v Constable Baron Corbin

Big man vs little man match. Corbin dominated the match in the early going. Balor wins with an inside cradle. Match slow plodding, which the crowd did not get into until Balor won. 2 out of 5 stars.

Carmella (c) vs Asuka for Smackdown Women's Championship with Ellsworth suspended above within a cage.

Ellsworth dropped items to Carmella... Match plods along as Ellsworth picks the lock and escapes... but is caught and suspended. Easy prey for Asuka. Match ends mercifully when Carmella KOs Asuka while Asuka's distracted by kicking the hapless Ellsworth. Terrible match. Only the suspended shark cage made it worthy of PVP. 1 out of 5 stars.

Jeff Hardy (c) v Shinsuke Nakamura for U.S. Championship 

Before the match begins, Nakamura low blows Hardy. Hardy waves okay and Nakamura nails his finisher to become the new U.S. Champion! Can't really call it a match... 2 out of 5 stars for its historical significance although it'll be replayed enough (for storyline reasons) that one doesn't need to watch the PPV for this match. Crowd cheered. I like the outcome...

Randy Orton is back! Attacks Hardy! Three way feud?

Braun Strowman c Kevin Owens - Steel Cage Match

Strowman breaks out of handcuffs and then chases KO up the cage to chokelsam Owens onto the announce table! Holy Toledo! Technically, Kevin Owens is the winner... Because of the big moment leading to an unusual steel cage victory I give 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs Team Hell No (Kane & Daniel Bryan) for Smackdown Tag Team Championship 

Storyline-wise there was pre-match ambush leaving Team Hell No in poor shape. Bryan arrives alone... followed by the tag champs. Not a squash as Daniel Bryan holds his own. Then the numbers game reverses the match not in his favor. Kane limps out. Not enough. Bludgeon Brothers retain. So far the best match of the night. Hopefully the match quality continues improving in quality. 3 out of 5 stars.

Roman Reigns v Bobby Lashley

Lashley begins by putting on a wrestling clinic. Nice to see. Then, the usual WWE striking style asserts itself. Roman then plods along... Lashley is carrying the match. Too soon for him to be wrestling Reigns as the crowd simply isn't into him much. They dislike Reigns though. Lashley suplexed Reigns onto the announce table to counter Reigns charge! Superman Punch to Lashley while standing on the top rope! Then Lashley counters a charging Reigns with a spear for the win! Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Alexa Bliss (c) v Nia Jax Raw Women's Championship under Extreme Rules

Jax snaps Bliss's kendo stick. Tosses all weapons Bliss attempts to use into the ring. Alexa slams Nia repeatedly with a trash can lid! Natalya beats up on Mickie James. Then Alexa takes out Natalya. Rhonda Rousey runs in and unleashes on Mickie James! Later, James takes out Rhonda with a kendo stick. Alexis Bliss retains by DDTing Nia Jax into a chair! The carnage saved and made this match. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

A.J. Styles (c) v Rusev Smackdown WWE World Heavyweight Title

My attention was riveted to the match. Nothing resembling play-by-play here. Excellent action, story-telling, and ring psychology. A.J. Styles retains in a competitive match. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars although on this particular card I could easily give the match 4.5 out of 5 stars - a 5 rating within reach.

Dolph Ziggler (c) v Seth Rollins 30 minute Iron Man match Intercontinental Championship 

Drew McIntyre is at ringside. At the 25:20 mark - Rollins first pinfall. Rollins achieved a 2nd fall by pin at around the 22 minute mark. Then acquires a 3rd fall at the 21 minute mark by DQ when McIntyre assaults him. Afterwards, Drew devastes Rollins until the referee ejected. No DQ though. Ziggler gets a fall by pinfall at around19 minute mark then a second at the 18:48 mark with superkick followed by pin. Tied 3 for 3 when Dolph scores a pin following the Zig Zag at roughly the 18:00 mark. 15:45 Dolph score a 4th fall with feet on the ropes. Done counting falls as they happen now. Ziggler demonstrates excellent endurance! The time runs out when both men are tied. Match is draw. Ziggler retains!

As Ziggler struts victoriously, GM Kurt Angle walks on stage and invokes Sudden Death rules. McIntyre runs in from ringside distracting Rollins. Ziggler with the Fameasser for the win!

Excellent match dampened because I've seen better Iron Man matches. However, I am a sucker for the Hart-Michaels Iron Man match homage. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.




Overall: Extreme Rules 2018 is a byproduct of the WWE Network. Combined with the Kickoff show, Extreme Rules ran for roughly four hours. Four hours of wrestling isn't too shabby especially considering thousands saw it the day of. Who knows how many will watch the PPV on the WWE Network? So there's the extra gravitas that comes from such a shared viewing experience. However, if you rate Extreme Rules 2018 on its own, a different story. Why was it called Extreme Rules if only a minority of matches fit the theme? A sad of affairs in today's WWE wrestling environment when an Iron Man match as the main event could only be slotted for this PPV. We'd have to wait months for similar space on a PPV card. Match quality? While Extreme Rules 2018 improved with the Team Hell No tag match on, many matches would have to rank in the four-plus star category to balance out the earlier portion of the card. The booking was mediocre. I would've been angry if bought this during the old PPV days. If you come upon it as a rental, sure. Own on DVD/Blu-ray? Only if you're a completest, a fan of the wrestlers who hit milestones, and/or greatly enjoyed the later matches. Otherwise, not worth the shelf space.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. Feeling my WWE Network subscription cost was satisfied influences me greatly.


Next time.

My 2018 Christmas in July Palladium Surprise Package Arrived!

Last Christmas I hyped the Palladium X-Mas Surprise Package heavily. If you recall, I lamented how I hadn't ordered one in years. I also, ahem, missed out and didn't order a Surprise Package for another Christmas once again...

Every now and then, Palladium will do a Christmas in July Surprise Package. Sporadically. Not an annual event by any means. When I ordered Surprise Packages regularly, they didn't offer autographs for the July special. Autographs are the primary reason I order them.

Well, this year, they offered the Christmas in July Surprise Package - and there were autographs. Honestly, I wasn't going to order. Took advantage of the Drive Thru RPG deal (topic of a later blog - maybe?); but it wasn't until literally the midnight hour I made my decision.

Ordered my first Surprise Package in YEARS.

A handful of days later, I arrive home and there it is. Waiting for me.

Took pictures of course. Including the autographed page. They're a little blurry
...

Palladium Fantasy is my favorite setting. Wouldn't normally order the mouse pad. Hey, look at that! The Old Ones cover mouse pad. Will have to try my new mouse pad out some time!

 The latest book for the setting. Love the 'Ice and Fury' sig!

Plus, I received the longest-held contender for newest Palladium Fantasy title. Didn't get it the last time I ordered. Years ago.

Second most recent issue of the Rifter. Been years since my last Rifter. Don't recall the issue.

A grab bag wouldn't be complete without a couple Rifts books. One detailing the Coaltion States defending Rifts Earth against hordes of the Minion War (Think demons and devils) and a book containing a script for a Rifts movie (and stats).

Not bad for roughly $100 worth of product plus autographs for half the price!

This was blogged via smartphone.

Happy Gaming!

Next time.

Hope the Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1 Isn't A Trend

Back on the first of the month, I expressed my excitement over finding three out of the four initial issues of the DC/Wal-Mart 100 Page Giants that harken back to 100 page Super Spectaculars during the 70s. In fact, July 1st was supposed to be the street date for these magazine-like compilations of three reprints and an original 12 page story. In order to find them, you'd go to where the collectible card games are located by registers. They even have their own display box!


Unfortunately, I heard on the grapevine not all Wal-Marts followed the effective street date. Some displays were on the shelves as early as the Thursday prior!


Worse news, of the four titles (Superman, Batman, Justice League of America, and Teen Titans), the Teen Titans 100 Page Giant was shorted. Thus, they were quick sellouts. Alas, I was one of those who missed out of a copy of Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1.


Bummer.


Now, I decided not to cruise nearby Wal-Marts in the vain hope I'd find the issue in question. Three of the stories were reprints after all. Heck, they've been reprinted in trade paperback format, hardcover format, and whatchamacallit format. You name it. I can buy a digital copy or track down the back issue itself. Sure, there's the twelve page original story. However, publishers not reprinting stories via trade is a rarity nowadays. If you're patient enough, you'll get ahold of what was exclusive upon release. There's no way DC is NOT reprinting the upcoming twelve-part twelve-page increment Batman story written by Brian Michael Bendis!


Plus, I heard there were re-stocks.


Over the course of twelve days, I would periodically check the diminishing stock. Today, the display was refilled! Not up to full. No Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1.


Sad.


Hope future quantities are upped when subsequent issues are released.


As I said on July 1st, I am not buying these 100 Page Giants for their collectability and have a complete set. Nostalgia. Plus, perusing my copies, I like the format. Really wish the European album format (of which this mimics) was more prevalent here. Would easily reduce the number of titles I buy at my local FLCGS. Since I don't keep up with reading what I do collect, the reprint nature doesn't bother me as it would've when I was younger. Technically, I own stacks and stacks of comics waiting to be read whom one would dub back issues now.


So I would buy Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #2.


When this project was unveiled, I feared comic book collectors would flock to Wal-Marts and buy up all the stock as many would during the speculator bubble of the 90s. Doesn't appear to be the case as I haven't heard of displays wiped out after a mere day.


However, there are reports of people flipping sets of all four for $60!


C'mon! These are partially intended for NEW readers. Also, there were no Marvel nor DC comics available on newsstands period until this! You read that correctly. A recent development was the cessation of Marvel/DC newsstand comics. A customer had go to comic store for a Marvel/DC comic book or buy a digital copy. The 100 Page Giants retailing at $5 are probably an experiment to re-enter the market.


So I fear more collectors will try to take advantage of buying more and more of these 100 Page Giants. Depriving any future readers in the process. As a consequence, if sales slip too much cause the speculator market dries up, would the full 12 part Bendis Batman story proceed as hyped?


The demise of the DC/Wal-Mart 100 Page Giants due to speculator greed would be a sad state of affairs.


Low unit orders would also have a chilling effect. Can't see shorting quantities of the next Teen Titans (or any other title) not having the same effect either.


So hopefully the quick sell-out due to low order and overzealous collectors does not become a trend.


Next time.

Monk Way-Granted Abilities to Cast Spells Are Weakened By Ruling

In a recent blog entry and second installment of my "Official 5E Rulings by Tweet", one of the rulings clarified by WotC employee/rules guru Jeremy Crawford concerned monks following the Way of the Open Hand. When I read these rulings, I don't verify and tend to treat them as gospel. However, I will probably verify as best as I can in the future because there's a problem with Crawford's ruling...


You can read said ruling by either scrolling down on this blog or clicking here and then clicking on the relevant link.


Okay? Read it?


Crawford references spell casting rules specifically how spell DC's are determined and that if no spell-casting modifier is given it is zero.


Therefore, Open Hand monks don't receive any bonus to their trip and push abilities, correct?


Not quite.


See, when I originally read the tweet, upon reading the spell-casting section my mind conjured the Way of Four Elements monk. They cast spells. Hence, why I said they were pretty much hosed.


Monks following the Way of the Open Hand do not cast spells. If you read the language, their abilities that mimic spells omit the phrase "cast the spell".


Heck, virtually every Way ability that mimics spells employ language implying such - except when they state 'cast spells'.


So what are the Open Hand DCs? Well, if you turn a page or two within Player's Handbook where Ki abilities are mentioned there is section detailing how a DC is calculated. So most monk abilities using Ki would use Ki Save DC.


Note: I said most. I think Crawford's saying the Ki Save DC calculation doesn't apply to when monks use their ki or a Way ability to cast spells. Alas, the poor monk doesn't receive an ability bonus to the save DCs they impose in such a case.


Based on my Adventurers League mind-set, no ability bonus added to a Save DC is HUGE. However, a zero spell-casting modifier for monk Way abilities granting spell-casting isn't weak within the scope of a home campaign. While monks can't use their Ki Save DC, the spell-casting granted by the tradition is powered by spending Ki points. Unlike spell slots, all Ki points refresh after a short rest. If the players can control the pace, they can take a substantial number of short rests. The monk spending Ki to cast spells could conceivably cast a spell more than any spell-caster spending spell slots can.


So the ruling stating that monks don't have a spell-casting modifier is a game balancing issue. Unfortunately, the original question regarding Way of the Open Hand monks trip or push effects isn't addressed. Unless of course, the Ki Save DC table doesn't apply to them as well. In which case why include the calculation and section?


However, I do stand by original quip. Way of the Four Elements are nerfed within the confines of a module such as an Adventurers League mod. Their spell-casting DCs simply aren't up to par with equivalent level characters.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Official 5E Rulings By Tweet 2nd installment: Five-in-One

Recently, I started my new blogging "column" Official 5E Rulings by Tweet with three such compiled on a site called Sage Advice. If I included only three such rulings, I'd have to do this twice a week to catch up! With that in mind, here's five different rulings courtesy of Jeremy Crawford's Twitter.


So how do I calculate Way of the Open Hand DCs? - As I've only created a Way of the Shadow monk, it hasn't really dawned on me that the Way of the Open Hand doesn't include a spell DC calculation. I'm so used to the class description including them that the notion the magic section contains the rules doesn't ring any bells. No spellcasting modifier? Oofta! Not sure I would want to play an Open Hand monk in Adventurers League in light of that...


Do you pick before or after regarding Chaos Bolt? - Considering prior editions required the player to pick the die before rolling, the question needs asking. We've always played assuming the pick occurs after in 5E. Good to know, we're on the same wavelength here.


You can ignore a Ready actions trigger - Okay, now this is a big deal. We've argued over whether or not this was the case and it's always caused consternation. In many ways, Readied action triggers had to be crafted like Wishes to avoid unforeseen nasty complications. Whether you lose the action is another matter though...


RAW No leading with a shield bash - Not a fan of this ruling. Can't initiate a combat by bashing with a shield first after engaging the enemy? Kind of takes away from the flavor of the combat. So Shield Master feat users in AL must ask a DM if it's okay to do so. Sigh...


Not all magical darkness is equal - Just because a spell creates darkness does not necessarily render darkvision useless. So read the spell description carefully such as regarding the example of the Shadows of Moil spell.


That's all for this installment.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

4th of July Legendary: Captain America Battles Red Skull

Today, July 4th, marks Independence Day in the United States of America. To mark the occasion, I wanted to do something Captain America-related. I conceived of reading the Captain America stories from America's Bicentennial year (Bicentennial Battles & Madbomb) and playing a game of Solo Legendary using the Advanced Solo rules featuring Captain America versus his nemesis the Red Skull over the Cosmic Cube.

Well, Madbomb clocking in at roughly 8 issues is to long of a story for me to read within one day. A read for another time.

When I started reading Bicentennial Battles on Marvel Digital Unlimited, I realized I wasn't going to be able to both read and blog by tonight's end.

Therefore, I settled on the Solo Legendary game. The heroes were: Steve Rogers, Director of SHIELD, Captain America (Steve Rogers), and Captain America 1941 (Steve Rogers) trying to prevent the Red Skull aided by a Sentinel and the forces of Hydra from Unleashing the Power of the Cosmic Cube. Took snapshots until I realized it wouldn't be pragmatic...

Round 1 Started on a horrific note with Master Strike followed a Scheme Twist before I could play my hand.

So had to KO one of my heroes before I began...

Recruited a Captain America 1941 Hero so Turn 1 wasn't a complete loss...

Turn two and Supreme Hydra enters the battlefield but I recruited another Cap 1941!

Three more rounds later and three Scheme Twists later and things aren't looking good for Captain America!

More pummeling as more iterations of Captain America are KO'd and another Scheme Twist and Master Strike take their toll...

Managed to clear the board of three Hydra goons before Supreme Hydra escaped...

Unfortunately, none of the different eras of Steve Rogers ever generated enough Attack to combat the Red Skull even once! Before I knew and all 8 scheme twists were drawn and the Cosmic Cube unleashed. 

 

                                     


Rather dour end, eh? Solo play is difficult and Steve Rogers just might not be the ideal hero to be the sole hero in a Solo game. I'm thinking a re-match is in order. Either a solo game of the three different Captain Americas (Steve, Bucky, and Falcon) or solo two-handed game with all three Steves, Falcon-Cap, and Winter Soldier just might beat the Red Skull.


Now to read Bicentennial Battles...


Happy Independence Day America!


Next time.

The DC 100-Page Giant Scavenger Hunt

My childhood is full of vivid memories of checking the magazine racks and toy sections in grocery stores, pharmacies, and general merchandise retailers for comic books. Never knew when a new comic would catch your eye. Heck, titles were assorted so there was little sense of where to go to buy which title.


The thrill of the hunt! Well, the thrill of searching for new comics on the stand anyway.


Then I discovered comic book shops. Didn't have to guess or check if a comic book title was there. Whether or not a given issue of specific title was available was another matter. For awhile, I could also check out the newsstand as well. Unfortunately, the comic book selection outside of comic book shops gradually diminished...


Again the thrill of securing a given issue and the agony of missing any.


So when my local comic shop began using a pull list, I eagerly adopted it. Sure, I have bucked away from pull lists from time to time but the majority of my comic books my FLCGS sets aside for me.


As such the thrill of finding an issue just isn't there. Granted, there's a different thrill but I wouldn't call that a positive...


On another tangential note, while I am old enough to have seen the original 80-page and 100-page Giants DC published years ago, I am not THAT old. However, due to the defunct Comics Buyers Guide, I've read quite a bit about them. Such that, I am nostalgic for them despite never reading any of them. As far as I can recall anyway.


What were the 100-Page Giants you ask? Well, here's 13 covers from the classic 100 page Super Spectaculars from the 70's. Just screams comics to me.


Anyway, DC and Wal-Mart have united to bring the old the tradition. There are four titles: Superman, Batman, Teen Titans, and Justice League of America. Twelve page original stories and the rest reprints all New 52/Rebirth friendly. Details are also available via a link on the covers link.


The rub is it's exclusive Wal-Mart. The display only holds five at a time. Hopefully, they get re-filled at some point.

Unfortunately, the local Wal-Mart was all out of the Teen Titans book. So hopefully I can track down a copy or they re-stock it at some point.

Regardless, it brought back memories of hunting down issues of comic books, while tickling my sense of nostalgia.

Next time.

DC's New Subscription Service Looks Promising

When the news broke over DC starting its own streaming service, I was favorably inclined but leery about paying for another streaming service. The DC fanboy in me was excited at the prospect. However, I don't keep up with Hulu, Netflix, WWE Network, and regular TV. Heck, Britbox and GFW/TNA/Impact/whatever they're calling themselves now are on my radar too. DC's new streaming service's offerings would need to be deep.


New programming I can't get elsewhere.


Old programming I'd really need to scrounge for.


Today, I details and teaser trailer for the new subscription service have been unveiled. Bleeding Cool News reported some details here.


Heck, DC released a teaser trailer for the new DC Universe subscription service as well here.


Titans, Doom Patrol, the next season of Young Justice definitely checks the box for new programming.


Is Swamp Thing a new iteration or the old show?


Snippets from the animated movies, old movies like Supergirl, and the short-lived TV show Constantine certainly satisfy the old material criteria. Okay, okay, Constantine is available on CW Seed. I'm excited for the potential such older shows such as the 90's Flash and Superboy could become available as well. Rights pending of course....


All that? A Hulu-like price is reasonable.


A community forum is a nice touch. How many use message boards nowadays with social media though?


Being able to read older DC Comics. What do we have here now... Depending on the depth and size of the selection this could very well be a DC Digital Comics Unlimited tacked onto streaming service. Although I suppose even if it's limited to more recent offerings along with evergreen stories it wouldn't be so bad.


If DC Universe is *cough* universal in scope and demonstrates signs of expansion with the new content over time ala the WWE Network, I would be willing to pay WWE Network prices.


Verdict: The DC Universe Subscription is mighty tempting. Think I will sign up for the Beta in August.


Next time.