Essentially... it was written by a bloke who wrote a wargaming system. It's all about stats, numbers, 'maximizing your player party's advantages', making sure you've got the correct 'caller' to intermediate between the DM and the player group (anyone remember that from early D&D?) etc. etc.
It seems that Gary Gygax, although hailed as the inventor of roleplaying, doesn't actually know what roleplaying is _about_...
The really scary thing is that I'm sure my ideas about roleplaying have matured dramatically since I was *cough* years old when I first read the book. And I remember at _that_ point thinking that it was utter pants. Quite what I'd make of it now, I have no idea (and am possibly too scared to find out).
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-28 02:05 pm (UTC)But really....Tips on: Becoming a Dungeon Master!
It's not like an MBA, y'know.
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:26 pm (UTC):-)
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:37 pm (UTC)Well, I do. But then I have no life and like to read the DM's Guide to while away the lonely hours.
Knowing the rules better than the rest of your group is okay if you're the GM. It's sort of sucky if you're a player.
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:26 pm (UTC)http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0399512934/mockerybird/ref%3Dnosim/103-9793694-0978242
Possibly the worst book in existence. Certainly a contender for the crown...
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-28 02:38 pm (UTC)I read your comment and thought "He could almost be describing that Gary Gygax book I bought donkeys years ago..."
Almost fell off my chair laughing when I clicked on the link!
And yes... It's pretty bad.
If you didn't know better while reading it, you would think it was a joke.
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:47 pm (UTC)Interested in playing CoC?
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Date: 2005-04-28 04:12 pm (UTC)Nah, I'm alright thanks!
Thanks for asking though, nobody else ever does!
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Date: 2005-04-28 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-28 02:54 pm (UTC)My curiosity can be pretty bad, so I hope somebody tells me before I have to go and spend money on it.
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Date: 2005-04-28 02:57 pm (UTC)It seems that Gary Gygax, although hailed as the inventor of roleplaying, doesn't actually know what roleplaying is _about_...
The really scary thing is that I'm sure my ideas about roleplaying have matured dramatically since I was *cough* years old when I first read the book. And I remember at _that_ point thinking that it was utter pants. Quite what I'd make of it now, I have no idea (and am possibly too scared to find out).
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Date: 2005-04-28 03:00 pm (UTC)"Hi, I'm... " *rolls dice* "...pleased to meet you!"
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Date: 2005-04-28 03:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-28 04:11 pm (UTC)Dexters character is called 'Gygax'
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Date: 2005-04-28 03:12 pm (UTC)they advise buying one to give to the player who annoys you most!
actually it looks like a rules cyclopedia with all the useful stuff like fortress building etc taken out
could be funny though
Amelia (who hijacked her cats' diary to write this; be afraid, be very afraid)
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Date: 2005-04-28 03:35 pm (UTC)