1) How do you all feel about fate? When I initially read about it, before I actualy converted my game from the BI version, I was a little bit worried that it would completely upset the balance of the game, and make it a little too easy. Now, I've found myself enjoying it, and the extra element of chance that it adds. I've also seen that it makes me a little less likely to pursue a greater target, (i.e. I am playing a low STR, evil character where I COULD land on the face up dragon, but only have 1 life, and 1 fate - it makes me rethink some of my moves, and has turned me into a more cautious player.)

2) My game night is USUALLY on Thursdays. Everyone comes to my place between 6:30 and 7, we shoot the breeze and bust each other's chops as we eat whatever we have brought for dinner, and then it's "game on" till sometime around midnight. I try to keep snacks to a minimum, as it seems to kinda detract from the game, but for the most part, me and the 3 or 4 other regulars have a blast, and occasionally ask someone who is up to grab a soda from the fridge (and put it on the floor! Dear GOD, no drinks on the table!) What's YOUR games nigt like?

3) Talisman seems to hit the table more than anything else. I apologize here and now if I am breaking the TOS of FFG's forum by mentioning this, but I don't think it's a huge deal, as we are all here because we are all huge gamers. I am lucky enough to have like-minded friends and family, so between all of us, our collection of board games is quite large. I have found myself enjoying Pandemic, and Shadows Over Camelot, and a buddy of mine just bought, and has yet to punch, Titan. Other favorites are Descent, and Risk: LOTR, or Chess 4. Besides Talisman, what hits YOUR table?

Happy Friday, everyone, and Good Gaming!

galladril said:

#1: It still sucks, even without using board erratas on my BI version board. But I keep it in, since I don't want to remove cards relating to it from the decks. Though did just manage the 2nd Toading in 18!!! games, when the rate used to be 1/game. Also, TOTALLY nerfs Dice with Death.

#3: Technically, nothing hits the table as we play on the floor . Of late, Doom and Talisman neck and neck, Doom takes 1.5-2h, while Talisman 45min to 1.5h, so Talisman is definately the quicker choice. Arkham Horror is on a hiatus (has been since mid-December), but is still more numerous in total plays than Doom + Talisman (talking about Upgrade + Reaper games) put together. Age of Conan should be hitting the floor soon (crosses fingers).

1. I'm still impartial to fate. I don't mind it, but I could live with or without it. Though I also miss the toads like Dam said.

2. My friends and I usually get together every Saturday around noon, and play all kinds of different games or watch movies and stuff till 2 or 3 in the morning most times.

3. Right now the only game that has touched our table in over 2 months is the Battlestar Galactica board game over and over. There's other games that are great, but right now the BSG game is just soo much fun to us. I'm assuming eventually we'll get back to normal, in which case we usually also play Talisman, Descent, Runebound, Dominion, Mystery in the Abbey, as well as random out of print card games like Star Wars CCG, etc.

I like the fate counters from the beginning when i have paid my revised game, and did a practice run to see how it goes.

Characters with a low strength or craft has the chance now to live longer, by spending fate points in battles roll again etc( especially for evil characters like the wizard..

It gives you also a chance to roll again for your move or for other things, so you can put it to your own hand a little.

I like it a lot ! It leads to new possibilities. It's good that fantasy flight has add the fate tokens to the game. I have no regrets !

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About the other story...

It's always a little scary if people have they glass on the table. I don't want to think about if someone hits the glass...

But it's weird if people must put it on the ground....

One clumsy person and it's game over...... ( and the fun has ended....

This happens with me when someone has put the glass on the ground and has hit it with his shoes. The soft drink hits one of my expensive books from Ian Livingstone. But enough of that. This sort of things can happen, and there is nothing to do about it.

galladril said:

Overall, Fate is obviously an attempt to patch characters, rather than just rework their other statistics now embedded in tradition. Certain characters were always flawed (not such a bad thing) but a few were very flawed.

Overall, I like Fate, but it was implemented a little odd. And it doesn't really offer as much control as FFG claims (not even close). Certain aspects are illogical, even for a fantasy game. The way Fate is applied is as a "do-over" with no real advantage other than escaping something bad. That's not Fate, that's Luck.

Fate is semi-connected to the Powers of the Alignments, if one looks at cards and spaces. But not really enough, nor are there rules governing Fate loss of gain when something affects (changes) a character's alignment. Fate (as in destiny) in by myth, legend, and folkore (tons used for Talisman inspiration) liked to ethereal forces. Without making that link better, Fate might have been called Renown or something not linked to ideas of destiny laid down by the gods.

Additionally, Fate is individual, and yet characters are allowed to use it to re-roll certain dice rolls representing the unknown decisions and actions of others... personae in the game found on spaces and cards. That's not Fate either... that's a do-over on the level of a demi-god... as a character.

A number of options (house rules if you prefer) have come up for additional uses of Fate. But some parttime designs and game analyzers have been testing out alternatives to the core Fate usage rules. Some of these get complicated and ended up requiring other changes to the game that make things more difficult. But two of the cleanest ones for making Fate really Fate are as follows:

1. PERSONALIZED FATE: Fate may only be used on rolls that are clearly (A) connected to a Character action, prayer, or invocation, but (B) not connected to a personae in the game or © the direct action of any Power of the Alignments or their emissaries where a die roll is involved.
   Example: do-overs for a Fate token can be applied to Physical and Psychic Combat (the character's own rolls, not an opponents), Armour or other Defense rolls, any roll required by a spell (or magic object) the character casts (or uses).
   Example: Characters may not use a Fate for a do-over on rolls for the Mystic, Enchantress, Witch, etc. These rolls represent the decisions and actions of personae outside the character's control, and they have their own personal fate unaffected by t.
2. DESTINY FATE: Fate points may be used to truly lean on one's destiny (rather than as a do-over) by spending 1 point to roll one extra die than what it designated and choose the desired die.
   Example: A starting character draws a Dragon; the odds are not good and it is already on its last life. But it has some Fate given by the higher power of its own Alignment. It spends one point to roll an extra die in Physical Combat, rolling two instead of one. It rolls a 2 and 4 separately, and chooses the 4 as the better result to add to Strength, then waits to see how well the Dragon rolls.
   Example: the same character having survived the Dragon, heads into the temple, and desperately needs help from the Power of its own Alignment. It prays, but also sacrifices a Fate point (making a potentate plea). It rolls an extra die, rolling three instead of two, and chooses the best two. It rolls a 1, 2, and 4, and obviously chooses the 2 and the 4 for a total of 6
3. OPTIONALLY, use both rules 1 and 2, since they are fully compatible. BUT ONLY 1 FATE POINT CAN BE SPENT BY EACH CHARACTER DURING ITS OWN TURN.