The series will focus on building some of the things I use in my games, as well as discussing appropriate products, Aim for the Head game play, and so on, and even discussion of Misfit Studios‘ role-playing game products.

Misfits on Wargaming, Episode 1

In the first episode (broken down into 4 parts due to Youtube’s duration restrictions) I talk about how to make the water terrain tiles I use. I discuss everything from the supplies I use through the build process and how to plan how many you’ll need to get the end result you want.

Here are the videos

Episode 1, part 1 of 4

Episode 1, part 2 of 4

Episode 1, part 3 of 4

Episode 1, part 4 of 4

This is my first web series, so I welcome feedback, good or bad, as well as general comments and suggestions.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Misfit Studios is looking for playtesters to help put our upcoming zombie miniatures wargame through its paces. It is currently still in the writing stage, meaning Misfit Studios needs experienced wargames to spot issues with rules, offer advice on improvements—say what you think works and what you believe does not—and let us know what you think would make things better.

Crawling Zombies

What We Are Looking For in our Playtesters

Are you an experienced wargamer but don’t have an army of zombie miniatures sitting around? No problem. If you can read the rules and give us your opinion that is still helpful, even if you don’t have time to actually play. Sit around with a couple of miniatures on your desk and try out this or that rule out on its own to see what jumps out as you as working and what needs fixing. Also, keep in mind we aren’t going to be checking the miniatures you’re using—use your orcs as the zombies and your elven warriors as the living striving to survive a world gone undead. We won’t tell anyone!

What Playtesters Get In Return

Contributing playtesters who provide feedback and help out will receive a free copy of the PDF upon release, as well as have their names in the credits as playtesters.

It’s All Hush-Hush

Because writing is on-going, and because some promotional stuff is still in the works that may be a while away from being announced, all participants will need to fill in a NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and mail it back. If you don’t think your gaming group can keep its mouth shut and you don’t want to take responsibility for them, give each a copy and have them mail in a copy as well. Misfit Studios plans to follow up the initial release with more supplements, so playtesters will have a chance to get additional free product if they help out with those as well.

Where the Game is Headed

The game will also have ongoing, online support from its own mini-site, upon which playtesters and other players will be encouraged to talk about their games, discuss tactics, etc. Videos of rules explanations and gameplay will also be hosted from the site. Playtesters in the Toronto area will also be alerted to periodic game days at Misfit Studios HQ (also known as my basement office) for pizza and wargaming, some of which will be filmed and hosted on the product’s website for everyone to enjoy.

Survivor Sniper

Not for a Casual Interest

If you don’t think you’ll be able to provide the sort of ongoing, constructive feedback required or can’t devote the necessary time to put a new set of game rules through its paces, we thank you for the interest but Misfit Studios needs people who are able to take an active role in the playtesting process.

How to Contact Us

So, if you think you have the wargaming chops, email trustrum@misfit-studios.com and outline your experience with other miniature wargames and why you think you’d be an ideal addition to our playtesters pool.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Public response to this bestiary started only a minute or so after releasing the product on OneBookShelf when I announced the product in a recently created Facebook page for RPG Industry people. Such an announcement wasn’t unusual, as other people make them there all the time, and there was nothing odd about the announcement … a “here it is, just released” sort of thing. Pretty quickly another member of the group jumped on it as “hate speech,” accused me of for treating a shrinking market (gaming customers) “like crap” and said it was “stupid” because he believed most RPG players were right wing. The result? After dropping his tirade, he basically took his ball and went home by blocking me from being able to see him or his posts on Facebook.

So, who was this icon of the gaming industry, with his finger on the pulse of the market and the product design and publishing experience to take me to school minutes after the product’s release and without having read it?

I don’t know. I’d never seen the guy’s name before. After a bit of a search I found there were some entirely self-published game products he may have put out. The only info I could find in quantity were his font designs. Thanks for the feedback!

Then there’s Yamil, who dropped by the blog long enough to comment on this earlier blog post to assure us that he has plenty of experience with left-wing nuts. Comments on the blog are always welcome, especially when the poster is totally unaware of the absence of irony in their own words, and clearly hasn’t read the product. Thanks for the feedback!

There was also some of the comments over at the Gaming Den, where there was some actual discussion about the topic mixed in with people arguing about what libertarianism is and trying to hit me with what they consider “gotcha” questions. Thanks for the feedback!

The most notable response was the need to remove the Paizo and Pathfinder trademarks and compatibility information because of the santorum monster’s special attack, “frothy foulness.” As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, Paizo was very nice and professional about the whole thing, and I exchanged a few joking emails with their representative about it. Thanks for the feedback!

Then there was the closing of the product release/discussion thread on ENWorld because ENWorld doesn’t allow talking about politics (apparently even if it’s an actual product … I guess they’d better hope no one ever makes a RPG that is largely about politics then, eh?) Thanks for the feedback!

The product has also received a review from someone who has taken the time to read the product. You can find the review here. Thanks for the feedback!

I also received several emails from other game writers and gamers that were either screaming at me as a “liberal propagandist”, to asking if I’d do a Democratic product, to the few who wanted to congratulate me on my sense of humour.

So, here’s why the whole thing amused me, from font-guy’s “hate speech” freak out to Yamil’s comment on this very blog. The people I’ve seen respond this way don’t realize they’ve proven the joke in the product works. They have substantiated my reasons for writing it in the first place.

I wrote this product because, as an outsider (I’m Canadian, remember) I’ve been watching the political landscape in the US for years and scratching my head with bewilderment over the absolute insanity that goes on in American politics without anyone in the system actually being able to step back from it and collectively say “whoa, are we really all this crazy?” From the whole birth certificate fiasco, to Sara Palin, to the Tea Party, to politicians disappearing for days to visit mistresses, to sending out pictures of political penises, to the many human cartoons that were and are in the running for control of the GOP. From the outside looking in, the whole situation is a long chain of absolutely off-the-wall situations that don’t seem to end and don’t seem like the sort of thing sane people would ever tolerate from government representatives … except that they are! It’s like someone took the script from a political comedy movie and decided that’s how real life should be, and the American public goes along with it.

So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that such craziness would inspire an outsider to make fun of the whole thing. Some people have asked in forum threads and via email (including some people whose names I actually recognize) why I haven’t given the Dems the same treatment. Truth to tell, it’s because there aren’t any Dems currently in the public eye who are so incredibly outrageous as these four.

One could argue, there’s Obama. Sure, he has gone back on promises, left many of the people who voted for him disappointed, and has made some huge mistakes … but that’s politics as normal. All the “secret muslim” and birther stuff surrounding him would make for great character stats in line with this sort of product … if they were true and not fictions created by his political opponents. So who is left? Anthony Weiner? Great material if he were still in politics. Nancy Pelosi? Sure, there’s political fodder there but, again, nothing that quite remotely to cartoon-like levels. The Dems are full of idiots and liars, just like the GOP, but there aren’t currently any that jump out as so absolutely crazy and self-satirical as the GOP primary contenders.

The GOP frontrunners are a comedy goldmine currently very visible in the public eye. And that’s the joke. It’s not about the politics, it’s about the craziness these four people represent and how close they are to incredible power in spite of being walking, breathing political parodies.

It’s been a while since I’ve written a humour product, and it’s the first time Misfit Studios has released one. I had forgotten how fun they were to write, and how stepping outside the box once in a while gets the ol’ creativity pumping. The funny part for me is when I and the product are accused of trying to make a political statement (again, I’m Canadian, people!) when, without getting into too much detail, I am not someone who sits comfortably in either extreme, right or left. Some of my political views frequently shock my left leaning friends, as they do my friends on the right, so the accusation is pretty funny to myself and anyone who knows me. The inspiration for this product is purely one of utilizing the comedy that is already there.

So, here’s my closing point on this product:

It is a joke. It’s not about the politics, per se. It’s about letting four people like this progress so far in politics in a context of total seriousness. It’s about using fiction to make a very obvious joke of the material that isn’t, for one reason or another, so obvious to many people in real life. Unfortunately, if you’re offended by this product, regardless of political leaning, and think it’s an attack on a political institution, you’ve become part of the joke this product underscores instead of being one of the people who is in on the joke (Yamil and font-guy, I’m looking your way, fellas.)

That, or I just really suck at satire.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Paizo has emailed Misfit Studios to remove the Pathfinder logo and compatibility text because of “adult content” in the product (I’ve gone out on a limb and guessed it has something to do with one of the santorum’s attacks — if you own the product you’ll know what I’m talking about.)

I’ve no hard feelings with Paizo on the matter, as it’s an understandable call. They were all very polite and professional about it, but because of it the PDF will not be sold on Paizo.com. With the Pathfinder branding removed and OGL 3.5 compatibility logo added it will, however, remain for sale at OBS.

Cheers (and watch out for those santorums!)

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Fear the Evil!

No ambiguity.

No questions about motivation or objectives.

You learn about the evil.

You hunt down the evil.

You deal with the evil.

This is the reason for the creatures presented in The Bestiary of GOP, Grand Ol’ Predators. The monsters herein are evil, pure and simple. They want power over others, to enforce their beliefs onto the masses, or to kill, rob, and steal from others to make themselves rich. They are just plain ol’ evil predators and need to be dealt with for the betterment of civilization.

So, buckle on your armor, strap on your sword, and polish your nerves of steel. The time has come to save the land from the some of the downright, straightforward evil monsters plaguing it.

The GOP, Grand Ol’ Predators, Monsters

There’s the Ron’Pol courtier demon, ready to take your soul and horde it away, or the gingrich newt, a monster so toxic even its own mates become sick in its presence. There’s also the mitt, a race of greedy, self-interested double-dealers who will do whatever it takes to make some coin, and the santorum, the remnants of a religious zealot who has come back to serve its god beyond death (whether its deity wants it to or not.)

Although the inspiration behind the content must be accepted with tongue firmly planted in cheek, the results are no joke. Each creature presented herein represents a serious threat that can be employed in any legitimate game in its own right, without acknowledging the humor underlying their creation.

This product is fully bookmarked and includes both a full color and a print-friendly version.

Buy your PDF copy at OneBookShelf.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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And Superior Synergy: Fantasy received another 5/5 !

It would seem the content is going over really well, including with this latest reviewer who states he didn’t like the original synergy mechanics used in the 3.5 rules. Although it’s always good to see someone is happy with a product, it’s especially satisfying to see a product that makes a believer out of someone.

Check out this latest review here. If you don’t own this book yet after so many good things are being said about it … why not?

Succumb to peer pressure and pick up your copy of Superior: Synergy Fantasy.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Within are the Ron’Pol courtier devils, seemingly reasonable hellions who will promise you whatever your heart desires but are only after your soul, the Mitt, a race of money-obsessed humanoids who will do anything to turn a profit, the gingrich, magical newts with a toxic presence, and the santorum, undead zealots who fight everyone in the name of their god (even though their god does not approve.)

Although obviously a humor product, this four monster collection will be entirely playable. The creatures are written so that if someone didn’t know anything about politics they wouldn’t be any the wiser about the sources drawn from to write the material.

Look for the PDF soon!

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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A massive expansion and revision of the OGL 3.5 product released in 2005, new content has taken the original product from under 20 pages in length to just over 70 pages.

Superior Synergy: Fantasy PFRPG Edition brings the concept of game mechanic synergy back into your favorite fantasy role-playing game system. The idea that some game mechanics (such as skills) are innately compatible with other game mechanics in ways that can influence the game without choosing additional elements (such as feats) to permit their use makes a comeback in a greatly expanded and revised way.

Inside you will find:

●          The basis of synergy relationships, Skill Synergy is back and more balanced than ever. Rather than basing the synergy result’s outcome on an immutable, flat bonus based on skill ranks, one skill may now add benefits (or detriments) to another skill through the uncertainty of its own separate skill roll. Skill Synergy is no longer a sure thing and may even backfire, but the rewards may be worth the risk.

●          Feat Synergy illustrates how some feats naturally complement each other to allow for new effects and abilities via the inherent knowledge, training, or talent they represent. This is done without the need to take yet another feat to allow such a relationship to influence game play.

●          Classes do not exist in a vacuum and characters should not be seen as leaving behind knowledge previously learned when they multiclass. Class Synergy introduces ways abilities gained from different classes may interact and evolve together, combining the various areas of expertise the character has acquired towards new results. This adds an entirely new layer of meaning when considering how your character should multiclass.

●          Magic Synergy provides a few ways magic can work together to create new effects … intended or not.

●          Craft Synergy combines skills, feats, class abilities, and materials to illustrate an understanding that can result in special, non-magical abilities being added to some items.

Despite care being taken to maintain game balance, some players and Gamemasters may still consider the various types of synergy too imbalanced for use in their games. No problem! This product also includes options on including synergy in your game while addressing game balance via limitations and ways to purchase the advantage of synergy game mechanics rather than gaining it automatically.

This product includes a complete, fully bookmarked versions and a more print friendly version with backgrounds and cover removed. A print/copy friendly PDF of the reference sheets is also included.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Here’s the info:

** Death Mage VIP ***

Softcover copy each of Rogue Mage Gamemaster’s Guide and the Player’s Handbook. Receive a free pdf copy of ALL Rogue Mage Roleplaying Game additions within the next YEAR (adventures, pre-gen packs, additional monsters, additional downloadables, etc.). We plan to have some downloadable modules/adventures/additions produced within the next year, starting in July. Backers of this tier will receive those as a very special, “founding backer reward” for having initial “Faith” in this new RPG. $180 founder’s package

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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Glad you enjoyed the game, Robert!

The Rogue Mage kickstarter is ending in just 7 days! There’s still time to force Faith Hunter into writing more Rogue Mage fiction to add in with the pledge bundles if we reach 10K. We need a little over 3K to make that happen. Please consider contributing to the cause. Thanks for the support you’ve already given. Here’s the link

Christina will be running the game at several future cons, so watch the Misfit Blog for more Rogue Mage gaming opportunities.

© 2012, Misfits In Action: The Blog. All rights reserved.

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