Ok, /tg/, so I've had an itch for a RPG for a while and just got myself into a 2nd ed Dark Sun campaign. DM asked for a fighter or a Ranger. I was thinking rolling the Ranger, though I don't remember enough about Rangers in 2nd to be sure of that.
I've played some 2nd, but never really done Dark Sun. Any general suggestions or things worth knowing?
>>46180338
Take a minor psychic power, most people have at least some psi potential in Dark Sun irrespective of class.
Never trust a cactus.
If you're a wizard just stay in the closet.
And try to remember that the Tyr region makes the Kalahari look verdant, so don't be that party that wanders out into the wastes with supplies and survival skills more suited for a weekend upstate camping trip.
>>46180471
Interesting. It has weird stuff with weapons too, right?
I remember the whole "Arcane magic destroys the world" bit kind of, but is there any other class or setting stuff that's weird?
>>46180795
>weapons
Mostly wood, bone and stone, metal is hella valuable.
Arcane spellcasters have to be licensed by a sorcerer king, or else can face persecution, most of these are "defilers" , but "Preservers" who tap arcane power responsibly also exist, though they are secretive, and just as persecuted as defiler.
If you're gonna be relying on weapons, bring spares or invest in unarmed combat, your equipment, being primitive can break on fumbles.
Also, don't try and directly oppose any of the sorcerer kings, not straight away, because they are astronomically OP, ideally you want the patronage of one before you take the right to another.
Yes, they are more or less all evil, yes this is normal for this setting.
Also, don't get triggered by depictions of slavery, it's a core part of the setting and it's themes.
>>46182104
Alright. So I'm looking at a half giant Ranger.
Now, I've got some 2e experience, but not a ton. How is the Beastmaster kit, or any of the others, for that matter?
>>46182430
My Dark Sun experience is mostly 4e and lore and trivia binges, so I'm not so up on the nitty gritty of 2e mechanics.
Half Giants are fun in 2e because they're actually large unlike 4th where they're reskinned Goliaths.
You're gonna have a lot of weird options for companions, but some common animals like horses are nowhere to be found, Dark Sun's unique fauna are largely arthropods and reptiles, with the odd mutant amphibian, or mammal for diversity.
One of Dark Sun's strengths is it's large and unique bestiary.
Bump because Dark Sun is more legitimately /tg/ than Quest thread #9999356
Anybody else have trouble deciding how to best depict silt pools?
I have a big old Pathfinder rollmat that's got a nice neutral desert sand tone, should I cut out and lightly stain some paper to place for silt?
Mesas are easy, all you need is foamboard and modelling sand.
Hail Borys.
>>46182430
Be a man and roll a fucking Gladiator. Why? ALL weapon proficiencies. All of them. But wait, it does more. Multiple weapon specialisation. But wait, it does more. Specialise in four fucking weapons at level ONE. Roll a fucking Gladiator, fight everything with anything.
>>46186221
I actually ended up going Half Giant Fighter specializaed in Javelins.
I don't know if it's good, but it seems fucking hilarious.
>>46186835
I do remember something about Gladiator basically being like a fighter, but better.
In 4e it's a fighter subclass that loses heavy armour in exchange for being able to use any old thing as like a 1d8 damage dice weapon with like a +2 proficiency bonus, anything from a wooden mug to a severed human leg.
>>46187079
Gladiator is a fighter, but better, in every way except for the fact that the fighter automatically gets an army at higher level. The gladiator does not.
>>46182104
>Also, don't try and directly oppose any of the sorcerer kings, not straight away, because they are astronomically OP,
THIS
Sorcerer Kings are in the process of becoming dragons this process requires you to be Lvl20 in both Wizard and Psion and then go through like ten more levels of special dragon transformation time
>>46189019
Dark Sun also gave rise to one of the most difficult adventure modules of all time The Valley of Dust and Fire
>>46189197
I literally could not figure out the point of the module. Was it to kill Borys, or just to find the wonderful city that he lived in, or was it just an endurance test? I feel like that entire adventure was wasted on me.
So, Wild Talents.
Between the Dark Sun and Psi book, I've gotten this:
I don't roll to check, but I make the d100 roll for a power(Mind Over Body). I then gain the PSP I need to cast it once(na) and enough PSP to maintain it four times(40). And then, since I'm a 7th level character, I would gain extra PSP per level(4 levels, or 40 more PSP).
Am I doing that right?
>>46189019
The thing about Dark Sun is that godhood is impossible. When you're looking at a dragon or avangion, you're basically looking at someone who went to the same trouble Vecna or Pelor did in order to become gods.
