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View Full Version : Anime Inspired D&D: "RANDOM. ATTACK. NAME!!!!"



Leliel
2008-08-27, 03:32 PM
Well...Look at the title.

I was thinking-Why not make an anime style campagin? You know, one where the characters do absolutely over the top stunts and call out their attacks?

So, should I decide to make one, what are some ideas for it?

tumble check
2008-08-27, 03:34 PM
...

is this not an epic troll post?

If not, how about TIDE OF IRON!?!?!?!?


C'mon, it was too easy. :smallamused:


EDIT: The joke is that any 4e Powers work for this. I should have put them in my original post.

Tengu_temp
2008-08-27, 03:34 PM
The first and foremost advice: play Big Eyes, Small Mouth (Tri-Stat, not D20 - BESM D20 makes baby Jesus cry), Mutants & Masterminds 2e, or Exalted. They're much better for an over-the-top anime game than DND.

Flickerdart
2008-08-27, 03:36 PM
Well...Look at the title.

I was thinking-Why not make an anime style campagin? You know, one where the characters do absolutely over the top stunts and call out their attacks?

So, should I decide to make one, what are some ideas for it?
There's a feat, called Nonverbal Spell, I think, that allows a character to cast a spell with any sound in place of the verbal component, such as perhaps shouting out the name of the spell. I can see how this would work thematically.

SydneyLosstarot
2008-08-27, 03:54 PM
There's a feat, called Nonverbal Spell, I think, that allows a character to cast a spell with any sound in place of the verbal component, such as perhaps shouting out the name of the spell. I can see how this would work thematically.

awww, come on.
who says that the intricate arcane wordings of the spell don't constitute to shouting "FIREBALL!!!" in the face of an opponent? =)

Ascension
2008-08-27, 03:57 PM
Surprisingly, in before "ToB is anime crap!"

You're not the first to think of this. We even had a D&D Sentai thread kicking around a while back (it was an awesome concept, too).

Tengu's right, though, other systems are better at this.

In addition to the games he listed, you could do anime-themed Scion or True20, and there's any number of small press RPGs intended to model anime.

EDIT: For extra bonus points, have your blaster mage "befriend" people with the maximized fireball method of diplomacy.

Darrin
2008-08-27, 04:04 PM
I was thinking-Why not make an anime style campagin? You know, one where the characters do absolutely over the top stunts and call out their attacks?


Dragon #289 has a "Random Name Generator for Martial Arts Moves": Playful Phoenix Fist vs. Four Scholars Boxing. Although Walking Duck Lich Slap does have a nice ring to it...

AKA_Bait
2008-08-27, 04:08 PM
I think there's a random generator out there for these... here's one. (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=animepower)

Vazzaroth
2008-08-27, 04:10 PM
As someone who mostly hangs around in the PbP section of this site, Im suprised to call this one out, but isn't this pretty much the EXACT thread that was up here like a month ago? Furthermore, there IS a DnD game like this going right now. Or at least one was recruiting awhile ago.

Frosty
2008-08-27, 04:12 PM
...

is this not an epic troll post?

If not, how about TIDE OF IRON!?!?!?!?


C'mon, it was too easy. :smallamused:


EDIT: The joke is that any 4e Powers work for this. I should have put them in my original post.

Isn't Tide of Iron a 4e power or a ToB maneuver?

Vazzaroth
2008-08-27, 04:17 PM
Oh, speaking of ToB: Shadow Hand. I like to call it: SCHOOL OF NARUTO NINJUSTU!

Five-Shadow Creeping Ice Enervation Strike No Jutsu!

:smallcool:

SurlySeraph
2008-08-27, 04:22 PM
If you're going to do this in straight D&D, lean heavily on Tome of Battle. However, as mentioned above, there are other systems that'll do it better. There's a homebrewed Shonen System (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80835) on these boards that looks decent, though I haven't read all of it yet.


I think there's a random generator out there for these... here's one. (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=animepower)

That generator comes up with some hilarious stuff if you put in the right parameters. Handsome Execution Gory Charming Strike!

Prometheus
2008-08-27, 04:28 PM
awww, come on.
who says that the intricate arcane wordings of the spell don't constitute to shouting "FIREBALL!!!" in the face of an opponent? =)
There are some people who definitely agree. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ekugPKqFw)

AslanCross
2008-08-27, 04:28 PM
Oh, speaking of ToB: Shadow Hand. I like to call it: SCHOOL OF NARUTO NINJUSTU!

Five-Shadow Creeping Ice Enervation Strike No Jutsu!

:smallcool:

Well, Shadow Hand is stealthy.

Anyone in Naruto is anything but stealthy.

Ascension
2008-08-27, 04:34 PM
Well, Shadow Hand is stealthy.

Anyone in Naruto is anything but stealthy.

Although one theoretically could use Shadow Hand while wearing orange.

It really ought to give you a circumstance penalty on hide checks, though.

And that name generator is fun!

"Century Sensual Heroic Healer" only comes in handy during BoEF campaigns, but you can't beat the "Ranged Electronic Eclipse Sprout."

Bards would be a lot more badass with "Polluting Battle Deadly Pulsing Anthem Melody"!

And a druid could use "Flora Edged Stabber Incinerator," "Seed Conjuring Hyperion Twist Blazer," or "Unholy Cosmo Vine."

Tengu_temp
2008-08-27, 04:36 PM
EDIT: For extra bonus points, have your blaster mage "befriend" people with the maximized fireball method of diplomacy.

Aw c'mon, that's clearly a Force damage spell.

Eldan
2008-08-27, 04:45 PM
Heh.
"Miracle Ultrasound Year Spirit". Spirit shaman?
"Thunder Bruising Botanical Spin" Druid?

These are fun.

And just for more fun:
"Following Quick Atmosphere Fighter Pulsing Sight Defender Heaven Sharp Invocation!"

Behold_the_Void
2008-08-27, 04:49 PM
If you're going to do this in straight D&D, lean heavily on Tome of Battle. However, as mentioned above, there are other systems that'll do it better. There's a homebrewed Shonen System (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80835) on these boards that looks decent, though I haven't read all of it yet.

Hey, someone plugged my system before I did.

Since I wasn't impressed with BESM in the slightest, my roommate and I have been working on the Shounen system linked in my signature and above. It's intended to capture exactly the feel you're looking for. We even have a system made to reward people who scream attack names at the table.

SydneyLosstarot
2008-08-27, 05:19 PM
if you are planning an anime-style campaign, why not use Monks, Soulknives and Samurai?
They would fit perfectly fluff-wise %)


There are some people who definitely agree. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ekugPKqFw)

OMG you made my day
gonna curl up and laugh for another hour

SurlySeraph
2008-08-27, 05:36 PM
For extra bonus points, have your blaster mage "befriend" people with the maximized fireball method of diplomacy.

http://www.lurkmore.com/w/images/a/a3/Befriended.jpg

Xyk
2008-08-27, 05:52 PM
Oh, speaking of ToB: Shadow Hand. I like to call it: SCHOOL OF NARUTO NINJUSTU!

Five-Shadow Creeping Ice Enervation Strike No Jutsu!

:smallcool:

Thats pretty much exactly what I thought when I saw that name for the first time.

Edea
2008-08-27, 05:55 PM
Oh, speaking of ToB: Shadow Hand. I like to call it: SCHOOL OF NARUTO NINJUSTU!

Five-Shadow Creeping Ice Enervation Strike No Jutsu!

:smallcool:

Actually, the first thing that came to my mind when I saw it (long time ago, admittedly) was 'Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique.' :smallbiggrin:

Kaje
2008-08-27, 05:58 PM
Not D20, but this is a good system that seems like what you're looking for:

Returners Final Fantasy RPG (http://www.returnergames.com/)

Dervag
2008-08-27, 06:25 PM
My favorite attack name is

"TELEGRAPH PUNCH!"

followed by a painful kick.

Let's here it for subverted tropes!

Knaight
2008-08-27, 06:35 PM
Just use animal names with adjectives, in front of tome of battle manuevers. For instance on character might have a lot of bird names, so sitting duck is a stunning move, and swimming crane a graceful counter attack stance. Flying goose involves diving at somebody, and aiming pigeon... yeah.

Vazzaroth
2008-08-27, 07:12 PM
This also reminds me of when I was setting up a Soulknife/Monk/Soulbow for a new DnD player, and I described it as "Like DBZ" and he immediately lost all interest in the character... :smalleek:

tyckspoon
2008-08-27, 07:18 PM
This also reminds me of when I was setting up a Soulknife/Monk/Soulbow for a new DnD player, and I described it as "Like DBZ" and he immediately lost all interest in the character... :smalleek:

Just as well. He could have been interested and then found out that Soulknife/Monk is actually nothing like DBZ at all. :smalltongue:

Vazzaroth
2008-08-27, 07:22 PM
Just as well. He could have been interested and then found out that Soulknife/Monk is actually nothing like DBZ at all. :smalltongue:

I just meant that with Soulbow, he would shoot energy, then be able to punch people.

Speaking of that, it would be cool to have a Soulbow-like base class who could spend a bunch of points or something to do stronger blasts. Kinda like Psionics... with Evocation. :smallamused:

tyckspoon
2008-08-27, 07:29 PM
Speaking of that, it would be cool to have a Soulbow-like base class who could spend a bunch of points or something to do stronger blasts. Kinda like Psionics... with Evocation. :smallamused:

Might I introduce you to the Kineticist? Psionic powers can even have power-aura displays! Add a required verbal or material component and you're there. :smallwink: Although it's not very martially inclined otherwise..might have to take it into Slayer for that.

The Demented One
2008-08-27, 07:59 PM
Exalted is definitely better for this manner of thing than any edition of D&D. While D&D tends to try to maintain some semblance of verisimilitude, Exalted is all about the ridiculous, over-the-top epic stuff.

Also, hard to find names that beat stuff like Commanding the Ideal Celestial Army, Husband-Seducing Demon Dance, or Cash and Murder Games.

Ascension
2008-08-27, 08:10 PM
Husband-Seducing Demon Dance

:smalleek:

"Husband-Seducing Demon Dance: For when all you need is a little infidelity"

At the risk of derailing the thread, how playable is Exalted from the core book? I'm interested in trying it, but it turns me off that apparently the bulk of the melee combat is in the Scroll of the Monk, the bulk of the magic is in a five volume expansion set, and all races but the Solars are in their own seperate books. What can you do if you've only got the core book?

Tengu_temp
2008-08-27, 08:12 PM
Not D20, but this is a good system that seems like what you're looking for:

Returners Final Fantasy RPG (http://www.returnergames.com/)

Disagreed. It's a bad system that leaves you with a very few options - all characters with class X are the same, you gain new class features very slowly, and classes are very imbalanced with each other. The game also lacks mechanics for limit breaks or other similar spirit-fueled super special awesome moves that are crucial for an action anime game. Not recommended.

Kaje
2008-08-27, 08:33 PM
Disagreed. It's a bad system that leaves you with a very few options - all characters with class X are the same, you gain new class features very slowly, and classes are very imbalanced with each other. The game also lacks mechanics for limit breaks or other similar spirit-fueled super special awesome moves that are crucial for an action anime game. Not recommended.
Meh. I don't care about variety in abilities within a class. To me, that's what traits and skills are for, and in FFRPG everyone gets enough skill points to make things interesting.

There are indeed optional rules for limit breaks. Scenario points can allow you to do awesome things, and there is work being done on a viable multiclassing system, for those who want something like that.

Yes, it does take several levels to gain new abilities, but you should probably be leveling up more often than in D&D, and in between new abilities you are still constantly improving.

How are the classes unbalanced? I've never seen any problems.

Hawriel
2008-08-27, 09:15 PM
Well...Look at the title.

I was thinking-Why not make an anime style campagin? You know, one where the characters do absolutely over the top stunts and call out their attacks?

So, should I decide to make one, what are some ideas for it?

Its called 4th ed. Or using Tome of Battle.

Copacetic
2008-08-27, 09:22 PM
Yeah, go with Tob.

Also, Bane Blasting Cannon Omni Veil Midnight Hack


Oh noes!

kamikasei
2008-08-28, 05:25 AM
Its called 4th ed. Or using Tome of Battle.

Neither provides mechanisms for stunting or incentives to be as crazily over-the-top as you can manage. Zaniness and bizarre character concepts are not particularly well-catered-to.

I would second the suggestions of BESM, M&M, or Exalted. Slayers might also be a good option - I know you get bonuses on your casting the more elaborate an incantation you use, for example.

Tengu_temp
2008-08-28, 06:20 AM
Meh. I don't care about variety in abilities within a class. To me, that's what traits and skills are for, and in FFRPG everyone gets enough skill points to make things interesting.

There are indeed optional rules for limit breaks. Scenario points can allow you to do awesome things, and there is work being done on a viable multiclassing system, for those who want something like that.

Yes, it does take several levels to gain new abilities, but you should probably be leveling up more often than in D&D, and in between new abilities you are still constantly improving.

How are the classes unbalanced? I've never seen any problems.

If the options a game offers to a player are more limited than what AD&D has to offer, then it is indeed limiting. As for balance, in the level 1 game I took part in the White Mage dealt more damage to a group of enemies with Aero than the Dragoon did with Jump to one. Not to mention that having one, and only one special attack for several levels before getting a new one is boooorin'.

This (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44150) was my project to counter the drawbacks of Returners' FFRPG. The GM-specific rules are still not complete, and it's far from perfect, but offers the players much more options and captures the feeling of Final Fantasy better than Returners.

But, in retrospect, if I wanted to play Final Fantasy as an RPG, I'd go for BESM, or highly modified Exalted.

Ascension
2008-08-28, 06:38 AM
At the risk of derailing the thread, how playable is Exalted from the core book? I'm interested in trying it, but it turns me off that apparently the bulk of the melee combat is in the Scroll of the Monk, the bulk of the magic is in a five volume expansion set, and all races but the Solars are in their own seperate books. What can you do if you've only got the core book?

Could someone please answer my question?

Tengu_temp
2008-08-28, 06:55 AM
Scroll of the Monk is for martial arts - almost all charms for fighting with actual weapons are in the core book already (and the Solar Hero school of martial arts, which is probably the strongest - of course, they already mentioned that the strength of martial arts is not power, but versatility, and a good martial artist learns charms from several schools). There's not a lot of sorcery in the main book, but enough to be a decent sorcerer regardless. If you want to make Exalted antagonists for the players, you need at least the Storyteller's Companion, but to play as a Solar the core book is enough, no matter what do you want to specialize in. Splatbooks just give you more options.

Cainen
2008-08-28, 07:14 AM
Why is that system brought up every time I turn around? It's very rules heavy, even compared to games like GURPS, and it doesn't do what it's supposed to very well. It's bogged down with a LOT of excess that doesn't add anything whatsoever to the game. Every single time you level up, you have well in excess of twenty things to adjust if you're staying within your class's boundaries, and some classes just don't get any choice in where they go. Multiclassing doesn't exist(and rightfully so! It'd destroy the system where it stands!) and skills only get pointed in another direction over time. Advantages/Disadvantages are a joke compared to any equivalent I've ever used, as they almost always come down to the same things across class types. The skill system is outright BROKEN at low levels, and the progression the devs want you to take leaves you with horribly lopsided abilities. Not only that, some classes are truly bizarrely designed in comparison to others - why on EARTH is the Sage worse in EVERY STAT than the Red Mage? It's like the Sorceror and Wizard discrepancy problem, but taken to further extremes and with slightly more balance. Red Mages get a delayed spellcasting progression and less spells for far more brute force. Sages don't get Doublecast, which leaves them with only a few advantages over Red Mages near the endgame.

And that's just core.


To me, that's what traits and skills are for, and in FFRPG everyone gets enough skill points to make things interesting.

Over time, yes.

When it needs to be interesting, you most certainly do not. Early to mid-game you have the choice of being horrible in most skills and risk failing repeatedly or specializing.

Of course, specializing is the sane choice because then you can actually do something without taking a huge risk. You will eventually end up the same because of how the skill system works, but the specialist will have skills to fall back on when they take a new set of skills.

Knaight
2008-08-28, 07:50 AM
Because the combat in it is epic. In retrospect, after forgetting how long stuff takes. That said Fudge Fu does the exact same thing better, or Fudge Martial Arts(which includes rules for Savate and Caepura. It doesn't get better than than), with a little renaming. But Fudge Fu, while mostly lacking in special attacks, really works well for over the top anime action. For instance there are gifts you can take that let you walk on water, use energy blasts, put together the nasty teams where people have just made an art out of ganging up on people(twins, three/four man villain teams), and all sorts of stuff. Plus the combat is still epic, but also moves nice and quickly.

Tengu_temp
2008-08-28, 07:52 AM
I think Cainen was talking about Returners' FF RPG, not Exalted, Knaight.

Knaight
2008-08-28, 08:13 AM
Incidentally I never even mentioned Exhalted, although said post is right after one that does. And they are both pretty epic in retrospect.

Tengu_temp
2008-08-28, 08:33 AM
So you're trying to say that combat in Returners' FF RPG is epic? From my experience it's "spam your strongest attack". Have we played the same game?

Cainen
2008-08-28, 11:01 AM
It's that, buff, or debuff, basically. Map combat makes it even slower.

Debuffs suck in general because of immunities and because of how long they take to resolve. Confuse ate up so much time the first time it was used that I was ready to just stop playing, and yet the devs don't do anything about those kind of problems.

Thoughtbot360
2008-08-28, 12:57 PM
Not D20, but this is a good system that seems like what you're looking for:

Returners Final Fantasy RPG (http://www.returnergames.com/)

The Zodiac system (http://www14.brinkster.com/zodiacrpg/) was made by someone who was frustrated with the lack of direction at the Returner website. Its a very flexible system, where the players can make their own special attacks and gear. Its kind of like a class-less system, but not really for during character creation you are really designing your own class (Or your personalized version of a Dark Knight. You can actually have a Bard that is more like a Blaster Sorcerer that creates a symphony of fireballs with his music, etc.)

However, the Gm has to use the rules to create a lot of his own content. The message boards have lots of pre-made content which helps, but preparing a game is bit daunting.

Of course, the end result is a very personalized world. Its not even limited to being used for Final Fantasy (But really, until X-2 and all the FF7 spinoffs, no two FF games displayed the same world) but could potentially be used for almost any setting. The problem is the reliance on everyone having weapons and armor so that, for instance, a martial arts campaign might be a little limited (but D&D has that same problem).

So yeah, I'd recommend giving Zodiac a try.

Nerd-o-rama
2008-08-28, 03:45 PM
As has been mentioned, there are better systems for anime than D&D; however, I'm having great fun playing in a very silly anime-inspired D&D campaign (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39518) right now, and I play a Duskblade who uses RANDOM ATTACK NAME!!! as the verbal component of her spells (this is also popular with the other players, but I have an excuse). In fact, give me about a turn and I'll show you a G Gundam homage...

And then there's the knockoff game I'm running (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77721), but SHOUTING doesn't seem as popular there. Must be a Real Robot show...


Oh, also, for ridiculous attack calls in a fantasy setting, watch Slayers. Or play Slayers D20: your spells get a damage bonus the longer you draw out the incantation...exactly like on the show.

Knaight
2008-08-28, 04:52 PM
So you're trying to say that combat in Returners' FF RPG is epic? From my experience it's "spam your strongest attack". Have we played the same game?

Also buff and debuff, meaning that with description it can be. That and how much it begs to be described as overtly powerful, hence epic. Its not particularly fun, but in retrospect after the mechanics are long forgotten, its epic. Takes its sweet time though, and its not a great game. Actually, scratch that, its a bad game which looks nice in retrospect after the mechanics have been forgotten. Its not FATAL bad, but its bad.

Tengu_temp
2008-08-28, 05:00 PM
Well yeah, everything can be described in an extremely epic, over-the-top way and be fun because of that.

Knaight
2008-08-28, 05:55 PM
Yes, but Returners lends itself to it, although I still say Fudge Fu lends itself to it more, and the mechanics don't suck.

vicente408
2008-08-28, 06:33 PM
Tender Sensual Blast!

Healing Explosive Melody!

Chopping Pacifist Wand!

Motor Spiral True Machine Crashing Firewall!

This is fun.

Thoughtbot360
2008-08-29, 11:36 AM
Oh, also, for ridiculous attack calls in a fantasy setting, watch Slayers. Or play Slayers D20: your spells get a damage bonus the longer you draw out the incantation...exactly like on the show.

PACIIIIIFFFFIIISSSTT -CRUSH!

Thrud
2008-08-29, 02:04 PM
I think there's a random generator out there for these... here's one. (http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=animepower)

Heh,

Punching Forest Twisting Internet Knife

Bruising Black Princess Hot Pike

Past Berserking Mutant Finger

I think I am going to have to bookmark that page.

:smallbiggrin:

Anyone ever play Psychonauts? Lungfishopolois final battle.

Deadly TRIANGLE BEAM

Overly intricate COMBINATION

Hard to avoid AREA-ATTACK!