New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 34
  1. - Top - End - #1
    Orc in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2020

    Default If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I've been thinking about how much I'd like to have this item. If there was an official databook that featured a full list of character stats, including linear progression of their levels through the story, would you buy it?

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PaladinGuy

    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Scotland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    I've been thinking about how much I'd like to have this item. If there was an official databook that featured a full list of character stats, including linear progression of their levels through the story, would you buy it?
    Is there enough content for such a book? I think it's probably no more than an appendix worth. Stats and stuff don't change that much during the story.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Orc in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2020

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Quartz View Post
    Is there enough content for such a book? I think it's probably no more than an appendix worth. Stats and stuff don't change that much during the story.
    For every character? I'd say it's be well over a hundred pages. Have you checked out the character appearance thread lately? There are an awful lot of characters...

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Orc in the Playground
     
    NinjaGuy

    Join Date
    Aug 2008

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    No.

    It's the characters and their personalities I am interested in; stats for them is uninteresting.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2015

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I mean, i'd buy it, but it's pretty clear the characters don't have rigidly-defined stats.
    Last edited by woweedd; 2020-12-01 at 07:37 AM.

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Orc in the Playground
     
    EvilClericGuy

    Join Date
    May 2013

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Absolutely. That sounds pretty sweet actually.

    It'd be like the daizenshuu of stick comics, but with actual oversight by the giant himself.

    Any statistical "errors" could be explained as rule of cool and also some of the characters were never meant to have hard levels attached to them in the first place. Like I've read that xykons levels were all over the place, being in his mid to late 20's and maybe the 30's.

    So if his attacks weren't hitting like a 30'ish level guy in the one comic, but he did in the other, I'd reckon he rolled low there, and the other guy rolled high and vice versa.

    It'd make for a good thing for him to write and release when the comics done. Maybe he could compile the "data" now while its fresh in his mind, and get it ready just for funzies.
    Vae Victus!

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PaladinGuy

    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Scotland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    For every character? I'd say it's be well over a hundred pages. Have you checked out the character appearance thread lately? There are an awful lot of characters...
    I was thinking of just the main characters. At most everyone with significant strip time. I consider the Geekery thread as an upper bound for characters. Stats for every single goblin, for instance, would not be interesting. Do we need stats for the goblins who betrayed Haley in Book One? Do we really need stats for Trigak? Do we need stats for every high priest at the Godsmoot?

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    hroşila's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Stats would be interesting (if they existed), but not something I would buy.
    ungelic is us

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    DrowGirl

    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    A tempest in a teacup
    Gender
    Male2Female

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    That might be interesting, the fact that this will literally never happen nonwithstanding.
    elephants are made of carbon




    and so are you

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2012

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    For every character? I'd say it's be well over a hundred pages. Have you checked out the character appearance thread lately? There are an awful lot of characters...
    He has stated doesn't even have stats for the main characters, why would he have them for every character? Not every author is Tolkien, most of the time you only plan out what's necessary for the immediate story.

    Quote Originally Posted by The Giant View Post
    I promise you I have never EVER spent one moment trying to write down the Order's stats. Everything is up in the air, all of the time, until I need to give them a specific ability.

    And then I promptly forget that I gave it to them a week later.
    Last edited by NerdyKris; 2020-11-29 at 09:23 AM.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    RedKnightGirl

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    California
    Gender
    Male

    d6 Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    I've been thinking about how much I'd like to have this item. If there was an official databook that featured a full list of character stats, including linear progression of their levels through the story, would you buy it?
    The only reason would be for very quick generation of NPC'S. Then only if alignment system was used.
    9 wisdom true neutral cleric you know you want me in your adventuring party


  12. - Top - End - #12
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I would buy a databook if it had various fun bonus character info bits and behind-the-scenes discussion on the story progression, or stuff like the detailed city info descriptions in the potential sourcebook. I would not buy it if it was just a bunch of stats.
    Quote Originally Posted by The Giant View Post
    Also, as a rule of thumb, if you find yourself defending your inalienable right to make someone else feel like garbage, you're on the wrong side of the argument.
    Currently playing as Atalanta/Artemis in Arcran's Pocket Monsters Online! (OOC|IC)

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Orc in the Playground
     
    EvilClericGuy

    Join Date
    May 2013

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Quartz View Post
    I was thinking of just the main characters. At most everyone with significant strip time. I consider the Geekery thread as an upper bound for characters. Stats for every single goblin, for instance, would not be interesting. Do we need stats for the goblins who betrayed Haley in Book One? Do we really need stats for Trigak? Do we need stats for every high priest at the Godsmoot?
    I suppose not EVERY goblin, no.

    But the high priests? sure. A vague level range would suffice, or if there were some that excelled above the others, cool.

    Trigak was the chimera who was killed off by belker in the 1st dungeon right? I'd love to know any stats on him just for fun really.

    Data books on stuff like dbz were all the rage back in the day, and the data was only later contradicted by the new db super anime and manga. Its mostly data gathered from the manga and anime, with some filler material that was quoted from toriyama, and even his own interviews verbatim contradict his anime and manga on dbs, like how kaioshin are made and what not.

    I would trust the word of the giant on his own stats and what not more than toriyama, but thats assuming he would even bother.

    moving on, I don't believe the giant would make a new series to contradict a data book he wrote for fans, like "order of the super stick" or whatever, but I would love a data book on some loose ends, stats and world building. Stuff like original intent vs what a plot set up became would be interesting.

    And of course I'm willing to put plot above stats even if stats would contradict a particular scenario. I mean, what level would miko have to be to survive being lightly tapped by the MITD and be flung out miles away to survive that, and any fall damage in addition to a horse landing on her? Rule of cool here and gag manga immunity can go a long way and no stats are required for this feat.

    A stat book like this wouldn't be all that useful, but I'd enjoy it for the same reason I liked the dbz guide books, just nerdy nostalgia and power levels really.

    LOL. I probably ruined it for the people who did want it originally with that topic.
    Vae Victus!

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Synesthesy's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Italy, Turin

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Long answer? Yes.
    Quote Originally Posted by Peelee View Post
    New suggestion: the MitD is an Italian Protean. Mamma mia!
    Quote Originally Posted by Ruck View Post
    Eyyy, I'm-a shiftin' da shapes and-a helping my amico Signore Stiffliano escape! Easyducio! Bada bing!

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Morty's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Poland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by NerdyKris View Post
    He has stated doesn't even have stats for the main characters, why would he have them for every character? Not every author is Tolkien, most of the time you only plan out what's necessary for the immediate story.
    Yeah, I feel like the Giant's avowed opposition to tracking this sort of thing would answer any questions about it.
    My FFRP characters. Avatar by Ashen Lilies. Sigatars by Ashen Lilies, Gullara and Purple Eagle.
    Interested in the Nexus FFRP setting? See our Discord server.

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    DwarfClericGuy

    Join Date
    Nov 2020

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Since exact stats and equipment lists are eschewed in order to make space for the rule of funny, I don't think I would buy it. Because I don't know 3.5 rules so well (only dabbled in DnD since 4), but if I was the kind of nerd (not a perjorative, I understand why you would want it if the Giant followed stats exactly when writing like a DM would), to be interested in exact stats then I think the discrepancies/inconsistencies necessary for the story would be disappointing.

    Super looking forward to getting the next set of AMFES though.

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    137beth's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2009

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Hrmm, this idea sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before? Oh, right, some jerk named 137ben posted something similar nine years ago.

    The Giant said in a very old FAQ entry that
    I find that if I were to ever commit exact stats to paper, I would feel limited in what I could have these characters do in the future. For example, I might want to make a strip spoofing a particular feat, only to find that I didn.t give it to any of my characters.
    In 2011, I thought that he might still be willing to provide complete statblocks after the main series ended. I no longer believe this for a variety of reasons, some of which were supplied in the replies to my thread back then.

    Additionally, IIRC The Giant said since then that he expects a significant chunk of his readers have only played newer editions of D&D (I can't find the quote right now: Banana?) If that is true, then a book full of 3.5 statblocks would probably not appeal to those readers.

    With that said, as unlikely as I think it is, if the Giant did decide to release such a book, I would buy it. I'd much rather see more prequel/spin-off comic stories, but I expect I will buy any OOTS books he puts out.

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Orc in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2020

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I'm sure there are backstory things that could be put in with the data (e.g. story of how Tarquin levelled up from character sheet 1 in year X to character sheet 2 in year Y).

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Orc in the Playground
     
    Beholder

    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    A dungeon

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I doubt even the main story will ever finish, I'd rather not ask for additional content beyond the bi-weekly single page (sometimes two pages) comic that currently exists.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Ron Miel's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Try the Class And Level Geekery thread. (Currently on its 17th incarnation) In this thread people make deductions about character stats. Character can do this so they must be at least level 10, but they can't do that so they must be less than level 12. Things like that.

    It's the closest we'll ever come.
    .
    -.____________________
    ./___________________()-------Ron Miel
    |...___________________--------sits down
    |..| |_________________()-------and starts
    |..|/__________________--------singing
    | ___________________()-------about gold

    .

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Morty's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Poland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    I'm sure there are backstory things that could be put in with the data (e.g. story of how Tarquin levelled up from character sheet 1 in year X to character sheet 2 in year Y).
    We don't even know what level Tarquin is when the Order meets him, beyond "high level because he's really strong". Or what abilities he has, beyond the magic items he uses.
    My FFRP characters. Avatar by Ashen Lilies. Sigatars by Ashen Lilies, Gullara and Purple Eagle.
    Interested in the Nexus FFRP setting? See our Discord server.

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Orc in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2020

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    We don't even know what level Tarquin is when the Order meets him, beyond "high level because he's really strong". Or what abilities he has, beyond the magic items he uses.
    Which again, is why we'd want to buy the book.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Morty's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Poland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    Which again, is why we'd want to buy the book.
    But "we" in this context includes the Giant. I'm reasonably certain, based on his comments, that Tarquin's level is "strong enough to fight off the Order sans Vaarsuvius" rather than a number.
    Last edited by Morty; 2020-12-01 at 05:22 AM.
    My FFRP characters. Avatar by Ashen Lilies. Sigatars by Ashen Lilies, Gullara and Purple Eagle.
    Interested in the Nexus FFRP setting? See our Discord server.

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2012

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by EyethatBinds View Post
    I doubt even the main story will ever finish, I'd rather not ask for additional content beyond the bi-weekly single page (sometimes two pages) comic that currently exists.
    I'm not sure if you mean because of the length of time or that you think there isn't an ending, but there is a set plot and ending for this story, and we're in the final book now.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Flumph

    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Beverly, MA, USA
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    It’ll never happen, but I’d definitely buy it.
    Number of Character Appearances VII - To Absent Friends

    Currently playing a level 20 aasimar necromancer named Zebulun Salathiel and a level 9 goliath diviner named Lo-Kag.

    Quote Originally Posted by Fyraltari View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Peelee View Post
    Player: Bob twists the vault door super hard, that should open it.
    DM: Why would you think that?
    Player: Well, Bob thinks it. And since Bob has high Int and Wis, and a lot of points in Dungeoneering, he would probably know a thing or two about how to open vault doors.
    Ah yes, the Dungeon-Kruger effect.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    DruidGirl

    Join Date
    Jan 2007

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    A Campaign Setting book?

    Yes I'd be interested in that.

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Orc in the Playground
     
    EvilClericGuy

    Join Date
    May 2013

    Thumbs up Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    But "we" in this context includes the Giant. I'm reasonably certain, based on his comments, that Tarquin's level is "strong enough to fight off the Order sans Vaarsuvius" rather than a number.
    You make some good points.

    Perhaps not a hard limit on levels, but perhaps a vague estimation on levels would be nice.

    I think back and recall the giant already established some vague level estimations, like "around level 10. Not too strong, but high enough to fight off some threats that a normal pc would find dangerous"

    Then that answers my question to a degree, and with room to spare for debate.

    What is "around level 10"? 12? 13? 15? 8?

    and it depends on what you consider to be the vague estimation of "around".

    Then theres also things I would enjoy, like "what if" scenarios.

    suppose the story ended and we never got some hypothetical showdowns. like "xykon vs mothra" or some other thing like 1on??? matches where teams who never fought or had unclean finishes could have the debate settled.

    The whole of team evil vs say, the likes of tarquins group. or some other variant.

    We don't really need a big descriptor, but even somethign like "despite tarquins cunning, his whole group was mowed down. I guess he didn't have the balls to make it big, like what nale said. Even summoning his army, the goblin army took out the rest of tarquins forces. it was a blood bath."

    you get the general idea, and you have room to consider how much of a blood bath it was in your own imagination, and a general sense of scale even if big armies were called in.

    rematch varieties where if characters who fought early on who stuck around and leveled up were to meet up in a dream match.

    we will probably see xykon vs roy again, but assuming we don't, we could see what if roy fought xykon once more without a flying dragon to inflict fall damage.

    This stuff might not interest you or maybe it does, but I'd love to see and read this kind of stuff.
    Vae Victus!

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I would not buy a book that simply listed off stats of prominent characters from the comic and maybe a few bits of trivia about the characters that never made their way into the story.

    I would however buy a full setting book, with detailed maps, character stats, full writeups of different lands, factions, etc. If nothing else, I'd love to have official versions of Elan's prestige class, and whatever Aristocrat-friendly prestige class that Kubota had.

    I don't expect such a book to ever be made, especially not before the comic ends, but if it ever does happen I'll preorder the heck out of it on day one.
    Quote Originally Posted by 2D8HP View Post
    Work is the scourge of the gaming classes!
    Quote Originally Posted by Kish View Post
    Neither Evershifting List of Perfectly Prepared Spells nor Grounds to Howl at the DM If I Ever Lose is actually a wizard class feature.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    RangerGuy

    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    I would not buy a stats book, or probably even a sourcebook (though, as Velaryon said, the Dashing Swordsman prestige class and other homebrews would be fun to see in fully-designed form).

    You know what I would go for? A concept art book. I absolutely loved reading Rich's justifications for "The Art Upgrade" in the Utterly Dwarfed commentary, along with screenshots of the compositions he didn't like and all the different workshopped versions of Roy's hands (those fully-illustrated hands on his stick figure body were absolutely wacky!).

    I realize there's probably not a ton of material for it, given how the comic has evolved in real time, but I would absolutely buy a "making of" book with sketches, concept art, commentary, etc.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Sky_Schemer's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Portland, OR

    Default Re: If the Giant released a Databook would you buy it?

    Quote Originally Posted by TooSoon View Post
    I've been thinking about how much I'd like to have this item. If there was an official databook that featured a full list of character stats, including linear progression of their levels through the story, would you buy it?
    I would not, mostly because I don't see the value in it. It's the story that matters, not the stats.

    I'd rather see Rich put his time into new content. New stories, new characters to create more comics. Not even backstories of these characters or ones we've seen, but a whole new story.

    As far as products go? I'd rather see him continue the AMFES lineup. That, right there, has been invaluable in every game I've been in, virtual and otherwise. Not only are they awesome, but the art style lends itself well to a VTT where screen resolution and token size makes more "traditional" artwork muddy and illegible. And AMFES can apply to any D&D version and variant, and just about any fantasy game system.
    Last edited by Sky_Schemer; 2020-12-11 at 05:35 PM.
    If you can read this you are too close.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •