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Critical Hits Gift Guide 2009

December 21, 2009 by Dave

It’s the Monday before Xmas, and you’re still looking for a gift for the gamer in your life. Or you’ve got some Xmas money coming that you want to spend. Either way, here are some games (and a book) that we recommend you buy.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Editorial, Roleplaying Games, Science Fiction & Fantasy Genre, Television, Video Games Tagged With: 4e, christmas, civilization: revolution, dominion, dragon age origins, drop7, dungeon master's guide 2, fits, gift guide, gift guide 2009, left 4 dead 2, memories of the future, PHB1, PHB2, wil wheaton, winter holiday

Mouse Guard Diaries: Delivering the Mail, Part 1, Mini-Review/Primer

December 21, 2009 by The Chatty DM

I’ve long said that I was a mono-gamist.  I heavily invest myself in one game system and I spent most of my free time on it.  The fact that many consider this blog to be a D&D 4e blog lends strong support to that assertion.   But lately, maybe because I’m well past my mid-30s, […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: Game Demo, Mouseguard

First Impressions: “Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space” RPG

December 20, 2009 by Dave

Cubicle 7 has created a version clearly aimed at a broader audience than those who would normally play an RPG. First, it’s a boxed set, containing everything you need to get playing. Second, everything is separated by role: there’s a player’s guide and a gamemaster’s guide, and there’s nothing needed that requires you to read the other role’s book. Finally, the text tries to be a helpful to new players as possible.

Filed Under: Featured, Reviews, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: doctor who, other systems

Happy Birthday Love!

December 19, 2009 by The Chatty DM

It’s become a tradition on this blog to wish the woman of my life a happy birthday.  She’ll turn XX+1 tomorrow (Sunday). This year has been a  particularly trying one for us and I’m eternally grateful that we made it through intact.  I owe a lot of it to Alex’s resilience and willingness to believe in us and […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games

Don’t Touch That! A Winter Solstice Tale

December 17, 2009 by The Chatty DM

Last week, Wizards of the Coast posted a contest on their community site (which many of us call Wizbook). The contest is still open for a few days (until December 21st actually) and so far only 2 entries were sent in, mine and my friend Dave: The Game of Critical Hits fame. Entrants can win […]

Filed Under: Adventure Prep, Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: 4e, holiday encounter contest, traps

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Gish

December 17, 2009 by Dave

I have posted my entry into the Winter Holiday Encounter Contest, an adventure for 5 15th level PCs that takes them up the slopes of Mt. Crunchit to face a certain green-skinned thief and his trusted companion with a fake horn.

Filed Under: Critical Bits, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: 4e, holiday, winter, wotc

YouTube Tuesday: Rule the Sky Edition

December 15, 2009 by Dave

Animated trailer for EN Publishing’s War of the Burning Sky adventure path, spanning all levels, available for both 3.5e and 4e D&D. Pretty cool teaser, and besides, how often do you get to see a trailer for D&D adventures?

Filed Under: Roleplaying Games, YouTube Tuesday Tagged With: 3.5e, 4e, enworld, war of the burning sky

Inq. of the Week: Seasons Greetings

December 14, 2009 by Dave

I’ve run a few adventures in wintery climes (they go hand in hand with frost giants, after all) and it does add an extra flavor above and beyond the normal temperate adventures. That’s my way of using gaming to introduce this real world question…

Filed Under: Featured, Inquisition of the Week, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: cold, fall, ice, spring, summer, weather, winter

Creativity and the RPG Mind: Part 2, The Right Answer

December 14, 2009 by The Chatty DM

Way back at the end of September, I wrote an introductory post to a new series where I would explore how creativity is expressed (or stiffed) in the RPG geek’s mind.   Based on the ‘A Whack on the Side of the Head‘ by creativity Guru Roger von Oech, I wish to explore the common barriers […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: advice, Creativity

Gears of Ruin: Creating PC-specific Clockwork Mechanics.

December 11, 2009 by The Chatty DM

My new Gears of Ruin Clockwork D&D 4e campaign starts as soon as the holidays are over (with a pre-campaign session right before). I’ve spoken a bit about what the setting would be.  I’m moving away from my traditional fantasy world and creating a new one based on Clockwork Fantasy tropes (Girl Genius, Iron Kingdoms, […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: 4e, chatty's, Gears of Ruin, Tropes, world building

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About the Author

  • Dave

    Dave "The Game" Chalker is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Critical Hits. Since 2005, he has been bringing readers game news and advice, as well as editing nearly everything published here. He is the designer of the Origins Award-winning Get Bit!, a freelance designer and developer, son of a science fiction author, and a Master of Arts. He lives in MD with e and at least three dogs.

    Email: dave@critical-hits.com

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