TOPIC: How Did You Fare Getting Grind Tickets?

jedibcg wrote: Hmmm I am thinking I want the other DM....lol.

Yes, please, split off into my room. I'll be happy to be your guide to oblivion.

I was 380 in line and didn't get the run I was trying to snag for my friends. But, I did only go after one run and tried for the full block with the "only select if all are available" option enabled. So, I'm not really surprised I didn't get it.

Since we're on the subject of Grind, I would like to emphasize the importance of arriving at least 15 minutes early to fill out the party card.

This year we have an assistant DM who will spend 25% of their time as a player coach to fill out the card (and 75% of the time DM'ing). In prior years, we would *sometimes* have a player coach available to fill out the card if you showed up early, but *sometimes* there would be no player coach available so you'd just sit around. This year we *do* have someone who will be there to get working on the party card at around the :45 mark.

In a few cases you might want to arrive even earlier if you know it will take awhile to fill out the party statistics. (e.g. maybe you bought a single ticket and don't know who else will be there, so time will be needed to figure out the classes and what equipment you will be using. Alternatively, maybe you bought the whole run but have tons and tons of tokens, which will require more time to fill out the party card).

Things will be a bit faster if you have your classes and tokens figured out ahead of time and a party card already printed out beforehand. But even then, the Assistant DM will need some time to doublecheck the party card.

If you don't arrive 15 minutes early, we'll still need to fill out the party card and that will cut into the full hour you would otherwise spend combating monsters.

Thank you for your assistance!

Incognito, is there a TG Player's Guide? If not, there should be! Could you link to the thread where you explained what tokens are not used, or how tokens and effects are changed? For example, How do "once per room" effects work?

I'm 0 for 2 on Grind runs. One year I had the opportunity to go but was too tired and gave my spot to player who had lost his whole group due to an unexpected illness. Last year I had tickets but didn't make it in because I was too overwhelmed trying to get tokens ready for everyone in my run (hence the sealed token run). This year I didn't try to get tickets but it looks like I'll be going on a grind with a few people I know. 3rd times the charm?

Rafiq

Rafiq wrote: I'm 0 for 2 on Grind runs. One year I had the opportunity to go but was too tired and gave my spot to player who had lost his whole group due to an unexpected illness. Last year I had tickets but didn't make it in because I was too overwhelmed trying to get tokens ready for everyone in my run (hence the sealed token run). This year I didn't try to get tickets but it looks like I'll be going on a grind with a few people I know. 3rd times the charm?

Rafiq

3rd time is the charm...if you survive TG..if not, then it wont be

lazlo_hollyfeld1985 wrote:

Rafiq wrote: I'm 0 for 2 on Grind runs. One year I had the opportunity to go but was too tired and gave my spot to player who had lost his whole group due to an unexpected illness. Last year I had tickets but didn't make it in because I was too overwhelmed trying to get tokens ready for everyone in my run (hence the sealed token run). This year I didn't try to get tickets but it looks like I'll be going on a grind with a few people I know. 3rd times the charm?

Rafiq

3rd time is the charm...if you survive TG..if not, then it wont be

I hunger for Rafiq's blood!

I plan on going on a TG run with Henwy. You'll have to choose which one you want more Eric.

Rafiq

Rafiq wrote: I plan on going on a TG run with Henwy. You'll have to choose which one you want more Eric.

Rafiq

nice shield..but he will get you both eventually

bpsymington wrote: Incognito, is there a TG Player's Guide? If not, there should be! Could you link to the thread where you explained what tokens are not used, or how tokens and effects are changed? For example, How do "once per room" effects work?

There is not a formal Grind Player's Guide...yet.

Normally I do post lots of details on the forum and/or readily answer any questions you might have.

Last year I had an FAQ thread (though half of the stuff applied specifically to last year's Undead themed adventure):

truedungeon.com/forum?func=view&catid=525&id=151273#151274

The main things:

#1. Extra token effects do not work:

A. Horn of Plenty
B. Ring of Riches
C. Charm of Good Fortune
D. Widseth's +2 Dancing Sword (non-treasure effects work)
E. Kubu's Coin of Coincidence (non-treasure effects work)
F. Lazlo's Bag of Looting (non-treasure effects work)


#2. We don't bother with skill checks. All memorization checks automatically succeed.


#3. A room/combat lasts until all of the monsters that were there at the start of the room/combat are gone. Once all of those monsters are replaced, a new room/combat is started. (However, if there are multiple monsters, it's not a good idea to completely ignore one monster to purposely extend the length of a room).


Amulet of Wonder, Eldritch Runestone, and Special??? effects are still TBD.



Normal should be relatively easy to win for experienced players (just like Normal dungeons). Players are assumed to have top-of-the-line Commons and Uncommons - but don't even necessarily need to have Reds. It might be a fun challenge for experienced players who restrict their own token choice (such as with sealed packs - though a dagger run might be borderline suicidal).

Hardcore is designed for veterans. It should be a challenge for a redded out party (no purples are necessary) but is still a reasonable choice for a purpled out group who wants a more leisurely pace.

Nightmare is asking for trouble! The expectation (though definitely not a formal requirement) is that your complete party is loaded to bear with the best purples. It is extra lethal and super difficult but that is part of the allure, since the glory of completing it is head and shoulders above that of any other difficulty levels.


HINT: I design the monster stats so that there is a reasonable chance of hitting and being hit by the "average" class of that difficulty level (assuming they have access to the best equipment of that color). If you have a very high stat on Normal (to hit, AC) then there is relatively low marginal utility to increasing that value a lot higher because you will likely succeed anyway. If you have a very low stat on Nightmare, you're probably going to fail on that check anyway so it may not be as worthwhile to try and compensate for that stat.

Going for a "heavy damage output" build is a valid strategy but don't neglect your defense entirely unless you have plenty of healing to spare.

If you want to maximize success, you really want to take the time to carefully think about and plan your strategy and your token build. Especially on Hardcore and Nightmare, choosing the right tokens to bring/equip/use can make a major difference.

Overall, you should go in expecting to have fun, rather than expecting to "win." It's supposed to be a challenge that will test your mettle and survival skills!

And being creative can also pay dividends (such was the case several times last year).

Very awesomely helpful - thanks!

TDA1347601 True Grind: "Survive the Night!" Thursday
12:00 PM 1 hr $28 9

Available right now in the GC ticket system