TOPIC: Thoughts on Difficulty

I would say, if any of them are new TD players, regardless of gender or other gaming experience, do at least one Normal run first, to get them acclimated to sliding, the time limit, and the rest of the general flow and experience.

Otherwise, your equipment sound sufficient for Hardcore, but probably not for Nightmare.

Xavon wrote: I would say, if any of them are new TD players, regardless of gender or other gaming experience, do at least one Normal run first, to get them acclimated to sliding, the time limit, and the rest of the general flow and experience.

Otherwise, your equipment sound sufficient for Hardcore, but probably not for Nightmare.

I agree with this. As a former member of the wives' club, I was VERY nervous about running Nightmare at my first Gen Con, even though I had done the normal run first. Let them get through a game or two without too much concern for dying first, then ramp up if they're ready.

Going to have a one or two new people on a few runs I am going on but 8 to 9 people want to do Hard Core on those runs. Considering we will be helping a little with tokens and the new people will be red/purple I think we will be okay.

Xavon and Jen are absolutely correct - True Dungeon is a THING. You have to go in on Normal and do it for the first time to see what the hell it's about. Everything from the puzzles to the combat to the best way to stand in the rooms is about getting to know the game. And that takes doing it once. First timers are so nervous that it's cruel to make them do anything other than Normal. I even have third-timers that I won't run on Hardcore because they flail around when pressure starts.

True Dungeon is SO COOL. I still remember what it felt like to do my first run - and it was a run with all strangers. It's not a question of whether you win (it's better to win) it's whether everyone felt like they took part, made a difference and shared an experience.

Clarification: Hardcore wasn't available to me at that time.

I think I would not have been quite so worried at that level, since I was also going with experienced token-ed folks.

I'll echo what others have said: You sound like you could handle Hardcore, but if you are at all worried about the stress level, go on Normal. Let the new players enjoy themselves, and if they say "Bah, that was a piece of cake!" then run Hardcore with them next time

henwy wrote: Bah. Women and TD don't mix.
(snip) Now, I'm sure some of you are at the edge of your seats ready to complain. But, but, there are already plenty of women who play TD like Raven, or Jenny, or Kim. Well, sure, but there's an easy solution to potential abnormalities like that. You just have to not consider them women like I don't, and everything works out.

It means a lot to me, to know that you don't consider me a woman Henwy
TBH, I don't think of most female TD players as "women" either. I think of them as "Human Beings," just like most other people I meet.

Every now and then, I meet someone and think "That person sure conforms to gender stereotypes" ... but don't worry: I have never thought of you as a stereotype

Raven wrote:
It means a lot to me, to know that you don't consider me a woman Henwy
TBH, I don't think of most female TD players as "women" either.

Be honest, you just imagine invisible penii too, don't you.

henwy wrote:

Raven wrote:
It means a lot to me, to know that you don't consider me a woman Henwy
TBH, I don't think of most female TD players as "women" either.

Be honest, you just imagine invisible penii too, don't you.

Well, it beats imagining the visible ones.
I've been an RN for over half my life. I have for more experience in that department than I'd care to think about. And definitely more than anyone wants me to post about.

So I'll just let the thread return to it's original topic now ; )

You know... You could always ask the new players how the feel about the run: Do they want to play it on hardcore? Or would they enjoy themselves more in a less challenging setting? Everyone's an individual... some non-Gamer Wives are more bloodthirsty and competitive than their Gamer Husbands... others would prefer the challenge offered by a chainmail tea-cozy.
(And by that, I don't mean a dainty activity. I mean the sort of slow and exacting practice which builds up the muscles in your hands until they can bend steel without any tools... and probably snap necks without tools either.)

henwy wrote: ... A lot of stuff that was so outrageous it had to be a joke...

Part of me just wants to ignore that whole bit and let it go away.

But it seems to me that several lines were crossed and I just have to say, not funny, and not cool.

And if they weren't meant as jokes, that's even worse.

I never joke about gender issues. If we don't maintain standards it just gives them ideas and the next thing you know they'll be wanting to vote and we're all !#%^ed.

henwy wrote: I never joke about gender issues. If we don't maintain standards it just gives them ideas and the next thing you know they'll be wanting to vote and we're all !#%^ed.

Ha! Now I know you're joking. Nobody votes anyway, so who cares about having the right to do so or not?

Xavon wrote:

henwy wrote: I never joke about gender issues. If we don't maintain standards it just gives them ideas and the next thing you know they'll be wanting to vote and we're all !#%^ed.

Ha! Now I know you're joking. Nobody votes anyway, so who cares about having the right to do so or not?

The illusion of freedom goes a long way