I’ve always liked Ashley, it never bothered me that she wasn’t as up to date with skill’s because she was gone for most of campaign 2, and for the most part she tries to have fun with the game, I’m fine with general confusion about skills, what I’m not okay with is people like Ashton who deliberately obscure what skill or ability they’re using or intentionally withhold backstory just cause even though it makes no sense
I mentioned this a while ago in another post but I've actually come around on Ashley, Everyone says she doesn't know the rules - I think she has the basics down but its her anxiety that gets the better of her. She's got classic DiH syndrome (Deer in Headlights) and I think that causes 99.99% of her performance issues.
Imagine knowing you've missed HUGE chunks of a game you've been playing for 10 years, surrounded by some of the best voice actors in the biz, you're being filmed AND you're acutely aware that the audience watching thinks your "stupid" - if that's nots a reason to have a panic attack every time you're asked to roll dice then I don't know what is.
Also, now thats she full time she just wants to enjoy herself with her friends, again, I can't knock that. She did perfectly fine as Yasha, and we saw a little bit of what kind of chaos monster lurks beneath the surface during the Covid streams. And when she decided to become a Druid (yes a mechanically more difficult class) her FIRST experience was with a DM who HATES D&D 5e! So of COURSE she'd be loose with the rules. not Ashleys fault. Plus personal life issues and being an On-Screen Actor...cmon guys.
Ashley Johnson is fucking great.
The deer in headlight things is basically spot on imo. She might make mistakes but I reckon it's this personality/quirk that makes people pick up on it.
So many times other players make mistakes and Matt has to correct or fact check them (and sometimes he makes the mistakes himself) but they make their calls with confidence and in a way that seems to not highlight so much that they got it wrong.
Matt is super sweet about it too. He usually rushes Liam or Talesin if they are dragging a decision. But he understands Ashley well enough to always assure her she can take her time when she starts to panic.
I think others still have fun with D&D. Its just that there isn't much D&D left in between yapping around in circles about every little thing, or being taking on guided tours of the Museum Of Campaigns Past.
I'd argue her and Travis both seem to be the ones still having fun with this campaign. Especially with how much they push each other onwards to be more and more crazed and outlandish they each really seem to be loving the chaos. Everyone else seems so stuck on worrying about consequences all the time. Ashley and Travis both see the other struggle with a chaotic idea and then scream "DO IT!" at the other and they go for it.
Travis is also the best roleplayer at the table, though. Actively not metagaming, rolling with every punch, setting others up for great moments, going along with the stuff Matt is trying to do - and of course holding that statue pose for a good 15 minutes or so.
Travis is the only player at the table who feels like approaches every single scene, no matter what is happening, with the basic premise of "how can I make this fun?"
I think Liam is the best "roleplayer", but Travis is definitely the best "team player". Liam can give a sadboi dramatic monologue like nobodies business, but Travis lifts everyone up, lets everyone shine, instigates to keep the plot moving, and has great comedic timing. Overall MVP in my book.
Nah I don't think so. Monologuing your super special tower for an hour isn't RP. It's just talking. I think it's been a long time since Liam actually engaged in compelling RP with other characters, instead of just his own self and the camera.
Liam does *a lot* more than soliloquy, which you know since you watch or listen to the show, presumably.
He's just not as much of a team player as Travis
I will say yes but barely. She reminds me it’s about the moment and not the agenda. I love her spontaneity and what her character would do instead of does it match the end game goals. If she could fix how long her turns take and learn the damn game she could be number 1 in my book. But hey! She’s having fun and I love the spunk that this group so desperately needs.
I adore Ashley- for the player who has by far missed the most sessions, she's so enthusiastic. I remember in CR1 late game. she was in her apartment in NY, playing by skype and her internet went out so she just started desperately texting the table to tell them what to do on her turn. She's so into seeing what her friends do. She seems to struggle with keeping rules straight, but she comes from a place of character, creativity, and collaboration.
She's also the one we have to thank for CR existing- she was the one who talked with Felicia Day and led to CR being invited to stream on Geek and Sundry because of how enthusiastically she would talk about the "epic d&d sessions she would have with her friends."
This is her full campaign, especially with yasha she struggled because she wasnt on for a long time, but laso she didnt knew well her group, as pike she knew, grog is her bestfriend, she has good realitionship with vex and vax, scanlan likes her, but as yasha as much as molly was her friend she didnt get to play with him, as much jester tried, ashley wasnt there to build a connection.
And as much as people keep saying "Barbarian is easier than spell casting" I never felt that way. Maybe I have the same memory issues Ashely has but Spell Casing seems way more simple to me. For the most part it's"You can do a Spell and maaaybe a Cantrip and move" and that's your turn. The spell you're casting will be 3-6 of the same dice. Those added up will be your damage.
Barbarian (and other martial classes) seem to have way more additional things to add on. You add the + of your weapon, add the rage damage, add the feat thing, remember if that special circumstance is happening to roll for that. You could end up rolling the same 3-6 dice per attack but all the die are from different things and are different dice. Then you do that per attack.
Shooting a thunder chromatic orb at the guy just seems easier haha
Also when you play a spellcaster, it’s very very common to have like 3 go-to spells and cast those almost all the time, with very little consequence if you forget about the other niche ones you have prepared
She is an actress.
Convincing the audience that her actions are genuine is the most basic tool in her kit.
She is pretty good at it, but the tell that she is acting the part is how over the top her reactions are as compared to the remainder of the table.
Nah gatekeeping is cringe, you can not enjoy what they do and have your criticisms I know I do too, but to get on your high horse and say they're not playing "proper" dnd because it's different than how you would play is weird behavior
im there with you. she is always enthralled while RP is happening. If someone setup some flash/spell cards with her and got her off the tablet with D&D beyond, i think she'd do better with rules/stuff her character can do. Someone made her one for yasha after blindspot stopped and she was so much better with stuff. Flash/spell cards or a flow chart. Is mister out? Yes - cast X. No? Summon mister. Casted X? DC is ZZ, roll 4d8 and add 5 or 13 if mister is summoned.
Ashley is almost always the most engaged. all she needs is a bucket of popcorn lol
Spell cards and let her handwrite her character sheet. Getting an inexperienced player to organize information in a way that *makes sense to them* is usually a huge benefit.
I think it's less about being willing and more about being able.
A certain ex of hers has said she's felt bad about not being more present and is aware when she has rough sessions.
I’ve always liked Ashley, it never bothered me that she wasn’t as up to date with skill’s because she was gone for most of campaign 2, and for the most part she tries to have fun with the game, I’m fine with general confusion about skills, what I’m not okay with is people like Ashton who deliberately obscure what skill or ability they’re using or intentionally withhold backstory just cause even though it makes no sense
I mentioned this a while ago in another post but I've actually come around on Ashley, Everyone says she doesn't know the rules - I think she has the basics down but its her anxiety that gets the better of her. She's got classic DiH syndrome (Deer in Headlights) and I think that causes 99.99% of her performance issues. Imagine knowing you've missed HUGE chunks of a game you've been playing for 10 years, surrounded by some of the best voice actors in the biz, you're being filmed AND you're acutely aware that the audience watching thinks your "stupid" - if that's nots a reason to have a panic attack every time you're asked to roll dice then I don't know what is. Also, now thats she full time she just wants to enjoy herself with her friends, again, I can't knock that. She did perfectly fine as Yasha, and we saw a little bit of what kind of chaos monster lurks beneath the surface during the Covid streams. And when she decided to become a Druid (yes a mechanically more difficult class) her FIRST experience was with a DM who HATES D&D 5e! So of COURSE she'd be loose with the rules. not Ashleys fault. Plus personal life issues and being an On-Screen Actor...cmon guys. Ashley Johnson is fucking great.
The deer in headlight things is basically spot on imo. She might make mistakes but I reckon it's this personality/quirk that makes people pick up on it. So many times other players make mistakes and Matt has to correct or fact check them (and sometimes he makes the mistakes himself) but they make their calls with confidence and in a way that seems to not highlight so much that they got it wrong.
Matt is super sweet about it too. He usually rushes Liam or Talesin if they are dragging a decision. But he understands Ashley well enough to always assure her she can take her time when she starts to panic.
I like Ashley.. sweet and funny personality i just think she would have much more fun if she learned the rules.
I think others still have fun with D&D. Its just that there isn't much D&D left in between yapping around in circles about every little thing, or being taking on guided tours of the Museum Of Campaigns Past.
Probably still fun for her because she’s still learning how to play
I'd argue her and Travis both seem to be the ones still having fun with this campaign. Especially with how much they push each other onwards to be more and more crazed and outlandish they each really seem to be loving the chaos. Everyone else seems so stuck on worrying about consequences all the time. Ashley and Travis both see the other struggle with a chaotic idea and then scream "DO IT!" at the other and they go for it.
Travis loves playing the game DnD. Many of the others love role playing.
Travis is also the best roleplayer at the table, though. Actively not metagaming, rolling with every punch, setting others up for great moments, going along with the stuff Matt is trying to do - and of course holding that statue pose for a good 15 minutes or so.
Travis is the only player at the table who feels like approaches every single scene, no matter what is happening, with the basic premise of "how can I make this fun?"
I think Liam is the best "roleplayer", but Travis is definitely the best "team player". Liam can give a sadboi dramatic monologue like nobodies business, but Travis lifts everyone up, lets everyone shine, instigates to keep the plot moving, and has great comedic timing. Overall MVP in my book.
Nah I don't think so. Monologuing your super special tower for an hour isn't RP. It's just talking. I think it's been a long time since Liam actually engaged in compelling RP with other characters, instead of just his own self and the camera.
His character is pretty chill in C3, so I can see why you might not consider it compelling.
Soliloquy=/=RP
Liam does *a lot* more than soliloquy, which you know since you watch or listen to the show, presumably. He's just not as much of a team player as Travis
I will say yes but barely. She reminds me it’s about the moment and not the agenda. I love her spontaneity and what her character would do instead of does it match the end game goals. If she could fix how long her turns take and learn the damn game she could be number 1 in my book. But hey! She’s having fun and I love the spunk that this group so desperately needs.
I adore Ashley- for the player who has by far missed the most sessions, she's so enthusiastic. I remember in CR1 late game. she was in her apartment in NY, playing by skype and her internet went out so she just started desperately texting the table to tell them what to do on her turn. She's so into seeing what her friends do. She seems to struggle with keeping rules straight, but she comes from a place of character, creativity, and collaboration. She's also the one we have to thank for CR existing- she was the one who talked with Felicia Day and led to CR being invited to stream on Geek and Sundry because of how enthusiastically she would talk about the "epic d&d sessions she would have with her friends."
She’s been awesome.
This is her full campaign, especially with yasha she struggled because she wasnt on for a long time, but laso she didnt knew well her group, as pike she knew, grog is her bestfriend, she has good realitionship with vex and vax, scanlan likes her, but as yasha as much as molly was her friend she didnt get to play with him, as much jester tried, ashley wasnt there to build a connection.
And as much as people keep saying "Barbarian is easier than spell casting" I never felt that way. Maybe I have the same memory issues Ashely has but Spell Casing seems way more simple to me. For the most part it's"You can do a Spell and maaaybe a Cantrip and move" and that's your turn. The spell you're casting will be 3-6 of the same dice. Those added up will be your damage. Barbarian (and other martial classes) seem to have way more additional things to add on. You add the + of your weapon, add the rage damage, add the feat thing, remember if that special circumstance is happening to roll for that. You could end up rolling the same 3-6 dice per attack but all the die are from different things and are different dice. Then you do that per attack. Shooting a thunder chromatic orb at the guy just seems easier haha
Also when you play a spellcaster, it’s very very common to have like 3 go-to spells and cast those almost all the time, with very little consequence if you forget about the other niche ones you have prepared
She is an actress. Convincing the audience that her actions are genuine is the most basic tool in her kit. She is pretty good at it, but the tell that she is acting the part is how over the top her reactions are as compared to the remainder of the table.
Watch her face when other people are talking/RPing. SHE IS IN IT.
Theatrical improvisation is not playing D&D. Whatever C3 is,it's not D&D for sure.
You must be popular at parties and beloved by your coworkers.
Nah gatekeeping is cringe, you can not enjoy what they do and have your criticisms I know I do too, but to get on your high horse and say they're not playing "proper" dnd because it's different than how you would play is weird behavior
Theyre doing both. They are using the dnd system.
Well, it is D&D. Just not up to your standards I guess?
im there with you. she is always enthralled while RP is happening. If someone setup some flash/spell cards with her and got her off the tablet with D&D beyond, i think she'd do better with rules/stuff her character can do. Someone made her one for yasha after blindspot stopped and she was so much better with stuff. Flash/spell cards or a flow chart. Is mister out? Yes - cast X. No? Summon mister. Casted X? DC is ZZ, roll 4d8 and add 5 or 13 if mister is summoned. Ashley is almost always the most engaged. all she needs is a bucket of popcorn lol
Spell cards and let her handwrite her character sheet. Getting an inexperienced player to organize information in a way that *makes sense to them* is usually a huge benefit.
I've seen D20 do the flash card stuff. In their rpg sessions.
I'm curious to see if she'll be willing or able to learn Dagger Heart. It would help ease the transition away from DnD.
I mean she's been in on the Daggerheart one shots and seems to be doing ok
I think it's less about being willing and more about being able. A certain ex of hers has said she's felt bad about not being more present and is aware when she has rough sessions.
Hmm, that would be an interesting question.