Hints and Tips using Open RPG

[Hussar]

In the interests of saving a little time and hopefully speeding up combat, it might be an idea for you guys to explore using the macros in OpenRPG.

To find the macros, go to your settings menu under the OpenRPG menu tab and look to the far right. You will see the Macros tab. Click that tab.

This brings up your macros menu. Right now, the macros are filled in with nothing special. As long as you leave in the /me part, you can type pretty much anything you want into the macro and then execute it at the touch of an F button.

Set one macro for initiative and another for combat. Possible two or three for combat actually. To set an initiative macro, type the following:

/me I react with catlike skill [1d20+X] (where X is your initiative bonus.)

Now, when you push that function key, your initiative will be displayed. Saves lots of typing. Now, set another function key for your melee attack, your ranged attack and maybe any funky attack you may have.

For example:

/me I crush the bastard with my mace [1d20+X]
/me I rain metal death with my bow [1d20+x]
/me I quickly rip off a couple of shots [1d20+x] [1d20+x]

There, now you have F1-F4 filled. This should greatly speed up combat.

Thank you.

[Hussar]

Was playing around with OpenRPG today and found a new toy. Something that should make your lives easier.

Under the OPENRPG 1.5 tab in your game tree, you will see several options. Left click on the Templates option then the Tools option. You will see a section labeled Create New D20 Character Tool. Click on this and a new character will pop up in your tree. You can then simply add in the text for your character into this tree.

The nice part is it comes with rollers. Right clicking on a Gear will cause the appropriate roll to appear in the Chat window. For example, if you right click on a skill, the Chat window will display your roll along with any bonuses or minuses. Works for combat, skill checks and saving throws. Now, you don't have to type anything, just keep the sheet updated and you are good to go. When it comes time to level up, you can simply update the node and forward it to me. Should make your lives much, much easier.

Hussar.

[Hussar]

Anyone else find anything neat and cool to use with Open RPG? Post it here.

[FullBorg]

Just a couple things I've learned in my 2 and a half years of using OpenRPG (since ver 0.9.4), also referred to in post as OR:

1. When GMing, set your actual name to something that won't print, like "<>" and just fill in the speaker/thing acting's name on the fly as you emote it.

2. When in combat, if you don't get a response from a player quick enough (time varying on connection etc), declare their character has panicked and can do nothing. Speeds up combat wonderfully.

3. Use multiple instances of OR if you want to run more than one 1-on-1 at once, but be careful to keep your wires uncrossed.

4. Is log, is good.

5. Following from 4, run a session solely to develop character backgrounds, save the log and go through it with a fine tooth comb for plot hooks.

[CosmicHorror]

I found out that you can use HTML code in OpenRPG.

[Hussar]

Annoying but true. Heh.

Something that does happen to me on Open is when I switch between backgrounds, I sometimes lose players. With people on at different connection speeds, it can be a problem. Usually those with the slower speeds get jacked out of the game as they cannot buffer fast enough.

I'm not sure how to remedy this, but, what seems to work best is if only one user is loading pictures. If everyone starts sending files at the same time, it tends to kill the slower connections.

The answer, I guess, is to let your DM handle the pics and don't start jacking in lots if code as a player.

[CosmicHorror]

that was directed at me...