Posted October 18, 2010
Runehamster: Hello there, folks! I think we've all been there - you've just finished raiding your dungeon, your party's splitting up the loot, the helm you've been waiting for weeks to get is sitting RIGHT THERE, and somebody rolls need on it for an alt. Loot hogs are terrible in multiplayer, sure, but what some people don't know is just how easy it is to be a loot hog in a singleplayer game, as well! Joining me today to discuss this phenomenon is player character Rhiannon. Rhiannon, tell us a bit about yourself.
Rhiannon: Well, Runehamster, after a recent stint in Cyrodiil as a Destruction specialist, I've returned to my original calling as a D&D wizard. Evocation specialist, of course. I've spent the last day or so getting a group together to hit this 'Temple' everyone's been talking about, so of course this topic is foremost in our minds as we gear up for the adventure.
Runehamster: Interesting! Well, the first sign you might be a loot hog is when you skimp on initial gearing of your companions to really trick out your main character. Seen any of that, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: Absolutely not, not in our campaign. It's a well known fact tanks don't need shields at early levels and every single one of these scrolls will be essential later. For me. We got a tableknife for Fibbers, he's our rogue. I gave him a Summon Badger scroll just to illustrate how important it is to share, even though he really doesn't need it.
Runehamster: I...see. Right, well, the next topic that comes to mind is quest rewards. Sometimes you can choose between two options, and I know it's always tempting to choose the one that benefits your main character, even if he doesn't actually need the gear. What would you choose, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: Potions and scrolls are consumable, robes burn and tear easily, and extra staves are always necessary for any wizard. Weapons and armor are easily found in any shop.
Runehamster: So what you're saying is...
Rhiannon: It's for the greater good.
Runehamster: Ah. I see. Alright, now how about gold usage? Sometimes it is difficult to buy something for everyone, so how do you go about splitting up the loot? Or deciding what gets sold?
Rhiannon: Well, that's where things get tricky. You have to take into account all sorts of factors. For instance, when I decided to get my third Scholar's ring, for backup, we sold Thurr's pants.
Runehamster: His...pants?
Rhiannon: Thurr's a half-orc barbarian with seven intelligence. Not only does he not need pants for combat, but he'll never miss them, and I was a few gold short.
Runehamster: So you don't think distribution should be needs-based?
Rhiannon: It was. I needed his pants.
Runehamster: That just didn't sound right, Rhiannon. At any rate, I think the final topic we'll cover is distributing consumables. Scrolls, potions, wands - some of them are usable by everyone, so how do you decide who needs what?
Rhiannon: I'm glad you asked! I think the most important thing is to plan for the future and make sure these items will be around when you need them.
Runehamster: An excellent point! How exactly would you go about this in your little party, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: First are the obvious decisions. For instance, my robes have specially tailored pockets and pouches simply for holding scrolls and potions. Cushioned, padded, and waterproof. Obviously the bulk of our materials are safest with me. Secondly, we just aren't going to let Thurr hold any potions. He's big as an ox, clumsy, and stupid - the first thing he'd do is break the bottles.
Runehamster: Then what does he do in a fight?
Rhiannon: That's why we have a cleric, Rune.
Runehamster: Right, my apologies - Cure Moderate Wounds goes a long way.
Rhiannon: I was referring to resurrection, but sure. To continue, you don't want to give a wand to anyone used to waving around giant bits of metal. Wands are delicate instruments, and extremely valuable. Which also means you also don't hand them over to your resident amoral rogue.
Runehamster: So again...
Rhiannon: I carry them. Obviously.
Runehamster: Well, I think this has been very enlightening. Thank you for your time, Rhiannon, and good luck on your adventures. Next time, we'll be talking about Monster and You: How to Commit Genocide and Get Rewarded, by none other than Rhiannon!
Rhiannon: Well, Runehamster, after a recent stint in Cyrodiil as a Destruction specialist, I've returned to my original calling as a D&D wizard. Evocation specialist, of course. I've spent the last day or so getting a group together to hit this 'Temple' everyone's been talking about, so of course this topic is foremost in our minds as we gear up for the adventure.
Runehamster: Interesting! Well, the first sign you might be a loot hog is when you skimp on initial gearing of your companions to really trick out your main character. Seen any of that, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: Absolutely not, not in our campaign. It's a well known fact tanks don't need shields at early levels and every single one of these scrolls will be essential later. For me. We got a tableknife for Fibbers, he's our rogue. I gave him a Summon Badger scroll just to illustrate how important it is to share, even though he really doesn't need it.
Runehamster: I...see. Right, well, the next topic that comes to mind is quest rewards. Sometimes you can choose between two options, and I know it's always tempting to choose the one that benefits your main character, even if he doesn't actually need the gear. What would you choose, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: Potions and scrolls are consumable, robes burn and tear easily, and extra staves are always necessary for any wizard. Weapons and armor are easily found in any shop.
Runehamster: So what you're saying is...
Rhiannon: It's for the greater good.
Runehamster: Ah. I see. Alright, now how about gold usage? Sometimes it is difficult to buy something for everyone, so how do you go about splitting up the loot? Or deciding what gets sold?
Rhiannon: Well, that's where things get tricky. You have to take into account all sorts of factors. For instance, when I decided to get my third Scholar's ring, for backup, we sold Thurr's pants.
Runehamster: His...pants?
Rhiannon: Thurr's a half-orc barbarian with seven intelligence. Not only does he not need pants for combat, but he'll never miss them, and I was a few gold short.
Runehamster: So you don't think distribution should be needs-based?
Rhiannon: It was. I needed his pants.
Runehamster: That just didn't sound right, Rhiannon. At any rate, I think the final topic we'll cover is distributing consumables. Scrolls, potions, wands - some of them are usable by everyone, so how do you decide who needs what?
Rhiannon: I'm glad you asked! I think the most important thing is to plan for the future and make sure these items will be around when you need them.
Runehamster: An excellent point! How exactly would you go about this in your little party, Rhiannon?
Rhiannon: First are the obvious decisions. For instance, my robes have specially tailored pockets and pouches simply for holding scrolls and potions. Cushioned, padded, and waterproof. Obviously the bulk of our materials are safest with me. Secondly, we just aren't going to let Thurr hold any potions. He's big as an ox, clumsy, and stupid - the first thing he'd do is break the bottles.
Runehamster: Then what does he do in a fight?
Rhiannon: That's why we have a cleric, Rune.
Runehamster: Right, my apologies - Cure Moderate Wounds goes a long way.
Rhiannon: I was referring to resurrection, but sure. To continue, you don't want to give a wand to anyone used to waving around giant bits of metal. Wands are delicate instruments, and extremely valuable. Which also means you also don't hand them over to your resident amoral rogue.
Runehamster: So again...
Rhiannon: I carry them. Obviously.
Runehamster: Well, I think this has been very enlightening. Thank you for your time, Rhiannon, and good luck on your adventures. Next time, we'll be talking about Monster and You: How to Commit Genocide and Get Rewarded, by none other than Rhiannon!
Post edited October 18, 2010 by Runehamster
