There isn't really a D&D JRPG setting, is there?

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I think the whole "magitek" thing is probably the most consistent thing in JRPGs. That and absurd levels of upper power.

You definitely need to break from the "what real humans can do" to feel right to me. Insane leap distances, inhuman toughness/strength, etc.

Yes, but you'll notice that JRPG protagonists can only do all those amazing things in combat. They still have to walk everywhere including the final space-dimension dungeon, they still have to sneak around mundane guards, and they still get blocked by 10-foot walls.

I remember a youtuber called Spoony getting indignant while playing Final Fantasy VIII when some random soldier forbade him entrance somewhere unless he first proved his courage... this shortly after defeating Diablos! The way he put it was, "How about I summon the devil to peel your face off and fuck your eye sockets, because I beat him and he's my bitch now?"
 
Yes, but you'll notice that JRPG protagonists can only do all those amazing things in combat. They still have to walk everywhere including the final space-dimension dungeon, they still have to sneak around mundane guards, and they still get blocked by 10-foot walls.

And many of them in anime are eternally poor and hungry apparently unable to fix that with magic.

I think a way to achieve this would be more narrowly defined powers. No wizards with infinite toolkits. Characters have 1-3 powers that start small and rise up to super but human outside of their focus.
 
And many of them in anime are eternally poor and hungry apparently unable to fix that with magic.

I think a way to achieve this would be more narrowly defined powers. No wizards with infinite toolkits. Characters have 1-3 powers that start small and rise up to super but human outside of their focus.

The trouble here is that you would no longer be making a Dungeons & Dragons setting with JRPG flavor, you'd be making a new RPG altogether and we're right back where we started with what I said in the first post.
 
Yes, but you'll notice that JRPG protagonists can only do all those amazing things in combat. They still have to walk everywhere including the final space-dimension dungeon, they still have to sneak around mundane guards, and they still get blocked by 10-foot walls.

This is more of a thing with certain JRPGs than all of them. Final Fantasy is the usual occused culprit because Aeris.

There are games that are the opposite way around. The characters can do awesome things in the cutscenes but struggle with combat. In Xenosaga, KOS-MOS can fire a wave motion gun from her abdomen which can completely obliterate fleets of starships. By the time you get access to use that ability in combat, it might take a few hit points off a single boss. Then there's Vay, which really builds up the Vay armor as this absolute superweapon capable of galaxy shattering power. Then you get the Vay armor and it's just another suit of armor.

And then there are games that try to keep the characters abilities in mind at all time. I'd say a decent number of tactical RPGs are like this. It's been a while since I played Fire Emblem Awakening, but I don't remember much disconnect between the game and cutscenes.

So it isn't really a constant. It's just that Final Fantasy is the most prominent example, so it gets touted as the norm when it really isn't.

I remember a youtuber called Spoony getting indignant while playing Final Fantasy VIII when some random soldier forbade him entrance somewhere unless he first proved his courage... this shortly after defeating Diablos! The way he put it was, "How about I summon the devil to peel your face off and fuck your eye sockets, because I beat him and he's my bitch now?"

I miss Spoony. I remember discovering his first FF8 video when it was new. I laughed because his experience mirrored my own so much. Then there was that Draw Magic video, and I just sat there laughing and nodding
 
I think the whole "magitek" thing is probably the most consistent thing in JRPGs. That and absurd levels of upper power.

You definitely need to break from the "what real humans can do" to feel right to me. Insane leap distances, inhuman toughness/strength, etc.

Depends on the JRPG. You could do Dragon Quest in D&D, for example, with a new bestiary and tweaks to tone and style.
 
The trouble here is that you would no longer be making a Dungeons & Dragons setting with JRPG flavor, you'd be making a new RPG altogether and we're right back where we started with what I said in the first post.
Maybe. It depends on how you go about it. D&D already has classes, which narrows the focus a bit.

There was an article in Dragon back in the 20th century about spell paths, where spells had prerequisites and a caster would advance along a path or two, gaining say animal control and healing. I wouldn't want to go that specific but you could have domains. Like, suppose you could pick spells from any class but were limited to a primary school, then a secondary school where all spells used a slot higher than their level. Then, you'd have a blaster with a bit of abjuration, the conjurer with a bit or divination, etc. Do that for most classes, maybe wizards get one school but can cast rituals from any school.
 
Interesting video about why Japanese CRPGs often contain "Blood Type" as a stat..


Let me guess: because people in Japan think those matter a lot more than we believe in that idea:devil:?
 
Believing that blood types exist is one, frankly not optional, thing. But believing they influence your life, personality and/or should influence your diet is another entirely, and unfortunately still held by some people.

Eh, I know people who read the Horoscopes every day, people who think Angels guide their lives, folks who think their car can be mad at them, ladies who read tarot cards, and people who watch weathermen on the News.
 
Believing that blood types exist is one, frankly not optional, thing. But believing they influence your life, personality and/or should influence your diet is another entirely, and unfortunately still held by some people.
I used to volunteer assisting Japanese exchange students english and have had several times where they asked me what my blood type was.
I used to respond with "Much like my outlook on life it's B Positive!" and then make a dorky smile and give a thumbs up.
 
lol you don't believe in Blood Types?
More like, I don't think they have such a great impact on personality and stuff, as the Japanese people seem to believe:thumbsup:.

Eh, I know people who read the Horoscopes every day, people who think Angels guide their lives, folks who think their car can be mad at them, ladies who read tarot cards, and people who watch weathermen on the News.
And how many of those beliefs (one of which is less like the others) do you, personally, you, share:devil:?
 
I for one never trust the weather forecast!
On an unrelated note, I've caught pneumonia 5 times!
 
Eh, I know people who read the Horoscopes every day, people who think Angels guide their lives, folks who think their car can be mad at them, ladies who read tarot cards, and people who watch weathermen on the News.
I'm two of those. But I'm an animist because I'm a techie, and I know how finicky the computers in most things are, so the leap between that and spirits is pretty tiny for me.

Basically I'd probably fit quite well in the Adeptus Mechanicus.
 
Eh, I know people who read the Horoscopes every day, people who think Angels guide their lives, folks who think their car can be mad at them, ladies who read tarot cards, and people who watch weathermen on the News.
If you add lazy populist opinions to the list, I have recently been accused of "living in a bubble" because I don't knowingly associate with anyone who believes in stuff like this.
 
If you add lazy populist opinions to the list, I have recently been accused of "living in a bubble" because I don't knowingly associate with anyone who believes in stuff like this.

I just don't much care what people's religious or supersticious beliefs are, it just doesn't concern me.
 
I saw an interview, and discussion with a Chinese-Canadian, who pointed out they LOVE 3.5 in China, but they're also in love with western fantasy settings, so they don't have as big a drive to replicate Chinese fantasy elements, that doesn't mean there aren't some Chinese-Americans, or Japanese-American not already doing this...
Example: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/339909/Moon-Daughters-Fate-5e Not a setting, but an adventure, and I imagine a darn good one, knowing the author.
 
I saw an interview, and discussion with a Chinese-Canadian, who pointed out they LOVE 3.5 in China, but they're also in love with western fantasy settings,
I don't know why but I find this really neat. Even though 3.5 is my least favorite edition would be legit interested in seeing some of the work coming out of East Asia.

I have heard from multiple sources that the most popular RPG in Japan for the past few years is Call of Cthulhu which is awesome.
 
I saw an interview, and discussion with a Chinese-Canadian, who pointed out they LOVE 3.5 in China,
Specifically 3.5?

but they're also in love with western fantasy settings, so they don't have as big a drive to replicate Chinese fantasy elements, that doesn't mean there aren't some Chinese-Americans, or Japanese-American not already doing this...
Example: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/339909/Moon-Daughters-Fate-5e Not a setting, but an adventure, and I imagine a darn good one, knowing the author.
I'm honestly quite curious how the Chinese/Japanese people view Western fantasy settings. Something's telling me it would be fun to read:devil:!

...As long as they don't publish them only for 5e and the like, of course:shade:.
 
I'm honestly quite curious how the Chinese/Japanese people view Western fantasy settings. Something's telling me it would be fun to read:devil:!

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I've talked about it with some of my Asian students who noticed my geeky interests. Purely anecdotal of course, but to hear them tell it, they view our history and trappings through the same exotic lens we view their stuff. However, the effect is magnified because for so long the west has had an aura of superiority about it as a result of Asia's general position of weakness in the last four centuries.

This aura is not acknowledged openly and is often resented at the same time it is admired. China in particular is working hard to recapture the aura, which they feel rightfully belongs to them, and they might very well succeed in the coming decades. I've seen some of their recent cultural output, and they've got potential. Who knows if that will ever manifest as broadly appealing fantasy settings. I'd certainly be curious.
 
I just can’t even...


Interspecies Reviewers....despite pretty much being porn, and occasionally verrrrry weird porn, it's actually one of the better anime of the last season. It's literally just an RPG adventuring group that decides to, instead of fighting monsters, visit and review the brothels of every fantasy species in their world.
 
Interspecies Reviewers....despite pretty much being porn, and occasionally verrrrry weird porn, it's actually one of the better anime of the last season. It's literally just an RPG adventuring group that decides to, instead of fighting monsters, visit and review the brothels of every fantasy species in their world.

Tristram, you're... really not helping.
 
Interspecies Reviewers....despite pretty much being porn, and occasionally verrrrry weird porn, it's actually one of the better anime of the last season. It's literally just an RPG adventuring group that decides to, instead of fighting monsters, visit and review the brothels of every fantasy species in their world.
Now THIS needs to be a game book.

JG
 
Well, I found out there is a manga and maybe anime? Not sure, of what I was calling "Iron Dungeon". Basically, go in the dungeon, find ingredients make a meal, and have it reviewed by judges (intelligent species are off-limits, but I figured a way to do NON-intelligent monsters for the dungeon) A friend said "Oh that sounds like this Manga" which had animated armor as being a form of land-dwelling shellfish! Seriously....though I don't think they had the contest theme, just edible monsters. I mean sure a green-slime is dangerous but once cooked and chilled with added ingredients makes lime-flavored style jello desserts or ice cream ingredient. Gelatinous cubes, don't taste as good...
 
Is that Delicious in Dungeon? I've read the first volume, my kid has read the first 5 or so.
 
Is that Delicious in Dungeon? I've read the first volume, my kid has read the first 5 or so.
Probably. I've seen like one page and had it mentioned. I thought it would make for a fun T&T campaign
 
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