tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post2712694335169458771..comments2024-02-27T01:17:39.925-08:00Comments on The Nine and Thirty Kingdoms: How to Defeat Rust MonstersTalysmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-40345151662720934392014-06-02T18:54:21.558-07:002014-06-02T18:54:21.558-07:00I have heard complaints about the rust monster, bu...I have heard complaints about the rust monster, but they always struck me as being more against long term consequences and assuming players are somehow entitled to magic weapons, rather than not knowing how to deal with the monster itself, hence why they kept it in 4E but only in a completely ruined form<br /><br />My mistake with ear seekers was not even thinking of using the door description as a clue. I was too focused on using the item list as a hint (there's gotta be a reason for those listening cones with the wire mesh). I should probably apply Justin Alexander's Rule of Three trick (or whatever it was called) for every situation like that so I can get into the right grooveHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-60481442035785544682014-06-02T09:37:07.897-07:002014-06-02T09:37:07.897-07:00Definitely, a lot of the trick to monsters like th...Definitely, a lot of the trick to monsters like that is rethinking how to present them, and only "punishing" players who deliberately do the wrong thing or ignore the "fluff".<br /><br />The rust monster is here because it is routinely still trotted out as an example of a horrible "screwjob" monster, as if a monster that is nearly defenseless, but that rusts one of your weapons before you change your tactics, is the worst, WORST thing that could possibly happen to you. I just saw such a comment within the last couple days, in fact.Talysmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-86740668305911272192014-06-02T09:29:13.186-07:002014-06-02T09:29:13.186-07:00Or just a stick. Seriously, why buy a bronze warha...Or just a stick. Seriously, why buy a bronze warhammer when presumably you already have a ten-foot pole? Unless you just don't like switching weapons...Talysmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-49152635913426027512014-06-01T20:56:11.260-07:002014-06-01T20:56:11.260-07:00This one doesn't seem as necessary as the How ...This one doesn't seem as necessary as the <i>How to...</i> for ear seekers. Rust monsters seem much more obvious to me. The key detail with the former was the observation about the doors you mentioned in your reply to Jay Goodenbery, because both players and referees can forget about that aspect. Too often it's advised we use descriptions as a sort of dressing, painting a vivid picture for the players, when it's really the gameplay. Even once you've embraced the idea of old school play, you can still use some help reprogramming your brain to do it properlyHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-38540796629136744872014-06-01T15:08:05.696-07:002014-06-01T15:08:05.696-07:00I had a creative group of players who sicked their...I had a creative group of players who sicked their party druid on the rust monster. No metal armor or weapons. Poor rusty...Dennis Laffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03053699552003336733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-6272713968846725562014-06-01T10:12:33.543-07:002014-06-01T10:12:33.543-07:00Get a bronze or brass warhammer fashioned or a big...Get a bronze or brass warhammer fashioned or a big stick (a staff) and beat the rust monster to death with it.JDJarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.com