unclevlad

My approach is to define it as a custom adder on the weapon.  1 point per meter of reach.
 

 
This correctly, IMO but NOT per RAW, allocates the reach as part of the active point cost, so right now, this staff is 2 END per, not 1.  OTOH, at 2 or 4 dice, the reach wouldn't change the END.  I'm fine with that myself.  Another approach that wouldn't cost END would be to buy it like this:

 
The second power is a custom power, so you can turn the END off.  I prefer the custom adder because it's much *cleaner*.  I generally just don't buy an odd number of dice.   

Characteristics ARE powers.
 
The distinction is that "characteristics" can be defined as "qualities implicit to the object or entity."  With people?  Everyone has a STR score.  Everyone has a DEX score.  And so on.  For objects, everything has BODY, PD, and ED.  So "characteristics" become those things that are given a default value that's non-zero.
 
Buying up a bunch of leap was also the cheapest way to get a half-move...and even get one that's LOW END because the active points are so low.  5E leap was 1 point for 1"...2 meters.  Half the cost of running.  AND you got a break because that 35 STR moved your base leap to more than your base running. 
 
Far as I'm concerned, just because PD, ED, running, swimming, and leap are on the characteristics page, they're not characteristics.  They're powers.  You figure them as part of your overall movement or defense suite....of powers.  Also:  characteristics are generally a means to an end.  They're not an end in themselves.  STR, it's HTH damage and lifting.  DEX, it's initiative and skill rolls.  CON, it's durability, not getting stunned, and occasional toughness-related rolls.  And so on.  Even STUN and END represent total capacities.  The defenses and movements are ends in themselves.
 
 

I think that's an underappreciated argument.  The absolute SPD and CV matter much less than the relative SPD and CV.  SPD/CV inflation starts with the baseline.  When it's too high, it forces everything else up...and it's even worse, because there's less *relative* difference between 4 and 6, than there is between 2 and 4.  The highly agile, quick types tend to need a 7, not a 6.
 
Another point here might be making +1 to all DEX rolls cheaper...so you can define the Olympic-caliber gymnast with a 13 DEX for initiative purposes, but +1, possibly even +2, to all DEX skills.  Maybe that's not needed, but it'd help cases like that, or for the master thief as we've mentioned.  
 
Last point for now...figured characteristics probably played a major NEGATIVE role in this process.  Because it was so much cheaper and easier to buy the brick's DEX up, and let the CVs come along for the ride.  5E doesn't even have a mechanism to raise CV directly.  That creates a pretty strong assumption that you're expected to go with it.  That slow super's 3 CV isn't good enough...and looks even worse on paper.  Flip side...if you define OCV and DCV as characteristics in their own right, where the baseline value is tied to the DEX, as it is with SPD...well, suddenly the grossly disproportionate, broken cost of DEX becomes explicit and glaring.

Double KB attacks with the idea that they hit with so much forceful pop that it can still affect the character. Maybe any other character who has Desolid, Growth, or Density Increase for the reasons all stated above in a "SCIENCE" sort of way. A collection of powers/powers with advantages, etc., can serve the same purpose. Might even be some really cool opportunity for the science character who is an expert in physics or whatnot to figure out the weakness.

Also...
https://stanleesgenesis.com/nft/
 
This raises red flags allll over the place for me.  

Mmmm...I find it odd this is coming out as the Marvel Multiverse RPG...which has a very similar premise...got released *yesterday.*  

For gaming, one can start with the principle that, as soon as owning/using/importing something relatively benign (or adequately addictive) is restricted, black markets and smuggling crop up.  

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

Yeah, well...

Just for grins.  Let's say you were the winner.  Simple question:  lump sum, or annuity?  No right or wrong answer, as different situations, different motivations.
 
Here are the numbers:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/finance/mega-millions-payout
 
Basically:  pre-tax, $800M and change for the lump sum.  Annuity, starts at $23M+, increasing every year...it's $36M after 10 years.  Max is $96M.
 
Almost everyone takes the lump sum;  I think I saw only 1 winner of a 9-digit prize that took the annuity.  But this is somewhat different, in that it's SO huge...let's face it, even after taxes, the first year alone is likely several times more than our individual lifetime earnings...including projected retirement.  $13M net?  I'm good right there.  Why?  The entire lump sum all at once offers some chance that you'll be STUPID with it.  The annuity says, ok, well, your stupidity shouldn't crush you forever.  So I think I'd actually do the annuity.
 
 
If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly isn't.

The magazine Private Eye ran a front page with Trump saying he wanted 4 more years with the reply how about 20 referring to his judicial troubles. But this is then followed by something that I am surprised has not been taken up Stateside. Jail to the Chief. 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

You may have seen this by now, but if not...
 
Kevin Brown is a pretty good, popular, young announcer.  His main gig is play-by-play for the Orioles, he also does gigs with ESPN.  So, in pregame talks, he commented that the Orioles had won more games against the Rays this year, than they had in the last 2 years combined.

The owner suspended him for that.
 
This has become a total disaster...for the owner.
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/free-kevin-brown-orioles-suspension-reaction-PTACZLYJ35EQ7JICOJ5LDHTJMQ/
 
O's are up against the Astros tonight;  it's a TBS game, in Baltimore.  So the fans in the stands...who're buying up that shirt...start chanting "Free Kevin Brown!" in the middle of the game.  

And this was a PLANNED comment, as was pointed out.  Scroll down that link, you can see the clip.  There's a graphic about it.  
 
Part of this is, Peter Angelos, the owner, released Jon Miller for criticizing bad play when it happened.  I somewhat prefer Miller as a radio broadcaster;  his style fits radio a bit better, IMO.  But he's a hall of fame broadcaster, and deserves to be.  So this is the second time...because as was pointed out, ya gotta think Brown is LIKELY to look for a new gig.  If there's an opening?  He'll be HIGH on anyone's list.
 
Another take:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2023/08/08/kevin-brown-suspended-baltimore-orioles-announcer-angelos/70553885007/
 
The ownership needs to grow up.  Me...and probably many of you...when the broadcaster's team makes a mistake, and the announcing team blows it off?  I lose respect for them very quickly.  And here, my gosh, how stupid can they be?  Even the most casual fan recognizes how disastrously bad the Orioles were...so the resurgence now, so quickly, is something to take pride in.
 
There's a side point here...about whether the Orioles can sustain success.  They've got a young team.  We know about this incident because it went public.  The USA Today story talked about some other aspects.  Well, what kinds of petty moves does management try to impose on the players?  Don't know, but baseball's contract situation isn't like the NBA's, where re-signing with your current team is the way to max out your contract, so there's no implicit reason to stay.  If you're not sure how management is gonna treat you?  Of course, we won't know if this is gonna actually be an issue for a while....  
 
 

ESPN is going into the sportsbook business...indirectly.  
 
They're parterning with another company, who will provide the actual sportsbook, but ESPN's name will be attached, and they'll get a big cut...and presumably, a fair bit of advertising.
 
That makes at least 3 such, as I know Fox and CBS have branded sportsbooks.  The cash cow is going to get another nozzle...  
 
And of course, Disney's being two-faced..."oh we're family-friendly!" while still having a brand they're directly endorsing.
 
 
Not notably, as 43% still voted yes.  That said, the stories did say that some Republicans did vote No because of the procedural BS...shutting down the August elections last winter, but overturning that this spring to try this one, when one particular amendment they don't want, is coming up.  I also saw a couple other provisions that would've made bringing an initiative MUCH harder...for example, signatures from all 88 counties, not just 44.
 
But 43% still voted Yes.  
 

Yeah, forecast was to set a record high...and boy, did we.
 
108.7.  
 
Previous high for that station, for this date...101.9.
 
So we destroyed the old mark, for this station (only up since 2007, but still)....by 7 degrees.  
 
Accuweather had daily record at 103...and today, 107.  
 
So...'just' 4 degrees.
 
It's still 100 at 8:30 local.
 
106 forecast for tomorrow.

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

You may have seen this by now, but if not...
 
Kevin Brown is a pretty good, popular, young announcer.  His main gig is play-by-play for the Orioles, he also does gigs with ESPN.  So, in pregame talks, he commented that the Orioles had won more games against the Rays this year, than they had in the last 2 years combined.

The owner suspended him for that.
 
This has become a total disaster...for the owner.
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/free-kevin-brown-orioles-suspension-reaction-PTACZLYJ35EQ7JICOJ5LDHTJMQ/
 
O's are up against the Astros tonight;  it's a TBS game, in Baltimore.  So the fans in the stands...who're buying up that shirt...start chanting "Free Kevin Brown!" in the middle of the game.  

And this was a PLANNED comment, as was pointed out.  Scroll down that link, you can see the clip.  There's a graphic about it.  
 
Part of this is, Peter Angelos, the owner, released Jon Miller for criticizing bad play when it happened.  I somewhat prefer Miller as a radio broadcaster;  his style fits radio a bit better, IMO.  But he's a hall of fame broadcaster, and deserves to be.  So this is the second time...because as was pointed out, ya gotta think Brown is LIKELY to look for a new gig.  If there's an opening?  He'll be HIGH on anyone's list.
 
Another take:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2023/08/08/kevin-brown-suspended-baltimore-orioles-announcer-angelos/70553885007/
 
The ownership needs to grow up.  Me...and probably many of you...when the broadcaster's team makes a mistake, and the announcing team blows it off?  I lose respect for them very quickly.  And here, my gosh, how stupid can they be?  Even the most casual fan recognizes how disastrously bad the Orioles were...so the resurgence now, so quickly, is something to take pride in.
 
There's a side point here...about whether the Orioles can sustain success.  They've got a young team.  We know about this incident because it went public.  The USA Today story talked about some other aspects.  Well, what kinds of petty moves does management try to impose on the players?  Don't know, but baseball's contract situation isn't like the NBA's, where re-signing with your current team is the way to max out your contract, so there's no implicit reason to stay.  If you're not sure how management is gonna treat you?  Of course, we won't know if this is gonna actually be an issue for a while....  
 
 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

In Ohio tonight...
 
After disparaging these mid-August elections as too expensive, for too little...Ohio Republicans forced a single-issue election today.  On the ballot was a change to Ohio law that would change how voters could force an amendment to the Ohio constitution.  Currently, all it takes is a majority.  The proposed change would make it 60%.
 
The overwhelming belief is, this was being tried now to make it harder to pass an amendment protecting abortion rights in November.  
 
It crashed and burned.  WIth over 60% of the ballots in, it's 57-43 to reject the change, according to a live count from a local TV station.  
 
https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a
 
 

Yeah, forecast was to set a record high...and boy, did we.
 
108.7.  
 
Previous high for that station, for this date...101.9.
 
So we destroyed the old mark, for this station (only up since 2007, but still)....by 7 degrees.  
 
Accuweather had daily record at 103...and today, 107.  
 
So...'just' 4 degrees.
 
It's still 100 at 8:30 local.
 
106 forecast for tomorrow.

Yeah, forecast was to set a record high...and boy, did we.
 
108.7.  
 
Previous high for that station, for this date...101.9.
 
So we destroyed the old mark, for this station (only up since 2007, but still)....by 7 degrees.  
 
Accuweather had daily record at 103...and today, 107.  
 
So...'just' 4 degrees.
 
It's still 100 at 8:30 local.
 
106 forecast for tomorrow.

Alfajor Cake

And let the backlash begin.  If we discount the match against a Vietnam team that lost all 3 of theirs, by a combined 12-0, the USWNT scored 1 goal in 3 matches.