Ah yes – the death of your character…a historical event frozen in time. A great DM needs to seize this moment and make a typical downer scenario spring to life. That’s where these kick-ass new death certificates from our buddy and terrain aficionado, Rob come into play.

Remember all those silly paper awards you got in grade school (outstanding reader, math magician, etc)? Here’s a chance to use them in your own game but with some real flair and style. As Rob puts it, “Hey I respect your character, but man, he got jacked up!”

For DM prep, you simply have to fill in the gritty details on the template and print it out. If possible, stay classy and do it in color. Then take it to your next game session to award in a mini ceremony of sorts. If you’re feeling especially funny, don’t hesitate to get all munchkin on his ass as you hand it out.

Rob’s cert template has text fields for the PC’s name, the way they died, and the area in which it happened. For extra salt, Rob even has some fun skull stickers to print and put on your DM screen.

Your game group will appreciate the extra effort. A death certificate experience can turn a sometimes somber/bitter moment into a laugh-aloud-good-nature-fun-fest. Plus, guys will often find a place in their work cube or home office for their new-found memento.

Of course, the irony of is thick here – the average gamer can’t remember what the first amendment is but he sure as hell can recall when and how his beloved 12th level Wizard died. And that’s yet another reason why we love our D&D.

Questions to Ponder: How do you handle deaths in your game? Are they quick and ruthless or do you do anything fun to remember the characters? Do you resurrect any of them or is it a clean break?

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It’s time to officially acknowledge GaleForce Nine as top booth pick of Gen Con 2010. They have a slew of 4E gaming products coming to a game table near you. It was a real treat to see them all in person at the Con. This week we turn our eyes toward their super handy effect markers (including fire, ice and smoke).

These multi-use effect walls give the DM a bundle of game options. Use them as a:

• wall of ice effect from a Wizard’s spell.
• timed spell standing effect or immovable obstacle.
• fire effect in a burning building.
• blocked/diluted line of sight (with smoke plumes).
• triggered trap.

You can place them on the game board as single square pieces or as a row of three. The pieces assemble and re-assemble with ease so they fit nicely into any DM’s travel kit.

Again, Ben really wants to give props to GaleForce Nine for embracing 4E and releasing so many new innovative products. Our readers can expect to see many more reviews from this creative company over the next year. It’s like they’ve truly re-invented themselves – a wonderful sight to see, especially when other companies out there seem so slow to react 4E.

Questions to Ponder: How do you show game effects on your board? Did you create any fun house rules to go with them? Does the fire effect dominate in your game or have you found ways to give ice and smoke a chance?

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The first campaign setting of D&D 4E is a blockbuster affair of intriguing mystery and ferocious combat. You won’t believe what lies ahead – well, that is if you survive long enough to see it.

Gen Con attendees got a real treat when Rodney Thompson and Rich Baker (anyone happen to know his Twitter address?) of Wotc R&D sat down with convention go-ers to reveal the ravaged world that is Dark Sun. Listen to this podcast before you crack those books open.

Ben’s RPG Pile played the upcoming World Wide Game Day module, The Lost Cistern of Aravek, which is coming to a game store near you on 8/21. If you plan on attending, it might be best to hold off on our Dark Sun review due to spoilers. If you can’t go, give our own video podcast of the game a try.

Enjoy our first Dark Sun impressions:

- Game Changer: There are enough differences in the regular 4E to make you stop and think. Ben was worried about creating confusion as he’s just starting to understand regular 4E but it’s a minor risk worth taking.

- Monsters Rule: The baddies from the Creature Catalog are vicious. Our fourth level party of five fought a level 6 solo skirmisher that could max its damage at 56 in a single round (along with some other nasty effects). Pretty brutal considering our characters averaged about 45 hp.

- Intensity Level: The battle tactics, unique terrain, and monster strength kept Ben on his toes – literally. If you ain’t standing around your table for much of Dark Sun, you’re really not playing (or are dead already).

- Classy Characters: The character sheets were immaculate. The artwork, the layout, the new abilities were all easy to spot and use. Get ready to read though – these classes are stuffed with options.

- New Terrain: Ben can turn his game board into a 3-D dungeon in a snap but a desert? Well, that’s a different story. DMs will need time to ramp up. Of course, Ben welcomes this new challenge.

Best of all, we recorded our Dark Sun initiation as part of our ongoing Friday Night Strike series. You can download all eight parts of our video podcast on iTunes. Consider it a helpful test drive.

Bottom line – Dark Sun is a sensational new 4E setting. You will absolutely love it. Well, what are you waiting for? Get down to your local game store, buy the books and try it firsthand. By the way, do you have any water to spare?

Questions to Ponder: Will you play Dark Sun? Why or why not? Would you run a Dark Sun campaign and a regular D&D 4E campaign simultaneously? What campaign setting do you want to see next?

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“The vendor hall is now closed.” Sparkly new treasures rest on your shelf. C’est la vie Gen Con 2010.

But wait! Consider some small to-do’s now that could turn into future big fun.

- Sheet of Sadness: Did you keep a quick running notes’ list so you had an easy reminder sheet for next year? If not, now’s the time to strike while the memory iron is hot. Real-life Ben examples: (1) bring travel-size Pepto (thanks so much abnormally huge Ram Burgers). (2) download the Gen Con iPhone app before the show (since finding specific booths in those crowds was painful).

- Online Gallery: Upload your Gen Con pics to Facebook or Flickr now before you accidentally delete them. And make it easy for your game group to pull them down for their own collection.

- Thank You’s: Certainly you encountered some good gaming citizens or met some long-time heroes at the Con. What’s the harm in sending a quick tweet, email or wall post as a nice way to thank them for their hospitality or down-to-earthiness?

- Buddy Gifts: Set aside your game group gift now before it gets lost. Did you take a great buddy photo that fits nicely into a dollar store frame? Was there a t-shirt you nabbed that’s perfect for a holiday/birthday gift?

- Dire Piggy Bank: It is never too early to slowly start putting your gold coins away for next year. Did you have a little money left over? Excellent – put it in that cigar box now. Establish your reserve fund now for all that eventual loose change and birthday/holiday money. This is how Ben slowly amasses his spending money & it’s a major motivating force.

- Outlook Reminder: Gen Con 2011 is set for 8/4 thru 8/11. Enter in an outlook reminder January 26-ish so you’re prepared to call into the hotel block and nab that room right across the street from the convention center.

- Check the Tweets: Keep a close eye on Twitter and these common hash tags (#dnd, #gencon, #wotc) for all the great post Con articles and photos. It’s a virtual sea of D&D tranquility out there right now and you could be missing it.

- Inspiring Words: Start your own new list of goals for your game. If you weren’t inspired by all the amazing people you personally met and observed, it’s time to take a pulse and ensure you didn’t become undead during all those travel woes.

Questions to Ponder: What do you personally do now to help prepare for next year? Anything on our handy list that you find works well (or not so well)?

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Ben dares thee to find a more drawn out, never-ending game debate than D&D 4th edition vs. all previous editions (but mostly D&D 3.5 edition). This RPG dispute has nearly taken on a north vs. south civil war mentality in the world of the InterGoogle.

The gang at the Pile thinks that all this pent up D&D edition anger is particularly silly. So much so, that we decided to make a little tongue-in-cheek video of our own on our YouTube channel. The classic iPhone vs. HTC vid was our inspiration. Xtranormal was our technology weapon of choice.

Of course, we absolutely love 4E for all the myriad of reasons mentioned in our comedic short. Still, we haven’t abandoned Dungeons and Dragons rich history. What tickles our funny bones is how angry and often irrational a few of the diehards get when discussing the D&D editions differences. Just remember the golden rule – any D&D is good D&D.

Enjoy a quick top 5 on why D&D 4E makes Ben so gosh darn happy:

1. Latest and Greatest: WotC supports it with new monthly product releases.
2. Enhanced Combat: Battles are much more diverse and interesting.
3. Game Flow: The overall game moves quicker with a streamlined rule set.
4. Role Play: Group determines RPG weight. Never been the edition’s job.
5. Remembered Roots: Plenty of Gary G’s original ideas and love remain.

Finally, here are a couple fun online articles to peruse at your leisure:

1. Boycotting 4th Edition D&D
2. A Comparison of Content
3. A GM’s First Impressions of D&D 4e: Looks Like Fun
4. 3.5 E, older D&D and Pathfinder. What do D&D vets think of pathfinder
5. Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Review

Questions to ponder: Which edition do you play most frequently? What is a pro of 4E? What is a pro of 3.5E? What is a con of 4E? What is a con of 3.5E? Will you ever try 4E? Will you ever go back to 3.5 or earlier? Do you play Pathfinder instead of 4E?

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A wise gamer descends upon Indy this year with a plan. Here’s Ben’s Buyer’s Guide and the top 20 items on his radar when he hits the glorious Gen Con showroom floor. We’ve also intermingled some snapshots from previous pilgrimages.

Ben’s RPG Pile Gen Con Buyer’s Guide – the Top 20

- Dwarven Forge: Ben has to see the new Ruins set in person
- TerraClips: Interlocking d-tile-like terrain from WorldWorks
- Specialty Dice: Check out the Chessex specialty dice (on day 1)
- Metal Miniatures: Get a few hand-painted mins for future bosses
- Dungeon Master Tips Book: Find Sly Flourish for my hardcopy
- Mini Singles: Pan for single WotC minis for Pyramid of Shadows (our next mod)
- Terrain: Keep an eye out for new, portable terrain pieces
- Gen Con Memorabilia: Get the annual shirt (but go minimum 3X due to shrinkage)
- Miniature Building Authority: New 2010 buildings will be part of their amazing display
- Gale Force Nine: Get some smoke and ice walls
- Killer Breakfast: Tracy Hickman puts on a great show but buy in advance
- Dice Bags: Been on the lookout for some player pal dice bags
- Litko Tokens: Big hit at Origins (especially the invisibility ones)
- Steak and Shake: Inhale one of their classic shakes
- Confrontation: Snag their new mini releases
- Mage Knight: Find some singles for mini-makin’
- Ascheson Creations: Special molds and huge range of building choices
- Hirst Arts Booth: Love his displays, paint examples, new molds
- Wizards of the Coast: Don’t miss their 2011 product preview presentation
- Unknowns: And always on a mission to find the next great thing

Remember, a loose game plan saves time and helps manages one’s gold-piece budget. Your pre-convention strategy also ensures you don’t mutter the dreaded “I can’t believe I forgot to…” phrase on the flight back home.

Questions to Ponder: What did Ben forget? Do you have any specific gem hunts of your own in mind?

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The annual RPG gaming Mecca, known only as Gen Con, is nearly upon us! Does it matter what you pack? Hell yes, it does! And Ben’s got his top 15 precious packing tips to prove it.

There’s no mistaking the emotional and physical value of this Indy pilgrimage. So rather than try to be all cool and just throw a pile of dirty clothes into a plastic bag, take a breath and think about what you can take to make this trip even better.

Ben’s Top 15 Gen Con Packing Tips:

- Paperwork: Plane tix, hotel receipt, badge (with holder), event tix
- Snacks: Bagged snacks and granola from your local, from your local Sprouts
- Energy: ZizZazz & 5-hour drinks
- Remedies: aspirin, Tums, vitamins
- Clothes: The usuals but include a baseball hat & sweatshirt
- Currency: Two credit cards, some cash, and quarters (for the lockers)
- Gifts: pics from last year, a small mini or Hirst terrain, shirts, etc
- Containers: film cases, Magic deck boxes, plastic boxes
- Journal: small notebook for key info
- iPad/iPhone/Smart Phone: for pics and video
- PHB: Players Handbook for the game table
- Dice: Small amounts (for new friend trading) since you can buy a set there
- Foot Powder: You will walk more in 4 days than the entire year so respect the feet
- Pillow & ear plugs: Make ‘em fit for a world of difference on the plane & in the hotel
- Business Cards: has all your social media contact info (to pass to new friends)

Does this list sound silly? No way? Think of it this way…

By packing a bag of granola, some empty cups and plastic silverware, Ben only has to buy a single bottle of milk each morning. No long McDonalds’ lines and waits.

By grabbing a roll of quarters, Ben has ready change for a convention locker and doesn’t have to walk back to the room a dozen-plus times (but don’t put quarters in your carry-on due to airport security).

By tossing in energy mixes, Ben has a chance at surviving 18-hour game sessions and not having to spend $4.50 on diet cokes (or wait in line for them).

By throwing in some pain relief, Ben has mercy on his body as it’s nearly inhumane on what he is going to do in terms of food and sleep.

By including a couple film cases & boxes, Ben will safely transport back his single, pricey minis and other smaller acquisition items.

And by remembering a few thoughtful gifts for his game group, Ben takes advantage of seeing his cross-country friends once a year with a subtle offering of thanks.

So, it’s not a perfect list but one with thought and some planning. Be sure to check out our YouTube video for more packing fun.

Questions to Ponder: What did I forget to pack? Do you agree or disagree with the list? Got any other tips for your traveling brethren?

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This week Ben shares a smattering of structures that serve nicely in the guard post capacity. A common transition in any D&D adventure, a security checkpoint makes for a handy encounter – whether it’s a brief battle or a fact finding exchange.

Ben retrieved four different buildings from his bookshelf to represent a typical sentry’s station. Each has its own uniqueness and possible storyline spin.

- Lookout Post: This stone tower is a bit on the wee side but perfect for those smaller creatures. One can easily perch a goblin sharpshooter at the top with a few heavy swordsman on the ground. You can nab this item over at JR Miniatures.

- Defensive Tower: This magnificent fortification is part of the Miniature Building Authority European Castle Building Series. This looming battlement is your clear choice for any city entry. You’ve got lots of Wizards miniatures options here too including the Arcanix Guard and the City Guard.

- Woodland Hut: Ben picked up this little shelter off a Gen Con display case but couldn’t even begin to tell ya who makes it. The material is actually all plastic and the company had lots of interesting pieces. Post a comment here if you know the author. Ben puts this building in the poor man’s outpost category – perfect for a middle-of-nowhere locale with tribal-like monsters.

- Turtle Shell: This dwelling comes from that same who-knows manufacture as the Woodland Hut. Ben sees this building placed in a swampland area or as the home of a single crazed creature. The giant turtle shell roof is a sweet-ass touch.

Questions to Ponder: What was your favorite building? Got a mod in mind that had a great guard tower scene or battle opportunity? Who makes those pre-cast plastic pieces in that one pic?

Sure – Ryan Seacrest says it with more pizzazz and conviction but who doesn’t want a kick-ass idol on their game table? Thankfully, Pegasus Hobbies, an upstart game shop in Montclair, California has stepped up to the plate.

This imposing Orc statue measures 5.5” high and 3.75” wide. It’s quite a sight when placed next to your standard miniature. The figurine is dry brushed with a killer gray combo to give it a rough stone feel. Its hands even move in case the DM wants to mess with the characters when they’re not looking. Of course, the sumo-look on the back is a bonus.

Their kick-ass, hand-crafted Orc Idol made its first appearance in our weekly video podcast series during the Chamber of Eyes battle in the D&D Thunderspire Labyrinth module. Ben even went backdoor on the adventurers and dropped in a secret treasure room.

You might remember Pegasus Hobbies from Ben’s earlier review of the spectacular Wizard’s Tower. Don’t fret their 1990s-style order page – their products are top notch from a quality perspective.

Every climatic room needs a centerpiece on the board. Always be on the lookout for these hidden game accessory gems. These final touches can make a memorable difference.

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Could D&D miniatures be making a comeback? Well, the latest gargantuan figure from WotC (along with the first previews of Lords of Madness) is a fine start. Ben decided to unbox this evil bastard and take a detailed look under the hood.

Ben first spotted a prototype of the Orcus fig way back in 2007 at Gen Con. There sat the Prince of Undeath, taunting him from behind the glass. This latest release is the first in the Icon series since the Icingdeath gargantuan white dragon in September 2007.

This demon lord does not disappoint. Lots of positive pleasure points including:

- a daunting wingspan
– killer facial features
– a creepy, skeletal weapon (Ben’s fav)
– a sweeping, spiked tail
– a towering disposition alongside the blue, red or black dragons
– his own Twitter account
– a striking resemblance to the Aspect of Orcus

Sure, Ben would like to see something in that off-hand (maybe a dangling victim) but no mini is perfect. So, where does the series go from here? Does the gargantuan Dracolich re-appear? Nah, Ben would rather see another non-dragon – maybe a spider of some sort.

This Orcus may be a bit pricey ($75-plus) but the value and quality are absolutely there. Besides, you want him on your shelf…you need him on your shelf.

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