Getting Started - The PCâs (Player Characters)!
Since the GM is all prepped and rearing to go, letâs go ahead and cover what PCâs will need in order to play FFD6!
A Character Sheet and concept for your character! With 18 unique Jobs for characters to have, on top of countless builds you can make with races suggested and of your GMâs creation, thereâs a lot of flexibility when it comes to making FFD6 characters! Granted, if you want to keep track of all of their stats and gear, you probably should have one of these filled out. The front and back of Character Sheets can be found on Pages 273 & 274 in the FFD6 PDF.
A Calculator. Similar to the GM, it is more than wise to have your own calculator to calculate numbers. A lot can be processed in your head, and after smacking fiendish cronies so many times with your Princess Guard staff youâll probably be familiar with most of the calculations. Regardless, a calculator is good for keeping track of abilities that deal ludicrous amounts of damage or even just HP.
Two d6â˛s are necessary to play FFD6. Most attacks and abilities require you also roll these dice in tandem with the action, so itâs a good idea to nab two from around the house, from your special set, or whatever.
Pen, Pencils, Erasers, Sharpeners. As your character progresses thorugh their journey, they are probably going to find some pretty neato gear. If you donât remember to bring a pencil to write that down, you may forget all the cool bonuses and goodies the GM dishes out, so make sure youâre in good supply!
And again, like the GM, you will want to have access to the FFD6 PDF File. If youâre wanting to research, or do the GM a solid by leveling up your character on your own, you will want this PDF. As I may mention in later posts, some rules can get a bit confusing; if thatâs the case, I highly suggest you talk to the party as a whole, including the GM, so you all can determine house rules for abilities, items, etc. Your opinion on rulings is just as important as the GMâs, and it helps everyone become a better player to reexamine play!
Similar to the GM, this should not cost you very much, especially if you frequent other Tabletop RPGâs.
Now, a few suggested supplies:
Additional dice types. Like the GM, there are times you may want a counter of sort (like Monks keeping track of their Chain Points), or you need a die to determine whether or not an enemy is afflicted with transform! Here are the kinds I would advise investing in:
d4â˛s are great for status touch items since they all have about a 25% chance of inflicting a status. Furthermore, d4â˛s can help serve as reminders for how much longer you have to deal with a status effect, since they also normally last anywhere from 1-4 turns.
d10â˛s can help with keeping track as counters. As mentioned above, monks can benefit from this, users of the spell Resonance can benefit from keeping track of how many times theyâve been hit; all good stuff.
Group Chats. Though this applies to GMâs as well, and it may be second nature to most people, communication with other players is imperative. Not to mention too, Group chats are always a good place for Final Fantasy Memes.
A side journal, character diary, sketchbook, etc. Depending on table rules, these are good to have in case you would like to take additional notes for your character. The character sheets are good for basic info, but writing can get cramped after awhile. Having an alternative place to write down quest goals, special campaign abilities, or even just doodles of funny moments is a good way to space out writing and keep a cleaner character sheet.
So, like the posts for GMâs, I have a few parting thoughts.
As a PC, you are always going to be part of a team, whether thatâs between the GM and you, or your other party members. This does mean that it falls to you that you have some responsibilities, and these apply just as much to GMâs, if not more.
Being a Respectful Player:Â This includes but is not limited showing up on time, not outright being rude to other players, among a whole other grocery list of things. I really emphasize this point, because I know far too many campaigns that end prematurely due to playerâs not caring about others in their party or the GM, or how discrepancies are not handled maturely. This is a game, it has rules, and having good clean (Or not so clean) fun is what should be the focus! And that does require respect!
Being Aware of your Characterâs Abilities: As a longtime GM, I absolutely love clarifying things for players. In this way they can better understand the world, what their super awesome character can unleash, and so on. But the flow of the game easily gets interrupted if I have to stop and re-answer how to calculate magic damage Aspir five times.Â
GMâs: patience is key. Players? Sorting out stuff for your character before and in between games is both incredibly efficient and beneficial for GMâs. They need to juggle a lot and wear multiple hats, and they canât always remember every intricacy of your character. From a player standpoint, your character and their actions are your responsibility, so know them as well as you can!
Advocating for Yourself: GMâs are far from perfect beings. If they miss something for your character, if youâre confused about a point, or if you donât like how something was handled, respectfully interrupt play or pull aside the GM so the issue can be fixed. The story is both the partyâs and GMâs; itâs together that you both feed the world youâre playing in so you can achieve the fantasy everyone desires. So if something doesnât seem right, or you need something clarified, it is my wish and hope you feel comfortable enough to be in a party where you can do so.
Anyway, after these heavy sorts of things, it is exciting to be a player. To finally be in a game where you can fully interact with a living, breathing world that responds to your deeds and shenanigans is liberating. So go ham! Dream up the fantastical Moogle Warrior! Play as a Cyborg Black Mage! Dominate your foes as a Viera Ninja! Love what you create; and get ready for a Final Fantasy Experience unlike any youâve ever witnessed before. ~ Ryan
Credit to the Authors of the âLetâs Play Final Fantasyâ site for the image of the FF II Over-World image!