#I mean i've said all this before but like. good lord is the kool-aid at paizo-con laced with feeblemind.

[utilitycaster]

wait I'm still stuck on the phrase "5e isn’t actually meant to be easy for new players, it’s meant to be approachable" from that aforementioned neckbeard because like...when I have heard actual thoughtful discussion of D&D 5e vs. PF2e from people who have respect for both (and admittedly I have no respect for the latter and don't pretend to) the general consensus is that D&D 5e prioritized new player onboarding and simplicity, whereas PF2e prioritized consistency and high-level scaling. Like with all due respect (none) the very first thing I assume when I hear "this game is approachable" is "this game is pretty easy for new players to pick up."

[missielynne]

CBS Ghosts Review: It's The End of the World...

I will say right of the bat that I wasn't expecting to like this episode. I thought it was going to be a slog, since it's about Flower and she hasn't had much to do beyond being Thor's girlfriend and prattle on about her stereotypical Hippie behavior in a long time.

But to my surprise, I did enjoy it. It'll never be one of my top ten episodes, but getting background on Flower's cult was really good because it brought reality to what she said. And having her talk about why she joined really made her feel more like a person I can root for, which is a nice change. The way she talked before about Bruce in particular, she sounded like a Manson follower or someone more than willing to drink the Kool-aid and it was actually beginning to weird me out.

But the strength of this episode for me was that it made Flower feel like a person again, not just a stereotypical cartoon hippie, and that's what I've needed. That's what I've been talking about with my anons. It was good to hear that Flower joined the cult because she was alone and scared after a bunch of crap happened to her and she just wanted to belong somewhere.

Thor and Flower's relationship has also seemed very one-note ever since it started, so it was nice to hear something specific and actually real relationship like when Thor explained that Flower only spoke Spanish when she was angry or upset (and I love the idea of her teaching it to him as well. We know from how fast he seemed to learn Lenape that he's surprisingly good with languages.)

I give Flower points for wanting to save Sam and Jay from what she honestly thought was a real threat, but I also liked that the show brought her down to earth as well, and in the case of Sam, surprisingly, not very easily. I liked that they had the other ghosts point out that the sun went down and nothing happened and they then said Bruce lied and that even though the cult didn't work out for her and wasn't exactly the sense of belonging that she wanted, they didn't see her as a joke, but as a valuable part of Woodstone who would always have a place among them. That was really sweet. I hope this means we don't need to hear her going on and on about the cult anymore, because that's run its course, honestly.

And although having the cholera ghosts give all the cooks cholera to stop the restaurant from opening was not good (and really, what other ghost power could those guys have but to give people cholera? Loved seeing it in action even if it caused trouble), it was still very entertaining, as it always it to me, when they go upstairs and do shenanigans. Seeing the two at the ghost table just hanging out makes me want to see more of that...as long as they aren't actively giving people cholera.

And the Hetty and Trevor development was awesome. Long live Power Friends, benefits optional. I just love watching them indulge in a game of wits because they're both genuinely good at it. Also, Hetty's enthusiastic fist bump was the best, and them moving from the kitchen to the living room because there's more likely to be people in the living room that they can lord their superiority over? That was hilarious.

Next week...Pete and the possible (please I hope) history of Uncle Sal in hell. Can't wait to see how Ghostfellas goes.