Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[heron]

I previously attempted to start a forum game of this paper and pencil game, but was unsuccessful, likely due to my less than thrilling post about it. I will do better this time!

I am attempting to rally players for a game at http://games.ravenblack.net/
You can play for free and don't even have to give your email; if you pay the site owner $8 you get registered status, feel self-satisfied, and are allowed to play in more than 3 games at the same time.

So, Waving Hands involves writing down sequences of gestures that you are performing with your hands.
The game is simultaneous; each round, all players write their gestures down and they are all revealed and resolved simultaneously.
Different sequences cast different spells, e.g. DPP is amnesia, causes the target to repeat their previous two gestures.
If you were trying to cast WPFD cause heavy wounds (deals 3 damage) and were hit by amnesia on your F, you would instead do WPFF, which is useless. However, if your other hand did WWS counterspell (target is affected by no other spells this turn), you could proceed with cause heavy wounds normally.
Some spells are longer and more powerful, like PWPFSSSD finger of death (instant-kill, isn't blocked by counterspell).
Others are short, but require gestures from both hands, like C(w Magic Mirror (all spells targeting the target except for magic mirror target the caster instead). (lowercase means that the gesture must be performed by both hands. C, or Clap, is always two-handed, except for zen buddhists.
You might notice that the spells don't really resolve simultaneously, because that would make counterspell useless. The order of resolution is at  http://games.ravenblack.net/rules/1/quickref.html, along with the full spell list.

The great fun in this game comes from two things:
1. Weaving your spells together even through opponents' disruptions:
PSDFFDD can cast shield (P), missile (SD), charm person (PSDF), and lightning bolt (DFFDD) with only 7 gestures.

2. Anticipating your opponent:
In a recent game I was really pushed against the wall, basically dead next turn unless I cast Cure Heavy Wounds on myself, but my opponent had a counterspell (WPP this time) ready. Fortunately, I had charm person on them, so I could choose for them to do nothing instead of the last P for counterspell, allowing me to successfully cast cause heavy wounds. However, I knew that they would be trying to gesture P for counterspell. Gesturing P with both hands (two proffered palms) makes you surrender, so I instead used my charm person to make their other hand do a P gesture, thus winning the game.

Other stuff and things to remember:

1. You can also stab people (>) but you only have one knife.
2. Don't do P with both hands accidentally—you'll surrender.
3. When summoning monsters (which you can order to attack stuff), cast the spell on yourself, or one of your monsters. Otherwise, you will not be able to control the monster.
4. I like to play with a self-enforced rule off no more than 5 F's in a row, because FFF (paralyze) kind of makes the game boring. (It's a bit broken since you can spam it forever)
5. This game is really fun.
6. Resist Heat and Resist Cold generally aren't worth it in duels.
7. Clapping and stabbing are generally not so good, as they interrupt your sequence.

So, if you're interested in a game, get an account at http://games.ravenblack.net/, and post your interest in this thread!
DSF
If you are confused (as you likely are), you can read the official rules at http://games.ravenblack.net/rules/0/index.html,
and if you would like to know a little more about what a game is like, I will soon post one of my recent games with commentary.

[heron]

Alright then, here is probably my most exciting game, with my commentary:

Code: [Select]

Turn 24 in Ladder Battle 80825

Turn 0

heron bows.
earthlark bows.

Turn 1

heron says "I'm working on a variant of this that we could play through e-mail and human moderation. Also, didi you know that if you cast paralyze and antispell on the same turn, you paralyze your opponent into a nothing gesture?".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron points the digit of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark points the digit of his right hand.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.

Turn 2

heron says "hmm... DD opening... amnesia, confusion, and some longer stuff".
earthlark says "Nope. On both hands, by casting at the same turn?".
heron snaps the fingers of his left hand.
heron snaps the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.

Turn 3

earthlark says "Quite.".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
heron casts Confusion at earthlark.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Amnesia at heron.
earthlark casts Confusion at heron.
earthlark looks a bit confused.
heron starts to look blank.
heron looks a bit confused.
heron shakes his head and regains control, as enchantments cancel each other out.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.

Turn 4

earthlark confusedly makes the wrong gesture with his right hand.
heron says "...Were both idiots. Thinking that your attacks with both hit me, I aborted charm person. Also, yes, both hands, same time.".
earthlark says "lol. Oh well. and dinner time, be back later.".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron waves his right hand.
heron casts Shield at the monster heron is summoning with his right hand.
heron casts Summon Goblin at himself.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
Ratty Goblin is summoned to serve heron.
Ratty Goblin is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Ratty Goblin to attack the monster earthlark is summoning with his right hand.
Ratty Goblin swings wildly for the monster earthlark is summoning with his right hand, but misses.

Turn 5

heron says "Ratty goblin AGAIN?!?!?!".
earthlark says "Lol. Ratty goblin is so ratty, he's attacking a goblin that doesn't exist. And... shoot. I acidentally did p instead of f with my right hand.".
heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark stabs with his left hand.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his right hand.
heron directs Ratty Goblin to attack earthlark.
earthlark attacks Ratty Goblin for 1 damage.
Ratty Goblin attacks earthlark for 1 damage.
Ratty Goblin dies.

Turn 6

heron says "Heh, that mistake will cost you... I was going to counterspell WPP so that para wouldn't block it though, so it isn't disastrous.".
heron points the digit of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Time Stop at himself.
heron casts Cause Light Wounds at earthlark.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
heron flickers out of time!
Wounds appear all over earthlark's body!

Turn 7

This turn took place outside of time.
heron says "can you see this message?".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron snaps the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.

Turn 8

earthlark says "Nope. I can't see any message. And.. wait a second... Im at 12 hp! Gwahh.".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Amnesia at the monster earthlark is summoning with his right hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark waves his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark casts Summon Troll at himself.
Hairy Troll is summoned to serve earthlark.
Hairy Troll starts to look blank.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
Hairy Troll forgets to attack anyone.

Turn 9

heron says "Your monsters seem to suffer from amnesia quite often.".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron waves his right hand.
heron casts Shield at the monster heron is summoning with his right hand.
heron casts Summon Giant at himself.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark points the digit of his right hand.
earthlark casts Amnesia at heron.
Gaunt Giant is summoned to serve heron.
heron starts to look blank.
Gaunt Giant is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack Hairy Troll.
Hairy Troll attacks heron for 3 damage.
Gaunt Giant attacks Hairy Troll for 4 damage.
Hairy Troll dies.

Turn 10

heron forgets what he's doing, and makes the same gestures as last round!
earthlark says "The giant is... gaunt!".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron waves his right hand.
heron casts Shield at Gaunt Giant.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
Gaunt Giant is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 11

heron says "Not beanstalk for a change!".
heron snaps the fingers of his left hand.
heron points the digit of his right hand.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Magic Missile at heron.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron is hit by a Magic Missile, for 1 damage.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 12

heron says "shield instead of amnesia? I guess 4 hp is a lot. Also now my RH D is a really bad move.".
heron points the digit of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Magic Missile at earthlark.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Charm Monster at Gaunt Giant.
Gaunt Giant looks, glassy-eyed, at earthlark.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark is hit by a Magic Missile, for 1 damage.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark for 4 damage.

Turn 13

heron says "um... charm monster fail on your part.".
heron points the digit of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Charm Monster at Gaunt Giant.
heron casts Amnesia at earthlark.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark points the digit of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark casts Magic Missile at heron.
Gaunt Giant looks, glassy-eyed, at heron.
earthlark starts to look blank.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron is hit by a Magic Missile, for 1 damage.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 14

earthlark forgets what he's doing, and makes the same gestures as last round!
heron says "I should have killed gaunt giant.".
earthlark says "Meh. Meh. Hah! Your amnesia will do nothing to stop me from stealing back the giant! In fact, it was really a waste, because I was going to do the same gestures anyways.".
heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark points the digit of his right hand.
earthlark casts Amnesia at heron.
earthlark casts Charm Monster at Gaunt Giant.
heron starts to look blank.
Gaunt Giant looks, glassy-eyed, at earthlark.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark directs Gaunt Giant to attack heron.
Gaunt Giant attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 15

heron forgets what he's doing, and makes the same gestures as last round!
heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his left hand.
earthlark snaps the fingers of his right hand.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
Gaunt Giant attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 16

heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron snaps the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Paralysis at Gaunt Giant.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Confusion at heron.
Gaunt Giant's hands start to stiffen.
heron looks a bit confused.
Gaunt Giant can't move to attack.

Turn 17

heron confusedly makes the wrong gesture with his right hand.
heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron waves his right hand.
heron casts Paralysis at Gaunt Giant.
earthlark waves his left hand.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Summon Ogre at himself.
Yellow Ogre is summoned to serve earthlark.
Gaunt Giant's hands start to stiffen.
Gaunt Giant can't move to attack.
Yellow Ogre attacks heron for 2 damage.

Turn 18

heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron points the digit of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
heron casts Fear at himself.
earthlark waves his left hand.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
earthlark casts Paralysis at heron.
heron cringes in fear.
heron's hands start to stiffen.
heron shakes his head and regains control, as enchantments cancel each other out.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
Gaunt Giant attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.
Yellow Ogre attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 19

heron says "This is looking bad.".
heron snaps the fingers of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark claps.
earthlark casts Disease at heron.
heron starts to look sick.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
Gaunt Giant attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.
Yellow Ogre attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 20

heron is a bit nauseous.
earthlark says "And the statistics will show that having control over monsters with decent names is the key to success.".
heron points the digit of his left hand.
heron proffers the palm of his right hand.
heron casts Magic Missile at earthlark.
heron casts Shield at himself.
earthlark points the digit of his left hand.
earthlark waves his right hand.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark is hit by a Magic Missile, for 1 damage.
Gaunt Giant attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.
Yellow Ogre attacks heron, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 21

heron is looking pale.
heron says "Too true, too true.".
earthlark says "No amnesia?".
heron points the digit of his left hand.
heron snaps the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Charm Monster at Gaunt Giant.
earthlark wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
Gaunt Giant looks, glassy-eyed, at heron.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack Yellow Ogre.
Gaunt Giant attacks Yellow Ogre for 4 damage.
Yellow Ogre attacks heron for 2 damage.
Yellow Ogre dies.

Turn 22

heron is having difficulty breathing.
heron says "Gotta shield, man!".
heron wiggles the fingers of his left hand.
heron points the digit of his right hand.
heron casts Magic Missile at earthlark.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark waves his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
A magic missile bounces off earthlark's shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 23

heron is sweating feverishly.
heron says "can't...breathe...".
heron proffers the palm of his left hand.
heron wiggles the fingers of his right hand.
heron casts Shield at himself.
heron casts Charm Person at earthlark.
earthlark waves his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Cure Heavy Wounds at himself.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark looks intrigued by heron.
earthlark is healed.
heron is covered by a shimmering shield.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.

Turn 24

heron staggers weakly.
earthlark is charmed into making the wrong gesture with his left hand.
heron says "phew.".
heron waves his left hand.
heron waves his right hand.
heron casts Cure Heavy Wounds at himself.
heron casts Cure Light Wounds at himself.
earthlark proffers the palm of his left hand.
earthlark proffers the palm of his right hand.
earthlark casts Shield at himself.
earthlark casts Counter Spell at heron.
heron is covered by a magical glowing shield.
Tiny holes in heron's shield are sealed up.
Tiny holes in heron's shield are sealed up.
earthlark is covered by a shimmering shield.
heron directs Gaunt Giant to attack earthlark.
Gaunt Giant attacks earthlark, but is deflected by a shield.
earthlark surrenders.
heron is victorious!
An image of the gestures is attached, to help you follow along, hopefully. The first few games, you will be constantly referring to the spell reference, but soon they will be as memorized as those dominion cards!

1.
I open P/D, hopefully leading into Charm Person and Confusion, while my opponent goes D/D, aiming for Amnesia, Confusion, and eventually Disease.

2.
We both plod along as expected.

3.
Confusion is random so I cannot prepare for it, I instead focus on the incoming Amnesia, and switch from Charm Person to Time Stop because it has two of the same gesture in a row. However, I forgot that if you are targeted by multiple disruptive enchantments like Amnesia and Confusion, neither has an effect, so I could have continued with Charm Person.

4.
I Summon a Goblin to attack the monster that earthlark might have summoned (he didn't actually summon anything though), and protect it with a Shield. Earthlark shields himself from my goblin, although this was an error and he had intended to continue with Disease.

5.
Ratty Goblin is brutally stabbed to death, I progress toward Cause Light Wounds, earthlark progresses toward a Summon Troll.

6.
I complete Time Stop and Cause Light Wounds successfully.

7. This turn took place outside of time.
I get set up for Amnesia and Summon Giant.

8.
earthlark completes his Troll, but it doesn't attack me because I cast Amnesia on it. Earthlark gets set up for his own amnesia.

9.
I finish my Giant and earthlark Shields so that he doesn't get hit.

10. earthlark builds toward Charm Monster and threatens Amnesia.

11. Fearing Amnesia, I do D with my right hand to set up for Clap of Lightning (WDDC). However, earthlark Shields instead and my D is kind of a waste. I am also hit my a Missile for 1 damage. Earthlark threatens Charm Monster with his left hand.

12. Gaunt giant switches over to earthlark's side due to a Charm Monster, I begin to build toward my own charm monster. I also Shield to avoid a loss of 4 health. Earthlark sees my charm monster threat and sets up for yet another charm monster, which will not be blocked by my impending Amnesia.

Alright, fewer hyperlinks from here to the end.

13. I reclaim Gaunt Giant and cast Amnesia; Earthlark Shields from the giant and threats Amnesia and Charm Monster.

14. I shield from the giant and start the F's for a Paralysis chain. Earthlark reclaims Gaunt Giant and casts Amnesia on me, but it does not really effect my repeated P-shield and my FFF paralysis.

15. I continue as planned, earthlark threatens a Confusion and threatens to summon an Ogre.

16.  I cast Paralysis on the Giant so it cannot attack me that turn. Earthlark builds toward Disease and is one turn from an ogre. I am hit by
Confusion.

17. Coming soon. 

[Kirian]

10-pt white text on black makes it impossible for me to thoroughly examine what might otherwise be interesting.

[heron]

That is indeed annoying. If I'm playing for a while at a time, I zoom in and turn on invert colors+grayscale. It looks normal after that, but then everything else looks wrong.

[qmech]

I installed an extension a while back called Colorific which allows you to set up custom colour schemes for individual websites (there are lots of sensible pre-set options).  This was during one of my irregular phases of trying to find a usable dark window manager theme.  It does a good job on RavenBlack.

[heron]

Ooh, I just found something like that for chrome! It is so nice!

[ConMan]

I've joined, and am playing one slow game now to get a feel for it. It's interesting so far, and the colour scheme and font choice makes me feel a bit like I'm playing an old DOS game which is great in my book.

[heron]

Hooray! I'm glad that you are enjoying the game. Agorian123 is probably a good first opponent, because I believe that he is new as well.

[ConMan]

And now I'm also in a 3-player duel with you. Frankly I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing there, but crazy things are happening and I'm not dead yet so I'll take that as a positive.