# Order of the Stick - Book 5 Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323 "2009-08-31T04:09:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 115
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2281 "2011-07-11T16:24:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Roy appears to understand the basics, even if he doesn’t have the feat. In the same way that he understands the basics of spellcasting, despite not having any magical capabilities himself. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2282 "2011-07-11T17:57:32Z")
You can’t say that’s a bad thing. There may have been some coursework in ‘Your team and their classes: proper management’ in his MBA program. Though I think Elan’s ability is more obscure. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t covered and Roy has had to pick it up on the fly. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2283 "2011-07-11T18:15:09Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Though I think Elan’s ability is more obscure. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t covered and Roy has had to pick it up on the fly. If Tarquin wasn’t at least as adept at it, I’d assign Genre Savvy to be a bard class feat. Nale having it is explainable by the fact that he IS a bard, [the long way round.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0050.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2284 "2011-07-11T18:30:03Z")
From that it appears that, whatever bardic info he might have had, Elan didn’t at that point use it instinctively. If he did his ‘genre savvy’ ability would have led him to know instantly that the boyhood stories of he and Nale matched up. I think it’s likely that Genre Savvy may be a bit cross-class for bards (or at least an optional) but Elan took levels in ‘Dashing Swordsman’ under Julio Scoundrel. Given the way he trained for that it appears that ‘genre savvy’ is a prime feat for that class. Note that Elan is ahead of Nale in how to use the feat over the last few strips. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2285 "2011-07-11T18:36:52Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > From that it appears that, whatever bardic info he might have had, Elan didn’t at that point use it instinctively. If he did his ‘genre savvy’ ability would have led him to know instantly that the boyhood stories of he and Nale matched up. > > I think it’s likely that Genre Savvy may be a bit cross-class for bards (or at least an optional) but Elan took levels in ‘Dashing Swordsman’ under Julio Scoundrel. Given the way he trained for that it appears that ‘genre savvy’ is a prime feat for that class. Note that Elan is ahead of Nale in how to use the feat over the last few strips. True. I keep forgetting about Dashing Swordsman. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2286 "2011-07-11T18:42:35Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I have a right mind to call the moderators on the lot of you all. Here I am trying to give you all a sneak peak of the comic and I get unanimously berated for almost an entire month. The nerve of you! I never. Well I say, I never. Pobrecito. Here, have a look at [#796](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0796.html) to make up for it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2287 "2011-07-11T20:16:08Z")
He’s used it before he became a Dashing Swordsman, though. See, for instance, [the escape from the first gate explosion](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0119.html). And he explained just a couple of strips ago that he didn’t realize that Nale was alive, despite all the conventions saying that he must be, because those same conventions dictate that it’s more dramatic for him not to realize. The same applies to his not realizing when they met that he and Nale were twins. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2288 "2011-07-12T05:12:16Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > You can’t say that’s a bad thing. There may have been some coursework in ‘Your team and their classes: proper management’ in his MBA program. > > Though I think Elan’s ability is more obscure. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t covered and Roy has had to pick it up on the fly. Well, Haley and the rest seem to have some [grasp of the concept](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0155.html) as well. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2289 "2011-07-12T15:24:47Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > From that it appears that, whatever bardic info he might have had, Elan didn’t at that point use it instinctively. If he did his ‘genre savvy’ ability would have led him to know instantly that the boyhood stories of he and Nale matched up. > > I think it’s likely that Genre Savvy may be a bit cross-class for bards (or at least an optional) but Elan took levels in ‘Dashing Swordsman’ under Julio Scoundrel. Given the way he trained for that it appears that ‘genre savvy’ is a prime feat for that class. Note that Elan is ahead of Nale in how to use the feat over the last few strips. I haven’t played D&D for nearly thirty years, but if I ever do again, I swear I’m gonna try to convince the DM that my character has Genre Savvy as a feat… ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2290 "2011-07-12T15:32:19Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Well, Haley and the rest seem to have some [grasp of the concept](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0155.html) as well. Yup. Here’s an example of V explaining a genre convention to Elan: > **[145 Mr(s). Wizard Explains It All - Giant in the Playground Games](https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0145.html)** ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2291 "2011-07-12T17:03:20Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Pobrecito. Here, have a look at [#796](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0796.html) to make up for it. Bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Heller\_Highwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@Heller\_Highwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heller_Highwater)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2292 "2011-07-15T21:04:38Z")
For [real](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0796.html) this time. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2293 "2011-07-15T21:07:51Z")
Look like they may need another diamond. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2294 "2011-07-15T21:12:52Z")
That’s going to leave a mark. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2295 "2011-07-15T21:13:33Z")
> [@Heller\_Highwater](#): > > For [real](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0796.html) this time. Yikes!! ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2296 "2011-07-15T21:20:35Z")
Great, another gigantic “Let’s cart Roy’s body around sub-plot.” Jesus, what a beat-down. And all that after the barb had lost his ax. Be nice to see Durkon do something this arc besides rezzing Roy. I’m liking the update rate for the strip though… ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2297 "2011-07-15T21:31:55Z")
Is Roy Thnnking him with a rock or what is that. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2298 "2011-07-15T21:52:12Z")
It’s his fist. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2299 "2011-07-15T22:16:42Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Pobrecito. Here, have a look at [#796](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0796.html) to make up for it. Awesome! Thanks for the update! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2300 "2011-07-15T22:27:24Z")
And it’s presumably thnnking because of Thog’s damage reduction. Though even bare-handed, Roy should be able to do enough damage to get through that. And the Order really needs to stop letting the Guild dictate the terms of engagements-- The Guild all seem to be optimizing to fight their opposite numbers, which gives them an edge. But if Roy and Vaarsuvius, for instance, were to trade opponents, they’d probably both have the advantage. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=114) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=116)