Random Word: Discombobulated

 Another day, another word.  This time I was given the word "Discombobulated" by a good friend of mine.  As usual, I will define the word, then write about how it relates to tabletop gaming, fishing, and 3D printing.

According to Websters Dictionary, the word "Discombobulated" is defined as informally to be confused or disordered.  It is the past tense of "Discombobulate" which is defined as to cause or be in a state of confusion, upset, or disorientated.

Discombobulate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

As the word "Discombobulated" applies to tabletop gaming, I can think of two different instances where it applies.  The first one applies to Dungeons and Dragons and the second one applies to tabletop wargaming.

First, the Dungeons and Dragons aspect.  There is a Confused condition, which is the most direct application to the character, and the spell "Confusion" which applies said condition.  Most directly, the target of the condition suffers a random effect at the beginning of their turn, as defined by the chart below, courtesy of 5e SRD.  Other systems may have similar or different effects, but it all comes out the same at the table:

d10	Behavior
1	The creature uses all its movement to move in a random direction. To determine the direction, roll a d8 and assign a direction to each die face. The creature doesn’t take an action this turn.
2-6	The creature doesn’t move or take actions this turn.
7-8	The creature uses its action to make a melee attack against a randomly determined creature within its reach. If there is no creature within its reach, the creature does nothing this turn.
9-10	The creature can act and move normally.

As you can see by the chart above, having this effect applied to a character is very powerful, with a one-in-four chance of moving/acting normally.  Characters would be granted a save at the end of their turn, potentially regaining control.

Secondly, in terms of tabletop wargaming, sowing confusion on the battlefield is a proven tactic.  If your enemy is confused, then you can capitalize on lack of orders and eliminate the enemy.  On the table, this could include, but not limited to:

** blitzing your opponent faster than they anticipate, not giving them a chance to react

** applying a combined strategy that catches your opponent off guard. 

** utilizing terrain to limit line of sight and then ambushing from cover.

There are plenty of tactics and strategies to apply in tabletop wargaming to confuse your opponent.  These will vary from game to game, dice vs cards, terrain on the table, conditions/mission of battle, and so on.

When it comes to fishing, again there are two particular instances I can think where the word "discombobulated" comes into application.  The first one is confusion of the fisherman and the second is confusion of the fish.

Confusion of the fisherman/fisherwoman can come in a variety of forms and affect the fisher in different ways.  The status condition could be applied by lack of food or drinkable water while on the water or shore, or simply losing your way briefly.  Packing a good outdoors pack will help in this situation.

One of the biggest confusions that I have suffered while fishing is lure selection, which is one of the biggest hurdles that any fisher deals with.  I get out on the water, stick to my game plan, but nothing is biting, so I get a bit discombobulated, because I know there are fish in the lake, so I start going through my tackle like a madman, which is counterproductive.

To help you avoid being discombobulated while out on the water, here are a few tips to aim for a successful catch ... at least in Interior Alaska:

** the water in general is clear almost everywhere you go, with a few exceptions being a few choice rivers.  Adjust your lure color to knowing the water is clear.

** some of the more exciting days involved having a spoon or spinner mimicking baitfish, smelt, and similar things that fish eat.  On clear sky days, I use super bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and flourescent red, and silver/chrome colors, and on cloudy days I refer to a slight bit darker colors like dulled metals, coppers, and blues.

** Fish behavior that I've learned over the years is they will be attracted to the flash at long range, motion at mid-range, and then as they zero in they will strike at the fleeing bait.  That said, play to that.  Run some flashers and/or dodgers, wire rigs, etc. and do the following:

    -- if the lure in question has built-in action, like a spoon or a plug, put some distance between your flasher and the spoon.  I normally aim for my wingspan (~4-6 feet)

    -- if your running bait or a non-action lures, run them closer to the flasher.  Being closer, the flasher will impart its action to the lure or bait as it moves through the water.

** A lot of our lakes, despite the surface area viewed on the map, are very deep.  Take this into account and adjust your depth appropriately.

This is just a small list.  I talk more about other fishing tips in the other Random Words and Fishing posts on the rest of my blog.  You can also keep an eye out for my book that I will be releasing this fall, which I hope to be a more comprehensive guide to fishing Interior Alaska.

For the final section, 3D printing, there can be a lot of discombobulated status throughout the various aspects of the printer.  

You could suffer confusion in the slicing portion of the process, which I suffer from a lot.  Which way do I orient the model before slicing?  How much fill should be in the model?  Do I or do I not need supports?  There are other questions, but you get the point I hope.  Now, you would think that the original sculptor that posted to Thingiverse would state these answers - believe it or not most do, but there are a lot that don't overall.

Another aspect that causes discombobulation is the age-old question:  "Why isn't it sticking to the bed?!?!"     I've covered this answer in-depth in other posts.  Short answer is your bed leveling settings and your slicer settings.

One last point that can leave a person printing discombobulated is the printing project itself when it comes to multiple-part projects.   Not laying out the pieces, printing the parts in different colors, and general disorganization will lead to some serious discombobulation and an overall failed project.  Organization is key.  

In conclusion, I've defined the word DISCOMBOBULATED and its derivatives, and then discussed how it applies to tabletop gaming, fishing, and 3D printing.  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it and teaching you something.

Happy fishing, gaming, and 3D printing everyone.