tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post648021939171554927..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Dogs & CarsAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-72030563069555560042014-10-21T17:40:05.648-06:002014-10-21T17:40:05.648-06:00Weapons "expertise" is off-topic on this...Weapons "expertise" is off-topic on this post.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-38481951666426662052014-10-21T17:27:55.192-06:002014-10-21T17:27:55.192-06:00In the games I've played with class-based or f...In the games I've played with class-based or fixed weapon damage, you see a lot more spears. They're awfully versatile- in fact, most DMs let players get away with too much. Real spear fighting techniques need a *lot* of room to flip the spear around: http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/liberi/wildRose/section4.htmlErichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649420272387984400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-26561428195804701732014-10-20T13:56:12.960-06:002014-10-20T13:56:12.960-06:00I would say the case currently exists where damage...I would say the case currently exists where damage is based on class and not by weapon.<br /><br />Proficiencies available to fighters are different than mages.<br /><br />Furthermore stat distribution for fighters generally favors damage, whereas for mages generally favors other pursuits.<br /><br />However that is a distraction from the point currently (cleverly brought around again by Alexis)<br /><br />Why change it if it is only a sidegrade? Only put effort towards improvement. Put the effort into the area of greatest gain.<br /><br />For instance, weapon damage probably matters most to half the classes. (Arguably all of them as some will be on the receiving end some day) But damage effects apply to everyone.<br /><br />Still, by changing the damage done, the opportunities do not open up for players. Perhaps aesthetically. Now my wizard can wield whatever weapon and do just as poorly. Or I can be a fighter that is a master of the table leg and do just as poorly as any other weapon, but for the most part I don't see this really creating new opportunities.<br /><br />An economic system, a logical and non out of ass way of building cities and kingdoms, a system for making magic items that requires questing such that the DM doesn't make up components required, but has components that already exist in the world.<br /><br />Those open up opportunities that mainly require front-end effort, but can pay off in the long run. And while they take "power" (work) away from the DM they open up opportunities for players to make their own adventures (opportunities).<br /><br />Oddbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12091924105175846386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-25329839700482708262014-10-20T12:38:25.909-06:002014-10-20T12:38:25.909-06:00Jason, ask yourself this question:
Would that imp...Jason, ask yourself this question:<br /><br />Would that improve the game?<br /><br />I can't imagine any way that it would. I can imagine various ways that it would damage the game by selectively setting out to ghettoize certain classes even MORE with regards to their combat ability, while increasing the comparative powers of others. I can't see how that's a good thing.<br /><br />Aren't the classes effectively moderated as to their combat abilities already?<br /><br />Wouldn't the energy to rebuild the game in this manner and require the players to relearn a new system be better spent on other game features?<br />Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-84791807588237881712014-10-20T12:31:15.081-06:002014-10-20T12:31:15.081-06:00Alexis, do you think the idea that damage is set b...Alexis, do you think the idea that damage is set by class (obviously therefore by training and experience), rather than weapon, has any merit? For example, fighters inflict 1d10 regardless of weapon, while magic-users might only inflict 1d4.Jason Jutahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07109751465009519029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-42638470473859431202014-10-20T10:56:02.327-06:002014-10-20T10:56:02.327-06:00When I started playing Men & Magic in '79,...When I started playing Men & Magic in '79, we used a d8 for long swords.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-65515716486264890302014-10-20T10:53:35.059-06:002014-10-20T10:53:35.059-06:00The original D&D rules had every weapon doing ...The original D&D rules had every weapon doing 1d6 damage, right? No one cared that everyone ran around with daggers and such.<br /><br />In my own understanding of game mechanics, I assume the "average" commoner/0-level NPC/mook has 4 hit points. Weapons designed to kill should kill a good percentage of the time. A dagger (damage 1d4) might kill someone on a lucky hit, but will more likely wound 'em. Using a sword (heavier, more momentum, etc) is more likely to get a killing blow. (5/8 = 62.5% of the time it will kill the average 0-level mook.) <br /><br />And that dragon? Yeah, commoners don't stand a chance. That's why the PCs get called up.<br /><br />Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15657793356913767894noreply@blogger.com