Top-Down Campaign Design
Morrisonmp at The Rhetorical Gamer talks about campaign-down design. Briefly, I think it’s a great idea. My Campaign and Scenario Design series talks about how to do exactly what he’s talking about.
Weapon Specialization I Like: FantasyCraft
In response to Beedo’s question about using weapon specialization in D&D, I said I don’t like using weapon specialization in D&D because I find it useful, but boring. “Useful and boring”… well, it’s useful, but it’s still boring, and I don’t want boring in my game. As much as I …
Using Weapon Specialization in D&D
Beedo of Dreams in the Lich House asks how many people use weapon specialization in D&D. I have used, or allowed the use of, weapon specialization in D&D as long as I can remember. For a while after D&D 3e came out I even played a PC that took it, …
Links of the Week: March 19, 2012
So, I’ve missed another week (or rather, missed a week again). It’s been kind of hectic around here lately. That said, I think it’s a pretty good set this week. I’ve added a couple of things to the Hall of Fame, have a few Kickstarter projects I either backed or …
Reducing the Impact of Ability Scores
I have no idea what prompted this, but what if ability score modifiers in D&D were handled in four-point bands instead of two-point bands? That is, instead of Score Modifier 1 -5 2..3 -4 4..5 -3 6..7 -2 8..9 -1 10..11 +0 12..13 +1 14..15 +2 16..17 +3 18..19 +4 …
We’re Bad People
I just received this from Emily (‘Bruno’ below), the DM for the Kobold Kommandos epic. Berkun: Wait, Blessing adds to damage? Harald387: Every roll you make. Every time dice shake. Every crit you make, every feint you fake, I’ll be Blessing you. Bruno: Oh baby can’t you seeee? Your crits …
Variant Specialist Wizards
I have always liked the idea of specialist wizards, but have never really been fond of the implementation. A couple barred schools of magic (only one if specializing in Divination, because it sucks), in exchange for an extra spell slot per spell level and a +2 bonus to Spellcraft checks …
Changing Range Increments
Range increments in D&D 3.x have always struck me as a little strange. First and foremost, they are basically meaningless most of the time. Almost all combats I’ve seen in the D&D 3.x era (and most of those before that) almost everything happens within one range increment. Most battle mats …
Echelon d20 Forum
I’ve been having conversations with a couple of Echelon d20 site members, held in the posts and pages they’re working on. It seems kind of strange to be chatting back and forth in comments embedded in the post content. I’ve set up a forum to hold discussions on design and …
Magic Item Complaints and Corrections
I was thinking recently about magic items and their design, and specifically about complaints I have seen about them. D&D 3.x evolved to the point where certain magic items were expected. This led to some distinct complaints. Complaints Magic items are boring. I have to agree. The customary set of …