Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanefan  I've been running 1e for 25-odd years and still haven't figured out THAC0. To me, it just adds an unnecessary layer of complication - I don't care whether a swing hits AC 0, I care whether it hits the specific AC of the particular opponent at the time - all I want to know is whether the base roll, bonuses, penalties, fight level, and AC end up adding to 21 or more. THAC0 doesn't help me there, and instances of both the target's AC being 0 and the attacker's listed THAC0 rating being accurate for the situation happen rarely enough that I'm not going to waste the time checking.
Lanefan |
That's . . . unfortunate. You can always use those handy combat tables to speed things up!
Once again I'll have to admit that I don't understand what your getting at with your example, why would you want it all to add up to 21 or more? Ah I think I get you. AC 0 = AC 21 . . . which still leaves me confused. It's wonderful if the monsters AC is 0/21, because then THAC0 tells you
everything you need to know -- you don't need to do any math. Just roll your THAC0 rating or better. In all other cases THAC0(including modifiers) - the AC (including modifiers) = what you need to roll to hit. untill that opponent is dead or you pick a new one -- which probably has the same AC.
Of course bonuses and penalties are rarer in AD&D then in
3e, especially modifiers that won't always effect your combat ability (eg spells, distance for ranged weapons). Still as long as you realize that
every* number in 1e improves by going down, you should do fine. The lower the AC, THAC0 or Save the better. (even surprise is better the lower it is. surprised on a 1 on a d6, is better then surprised on a 3)
People seem to find this confusing because rolling higher is almost always better.
* a slight exageration. I believe Spell Resistance is better the higher the % is. I can't think of any other subsystem (psionics? maybe) that does though.
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