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I think as much as anything you are dealing with internal disagreement between the authors of the game over what the right way to play the game (to maximize fun) actually is. I don't think you should presume any more agreement between individuals at TSR over what the game is than you have...

Page 25 of the 1983 Metzer version? Yes, it officially empowers the DM to fudge to improve the game. Which is interesting as its own topic but pertains to this topic IMO primarily in that I feel the more the DM has to fudge, the less service the rules are doing him. Also, perhaps because it...

Let's be very clear on this. I do not think you been polite this whole thread, right from your very first post. You asserted knowledge of the intention of the game that was superior to its acknowledged designers, and which superseded the rules and published statements. That is one of the...

Session #79: Rescue citizens from alien horrors.

@GreyLord Let me try to be concise. It's my contention that any lock which is so simple that the thief (from 1st level) can automatically do it if they work at it long enough, is also so simple that any reasonably intelligent and dexterous person also ought to be able to do it if they work at...

I'm always fascinated to hear about how different tables played the game, but what triggered the conversation is your claim that that way you were playing as the game was intended to be played. That claim is a claim of objective fact, and you have the misfortune of making it to two people who...

I'm at times giving descriptions of processes of play that preexisted D&D's actual publication. This is a pretty narrow window and it involves a very small number of tables. I'm allowing for the possibility that Greylord was playing at a table where at least one member (presumably the DM)...

Meh. You've eliminated all the reasons for ever playing a Barbarian, that is, to play a fighter that is competent in non-combat situations and which is super tanky. And 'rage' already exists in 1e AD&D - see the OA Bushi and Samurai for examples of how to do it with 1e feel if you want to...

Multi-classing is not available to humans. They can't do it. And shared XP is massively punishing and per multi-classing rules never stops even when you max out your level in a class. The inspiration for how this works is from the Entertainer class. I would accept and would assume that...

It doesn't, and I didn't. You can assassinate with any weapon. You cannot backstab with any weapon. Although, there is a quote by Gygax that he allowed assassins to backstab with a missile weapon in his own game, that's not in the published rules. However, the two modes of operation are...

Even if we were to liberally reduce the chance of assassination in most cases following the guidelines of the RAW (maximum chance involves a character at ease, presumably unarmored, not only surprised by unaware he's in a dangerous place, and alone), this is simply not true. After 4th level or...

Also by RAW, basically every town and city has a 14th level assassin. I'm OK with the death cult aspect of the assassins. One of the best things about them IMO, is the idea that they are this worldwide clan of killers and to advance into the top ranks you have to kill one of them. I'd suggest...

I've finished the revised barbarian write up. And I hate this, but I love it. It's more Ranger-y than the Ranger now. Which, might actually force me to revise the Ranger. It's funny how everything is connected. Pull on a string and everything unravels unless you stitch it up.

I have no intention of arguing with your own lived experience, but that claim is not one I find objective. Gygax played his first game with Arneson in February of 1973. By 1974, the thief as a playable character with percentile chances had been published by Gygax, originally in a newsletter...

Reserved for NWP discussion

Assassins are a sub-class of thieves, and they have the functions of the latter as well as their own as well as certain limitations in comparison. To be an assassin, a character must have a minimum Strength of 12, an Intelligence of 11 or more, and a dexterity score of not less than 12...

This is going to be a work in progress. I never liked the Assassin class back in the day and generally forbade it at my table. No one seemed to miss it, and I only once played with an Assassin in the party (a single session with a group that all claimed to be Satanists for the shock value I...

Pithy, but not simple. It's probably the most complicated way to write a rule. It sounds like it would be a nightmare in play. The player doesn't know, but he always will want advantage. So he's motivated to always ask. Every single dang time. And it tends to push the game toward being...

Barbarian Shamans and Witch Doctors A barbarian may at some point decide to learn the mystical secrets of his tribe, familiarizing himself with the magical lore of his youth, and taking up the secret arts of magic he has hitherto eschewed. Such a path brings benefits, but is not considered...

Relevant Non-Weapon Proficiencies Animal Handling, CHARISMA, Easy: Proficiency in this area enables a character to exercise a greater-than-normal degree of control over trained animals, such as pack animals, beasts of burden, hunting dogs, and the like. A person proficient with animal handling...