House Rules

I was reading in another thread about house rules, and the alternative of playing strickly as written in core rules. In my game we play with a few house rules, but was wondering what house rules other DMs play with, and why?

most of my house rules deal with saves and spells rules, nothing major. Then I have my soapbox, defining evil in the game.

I use them for story and feel of the game I am trying to impart to my players.

I've just started a house rule combining the 3.0 and the 3.5 rules for magic bows and arrows. In 3.0, the to hit and damage stacked, but not for purposes of damage reduction. Only the projectile counted for damage reduction. (+1 arrow and +2 bow were +3 to hit and damage, but only +1 to overcome damage reduction.)

In 3.5, they don't stack at all, but the projectile counts as the highest plus for damage reduction. (as above, +1 arrow and +2 bow would be +2 to hit, damage, and to overcome damage reduction.)

I'm going in between. Bonuses from both weapon and projectile stack for to hit and damage, but only the highest bonus counts for damage reduction. That way, normal arrows from a +1 bow would count as +1 for damage reduction. And using the example above, +1 arrow and +2 bow would be +3 to hit and damage, and +2 for damage reduction.

toberane said:

I've just started a house rule combining the 3.0 and the 3.5 rules for magic bows and arrows. In 3.0, the to hit and damage stacked, but not for purposes of damage reduction. Only the projectile counted for damage reduction. (+1 arrow and +2 bow were +3 to hit and damage, but only +1 to overcome damage reduction.)

In 3.5, they don't stack at all, but the projectile counts as the highest plus for damage reduction. (as above, +1 arrow and +2 bow would be +2 to hit, damage, and to overcome damage reduction.)

I'm going in between. Bonuses from both weapon and projectile stack for to hit and damage, but only the highest bonus counts for damage reduction. That way, normal arrows from a +1 bow would count as +1 for damage reduction. And using the example above, +1 arrow and +2 bow would be +3 to hit and damage, and +2 for damage reduction.

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My house rules are extensive because I offer role playing bonus's. I have incorpirated a mana system in which players are awarded "mana" points based on role playing participation, staying in character, journal entries and character development. Players are able to buy extra xp, items and action points with this mana.

My other major house rules deal with action cards which work similiar to action points in the unearthed arcana. However, I am going to change this in a bit to opt for the luck system from the book of roguish luck. I've also changed the house rule on massive damage so that it does not instantly kill a person. (Logically it doesnt make sense. I see a person whom takes a heavy blow passing out not dying).

My last major set of house rules deal with player's dos and don'ts. I talk about things like being on time, being curtious to the other players, asking questions in game, and rules lawyering. I also explain my team based xp rule.

If you'd like to take a peek
http://www.chrystaria.com/manual.htm

We have lots of House Rules. Most of them are very minor, though. There are maybe 15 major house rules, major being something such as vorpal not existing or a max of two rays on scorching ray or standing from prone doesn't provoke an AoO. That's not counting additional feats, PrCs, and other such things offered.

I try to avoid house rules whenever possible and I have a player or two that are good at keeping me in check when I happen to get tempted. We just find playing rules as written does a better job of keeping everyone on the same page without the need to keep the house rules well documented.

The only exception is (there's always an exception, isn't there), is character generation. There we use point buy and a couple of other things associated with leveling (i.e. number of hit points).

I heavily modify the system for xp awards.

I use 'colorful critical hits' and have been using fumbles again lately (absent since 2e's twilight).

Uh... there are some other variant rules we use, such as exploding dice rather than always hit/miss on natural 20/1. But not many. Now, on the other hand, I have dozens of spells, prcs and feats that are homebrewed, but I don't think that's what you're asking about.

Ah, of course, I've been working on substantial tweaks to the ruleset to achieve a lost/low magic setting too (posted in House Rules).

DonTadow said:

If you'd like to take a peek
http://www.chrystaria.com/manual.htm

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DonTadow, nice house rules document.

You can also check out the house rules forum.

DonTadow said:

However, I am going to change this in a bit to opt for the luck system from the book of roguish luck.

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I am using luck in my game too, but I do not think it is from the same source. Do you have a write up on what you are using, as I don't have that book? I posted my house rule on luck in the WLD thread about half way down on page 21. It is strickly home brew, that we have worked on over a few years, but I am always looking for ways to improve.