Anyone else notice the weirdness about Defenses?

[Gloombunny]

That is actually how I intend to run my pre-4E rulebook games, but it's still odd

And, really, your gladiator could have +X clothing, but he really should be completely bare chested for the effect

+3 loincloth for the win!

 

[Spatula]

Alright, let's compare.

Fortitute save: 1/2 level + con/str, +2 if fighter or +1 if paladin (probably).
Reflex save: 1/2 level + int/dex + shield, +2 if rogue or +1 if ranger (probably).
Will save: 1/2 level + cha/wis, +2 if wizard/warlock, +1 if paladin (probably).
AC: 1/2 level + dex + armor + shield

Your AC will be far higher than the other two. Especially since a +1 shield and +1 armor is equal to +2, and a +1 Will/Reflex/Fortitude item is only +1.. The disparity will only grow.

This means that anything that hits against AC is going to be grossly underpowered!

Have they said any way to counteract this yet?

There's nothing to counteract. Attacking Fort/Ref/Will defenses is akin to making a touch attack in 3e.

 

[keterys]

+3 loincloth for the win!

Oh. Duh.

I'm embarrassed I didn't see that. Maybe my mind just didn't want to accept that concept

Anyhow, until -proven- otherwise I'm going to assume that the statement about shields not adding more to AC still holds and there is no stacking. When given one option that makes sense and one that doesn't, and no proof to support either position over the other, go with the one that makes more sense, eh?

 

[Steely Dan]

Haven't we seen a recent magical shield that enhances all 3 defences and AC?

I know I have seen it.

 

[Andur]

Haven't we seen a recent magical shield that enhances all 3 defences and AC?

I know I have seen it.

Hey how you twink your character out has nothing to do with this discussion.

Overall, it seems like attacks vs. AC have a higher "To Hit" bonus than attacks targetting the other defenses. Not sure I like that since it makes having a low AC character even more dangerous...

 

[keterys]

The difference between a high AC character and a low AC character should be on the order of like 6 points. That's a bunch, but it's nowhere near the 20 AC gap I'm used to seeing in 3.x

 

[Wolfwood2]

Given the importance the developers have placed on "getting the math right", I'm pretty sure they've got the various attacks and defenses balanced all right. Oh, undoubtedly there will be little corner cases and hidden problems, but not the basic stuff like how fast defenses increase.

 

[Steely Dan]

Hey how you twink your character out has nothing to do with this discussion.

"Twink"…is this prison talk?

 

[Andur]

Allusion to MMO's. For all the "DnD is PnP MMO now" theorists...

 

[I'm A Banana]

Yeah, I think this is Working As Intended.

Also, keen idea on the light armor being the only one adding your dodging bonus. So much more elegant than Max Dex.