RyvenCedrylle
First Post
These two posts have got me thinking about the math system in 4E and whether it would be possible to 'gut' the math such that you could completely ignore issues like Expertise.
We know that monster attacks/defenses should increase by 1 each level, to +30 across 30 levels. PC attacks/defenses increase by about 25 (15 from 1/2 level + 6 from magic items + 4 from stat bonuses). What if we applied the +1 per level to PCs as well? Eliminate stat increases, 1/2 level bonuses and apply a magic threshold of 1 every 5 levels starting with +1 at level 1? Seems like you would have "balanced" the system at that point.
But we can go a step further. What if we just toss the whole increase system out the window completely? Apply no level bonuses, stat increases or magic item enhancements whatsoever and then normalize monster's attacks and defenses to level. Every PC and monster in the game should have defenses in the range of 7-27(ish.. I admittedly haven't sat down and worked out all the math). At this point you're almost approaching a system that simply uses the required d20 roll as the defense. I'm not entirely sure how to get that last step, though. You could do the same for skill DCs. Damage might be trickier to flatten, but I suspect it's possible.
How would you feel about playing a game like this? Would the lack of steady number increases be boring or would you feel better knowing there are no "holes" in the math?
We know that monster attacks/defenses should increase by 1 each level, to +30 across 30 levels. PC attacks/defenses increase by about 25 (15 from 1/2 level + 6 from magic items + 4 from stat bonuses). What if we applied the +1 per level to PCs as well? Eliminate stat increases, 1/2 level bonuses and apply a magic threshold of 1 every 5 levels starting with +1 at level 1? Seems like you would have "balanced" the system at that point.
But we can go a step further. What if we just toss the whole increase system out the window completely? Apply no level bonuses, stat increases or magic item enhancements whatsoever and then normalize monster's attacks and defenses to level. Every PC and monster in the game should have defenses in the range of 7-27(ish.. I admittedly haven't sat down and worked out all the math). At this point you're almost approaching a system that simply uses the required d20 roll as the defense. I'm not entirely sure how to get that last step, though. You could do the same for skill DCs. Damage might be trickier to flatten, but I suspect it's possible.
How would you feel about playing a game like this? Would the lack of steady number increases be boring or would you feel better knowing there are no "holes" in the math?