Mathematical analysis of Cthulhu d20

[Morrus]

Someone sent me this link today. Makes interesting reading for those that like that sort of thing. I don't really get what he's trying to say, though, other than that the d20 System is different to the original Cthulhu System.

http://www.udallas.edu/mathdept/faculty/wmwhite/games/cthulhu.html

 

[hong]

He's a mathematician. They're weird.

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

Over half the discussion is a complaint about the impact of hit points, but completely fails to mention the Massive damage rule.

 

[gustavef]

Well, as I have always been thaught:

There are Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics.

-gustavef

 

[hong]

Well, as I have always been thaught:

There are Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics.

Oi! This is a thread for bashing mathematicians, not staticians, thankyewverymuch.


Hong (statistician)

 

[Eben]

***Warning***Warning***Warning***

Warning! Following the above link may be nefarious for you mental stability.
Before following the above link, please read "Dreams in th witch house" by HPL.

 

[nsruf]

Oi! This is a thread for bashing mathematicians, not staticians, thankyewverymuch.

Hey! I hope it is neither! Let's bash people who don't read the rules carefully and overlook "death from massive damage at 10 hp" instead Although, to be honest, I had hoped for hp-less Cthulhu as well...

 

[Jester_OC]

Anyone e-mail the guy and tell him about it yet? No need to bash him, just inform him.

Jester_OC

 

[Dan Stack]

The hit points system does make a certain degree of sense to me. Since there is no dodge roll in the d20 system (unlike Chaosium's rules), the hit points simulate a characters dodge skill gradually going up - let's be honest, a character is going to dodge at least once per adventure, so odds are that skill is going to go up.

As for the old Professor improving in combat... I imagine such a character probably has no weapon proficiency feats so -4 to hit right off the bat. He will also most likely use the defense option so it will not be until 8th level that the attack bonus hits +4 to cancel that out. Add a strength or dexterity penatly, both quite likely if you decrease physical stats as the character age goes up and you have a character who even at 9th-10th level pretty much stinks at combat, comparable to a 1st level character who takes weapon feats and the offense option.

The only thing I miss is it is fun to make a dodge roll! (I know one can use the D&D optional rule of having the defender roll a d20 but it's not the same...)

 

[Wolfspider]

I sent him a polite email about the Death from Massive Damage rule, inquiring about its effect in making the game more lethal.