I think we're done with 4E

[justanobody]

I played AD&D back in the 80's and remember it nowadays as always been a blast. I've still got all the books, saved the lot of them. We played fast and loose with the rules. Combats seemed fast, even with multiple opponents. It's one of the reasons I'm thinking C&C. Of course I may just be looking back and remembering the good bits. We rarely got any characters anywhere near to 10th level before things fell apart and we started again. If I reread the rules now they seem kind of restrictive when compared to 3E and 4E.

Wow, nostalgia trip. Sometimes it's good to remember all those dark nights and afternoons playing D&D as a kid.

Whatever system we end up with I want combat to be alot faster than we've recently achieved in 3E and 4E.

I know for one AD&D was faster for us than 3rd and 4th combat. Maybe because how well we know the system, 3rd took a degree in accounting and particle physics, or 4th combat just feels like forced actions...but if you cut out the weapon speed calculations it does speed up AD&D.

 

[Gruns]

Roleplaying takes too long, too.

Yeah, my group also decided that all the dicerolling got in the way of the game, too. The solution that I found to work best was this: we just started our characters at level 30, and each player got to give a 2 minute explanation of how they fulfilled their epic destinies. That was it. Simple and easy. We beat the game in under 10 minutes. Then we ordered pizza and played Guitar Hero for the rest of the night. Best campaign ever.
Later!
Gruns

 

[ExploderWizard]

Yeah, my group also decided that all the dicerolling got in the way of the game, too. The solution that I found to work best was this: we just started our characters at level 30, and each player got to give a 2 minute explanation of how they fulfilled their epic destinies. That was it. Simple and easy. We beat the game in under 10 minutes. Then we ordered pizza and played Guitar Hero for the rest of the night. Best campaign ever.
Later!
Gruns

Glad you enjoyed it. Guitar hero is fun!!

 

[Treebore]

Vang,

You may find this guys blend of 1E, 3E, and C&C rules of interest...

Castles & Crusades

Its the one he calls "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons", its what he thought 3E should have been after playing 3E and C&C and wanting a lot of what 1E offers.

If that intrigues you then check out his "Unearthed Arcana" PDF.

Definitely play with the "Castle Keeper Screen Program" too.

 

[justanobody]

It really doesn't, though. I think 4e has the best rules for adjudicating actions on the fly.

Here we go with the whole attempt at a "crushing blow" on an opponent all over again.

4th has no rules for on the fly, it has rules for what it has. page 42 is a bad HHGTTG joke. Because it may be the answer, sadly many people don't know the right question to ask to get the answer from it!

Has anyone mentioned Hackmaster yet?

 

[Fifth Element]

Glad you enjoyed it. Guitar hero is fun!!

Guitar Hero is awesome!

Rock Band is awesome!

 

[ExploderWizard]

Guitar Hero is awesome!

Rock Band is awesome!

Be careful. Your post is so full of AWESOME that it may sink under the weight.

 

[Seule]

Rangers suffer a lot from always doing the same thing, really any ranged character will. Melee characters, on the other hand, and particularly melee strikers, and particularly particularly rogues, will behave differently every encounter. When you absolutely require flanking to get combat advantage to get sneak attack, what exactly you are fighting and where they are standing becomes critically important.
My rogue, 3rd level now, is never boring in combat and is always a tactical challenge to get the most out of. I don't see him getting repetitive, well, ever.

--Penn

 

[Fifth Element]

Be careful. Your post is so full of AWESOME that it may sink under the weight.

That would be awesome!

 

[korjik]

I do two things.

I give out Ritual Components as treasure as others do.

Ritual Scrolls cost the same as a using a Ritual once to prepare. If you have mastered the Ritual on the scroll it casts as a Standard Action. Otherwise use the normal rules.

So the Wizard has a Scroll of Arcane Lock that he prepared. Suddenly the portcullis with the 5 Dire Bears behind it starts to raise up, the Wizard pulls out his scroll (minor action) runs over closer to the portcullis (move) and then speaks the final word of the ritual to activate the scroll's magic. The portcullis slams shut and stays shut.

If the Ritual requires a roll then make it when the Ritual is cast not when the scroll is prepared.

I think that rituals not being incorporated into the treasure system better is one of the few real flaws in the game. Then again, I think the whole treasure system is one of the few real flaws.

They should have given some ideas on the when and wheres for rituals, residuum, and reagents.