D&D 5E Domain of Dread: Grognardia

[Tonguez]

All armour gives negative modifiers, all weapons do d6,

 

[Nefermandias]

Fighter, Cleric, Mage, Thief only. All human. (Some grognards won't even use the thief.) You can play a nonhuman, but they find their level advancement strangely limited. (You can look up the level limits or roll d20 to underscore the arbitrariness of it.)

No death saves--0 hp and you die.

Spectres, vampires, etc. drain levels permanently. Poison is instantly lethal on a failed save. Petrification is instastone if the save fails, etc. However, the demons and devils, while capable of using lots of spells as at-will abilities, are referred to by strange nonsensical names with apostrophes in random places, have very few hitpoints, and suddenly fall dead in combat.

No caps on spell damage--that enemy 20th-level mage does 20d6 fire damage with a fireball. (Everyone wakes up alive after this, of course...)

Resting only recovers 1 hp per day--you have to cast and rememorize healing spells.

You stop getting extra hit dice after level 9 (you can fine-tune this if using AD&D rules).

There is a puzzle involving inserting the correct polearm into the correct hole.

The party's treasure disappears and is replaced by science-fiction stories nobody wants and a knockoff collectible card game.

There is insanely impractical skimpy armor.

Death at zero and more lethal poisons are things I actually miss...

 

[Sacrosanct]

It's nice to know this thread has basically been carte blanche for some to take pot shots at fans of older editions.

I get it. I got it the first three times It's still not funny to insult people who don't share your preference. Hiding behind a joke makes it less funny when you keep repeating it.

 

[Tonguez]

It's nice to know this thread has basically been carte blanche for some to take pot shots at fans of older editions.

I get it. I got it the first three times It's still not funny to insult people who don't share your preference. Hiding behind a joke makes it less funny when you keep repeating it.

It’s not as if older editions are sacrosanct
It’s a game and people can have fun reminiscing about those things they once adored and those things best left in forgotten realms

 

[Umbran]

Residents of Grognadia when they read the holy books known as the phb & dmg become illiterate when said holy tomes discuss the nature of HP.

Mod Note:
So, there's a difference between a bit of good-natured ribbing for one's quirks and foibles, and just being insulting.

You are being insulting. Don't be insulting again, please and thanks.

 

[Sacrosanct]

It’s not as if older editions are sacrosanct
It’s a game and people can have fun reminiscing about those things they once adored and those things best left in forgotten realms

No one is saying they are. But the constant characterization of fans of old school as being crusty whiners who are too dumb to recognize "better" modern rules and throw fits whenever something new is introduced got old after the hundredth time in the hundredth thread.

Not only is it not funny, it's blatant edition warring. If I went around constantly making comments about how 4e players are all entitled whiners who can't think for themselves but need a power on their character sheet to tell them what to do, pretty sure that wouldn't go over well, even in a "joking" thread.

*I don't think that by the way, just using a comparison. Point being, those types of comments don't foster goodwill or a constructive conversation.

 

[Umbran]

It’s not as if older editions are sacrosanct
It’s a game and people can have fun reminiscing about those things they once adored and those things best left in forgotten realms

Sure. This is part of why Galaxy Quest is a great movie.

But, there is a qualitative difference between mocking-but-loving, and just plain insulting mockery. Folks really need to watch that they don't do that latter, unless they want to see red text.

 

[Nefermandias]

No one is saying they are. But the constant characterization of fans of old school as being crusty whiners who are too dumb to recognize "better" modern rules and throw fits whenever something new is introduced got old after the hundredth time in the hundredth thread.

Not only is it not funny, it's blatant edition warring. If I went around constantly making comments about how 4e players are all entitled whiners who can't think for themselves but need a power on their character sheet to tell them what to do, pretty sure that wouldn't go over well, even in a "joking" thread.

*I don't think that by the way, just using a comparison. Point being, those types of comments don't foster goodwill or a constructive conversation.

Imagine if we had a thread for making fun of Critical Role generation and their awesome theatrics and Oscar winning voice acting.

 

[Eltab]

Silly me I missed the most obvious one, the poster child, the one that makes those delicious Grognard tears flow like a river...... The WARLORD.

IIRC*, that would be a 13th-level Fighter?

"Don't you remember when I finally trained those men to work together? Their combat prowess was a thing to behold !"

* I may not recall correctly.

 

[Azuresun]

Upon reaching level 10, a fighter will acquire a stronghold and followers, even if they have no interest in governing or being a general. The stronghold will appear near wherever the fighter is at the point when they level up, which might be awkward if they are in the middle of a swamp, on a ship at sea, or in the middle of a friendly village.