D&D (2024) Eye Tyrant. Who Died and Made You Gygax?? Design Your Own D&D 2024X3.

[Horwath]

Can't we just use the ability score to get the modifier and then...erase the ability score?

why do we need even that?

just use point buy

-1: -1pt
+0 : 0pts
+1: 1pt
+2: 2pts
+3: 4pts
+4 7pts

or array:
+3,+3,+2,+1,+1,+0

or if we really need rolls, it can be:

5d3D1-8
or
6d3D2-8

that gives range of -4 to +4.

Other than to get the modifier from it, what do we use the actual ability score for afterwards?

we have so desperate attempt to make them relevant with requirements of carry capacity that can be translated into modifiers.

off-topic, as I hate to roll because of add scores can be too numerous, I have slightly stronger roll method but gives only even scores:

(4d3D1)×2, that gives spread of 6-18, and to compensate only +2 is given from the species, +1 is replaced by stronger roll average.

 

[KYRON45]

why do we need even that?

just use point buy

-1: -1pt
+0 : 0pts
+1: 1pt
+2: 2pts
+3: 4pts
+4 7pts

or array:
+3,+3,+2,+1,+1,+0

or if we really need rolls, it can be:

5d3D1-8
or
6d3D2-8

that gives range of -4 to +4.

we have so desperate attempt to make them relevant with requirements of carry capacity that can be translated into modifiers.

But where do the points come from? Isn't a modifier array the same as an ability score array?
Isn't replacing the ability scores with modifiers just calling them different things?
Regardless of what you call them or how you get them the end result is the same. X modifier.
I'm honestly not trying to be difficult i just don't understand the difference.

 

[Horwath]

Isn't replacing the ability scores with modifiers just calling them different things?

because explaining to new players why 17 is +3 and why 8 is -1 is chore to do for gazzilionth time and that step should be avoided in this game. that is 2 minutes that can be spent on improving backgrounds.

if we remove "grognardism" from the equation, if we axed ability scores today, no one would miss them after few seconds.

 

[Minigiant]

Pay only lip service to the grognards. Instead do extensive product research on what current 20-something and 30-something folks are interested in buying. Focus 85% of idea-creation on this research. The remaining 15% is to give enough of a grognard-appeasing veneer that they don't notice it isn't actually "for them" until it's too late and they're already hip-deep. It's not a stance I would take if you hadn't specifically said it MUST make the most money, because I consider it immoral to deceive your customers like that

This is bigger than most think.

D&D, fantasy RPGs, and the whole fantasy genre is dominated by frankly old people selling their old preferences to the young.

That might work PreInternet for a bit.

But the Internet and Social media really segregates people by demographics.

"I like it so you should like it" just doesn't work anymore.

 

[Minigiant]

because explaining to new players why 17 is +3 and why 8 is -1 is chore to do for gazzilionth time and that step should be avoided in this game. that is 2 minutes that can be spent on improving backgrounds.

if we remove "grognardism" from the equation, if we axed ability scores today, no one would miss them after few seconds.

You are only removing ability score because the 5e team didn't use them. You are not removing ability score because is a good idea

Ability Score is a good value for numbers between 1-20. What do we roll a lot?
A d20.

Strength Score can be a value for determining jump distances.
Constitution Score can be a value for determining HP
Intelligence Score can be a value for determining bonus language known (Intelligence score -10)
Charisma Score can be a value for determining attunement (Charisma Score /3)

 

[Horwath]

You are only removing ability score because the 5e team didn't use them. You are not removing ability score because is a good idea

Ability Score is a good value for numbers between 1-20. What do we roll a lot?
A d20.

ability score value is for 3d6 not d20 or we would roll d20, but when they made the game, they realized that bell curve is better for ability distribution

Strength Score can be a value for determining jump distances.
Constitution Score can be a value for determining HP
Intelligence Score can be a value for determining bonus language known (Intelligence score -10)
Charisma Score can be a value for determining attunement (Charisma Score /3)

and all of this is also described by ability modifiers.

no need to have two sets of stats for the same thing.
ability scores currently would add too much if you would use them after d20 roll, so just ax them in current form and have ability scores go from -4 to +4 with average of zero(0).

 

[KYRON45]

because explaining to new players why 17 is +3 and why 8 is -1 is chore to do for gazzilionth time and that step should be avoided in this game. that is 2 minutes that can be spent on improving backgrounds.

if we remove "grognardism" from the equation, if we axed ability scores today, no one would miss them after few seconds.

So there is no difference.
It doesn’t matter to me either way. I’m just trying to figure out why it matters to some people.

Is it really complicated for new players to get why a high number gets you a + and a low number gets you a - ?

My goal is to understand the mindset without calling people names.

 

[Shades of Eternity]

5e launch was damn near perfect so that's the model.

Hodgepocalypse did a lot of what I wanted to do with dnd

Namely use what I liked in 4e in 5e while keeping what worked in 5e.

1. The warlord: I added the soldier path to fill that niche.
2. Loads of viable species.
3. Bring back the tier system so you know roughly when to drop an item. I'm sorry, but consumables should be on a different track. They aren't worth the requirement slot.
4. Skill challenges with...what's the word...agency. I have used it for chases, iron chef challenges, and surviving weather conditions. it works so much better when you can use your powers and abilities to tweak the numbers.

And I'm sorry, the writing in 5e is terrible. It's the first edition I can't read as a coffee table book. The writing just doesn't work compared to other editions (my gold standard is 3e Forgotten Realms campaign guide, so yes, I expect good writing).

I never did it, but I prefer Ref, Fort, and Will for save. They are easier to define, and they never followed their own rules regarding which stat refers to which spell.

Lock the execs in a closet and only let them out if necessary. The ogl fiasco gimped the best damn dnd movie we ever got and their push for greater profits often means they end up with less money. dnd did its best work when they were ignoring us.

 

[Horwath]

Is it really complicated for new players to get why a high number gets you a + and a low number gets you a - ?

My goal is to understand the mindset without calling people names.

it's not really complicated, but it's needlessly complicated.

instead of just having a single digit number, you 1st need to have other number that you then reduce by 10 and then divide by 2(round down) so you can get the single digit number that you will use in 99% of the time in the game.

one new player actually asked me, why do we have the 1st number(ability score), I said, no need, ask the guys in the 70s for that.

 

[KYRON45]

it's not really complicated, but it's needlessly complicated.

instead of just having a single digit number, you 1st need to have other number that you then reduce by 10 and then divide by 2(round down) so you can get the single digit number that you will use in 99% of the time in the game.

one new player actually asked me, why do we have the 1st number(ability score), I said, no need, ask the guys in the 70s for that.

Isn’t there a chart?
I’ve been playing since the 80s and never have I had to use math to get to the ability score modifier. You look it up when you build the character…you write it down….and then you apply it as needed. With all the new fangled internets you don’t even need to look it up…you just click a clack and it’s there for you.

I’m all for change. If I never saw another ability score again that would be fine because I’d never notice.

Thanks for explaining your point of view.