Recent content by Basic Expert

True, but then the alternative is usually that the disparity between skill levels become so great at high levels that the less skilled have no hope to hit the DCs while the highly-skilled almost can't fail. Thus, gameplay contracts as everyone is increasingly siloed into their specialties. That...

In your terms, always static. Otherwise, you're looking at a skill/DC increase treadmill. What's the point of increasing your skill if it doesn't give you any actual improvement? However, I will say that even in systems or editions with a DC-by-level chart, like 4E's advice for what is a "Hard...

Fighters have absolutely been short-changed by the "big dumb meatshield" stereotype. I have had extreme reservations about the class in 3E, 4E, 5E and most of their competitors. It remains one of my favorite classes mainly because of it doesn't come loaded down with unwanted gimmicks. Make a...

Modern D&D is about the characters. OSR is about the adventure.

Moving from 4E's minor actions to 5E's bonus actions was an attempt to simplify and quicken the combat turn. There is a decision point for players for each action they get in a turn. That means analysis of various options, which takes time. If the designers could trim standard/move/minor down to...

I voted 4, though it probably ranges from 3 to 5. Lighter rules play faster, which is a huge factor for me. The D&D 3.5 games where our druid spent 20 minutes to resolve his TURN broke me and I'm never going back. There was one battle where I was stunned in the first round and sat out the next 3...

It's a great system...from a certain point of view. Honestly, I think it's a pretty good system that is poorly explained, and I completely understand people not liking it. The modern permutations have gotten progressively cleaner and better, but there are still mechanics of it that aren't as...

For me, Star Wars is the most cinematic of franchises. Story and style trump realism. It requires a cinematic/narrative-focused game system to properly complement it. Personally, I think FATE is the best fit. Especially when you consider the built-in mechanics to level out characters of...

I take "Story" as the overall fiction that the "Gameplay" creates. In other words: Story is what the game is about. Gameplay is how it goes about it. In that sense, they are both vitally important and which one you start with is less important than them being in sync with one another. Take a...

I believe this is true even in more narrative or "story"-based games, like Fate, Quest, PbtA, Sorcerer or what have you. These games often have an element of collaborative story-telling, but are usually guided or constrained by mechanics and there isn't a pre-determined ending (such as "By the...

I would say improvements have been: 1. Better lore, particularly 4E onwards. 2. Better class balance (still needs work and still very contentious, but in general, yes, maybe?) 3. Less reliance on magic items for power upgrades. 4. Customization through feats (even though I abhor the term...

OD&D had the six ability scores, but they were rarely used as roll modifiers and, if they were, were capped at +/-1 on a d20, so not a huge effect on play. They mostly affected xp and that's it. Each addition upped the disparity between high and low scores and added additional uses for them...

Am I the only one scared of the Ewoks? You think they're cute, but what do they do when they first meet the main characters? That's right--they try to put them over a cook fire! And what are they going to do with all those dead stormtroopers laying at the end of the movie? That's right--DO NOT...

Those aren't meant to be Jedi robes in the Prequels. It's a bit ambiguous, but all scenes happen to take place on Casual Fridays, with the Jedi's wearing the Galactic equivalent of chinos and a polo. Their real Jedi robes are much more elaborate--like you wouldn't believe.

I'll take these one at a time: 1. Padme's subterfuge: she went with her own name because Glup Shitto was taken. 2. The giant room: Due to the lethal and destructive nature of lightsabers, Galactic Republic building codes mandate a designated "Lightsaber Dueling Chamber" to prevent collateral...