Recent content by hamstertamer

AD&D Lightning Bolt (save for half spell) affects items as well lightning Bolt (Evocation) Level: 3 Range: 4" + 1"Aevel Duration: lnstontaneous Area of Effect: Special Components: V, S, M Casting Time: 3 segments Saving Throw: M Explanation/Description: Upon casting this spell, the magic user...

I doubt shareholders have much of any influence in the game design of D&D next (unless a specific shareholder just happens to be a rpg fan). There really isn't any evidence that WOTC are under any sort of pressure, more than any other company big or small, and this hypothetical pressure is...

You sure you can. Ah no, power-optimizers are about being better than core, better than average, better better better. A dual-flail-wielding fighter would work out fine in my game. Disarming with one attack than attacking with another doesn't sound bad at all. I once had a female barbarian...

If the term "optimizer" has different definitions, as many claim it does (for whatever reason or agenda). Then the point of the thread is now gone and there is no point in posting about it. It was my understanding that optimizer was just a synonym for power-gamer, min-maxer, & power-builder...

I don't believe in the "let's make it more simple for newbies." I think that's a wasted effort. I started playing in my early teens (1980s) and loved reading rules and seeing increased complexity and detail. I didn't have video games though or a computer. I just had books. Trying to win...

I have to use the the term organic-tactics because the word "tactics" in reference to RPGs means something different to different people. organic-tactics: Let's pretend to retreat but leave the thief hidden in the corner and hope to pull away as many guards as possible. gamey-tactics: I tap my...

Well in my opinion, power-build optimizers tend to be poor role players and they tend to be bad at organic-tactics. They also tend to be frustrated if they don't get to dominate in combat encounters continually throughout the session. From their point of view, what's the point of a power build...

Um, I don't think people are going to want to play with players at their table playing different edition styles. It's really a table to table thing, not a player to player thing. The whole play your own style at the table was just a marketing gimmick.

Cantrips have been in D&D since 1st edition. So yeah, it's "old school", your just speaking about something you don't know much about it seems.

That doesn't make any sense. What does "level-less" got to do with anything? Of course, NPCs are built like PCs, whether you choose to arbitrary assign at will what you want for NPCs or take a more detailed approach is up the GM. You always on the same system. Hero System uses Hero points to...

A "decent cook" for me would be first level. +4 ranks, Skill Focus +3 KS:cooking. There's no reason to have a cook higher than that.

I already thought this was good idea for skill ranks to be added to Saves Tumble/acrobatics towards Evasion type saves Concentration towards mind-effecting saves

Actually it's not an old school thing. Thief skills have been around since OD&D. In OD&D thieves had a percentage chance based on their level/race for Open Locks, Remove Traps, Pick Pocket, Move Silently, Hide in Shadows, Hear Noise, Read magic Scrolls, & Climb.

No I think I nailed it. :) That they decided to provide no system whatsoever to create "butchers and bakers" is telling of their gaming philosophy but it is also purposely negligent and a tip of the hat towards lazy DMing style (which I don't agree with). No system is not a different system...

I looked up up the 4th edition "system" in the DM's guide. They don't actually have a different system. You make the NPCs the same way as a PC, which is not surprising. They still use Levels, class, race, feats ,etc. The only difference perhaps, is that they give advice in "design steps"...