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I've completely revamped the d20 spells and spellcasting and am really happy with the result. Steps I took: I changed the way that saving throws work. A character can actively resist a spell and even be aided in that resistance by allies. This makes spells uncertainly effective without...

I started to respond to this post in the Magic Marts thread but I think this idea deserves its own topic. ProfCirno has nailed it here. The best campaigns I've played have had few, if any, magic items drawn from the core game. They were rare and most came from the DM's imagination. But I...

I've done no formal comparison. And it has been a while since I've played older editions. 2nd ed. - The main reason for my quitting the game for a time in the late 1990s was that the 2nd Ed. rules were so tedious. I don't know if the combats were shorter or longer than 3.5e, but they...

Sorry I misunderstood. I think it's doable but you would need to be prepared for some negotiation with the players. There were some things in the SRD that I felt didn't quite work with a straight conversion like you suggest.

Thanks for your kind words about EG. I give some general guidelines for converting temporary modifiers to tokens in the Conversion Guide (Chapter 12): "In general, a temporary +1 bonus equates to about 1 token. A permanent +1 bonus equates to about 1 token per encounter. These are rough...

Here's a link for Legends of the Shining Jewel

I've come to the conclusion that knowledge shouldn't be a skill in the traditional "roll d20+X vs. a DC" sense. Instead, I think a mechanic is needed that just defines what a PC knows. The DM can key off of that to drop appropriate information but, just as often, the players can extract...

I've played a lot of different RPGs and given this issue a lot of thought. My experience is that players want a flexibility in what spells they can cast and when but this conflicts with a need for system balance. So magic systems fall somewhere on this continuum: Flexible...

You've been playing this game too long. I'm sure you know better than that! YES!!! Yes, this is my point. The wizard sees the boulder on the unconscious barbarian, crushing the life out of him. He knows he is weak but he knows how critical this is. He makes an empassioned plea to Kord...

If everyone ran their skill challenges this way, then I'd be ok with it. But the format of skill challenges discourages this style of play.

I agree with "you get what you put into them." My beef is with the structure itself. Dungeons have rooms, monsters, etc. because that is a helpful paradigm. My contention is that the _structure_ of skill challenges do more harm than good to the game. A lot more.

IMO, this is one of the traps that skill challenges lead you into. When that player playing that Cha 8 shaman makes a clever or moving statement that is strongly in character, you want to reward him for it. Immediately. If you, instead, you ask him to roll a Diplomacy check then you're...

Well, ignoring your alarmist tone and hyperbole, yes. I've seen many cases of socially inept players blossom under the opportunity to roleplay. Please add the apparent decline of this benefit of roleplaying to the list of arguments against skill challenges.

I've given skill challenges a good shake. I've run a lot of them, designed some goods ones and ultimately come to the conclusion that they are a poor idea. Actually, let me frank: Skill challenges are a black pimple on the ass of this game. Show me a "well run skill challenge" and I'll show...

I wasn't able to go to DDXP but I did get a chance to help playtest a little of the new Ashes of Athas campaign. Did anyone go and get a chance to play it. Likes? Dislikes? EDIT: Here's the campaign website: http://www.baldmangames.com/aoamain

Yes, the order does matter. Personally, I like that it matters. Please elaborate on why this is bad? Sorry, no. =/ If anyone makes it to 18th level playing EG, I'll come up with some! =)

I do remember considering just the approach you describe. And you're right it was the sacred cow that played a big role in keeping me from rolling the defenses and saves together with the attributes. But sacred cows are serious business. Keeping them in makes it easier to convert d20...

I like the reconciled ranger. You should consider publishing the material in your magazine under an open game license or creative commons so they can be used freely by other gamers. :AMN:

Taken from that site, Andy's current employer is: Gazillion Entertainment is a developer, publisher and operator of massively multiplayer online games and services for a wide audience. Our team of world-class creative talent is comprised of leaders from the videogame, entertainment and...

This is rather anecdotal! =) FWIW, I am a higher level wizard than you are by your definition and also definitely not a genius. (Contact me off list if you'd like to have a wizard duel!) ;) Nonetheless, I disagree (albeit very mildly) with this sentiment. See my comments in the post above.