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I kind of feel the opposite, at least when comparing 2e and 3e. 2e had so many player-marketed options (namely kits) that encouraged a player to just show up with more books than his DM to gain an advantage. At least 3e recognized this by a) spelling out "Rule Zero" and b) making it clearer that...

I'm not familiar with too many non-core magic systems, so forgive me if I'm repeating some ideas well-known from other sources. I also realize that I'm probably pushing this thread further into House Rules, but here are two ideas for making magic skill-based: 1) Use skill points to determine...

The cards are a good idea. I play in an Age of Worms campaign where we use a two-card system, which I think was suggested by Monte Cook, or maybe comes from UA. I play all four characters. The DM and I each have a set of cards, so we can both keep track of initiative order. Furthermore, my PC...

As a matter of fact, like most of the world's population, I am not an archer. Can you tell me why I am very, very wrong, instead of just taking an insulting and condescending tone? This is the latest in a line of posts that you've made that do nothing to advance your argument and at the same...

I would certainly agree with the Power Attack analogy; I just picked Combat Expertise as an example of an "exchange BAB for X" feat. This also has the possible advantage of emulating that it's probably harder to be accurate with a more powerful bow. Thus, only the most experienced characters...

I probably missed that because I can't find it in any of your posts. The purpose of the feat you described is a) to make archery match your experience with high tension composite bows and b) allow archers to "keep up" with melee fighters. The counter argument is a) as far as D&D models combat...

To which: Followed by: The last does not refute the response to the first. You say bows are more realistic. He says they aren't. You say magic isn't realistic. How does that support the statement that bows are more realistic? I'm sorry, I'm not seeing the connection in your argument. By...

Which supports the opposite of your point, no? Bows in D&D are like magic, i.e., not a great emulation of reality. --Axe

THAC0 and old saves were sacred cows? I saw them more as awkward mechanics that were made more sensible in 3e. If these are sacred cows, then some cows must be more sacred than others. Game mechanics are probably more likely to change than the iconic classes, races, spells, and monsters, simply...

Some of this has been said before, but I would agree that the direction of influence is definitely two-way, if not in the reverse direction (still). MMORPGers are mostly D&D players looking for some of the main elements of D&D in a more immediate form that can be played solo and online. Computer...

As a two-handed weapon, a spear takes a full-round action to throw. Does this mean that one cannot get multiple ranged spear attacks per round from Rapid Shot or high BAB (plus Quickdraw, presumably)? --Axe

Yes, having read it more closely, Aid Another is a standard action, and and an unsuccessful trip attempt does not grant a standard action, it grants a chance to make another Strength check to trip the original tripper. (Note that this reaction is not an AoO, either.) --Axe

Ah, apparently we've been misinterpreting WWA. I thought it was like Manyshot (one attack roll applied to more than one attack, or, in the case of WWA, opponent), but, upon re-reading the description (and the posts here), you roll to attack each opponent, just you only attack each one once and...

Another twist: What happens when more than one opponent (in this situation) beats the fighter in the trip check? I assume that each untripped opponent would get a chance to trip the fighter, but our DM was wondering if some of them could use Aid Another to improve the chances of one. Oh, and...

You misunderstand. The DM is also keeping track of initiative; in fact, he really has to. If an NPC readies or delays or does anything else to change his initiative position, the DM needs to keep track of it without necessarily tipping off the players. So, the DM has a stack of cards that he...

Can I suggest putting this in a slightly different way that isn't quite as insulting? It's actually all about time. The DMs in my games are both organized and intelligent, but you probably spend more time creating posts for these boards than they have time to prepare for our sessions. We do use...

This came up in our last session. A fighter with Whirlwind Attack and Improved Trip attacked a bunch of creatures using the former. Could he opt to use his Whirlwind Attack to trip them all, and, if so, would he then get his extra melee attack on any or all of the tripped foes? Since trip can...

How about: Armor and weapons should be balanced by things beyond armor bonus and damage. --For armor, max dex, speed, ASF, type of proficiency, armor check penalty, and cost --For weapons: crit modifier, affect on using a shield, affect on TWF, advantages for special attacks, type of...

Bad memories of the magic bow of that ranger from the AD&D cartoon? ;) --Axe

I think the origin of this may have to do with the ties to old editions, at least for Spot and Listen. These skills basically replace the old "surprised on a...." mechanic of 1e. IIRC, the default was that anyone was surpised on a 1 or 2 on a d6, and you could improve this chance through a...