A thing about d20 D&D I didn't like, and still don't know why it was done...

[Nightfall]

Fus,

So far I don't think anyone has come up with a decent answer, not even the OP. Or if he has, I missed it.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Fus,

So far I don't think anyone has come up with a decent answer, not even the OP. Or if he has, I missed it.

Perhaps because there isn't a decent answer to #3. There's nothing to gain.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Nightfall]

Olgar,

An opinion I share but doesn't preclude the OP from somehow addressing Fus and thus others concern about going back to 1st edition XP tables.

 

[theredrobedwizard]

I have read all three pages of this thread and I guess I'm still missing the piece of information I expected to see by post #3: what would be gained by returning to the 1E experience system of different quantities of XP for different classes? In what way would the game improve as a result of this?

If someone would clue me in to that, I think I might be able to formulate a response.

Personally, I don't think anything would be gained by it. It would make more work for the players and the DMs. Heck, I've had some players who have trouble remembering a single XP track that makes sense; let alone individual ones that have very wierd wave-like growth patterns.

I do not think it would improve the game at all.

-TRRW

 

[fusangite]

Olgar,

An opinion I share but doesn't preclude the OP from somehow addressing Fus and thus others concern about going back to 1st edition XP tables.

While we wait, can I ask: do you think there is there some return to the crazy thesaurus collage level titles contemplated in this scheme?

 

[mhacdebhandia]

A magic-user can make any magic item if he's skilled enough.

Oh, yeah? Like, a wand of cure light wounds?

So you say. But I've seen people play inside the character archetypes in OD&D, any of the flavors of Basic and AD&D and do it with enough individuality and flair that heaping a preponderence of rules on them wasn't called for. I've seen people with 10 STR 18 DEX characters play fighters because they wanted nimble Errol Flynn types and they pulled it off without needing a 'swashbuckler' class. Conversely I myself played an 18 STR 14 DEX thief - because I wanted a brawny-thewed Conanesque smash-and-grab man instead of the archetypical AD&D thief.

That's great. But the game does not support it. Clearly the group did, but the game was set up in such a way that 10 STR 18 DEX fighters were playing in spite of the rules.

All I'm trying to state is that the game didn't do anything to support other character ideas, not that it made them impossible.

 

[Nightfall]

fus,

Only in some crazed DM's head and maybe in a world where titles of each class some how mean something both in and out game.

Otherwise no.

Robed,
Agreed. I've had at least five players, some of them good vets, have trouble figuring out when it is they'll reach 5th level. I also recall the fact my friend when he had a couple PCs, saying "It will be some time next year before I get another level."

Which never made sense to me. I mean a month in real time, sure. But a year?!

 

[Crothian]

Oh, yeah? Like, a wand of cure light wounds?

Actually, he can if he has the right training .

 

[mhacdebhandia]

It almost sounds like you are saying concept equals mechanics? I think both games can do almost every concept. One of the big ways to do it change the name of a class to match the concept. Concept for me is more how the character is played and not the numbers on the character sheet.

Absolutely. You can play any concept in any game.

What I'm discussing is the question of whether or not the game supports you in doing so.

I contend that First Edition AD&D supported fewer character concepts. It didn't allow fewer character concepts, but it didn't do anything to help you with them either.

It should go without saying that I prefer game systems which offer me some help with what I'm trying to do, so that the character's concept is actually reflected by the rules governing the way she does things.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Actually, he can if he has the right training .

Not exactly the same thing, is it?