And The Kobolds Dined Well... A Playtest Report

[TarionzCousin]

Lin - Male Dwarf Cleric

Death was the only logical end for a male dwarf with a female elf name.

 

[MortalPlague]

Death was the only logical end for a male dwarf with a female elf name.

I tried to change it to Lindt on his behalf. No dice.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Irony of some of these playtest reports -- with the specific mechanics omitted, they could be a first level adventure from almost any edition. Is that a bug or a feature? I'm inclined to think the latter.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Apparently not - and MortalPlague has given a pretty good and clear explanation of how it went down. If this had been the case, though, I would have concerns; if we are "playtesting" while not actually following the rules given for the playtest, what exactly are we "playtesting"? Our ability to make stuff up ad-hoc? I already know I can do that, as can many others, but I don't really see the value in "playtesting" it.

The playtest rules are completely up front and centre about the rules being there to support the DM, who is encouraged to make appropriate calls based upon the basic framework of attribute checks.

Thus this playtest is completely in the manner of the rules (and as such is useful feedback in itself - the 'DM enabling' seems to have worked particularly well here).

Cheers

 

[MortalPlague]

Irony of some of these playtest reports -- with the specific mechanics omitted, they could be a first level adventure from almost any edition. Is that a bug or a feature? I'm inclined to think the latter.

Certainly a feature.

I asked my groups (I ran two playtests) if it felt like D&D to them? Each group, each member replied "yes".

I'm hoping to get in a longer playtest this Monday. I've read the rules through now, and the whole module, so I'm much more prepared. We'll also have much more time to play. Hopefully I'll have some more anecdotes to share!

 

[Rhoan01ZBT]

Later, it came time for Ender the cleric to jump the pit. Because he would die if he couldn't, we looked up the rules. We realized that by the RAW, he couldn't possibly make the jump with strength 9.

I did not get that by reading the rules. The "automatic failure" rules are only suggested to speed things along in situations where you don't meet the skill's requirements for necessary training and/or equipment (rogues and locks), or other situations based on GM judgement (which is what I call their search example, the item in the drawer).

I know they described the example of the boulder in that section of the playtest rules, but I don't think they meant for it to be applied in this way. If you notice, in the "Requirements" section it also says to use common sense when applying the rule and when in doubt, waive it.

Everyone can jump, some can jump better than others. Fighter gets auto-success because their STR is +5 better than the DC, cleric gets to roll at a -1 due to attribute and the dice fall where they may.

-------

Other than that, sounds interesting. My group nearly lots two members when they pulled two encounters at once, but a timely burning hands from the wizard and good dice rolls + tactics won out. Could EASILY have gone the other way.

 

[DogBackward]

Everyone can jump, some can jump better than others. Fighter gets auto-success because their STR is +5 better than the DC, cleric gets to roll at a -1 due to attribute and the dice fall where they may.

Actually, for Next, jumping is no longer a roll at all; that's the rule we've all been talking about. You get to jump a number of feet equal to your Strength score if you have a running start, or half that if you don't.

 

[Rhoan01ZBT]

Actually, for Next, jumping is no longer a roll at all; that's the rule we've all been talking about. You get to jump a number of feet equal to your Strength score if you have a running start, or half that if you don't.

Re-read the relevant sections: I stand corrected. This is what I get for popping off without checking source material.

Also, that... I don't know how I feel about that rule. I'm going to have to sit down and look at that for a bit, find other areas to apply it and see how I feel about it.