Buffs and Maths (mini-rant)

[Hussar]

I agree with Lanefan. Get rid of stat buffs which simply cascade through far too many other bits. Go with simple numerical buffs to make life MUCH easier.

Bull's Strength as was mentioned: Enhancement bonus +2/hit and damage and grapple checks.

There, now, that's so much simpler than messing about with umpteen effects that stat buffs and debuffs can have.

 

[airwalkrr]

Personally, I believe buffs are made simpler (for pen and paper anyway) if their durations are lowered. That means players typically have fewer buffs to keep track of at one time, which makes it easier. I utilize this philosophy IMC, as I have standardized and reduced the durations of a number of spells.

 

[Jedi_Solo]

I have no porblem with buffs.

When it gets to be "too much" to remember (if that be 2 or 3 buffs or maybe I'm having trouble remembering my own buff that I cast (has happened on more than one occation)) I scribble down the new stats on a scrap sheet of paper between my turns. I have the new attack and damage bonuses right there in front of me ready to go when it gets back to me. If I'm using a Bane weapon the different attack stats are right next to my regular attack stats. If I'm hasted the extra atack is written out so I don't forget it. When buffs go away I scratch out the numbers and write down the new ones. It just takes a minute or two of time while someone else is deciding what to do for thier turn.

But I do agree that the number of types of buffs should be toned down for the next edition. What is the point of "not stacking" if everything is a different type of bonus anyway?

 

[The_Gneech]

I don't like the flavor of buffs; the implementation is likely as good as it's going to get mechanically. We use tent-folded notecards with the effects written on them to remember what buffs are up and what their effects are.

"Anti-buffs" in the form of poison/disease/drain are handled in a similar manner. In order to minimize headachey non-fun, we have a house rule that such things only impact numerical figures (stats, saving throws, to-hit and damage, etc.) -- I don't want to keep track of the fact that Joe Rogue isn't allowed to use Expertise any more because he had his Int drained. Aren't the minuses to his skills enough?

-The Gneech