Ridley's Cohort
First Post
1 in 20 is simply TOO MUCH for a catastrophic event, it doesn't add drama, it adds unmitigated punishment for playing a character with many attacks... or for that matter- attacks at all.
A sorcerer who casts nothing that uses an attack roll will *never* fumble an attack, as the requisite RNG condition can never be met.
I agree in spades.
Regardless of the intention, the net effect of fumble rules as most people apply them is to severely punish characters who earn their paycheck in melee.
Simply giving a 5% fumble chance to spells that require aim is not sufficient balancing factor. In the heat of combat, every time you cast a spell, not matter how minor or innocent, you should have a 5% of frying your own brain. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Yes, I literally do mean that you should give the Healing Cleric a 5% chance of casting Inflict on himself instead of healing his friend.
And, yes, the baddies, too. There should be a 5% chance that the Evil Lich Overlord accidentally Disintegrates himself instead of the PC.
Why not? Fun is fun!