D&D needs improvement

[Ilium]

Not a troll or personal attack. I stated my opinion specifically as well, calling on specific game mechanics. I don't see how you can call a post a troll simply because it has a negative connotation.

Just my observation of several things that can be improved in D&D, and why they should be improved.

Ok, so pick one of the things you listed (not "bards suck" ) and propose a solution. If you don't like the way AC works (and presumably don't like the options presented in Unearthed Arcana for class defense bonuses and armor as DR) propsoe a solution to the problem.

If you think Spellcraft and Knowledge(Arcana) should be included in certain classes, list a specific proposal for adding them.

That would be an interesting discussion.

 

[Kapture]

Just my observation of several things that can be improved in D&D, and why they should be improved.

Yeah, but... y'know. So what?

This is the thing. It's not like all those points haven't been debated to death. I'm betting you haven't been playing long. You've probably just got your wind, figured out what you don't like about the game, and you're ready to set everything right.

You go, boy.

Cause for the most part, I don't care. I've always thought the spell system is a little wonky, and went out of my way in second edition to homebrew something that satisfied me more. It didn't always satisfy my players, and was more work than was fun in the long run, so I quit using it come 3rd edition.

Sheepishly, I must now admit to moving on to monsters...

The point is, you keep what you don't like, fix what you do. Offer it to the world at large, because sharing is fun. Don't bellyache. Don't make a moaning myrtle spectacle by whining about how DND SUX, cause it doesn't. It's a game of fiction, there is no objective definition of a good rule except whether or not you have fun using it. It just isn't your game, move on.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

On a more serious note, why do you want something so different from D&D than you apparently want in a console RPG?

D&D does Valkyrie Profile better than it does almost any other console RPG: defined classes (of varying power levels) with customizable special abilities, massive amounts of ablative hp for fighters, comparatively paltry hp for mages, mages more powerful than fighters at higher levels, fun but not terribly accurate mythological allusions, and an emphasis on dungeon exploration.

Considering your avatar and sn, I'd think all that would be a big selling point.

 

[painandgreed]

I agree that D&D needs improvement, however, I don't think changing much of what you propose in the way you seem to want to go would be an improvement.

 

[buzz]

Just my observation of several things that can be improved in D&D, and why they should be improved.

No, you listed just about every core rule and made snarky, negative comments about why they all suck. None of your critiques pointed to any problems with actual play of the game, but soley to aspects of "realism" and your presonal tastes, i.e., "X is bad becuase it doesn't model reality. Y is bad because I don't like Y." You're not proposing improvements, you're proposing wholesale changes to the fundamental core of the system.

Basically, what you've done is log in to a peanut butter forum and post: "Peanut butter is terrible. I think we can all agree that this is true, and that peanut butter needs to be made to taste like curry paste. [Insert snarky comments about peanut butter here]."

Ergo, the only logical response is: "Well, then go eat curry paste. Stop yammering about how peanut butter sucks."

So, please, stop playing D&D. Go and look at The Riddle of Steel, HarnMaster, GURPS, HARP, or any of a host of other systems that already do most everything you're asking for.

 

[Darkwolf445]

Why do some many people complain about hit points and armor class so much?

The system is abstract. Ever since OD&D it has been abstract. Hit points represent increasing skill and intestinal fortitude, luck, a little help from the gods, etc.. Armor class does not mean you are not hit, it means that the hit, whether it struck you or not, failed to do any damage.

Skills/feats are one of the best aspects of 3.5. There are not many one dimensional people in real life, or heroic fantasy, who know only how to fight.

The system is not perfect, but it is a very good, tactically sound/based ABSTRACT system.

Rolemaster may be your cup o' tea.
Or Hackmaster...

 

[Kapture]

Full Plate - -6 Armor check penalty? And Full Plate is one size fits all? +1 max dex bonus? Last time I checked, all full plate must be custom made to fit a specific body type, and because the plates work so well together, people can do acrobatics while in full plate.

But this I gotta ask... who does acrobatics in full plate? Never seen a reference to this, anywhere.

 

[Ilium]

But this I gotta ask... who does acrobatics in full plate? Never seen a reference to this, anywhere.

Maybe not acrobatics, but I've seen video of people doing cartwheels and handsprings in authentic plate. If it's very well-fit (and the person is strong) it can be done and is a good demonstration that plate armor doesn't make you a shuffling tank.

 

[Endroren]

Rolemaster may be your cup o' tea.
Or Hackmaster...

Have you played HackMaster? First, let me say that I love the game. That aside though, AC and HP are no more 'accurate or real' in HackMaster than in D&D. I'm fairly certain it wouldn't meet his needs....well, except for introducing him to the best game ever written.

Unfortunately what he SOUNDS like he wants is something between the most amazingly complex rules based system ever (ex: coming up with a completely accurate means of determining how hard you are to hit) and a diceless game (ex: the GM determines exact EP values, simplified 2-handed rules, etc.).

 

[Mark]

(. . .) especially with the tone of outraged indignation.

It's like we read two different posts. I'm not sympathetic with the OP's stance but I didn't catch any such a tone when I read what was written.

The original poster should check out Harn by Columbia Games . It would be ideal for what he's describing.

I agree.