Defensive Bonus variations?

[Errant]

I've already noticed IMC that with Rings of Protection seem a lot less effective due to deflection bonuses not stacking (if I'm wrong, tell me where it says otherwise - please!).

Kinda takes a chunk outta a huge chunk out of the effectiveness of Rings or Protection, Protection from Evil & Shield of Faith.

One of the reasons I'm looking at a Defensive Bonuse house rule.

 

[GreatLemur]

Pretty sure the defense bonuses do stack with armor. I'll post tomorrow with more details, hopefully.

If I remember correctly--and I might not--they only stack for certain classes, possibly only the soldier-type class that I totally forget the name of. I'm not sure how this works with multiclassing, though.

Personally, I don't see how it's a lot of hassle to look up your character's new defense bonus every time you gain a level. But True20 simplifies this immensely, and essentially just declares that your base defense bonus is the same as your base attack bonus. Real easy. (Naturally, True20 uses a armor-as-damage-absorption paradigm, rather than D&D's old armor-as-damage-deflection bit, so armored warriors don't end up as ridiculously untouchable tanks.)

 

[Jdvn1]

Oh, oh. Defense bonuses in WoT don't stack with armor or shields. You gain whatever benefit is better. The Armsman (or whatever) might get the use of both as a benefit, though.

The defense bonuses go something like this...

+2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6 +7 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8 +9
+3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8 +9 +9 +10 +10 +10 +11
+4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +9 +9 +10 +10 +11 +11 +12 +12 +13 +13 +14

 

[MadBlue]

The Armsman's Defense Bonus stacks. It's not as good as the other combat-related classes, IIRC, but it stacks with armor, while the DB of other classes doesn't.

MadBlue

 

[Jdvn1]

Armsmen get the one that starts with +3, so it's still good, but.

Oh, and the Defense Bonus is never lost, even when flat-footed.

 

[Sravoff]

I started a thread oalong the same lines awhile ago. It uses a Defense progression modeling after saves slightly. Good, Average, and poor. I modeled it after the revised star wars d20 system with bits and pieces from grim-n-gritty rules by kenneth hood. I think it was pretty well done by the time it dropped off the front page.

LINK

I also started on a skill based d20 system that made a dagger much more dangerous in the hands of a 20th level fighter than in the hands of a commoner. It becaem pretty well rounded out though there is still a small amount to do.

LINK

I know other people started along these lines for defense/offense increases. Another one was weapons as special effects. This is a very interesting idea.

LINK

I am sure there are others but those are the ones I am fammiliar with. Along with the many d20 books out there you should be able to come up with a good system that works for you.

Good Luck

-Sravoff