Dex to Hit

[Tequila Sunrise]

Remember that in the era of LoTR and PotC movies, the swashbuckler is full on in everyone's mind. Now when folks picture an armored warrior, something like Kingdom of Heaven comes to mind. Armor took a hit but not because of combat changes.

I'm glad this rule works for your groups. But from what you've said about your players paying more attention to the fluff of their characters rather than the crunch, I don't think your rule will ever be generally appealing to d&d players.

Or maybe I'm just a cynical old codge.

 

[Nifft]

Well that's just it. I've been using this house rule for 4 years and I've found it to not be unbalancing.

In some groups, the stat generation method is "choose your PC's stats". That wouldn't work in my group.

I have absolutely no problem with groups who do things like this. I think it's really cool to hear about. But the fact that this stat generation method works for their group does not mean it is even close to balanced.

Beefing up Dexterity isn't nearly as unbalanced, but neither is it balanced for all groups.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Arkhandus]

I don't use STR as a factor in combar for anything other than DMG bonus.
Basically it's DEX to Hit and as an AC bonus.
I use it as a way to play up the high adventure angle of a moderate magic game.
Being Stronger has never really made anyone more accurate.

The thing is, attack bonus isn't all about accuracy. Strength adds to melee attack rolls because the stronger you are, the faster you can swing a weapon, because it's easier for you to heft around that weight and fling it around quickly. And of course, the faster you swing, the less time an opponent has to dodge or block, so it's more likely that you'll hit where you intended.

Also, that rule of yours basically makes Strength worthless. Sure, you can deal a bit more damage if you hit, but it's always better to be capable of hitting consistently in the first place.

And I don't understand your mention of it 'playing up the high adventure angle of a moderate magic game'. How the heck is that so? Because strong, athletic people are chumps and always inferior to small, mousy people with good reflexes but no muscle? :\

 

[phadeout]

Here's something I've always liked about 2E Strength stat unlike 3E.

Take a Strength of 16. You get a +1 Damage.
STR 18. You get +1 Hit, +2 Damage
STR 20. +3 Hit, +8 Damage

See how nice that is? I think that everything would work out just fine if Strength gave a plus to Damage, and then give 1/2 that bonus to Attack. That works nicely.