Does The New Edition Raise Your Houserulling Interest?

[FireLance]

Like Nifft, Bo9S sparked off a minor house-ruling frenzy, and I actually wrote up a batch of Evocation [Fire] spells from 1st to 9th level that were intended to be balanced on the basis that spellcasters get 2 spell slots plus one spell slot per two levels per encounter.

Based on what I read about the SWSE skill system, I also came up with an alternate skill system that mashed several skills together (Knowledge [Arcana], Knowledge [Religion] and Knowledge [The Planes] into Knowledge [Supernatural], for example), allocated base skill ranks on the basis of class and level (all characters got 1 rank per two character levels, with additional skill bonuses based on the class skills of their classes). Instead of allocating skill points, characters received skill knacks which could be used to purchase background skills (typically, non-adventuring skills) such as Appraise, Craft and Profession, or expand the use of a skill (a skill knack could allow you to Use Magic Device with a Deception check or a Knowledge [Supernatural] check, for example).

When 4e was announced, I lost interest in tinkering and went into anticipation mode.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

When 4e was announced, I lost interest in tinkering and went into anticipation mode.

I think that happened to a lot of people who had started, for lack of a better word, consolidating their 3.5 experience and desires into a single set of rules. And I wonder how many others, now that the first rush of anticipation has worn off, are getting antsy about it.

 

[WhatGravitas]

When 4e was announced, I lost interest in tinkering and went into anticipation mode.

Exactly the same here. I was half through a mix of the Ultimate Classes by Szatany and Arcana Evolved, mixed with a sprinkling of Bo9S. Then the 4E announcement came and promised that 4E will be exactly that. It still looks that way.

But I could have done without the Bo9S-style of names... ("Emerald Frost"? "Dragon's Tail Cut"? Ick.)

Cheers, LT.

 

[Li Shenron]

I find myself lately wanting to play around with house ruling a lot more lately... I don't know if the Announcement of 4e has anything to do with it, or what.

If you mean to use some 4e rumors as a basis for new 3e house rules, then no, because the interesting things in 4e are near-impossible to house-rule into a 3e framework.

If you mean to already think of some house rules to "fix" the 4e problems... then yes of course!

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

If you mean to use some 4e rumors as a basis for new 3e house rules, then no, because the interesting things in 4e are near-impossible to house-rule into a 3e framework.

Such as?

If you mean to already think of some house rules to "fix" the 4e problems... then yes of course!

I would think house-ruling* a game you've never seen is an exercise in futility or poor design.

* Changing fluff text isn't house rules, it's DMing.

 

[Li Shenron]

Such as?

The new role of magic equipment in the game, first and foremost.

Racial progressions is another, something to complex for me to figure out at the moment.

I would think house-ruling* a game you've never seen is an exercise in futility or poor design.

* Changing fluff text isn't house rules, it's DMing.

99% of our discussions about 4e before we play it are an exercise in futility. I'm picturing the amount of house rules I would want to use in 4e to change what I dislike, as a method of evaluating later my chances of even trying to play it. I'm not thinking about fluff the least, which I always freely change between campaigns anyway.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

The new role of magic equipment in the game, first and foremost.

Racial progressions is another, something to complex for me to figure out at the moment.

I know there have been attempts at the former, and racial paragons at least give a starting point for the second, but fair enough.

99% of our discussions about 4e before we play it are an exercise in futility. I'm picturing the amount of house rules I would want to use in 4e to change what I dislike, as a method of evaluating later my chances of even trying to play it. I'm not thinking about fluff the least, which I always freely change between campaigns anyway.

Gotcha. It really read like "I'm getting ready to change this, and this, and..." and it all kinda felt to me like deciding in 1999 one was going to adjust THAC0 progressions once this new D&D hits the shelves. With it being clearer, I getcha. "Is it going to be easier to fix what I have, or what there will be?".

 

[Li Shenron]

Gotcha. It really read like "I'm getting ready to change this, and this, and..." and it all kinda felt to me like deciding in 1999 one was going to adjust THAC0 progressions once this new D&D hits the shelves. With it being clearer, I getcha. "Is it going to be easier to fix what I have, or what there will be?".

What?

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

What?

I assure you, it makes perfect sense.

Now please, stand back, I'm a scientist!