[Dragon] First D&D 3.5 Update

[Spatula]

Giants get 6 + INT mod + 1/EHD. As 4 HD Large creatures, ogres have 2 EHD. 6 INT is a -2 mod. Thus, 6 skill points.

 

[Regdar]

Gianst, Regdar was thinking Monstrous Humanoids... Still as Regdar said most Monsters don't get the x4 at 1st level.

 

[cptg1481]

Totally With You....

A question of a different sort, since I'm too lazy to do all the analysis you all do on balance issues. Anyone else miss monster size? S, M, L, H...I'd like to know if something is 7 feet tall, or 8 feet tall, etc. I saw many of you complement other books for doing something like this.

I have a hard time with this too. I like to think in pictures, how does an ogre look next to a hill giant both wide and tall.

It's in there somewhere but you have to go into the text to get it....I want it in the stat block so I can access it in adventure prep and on the cards I use for NPC's.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

A question of a different sort, since I'm too lazy to do all the analysis you all do on balance issues. Anyone else miss monster size? S, M, L, H...I'd like to know if something is 7 feet tall, or 8 feet tall, etc. I saw many of you complement other books for doing something like this.

Well, there is that size comparison chart in the PHB. I do see what you mean, though, and I'd like to see something like this, with heights, weights, etc. The Monsternomicon uses silhouettes that compare the size of the creature and a human/humanoid. The RPG TORG did the same thing with its monster books, as did, IIRC, Shadowrun. I like such stuff.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Anyone else think the sample race they included (Ogre) is far too powerful for a +2 level modifier?

I mean it has Str +10, 4 levels of giant, including skill points, feats, and saves, +5 natural armor, and +4 Con.
Very little downside if you're any type of fighter. Even a half-dragon is not that powerful, and I believe they have a higher level equivalency. I would suggest at least +3 if not +4 for the ogre.

Well, the example shows that an Ogre has a effective character level of 6 plus his level. a 3rd level ogre barbarian is 9th level.

I guess as stated that the 4 HD figure in as levels.

For why there's the other +2, remember that the design team weights a strength bonus, ala half-orc.

For this character to exist at even 1st level, the rest of the group would be 7th level. He'd have 4hd+whatever his class is.

 

[Tzarevitch]

YEs, let's hope they don't 2e us to death with Rules variations.

I'll note I'd love to see a Dwarven variation of the Elven weapon thing.

A Dwarven rogue or wizard with an axe just seems... Right.

Though, I really wish the Halfling Skiprock would just go away.

And they need to do better pictures for the weapons. The Dire Flail will just kill you, if you do it like that design. But there is a way to design the weapon to Work as it is, without clobbering you in the back of the head.

What's wrong with rules variations? That was the best part of 2e. The great thing about rules variations is you don't have to use them if you don't like them. 3e is an improvement over 2e in a great many ways but that doesn't mean it won't be helped by greater variety.

Tzarevitch

 

[Selganor]

What's wrong with rules variations?

The fact that when you play with people from other groups you MUST check which version of which rules they are using...

I know that in the late 90s I didn't want to play AD&D at cons because I never knew which new obscure (but official and optional) rules the otehr players and DMs would use...