Essentials (Comments)

[ren1999]

D&D Essentials is more summarized and contains the latest accepted rules by people who have actually play tested them.

I like it and I'm reading through it and using it.

However, I don't believe that player characters and monsters should take 1d10 damage for every two squares 10 feet high they are. A lot of people can drop 10 feet without hurting themselves. Instead, damage should be exponential. 20 feet 1d4 damage 30 feet 2d8 damage 40 feet 3d10 damage or some such scale like that.

Furthermore, I think that Wizards needs to come out with a revised 1st edition book like this and just focus on the 4 original classes that made the game popular. Fighter, Rogue, Cleric and Wizard. Other classes should be included in other books. Describe only 4 races and include other races in separate books. Dwarf, Halfling, Human and Elf.

With those 4 races and classes, return to the game balance found in the original books and video games.

Feats, Powers, Martial Exploits, Skills, Spells, Prayers, Utilities.. all that is confusing. Unite them all into about 50 things that each class can learn. Then include extra powers in other books.

 

[Kerranin]

However, I don't believe that player characters and monsters should take 1d10 damage for every two squares 10 feet high they are. A lot of people can drop 10 feet without hurting themselves. Instead, damage should be exponential. 20 feet 1d4 damage 30 feet 2d8 damage 40 feet 3d10 damage or some such scale like that.

Might not be realistic but then this is a fantasy game, they wanted an easy to use, easy to remember mechanic for assigning damage from falls. If you want to reflect being able to fall 10ft without hurting yourself, train Acrobatics and use that to reduce the damage taken from falling.

Furthermore, I think that Wizards needs to come out with a revised 1st edition book like this and just focus on the 4 original classes that made the game popular. Fighter, Rogue, Cleric and Wizard. Other classes should be included in other books. Describe only 4 races and include other races in separate books. Dwarf, Halfling, Human and Elf.

Sounds like a revised 4e PHB you're asking for, although I can't see them cutting it down as much as you're suggesting.

 

[Zaran]

Even a 1st level wizard can survive a 10 foot fall these days. The damage might be a bit higher but so are the hit points. You have to remember that 5.5 hit points of damage isn't a broken leg. It's a measure of how fatigued, knocked around and unlucky you are. You don't start showing signs of damage until you are bloodied.

 

[twilsemail]

Even a 1st level wizard can survive a 10 foot fall these days. The damage might be a bit higher but so are the hit points. You have to remember that 5.5 hit points of damage isn't a broken leg. It's a measure of how fatigued, knocked around and unlucky you are. You don't start showing signs of damage until you are bloodied.

This right here.

Maybe you're just shaken because you've fallen and landed on your ass. You apparently didn't make that acrobatics check, afterall. After taking a bit to recover (short rest) you shake it off and move on (spend a healing surge).

Not all damage in D&D is physical. That's why a Warlord can just yell at you and get you back on your feet.

 

[KarinsDad]

However, I don't believe that player characters and monsters should take 1d10 damage for every two squares 10 feet high they are. A lot of people can drop 10 feet without hurting themselves.

This can now happen as well. A PC can "Hop Down" using an Acrobatics roll (untrained) and if s/he gets a 15, the PC takes no damage and is not prone. Check the Essentials Acrobatics skill.

 

[Dausuul]

Try dropping 10 feet--free fall, nothing to hold onto--without hurting yourself sometime*. It can be done but it ain't easy. 10 feet doesn't sound like much until you're standing on a 10-foot wall considering jumping down.

I think the Acrobatics check is more than sufficient to address this concern.

(Also, what does this bit have to do with Essentials? The falling rules were the same in core 4E.)

[size=-2]*On second thought, don't.[/size]

 

[ren1999]

Thanks for all the quick comments.

That's why I like Essentials. I can find rules like these all together. The falling damage makes a lot more sense when you all explain it. Thanks.

 

[Riastlin]

Even a 1st level wizard can survive a 10 foot fall these days. The damage might be a bit higher but so are the hit points. You have to remember that 5.5 hit points of damage isn't a broken leg. It's a measure of how fatigued, knocked around and unlucky you are. You don't start showing signs of damage until you are bloodied.

I can tell you that after falling on the ice and landing on my back on Sunday, I really wished I could have spent a healing surge.

And no, I'm not 10 feet tall.

 

[Chris Knapp]

I can tell you that after falling on the ice and landing on my back on Sunday, I really wished I could have spent a healing surge.

And no, I'm not 10 feet tall.

Maybe you DID spend a healing surge, and that's why you are still with is today?

 

[Riastlin]

Maybe you DID spend a healing surge, and that's why you are still with is today?

Hmmm good point. Too bad there wasn't a pacifist cleric around though.

Now if only my parents had invested in Dex or Acrobatics at gen. . . .