Going for Cover: encourage, discourage or keep the bonus the same?

[Gryffyn]

3.0 had it right. I was disappointed by the changes to cover in 3.5.

 

[Incenjucar]

Cover should be variable. If it isn't, it'll be house ruled that way.

I'd hate for 4E to need an "Advanced" version.

 

[MerricB]

You know, I really can't vote on this one. I really want to see the rules in action before I vote.

Cheers!

 

[Voss]

Yeah. its acceptable for a quick and dirty minis skirmish game, but an RPG needs a lot more.

 

[hong]

Yeah. its acceptable for a quick and dirty minis skirmish game, but an RPG needs a lot more.

Ah, another person still waiting for the social conflict rules!

 

[frankthedm]

Cover should be variable. If it isn't, it'll be house ruled that way.

I'd hate for 4E to need an "Advanced" version.

Thats what I suspect will be "4.5" "4dv4nced Dungeons and Dragons"

 

[Incenjucar]

Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll put the "Advanced," higher-granularity and effort rules as options. "Advanced Options" or something wouldn't be so bad to have, so long as they were treated as equally likely to be used, and thus designed around.

 

[Zaruthustran]

In DDM and presumably 4E, the bonus to Reflex defense and Armor class is only a two point modifier [-2 to be hit].

I'd be careful about drawing that conclusion. While some of the mechanics will likely be similar for brand-consistency and crossover-sales purposes, keep in mind that DDM and D&D are fundamentally different games.

What I mean by that is that DDM is a competition, 1 vs 1, and the rules are designed in such a way as to encourage action and fast resolution of matches (what for to enable tournament play). Quick games = good games. Big cover bonus = tentative tactics, and longer battles. That's bad. For a game like DDM, defensive strategies should be actively discouraged by the rules.

D&D is a cooperative team-based RPG, and the rules are designed in such a way to reward verisimilitude (to a certain extent) and creative thinking. Big cover bonus = careful tactics, and longer battles. That's good. For a game like D&D, engagement with the terrain should be encouraged by the rules.

 

[Raith5]

+5 for good cover (approx 50% coverage). +2 for good cover doesnt seem realistic/ believable to me.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

I still use the 3.0e cover rules they're just plain better.