Having Troubles Keeping Up with Bonuses

[Aluvial]

I am having difficulty keeping up with the different bonuses that add up during the course of a game. It is really rules heavy and has been hindering my combats of late with having to look up rules all of the time.

With spellcasters rising in power, more "buff" spells are being cast every session. In my last combat alone I counted over 50 levels of spells cast!

This stacks with that, that doesn't work effectively and so on... It has become very difficult!

How do you guys keep track of all of this stuff? Is there an effective way to do it. Right now I'm at a loss....


Aluvial

 

[the Jester]

Just write down the type of each bonus. Then if someone casts a spell that gives the same type of bonus, you only use the better one.

I've never really found it all that tough, personally, but I have a head for numbers.

 

[Crothian]

Abusive uses of Dispel Magic

Actually, it's up to the players to keep track of their own bonuses. They know the rules, the know the wraith if they mess up!! For us, we don't use many Buff spells. However, you might just want to make a spread sheet with all the different bonus types and what spells have what type of bonuses. I think it would be pretty easy to do using excel.

 

[Endur]

buff spell bonuses

I add them up on a scrap piece of paper (one piece of paper for every combat).

My character is the front guy for our party, so I usually have a bunch of spells up and running.

I believe I add the bonuses up correctly more than 50% of the time.

But, yes, there are a lot of buff spells at higher levels. And when a character has ten or so spells up and running and has lots of special abilities, it gets tough to add all the numbers for this situation or that. And I'm saying this from the perspective of someone who was the Math State Champion in high school.

When I do make a mistake, my biggest problem is forgetting to hit bonuses or forgetting damage bonuses.

Tom

 

[Aluvial]

Where can I find the list for all of the bonuses?

Aluvial

 

[Emongnome]

pg 177, DMG, Table 8-1. That lists all the types of bonuses. As I recall, only dodge bonuses stack.

 

[Darkness]

pg 177, DMG, Table 8-1. That lists all the types of bonuses. As I recall, only dodge bonuses stack.

Yeah... But be aware that there are a also few new ones as well (e.g., the divine bonus that deities get to nearly everything, as presented in Deities & Demigods).

 

[fba827]

pg 177, DMG, Table 8-1. That lists all the types of bonuses. As I recall, only dodge bonuses stack.

Hmm.. and circumstance bonuses if they are from different circumstances.

And armor bonuses from shields stack with armor bonuses from actual armor.

(probably a couple other specific exceptions, but i think that covers most of the general bases).

As for the primary question of the thread --

I think it just comes down to scribbling notes and instead of just putting down the amount, try and put down the type of bonus and amount.

Yes, it can get a bit unwiedly especially if those buffs are cast at different times and you have to figure out what wears off when ...

but such is the price of being buffed I guess. (can't get anywhere these days without filling out the paperwork )