How to Make D&D Accessible to the Non-Mathematically Inclined?

[rgard]

So, I'm starting a new game soon. One of the players is a newbie, with absolutely no mathematical aptitude: a totally artsy, creative type.

I'll be emphasizing role-playing, and saying 'OK. Roll the die,' when appropriate. But it seems that a reasonable level of competence in math is a requirement to play the game at even the most basic level.

How have other people dealt with this problem? Do you find that it enriches or detracts from the game: I guess min/maxing and powergaming is a nonissue for the nonmathematic, but does it get incredibly frustrating? Any tips?

Depends on how much time you want to waste in game, when the player tries to figure out the math variables. Personally, I wouldn't have the patience to deal with somebody who can't add.

But you did ask for ideas:

You could have the more math inclined players keep the character sheet up to date for the player.

That said, the player will still need to be able to read the character sheet when you ask for his/her AC or what the character's spot check total is.

Another thing to think about is just how bad is the individual with math? Is this a case of the individual being poor with math or is the individual lazy?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[nute]

So, I'm starting a new game soon. One of the players is a newbie, with absolutely no mathematical aptitude: a totally artsy, creative type.

I'll be emphasizing role-playing, and saying 'OK. Roll the die,' when appropriate. But it seems that a reasonable level of competence in math is a requirement to play the game at even the most basic level.

How have other people dealt with this problem? Do you find that it enriches or detracts from the game: I guess min/maxing and powergaming is a nonissue for the nonmathematic, but does it get incredibly frustrating? Any tips?

Aside from treating their character sheet with a contact poison (the appropriate way for dealing with the math-inept)...

The DM should have summations of all the PCs' relevant stats. I recommend a copy of their character sheets. That way, when Captain Can't-Add-Numbers says he wants to charge the hobgoblin, you can look down and go "Okay, +2 to his with his BAB gives him a +7, hobgoblin has a 18 AC, he needs to roll an 11." It's a little more work for you, but that's what happens when you need to handhold the "differently-abled".

Do not figure damage bonuses for them, though. Players who can't add numbers should be penalized in-game. Survival of the fittest, baby!

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I have a simple idea - ignore the math.

His to hit roll vs. *all* armor classes will be that he hits on an unmodified d20 roll of 11 or higher. If he gets multiple attacks, they each hit on an unmodified roll of 11 or higher (these are not iterative attacks, so don't worry about the +11/+6/+1 stuff, just make it all "11 to hit/11 to hit/11 to hit"). If he rolls a natural 20, then he gets an additional attack (instead of a critical hit - don't confuse him).

His damage roll is an unmodified roll of the appropriate type (d8 for a longsword). If he is at all buffed, give him a bigger die to roll. If he is *really* buffed, give him a d20 to roll for damage. Or, if he is able to, perhaps let him roll 2d8 instead of 1d8, and add the two dice results together, for damage. If he is in a super-high level campaign and buffed to god-like proportions, let him roll % dice. For for example, let him roll a d12 for damage normally, and a d20 after appropriate regular party buffs, for damage.

His saving throws are that he needs an unmodified 11 or higher to save.

His skill rolls are that he needs an unmodified 11 or higher to succeed. If it is an opposed skill roll, then it is a "roll off" of him vs. the other, with the higher unmodified roll succeeding.

KISS.

If I had a player who needed that level of dumbing down in order to play I'd tell them "sorry, this isn't going to work out." and recommend they find another game that doesn't use so many mods. Plus the other players I game with would get annoyed that the one player is playing by different rules, and games need consistant rules IMO.

 

[el-remmen]

I once had a player who claimed to have the mathematical equivalent to Dyslexia. This was a new one

It is called dyscalculia. I suffer from a mild form of it myself.

 

[sniffles]

If they cannot add simple two digit numbers together......they probably cant role play either.

I'd have to agree with this assessment. If the player can't roll a d20 and add a modifier to it, he's in trouble with more than just playing D&D.

I don't think you need to be mathematically inclined to play D&D. I'm particularly math-challenged, much more of the creative artsy type that you describe, Sepulchrave, and I greatly enjoy playing D&D. There are very few instances where my lack of mathematical skill causes me any difficulty.

My advice is: Help him with the parts he has trouble with. Let the other players help too; the GM doesn't have to do all the work. Do check over his character sheet to make sure he has all the relevant modifiers included. And if he's having fun, don't worry about it so much unless his math errors are making him way better than everyone else at everything.

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

You could pretty easily generate an Excel spreadsheet with Active-X controls which automatically made all of the player's rolls including modifiers. Get the guy a laptop, and you're in business.

 

[atomn]

If your goal is to have them learn the rules, then this seems like good advice. But if your goal is to have fun with them, then this advice may not be so good: folks who have trouble with relatively simple math tend not to find it much fun, and punishing them for their avoidance of it isn't going to make it more fun for them.

Daniel

While I can see what you're saying and agree somewhat (your definitely right about not making roleplaying unfun for someone), I think that everyone has it in them to learn the rules if they give it a good try. And what I said has some of my personal bias that I find more complex rules to make playing the game more fun (i.e., the difference in fun between D&D and Hero Quest).

 

[Pielorinho]

While I can see what you're saying and agree somewhat (your definitely right about not making roleplaying unfun for someone), I think that everyone has it in them to learn the rules if they give it a good try. And what I said has some of my personal bias that I find more complex rules to make playing the game more fun (i.e., the difference in fun between D&D and Hero Quest).

Everyone may have it in them to learn the rules, and I do find complex rules to be kind of fun myself. But not everyone enjoys complex rules. One of the best roleplayers I've ever known was terrible at math and at tactics, and I basdically had to accept that if I wanted her in my games (and I did), I'd need to adjust the game a bit. She got a lot more advice than the other players, and she got a lot more leeway. I never tried to force her to learn anything: I could have fun without doing so, and it wasn't my job to tell her what she needed to do to have fun.

I've got no problem with someone who doesn't want a discalculiac in their game; that's fine. I just don't like the idea of insulting such folks or implying that they can't be fun to have in a game.

Daniel

 

[Mallus]

I really agree that most, if not all, of the people who say "D&D has too much hard math" really mean "D&D has too much annoying bookkeeping".

That said, the easiest thing is to do all the calculation for him. In fact, you could even roll for him. Some people like that.

 

[Imaro]

I've got no problem with someone who doesn't want a discalculiac in their game; that's fine. I just don't like the idea of insulting such folks or implying that they can't be fun to have in a game.

Daniel

QFT. I really wanted to stay out of this conversation, because it kind of strikes home with me, especially the snarky comments and dissmissals of those who posted above. IMHO those comments resounded with elitism and snobbery.

My cousin has a mild mental handicap(suffered mild braiin damage caused by lack of oxygen to his brain when he was born), but enjoys the game, he roleplays and feels accepted instead of pitied or ostracized by the fact that we let him play. I can get with the whole "maybe you should get a rules-light(er) game comments, but the "if he/she can't add, then he/she can't roleplay" type comments really get under my skin. My cousin plays off and on in our game(C&C not D&D) and has a great time. Sometimes I have to explain concepts in simpler terms for him or even add his modifiers for him, but seeing the fun he has(especially since he dealt with teasing and ostracization all his life) is worth it. I thought that's whatr roleplaying was about comraderie, fun, and socialization. I use to think gamers we're a really accepting bunch of folks( and most I have gamed with are) but if I was new and read some of the posts above I'd rethink that in a minute.

I see people post comments that don't even address what the poster is looking for about how they would never let someone who couldn't add play or how the DM should kick this player to the curb. All I can say is this, I don't know whether the particular player of the OP's is just mathematically inept or perhaps does suffer from a disorder or handicap...but the generalizations above turn my stomach.