I stand corrected :)

[knifespeaks]

So, a few of you will recognise my name and know that I have been a bit critical of 3.5

I stand corrected.

I started a campaign yesterday, and at the vote of the players, I used the 3.5 combat system. It worked really well - we don't use miniatures or the battle grid, nevertheless, the whole system was LOADS easier than the PH makes out. AoO's, which I always thought were pretty straightforward as an idea but perhaps a little cumbersome as a mechanic, were easy to resolve and identify.

I am still HR'ing skill and feat acquisition (it is roleplayed rather than simply received), mutli-classing, race/class limitations (not a major issue for the start, but nevertheless is there) and a few other things - but in the main I was very pleased with the way combat played out.

Here's a link for anyone who is interested : http://www.tehbomb.com/BB/viewforum.php?f=11

 

[Darrin Drader]

Just goes back to the old saying 'Don't knock it 'till you try it.'

I've been using minis since 1st ed, and I think you might be surprised at how much it adds to the game.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Heh, break out the battlemat and come over to the dark side. If you think the 3.5 combat system is cool now, wait till you play out all the options on the mat.

 

[Wombat]

**shrug**

Having tried it, all I see that the battlemat adds is an Avalon-Hill element to the game. Personally I prefer gaming without battleboards, without laptops, and without anything except pencil, paper, and dice.

But I'm old-fashioned that way

Of course my two favourite combat systems are from Paranoia and Over the Edge; I think descriptive action and loose rules take into account more the feel of the chaos of combat (remembering my SCA days) than does the gods-eye-view and second-guessing of table topping.

This from a guy who has tried both (including the 3.5 rules, finally).

 

[Christopher Lambert]

I found maps make the game a lot more fun, myself. Alas, it's a PitA keeping track of long range spells and archery though.

 

[Psion]

AFAIAC, you don't really need a battlemat. Even in 3.5. Though it helps if you skip some 3.5 stuff. (Insert obligatory complaint about cover and concealment in 3.5)

 

[Darrin Drader]

(Insert obligatory complaint about cover and concealment in 3.5)

In actualy play I prefer the eyeball approach to breaking out the string myself.

 

[fanboy2000]

It worked really well - we don't use miniatures or the battle grid, nevertheless, the whole system was LOADS easier than the PH makes out.

The 3.5 PH combat chapter is better written than it's 3.0 counterpart, but both suffer the problem inherent to all rules systems: it doesn't capture the feel of playing the game.

I'm also glad to hear that you're not using a battlmat. I use one myself and enjoy it quite a bit, but some people think 3.x requires a battlemat. That you don't use one shows me they're wrong.

AoO's, which I always thought were pretty straightforward as an idea but perhaps a little cumbersome as a mechanic, were easy to resolve and identify.

Tell me about it. I had to go over the 3.0 combat chapter with a fine-tooth comb and expalin to my group the AOOs did not work they way they thought. The conversation went something like, "no, I'm not house rulling it. I'm actually running it the way it's written." Not fun. 3.5 make AOOs a little clearer, but there's nothing like running a combat to really get the feel.

 

[shilsen]

As Olgar said, break out that battlemat and come over to the dark side. Soon you'll be making mystic gestures and telling your players (while having enemies tumble past their PCs), "These are not the AoOs you are looking for"

 

[Blue_Kryptonite]

As Olgar said, break out that battlemat and come over to the dark side. Soon you'll be making mystic gestures and telling your players (while having enemies tumble past their PCs), "These are not the AoOs you are looking for"

Don't listen. I haven't used one voluntarily in three decades. Every time I do, all the cool cinematic, heroic aspects of the game... stop. My players soon get tired of no longer being the heroes in our personal fantasy TV series, and never ask again. Plus, they like playing with one of our players immensely (my wife) who is dynamic, imaginitive, and visual. Until the minis come out, and she goes to sleep.

Come to think of it I'm the DM, and I kind of go to sleep.

However, it is worth trying, just to see how much life it sucks out of the cinematic aspects of the game.