Quote:
Originally Posted by Psion
Are we? I must have missed that. Because if we are just talking about a "little change", you don't need to change the system at all IME; it's usually within the DM's cap. If you are looking for a new system, that doesn't seem consistent with your protestation here about "a little" change.
Please read or reread my posts through the thread then. I just brought up the idea of a "lower" magic setting from D20. People pointed out that if it was very low magic it might require some rules tweaking which I agree may be the case, (though I probably differ in how much). I stick to my original idea that any kind of lower magic setting would be welcome, I frankly think a 'medium' magic setting would be a good step in the right direction, even though I'd probably prefer a bit lower than that.
IMO, stock DnD IS medium magic. Compared to the heady days of going through something like Against the Giants and outfitting my 8th level paladin with a girdle of giant strength, gauntlets of ogre power and Hammer of Thunderbolts. I liked the fact that my 8th level paladin could then kill Ancient Huge Red Dragons in one round.
(Psi)SH - That's my point. Yes, the character has 8 or 9 magic items. However, they are ALL minor items that don't make a huge difference. Taken together, sure, they help, but, individually, they aren't a big deal. That character has +3 AC, +1 to hit and damage and +1 saves over a non-magic character. This is not a massive difference. Yes, it's an advantage, and, at higher level, that advantage blooms into a great chasm, I don't deny that, but, it's not a huge gap.
In other words, our putative magic decked fighter and a fighter with only masterwork items, wouldn't really be all that much different dealing with an opponent that lacks DR. Note, I do mention DR since that would make a big difference. Against a CR 7 opponent without DR, such as a Hill Giant, our magic laden fighter would not have a significantly easier time of things. Yes, he would have an easier time, but, would it be a level's worth of easier? Is our magic fighter equal to an 8th level fighter? 9th? I don't think so.
As far as the idea that the game is balanced on a dime, I can honestly say, hogwash. I'm running the World's Largest Dungeon. Have been for the last year. The characters are now 9th level. During the entire time, they could not buy any magic items, nor have they been able to make any. They have been entirely dependent on what they could find. Treasure wise, they're close, but low on the average wealth table.
Yet, they are still capable of facing encounters. CR works fine. I can lay on an EL 9 encounter and know that it's not going to kill them barring any major bad luck. I've run literally hundreds of combats over the past year with these players. Sure, sometimes PC's die, but, I've never had a TPK, nor have I had any major issues with the EL or CR.
This idea that CR is broken and that game balance is so fragile is a myth. Stock DnD handles a very wide range of game. You can do a
lower magic game without any modification other than perhaps paying attention to what critters you throw at the party. Or not. By and large, even at 2/3rds character wealth, the party does fine with standard encounters.
Oh, and the myth of player entitlement has been debunked as well. Ask RC how many people think that players should be able to demand from their DM's.
