Is there a need for a simplified D&D?

[Remathilis]

I think there are two very fundemental things about 3e that have people hankering back to older editions.

1.) AoOs

2.) Skills/Feats (taken as one thing)

AoOs are debated to death. They force the PC into tactical thinking and keep them lined to a battle-map.

Skills are a bigger area. They fill the role of NWPS, which were decisively pass/fail. One number and thats it. Now, a DM who could once say "make me a dex check" or "make a save vs spell" or "make a weaponsmithing check" must now determine DCs. Unfortunately, the system of determining DCs are more formula than fiat, so DMs feel they must CONSTANTLY be looking up DCs and modifiers to keep the game flowing, as opposed to a pass/fail system or a more fluid range DC.

Also, feats do what some NWP/WPs did in 2e (esp later, like PO). They add cool abilities. Want to kick booty with a longsword? Take appropriate feats (much like a fighter could specialize). The problem is, these are added to an already maddening list of racial traits, class abilites, spells, and shifting skill mods. There is too much to keep track of as a player, and way too much for a DM.

The so-called complexity of these two things are the heart of the complaints. Additional classes, spells (including very complex ones, check out your 2e PH). and races didn't slow things down more back then. Unfortunatly, I'm not sure going back is the best way to fix that (at least for me.)

 

[jmucchiello]

The main stumbling point I see with most sheets (besides that they all tend to look like tax forms...) is that there's usually not enough space to list the *types* of bonuses used to compute a given number. IMO, a skill listing, for example, ought to look like:

My current sheet (not card based) has two different pages. One page is a list of compiled stats without the work, lists of spells in memory, lists of equipment. The other page is the work sheet with all the bonuses named. There are a lot of boxes on that work sheet page. It is intimidating to even veteran players.

I also print them on full sheets of paper designed to be folded in half so that they form a little booklet.

Page one: Name, vital description, abilties scores and bonus. BAB/Saves/Init/HD/hp/etc. AC (std, flat, vs AoO, raging, vs touch). A three column weapon block (weapon name/atk/dmg eg: +3 shortspear / +9/+4 melee / 1d8+4 (20/x2) ) And on the right side, all the skills with just the modifiers.

Page two is spell lists. Page three is class/race/feat abilities/descriptions. Page four is equipment (with locations, the chakra spots are provided).

Page five starts with the ability score worksheet. All starting values, racial, level ups, aging, inherent and typical enhancement bonuses are listed. XPs are stored next to that.

The bulk of the page is a 20 line levelup worksheet for calculating accumulated BAB, base saves, base hit points, base skill points, and feat/ability choices by level.

Pages six and seven are the skills. Page six has the list of skills with final mod, ranks and a bunch of boxes for most conceivable modifiers. And short line for notes about the skills. (Synergy bonuses are usualled explained there.) Page seven has the list of skills, total ranks and a box for levels 1 - 20 so you can see where each skill point was spent.

Page eight is the worksheet for Attack Bonus, saving throws, Init, full weapon descriptions/stats, etc.

The half page format keeps everything you need to know right in front of you and when things change you have the worksheets to make sure you make your modifications correctly.

But it still lacks certain things. The character I play has a contingency spell running. Do I always remember this? No. I'm thinking of putting a large box on the front page called the heads up box. For my character it would be the contingency for someone else it would Remember to Dodge! or Try Power Attacking!

I'm rambling by now....