OD&D to 3.x

[mmadsen]

That's pretty much what I was going to say, but I'd keep the level/3 for saves and 3*level/4 for hits, and still add in stat bonuses. That's not too complicated, add allows a bit more variety.

But "allowing a bit more variety" unfortunately means allowing a bit more complexity. Ideally, creating an NPC would take seconds, and you could do it in your head. That is one of the great things about OD&D, right? Need a 6th-level Fighter? Give him a name and you're done.

Maybe have three types of skills: +level, +level/2, +0.

Well, naturally. Primary skills, secondary skills, and non-skills.

 

[ichabod]

But "allowing a bit more variety" unfortunately means allowing a bit more complexity. Ideally, creating an NPC would take seconds, and you could do it in your head. That is one of the great things about OD&D, right? Need a 6th-level Fighter? Give him a name and you're done.

Well, yeah, that's the great tight rope of game design. Where do you draw the line? By my point was that I think most people can divide by 2 or subtract a quarter in their head. Thus you're not really crossing the line specified, but you are gaining variety.

 

[MerricB]

Well, yeah, that's the great tight rope of game design. Where do you draw the line? By my point was that I think most people can divide by 2 or subtract a quarter in their head. Thus you're not really crossing the line specified, but you are gaining variety.

Don't be misled by the calculations - these values would be written out and tabulated. You don't need to calculate them, you just need to look them up.

Cheers!

 

[mmadsen]

Don't be misled by the calculations - these values would be written out and tabulated. You don't need to calculate them, you just need to look them up.

Certainly that helps. I guess we have to ask, just what does slow down play (or character creation)?