Q: How is Elements of Magic for compatibility with BX/LL, AD&D/1e, etc?

[rOLUNDE]

Hello all, quick question.

I wanted to see if anyone could tell me how compatible Elements of Magic is with pre-3.0 versions of D&D.

Specifically I was thinking about using it as a replacement for the spell casting in B/X(Basic/Expert) / Labyrinth Lord (basically being the same thing, and AD&D 1e isn't really any different than those two either).


I am really hoping it'll be pretty straight up "plug and play" as what little I've seen of it looks much more interesting than simply applying an add-hoc mana system to the older versions of the game.

But any input on this would be appreciated, thanks!

~R~

 

[RangerWickett]

Depends on if you mean the original Elements of Magic (shorter, with spell lists that you choose) or Elements of Magic - Revised (came out a year or two later, longer, with a more 'assemble spells out of LEGO pieces' style). I honestly don't recall the original EOM that well.

If you're talking about Elements of Magic - Revised, I'd like to help, but I started with 2nd edition, so I have no idea how it'd work before that. The basic concept would probably still work, but you'd have to rejigger saving throws, and probably scale damage down. And reduce the amount of MP because old-timey mages didn't get bonus spells for high stats.

And perhaps completely remove Infuse, since stat increases don't scale the same at all. Maybe just cap stat increases at +6?

It would probably work okay at low level, but it'd become progressively more incompatible and unbalanced the higher level you get.

 

[rOLUNDE]

Heya RangerWickett,

I don't really have a preference between either EoM original or Revised.

I don't mind doing some amount of rejiggering, although I tend to refer to it as modified b/x, the emphasis is on "modified" and the b/x side is more of a guideline for the style and feel I want for the setting and the scale of the game.

I intend to level cap it at about 10 or 12, and b/x does have lower bonuses which generally speaking means Stat and enchantment/item bonuses cap at +3.
(Not having either EoM yet I don't know Infuse does, but looking at the Expert rulebook there is a Potion of Giant Strength that doesn't boost STR over 18 but does basically double weapon damage so I could maybe use that as a sort of guideline).

I am already replacing THAC0 (no one in my group likes it) with a modified (2d10) version of "Target 20" (from Delta's D&D Hotspot blog).
- basically attack resolution will be [roll 2d10 + Fighting Ability + Modifiers + Enemy AC ≥ 20]

And I have been considering that Saves might need to be re-done as well anyways, and have also added in a sort of rules light attribute based skill system.

- I'm not opposed to trying to fit in more "modern rules" to the system, mostly in the interests of familiarity and simplicity.

But it sounds like maybe one or both of the EoM's just might work.

I had picked up a copy of the original back when it first came out, but sadly the data file is long since gone as is my printed out copy.
Sadly, I never actually even got to use it, but I do remember when I gave it a read through I thought it looked pretty cool, and what I've read about Revised sounds pretty good too.

Coming across EoM revised, I started wanting to run "something D&D" with the idea of using EoM for the magic system.

My group seems willing to give my b/x-remix a go, and some of them are OK with 4e, but the core of my group pretty much gave the idea of playing 3.0/.5/PF the thumbs down.

- I do kind of wonder if EoM could work at all with 4e or if they are just too different?

But either way, it seems maybe I'll need to take a closer look at the EoMs and hopefully it'll fit into my revised b/x-remix.

Anyway, Thanks for the response!

Cheers, ~R~

 

[RangerWickett]

4e is in no way compatible with EOM, and while I fiddled with various ideas for similar magic systems for 4e, I never got around to making a full system out of any of them. I would be surprised, though, if we didn't take another stab at the idea for D&D NEXT.

I would recommend you try EOM-R. If you have any questions on how it works, just ask.