Rolling a d20 for Defense

[ogre]

I have been contemplating initiating the 'roll your defense' mechanic into my PA game.
Meaning, instead of 'taking 10' on your defense all the time, you roll a d20 and add your defense bonus.
Has anyone tried this? Does it screw anything up? I personaly think players would find the fact that they can nullify an attack with a roll way more exciting than just waiting to see if they're hit. Am I overloooking anything?

 

[jdrakeh]

Check out the free Core Elements system at Zombie Nirvana for a look at a d20-based system that uses the active defense that you describe.

 

[Aussiegamer]

This would fit in with my armour skill, and how you get a positive action result.

If you roll higher then you get a skill success

I don't see any probs with it, just another die roll in the end.

 

[Aussiegamer]

Check out the free Core Elements system at Zombie Nirvana for a look at a d20-based system that uses the active defense that you describe.

Have you got a full licence for your PDF? As you have dice to roll for stats, and thats a no-no in OGL I thought.

 

[Steve Jung]

It's a variant rule on page 25 of the DMG. It mentions slowing the game down.

 

[jdrakeh]

Have you got a full licence for your PDF? As you have dice to roll for stats, and thats a no-no in OGL I thought.

No, that's perfectly legal in OGL products, but not products branded with the d20 System logo (i.e., d20 STL products). Common mistake. OGL lets you do pretty much whatever you want (this is what makes products like Mongoose's OGL line possible), you merely have to sacrifice the monetary benefits of being a "d20 System product" and having the offical d20 System logo on your product's cover.

 

[Aussiegamer]

sweet, no probs then I'll be dumping the d20 part in my title and then I can put die rolls. Though I thought monngoose have a full licence, but OK

Yer I can see that it would slow the flow down more than having a fixed def number to attack.

 

[jdrakeh]

sweet, no probs then I'll be dumping the d20 part in my title and then I can put die rolls. Though I thought monngoose have a full licence, but OK

Well, Mongoose has the full OGL license, but so does the rest of the world. That is, Mongosoe published their self-contained OGL games under the freely available Open Game License, which is a full license (this is why those products make no mention of the d20 System and make no use of that system's logo).

Not to sound rude, but it seems that your understanding of the license is very limited -- to avoid any possible legal entanglements that may arise as a result of this, I wholeheartedly recommend that you consult an attorney who specializes in contract law before you before you release anything (free or otherwise).

And, no, I'm not an attorney (but I did consult one prior to the release of all my own Open Game Content publications).

 

[Aussiegamer]

I don't intent to release anything, my stuff is for myself and for those bothered to download it, as I am not rich or selling this stuff then go for it legal eagles.

And I think NO-ONE understands the rules either, as well

 

[jdrakeh]

And I think NO-ONE understands the rules either, as well

You'd be wrong, here -- contract attorneys have a good handle on them, as do most publishers [Note: I say most, because companies like Fast Forward Entertainment obviously had some issues. That said, such compoanies are the exception, not the rule.] I'm just saying. . . WotC has been known to issue the occasional cease and desist order to fansites, so it's best to freely consult an attorney up front in order to avoid license violations, rather than being forced to consult one afterward in order to minimize damages.