D&D 4E Should 4e convert to metric?

[lukelightning]

Can high-level wizards cast meter swarm?

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Just the fact that the metric system is decimal is enough for me to like it more on a theoretical basis. Besides, being based on natural measurements doesn't matter. Once you get used to it, you find metres, decimeters and centimeters as intuitive as inches and feet.

IIRC, remembering complaints from my old HS chemistry class (which is where we were generally introduced to the metric system and expected to use it), the issue seemed to be not so much that they weren't intuitive, but that the prefixes were annoying to learn. Deci- and deca-, for example, are fairly easy to mix up. Also, and I know this sounds silly, metric measure words are longer than Imperial, which makes them seem harder.

I'm wondering if a subtle redefinition of the inch, foot, and yard (such that one yard = one meter) would make it more acceptable....

Brad

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Can high-level wizards cast meter swarm?

They could, but usually they only cast them as apprentices, right after they enthusiastically mistranslated an ancient historical text on a strike of the American Bus Driver Organisation against the introduction of metric measures for distances, mistaking it for an ancient spell scroll. Unfortunately, most apprentices don't bother to read the rest after the initial disappointment, which would actually tell them the secret of dimensional and time travel (that's how their master's library in the first place)

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Imperial. Because I'm an arrogant Yank who doesn't really care what's easiest for the rest of the world.

What he said. If the Euros want Metric they can write their own game system

From my perspective at least the metric system has a purpose and uses in science. But in the real world Imperial units tend to be more convenient and easily dealt with. Most all the imperial units are far easier to deal with in fractional form than the metric are in decimal form (note base 12 units have six factors and three is far more common than metric's five). If you're building a house for instance it's far easier to deal with 3/8 or 5/16 than with .375 or .3125. If you're constructing a roof truss dealing with a slope of 1/5 is much easier than measuring out the various angles involved.

 

[WhatGravitas]

What he said. If the Euros want Metric they can write their own game system

Or change it mid-translation. Or, profit from the scale creep of DDMs and many other miniatures (nowadays, I hardly find any real 25mm miniature - most are now between 28mm and 30mm) - and call squares metres.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Fobok]

As a modern-day system, I far prefer metric. It's easier to figure out and straightforward.

However, for a fantasy or historical setting like D&D's settings, I prefer the imperial system because it helps give a flavour to the setting.

The one exception is Eberron, but because the system has to be designed with the measurement system, rather than the individual setting, Imperial it is.

 

[withak]

Corrected it for you as I don't think there are many D&D books sold in Burma and Liberia.

Plenty sold here in the US, though, where Imperial is the de facto standard for measurements that matter in an RPG, no matter what the government's official position might be.

 

[mlund]

It seems obvious that Imperial Measurements are best applied to Dungeons and Dragons for flavor purposes.

Concepts such as "meter" and "gram" simply aren't appropriate in a medieval setting. Those concept of measurement rely heavily on the principles of science too advanced for the setting. Frankly, I'd enjoy it if we saw overland movement in terms of Furlongs and Leagues again. The general human measurements of foot vs. tall man's foot and yard as arm-lengths or strides work very well.

Aside from that, the merits of the Metric System are almost completely lost on D&D. You don't work in decimals and the only measurement conversion you'd really care about is feet-to-miles or feet-to-acres. You could use kilometers and that's about it. Yards, inches, centimeters and the like just don't matter in the game.

- Marty Lund

 

[Derren]

Its strange. People are ok with squares as primary measurements and very abstract combat but using grams instead of pounds for weights is too much?

 

[withak]

Its strange. People are ok with squares as primary measurements and very abstract combat but using grams instead of pounds for weights is too much?

It's all about familiarity. I'm young enough where I was taught both systems side-by-side in school, but everyday use has encouraged me to "think" in Imperial. I know roughly what a foot, a pound, and 30 mph "feel" like. I can't say the same for most, if not all, metric-derived measurements, except for a meter, which is roughly a yard.