Unearthed Arcana Variant Rules - Previews and Questions

[Douane]

As an afterthought (because I'm bound to get asked this by one of my players):

Does the Half-Dragon Paragon improve upon the breath weapon?


Thanks! (again )

Folkert

 

[Saeviomagy]

Me again

really?

No, that's not a balancing factor, because you still get to pick your two spell each level, without limitation (as a specialist has it).

Do you mean that "a specialist has limitations on what spells he can pick each level, and this doesn't", or do you mean "a specialist has no limitations on picking spells each level, and neither does this"?

 

[MadBlue]

Defense bonus is based only on armor proficiency as a class feature.
It doesn't stack with armor bonus, but with all other bonuses (even with shield and natural armor bonuses).
And yes, that means all 1st-level fighters get AC 16 by default.

So you're either going to wear armor and get the benefits, or go with your class-based defense. That does make sense for a swashbuckling campaign. Although it does have that multiclassing problem that others pointed out. I guess I was really hoping for it to be more of a dodge bonus that stacks with armor - basically representing that characters get better at avoiding blows as they gain experience - that way higher level characters wouldn't have to be so reliant on magic items for a good defense. Well, it's not like I need an official variant rule to use that kind of option in my campaign.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I actually determined class based defense progressions for each class before Unearthed Arcana was anounced. And personally I like the defense type that's in D20 Modern and Star Wars more than that one which is suggested.

 

[Tarril Wolfeye]

As an afterthought (because I'm bound to get asked this by one of my players):

Does the Half-Dragon Paragon improve upon the breath weapon?


Thanks! (again )

Folkert

A bit (to 3x/day)

Half-dragon paragon: d12; good base attack; good fortitude and will save, class skills: see below; skill points 4+Int mod; no weapon or armor proficiency; 1st: paragon levels stack for Sorcerer caster level (not spells/day or spells known); 2nd: natural armor increases +1; 3rd: breath weapon 3x/day (only once every 1d4 rounds).

Class skills: concentration, diplomacy, intimidate, knowledge (all), listen, search, sense motive, spot
-black: hide, move silently, swim
-blue: bluff, hide, spellcraft
-brass: bluff, gather information, survival
-bronze: disguise, survival, swim
-copper: bluff, hide, jump
-gold: disguise, heal, swim
-green: bluff, hide, move silently
-red: appraise, bluff, jump
-silver: bluff, jump, perform
-white: hide, move silently, swim

 

[herald]

A bit (to 3x/day)

Half-dragon paragon: d12; good base attack; good fortitude and will save, class skills: see below; skill points 4+Int mod; no weapon or armor proficiency; 1st: paragon levels stack for Sorcerer caster level (not spells/day or spells known); 2nd: natural armor increases +1; 3rd: breath weapon 3x/day (only once every 1d4 rounds).

Class skills: concentration, diplomacy, intimidate, knowledge (all), listen, search, sense motive, spot
-black: hide, move silently, swim
-blue: bluff, hide, spellcraft
-brass: bluff, gather information, survival
-bronze: disguise, survival, swim
-copper: bluff, hide, jump
-gold: disguise, heal, swim
-green: bluff, hide, move silently
-red: appraise, bluff, jump
-silver: bluff, jump, perform
-white: hide, move silently, swim

Thanks again Tarril

 

[Count Arioch the 28t]

I like that defense bonus thing, kinda. But not really.

I'm thinking I might incorporate it into my game, except drop the first bonus (+6 for fighters, for example), and allow the level based bonus to stack with armor. I'll call it a dodge bonus, or something, as I have always fealt that D&D needs more defensive abilities.

Oh, and I wnat to say thanks for all the info.

 

[Gallo22]

Well, the monk will also get his class and Wisdom bonus to AC.
This system is obviously best used in swashbuckling, pirates, and armorless campaigns, so the traditionally heavy-armored classes don't miss their armor.

Please remember that the "defense system" was placed out there is various rpgs that don't have tons of armor and magic bonuses. I personally don't think it will work well with the D&d rules at all.

It takes away the benefit of fighter types to have high ACs and make all the classes about equal in this regard.

This new book is pretty lame in my opinion and has very few good uses. It takes away even more of the "use your imagination" part of the game. I place it in the gruop of those "player option" rule books that came out for 2nd edition towards the end of its reign.

Just my opinion.

Gallo22

 

[JPL]

Would someone preview the ogre mage bloodline for me?

This gestalt-monk martial arts game idea has captured my imagination...

 

[Plane Sailing]

Please remember that the "defense system" was placed out there is various rpgs that don't have tons of armor and magic bonuses. I personally don't think it will work well with the D&d rules at all.

It takes away the benefit of fighter types to have high ACs and make all the classes about equal in this regard.

This new book is pretty lame in my opinion and has very few good uses.

Have you got the book and read it? Do you understand the point of it?

Effectively it can be viewed as a tool to help people develop interesting new campaigns. If someone wanted to make a low magic campaign just using the standard D&D books it would be very difficult because so much is predicated on magic. The class defense bonus would be a help to anyone wishing to create such a campaign.

Not everyone will have a narrow view of what constitutes a "D&D game", you know!

Cheers