D&D 5E Vulnerability And Resistance

[S'mon]

Works very well for monsters. Obviously structures may need hardness/DR or immunity, but this can be handled by GM judgement.

 

[firstkyne]

The only problem with this is that, in general, tests of Strength make little sense with the wide variability of a d20 check. If the Str 18 character can't open the stuck door, the Str 8 guy shouldn't have a chance at all. I virtually never use Strength checks in my games as a roll. If you need to open the door, you need a Str 16.

At first I thought "good point" and agreed with this, but on reflection I have changed my mind. The dice are used to create variance in the ongoing story. There are lots of examples of stories where the adventurer has a race against time to complete a task such as breaking down a stubborn door etc. If the strong hero can always break down certain doors you lose some of that.

In the case of simple tasks being completed by highly skilled people, the rules say that you should just wave the task through. This cuts down on rolls. The question for me is, what is a simple rule that would make this work for both you and I? What do you think?

 

[Uchawi]

I prefer constant modifiers in regards to vulnerability or resistance, versus automatic scaling based on the damage done. I also like constant modifiers for environmental effects like darkness, distance, etc. Those can apply to any type of roll whether it is damage, hit or saves.

I guess it also depends on how much granularity or depth you want in a game, or the type of realism you want.

 

[CapnZapp]

The rules for these are:

Resistance. If a target has resistance to a type of damage, that damage is halved against the target.

Vulnerability. If a target has vulnerability to a type of damage, that damage is doubled against the target.

I see plenty of monsters with them. What do people thing of how this part of the system is working?

Why should it not be working?

That is, what problems do you see (or foresee) that makes you ask the question?

 

[TwoSix]

At first I thought "good point" and agreed with this, but on reflection I have changed my mind. The dice are used to create variance in the ongoing story. There are lots of examples of stories where the adventurer has a race against time to complete a task such as breaking down a stubborn door etc. If the strong hero can always break down certain doors you lose some of that.

In the case of simple tasks being completed by highly skilled people, the rules say that you should just wave the task through. This cuts down on rolls. The question for me is, what is a simple rule that would make this work for both you and I? What do you think?

Let me think...I posted this 2.5 years ago, so I may have changed my mind since then!

Ability checks are one of the few things in the game that bother me from a simulationist perspective. But, I actively try to not worry about simulationist factors anymore. So, as long as keep in mind that I'm OK with the little guy knocking over the door because it makes a better story, I'll probably be OK.

 

[Mistwell]

Why should it not be working?

That is, what problems do you see (or foresee) that makes you ask the question?

You mean 3 years ago, when I was commenting on a new feature for the first time?

I would say they work great - but then I've had years to play with it now.

 

[CapnZapp]

Let me think...I posted this 2.5 years ago, so I may have changed my mind since then!

The Interwebz does not allow it!! [emoji4]

 

[CapnZapp]

You mean 3 years ago, when I was commenting on a new feature for the first time?

I would say they work great - but then I've had years to play with it now.

Yes [emoji55]

 

[Ancalagon]

The only problem with this is that, in general, tests of Strength make little sense with the wide variability of a d20 check. If the Str 18 character can't open the stuck door, the Str 8 guy shouldn't have a chance at all. I virtually never use Strength checks in my games as a roll. If you need to open the door, you need a Str 16.

This is an old problem - even when we were 13 years old we saw this as wonky... but then we found the solution. The pickle jar.

Ever tried fiercely to open a stuck pickle jar, and fail, only to have your smaller and weaker friend open it with ease?

 

[Eis]

This is an old problem - even when we were 13 years old we saw this as wonky... but then we found the solution. The pickle jar.

Ever tried fiercely to open a stuck pickle jar, and fail, only to have your smaller and weaker friend open it with ease?

are you saying that my party be allowed to open Adamantine doors with a pickle jar?