What is the general opinion of Burlews diplomacy rules?

[darthkilmor]

Havent really seen them in action much and was wondering what ppl's general opinion about them was? Good? Bad? Scales poorly?

 

[Stalker0]

I think the conception of them is great. They take an amorphous concept that is the current diplomacy, and allows the dm to use it in a much more mechanical, concrete way. I wish more social skills were done in this way.

However, I do believe the scale of it is a little off in areas. Probably with some more tweaking it could be made better.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Havent really seen them in action much and was wondering what ppl's general opinion about them was? Good? Bad? Scales poorly?

The general opinion of them seems to be good. Personally, I think that they are a big mistake, as they lead to absurd situations like the level 20 Wizard who can't convince his true love to pass him the salt, even on a 20. That said, the current version in the PH is not much better unless you have a GM who you trust to have the skill to moderate the results well and fairly, in which case the PH rules are significantly superior.

 

[darthkilmor]

Personally, I think that they are a big mistake, as they lead to absurd situations like the level 20 Wizard who can't convince his true love to pass him the salt, even on a 20.

How does this happen, I'm not understanding ?

 

[Stormborn]

The general opinion of them seems to be good. Personally, I think that they are a big mistake, as they lead to absurd situations like the level 20 Wizard who can't convince his true love to pass him the salt, even on a 20. That said, the current version in the PH is not much better unless you have a GM who you trust to have the skill to moderate the results well and fairly, in which case the PH rules are significantly superior.

And why would someone need a diplomacy check to ask someone that is already helpful to do a simple task? Not everything needs a roll.

I have looked at them. They seem good. Personally I want a better overall social mechanic for d20. I suppose I need to get to writing, that could be my next "101" book for Dog Soul.

 

[darthkilmor]

I suppose I need to get to writing, that could be my next "101" book for Dog Soul.

101 Ways To Pass The Salt!

 

[Stormborn]

101 Ways To Pass The Salt!

Actually its 101 as in the american college system course number. Golemcraft 101, Magesmithing 101, and this would be something like Social Conduct 101. (need a better name, and to finish things I already have started, but this goes on the list to be worked on.)

 

[Psion]

I like them, but then, I never really payed much heed to the formal guidelines for diplomacy in the PHB.

I also like the concept in Sharn wherein what you would do for a friend depends on who you are. That solved about half of the abuses of diplomacy pretty squarely.

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

101 Ways To Pass The Salt!

I've got a book on 101 ways to "Pass the Salt", IYKWIM(AITYD).

 

[buzz]

I love that they address the issue of whether the target does what you want them to do (as opposed to just "shifting to Helpful"). However, I'd like to see some modifiers for social status. E.g., there should be a modifier if I'm trying to convince, say, a king to do something. Even if the king is a single-digit aristocrat and I'm a 20th-level PC, the fact is that he's a leader groomed to rule and with armies at his command, and I'm just some schmuck adventurer.