Wombat said:
Colour me "odd", but I'd like to see a magic system where it is possible for the magic to fail on the caster's end (e.g. he didn't do the spell correctly) rather than strictly on the target's end (e.g. failed saving throw).
My box of crayons doesn't have "Odd". I do have burnt umber. I could colour your burnt umber.
Anyway, I like your idea. Instead of saving throws, let there be "Spell ACs". I guess the name isn't ideal, so we'll have to turn it into something more unified: Armour Rating, Reflex Rating, Fortitude Rating, Willpower Rating. Something like this. Maybe the system could even change so that reflex saves were used not just against spells, but also to against attacks - If you hit someone, you'd have to beat his reflex rating (this would make sense for touch attacks especially). They might even turn the AC into something similar to DR (so you won't have to roll against both reflex and armour).
DungeonMaester said:
Actually, I agree. D&D is starting to move in the direction of free form where any class do do anything all day long with no restriction. You don't need D&D to role play a character that can do everything all the time, just go to a free form chat room where one is a black dragon/angel/demon lord and can cast spell all day long.
Well, going into a direction and actually being there are two very different things. Distance is as important as direction. I prefer choices over restrictions. You could hardly say that classes are purely cosmetical now.
The thing is: even if every class could do everything right now, it's not just about what you can do, but how good you're at it. So the wizard can only cast so many spells but the warlock can cast his stuff as often as he wants? Sure, but The wizard's stuff is so much more potent. If I have the choice between being blasted by some warlock guy with his 9d6 utterdark blast round after round (until I off him) or that wizard with his 32d6 meteor shower (followed by a quickened 20d6 cone of cold), I'll take (on) the warlock every day of the week.
I would like to see more restriction
Restrictions are bad.
to make people think about there character rather then Gelstalt Fighter/Sorc with infinite spells a day to Power attack X4 a greatsword with True Strike.
I'd rather say that with restrictions, you have to think about the character in the wrong ways. "I want do X, so I MUST play this class - only available for those races, so the cool dwarven spellhurler I thought of is right out".
Restrictions won't prevent people from powergaming. And a "gestalt fighter/sorcerer with infinite spells per day who power attacks x4 a greatsword with True Strike" wouldn't really a problem of to few restrictions, but of power level. You can have great characters in a restriction-free game, and completely broken ones in a game where you can only play a fighter/spellcaster combo if your character is an elf or female halfling or a guy named ted.
In short..I want AD&D....
And you know where to find it.