Which D&D "cow" is least sacred?

[Harlock]

I voted Hit Points. It's just *too* abstract. Rather see a wound points vitality kind of thing.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I voted Hit Points. It's just *too* abstract. Rather see a wound points vitality kind of thing.

I'd like to see something totally different. Wound points and Vitality points are still just points that get ticked off as you take damage. I really like White Wolf's Wound Levels because they affect your character's ability to carry on and you also aren't just ticking off points. If you have a high stamina you are going to soak more damage than someone with a low stamina so it'll be harder to damage you though a lucky shot can always take you out. I also like Cyberpunk's system which would be easy to incorporate. Simply make Stun/Shock rolls (massive damage rolls) whenever a PC takes damage over 25% of his total. If you fail it then you pass out from shock. Have the first DC at 10 for 25%, 15 for 50%, and 20 for 75%.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

WOW. There's a lot of votes for Vancian Magic. I thought I might be part of a small minority in voting for it. But yeah, I'm overall pretty happy with the current incarnation of D&D. The magic system is much the same as it always has been, and as such, I really don't have that big of a problem with it. However, I think that something more interseting and useful could perhaps come along, while still keeping the flavor of the game intact. I'm fond of classes/levels and hitpoints. It keeps D&D from being ultra-realistic, and simplifies things for teaching thigns to new and casual players. Hours of picking skills to "create your own class" is tiresome, even for a guy like me that enjoys throwing together characters.

If something must go for the next edition, then the magic system can be it.

 

[Mog Elffoe]

Where does the word 'vancian' come from and what does it mean exactly?

I tried to look it up, but had no luck. I mean, I understand what it means through the context of calling D&D magic 'vancian' but is there anything more specific? Anyone know the etymology of the word?

I'd pick the magic system along with alignment as being the last sacred cows.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Where does the word 'vancian' come from and what does it mean exactly?

I tried to look it up, but had no luck. I mean, I understand what it means through the context of calling D&D magic 'vancian' but is there anything more specific? Anyone know the etymology of the word?

Vancian magic refers to the fantasy author Jack Vance, whose stories use the same magic system as D&D.

 

[Arnwyn]

Without a doubt, I consider Vancian magic to be the least sacred cow. If that was gotten rid of, I wouldn't cry.

On the other hand, if anything else was (wholly) removed, I'd dump the game in a second. (While a classless system is fantastic for modern/futuristic genres, I consider it vital to the medieval fantasy genre.) All IMO, of course.

 

[Mog Elffoe]

Vancian magic refers to the fantasy author Jack Vance, whose stories use the same magic system as D&D.

Ah--kind of like 'Tolkienesque' or "Lovecraftian.' Gotcha.

I'm not familiar with his work. Is it worth looking up? And which came first, D&D style magic, or Vance's stories?

 

[Psion]

I'm not familiar with his work. Is it worth looking up?

I think so. It's not typical faux medeival stuff. I bit more like the "strange worlds" type of works that prevailed pre-Tolkein.

And which came first, D&D style magic, or Vance's stories?

Vances stories by a long shot. The first stories were in the 40s.


As an aside, under 3e, the system takes a step in the direction of Zelazny (and the explanation is more internally consitant WRT spell books and scrolls because of it.)

 

[Desdichado]

On the other hand, if anything else was (wholly) removed, I'd dump the game in a second. (While a classless system is fantastic for modern/futuristic genres, I consider it vital to the medieval fantasy genre.) All IMO, of course.

Realizing that it's all IYO, of course, I'm curious what leads to make a correllation like that. I can't see any reason why classwork would work for modern or futuristic yet be vital to medieval fantasy.

 

[Desdichado]

Ah--kind of like 'Tolkienesque' or "Lovecraftian.' Gotcha.

I'm not familiar with his work. Is it worth looking up? And which came first, D&D style magic, or Vance's stories?

Psion answered the question, but to be more specific, look for the Dying Earth stuff by Vance, not just anything he wrote. Specifically, the omnibus edition of Tales of the Dying Earth is probably your best bet, available for $13.27 from Amazon.