Wounds/Vitality and Defense?

[Ashrem Bayle]

Myself and several other Midnight fanatics from www.againsttheshadow.org are putting together a Midnight Netbook. Two of the things on our list is integrating the Wounds/Vitality system of Starwars and the Defense system from d20 Modern into D&D, or Midnight to be more specific.

How many of you would like these systems if they where cleanly integrated into the system? Would you like them for 4th Edition D&D?

 

[Jack Daniel]

I use both the Star Wars VP/WP system and the d20 Modern defense bonus, but I don't give the defense bonus to monsters (there's no reason to).

Link

 

[Wombat]

I am a big fan of "Same Rules Must Apply to All"

 

[d4]

i'd like it as an option, but i don't think it should replace hit points / armor class in any official edition of D&D.

i do like Star Wars, though, and i find the system works pretty well. however, if you're going to use it, i agree with Wombat -- "same rules must apply to all."

 

[d4]

...but I don't give the defense bonus to monsters (there's no reason to).

if you go the route of armor / natural armor = damage reduction, then you should give monsters a Defense bonus to balance things out.

but natural armor = DR is a house rule even in SW (though it's mentioned in the Hero's Guide, i believe).

 

[takyris]

I play d20M even though the monsters don't get class bonuses to Defense, but I'd really prefer that they did. I'd much rather see a monster have a somewhat more reasonable natural armor bonus and give it a nice class(monster?) bonus in addition. It evens the playing field nicely.

I'd love to see VP/WP and/or class bonuses to Defense in D&D. I think it'd be sweet.

 

[d4]

I'd love to see VP/WP and/or class bonuses to Defense in D&D. I think it'd be sweet.

Unearthed Arcana should be out shortly. it is reputed to present both as optional rules.

 

[Tonguez]

Personally I think both BAb and Defense should be Skills

 

[Mercule]

Personally I think both BAb and Defense should be Skills

I think BAB/THAC0 being tied to level is one of those sacred cows that needs to stay. There really isn't much point to the Fighter class, otherwise. To disassociate BAB and level is too close to removing classes and levels.

When you get right down to it, the biggest sacred cow (IMHO) in D&D is the class/level system. Take that out and you really no longer have D&D. To which I'd say, if you don't want D&D, go play some other game and quit monkeying with D&D.

I plan on using the optional Defense system in UA when it comes out. I was actually going to build my own system, but UA will save me the trouble.

I'll probably give WP/VP a whirl, too. I doubt that I'll keep them, but it's worth a test drive.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Come on guys. Need some more votes.