Questions relating to Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, or to multiple versions of Dungeons & Dragons.
5
votes
1answer
38 views
Transporting players from Faerun to Athas (Dark Sun)
Am looking for some idea's on how one would send his/her current players to Dark Sun from Forgotten Realms, allowing the players to remain content & happy, keeping their precious characters due to ...
9
votes
1answer
184 views
Why does (A)D&D change so much between editions? [closed]
Most systems, as far as I know, stay mostly the same between editions. Yet Dungeons and Dragons has had major changes between almost every edition, with the skill systems, combat abilities/feats, ...
9
votes
4answers
220 views
What are the best ways to utilize Wisdom and Charisma?
This question primarily refers to a fantasy RPG called "One Step Beyond", published back in 1989. It had five ability scores: Strength, Mental Strength, Will, Agility, Health. These were essentially a ...
7
votes
2answers
213 views
Dark Lord knowledge in Ravenloft
When in Ravenloft, would the town in question know that the Dark Lord is indeed, say, a vampire? That he or she would be the real ruler of that Domain?
For example: Barovia. Strahd has been there for ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
What alignment could this PC pass for? [closed]
I don't really trust anyone or anything at all because they all tend to oppress my freedom to do whatever i want to do which is what i long for and really only care about despite seeming like i don't. ...
4
votes
3answers
129 views
I need help with a 3e-4e merger homebrew system (specifically fighters)
I am trying to create my own RPG system, similar to 4e and 3e, and hopefully a happy merger of both.
For casting classes, there are 4 tiers of spells per 10 levels, totaling 12 tiers of spells ...
12
votes
3answers
630 views
How much greed is too much for a Chaotic Neutral character?
I have recently started GM-ing a new group of players, most of them are unexperienced. One of the players is a Chaotic Neutral Rogue.
This description of Chaotic Neutral mentions that such character ...
15
votes
1answer
199 views
Which cultural trope(s) does the D&D cleric refer to?
On the level of game mechanics, the classic D&D cleric melds the healer, the crusader and the witch/vampire hunter in one person. Is this a genuine D&D mish-mash or is there any ...
4
votes
2answers
100 views
Does Binder's Pact Augmentation DR/— stack with DR/— Gained From a Vestige?
I am wondering if the damage reduction/— granted by a Binder's Pact Augmentation class feature stacks with the Vestige's Arete damage reduction/—.
Arete
Damage Reduction: Your body becomes ...
20
votes
3answers
734 views
What is the history and significance of the “dire” prefix to creatures?
Some animals in Pathfinder bestiaries are prefixed with "dire".
Does this come from the wolf species Canis dirus, an early edition monster/template or something else?
Where does this come from and ...
8
votes
1answer
280 views
Constitution drain, energy drain, dominating gaze - but incapable of crossing running water?
I'm interested in when this constraint from vampire lore was first integrated into Dungeons and Dragons mechanics: has it been there since the first D&D vampire?
Vampires are... unable to ...
14
votes
1answer
212 views
Where did the Chromatic/Metallic Dragons come from?
In the AD&D Monster Manual, the Chromatic (evil) and Metallic (good) dragons are introduced. Each color of dragon has a different habitat, personality and breath weapon. (Or two breath weapons, in ...
15
votes
3answers
506 views
Why do D&D Paladins Have to Be Lawful Good?
In just about every edition of D&D (save for 4e), Paladins are required to be Lawful Good. If they stray from that, they are completely stripped of their powers. This means that evil deities can't ...
33
votes
6answers
946 views
At what point did polyhedral dice become part of D&D?
I was reading some articles the other day about Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson and the history of Dungeons and Dragons. I started to wonder: Where did these guys from Wisconsin get the now iconic polyhedral ...
9
votes
1answer
214 views
What inspired the Rakshasa other than its namesake?
Rakshasa have been part of D&D for more than 35 years, appearing in every edition. These evil magic cat-people are clearly inspired by the rakshas from Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, but they ...
7
votes
4answers
241 views
What would a rogue call him/herself in game? [closed]
I just thought that they wouldn't announce themselves as such. So what would they say if they are trying to get the message across but not be open about it. Anyway I wanted an opinion so why not here? ...
14
votes
2answers
317 views
Do I lose access to a feat if ability drain results in no longer meeting the prerequisite?
Do curses or ability damage/drain cause a character to be unable to use his feats?
For example, a Ranger with 20 Dex who has two-weapon-fighting feats and is using two weapons gets cursed or ability ...
7
votes
2answers
360 views
Can Ability Score increases caused by magic items qualify me for feats
As far as I know, a players non-temporary ability scores are considered for taking feats, taking prestige classes etc... Any AS bonus come with spells, or magic items that are effective while worn are ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
Get started with RPGs [duplicate]
I don't know anything about RPGs, but I would like to start with Dungeons and Dragons. Where do I begin, what do I have to do?
10
votes
1answer
172 views
Is OD&D faster than D&D 3e at low levels, and why?
I've never played OD&D, AD&D or retro-clones, but fans of those games often say they run much faster than D&D 3e and 4e, especially to resolve combat. However, it's my experience that ...
6
votes
3answers
223 views
Troglodytes, kobolds, and dragons, living together
I am currently working on an an AD&D adventure and am wondering if it the following situation makes any sense:
There is a green dragon that lives in a dungeon (surprise!) that is worshiped by ...
49
votes
12answers
1k views
What's a good mechanic for rewarding players for keeping their characters happy?
In a lot of setting and systems, such as D&D, the aim of the game tends to be to explore and kill things. Money is spent on useful items and hirelings. However, a real adventurer would probably ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
D&D 3.5 mounted movement in battle
If my gnome rider has the dodge and mobility feats does my riding dog mount gain the benifits of the feats in battle movement?
19
votes
6answers
971 views
Is Coup de Grace on sleeping and bound opponents an evil act?
So I was recently participating in a Pathfinder Society game. Our ship was attacked and boarded by pirates. First thing that happened was one of our party cast sleep, and succeeded in putting four of ...
17
votes
6answers
730 views
How to encourage a player's creativity without breaking the game?
I've just started a new D&D 4e campaign with a new group of players. One of my players came straight from 2nd edition, and has never played 4e before. She doesn't seem to grasp the layer of ...
21
votes
7answers
911 views
How can I invoke actual fear in my players?
I'm a DM that focuses heavily on story, description and setting. My goal is to send players home wanting -- no, longing -- to actually be part of the mythos I've created.
The ultimate goal for me as ...
4
votes
1answer
194 views
Dungeons and Dragons vs. Dangerous Journeys [closed]
First off, I don't think I've ever played "real" D&D. I'm usually DM and try to focus on the imaginative side of the roleplaying, sacrificing certain rules and concepts to make this happen. So ...
3
votes
1answer
162 views
Tabletop RPG for a poor enthusiast? [closed]
I love tabletop RPGs, but I don't have the resources to go out and buy rulebooks and DMing guides and kits. Are there any free (open-source, for lack of a better term) D&D clones I can get my ...
9
votes
3answers
309 views
When did the powers that be decide that my lanky frame warrants twenty-five square feet?
I was playing with AutoREALM the other day and noticed a lack of a five-foot-unit of measurement. There are inches, feet, yards, meters and then fathoms (apparently, six feet). This tool seems fairly ...
4
votes
2answers
169 views
Monsters with negative HP
I'm not sure I remember correctly, but I think a certain, early Ravenloft Monster Manual featured a creature (some kind of a goblin?) that had negative HP, as in it operated (lived) with negative HP, ...
1
vote
2answers
124 views
Dungeons and Dragons 1 hour game advice [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it practical to run a weekly lunch-hour game of D&D with my coworkers?
Other than don't use the system what advice do you guys have for playing Dungeons and ...
6
votes
1answer
199 views
Can I use a salad fork to get into the Prime Material Plane?
In several editions of Dungeons and Dragons, the Plane Shift spell requires a forked metal rod, the design and material of which varies depending on the destination plane. Is there any canonical list ...
5
votes
4answers
457 views
Why do spells need to be “prepared”? [closed]
I'm not asking about the rules or concepts of spell preparation, as they are well described and reasoned, but I'm wondering why it's even necessary, from a logical (well, however logical you can be in ...
3
votes
3answers
320 views
Better Weapon Focus
Last time a played DnD it was 3.0, I remember, the Weapon Focus feat, thinking ti is kind of dull, but sometimes prerequisite for more advanced feats.
So I would changed it in a way like:
...
13
votes
5answers
422 views
Memory After Death
A recent campaign started with the death of the party and reincarnation of the party with the premise of "we brought you back to find those who killed you". One player was concerned that these people ...
1
vote
2answers
134 views
What is a good way to get a large range of fantasy miniatures? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where can I find fantasy minis on the cheap?
I am looking to start a collection of miniatures. I mostly want one or two of a lot of different creatures, such as for ...
22
votes
7answers
617 views
How can a GM justify changing a player's alignment?
Lately, in one of my campaigns, I've been having problems with a character who everyone agrees is acting out of alignment. Everyone, that is, but him. The problem, of course, is that he's playing a ...
12
votes
6answers
244 views
How should a neutral character focused on balance be presented?
In many RPGs (or at least the ones I've heard of) the alignment system tends to have two definitions of a true-neutral character. Generally, they are something to the effect of what follows.
...
7
votes
7answers
519 views
What is a good way to explain the difference between a Chaotic Neutral character, and a character who is just crazed?
When I first started playing with a group of completely new players, one of the first things I did was to explain the alignments as best I could at the time. When describing Chaotic Neutral, my exact ...
0
votes
0answers
165 views
Old School gamer attempting to get back into it…with some trepidation [closed]
I use to play D&D since Version 2, when it was banned at schools because it was thought to be devil worship, then later after a few people went a little nuts and used their "character personas" as ...
5
votes
2answers
359 views
If a Paladin purposefully goes bad, can they still atone and return to prior status?
This question is for research purposes. I am writing a piece of fan fiction set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe. In the series, it had been established that Andrew plays D&D, but never ...
2
votes
2answers
200 views
What is the relationship between minotaurs and dwarves?
I'm creating a minotaur barbarian and I want him to be wielding a Mordenkrad that slowly increases in magic level (DM permissible) I read in the description that the mordenkrad come from dwarven ...
1
vote
2answers
401 views
Enhancement Bonus = Crit Threat Improvment? [closed]
In the AD&D Second Edition book Player's Option:Combat and Tactics, an enhanced weapon (+1 bonus or better) also improved the critical range by that much. So if I had a +2 Longsword (19-20 x2) it ...
4
votes
2answers
213 views
Plot granted special ability standards?
For the campaign in question, I'm running one person through a dungeon inspired by Vagrant Story. Clearly some things from the video game can't be emulated, and many of those are integral to the game: ...
0
votes
0answers
108 views
Pathfinder or Myth & Magic [closed]
What system would be more enjoyable to players and DM's: Pathfinder or Myth & Magic? Trying to avoid the glut of 3.x house-ruling and fixes, yet find certain aspects (ascending AC, 3x Saves) more ...
23
votes
13answers
3k views
Can a D&D Necromancer be of a good alignment?
I've been considering creating a good-aligned necromancer, but I'm not sure if it's realistic from a role-playing perspective. Is there anything inherent in necromancy that would require someone to be ...
5
votes
3answers
885 views
How to roll perception checks for characters who aren't actively looking?
This applies to all d20 systems, but with an example from the from the Pathfinder PRD (emphasis mine):
Stonecunning: Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual ...
11
votes
3answers
291 views
How worldly is a polymorphic elf?
In the 3.5e campaign I'm running, a very real concern has arisen that the player characters might actually fail to save the world from the horrific fate that the villian has planned for it. If this ...
4
votes
2answers
722 views
What is the size or scale of the world of Greyhawk?
I'm looking to run a campaign in Greyhawk, but I'm not sure of the actual size of the place. I have found several maps online, but not one map has a scale of any kind that I can see. I know I've ...
2
votes
1answer
136 views
Mixing Essentials and Core D&D, is it ok? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How compatible are D&D 4th Edition and Essentials? Can you use Essentials encounters with 4th edition characters?
Here is my situation, I wanted to get my daughter ...
