Questions relating to Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, or to multiple versions of Dungeons & Dragons.
13
votes
2answers
635 views
What is the reason for introducing the rule for Attacks of Opportunity in D&D?
The Attacks of Opportunity are an important part in D&D and spinoffs of the game like Pathfinder. What does this rule for the game-system? How does it affect the fun of the players? Why was this ...
12
votes
7answers
2k views
What does a perception check really signify? Can they be repeated?
When a character makes a perception check, does fail indicate whether they permanently fail to see what is hidden, or just that they need to try again? So far our DM has let us repeat perception ...
12
votes
7answers
1k views
In early D&D, why would chainmail ever be preferred over plate armor?
In early D&D, both chainmail and plate armor were considered metal armor, and to slow the wearer to 60' per turn. Chainmail cost 40gp, and plate armor 60gp. Their encumbrance was 400 or 500 coins ...
10
votes
5answers
945 views
Are fantasy RPG races racial/cultural analogues to reality?
Prior to a recent game, our group had a great discussion on culture/race and it's relation to RPG races. While it is fairly established that Tolkien based some of the iconic aspects of his fantasy ...
10
votes
5answers
383 views
What are the Players and the DM supposed to be permitted to know in regards to rolls/defenses during combat?
What are the Players and the DM supposed to be permitted to know in regards to rolls/defenses during combat?
I've only played 4th Ed. D&D, so I don't know how it's handled in other editions. ...
9
votes
3answers
800 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of oldschool D&D combat initiative?
Old D&D and D&D3E/4E treat initiative and combat order differently like so:
D&D 3.5 / 4E: All participants roll individual initiative, once only at the start of combat. Each player takes ...
8
votes
2answers
223 views
How could you adapt the Vitality and Wound Points system from Unearthed Arcana to the 4th ed rules?
Inspired by this answer to a question:
How could you adapt the Vitality and Wound Points system from Unearthed Arcana to the 4th ed rules.
What major changes would you need to make?
8
votes
9answers
922 views
House Rules for AD&D Character Generation (1e+)
Looking at starting an AD&D game for a bunch of players who haven't played for a while and have never played together so there are no common house rules.
To maximise playing time we want ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Fantasy adventure modules with naval adventuring
At the Recess mini-convention this weekend, someone was telling me about a classic D&D module that involved seafaring and presented rules for falling overboard in armor, etc. I'm wondering if ...
8
votes
5answers
263 views
Writing a book from D&D adventures?
Are there instances of someone who wrote a successful book out of adventures played with friends?
7
votes
7answers
515 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 ...
6
votes
4answers
247 views
Is it possible to play with just 1 player book in a group?
I want to start a game with some friends. We never played using any book but now we want to try that out. I got the PLayer, DM and monster book but that's it. As I'll be DMing for the first time I'm ...
6
votes
1answer
253 views
Skill rank feat prerequisites
The feat Practiced Spellcaster (Complete Arcane) has a prerequisite of four skill ranks in Spellcraft.
Can I take this feat on the first level if I use my skill points to get Spellcraft to four ...
5
votes
4answers
868 views
Glossary of Common Dungeons & Dragons Terminology [closed]
This is a Community Wiki containing a list of terms specific to the D&D game with which outsiders looking to enter may not be familiar.
Dungeons and Dragons may share some terminology with the ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
On average, how much does beer, wine and spirits cost in Faerun?
Or can someone point me to the relevant sections of the books that talks about this stuff, please?
Reason I ask is that I'm trying to gauge the cost of living in Faerun and I plan on repricing some ...
5
votes
5answers
236 views
How do I get players to use their Interrupts?
Is there a good tool to get plays to remember their immediate interrupts?
(please remember I play D&D4e with kids, so kid specific answers are always appreciated)
4
votes
1answer
249 views
Ways to add the [Good] Descriptor to Spells for Arcane Spellcaster
The 'Consecrate Spell' feat from Book of Exalted Deeds adds the [Good] descriptor to spells cast. Is there another way to achieve this for arcane spellcasters, e.g. as a prestige class feature?
The ...
