Questions relating to Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, or to multiple versions of Dungeons & Dragons.
11
votes
7answers
258 views
Cameo Characters?
There are some good books in the Forgotten Realms library. Do you use cameo characters form these books? If so how do you balance them with your campaign?
I know there was a campaign that came with ...
11
votes
2answers
433 views
Where is D&D in the spectrum of RPGs?
Our gaming group has been using various forms of D&D for several decades now, and we've enjoyed it quite a bit, but we have zero experience with other roleplaying games. Seeing all the other ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
How do you rule halfling tossing as a combat action?
The party I am GMing has three characters over 6' tall with 20+ strength as well as a halfling and a kobold, both small and about 3' tall.
A couple of times, they have wanted the big characters to ...
11
votes
3answers
511 views
Guide to convert a 3.5e DM to a 4e DM
I have never played fourth ed, I have read most of the new books, but it is so different as to be quite foreign to my play style. Is there a primer or guide out to help 3.5 DMs switch to 4th smoothly? ...
11
votes
5answers
432 views
Is there any popular contemporary “classic” D&D material?
I've played the gamut of D&D editions from 2e, 3e, 4e, and the classic BECMI system, and after a year long hiatus from 4th edition, I'm considering running some "classic" D&D again.
I'm aware ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
AC differences between AD&D 1E and Basic D&D?
I understand that there are differences between the way Armor Class works in AD&D (first edition) and Basic D&D (the boxed sets, Rules Cyclopedia, etc.), but I don't have the books to check it ...
11
votes
1answer
387 views
Feat prerequisites
Related to this question: Skill rank feat prerequisites, and specifically this rule text:
Some feats have prerequisites. Your character must have the indicated
ability score, class feature, ...
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 ...
10
votes
8answers
393 views
Minimum player knowledge of the rules
None of my group of players have read any of the rule books, not even the Player's Handbook.
I find this isn't a problem when making rulings, as they all accept my word (and a quick lookup if I'm not ...
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. ...
10
votes
3answers
397 views
What is the meaning of the “bardic lore” skill?
The bardic lore skill always left me baffled. I never had clear the terms of such skill. A bard can roll a bard lore throw to know some abstruse information. The fact is that the throw is bound to a ...
10
votes
5answers
947 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
1answer
595 views
What's the big appeal to Majestic Wilderlands?
I've been seeing a lot about this setting lately, and although I've looked over some of the material, I don't feel like I "get" it. That is by no means a criticism--I'm pretty interested, but it ...
10
votes
3answers
304 views
Any news regarding Planescape?
Riding on the coattails of the equivalent question on Spelljammer...
Is there anything happening on the Planescape front?
Both Wizards-related as well as independent updates are interesting.
10
votes
1answer
173 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 ...
10
votes
2answers
199 views
What is the difference between D&D and D&D Miniatures?
Are they the same game? Or is D&D Minis like an abridged toned down version of D&D 4.0? Or is it a separate rule-set entirely?
10
votes
2answers
392 views
Need a good “Katrina Horror” scenario/resources for my Pathfinder campaign
AVAST! THAR BE SPOILERS AHEAD!
In my current Pathfinder campaign, set in Golarion, I'm mashing up the Second Darkness Adventure Path, initially set in the seedy pirate-infested town of Riddleport, ...
10
votes
3answers
578 views
What powers do deities gain from believers?
In the (A)D&D multiverse, when a deity gains believers, he/she/it also gains power. But how much might is gained as the number of followers increases?
As an example, when Elan's puppet deity has ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Where can I find desert random encounter tables?
The players in my Greyhawk campaign are about to enter the Bright Desert, and I'd like to use some desert-specific random encounter tables — does anyone have anything suitable? Edition is irrelevant, ...
10
votes
1answer
433 views
What are the differences and similarities between Pathfinder and Fantasy Craft?
Pathfinder or Fantasy Craft?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of these two unofficial D&D 3.5 "upgrades" compared to 3.5 and each other?
What kinds of play/groups are they more fit for? ...
9
votes
3answers
283 views
Chances of rolling up characters for classes in first edition Dungeons and Dragons
I recently read a blog post about the probabilities of rolling up a character that would meet the requirements for all of the different classes in first edition Dungeons and Dragons. I'd love to read ...
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 ...
9
votes
4answers
221 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
187 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
3answers
310 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
192 views
Pitfalls in using Feats as a Reward System
I'm planning a fairly non-traditional campaign, in a completely custom setting (still high-fantasy, but slightly more modern).
While in this campaign, I have certain events that I've planned to ...
9
votes
3answers
216 views
DM resources for stock images
When I create a campaign, I generally create a whole new world. The problem with this is that even though I have a plethora of amazing ideas, I just can't handle all the drawing and visuals that I ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
List of freely available D&D books and resources [closed]
I'm trying to amass a list of D&D books and or resources to use in my DM-ing, like D&D Maps, 83 free D&D adventures, etc. The books can be about a particular Realm or about generic ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the best first adventure to run in D&D 4e?
I am very new to Dungeons and Dragons 4e. I recently picked all the necessary books and surprisingly low priced pound of dice from eBay. I have also coaxed my friends into giving it a shot while I ...
8
votes
9answers
923 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
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 ...
8
votes
7answers
497 views
Anyone have write-ups (or alternatives) for “missing” skills in D&D 4E?
I decided that my urban campaign setting for 4E would be better off if characters had some "mundane skills and knowledge."
One solution is adding the Knowledge, Craft, and Profession skills back in ...
8
votes
5answers
751 views
What is the relationship between Yuan-Ti and Nagas?
Yuan-ti are snake humanoids. Nagas are snake humanoids. What are the differences? What different roles do they serve? Is there in-game history about this?
8
votes
3answers
8k views
Is there an official 3E D&D character generator?
Is there a good D&D 3E character generator online or downloadable? Is there an official one somewhere? (Not just a character sheet or tracker.)
If there are no official generators, what are ...
8
votes
5answers
448 views
If I'm invisible do I get a bonus to my saving throws?
In any D&D or AD&D game...
Once my character has become invisible, do I get a bonus to any/all saving throws to which I am entitled?
Does this vary by edition?
Feel free to specify for any ...
8
votes
2answers
181 views
Looking for good advice and links on mapping a MegaDungeon
Partly thanks to the wonderful blogs of Tony Dowler and Dyson Logos, I've found myself obsessed recently with the idea of building that epically classic D&D adventuring environment: the dangerous ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What can make a dragon familiar suitable for a low-level character?
I would like to allow a level ~5 character to have a dragon as a familiar. (My DM style is a little more flexible.) Other than having a "baby dragon," how would you keep that balanced? I'd also ...
8
votes
5answers
818 views
Squares vs. hexes on battle mats
I've always felt that hexes were easier for laying things out on the gaming table in terms of movement and areas of effect because you can do more angles without doing counting tricks. Squares however ...
8
votes
1answer
183 views
Has the 4th edition d&d the same box as the 1st (or did I dream it)?
Yesterday I saw a pre-packaged full D&D set, and it had the familiar red box of the first edition. I was pleased to see it, but reading on the back it appeared like a 4th edition pack. Was I ...
8
votes
2answers
309 views
Resources containing practical, yet non-combat, non-adventuring D&D spells
Continuing the train of thoughts emerging from the discussion of this previous question (about magocracies and theocracies in DnD), I'd like to know if there are any good official or unofficial ...
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
1answer
255 views
Which version of d20 is World of Warcraft RPG compatible with?
I picked up the WoW RPG a few years back before I knew anything about D&D/d20 and am just now getting around to checking out D&D and am wondering where this book fits into the d20 versions?
8
votes
2answers
224 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
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?
8
votes
2answers
444 views
How do I implement Social Combat into a D&D/D20/Pathfinder game?
One of the coolest parts of White-Wolf games, in my opinion, is that they usually offer the ability for Social Combat to be just as exciting as physical or mental combat.
How can I run Social Combat ...
8
votes
1answer
150 views
Aganazzar's Scorcher: Rules for 'path' Spells
Agnazzar's Scorcher, a spell from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, reads as follows:
A jet of roaring flame bursts from your outstretched hand, scorching any creature in a 5-foot-wide path ...
8
votes
3answers
382 views
Can a Psion become a Thrallherd, then drop Diplomacy with Psychic Reformation?
I have a Psion(Egoist)/Thrallherd with Psychic Reformation. I'm wondering whether I can use Psychic Reformation to drop the points in Diplomacy and the Inquisitor feat, and reassign the points to ...
7
votes
5answers
413 views
How to give directions to megadungeon locations without giving players too much info?
One of my favorite blogs, Beyond the Black Gate, had a good post a while back about structuring megadungeon play for episodic (i.e., irregular) games by creating mini-quests or missions that get the ...
7
votes
7answers
523 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 ...
