Questions relating to Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, or to multiple versions of Dungeons & Dragons.
5
votes
1answer
37 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 ...
22
votes
4answers
707 views
How much to bend “the rules” about populating a world?
All right, I have a question about creating a world and populating it with appropriate monsters, etc.
I created a world a little while back, loosely based off of the world found in Michael ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
6answers
667 views
Can you use a Spelljammer ship to get to Ravenloft?
This is an insane question, I know. But it's one that's been bugging me for at least half my 33-year life. :)
I love both the Spelljammer and Ravenloft settings of AD&D 2nd Edition. One of the ...
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. ...
45
votes
26answers
2k views
What alternatives are there to replace orcs, kobolds, and hobgoblins in low-level encounters?
In your average "generic D&D" campaign and setting, orcs, kobolds, and hobgoblins are frequently used to stock low level adventures and dungeons. These are usually nice for 1st/2nd level ...
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 ...
36
votes
13answers
756 views
How to communicate to the players that an encounter can be solved also through diplomacy?
When you play D&D, you are not supposed to chat with the enemy during encounters. The system is made for fighting. However, in some circumstances, it would be nice to make the players conscious ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
11answers
2k views
Is it practical to run a weekly lunch-hour game of D&D with my coworkers?
I'm looking to get some of my coworkers together and start a lunch time, casual, D&D game. Has anyone done this - is there a practical way to do this?
Our lunch breaks run for about 1 hour, but I ...
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 ...
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? ...
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 ...
12
votes
1answer
270 views
At what point does a trap on a lock spring?
So a thief finds a chest which is trapped and locked (though he knows neither of these things at this point).
He fails his find traps roll and assumes / risks that it's not trapped. At what point ...
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 ...
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 ...
44
votes
13answers
4k views
Why does everyone carry a 10' pole?
Based on this comment over on CRPG Addict:
No adventuring party is complete without a ten foot pole.
...
Jason, but WHY? In God's name, WHAT IS IT FOR?!
What is a 10 foot pole used for ...
26
votes
5answers
4k views
What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D?
What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D? Also, which one came first?
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 ...
14
votes
3answers
417 views
What are the “Dark Powers”?
What are the dark powers in Ravenloft?
I'm not asking for a list, but rather a description of these entities.
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 ...
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 ...
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
10answers
821 views
What defines the “old school renaissance”?
I'm aware that the old school renaissance (OSR) is all about hearkening back to old versions of D&D and the play styles of the 70's and 80's, but what characteristics really define this movement? ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
22
votes
3answers
18k views
What are the differences between D&D 3.5 and D&D 4th edition?
I have a small group of players who don't play often and we've been playing D&D 3.5.
I wanted to know if there are any significant differences between D&D 3.5 and D&D 4e? Do they use a ...
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 ...
28
votes
3answers
6k views
What are the big differences between the D&D editions?
I've been out of the loop for a while, and I used to play AD&D 2nd ed, but today I find there are a lot of different versions that have fairly different gameplay.
Can anyone summarize the really ...
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, ...
21
votes
6answers
1k views
How does D&D Vancian magic make sense in-game?
One thing that bugs me about Vancian Magic in D&D as I understand it is the following: How is "fire and forget" remotely believable when I can slot and ready more than one "copy" of a spell?
Say ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Is it possible to actually kill a Tarrasque?
I've seen a good bit of conflicting information on this creature. Is it possible to actually kill it? Permanently?
Is the answer to this something that varies from edition to edition of D&D?
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
642 views
Regarding resting and spell meditation for casters
My group recently started a game in D&D 3.5. Even though we are all rather familiar with the ruleset, there are certain details that we have trouble discerning from the official documentation, ...
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 ...
34
votes
10answers
5k views
Overview of D&D retro-clones
I'm getting more and more interested in the D&D retro-clones. I keep seeing various names thrown around, like Labyrinth Lords, Swords and Wizardry, Lycanthropes &… something else starting with ...
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 ...
