6
votes
3answers
641 views
Can a martial character combine a lesser style with greater style, arena training, or other at-will modifying feat?
What level of stacking is possible with at-will modifying feats?
Take, for example, the fighter power: "Cleave"
At-Will Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Targets: ...
7
votes
2answers
706 views
How can a charging thief take advantage of the druid's wild shape feats that grant charge bonuses?
A D&D 4e thief with "Surprising Charge" (+1[W] damage on a charge against someone with CA) and "Cunning Stalker" (grants CA on any isolated enemy) does astonishing amounts of damage on a charge.
...
7
votes
2answers
666 views
Rendering Final Fantasy Tactics Advance as a tabletop RPG
The setting of Final Fantasy Tactics (Advance) is remarkably compelling from a tabletop standpoint. By suggesting that the party are playing reconstructions of self-characters who can change jobs via ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
What are the minimum stats I need for a Call of Cthulhu combat?
When I run Trail of Cthulhu and I need to prepare for a combat quickly, I scribble down something like the following:
Gangster: Athletics 10, Health 10
Those are the minimum statistics I need to run ...
12
votes
2answers
3k views
Dungeons and Dragons Treasure Parcels
I'm new to D&D and would like to distribute treasure evenly in my dungeon for my level 1 PCs. I've read up briefly on the treasure packages but am still a little fuzzy on how they exactly work and ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Best ways to spot sneaky characters
I am playing in a game where it has been hinted we may come across creatures with very good hide and move silently skills, and most likely have abilities such as hide in plain sight, darkstalker ...
6
votes
2answers
734 views
What information is available for the town Fallcrest?
My next campaign will have some town adventures. I'm looking at the Fallcrest town detailed in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Before I get too far into it, I'd like to know if the town has been ...
13
votes
11answers
387 views
In a game set “ten years into the future” what are some narrative techniques to explain away the lack of significant tech advances?
Mutant City Blues, an excellent setting for a GUMSHOE system, is set "ten years in the future" of whenever the game starts.
However, as I want the game to be about powers (the heightened) and not ...
21
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I teach people the combat system from Burning Wheel?
This last week I ran a demo scenario (The Sword) for burning wheel and failed horribly, not least because no-one could understand the combat mechanics.
Can someone provide a script which can ...
10
votes
2answers
302 views
Which Mage: The Awakening sourcebook (if any) has info on mages' daily, non-adventuring lives?
I've always wondered what mages in Mage: The Awakening do when they are not "adventuring". What's Jane/John Mage Doe's typical day like? Does an average mage have a day job (to earn money to stay ...
10
votes
1answer
246 views
Do special abilities require an action every round they are active?
Extraordinary ability is a free action to use. Is it a free action to turn on, and then no action afterwards. For instance, if someone is using hide in plain sight, and then becomes unconscious, is ...
6
votes
3answers
319 views
In Call of Cthulhu, what would you roll to search a room?
In a Call of Cthulhu adventure, a particular clue is concealed in a room.
In Trail of Cthulhu, you'd spend a point of Evidence Collection. What would you do in Call of Cthulhu?
The rules I have are ...
11
votes
3answers
776 views
Does a Pacifist Healer using a non-damaging attack who crits with a magic implement… do damage? Does he have to?
Pacifist Clerics (and anyone who takes Astral Seal, for example, but there are other powers- Hymn of Resurgence, for example that do no damage) can use their magic holy symbols to augment their attack ...
18
votes
4answers
649 views
Guidelines for Writing a Convention Scenario
I am in the process of playtesting my RPG system, and I want to put together a scenario for convention play. But almost all my experience as a GM is with long, customized campaigns that are highly ...
4
votes
2answers
244 views
Can a sire feed from his childer without risk of the vinculum / blood bond?
If I remember correctly, in the old WoD, a vampire could feed from its descendant bloodline without fearing the Blood Bond.
But in Vampire: The Requiem, I found no mention of that fact.
So, I'm ...
5
votes
1answer
250 views
Are Embraced Ghouls blood bonded to their Sires?
A vampire wants to embrace a ghoul (which is, of course, blood-bonded to the vampire).
Once the embrace takes place, what happens?
The new childe is still fully blood-bonded to his new sire?
The ...
8
votes
4answers
380 views
What demo scenarios exist for Burning Wheel?
While there are a fair number of demos here for burning wheel, the wiki is quite light on details.
I would like feedback on useful demo scenarios to run for Burning Wheel and why they are useful. ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
How does telepathy work
I would like peoples opinions on this ability.
According to the MM books, telepathy is described as
A creature with this ability (supernatural) can communicate telepathically with any other ...
5
votes
4answers
874 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 ...
14
votes
10answers
1k views
Glossary of Common RPG Terminology [closed]
This thread is a Community Wiki to define terminology specific to the world of RPGs which outsiders looking to come in may not be familiar with.
This question is for terms which are not unique to a ...
4
votes
2answers
235 views
How often can a fighter benefit from Avenging Spirit?
Avenging Spirit is a paragon fighter feat that provides an action point whenever an ally drops:
Benefit: When an ally of your level or higher is reduced to 0 hit points or fewer, you gain an ...
10
votes
4answers
236 views
Where can I learn the meanings of RPG terminology?
Words like 'campaign', 'system', 'dX', etc. Is there a good web resource with them all on a single page?
11
votes
7answers
539 views
What indie systems present sufficiently interesting mechanics or settings to be recommended for an “Uncampaign”?
Recently I concluded a long-running Ars Magica game. In order to fill the gaming gap that left, I've started a series of unrelated one-shots called "Uncampaign." Which is designed around the ...
4
votes
1answer
531 views
What are some specific areas of compatibility between Cavaliers and Paladins?
When creating a Heroic Cavalier the other day, I was struck by the absolute uselessness of the paladin feats for the Cavalier. As a practical question, what elements from the paladin are useful, ...
1
vote
2answers
219 views
Tips for running a mystery in Burning Wheel
As part of an ongoing "Uncampaign" (organized group play of many different systems, to get a feel for new and current trends), I'll be running a Burning Wheel game this weekend.
Having only run ...
10
votes
2answers
291 views
How do I grant free weapon expertise in WotC's new Character Builder?
In one of the games I run, I grant the players free Expertise as a heroic level power-bump. The players really like the format of the new Character Builder sheets.
While I would like to use the new ...
10
votes
5answers
258 views
How can I run Sweeney Todd as an RPG?
A flatmate of mine was interested in trying (as her first time playing an RPG) something about Sweeney Todd.
What good, simple, system would work for this sort of game? If possible, a system that ...
10
votes
2answers
542 views
Does a polearm's reach stack with the Warden's Thorn Strike's Melee 2?
The Warden's Thorn Strike has a range of Melee 2, it's keywords are Primal and Weapon. A polearm has Reach letting you attack 2 squares away.
Does a polearm's range stack with Warden's Thorn Strike ...
13
votes
1answer
911 views
Are there any guides for hacking DND4E files?
The offline Character Builder had some houseruling support, but it was somewhat limited and the new online Character Builder has even less. Even if you have a fully legal character, some powers, ...
19
votes
8answers
7k views
What is the real difference between D&D 4th Edition and Essentials?
I've played mostly 2nd Ed. and some 3/3.5. I have a lot invested in those materials. I am intrigued by 4E an Essentials, but am looking for the best way to approach the new editions. Keep in mind I ...
6
votes
1answer
182 views
Does the Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud grant concealment and an additional -2 to hit?
The Goblin Hexer's Vexing Cloud is a standard action with a zone:
Area burst 3 within 10; automatic hit;
all enemies within the zone take a -2
penalty to attack rolls. The zone
grants ...
8
votes
2answers
505 views
Can a creature make a diagonal attack on the other side of a secret door?
I'm not quite sure how to resolve combat around a secret door. I guess it must be like a normal door, but I wonder. Take this example:
Red Circle is directly next to an open secret door, and Blue ...
8
votes
3answers
803 views
4e Skills in D&D 3.5?
One of my favorite facets of 4e is the new simplified skill system, particularly the reduced skill lists.
Stealth vs Hide and Move Silently.
Athletics vs Jump and Climb
Is there a set of rules ...
10
votes
1answer
160 views
Strike Force 7 (for Runequest!?!) How about BRP?
I just discovered that there is a Runequest version of Strike Force 7! I've often seen Strike Force 7 for Spycraft or Savage Worlds and while I love the idea for that setting, I don't care for those ...
11
votes
3answers
546 views
What happens if you Push a target, who has another target Grabbed?
What is the effect if a target (A) is grabbing another target(B), and another person(C) applies 3 squares of Forced Movement?
Is the grab-victim (B) carried along with (A) for the trip?
12
votes
2answers
329 views
Can an implement held in Far Hand or Mage Hand (et. al.) be used with powers?
Scenario: A substance has been encountered which appears to augment damage done by weapons and, perhaps, implements. However, this substance appears to be harmful to those who come in direct ...
11
votes
1answer
253 views
Where is published errata for Essentials?
Has Wizards of the Coast published errata yet for any of the Essentials books?
I'm pretty sure that I already know the answer to this -- no errata has yet been published for Heroes of the Fallen ...
13
votes
2answers
337 views
Does the altitude start from square 0 or square 1?
Some forms of fly have an altitude limit (like those granted by Form of the Vengeful StormDDI, Sky HookDDI, DuskwalkDDI and Wings of Elevated ThoughtsDDI).
Altitude limitDDI merely says that:
If ...
14
votes
8answers
878 views
Roleplaying an addiction
In some games (Shadowrun for example), you can take a negative quality to balance your character in the form of addiction. I was considering either a Moderate or Severe Addiction negative quality for ...
4
votes
1answer
120 views
In XCrawl, does grandstanding have any short term effects?
In XCrawl, you can grandstand to the crowd or mug for the camera during a dungeon crawl. There are a lot of rules around that - Perform skills, etc - but it seems like the only effect I can find is a ...
8
votes
2answers
406 views
Can a prone ally be used to flank an enemy?
If a prone ally is on the opposite side of a creature than another standing ally, does the prone ally allow the standing ally to gain combat advantage?
Can the prone ally also gain combat advantage ...
8
votes
1answer
625 views
When a creature is prone, can it make opportunity attacks?
If a creature is knocked prone, can it still make opportunity attacks?
7
votes
1answer
611 views
What are the rules for combining multiple Fighting Styles?
As I recall they stack, and their penalties and bonuses don't stack, but you take the worst.
So if you had a drawback -2 to defence and -3 to defence, then you take -3.
And if you are taking -2 and ...
8
votes
2answers
304 views
Can the Sorcerer use 'Lightning Shift' while prone?
Lightning Shift is a 6th Level Sorcerer Utility Encounter Power that is a move action.
Effect: You shift your speed. You
ignore difficult terrain during the
shift.
If the sorcerer is ...
10
votes
5answers
4k views
Calculating encounter level with mixed CR enemies?
In D&D 3.5 how do you calculate the Encounter Level of an encounter when the encounter involves elements (usually enemies) of multiple CRs?
For example an encounter involves
4 Zombies (CR1/2)
...
8
votes
2answers
425 views
Must you not use Monk Unarmed Strike, to take the bonus from Iron Parry?
NOTE: I recently posed this question to Wizards Customer Support, and thought I'd share with the community. This came up when the offline Character Builder appeared to be mishandling the AC bonus of ...
11
votes
1answer
419 views
Question regarding Sneak of Shadows feat
My question is when you use the multiclass feat Sneak of Shadows for the 1/encounter sneak attack damage, does it increase by tier like the rogue class feature Sneak Attack, Heroic: 2d6, Paragon: 3d6; ...
5
votes
1answer
178 views
Ylraphon - Forgotten Realms - Anyone have info?
Does anyone know of specifics about the city of Ylraphon in the Forgotten Realms, beside the info in "The City of Ravens Bluff"?
Any websites that are up to date with some good content?
12
votes
2answers
275 views
How do you leave the Hedge?
How do you get out of the Hedge?
To quote the core rule book:
To escape the Hedge, a changeling either
needs to find an active (not necessarily open) gateway, or
find a suitable door, ...
8
votes
1answer
278 views
Are Transmutation spells lost after dismissing or casting Alter Self
The description of transmutation spells is
Transmutation spells change the properties of some creature, thing,
or condition.
So if a transmutation spell was cast after an alter self, and then ...
