3
votes
2answers
31 views
What, precisely, happens when you apply the Chain Spell metamagic feat to the Chain Lightning Spell?
The Chain Spell feat (Complete Arcane) causes a spell that normally has a single target to arc to multiple secondary targets based on your caster level. The spell chain lightning has a single initial ...
17
votes
7answers
412 views
+200
What do I need to change about Call of Cthulhu to set it in the 60s?
I am in the process of planning a CoC game (or Trail of... I've not picked up a copy but it looks interesting) set a long time after the events of the Whisperer in the Darkness. To do so, I wanted to ...
5
votes
4answers
102 views
In RAW how can I manipulate animal's attitude while magically speaking with them?
There are many ways to Speak with animals (for example the spell with that name). When you do...
You can ask questions of and receive answers from animals, but the spell doesn't make them any more ...
8
votes
1answer
60 views
Energy Immunity
What would happen if you cast an Energy Immunity (Fire), then follow it up with an Energy Immunity (Acid)? Are you now immune to both Fire & Acid for the duration of the spells, or does the second ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Did Basic D&D invent and popularise the abbreviation XP for experience points?
Basic Dungeons and Dragons page B22:
Experience points (abbreviated XP, as ep stands for electrum pieces) are given for non-magical treasure and for defeating monsters.
Is this why in most games ...
3
votes
1answer
29 views
7th Sea - Why use active Defense
When you get hit by an attack you first use parry as passive defensse and if you fail you use active defense in the same knack, correct? For active defense you use an action.
But isn't an active ...
20
votes
4answers
321 views
Giving a setting a feeling of ancientness
I'm creating a world for my next game and I want it to feel like a very ancient world with multiple fallen empires and wars in it's history. I want to build a very detailed setting and have my players ...
3
votes
0answers
23 views
Tips for combining Gumshoe/Lorefinder with improv/Lazy GMing?
The Gumshoe/Lorefinder systems break an adventure into core scenes, with a core clue in each scene leading to the next. I am under the impression that the GM will have to plan each scene. This gives ...
25
votes
16answers
3k views
+50
In D&D, A PC became king. How do I keep him in check?
I'm running a D&D 4e campaign. There, a player has worked very hard and somehow tricked me into becoming a king of an evil kingdom (the population is 100,000+). Good for him; he deserves it. ...
0
votes
2answers
69 views
What would the effect be of zeroing your exp after every level?
Inspired by this question, what would the effect of setting your exp to zero after levelling be? Obviously, each level would take longer. Would there be any other effects?
Note: As BESW points out, ...
4
votes
2answers
112 views
Which class is the Magical Knack more useful in?
The idea is 3 Knife Master / 1 White-haired witch / 1 Sorcerer [with a bloodline that grants many free feats* which synergize with a rogue], then X Knife Master & Scout. Originally the plan was 3 ...
4
votes
3answers
78 views
How to give a Rogue ways to shine
I'm DMing a pathfinder campaign and it's been going pretty well. The Barbarian is having a grand time cleaving hordes of weak enemies, the Cleric is doing fantastic in the undead segments, and the ...
10
votes
7answers
367 views
How to get new a new player to understand the time investment of a table top RPG
I have a problem and I was hoping you guys could help me.
My friends and I are about to start a Pathfinder campaign. We are all very new, none of us have played any sort of table top RPG before.
Most ...
6
votes
6answers
429 views
Encouraging players to not cheat the item purchase system?
I'm running a campaign for a group of friends who - while not new to roleplaying - are new to the idea of a generic resource points system. For context only (still system-agnostic advice), I'm talking ...
9
votes
4answers
347 views
Players who want a dayjob for a megacorp. Should I allow it?
A player wants to work for EVO knowing the corp has a great reputation as an employer (according to Corporate Guide) and they have a great tolerance of technomancers. As part of the day job ...
3
votes
2answers
52 views
Can I use more than one implement at once?
If I'm a Cleric with the Student of Artifice feat, and I have a staff and a holy symbol, will my powers with the implement keyword receive both enhancements?
1
vote
1answer
34 views
When a power makes a zone, what squares does it affect?
Some powers create zones, and most of them just say it, "zone", but what exactly is it? I mean, whats the size? For they just mention the range of where I can put the "core" of the zone!
3
votes
2answers
100 views
Do I reset XP to zero on a new level?
In the D&D group I play with one of the players insists that when you reach a new level you have to zero your experience. However when I checked the PHB1 there is no reference to this. PHB1 uses ...
5
votes
1answer
42 views
Puzzling Things Out in tremulus and failing - how would that move the story forward?
According to the philosophy of the Apocalypse World Engine, when PCs make a move and fail the roll, the story should still get advanced somehow. In effect, it's time for the GM to make a move of their ...
7
votes
4answers
313 views
Pitfalls of using the optional 'XP for Gold' rule in a Basic D&D Retro Clone game?
Basic Fantasy (a Basic D&D Retro Clone) has the XP for Gold optional rule: 1 GP of coin or treasure returned to a safe place rewards the party with 1 XP. This is in addition to normal XP rewards. ...
9
votes
7answers
521 views
What is the best way to prevent abuse of the gate spell?
The gate spell may be used for calling a extraplanar creature up to 39 HD for your service, e.g. Solar. That creature may be commanded to use wish spell for raising your attributes or for creating a ...
14
votes
5answers
2k views
What is a “mark” actually supposed to be?
This is probably way too simple of a question, but I just haven't been able to figure it out.
In D&D 4th edition, there's the concept of a mark on an enemy creature; a player character in combat ...
7
votes
3answers
372 views
Which are the advantages of Medium armor?
[Based on playtest material delivered on May]
Light armor = (12-15) + Dex
Medium armor = (13-17) + 1/2 Dex
Heavy armor = (15-18)
What are the advantages of wearing Medium armor when trying to get ...
11
votes
2answers
127 views
Hide in Plain Sight vs True Seeing
Does casting True Seeing pierce through a Ranger's Hide in Plain Sight? What about a Shadowdancer's Hide in Plain Sight?
According to the True Seeing description:
True seeing does not help the ...
5
votes
5answers
411 views
Are my 4E reincarnation rules reasonable and fun?
So I want to have near-instant (next in-game day) reincarnation, as I plan on running a fairly brutal campaign. There are a couple of things I plan on doing, and I would love some help fine tuning the ...
31
votes
6answers
2k views
What is Sandbox play?
How would you describe the concept of sandbox play?
How about to someone who is used to adventure modules or adventure paths?
3
votes
2answers
55 views
How does damage reduction work with falling damage?
Specifically, does a damage reduction reduce the damage from each dice of falling damage or from the total?
If it is the former, does this combination worth less than 2000 gp make me immune to ...
4
votes
3answers
100 views
How are Werewolf traits balanced?
I'm not a skilled Werewolf: the Apocalypse player. One thing that has always surprised me is that Gnosis, Willpower and Rage are calculated from Breed, Tribe and Auspice. But I don't know how it is ...
3
votes
2answers
72 views
About monster definition and distinctions
I was having a discussion with some guy and I argued that I think D&D made distinctions between monsters and regular characters since earlier editions, and it even employed different mechanics. ...
17
votes
7answers
656 views
How can I screen new players to make sure they are a good fit for my game?
I'm looking to start a new Savage Worlds campaign and I need a full set of players for it. I've played in games before and ran a couple of one-shots, but I've never GMed a full campaign. There's ...
8
votes
3answers
149 views
Does a ring of feather falling work for any height?
Triggered by This Question
A ring of feather falling:
This ring is crafted with a feather pattern all around its edge. It
acts exactly like a feather fall spell, activated immediately if the
...
3
votes
6answers
153 views
A system that models improved threat range of critical misses?
Have you ever fumbled with a flail? It sucks, especially when you are first learning it. It can happen very often; Sometimes in such a terrible way it far surpasses the risk of swinging a staff, hands ...
35
votes
11answers
2k views
How should GM deal with 'standing orders'?
I once got this scenario. This is what the player says as he infiltrates an enemy NPC's mansion.
I am always checking for trap wherever I go. Assume that I am always looking around me wary and ...
3
votes
1answer
93 views
How to handle initiative while keeping the spotlight on a duel within a larger combat?
In some weeks we will play 7th Sea, an RPG with much fencing.
I want to make fights more like a duel between players and minions. I think some (most?) battles will be one player duelling a minion, ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Do Mushroom Vest and Boots of the Cat work together?
The first is a padded vest, the second is padded shoes.
Mushroom Vest (500 gp) This spongy, mottled brown vest is several inches thick and composed of woven strips of preserved fungus. The vest ...
4
votes
4answers
100 views
How to make a confinement situation interesting without railroading players?
There are many scenarios where players will be confined for a period of time in a location: Prison, castle under siege, mega dungeon adventure (like Undermountain) or a labyrinth. I'd like to play the ...
-3
votes
2answers
49 views
How do you gain “Implement” added to your class feature list without going hybrid? [closed]
Most classes have Implements in their class feature. How does one add Implements to their class feature without going hybrid?
-3
votes
1answer
48 views
Implement usage [closed]
I'm still new to implements, so far all I know is that it could be anything so long as you have it with you (meaning it does not have to be equipped) and you use its bonuses for attacks and damage ...
9
votes
5answers
246 views
How can I let players make more choices during combat?
When my players are in combat, they mostly spend a moment figuring out what the most effective target is for each of them, and how to attack it, and then everyone rolls until combat is over. They ...
4
votes
1answer
37 views
What die rolls are open-ended?
In Burning Wheel Gold, so far as I can tell, the following tests have open-ended die rolls:
Magic
Perception
Any skill-based test with the funky little squiggly S after it (which are generally ...
18
votes
3answers
382 views
+50
Do you have to reveal your NPC's aspects?
Important NPCs may have hidden aspects that PCs are supposed to assess somehow before using them: can such a NPC invoke one of his hidden aspects without the GM revealing it to the players?
Example:
...
8
votes
0answers
58 views
Mutant Chronicles: Luna City and Moon physics
Okay, this is in fact a bunch of related sub-questions, but I'll try and sum them up in one:
How has the physical workings of the Moon -- home to the new central hub of humanity: Luna -- changed in ...
14
votes
4answers
2k views
Can characters reach Mach 1 and higher in D&D 3(.5)?
A few years back our group tried to come up with the fastest possible D&D character. If I remember correctly we could build a character that could go faster than the speed of sound, but I can't ...
3
votes
2answers
111 views
How does sneak attack work for ranged rogues after surprise round?
Does he become useless?
Do you have to place a houserule?
Is it spending actions on getting invisible or out of sight again the only way to get sneak attack again?
It seems to me a ranged rogue ...
8
votes
3answers
963 views
Does casting a spell require a check to succeed?
If my character is a spell caster, and he is not wearing any armor, is there any chance to fail casting the spell? I'm wondering specifically about normal circumstances: There is nobody who can attack ...
7
votes
1answer
98 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
44 views
Trying to understand stacking defense bonuses from Racial / Feat / Items in DND4e?
I am a relatively new player to DND (4e). I've tried to look this information up and have found tidbits but I am still unclear. This is a multi-part question though the core of it is understanding if ...
0
votes
2answers
159 views
What are some good chance/luck-themed spells for Sorcerers?
I'm building a gambler-themed Spellscale Sorcerer, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any good luck-themed spells. I know there's things like Unluck and the various Prismatic/Rainbow spells (the ...
4
votes
2answers
94 views
How does crossing the borders of Ravenloft's domains work?
As I understand it, in Ravenloft a Dark Lord has control over his/her land.
However, when traveling between lands, can the PCs cross borders as they like, as long as the Lord of the land has not ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Character Build - “Bad Luck” Theme
I'm trying to build a character who suffers a strange and inexplicable stigma that attracts misfortune to all the people around him. (In South America it's called "mufa"; in colloquial language, ...
