* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Favorite "house rules" Started at 09-23-03 12:04 PM by Kilted Avenger Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=103948 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : Kilted Avenger Date : 09-23-03 12:04 PM Thread Title : Favorite "house rules" Every body has them....those little "adjustments" to the rules that seem to make play a little more fun, or perhaps not. Typically, we had a rule that ensured that all first level PC's started out with max gp's and max hit points, just to off-set the whole "break-in" period for a new character (or a new player). We also used the tried and true 4d6 subtract one die & re-roll 1's for attribute scores. In any case, what are some of your favorite house rules that you've used to great effect in your campaigns? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : diaglo Date : 09-23-03 12:39 PM 3d6 six times in order for stats. three alignments. Lawful, Chaotic, and Neutral Dwarves had to be Fighting men. Elves had to choose at the start of each adventure to either emphasize Magic-user or Fighting Man abilities Hobbits had to be Fighting men. Humans could be Cleric, Magic-user or Fighting Man. but only 1 class. :D edit: this was for a new edition campaign i was writing up. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Kilted Avenger Date : 09-23-03 12:58 PM Those all seem pretty much in line with the way the orginal D&D game was written, aren't they? I also noticed you're from Stone Mountain....I'm in Marietta....:tiphat: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : blackprinceofmuncie Date : 09-24-03 12:32 AM When playing AD&D I've always incorporated at least these two house rules. 1. Ability scores and modifiers are done B/E D&D style (i.e. no percentile strength and 18 gets a +3). 2. All weapons do S/M damage only. L damage is ignored. There are a lot of things I prefer about B/E D&D but these are the only two that I regularly include. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : spray paint affiliate Date : 09-24-03 10:06 AM in the campaign (starting @ lvl 1 ) i'm involved in, the DM did what he (usually i'm told) always does and allows the PC to have a "pre-level" in commoner, with all the "benefits". anything the increase the lifespan of a lvl1 character is alright in my book. In fact, i've cribbed it for my campaign. theft is the purest form of flattery. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Kaya Kenobi Date : 09-24-03 02:29 PM Originally posted by blackprinceofmuncie 2. All weapons do S/M damage only. L damage is ignored. I did this too thanks to that stupid longsword... d8, d12... two-handed sword.. d10, 3d6.. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Stonebeard Date : 09-24-03 08:51 PM Only ever had one house rule... role your character up at the table. I didn't mind at all spending the first night or two or even three just rolling up the characters. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Kilted Avenger Date : 09-24-03 08:56 PM Ah....a trusting DM. LOL!!!! :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : LORD ORION Date : 09-25-03 02:57 PM I always use these house rules. 1)Use basic/expert attribute modifiers in AD&D. Fighters (not rangers, paladins etc..) double strength based weapon dammage instead of using exceptional strength. I considered it the "having strength is one thing, but knowing how to use it is somthing else entirely" cliche. 2)Natural 20= perfect hit, and does maximum weapon dammage. For warriors, they get to roll an extra dammage die of the weapon and add it to the hit. 3)Skills: Base difficulty is always 15 + attribute modifier, so chances typically range from 15-18 out of 20. It keeps the gameplay moving quickly, and keeps the faith that the PCs are heroes and as such generally don't fail tasks that they know how to do. 4)Orcus always beats Demogorgon, no matter what the stats and dice rolls say. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : Kilted Avenger Date : 09-25-03 03:02 PM Dosen't your extra damage rule unbalance the game in favor of the PC's (assuming you don't let monsters use the same rule)? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : LORD ORION Date : 09-25-03 03:47 PM Well, considering a DMs job is not to "get" the PCs, so no. :) But, some balance things to consider.... 1)A nautral 20 only occurs one in 20 times so the warriors can't really base an abusive strategy around a 5% probability of a good hit. 2)It may seem to give warriors a big edge in low level parties, but not really, as most low level parties are fighting low HP advesaries so there is alot of overkill dammage on things like orcs and kobolds. 3)I use size L weapon dammages, so a critical hit with a two handed sword against the uber dragon (3D6) only allows for 1 additonal D6 to be rolled on a critical. 4)As spell casters progress even a medium level party (levels 6-10) is capable of an uber 1st strike when you count fireballs, backstabs and some good bow rolls. A fighter rolling a 20 is spectacular, but nothing that really makes the other PCs envious when they get some good rolls in on their best attacks. To clarify the worst case scenario.... fighter with 18 strength (which does + 6 dammage in my campaign) wielding a 1d12 weapon rolls a 20. That's a perfect hit so 18 dammage + an additional D12. 19-30 points is a pretty heroic hit, but nothing to write home about when the level 1 fighter smokes an orc with 6 HPs, or when your spell caster can blast several enemies at once for 3D6, spreading 30+ total dammage out across the enemies. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : Eearhem Date : 09-26-03 07:28 PM 2 rules: 1) You can't roll a 1, when you are rolling for HP at a new level. 2) Roll three 20's on one hit (you only get to roll a third time if you roll 20, twice), and it is an instant kill. I stole this from a former DM, who the only time it came up was on a young blue dragon. It was killed instantly by a monk, with a shuriken....I thought it was so funny that I had to incorperate into my game. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:17 AM.